Hawks

By smartguy

November 5, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Sekou, I can’t help but think the Hawks would be better off with you at the helm. Woody is so blind at times, it amazes me.

I agree that our team has lots of promise, and I have thought so for a few years. However, if we continue to be coached by an imcompetent goof, then we can never live up to our promise. To reiterate my post on the previous blog, just a few weeks ago, our beloved beat writer stated that it was a no-brainer that Salim get more minutes. Instead, two games into the season, that “no-brainer” has yet to see the court. Ditto for Solo.

We could, and should, have won last night. We said the same thing last year over and over. How many more times are we going to lose games that we should win? It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, if you should win a game, then win it, Woody just can’t.

By Eric

November 5, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Double S,

These guys are fun to watch, and frustrating at the same time. When they’re fearless, they can play with anyone in this league. When they start looking at the name on the opponents jersey, they seem to tighten up.

I think they’re still learning how to win the close ones…but they’ve come farther in the last year to achieving that goal.

I think they’ll probably have as many of these game this year as they will the ones they had on Friday. That said, if they beat the teams they should beat, and go .500 in the games where they’re the supposed underdog, you’re looking at a 41-41 or so playoff team.

By Just Win

November 5, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

I fell asleep after the 3rd quater, cause I thought the Hawks had the game in the bag. It was very disappointing listening to 790 the Zone to hear that we gave the ball away 27 times to the Pistons. Of all the teams to give a TO, not those old guys. Why didn’t we press and run the whole game? Our whole team is under 25yrs old. They should be able to run from now until April. Oh yeah, why is J.Smoove getting the ball from the wing anyway? He’s not Dominic!! Someone should tell him, he’s not Kobe either. Stop playing SF and bang down low with Horford. It’s a shame our rookie PF is banging harder than our Vets. I thought he hung out with Hakim all summer. I saw no post play out of the guy. The Hawks would be better off with athletic big guys in the paint instead of out on the wing. We have enough shooters, we don’t need a 6’10” guy shooting jumpers and turning the ball over at key times in the game.

Who’s the leader on this team? Maybe the playoffs are right at our finger tips if we play smarter and run. I really don’t think anyone can keep up with our offense, and the defense is looking solid with all the long guys. Keep it up and play hard.

By curious

November 5, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Just win- That is the point sekou is making. JS should get the ball down low not be stuck in the corner by the 3pt. line. Same thing as last year Tlue dribbles the clock out the defense won’t let JJ get the ball and then tlue throws the ball to someone late who has to take a bad shot. I don’t know how he didn’t bang down low. He had 10 rbs and 5 blocks. He also shut down Sheed. Why did Marvin not get any shots down the strech? He had a great game. For the record those 3 free throws to tie that game was impressive. I remember Al Harrington missing every big free throw as a Hawk.

By Bear

November 5, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Great picture of the horrible foul called on Marvin. Give me a break!

[http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/photo;ylt=AmdOS2zZtFmTEHAmD060FOQvLYF?slug=9a28f2edd74c447ab5a2926676250119.hawkspistonsbasketball_dtp105&prov=ap]

By I.MUS WRITE

November 5, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Good game last night eventhough we came up a little short. I like the effort and hustle of our team. I was surprised by Acie Law,both offensively and defensively-before the game i thought Billups would dominate our pg’s. Acie playing heavy minutes in the 1st/ 3rd quarter,and lue playn big minutes in the 2nd/4th qtr gives us our best chance of winning. Josh smith is proving his critics right (he’s just an athlete),for the love of god give up the ball when u secure a rebound on defense, he is quickly becoming a turnover machine…. get it together dude.Marvin williams looked really good, sheldon is becoming an enforcer inside and for the last time someone put out an APB for j chills and salim, chills looks dazed and confused everytime he hits the court. This a contract year for him and josh, you would think they would be playing better. Its still early in the season though. I sure hope they start to turn things around our success this year is going to depend on it. Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Pete

November 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Sekou What happened to the instant replay rule for questionable calls in late game sitautions? Is this only for the playoffs?

By TJ

November 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

The “foul” on Marvin Williams

I thought the Hawks were gonna be able to pull this one out. They did not score down the stretch. I paid attention to the game via Yahoo! box scores, and in the fourth quarter, all I remember were turnover here, three pointer by Josh Smith there (with 0 on the shot clock supposedly). The Pistons know they snuck away with a win last night, and the fact that I am saying that (knowing the Pistons played the Hawks) says a lot about the Hawks.

That being said, I’m beginning to worry that Woodson is holding back their potential. He’s not using his personnel right…He could’ve thrown Salim out there in the 4th for a few minutes, maybe - just maybe he could’ve made a 3 that Josh wasn’t hitting and then they would’ve had enough swag to pull out the win….put Horford on the low block and Smoove at the high post, NOT THE WING. Here’s a snippet from a Yahoo! article on Luol Deng (the point is that Josh Smith should be doing the same thing!):

“He…shot 51.7 percent from the field and finally took coach Scott Skiles’ advice to quit with the 3-point shooting and focus on the midrange game (he went from 117 3-point attempts as a rookie, to seven last year). He is a legitimate 6-9, with a good midrange shot and the ability to put the ball on the floor. His post-up game is a work in progress, but it seems to get better every time he takes the floor.”

That being said, I’m looking forward to them playing the Suns. It’s a mini-rivalry (Amare’s dunk on Smoove..YIKES!) More importantly, the Hawks will be forced to play at the uptempo pace that works best for them, and maybe it’ll stick. That’s what I’m hoping.

By Astro Joe

November 5, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Who kidnapped Childress? I’d send Briscoe and Green to pick-up Woody and Smith for interogating. Woody because he preached run, run, run and now has changed his sermon 2 games into the season. Poor Chill is probably one of the few players who actually listens to his coach and is now trying to figure out how he missed the email changing the strategy to walk, walk, walk.

And Smith because he is clearly not playing within his designated role. i say that because it feels like he has had the ball in his hands way too much in these first 2 games. I am guessing that he is not executing what has been practiced throughout the training camp. No way should he even have the ability to have that many turnovers this early in the season. He’s not supposed to be the freakin’ point forward (out of the 4 slot no less). Give up the freakin’ ball to someone less likely to pass it to a guy’s big toe. A shot block does not ensure a change in possession but a turnover sure does. The good news is that Smith is a slow starter. But I’d bet a small fortune that part of Childress being out-of-sync is that when he expects Smith to zig he zags. And that leaves Chill “looking tentative”. Instead of spending an off-season with Calvin Murphy, Smith needs to workout with Jerry Rice. Run the pattern called in the huddle. Run it the right way every time, even if the ball isb’t coming to your side of the field. I don’t need a box score nor a look at the playbook to know that Smith is handling the ball too much for this team to achieve the desired success.

By The Flash

November 5, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Teams like Detroit coast and then turn it up in the Fourth. Try to dictate defensively and make possessions much more difficult. Then let you know that they will score the ball at the other end; inside or out.

I have always believed that since Al was gone, this team really needed a second scorer. That’s why I was on Roy as a one pick. The closest thing that it has is Law. He needs to be on the court in the last quarters of games.

If Chill seems lost out there, I haven’t seen, I’m betting it is because there is little rhyhm or reason to what is going on. It is difficult to make a machine purr, which is his forte, if the parts are flying every which way.

A decent option is to play through Hor in fourth quarter time. Create an inside game threat. Perhaps, as many of you suggest, that guy should be JS. However, you still need two bigs to match up on the defensive end, and things will get pretty conjested around the basket with JS posting on offense.

There must be offensive concepts at play that has JS making catches in the interior of the 3 line on the move coming inside out. JS must be able to score off the catch from where he catches, and be clear about further penetrating the defense with well conceived passes. I’m not hearing that this is happening.

By TheRick

November 5, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

I think Sekou is on point in placing the real blame for the loss on the tightness of the offense with the lead. While the call on Marvin was obviously bad, the call allowing J. Smith to tie it up was a bit questionable, too. The even-up call wasn’t really suprising to me.

Speaking of Josh Smith, while his shot selection was indeed horrible, we shouldn’t lose sight of the clutchness at the line(you can find clutchness in the dictionary right by strategery). For him to nail three straight when we’re down three after an off night is huge. His head was still in the game. How many times have we seen him zone out mentally in the past few years when the ball wasn’t bouncing his way? I think last night was a big step for him in learning to overcome adversity.

By Pete

November 5, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

What happened to the instant replay rules for questionable calls?

Tell them to don’t stop running. They are better in transition. If we are going to run half court sets more pick and roll basketball. It gets more players involved the offense and creates more options like a play action fake.

We really needed AJ for that one. He is a better setup player. Aside from the clutch shooting, Lue pounds the rock too much.

By William

November 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are giving up leads with Tyronne Lue in the game because he can’t defend anyone and he slows down the offense to a crawl. Joe is already overdribbling and doing it too, but when you have Lue and Joe out there, the ball stays with those two players until the shot clock is almost down to nothing.

Law pushed the pace, got turnovers, true, but you know what else happened while he was out there? The lead grew. Because on the defensive end he wasn’t giving up anything that the Pistons wanted like Lue was. I like Lue. I really do, but he can’t defend anymore and all he gives you are open threes, which honestly, you can get from Law or Anthony Johnson(a much better defender).

Pushing the tempo is getting the team wins while, slowing it down is hurting them badly.

If you are going to slow it down, how about running a play with Josh Smith on the block(I don’t think it has happened yet) or Horford(once again…don’t think I have seen it). We went back to Joe vs the world on offense and that is not the answer.

By redhawk

November 5, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the info SS. 2 big reasons I think the Hawks lost: Wallace playing defense against Horford and Billups defense against TLue. The Hawks impressed against Dallas, but they’re a bad defensive team. Watching Dirk guard JSmith is just comical. About Childress, he usually gets himself wide open under the basket twice a game at least—I haven’t seen that yet this year.
The best thing I see about the Hawks this year is that when the other team “makes their run” they get a 3-5 point lead. Last year the opponents would have built up a 10-12 point lead. But it is way too early to draw conclusions about what the Hawks are going to do. One more thing, Billups’ nickname should be The Assassin, because he puts a knife in your heart at the end of a game. No shame in losing to the Pistons in Detroit (though they still shoulda won.)

By Toney

November 5, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Woodson need to stop putting in TLue, He stops the flow of the Hawks game. TLue is not a play maker yet he thinks he is. Please someone tell Woodson to play Salim and not TLue. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By MsDee

November 5, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

I think the reason why the Joshes are playing the way they are is because they are trying so very hard to impress the Atlanta Spirit and the rest of the league to better their contract finances..which is distracting them from playing the way they know better. Chills has never ever played that bad before. Its like he is under pressure to prove hinself of more money. The same for J Smoove. They should have not been so greedy cause if they continue to play the way they have thus far, they will find themselves getting offered even less money then the Spirit was previously offering cause no one else will give them what they were originally asking for.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

SEKOU, nice post as usual bro. definitely coulda stole that one last nite.

couple of things…

1) as much as i agree that SMOOVE needs to learn to post more and better, in his defense, i DO NOT think that was gonna happen last nite. DET was playin’ great interior defense and postin’ them was not gonna happen. at least not with where their post skills are right now. HORFORD, who i consider their best threat down low, was havin’ a rough time tryin’ to post SHEED. and right now their timin’ on their half-court offense especially when tryin’ to run backdoor cuts and baseline screens is just NOT there (yet).

2) this leads me to my ‘give ACIE the ball’ rant. it is SOOOOOOOOO CLEAR that he just runs the team better. he pushes the ball, can break down defenses easier, and can get to the rim MUCH easier than AJ or LUE. plus he can get his own shot easier, which is sorely needed with the way the half-court offense showed itself last nite. WOODSON has to make a committment to the PG that gives them the best overall chance to execute and win!!! ACIE was not phased ONE BIT bein’ on the floor last nite. whereas i think his nerves were there against DAL, thus the foul trouble. except for the TO’s, he was rock solid against one of the best PGs in the NBA. and it’s is clear that he is a vocal leader on the floor too!!! i mean, what else does WOODSON NEED TO SEE???!!??

3) CHILS??? you’re right, where is he?? but from my view, he’s just TRYIN’ TOO HARD!!! he’s gotta get back to just relaxin’ and playin’ ball. i disagree with those that think he’s too weak. on his missed dunks, dude is well above the rim!! just not finishin’, which is different from not bein’ able to finish. he posted up one of the cats last nite, spun and left ‘em standin’ in their shoes as he layed it up!! SMOKIN’ MOVE!!! the cat just needs to relax IMHO!!

4) i think in order for this team to truly have its’ identity and KNOW how it’s gonna play outta the gate every nite, WOODSON has got to commit to have the 2 rooks in the startin’ lineup. WOODSON said it best when he said he cannot play 3 PGs, somebody’s gonna have to sit. well he needs to determine who sits nitely between AJ and LUE in the flow of the game, as matchups show themselves, not as the start of the game. the sooner he does that the sooner this team be able to show who it claims to be or wants to be…an uptempo team!!!

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Sekou, great writing as always. You hit the nail on the head. Watching that last night, I was thinking the very same thing. RUN! And they did play like they were afraid to lose.

A huge problem is that in the halfcourt, everyone is sort of useless except Joe Johnson, Acie Law, and Marvin Williams. Josh Smith is not being used right and he is also not using himself right either.

This team on the run should be absolutely wicked. Law, Horford, Smith, Childress, Marvin, Joe….. it would just be a wicked offense.

Gotta give some props to Shelden … he is much maligned but he has played well so far - considering what I have come to expect from him.

T. Lue did some good things early in the 4th last night but then seemed to get carried away with himself. It was aggravating watching Joe Johnson on the wing just standing there while Lue mistakenly thought he was Allen Iverson and tried to become a one man show for a few minutes there. Maddening.

You can’t have gazelles like Smith, Marvin, Horford, and Law and find yourself playing such a slow tempo …. especially when your team is somewhat limited offensively in the halfcourt.

I did not come away from that Pistons game last night thinking the Pistons to be a better team at all. They just are a more confident bunch who believe while the Hawks don’t believe in themselves yet like many of us do.

The Hawks just look too lost too often in the halfcourt set… unless Joe Johnson starts lighting it up real quick.

By Clyde

November 5, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

We are having the same ole problems from last year.

1.Point guard play-Tyron Lue does not like to run. He always walks the ball up the court and is constantly telling his teammates to slow things down. We need point guard that will push the pace. And that brings me to Josh Smith. If he had a point guard like Nash or Kidd he would not have as many turnovers. If you would study these point guards starting the break they always make themselves available for the outlet pass. Kidd even helps with grabbing rebounds which makes him even more dangerous.

I think our point guards need to make a more assertive effort to get the ball out of Josh’s hands before he makes his first dribble. And when he does give it up start the break and don’t walk the ball up the court!

2.Fire Woody. His offensive scheme is awful. When you draw up an offense you are suppose to know where each player is suppose to be at all times. So the question has to be asked. Why is Josh Smith always in a position to shoot long range jumpers when you don’t want him them? Why is your offense so stagnant in the half court? Are you reallying too much on JJ going one on one? Maybe put more motion in your offense. Play a point guard that can create plays for others so they won’t have to take bad shots. Change your style up. The same offense from the past 3 years has not worked. Do something different. Play different players. If your point guard walks the ball up the court sit him down.

In my opinion Josh Smith takes the ball up the court himself because he doesn’t have faith in his point guards.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By randy

November 5, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

During the last 5 minutes of the game I was yelling at Woodson through the TV “put Acie in!!” Did he not see how Billups was totally destroying TLue out there?? TLue was getting posted up and getting his shots blocked all night. But when Acie was in there, I hardly heard a peep out of Billups. Finally when Woodson did put Acie in, with 1 minute left in the game, we were in desperation mode and there was nothing he could do. I honestly believe we would have won if Acie Law had of played those last 5 minutes.

One more thing…Tuesday when they play NJ, Woodson needs wise up and start Acie. No way TLue can match up against Jason Kidd if he did so horribly against Billups. Acie has some size to match up with him, not to mention he is better on offense.

By Big Ed

November 5, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

This game was just the difference between a veteran team that has been in the playoffs and were world champions a few years ago with the same players and an up and coming Hawk team. The Hawks have improved and should be a threat to any team on any given night.

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

watching acie law is pretty amazing. he is so quick and fast ….. it could almost be a strength and a weakness for him. you get the feeling that he can break down any defender and get past him with ease. just watching him, you see him get the edge and get past the outside shoulder and hip of the defender almost every time he has the ball. this is great because he can then penetrate and score but it is also dangerous because he might feel it so easy that he just wants to take it straight to the hoop. whatever the case may be, it’s a good thing. hopefully, the other players learn to move a little bit here and there when law is penetrating so that he can kick back and give them easy buckets.

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

clyde, if steve nash was the point guard for the hawks, you would be watching a 60 win team with the athletic talent on this team. hopefully law is that kind of special player.

By MsDee

November 5, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

IMO Acie & Sheldon should have been in the final minutes of the game..Even though Al had more rebounds, Sheldon seem to get the KEY ones at the right time. I give this lose to Woodson..I know the turnovers had a lot to do with the lose, but we were still in that game. Woodson had no reason to keep Lue or Al out there towards the end. Acie just plays the better pg role then any other pg on the team. Yes, Lue is the veteran and can hit those cluch shots,but he was not on that game..why not try Acie at that time..when JJ was getting doubled, Acie showed he can take those bigs shots off of JJ. Heck, Acie should have definely been out there towards the end cause when JJ was getting doubled, he could only find JSmoove behind the 3 ptline just to miss it..MANN I hope Woodson learns from this game!!

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

* Knickerbocker*, gotta agree with ya on SHELDEN. he’s playin’ some good ball right now. lord knows how WOODSON is gonna screw things up when ZAZA returns. ‘cause if there is one thing SHELDEN will do that ZAZA won’t it is BANG. gonna be quite interestin’!! and that ain’t necessarily good!!!

randy, ditto on screamin’ at the tube to put ACIE back in last nite. it was obvious that it should have been done waaaaaayyyyy earlier!!

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

oh yeah…gotta give JJ big props for steppin’ up his game from last year. we all talked about here, about him not makin’ the last second, game tyin’, game winnin’ shots. well seems like he showed up with ‘em this year!!

and WOODSON, give ACIE the damn ball!!!!

By RA

November 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

I think you’re being a little hard on the beaver. Yea, they let a game go that they should have won, but the truth of the matter is that Detroit had destroyed everything in their path, without Rip Hamilton, and the Hawks gave them all they wanted and then some on their own home floor. Yea, they lost the battle, but they won some respect, if from no one else, the Detroit Pistons, most of whome stood around on the floor last night shaking hands or perhaps I should say, welcoming the Hawks back to the realm of the truly dangerous.

RA

By RA

November 5, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

And while I realize, 99% of Atlantans were waiting for the Hawks first loss of the season to scream “Hang Mike Woodson from a Sour Apple Tree” please keep in mind that Woody didn’t create all those turnovers last night. He can only set up the scheme. He’s not responsible for executing it. What you saw last night was a battle hardened championship ball club take advantage of a little youthful exuberance. It’s not the last time it’ll happen this year. I just hope they learned somthing…

RA

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

i did get ticked off with joe johnson for 2 plays in the fourth quarter where he seemingly dove out of the way when the pistons were on a fast break instead of making them take a tougher more contested shot. that really ticked me off.

By randy

November 5, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I agree about Shelden. He has really impressed me so far. You can see a great deal of improvement on defense. Right now, I feel more comfortable with him in than I do with Horford. Also was nice to see Shelden sticking up for himself when Mohammed wasn’t allowing him to get up after a foul. As for everyone else, Marvin keep doing what your doing. JJ, awesome as always. Acie, you da man. If we can almost beat the Pistons with JSmoove and JChill as aweful as they were, you have to feel confident. GOOOOO HAWWWWWKS!!!

By cowa

November 5, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

It was a great game last night. Marvin, JJ, Horford, Law, even Sheldon played great. But what we do here is disect the bad, so let’s get to it.

Woody’s game calling and substitutions were awful. What was he thinking leaving Lue out there so long when he was getting posted up on D every time down the floor? And having Smith be consisitenly out in 3 point land in the corner at the 5 second mark is just bad play calling.

I can’t put all the blame on Lue, as he did what he does best: run a two man show with JJ on offense, and try to be scrappy on D. The problem with him last night was him driving and there being nobody to pass the ball to, and then dribbling back out and passing to JJ. I can’t fault him for trying to make something happen by continually driving to the basket. The problem was that there didn’t seen to be any set plays being run except drive and pass to JJ. Of course, he was pounding the ball way too much, but if nobody is moving and getting open, you can’t blame the PG.

The real issue I had last night was with Woody. No offensive flow in the 4th Quarter, and more importantly, no defensive help for Lue while he was out there. All Detroit did was continually post up Lue, and it seemed they did it more with Hayes once Rip fouled out of the game. A total mismatch, yet no one was helping out Lue. If Lue is out there, he needs some help on switches. The Hawks have to rotate better.

We have 4 PG’s on this team, and 2 of them are Smurfs (to steal a term from Doc, I think). Law & AJ are the only guards with size, and when you’re playing against a team like Detroit (or NJ for that matter), they should be the ones on the floor. With AJ out last night (congrats on the baby AJ!), Woody didn’t have a choice not to play Lue, but he should have made better defensive schemes to help Lue out. Also, he should have subbed him out after Law got 3 minutes of rest.

Detroit and NJ have very physical PG play, and Billups and Kidd are probably the best PGs in the East. Law is getting his indoctrination to the league quickly, and if he can handle the next couple of games (let’s throw Nash in there as well), you’ll see your new starting PG as of Thanksgiving.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

great pic of MARVIN’s block. it was clear that it was a payback call for the call against SHEED where JS got the 3 free-throws. that call should not have been made either. still, it was a good battle.

By Willie Coyote

November 5, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks want to run then Lue needs to sit. Like Clyde said above, he was one of the main reasons the Hawks got in that half court game. He had chances to push and he just slowed everything up. Woodson clearly doesn’t want to let these guys go. He talked a good game but there is no follow through. They run in spurts and it is fun to watch but Detroit made them slow things down without much effort. There are supposed to be more 3s but Salim remains on the bench. Law needs to play more and not be benched if he makes a mistake. How else do you learn? Woodson needs to be an assistant coach plain and simple. I don’t see why you can’t play tough defense and still run. Defending people doesn’t have to slow you down. If your sole concentration is grinding out defensive posessions then you miss the point of the game in the first place…OUTSCORE THE OTHER GUYS!!!

This team looks like it’s plenty good enough to make some noise in the east. It’s still early but these guys can do it if they can score despite their coach.

By Seed

November 5, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Hello Sekou.

I have a suggestion. How’s about, in addition to your “5 things” segment, you also do a segment called “Just Throwin Darts”. Because that’s the impression I get when I seen Woodrow’s substitution pattern. Lets stroll through this shall we. How on this green earth do you begin to explain the ridiculous benching of Law for extended minutes at the end of the game? The first thing that would come to mind would be the 5 turnovers. However, when you consider that fact that when Law was in the game, he gave the team a +11 point differential, I think you have to concede that this is a classic example of putting style before substance. I am not saying that he should coach from a stat sheet, however, when only 3 guys are giving you a (+) point dif during the game [Law-> +11, Sheldon -> +11, Williams -> +3] you would think that just paying attention would be enough to get a feel for who is being productive. To make matters worse, if he yanked Law for the turnovers, how do you explain putting him back in with the smallest margins of time left in the game? Which, by the way, the team just happened to close the Piston’s 7 point lead during this stretch.

That’s #1a. Now for b: the fact that he replaced Law for Lue who is giving you the worse point dif on the night is unexplainable(somethin’ like -11 or -14)!!! Oh… and how relevant are those turnovers when you juxtapose it to that fact that Childress let two of the passes from Law go straight through his hand (one on a beautiful Magic Johnson type pass on the break down the left side line). You would think that after watching Law single handedly whip the breaks off of: Billups, Prince, and Hayes in what would become nothing short of futile post up attempts Woodrow would get it… Don’t keep your fingers crossed.

But let’s go on. It has already been noted that Childress has yet to make his return from disney world. Yet, after bobble upon bobble, when Childress wrecklessly turned the ball over to Rip in the 4th qtr, who does our resident genius in disquise send Joe in to replace? Yep… SHELDON!!! Look, I know bashing, crashing, and dumping on Sheldon has become the Vogue thing to do, but for goodness sake man… SNAP OUT OF IT! Pay attention! Nobody has come out of the gate more ready to play than Sheldon. And here’s what really baffles me. We go to Detroit, lose by one point, and I’ve gotta look down at the stat sheet and see that Marvin shot 66% from the field yet Josh took 30% more shots? What kind of reverse universe is this? Nevertheless, I hate to introduce myself so rudely, but I really believe in this team, so Sekou I’ll trust you to hand Woodrow this customized cheat sheet. 1)When the games on the line, I want “4 on the floor”. 2)The next time Marvin is shooting 66% from the field, I want him shooting until his arm falls off. And when it does fall off I want him shooting it left handed before Josh launches another 3.

GOOOOOOD DAAAAAAAY SIIIIIRR!!!

By bp101

November 5, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I believe the only thing the Hawks are missing is a true outside lethal shooter. Someone, when the break is not there, can spot up and drill the three consistently. JJ is a good shooter, but teams are not scared to death of his range. Just a thought. GO HAWKS!!!

By Seed

November 5, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Hello Sekou.

I have a suggestion. How’s about, in addition to your “5 things” segment, you also do a segment called “Just Throwin Darts”. Because that’s the impression I get when I seen Woodrow’s substitution pattern. Lets stroll through this shall we. How on this green earth do you begin to explain the ridiculous benching of Law for extended minutes at the end of the game? The first thing that would come to mind would be the 5 turnovers. However, when you consider that fact that when Law was in the game, he gave the team a +11 point differential, I think you have to concede that this is a classic example of putting style before substance. I am not saying that he should coach from a stat sheet, however, when only 3 guys are giving you a (+) point dif during the game [Law-> +11, Sheldon -> +11, Williams -> +3] you would think that just paying attention would be enough to get a feel for who is being productive. To make matters worse, if he yanked Law for the turnovers, how do you explain putting him back in with the smallest margins of time left in the game? Which, by the way, the team just happened to close the Piston’s 7 point lead during this stretch.

That’s #1a. Now for b: the fact that he replaced Law for Lue who is giving you the worse point dif on the night is unexplainable(somethin’ like -11 or -14)!!! Oh… and how relevant are those turnovers when you juxtapose it to that fact that Childress let two of the passes from Law go straight through his hand (one on a beautiful Magic Johnson type pass on the break down the left side line). You would think that after watching Law single handedly whip the breaks off of: Billups, Prince, and Hayes in what would become nothing short of futile post up attempts Woodrow would get it… Don’t keep your fingers crossed.

But let’s go on. It has already been noted that Childress has yet to make his return from disney world. Yet, after bobble upon bobble, when Childress wrecklessly turned the ball over to Rip in the 4th qtr, who does our resident genius in disquise send Joe in to replace? Yep… SHELDON!!! Look, I know bashing, crashing, and dumping on Sheldon has become the Vogue thing to do, but for goodness sake man… SNAP OUT OF IT! Pay attention! Nobody has come out of the gate more ready to play than Sheldon. And here’s what really baffles me. We go to Detroit, lose by one point, and I’ve gotta look down at the stat sheet and see that Marvin shot 66% from the field yet Josh took 30% more shots? What kind of reverse universe is this? Nevertheless, I hate to introduce myself so rudely, but I really believe in this team, so Sekou I’ll trust you to hand Woodrow this customized cheat sheet. 1)When the games on the line, I want “4 on the floor”. 2)The next time Marvin is shooting 66% from the field, I want him shooting until his arm falls off. And when it does fall off I want him shooting it left handed before Josh launches another 3.

GOOOOOOD DAAAAAAAY SIIIIIRR!!!

By MannyT

November 5, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

The good news is that the team is getting better. The bad news is that we don’t have a killer instinct (that goes for the coaching too.) Let’s take note from the Patriots a week ago vs the Redskins. When they are sweating, turn up the heat until they pass out! If they are cold, put them in a freezer!

Yeah, Smoove (aka the bipolar baller) had an up and down game. That’s not news if we are honest. He’s good, but inconsistent. I am more concerned that Woody has to decide that being close is not good enough. We slow down and it’s—we should have won, but only lost by a point. Keep the pressure on and the ball moving. Wear the opponent out. Until the team believes that the pressure won’t stop, the Hawks are playing on someone else’s terms. I think that simple adjustment could make this team 10 games better.

By Rev. Zoldars

November 5, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know if there is a TV schedule listed anywhere for the hawks season?

I don’t have anything profound to say, but if anybody could hook that up it’d be great

By jc_dawg

November 5, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

The team is getting better. They just took out 1 of the better teams in the NBA and nearly took out a second.

Yes…a loss is a loss…no matter how close. But you have to like the effort and heart that these guys are showing.

They are young and they are going to continue to learn and get even better.

They will learn how to become winners in this league. That is a big part of there growing up process.

You have to learn how to win…and the Hawks will do that.

By Tyger

November 5, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

*Same ole’ Song”

At this point, most would be happy being .500 after facing the Mavs and Pistons. I’m not one of them. I was giddy after the Mavs opening win and I’m disgusted after the Pistons loss.

Why? Its the same ole’ song, they give a decent effort, establish a lead and give it away down the stretch. They lost 10-15 games last season the same exact way. And who do I blame? Woody.

He refuses to play to his strengths. He complains of not having players, yet he does not maximize what he has.

At this point, I’m convinced he is just not a manager of resources. No one can tell me that you cant find 2 min. per half for Salim and Solomon. Nor can anyone tell me that Mario West deserves to play before Salim and Solomon. Its just plain stupid and petty.

Salim and Solo have game changing ability, yet they sit, while the game whithers away.

One brings energy, length and defense while the other is an offensive dynamo, yet they sit, while leads whither like the water level in Lake Lanier.

I’m sick of it, this team is too talented for much more of this BS. And I’m not sold on waiting till Xmas or the All-star break, keep losing leads and games like this, and its time to pull the trigger.

No excuses!

By SSI Fan

November 5, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are better but still have not shown that they have any player capable of being a post-up option. Hopefully Horford can fill that need. They are still a team that almost totally relies on jump shots and drives to the basket.

In my opinion Josh Smith is not and never will be an effective power forward. He is 5 for 16 and 4 for 17 from the field in the first two games. His career shooting percentage is .436. He makes the spectacular plays but seems to often be out of control. He, like Michael Vick, has tremendous physical ability but his fundamental basketball skills seem lacking.

By The Flash

November 5, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

myman Tight. From afar, I like AJ better than Lue as a point. Like his style. Only problem, Lue can lite it up, and they need that kind of spark.

Where I’ve always found Lue lacking, however, as a second go-to scorer when he is hot, is that somehow his streakiness is too hair-triggered. He can be hot, and bring you back or put you in a lead, and then start missing shots when he has time and you think have to go in. Does not seem to be due to fatigue, just an inability to close. Also, when teams decide to take that shot away, they seem able to.

I’d play Chill and Law in the back, JJ at the three at tmes down the stretch, unless MW is playing real well. I agree with the common thought here that they need to up tempo it.

I think that that can come off of defensive stops; I like Law and Chill out front together, as a physical/quick presence. I think that JJ, at the 3, can defend very well and pull it off the board and go.

By PC

November 5, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

I would not take too much from either of these games. Teams like Detroit and Dallas don’t get up for teams like the Hawks. Both of those are veterans team knowing full well that it’s a longggg season. The Mavericks and Pistons, being veteran teams, will generally put out the least amount of effort to try to get the job done.

BUT, one thing for sure is that the Hawks can compete. With maturity and confidence hopefully they will one day become like the Mavericks and the Pistons of the league.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

November 5, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

This team is simply too young and atheletically gifted to slow things down and try and protect a lead. Do you see the Suns doing that? This comes down to coaching. Now that we have talent to work with it may be time for Woody to go for this has become a staple of his- come flying out the gate and right when it starts looking we can pull one out he starts thinking too much which makes the fellas on the floor to think to much, everyone tightens up and we choke. WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT IN ATLANTA ALREADY! Go out with your guns smoking for a change why don’t you? Let it hang. You have nowhere but up to go. This team reminds me of how the Steelers of the NFL used to get leads and then run on every play trying to protect that lead. Sometimes it worked for them (mainly because of the J Bettis), sometimes it did not. It is NOT working for the Hawks and we need a coach who recognizes this and puts a stop to it. As for Josh Smith, as much as I enjoy watching him play, needs to stop freestyling and play within the framework of the team. Stop sipping your own kool-aid and play team ball. That’s what got Grady Jackson shipped out of Atlanta. I don’t want to see the same thing happen to JS. Otherwise I was VERY pleased with the rooks and their effort, JJ, and even Marvin and Sheldon. I just wonder if we have the right coach sometimes. This 2nd half meltdown crap has got to go!

GO HAWKS!!!

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Do you know what might make Josh Smith be more in control? Just pay him the GD money. Once he gets paid, he will stop feeling like he needs to be a big time scorer in order to get himself paid.

He is worried too much about becoming a player he is not yet ready to be because those are the kinds of players that get paid.

BUT if they just pay him and tell him that all we expect right now is for you to be you - which means be all over the court doing your athletic things and just gradually grow into that kind of scorer by the time you are 24, 25 years old.

If I was an owner, I would pay him but also sit him down and say this is what we need out of you: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 assists, 2.5 steals. Have your head screwed on right and come with the right attitude and be all over the court like a maniac and we will be more than pleased with what you bring. That kind of ball out of you is what will make this team a winner. Now here is your money and go do your thing and not the thing you think you need to be to get this money.

By mavid

November 5, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

It’s gonna be a fun season guys, that’s for sure

By Jerry West

November 5, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

For Josh Smith - 5 changes in you that will make you a perennial all star. Fans at Hawksquawk.net forum came up with these.

1. You are not allowed to stand outside the three point line on offense.

2. You have to give the ball to the PG before you pass the half court.

3. Stay inside for offensive rebounds and alley-oops as much as you can.

4. when you are on the wing on the break and receive the ball you have to try to score. Don’t pass unless you have to.

5. Don’t ever take more than 2 dribbles in the half court set.

By JCSmalls

November 5, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

I am impressed so far, but why does Woody always allow us to blow leads in the 4th quarter? He had, Law, Horford, Sheldon, Marvin, and Smith on the court early in the 4th and we $hit the bed and let them go on a 12 - 2 run. Crazy!!!

By mavid

November 5, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Myk, I agree my man… we got a dandy in Acie. The team just looks better when he runs the offense. I love the dude’s attitude and game in general. No more Speedy or AJ… and let’s limit Lue to 20 minutes/night in a backup role (which he is good at).

I can only hope that Woody is only keeping Acie out b/c of lingering wrist problems, b/d it is clear we need him on the floor.

I genuinely tihnk Acie could prove the better pg between him and Conley.

By roan st

November 5, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Woody needs to go if he is incapable of teaching and coaching this team to use their strengths. If were better suited to run ( and thats what everbody in the world believes) then we must push the pace. No more of this tenative crap, its time to cut loose. Horford is basically our starting center and that dude runs the floor like a gazelle. And his handles for a big bruiser have impressed the heck out of me. All the ingridients are there for this team to adapt to a runnig style of play. JUST DO IT! GET ER DONE!

By Mike "Hawks Fan 4 Life"

November 5, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Reading these comments has been very refreshing. It lets me know that the stuff I see is not just me being subjective (I’m a member of the “Let Woody Walk” team). Just to keep it sort I will make a few points. 1) Law is our best option at PG. Hand him the team and sit back and watch him blossom. 2) Sheldon is finally doing what we need him to do. Nuff said. 3) I think Josh and Josh will be ok in time. (I guess it’s hard not knowing where your next meal is coming from if you’re only making millions of dollars.) 4) We do have a deadly shooter that teams SHOULD fear. Too bad that Mario West gets more PT than him (not a shot at Mario). Good work Hawks fans. I’m glad to see that there are those of us who watch the game with understanding. P.S. 27 To’s or not, that was a horrible foul call at the end of the game. Let the players determine the outcome.

By Mike "Hawks Fan 4 Life"

November 5, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Reading these comments has been very refreshing. It lets me know that the stuff I see is not just me being subjective (I’m a member of the “Let Woody Walk” team). Just to keep it sort I will make a few points. 1) Law is our best option at PG. Hand him the team and sit back and watch him blossom. 2) Sheldon is finally doing what we need him to do. Nuff said. 3) I think Josh and Josh will be ok in time. (I guess it’s hard not knowing where your next meal is coming from if you’re only making millions of dollars.) 4) We do have a deadly shooter that teams SHOULD fear. Too bad that Mario West gets more PT than him (not a shot at Mario). Good work Hawks fans. I’m glad to see that there are those of us who watch the game with understanding. P.S. 20 + To’s or not, that was a horrible foul call at the end of the game. Let the players determine the outcome.

By Mike "Hawks Fan 4 Life"

November 5, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Reading these comments has been very refreshing. It lets me know that the stuff I see is not just me being subjective (I’m a member of the “Let Woody Walk” team). Just to keep it sort I will make a few points. 1) Law is our best option at PG. Hand him the team and sit back and watch him blossom. 2) Sheldon is finally doing what we need him to do. Nuff said. 3) I think Josh and Josh will be ok in time. (I guess it’s hard not knowing where your next meal is coming from if you’re only making millions of dollars.) 4) We do have a deadly shooter that teams SHOULD fear. Too bad that Mario West gets more PT than him (not a shot at Mario). Good work Hawks fans. I’m glad to see that there are those of us who watch the game with understanding. P.S. 20 + TO’s or not, that was a horrible foul call at the end of the game. Let the players determine the outcome.

By tony

November 5, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

First and foremost Acie Law should be our starting pg. Josh Smith need to leave the shooting to JJ, MW and Acie Law. He need to learn from Al Horford-pass first and shoot when it is neccesary. We need him to block shots and rebound.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

MAVID, i wish i thought WOODSON was savin’ him ‘cause of his wrist. don’t think so tho. i think he feels he’s just gotta bring him along slowly. and clearly the cat shows he is ready…PERIOD!!! Knickerbocker gave a great description in his 12:16 post on how ACIE takes his man. great post!!!

for all of WOODSON’s reasons not to start ACIE, he has got to realize that ACIE brings many strengths to the court and team when he steps in. he showed it against BILLUPS last nite and he’ll have those same strengths when he goes against KIDD tomorrow!! the way ACIE changes gears as he’s settin’ his opponent up will cause headaches for anybody tryin’ to handle him one-on-one!! and that includes KIDD!! and he’s NOT afraid nor hesistant to post his man either!! and on top of that, NOW you know you gotta respect his outside shot!!! as soon as ACIE hit the court last nite JJ was the first person givin’ him 5. and ACIE did not hesistate on tellin’ SMOOVE what he needed to be doin’!!!

like i said earlier, i DO NOT know what else WOODSON needs to see. whatever it is, he ain’t gonna see it while he has him on the bench!!!!

By Rick

November 5, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

I agree with just about everything said here.

Acie, who reminds me of Mark Jackson but appears to have a much better shot, needs to be on the floor more than 22 minutes. I like Lue, but as Sekou said Acie has to learn as he goes. One thing he needs to learn is that almost everyone in the NBA has quick hands. In other words, take care of that ball son.

Horford is solid. The sky’s the limit for that kid as far as I can see.

Woodson almost always has a sarcastic look on his face, especially when he takes someone out or when he calls a timeout. It’s as if he’s saying, “Are you guys stupid or just dumb?” It’s a miracle someone hasn’t popped him one by now. I’d hate to be coached by him.

Josh Smith made some clutch free throws there at the end but as many have pointed out he plays at least half of every game completely out of position. I just don’t get it. I don’t think it’s the fault of Woodson’s offensive scheme, to the extent Woodson has a scheme.

Trade wish: Package Josh and Salim for help at center. I know the Hawks won’t do that, and I’m sure many of you think Josh possesses too much upside potential to trade at this point. But it’s clear Salim isn’t going to get any significant minutes, and I fear Josh is a career heartbreaker.

By ray

November 5, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, very good points. Opened my eyes to a few things for certain.

Myk, gotta agree on Law. After seeing his fearlessness and effectiveness, all I can say is ain’t it great to be excited (positive excitement)about a Hawks point guard for once! He definitely needs to play more, turnovers and all. He’s establishing that he can run with the pack and leads well. Love Lue, but he’s definitely too small on ‘D’ and is not running with the pack much. Also, we need Salim in there. He can shoot and has a dang quick release…plus he’s fast, so he can run with the pack.

Like one poster mentioned, Josh (and the team) would benefit greatly from concentrating on the midrange jumper and posting up. When you set up for the midrange jumper, it’s easier to hit (as he should already know based on his own results) and it places you closer to the basket. Why is this important? Because it keeps the defense in limbo. They’re gonna be afraid to let you shoot the jumper, but they’re also afraid you’ll drive to the bucket. And when you’re that close, it makes it difficult for them to pack the lane to cut you off from the basket. If you’re out there beyond the arc, the defense has more time to prepare and pack the lane if you decide to drive. And one other thing: if Josh is jacking up threes (which usually miss), that takes away one of the team’s best rebounders…hard to get offensive rebounds when you’re that far from the basket, and we can always use offensive rebounds.

To be honest, I’ve talked about having Pachulia and Horford in the game because they can run high-low post plays. I see (as someone else also pointed out) that if they will just give it a shot, the same could work with Smith and Horford if/when they are forced into a slower tempo game.

The only reason Horford isn’t getting double-doubles every night is he isn’t being used. He’s not effective when being used as the low post scoring threat because he’s NOT a big, dominating 7ft+ player like Shaq or Yao. Or even a dominating 6’11-7’ guy like Howard or Duncan. Not yet anyway. Unless you have one of these guys, you have to have an accompanying threat within the same area. Two threats keeps the defense from (again) packing it in the lane to stop a guy like Horford. Not to mention guys like ‘Sheed are premiere defenders anyway. He’s extremely tough to play against, but would struggle against a standout post player (as would anybody else). Since we don’t have that at this point, we need the two-headed monster.

I would get off my “we need more size” issue altogether if the players we have were utilized better, especially in tandem. If Horford and Smith are used (and decide to play as such) better, then yeah we’d have little problem just going with them out there and bringing Zaza off the bench or something. But with Woody doing what he does, I don’t know if that will happpen.

After all, properly used, doesn’t the 6’10 Horford and the 6’9 Smith give us more size than the vaunted tandem of 6’10 Stoudamire and 6’7 Marion? Yes, and effectively done…ONLY IF PROPERLY USED. If not, then you have to go with more size than we have. So the question becomes, can the coach get the show running right or are we going to have to get the players to fit the coach? I know what MY answer is on that one…

By Rick

November 5, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Oh, yeah. One final point. The call on Williams at the end of the game wasn’t any worse than the one made a few seconds before that sent Josh Smith to the line for three. They were both marginal at best.

By Mario

November 5, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Where is John Drew when you need him?

By curious

November 5, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

One question, what does JS have to do with Mike Vick? Please stop comparing them they have nothing to do with each other. Second, I find it funny that you guys think the world is over after two games. If Chill and JS have great games against NJ what is everybody going to say. But I’d bet a small fortune that part of Childress being out-of-sync is that when he expects Smith to zig he zags. Astro Joe, you must be joking not only does he make his own mistakes but he is responsible for Childress as well. Incredible

By cp

November 5, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

I was saying let Law start since the preseason. It is clear to everybody that he is our best option at pg. Let Lue back him up and do whatever with AJ. It amazes me sometimes that Woody still cant figure out who to substitute in and out. I let it slide the first two years thinking it was just him being a young coach but it is his fourth year and he is still clueless when it comes to substitutions.. Give Salim some pt. I dont see what it would hurt. Every game we seem to go through stretches where we cant hit a shot so give the kid a chance… As said earlier it will even be more messier when Za Za gets back because the more Woody has to work with the more he messes it up. It seems that he does a better job playing guys when he has a short bench.. Im trying to give this guy to the All Star break before I join the fire Woody bandwagon but it is so frustrating at times watching this guy and his baffling offensive plays (and i dont know what they are) and his substitution patterns… Tell Josh to stop setting up behind the 3 point line. Let these guys run. We are not a good half court team what so ever. And give ACIE THE BALL. Let this kid learn. He has so much potential to be that pg we have been asking for since Mookie left…GET IT TOGETHER WOODY.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

BIG RAY, on point about JS and HORFORD bein’ used properly. and soooo right about ‘SHEED. NBALP gave the DET feed and they were talkin’ about how ‘SHEED had just done GREAT jobs of holdin’ down SHAQ and HOWARD in their first 2 wins. ‘SHEED is rough, no doubt!!!

man, i’ll say this too. i’m sure most of us are probably watchin’ on wide screens and i was shocked at tall SMOOVE and HORFORD are compared to ‘SHEED. if ‘SHEED is a legit 6’11” (no reason to dispute that unless we just need a conspiracy theory to play with) then there is no way HORFORD is anythin’ less than 6’10” and i’m not sure that JS is ‘just’ 6’9”. this team definitely has some length and athleticism!!!

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

CP, you are preachin’ to the choir on that one. i’ve said it all along that WOODSON does better with less choices/shorter bench, NO DOUBT!!!

By Astro Joe

November 5, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Rev. Z., here you go:

http://www.nba.com/hawks/schedule/

By Ryder

November 5, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

As usual you are all overreacting just two games into the season. If not for a BS call, Atlanta could possibly win that game in overtime. So far I really like what I see out of this team. They are all playing well (especially Shelden) sans Childress, but I see how JJ is leading the charge with clutch shooting in the 4th. Horford needs to have more calls for him to score down low, because he is doing really well on cleaning up the glass, something this team hasn’t had in a long time.

Also, Acie will come along quickly as he will be going up against some of the league’s best PGs in the next few games (Kidd, Nash, Arenas) and if he plays D the way he played against Billups and limits turnovers he’ll be fine.

Give it time people and just enjoy how this team is already playing well. They will win tomorrow against NJ and continue to gain more confidence.

As for Smoove, he will always have the good and the bad in his game. However, he needs to stay away from the 3 point line at all times and continue to drive to the hoop.

Overall I like what I see and there’s no need to pick them apart already. It’s too soon Sekou.

By doc

November 5, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

the foul call on sheed was deserved and one that they call all the time especially if the name is kobe or dwayne. nice to see one go our way and the ref’s had to call itas it was in the open and the situation demanded that the hawks would be taking a three from somewhere. sheed looked the rook on that one and in spite of his insolence should only be mad at himself for getting caught in the air.

not sure about the call at the end as there has been a lot more bumps seen that havent been called usually in traffic. just not sure why he had a clear run at the basket in the first place.

i have always said that j smith needs to watch and shape his game after sheed. he is fun to watch and i am glad he is finally sticking around to the end of most games. heh heh

By Astro Joe

November 5, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

curious, let’s be honest, our offense isn’t exactly the second-coming of the triangle. Guys mostly stand in designated spots waiting for who knows what to happen. So yes, if a player is in the wrong spot, it could definitely create confusion amongst the other players. Why is that hard to understand? Smith has taken close to as many shots as JJ, has more turnovers than JJ and more free throw attempts than JJ. What does that mean? Smith finishing more offensive possessions than JJ. I find it VERY hard to believe that during the pre-season, Woody decided that Smith should be a play-making point power forward and/or the primary shooter on this team. If the defense is “taking JJ away” from his role, then shouldn’t he attempt to spread the wealth, especially when dude is shooting less than 30% from the field?

Anyway, back to the point. If one of the smartest players on the team is looking dazed and confused like he is a junior high schooler stepping out on an NBA court, then I tend to believe that someone is deviating from the plan. And based on the stats I just shared, I have an idea who Green and Briscoe need to visit. Your buddy, #5.

By atlien110@hotmail.com

November 5, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

i never agree with good ol clyde but he hit the hawks main problem right on the head. it’s woody! whenever the hawks have a lead their only offense is to iso jj… jj for whatever reason wasn’t being aggressive during the middle of the 4th quarter… he’d hold on to the ball and then pass it to jsmith with only like 4 seconds on the shot clock. this all boils down to the hawks coaching staff’s inability to maximize their personnel and put their players in a position to succeed.

2nd point. when detroit started switching to a zone in the 2nd half why not put salim in for a spell? like a poster suggested the hawks need a shooter. hmmm seems like they have one, its just their coach doesn’t seem fit to use his talents.

shelden showed some fire last night and played pretty aggressively…but detroit had no problem getting offensive rebounds for the better part of the night. it’s the same tired story.. no interior d tranlates to the same ol conclusion. painful losses.

and one more time. jsmith had a really ugly night, but too many times i saw the ball in his hands with the shot clock running down. i blame that on coaching. jsmith can’t create his own shot and shouldn’t be the guy getting the ball with little time to shoot.

By jason

November 5, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Shaky call on Marvin Williams at the end, huh? (you said it was a “horrible” call). What about the shaky (horrible) foul call then on Rasheed guarding Josh Smith at the end that awarded Smith 3 free throws?

What about the open floor travel call that wasn’t called on Marvin Williams (but a subsequent foul on the Pistons was called) that awarded Williams two free throws that he shouldn’t have gotten?

By Knickerbocker

November 5, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Guys mostly stand in designated spots waiting for who knows what to happen.

Exactly. Most aggravating thing to watch. There is no movement away from the ball at all. What the hell is Mike Woodson’s idea of offense? No up tempo and no off the ball movement in the half court set. Is it pretty much let Joe go ISO and do his thing in the half court and everyone else just stand around staring at Joe do his thing?

By G Money

November 5, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

I think we’ve said it all. The offense sucked last night, not the players but the half court. Lue is not the man for the job - not over Acie. I don’t believe Woody knows how to use bigs on offense. We all know he doesn’t know up tempo. Hats off to the Hawks for a valiant effort. They all played their collective hearts out and were denied by a craftier, more physical team with a higher basketball IQ. They will learn a lot from this one. I hope Woody does as well.

By the way, we don’t need to hear any more talk about we need bigger bigs. We just need better play by way of better coaching.

By ntrigue

November 5, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Please tell Woodson and company to stop taking Acie Law out the game in the 4th quarter. He was playing a solid game and the chemistry with the team was great when he was on the floor. Woodson main problem is taking younger players out of the game just because they made a couple of mistakes. T Lue is good sometimes but too many times you see him on the court dribbling in circles until the shot clock is down to nothing and then he either throws up some crazy circus shot or he passes with 2 seconds left and leaves another player to take a crazy shot. Stop putting Lue in the 4th quarter if Acie Law is playing good this not Rocket!!! Science!!!!

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

DOC, at this point i think JS needs to look at KENYON MARTIN’s game ‘maybe’ more than ‘SHEED to make himself that much more effective. ‘SHEED could always shoot…always could post. KM shows how to make the most impact ‘without’ havin’ that consistent shot. hey, but whatever can help JS make better choices, i’m all for!!

By Paul Hamilton

November 5, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Smith can look so good for stretches and then look like he has never seen a basketball for stretches. There is a reason he isn’t an all-star…inconsistency. He’s not a very good shooter either. While the Hawks looks like a better team this year, if you take JJ out of the lineup this team isn’t very good. I’m more impressed with the rookies this year than I am with any of our other players.

By Harry Hawk

November 5, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

You’re right, jason. The Hawks caught a couple of breaks down the stretch that helped them stay in the game. The Pistons got the home-cookin’ call at the end like I thought they would, but the Hawks should have already wrapped that game up. Too many turnovers, too many bad possessions, and constant stagnancy on the offensive end in the fourth quarter did the Hawks in.

By Steven K.L.

November 5, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

It looks as though the Hawks are starting to turn the corner and are starting to play the better teams to the wire. But the boxscore told me a lot about the game. An 8 man rotation is not gonna get it done if you’re planninag on running all night or most of the game. The Piston’s used 10 men and probably just wore the Hawks down at the end. Where was Salim, Solo, and West? Why did they get a DNP? If they’re not trusted to get the job done then find someone who is and play them. If the Hawks keep playing the way they did the first two games I see 36-42 wins and a legit shot at the #8 seed. JJ was right. Keep the pressure on. Keep running, but you can’t do it with an 8 man rotation. JS also needs to be smart about his shot selection. Go to the hole and go the the line.

By Clyde

November 5, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

And another thing. If you want to keep the energy and pressure up in a basketball game you have to rotate fresh bodies in and out. I don’t like to see JJ play 40 plus minutes per game. Expecially when he broke down late last year. Hasn’t Woody learned his lesson by now?

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By MannyT

November 5, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Because he was mentioned favorably above I cannot resist this what if flashback. My FAVORITE Hawk for a game is Rasheed Wallace. I remember reading the AJC after his one game here. BK was cleaning house and the lineup was nothing special. In the article Rasheed was talking up the troops and being the real leader we needed even though it was his first and only game as a Hawk.

He was the guy in the middle that we needed. We had him and let him go after a game. Almost like going out with your favorite starlet __ once; having a great time and then moving to another state and never calling her again.

Dumars should buy BK a meal everytime he is in town. What contender would not have made that deal?

Imagine what might be if he had stayed for the rest of the season! Even if he left at the end of the year, we still got the cap space and possibly a sign & trade for him. At the same time, I think he would have left a positive impression on the team. It’s ironic that I now think of Josh Smith (the guy we got with the draft pick when he was traded) as the closest we have to Rasheed. They are different talents and Wallace is more consistent, but Josh has that similar fire in his soul that makes me want him to succeed even as he goes through his, dunk, block, wild turnover loop.

I know there are a lot of pieces that would have been different from draft picks to coaches (Stotts might still be here with ‘Sheed) but we have been looking to replace Wallace for 4 years. Even though he isn’t 280 lbs and he shoots 3s—he is a better inside defender than anyone we have had since Mutumbo.

Back to life…back to reality…

I won’t get too high low off one game. The Nets are a good test. Not too good inside, but a good enough team to see where we stand in the East…contenders or pretenders

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

FLASH, my man, were you able to check out NBALP??? you’ll have a chance for the last freebie on tues!!!

By JerryWest

November 5, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Rasheed would have blown his fuse if he had to endure the growing pain with the young hawks.

There is a poll at hawksquawk.net on Acie where 82% fanatics want Acie to start (so far).

Smoove has to be opposite of Rasheed. He needs to stop shooting 3s and go inside all the time.

By marcus

November 5, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

1. Poor shot selection.
2. Turnovers
3. Not finishing around the basket.
4. No defensive pressure on perimeter.
5. No dribble penetration.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

NBATV is gonna have HORFORD in the studio in a few….

By FeudFinder

November 5, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Honestly speaking, while the hawks created its own nemesis, I think the referee purposely gave the game away. Now, my name is not Terrence Moore, and I never claimed to be a journalism graduate. So here me well. Had the team play its style for four quarters, the two points given by the referee would not have made any difference. Infact, it would have made the pistons and the rest of the NBA teams redefine and revisit their opinons about this hawks. It looked initially, like the hawks was going for “Desert Storm III” but in a different country(USA). But alas! the fourth quarter spook was alive again on the court, wearing the hawks uniform. Again, the overall performance, two games into the season is credit-worthy. But somebody in that coaching panel, please remind the head coach to reinforce the team’s new style of play anytime a time-out is called. In other words, a running game. I am sorry, this team has to run over other teams rather than being ran over. Enough said. Again I am not out to bash any player or anyone in the coaching staff. I never went to school to judge any human being. But unless the hawks adheres to its newly-introduced style of play and follow Sekou’s problem-solving comments, we may be in the in-progress ballot line-up at the end of the season.

By david guillebeau

November 5, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Shelden had 7 boards in 11 minutes and is such a smart player, One of the best board guys in the league. Knows how to play . Josh is a trump card but doesn.t know the rudiments of the game.

By david guillebeau

November 5, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Shelden had 7 boards in 11 minutes and is such a smart player, One of the best board guys in the league. Knows how to play . Josh is a trump card but doesn.t know the rudiments of the game.

By SQUAWKER

November 5, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

Good Blog, Z. Keep em coming!

By HB Ando

November 5, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

I think what’s most interesting, in these accumulated comments, is how eerily similar they are to any given post from last season (sans the points about Acie and Horford).

Woody can’t substitute correctly and has no control over the team in the fourth quarter.

Josh Smith is supremely athletic and has no semblance of a basketball IQ, thus launching 3’s and trying to lead the break.

Lue is too slow.

It’s like I’ve stepped into a time machine and gone back 10 months.

Hopefully, the Spirit will can Woodson and replace him with Billy Knight (hey, look how well it’s worked for the Thrashers and the Knicks; LOL). “You built it, now you coach it to the playoffs or hit the road, Billy Boy”.

Shelden is quickly solidifying his place in the league as a solid, career back-up, at the PF. Exactly has he projected to do when Billy wasted the fifth overall pick on him last year.

Good grief this is a screwed up franchise. Can’t wait ‘till Wednesday! Jhan and the good Doctor! Buttery soft pretzels and several ice cold beers!

By Samuel

November 5, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

Yall,

I just watched the game a few minutes ago. DVR baby.

You guys have just about said it all. To me, the turning point of the game was when Woodson took Law and Sheldon out of the game.

If you check my post after the first game of summer leagues, I said, “start Law and Horford, period”. And leave him in. Lue can play 15-20 minutes but why not let Law become the player everyone see’s he can be. What are you waiting on?

It’s a no brainer.

Law was hot then went to the bench. Lue came in and got Totally Abused by everyone on the floor.

Also, with the offense (or lack thereof), that Woodson employs, the only way we will consistantly score is to have someone who can break down the defense. Law can do that. Lue cannot.

Also, why take Sheldon out in place of Childress. Sheldon was having a good game, Childress sucked all night.

On Josh Smith

I really don’t blame him as much as Woody. Look where he’s getting the ball. Someone who this man(Smith) respects needs to sit down and have a long talk with him.

Tell him that if he stays close to the basket, he’s an allstar and a possible Hall of Famer. If he continues to try to do things he’s incapable of, he’s a great talent who may not ever reach his full potential. But I still blame the coach.

Forget about Salim. He’s just not good enough. We got enough midgets. Trade he, AJ and even Za Za for a somebody.

Marvin is really impressing me so far this season. I know I’ve been hard on him but he played his best half of his career IMO the first half of the Detroit game. Keep it up young man.

Woody, what’s so hard about putting Marvin on the wing and Josh on the low post? I don’t get it.

By curious

November 5, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe If it is JS’s fault for Chill’s bad games. Why doesn’t the rest of the team look that way. Go watch the game and see how many times this man got the ball thrown to him with less than 5 seconds on the shot clock. Guys mostly stand in designated spots waiting for who knows what to happen. This is your quote. I think that explains our offense. There isn’t one. JS is playing well on offense but don’t blame him for the lack of plays or movement. That is my point to you. I have a question for you. How do you have one of the most athletic guys in the league and you don’t have any half court alley oop plays for him. He can’t be like Kenyon Martin because he is never on the receiving end in half court sets(other than the 3pt line with the clock running out). Look at the two games played. The big men are passing the ball to each other for baskets. Our three point guards are avg. 6 apg combined. They would be tied for 17th place in the NBA. How sad is that stat.

By Ken Strickland

November 5, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Even if you intend to slow the ball down to protect a lead, you have to pound it inside. Horford’s inside gm was one of the main reasons he was drafted. When are we going to see the results of JSmith’s summer sessons with Hakeem? Also, when a DEF overplays, like Detroit did, why don’t we use some back picks and lobs to the basket. With our athletic frontline, what could Detroits frontline have done to stop it, other than to stop overplaying.

TLue was overmatched against Billups. I would have played the 4th qt with JJ at SF, ALaw at PG and West at SG to pressure Billups on DEF. Woodson has got to make a total committment to running the ball. He seems to be ok with it as long as it gives him a lead. But as soon as he gets the lead, he seems to instinctively retreat to his comfort zone and slows everything down. We’ve seen him coach defensively in both gms so far and our OFF has suffered each time.

I think we are seeing why JSmith often challenged Woodson last yr, and why he takes it upon himself to push the ball. Hopefully these things will work themselves out.

By Astro Joe

November 5, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

curious, our PGs ain’t getting the ball because #5 is the point power forward, dribbling, dishing and shooting perimeter shots. Why is he getting the ball with 3 seconds left on the shot clock? Because it’s called good defense. Leave the worse shooter open. If he took his butt near the goal, he wouldn’t be so wide open. And that APG stat isn’t so sad. 15th is right at average so 17th isn’t far from the median. And considering that 1 of 2 of their games was against a top tier defensive team (I don’t think too many teams pile up assists against the Pistons), that really isn’t so “sad”. Not nearly as “sad” as a 27% shooting percentage.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

KEN, BILLUPS was a non-factor when ACIE was on him at the end. no need to move JJ to SF ‘cause MARVIN was on last nite. WOODSON just flat out left LUE in there tooooooooo long. HAYES was abusin’ him down low. WOODSON had the right lineup at the end. he just waited to long to go back to it…IMHO

By honest_abe

November 5, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

enough already with the infatuation with jsmith’s summer session with the dream. spending maybe a week or two or maybe even a month isn’t enough time to develop a great back to the basket game. jsmith has never had any low post moves so to think a couple of hours even with one of arguably the most creative offensive players on the block is laughable.

hopefully he learned some tips on developing footwork and maybe some other nifty things… but results are not going to be seen for quite some time.

aj: what gives on smith. it’s all about perspective. he creates nicely for the hawks on the break. he’s gotten off to a rough start this year, but his ability to create and start the break on his own is what makes him special. to ask him to stop doing that wouldn’t be very smart imo. as for his shot selection. you say he could get himself in a better position. i say the offense usually dictates where he ends up being. we all know jsmith has his faults, but he’s the most gifted athlete the hawks have and his skills are slowly developing. maybe not as fast as you would like but they are and once they do he’s going to be a helluva player. not that he isnt’ one already.

By William

November 5, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

PLEASE JOIN CLUBHAWKS.com!!!

Come talk about your hawks 24/7 while getting daily news and rumors.

By mykhalc

November 5, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

nice interview with HORFORD on NBATV. they showed clips of when his pops was playin’. he was havin’ a good laugh ‘cause he had never seen ‘em!! he was dyin’ about the uni’s and his pops hairstyle!!LOL

By curious

November 5, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe If he took his butt near the goal, he wouldn’t be so wide open. And that APG stat isn’t so sad. 15th is right at average so 17th isn’t far from the median. You obviously didn’t understand my point. The Hawks 3pgs combined avg 6apg. Their combined total is 17th in the NBA for individual pgs. That is an amazing stat. Guess what for three yrs JS has been standing in the corner. Maybe that is the offense not JS’s fault. How can you watch these games and not see that. Marvin and Chill are stuck in the corner also. Also, if he is hogging the ball. How can he be getting the ball passed to him with no time on the clock. He isn’t passing it to himself. Everyone on this blog can see who holds the ball and slows down this team. It isn’t him. I will agree with you on one thing. He does need to stop pushing the ball because he makes poor decisions on those fastbreaks. Maybe if you have ever played you would notice that his teammates run with him. Watch the game and see who runs with Tlue or Aj. Acie should be playing. He is going to make rookie mistakes. But at least he can play on both ends of the court. Whatever Tlue brings on offense he gives backs on defense. He also causes his big men to get in foul trouble. The Hawks big men get fouls against guards not their own man. 6 apg combined for three guards and you think that is ok. Please tell me you misunderstood the statement.

By Ken Strickland

November 6, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

MYKHALC, you are correct. However, ALaw is a rookie and this is only his 2nd gm as a pro. I wouldn’t have burdened him with shutting down Billups in crunch time and running the OFF as well, so early in the season. The truth is they beat us with their guards. Hamilton hurt us until he fouled out, and then Bullips took over. Playing West on Billups would have allowed Law to concentrate on running the OFF and attacking Billups. TPrince, who would have guarded JJ at SF, had been unable to handle him on the wing on switch offs. MWilliams played Billups very well, and didn’t foul him. However, West’s superior quickness and agility may have prevented Billups from penetrating in the first place. Marvin shouldn’t have been placed in that situation anyway.

ANDO, I agree with you on the comments being simular to last yr. However, whether we want to admit it or not, the expectations behind those comments are totally different. Last yr the team started the season playing above its head, and we knew it. We knew the bubble would burst, just didn’t know when. This yr, we know this team is not playing above its head. In fact, most of us expect they will get better, especially if Woody improves his decision making and reigns in JSmith.

I would start ALaw and let him get his feet wet early. That way what ever mistakes he makes won’t be as critical to the team and can be corrected during the gm. Let him know that offensively he should relax and play the 4th qtr just like the 1st. Defensively, he should take it up a notch. In fact, he should instill that philosophy in all of the players including himself, from a coaching perspective.

By BigMan

November 6, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

Trade both the Joshes before being stuck with max contracts!

By smartguy

November 6, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

Great post, Samuel. Same coach, same song and dance, same losing. The guy has no ability to adjust on the fly, and I’m just not sure he’s that smart in the first place. I really, really want to see the Hawks do well, but Woody can’t get out of his own way….

By RBattle

November 6, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

I agree wholeheartedly with Sekou, Let Acie Law make mistakes until he gets better. It’s the hawks best chance to win. The tempo is much better with the ball in his hands. i hope coach Woodson realizes this before it,s to late.

By Astro Joe

November 6, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

curious, that’s my point, he does not have to assume responsibility for being open, especially in an area that is clearly outside of his shooting range. Would we want Horford or Zaza receiving the ball 20 feet from the basket, just so that someone is open to heave up a shot as the clock expires? Of course not. And yes, some of this is coaching. But its also about playing within your limits. And Smith seems to believe that his skills are without limits. He needs to stop reading blog posts from his adoring fans and take a look at how guys like Luol Deng went from an average offensive player in his first 2 years to a consistent 18-20 point scorer last year. Look at his 3 point attempts in each of his first 3 seasons. Do the research and tell me why it would be so bad if Smith focused on his mid-range game.

Abe, I hear you but would you rather have on the wing in a fast break situation, Smith or a PG? I vote for Smith. Pass the ball close to mid-court and fill a lane. If Smith-led fast breaks have a 50% success rate and PG-led fast breaks have a 75% success rate, then how would you coach Smith when he grabs that rebound? I’d tell him that somewhere between the opposing team’s top of the key and the half-court line, he needs to pass the ball forward and fill a lane to receive the pass to finish the play.

By HawksBeat.com

November 6, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

PEER PRESSURE. I love this idea. It’s time for Joe AND Marvin, as well as the vets, to pressure JS into playing within the system.

I think this sets up for some bad chemistry though. You’ve got a young kid with a bad attitude trying to get paid and 14 other guys trying to play within the team concept to win. Something’s got to give.

By MsDee

November 6, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Woodson needs to bench JS when he gets out of control with turnovers, exp in the 4th quarter. Woodson has known JS for 4 years now, and he knows JS gets carried away at times..why not sit him down, calm him down and then put him back in..Dont keep him out there to embarrass himself or the team by making bad mistakes after a 9 pt lead. Woodson needs to be smart also.

By dbell

November 6, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

IS SALIM GONNA GET AN OPPURTUNITY TO SHINE IN HIS 3rd YEAR< AS A NEW MATURE and confident player? I hate woodson. and i do give AC law props, but your PG needs ASSISTS, 11,0,2 good game for a rookie though..

By kevin

November 6, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

There must be someone who worked on Paul Westhead’s or Doug Moe’s former staff that the Hawks can consult with. The pace we need is right between where they played and where we currently play. Also, Law can become an Isiah Thomas type player/on-court warrior… if we don’t stifle his growth and aggression.

By HB Ando

November 6, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Yeah, the idea that Smith leading the break is a good thing represents a poor understanding of basketball. Decision makers, ball handlers and spot-up shooters lead the break. Finishers fill the lane and finish. Smith minimizes his strengths by leading the break, and he reduces the likelihood of the team converting the opportunity, because he’s a turnover or missed jumper, waiting to happen.

You don’t see Shawn Marion leading the break in Phoenix do you?

There’s a good reason for that (and it’s not just because Nash is the PG).

And this chicken or the egg argument, about whether it’s Smith’s fault for hanging on the perimeter, or Woody’s fault for putting him there. I think you have a test of wills here. You can’t MAKE Smith go inside. You can TAKE him out of the game, for not listening, but then you don’t have your best athlete on the floor.

It appears to me to be a Catch-22. He’s too valuable to take out, with the goal of teaching him to follow the coaches’ directions. And as long as that’s the case, he’s either going to do what ever he wants, or he’s not going to learn (or he really isn’t smart enough to understand that his stubbornness is hampering his development and his teams’ success).

What’s ironic is that 2 years ago he said he wanted to pattern his game after AK47. And it looks like he is, in both the best and the worst ways. Both players are game changers, with defense, passing and hustle stats. And both players want to be something they’re unlikely to ever be, as shooters/scorers. Both continue to resist this reality to the detriment of their teams’ potential. It looks like they’ve got AK in check, in Utah. But it’s easier there, because they have enough talent that they CAN make a statement to him, by limiting his time and touches, and still winning.

We don’t have the luxury here. It’s clear that we need “stubborn, bad hoops IQ, I’m gonna show everybody I’m worth a max-extension Josh” more than we need “sit down and watch until you start making consistent, good decisions, within the framework of the offense and the role we’ve defined for you, Josh).

The truth is that this franchise is too desperate to convince folks that they are legitimate, now, to approach this situation with long-term improvement in mind.

He’s simply a kid who doesn’t listen, and for whom there are no repercussions. I still think, in today’s NBA, he gonna get paid, and, based on the market place, rightfully so. But I’d sure like to see him play for somebody he’d be willing to take direction from. It clearly isn’t Woody (who is in far too much of a lame duck position, no matter what he says, or even feels, about the situation).

By G Money

November 6, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Jeez, what’s with the smash JS rhetoric? I’m really confused. Since whend did anyone on this blog have a clue what Woody’s offensive plays have been? Since when did any one of you look at the play book or stand in the huddle during crunch time? It’s ignorant to believe that if Woody didn’t want JS standing in the corner, he couldn’t insist he be elsewhere. Come on. Do you really believe that JS tells Woody what to do?

Clearly the man isn’t capable of hitting the 3 pointer consistently. But clearly, if JJ’s tied up, there is no one else stepping out to take the shot. That’s a coaching problem.

Additionally, if the coach has everyone standing around and the defense has packed it in, there is no interior space to be occupied. Interior room comes from moving one of their bigs to another area of the court. If we don’t penetrate and dish or have some kind of motion offense, the middle is going to stay clogged - no room fellas down low. Otherwise, he goes in and it’s called “charging”. That’s a foul. Wake up people.

Next, if it weren’t for JS’s defense, the Hawks interior presence would be sorely limited. ZaZa plays crap for defense. Zen is not existent. Shelden jumps high enough to slip a piece of paper under his feet. JS plays the help defense that keeps guards who’ve broken down TLue from scoring. Get a tape and watch it again. As someone wrote earlier, it’s the offensive sets and lack of knowledge of what to do with bigs on offense.

By ray

November 6, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

If you’re going to start the break as well as run it, then you need to be both a good decision-maker and finisher. Josh is a much, much better finisher than he is a decision-maker. Having Law in the game more should solve this problem. Law gives Josh someone to pass the ball to.

When Josh takes the ball up the floor, he seems to forget that it’s 2-on-2, 3-on-2, or whatever…not 1-on-however many defenders. He only seems to remember this if someone gets out in front or to the side of him. Problem is so many guys can’t catch up or keep up with him. Horford can, which is why he was on the receiving end of a couple of Josh’s fast break leads against the Mavs. And oddly enough, Horford (being a rookie and all) has a better natural knack for running the entire break. His handles are better.

As far as pure offense goes, I blame Woody and Josh for his woes. He knows (one would hope he knows) that his perimeter shot is nothing to brag about…by far. I can’t see Woody telling him to go out there and jack up a pile of 3s and 20-foot jumpers. Just can’t see it. You may want to belittle what he did in the offseason with Olajuwon…but how can you look at this and NOT expect to see at least some attempt at putting those lessons into practice?

Yes, it takes time to develop a back-to-the-basket game. But to get there, you have to try again and again. I saw Josh try a couple of times early on against the Mavs. After that, he went right back to that awful clanger of a jumper. That’s why he’s still shooting less than 30 percent.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

G Money, ain’t that the truth. i have YET to figure out what kinda play they are tryin’ to run????!!!??? the ONLY ONE i KNOW for sure is when HORFORD is at the top of the key lookin’ for a cutter along the baseline. ANYTHIN’ else, i’m CLUELESS!!! and of course, the JJ clear out!! i would luv to see the playbook!! then on the other hand it might look like the books from PLEASANTVILLE!!!! (for those that know the movie)

time for the ACIE rant…

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

SEKOU, it would be great if you could give us some insight into what sets WOODSON works on most in practice. i don’t know if that would be disclosin’ things you are prohibited from statin’ but any insight would be appreciated. or even the answer to the question, where does WOODSON ‘generally’ want/have JS durin’ the offensive sets?? again, any insight you feel comfortable sharin’ would help us immensely.

By JerryWest

November 6, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Don’t overwhelm Smoove with too many changes. Bold:** Lets go 1 thing at a time.

Like for todays game let him just learn to give the ball to the PG as soon as he gets the defensive rebound. **

By dribbling the ball he not only takes the best finisher in the league out of ally-oop finishes, the defense already knows there won’t be any stop and pop. Let our PGs do their job and minimize turnovers.

By Volman

November 6, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Ray, I agree with what you said.

I think one of the main reasons Smoove went back to shooting jumpers in the Detroit game was because of who he had guarding him. I remember earlier on in the game when Josh went past Maxiel, but Maxiel rose up and threw Smith’s shot into the front row. I think that took away Smoove’s confidence and he might have thought “hey, I can’t take this guy to the rim. He jumps as high as me”…which I don’t think is totally the case.

I would like to see Acie start at point, immediately. Things just run better with him out there. He doesn’t pound the ball for 20 seconds and shoot a jumper like Lue does.. He penetrates, creates offense, and dishes to others. I love how he plays.

And for the love, josh Smith, please stop handling the ball on fast breaks. Horford can do that because he makes great decisions, but when has Josh Smith all of a sudden become mr. ball handler? He doesn’t have handles, and I doubt he will.

Let’s get away from NJ with a win tonight, guys!

Go Hawks.

By ScoobySnacks

November 6, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

You know the game on Sunday and everything people have said here still leaves me hopeful. All the “problems” the Hawks had the other night are fixable fairly quickly. Correcting those little errors and this is a very dangerous team. Deadly even.

By G Money

November 6, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Volman, Jerry, Mykh, I agree with you all. I believe that JS and the Hawks have a bright future ahead of them. JS is in need of an offensive role but so is everyone else besides JJ. I absolutely love Acie and believe that if he were given the reigns, he’d figure out the roles pretty quickly. He just seems to have a high basketball IQ. I just have to believe that all the pieces are going to finally fit together this year, and we’re in for some exciting basketball (as long as everyone remains healthy).

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

i just wanna say as much as we disect the team, JS’ issues, and the loss on sunday, we definitely gotta remember that DET is tough, especially defensively. really probably NO BETTER TEAM in the league in that category!! so YOUNG GUNS are steppin’ up, NO DOUBT!!!

and personally i would luv to see backdoor screens setup for JS for lob passes. WOODSON really does need to look at him like a ‘KENYON MARTIN’ type and run those type of plays for him. that’s a NO BRAINER!!! and if WOODSON really has JS out on the 3 pt line in most/a lot of sets then….well i guess that would be typical WOODSON!!!

ACIE….(rant stays on until he starts)…

By jerryWest

November 6, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

With NJ’s weak front line, today is the day JS should show of his much hyped new post up game that he picked up from guru Hakeem this summer.

No more 3s please.

By Eric

November 6, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

I think it begins with point guard play. The starting point guard sets the tone for the entire game. Lue is not a fast break point guard - he holds the ball way too long. Compare this to Law who always keeps the ball moving, rather it’s in his hands or he’s passing it on to the next man. Law is also a great penetrator, Lue is not. Lue is a good, yet streaky, jump shooter but Law has him beat in every other category. Setting up a play is fine, but this will not win the Hawks games on a consistent basis. They need to run, run, run.

By jerrywest

November 6, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

The way Acie is penetrating at will, and the way he is shooting, he can average 15+ easily, if he is given the freedom.

By honest_abe

November 6, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

ok maybe i didn’t get my point across. i’m not saying jsmith is the ideal person to lead the break. but he when gets that rebound he is usually ahead of any pg that we have. sure i’d like to see jsmith finishing instead of distributing but when he gets down the floor faster than our pg’s you have a dilemna. it’s not like i want to see him do it all the time, but i still like seeing josh igniting the break by himself.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

ABE, the only dilemma IMO is that the PG will ‘just’ have to make a longer pass. if JS has beaten everyone else down court, after havin’ put the ball in the ‘right’ person’s hand, then that should just put him in a scorin’ position earlier. make the PG be responsible for makin’ the play. and of course, i’m talkin’ about when the PG or a CHILS has/can make themselves available to run the break, which should be the majority of the time.

By cp

November 6, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

I like Josh Smith but as I said before someone realy needs to sit down with him and explain that he doesnt need to take so many 3’s.. Whoever brought up Deng has a great point. I would rather see Josh taking mid range shots than a bunch of 3’s.. Sometimes I think Josh ignites the fast break because for the past few years we really havent had a pg who could do that. We have one now but Woody needs to play him. Let Law learn from his mistakes. Too often Woody takes out a rookie after a mistake. That in thus has the rookie looking over his shoulder after every mistake… GIVE LAW THE BALL and let him learn and become that pg we have sorely needed.. I think we can beat New Jersey if we cut down on our turnovers. I think we can easily out rebound them but we have to limit our turnovers so they wont start their fast break.. I would love to see Salim finally get some burn.

By North Ave Pimp

November 6, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Woodson is Terrible, Acie Law is ready to play now, he isn’t a 19 yr old rookie. How did this coach make it this long ?

By Ramon

November 6, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

I’ve read all of the comments and bashing. I’m just curious as to how most are forming such strong opinions about JS after only TWO GAMES!!! Please name one all star in the league who doesn’t have a few bad games in a row shooting wise.

I’ve seen many games where even Ray Allen shot less than 30% for 3-4 games straight. Someone said you don’t see Marion leading the break, however at times Amare has lead the break. And not only that, you don’t see Marion playing with slow PGs who can’t keep up to LEAD the break.

Also, everyone talks about he should be down in the post, but what post player have you seen dominate the Pistons? The only thing that stopped the Pistons from a championship series, was King Lebron.

Last season, when JJ was hurt, it was this same ‘out of control’ JS who made the Hawks look somewhat of a pro team instead of the Yellow Jackets B-Team.

Ms. Dee, I usually love your opinion on things. However, your idea of benching JS when you have no idea what Woody is telling him, nor do you know if it is just ‘pressure’ that he’s fighting through to perform is interesting. JS only had a couple of three point attempts against Detroit, and he turned the ball over by trying to MAKE something happen, while others in the offense turned the ball over (shot clock violations) by WAITING until something happens against a defense like the Pistons. If you take JS out, watch how many points in the paint is scored against the Hawks. If you noticed, the Pistons scored the most points when JS was on the bench to start the 4th quarter.

Also, even Flip Saunders stated when they were pressing the break (JS), the Pistons were very uncomfortable and concerned with it. It would be nice for JS to cut back on turnovers, however as it was stated the same night over 3-4 ALL STARS had just as many turnovers if not more from trying to make a play.

At least give JS 5-7 games before crucifying him, and see whats going on after then.

By jerrywest

November 6, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Who is crucifying him?

Smoove is awesome.

We are just trying to cut down on his uncoached bad habits.

All his mistakes are easily correctable. Not hard at all. He just has to want to do them.

This team will make a hyper-leap as soon as he makes that mental adjustment.

By Omnihawk

November 6, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

I don’t like seeing Josh Smith handling the ball either, but right now we don’t have any choice. But as soon as Speedy Claxton gets back, all the pieces will come together.

By JerryWest

November 6, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

When JSmoove gets a defensive rebound under the basket, the PG is around the perimeter ahead of Smoove. There is no way Smoove could outrun the PG at that time. The coach needs to drill that in his brain.

He is the best finisher in the NBA. Get the alley-oop and make the all-star team.

By jhan

November 6, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Ever wonder why JS is getting the ball with 5 seconds left on the shot clock? Do you think that is the play Woodson drew up?

I’m no expert but have to think someone/somebody is not doing their job for the previous 19 seconds.

I’m no Woodson fan, but if you guys really think he designs plays to give our worst outside shooter the ball with 5 seconds on the clock you are seriously nuts.

By JerryWest

November 6, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Woody’s favorite play:

Lue walks up the ball and pounds it for 20 seconds and then pass it to Josh Smith standing outside the 3 point line. With 3 seconds left in the clock, Smoove throws up a jumper that touches nothing but net.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

JHAN, ACIE rant is still on!!!LOL

and with you bein’, ‘he who has great season seats’, i’ll listen intently!!!!LOL

but seriously, what’s your take of what they are TRYIN’ to do offensively in the half-court sets??? thanks man…and i’ll throw that out to VOLMAN too.

By MsDee

November 6, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Ramon, I hear/read what u are saying but all I said was sit JS, talk to him/calm him down a little and put him back in..I never said leave him out a quarter or so..Its just that he gets a little too hyper and confused at times trying to do too much. I love the guy, dont get me wrong, he just needs some TLC every now and again!!

By G Money

November 6, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Ms. Dee, you’re right. JS needs some TLC. He doesn’t seem to have a role on the offensive end and is trying to create something, at times ill-advised, but trying to create none the less. If anyone should read the Nets.com site, you’ll find that RJefferson stated that the motion offense that Frank added this year has really helped him score more. He’s not standing around as much anymore. Wow! Doesn’t that sound appropriate for us as a half court set supplement. By the way, Vince Carter is shooting 31% for the first two games. Maybe Frank should bench him too.

By Knickerbocker

November 6, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

People need to lay off Josh Smith a bit. I see him as an immensely talented but at the same time flawed player. To me, he is like watching Jeff Francouer with the Braves.

Smoove and Frenchy are both immensely talented and can wow you with their skills and their tremendous natural abilities but then break your heart the next go around.

You just got to be patient with both as young players and take the good with the bad. We’re lucky to have both in this city.

Just as Frenchy just won his first Gold Glove, Smoove can win Defensive accolades as well if he sets his mind to it in the next year or two.

Josh’s electrifying dunks are like Frenchy’s homers.

Josh’s poor range on his shot are like Frenchy’s poor AVG and poor OBP two years ago.

Josh’s turnovers are like Frenchy’s strikeouts ……. I suspect you might just have to accept that Josh and Frenchy will always somewhat be turnover and strikeout machines based upon how they play the game

Just look at what Frenchy did when he was 22 and ask will Josh Smith do any different when he is 22? But isn’t that more than okay anyway?

Hopefully, when Josh is 23 years old like Frenchy was this season, he can improve his outside game the way Frenchy improved his AVG and OBP.

Hopefully, he can also be an all league defensive player when he is 23 like Frenchy was this season with his Gold Glove.

As both get older and become more well rounded in their games, they can then explode and become what we want and expect them to be.

But we should not be in a hurry to make them what we and they want to be.

Josh SMith should also not be in a hurry to become what we and he both envision him becoming either. Hard to say that though when he is looking for a payday.

Josh Smith would do well to take a lesson from the career progression of Frenchy.

For now, as a fan, just enjoy Frenchy and Smoove for who they are and what they are ….. beautiful wild stallions you can’t take your eyes off of ….. don’t be in such a hurry to break them and ride them

By curious

November 6, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

I’m no Woodson fan, but if you guys really think he designs plays to give our worst outside shooter the ball with 5 seconds on the clock you are seriously nuts. Jhan, that is a great point so why has it been happening for 3 years. Don’t you think the coaching staff should make some type of adjustment. It is not only Josh. Marvin and Chill are in the same spots on offense.Astro Joe Funny, how you neglectd to respond about all of pgs combined avg 6apg. Everyone on this blog knows all of our three offensive plays. I think that speaks for itself.

By honest_abe

November 6, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

jhan: not nuts. during the 4th quarter the hawks will go through the motion for the better part of the 24 shot clock. then try to iso jj on the wing. if he gets doubled thats when he passes the ball. sorry but that’s the play. why do you think everyone hates woody so much?

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

RANT OFF!!!!!!!

By doc

November 6, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

is there a remote for that myk, you know rant on and rnat off? if so let me know where you hid it good buddy. nice idea knick.

josh, is just learning to play the game folks and you got to be patient or be crazy.

By doc

November 6, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

ouch, only in the third period, suns up by 30 over the bobcats with amare on the bench.

By curious

November 6, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

It is halftime and our pgs don’t have an assist. JS has 4 and JJ has 2. THAT’S ALL THE ASSISTS FOR THE TEAM.

By doc

November 6, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

curious it is part of the design and a new concept for the nba. we are out to prove one doesnt need a point guard. doubt it will work.

By A-ville Ranger

November 6, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith has to get smarter with his shots for this team to be a factor.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

DOC, don’t hide my remote bro. i’ll probably need it if SPEEDY shows back up.LOL

By Glutton for Punishment

November 6, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

STOP WITH ALL THE FREEKING JUMP SHOTS !!!

By Adam

November 6, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

You know what’s hard to do? Get pounded on the glass, not have a single PG make an assist, shoot 37% - and win.

By Murphy

November 6, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

what is it with Woodson man? Does this guy practice offense at all. All the hawks do is stand around. There is no movement at all. What happen to the run and Gun?

By doc

November 6, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

20 point spread for points in the paint. need i say more. it is like the difference between scoring on making four footers vs ten footers on the golf course.

where is my big man?

By doc

November 6, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

murphy they are going to win with defense bro.

By A-ville Ranger

November 6, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Well our young pg has 9 turnovers and 0 assist in the last 2 games.What he is right now is a sg….and not a very good one.

By doc

November 6, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

GFP, you going to be there tomorrow?

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

gotta say this and then go vote…without seein’ the boxscore i thought JS played a good game. his shot selection was much better, even the 3’s didn’t seem so WTF…know what i’m sayin’!!

and i really looked at the half-court sets and they actually have motion!!! but it’s sooooooo outta sync that it hardly ever develops into anythin’ productive, no points!!

it’s nice when the votin’ place is right next door to your bldg!!!

By jlewis

November 6, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Sekou:

I love reading you man, but this is ridiculous, maybe you’re too close to the team everyday, however, someone should call for Woodson’s job, this man is a terrible coach. I know many of us are fans, but some of us actually know something about the game. Billy Knight has assembled some talent in ATL, everyone in the league knows it, but Woodson is coaching these guys like they are the Detroit Pistons.

Additionally, does Ty Lue have pictures or something? Woodson is playing him at the end of games and he is an obvious defensive liability, no quickness or height. WHAT HAPPENED to this uptempto game, ATL has walked the ball up the court against teams that don’t want to run, as a matter of fact, they are killing the Hawks in fastbreak points. Woodson needs to be fired now before these guys lose their confidence, the fans already have no confidence in Woodson.

By Murphy

November 6, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

yo doc. I aint got a prob with there defense but they have to score sometime. The majority of there shots except for the end of the 4th were with 6 seconds or less on the clock and all of the shots were bad with someone in their face. Woodson has to start running better offensive plays.

By JerryWest

November 6, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Law’s turnovers: 2 of Law’s turnovers were 100% Horfy and Smoove’s faults. 1 turnover happened for Kidd’s guile who took a smart charge. 1 turnover - Acie’s fault.

By doc

November 6, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

murph he spends sooo much time on the notion of defense that they forget to score the ball and move the ball around the perimeter. dont matter how much thet do on defense if they cant slow folks coming to get easy buckets inside then it is an uphill ride.

samuel, you see the complete game our boy had? solid numbers across the board including 3 blocks, not bad for a guy billed as a defensive liability.

By Clyde

November 6, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY t-shirts are still available.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By reese

November 6, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Again, I have to say that the mindset of the key players and coach are not up tempo. The mentallity of these players is to revert back to the slow down game. OK, Acie Law starts. Yet, Tlue is in the game during crunch time.

MyKhalc, did you notice that Jason Kidd had Josh Smith type numbers (6 turnovers and entries in every positive offensive category). Including a key block of the slow shooting Tlue.

The Good: Josh Smith ignores all of you who tells him to quit shooting and leads the team in scoring, assist, rebounds, steals and blocked shots. If this is not enough to keep you guys quite, I don’t know what else the kid has to do. Childress finally shows some life on the scoring end.

The Bad: Joe Johnson not getting more than 25 points and not shooting more or getting any steals/blocks. Face it Joe, if you don’t score 25 or more points, this team will have a hard time winning. Additionally, you need to do something else to impact the game. Only 68 field goals attempted. Shelden Williams doesn’t score a single point and fouls Magloire while Josh Smith is waiting to take a charge. 71% from the free throw line as a team. Woodson’s lie about playing an up tempo game, no motion on the offensive, not trapping on defensive, no zones on defense, no attempt to play salim or solomon and no difference in the defensive or offensive schemes from last year.

Ray, your correct that some people will never understand the impact of not have any quality big men 6’11 or taller that are athletic.

HB Ando, go back to sunday’s blog and read my rebuttal to your fast break 101.

By Murphy

November 6, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

doc i agree with you. I just hope that he can address this tonight or tomorrow morning cause phoenix is gonna try to do to us what they did to the bobcats tomorrow

By doc

November 6, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

yeah reese, same ole same ole.

By Ramon

November 6, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Reese, don’t forget Smoove lead the team in 3PT percentage for the night as well.

By ray

November 6, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

I see Josh filled the stat sheet again (incredible) and still didn’t manage to shoot well (but neither did JJ or anyone else). I see we lost to a team that’s generally not as tough as Detroit is.

I see people are blindly believing in every single thing Josh Smith does (or whoever your favorite on-his-jock-for-the-month player). I see we’re having the same arguments we’ve had last year: bashing each other because our favorite idolized player was criticized for something we all know they damn well did or didn’t do. I see a bad slide coming if we don’t either beat Phoenix (yet another tough task)or the team we play right after them. And I see all the excuses from everybody (coaches, players, bloggers) for every mounting loss as they happen…the same excuses for lack of size, lack of pg play, lack of coaching, lack of this, lack of that…I see it.

God, I hope I’m f#@king blind, because I don’t like what I see.

And no I’m not panicking after 3 games. I just see some of the same crap on the court and on this blog that I’ve seen for three years. Can’t help getting a sickening sense of deja vu trying to creep up on me. Hope I’m feeling a lot different after 20 games or so.

Ando and Doc, I’ll be waiting on an alcoholic reach out and touch. Keepin’ the phone next to me.

By ray

November 6, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Sigh

By reese

November 6, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Good catch Ramon.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

RESSE, there is a LOTTA difference between how KIDD commits his TO’s compared to JS!! A LOT!!! if SMOOVE had 5 TO’s and were the result of attempted execution JKIDD style then you would not hear me complain one bit!!! again, JS’ TO’s typically happen makin’ the same type of bad decisions ‘repeatedly’…ie. bein’ outta control, tryin’ to do to much with his handles, etc. i know you know what i’m sayin’!!

but notice too, that the first thing i did tonite was give JS his props. i just looked at the boxscore and he had a very good game, no doubt. i thought he brought smart, controlled energy. his shot selections were on-point and he made a couple of nice moves to the rim. he picked his spots real nicely tonite!!! like i said, real good game!! i hope he brings it like that against PHO too!!

i’m glad ACIE got to start and run with the 1st unit tonite. i thought he played KIDD solidly and again did not look overwhelmed. of course, no assists was not good but that was not all on him. i’ll easily take his growin’ pains !!

the biggest thing that stood out was how they just DO NOT KNOW how run ANY KINDA MOTION with any kinda timin’ AT ALL in their half-court sets!!! i know some of that is just them learnin’ to play with one another but still, their rhythm just ain’t happenin’ there.

well it gets NO EASIER with PHO rollin’ in!!!

i’ll be curious to see if WOODSON puts AJ back in tomorrow!!???!!!??

By cp

November 6, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Very frustrating game. Again I see no adjustments by Woodson. I dont see any kind of movement with our offense. People just stand around and wait for someone to make a play. More pounding the ball than moving it and getting good shots.. Lue is still getting torched on d yet Woodson keeps him in. Marvin was playing great before all the fouls yet we dont run any plays for him or attempt to get him the ball. Matter of fact he started off good but Woodson took him out the game. Our offense stalled again yet no sight of Stoudamire. I really dont see what it would hurt to put this kid in for a few minutes when we have a hard time scoring.. Horford was playinig some good ball but Woody takes him out and puts in Sheldon who does absolutely nothing. We dont have many shooters on this team but the one who can provide some spark never gets in.. I guess Woody was just playing when he said we would run more. I know its only game 3 but im already seeing the same crap Ive seen the last few years. I dont see Woody making it past the Xmas break if he doesnt draw some type of plays up . I mean something because right now I dont think we have any offensive sets what so ever.

By mykhalc

November 6, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

and just to be clear…by motion i mean curls. ‘cause that’s about all they ran tonite. WOODSON’s idea of motion ‘seems’ to be ONE PERSON movin’ at a time!!! heaven forbid, 2 players movin’ at the same time…they’d probably run into each other!!!

By THE Hawks Fan

November 7, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

This TEAM is right there. 3 of the best teams in the league and about 9 AllStars in 5 days. 1 and 2 is about right where we should be. This team is playing HARD! They went a little flat tonight in the 3rd quarter but they will get a second wind about 8:30 pm tomorrow night. Coach Woodson has been leaning on his starters alot like he should against these Heavywieghts. I luv the fact we had to play these teams at the start like this. It will be paying off the rest of the year. Now come on home and Lets BLAZEEEE the Suns! GOOOO Hawkksssss!!!!

By reese

November 7, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Mykhalc, I guess I was typing while you were posting.

Woodson told us that the hawks would play up tempo and shoot more 3 point shots. The biggest difference tonight with Josh SMith’s 3pt shot selection is that he made the shot.

Right now, it seems that Marvin, Josh S, Josh C, Horford and Shelden are all having problems scoring consistently in the paint. A lot of their shots are being blocked or altered and we have a lot of offensive charges because teams are packing the paint with defensive players. Teams do this because we haven’t proven that we can consistently make the outside shots.

Toronto played New Jersey and made 13 of 22 3pt shots. Dwight Howard praises the play of Rashad Lewis because he can hit the 3pt shot which opens up the lane for him. Chris Paul has 7 assist in 15 minutes of the first half tonight because he penetrates and kicks the ball out to shooters that are hitting the outside shot.

Since we don’t have any superstars, we are going to have to get bonzi wells type production out of Marvin, childress, shelden and horford. Wells had 14 pts and 15 rebounds. We need to stop being happy when at least 2 or 3 of our players are not getting double doubles. We need to have 6 to 7 players in double figures. We need for our guards to be the leader in steals and assists instead of our power forward and center. Maybe thats why they seem to be the ones dribbling on fast breaks. If the pattern continues that our bigs are getting steals, then our guards better be filling the lanes and finishing.

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

oh yeah, JS made a conscious effort to get the ball outta his hands after rebs, into the guards hands for fast breaks!!! someone was definitely in his ear, he listened, and he executed. WELL DONE!!!

By reese

November 7, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

MyKhalc, tonight we had 13 fast break pts with josh passing the ball to the point. We had 13 fast break pts in our win on friday. What progress did we make.

Tlue lead a fast break tonight and there were 4 defensive players who passed by him and then he threw the ball off of JJ’s legs.

I’m sure Josh felt he could do better. I even watched Dirk Nowitski lead a 3 on 2 fast break against Houston on Sunday night. Face guys, the point guard will not always be the one leading a fast break. Get out of the woodson mentallity and get into a fast paced attack that can utilize any one of our guards, forwards or centers leading or finishing. Finishing can be a dunk, a layup, a short jumper or a 3pt shot.

Good night!!!!

By HB Ando

November 7, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

Reese, I saw your “break” post. Problem is that I kind of personify your “all the same size” perspective.

Truth is that from about 20 years old, and on, I played in every top tier league in Atlanta. And, at 6’5, I could pretty much play any position on the court. So I’m not feeling your point about letting JS just run it out. From college on, my best friend in the world was a true PG. Transferred from Georgia to Georgia State, back in about ‘86, and immediately blew out his ACL (first of 3, that’s THREE, total ACL’s). Point is that I was viewed, around the best leagues in Atlanta, as a guy who could run the break, or fill the lane. But my bro made it clear to me that it wasn’t about my ability to lead the break, 3 on 2, 2 on 1. It was about the reality that we’d convert a higher percentage, as a team, if I kicked it to him, off the glass, and filled the lane. Good as I was at making the right decision, from the point of the break, or pulling up and knocking down the 15-22 foot jumper, if the defense collapsed on the wings, it was never the optimal play, as I was still a better finisher, from the wing, and my bro was a better decision maker, from the top of the key, whether that was dumping it to the slashing wing, or pulling up for the 50% play from college range.

This discussion is subtle stuff. It’s not black or white. You made a point out of referring back to your old squads. So, since I never saw you guys play, I can’t hate on how good you were. But I can tell you, with no uncertainty, that I played in just about every AA level league, in this city, for the last 20.

And as much as I was proud that I could run the break, from the middle, I can only be honest in saying that I was always more valuable, to my team, when I made the outlet pass to the guy who knew how and when to dump it off to me when I slashed to either block, for the finish.

It’s not about whether you can or cant’ run the middle of the break. It’s nothing more than if that’s what’s best for you team.

Smoove, leading the break from the middle, is just bad business. He ain’t Magic. He’s a long, athletic wing, who has suspect handle. And just because he can pretend to run the middle of the break, doesn’t mean that’s a smart play.

1-2. Gonna be 1-3 after tomorrow night. Even without Amare. You’ll beat your head against the wall if you think this is a .500 ball club.

But this is America, so do what you gotta do.

By Clyde

November 7, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this

We have been saying the same ole thing for 3 years and nothing has changed.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this

ANDO, tasty my man. you said it better than i could and got some hilites in too!!!LOL

you, DOC, and JHAN have a blast at the PHO game tomorrow!! i’ll be lookin’ forward to your breakdown!!

NBALP is a beautiful thing!!!!

By reese

November 7, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this

HB Ando, although I was only 6’0 tall I played power forward. My new coach initially preached the same approach about feeding the ball to the point guard and filling the lane. Well the problem was that I ran a 4.2 40 yard dash, could dunk a basketball and could rebound with the best of them. During 1 summer league game, my new coach wasn’t there and we were coached by a coach I had when I was younger.

We were playing a team that we had never beaten before during the regular season. I grabbed a rebound, beat everyone down court and made a layup. During the next dead ball, the coach called time out and said that he wanted me do the same thing each time I got a rebound. Now, I didn’t always get a layup, but I was able to push the pace and feed my teammates who were able to run with me. We won the game, I was tired and we changed the way we handled fast breaks.

I’m not saying that I was the best dribbler in the world, but I could dribble good enough to lead a fast break and pass the ball. We even had occasions where we ran fast breaks like the lakers where the ball never touched the floor until it was falling through the nets. And remember, James worthy not only finished a lot of the lakers fast breaks, but he lead some as well and passed to bryon scott or michael cooper who finished.

Now, I’m not saying that Josh needs to lead every fastbreak. I’m saying don’t set limitations on this young player and start making him think to much. I’m saying that I don’t see a mindset from Marvin, Childress, Tlue and JJ that indicates that they want to push the pace. Josh, Horford and Law are demonstrating that mindset.

Am I the only one who sees this and what will woodson do about it.

By A-ville Ranger

November 7, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this

I really wonder about Woodson sometimes.I saw where he said it was just a matter of time before Law forced his way to start.Am I off base or does a player force his coach to play him by his play ? Law had 5 turnovers and 0 assist against the Pistons,how is that impressive ? well tonight he lowered his turnovers by 1 and still had 0 assist….I guess he earned part ownership with this one.

By A-ville Ranger

November 7, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this

Reese I doubt there’s a player in the nba who could run a 4.2 40.That would make you a world class athlete or full of sh**,people can make up there minds which.

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this

REESE, i thought you had called it a nite.

like ANDO said, it’s not black or white. and since i KNOW that then i also know that there will be times when JS will run the break and even run it successfully. but it SHOULD NOT be the norm!! JS should be in the habit of givin’ it up and doin’ what he does best…FINISH at the rim!!! and again, i thought he did a real good job of doin’ that tonite.

you made a point of pointin’ out how many points came out of the fast breaks in the 2games. well my question would be how many TO’s did the team avoid by doin’ it the way they did it tonite???? no matter how much you believe in JS and his game, his game is on the short end when it comes to this debate…for real real!!!

the first 20 games are gonna be real interestin’. we’ll see if this team really can and will run. a lot of what i’m gettin’ is that the players are still playin’ tight ‘cause of how WOODSON coaches. they make a mistake and immediately are kinda lookin’ over their shoulder. defnitely CANNOT play freely like that!!!

it’s a young team and it shows. but the effort is there and gonna get better!!!

By smartguy

November 7, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this

Another bad game. Look, I think one of our main problems is that we have NO halfcourt offense. Half of the time, it is someone just taking a jumper, without even bothering to pass a few times. A lot of the time, it is Joe just shooting, with no motion and no passes, no symblance of an offense.

Either Woody’s halfcourt set stinks, or the players are incapable of effectively running his system(whatever that may be). Either way, the responsibility is on the head coach.

Again, third quarter problems. These ten point third quarters have been going on since Woody’s first year. This is now his fouth. He still hasn’t figured out the problem. The third quarter is a serious issue. How much longer does he get??

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger, ACIE is startin’ ‘cause he is the best PG in the mix. and as poorly as you see his stats to be, he made solid decisions in DET and NJ, shot the ball well in DET, which is what the defense gave him, and he played solid defense on 2 all-stars.

assists ARE NOT a single person thing!! assists happen when 2 or more people are on the same page. both have to read the defense the same or set the defense up with their individual yet in-sync movement, and create a passin’ lane from spaces within the defense. the exception to that is when one player might ‘lead’ another player with a pass. but still in that case, the receivin’ player has to be in sync enough to know that the pass is an option and to be ready!!! we saw that happen numerous times as KIDD directed his team thru eye contact and everythin’ else. in fact the perfect example was when the NJ coach put KIDD and CARTER back in for that one play with less than a second on the clock. he knew they seriously had a chance to pull off the inbounds play ‘cause of how they work off each other.

yeah bro, it ain’t nothin’ solo about assists!!!! and i’m not givin’ the rook a free pass. i just like what i see and how i think he gives the team the best skill at the position.

By kwooden1

November 7, 2007 6:00 AM | Link to this

I was extremely upset with the game last night and I hate to say this but I really had no problem with Woodson’s coaching. JJ played terrible for almost the entire game. He was getting beat to the hole (West played much better defense) and most of all was not aggressive on offensive. He did not hold position on his postups or use screens to get open. The Nets basically double teamed him everytime he got the ball and he either shot a jump shot or made a bad pass. Marvin was the only one aggressive on offensive. It doesn’t matter what offensive set you run if your not aggressive. They needed to come with a lot more energy. I’m a big Joe Johnson fan, and I know that he will bounce back. Marvin played well until he got into foul trouble and Childress played well most of the game. They definitely need AJ back to help out at PG, but I wouldn’t have miss the birth of my first child for anything either. I agree with everyone saying that JS should push the ball, because that is the best way to get a secondary break. Your not going to get a lot of fast break opportunities, except off turnovers. We need to push the ball to get open shots and open lanes during the secondary break. The one positive I’ve seen in all three games though, is they can play with anyone. As poorly as they played at times they stay in the game. (even won a game) If they come with energy tonight, rebound and cut down on the turnovers they can win. I guess I’m starting to believe the news clippings and expecting wins every night. Sorry for the optimism. GO Joe, hang 40 on Bell!!!! (No more free DirecTV, I guess I will be tracking the game on the internet!!!)

By doc

November 7, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this

a lot of words, gonna keep it short. is it woody’s fault or the teams fault it is overmatched underneath night in and night out AND before all get excited about the playoffs, seriously has there ever bee a team that has two rookies as starters got to the playoff?

the puzzle is how the management/organization keeps harping the same thing that this is a contender for the playoffs and have NOT spent a dime more than they HAVE to to make it one. the surprising thing is that so many smart people buy into it. what did barnum say about the public? kind of reminds me of what bush said about wmd’s that we bought hook line and sinker.

good team, good prospects, fun to watch, a lot of promise says it all for this season. i am going to enjoy it. smoove is a man coming into his own and the ONLY stud out there. shel and horford in back up doesnt quite get it yet though on the come.

By hawks-4-life

November 7, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

Whatever happen to bringing Law along slowly. He i sver talented but pgs have a longer learning curve than any other position in the NBA. This is evident by his zero assist and nine turnovers. I know everyone wanna get excited and play the guy and so do I but right now he need to come off the pine. Al is doing a fine job to me and he will only get better too. He does create an inside presence we never had before. JS is a shot blocker yes but his on ball defense in average best. JJ needs to step up right now instead of whinning about the team. This is the best he had since being in ATL but its his team and must step up. This team will live or die of his energy and performance. Only thing i can say about MW is wow, way to step it up and they called him a bust?

By 54oldhawkfan

November 7, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

WHERE IS SALIM???? For a team struggling for points, it makes no sense to me to keep a guy capable of scoring 37 points in an NBA game on the bench. Is Woodson stubborn or just stupid? Also, we keep hearing about this team running. If you want a running team in the NBA, you can not base your substitution patterns (or lack thereof) on who is playing the best defense. The best defenders are not usually your best offensive players.

By hawks-4-life

November 7, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Right now the general consensus is that we have a good team but coaching basically sucks.

By roan st

November 7, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Reese, you ran a 4.2 40? The fastest guy at the NFL combine this year ran a 4.33 and that was jerious norwood. Guys who run true 4.2 flats come along maybe once every decade. Neon deon could do it as well as darrell green. I don’t think there is a guy in any professional sport ( outside of track) right now who can run a 4.2 flat! You weren’t sipping on your grandpappys cough medicene last night were you?

By mike

November 7, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

hawks look much better than last year but they still refuse to run the floor for 48 minutes a night when they grasp this very simple concept they will become one of the best teams in the league simple

By Astro Joe

November 7, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Much better game by Smith, he was certainly under control. Still too many long distance shots for my tastes. Marvin still is learning how to play D without taking himself out because of foul trouble, but I like the effort he’s showing this year to be a complete player. Law learned why Kidd is a perennial all-defensive PG, in addition to a potential triple double threat every game. He simply doesn’t allow the opposing PG to get comfortable.

The talent is clearly much better. Too bad the coaching is the same. At one point, Woody had Chill, Shelden and West on the floor at the same time. What was Woody trying to do win the game 47-45?

Sekou, what was the term you used if Woody doesn’t play Salim this season? Was it BONEHEAD? The team was desperate for energy and scoring and Salim was playing Connect 4 with Solo on the bench.

By smartguy

November 7, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Doc, who is overmatched? From what I have seen this year, we could be 3-0.

Two rookies? Well, I’m sure it has been done. Magic lead the Lakers to a championship his rookie year. Horford looks the least like a rookie of anyone I have seen in a long time.

I agree with Hawks 4 life, “we have a good team, but coaching sucks.” I don’t think we’re overmatched by any means. In fact, I would say that we are failing to failing to utilize mismatches in our favor (again the fault of the coach). JJ, with everyone standing around, putting up jumpers, is not a professional quality offense. It is the coaches job to get them functioning at a proper level.

Get another batch of shirts ready, Clyde.

By Scott

November 7, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Same story, different year. NO legit point guard, NO legit Center. What more needs to be said? New Jersey drove in the paint at will since Atlanta has NO defensive post presense to change or alter shots other than “helpside” defense by Josh Smith. Our point guard play is laughable as all of our “wings” have to create shots on their own. BILLY KNIGHT - THIS IS YOUR FAULT. You got rid of Przbilla, Mohammed, and Ratliff for nothing, and have not replaced them with anyone who can muster up any kind of defense in the lane. HORFORD AND SHELDEN CAN’T BLOCK SHOTS. Shelden is too short, can’t jump, and has no hands. Horford is a power forward - plain and simple. Poor Joe Johnson, he has no one to get him the ball.

By Eternal Optimist

November 7, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Woodson needs to tighten his a* up. I supported him the last couple of years, but now it’s getting rediculous. JS has gotten the perimeter bug instead of bangin down low. Our best defensive stopper JChills is riding the bench. Our best shooter Salim seems to be in Woody’s dog house. These guys are showing the talent, but the coaching does not seem to be there. We push the ball and build a lead in the 1st 3 quarters only to give it up in the fourth. This has become the Hawks routine. Get things organized Woody, were counting on you….

By G Money

November 7, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Amazing the number of different perspectives - it’s kind of like orifices… Nonetheless, I believe our offense is stagnant because everyone sees that we’re just trying to let individuals make shots instead of running effective plays…

After Atlanta scored the first 8 points of the second half to take a 49-45 lead, Frank called a timeout. The Nets returned to working the ball inside as often as possible, and they put together a five-minute run of stout, smart basketball.

“We want to be a movement team,” Frank said. “We want to establish a game of attack.”

Gentleman, you can’t pound the ball down low even against the Hawks if there isn’t any movement to loosen up the interior. That’s what everyone is doing better than us. JJ can’t get a shot because he gets and every team knows that they have time to double and triple him without worrying about the Hawks swinging the ball to the open man for a short jumper. While I saw some individual progress with JSmoove, the team’s offense is just Pi* poor. Even Ando would suck on this team.

By hawks-4-life

November 7, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

The good news its only three games so far this year and there is room for improvement. Remember this is the tough part of the schedule and the team is better than last year and can only improve. What really impresses me is Marvin’s tentacious attitude and how he attacks on offense. We once called him soft, remember that.

By MsDee

November 7, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Woodson has no offense for his team. Everyone is looking lost as can be out there. That is why Acie has no assets, no one is cutting to the basket to do anything. When we played Dallas, u had that kind of movement with Marvin & Horford, but not these last two games. Woodson need to make plays for his players who are on. JJ got hot in Detroit game but when he got doubled, never made an outlet for him. Same as for Marvin against Nets..And whatever happen between Detroits’ game and the Nets game, Acie is different. I wonder is it because Woodson took him out after he lost the handle trying to make his move to the basket. That kind of stuff really hurts a rookie trying to get comfortable in this league. I hope Woodson leaves before he detroys the rest of their hopes!!

By ajw

November 7, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

We have a young team. Young teams generally don’t do well on the road. We still did pretty good against the 2 conference finals contenders this year. I say we come home and beat the suns tonight. They’ll be expecting the Bobcats and that we ain’t. Why can’t Marvin play well more than a quarter. He was awesome early on, and Woody took him out when he was hot. STUPID! Let him keep playing if he’s hot. JS keep doing what you do. You still had a great game last night even with all your mistakes.

By smartguy

November 7, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

MsDee, you are finally seeing the light. When you made your optimistic predictions, some of us jumped down your throat. This team is going no where with Woody. Bad rotations, lack of situational coaching, and an offense that is anything but offensive.

Woody can talk all he wants about offensive change and improvement, but actions speak louder than words. What I see is the same old Woody, the same old crap….

By Clyde

November 7, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Chris Paul had 21 assists last night. When was the last time Tyron Lue had a double digit assist game?

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By jerrywest

November 7, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Marvin had 13 points and with 30 minutes left in the game. He was shooting and driving like a possessed man. At the end of the half he had 1 foul.

Yet he got only 15 minutes. Fewer than many players of both team. Woody’s autopilot gameplan shut him out.

He was playing like a superstar both offensively and defensively. Even the fouls in the 2nd half were borderline.

The only thing he needs to improve is to get more controls on his drives. Sometimes his body seems too big to drive like that and he can’t change direction and run into people. I’ll take that if he keeps up his aggression.

He deserved an A for last night’s game. You have to be blind to think any Hawks played remotely as good as him last night.

Marvin is showing signs of becoming an all-star & he is dominating both defensively and offensively.

Both Smoove and Chillz played badly in the first half. I am glad they are coming around. Chillz has shown no signs of stardom though.

I am impressed with Mario. The way he hustled with big guys to keep the ball alive under the basket was impressive. Chillz got 2 pts out of that.

I am worried about Horford’s scoring ability. I love his overall game - his rebounding, defense, dribbling, passing, attitude etc. He can be a major part of a championship type team, but his scoring avg. may never be good.

2 of Acie’s TO were 100% smoove and horford’s overthrows. 1 was and offensive foul where he was outsmarted by kidd. 1 was his bad pass.

Law had several passes that were fouled and he missed the assists. Shots were just not falling.

Besides I feel that he didn’t have the freedom to keep the ball and penetrate. He was passing the ball to someone as soon as it came to him. Can’t do much with that.

He had an ordinary game. Not a bad game for a rookie. His stat doesn’t tell the story at all.

Lue just stunk it up. With 42 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, he was pounding the ball instead of going 2 for 1. I can forgive 1-10 but I can’t forgive that. He’s braindead.

We were all jumping with joy in the chat room when Smoove stopped and passed instead of dribbling to front court. You could tell he went agains his instinct. Somebody must have told him to. He did it once or twice in the second half though. I guess the adrenaline took over. He played on 6th gear in second half.

Smoove and Horford’s passing:
They are both superb passers for big guys.

Horford needs to be conservative with his passes. He had several turnovers(1 or more went to others) where he tried to throw high risk spectacular passes. STOP IT. May be next year or at mid-season. Not now.

Smooth’s post passing has improved so much. He is doing it like Hakeem/TD. The balls he is passing are going to the shooters at perfect bounce at perfect hight to throw up perfect shots. (Chillz missed a crucial sitter)

Both of them need to realize that if they play fundamental game and keep up their hustles, sky is the limit.

By randy

November 7, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Last night’s game brought back bad memories of the past 2 years. If it wasn’t for free throws, we would have been blown out by 30 points. And Law didn’t look as ready as I thought. The 2 positives I can say is that our best shooter, JJ, shot horribly and we still only lost by 5, and the other positive is the Hawks never gave up after getting down by double digits a couple times. But overall our offense was stagnent last night and I had to turn away a couple times it was so ugly. Hopefully, tonight against the Suns will go better.

By randy

November 7, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Anyone know when Zaza is expected back? Despite everyone hating on his inside game, he does get you some big points, which Horford and Shelden aren’t getting.

By JerryWest

November 7, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Zaza might play Friday if he does well on Thursday’s practice.

Any tentative dates on when Speedy and Lo will come back?

By jerrywest

November 7, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Acie should get the freedom to run the offense like Lue does and Lue should be straight-jacketed like Law is.

The injuries of Speedy and Zaza have produce long term benefits for this team. The extra minutes that Shelden, Horford and Law are getting are building their confidence quickly. I think Shelden is already out of Woody’s doghouse for good.

By Flappin Hawk

November 7, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Good Signs! 2nd game on the road in 3 days, 2 rookies starting, JJ, Lue & Smoove have a BAD night shooting, every loose ball bouncing the Net’s way and we only lose by 5. Not bad. Yes, there were a lot of bad things that happened in the game, but we are starting 2 rookies. Tonight is big, we should win this home game. Amare may not play and even if he does he will get fewer minutes. The home energy will pull us thru.

By TJ

November 7, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

I go to school in the northeast, so I was able to watch the game last night.

1. WHERE WAS MARVIN? His shot was on, but Woody didn’t put him on the floor. What’s up with that?

2. WHERE WAS LAW? Law looked so comfy in the PG spot. After an inbounds, he was pushing the ball up, unlike his backup, Lue. In the fourth quarter, I was screaming at the TV because Lue would NOT come out of the game. He was pounding the ball up slow; he was being outrun when the Hawks had a fast break opportunity. He is NOT a change of pace, at least, it’s not faster. He looked SO slow on that court. I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but Speedy needs to hurry up and come back. He may be oft-injured but at least he’s quicker than Lue, whose shot was OFF yesterday. I wouldn’t mind getting AJ back on the court either.

3. WHERE WAS SALIM? No comment needed. Woody, you can AT LEAST give him a spot-up 3 or two. You know, that might help just a little bit.

4. The Joshes looked better yesterday. Smoove was asserting himself properly yesterday, driving and being fouled and NOT shooting wild jumpers. The jumpers he made were when he was set. He’s gonna need to assert himself even more because he is the pace-setter. If he doesn’t run, Chils and Al won’t run with him, and then no one runs at all.

5. WHERE IS ZAZA? We need him back. The best line-up to start is probably Law, JJ, Smoove, Horford and Zaza. Then sub him and Law out for Marvin and Chils, their longest, most athletic lineup.

Still, we have proven to capable of winning, now we gotta do it. OR fire Woody. They might respond better to an interim assistant coach leading them. Give em some new flava. They play the Suns tonight. If they get outrun extensively tonight, expect Woody to be gone tomorrow. I’m not expecting that though, because it won’t happen. In fact, this is the game that they find their stride.

GO HAWKS!

By curious

November 7, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Marvin has to start to assert hisself also. He did this last year. He will have a great first quarter and have 4pts for the rest of the game. He was in foul trouble yesterday. But there are many games that he just disappears. He obviously can’t depend on his coach to help him stay involved so he has to find a way.

By notsosmartguy

November 7, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

smartguy -

We get it. You hate Woodson and you cream yourself every time you think of Smoove. You know how to say anything else?

By Knickerbocker

November 7, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

what does woodson really do as a coach? bad rotations, no off the ball movement in the half court, no up tempo? what’s the plan? i would love to know. knight and woodson are perfect for each other ….. secret plans they keep promising that seemingly never come to fruition but we are supposed to believe anyway …. at least knight is starting to accumulate some talent …. almost despite himself

By Omnihawk

November 7, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

I’m confused…by “uptempo” style, do you think Woody meant “23 foot leaners with 1 on the shot clock” style? Am I in bizarro world? With mostly the same personel, I really did not expect us to be radically different than last year. However, I was hopeful we would establish some sort of identity on offense.

By honest_abe

November 7, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

can woody NOW!

easily the worst coach in professional sports.

By doc

November 7, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

smartguy, i said TWO not one and there were a very few individuals who have led their teams into it and those were celebrated coming out of college, magic, bird, walton, alcindor, duncan, shaq, jordan, etc. they also had the distinction of going to teams for the most part that were already made for the playoffs.

i am sorry i dont see the comparison to any of those guys in the two we drafted. and some of those guys were rookies when i could still play ball. you have me chuckling. i queried and think it is a legit question to ask before figuring the line to getting there if the lineup remains this way for the season.

and you dispute, overmatched, underneath in the paint? you dont see it? come on…

By cp

November 7, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Whoever said Horford can’t block shots must have missed the first few games. I’ve seen him block more shots in 3 games than I’ve seen out of Sheldon and ZA ZA the last two years combined. As far as Woodson, im trying to give him a chance but I see the same crap I have seen the last few years. Taking out a player who is having a good game, no movement on the offensive side, letting T Lue pound and pound the ball, silly substitutions.. Like I was saying yesterday. Marvin was having a good game but for some reason Woodson pulled him before he even got in foul trouble. Then when he got back on track he ran no plays for him or attempted to get him the ball some how although him and Smoove were the only ones playing good ball. It’s just frustrating seeing this game after game.

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

LUE…pound pound pound…pound pound pound etc etc etc

By ajw

November 7, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

Salim the sniper! Yeah! Hawks kickin’ a* the first half

By ajw

November 7, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

From what I have seen, even in our losses is that we are in these games the whole way even leading most of them the whole way. We just need to figure out how to finish, which I feel like we aren’t too far from that. This is a fun team to watch guys. Let’s enjoy it!

By ajw

November 7, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

2-0 at home. Kept Phoenix under 100. At one point we had them stuck at 81 for nearly 5 minutes. Name a team that has done that to the Suns in the last year or so. If we could have just scored during that stretch we would have put them away early. Oh and yeah they didn’t have Amare, but we didn’t have Zaza. I know that isn’t a fair comparison, but Zaza is going to make a difference when he comes back for us. Horford and law were both incredible. I’m glad to see Salim contribute. When we had a tough stretch at scoring in the 4th I kept saying, “let’s set up Marvin.” Finally we did and it wuz nuthin’ but nets.

By kwooden1

November 7, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

HAWKS WIN HAWKS WIN!!!

If the stats on NBA.com hold up we had 4 guys with double doubles!! On a night we’re JJ shot horribly the Hawks still win. I didn’t see the game, just listened on the radio. Great numbers by Smith and great shooting by Marvin. Chills was great on the boards and Salim was just the help we need at the Point. Can’t say enough about Al on boards, he is just what the Hawks needed. Hats off to the crowd, they definitely gave the team a lot of energy. Enjoy the win

GO HAWKS!

By A-ville-Ranger

November 7, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Lot’s of good things in tonight’s game.Marvin has played well every game so far and tonight he was really good.When Smith takes the ball inside he’s a star,when he chucks 30 ft jumpers he’s a fool,tonight he was a star.Horford looks like a Ben Wallace type with a little more offense…I’ll take him.Childress played a good game,he seems to have cleared the fog since those first two outings.Law is not a pg yet,JJ was our point tonight.You can slice it how you want, a player who has one assist in three games isn’t playing the point.All in all a good game,there’s lots to build on here.

By Matt

November 7, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Hey all,

I’m just dropping by to say that MARVIN WILLIAMS IS THE TRUTH!!! And J-Smoove looked better tonight than he ever has. He actually looked {gasp} mature! No throwing the ball away every other possession, and no firing 30-foot threes with 10 seconds left on the shot clock. The boy might actually be starting to get it (although he most definitely is still a boy to me until he proves otherwise over the course of a full season).

The Hawks are 2-2 so far against three elite teams and one very good team.

I still love seeing how people will say that the Hawks lose because of Woody, and then stay silent when they win. Trying to have it both ways, are we fellas? Let’s give credit where credit is due, folks! GO HAWKS!!! :)

By David

November 7, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Uhh…wow. For being a somewhat small team, #$@% the Hawks rebound well. Four Hawks with double-digit boards! lol

Great win tonight. Got home in time to watch the second half. Being 2-2 after playing 4 very talented, playoff-caliber teams is a testament to how talented this young team is. Beating Phoenix after being in NJ the previous day is especially impressive. Go Hawks!!

By Super Jim

November 7, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Sweet win tonight. 2-0 at home against good teams. The best news so far is that Marvin appears to be turning into the player we need him to be. Even though Paul or Deron would obviously have filled our needs better, at least Marvin may be playing his way to #2 pick calibur value. He’s the only player on the team except for JJ that I am ALWAYS confident will make the open jumper. And his slash ability ensures that he gets those open looks. Oh, and by the way, Horford is a beast. Thanks God for the ping pong ball. Now BK’s collection of good but clearly not optimal picks will turn out in spite of him. What a great feeling to never see a stiff on the floor wearing our uniform. Its been years since I could say that. Go Hawks !

By cp

November 7, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

I could not watch the game so i kept my eye on the real time gametracker. Marvin with another good game. Horford was a beast on the boards. Josh Smith with another good game. Law seems to be struggling a bit at the pg position but it will come to him with time and experience. Joe did not have a great shooting game but had a lot of assist. Can someoe who saw the game give me a rundown on what they saw? I also noticed Salim finally got some pt. But yea a rundown on the game will be very helpfull. good win..

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

NICE WIN!!! holdin’ serve at home!!

great games by JS, MW, JC, and AH!! they killed on the boards tonite too!! clutch shootin’ by MARVIN and free throw shootin’ by JJ!!

excellent defense by SMOOVE on NASH. that was big!!!!

ACIE is in the fire, no doubt!! gotta be waaaaaayyyy smarter about his fouls!!!

a SALIM sightin’!!!!! great stroke tonite!!! it makes soooo much difference havin’ someone that can hit shots like he did tonite. i hope WOODSON sends him back out on fri!!!!!

DOC, ANDO, JHAN…we’re waitin’ on your courtside view report!!!LOL

By ajw

November 7, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Wow, Just saw Al Horford do an interview on Hawks Live. What a pro! Looked sharp in a classy suit after working really hard 30 minutes before. this guy is the real deal. A total professional on and off the court.

By bwtbird

November 7, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Hey Ando Hawks are 1-3??? Let’s hear the excuses roll…well they won with JJ shooting 3-17!!! If they ever just PLAY…and don’t just play according to the style of their opponent they will easily be a 45 win team in this sorry league..

By Volman

November 7, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Mykhalc, you forgot about ME! haha.

I will post my thoughts tomororw morning. I’ve got to get some rest… tests tomorrow!

Great win, Hawks.

By Flappin Hawk

November 7, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Bring on Beantown, baby! We are starting to get the flow at home (even with JJ shooting poorly), now we have to get it going on the road. No better place to test yourself than Boston on Friday night! We’ll win again if JJ gets his touch back.

By Najeh Davenpoop

November 7, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

I was at today’s game, and I gotta say, if Mike Woodson starts Zaza over Horford when he gets healthy, he should be fired on the spot. Horford is an animal.

By doc

November 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

great fun, great win and a lot of fun. surprised to see how many empty seat there were and i got to touch BLOG Z!

the big four played well, jj didnt have his shot but ended up with 10 dimes. chills, smash and marvin had or came within one rebound of double doubles as well. salim got into the game and delivered. josh after a couple of misfires and a stern look from acie settled down and delivered.

folks you got to give woody some cred on this one as well. he had close to my all time smurf line up in there with jj at the 5 spot ultimately, subbing him out with sheldon. it worked.

we didnt fall apart with the pressure and you have to wonder how come we dont continue this up tempo game aginst everyone. we also didnt play possession basketbal to run down the clock until the last two minutes and YES i saw player movement and ball movement tonight for several possessions.

the bottom line with all seriousness these were two evenly matched “height challenged” teams. other teams will present serious problems match up wise and really this team might just be more athletic than the suns.

now the way i see it two very good wins at home, one good loss and one bad one. we just really weren’t in that game last night the last 15 to 20 minutes and never seemed to play smart. tonight was different, very different. did i say salim was on the court and unlike last year was very confident even though his coach hadn’t let him sniff the court. fun night at phillips.

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

VOLMAN, you KNOW that’s my bad bro!!! go make some A’s!!!!LOL

By plasticman

November 7, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe we won that game as horribly as Joe Johnson played!…it was honestly like he was trying to throw the thing!…

What a fun team to watch!….Horford a lock for rookie of the year!

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

DOC, i definitely thought SALIM had a ‘sureness’ about him tonite. not hesistant at all!!! like i said, hopefully WOODSON gives him so more burn on fri!!

oh yeah, the help defense was off the chain tonite!!!!

By Ken Strickland

November 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

I missed last nights gm so I couldn’t comment, but I read your comments. I certainly didn’t miss this one, and it was an outstanding performance. It really helps on OFF/DEF when you have so many versatile players. Not only are these young Hawks coming together as a team, some of them are really progressing individually. How about MWilliams? He was an animal on the boards.

Woodson did a great job of substituting the right players at the right time. I believe we would have beaten Detroit if he had used West and Salim. Salim is an established zone buster and will make teams pay for doubling JJ.

Tonights gm should eliminate any doubt about the style of play this team is best suited for. They can run with anyone and outrun most. There are few teams, if any, that can match the Hawks’ quickness, speed and athletic ability. The gm with Boston will be our toughest test so far this season, especially on DEF. Of Boston’s big 3, only one, KG, is known for playing DEF. GOOD WIN HAWKS!!!!!!!

By Clyde

November 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

The Hawks tonight proved they could win against a undersized team.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By mykhalc

November 7, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

man, it’s gettin’ scary now…i actually LIKED WOODSON’s press conference!!!!! and agreed with him!!! DAAAAAAMMMMNNNNNNN!!!! somethin’ can’t be right!!!!

By reese

November 7, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

I went to the game tonight and have to say great game hawks.

The Good: The players must be reading the blog and decided to get the double doubles I mentioned yesterday. The double digit rebounding effort of chills, marvin, horford and josh smith were a joy to watch. Double doubles by Joe Johnson, Marvin, Jchill and JSmith kept the hawks ahead and allowed woodson to rotate in more players and keep scoring/defensive balance on the floor. Salim’s block shot and scoring earned him playing time in future games. Woodson usage of 10 players in the rotations is appreciated. Woodson recognizing that shelden wasn’t producing on the offensive end and sitting him on the bench was appreciated more. Joe Johnson doing something else when his scoring was limited. Marvin’s shooting down the stretch kept the hawks with the lead. Jsmith continuing to produce stats in every positive offensive/defensive category.

The bad: Both Josh and Marvin playing over 40 minutes. Would have liked to see solomon Jones get some PT. Salim hits 2 shots in a row and doesn’t see the ball any more. Josh Smith and Marvin not hustling back on defense. But, they did look tired and were pacing themselves. Wasn’t impressed with the no center lineup, but I can live with it for small spurts. It help that sean marks was in the game at the time. He is a taller and worse stiff than shelden.

By reese

November 7, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

roan st and aville ranger, I didn’t realize I was that fast when playing basketball and baseball. I just knew that I was faster than everyone else. I didn’t like running just for the sake of running, so I never ran track. It wasn’t until I was in college playing baseball that I was clocked in a 40 yard dash.

My point is that you don’t have to run a 4.2 40 to lead a fast break. My point is to don’t limit a player when he is running faster than the people around him.

I don’t really call what the hawks did tonight a true fast break tempo. Acie was delegated to bringing the ball down and then giving it up. However, he sat on the bench for long stretchs and either JJ, JSmith or Salim seemed to be at the top of the key distributing passes. Josh Smith’s 5 turnovers a game has just been passed along to Joe Johnson. So I guess people feel its ok for Joe to have that many turnovers.

Steve Nash had a great game despite his 6 turnovers. But, Diaw is no Amare and Sean Marion and diaw were looking over there shoulders to see if josh smith was coming to block their shot.

I never used excuses for the hawks injuries last year and I’m not willing to let Phoenix skate by with there injuries. They got there 2 all star player team butt kicking tonight by a true team effort placed by the hawks.

By Real Fan

November 8, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Dear God, Clyde, the Hawks beat a team that won 60 games last year. Why the hell can’t you be a FAN for once in your life and support them?

By MJ3

November 8, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Josh Smith’s 5 turnovers a game has just been passed along to Joe Johnson. So I guess people feel its ok for Joe to have that many turnovers.

You’re bound to have more TOs as a total number if you’re running the offense and making more passes. That’s why it’s not simply the number of TOs, it’s the assist-to-TO ratio that’s important. Josh’s has been just barely 1:1 over the course of his career. This season, the games where he had 5 and 6 TOs, he only had 2 and 4 assists. JJ’s career ratio is a little under 2:1 (1.89:1, to be exact). This season, in the one game where he’s had 5 TOs (tonight), he had 10 assists.

So there’s a difference - a big, important difference.

By A-ville-Ranger

November 8, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

One thing to consider,Amare wasn’t playing tonight.With him on the floor the Suns are a different team.Still, a good show all in all.I can’t help but think of this team if they’d traded for Jose Calderon.With a very good mature pg who can run,penetrate,shoot and dish they would match up with most anybody. Law isn’t close to being an nba pg yet,one assist in three games would be bad for a center for a pg it’s unheard of.

By reese

November 8, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

MJ3, since you were the first to take the bait. Why just limit a player’s overall success by just picking assist to turnovers ratio to measure one’s success. Especially, when assist are dependent not only on the passer, but on the recipient of the pass making the shot. Several of the passes made by Josh Smith to his teammate were not converted into baskets. Why penalize josh for that.

Don’t you think that that the combination of Josh Smith’s scoring, block shots, steals, rebounds, altered shots and assist make up for the 5 turn overs he produces.

What I’m trying to get you and other bloggers to understand is that we should enjoy the intensity in which josh plays and that his teammates need to increase their intensity and in turn productivity.

Tonights game is a prime example of his teammates stepping up other facets of their game and producing double doubles. Yes, Joe Johnson had more assist tonight, but it had a lot to do with players making shots that they were missing or not taking when playing against Detroit and New Jersey. They were passive in those games, they were aggressive tonight and reaped the rewards.

By cp

November 8, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the recaps.. Glad that Salim finally got some pt. Maybe and just maybe Woodson will figure out how to substitute this year. Marvin will have a great season if he stays agressive. It will take Law some time but I think he is going to be a good pg for this team. Good win

By Glutton for Punishment

November 8, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this

This is from a Phoenix newspaper !!! YEA!! GO HAWKS..

This had to be painful for the Suns’ front office to watch. It’s not that the Suns are out of sorts or that another team looked more athletic. It was seeing Atlanta benefit from the draft lottery that let the Hawks keep their pick instead of delivering it to the Suns in June. They grabbed Al Horford (15 rebounds Wednesday), one of the versatile lottery forwards who would have been an instant impact player for Phoenix. Instead, the Suns will get the first-round pick next year, and if the Hawks keep playing well, the slot won’t be as high.

• Paul Coro

By Samuel

November 8, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this

Great win,

No complaints at all. Of course we can sit here and dissect the game all night long, but the bottom line is we just beat a damn good team and have been competitive in all games.

I got to give BK, Woody and the whole gang their props

By hawks-4-life

November 8, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this

THANK YOU SAMUEL FOR STATING WHAT IS OBVIOUS BUT NOT ADMITTED. GIVING BK AND WOODY SOME CREDIT. I DO ADMIT WOODY DID MAKE SOME QUESTIONABLE CALLS IN THE NETS GAME BUT OVERALL HE HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB THIS SEASON. AS FOR BK LOOKS LIKE THE MAD SCIENTIST EXPERIMENT IS ABOUT TO PAY OFF BIG TIME. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!!!

By doc

November 8, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this

gfp, i want very badly for us to hand them a lousy draft pick this year so i am very much pulling for them to win big or at least big enough to stay out of the lottery. it has been painful and very slow primarily because of the dissension/divorce of the owners not the players who daily catch our flak. the broken atlanta spirit have hurt this franchise immensely so it will be with great pleasure to see the team stiff both the suns owner and our own belkin for making us go through it. though in loud disagreement with many here i projected the trade to give us more in the long run and carried that torch for the first 3 to 4 months jj was here. it is time to reap some rewards for my faithfulness.

right atf?

By G Money

November 8, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Yes, evertybody needs their props. GO HAWKS! That was a great display of team ball. The turnovers were inconsequential in the whole scheme of things. The box score tells the story if you look at the evenly distributed points and rebounds. It was a team effort on offense and defense. You look at JJ’s 10 assists and you see also that he was penetrating or getting doubled and passing because his shot wasn’t falling - smart. The Hawks crashed the boards fearlessly last night as well. They’ll have to continue to do it regularly against stiffer resistence.

They still need to work on pushing the ball, speeding up their half court motion and sets, and working the ball outside in and inside out. Chills, Smoove, and Marvin looked great. Acie is coming along and was solid.

JJ is still finding it. The new offense, however slightly tweaked, seems to bother him a bit. He doesn’t seem as comfortable catching and shooting as he does pounding the ball, feeling his man, then delivering. IMHO, if he could come off screens like Rip, he would be even more valuable for the Hawks (if that’s possible).

As someone said earlier, the real Fear Factor test is coming with the green three-headed monster. I don’t know what we’ll have for them, but it will also be interesting to see how they react to us.

By doc

November 8, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

oh yeah, where are those sick suns fans that came on this blog the first year after the trade and tried to stick it to us as if they didn’t have better things to do? kind of fun to hear silence isn’t it?

got to stress last night at times for brief moments i saw a very disciplined offense with cutting and ball movement that i don’t see usually at a hawks game. you know patterns, cutting, looking for the open man and passing the ball rather than dribbling or holding it. good stuff.

By hawkeye

November 8, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

salim and law on the court would be a lethal thing offensively. they are too small so it could be lethal defensively as well if they were both out there too long together. but putting them out there together would seem great. law could penetrate and kick back to salim who could either hit an open shot or kick back again to law who would hopefully rotate back up top when salim penetrates and so on and so on and so on. it could almost be an instant offense situation if used sparingly for 8, 10 minute stretches of games especially against teams like the Suns.

By tb

November 8, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

I’ve been waiting a year and a half to call someone out.

His assertion was that BK was an incompetant GM. He said the JJ trade was a bad trade. He said that the result would be that they would play just good enough last year to lose out on thier pick thereby de-railing the whole re-building projet.

He tried to emit this hypothesis as a factual argument. I told him that his argument didn’t work, that he was building it on a faulty premis (or two).

Now it turns out that he was wrong. BK’s gamble paid-off. We got the pick, he swung another (Acie) and we got a team.

Recently, he’s been trying to continue his condemnation of BK by stating we still have an unbalanced roster (C).

Well would you trade Smoove for say Bynum and Crit or a first?

I think I wouldn’t. I’ll keep BK’s players. We have a rotation at every position save PG. That is only due to Speedy. Oh that brings me to the other main anti-BK argument of our protagonist; the signing of Speedy. Well, he was the second highest rated PG on the market (the highest turned us down). A healthy Speedy puts us into the playoffs.

Then there was the Marvin/CP/Deron thing.

Still sounds personal to me.

By Astro Joe

November 8, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

The bonehead crown is removed for a day. Welcome back Salim, I hope like heck that you stick around for more than a game.

Best offensive play I saw last night was when they put JJ and Marvin on the same side of the floor late in the 4Q. When Marvin’s defender rotated to double JJ, it left Marvin open for the jumper, which he hit like freakin’ Bernard King last night. If they didn’t double JJ, he drew the foul as he is a very tough match-up one-on-one. Now that was VERY, VERY smart ball.

Ando, I’m waiting for you to share your petition to Stern requesting that the Hawks not be allowed to claim victory against teams that are missing a top 5 player from the game.

Sekou, when is Zaza back? Is Friday looking good? I’m thrilled with what Horford is doing on the boards, but we need Zaza’s 12-16 points in the post.

By Mike

November 8, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Hawkeye Great point. I stated earlier in another post. Acie and Salim together would be fire works. Both guys can handle the ball and shoot the three.

Steve Smith said it best about Salim. There just aren’t many guys that can come in the game cold and knock down big shots.

Woodson is a great defensive coach, he has these young guys hustling, fronting and dying easy passes to the post. I know it’s early but we still need more imagination and motion on offense. We just look so athletic on defense and so lethargic on offense.

It’s time to admit the obvious, this is a young talented and very athletic team. The people that are responsible for assembling this team deserve some credit.

Now it’s time to incorporate Solo in to the rotation. Say what to want about Solo, but when ever he touches the floor, he out there hustling and busting his @ss. Plus he is fearless.

GO HAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By G Money

November 8, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Interestingly, Woody does seem to have a method to his madness in bringing the rookies along. It looks like he doesn’t want to play them over 30 minutes a night. With the exception of the home opener where Al played 36 minutes, neither Al nor Acie has played over 30 minutes in any of the first 4 games. At the same time, we still need to figure out how to bring the minutes down over the course of the season for JS, JC, JJ, and MW. Woody showing some confidence in Salim was great. He played 18 last night and didn’t jeopardize the team on defense. Perhaps playing Shelden is situational. When he needs a banger inside, Shelden gets the nod. Otherwise, he doesn’t play many minutes in an up-tempo scheme. Who knows?

Back to Salim…He also helped keep PHX honest. Either they had to come out and guard him (opening up the interior) or he was going to make them pay.

Doc, you were right about seeing a few things going on in the offense that didn’t seem to be there in the previous game or two. While they aren’t a fast break team yet nor do they have a “Showtime”, when they quickly moved into their half court offense and executed it crisply, they usually scored. When it took time to develop and the defense was set, they usually struggled.

By Ken Strickland

November 8, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

I don’t unstand the constant references to the Hawks being undersized and/or overmatched. No one has complained or even commented about the Suns being undersized or overmatched. Our SG, JJ, is as tall as their PF, The Matrix. In fact, only AStaudamire is decidedly taller than JJ. The Suns, which is a much smaller team overall than the Hawks, is one of the winningest teams in the NBA over the past several yrs.

The Hawks are one of the few Eastern teams the Suns can’t run off the court. This team is only missing a SNash like influence at PG, but that will come. Phoenix plays to its strength, speed, quickness and excellent outside shooting. Few if any teams can match their outside shooting, especially their 3pt shooting. By the same token, few teams can match our quickness and speed, which is combined with outstanding above the rim capability. So far, Woodson’s OFF doesn’t take advantage of our above the rim capabilities.

Detroit played pressure DEF and successfully denied the entry pass. That reqires the defender to either front the OFF player or play him to the side. If any one of the following players; JJ, JSmooth, MWilliams, AHorford and JChildress imediately broke to the rim for a lob, what could Detroit have done. The same holds true for the Suns. Enough successful lobs will force DEF’s to play closer to the lane to protect against the lob. This team should be even more exciting and more successful than it is now.

By mykhalc

November 8, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

lotta good points made today!!

JOE, yours was one that jumped out at me. the move puttin’ JJ and MARVIN on the same side of the floor. that was a good move and even better that MW was nailin’ the jumper!!

DOC, good call on the movement in the set offense. good to know you could see it. definitely need more like that.

and how ‘bout your boy SALIM!!! i’ve been hard on him!!! but no doubt his shot made a big difference in how PHO had to adjust their defense. WOODSON even said he might shoulda played him in DET but he was lookin’ at matchups. but at least he did admit he might shoulda gone to him then too.

the help defense was what kept jumpin’ out at me over the tube!!! that, to me, is the biggest difference that i’ve seen as a team so far this year!! last year, what help defense!!! JS always supplied good weakside help but this year, cats are REALLY coverin’ for one another!! and i’m sure AL has a lot to do with that. but regardless it looks good!!!!

MARVIN’s game is really steppin’ up!! him nailin’ down the open shots is needed soooooooo much. GLAD to see it!!!

and for those complainin’ about ACIE, have at it. i ain’t worried!!!!