AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 26
Monday, November 26, 2007
How’s about now-ish?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m borrowing from my man Dave Chappelle here today, but his sentiment (from one of his many hilarious Chapelle’s Show skits, think of Silky Johnson and the Time Travelers for those of you who are devoted fans) was the perfect answer to a locker room question Josh Smith asked rhetorically regarding the Hawks’ ability to climb the ladder in an Eastern Conference still in flux.
Why wait? Aside from Boston (11-1) and Orlando (12-3), no other team has distinguished itself from the pack. Even with their recent bout of disarray, the Hawks remain in the thick of the mess in the playoff chase (everyone does when you’re still a couple days away from the end of the first month).
But there’s no sense in saving your energy for later. If nothing else, the Celtics and Magic have made that clear. They’re both playing with a sense of urgency perennial playoff outfits wouldn’t dare approach - that whole save it for the playoff stuff.
But when you haven’t tasted the postseason in nearly a decade, why hold back?
I know back-to-back road wins for the first time since Michigan was a football powerhouse is not cause for a parade. But it’s progress for the Hawks. Major progress.
The Hawks are still trying to develop a winning culture in their own locker room. So every little bit helps. And they’re doing it right now without the services of several guys (mainly Acie Law IV and a sound-minded Zaza Pachulia) who will figure prominently into their future plans this season, winning without any main players is always a positive thing.
For josh Smith to even be thinking about it after 12 games is an excellent sign. You want your best players thinking about how they can scrap their way to the top (or at least to the top eight in the East). You want them wrapped up in this thing now as opposed to any of the alternatives.
Three years ago the Chicago team the Hawks will face Tuesday night bounced back from a 0-9 start to make the playoffs. I don’t know that a similar turnaround will be feasible for any team that’s nine games in the hole right now. Could be. But why play that game if you don’t have to?
