AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDemanding all-out effort
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t subscribe to this theory of the “must-win” game (the phrase Hawks point guard Speedy Claxton used to describe tonight’s crucial game against Toronto at Air Canada Centre).
No disrespect to Speedy or anyone else who believes in that cliché, but isn’t every game a “must-win” game?
Now I don’t believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, Evil Spirits or Bed Bugs either. In most instances, my quest is to be a realist (sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t).
What I do believe is that when competing - be it playing basketball, coaching basketball or any other game or goal-oriented activity - it has to be done with a ferocity and urgency that can’t be matched by a casual participant.
It’s the one advantage certain teams bring to the floor, field or court with them that can mean the difference between winning and losing, success and failure. (I’m convinced that it’s the one thing that separates the NBA’s elite from the rest of the pack).
And more than anything, it’s the one thing I find lacking most nights during NBA games. I’m also convinced it’s not a deliberate thing. I just don’t know that some guys (some who’ve gone to college and some who have not) have learned the precious lesson about going hard all the time.
Don’t get me wrong, I love NBA the game. But if I have one gripe, it’s that there is a preoccupation, by some players on some teams (no one in particular, and for you junior sleuths out there this diatribe isn’t directed at the Hawks or any specific player or team) with nonchalance that drives me nuts.
It has nothing to do with how much money guys make (many of the hardest working players are the highest paid), and everything to do with the foundation guys received when they were learning the game.
That one possession a guy takes off every four minutes is the one that gets him beat. You can’t rest in a hyper-charged environment filled with many of the world’s most graceful and impressive athletes. You just can’t.
Try that in college, in any sport, and you’ll never play (a coach’s livelihood depends on him or her being able to get the most out of the talent they have recruited). Try it in football, at any level, and you’ll leave the field on a stretcher. You can’t lose focus, not even for a minute. My pops has a saying (“Keep your head on a swivel”) that he uses in life that best illustrates what is at the root of this problem for me.
And don’t think for a second that this is just some daily ranting for me. Half-cocked efforts in any competition has ticked me off for years (particularly when the half-cocked effort is from someone on one of the teams I root for.)
It’s been one of my pet peeves since the fourth grade when I was blocking, tackling and running for daylight for the St. Stephen-St. Paul Trojans of East Grand Rapids, Mich. (we had a combo-team coached by the late great Joe Lauria).
We were fourth graders mind you, but Coach Lauria made it perfectly clear to us, even at that young age, that there would be only one way to play for him - like every snap was your last.
It was a successful system (we played for the championship, and won several, in all but one year that I played under him) that translated into every other sport and every other activity. We learned how to be aggressive, and unfortunately for our teachers and parents, sometimes we were too aggressive. Ha.
But the bigger lesson learned was how to compete. How to set aside whatever issues were outstanding for the purpose of taking care of the job at hand. You had to compete at the highest level every time out. And I can’t see how there could be any exceptions to that rule for professional competitors (athletes, whatever).
I know you’re probably laughing by now at the thought of a pint-sized Blog-Z running student body left in one of those old Bike helmets with the skinny, double-bars across the face (and my pops hit me with a dynamite X-Mas surprise - a team picture from like 1985 or something that I’ll have to share when I get back to the U.S. of A). But those memories, like so many others, don’t fade. When you live in a world littered with sports (the way many of us do and certainly the way I have the past 30 years).
Or maybe I’m just getting old(er) and more nostalgic now that we’ve crossed over into 2007.
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Comments
By newkid
January 5, 2007 04:11 PM | Link to this
Sekou my man, at the risk of having it severed by some who are less than accepting of ‘contrary’ points of view, please allow me to stick me head ever so slightly out of my dungeon and congratulate you on this thread. Oops, here comes the swords, gotta go.
By Astro Joe
January 5, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this
Preach on!
That sense of urgency is the thing that separates Kobe from many of the young stars of this league. He’s not perfect, but you can count on 1 hand the times he has not brought that “Tiger Woods at a Major” type of effort to the hardwood.
By doc
January 5, 2007 04:29 PM | Link to this
roll tide clyde, when you come up with a t-shirt that says; FREE THE HAWKS, GET NEW OWNERS, i will be first in line!
continue to not buy the line that it is all about coaching and gm’s.
sekou, when do you come out with the blog on owners and the contribution they make to the winning expectations of an organization or how nonchalance will be treated? funny, some of woody biggest critics have bemoaned how he is too hard on these young guys sometimes, when they dont play every play, contradictions there?
By Chris D'
January 5, 2007 04:44 PM | Link to this
If you haven’t noticed with many of the Hawks games this year the opposition has taken the first 3 quarters off and then they turn it on in the 4th. Then their superior team defeats our inferior team.
Unfortunately there is more to basketball than effort. I watched Salim Stoudemire flail his arms around on defense all of last year and try really hard to play defense and he was a horrible defender. I have seen Josh Smith take the ball into the lane countless times with a lot of effort and pick up a charge.
I guess someone could say that this team sucks because a lack of effort, but I would have to argue that they just suck.
Well if the Hawks try really hard they won’t suck as bad I guess.
By smartguy
January 5, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this
FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY
By JakeB
January 5, 2007 04:55 PM | Link to this
Great post Sekou. Sadly, it won’t change the NBA but it is very appropriate.
By Dan
January 5, 2007 05:30 PM | Link to this
Good post, Sekou. I couldn’t agree with you more.
However, I will defend the NBA players a little bit. I think the reason you see some of these guys not going all out every minute is due to the number of games. When your body is tired, your body is tired. I really think all of the guys in the league hit a wall at somepoint and they just can’t get their bodies to respond. Of course, there are some that are just lazy or weak minded and won’t put out the effort.
I think the quality of ball would go up if the season were shorter. Instead of 82 games, how about 70 games? That would eliminate spots on the schedule where teams are playing 10 games in 16 days, like the Hawks had earlier this year. Guys would be fresher and the coaches would have a chance to work with the younger players. The NBA would benefit.
I don’t think the Hawks will win tonight. I am not sure if they can win another game this season. I am still mad about the Utah game on Dec. 20. I just can’t get past it. Will still be at Philips for the Clippers game tomorrow, though.
Also, Sekou, I am from the West side of Michigan as well. I am a Spartan, though. Go State!!
By Samuel
January 5, 2007 05:42 PM | Link to this
Come On Cuz,
Everybody takes a play off every once and a while. I think we are holding these guys to different standards because they are Millionairs and on TV.
Who doesn’t take a couple of minutes or hours off during an 8 hour day. My day is filled with highschool age knuckleheads and any mental lapse can result in catastrophy. But I aint gonna lie, I still wouldn’t want a camera on me disecting my every move. I know I shouldn’t do it, but I do get lazy at times.
A good philosophy, however by the late great Red Aurebech I believe is: “If you’re gonna rest. Let it be on offense. Never rest on defense”.
By ray
January 5, 2007 07:32 PM | Link to this
First quarter against the Raptors. They’re torching the nets and we’re in trouble. But did I just see Pachulia steal, dribble behind the back, and then dunk on a coast-to-coast? Let’s hope that’s not the only exciting (or most exciting) play of the evening for our struggling team. And some say defense doesn’t lead to offense…
Yeah, yeah, I know I stirred up some stuff with that last comment. Heh, heh, heh! Hope Zaza turns up the energy and keeps it turned up, everybody needs to, ‘cause Toronto is not a joke, even without Ford around to shred our defense.
By Clyde
January 5, 2007 07:49 PM | Link to this
Why is Solomon Jones on the bench?
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Ken Strickland
January 5, 2007 09:17 PM | Link to this
After watching this gm, I can honestly say that Zaza Pachulia is a DEF joke. He won’t go after the block, nor will he step up to take a charge. He simply offers no resistence to anyone penetrating the lane. I guess it really shows up with JSmith out of the lineup.
By Samuel
January 5, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this
Guys,
More evidence that we just don’t have the players. Even the Raptons have a better roster top to bottom than the Hawks. They were without their starting PG and we were never in the game. We gave the effort but we just didn’t match up. That guy Calderon is a good player. We really miss Josh Smith. Right now he is just as important and JJ, if not more. We have absolutely no defensive thret to challenge a shot inside.
One thing I haven’t had time to write about this year is my love for the Big Fella. Yall said I was crazy last year when I said he still is one of the most dominate players and the biggest difference maker in the league. Look at the Heat without him.
By Hock
January 5, 2007 09:52 PM | Link to this
Great effort by the Hawks tonight! Only losing by 13 to the powerful Raptors is progress.
By Astro Joe
January 5, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
WE HAVE 5 DAYS BETWEEN GAMES BEFORE MEETING THE TJ FORD-LESS RAPTORS AND THE BEST WE CAN DO IS A 13 POINT LOSS?
Did I see Shelden play a good first half and spend virtually the entire second half on the bench? Did I see Speedy convert a 4 point play and then disappear? Did I see Bosh sit out half of the second half as the Raptors pulled away?
By Clyde
January 5, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Astro Joe
January 5, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Is Salim hurt or back in the dog house?
By Clyde
January 5, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
LORENZEN WRIGHT’S LINE FOR TONIGHT:
9 MINUTES, 0-3, 3 REB, 1 ASSIST, 1 TURNOVER, 4 PERSONAL FOULS.
AFTER TONIGHT I TRULY THINK THE HAWKS HAVE THE WORST FRONTLINE IN THE LEAGUE.
PLEASE FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Tony
January 5, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
PLEASE More minutes for Esteban Batista this guy is a good rebounder, we are a terrible team in rebounding. Zaza is a JOKE: 30 min 4 reb More minutes for Esteban and Solomon, less for Lorenzen and Zaza. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By mykhalc
January 5, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
fellas…does it get any worse??!! now, VISA problems and SLAVA couldn’t accompany the team???!!! it’s almost hysterical…but it ain’t!!!GEEESSSSHHH!
By HB Ando
January 5, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Seems that “guyfromuraguay” has changed his name to Tony…………
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
BILLY NEEDS TO STOP BEING STUBBORN. IF SOMEBODY AINT DOING THE JOB SIT EM DOWN! DON’T KEEP PUTTIN’ THE MAN IN THE GAME. THAT’S BASIC COACHING 101. LORENZEN WRIGHT AND ZAZA HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME OLE THING ON DEFENSE ALL YEAR; HACK NOW AND ASK QESTIONS LATER. THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE. SIT EM DOWN!!!
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
JOSH CHILDRESS IS A SMALL FORWARD AND HAS PLAYED IN 11 GAMES THIS SEASON. WHILE PLAYING HE RECORDED 12 BLOCKS THIS YEAR. LORENZEN WRIGHT HAS PLAYED IN 24 GAMES AND PLAYS CENTER. HE HAS ONLY MANAGED 9 BLOCKS THIS YEAR.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
PUT SOLOMON JONES IN THE GAME WOODY. HE WILL JUMP WHEN SOMEONE PUTS A SHOT UP.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By HB Ando
January 6, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
Clyde, bro, you know how I feel about Billy, but he’s not the coach. Did you get a little liquored up tonight? It’s OK if you did. Following the Hawks will make the most upright citizens drink straight from the bottle. Even Big Play Ray drank his way through the holidays (though that seemed more a mater of scheduling convenience than outright, Hawks-driven psychosis).
It sure is hard to find anymore Hawks’ optimists here these days. Where are the folks who said I had an ego-driven axe to grind when I steadfastly contended that this team, this franchise, would continue to flail, painfully?
Never before have I observed such a lonely bandwagon.
I don’t want to lose Sekou Smith, but I have to wonder how a man of such talent can waste his skills following such a moribund franchise.
SS, are you free to pursue a better (re: any other team in the NBA) beat gig? We’ll follow where ever you go, bro………
By Volman
January 6, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Clyde, does your computer automatically type in CAPS? hah.
I thought we played a decent game at times…we definitely miss Josh Smith completely…They shot the nets on fire tonight…
How do we not come back when Bosh is sitting for 10+ minutes? Why doesn’t Joe try and take over the game? It’s desperation time..Take 30 shots! I don’t care!
By CJ
January 6, 2007 01:28 AM | Link to this
BK is and woody are done..this team is losing it’s legs and has been exposed….as usual. Only this time the 3rd time will get you fired(which should’ve happened early last season). The players can give as much effort as possible..but if you don’t have the talent or know-how all the effort in the world isn’t going to make you better than the next team. The Hawks are simply one of the worst teams in the leauge and they are pretty much living up to it. The team is a reflection of their management. SS I we love your blog but maybe it is time to take a vacation and let some kid or intern cover it.
By Jay
January 6, 2007 03:37 AM | Link to this
Rebounds: Toronto had 36 to our 28. Here is the more damning stat: we lost in assists 23 to 12. Twelve assists? My junior high team could beat that.
Our defense is really really bad. Toronto was shooting over 60% at halftime. Are you kidding me? And this was to the Raptors…not the Suns or Wizards. I dont know if its because we’re so young and cant be coached, we’re young and just suck on defense, our coach isnt a good coach…probably a little bit of everything. What is really killing us is…
We are getting NOTHING out of center. Against Nesterovic, who is known for being not that good of a rebounder, Zaza got four rebounds in 35 minutes. FOUR. Are you kidding? And the points in the paint stat was just ugly. Im sorry, whatever offense Zaza might give us, he is more then giving it back in defense and rebounding…because he cant do either. This guy would be a solid backup (like our point guards), but he provides us no lost-post defense at all…and on a small team like the Hawks, you need at least one position to step up and give us this. As for ‘Zen…I read somewhere on espn that he has some of the most unproductive minutes out of any player that gets as much time as him. Quite an honor. Play Solomon for his spot…he really is a waste. Our power forwards are small, but they do contribute stuff (Shelden led us in boards yet again, you know what josh smith does)…but until we get a true center (something that wont happen till next year and only if Knightmare is drunk and thinks he is signing a small forward) we will continue to get murdered in the paint.
3.Speedy is shooting .548 from the free throw line. For a big center, thats awful. For a point guard that starts…thats humiliating. Solid signing, Knightmare.
I havent been able to watch the last couple of games for more then a couple minutes, but watching tonight its obvious that the hawks attitude has taken a severe dive. At the beginning of the season they believed in themselves, they thought they could win, they thought they could compete. Now they have the “same ol hawks” attitude, their heads are riding low all the time, they have a “aww man” attitude when things go bad. They dont believe in themselves anymore.
JJ isnt the same either. Maybe its the fact Woodson said he would rest him more and that hasnt happened (43) minutes tonight. And you know all his frustrated comments he’s made recently. But he doesnt seem to be attacking the same, shooting the same, having the same energy. I noticed one timeout the whole team jogged back to the huddle, while JJ took a very slow walk. Im not calling him out…Im pointing out that he is physically and emotionally done right now. He gave his everything, the hawks still lost. Now he looks beaten.
You know I almost wish the Hawks announcers could run a practice, at least Smitty. You can tell theyre getting frustrated with everything by their tone. Both of them are pointing out bad things the Hawks do almost EVERY trip.And its lots of little things. Makes me wonder if the hawks coaching staff is seeing these things and the players arent listening…or the hawks coaches havent noticed.
Im not gonna let myself get caught up and convinced Marvin is ready to be that second scorer. He still looks like he is trying to do too much at times with the ball, like his body is playing faster then his mind. And he is taking too many jumpers…he’s making them but you have to be able to drive as well because the jumper wont always be there. But that said…he looked promising tonight. Maybe he is gonna step up like he said.
Thats all I got. I’ll bring it to the table every night.
By Wedgie Evans
January 6, 2007 04:09 AM | Link to this
Zaza Pachulia is the worst starting center in the Eastern Conference.
That is all.
By Dan
January 6, 2007 09:09 AM | Link to this
So much for Speedy’s “must win game” last night. Speedy might be the worst free agent signing of the offseason.
This team is a mess. We just don’t have players. Why does Lorenzen Wright see the floor? He sucks. I think he gets a little worse everytime he steps on the floor.
These clowns will be stuck on 9 wins for a long time. This is going to get ugly. They cannot beat anyone.
By Dan
January 6, 2007 09:10 AM | Link to this
One more thing….when can we expect or next “Ho-Ho-Ho-Hold off on dissing Speedy” blog? Sorry, SS, but that was one of the stupidest blogs I have ever read.
By 1 + 2 = 4
January 6, 2007 09:35 AM | Link to this
I posted last week that the organization needed to replace Woodson with one of the interims ‘today’. Someone must be held ACCOUNTABLE. And this is the guy that directly impacts the outcome of a game.
A couple of weeks ago, he began using the injury excuse. In one of his quotes from last night’s game, he used it again. Dude take 100% responsibility. And Woodson, here’s some questions for you: Did you need Josh and Lue in the game when Bosh sat out for that long stretch in the 2nd half? How much of a difference would those 2 have made when Toronto is shooting over 150% from the field? I thought you were a defensive minded guy coming from Detroit? Where is the D in Atlanta?
Let him go today!!!!! Make contact with Adelman and get him to coach the team. At least in Sac his young teams were playing ball and making it to the playoffs. We need an experience coach to handle these young guys. Question: Has anyone else stopped going to games? Has anyone else continued losing money on their season tickets? Has anyone else been able to sell their tickets?
By Corliss
January 6, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Let’s call this exactly what it is:GARBAGE. A garbage roster w/a garbage record(9-21)w/a garbage coach,garbage scouting/drafting in a garbage division. This is for all intents & purposes an expansion team w/only 1 decent player(JJ). The Suns went on a 15-game win streak earlier this season(I know they fattened up on teams in the East.Funny;the Hawks sure can’t)w/OUT JJ. The Hawks are 9-21 W/JJ. HOW? Where is all this “leadership” Lue & Claxton are supposed to bring? W/that kind of record just how much better is JJ REALLY making his teammates? Where is all this “potential” the young players are supposed to have? The Hawks are on pace to lose 55-60 games this year. Please spare me the excuse about how “young”the Hawks are:they’ve been “young”for about 3 seasons. Sekou, if you/we demand all out effort from these guys then demand it from the Spirit Group on down because we’re not getting it from THEM either. The Hawks need to stop acquring these scrubs that no one else seems to want and get some players who look/play like they’ve played the game before. Like I said: GARBAGE. I want the Hawks to do well but it’s time this organization took a long look in the mirror(see Falcons).
By Go for 30
January 6, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
I’ve been a Hawks fan for 30 years and I hope they lose 30 straight, so the so-called ownership will have to fire those total incompentents Woody and Billy.
By Dan
January 6, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
1 + 2=4,
I have been able to sell my season tickets (e-bay). However, I have only sold Saturday night games, which are probably an easier sell.
I am a huge sports fan and so are many of my friends. I am the only one in the group that gives the Hawks even a thought. It is sad and just getting sadder.
I will still go to the games. However, that may be harder to do this season. I really thought these guys would break out and make some noise this year. I really do not think they will win more than 15-17 game this year. It is just too hard for them to win games. I think it is time to clean house and blow this thing up again. The guys we have just don’t win. They are not capable of it.
Also, I will probably renew my season tickets for next year. However, I have to see some changes. I don’t care what Sekou says, Woodson is not a good coach. This team had 5 nights to prepare for the Raptors last night and still came out with a crappy effort. No boxing out. Terrible defense. Can’t shoot a lick. This team sucks. Woodson needs to go.
By Tim
January 6, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this
The Hawks are the worst franchise in all professional sports. Period. No improvemement for many years now and they have largely become irrelevant in the Atlanta sports scene. It would be hardly noticed if they simply folded up shop and disappeared forever. It’s hard to imagine that anyone would actually pay money to see this miserable team play. What a bunch of losers.
By Tony
January 6, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
I am serious we need a better rebounder,Esteban can give us more rebounding and Solomon more defensive presence in the paint. ZAZA=4 REB IN 35 MIN=JOKE LORENZEN JUST CAN’T PLAY. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Steve T
January 6, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
I think the Hawks problem is coaching. It is true that we miss Josh Smith. He is the only low post player that we got. Without him, we can not control the low post. We miss his defense.
With that said, a good coach will find a way to replace Smith. Zaza is not getting it done down low. We have some big bodies that may be willing to get it done. Since we need defense, and rebounding from the low post, I think we should play Esteban, Solomon, Wright, and Shelden at center. We move Zaza to power forward. I will tell Esteban, Solomon to play hard. I do not want any easy baskets.
The starting line up would be Marvin, Solomon, Zaza, Speedy, and JJ. I will tell Speedy to push the ball. I will tell Solomon and marvin to run as hard as possible.
Now getting back to the coaching, if your team is behind and they are missing jumpers, you take a time out and tell them to take it to the hole. This is when you put your slammer in the line up.
I heard that the hawks may go to the development league to sign a player. I say that they find the best shot blocker and rebounder. We need someone in the low post.
By tb
January 6, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
The Hawks under BK undertook probably the most drastic re-building job in recent NBA history.
Most teams that re-build have one or two players to start with. BK dumped everyone. Of the players that we let go, J Terry was the only maybe mistake. I say maybe because by the time the re-building would have been done and the new young Hawks ready to compete (next year or the one after) JT would probably have been past his prime. to keep him around just to pay his contract and still lose at about the same pace would not have been smart.
BK has amassed some very good young talent; JJ could be one of the very best 2/3’s in the league soon, if not already, Smoove is a force and developing a complete game, Marvin was a #2 and looks like a good investment, Chil is very solid. Three of these guys could very possibly turn out to be All-Star type players. Chil might still get better too. Then there is Shelden who will at least be a Gooden type PF. Not bad at all.
Zaza is not a top tier PF/C but will still develop and is a good Big at a great price. Speedy should still have a few years of good level of play giving us at least a very good back-up at the PG. Lue is another very good back-up PG, one of the two should probably be traded as we are not yet ready. Lue is most likely due to contract.
Of the rest; I like Soloman as a high energy BIG and Salim could still develop into a good shooting scorer.
Here’s what I would like to see happen from here:
Trade Lue and Wright to a PO team for either a first or a young PG or C with potential. I wouldn’t hesitate to include Salim if we can get a young PG/C. Someone like O’Bryant, Sene or Marcus Willams or one of Celt’s young PG’s.
Rest JJ. He doesn’t need to develop anymore. He just needs more help. Get his minutes down to about 35 and wait till next year. Let the kids get out there and fight; and lose. We keep our first and have #1, 2 or 3; and Indy’s pick.
Next year we are young, but very talented:
Speedy/Ivey
JJ/
Marvin/Chil
Smoove/Shelden/Solo
Zaza/Ogden or Noah
and we still can insert the player we’d get from the trade and the Indy pick. There are also other bigger trade senarios, but I like the looks of this one. We would need one more year for the kids to grow, but starting in 2008-9 we could easily be a force in the league.
Oh, yeah, Woody ain’t gonna cut it. I think he was a bargain coach for re-building time.
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY T-SHIRTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. I STILL HAVE ONE FOR YOU SEKOU.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Steve T
January 6, 2007 01:14 PM | Link to this
I can not see why the Hawks can not win more games this season. We need a good big man. I say we shop the D-league. I see two players that could help the hawks: Justin Williams -6-10-230. He is shooting 56%, averaging 12.3 rebounds, and blocking 3.08 block per games. He is averaging 12.3 points per games.
I like Ryan Hollins -7-0-230. He is shooting 49%, averaging 10.4 rebounds, and blocking 2.00 block per game. He is scoring 12.3 points.
Sekou and fans, I choose these players because they rebound and block shots. The thing we need right now is defense down low. We have scorers in JJ, Marvin, Chill, Speedy, and Lue when he returns. Zaza can score also. We need some guys that will play hard in the low post.
Sekou tell Billy to look at the D-league and get a good tough big body.
By Ken Strickland
January 6, 2007 01:31 PM | Link to this
Woody has done a very good job of developing the young, and often very inexperienced, individual talent on the team. However, he seems unable to to mold this talent into a competent team. Some people are very good at developing individuals, and some are good at developing teams. It appears Woody is best suited to be the former. PRiley, PJackson, MFratillo and HBrown, although he has had limited success in developing young players, falls into the latter catagory.
There seems to be no OFF continuity. There is too little ball movement, limited player movement, which makes it easier to double JJ. We need a motion OFF, much like Detroit uses with RHamilton, to keep teams from doubling JJ. And with Marvin and JSmith leaping ability, we need to play more above the rim by using back screens and lobbs. One thing is certain, what we are presently doing, just ain’t working.
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 01:47 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
ITS THE SAME OLE THING NIGHT END AND NIGHT OUT. NO ADJUSTMENTS ARE BEING MADE. IF SOMETHING AIN’T WORKING STOP TRYING IT. TRY SOMETHING NEW. PUT NEW PLAYERS IN THE GAME. TRY A NEW OFFENSIVE SCHEME. DO SOMETHING. DON’T JUST SIT BACK AND LOSE 10-15 GAMES IN A ROW.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By dawgsfan1
January 6, 2007 02:09 PM | Link to this
either get new ownership(a. blank) or get rid of the hawks they suck and are making this city become a joke in the nba.
By Mike
January 6, 2007 02:26 PM | Link to this
I want to just thank the hawks for their losing ways, The hawks are going to suck for years to come i figured you would get used to it like az cardinal fans get used to our owner sucking and not caring about the product it rolls out onto the field. you are going to lose your first round draft pick this year in what is being called the deepest draft in years, and your going to make the suns that much better. I as a suns fan was p** to see jj leave the team but like they say you can not judge a trade right away u have to give it time. and now that this is the 2nd yr from the trade happening The suns robbed atlanta your future is bleak you have no hope until u get your ownership problem figured out. thank you again hawks SUNS rulle!!!
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 04:19 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Ken Strickland
January 6, 2007 04:22 PM | Link to this
MIKE, the Suns get our pick only if we make the playoffs, or fail to draw one of the top 3 picks. If the Pacers miss the playoffs, we could still end up with a/the top lottery pick. If both happens, we could end up with 2 top lottery picks. JJ has outperformed, and proven to be more valuable, than any unknown future 1st RD pick, over the last 2 seasons. Don’t get carried away prematurely.
By D-MAS
January 6, 2007 05:55 PM | Link to this
Why we have to search for a center in the D-League? We already have Esteban and Solomon. Woody has to put them on the floor and Billy has to tade away Lorenzen and Speedy for a true PG. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY.
By tb
January 6, 2007 06:49 PM | Link to this
Hey Ando, I’ll miss you.
As for not being able to find any optimistic Hawks fans; check my earlier post. It just isn’t the Hawks time yet.
It’s coming and I still think BK is putting a team together that is going to look much better next year and could well be very good for years after that.
It’s called re-building and it takes it’s time.
Those seeking instant gratification, go buy something, Hawks fans sit tight and watch the kids grow up and let BK finish his job.
Send Woody to coaching school.
By Steve T
January 6, 2007 07:06 PM | Link to this
May be the Hawks are not concerned about winning right now. If they make the play offs the Suns get the pick. However, it is possible that the Hawks could end up with two very high picks. Those two picks could provide the center and point guard.
By Tim
January 6, 2007 07:18 PM | Link to this
The Hawks will always be one or two years away. That means that they will suck forever. They’re pathetic losers. You’re better off reading a good book than wasting your time following this team.
By JohnGTfan
January 6, 2007 08:01 PM | Link to this
LOL…love my ATL teams, but right now, they all s&ck. At least the thrashers play hard, every minute of every game.
By ray
January 6, 2007 08:08 PM | Link to this
Ando,
What bandwagon? Ok, ok, I admit I was on it, but at least I have enough sense to get the heck off before the wheels come off…um, that was..uh.. several games ago, huh?
Hey, I had my holiday drinking at the new homestead, but I am by no means a regular consumer of alcoholic beverages. Might go months without even so much as a beer. But that has as much to do with my personal choices as it does my professional limitations (tv cops drink all the time, real ones need to watch it, don’t care what anybody says). As for the Hawks driving one to drink, only if one can’t catch up with the reality of things. Recognize it for what it is: a bad product. And recognize WHY. After doing the latter, I’m not quite as upset, seeing that any expectations were…well, unrealistic. Of course, one cannot discount the magnifying effect injuries had. Notice I said MAGNIFYING, as in there were problems before and after injury issues. Still, the games are getting harder to watch.
Ken, you’re right about Woody. He never had that kind of experience in Detroit. They developed players individually and the team as a whole. But that wasn’t solely Woody’s responsibility. Plus, they never developed Darko. So, I think it’s a combination of Woody not knowing how to develop a team (yes, injuries contributed to the difficulty, but didn’t make it impossible) and his inability to develop young players. Yes, I know that this is partially contrary to your argument.
But hear me out. If Woody was so good with developing players, particularly young players, then how is it that our young guys aren’t more…developed?
Ok, JChill is doing good by himself.
Marvin is more aggressive, but I feel like any improvements he has are due to his determination and work ethic. And he doesn’t look like he’s about to have a break out season this year (jumper’s sweet though).
Josh Smith’s play seems more like a player trying to find his way than it does a result of the sure-guiding hand of a seasoned coach. Remember, this guy did come out of high school, where his unbelievable athletic ability masked ANY problem he might have had, like ball handling. But so have several others. Josh is still trying to find his way, and there’s no one there who seems to be able to help him.
And then there’s Shelden. Four years in a very reputable college program and THIS is what we have. And don’t start telling me about how many rebounds he has gotten since they’ve let him start. Once again, he is only starting because Josh is out. And since no one else is capable, he is getting a good amount of rebounds per game for the most part. He still is nowhere near an enforcer on the defensive end. I honestly thought he’d be better. What I expected was a guy who would make it difficult to play Marvin and JSmith together all the time. He has yet to accomplish that, and you’d think his production would be even higher with the PT he’s been getting.
By reese
January 6, 2007 08:11 PM | Link to this
TB, there are two types of rebuilding; Effective and Non Effective.
Effective rebuilding would have been signing Gilbert Arenas for the 03-04 season to play alongside Jason Terry.
Effective rebuilding would have been keeping Theo Ratliff in the trade that sent Shareef to Portland for Rasheed Wallace. Then you would have a frontline of Rasheed and Theo.
More importantly it would have been 1 all star for another all star instead of 1 all star for 2 all stars. Then, other GMs would have respect for Billy Knight.
Now, we’re rebuilding with a line up of Gilbert Arenas PG, Jason Terry SG, Rasheed Wallace PF and Theo Ratliff C.
Now, we would have only needed a small forward. Well, I believe that BK could have found us a player between 6’7” and 6‘“9 to play small forward.
Instead we have Non Effective Rebuilding as displayed by 04, 05 and 06 hawks.
By ray
January 6, 2007 08:25 PM | Link to this
This, of course brings to mind a very legitimate gripe by Astro Joe. Perhaps dear Woody wouldn’t catch so much flack if they brought in guys who could help tutor our youngsters. Why would you want the head coach to develop individual players all the time anyway? Woody is showing that he can’t do that with youngsters and develop the team’s identity and purpose at the same time. So, it looks like he can’t do anything at all.
Like Joe said, bring in guys who can tutor our forwards and help them become better PLAYERS that Woody can develop into a better TEAM. Just a thought.
A few thoughts of mine on the draft:
The season isn’t even half-way through. We don’t know how many games we’ll win or lose.
We don’t know exactly who will be available/eligible for the draft. Some guys might stay in school or get hurt badly.
Uh…has anybody been paying attention to what Billy has been doing the last few years at draft time?
By ray
January 6, 2007 08:26 PM | Link to this
Oh but Reese, that’s all just hindsight thinking. Heh, heh, heh…
Truth is truth, ain’t it bro?
By reese
January 6, 2007 08:29 PM | Link to this
As far as the game against Toronto goes, who is Joey Graham. He was a man against children playing against JJ, Marvin and Josh.
The guy has a body better than Corey Maggettes.
I don’t subscribe to Sekou’s theory about giving 100% at all times in order to win. Its a nice catch phrase, but I learned that I could play smarter, intense at the right time and provide a little acting to get the right call.
Players who are on the court as much as JJ or a Gilbert Arenas must learn to pace themselves during games.
Players like estaban batista who do go all out when they play need to pace/control themselves so that they don’t hurt their own teammates.
However, too sekous’ point, when players can’t play smart, can’t act, nor can’t play intensely, then you can see a lot of bad plays or frustration.
I must say that JJ seems very frustrated at times and it is affecting his play. 2 instances that stand out to me were
Speed drives into the lane and doesn’t pass to JJ, however, speedy hit the shot, was fouled and fell to the ground. JJ frowned until he saw that speedy hit the shot. Then, he didn’t run over to help speedy get off the floor.
The second occurance was when JJ was being overplayed by a Toronto player. JJ ran past the hawks player with the ball and just stopped. Now, the hawks player had JJ’s man and his own man in the vicinity.
He never went to set a screen for another player, he didn’t set a screen for the player with the ball, he stopped trying to get open and he didn’t take his player away so that the player with the ball could make a move.
By ray
January 6, 2007 08:32 PM | Link to this
The one game I can’t watch that is looking like it’s being played better than the last several. Oh well, I’ve been complaining too much to really have a legit gripe about this. But:
Looks like JJ has rediscovered his rhythm. And Speedy is playing a good game too. Put the clamps on the Clipper pgs, bet they’re missing the heck out of Sam Cassell. We’ll see how this one ends…
By ray
January 6, 2007 08:46 PM | Link to this
Reese,
The play hard all the time mantra is more about mental preparation than anything else. If you have the mental attitude that you are going to give it all you’ve got the entire time, then your resulting effort will be greater overall. As others have already said, taking a few plays off here and there WILL happen, voluntarily or involuntarily. And you must know how to pace yourself. Crafty veterans demonstrate this all the time. They know how to give good effort all the time without burning themselves out or taking off too many plays, or taking off too much on any given play.
However, approaching the game with the a nonchalant, casual attitude will result in taking off way too many plays (you never know which one is the game changer), and then you end up trying to play catch-up. Which doesn’t work nearly as often as one would like it to.
That’s just the way I see it. Speaking from experience, the gridiron teaches you more about this mentality than most other sports. Like Sekou said, casual play in football can and will literally hurt you, more so play-for-play than in basketball. Get caught standing around nowhere near the ball and the scenery can change real quick. You can leave your feet involuntarily and there is no ref there to console you with a foul call.
By mykhalc
January 6, 2007 08:57 PM | Link to this
REESE, SHEED was not gonna resign with the HAWKS!! NO WAY!! and BK knew that. so keepin’ him and THEO was a non-option back then. we did good to get one game outta SHEED. he coulda done a PAYTON and not even show, period. and then again, he ‘MIGHT HAVE’ only showed ‘cause he knew it was ONLY for one game???!!!!
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 09:14 PM | Link to this
Mykhalc we knew Sheed was not going to re-sign ok. But why would Billy help another team win a Championship by giving him away to Detriot?
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By mykhalc
January 6, 2007 09:37 PM | Link to this
CLYDE, in your mind, what were the options?? i woulda LOVED to have seen SHEED in a HAWKS uni that year!! and without knowin’ the specifics, i IMAGINE SHEED showed up knowin’ that he’d play only one game. so if SHEED tells BK i WILL NOT show up and play for the year and BK knows that, where is BK’s leverage??? he has none at that point!! SHEED was gonna be a FA at the end of the year. so he could sit out the year if he hated the HAWKS that much and BK STILL DOES NOT get anything in return. or he could still NOT show up and wait until BK waits out a trade??!! or BK could move him IMMEDIATELY since he knows that’s his only option??!!! BK was ALL about dumping salaries then. so if he achieved one of his goals (dumpin’ THEO’s salary) then i GUESS he thought that was the best he could do in that situation!!??
CLYDE, i think your utter dis-satisfaction with BK clouds your objectivity (sometimes)!! i think BK could have done some things better, NO DOUBT!! but the bottom line is, he nor the HAWKS will come out winners in all situations in this on-going, rebuilding process!!! and i think SHEED’s trade is a good example!! BTW, what did we get for SHEED?? i don’t remember??!!!
By Steve T
January 6, 2007 09:40 PM | Link to this
The hawks showed up tonight. The key for the hawks will be getting Josh Smith and Ty Lue back.
By ray
January 6, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this
Looks like a win to me. Glad to see JJ did his thing. Having not been able to see the game, I’m guessing we outclassed the Clips (a better team in most ways) like the Raps outclassed us last night. Good job. Improve on it.
Now see Lorenzen? Getting 4 fouls ain’t quite as bad when you pull down 8 rebounds to go with ‘em. Now if someone could just teach you to block a shot here and there.
Shelden. Tell me you can do more with 28-29minutes.
Speedy. Living up to the contract, please keep some ice on those knees. Loving that steals/assists production.
By mykhalc
January 6, 2007 09:46 PM | Link to this
i’m glad the HAWKS got a win!! but for the life of me, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WOODSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE IS NO METHOD TO HIS MADNESS!!!!
By Marcus
January 6, 2007 09:54 PM | Link to this
We suck and we will suck for many years to come. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY.
By ray
January 6, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this
Mykhalc, I wonder if Woodson understands. He’s probably flying by the seat of his pants….then he discovers that Billy Knight didn’t give him any pants…
By ray
January 6, 2007 09:56 PM | Link to this
Clyde, you got a brother named Marcus?
By mykhalc
January 6, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
RAY, LOL!! what’s sad is…YOU’RE RIGHT!!LOL
By Clyde
January 6, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
YEA THAT’S MY BROTHER. I TAUGHT HIM WELL.
I THINK LORENZEN WRIGHT LEADS THE LEAGUE IN GAMES WITH MORE FOULS THAN POINTS. SOMEONE LOOK IT UP.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By mykhalc
January 6, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
again, i did not see the game. so what brought about the win tonite??? i totally don’t get WOODSON’s PT for players!! but the more i look at the boxscore the more i realize these young cats are NOT ABLE/READY to bring it nite-in, nite-out?? i think JS has gotten over that hump for the most part. but MARVIN, ZAZA, SHELDEN, etc will have a decent or solid game and then disappear the next game!! is it physical, mental, both??????
By reese
January 6, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Ray, yep, they will call it hindsight. However, at the time I was hoping for Gilbert. I saw him when he was on golden state and thought he was a talented player. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it again, when he stole the ball from dan dickau, drove the full length of the court and made a layup to steal a game from the hawks, I was impressed.
mykhalc, in the existing scenario, Rasheed might not have stayed. However, in my scenario, he would have stayed and the hawks would be in the playoffs in 04, 05 and 06.
By the way, good win hawks. Couldn’t see or hear the game, but just saw NBA tv highlights. Also, stats show that zaza had a good game and that the hawks finally shot more free throws than an opponent and it made the difference.
Also, another Solomon Jones sighting (3 for 3 shooting, 2 rbs and 3 fouls in 6 mins). Solomon, please cut down the number of fouls.
By Ken Strickland
January 6, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Last yr Ivey was the starting PG, but spent more his time of his time on the bench. JChildress comes off the bench, but spends most of his time on the court. Anyone claiming he’s nothing more that a career 6th man doesn’t know much about the game. For now, we could help JJ by starting JChildress and bring Marvin off the bench. Last yr, Marvin did a very good job in that roll.
I’d also start SJones to try and establish an early inside DEF presence, beside JSmith. I would use him like we used Ivey last yr, except I would extend his PT when he performs well. There would be less pressure on JJ, and our overall OFF, if our DEF production increased. Speedy is definitely doing his part, especially on the DEF end.
By Ken Strickland
January 6, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
RAY, consider that Marvin had 1 yr of experience, off the UNC bench, and JSmith was right out of HS. Both should be starting their junior yr in college. Zaza, although he’s still a DEF liability, has improved his RB and scoring, after previously being no better than a 3rd string C. He is now out performing the 2 he played behind. Salim has also improved, especially his attitude, which Woody successfully addressed last yr.
By Steve T
January 7, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
Dijon Thompson has landed in Atlanta and will officially sign a contract with the Hawks tomorrow (Friday), sources close to the situation informed DraftExpress. Thompson is the third player to be called up to the NBA from the D-League this season, and will sign a 10-day contract with Atlanta. He will suit up for his first game on Saturday when the Hawks host the Clippers.
Thompson was the 54th overall pick of the 2005 draft, and ended up in Phoenix as a result of a draft day trade. He spent some time with Albuquerque in the D-League last season, and was recalled back to the NBA in December. Thompson had micro-fracture knee surgery in March and was let go by the Suns in the off-season. He was in veteran’s camp with the Golden State Warriors before the start of the season, and re-joined Albuquerque as a free agent in late November.
In Albuquerque, Thompson was one of the best players in the D-League. He averaged 20.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season while shooting nearly 50% from the field. Thompson ranked 6th in the D-League in both his scoring and rebounding averages this season.
In Atlanta, he will replace his close friend and former college roommate Cedric Bozeman, who was released Tuesday. He will see some time filling in for injured small forward Josh Smith, and has a chance to impress and earn another 10-day contract right off the bat due to the numerous injuries Atlanta has suffered.
By mykhalc
January 7, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
REESE, i honestly wish it was YOUR scenario that would have shown itself. no doubt (if there is such a thing in HAWKS b’ball??) we be MUCH better off!!!! damn, just give me SHEED and ARENAS!!! i’d be happy to be buildin’ with those as my core back then!! hell, i’d take ‘em as my core NOW!!!!
By Volman
January 7, 2007 01:12 AM | Link to this
Speedy is tearing it up on defense..I’m proud of that.
Wow, we won.. Let’s hope we can build on this.
clyde no more caps! For the love!
By Steve T
January 7, 2007 01:23 AM | Link to this
I THINK LORENZEN WRIGHT LEADS THE LEAGUE IN GAMES WITH MORE FOULS THAN POINTS. SOMEONE LOOK IT UP.
Hey man, may be playing tough was part of his job tonight. I do not have a problem with fouls as long as it may the other team know that they will have to pay for going in the paint.
We have been missing that toughness the past 8 games. If I was Woodson, I would move Zaza to power forward. I would use Wright, Jones and Esteban at center. I will tell them that as long as they rebound, block shots, and play tough, they will get PT. I also will let them know that they can use all their fouls. I do not want to see too many easy baskets. I want other teams to know that if they go in the paint, we are going challenge every shot.
By Dan
January 7, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this
They won last night, but who cares? The season is already done. I almost hope they keep losing. That way they have a good chance at landing a high draft pick (top 3). Also, I would hate it if they won 35 or so games and just barely missed the playoffs. Then, we would be left to ponder the Chicago and Utah debacles for the whole summer.
This is still a bad team. Speedy still sucks. I was glad to see Woodson jump on that piece of garbage for throwing up the 20-foot jump shot after the timeout late in the 4th. The shot was an airball, by the way. Speedy, please, leave the city. Just watching that guy loaf around the floor makes me mad. What a waste..
By doc
January 7, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
reese, effective rebuilding the way you suggest would have required money. that is the problem. though your points are very appropriate either scenario would have required aggresssive money expenditure which this management with and without belkin decided to not do. any discussion of why bk did certain things has to start there. does your wife criticize you when she drives through atlanta near the gov’s mansion wondering why you hadnt traded up dude?
formula for success met last night, jj with 25 and zaza with greater than 15. 80 to 85 % of the hawks wins will come from that formula or close to it, unfortunately. it will be a rare occurance for the hawks to win if there isnt a signifcant contribution from thoose two guys and specifically from zaza as he is the key as there is no one to take over inside scoring if he isnt able to do it. there is a huge imbalance between inside scoring and outside scoring that the opponents exploit when there is a size disadvantage for the hawks. until an offensive scheme is proved effective beyond the apparant traditional one the hawks use we will suffer when zaza or jj is off or the hawks are overmatched underneath with size. i hve not seen but two games but both the bucks and the cavs were able to play big whenever they wanted to and score inside and clog the driving lanes with big bodies to easily beat up on the hawks, unfortunately we dont counter with an effective run style offense that runs the big guys off the floor. until we discover a second style we will suffer as fans.
By Marcus
January 7, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Damn!!Zaza is the most pathetic starting C in the league. He’s a JOKE man!! Speedy leave town please!!! We have to loose all the games of the season and pick Oden.
By Marcus
January 7, 2007 01:00 PM | Link to this
I forgot. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Marcus
January 7, 2007 01:01 PM | Link to this
Playing time for Solomon and Esteban. Trade Lorenzen “the foul man”. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By doc
January 7, 2007 01:09 PM | Link to this
marcus, are your t-shirts less expensive that roll tide’s?
By Astro Joe
January 7, 2007 02:43 PM | Link to this
I watched most of last night’s game on NBA League Pass last night. As Sekou accurately summarized, the Hawks took advantage of the many chances the Clippers provded. Elton Brand was theonly Clipper who apeared intereste in the game. In all honesty, they (Clippers) looked like the Hawks have the past few games. Other teams have effectively doubled JJ the moment he touches the ball. The CLippers failed to execute that oft-repeated (and effective) strategy. They even allowed Zaza to have one of his best games this season.
The one interesting point is that Marvin realy did do some vocal barking on the floor. He had an off game (afterplayeing very well Friday night) but he certainly didn’t stop being vocal.
At this point, there is no such thng as an ugly win or a gift. So I’ll take it.
Sekou, what’s wrong with Lue again? Seems like he’s been out so long that he could have had an operation on whatever ails him by now. And has Josh Smith attended the games since his surgery? I don’t recall seeing him on the bench since his injury. Anyone else notice him on the sideline?
By reese
January 7, 2007 05:04 PM | Link to this
Doc, I understand the financial situation and constraints that bind the team right now. However, I contend that the financial constraints have not been that way since day 1. Billy Knight had a plan before the spirit group purchased the hawks, he convinced the new and eager owners to abide by his plan and now he is executing his plan.
His plan was to determine the approach that would maximize his tenure on the job. First he had to convince individuals that a rebuilding process had to take place. Second, he had to dump high cost players. Third, he had to sign a coach who would be OK with the long term plan. Fourth, he had to spend an undefined number of years acquiring new players.
After accomplishing 1 - 3, he is building his vision of what the Hawks should look like. I’m sure that he did not anticipate that the purse strings would be tightened, but that is a ramification that can occur with the approach he took.
When he saw that the strings were being pulled, he made moves that opened himself up to the scrutiny of the fans, press, ownership and players.
1)He offered the Phoenix suns the world for their 4th best player. 2)He drafted a college teams 6th man as the number 2 pick. The fact that he had 4 existing players that played the same position and he needed a point guard and Center did not deter him. 3)He reiterated on many occasions that he does not spend money on players just for the sake of spending money. Statements made before and after the spirit group arrived and before and after the purse strings were tightened. 4)He has repeated mistakes (i.e. signing lorenzen wright) that were made by the previous GM. Although, he justifies it because he did it in a more cost effective manner.
The fact that he has assimilated one of the most imbalanced rosters is not a first in the NBA nor will it be the last, so I will not judge him for that.
The fact that I don’t agree that the current collection of players are very athletic, have poor basketball IQ and poor fundamentals are just my opinion.
I just don’t like the current results of his plan and I do not see things getting better in the immediate future.
But it doesn’t mean that I would not have taken the same approach if I was in his shoes. However, I would have to take the criticism or praise if the players I kept, the draft picks I made, the free agent acquisitions I acquired and the trades that I approved had produced the same resluts.
By doc
January 7, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
bobby petrino when there is whisenhunt or singletary out there. agree with aj who said the old “wtf”. blank has lost it and maybe is feeling too much pressure since nardelli resigned or was given the boot with mora. wow.
what are the owners trying to do, this is the same learning curve ted was on until he got it right. he needs an nfl man as there are only two college coaches that have made it big time and both coached for jerry jones in dallas.
By doc
January 8, 2007 07:35 AM | Link to this
well the beloved mark bradley says blank got it right with this hire of petrino and he was right on target with his pre-draft asessment of chris paul. sooo, since i missed badly on the paul one i pray that mark calls this one right because i have been a falcon fan just only about 8 years less than a suffering hawks fan. heh heh
now,when do we get to comtinue this win streak?
By Marcus
January 8, 2007 09:52 AM | Link to this
YES!!!!!!!!! FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!!! LORENZEN GO HOME!!! PLAYING TIME FOR ESTEBAN AND SOLOMON!!!FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!!!!!!
By Marcus
January 8, 2007 09:54 AM | Link to this
YES!!! CHEAP T-SHIRTS!!!FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!! LORENZEN GO HOME!!!YOU SUCK NIGGA!!! PLAYING TIME FOR MY HOMMIE SOLOMON AND ESTEBAN!!!
By ray
January 8, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
Ken, I like your idea of starting the more consistently effective Childress and bringing Marvin off the bench. It’s just that Childress brings so much energy off the bench. Marvin would need to do the same thing to have a positive effect. But who knows, that may give Marvin some time to fully heal that hand as well as some perspective. Then, he might play well enough to force Childress back to the bench. Either way, we’re still missing the heck out of Josh Smith.
By doc
January 8, 2007 03:06 PM | Link to this
reese, i read over your last note, as always very thoughtful and thought provoking. my opinion, i really dont think that bk could have pulled the wool over these guys eyes since it included belkin (ok a slight jab at the present spirit minus one), who is very shrewd, at the time to conjure up a scenario where bk from the start gave the owners a plan that was mainly one to keep him on the job for the longest period. i have seen that usually, when someone is hired, he is told what he has to work with then he does his derndest to keep things within those parameters. since i wasnt there to really know if bk pulled the wool over their eyes and mde them buy into this bargain basement overhaul i wont dispute or discredit what you said; if it happened the way you think then your assesssments are quite justified and i wont comment against them at all. i just doubt it went down that way but in a manner that they conjured up a lowball approach to spending. the spending issue is one of the contentious points within this ownership and one of the cracks that was exposed when belkin supposedly was against raising the total money outlay from year one to year two at the same time as trying to negate or undermine the aquisition of jj.
though it seems to be an attempt to downplay the worth of jj by saying that he was ‘only” their fourth best player, it seems that would be like trying to say “the chief” parrish was only the third or fourth best celtic in the 80’s when they were loaded with bird, johnson and kevin mchale. forgive me for that reason i hope ypu understand i just cant swallow that one completely out of context of what three other players you referred to: one of whom is said to be the best nba’er alive right now by many, mvp nash; followed by amare who went down like barbaro the horse (wish jj had been available to my suns with that injury) and a little guy with a lousy looking shot even worse that chills’ who plays with a lot of heart in shawn marion. i got a chuckle at the idea of trying to pass that one off so deftly, cant buy it as an argument to detract from his worth only to say it improved their bargaining power which they were willing to use per the gm at the time, quoted after he went to toronto, his words not my speculation.
By James Friday
January 11, 2007 08:33 AM | Link to this
Jim Mora lost his job as coach of the Falcons after a 7-9 season. What is the magic number for wins and losses that will force the ownereship of the Hawks to relieve Mike Woodson of his responsibilities as head coach of the Hawks. Twenty losses after only thirty games is enough for me. Now is the time for Mike Woodson to go. I am tired of the excuses of injuries, youth, schedule, etc. The fans are ready, willing, and able to support a team that competes and doesn’t embarass the city, as the Hawks have done under the current coach and his predecessor. I am a University of Pittsburgh graduate, and as such, a long time admirer of Billy Knight, but it is time for Billy to let someone else have an opportunity to change the direction of the Atlanta Hawks.
By rr
January 11, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Amen to that James! It is one thing to sit through losing games and seasons when the effort and heart are there in the performance, but seeing some of the recent games even with injuries, it seems as though the players either show up and give 50% when they feel like it or they have lost their interest in playing for the current coach. It is time for change or another 20 or less win season will occurr. Fans cannot tolerate millionaires putting forth efforts like last night against the hornets. Shame on you hawks.