Hawks

By Ernest

November 20, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

Shot selection aside, I’ll attribute most of the problems from the last 3 games to FREE throws. Professional athletes simply must do a better job than what we’ve seen lately. Shooting 80% would have definitely made the difference in these games.

I’d also have Josh Smith sit beside me for a while on the bench if he insists on hanging around the 3 point line. I understand the need to show something different however we need him to slash and either dish or shoot.

By The Flash

November 20, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Come on, Sekou, Chill and MW out; a nasty shooting game by everyone; and you lose in OT when Zo had it going on D, which makes up for the bus being out. Hardly the worst.

These last second games will even out. The important thing is, that coming down the stretch, the team does not become too unidemsional.

If you, in the context of your offense, are not going to even be in a position to hurt the other guy, aka score the ball if he cheats to clog or rebound because only one guy is going to shoot it unless that is not possible, then you are empowering the other team.

Man, that was a long sentence. Having not seen the game, why am I certain that, in the last few minutes, everything was run to get JJ a look, unless … ? This is not tweaking; it also is not about effort or intensity.

It is about synergy. We have all felt it. Giving it away to get the best guy the shot is doomed to failure. Just ask the Zards.

By dean

November 20, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

Ladies and gentlemen… Your First Place Atlanta Hawks !!! What a bunch of overpaid losers!!!

By Jay

November 20, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

The problems on offense arent the player rotation. Its that Josh Smith cant create his own shot and his jumper is not there yet. That 4-7 from 3s against the Raptors is looking like a fluke. But he isnt the only one…outside of Joe, Lue, Zsa, and Childress, NO ONE can create their own shot. And Childress can only make something happen driving…that ugly jumper of is will get packed if he isnt open. Thats the problem. Which is why on offense its stand around and watch Joe drive, or stand around and watch Lue drive. This is why we need Marvin Williams back badly. It looked like he was comfortable taking it to the hole at the Rocky Mountain. Lets hope he retained those memories, because the Hawks offense has been stalling.

By Jimmy F

November 20, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Being that I live in NY and am not able to visually watch many games I see a lot from the box scores of these games with few viewings due to regional coverage. Smith has got to stop shooting 3’s until he gets comfortable just putting the ball in the rim. Claxton has contributed nothing and it seems like he wont for a while. I was in favor of this signing but all the negatives that were attributed to him are 10 fold worse. ZaZa has to continue to grow and improve everyday. Footwork and tenacity need to improve. The one thought I had reading the sports headlines this morning is that BK needs to take a chance and sign Dujuan Wagner to a one year contract and see what he can contribute. He has a lot of potential especially in the playmaking category. Why not? Claxton isn’t helping with 10 minutes a game and no assists.

By Wedgie Evans

November 20, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

The offense won’t be in sync until we completely work Speedy and Salim back into the rotation. And really, this offense is not gonna be effective until Woodson realizes that this team is not built to jack up 24 3’s a game. The Hawks, especially Josh Smith, need to drive inside and draw fouls. Period.

By Astro Joe

November 20, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

“…the fundamental problem is deeper than that”. Well that sounds pretty ominous. Here are some of my guesses of what SS may be referencing:

Lack of an attention span that allows players to hear coaches preach the same thing over every practice only to hit the floor on game night and do something completely different.

Lack of a killer instinct. This team gets a lead and waits for the opposing squad to make their run. Step on their throats and don;t let them even consider a run.

A simple lack of talent to compete against most clubs.

Coaching staff talks a good game but when the team’s execution continues to baffle, then you have to wonder if they spend enough time focusing on execution vs. fundamentals.

Youngest team in the league still requires time spent teaching fundamentals to individual players while other teams get to focus on executing team ball.

Younger guys have tuned out Coach Woody and we are essentially seeing the Hawks play pick-up ball against teams who are running pro sets.

I have no idea if any of those things are right, but given that Sekou is referencing an infratsructure problem (at least that’s how I read it), those sound like possibilities.

By mavid

November 20, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

our offensive sets are a huge problem. ball movement is not good. people standing around… its basically the joe johnson show on offense. as much as i dont agree with everthing he says, terrence moore is right that we are a couple players away from really competing night in and night out (personally, i think we might only be 1 “fantastic” player away if you factor in marvin, smith, childress and speedy)

why oh why can’t we just have dwight howard!

By Gutz

November 20, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

I agree Mavid! Smoove needs to start talking to his old buddy Howard and convince him to just come HOME to the ATL. We could offer him the max somehow. If we had him and Zaza as the backup we are title contenders no doubt.

By jhan

November 20, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

You can thank Terry Stotts for us not having Howard! He thought it would be a good idea for his team to actually win games at the end of a meaningless year. All those wins just took away our ping pong balls. LOL

By The Flash

November 20, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Let’s say that coming down the stretch, they were committed to playing ZaZa like he was Tim. He gets as many touches as he needs to feel it on the catch, and do it. Would it work? We don’t know sports fans, do we.

Ditto for Shellie. He posted some pretty rugged dudes while at Duke, and when they were posted, they stayed posted. He had several ways to beat you off a well-positioned catch. And let’s say that JSmith, you give him multiple chances to catch it in the elbow, or down low, or on or near the baseline, 15 feet.

See what I’m getting at here, sports fans. Concepts. More than one go-to option. Now, you can say, as I’m thinking Woody does, that these guys are not the options “we” want. “We” want the ball in JJ’s hands, then everybody else … .

If that is so, and Woody keeps it up, we never really will know what the boyz can do coming down the stretch, at least in my view we won’t.

On the other hand, Woody can always call in da General and have him slap some people upside the head.

By honest_abe

November 20, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

jhan… dont’ forget out MVP during that stretch… good ol bobby tore it up..! HA.. atlanta will be forever cursed!

By newkid

November 20, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

FYI: Hawks forward Josh Smith is partnering with urban fashion retailer DTLR (Downtown Locker Room) by kicking off a three-point charity endeavor to benefit South Atlanta High School. The “G’s for Threes” venture will see DTLR donate $50 for every 3-pointer Smith makes this season.

By michael m.

November 20, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

now if we could only make it so that smith himself has to donate $50 for every 3 pointer he misses.

By michael m.

November 20, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

also, can the announcer who introduces our team at home STOP calling him jsmoove before games. that doesn’t help anyone. woodsen should tie smith to a chair and force him to watch last year’s games from the mid-season laker game at staples on.

better yet, to anyone has seen the movie “a clockwork orange”, i propose our coaches pull an alex on josh smith. replace the acts of violence with 3 point shots. sure, it might be a little gross watching him vomit after shooting from behind the arc, but surely after a while he would FINALLY get the point!

By Numba1Hawksfan

November 20, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

Gutz, unfortunately Dwight Howard will likely sign a Max Extension with the Magic before he will ever really be a “FA”. So unless he plays out his entire rookie contract (thru 2009) and rejects his current teams offers to sign himto a Max contract worth far MORE money than anyone else in the NBA can offer him,(Taking into consideration the Florida Income Tax Laws…There is none) we really have NO shot in hell of landing Dwight Howard in the Atl. And who’s to say he would listen to Josh Smith’s advise on anything! I’m sure Dwight would just love to stand underneath the rim and watch Josh throw up three point bricks all day! It’s a nice dream…..but a “dream” none the less.

By Jt

November 20, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith would have had to sit in an easily understood act of discipline. Either he is hard-headed, insubordinate, or just lazy for tossing up long jump shots, I don’t know. But, if I was his coach I would be asking him and someone who will do what is asked of them would play. Also, the 4 shots at the end of regulation is unacceptable. As a kid I was taught that long shots tend to give long rebounds. After the first shot, lesson should have been learned. Rebounding and defense is “want to”- pure effort!!!

By Richie Rich

November 20, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this

I think our coaching staff needs to call some play’s where Jsmoove is on the post and not out on the perimeter. Everybody wants Josh to stop taking 3’s, but the coach needs to stop drawing up play’s where he wants him behind the 3pt line…move him around.

As far as the miami game, can someone please tell me why with about 3 minutes to play, and the score 72-70, we go down the court and run a 2 man game with Speedy and Tyronn Lue???? no wonder we lost, pathetic coaching, absolutely pathetic.

Also, anybody noticed Speedy’s shooting % lately? 15%!!! NICE PICK UP BILLY!

By mykhalc

November 20, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

post from earlier blog

G-MONEY, i feel you about SPEEDY. again, i have not seen any of the games but his boxscore looks horrible!!! and like you, i understand he’s workin’ his way back to health but i think all of us are surprised about this knee thing. the hand i get, the knee seems like it’s somethin’ more than him just being outta BB shape!!?? i hope that even in his limited minutes he begins to show the kinda skills that he’s expected to bring. ‘cause right now, it’s NOT showin’!!!

By jeremy

November 20, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this

i agree with flash. we had 1 1/2 starters out and chill out, too, and we lost in overtime to the world champs. 2 other losses by all stars putting in floaters at the buzzer. a few bounces here and there and we are 7-1 and the talk of the nba with the jazz…and still not with all our starters. we are 4-4, looking good, and we will be well rested and compete against a tired detroit team.

By Chris

November 20, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

The lines from Saturday night:

Deron Williams 25 pts, 14 asts, 2 rebs and the Win

Chris Paul 35 pts, 6 asts, 5 rebs and the Win

The Hawks 5 draft picks over the last 2 years: 15 pts, 2 asts, 6 rebs and the Loss

By michael m.

November 20, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

josh smith needs to watch how childress hangs out around the basket and finds the open space to receive passes and get put backs. they both have incredibly quick leaping ability. josh smith is more athletic and has better physical skills but he doesn’t currently come close to matching what chill has between the ears. and when marvin gets back, josh smith needs to take on that interior role. it keeps him closer to the basket. hopefully he will start to develop some post moves in practice and next offseason. weren’t we told smith had bulked up and was going to be a more physical presence this year? that’s what was written about his offseason whereas the truth was he was working on his outside shot. i can only hope woodsen and bk didn’t hand him those instructions during his exit interview last year. assuming they told him to work on his inside game, it is disturbing that he doesn’t appear to have taken their advice.

i was always worried about speedy becoming our modern day jacque vaughn. quick, good on defense, no shot. so far that’s how it looks. hopefully he gets himself healthy and justifies the contract he received. it’s no secret we needed to sign a pg. it’s only unfortunate that the lackluster options gave speedy a shine that he may not have deserved. magic 8 balls says: check again later.

the 4th quarter hawks need to get back to the 2 man game that jj and zaza showed in our early road wins. their inside-out chemistry late in games delivered victories that our recent jumpshooting addiction cannot hope to match.

when marvin gets back, it is imperative that he continue what he started in the summer league where he played like a man. aggressive, taking the ball to the rim, getting his shot or the foul. he’s also accomplished from the charity stripe which would be a nice change from what the other hawks have shown of late. marvin can get his own shot, and with his ballhandling and shooting ability, he should quickly become our second score.

these are a few of the things that can get our hawks rolling again into the new year. it’s important that our guys settle into the roles that allow the team to thrive.

By michael m.

November 20, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

i have decided on my xmas gift for shelden this year:

a trampoline.

By Chris

November 20, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this

The plays from Saturday that summarize the watch Joe play style that we have fallen into. Salim gets to the foul line has an open look and tries to throw a pass to Joe that goes out of bounds. Joe Johnson penetrates and has three guys on him. He dishes to Josh Smith at the foul line with 2 left on the shot clock. Josh Smith tries to pass it back to Joe Johnson and we have a shot clock violation.
Kids if your reading this blog don’t be afraid of learning how to shoot a midrange jumper. I know the only thing you see on Sports Center is three pointers and dunks but it is ok to shoot a midrange jumper when you team mate has got the whole other team guarding him. If Marvin Williams doesn’t get his shooting touch back this year and he is not able to average over 10 points a game would it be to early to start considering the Sam Bowie comparisons? I’ll answer my own question and say if the Hawks are in the lottery and the Jazz or Hornets win the title I think it would be ok.

By ray

November 20, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

Okay, so it’s deeper than all the theories we’ve thrown out. I believe that. I don’t have access to the team, practices, insider info, etc. But I do remember making mention on the last blog about the consecutive offensive rebounds Miami had before the end of regulation. Inexcusable, and obvious that they wanted it more than we did.

I don’t like laying a lot of stuff at one player’s feet. However, Smith missed some good fast break opportunities where he should have finished and given us a lead we may not have surrendered as easily. It shouldn’t have gone to overtime. But rather than leave it at that, there just wasn’t enough energy from all five players on the court at any given time. No, everybody doesn’t have to be hopping around at light speed (some of these guys never have been and won’t ever be that fast anyway). But everybody needs to be active in their own most effective way. Speedy is a great penetrator, when he’s playing. Childress is all energy for almost every second he is on the floor. But we can’t say he’s our energy guy. They all need to be energy guys. Some guys just play at a different speed than others. I think we actually would have won that game if he was playing, but we can’t just attribute the loss to that.

On shot selection, I still have to say this. I really like Josh Smith. But there are times he just doesn’t seem to get it. Watch Shelden one of those once-in-a-blue-moon times he shoots a jump shot (from 15 feet or so). Tell me his jump shot form doesn’t look better than Josh Smith’s. Or at least as good. Furthermore, he looks more comfortable doing it. Smith looks so uncomfortable. Also notice how slow he is in gathering himself to shoot…he has the time because NOBODY is believing he will hit that shot!! So they don’t bother to defend very aggressively…I say let Shelden shoot a little more and let Josh shoot a little closer.

I definitely agree that “give the ball to JJ” is only going to go so far. He’ll garner some individual awards, but in the end, he’ll only get worn down. While he’s unselfish, and that’s good…I am sick of the play where he drives, draws 3 defenders, and kicks to a non-shooting Smith out behind the arc. Come on, man. Much as I haven’t been tootin’ the horn about Salim, I bet you a kick out to him at that range will be far more effective with him and make more efficient use of him in our offense. I see he’s starting to get the PT now and is making shots. I have always equated his shooting effectiveness with his PT.

Is is just me, or does it seem like Woody’s kind of in a position (at least against Miami) where he has to put up with Smith’s growing pains because of the lack of depth and his overall talent? I mean, had there been a Childress or Marvin available, Smith could have gone right to the bench in a few of these games for some in-game tutelage. I don’t mean to make excuses for Woody, but as long as he’s ok to go, Childress is Woody’s only viable option at the three to replace Josh when he’s having problems. Well, you could play Bozeman or JJ there (switch them up) and have Shelden at the 4. I don’t know. Marvin’s return will be a big help, I think. Even though he’ll be rusty. In the meantime, Smith’s growing pains will determine a lot in upcoming games. Even with Zaza and Lue playing well, Smith really is the potentially second best offensive weapon…potentially, that is.

By michael m.

November 20, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this

chris, concerning deron and paul, we all know this already. and with marvin and speedy out, it makes it even easier to imagine either stud point in our lineup. hell, who among us wouldnt exchange salim for montae ellis at this point. and these are things i, as well as many others such as ando, were thinking at the time of the 2005 draft. but it’s in the past and the sooner you let it go, the better. i still struggle with this myself at times.

but remember at the time that bogut and marvin were considered by all the pundits to be the top 2 choices that year. myself, i rooted for us to lose the lottery so that we would take paul instead of bogut. by draft day, i was ok with either paul or marvin just as long as we didn’t take deron williams. now i love watching deron williams play. but none of that matters because MARVIN WILLIAMS (who everyone thought would be the top player from that class in 5 years) IS OUR GUY. even if marvin does turn out to be the best player, time has shown us that one of the stud point guards would have been a better fit for our team. but let’s accept facts and move on. repeat the mantra: MARVIN WILLIAMS IS OUR GUY.

By ray

November 20, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

First of all, comparing draft picks is old and musty. For the upteen millionth time, we all know there should have been a solid pg picked somewhere in the last two or three years. Comparing simple stats is a waste of time because so many factors have to be weighed in. CP is the man. We know that. Deron wasn’t as sure a thing, but now with a hall of fame bound coach and a solid, balanced roster, he’s certainly being the man. Put him on a Knicks squad and see if he does the same thing. Same with CP. For another thing, one of our draft picks has been injured for the start of this year. We won’t talk about the #5 one, we know the deal there. As for Childress, you can’t say much. He’s going to be sixth man of the year material….this year. And he didn’t play in the Miami game due to injury.

Michael M, Nice stuff. Although some people think we might be expecting too much from Marvin, I think he will show something we have yet to see. I think he’s about as sharp as JChill, although with less experience. Also, he’s bigger and stronger. I think his only real problem last year was confidence. He may have solved that in summer league, although we’ve not yet been blessed to see how that translates into his regular season production. You’re right, he definitely has better ball-handling and shooting skills than Smith does. We still don’t know just how good he is, but I’m betting he’s very coachable and capable of bringing what is learned in practice to game-time play.

By ray

November 20, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

I sure hope Speedy gets in the groove soon. Otherwise, and I can’t say this enough times, management needs to look at getting a package together for another young pg with talent. Again, considering the way Telfair is playing in Boston right now, we should be taking a look at Delonte West and Rajon Rondo. There’s no way both goes stay (I say they both will go eventually), and they are both talented. Delonte is bigger and a better shooter, but Rondo is tough (and I believe, capable). Boston needs help. Perhaps we can make a deal of sorts with them. Although, they need another big fella, and I don’t think we have much to spare. However, for the right deal…Perhaps we could manage something where we get one of the pgs and Al Jefferson. Seems to me like big Al isn’t getting the burn he’d like at pf. Ryan Gomes is playing so well, Al won’t get his starting spot back. And Leon Powe is waiting in the wings. Come on Billy, you need to check this out. I’m sure we can come up with a good package for this, right?

By Clyde

November 20, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

I think the scouting report on the Hawks has finally gotten out.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Richie Rich

November 20, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

We should have drafted Paul Millsap instead of Sheldon Williams!!

By CLS

November 20, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

I definitely think that Josh Smith needs at least a couple plays run for him. He needs to feel that he’s involved in the offense.

I think that’s why he jacks up the first 3 that opens up for him. He’s standing around out there, not involved in the play.

The play calling is not making the most of this guy’s talents. If they ran some plays for him going to the basket, he would be dangerous. I remember a play in the Milwaukee game last week, when he set a pick for JJ. A clear path to the basket subsequently opened up for J. Smith. ZaZa saw he was wide open and slid the pass underneath to him.

He got fouled on the play, and didn’t score the basket, but got two from the line. If they ran this play for him, he’s involved in the offense.

Phoenix runs this play often for their big men… a simple screen and roll. And what do you think Orlando is doing with Dwight Howard?? I doubt this guy’s shooting many jumpers either.

I like J. Smith and I’d hate to see him go to another team and get coached the right way, and become the force he could be… somewhere else. (See B. Diaw, although I think a big part of his problem is that he didn’t want to play here).

My point is, move the guy around. It doesn’t have to be throw the ball in the post to him, although I’d like to see them try him one or two possessions per game. But I think they need some kind of designed play for him.

By tb

November 21, 2006 02:57 AM | Link to this

It’s all about movement and timing. That’s what’s going to get you the open looks. And get opposing defenders bumping into each other trying to guard em

Smith has so much talent. He has to get put in movement and get the ball with short quick moves; either hard to the rim (or over it) or a stop and pop.

A big coming in to board and JJ and someone as options if Smoove’s cut off.

By G Money

November 21, 2006 03:08 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with Sekou about this last loss to the Heat. It was about personal accountability. If it’s rebounds, even though they were long ones, it should have been about someone stepping up or atleast boxing out so that they could potentially have picked up one of those balls.

I also have to agree with the plays being run/called. The Hawks seem extremely predictable and one dimensional. Go back to the ZaZa/Joe inside outside game. Try something different with JSmith. Make Lue the unlikely intendee. Keep it ineresting for everyone while also keeping defenses off balance. But if we aren’t hitting open shots and free throws it’s all a moot point.

By THL

November 21, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

It’s easy to lose these close games when you leave 10+ pts at the free throw line every game. It is also easy to give the other team “FOUR” chances at game winning shots when your guards don’t box the other team’s guards out (didn’t J Williams get all three of those rebounds?). The good thing was that Antoine was the shooter.

Speaking of ‘Tione, he along with Rasheed Wallace, are exactly who Josh Smith does not need to emmulate. You know, talented big men who can shoot from the outside but are most dangerous going to and playing around the basket. But they want to jack up threes when they have half an inch and shoot them in the volumes of a Reggie Miller-type shooter. Please! Josh, just shoot your open shots, put the ball on the floor and shoot some closer jump shots, and try to post someone up now and again.