Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > April > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEven brief playoff visit worth noting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boston — OK, so it wasn’t the thrill that came with the first World Series game in Atlanta or the sight of the Falcons in an actual Super Bowl. But when a franchise goes nine excruciating years without a playoff sniff, the novelty of that team taking the floor for an 83rd game carries enough of a jolt to make us sit up and take note.
So sit up. Take note. The Hawks are in the NBA playoffs at blessed last. At issue now: Will they stay long?
If Game 1 of this Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against Boston was any indication, they’ll stick around for three more games. Yes, that would be the minimum. And “minimal” is the only way to describe this return-to-the-postseason engagement.
The Hawks played Sunday night like a team unaccustomed to the pressurized pace. Boston was somewhat better. Given that the Celtics won 29 more games than these Hawks, this was no huge surprise. What was shocking was how little Mike Bibby, the Hawks player who has had the most postseasoning, offered.
Bibby was roundly outplayed by Rajon Rondo, one of Boston’s lesser lights. Bibby would finish with five points and one assist to Rondo’s 15 and nine. Said Bibby: “The stat line’s terrible. I didn’t help my team at all. I’ll take the blame for this.”
He also said this: “I don’t think there’ll be another game like this.”
He meant things will get better. Truth to tell, they could get worse. The Celtics didn’t play at peak capacity Sunday: Ray Allen had a quiet first half, and Paul Pierce accomplished little after an early flurry. And still Boston won by 23 points.
“We came out with the same mindset as they did,” Marvin Williams did. “At the end of the day, they just made more shots.”
Well, yeah. Part of that is because Boston has better shooters. Part of it is because Boston takes better shots. The biggest part, however, is that Boston makes it harder for the other team to shoot. Joe Johnson needed 22 shots to score 19 points. The Celtics aren’t great just because they have great talent; they’re great because they’ve managed to turn talent into a team.
With the Hawks, greatness remains several light years away. This is, after all, a bunch that finished six games under .500 and entered the postseason having lost four of five. For all the local giddiness over qualifying for the playoffs, it would have been really hard to do any less. And now we’ll see if this bunch has within itself the capability of surprising us even a little.
In the Hawks’ locker room afterward, a sign still bore the notice of a pregame chapel service. The topic: “Making what seemed impossible happen.” Right now it seems impossible that the Hawks will give Boston any sort of a run, but in the pressurized postseason things can change overnight.
“There’s a lot more series left,” Bibby said. “Somebody has to win four games.”
Off the strength — or, more precisely, the weakness — of their Game 1 showing, the Hawks will do well to win even once. “You always have a chance,” said Dominique Wilkins, whose greatest moment as a player came in that famous lost series against Boston in 1988. “What our guys have to do is absorb the first blow. We can’t panic.”
The Celtics landed a massive Sunday punch. The Hawks now have two off-days to muster some sort of counter. That could be even tougher than we thought it would be. In Game 1, mighty Boston gave every indication of being a team that knows all the answers, and their opponent didn’t appear to have understood a single question.
Permalink | Comments (82) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By Fahim
April 21, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
First!….and great article Mark..spot on!
By Dr. Warren
April 21, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
Boston’s half-court D is indeed oppressive. Why doesn’t Woody play to his team’s youth and speed and shift away from the half-court game? What have you got to lose when you’re already losing by 23?
By RealSquawk
April 21, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
we won’t last long until we find a coach that can out coach until then we are done
Mike Woodson isn’t bad, but this just isn’t a team he can excel with so down to changing the whole team or changing the coach
By Sacramento Kings Front Office
April 21, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Suckers.
By Sam Cassell
April 21, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
Damn, I’m hideous!
By Pick It Up
April 21, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Stand back up and get ready for Round 2.
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
By LaBrawn
April 21, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this
What a pathetic showing. For all the talk this team did prior to the series, to come out and lay an egg like this is inexcusable. Marvin Williams is becoming a bigger bust day by day and I can only hope we can trade him this offseason. As much as people harp on passing on Paul and Williams, it is becoming even more glaring because we did not even get a quality nba player ahead of them. Say what you want about ihs age, but in the NBA these days you can tell who has the talent and heart to succeed and who doesn’t. Just look at James, Bosh, Anthony, Paul, Williams, Horford, Durant, Wade, Howard, etc. The bottom line is that Marvin will always be a guy who can’t create his own shot while also being unable to hit his jump shot enough to warrant extended playing time. In addition, the guy celebrates a decent play as if he is the best player in the league and rarely, if ever is clutch. Furthermore, reading the interview with Billy Knight angered me to a point that I never have been despite being a hawk fan since I knew what basketball was. The guy tries to be political by saying “Even if you want to say, ‘I told you so,’ you don’t say, ‘I told you so.’ Even if that’s what you’d like to say. You just don’t get into that.” When in reality, he is telling the fans to F off because he is right and this current team is proof of that. Uhh, Sekou, why don’t you ask him about the signing of speedy claxton, the joe johnson at pg experiment, drafting shelden williams, and the list goes on. I distinctly remember an interview after jj’s first few games where BK tried to defend JJ at the point by saying not to talk to him until after the season. Well, after the season, the moron apparently realized he was wrong and proceeded to sign a player that has done nothing to help the team in craig claxton. I am so fed up with this team. I am normally a confident, optimistic person and have tried to defend knight’s picks of marvin and shelden. However, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that this guy will do nothing but continue to run this franchise into the ground. Any person that takes solace in making the playoffs with 37 wins is delusional and far too overconfident in their abilities to run an NBA franchise. I am tired of Atlanta teams being content with making the playoffs. I wish we could go back in time and have David McDavid take over these teams. Finally, as if Mike Woodson couldn’t look any dumber, he was caught smiling on the bench on several occasions tonight, laughed during his interview with Cheryl Miller and blatantly had his championship ring in view as if to show a national audience that he is relevant. Knight hired this fellow moron as well. I hate to sound like this, and I rarely ever voice my opinion in such a negative way. I am just so tired of Atlanta sports fans having to deal with BS franchises like this and GM’s like Waddell and Knight who are completely useless. To make matters worse, Knight acts as if he has accomplished so much in the league and deals with the media and fans as if they are vastly inferior to him. I am sorry that I didn’t blog more about the game itself, but there wasn’t much to say there. The game was just a microcosm of where the franchise is at this point in their rebuilding plan, and hopefully will signal the end of this brutal regime named Billy Knight and Mike Woodson. On the bright side at least we have Al Horford, who is a beast and will be the centerpiece of this franchise for years to come. Unfortunately, he will be attributed to Billy Knight despite the fact that we got lucky as hell to get him without having to give up our pick to Phoenix while also being that hight because of drafting Marvin and Shelden Williams. I still can’t believe Billy Knight acts like this has been the plan all along. Go Hawks.
By tjhook
April 21, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this
LaBrawn, I have to show you love for your post. I have been trying to understand why no official has gotten in Marvin Williams face and told him to tighten his $ up. He has been receiving checks for three years now and people are not mentioning him and Chris Paul’s name together out of convenience. He’s needs to play like a man out to lead a team, not one who’s fitting in. I’m in Iraq preparing to fly to Atlanta for my vacation time and it’s depressing to watch Joe Johnson commit to basketball hari kari because no one (besides Marvin) has the physical ability to dribble the basketball and overwhelm a defender. Childress can, but he’s just not a big guy. Of course, we need a bench, but we need a scorer to take the pressure off of Joe when we need to score points to sustain a lead or not fall behing when another team goes on a spurt. Go Hawks and show up Marvin. And I mean, take over the game! Stop worrying about what other people might think!! Be a leader and score- that’s why you’re on this team!
By The Scoop
April 21, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
My sources tell me that KG will mysteriously get injured in Game 2. Result: Hawks win this series in 6 games. you heard it here first.
By jts in dallas
April 21, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this
It’s really hard to follow these Hawks when we have a coach who has no idea how to coach situational basketball. Does it take the team to be down 11-2 before he realizes that it may be a good time for a timeout? Does it take a full 48 minutes before any moron can see that Mike Bibby is having an off night and maybe, just maybe the backup point guard can enter the game before the last 2 minutes, just in case he can come in with a hot hand? Did it do any good to NOT at least try to develop the bench players so that they coult try to step up when the starters are not going good?
Does it seem unusual to anyone except me that Bibby is subbed in the 2nd quarter by a guard who does not usually back him up while a number 1 draft pick languishes on the bench, therefore not able to contribute to the massacre? I think that TODAY would be a great time to dismiss our no-coaching head coach and replace him with the nearest high school coach.
By jtsiii in dallas
April 21, 2008 4:24 AM | Link to this
“He puts pressure on you with his speed,” Woodson said. “We were trying to match a bigger guy on Rondo. But he made some shots. And we have to live with that. As long as Ray and Paul aren’t sticking the dagger in you, you have to live with Rondo making shots.”
The above quote was attributed to Mike Woodson. Since Bibby was having an off night offensively & already is a liability defensively, I find it very hard to believe that Woodson would not at least TRY Acie Law in the lineup. He is usually a consistently good defensive player with lots of quickness. I am somewhat dumbfounded as to why Woody would replace a point guard with a forward, when Law is sitting on the bench.
Has Woody decided that it is more important to maintain his doghouse rather than to even attempt to win games, or is Woody REALLY as stupid as he appears. At the very best, Woodson is an assistant coach in charge of one aspect in practice. He is totally incapable of directing game situations. He has got to go. Atlanta fans, take heart. There are lots of much better coaches available out there and when New Orleans gets thru sweeping Dallas, Avery Johnson will probably be available. He’s a great X’s & O’s coach and very capable of developing young players, which Woody can’t even dream of doing. Come on ASG, we could become a winner with a real coach. We already have the players, if only Woody knew HOW to use them.
By Bravesfan79
April 21, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
tjhook: newsflash buddy…Marvin is NOT capable of putting this team on his back! Can anyone tell me what Marvin does really well? 1 thing? Anything!??
Marvin was billed as the next Jordan, except he dosent have the body of a jordan. Hes got the body of a guy cashing fat paychecks thats 2 lazy to workout or care.
But even if he DID workout, i still wouldnt like his game, and i would still think he sucks.
This Hawks team will never do anything special with Marvin on the roster….unless hes on the end of the bench that is! And btw we need to try and get Crinennton from Memphis, they have a bunch of young pt guards there and we might can pry him from them. Maybe we can sucker them into taking Marvin!
By No Dawgs Here
April 21, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
The Hawks are only in the playoffs because they didn’t suck as much as the rest of the teams. They will be swept by a much more talented and better coached Boston team. The Hawks lack a decent coach, and a decent shooting guard. I’ll give you that Mike Bibby is a fine point guard. But, other than Joe Johnson and Al Horford, the rest of the team sucks rotten eggs. I watched the game last night, there was not set plays. They looked like some kids that just met up at a school ground and started to play a real pro team. They have not legimate “big man”, and they have no legimate 3 point threat. Down in a sweep…. But, hey at least one team from Atlanta will have reached the playoffs. The Falcons won’t for a while, nor the Braves. Welcome to Loserville…
By Hugh G. Rection
April 21, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley - the Hawks finished eight games under .500, not six. By the way, your hair looked better poofy.
By law29
April 21, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Marvin Step up man!!
By outofreverse
April 21, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
It’s a sad state of affairs when the only two people that show up in the franchise’s first playoff game in nine years are a rookie and your 6th man. Josh Smith continues to be a liability on both sides of the floor as he fails to slide over for weakside help on defense and continues to think he actually has a jump shot outside of 10 feet.
The one player you pay franchise money for, Joe Johnson, couldn’t create a shot all night long whereas Sam Cassell and Rondo consistently lit up the Hawks by coming off screens and penetrating with the basketball.
You’ve got two high, first-round picks; one of them is out of position for rebounds every time up the floor (Marvin Williams) and the other one eats up the bench when his style of play is what the team needs in this series (Acie Law).
This team has potential; the progression it has made over the last few years has been a natural progression…imagine what it could do if the players actually got coached up.
By Run Please Run
April 21, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
BOTTOM LINE WOODSON NEEDS TO GO. What the Hawks lack in experience we make up for in youth. Why aren’t these guys running more???? We arguably have the youngest most athletic team in the league yet we play and run like we are a bunch of 40 year olds. That’s coaching!!!!!! They need to run, run, and run some more. Make them 30 year olds feel 30 +. I am in my 30s myself and go to the gym often but can’t run back to back game like I could when I was in my 20s. Someone needs to realize that for us to have a chance there lies one thing that can help us and that is RUN RUN RUN RUN. I have tickets to the gyms here in ATL but don’t want to see a slaughter like last night. Please guys pick up the pace!!!!!!
By Sekou's Smith
April 21, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
Well written commentary Mr. Smith. There isn’t much more to be said, except the prophetic, “Wait ‘till next year.”
I will count it a milestone if the Hawks win one. I would be satisfied if they win 2. I don’t believe they are worthy of 3 wins in the first round this year. As I said, “Wait ‘till next year.”
By Manny
April 21, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Let’s be a little more realistic here. The Hawks are a young team. It’s the youngest team in the playoffs. That’s not Mike Woodson’s fault. I think Mike Woodson is a better coach than what people give him credit for.
Rebuilding is a slow process. It normally takes between 3-5 years for a rebuilding team to even look at making the playoffs. But the Hawks are getting better. And they’ll only get better next year. A little better.
But this team needs to push it up the court faster. That isn’t merely a coaching problem. That’s a point guard problem.
Speaking of which, Mike Bibby only scored 5 points last game, right? And we’re upset with Marvin Williams?
By Myrtle Beach
April 21, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
No coach, simple as that and i did not watch the game because i did not have to: to know what was going to happen. I would like to see at least 1 game were they are not beaten by more than 10 points. There is no way they can run a half court offense and win a single game. The only way they can get a game within 10 points is by running and running and running and they would have to use the bench to do that. Wait till next year dudes and hope we can trade Marvin and J Smith for Bynum. Then next year with Bynum - C. Hartford - PF. JJ - SF. Bibby - PG. Stoudamire - SG. We would be able to run a half court offense, with a new coach develop the bench and make a serious run at a CHAMPONSHIP. NOT make the playoffs, if you do not have the CHAMPONSHIP as your goal from day one then you’ll never get one. I can not watch another game playoffs or not with J Smith shooting jumpers and Big lip Marvin dragging along stealing paychecks.
By STRETCH
April 21, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Seriously…what do you expect from a team 7 games under 500 and had lost 4 of 5 coming in? Get rid of M Williams and J Smith. I hope i was not the only person in the world that saw him try to run through a defender in the first quarter! He’s SELFISH with the ball and will never win ANYTHING. There are lots of talented good and great players that will never win a championship because of that style of play.
These guys play well for a few games then they tank. Thats usually because of less experience or mainly youth. And that comes from coaching…err…speaking of coaching, what was up with that press conference by Woodson??!!
By chrismikayla
April 21, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
I have watched your Hawks and can offer my unbiased opinion. First, other than Childress, Law, Bibby, Horford, Johnson everyone else is expendable. And yes that means Josh Smith. I think the talent is there but the risk/reward is too high. He plays very much out of control and thinks he is a pg/jump shooter when he is not.I’m sure many fans cringe when he comes down with a rebound and takes off as you never know what will happen. He makes many boneheaded plays and they play better as a team when he is out and Childress is in. Childress IMO is very underrated as he can do it all on the floor. If he started he would post numbers just as good or better than Josh Smith at the three. And he is a much smarter and coachable player. I think Jeremy Richardson is a good shooter so why not have him play more? Also I think Marvin Williams is a jump shooter who can’t shoot. Having said that this team is on the right track if they get a center and move Horford to his natural 4 spot. Pachulia wouldn’t make the roster on most NBA teams honestly.
By STRETCH
April 21, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
chrismikayla: THANK YOU FOR THAT POST! You hit the nail on the head! But will management and the front office make any moves???
By Not Pulling Punches
April 21, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
You’re a cruel b*******, chrismikayla, but most people are when they’re EXACTLY RIGHT!!!
By bigeasy830
April 21, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Great post LaBrawn. Marvin is a bust and so was that kid that the Bucks drafted number one. The NBA and the NFl gets so excited about those predraft workouts until they do not look at a players production on the court. I am so sick and tired of the word potential. Either you can paly or you cannot. Marvin is 6’9” and was said to have the greatest upside when he was being drafted. Ye,t we had several players the were between 6’7” and 6’9” and all we needed was a point gaurd to round out a good team to put on the court. But, mister “I will not say I told you so” drafted another forward with “potential” and passed up on two great young point gaurds that are taking their teams to great heights. I will say to Billy Knight “WE told you so”. You should have drafted one of those point gaurds. And, “we told you so” that you should not have drafted Sheldon Williams. You should have drafted Roy. He has heart and would have been a great compliment to Joe. This team sucks. I do not care if they made the playoffs, The East sucks, that is the only reason. They were 8 games under .500, they made the playoffs by default. The coach is stupid and so is the GM, and only God can help the ownership. This team is not rebuilding they will lose key players in a year or so. Marvin has but up descent numbers but, he is what he is, a 6’9” soft player that depends on an inconsistent jumper that has no 3 point range, and he cannot play defense. He would be better coming off the bench, start J Chill. Or, start Mario West who gives you great energy and defense. Damn, all of us has seen this all year but the dummy coach cannot. Try to trick one of the lottery teams so you can get Rose, Mayo, Beasly, or Love and trade Williams. He gives your team absolutley nothing.
P.S. Great job Philly. You guys are showing great heart. I remember the game that you all got blew out by the Hawks just before the All Star break. You guys got your act together and started to believe in yourselves and your coach, who can actually coach. And now, it is paying off. Philly beat some good teams in their run that is why the beat Detroit and will win at least 2 more games. They play good defense and they run because they are young and athletic. But, the Hawks, dummy coach wants them to walk it up. Charles Barkley and Kenny were trying to be kind to the Hawks, but they said it right. The Hawks cannot execute, they play great when they run but they cannot think. But, dummy coach who has not trained them to execute keeps saying they need to execute. Well man you should have trained them to do that during the season.
Holla if you hear, Say Amen if you feel me.
By Supes
April 21, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Marvin Williams or Chris Paul in the playoffs? Yeah, one of them can carry a team…unfortunately he doesn’t play for “your Atlanta Hawks”.
I hope fans don’t drink the cool-aid just b/c the sorry Hawks are in the playoffs by some mercy of the NBA gods this year with their below .500 record and gathering of 6’8 swing men.
Boston sweeps Atlanta will be the headline after game 4 of this series.
By Weezy
April 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
maybe next year?
By Sam Cassell's Proctologist
April 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Sam Cassell’s face is still uglier than sin.
By CBreeze
April 21, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
To “The Scoop”:
I’m afraid that an injury to ONLY K.G. won’t exactly be enough for the Hawks to win a game, much less the series.
If the Celtics were missing Garnett AND a Pierce or Allen, Atlanta could plan on winning a game.
By PlusSizeModel
April 21, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
This Hawks team is impossible to root for. I will not be able to do so until both Woodson and Knight are fired. The ATL Spirit is a joke.
By BulldogBen
April 21, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
“Storybook run to the playoffs…” LOL. I’d rather not make the playoffs than to be publicly humiliated in front of a national audience like last night.
By Rutuger
April 21, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Come on guys, this shouldn’t have shocked anyone. I was a bit surprised that Joe struggled a bit, but Boston played great D.
I liked our intensity and thought we played pretty good D most of the game, especially on KG. All you can do is play your best—when you are right on a guy all game and he’s hitting hooks and fadeaways, you’ve done all you can do defensively. The Celtics are just a damn terrific team—there’s a reason they won 67 or whatever games.
We haven’t been to the playoffs in a decade, yet we kept it close for a respectable period against the best team in the NBA. I refuse to get down on these guys for that.
By Wade
April 21, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
MAN! HOW PATHETIC! First time in the playoffs in nine years and the coach doesn’t have his team ready to compete? That’s poor coaching and quite frankly I’m fed up with it and Hawks fans should be too!
By Hawks/Falcons Man
April 21, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Yo, Sam Cassell’s Proctologist, you are right that dude looks like the back end of a mule with eyes. I agree with many of the post here today, obviously we won’t beat Boston for the simple fact that we are out manned literally. There bench alone would give us a hard time. We have got to pick up the pace on offense and run zone on defense because 1 on 1 will not work. I’d just like to see more passion out of these guys to the likes of LaBron, Paul, Howard and so many other players. I do disagree with the Josh Smith traders. I think this guy with the right coach can be an all-star. Much of his recklessness I accredit to what seems to be an unconcerned coach who was seen laughing a bit too much while your team is getting blowed out on the side lines. Oh one more thing, TNT Sucks, did anyone here them bashing the hawks during half time. They asked the question”Who are the Hawks?” What you have got to be kidding me.
By Rutuger
April 21, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Keep playing hard guys, that’s all A REAL FAN can ask.
GO HAWKS!
By Kelvin
April 21, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
BEAT DOWN IN BEANTOWN!
Last week in a blog, I was saying that the Hawks are a playoff team in name only. They have no shot of beating the Celtics. With Billy Knight passing over players Like Chris Paul and Deron Williams in favor of (Long and Athletic) Marvin Williams, because he was too good not to take, it makes it hard to root for this franchise. It was an accomplishment to make the playoffs in the Western Conference; it is a shame not to have made the playoffs in the East. Hawks fans better get use to games like last night, because there are going to be three more like it. Then the pain of watching this team will be over till the start of next season.
By EJ
April 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
I agree with almost everything that’s said in this blog. But I don’t understand the crazy math. Two people, including Mark Bradley, claim the Hawks finished 8 games under 500. Another poster says 7 games. Another says 6 games and one more person says 5. The NBA season is 82 games. That means a 41 & 41 season is 500. The Hawks won 37 games. 41 minus 37 equals 4. The Hawks were 4 games under 500 this year. I know that’s not great and I know they play in the incredibly weak Eastern Conference, but it’s still better than the 13 win season they had a few years ago. We have a lot to complain about with this team. But at least let’s give them credit for the little they do accomplish. Four games under 500 is better than 8 games under 500. And yes I know they had 8 fewer wins than loses, but you can’t have a 45 & 45 season. That would be 90 games and they don’t play 90 games. With Bibby playing the entire next season, if this team adds a 7 footer and moves Horford to his true position, this team can be a contender (at least in the East) next year.
By GT80
April 21, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Chris Paul - 35 Pts, 10 Asst, 3 REBs, 1 TO - TEAM WINS!
Deron Williamns - 20 Pts, 10 Asst, 2 REB, 5 TOs - TEAM WINS!
Marvin Williams - 9 Pts, 0 Asst, 3 REB, 4 TOs - TEAM LOSES BY 23!
I predict a quick 4 game series with the Hawks only getting close in the 1st game in ATL. BK will say it’s progress in his grand scheme, having competed with the best team in the league in ONE game.
Need we say more? Yes..Making the playoffs is exposing on a national level the ineptitude of Billy Knightmare and Woody. If they are not both fired at the end of this painful 4 game series, then the Atlanta Spirit are the real morons, only to be topped by any person willing to pay money to support this franchise.
Look at Philly to see what a decent coach can accomplish. ARRRGGGGHHHH, it’s just too painful to be a Hawks fan.
By Woodson
April 21, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Look fellas, yall act like you could do a better job than me. I made a promise that I would get this team to the playoffs in 5 years. I did that with the crappy team BK gave me Anthony Johnson, T.Lue, Speedy Claxton, Sheldon, Solomon, Marvin..and you expected better? Well if you can do better I will give you my chair to coach against Boston. No takers??? Fine then, I will continue to do what I do while yall fellas hate!
See you next year
By Even worse than Philly
April 21, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Ain’t it cool to be the worst sports town in America? Everybody tries to be the best, but nobody has the commitment and consistency to take the cake like Atlanta in all major sports.
Hawks-awful, college team trying to keep up with pros Falcons-pathetic. 0 back to back winning seasons. Only one (horrific) SB appearance. Braves-cheap malaise forever. Thrashers-0 playoff wins in franchise history
Serenity now.
By HB Ando
April 21, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
So the only way the editors could get anyone to post on Mark’s blog is to force Sekou’s fans over here, by closing out his blog?
This is the equivalent of tying a steak around an ugly kid’s neck to get the dog to play with him.
Pretty lame.
Open Sekou’s forum back up you bunch of yahoo’s! If I wanted to read insightless drivel about the Hawks, I’d read the Hawks’ Hack (though Bradley should sue him for assuming a name that best fits Bradley’s typical offerings…..).
By Ben
April 21, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Let’s try win a few, hire Fratello (wow DOES THIS GUY KNOW HIS STUFF AND OUR TEAM!!!) or Larry Brown this offseason, sign Diop, resign the Joshes, and trade Bibby for a younger PG (he is an expiring contract next year) and we’re set.
By phillysucks.com?
April 21, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Phillysucks.com???
Where’s Atlantasucks.com? Your team’s are consistently way worse than ours.
By phillysucks.com?
April 21, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Phillysucks.com???
Where’s Atlantasucks.com? Your team’s are consistently way worse than ours.
By Kelvin
April 21, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Maybe posting the same comments more than once will make me feel more correct or even gasp important!
Nope.
By whammer
April 21, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Funny you read these blogs and they are all about what have you done for me lately. That is crap. This team under this ownership and management took a team that was killed by AOL/TW - and have improved every year. There are not many teams in the league who improve their record each year. In fact the Boston team sucked until this year. Everyone wanted their managements heads,fire the entire org.. Look the Celtic’s got lucky, being at the right place at the right time with being able to get KG and RA. Other team in the past have tried to buy a Championship and failed. Denver ring a bell, NY maybe. The Hawks organization has not made all the best moves, but enough good ones to build a team with heart, talent, and room to improve. I do not support the war, but support with every breath the troops. I support these players, most of them give 110% and have heart.
GO HAWKS, GO PLAYERS, True fans do not hop on just during championship seasons.
By Billy Knight
April 21, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Something I’m working on:
firewoodson.com
By Arthur Blank
April 21, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
I’ll buy this team and fire the entire front office, but only if you don’t cancel your season tickets when I bring Michael Vick back to the Georgia Dome.
Deal?
By cliff
April 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
mike woodpecker has no idea how to coach this team. for the life of me why won’t he play A.C LAW & SALIM in the back court. put childress next to the liquid refreshment. for some reason he doesn’t want this team to score with the line-up he’s putting out there.
By New Orleans Hornets Front Office
April 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Thanks for passing on Paul! He’s working out GREAT!!
Suckers.
By Fulton
April 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Say what you want about SamC but, he’s had long NBA career, has more in the bank than you and may also get a ring at the end of the day. Meanwhile, you sit here bloggin…
I’m not even a Hawks fan but it seems I’m still more in their corner than some of the so-called actual fans.
If they let go of Marvin Williams before he develops, you same people will KILL the organization for giving up too early. Remember; he was drafted as freshman who wasn’t even a starter in college.
I know it’s been a while Hawks fans, but a little more patience will be required of you.
By mowreck
April 21, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
The Hawks have like TWO chances in the series … SLIM & NONE.
By Arthur Blank
April 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Sam Cassell is hideous.
Oh, and I have have a bit more bank than him.
Well, back to blogging! GO FALCONS (AND VICK)!!
By MsDee
April 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Woodson should be called “Mr. Pathetic Head”!!
By atownfaithful
April 21, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
I thought mowreck said SALIM & NONE!!
lolz.
By MsDee
April 21, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Woodson should be called “Mr. Pathetic Head”!!
By Sheldon Williams
April 21, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Rondo IS NOT a rookie! What the hell was Rathbun talking about??
By drow
April 21, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
The Hawks have good talent on this team, I think Acie Law should get more time, this would change the tempo and make the Celtics have to adjust on ‘D’. creating should mismatches and create easy buckets. This would work if the coaches would be inventative and the players drop they’re egos and play to win not statitics.
Hawks need a more uptempo coach and players (Marvin Williams) need to pick up their play. Never mind the negative comments just play and help the team WIN.
By Jones
April 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
The players would be better off without a coach on the sideline. Oh and thanks Billy for picking Marvin he’s awesome.
By htwo0rider
April 21, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Move Joe to small forward, bring in Acie with Bibby in the backcourt, and sit Marvin down. What have got to lose, except the series
By Mark Bradley
April 21, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Hello, folks. I’m at Fenway Park watching the Red Sox. (They’re playing their traditional 11 a.m. Patriots Day game. They’re winning 2-0 in the fourth.) But I wanted to pass along something from the Hawks’ game:
Doc Rivers said after the game that the Hawks switched Mike Bibby on Ray Allen in the third quarter, which was precisely the time Allen got going. And Mike Woodson noted that the Hawks were trying to put bigger people (meaning someone other than Bibby) on Rajon Rando.
Translated, that means it’s going to be very hard to find somebody for Bibby to guard in this series. Unless you can envision him taking on Kevin Garnett down low.
It’s now 4-0 Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia, who sat courtside at the Hawks game last night, just hit a two-run double. These Boston teams are pretty tough, but you knew that already.
By David Stern
April 21, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
No way I’ll let the refs let you suckers beat a big market team! Those KG jerseys are selling like hotcakes! Now we just need to move him to New York to make the Knicks relevant again. And then Chicago.
By J
April 21, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
It seems 75% of the people on this blog keep harping on the negative, and on things that are now in the past. Would you just let the team enjoy the spotlight for now?
By WOODY
April 21, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
DO YOU THINK I WILL LOOK FUNNY WITH MY BALD HEAD WHEN I GO TO MY NEXT JOB INTERVIEW
By The Scoop
April 21, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Update: my sources tell me that KG, Ray Allen, and Rondo will get mysteriously injured during halftime of Game 3. Also, the court of appeals in Boston has ruled that if the Hawks are swept, Steve Belkin automatically wins ownership of the Hawks and Philips Arena. Woodson has been warned by both Gearons that if the Hawks are trailing by the end of the 3rd quarter, he will be fired during Kiss Cam by Ryan Cameron. You heard it here first.
By Bob Rathburn
April 21, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Good afternoon everybody, I am Bob Rathburn. Come on down to Phillips and get your playoff tickets for our playoff Atlanta Hawks! We still have tickets available!
By Lil E
April 21, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Marvin is not a bust. Marvin was an athlete drafted as a project based on his potential. In year three with a coach who is not good at developing young players, he is doing alright. Some of you guys need to get over the fact that Chris Paul will never be on the Hawks. It is unfair to compare him to Chris Paul or Deron Williams, because both stayed in college longer than him. He needs a good coach, a good offseason, and more responsibility. I think he will shine, but he just doesn’t have the Hall of Fame potential that Paul has.
By BA
April 21, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Why force everybody to blog here, AJC? One of two things- either it’s a racist thing (Sekou=black Bradley=white=right) or an ego thing (Bradley has been here forever). Either way, it stinks. This guy (Bradley) has written, what, three articles on the Hawks all year? Also, why do you have a “Hawks hack”? Needed a white guy? AJC, this is an insult. It’s 2008, Bisher, time to evolve.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 21, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
This blog cracks me up.
By exATLinPDX
April 21, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
The Hawks shouldn’t even BE in the playoffs. They’re on the low side of mediocre. Their mere presence in the postseason is an insult to the likes of Golden State, Portland, and maybe even Sacramento, all of whom would stand a good chance of winning a game or two against the Celtics. The only drama in this series is whether this poorly-coached, poor-chemistry team can manage not to lose all four games by more than 10 points each. So far, not a great start.
By ExATLinPDX
April 21, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Lil E:
I wouldn’t call Marvin a bust, but people have every right to be upset they didn’t take CP3 over him, for two reasons: The Hawks desperately needed a floor general, and Chris Paul was RIGHT THERE for the taking; and in college Marvin Williams showed lottery-pick potential but never IMO definitively showed that he would be a slam-dunk sure-thing star in the NBA. Chris Paul did. It still to this day blows my mind that the Hawks failed to take CP3, and then the Shelden Williams mistake just compounded the error. At least they made a good pick in ‘07 with Horford.
By ExATLinPDX
April 21, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
One last thing: Why are AJC blog responders so obsessed with race? Both white and black, so many of y’all simply cry “racist” when you don’t agree with a writer or someone who posted. It’s sort of funny and sad at the same time.
By JuliusCesear
April 21, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
I totally agree that the Hawks are lucky to be in the playoffs and shouldnt be there. However, they SHOULD realize that they have absolutely NOTHING to lose and they should consider each of their games with Boston elimination games. In other words, if the Hawks can SOMEHOW psych themselves into thinking that EACH GAME BEGINNING WITH GAME TWO IS AN ELIMINATION GAME OR A GAME WHERE EVERTHING IS UP FOR GRABS AND A WIN-OR-TAKE-ALL TYPE OF GAME, which is what happens when you are playing in Game 7 of the NBA finals. In other words, should the Atlanta Hawks TREAT EACH GAME WITH BOSTON AS IF IT IS GAME 7 OF THE NBA FINALS KNOWING FULL WELL THAT IF THEY WERE TO LOSE THE OTHER TEAM WOULD WIN THE TITLE MAKING THE GAME A TOTAL ELIMINATION GAME, then I think you would see the REAL ATLANTA HAWKS and a team that is therefore destined for greatness. Lets just hope that the entire Hawks roster reads my BLOG today and they can go into their games with Boston with that mindset. I believe if they did the outcome would be tremendously spectacular. Go Hawks!
By Calico
April 21, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
j smith m williams m bibby have 2 step up or its over.
GO HAWKS
By Realist
April 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Whoever posted that 37-45 is four games under .500 and not eight games under .500 is a sports illiterate.
By Realist
April 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Woodson, don’t worry, your hair will grow back and then some by the time another team calls you for a job interview.
By Astro Joe
April 21, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, why don’t you try to go to Bekin’s office for a one-on-one instead of watching a baseball game? A little investigative journalism would be nice and since no one seems to get anything from these pathetic owners, why don’t you see what Boston Belkin has to say about his Celtics (oops) I mean Hawks? No one cares about Big Papi, bring us an exclusive on Belkin!
By Sautee
April 21, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Lil E,
In your 1:48 post you say (about Marvin Williams)
“It is unfair to compare him to Chris Paul or Deron Williams, because both stayed in college longer than him.
Two sentences later you say “I think he will shine, but he just doesn’t have the Hall of Fame potential that Paul has.”
Is that not a comparison?
And believe me when I tell you that most of the folks on this blog, while they may be SICK of the subject, would say that any comparison of players in the same draft, especially those overlooked, and in the same lottery, are fair game.
I’m not hatin’ on Marvin, but damn….
By Mike Woodson
April 21, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Something that I’M working on:
firebillyknight.com
By BigPlayRay
April 21, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Celtics/Hawks
I discovered that David Stern should have gave Golden State a waiver and let them play as the 8th seed in the East. The Hawks do not belong in the playoffs yet. A sub-500 team playing the Boston Three-Party in the first round is bad for TV. I’d like to see Atlanta turn their team around and produce a squad that allows me to attend NBA playoff games here in the ATL, but c’mon man that was just terrible. And the Celtics weren’t even playing hard. RONDO blazed your squad. Not KG, Pierce, or Jesus Shuttlesworth…RONDO!!
By doc
April 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
great idea aj, how creative. do you think he has heard the one about the three goats? since so little said is positive on the hawks by the ajc dont you think belkin might welcome him as an ally?
shameful of the ajc to move our liar’s table. doubt they would do that to the dob prize winning blog for the braves. seems we were getting such nice folks to be passing through.
By JSS
April 21, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley needs to be channeling Dan Shaughnessey, Jackie MacMullan, and Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe so that he can write an interesting and insightful column. Mark Bradley could not find Belkin if he had the GPS with the address preprogrammed.