AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USStop the madness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While there have been plenty of foolish things posted in this space the past few months (by yours truly and others), nothing is quite as ridiculous as this “tanking” that some are advocating for the Hapless Hawks (that’s their new nickname until they win again).
Forget that Tony Robbins “power of positive thinking” mess about willing something into existence. My theory is that losing deliberately is the best way to foul up your karma and deliver that draft pick to the Suns.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it better than I could have when he told the Boston Herald: “I know there are a lot of fans out there that love the (No. 1 draft) pick. But you don’t know if you’re going to get it, first of all, and even if we do, we still have to teach him. It’s never bad to win a game. There are no guarantees with the picks and there are no guarantees that (certain) kids are coming out. If we’re ever going to be a good team, we can’t not try to win. We’ve got young players as it is. We don’t teach them anything by losing.”
(The Celtics tried tanking before, the year Tim Duncan was the top pick in the draft, and lost out to a Spurs team that already had a Hall of Fame center in David Robinson on the roster.)
That applies to the Hapless Hawks as well (though, they are blindly helping their own cause by losing in the midst of trying as hard as they know how to win games).
All the coaches and players can do is continue to grind away this season and try and win as many games as they can (my 30 wins prediction is looking more and more on point by the day). The draft lottery will take care of itself come May 22. It’s up to the decision makers (owners, GMs, assistant GMs, etc.) to make things happen around draft time, not the players and coaches.
And if the right guys (Oden and Durant) do declare for the draft, I have a feeling that there will be no shortage of teams interested in jumping into the draft fray, which means teams will be willing to part with current assets in an attempt to snag some promising young talent. That bodes well for the entire league, because it means the fear that strangled the league’s shot-callers at last month’s trade deadline will have disappeared by June.
But tanking, is absolutely the most foolish thing circulated around here.
Stop the madness.
Comments
By view from snellville
March 7, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
Is it time to clear out the GM and coach? Is the ownership problem causing an inability to get the players attention by getting rid of the GM and Coach. The current GM is begining to make Pete Babcock look good.
By Anakin Joe
March 7, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Raptors got blown out last night. Guess how many minutes Chris Bosh played? 34. Woody would have had JJ out there for his 42+ minutes, much like he did against Dallas.
Blog Z, Woody didn’t use AJ a few games after he was traded and had proven his value. We’re tanking. He maintains a 6 man rotation most games. We’re tanking. He has 3 healthy PGs yet continues to use a natural S (Childress) at that position, we’re tanking. He uses Salim in the last second of close games instead of resting JJ late in the 3rd quarter or early in the 4Q, we’re tanking. Lue is obviously struggling with his shot yet he still plays over AJ late in tight games. We’re tanking. We can’t secure 4Q rebounds, yet keep Wright and Shelden buried on the bench. We’re tanking.
If we ain’t tanking, then Woody is a highly incompetent game time coach.
Good news. The only team on a worse run than the Hawks is the Pacers. I think at one point, that pick was around 22 and now is sitting around 17 and headed south. We need for the Clippers & Magic to go on a nice run to overtake the Pacers (and that is possible).
Let’s live the fantasy that Oden and Acie Law will be drafted together in June. (Actually, I think Law is playing himself into a top 12 pick, despite what all of the current mock drafts say).
Ando, I don’t remember a lot about Mashburn’s perimeter game, just that he was a beast in the post (a modern John Drew). Marvin appears to have a good catch and shoot stroke along with some promise in the post and driving. Watch Jamison tonight and see if you don’t see many similarities.
By vickisick
March 7, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
keep losing hawks…that’ll hopefully get bk gone and with any luck new ownership.
i can’t wait to turn on sportsouth to see the game again.
wooohooow…maybe next year we’ll see one or two games on espnhd or dare i dream tnthd. wow, now we’re talkin “assistant manager at mcdowell’s” big time!
By Volman
March 7, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Vickisick, RARELY do you see other teams besides the Suns, Heat, Cavs, Mavericks, Lakers on ESPN or TNT. RARELY.
Your only posts on here are about how the Hawks only play on Sports South. Amen to the Hawks being on Sports South, FSN, or ANYTHING. We have guys on this blog who have to watch the BOXSCORE to get some type of opinion on how this team is playing. Last year, when the Hawks were on “I”, I couldn’t watch them because my “I” was a different “I” than broadcasted. Sucks, doesn’t it?
Boy am I glad these guys are on Sports South and FSN. I really like how they do the Hawks Live stuff before and after the games…
Being on ESPN/TNT doesn’t make you win games!
By vickisick
March 7, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
no being televised nationally doesn’t help you win games, but is does indicate that you’re of national relevance. the last time i remember national relevance for this franchise was 20 years ago.
i guess you didn’t catch my sarcasm…tnt and espn aren’t even that great. i didn’t even mention abc on sunday for christ’s sake. when’s the last time the hawks were on network television? jesus…
ya, amen to the hawks being on SS because it’s embarrassing enough locally at least they can keep it a secret.
By Khao$
March 7, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Well…if we aren’t tanking, I can’t see it. I figured that Marvin would miss today’s game because of the bump Shaq gave him. However, Joe is out with a thigh issue…out of the blue? I agree that losing is not going to help the morale. However, this offseason is a critical one for the Hawks…the draft and free agency. We have to keep this pick. Even though the lottery deems that there are no guarentees that we get into the top 2, we need to do whatever we can on our end to heighten our chances. Although it is not a given Oden or Durant will stay/declare, I think evidence supports them opting out of school:
Durant: the college game cannot contain him. He has nothing left to prove in the NCAA ranks.
Oden: The guard heavy college game is preventing him from showcasing his skills the way the big man friendly NBA will.
The only incentive for them to stay is the college experience (which I can understand). However, history has proven that the Tim Duncans of this world are few and far in between.
Billy Knight has botched this team up badly. The pieces don’t fit. The draft picks don’t make sense. A Greg Oden in the middle will make up for 5 Billy never got us. A Durant will give us options (trade him, Marvin, or Chills for a 1st rate PG). Without that pick, we’re going to struggle filling out this team.
By ray
March 7, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
What?? Tanking is the most foolish thing to do, yet winning as many games as we can will likely get Phoenix our top potential pick…and the good news is that Sekou’s win total prediction may be realized? What the f….
I really don’t understand how that is an answer to anything. I said before that players should play hard, win or lose. But instead of playing like we’re trying to get into the playoffs (um, Sekou wasn’t it YOU that said this ain’t gonna happen, hmmm???) we should let the younger and inexperienced get some serious minutes. Everything has been trial by fire anyway, so why not cut back our main guys’ minutes and reduce the risk of injury? Will this cause us to lose? Yes, probably! But it rests your vets and teaches your young guys. They can build on this going into the summer.
For cryin’ out loud, use the last 20 or so games to get them some useful experience.
Tanking is not simply giving up and not playing to accomplish anything. It’s more complicated than that. NOW would be the time to experiment with different lineups, not the first 20-30 games of the season. NOW would be the time to see what Bautista and Jones will do in 20+ minutes per game. Why? Because those minutes in real games against teams that need to win will be so much better experience-wise than playing against their teammates in practice (playing against Wright and Shelden in practice teaches you very little).
Doing this effectively means more losing, which we’re all tired of. But life is a series of trade-offs. I am sick of losing. I said play to win no matter what, forget tanking.
I have discovered that I hate pointless losing where starters and stars end up injured, far more than I hate losing with some small accomplishments. I hate losing because Woody can’t call a damn game to save his life worse than losing with Josh Smith showing strides in energy, leadership, and overall ability. I hate losing because Joe scored 35 in 42 minutes but was too tired to dribble past a defender in the last 10 seconds far worse than because Stoudamire played 30 minutes, shot the lights out of the gym, and then just happened to miss that one shot that would have sent the game into overtime.
I hate losing. But I hate it a hell of a lot worse when there’s nothing positive to take from it. When a young player didn’t get a chance to taste the real thing for an extended period of time. Where there was no development. What have most of our losses told us other than how inexplicably horrible the imbalance of our roster is? What has it done other than to remind us how weak we are in the post? What has it done other than taunt us with what would have worked better in certain situations?
If you’re going to lose (and we do/will) have a PURPOSE. THIS is what actual tanking is and should be about. It’s not about flopping over dead. It’s about taking what you can get and using it for present and future endeavors. It’s knowing you can’t win very often for a variety of reasons, and changing the focus. You have to know what sacrifices to make. Why run your best players into the ground if 1). you’re not getting anywhere near the playoffs and 2). you need desperately to protect a draft pick the best way you can (it’s not an exact science, but you do the best you can).
Continued….
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
SEKOU, what i been sayin’!!!!!!!!!
JOE, i can understand how WOODSON’s coachin’ might be misconstrued as tankin’!!! ‘cause it’s just that bad!!! but since it’s been goin’ on ALL YEAR, then i think we can take it outta the tankin’ column!!! but believe me, i get your drift!!!
and if i read FLASH’s reply/vent right from last nite, i do believe i had it close in an ‘around-about’ sorta way regardin’ the definitive decision that will be made by the court. looks like there is no ‘right/guarantee’ that the MD SUPREME COURT would grant to hear an appeal even if it was motioned for. so let’s hope for a quick renderin’ so we know what we are dealin’ with as early as possible!!!
the court should get a DFACS vibe to it and decide that NONE of the current owners get to keep the child!!! CLEAN HOUSE…PERIOD!!! now, that would be INSTANT KARMA!!! now, that’s the kind of UNIVERSE i believe in!!!LOL hey, i can dream, can’t i????!!!??? sorta like the HAWKS gettin’ one of the top two picks!!!
By Atlanta Hawks #1 Fan
March 7, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen some good things from Marvin the last few weeks. His free throw, field goal percentage, and rebounding has gone up. It’s a shame that the injury will furthur set back his development.
Oh, if you guys know any rich guys looking for trophy wives, have them check out this site.
http://www.richguystrophywife.com/
By ray
March 7, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Continued…
Further more, how the devil are your young guys like Stoudamire, Bautista, Jones, or anybody else going to get any better except to face stiff competition. A team like ours, in a position like ours, needs to use this time to play it’s youngsters/less experienced guys for two reasons: to determine whether and how a player fits the team, and to develop said players for the purposes of getting them experience, thereby making them more attractive in possible trade scenarios.
It may sound inhuman, but every player is an asset. You must develop your assets, unless they carry a tag that clearly describes what they’re capable of. Otherwise, how will they get to prove what they can do (so that other scouts and teams can know). Nobody wants to know how often Jones dunks in practice. They want to know what he does in the heat of battle against the other team’s starters and reserves.
All of this contributes to losing on a team that’s already bad. The focus is not absolutely only on getting a high draft pick. It’s trying to accomplish a few things while dealing with the losses.
And so Sekou, given the unique postion our team is in, what is your solution, since you have told us what the most foolish idea is? Stop the Madness? Don’t act like you don’t know where the true madness is coming from. It ain’t this blog, and you know it. Here is anger, hurt, despair, disappointment…but not madness.
Despite my two post rant, there’s nothing here that doesn’t validate what ANDO has been repeatedly saying for God knows how long. So I’m asking the same question he’s asked. What’s the first step in the right direction. What’s the right direction, if skillfully “tanking” the season isn’t it?
By ray
March 7, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Nobody’s asking the players to play to lose. Tanking is in the hands of the coach and GM. The coach decides who plays and who doesn’t. It’s more of an indirect effect than anything. The more experienced players will understand what’s going on. I tell you, our rarely played guys NEED the experience and this is the only way they’ll get it. Not only will it show them how tough it is in the heat of battle, but it will show them what they need to work on in the offseason. Riding the pine during the season and then going out to play pick-up games in the summer, followed by more practice against teammates in the fall does nothing.
I’m not saying that none of these guys should play hard. They should all play hard. But the coach shouldn’t play his best guys hard when there’s just no purpose in it. Why play JJ 40+ per game when we lose anyway? He’ll get injured eventually, and this time it won’t be a thigh bruise (or whatever it was).
By all means, let Smoove go out there and get 24pts, 14 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Let him learn to dribble and pass a bit better. But don’t burn him to the end of his capability when you’re down by 20 points.
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
RAY, nice posts, well said bro!! i think the problem is, more than anythin’, the word ‘tank/tanking’ itself!!! it conjures up one thing, in my mind at least. and that one thing being that players ‘QUIT’!!!! and i know that’s not what you just said. you’ve said the opposite in fact!!
playing other players to see what their value is, to the team, as an asset, or whatever should not be put in the same sentence with the word tank, IMHO!!!
for example, in the current mindset, people MIGHT SAY that playin’ BATISTA the other nite so many minutes amounts to thankin’!!!???? YET, BATISTA’s play, production, and boxscore WAS actually BETTER than WRIGHT’s!!!!! so where’s the tank in that??? ain’t none, right???? maybe we’ve been tankin’ along (as JOE articulated) ‘cause LW ‘s been in the lineup ALL YEAR!!???
for me personally, as an athlete/former athlete in competive sports, i just have a BIG PROBLEM with how the word is used!!! and i just DO NOT think it applies when PT is earnestly given to non-starters to get an assessment of their value!!
AND IF WOODSON KNEW HOW TO COACH, WE WOULD NOT EVEN BE HAVIN’ THIS CONVERSATION AT THIS POINT IN THE SEASON!!!!!
By HB Ando
March 7, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Ray, thank you for saving me, and others, from having to repeat myself. Again.
News that Joe will sit tonight do nothing to dissuade me, and others, from believing that the “Tank” is in!
That being said, I am kinda bummed that Joe is out, since I’m going to the game tonight, and wanted to see him matched up against Agent Zero and the fellas from DC. Should be really ugly.
By Tyger
March 7, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Sadly, JJ has to take himself outta the line-up to get rest. Woody knows dang well JJ played for the U.S. Team this summer, yet insists on playing him 40+ mpg.
JJ’s body is breaking down and he knows it, but Woody is so outta tune with his personnel that he has no clue how to space the minutes. All he can do is ride his horse until it spits the bit. And that looks likely any day now.
By GT80
March 7, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
What, the Hawks are still playing? I thought their season was over. Tank, tank, tank, tank!
By Dan
March 7, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Tyger
I agree that Woodson can be ripped for a lot of things. Playing Joe Johnson is not one of them. My friend, this is professional basketball. You don’t baby guys just because they say they are tired. Guys like Joe make millions and are expected to lead the team. Lucky for us, Joe does those things. He was brought here to play as often as needed.
vickisick what does the Hawks playing on SportsSouth have to do with anything. Are you out of your f’ing mind? I have no idea what you are trying to imply by always posting that the games are on that station. Get new material.
No Joe. No Marvin. Ummm…..I think we lose big tonight.
By honest_abe
March 7, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
yes this is pro ball. you shouldn’t baby players. but your star player shouldn’t still be out on the court of a 20 point blowout with 4 minutes left to play. how many times has jj still been on the floor of an already decided game?
woody is awful and nobody with half a brain should defend him.
By Anakin Joe
March 7, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
By the way, guys. Sekou did inform us of JJ’s bruised thigh (administered by Eddie Jones) in the re-cap of the Heat game. So it is not exactly “out of the blue”.
I would have liked to see Salim start at SG and Chill at SF. Seems like an offensively limited line-up to use against the Eastern Conference’s highest scoring team. Sure, I want to see Solomon play, but I want to see the team compete and Salim is likely to do far more good offensively than Solomon.
By mavid
March 7, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
ray, exactly on point
i also never meant tanking in the sense of “giving up”
tanking involves playing solomon, salim, shelden, batista more… giving them time to develop
tanking involves sitting joe out tonight (when earlier in the season he wouldve played through this injury… believe that)
its not about giving up and losing on purpose. its about realizing other things are more important than playing your 4 best players 40 minutes a night in hopes of somehow scrapping up a victory.
but, because our pick is only top 3 protected, we do need as many lottery balls as possible…
By jack
March 7, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Hey, we got some very intelligent posters on this Hawks thing. Let the young players get experience all the while grading them for the future; ie. Solomon. Call it “Tanking” or whatever fits. We are COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY SEMBALANCE OF INTELLIGENCE if we don`t TANK and save the draft pick. Yeah, I said it. Call me anything you like…Fine, just TANK, TANK, TANK and save the pick.
By ben
March 7, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Big man friendly NBA? Did you fall asleep about 5 years ago?
By Anakin Joe
March 7, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
8mychalc*, here’s the deal… since the AJ trade, it is fair to say that Woody has the most resources he has had at any point in the season. He had a relatively healthy team and veteran depth at the key PG position. All of that has led to 6 consecutive losses. Meanwhile, he utilizes his respurces like he is coaching in December again when he only had 4 healthy bodies. Dude flat out sucks. Maybe he is personally tanking so that he can coach with Larry Brown again next season (or maybe Brown is recruiting him to take over the Philly team since Brown will likely be making that hiring decision).
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
JOE, i waaaaaaaayyyyy with ya!!! WOODSON’s coachin’ flat out sucks!!!!!
By doc
March 7, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
well put ray. i thinkthere is a strong concensus blog z that yor point of view is looking through a cracked mirror. you will have to come up with something pretty strong as your words here have somehow alligned almost every blogger to a very opposite view of your post today. i really am intersted that aj, ray mavid, myhc, ando. self and others totally agree today as well as others. that is a first.
myhc, i have stayed very quiet on the belkin thing. flash is his right hand man and i have come to expect very little from either the spirit minus belkin or belkin at this point when it comes to the hawks. my intuition is similar to yours but time will tell. i earlier proposed one get the hawks, the other get the thrashers but i like your dfacs proposal best.
By Armond HIll
March 7, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight is excrement and Woody is a fly hanging out on it. Flush these chumps. Now. Man I hope Belkin wins. These Spirit dogs are completely stupid.
By J. Shuttlesworth
March 7, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big fan of Tanking myself, but down the stretch I would like to see Josh and Joe get some rest and get the young guys and possible trade assets some PT/showcase time on the floor.
If that means the Hawks get a few more ping pong balls in the process, you won’t hear me complain.
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
DOC, see i can’t stay quiet on BELKIN!!! and my reason bein’, is that i LOVE the city of ATL and want was is genuinely good for the city and franchise!!! and when i feel it’s ALL about money/greed/etc then it gets me ALL WORKED UP!!! and that’s where i’m at with the whole thing right now in regards to BELKIN!! like the article said, ‘600% to 1100%’ return on a 17 month investment???!!! did the HAWKS franchise somehow get categorized as a ‘commodity futures’ and we NOT BE INFORMED!!!??? i just DO NOT SEE how ANYBODY (whether it be BELKIN or the next guy) could expect to see that kinda return from this LOSING franchise in that amount of time???!!??? that is what is beyond me!!! we ain’t the KNICKS!!! and had BELKIN at ANYTIME shown ANYTHING towards the community and the city then MAYBE my stance would not be soooooooooooo firm and harsh!!! but you’re talkin’ to a former season tix holder than DID invest in the team back when TED owned it!! and like i posted previously, there is NOTHIN’ like seein’ and knowin’ the owner(s) is/are totally and passionately behind the team!!! i just ain’t feelin’ BELKIN….PERIOD!!!
and i understand this fiasco is not SOLELY BELKIN either!! the NON-BELKIN owners are just as much to blame!!! that’s why i say the DFACS RULE be adopted!!! the team then goes up for sale, with ALL the current owners walkin’ AWAY with a ‘REAL WORLD’ investment return based on their total investment up-to-sale!!!! REAL RETURNS not some number somebody’s tryin’ to pull outta their A$$!!!!!!
the more i think about it, there can be NO GOOD for any of the current owners to retain ownership!! too much negative history and baggage at this point!!! we already lived with the curse of BABCOCK, the curse of tradin’ NIQUE, now we’ve got this sh$t!!??? CLEAN HOUSE…THE DFACS RULE IS NOW APPLIED!!
and FLASH, you’re right!! IT’S MY SPIN!!! and just to show you that i remain open regardless of how i feel, i would personally like to SAGE/SMUDGE the freakin’ courtroom right before the decision is rendered to GUARANTEE a sane decision!!!
By Mike
March 7, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Sekou Thanks for making that point. Man you bloggers are funny. That’s why like coming to these blogs. On some of my bad days these blogs have put a little laughter in my day. I like all the regulars, you too Dee. Even though you’ll dogg my Hawks, I see some passion there. I respect that. Sekou is making a valid point. While we may need to get the young guys some playing, the goal is always to win the game. You’re more likely to get injured playing it safe then going all out. Once you start playing tentative you’re begging for an injury. I can remember at lease four or five draft where the Hawks was the odds on favorite base on the number of balls they had and they still didn’t get the number one pick. I think we have at lease one more draft before this ownership fiasco run its course. That means another season of BK, and more than likely another season of Woodson. The draft will take care of it’s self. These guys need to learn how to win now not next season. Woodson is starting to use more of his bench, albeit very little. But he want have much of a choice if the injuries keep piling up. I think the guys understand it not worth aggravating an injury that could linger in to next season. I would be surprise if Salim isn’t traded in the off season. It’s obvious that Woodson doesn’t like the guy. Other than that not much will change. Oh look for BK to take a change on a big that everyone absolutely hates. That will be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Wedgie Evans
March 7, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter if this team tanks or not. With this team’s luck, they will get the #4 pick and send it to Phoenix regardless. If you are the Hawks, you can’t plan on having that pick. And anyway, tanking usually involves playing the younger guys… but on this team, playing the younger guys would actually make the team better, defeating the entire purpose. Anyway, I don’t think this team is good enough at losing to catch Memphis or Boston, and it’s entirely possible that Milwaukee or Charlotte could lose as well as the Hawks, if not better.
By kdp003
March 7, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this
Wow no JJ or Marvin tonight….will we even score 60 points??
By kdp003
March 7, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
I do suspect that AJ will have a very good showing tonight though. Hopefully Salim gets some time and plays well.
By mavid
March 7, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
also
just to make my point clear. I don’t think we’re ENTIRELY screwed if we dont get the top 3 pick. We still have a good young nucleus in JJ, MW, and JS. We also have the cap room and pieces to put together a playoff team in a couple years (hey, maybe even next year)
The difference is, if we do get one of those top 2 picks, we should be set for many, many years. Not just in making the playoffs, but being a legit title contender (what all us fans want deep down inside). Hawks draft Oden. All of a sudden a lineup of JJ, MW, JS, and Oden looks nice to a FA like chauncey billups.
And if we get the #2 pick and get durant. Think of the fun we’ll have playing armchair GM! So many possibilities come to mind…
BUT, we can still become a good team without the pick. It’ll just be harder and more unlikely.
By Joe Smoe
March 7, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
It doesnt matter what draft picks we get. The owners dont care about the team enough to even invest the money back into the franchise. Then even if we do get 1st pick, our scouts wouldnt know what to do with it.
Younger talent, turns into talent, then requires the cash to keep them. That cash is something the Hawks owners dont give up. Thus, future turns into never.
I dont see why any of you invest your time and/or money in the Hawks, when even there owners wont. Our payroll is second to dead last, and next year it will be last, if the purse strings dont open up.
By mavid
March 7, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
i personally find the following argument retarded: “it doesnt matter if we get the top pick because our management is so bad”
well yes, they are bad
but, not bad enough to pass on oden (or durant if we’re #2)
management is easily replacable. a talent like oden or durant is not.
By kdp003
March 7, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, looks like Woody finally listened…he’s playing Solo and starting him!
By Jay
March 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
How else do you propose we get a dominant low-post player…outside of tanking?
Until you come up with something better, tanking is the best solution.
By Melvin
March 7, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Great Win by the hawks tonight despite some bad calls. ZaZa had a monster game. Salim and Solomon played very well. Glad to see Woodson give them some meaningful mins. I hope they get more playing time in the upcoming games. T.Lue was on the bench in the 4th where he should be b/c AJ outplay him the entire game. I’m not sure why Woodson bench JSmoove in the 2nd & 3rd quarters but I’m glad he came back in and played well.
By kdp003
March 7, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Excellent win. I totally wasn’t expecting that. Zaza was a beast out there tonight. He was spinning around defenders, hitting reverse layups, getting a lot of ‘and ones’. Solid game by AJ too, though on any other NBA team he’d be a 2nd-3rd stringer, he’s probably the best point guard we have. He definitely provided veteran leadership, hit some big free throws to seal the game, and got guys the ball right where they needed it to score.
I honestly think the best coaching decision Woody has mad this year was benching Smith (though I think he let him sit a little too long). But he sent a message. Smith didn’t want to run the play that AJ called and mouthed off to him about it. I bet AJ said to him “Boy I have draws older than you. Who are you talking to like that.” You want your players to be passionate about the game, but not getting into arguments while you’re trying to run a play. What Smith did was unacceptable. Then late in the game too after Woody called a time out, Smith left the huddle early and walked back onto the court.
I think these games that JJ may miss may actually help the Hawks a bit (not necessarily in the win category though). But it’s good for them not to have to rely on him totally. They usually just stand around on offense, waiting to see what JJ’s going to do. Tonight they were moving without the ball, cutting to the basket.
Please keep giving the reserves some time Woody. They just might sneak in a couple of unexpected wins like they did tonight.
By Steve T
March 7, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
I think you guys can see BK master plan. Give the man some time to retool the hawks for the long run.
Some ask why did he draft some many players that play the 2, and 3 spots. He is guarding against injury. JJ and Willimas were missing, the hawks still rolled. Now if we can get another good big man, this team will be ready to make a run for the NBA championship.
By mavid
March 7, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
hmmm, very interesting game
anyone see it??
how did we win? why did j-smoove get benched?
joe may be out for the rest of the season… can’t say i see many wins coming, but it might be a blessing in disguise. Marvin now HAS to step up. same with some other players
Best case scenario: we may not win many games, but our young studs develop more. and then, we land that pick!
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
man, hate to see JJ injured!! heal fast with NO complications dude!!!
GOOD WIN YOUNG GUNS!!! way to tank!!!!
WOODSON, it CANNOT save you!!!
VOLMAN, did you catch the game tonite???
By doc
March 7, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
well maybe the coach can be a game coach rather than a practice coach and get some more wins as the guys try to prove themselves when it counts not against each other.
jj just ought to shut it down. his injury sounds significant if there is even a discussion of compartment problems a serious complication which causes cell death of muscle and nerve problems. shaq had a similar problem when he had his thight injury two years ago except you dont have the dense fascia around the thigh as it gives more there rather than where it doesn’t, in the calf area.
zaza looked really comfortable out there tonight not deferring to someone else. he also would pair up fairly well with a tall dude at five and josh smith at sf for some situations. could we ever see that and marvin say at two and jj running point? zaza has very positive numbers when he is paired up with ren so it might behoove woody to try it out a bit more if marvin and jj are going to be out a bit. is it my imagination or does zaza’s acne look better? i guess he is cycling off for the moment. heh heh
woody said josh sat for “a coach’s decision” in the postgame interview.
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
DOC, good info as always!!! let’s hope YOUTH serves JJ well!!!!
By Dan
March 7, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
How many more f*&%#ing injuries can this team have!!! Joe Johnson probably out for the year!! All you people thinking this team should tank, just may get your wish. That sucks!!
All that being said, h#ll of a win by the Hawks tonight. I could not believe it! I just hope they can sustain the effort they played with. It was one of the more surprising wins this team has had since I have been a season ticket holder (3 years).
I hate that Joe is out. After this year, this team has paid their dues with injuries. I declare that next season should be totally injury free. I do not count Speedy in that declaration, though. I am sure he will find injuries to fake next year, too.
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
again this win proves what i’ve said about WOODSON since the beginnin’ of the year. take his decisions on rotations out of the equation, and the team can perform on its’ own. but once he startin’ tryin’ to manage rotations all hell breaks out!! minimize his player choices and look what happens!! this showed itself in jan ‘07 and it continues to be true thru today!!! he just ain’t ready!!! it really is that simple!!!!!!!
By doc
March 7, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
myc look out i will be worthless with march madness and i went channel surfing really deep tonight and found out i have nbatv. ny bad as i may become the tater dude here the next few months even though i really dont like the tube much except for the occasional game.
By Chris D'
March 7, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Sad to see JJ get injured but I think in the long run it will be good for the team. The young guns will have to get on the floor and make critical plays. JJ hopefully will have some guys on the floor with him next year that will be ready to step it up. His minutes have been insane over the last two years.
It bothers me that Woodson wasn’t playing these players earlier in the season.
Anyone know why was Lorenzen Wright not on the floor tonight?
By mykhalc
March 7, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
DOC, you and i are vibin’ on the same freq bro. i discovered that i’m gettin’ NBA TV today too. i DID NOT have it a couple weeks ago. ‘cause believe me, i check, constantly!!!LOL the network is probably runnin’ some free special to lure us in before the playoffs!!??? but i’ll take it!!!!!
By doc
March 8, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
look out flash mykhalic and i are on the same vibe coast to coast.
woody laughed at himself tonight when he referred to soloman playing as well as he did having been buried on the bench for so long, though he didnt quite put it that way.
as an aside it might do well for jj and the team to do without him for awhile. he might begin to see some talent around him that he can “trust” and learn to better utilize them. the super star thing might have gone to his head a bit too especially at gut check time.
yes blog z it had to be due to injuries but the blog boys who you ranted against today finally got to see what happens when the madness begins that we have begged for and the team begins to fantank. it wasnt about losing but it was about stopping the pretending to be something we arent and it was about trying something else when the same way seemed to fail time in and time out. we had “practiced” that a bit too many times for us to stomach anymore. that was the REAL madness that had to be stopped one way or the other. i think you owe your faithful followers a bit of an apology for doubting us. you did bring us together though for one day at least.
By reese
March 8, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
First of all, great win Hawks. Congrats to A Johnson and zaza for being the players who had positive stats in all of the offensive/defensive categories.
I agree that Zaza played a great game. He was the only hawk player to get a double double. But, the part I like most was the 3 block shots.
Seeing Zaza block shots was so contagious that AJ, Childress and Sheldon joined the block party. Combined with Solomon and J smith, the hawks had 6 players with blocked shots for a team total of 10.
This is what I’ve been preaching about for the past 3 years. The need to play a taller lineup to balance out the roster. Playing Solomon alongside Zaza and J smith allowed all players to focus on what they do best. J Smith produced on both the offensive and defensive end in reduced minutes. Zaza provided the scoring and even played defense tonight (he had a group from Georgia, Russia at the game tonight).
The amount of playing time for Solomon and Salim were sufficient. I think that AJ and JC played way to many minutes.
I would love for the Solomon and Zaza to start alongside of each other the rest of the year. Let Marvin and JC both be 6 men. Let JC sub for JJ or AJ. Let Marvin sub for JS or SJ. But don’t do the Royal Ivey bit of playing solomon 3 minutes and then take him out. He didn’t come out of tonights game until the 5 minute mark and the score was 15 - 13.
The hawks shot blocking made the smaller Washington team think twice before going into the lane, caused many players to lose their balance while driving, lose the ball while driving and get bailed out by bad calls from the refs.
Did anyone else notice that we easily scored 100 points without JJ and Marvin. Did anyone else notice that we played better defense as a team without JJ and Marvin.
In other words, we started a balanced roster and played well on both the offensive and defensive ends. Again, great win and lets see if woodson can incorporate more than 8 players (I don’t count royal’s 3 secs as playing) into the rotation.
By mykhalc
March 8, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
REESE, you echoed one of my past posts, sorta. i said that SOLO needs to start for defensive purposes, givin’ JS support on the blocks defensively. i ALSO stated that it could become contagious, sayin’ that JS would see his back bein’ covered by SOLO. then i said MARVIN would not want to be left out!! and that’s what happened tonite with SOLO in the lineup. tho REESE, i definitely do not think you sit MARVIN!! not with you on that one!!
i don’t know what makes me smile the most…the win itself or knowin’ ANDO was in the stands, front and center, to see the tank!!!???!!!LOL hope it wasn’t toooooooooo painful ANDO!!!LOL
By Wedgie Evans
March 8, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this
Wow! I didn’t realize Billy Knight secretly traded Zaza for Pau Gasol before the game. 27 and 12 with 3 blocks? Pretty impressive. I did notice that he strategically placed his towel over his shoulders to hide the backne during the post-game interview. But still, where was this Zaza all season long?
By ray
March 8, 2007 3:39 AM | Link to this
Of all the games I didn’t expect a win from. Well, I see Stoudamire and Jones got to make appearances.
Where did this Zaza come from? Dude hasn’t had a game like that in quite some time. Maybe one other (did I read right, 3 blocks?) like it in the last 30 or so. Wow, I have to say nice win. AJ is quite effective. Hope he and Josh Smith can get together better in the future.
Mykhalc, I agree that the word carries a negative vibe to it. Hence the long rant about the whole subject. That, and Sekou managed to light my fire a bit with his comments. Now watch him say he intended to get us all riled up, LOL!
Ando, like I said: you and others were spoutin’ that one for quite some time. I felt like it needed to be said again from a slightly different viewpoint. At first, I was all about the opposite. Then, I began to understand things better.
Doc, yeah it’s amazing how many of us agreed on this. And though I didn’t expect the win from our guys against the Wiz, it was still gratifying to see how it came about. Much better contributions from our bench. JJ deserves a rest. Like you say, it will force others into the heat, and perhaps give JJ some fresh perspective on his teammates. He should already see how much help AJ can be.
JOE, you couldn’t be more right. Woody is a bust. He isn’t the right fit for this team.
The idea of the head coach is to be a teacher and guide. Looke at guys like Flip Saunders and Greg Popovich. They have such relationships with their players. Woody just doesn’t have that AT ALL. The vibe I get is that the players are out there on the floor by themselves and Woody is just a noise heard in the background. They act like they have no guide….and they just don’t. Sure, Woody seems fully capable of telling them when they do it wrong, but can’t seem to come up with any solutions (that work, that is).
By doc
March 8, 2007 6:57 AM | Link to this
i am sure that ando will come back with an argument that this win doesnt count ilike some of the earlier wins when teams had important players out. he will argue that washington was playing on the second night of a back to back and on the road with a mental let down because the hawks had three starters out for the game. what does he say, book it? i had better keep quiet now that he is networking with flash to get a job with the belkin man as an assistant gm. he might just forget about us little guys if he does. i just dont want to anger him and make it easier to forget me or us when he goes big time and we go hat in hand to get tickets. hope i didnt steal your thunder and rationale to how this wasnt really a win ando. heh heh
reese, it was hard to make a lot out of some of the stats that i saw that an earlier bloggers sent me too when i asked on plus minus stats because there were so many combinations with obviously too few minutes plyed by certain groups but there was a very suspicious trend and it was that for both marvin and jj. the stats were not coplimentary for them when they were grouped with diffferent players. there were few negative numbers noted but for their pairings with others the trend was to note very minimal positive ratios whether it be with two, three, four, or five player gruopings. of course they also led in minutes played so that was a factor too but it may show a liability on defense and a preference to play offense.
on the other hand, zaza when paired with lorenzen or other big guys had positive numbers that were significantly higher than expected. i said at the time little could be made of it because it was invalid because of the lack of time played together but that in itself only highlighted what many of us have cried all year that when teams went big on us we didnt counter and got our butts whipped in the paint. it showed a very certain oversight on woody’s part to not combine taller players for any significant minutes and for some reason wont play them together and only alone to be overwhelmed and outmatched by bigger teams.
By G Money
March 8, 2007 7:01 AM | Link to this
That was a monster win last night. What makes it monster is that everything that we’ve been talking about trying came to pass. Sit JJ, Marvin, and Speedy. Let the youngest guys play. What do you have? Enthusiasm, passion, and determination without worry and fear of being snatched.
AJ is a GREAT addition to the team. Seemingly, he alone could almost pull this mess together. He brings a swagger and attitude that he certainly inherited from being around winning organizations and real leadership. I was just so impressed by how he asserted his vision (not necessarily Woody’s) and how it worked.
Speaking of which…Woody is so exposed. There is no defense for what he has done over the past 2 seasons. It’s too bad he is just now learning to trust his players, understand that a different style than he is coaching is neccessary, and realize that players, young ones too, need to sit during a game at some point in order to be fresh down the stretch. I wonder if Marvin would be developing any faster in another system with other coaches?
I think that if we can continue with this brand of ball, I frankly don’t care if we don’t lose another game. It really does show us that the picks we have been wasting on the bench could be the picks that help us reach the next level. No, there is no Oden/Durant on the bench (and we still need one), but there could be a lot of heart and hard work, as well as a reserve of talent that we never realized we had. Maybe Solo is as good as Milsap but just hasn’t had the opps. Maybe Chills is even better than he’s been all season. Perhaps Stoudamire is the truth at point and around the perimeter. To paraphrase a statement, “If not now, then when? If not these guys, then who?”
Hopefully Woody doesn’t take off the glass slippers and revert back to the coach we all know. It’s ok to learn even when you’re in your 40’s.
By Anakin Joe
March 8, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
MAJOR, GIGANTIC, QUADRUPLE EXTRA LARGE ACCOLADES to Coach Woody for benching Josh Smith last night. That was a terrific decision and one that will hopefully lead to a boost in maturity for the young man. I certainly began to wonder if it was SMith that JJ wouold refer to when saying that too often “guys forget their roles” when playing at home.
But of course, the game last night (whether it resulted in a win or not) showed that Solomon and Salim are worthy of consistent playing time. In fact, even Shelden looked good during his cameo appearance.
I agree with Doc, JJ should just shut it down for the remainder of the year. What’s the point? I would like to see Marvin return when he is ready, he clearly needs the experience.
By The ghost of Dan Roundfield
March 8, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
Who cares if the Hawks tank? Who cares if they end up with the #1 pick? With the management that is in place now, it is a given that they will screw that up and pick another luke warm body with half a pulse. Please someone, let the Hawks move to another city.
By JJ
March 8, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
you move to another city. A city is nothing without a b-ball team. The owners, the gm, and the coach are the ones that need to go somewhere.
By JOE'S OUT FANTASTIC
March 8, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Since this is not a serious injury that will last into next year, Joe’s injury may be the best thing that could happen to the Sparrows. Now maybe they can go on a 20 game losing streak and get a top 3 pick. Of course Billy might draft S K Smith with the pick.
By Anakin Joe
March 8, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Durant supposedly told his teammates that he will be returning next season. I wonder if this will encourage others to come out earlier as everyone moves up a slot in terms of slotted salary. A guy who may have been #8 now likely becomes #7 and makes more money because Durant stays in school.
This still may be a “deep” draft, but for the positions the Hawks need, I’m not overly impressed. Flash says Hibbert returns at G’town. I haven’t seen this Hawes guy play but he is reported to have great low post offensive moves. The UCONN guy looks like a 5 year project. No one seems to have a handle on the buyout clause of Splitter.
Oh and by the way, still any objections to the AJ trade? I think he became our 07-08 starting PG with his response to Smith last night.
By Samuel
March 8, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Cuz,
Glad to see you “step up” on this Tanking BS. I watched a lot of the game last night and they looked pretty good. It’s bad about JJ but to be honest with you the Hawks play better offensively without him sometimes.
I see the Falcons signed My Boy Joe “Little Big” Horn. Another Tupelo, Mississippi connection. His wife is from Tupelo and he does a lot of community work there. Great pick up.
Speaking of Mississippi. What about a three way deal with Boston and Golden State to get two Mississippi Boys(Monta Ellis and Al Jefferson) for JJ.
Cuz, hit me back man!!! I still love you.
Oh yea, All you scrubbs who doubted the big fella and that Miami was DWade’s team. I don’t think so. Heat are still the team to beat in the East. With or without DWade.
By Volman
March 8, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
Mykhalc, I doubt you need any thoughts abuot the game now, but if you do just respond and I’ll give my opinion of what I saw out there…
Great win though, Hawks..
Joe out for the SEASON, possibly? Can these Hawks survive the rest of the season without JJ? Lottery pick?
This sounds like it’s too good to be true…
By LL Cool Scott
March 8, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
SEKOU - You might be the one that is mad. I know you’re the beat writer and feel a certain amount of affinity for our current roster and players, but surely you realize that this core of players will never contend for a title. Getting Durant or Oden is undoubtedly the best chance we have had to truly become a contender since we traded Dominique. Tell me you recognize that…
By doc
March 8, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
there is no assurance that oden is coming out this year. apparatntly he enjoys growing in college and seems to need some conditioning work as well. some say he is interested in maturing a bit before coming out. it wont matter when he does as he will be number one whenever most likely. he might pull a noah and stay a year or two.
By Don Keeballz
March 8, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
How great will it be when Phoenix gets a top 5 pick and we get the 30th overall pick. MAN WE WILL IMPROVE THEN. Just what the G’awks need, a top 30 player. Does anyone think though at 30 there will be anymore 6’8” long forwards? If not Billy won’t know what to do. Prob. trade Joe for two 6’8 forward prospects from Italy. RISE UP Atlanta, this is YOUR Atlanta Hawks.
By mykhalc
March 8, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
VOLMAN, you’re my eyes bro!!!LOL ALWAYS look forward to your take and post, regardless!!!! but you know, that’s all if you have the time and energy!! did you attend the game last nite???
By Billy Blanks
March 8, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Billy Mighty-Mites Just another busta team by formally known Billy Knight. Can these guys take a trip into the weightroom? Immature bodies and brains are apart of the downfall of the Hawks. J.Smoothie and Marvin WillIMake_it needs to live in the weightroom. What’s up with these skinny a$$ players here in Atlanta. I look at our squad and they look so fragile. Let’s not discuss J.Childbody and the spike elbows.
This team will make great improvements if they put some weight on. Hawks, please call Crunch or Gold’s Gym for advice
By Ken Strickland
March 8, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
GHOST OF DAN ROUNDFIELD, wouldn’t it be a lot easier if you moved to another city, or simply focused on another team? It works for me.
By mykhalc
March 8, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
VOLMAN, here’s my question to ya. gimme your take on SALIM from last nite pls. SALIM has been in my doghouse since he arrived!!! the sharp-shooter rep without the sharp-shooter touch!! BUT i want to give him his props for a solid game/boxscore and for showin’ the maturity to seek his non-coachin’ HC out after the game and thank him!!! NOW THAT’S is bein’ appreciative of the position that you’re in…THE NBA!!! that say’s a lot, to me anyway!!! now, repeat that game effort young man!!!!!
JOE, you’re on-point as usual!! GREAT MOVE to sit JS!! and great move by AJ to get on him!! AJ brings the leadership to PG that is SUPPOSED to come with the position!!!
sooooo how long NOW before WOODSON reinserts SPEEDY back into the startin’ lineup?????
By mykhalc
March 8, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
SAMUEL, yep great move by the BIRDS to get HORN!! much needed, on the field and off, and SURELY in the locker room!!
now, you been REAL QUIET about your boy AI in DENVER!!!!LOL MR.AI is the answer to all!!! i just want ya to know that it HAS NOT gone unnoticed!!!LOL
By mykhalc
March 8, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
DOC, you nailed it with the ANDO post!! too funny!!LOL
By doc
March 8, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
myhk, i am a salim believer but tend to try and stay objective. salim played a solid game, few mistakes or ill conceived shots (one that i remember) a lot of hustle, an attempt at solid defense and truly seems to want to be a team player, contributer and respected by his teammates and coach. he was in the game in the end, handled the ball well when it was in his hands (remember he is not a point) was able to go to the line and not quake at making foul shots as the game wound down and overall a pretty good game, just not spectacular.
personally, i hope that woody will lay off the line about practice being so important because that is probably an excuse for his poor performance in game situations and making match ups and decisions rather than really a statement about how players dio in practice. think about it, i have known many a player that cant play and beat up on his own teammates but answered the bell when it was the other team to play against. i was in that group, just not a good practice player. i also never was as focused until the real adrenalin to win was running through my blood vessels.
woody grow up, coach technique and plays in practice, run them hard to be in shape without the bruises at the end of practice and make good decisions during games. for gosh sakes make up plays that can be put into action at the end of games.
mykh, samuel runs in and out and only touts his winners, which shaq is and forgets the knicks and ai in a new york minute. i guess he thinks people have short memories and have to be reminded when he is right. i am sure when the knicks finally get it together in, say 2012, when curry defends and rebounds then he will be back to remind us he called that one too and question billy’s sanity for not getting curry to come here forgetting that curry left after the first day of a two day stay. i truly hopes samuel coaches better than woody does and plays his young guys a bit for experience when there is no chance of victory rather than his seniors so they can boost their stats only. when he does it he just doesnt call it tanking just “preparing for the future and getting quality minutes for his young guys” which is all the rest of us are saying about fantanking if he reads what is written, which i dont suspect he did by the words he left behind. heh heh
By Samuel
March 8, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Doc,
You’re right about the Nuggets. Mellow has no heart. That’s why Karl benched him, not AI.
The Knicks are “1” game out of the playoffs, so what’s your point. I still would take Curry over JJ right now. Inside out my friend.
And no, I would never play young players to Intentionally Lose a ball game, never.
By doc
March 8, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
samuel, it is interesting that many folks voiced concern that ai and melo would not mesh call it no heart or what ever you want to spin it he had heart before ai arrived. interesting since ai traded sixers are 18 and 20 with idougala becoming a star, denver is 15 and 21. that doesnt speak well for the impact of wins when you look closely as the nuggets were 14 and 9 at the start versus the 5 and 18 the sixers were when ai traded. just not a good trend there samuel.
as far as the knicks they are 1 game out of the playoffs and 6 games under .500. that doesnt cut it with the biggest salary expenditure in the nba. your glossing facts and looking like a top.
never said a coach was to intentionally lose but that the coach was to allow other guys the opportunity to show what they can do if there is no chance at post season glory; after all the starters didnt deliver, did they? why should they continue to get their chance when they have failed. often the scrubs prove the smartest coaches wrong if allowed to play and dont they deserve it when the frontliners havent gotten it done, the scrubs have worked hard in practice and the team is flat dab out of it. sometimes it wakes the starters up to the fact they have been the ones not delivering ala young fresh josh last night.
By Samuel
March 9, 2007 6:26 AM | Link to this
No, You guys are talking about playing scrubbs to lose and get a lottery pick. Don’t try to spin it Doctor.
Sure, I will play my bench in spots but as a coach, you still are gonna roll with your best. But of course most on this blog have no idea what I’m talking about Cause you’ve never been in that situation. Yall are in vertual world.
And so what if the Knicks are under .500, they are still one game out and Salary doesn’t matter in New York, you know that. They’re hot right now and getting better and with the vets they have along with Zeke. No one wants to play them in the playoffs.
By doc
March 9, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this
samuel they are playing .500 ball the last 30 games, they are 11 and 20 on the road and 2 and 8 in conference. not exactly number’s that sugggest they are on a roll or your standards have dropped samuel. it suggests a team that might make it into the playoffs and maybe win one game at home.
as far as the hawks most seem to be saying it is time to try something else and see what other players can do as well as get needed experience and confidence. that is a bit different than to try and lose. if there are losses, fine, your lakers did it a couple of years ago when they benched kobe and put a scrimmmage coach on the bench to assure the team didnt make it and backed into a better draft pick that was slotted to go to the hawks. they got bynum with the pick, it was more than luck. what was it about 2 and 18 that year to finish the year but guys got experience and they made some moves including bringing back phil. some called it smart not quitting but playing the cards as well as you can.
personally, i dont usually think in those terms of losing first but competing to the end; though with the hawks the madness is they continued to lose the same way with the same sorry guys fumbling awaty games at the end. it was time for a coach to come up with a better plan than to run guys in the ground where they dont have anything left to compete at the end and then cliche it something else.
By Samuel
March 9, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
The Lakers may have but as you said, with a scrimmage coach, not Phil. Phil is a winner and would never accept that BS. No legit coach would. IMO.
I can agree that JJ was overused but it had more to do with that Team USA BS than playing minutes.
I say if he wants to come back, so be it. The man is making millions. He might have some pride and dignity about himself unlike a lot a pro athletes who don’t have a problem gettin paid to do nothing.
By Mike
March 10, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
To all bloggers if you don’t have nothing good to say about my Hawks, DON’T POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!