Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > May > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHawks a real team with bright future
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boston — Sometimes a game is just too big. Sometimes the opponent is just too good. Sure, it would have been nice if the Hawks could have pushed the Celtics in Game 7, but they’d already pushed the No. 1 seed to the wall. This series ended with a crashing loss, but in the long run it will be seen as a shining victory.
We Atlantans have spent years inventing ways to ignore the Hawks. After the three games in Philips Arena, we can ignore them no longer. They’re a real team again, a real team with a real future.
“I’ve always felt the city wants good basketball,” said Josh Childress, a Hawk since 2004. “Wherever I go, whether it’s the mall or the movies — or the Publix on South Cobb Drive — people say, ‘We’re cheering for you guys.’ It was just a matter of us stepping up to the plate.”
OK, so they sat down in Game 7. They lost by 34 points. They couldn’t muster any offense — they made 15 baskets, five of which were follows or tips, in the first three quarters — and were unprepared for the Celtics’ defensive ferocity. You’d think, having played the C’s six times in the past two weeks, the Hawks would have seen everything their opponent had to offer, but they hadn’t seen how a really good team responds to a Game 7.
They have now. They saw how first Kevin Garnett and then Ray Allen, All-Stars both, dove for the same loose ball with their team leading by 34 points. Or how James Posey, who’d played on an NBA champion with Miami, outhustled Zaza Pachulia to another loose ball a minute later. The Hawks had gotten all the loose balls in the three games in Philips, but not in Game 7. This game simply meant more to the Celtics.
“We didn’t have it today, for some strange reason,” Joe Johnson said, but there was nothing strange about Game 7. The team that had won 29 more games over the regular season prevailed. Relieved Hub fans will now turn their attention to LeBron James and Round 2. We Atlantans, however, shouldn’t forget what we just saw.
“We played a great series,” said Michael Gearon Jr., one of the team’s several owners. “We established some respect for ourselves around the league. Are we disappointed to lose? Absolutely, but it doesn’t take away the direction we’re going, and that’s to be a premier team for a long period of time.”
There are issues, yes. The Hawks should have won more than 37 regular-season games, and this series cast doubt on Mike Bibby as the final answer at point guard. (He was terrible again Sunday, managing one basket and two assists.) Mike Woodson mightn’t be the coach to take this team any higher, and general manager Billy Knight seems to have lost the faith of his employers.
But the bigger picture is far brighter. The Hawks proved they have enough talent to scare the imperial Celtics, and their city proved it’s fully capable of going nuts for good basketball. We weren’t sure of either of those things until now.
Said Woodson: “[The series] definitely changes the perception. … I think our fans like our product, and it really doesn’t get much better than those three games in Atlanta. … Basketball is back in Atlanta in a big way.”
Even as his Celtics put the Hawks — finally! — in the rear-view mirror, their coach was willing to acknowledge the turning of a corner in the city he once called home. Of the Hawks, Doc Rivers said: “They’re a fun team to watch, very similar to us [meaning the Hawks in late 1980s]. If you’re a basketball fan and you were in that arena [meaning Philips], you want to come back.”
Then Rivers said something else: “For this to be a quick series, I thought we had to win Game 3. Because once that athletic team awakened, we were going to have to deal with them.”
After a decade of hard slumber, the Hawks have begun to stir. From here on, we’ll all have to deal with them.
Permalink | Comments (225) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By JB
May 4, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
NO bright future for the Hawks includes having Woodson back as HC..he’s pathetic!
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
By Barkin'Dog
May 4, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
The Hawks did us proud! There’s no disputing that. And the fans proved the Hawks can move mountains (KG) and fly like eagles (JS) if they will off their hands and cheer on the team. Like the Bulldogs SEC Tourney wins, this was fun to watch. Go Hawks! Make the playoffs an annual event!
By falconfan42
May 4, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Amen, Mark … Well said. This team needs only a few things to be consistently good. Better point guard play a real outside shooting threat. I am not sure Mike Woodson is the answer. Good teams are much more consistant. That is coaching.. We need a new face there.
By Jason Welch, Atlanta, GA
May 4, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Marvin Williams is a thug. Get rid of him. Poor sportsman.
By falconfan42
May 4, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Amen, Mark … Well said. This team needs only a few things to be consistently good. Better point guard play a real outside shooting threat. I am not sure Mike Woodson is the answer. Good teams are much more consistant. That is coaching.. We need a new face there.
By SPIRITSUX08
May 4, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Great observation, however, reality hit hard. I must say, being a Hawks fan from the 70’s on, this was an unexpected PHENOM. I must also say that as long as we have the arrogance and idiocy of the ‘spirit group’ you might as well hang up the possibility of the Hawks or Thrashers to gain any significant progress in the years to come. The Hawks of this year played outside themselves when it counted,,,,,,a group of guys I would support—being ‘proud’ of the effort is a gross understatement. The problem is, well, we all know,,,coaching, gm, OWNERSHIP and THEIR INCOMPETENCE. Great season Hawks, you woke up this old fan,,,I just hope the spirit can start making the changes necessary to carry it to the levels we all enjoyed in the 80’s and briefly in the early/mid 90’s. Something tells me however, they will inevitably end up with the ‘DON WADDELL’ syndrome, BASKETBALL style, giving us similar teams, similar RESULTS
By Manny
May 4, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
If Mike Woodson doesn’t come back, the Hawks will be in big trouble! Mike did a great job this playoff season.
If Mike Woodson comes back next year, the Hawks will make the playoffs again… and will go beyond the first round!
Guaranteed!
By bill Phillips
May 4, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Hey hawks fans…… you lose….you got a good team and with the refs help you gave us a scare . now we move on to the next round and take on the Cavs and refs….Being a die hard Celtics fans and despite what your litte man Bibby thinks I did not jump on the band wagon. I watch the majority of the games last year and pretty much have watched the majority of their games for the last 10 years…..I dont believe that we will get by The cavs if they play like they did against your Hawks. If we only have to play the Hawks and not the refs we have a chance.But I believe that LeBron is the NBA’s poster boy and they want him to get back to the finals again….so I guess we will have to see…..and tell your boy Al to have fun Golfin’ or Fishing or what ever hell it is that he does with his sparetime….
By bill Phillips
May 4, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Hey hawks fans…… you lose….you got a good team and with the refs help you gave us a scare . now we move on to the next round and take on the Cavs and refs….Being a die hard Celtics fans and despite what your litte man Bibby thinks I did not jump on the band wagon. I watch the majority of the games last year and pretty much have watched the majority of their games for the last 10 years…..I dont believe that we will get by The cavs if they play like they did against your Hawks. If we only have to play the Hawks and not the refs we have a chance.But I believe that LeBron is the NBA’s poster boy and they want him to get back to the finals again….so I guess we will have to see…..and tell your boy Al to have fun Golfin’ or Fishing or what ever hell it is that he does with his sparetime….
By bill Phillips
May 4, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Hey hawks fans…… you lose….you got a good team and with the refs help you gave us a scare . now we move on to the next round and take on the Cavs and refs….Being a die hard Celtics fans and despite what your litte man Bibby thinks I did not jump on the band wagon. I watch the majority of the games last year and pretty much have watched the majority of their games for the last 10 years…..I dont believe that we will get by The cavs if they play like they did against your Hawks. If we only have to play the Hawks and not the refs we have a chance.But I believe that LeBron is the NBA’s poster boy and they want him to get back to the finals again….so I guess we will have to see…..and tell your boy Al to have fun Golfin’ or Fishing or what ever hell it is that he does with his sparetime….
By Jack
May 4, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Where are all those calling out Jeff Shultz and everyone else who were surprised the Hawks didn’t get swept? You all talked a lot of sh!t. The real Hawks showed up for game 7. Now look under your pillow and see what the tooth fairy left you.
By Lil E
May 4, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
You know what…Why is it that Joe Johnson is always the only one defending Joe ? If we fire Mike, will he stay at the end of his contract ?
By SPIRITSUX08
May 4, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
bill Phillips is an uneducated gooberhead
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
By pj
May 4, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
I hate to jump on him, but yeah - what these guys said… you’ve gotta let Woodson go.
With Bibby/Law at the point, Joe J at the 2 spot leading the way in scoring, the Hawks have a tremedous backcourt.
Marvin Williams is FINALLY developing into a physical NBA player and his best days are clearly in front of him.
Josh Smith is a genetic freak of nature and Al Horford is a leader - despite being a rookie.
One more piece is all the Hawks need to become a 3 or 4 seed right away. That piece is a head coach who knows how to motivate, push the right buttons and gameplan around this talent.
A few names here… some of them may not be possible, but they are worth thinking about…
and I know college coaches have not worked well but could any of these guys take this young team and do something with it? Just asking…
Those 3 home games were really exciting to watch. I’ll admit, I always check on them and go to games every once and a while, but was not a “fan”. Why would I be though? Bandwagon or not, this franchise gave no reason for true hope until now. Since they have offered us a clear vision of the future, I’ll be glad to jump aboard… if they hire a new coach.
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Michael.Gearon@atlantaspirit.com
FLUD him with emails so we can get Woodson the hell out of here.
By jill
May 4, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Jason Welch: Marvin won the Hawks sportsmanship award this year. He’s no thug. He committed a hard foul and got ejected. That’s it.
Mike Woodson should’ve been fired two years ago.
By Ryder
May 4, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Jack I did look under my pillow and I did see a fairy, as a matter of fact it looked just like you!
bill phillips glad to see we both agree that Cleveland will send you and the Celtics fishing after the second round. We have a boat reserved for you.
I wish I could be as optimistic as Mark Bradley is about the Hawks, but knowing the incompetence of the front office I don’t see this unit doing what it takes to make it to the next level.
For starters, I do see them resigning the Joshes, so that’ll be good. Unfortunately they will stand pat and will not hire a coach like D’antoni who will take advantage of this team’s talents.
As a result Woodson will stay, with the prevalent thinking that, “Well he did take the top team in the NBA to 7 games. Let’s give him one more year and see what happens with this team.”
Which means they won’t sign the veteran PF/C that will give Horford some much needed help in the paint. Guys like Acie Law and Jeremy Richardson will not get the opportunity to play more. Atlanta will end up just like Toronto, meaning they will get in the playoffs again but bounce out in the first round.
In order for Atlanta to have a real future we must get a real front office.
By SPIRITSUX08
May 4, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
Thank you Joshua, Thank YOU JILL!
By hoophawk
May 4, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
I think we need a new coach and to spend some money ordraft a center. Speights I like and I will have to see on the point but if Ronald steele is healthy, I may lookk there or trade for Ty Lawson. I like the nucleus of this team, however.
By SPIRITSUX08
May 4, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
and THANK YOU Ryder,,,It amazes me how people can look past the obvious
By vannmc
May 4, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
bill phillips, you are just like the rest of the New England (Go Giants) and Celtics fans; How come your boy KG didnt get tossed and Marvn Williams did? Talk about your league poster boy. You all thought you would sweep the Hawks and never look back, my advice is you better look out or King James may sweep your boys all by himself! Go Cavs and CONGRATS HAWKS on whipping the Celtics when losers like bill Phillips said you would be home days ago!
By vannmc
May 4, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
bill phillips, you are just like the rest of the New England (Go Giants) and Celtics fans; How come your boy KG didnt get tossed and Marvn Williams did? Talk about your league poster boy. You all thought you would sweep the Hawks and never look back, my advice is you better look out or King James may sweep your boys all by himself! Go Cavs and CONGRATS HAWKS on whipping the Celtics when losers like bill Phillips said you would be home days ago!
By jack
May 4, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I have to admit, I was impressed by the Hawk’s showing in the 3 games at Phillip’s. But come on,,, after 3 butt whippings at the Garden, don’t you think a “REAL” NBA coach would do a better job of having his team prepared to be at least a “LITTLE’ bit more competitive in a game 7 ? The team had no clue, no plan, no inspiration, no changes at halftime, NOTHING from the coaching staff to keep them from looking like a bunch of boobs out there. A REAL NBA coach does not let his team get totally embarassed on national tv. Woodson is a good guy, and a decent coach, but there is no way that he is who the Hawks need in control. But come to think of it,, from the ownership group, what a bunch of putzes they are, to our egotistical GM, whom I don’t even want to mention by name, to the coach, our players don’t have a chance to make it to the next level.
As good and exciting as those 3 home games were, please,,,,, please don’t let them erase the memories of the entire season. How many more times are we going to have to listen to a post loss new conference where the Head Coach says “We weren’t prepared to play tonight. Our guys just weren’t up to the competition. I did a poor job of getting the team ready”
Hopefully no more.
New GM, New Coach, New Owner,,, we’ll be where we need to be.
Bring on the DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By deja vu
May 4, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
I’d like some of what Josh Smith smoked before the game…was he absolutely stoned or what? FIRE WOODSON!!!!!
By The Willster
May 4, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
This team does indeed have a bright future. The Celts just have a better all around team right now. The team was constructed with the thought of winning the NBA Championship now, not later. The Hawks however, will definitely be there if they make the right moves, as in: getting a true veteran big man down low, unfortunately getting rid of Woodsen, and getting a GM who knows how to draft(does Pau Gasol and Chris Paul ring a bell, Billy Knight?). Anyway, a great season and we’ll look forward to next year.I feel I can finally say this after 10 plus years, GO HAWKS!!!
By Paul from Mass
May 4, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Dear Hawks fans: From a lifelong Celtics fan, I can’t say enough about what a great series you gave us!!! I won’t lie; I fully expected us to sweep the Hawks, 5 games at best. You scared the __ out of us! I’m already planning to buy tickets to the first game you come to town next season; I think a great rivalry has started. Your future looks incredibly bright, with all that young talent. And one last note: I thought the Garden fans were a bit bush league to serenade the Hawks with the “Hey hey, good bye chant.” I know you earned our teams respect, and I’m sure you earned the respect of most of our fans. You should have been given an ovation instead. Good luck in ‘08-‘09.
By Keeping It Real
May 4, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Great job Hawks! You all have brought basketball back to the ATL! Atlanta fans how can you in good conscience want Mike Woodson gone. For 3 and 1/2 years he was not given a chance to win because he didn’t have a point guard. Remember it was Billy Knight not Mike Woodson who drafted Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul or Derron Williams. Rememmber it was Billy Knight not Mike Woodson who over paid Speedy Claxton who hadn’t played a full game for the Hawks in two or three years. Remember it was Billy Knight not Mike Woodson who told the Hawks to play ball with the likes of Tyron Lue and Anthony Johnson as their point guards. I don’t care who the coach of the Hawks is they would not win big. Remember, tt wasn’t until the Hawks got Mike Bibby when the Hawks had a real chance of winning. FYI: Bibby didn’t get here until February of THIS YEAR! So lay off Mike Woodson and if you want somebody to the Hit the Road like Jack, tell Billy Knight not to come back no more, no more!
By rick suaree
May 4, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
I AM A LAKER FAN BUT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU LOST ONCE AGAIN. BOSTON CELTICS ARE A MUCH BETTTER THAN YOU DUDES. THAT’S A FACT ! LAKERS VS CELTICS
By Lifetime C's Fan
May 4, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
I really want the Hawks to be competitive and relevant next year. I grew up during the Jo Jo White/Havlicek to Cowens to Cornbread to Bird days of the Celtics and It has been a very lean decade here in the deep south. I’ve been waiting and waiting for the youngsters to begin playing as a unit that is at least as good as its individual parts and during the 3 home games in this series it finally happened.
*Please * be relevant next year.
By billybob
May 4, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
I’m not happy at all about losing this series. Let’s not kid ourselves about this “we didn’t think we’d even go 5 games” BS. We were built to win THIS YEAR. We traded four players (including Shelden Williams) PLUS a 2nd round draft choice for old and slow Bibby. We mortgaged our future to win THIS YEAR. So maybe the national media can talk about us “shocking the world” but we HAD to win this year to make our Bibby investment pay off….and we got jack. Nobody’s going to take him and his $14 mill off our hands….and replace the draft pick that we no longer have.
By George Holman
May 4, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE BOARD, BUT I THINK THEY BRING WOODY BACK, AND I SAY THAT WOULD BE GOOD!
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
By caliban
May 4, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
If they get inexplicable officiating and shoot 204 free throws to the Celts 133 over the first six games, I suppose that makes the Hawks real. That’s plus 12 per game, for a team that can’t play D versus the masters of D. Seriously fishy. Was Donaghy in the house?
By mowreck
May 4, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
Don’t know why you guys want to fire the coach … Think you won 3 games off the Celtics with just talent and no coaching … think again!
By tbones
May 4, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
I applaud the Hawks, and their effort, but management has to realize there is no better time than this off-season to make the Hawks a real contender. Three things we learned are that we need a second consistent scoring threat, Bibby is a shell of what he use to be, and we need to learn how to win on the road. We need to be busy in the off-season to address those issue in trades.
By Brad in KY
May 4, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
The “real” Hawks are probably closer to the team that got destroyed four times in Boston and finished well under .500 during the regular season than to the team that barely beat the Celtics three times at home.
They’ll be better next season, i.e., .500 or a little better with another competitive first round defeat (or maybe an upset victory depending upon the matchup).
By billybob
May 4, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
How we gonna get busy in the off-season when we got no draft picks?
By hometeam derek
May 4, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
to jason welch, calling marvin williams a thug is just rude an uncalled for. it was a bad foul yes, and obviously his frustration got the better of him. gee wiz, its people like you that keep ignorance alive and well in this country
By SlimG
May 4, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Don’t Fire Mike! Please people. This team was lucky just to make the playoffs. No center to help out Al, and a plug at point with Bibby. Come ON! I like the direction and discipline these kids are starting to develop. We missed on Paul, deal with it. Let’s draft smart and fill the holes like a champion does every year so to build a foundation. Then when things are favorable, we might get a bounce or two or three.
By Randy
May 4, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
I have been a hawks fan for more than 25years and I extremely excited about the potential for next year!! Provided they do the right things: new coach (Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy) new GM and locking up Josh Smith and Josh Childress. I will also point to the obvious, getting a defensive minded center to allow Horford to move to the 3. I like Bibby but he is not the same guy that gave the Lakers fits when he played for Sacramento. I could throw all kinds of trade scenarios and possible names to pick up but the Hawks organization have a chance to right some of the wrongs of the last 9yrs and make this team truly relevant again!! Wish they would have given more of an effort today, but thanks for an unexpected playoff ride! Look forward to next year!
By Mike Woodson
May 4, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Please fire me!!! THANKS IN ADVANCE!
By katchkp
May 4, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Let Bibby walk, Sign Jose Calderon from Toronto, and persuade Jermaine O’neal to leave the Pacers to anchor the middle and the hawks will be in the Eastern Conf Finals next year. Guaranteed
By Bob
May 4, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Why is everybody still saying Woodson should be fired?!? What has he done, I think he’s a very good coach. Joe Johnson said after the game that he would LOVE to have the whole entire coaching staff back. Doesn’t that tell you something? You guys don’t really know what is going on in the locker room or the hudle, so you really can’t judge if he’s a good coach or not. Will he be back? That isn’t decided yet. But please, you don’t know how good of coach he really is so please just SHUT UP about the “fire Mike Woodson” stuff.
By keb mo fan
May 4, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Woodson has to go. Do you see his pre-game speech? What a joke. He was telling his players to make sure that they calmed down and not let the emotion of the game get to them. If they did that and followed the game plan they would win. Are you kidding me? That game plan had 3 blowouts in Boston. They are 30 games better than us and playing on their home court. The only thing we had going was emotion. He should have told them to screw it and play all out and with some recklessness and street ball. Control our emotions? Were we the favorites? FIRE WOODSON
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
FIRE WOODSON
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
By Mark Hoffman
May 4, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Lived in ATL during the days of Hubie & Mike Fratello when pro b-ball was last a factor. Enjoyed seeing the Hawks do well this year and scare the Celtics.
But, honestly, they will have a very tough decision on whether to bring back Woodson.
I have never seen a team in the NBA that does not run any plays. They get fired up to play the Lakers, Spurs or Celtics but come out flat as a pancake against the Bobcats, Sonics, Bucks and other weak teams.
The team, with the exception of one or two players, plays no defense. They need to run to be effective. In all 4 Boston games, they walked the ball up the floor all game long. They come out flat in Game 7. Double and triple teaming Joe Johnson for 5 games and I saw almost no open shots or layups. All of these things listed above I put on Woodson’s shoulders.
After 10-15 years of high-draft choices, they finally have a good stable of players and at times they play well based on their “natural athletic ability”.
But, throughout the year and during the payoffs, I never saw them coached or really prepared for what the Celtics or any other quality team threw at them. Let’s not forget that this time was 8 games below .500 during the season.
It may not be popular but I would like to see Woodson out, established coach in (Avery Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D’Antoni). How about giving Mike Fratello a call for a return engagement?
This team and a few veteran additions could be a quality team next year with the right leadership on the bench. Woodson showed me very little.
Mark H.
By Joshua
May 4, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
PLEASE JOIN THE OFFICAL FIRE MIKE WOODSON CAMPAIGN….
FIRE MIKE WOODSON!!!
By Ted turner
May 4, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Bring back Mike Fratello!!!
By Tim
May 4, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
WHO IS HERB BROWN THAT HELPS THE HAWKS RIGHT NOW?? IS HE ON THE BENCH ARE WHATG?? SOMEBODY ANSWER THAT QUESTION….
By MIKE VICK
May 4, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
yes, i agree 2 fire mike woodson and billy knight. also, bring in billy king and avery johnson. let’s trade bibby and childress for iverson and camby. that would allow joe 2 play pippen 2 iverson jordan since avery would let us run. camby would gives 12,10,and 3 a game horford would be 15 and 10 guy next year. please don’t break the bank 4 j-smoove he’s a good player but we could trade him 2 dallas for josh howard who would give us 20,6,4,2 a game with a consistent jump shot. will be a 50+ win team next year.
By POGH
May 4, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
THE CELTICS AND HAWKS PLAYERS WILL DO WHAT KNIGHT COULDN’T DO
By JM
May 4, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Yawn. Who cares about the NBA?
By Dannity Kane
May 4, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Woodson your pre-game was a downer, I was pumped up until I heard you. The hawks looked like squirrels on hot pavement.
By chase
May 4, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
What the Hawks did in this series is proved that they are better than a 37 win team and that goes back to the coaching!
Sorry but if this team is good enough to push the vaunted C’s to game 7…then they should’ve won more games….
It proves they have the players to do it (they still need some tweaking) but it really seems they need the right coach to fully take flight and get the most out of the talent they have…
By Nookah
May 4, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
The fact that we took Boston to 7 games should not be the reason why Woody is retained. What we must realize is that all the games we played in Boston we were not even close, no fire, no emotion. That has to be placed on the shoulders of the coach. He must be released on that reason alone. Furthermore taking Boston to 7 games, proves to us that we underachieved during the season. We could have won a higher seed and maybe gone further in the playoffs which would do wonders for the confidence of our inexperienced squad.
In addition to the above, someone in an earlier post mentioned that no plays were run on offense. I agree wholeheartedly and again that has to be the coach’s fault.
The Spirit must now see that Atlanta is clamouring for a good basketball product and must remember from the evidence in this postseason….Win and they will come
My advice to them, get ourselves a good coach (van Gundy, Avery Johnson) and some low post help and we’ll be fine.
Go Hawks!!!
Nuff Respect!!!
By WILL
May 4, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
GET RID OF BILLY KNIGHT HE SUX,BRING IN AVERY JOHNSON GET A CENTER WORTH A CRAP AND RESIGN A COUPLE OF PLAYERS AND THEN WE CAN CHALLENGE THE WEST
By JustWondering
May 4, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
So if Boston doesn’t win the championship, it will the be refs.
I’ve never heard such whining from professional sports fans as we have from the Celtics fans.
So the Celtics win by 20-30 points at home, but get whupped by the lowly Hawks on the road (3 games). The court is the same size, the goals are the same height.
The Celtics knew they could dog it on the road and the friendly refs would save them at home just like always.
By The_Future
May 4, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Fire Woodson (and Knight, if you want, ASG) and hire someone who can actually bring an offensive and defensive personality that this team will buy into
Sign J.O’Neal for a reasonable price.. put him at C, move Horford to 4
Resign J.Smith to an Iguodala-type-of-deal (not max, but respectable) and start him at the 3
Add veterans… SHOOTERS and LEADERS, at least 2 of them to come off the bench
All is well, all is good.
By rabiddawg1
May 4, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
The answer id Iverson (no pun intended). All we need is a veteran proven scorer who is not scared to fill it up on the road. He is an unrestricted free agent. Let Smith and Childress go, sign AI as well as a defensive center and walla, Top 3 seed in east.
By Mike
May 4, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
The Hawks do have a bright future.I think they need to go out and sign another scorer because jj can’t do it by himself.The Hawks need a better home fan presense during the regular season if there going to win.
By DieHardHawksFan
May 4, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Fire Woody He donesn’t have a clue. The Hawks won on pure talent. for the last 3 yrs he complained about not having a bench and now he has one but doesnt use it. He has no plays except for JJ one on one at the top of the key, the team is never prepared, he always subs the same how can u do that when each game is different. He lost 10 too 15 games on coaching alone, i can go on for days BOTTOM LINE FIRE WOODY
By DieHardHawksFan
May 4, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Fire Woody He donesn’t have a clue. The Hawks won on pure talent. for the last 3 yrs he complained about not having a bench and now he has one but doesnt use it. He has no plays except for JJ one on one at the top of the key, the team is never prepared, he always subs the same how can u do that when each game is different. He lost 10 too 15 games on coaching alone, i can go on for days BOTTOM LINE FIRE WOODY
By Just Me
May 4, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Can we get Josh Smith in some basic dribbling and shooting classes. He can jump out the gym but he can’t shoot.
Trade Marvin Williams for Elton Brand or Antwan Jamison.
By some sense
May 4, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
A news conference after about Wednesday…Thank you, Billy and Woody for bringing us to this point…now we’re prepared to go to the next level w/ _ and ___.
Great nucleus…but e’one’s been sayin’ that for three years now. No one and no five…e’one’s been sayin’ that for three years also.
Keep Zaza…as a b’up…find SOME WAY to let Bibby go…rules keep Smith and Childress.
BRIGHT FUTURE.
By Just Me
May 4, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
…and definitely get rid of that foreign White Boy!!!
By TheAntiMe
May 4, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Thanks Hawks. I was an avid fan of all Atlanta sports teams who just totally lost interest in all sports for the past 2 years. Thanks for restoring my passion and giving me the desire to reconnect my cable box (instead of my Xbox). It was really a fun week. See ya next season, OK?
By bryan
May 4, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Chase, exactly what I was thinking. A full house rocking was enough to get these kids to play at a level we have not seen for more than a few minutes at a time. And we got that three times in a week. Woodson offered nothing in the road games. Does he have any fire at all in his gut? Did he make any adjustments at all? Was there a plan in place to offset the Celtic’s strengths? I saw nothing of the sort. We all saw what this team is capable of, and it was thanks to a good crowd and adrenaline. Our coaching is probably holding these guys back in the big pic. At least Billy Knight has already been muted. If we can push him out and improve our coaching staff I will slap down the plastic for tickets next year. And I have not bought a Hawks ticket since Laettner, Mookie, and Smitty were around. Seems like a good group of guys overall, who keep their noses clean and have fun when things are going well. It is a easy group to want to get behind.
By Proud dawg
May 4, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Oh Everybody is a Hawks fan now,huh? Bradley you are just as big a bandwagon jumper than anyone else. Lets not forget that they had a LOSING season and the only playoff wins (albeit were dramatic) were AT HOME in front of a bandwagon crowd cheering for them! Not one single victory in the series on the road! Hell, half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs… the hawks have not turned a corner they have just finally reached mediocrity!
By NorcrosFan
May 4, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
“JustWondering”sounds an apropos pseudonym. Spacey. Hawks had a + 33% advantage and more foul shots in EVERYgame up until today! Refs, my backside. Not a bit of whining from Boston but you sure sound like your oozing salt into your beer! You got bested by The Best. Take it like a man. Try reading the Hawks’ post-game comments. They’ve found some respect for their superiors who play selflessly and like a team. “Individual hot shots” cannot raise a team to competitiveness. As good as ole Dominique was, Hawks never won a championship. A 50 year drought and NEVER in Atlanta.
By Harpie
May 4, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
The Hawks did what they did IN SPITE of Mike Woodson. If he is back next year, the team will suck all aeason again. We need a coach who knows what he’s doing ( and who can make Josh Smith stop shooting 3-pointers! )
By johnny warren
May 4, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Fans, don’t buy that crap Mark Bradley is saying. This was clearly a trick to get the fans to buy tickets next season. This group of so called athletes did not show up to play basketball just as they did all season. Don’t give me the excuse that they are a young team. I not buying that at all. Look at Chris Paul, whom you passed up on. He’s in the second round. Your point guard in a veteran who likes to disappear when its crunch time. I’ve seen better five year olds play better. Atlanta fans, SAVE YOUR MONEY. Watch more college and high school basketball. At least you get your moneys worth. The Hawks were better off not making the playoffs and getting a better draft selection. How do you pay a guy $70 million dollars (Joe Johnson) to play like that. Joe Johnson should have been pushing his teamates to play hard not roll over dead as if they have never played basketball before. These guys have been in the NBA for a while now. They should have played as if there was no tommorrow. Instead, they played as if they had met Freddy Krugger. I wouldn’t come and watch that garbage if you paid me to. DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS FANS. THEY ARE PHONY. THE PLAYOFFS WAS A FLUKE. THEY WON’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NEXT SEASON AT ALL.
By Harpie
May 4, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Mike Woodson sucks as a coach!!!!!!
By Big Red
May 4, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
TJ Ford is a free agent. Go after him and let Bibby go. Let TJ and Acie run the point and go get a center. I can’t believe how dissapointing mike was. That sh*t was depressing.
By Andrew
May 4, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Pleasantly surprised to see the Hawks take this series to 7 even if game 7 was a complete embarrassment.
The way I see it Knight or Woodson or both need to go. they have both been lobbying for their own jobs the last few months and there is no way that relationship can continue. Knight needs to go. Marvin over Chris Paul. I don’t even need to go into his other moves. I feel like the Hawks would benefit from a new head coach with a little more prestige than Woodson, but would the ownership group make that move.
Smith and Childress are both free agents. If the Hawks pay them both (and they will both get pretty big contracts, the Hawks won’t be able to strengthen the team in other areas and i don’t see them improving significantly over this year. I say sign and trade one of the two and target a big man and someone who can come off the bench, shoot from the outside and spell Johnson. Can’t rely on 6 guys playing major minutes every night.
By HB Ando
May 4, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Damn, Bradley, you always get it wrong, still a dilettante in all sports subjects not related to Kentucky basketball.
It’s absurd to declare that this team has a “bright future”, when it’s GM has made crippling draft decisions, it’s head coach cannot coordinate an acceptable, and somewhat basic, given the pick-and-roll nature of the NBA game, half-court offense, and, to keep it’s current roster, which was 8 games under .500, and just endured one of, if not the, most lopsided, Game 7, playoff losses, in the history of the NBA, will cost them roughly $12-14 million more, in team salary, next year (and no, this was not a run-on sentence).
The Hawks were dominated by the Celtics’ two weakest positions; point guard and center. These are the glaring holes Billy has failed to address for 4 years now. He succumbed to a PR move, in acquiring a highly overrated, and highly overpaid, Mike Bibby, who was abused by a second-year PG, who, coincidentally, was ultimately drafted with one of the very same first-round draft picks he was pointlessly bluffed out of in the Joe Johnson deal.
Bibby stands to be the fourth-highest paid PG in the NBA next year, and he’s clearly not even in the top-20, at his position, in the league (Why do you think Sacramento gave him away for the expiring contracts of three, NBA, nursing home residents, and the worst #5 overall pick in at least the last decade?).
The ASG isn’t going to go into next season with a $68 million payroll, they have no draft picks, and their only hope of retaining the majority of this roster is to find a taker for either Bibby, or to move 3 or 4 of their current rotational players.
They are forced to make a gamble of frightening proportions, on how much is too much, to match, on a 22-year, in Josh Smith, who is both one of the most compelling athletes in the league, but who just checked out with a 7-point, 5-turnover Game 7, bearing a striking resemblance, both statistically, and from a hoops’IQ standpoint, to the Jazz’s AK47, who, at the same age, put up almost identical numbers as Smith did, this year, signed for a max-deal, and has not only failed to improve, but who has actually regressed to the point that the Jazz couldn’t trade him if they wanted to (and it’s pretty clear that they’ve wanted to).
Am I saying there’s nothing to build on here? Am I denying the potential of this roster, if properly managed? Was it not exciting as hell to watch them take 3 home games from a disrespectful and disbelieving Celtics’ team?
No.
But the idea that there’s no where to go but up, for this Hawks team, is questionable as the largely held belief, less than two years ago, that the Bulls were the team of the future, in the Eastern Conference.
So you’re either naive, ill-informed, or downright clueless, to unequivocally declare the Hawks as legitimate, for the future.
This teams’ immediate future leaves more questions than a George W. Bush press conference on the state of our country’s international relations.
As always, your roving opinion requires about as much accountability as a weatherman.
So go blather on about something, anything, other than the future of the Hawks. Because if this is the best you can come up with, you’ve merely wasted the time of your readers (all 14 of them).
By Learn the game
May 4, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
The people on here saying to fire Woodson are obviously morons
Lets think about this….You want Avery Johnson or D’Antoni??? What have they done?? Johnson lost in the 1st round last year w/ the best team in the league, and D’Antoni can’t win w/ the 2 time MVP and Stoudamire…You people are nuts.
You expect the Hawks to win w/ Pachulia and Acie Law being their bench after Childress?? They hawks were barely 6 deep w/ no veterens.
Give me a break….this team needs consistency and more players. Bringing in a new coach sets them back another 2 years. New system, new plays, etc….Woodson did a great job considering the players he had to work with.
By Max McGonigle
May 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
HIRE JEFF VAN GUNDY HE COULD CONVINCE JERMAINE O’NEAL TO COME TO THE ATL
By billybob
May 4, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
How the he1l does this team have a bright future when the only way we can win games is to keep playing a six man rotation for the entire game? You can do that for a few games and beat anyone….until your players drop dead of fatigue, lookin’ like they all partied all night the night before.
So we need more depth…but how we gonna get it? ZERO draft choices this year. We traded four players, including 5th overall pick Shelden Williams, and a 2nd round draft choice for Bibby….and he’s so nasty that no one would want him even if he weren’t getting paid $14 mill per year.
This team was built to win THIS YEAR…and couldn’t even come close to getting it done. We’re screwed.
By chet
May 4, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
i am a celtics fan and i was surprised how bad atl got smoked today considering how tough they played us down there…the hawks have some good young players so i think the future is bright for them…i remember the great 1986 celtic team had a 40 point lead on the hawks in game 5, i think they had a 20-0 run….and of course the epic 1988 bird-nique shootout, the most memorable game in atl history…anyways, it was tough series for us and i think we will do better vs cleveland…w/ joe j, horford and josh smith(who really sucked today), we have not heard the last of the atlanta hawks
By hawk fan in new orleans
May 4, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
A. Johnson or D’antoni a true perimeter threat and a defensive minded clogger up the middle - keep the rest of the team intact and were on next season - title contention.
By Jeremy
May 4, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
The Hawks have to have a new coach to take them to the next level. A new coach MUST develop this talent to be more consistent. Consistency is the key to this team. They have to re-up the Josh’s and look to move Marvin Williams. They must develop Acie Law or go in another direction a PG. Solomon Jones has to get meaningful minutes to determine if he can help this team. They need a shooter and a starting Center that does not have to have touches to be effective.
It all starts with the ownership group making the decision to not be satisfied with an 8th seed and 3 fantastic victories. Tough choices have to be made, they cannot be content with being mediocre. The core of this YOUNG team, in my opinion, can compete for a championship in the next few years with the right leadership and the right moves. I am not convinced that it will happen. I think that Woodson saved his job with 3 wins. Those 3 wins, if they saved his job, stalled the franchise’s progress. If they gained that taste of post-season success and then couple that with new leadership, we are on to something that could be great……
By hawk fan in new orleans
May 4, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
And to the Celtics fans who were whining about the officiating in the Atlanta wins - we didn’t gripe win KG wasn’t suspended. STFU and worry about the Cavs! Go Hawks!
By kevin
May 4, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Fire that know-it-all Billy Knight first! He put together this 37 win team to begin with. We had a potential playoff team years ago, Al Harrington, S.Jackson, J.Terry, and oh yeah Rasheed for one game. Now he throws his boy Woody under the bus because of his own draft day blunders. Woody must go because he doesn’t know anything that resemble smart basketball, when they doubled Joe, why didn’t he go small and spread the floor with Salim and Law or Richardson? He reminded me of George Bush, just stayed the course to a 30pt. beatdown.
By NorcrossFan
May 4, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Hawk Fan in N’Orleans,
You got your wish. The Hawks ARE gone! :-)
win = when?
By joebrave
May 4, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
This Team,It’s Owners,and it’s Management is a complete nd Utter Failure,and an EMBARRASMENT to the ENTIRE STATE of Georgia!!! Mike Woodson Just Happens to be BLACK,that would be the ONLY REASON FOR HIS QUALIFICATIOS FOR THIS JOB, HE IS A BLACK LOSER!!!and a DUMB@SS to Boot!!!!
Hell Yeah Bring on Avery Johnson,and Get that No talent Bum Bibby the Hell outta here,and For God sakes tell J.SMOOVE the Dumb@ss He has to play All 7 games,or if He is that candy@ssed, to drive the Basket Then sign and Trade that Slack@ss as well…..
Enough with the Incompetence!!! I personally have had it With LOSERS!!!
By Harvey
May 4, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
I was disappointed to see the Hawks come out so flat in this game. I umpire youth baseball and I recorded the game. It was supposed to be my enjoyment for the evening. After the first half, I just skipped to the end.
However, we, as fans, have to take the positives from this season.
1) They were competitive during the season.
2) They made the play-offs.
3) They were competitive in the play-offs.
Would it have been nice to see them advance? Yes, of course, but they improved. My co-workers (I live in Denver) torment me about being a Hawks fan. At least my eighth seed team won one game. The Denver No-Guts didn’t manage a game.
For the first time in years, I am looking forward to next year.
By Mitch
May 4, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
I think Woodson should be retained. We all make fun of him, but, remember before the season, everyone said “He has to make the playoffs or he’s gone”. Well, Woodson did that, and the Hawks played a much better series than anyone could have anticipated. The Celtics are a 66 win team that might win the NBA title, and we played great against them in three games in Atlanta, and pushed them to a 7th game. I dont think you fire the coach for achieving, and then probably exceeding, the set goals. Our goal for this year was never to win a title, it was to make the playoffs, and we did that. I personally thought this series wouldnt go more than four or five games, especially after the two blowouts in Boston in Games 1 and 2. I say, reward Woodson for making the playoffs, keep our personnel, and build on this year. Next year, hopefully, we can build to a 40s to 50 win team who can get to the second round and beyond. The upside for this team is unlimited. Good season, Hawks.
MitchBy Bill
May 4, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
pitiful game by the Hawks.
By Bill
May 4, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
pitiful game by the Hawks.
By joebrave
May 4, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Now all damn day tomorow We have to Here KLUCK BELUE,and John Smart@ss Kincaid tell Everyone How good this VERY FLAWED TEAM is,Fact is This Team was Lucky,37 wins are ya kiddin me???? Unless The Sirit Group Hires another Coach with PEDIGREE I might add,such as A.Johnson,or Hell Spu Webb even,at least these Guys know how to play some damn defense,and push the Ball to the Paint…. Woodson is a Damn Joke,and the Hawks,are an Embarrasment!!!!!!
By PSack
May 4, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Get Rid of
WOODSON BIBBY-WAY OVERPAID!! KNIGHT WILLIAMS PACHULIA
HELL RAID THE OR EUROPEAN LEAGUE OR DRAFT LIKE THE SPURS DO
34 POINT BLOW OUT IN GAME (7) RIDICULOUS!!!
By David Boston
May 4, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
I was at the game today, and I think Atlanta has misread Celtics fans. We are stunned at how well the Hawks did in the series. They’re a talented team with a great future. We did NOT like Bibby’s comment about us being fair weather fans though. Good luck next year!
By PlusSizeModel
May 4, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
The future can’t be too bright when one of your starters, (J. Smith), has possible the lowest basketball acumen in history and another one (M. Williams), may have the second worst.
The GM and the coach are both idiots and they still don’t have a point guard worth a damn. Other than this, the future is oh so bright!
By Mike
May 4, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
First of billy knight must go. he has retarded this franchise and has set us back in such a deep hole it makes no sense. the officiating in this series was mediocre at best. no it was horrible and we still pushed to a game seven.(the only series to go that far, with the best team in the league vs the worst one) but i honestly cant say that for game 7. they wasnt prepared and that is woodson fault. how in the hell do come into a game seven and not be pumped up. the Celtics are overrated. thats why woodson have to go. he seemed so lost and more nervous than his player. bring in avery johnson. he will dial them in defensively. he wont let josh smith go into point-foward mode without getting in his grill.and thats what he need the most. also he was a true point guard and will mold law into one as well along with the help of bibby for one more year. also he wont let talent ride the pine behind ZAZA. heres what u do trade zaza with marvin to denver and bring in camby.that will solidify our starting five but wont take away from our uptempo style.
By Junkyard Dawg
May 4, 2008 11:55 PM |