AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 28
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Our so-called lives …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My plan was to forget about the Hawks today, even if it was for just a few hours.
Wednesday was supposed to be a Buzzard-free zone. And after the stinker they played against the mighty Chicago Bulls Tuesday night at United Center (my eyes are still burning from that one), who could blame anyone for wanting a few hours away from the on-court entropy that we’ve all seen?
Never happened. Like a bunch of you, I was front and center Wednesday night for the Hawks-Bucks game - only not in my usual courtside seat.
You’re not wrong to expect more from this team by now. Everyone expected a more polished looking product, a more consistent product and a much more sound outfit based on the progress made last year.
I’m as stunned by the periodic lethargy as you are. The lack of execution on a regular basis perplexes me, too. Not even a solid first half against the Bucks was enough to convince me that the Hawks are playing with the fire necessary for a team in their position.
I’m as baffled as you are that the Hawks refuse to play to their strengths (yeah, run a little why don’t you) at every opportunity. They have some of the best finishers in the league but don’t allow them to maximize those skills because they’re always playing in half court sets that don’t cater to their personnel.
That’s just one of the many things about this Hawks team that has to drive you crazy right about now (win or lose against the Bucks, the warts I see remain the same). A few others:
Josh Smith shooting jumpers, usually uncontested for a reason, instead of finishing plays at the rim. His shooting percentage is in the tank and the kid just refuses to do what will obviously end in success (either a made dunk or layup or a trip to the free throw line). And yes, too many offensive possessions end with Smith with the ball in his hands and the shot clock winding down, but he has to recognize where he is and be ready to make a move to the basket instead of always settling for jump shots. His teammates need to stage an intervention, immediately, and try as save this cat from himself. Let the guys who make jump shots for a living handle that stuff and just do what you do (fill the stat sheet up, Kirilenko style).
He’s not alone. Zaza Pachulia has drawn my fire as well for his refusal to play like the scrappy joker that showed up here two years ago with something to prove to the world. Why he’s struggling the way he is remains a true mystery to me - the only guy with more plays called for him on the team is Joe Johnson. Zaza looks fine when he’s being patient, works his face-up game and finishes like the 6-11, 280-pound lug that he is. When he’s out there tap dancing and trying to finger roll layups when he should be dunking, that’s when the catastrophe theatre begins. He was good enough against the Bucks, but he’s striving for the same things most all of these guys are and that’s being consistently productive. If and when he does that, he’ll have regained the form that made him such a free agent steal two years ago.
… Game’s over, a 96-80 Hawks’ rout. I’ll let the rest of you vent or argue my points and come back here after watching the Hawks Live post game show.
