Hawks

By JohnGTFan

March 3, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

Sekou

Why didn’t Salim get more minutes? Why wasn’t JJ benched? I know he’s the “Allstar” of the team, but if his shot isn’t falling and he’s not finding his teammates, how about finding something that does work? I mean, even if Rich or Salim came in and didn’t score, oh well, at least Woodson would have shown he’s got the guts to do it! You have to know when someone is off, they’re just simply off and not helping the team. I’ve been getting ripped for criticizing JJ…and I don’t mean it like he’s always this bad…he’s been outstanding for about 60 - 65 percent of the games…but it’s about winning, not about egos or hurting players feelings.

By cp

March 3, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this

Yea JohnGTFan I was just saying in the last blog that I wish Mike Knapp would bench JJ when he is playing this horrible. Im still baffled by guys other than the pg bringing the ball up the court. We finally have the pg we have been lacking yet other guys are bringing the ball up the court which causes us to get into our offensive sets real late which causes us to take bad shots. Give the damn ball to Bibby and let him run this team. Im done with Pachulia. The guy let 6’7 at best big baby snatch a rebound from him. Give Solo all of Pachulia’s minutes. The only time Pachulia should be in the game is if all the big guys are in foul trouble. Why wasn’t Marvin back in the game? I know I have been harsh on him lately but he was actually playing some good damn ball. Mike Knapp has to really learn to make adjustments and pull guys who are not producing.

By BA

March 3, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

We are so close, so damn close! If Bibby had been here from the start I truly believe the Hawks would be over .500 right now. We have a strong core, but the elite teams like Detroit and these Celtics have depth. I love our first eight but we need a more quality, veteran bench. Can it be done even if we keep Smoove/Chills? Will they spend over the cap going into next season, Sekou? Are we missing out on these players this week (Lue/Ratliff/Magloire) because they won’t sign here or because the ASG is too cheap? Anyway, as frustrating as these losses are at least every game I see more and more improvement. What’s the ceiling on Horford?! This kids out of his mind! I think Joe and Smoothe take too many jump shots, and in Joe’s case too many shots period. Call some plays for Horford, Chills and Duck. Hell, run the offense through big Al like the old days with Shaq! And can we please see some more of Richardson? Defense is subpar but what a sweet shot…

By BA

March 3, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this

CP, brother who is Mike Knapp?!

By reese

March 3, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this

At this point, there is no need looking past the next game. There is no need looking at what other teams are doing. There is no need assuming that a certain team can be beat. There is no need assuming that a certain team can’t be beat. Don’t listen to the good/bad hooplah spouted by other team’s coaches or players. Forget the previous games wins and losses.

In other words, develop a game plan to beat the next opponent. Watch tape, go over scouting reports, devise your offensive game plan, devise your defensive game plan, devise your backup game plans for both.

Tell every player to be prepared to play and play every player. Play each game as though it is game 7 of a playoff game.

Players, challenge each other, support each other and play hard because you know a sub will be coming in to bring the same intensity that you just left on the floor.

Understand that mistakes will be made, but you sheer effort and comraderie will make up for those mistakes and your hard work and skills will make your successes outweigh your failures.

GO HAWKS

By Clyde

March 3, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this

Woody should be fired for bringing Zaza off the bench before Solomon.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By ray

March 3, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this

Reese, all good ideas. And none of which Woody would make use of.

I can’t wait for this summer. Know why? It’s like watching a scene in an action/thriller movie. You don’t know if the main character is going to survive that awful stunt, or if he’s going to get his innards splattered everywhere. Either way, you’ll be glued to your seat and unable to keep from watching. Things WILL explode this summer. Whether for good or ill is anybody’s guess.

By cp

March 3, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this

BA Mike Knapp is my name for Mike Woodson. I dont know if you watch football but Gregg Knapp was the sorry offensive coordinator for the Falcons like two years ago. I call Mike Woodson Knapp because like Knapp, he cant make adjustments and will go away from whats working, and has the same unimaginative plays that he loves to call on even though everyone in the league knows its ooming. Mike Woodson and Gregg Knapp are brothers from another mother.

By BA

March 3, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe I didn’t catch that-that is GENIUS! Knapp, what a tool! Maybe my mind had blocked out Knapp/Jim Moron from the trauma! By the way, I’m no big Pachulia fan either, but Solo is a walking turnover in serious need of some Whopper value meals. Salim is like having somebody’s short little sister out there on defense. Hey, at least we’re not the knicks or the sacramento queens, those teams are awful!

By JohnGTFan

March 3, 2008 2:49 AM | Link to this

Maybe it’s just me…but does anyone get the feeling that ATL is going to let Smith go after this season, do a sign and trade for a draft pick and try to acquire a big man? Everyone has to know that’s what ATL needs…and Smith, unfortunately, will be the biggest target in the off-season…every team in the NBA would love him. I believe it would be a mistake…but I’m getting the feeling that’s why he doesn’t have an extension.

By Star of the Zanarkand Abes!

March 3, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

SIGN JOSH! FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!!

By Glutton for Punishment

March 3, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this

JJ has been in a season long funk. Sekou Tell Joe that he needs to talk to the Sports Psychologist that the Braves have. He need to get more of a positive attitude, better yet, a cut throat attitude.

This is the year we really need him and he is the one that is not delivering consistently. He hated the fact that the ASG hadn’t gotten him any help. Well now he has it and HE IS THE HAWK THAT IS NOT PRODUCING. Well..he and Marvin.

By kwooden1

March 3, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this

Hate to lose, but to take the punch from Pierce and come back was a great sign. Its also clear they have a ways to go and haven’t figured out how to play with Woody’s system. We all know that JJ should had more time on the bench during the beginning of the 4th and Soloman scores as many points and as minutes played but Woody is very consistant. (consistantly does nothing) It was good to hear that Marvin played pretty well in his minutes.

Now the Hawks have to find away to beat Golden State. GS will be looking to get one back from losing at home to the Hawks a little while ago.

GO HAWKS!!

By terrell barron

March 3, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

Maybe if Joe complained to the refs or showed some freakin EMOTION, he would get some of those calls that Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and the rest of the AllSTAR players get. He just looks as if he does’nt care. The refs have no respect for Joe as a player WHATSOEVER! Get in they’re face every now and then, for crying out loud. Get a tech if you have to. DO SOMETHING!

By Angry Tim

March 3, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

Road games don’t count the same, right coach?

By fudd21

March 3, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

JohnGTFan I actually agree with you on the Hawks letting Josh go in a sign and trade deal. I’m not sure of the exact number but remember Josh turned down and extension this past summer of around 9 million per. SOmeone please correct me if that number is wrong. So I’m thinking he wants max money or close to max money to resign. I don’t think the Hawks are going to give him that kind of money. And to be honest I don’t think he’s worth max money. Not until he learns to shoot and makes better decisions.

By Astro Joe

March 3, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Ando, quick question. Then why haven’t they fired BK? You mentioned 4 teams yesterday, all of them have changed their GM/head coach in the last 2-3 years (except Hornets for obvious Katrina-related reasons). Even if you ignore the financial resources provided by those owners (excluding Memphis), they have made an active and emphatic statement to move their team forward by replacing the GM & head coach. Are we supposed to wait for our GM/head coach to fire themselves? Seems that way, because that is essentially what happens when their contracts expire 6/30. Instead of addressing the issue, they are letting it expire. And this is supposed to make us feel good about the future of this franchise?

Bibby’s salary is being paid by Speedy’s insurance and Hossa being shipped off to Pittsburgh. Here’s guessing that they didn’t know in May that Speedy would be a cash cow for them. A #11 pick is far cheaper over the next 3-4 years than Calderon as he would need to be re-signed next season. So I’m thinking they went the cheap route. We entered this season with 9 players on rookie contracts. 9. Sorry, but no one can convince me that was BK’s preferred roster composition.

My point in a nutshell, if BK had drafted better, we would be better. But without the ability to spend on veterans, we’d still have 8-9 players on a rookie contract and there is no historical evidence to show a team can sustain success with that type of youth. Watch Portland this off-season. Watch them start replacing some youngsters with vets. They had their sugar-induced run earlier this season but crashed when the sugar wore off. Their smart GM (aided by cash and autonomy), will correct his current roster with vets. That’s the proven formula in this league. Too bad our owners don’t recognize the obvious (or can’t fund it).

By Thundersticks

March 3, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Joe Johnson = Michael Finley in his prime

By JJ

March 3, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

actually michael finley was more aggressive then joe johnson.

By Jo Bling

March 3, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

The Hawks put up a fight last night - even with a miserable performance from Joe, and Bibby clearly ailing. Horford again was just remarkable. Once again, though, we lost our defensive tenacity in the second half. We came out strong in the third quarter, but then we let down our guard and Ray Allen hit two big three pointers, and that seemed to take all the life out of us. Next thing you know, Boston is on a 13-0 run and grabbing every loose ball and offensive rebound. We knew they would come at us, but there was nothing we could do to stop it.

This team will never win when Josh Smith is leading the offensive charge. Josh is a tremendous raw talent, but he doesn’t know much about how you win basketball games. Joe Johnson should be leading the offense, but his mind appears to be somewhere else. He needs to get his act together and fast.

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

The Hawks have the ability - home victories vs. Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, L.A. - on the road they are a totally different ballclub - the young guys haven’t learned how to win on the road yet - 7 wins in 29 road games vs. 17 wins in 28 home games.

When will the boys grow up a learn how to win on the road?

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

The Hawks have the ability - home victories vs. Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, L.A. - on the road they are a totally different ballclub - the young guys haven’t learned how to win on the road yet - 7 wins in 29 road games vs. 17 wins in 28 home games.

When will the boys grow up and learn how to win on the road?

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

The Hawks have the ability - home victories vs. Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, Utah, L.A. - on the road they are a totally different ballclub - the young guys haven’t learned how to win on the road yet - 7 wins in 29 road games vs. 17 wins in 28 home games.

When will the boys grow up and learn how to win on the road?

By MsDee

March 3, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

JJOhnson Got Punked!! No, not by Ashter Kutcher but by Paul Pierce!! Can u image the Celtics locker room after the game?? I bet JJ was the laughing stock!! Paul basically showed the whole NBA world why JJ should never be considered an ALL-STAR again..He showed them by having only 5 pts(4 less than Joe) in the 1st half and was able to score 20+ in the 2nd half…Joe with 9pts couldn’t even kiss the rim in the 2nd for a pt..not even a free throw. Paul went serveral times to the free throw line. The moral of the story is, Joe is no ALL-STAR..just an average JOE!!

By dakid

March 3, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Joe does remind me of Finley, but he was a better all around game than Finley had in my opinion. But he took a chance on the Hawks. He had other options so I tend to defend him alot. About re-signing Josh, man if he thinks he deserves max money he is out his mind. I love his game besides the jump shooting, but max. Al Jefferson didn’t get the max. I hope they come to an agreement. Astro you make great points. ASG seem to be today’s Donald Sterling. Everything cheap. But look at it like this, if you had someone in charge who Drafted Marvin, over Paul, Williams, would you want him taking chances with a at that time un-proven back up point guard. He did sign Speedy Claxton who couldn’t shoot when we signed him. I love Chills but he drafted him over Iguodala, Deng. Royal Ivey over Duhon . Shelden over Rudy Gay, and Brandon Roy. Shelden Williams, who as a big, can’t Dunk with 2 hands. I can’t believe that the ASG would make him pull the trigger on that. Billy told us that JJ could play the point so no need for a point guard. I heard him personally say that.

By I.MUS WRITE

March 3, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

THUNDERSTICKS- Finley was a better player than JJ in his prime. Finley was really athletic,played great D and managed to roast teams from the perimeter. JJ is no slouch either but not Finley. Actually last nights game proves what I’ve been sayn since Dec. JJ hits his first few shots and promptly disappears…. 9 points on 4-16 shooting…….. in a game we really needed our all star cant get off. He has been playn well but when we needed him he …………disappeared.

My god how many jumpers did we take after halftime….. rediculous man. Marvin played okay last night -puzzling though…. when he started to hit his J Coach X puts him on the pine. This does’nt change anything with me ZAZA,Marvin should be shopped for picks and or a center……. I know we could get Diop for Marvin or a J. Foster for ZAZA. Kendrick Perkins is a nice young player that would look good as our starting center. Where the hell is SOLO -Woody give the yung’n sum run he is better than ZAZA right now, I cant stand to see his soft azz shooting fade away’s. I saw ZAZA last week and he is a really big dude -big enough to hammer sum folks in the post, but what does he do run from contact and jack up fade away’s……Pass be a barf bag.

By bballer

March 3, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

if josh smith is a bit of a head case now, imagine how he would be if he get max dollars. the real question is, can this lineup win a championship. the answer is no. what do you need?

a big man like dalembert or chandler who can rebound, block shots and defend other bigs. hortford will be an 18/10 guy in his 3rd year. save the money, sign childress and draft a big like hibbert. with law, childress on the bench, this team is slowly morphing into a consistent playoff contender. josh smith puts up great numbers. but he is expendable.

By smartguy

March 3, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Talk of roster changes and trades is futile if Mike Woodson is still our head coach.

By The Realist

March 3, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Gee, I wish there was a way to fire ASG! Anywho, I agree that Josh Smith, while a shut down defensive player, consistently makes horrible decisions on offense. Only thing is, if we get rid of him, who can even come close to filling his shoes on defense? Re-sign him, get a coach that’ll bench him for taking jumpers & turning the ball over, then trade Marvin for a big that’ll clog the middle & give us about 12pts per night!

By defendingJosh Smith

March 3, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Why all the hatred for Josh Smith. I agree he takes bad shots and has too many turnovers. I have never heard of him asking for max money or anything but staying in Atl. He handled his upcoming free agency was better than a lot of other people. 2. why is he on the perimeter instead of in the paint where he should be? Maybe because on how inflexible this offense is. 3. Josh Smith and Al Horford have more heart than anyone else on this team. They make mistakes but at least they come to play. For what Paul Pierce and the Celtics said about JJ and him to have that game says enough. Marvin, Chill and Zaza shrivel up when it heats up. I think it is funny that the 17th pick in the draft has outplayed the 6th,2nd and fifth pick and you guys still complain. He has a lot to work on but Bibby will help a lot with that. Is not obvious that the coaching here sucks? They lose the same way and make the same mistakes running the same plays. With any respectable coach they hould have a winning record.

By Sean C

March 3, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I might be mistaken, but dont we have ZERO draft picks this upcoming draft?

By doc

March 3, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

aj your arms ok?out of town this weekend without computer and the one i was on blew up every post i sent along the theme of “it is the owners” reprise number infinity including the similarity to the clip organization. interesting fodder about calderon. for the first year i tried to make some sense of it all and finally came up with there is no obvious reason behind any moves they have made or in the case recently of moves not made. can only laugh.

i dont know about if youor anyone else sees the trend but the owners somehow turn a positive into a negative much like the basketball team does by losing three to four after they win 2. i really want to stand up and say i am going to get season tix as they seem on the right track finally then they choke and i go “i am going to spend my discretionary dollar with discresion” and wait until the smoke settles once again.

By #21=Top 50,1stBallot

March 3, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

It’s nice to print and speculate, and of course fun, but let’s fact a couple facts people. There are only two team in the league with any type of cap space to give Smoov a max deal- Memphis and Philly. Memphis is clearly cutting payroll pending a sale and is highly unlikely to commit any $ to a player like Smoov when they just “gave” away Gasol. Philly could sign Smoov but given their roster composition already it would be very BK-ish of them to sign another wing. Giving up Iggy would be the only way and I question whether they would do that.

That said, Smoov’s other greatest impedous to getting $ like that is the stout FA class ahead: Brand, Arenas, Ben Gordon, Jermaine O’Neal, Artest, Jamison, Royal Ivey (ha, j/k). I think my point is understood. There is a host of plethora of talent to be had and all of the above arent getting max deals, so once that is understood it should calm some of the demands.

Believe me, I want to see Smoov locked up as much as anyone of this blog and I’m hoping whoever our new GM will be(fingers crossed) will share this view. What I could see happening is Smoov signing a one year sheet if he doesnt see an offer that “he likes”. The good news for us though is that 2009 class will be similarly stout.

Also,

DISCLAIMER You lose all credibility on this blog and as a “fan” when you post anything refering to “Atlanta Hawks” and “2008 Draft” in the same sentence. Clearly it should be known by all that we have no pick this year. Any rebuilding plan, trade scenario, or NBA 2K8 draft plan reflecting this is a waste of life.

RISE UP

By dakid

March 3, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

But if he turned down 9 per year, 12 is the max so he wants at least more than 9. So near max money. But I personally love his game, except the jumpers. And it’s your right to defend him, but because he is on the wing doesn’t mean he has to take the shot. Just because he gets the rebound doesn’t mean he has to dribble the ball up the court and make a jump pass. He has holes in his game that HE can improve on. That has nothing to do with coaching. But we agree that the coaching sucks here. Last point, he didn’t have a great Stat line, he played hard, as always, but there has been games where he has gotten it handed to him but players, but he plays hard. But I still want him on the Hawks, just not at max money or anything over 10 a year. But i’m just a blogger. LOL.

By Singindablues

March 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

The leaders of this team which set the tone for the whole franchise, ASG, are really just the laughing stock of the entire league. They are an embarrassment to the Atl. I can’t believe they can show up for any league function without jokes and snickers following them around the entire time. Knight and Woodson aren’t far behind either, so how do you expect the players to play with confidence and determination when they’re leaders are such a bunch of inept dufus’s.

By Ken Strickland

March 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

All of this talk about firing the the GM(BK)is a waste of time. What reputable, competent candidate would take the job, especially under current conditions? It’s now apparent members of the DASG(DISFUNCTIONAL ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP) are limiting the GM’s ability to do what one would expect from a GM. It’s also apparent the DASG is comprised of individuals that aren’t very loyal, especially to employee’s that’s been very loyal to them.

It seems the villain in all of this ownership mess is really the DASG. They’re developing a history of placing individuals in decision making positions(Belkin & BK), then pulling the rug out from under them when they exercise their decision making responsibilities.

ANDO-I don’t understand your reasoning in this matter. You say you’re a Hawks fan, and I’m not questioning your loyality, but your recent stance suggests otherwise. You’ve shown open support for the DASG’s blocking of BK’s attempts to make moves that are obviously in the teams best interest. They blocked a proposed trade this summer for a quality PG(Calderon). Isn’t that amazingly simular to what started this whole ownership split and legal mess with Belkin in the 1st place? Now they’ve blocked BK’s 3 attempts to fire Woodson. This is a move everyone seems to think is in the teams best interest, except the BASG.

It’s obvious BK has made questionable decisions and/or judgement calls. We are now finding out he’s consistently tried to correct those that are correctable(For those who just can’t let it go, I’m certain BK, in hindsight, would go back in time and draft CPaul and/or BRoy if he could). Your comments seem to indicate you are more interested in seeing BK suffer than seeing him successfully correct past errors in judgement. It’s not how often one falls down that’s important, but how often one gets up. It seems the DASG isn’t overly interested in seeing BK get up, even if it proves beneficial to the team. That’s why your support of their actions is so puzzling.

By Mike

March 3, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the infrequent post, but still reading the blog,these graduate classes have been killing me, and they shut down my blogging at work.

Guys I thought it was just me, but what in the H is going on with Joe. He has one of the top PG in the league to play alone with, now all of sudden he plays with very little confidence, and no swagger. Maybe Joe didn’t come back 100% from last season injury. Clearly this is not the same guy. Someone mention it in a blog before the All-Star break, may be Joe have some personal issues affect him, because he is just not the same guy.

Woody is just like a programmed robot. He is doing a better job of using other guys in the rotation, but he still calls the same lame plays. When AH had it going like he did yesterday, you gotta feed him the ball. Solomon came in the NY game in played huge, how do Woody reward him, by leaving on the bench all game. This kid Richardson can shoot the lights out, and now he’s getting DNP. Marvin played the best defense I seen him play all season yesterday, what do Woody do, go with JJ and Zaza.

CP your right on the money Bro, this cat could be Knapp twin.

The Spirit should be force to sale the Hawks for conduct detrimental to team and the fans of Atlanta. This fiasco keeps getting worst and worst. Why do the Thrasher get to operate independently, while everybody else in the Spirit organization wants run the Hawks. Why cain’t the Cheap Assss Spirit sign a FA Big? It is simple, they don’t give a s** about the team or the fans Atlanta. You bring in a Cadillac to run your team, and you let a guy use driving a Pinto coach him. Go figure.

I’m like Astro Joe, I’m just waiting for the end of the season to see how all mess plays out. And to think, these guys had the audacity to go up on season tickets.

ANYWAY GO HAWKS, KEEP FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By mykhalc

March 3, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

the thing i’ll add about JS is that he has made GREAT strides this season!! great ones!!!

i was one of the cats that was goin’ crazy at some of the things he’d do at the start of the season!! bad decisions, no doubt!! and tho there are still some things that still needed addressin’ with his game, i can live with the bad for all the game changin’ things he does defensively and the fact that he comes to play…PERIOD!!!

and has anyone else noticed how he CLEARLY gives up the ball to BIBBY now instead of bringin’ the ball up court himself??? not to say he hasn’t at all, but he clearly trusts BIBBY with makin’ the decisions now!!

i’ve said it before, these young cats need to be led!! and until BIBBY, they have not had a true vocal leader, NBA proven and playoff tested!!! hell they could NOT even look to their HC for leadership!!!

so as much as SMOOVE has things to improve upon, i really do like the tandem of him and EL GATO GRANDE!!!!

my core would be JS (i’d sign him to whatever the market brings him), AH, MB, JJ, and CHILS with ACIE a close 2nd. everybody else is there to help bring the defensive BIG the team so desperately needs!!!!

just to add, for all those that did not get the BOS feed of the game, you should have heard HOW MUCH JS’ presence made on BOS’ shot selections!! impactin’ the game even when he might not have even been in the play!!! DOC RIVERS even said so after the game.

bottom line, SMOOVE is an incredible talent that just needs more time, experience, groomin’, and TRUE leadership to help him along the way!!!

By Astro Joe

March 3, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Doc, I felt vindicated after Friday’s news cycle, that included Sekou’s bombshell followed by Gearon shooting himself in the foot Friday morning.

But the latest, the report that BK tried to acquire Calderon and was denied by ownership, just has me ticked off. Again, I ask, if you believe that your GM is proposing bad trades while your team sucks on the court, then why not fire the guy? And if you have a governance process in place that doesn’t provide the GM the authority to fire a head coach nor complete a trade (not to mention financial resources), then why have a GM? They already eliminated the CEO position when they let Bernie Mullen walk. Keep eliminating those annoying (and expensive) layers and let’s eventually have the 6 owners share coaching & GM responsibilities also.

By Pete

March 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

HEY ALL OF YOU JOSH SMITH NAY SAYERS. THE KID AT LESAT BRINGS MORE INTENSITY TO THE GAMES THAN MOST OF HIS TEAMMATES. IF HE GOES THIS TEAM WILL PLUMMET DEFENSIVELY. THE HAWKS ARE 10 POINTS WORSE ON THE ROAD MOST OF THE TIME LOOK AT J.J.’S NUMBERS HIS SHOOTTING PERCENTAGE IS NOT GOOD ON THE ROAD.

J-SMOOVE HAS TO SHOOT FROM THE PERIMETER TO OPEN HIS DRIVES TO THE BASKET.

MY KNOCK AGAINST JOE JOHNSON IS ASSERTIVENESS AT TIMES. J.J. NEEDS TO GET MORE FIRED ABOUT THESE GAMES AND FORCE THE ISSUE TO GET TO THE FOUL LINE TO CORRECT HIS JUMPER WHEN HE IS NOT HITTING SHOTS. MARVIN INCLUDED!

AS FOR BIBBY, I HOPE ACIE CAN GET BACK ON THE FLOOR SOON.

FINAL WORD!!!!!!! WOODY PLAY SALIM MORE MAN AND EARLIER.

By An Inquiring Mind

March 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

I have a question for the pathetic jock sniffers who worship at Josh Smith’s throne:

Why do y’all call your lord and savior “Smoov”?

I’ve watched him play quite a few times, and I haven’t seen ANYTHING “smoov” about his jump “shot”, or his ball-handling “ability”.

Smith has obviously done very little work to refine his talent. Instead, he seems content to rely exclusively on natural ability.

So, An Inquiring Mind wants to know: what is so “smoov” about an ATHLETE who possesses so little SKILL?

By bballer

March 3, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

so the fire bk lines have to stop. yes he made a mistake in not drafting paul or williams but he seems to have been trying to make good moves after that. most liked the draft of hortford and law. most would have liked to have calderone as the starting pg. most like the fact that bibby is with the hawks and most would have wanted woodson gone. these are good moves that most will like.

so i am wrong about jsmoove and about a draft pick in ‘08. the challenge then is can jwills be traded for a pick and a centre. which centres will be available for a good price. i think bk has one more year. he is moving the team in the right direction and needs to be able to fire woodson. atl is on the verge of becoming a perennial playoff team if they make it this year. the experience will be good for the youngins on the team.

By I.MUS WRITE

March 3, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Second the motion from top 50 #21,Whoa cant believe I just said that -but he is right if you are still posting here about draft picks or players to draft in 08 -Stop because we dont have any-do your homework. DAKID- I have to disagree with you, the holes in Smoove’s game can be fixed by a good coach…….. No way he does sum of the garbage he does under a J.Sloan or Popovitch-if he did he would lose playing time which means his numbers would be down which means his money is down (new contract). He has improved each year and maybe next year his handles and jumper will improve, I really think its going to take a Nate McMillan type to get the best out of Josh………………Whew with all that said pay the yung’n or we’ll be sorry later on.

I hate these owners Veto ing trades just to save money. Im p** now thinking about calderon at the 1 for us……..

I heard the Lakers only wanted Solo and Salim for Kobe and it wuz u guessed it…….. NIXED

By Shed

March 3, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou. Email me.

By Shed

March 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou. Email me.

By fudd21

March 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

DaKiD The max is not 12 mil per. If I remember corectly D. Howard signed a 5 year 85 million extension so that would make the max 17 mil per.

IMUS you stated you think we should bring in Perkins or Diop as our starting center. My question for you is offensively where would the spacing be with Josh, AL, and Perkins/Diop on the floor? I admit I didn’t watch yesterdays game, but on Friday Josh ate Randolph up on the block and off the dribble. I think he made like 1 jumper (the 3) out of 6 attempts. I would much rather see him on the block or driving to the hole. With 2 other post players, limited range shooters on the court (Al and Perkins/Diop) I just don’t see the spacing for him to be able to operate on the block and go to the hole.

I think if we were to bring in a STARTING center it would have to be one who operates on the perimeter like Mehmet Okur or Brad Miller. I do think we should bring in a big man but to fill the role that Zaza has now. I actually like Josh and Al at the 4 and 5. They may give up an inch or 2 but they are usually quicker than their opponent.

By Volman

March 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Inquiring Mind, you’re a dolt.

By Jo Bling

March 3, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith does not know his role on offense, and that IS the coach’s fault. Josh gets the ball passed to him and he sees a wide open 18-foot shot. It never crosses his mind that the reason he is wide open is because that’s what the opponent wants. They love it when he is jacking up the 18 footers and they’ll let him shoot those all day long. Josh is long on talent and effort, short on strategic thinking. He puts up huge numbers everywhere but the “W” column.

By Pete

March 3, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

To: By An Inquiring Mind,

This has nothing to do sweating a player….It has more to do with effort. Joe Johnson takes himself out of most plays by just chilling on the corners. Just watch the games man. When he is into the game he attacks down the middle with lots of runners.

Smith “Smoove” whatever let’s not get rude here the issue is not him at all. He does not cause us to lose most of the time it is the lack of late game scoring (Joe?). Just watch the games man!!!!!!!

By Jo Bling

March 3, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith does not know his role on offense, and that IS the coach’s fault. Josh gets the ball passed to him and he sees a wide open 18-foot shot. It never crosses his mind that the reason he is wide open is because that’s what the opponent wants. They love it when he is jacking up the 18 footers and they’ll let him shoot those all day long. Someone said he has to shoot those to open up his drives to the basket. Oh, really? So the price we pay for his drives to the basket are clanked jump shots that more often than not turn into fast breaks for the opponent? What’s the benefit in that? I think he needs a new strategy.

Josh is long on talent and effort, short on strategic thinking. He puts up huge numbers everywhere but the “W” column. A good coach could turn him into an all star. But I don’t think he listens to this coach - at all.

By Nookah

March 3, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I am convinced that us Genuine Hawks fans are just that, genuine. The greatest in the world. One could even argue that we are illogical and irrational. Our loyalty is blind!!!

Which other set of fans could endure this masochistic torture for this never-ending period of time? I bet no other NBA fan can relate to that. We have been mired in a quagmire of inept ownership, poor draft selections (one may have influenced the other), woefully inadequate coaching expertise and now we have become a franchise of cliches. We search for phrases that will console us such as…..a young team. Now we hear…we don’t know how to win on the road and the latest one is …we’re so close.-

Close to what? Close to inept coaching, disgusting ownership which hand-cuffs the decision makers?

Let us be honest with ourselves, until…….

1. …Woody is gone (30% win ratio?)
2. …JJ plays like the $70M man he is (that body language does not scream confidence at me!!)
3. …we have some better help in the paint.
4. …we have a coach who understands his personnel and does not kill the starting 5.
5. …we have the depth to play more than 5 or 6 people consistently.
6. …we have new ownership who can make basketball decisions and not the cheap-by-all-means decisions!!!

Until most of these happen we will continue to be a fanbase whose only reward at the end of each season is to look forward to the next season with false hope!!!!

Someone said it in another blog. Wherever Josh Smith signs at the end of the season I will be a fan of that team.

Nuff respect!!!

By dakid

March 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Fudd thanks for the info, you’re right. So i kinda understand him turning down 9 per when the market is clearly is he is worth more.IMUS we do need a tough coach who isn’t afraid to coach him and not cuddle him. And i agree we need to re-sign him, but at a limit. Pete he as to shoot the jumper to open up his drives?? So how do you explain Jason Kidd getting to the basket at will. He can’t shoot at all. But i’m starting to sound like a Josh Hater, and i’m not. Just want him to be all he can.

By Auguista Dude

March 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Does anyone feel that the Hawks broadcasters are apologists are apologists too much? Would they get fined if they said anything against the team and rip em?

By newkid

March 3, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

To repeat a question I asked several months back, why would a GM who deems himself competent sit still for incident after incident of less than full support from ownership? If his deal for a much needed rising point guard (Calderon) was nixed prior to last year’s draft (which would have given him other roster-building options with the 11th pick), if he has tried without success on 3 distinct occasions to enigineer the ouster of a head coach who through 3+ years has shown himself to be marginal at best, then why hasn’t he concluded that it’s in his best interest to resign and seek a more supportive environment? What am I missing?

By CDS

March 3, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

For a so-called All-Star, JJ has disappeared from many games this season, especially on the road. Marvin just doesn’t seem to be working out that well aside from that Seattle game. As for the playoffs, this team has the talent to get in. My concern is Woodson who has the most odd substitution patterns I’ve ever seen. He sits the hot guy, and I don’t know why he is so reluctant to play Solomon.

I can’t see them going to the playoffs. Woodson is killing this team, and JJ isn’t leading these guys anywhere. If we do get there, it will be due to Horford, Childress, and Bibby.

By Pete

March 3, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Joe needs to step it up!!!!!! That is why I used to get on him because he does not dunk. Dunks mean I am not going to lose I am going to score anyway possible.

Oh yeah Wally Sczerbiak, Ray Allen and Michael Redd all dunk when they need a big score a momentum changer.

Joe Johnson needs a paradigm shift!!!!! We need you to step it up man!!!!!!

I still want to go to the playoffs I paid my money already! Don’t make me look like a fool because I believe y’all can get in the playoffs!!!

By Peter

March 3, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Well Joe Johnson may be killing the Hawks these days……When is he going to STEP it UP and play EACH night like the All star he supposedly is, and play BIG in BIG games ?

He has gotten progressively worse this year, and he makes WAT TOO much money to disappear in these types of games!

By PD

March 3, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

This team may make the playoffs, but will go nowhere as long as we continue to rely on JJ to get us a win in the 4th quarter. I think we have to go to Bibby more and let him make the plays down the stretch. You can keep arguing about JJ, but he just does not perform consistenly enough for me. In many ways, I believe the inconsistency from our “leader” has pervaded our team’s performance as a whole. We can keep knocking Josh Smith for all his stupid decisions with shots and passes(which I do too), but he more than makes up for it with his timely blocks and defensive presence. At the same time, I can at least say that he plays with intensity and heart most of the game. On the other hand, I really cant say that for JJ. In addition, Josh Smith is still young and has tremendous room for improvement. Whereas, at this time in his career, JJ is pretty much what we see on the court. If his jump shot is on and he is scoring, he is a good player. Otherwise, he doesnt bring much else to the game as far as defense or making plays for others. I just want JJ to play more consistent and with a lot more intensity and killer instinct and get into that level of elite players in the league. When and if he does, then the Hawks will be a real team to reckon with. Otherwise, we might be a playoff team in the future(which is nice), but will never win a championship. I’m just tired of hearing all this talk of improvement and playing better, but with no wins to show for it. Yes, we’re in the East, but we should still want to win and should not accept anything less.

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Our all-star, Joe Johnson is not shooting as well as he has in the past, but he’s giving his all out there. He is not and will never be a dunker.

I personally think JJ gets a bad rap. If you REALLY watch the games, you will see that teams are constantly double teaming and trapping JJ - teams watch the film and they know that if you don’t double or trap JJ, he will score at will. Teams know that if you stop JJ, you have a excellent chance of being successful against the Hawks.

Who else on ATL is going to step up? Marvin? J-Chill? J-Smoove? Besides the newly-acquired Bibby, no one else can consistently hurt you on the perimeter on the Hawks.

Look at the Celtics - who do you focus on? Garnett? Pierce? Allen? Look at the Pistons - who do you focus on? Billups? Hamilton? Wallace? Prince?

On any given night, one of those players can have an all-star performance.

By Jo Bling

March 3, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

PD - Good comments. Josh Smith has his flaws, but maybe it’s just that those flaws have become more apparent since JJ stopped producing. As a result, it’s possible Josh is trying to do too much on the offensive end to compensate.

This team is not its best when Joe is not playing well. We need him back.

By new jersey faithful

March 3, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Your right Tiger Woo about teams double teaming JJ alot. Thats the problem though, because when they do, he often takes a bad shot or makes a bad play/pass that turns into a turnover. He needs to make quicker decisions when teams are doubling him. Thats the part of his game that I dont like, he seems slow developing plays, and maybe its not all his fault cause nobody is moving, but he needs to make better decisions with the ball.

By I.MUS WRITE

March 3, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

DAKID- Diop,Horford,Smoove is a great front line and you ask about spacing- okay…… If marvin is traded for a Diop hypothetically…….Smoove moves to the SF which allows him to operate from the 3pt line in, slahing to the hole or taking the midrange jumper and ocassionally posting up.

That leaves Horford to post up on the blocks and have his way with 70% of PF in the league also a nice high low game could develope between Horford and Diop. Diop rarely had plays called for him in Dallas so nuthing changes if he comes here -run plays for him ocassionally and the rest of his points come off tip ins dunks and layups………….. Horford and smoove coexist right now so we really need our center to rebound block shots and clog the middle- Nevermind the scoring we need a grown azz man in there bangn the Eddy Curry’s and Bogut’s of the world………………… If we bring in a guy who knows his role (rebound -bang-protect the lane)I would be satisfied with 11-13 pts and 8-11 rebounds a game.

Smoove may or may not be a 3 but i will take him there over what we currently have —you cant teach heart or athleticism……………….Sum one said this earlier but JJ looks really slow in the half court sets -he gets the ball and stops moving only to go between his legs and jack a fade away- where is the rip Hamilton type movement or hell sum movement would be nice -I think JJ needs to trim down …………….Also saw a JJ/ZAZA trade proposal for JRichardson/ Okafor…………………….If Charollette is that stupid then hell yeah -Id take that any day. JJ and J Rich both average 20.4 a game so the trade would basicily be a ZAZA for Okafor ………… need I say more

By I.MUS WRITE

March 3, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Paradigm Shift thatz funny he needs sumthing to get his azz moving…………u might wanna dumb it down a bit -Im guessing most people have no clue what that iz.

By Gypsyjoe

March 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

I don’t get to see very many games because I am in california. But I think Woody’s main problem is he just sticks with our starter way tooooo long. JJ score 9 frigin points against Boston. Why not use salim and richardson. I am sure they could of atleast did as good. I bet they would of not went 0-7 for 3 pointers. when will that guy learn to play his whole team.

By kurtz

March 3, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Any truth to the rumor the Hawks will play in Las Vegas next year?

By Nookah

March 3, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

**Playoffs!!!!! What are you talking about playoffs?!!!!!

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Jo Bling,

JJ is still producing - if anything, Marvin’s production has decreased recently, putting even more pressure on JJ - JJ had an off-night vs. Boston - Boston’s defense had a lot to do with that.

new jersey faithful,

Yes - JJ sometimes takes a bad shot or makes a bad play/pass that turns into a turnover - all players do that at times, even Kobe, LeBron, etc. I agree that he sometimes dribbles around, trying to split the double team, etc. instead of perhaps making quicker decisions with the ball. It’s all about trusting your teammates to step up and perform, sometimes I think JJ thinks he needs to be the one to take that shot.

Adding Bibby gives JJ someone he can trust - they still need another scoring threat - to take the defensive pressure off JJ - in my opinion.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

kurtz:

I’ve heard Seattle goes to either Oklahoma City or Las Vegas. And that’s a done deal. It’s possible that ASG wants to move to whichever the Sonics don’t. Not that I know anything, but remember my admonitions. Anytime a corporate franchise can move instead of change they usually jump on change. And with the current “if you build it they will come” mentality, why not? The negative answer is because Atlanta is a huge market and getting bigger. On the baseball blog, one post mentioned that Atlanta will soon be the 5th largest market in the country. So the question for ASG has to be, are we gonna’ bail on a huge market for the shiney new world in the west? Well, are you ASG? Inquiring minds want to know.

By Tiger Woo

March 3, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

richbrave,

The Hawks are averaging 15,856 fans per contest this season. Why on earth would they consider moving the franchise?

Unless your comments are ‘tongue in cheek’, doesn’t make much sense.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Oops, I meant move. I don’t think there’s a consensus of thought amongst the ownership at this point. And there is definite validity to the posted arguements here that great players know solid management when they see it and when they don’t. When poor results affect the $$$$ an individual can expect, they just don’t want to be around the smell. Not that they care about being around foul odors, its the $$$$, you see. Nothin’ personal.

By new jersey faithful

March 3, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

JUST WIN BABY!

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

TIGER WOO:

Just posted why. And I’m serious. If the franchise is corporately seeking main-line players and getting resistance from them, ASG may split up and some owners take the team elsewhere to start afresh.

Atlanta cannot be ignored. Its a huge market, BUT if inept management has soured the fan base, some of these guys could say “Why not?” A lot of these owner-types don’t look at professional sports like a fan. Its strictly business.

HB ANDO seems to have a personal entry into the inner workings of the minds that run the show. How about it ANDO. Any possibility that the Hawks show could hop a jet to Las Vegas? I would hope the answer is no. 18,000+ from an angry fan-base sounds like a gold-mine to my commercial ears. Lotta’ up side.

By new jersey faithful

March 3, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

THE HAWKS TOTALLY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS They have a favorable schedule and are playing better and better every night since the ‘trade’

By MannyT

March 3, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

NJ Faithful… I agree. Once we get past the Houston game, the schedule is very favorable for the last month.

If the team can hunker down and ignore all the outside crap that goes with this crazy franchise, it is easy to see a route to playoffs. Same # of losses as Philly#7 and NJ#8 but they have 3 and 2 more wins respectively. They play each other twice.

Philly has 6 games left vs BOS,DET,CLE and 5 western conf games left (granted 1/2 easy).

NJ has 4 left vs BOS,CLE,DET and 8 left vs West (most hard games).

ATL schedule has 1 left vs BOS-no CLE,DET remain. Only 6 left vs West and against easier teams than NJ.

Let’s go Hawks!

By jami$$ion

March 3, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

I’ve read some interesting articles here today.1st off I’m all 4 the betterment of the TEAM.CP you & JOHNGT posts on JJ were on point,MS.DEE i feel the same way about JJ’s hunger.He needs 2 play like a winner 2 many crappy games.Realist i agree JS is gonna b the buttnaked win he gets his game 2gether.DAKID do u think Iggy is better than Chills.IF chills was the 1st option I believe his numbers a KILL Iggys since they aren’t far from his now.BBALL if Dalberts all we need y philly ain’t good?PLAYTEAMBALL MW

By Samuel

March 3, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s be real here. If you are a true fan then you want what’s best for the Hawks. I keep hearing people say that the spirit should not allow BK to Fire Woody, while admitting that Woody is not the man for the job. Would he (BK) be the first GM in history to fire the coach that he brought in? I wouldn’t think so. Like mama and daddy always said, “I brought you in this world, I can take you out”. Let BK take Woody out,please.

All in all, BK has ended up doing a pretty good job considering the circumstances. We didn’t get CPaul or DWilliams or Calderon but we do have Mike Bibby and he’s pretty damn good. We got this year’s Rookie of the year,JJ and Josh Smith. Not a bad core to work with. Now let him finish the job by filling the two roster spots, firing Woody and bringing in a transition style coach. We can make the playoffs. Can we win a first round series, probably not but it would definately be a step forward.

My boy, Monta Ellis, will be in town tomorrow. Now if I can just whip this little bug I got and cop some tickets(hint hint), I should be able to catch the show.

By drmaryb

March 3, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Go Hawks What up RichBrave? I guess you’re not feeling me anymore. Go Doc

By ray

March 3, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, I posted a lengthy opinion on what’s going on with the ownership. It disappeared. I have no idea why. You’re right in asserting that ownership seems to be eliminating the layers.

It all started with Belkin, if you ask me. They had to give him the power he wanted, due to his “larger than everybody else’s” share of the money. But egos eventually took over. Who really wanted the “outsider” anyway? But he was the only guy they could get to come in on the deal, and they were too far into the deal to back out. My guess is that out of the Atlanteans, you had one or two type A personalities that didn’t get along so well with Belkin and his decisions as team governor. Imagine this: “Who the hell does Steve think he is? We’re all in this together. Where does he get off telling us what’s going to go down and how? If he didn’t have so much damn money…there’s gotta be a way to take him down a peg or two.”

We were told once that these guys were looking for a way to seperate themselves from Belkin. And they found their way, their “smoke screen” as it were, with the Joe Johnson debacle. Of course, many of us laughed it off at first, after all who would admit such a thing publicly? And yet it was true. Despite the fact that it wasn’t given to us by official media personnel. I’m betting it wasn’t by far the first time the “type A” personalities clashed with Belkin, another “type A” personality. I’m also betting that Gearon and ol’ Rutherford Seydel are the proverbial “tip of the spear” in this plot. All they had to do was get the others to go along.

Then comes the part where Bernie Mullin gets kicked off of the wagon. Gearon says they want to get more involved with the day to day dealings and details. Right. Sounds to me like somebody wanted to be team governor in the first place, but had to relinquish the title (and the control that comes with it) to the outsider just so they could get him (and more importantly his MONEY) into the program. And in connection with this, you have to ask this question: who’s the team governor now?

But Mullin wasn’t gone until something happened that gave the ASG more room to operate. A court decision, an agreement with Belkin for buyout, etc. Now it was time to break out the hatchet and start chopping. What’s perplexing though, is why Woodson was kept around against Billy’s wishes. If deferring to the GM, why rebuff him…especially on something he has repeatedly brought to your attention? Remember, Billy is a GM that supports the players, not the coach.

This is where Joe is likely right: Billy won’t be here next year and either one of the owners or somebody else will be making the decisions. It just doesn’t make sense, though: why keep him if you’re not going to let him do his job. It doesn’t make financial sense either. If they wanted to trim payroll, they’d just cut him loose, like they did Bernie. Perhaps Billy began to assert himself and what he had to say was not something one or more of the owners wanted or liked. Out comes the hatchet again…

But anyway, this is just one of a few conspiracy theories bouncing around in my head. Imagine all the dirt that has been done before the Joe Johnson trade, the dirt in between the things that have leaked out into the media, etc. We’re missing a lot here, and no one theory is sound proof.

By jami$$ion

March 3, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

BA next year is the year AL takes over as the 1st option on the blocks.This guy is TD with better handle.Pick and rolls for AL & JOSH a do wonders for our O.And pick and pops 4 JJ,MARV,SALIM,&RICH a be good.Note to Woody JJ ISN’T ATHLETIC ENOUGH FOR THOSE ISOLATION PLAYS, LET ALONE BEAT THE DOUBLETEAM.Quit calling it.Employ screens so JJ can get his shot off.U r trying to force his game instead of letting it come to him.So now he’s fatigued taking badshots making T.OS.START WEST INSTANT D & ENERGY.GO HAWKS

By cp

March 3, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

For some reason my last post did not show up so I hope I can remember what I was talking about. Having NBA league pass I get to hear the opposing teams play by play guys rather than our own. It is always intresting to hear what other people think about this team. The one thing I hear a lot is that they think we should be better than our record indicates. They also point out the lack of for a better word play calling. They dont understand why we dont press more on defense with our long and atheletic players. They also dont get how some guys dont get more pt. It is always funny because they ask the same questions many of us on this board ask daily. I just dont understand how we all see it yet our coach does not. Woody seems like a nice guy but he really has to operate out of his comfort zone. He needs to try something different other than his predictable playcaling and substitution patterns. Mike Knapp change it up some it cant hurt at all.

By Astro Joe

March 3, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Ray, that sounds plausible to me. Here’s what I wonder. Remember when our guy Ted Turner took over the reigns of the Braves for a few games before MLB declared that rich guys couldn’t do that anymore? I wonder if the NBA has a similar rule to make sure that no one hurts “the integrity of the game”. And so maybe if the Hawks fire BK, they would have to give someone the GM title (let’s say Dick Versace’s son) to at least pass Stern’s rule. Would they have to formally sign him to a binding contract or could he serve as interim-GM? And, of course, would they get Belikn’s agreement, since that is required when hiring a new GM/coach?

See, I think we are still held hostage by this divorce. Maybe the owners took away BK’s power to fire Woody because this divorce has essentially taken away their power to hire a replacement (without Belkin’s approval). If I weren’t such a fan, this might even be funny.

By ray

March 3, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Samuel, odd isn’t it? You really have to wonder why.

After all, whether or not it’s “all about the money” or not…I think in order for us to even grasp “what” this craziness is about, we need to know “why” it’s gone down like this. Of course, I won’t be holding my breath.

By terrell barron

March 3, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness those ping pong balls fell the way they did last year. We would have taken Oden or Durant with # 1 or #2, because of the hype they got before the draft. Horford is clearly the BEST of the 3. That guy is a beast. I guess Oden would have been nice paired with Josh Smith, but I’m thrilled with what I see from Big Al. And I was hoping for the #1 pick that night. lol!

By Ken Strickland

March 3, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

I see I’m not the only one that’s had a post or two omitted. That might explain the sudden increase of double posts. RAY-my friend, bravo. That was an excellent assessment of the internal crap that’s going on within this mgt circus. Your comments may have answered my question about the Spirits motives for turning against BK. Maybe we have an owner or two within the Spirit Group who wants to be the basketball equivalent of Al Davis.

After getting Belkin out of the way, the next logical move would be to get rid of BK. Firing him would obligate them financially for the remainder of his contract. But, by making it almost impossible for him to do his job, he might be enticed to quit out of anger or frustration. If successful, they would be relieved of any further financial obligation to him.

Why let BK make moves that might take this team to the next level? Moves like trading for PG Calderon, firing Woodson or resigning JSmith and JChildress. I think timing, opportunity and availability forced them to approve the trade for Bibby when they did.

By Labron

March 3, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

I think that we have to dismantle our team after we get rid of bk, we need to trade our so called stars(josh,joe, bibby) and build with marvin and al, we need to draft good players now on and be a better team in the future, we are not going to get a championship with this team its highely unlikely.

By ray

March 3, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Joe, that’s another very good question. And chances are, you’re right: the NBA rules come into play here. Does Belkin still retain the power to actively or passively veto moves? We haven’t heard much about him, and some things I’ve been given information on would suggest that the ASG has managed to take care of the Belkin issue. But that might not be true. If it isn’t then you’ve almost got to be right: Belkin’s still in it and the divorce is still determining a lot of things.

However, it would definitely have to be a financial thing when it comes to Calderon vs. Bibby. At least I think so, anyway. Gearon might be talking out of his arse about Bibby being the great veteran pg/leader that we never had before…but in reality, Bibby may been seen by ownership as a huge expiring contract, and therefore giving us yet another “fool’s gold” addition (oh looky, a good pg who will bring us wins). Meanwhile, Calderon was NOT an expiring contract. Even then, you really have to wonder exactly why we weren’t able to get Calderon. The only thing I can think of is what you and Ken think of: that it was a matter of opportunity, availability…and just plain old force. That and there might have been an opinion from the owner (or owners) themselves on whether they wanted Calderon…or wanted to give up Childress for him.

Personally…I can understand hesitating to give up Childress with Williams having not panned out the way he was expected to, when you’ve clearly hitched half your wagon to Marvin. He keeps getting the lion’s share of the minutes at the 3, and things just aren’t getting better. But that’s another story…

Ken, thanks. That was just my attempt at thinking my way through this. It’s confusing because so much is missing, and so many things still don’t make sense. Oh well. And by the way, you’re likely right about the Bibby trade. Timing. Opportunity. Availability. Makes you wonder who’s idea it was, though. And why. And why not Calderon when the chance was there. Hmmm. As for the omitted posts…well, I think you would’ve liked the one I submitted earlier even better. It was more detailed, probably closer to the mark, and about 4 paragraphs longer. But lately, anything happening on this blog has been….strange. Omissions, double posts…conspiracy is thick in the air. Heh!

By RealSquawk

March 3, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Horford and SMith need to step up? Horford is playing beyond his years already and Smith is being consistent.

Lets talk about whats really going on JOe Johnson and Marvin Williams?? NOw where have there games gone?

I think it is really unfair for us to talk about Josh Smith and Al Horford stepping up when they are putting up number offensively and defensively.

Joe Johnson the leader the ace, the all star of this team has played uninterested and uninspired even with a decrease in minutes

Marvin Williams has gotten less and less aggressive since being in Seattle. He needs to realize that his family can still see him on NBA tv

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

drmaryb:

O that I could, sweet bird of youth.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

ray:

Disappearing comments. Sounds like censorship. I posted on the Braves about the lack of posts since O’Brian was not writing the blog and it disappeared as well. Probably phrased it too indelicately. Used the word sycophants.

By doc

March 3, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

aj to answer your question about integrity of the game all you have to do is look to two owners that have made mockery of that notion. the owners of the hornets and the clippers have done the questionable integrity thing by not spending money on their products for years. the collective bargaining agreement assures to some extent an intent to field a competitive team by saying a team HAS to spend a certain amount and there has to be salary swapping for trades so there wont be any firesales of talent as happens in baseball.

richbrave, you are just beginning to dig into the surface of what has transpired for three years and all the questions are very relevant however they have been asked and answered and argued many times over so if you dont get the response you expect then it is not because you are far off base just that most of us old time regulars or long time hawk fans have just about said all we want to about the subject. again you are on target and though your abe has made huge mistakes over the years it has been because of his ineptness not his lack of trying which is what we are stuck with it seems.

By doc

March 3, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

ken, i have had several posts blown up this weekend including one smoking you on your continued support of marvin. it of course ended with all due respect. i blamed it on the fact i was blogging from out of town on a different computer but it stated not accepted because i hadnt put my name and e-mail on it which i had. ray, i was slapping myself a bit on the back being a long time resident shouting it is the owners stupids. gee, i think i even had something to say to drmaryb but it wasnt about her thong. are any of you guys beginning to wonder if she isnt blonde? heh heh love you all men and women of the blog z liars table.

ken, do you think it is safe to say something about the falcons here? i kinda like what they have done so far.

By mykhalc

March 3, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

sometimes i’m just more dumb-founded than others with this franchise!!

we need BIG bodies, right??? we have 2 roster spots, right??? we are killin’ SMOOVE and EL GATO GRANDE with the LACK of help, right???

oh yeah, WOODSON is still the HC that does NOT understand we have SOLO lookin’ for PT!! and the BASG still has ownership!! OK i’m clear once again!! these cats flat out suck!!!

By MannyT

March 3, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

I think the missing posts have less to do with censorship and more to do with a hole in the tech team.

I had 2 missing posts tonight. One of them was simply saying let’s show some love for Mr. February. AL-ROY gets his respect as rookie of month! Nothing to censor in that.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

doc:

Right on about inept Abe. And my point about individual ownership preferential to corporate. At least he cares, or gives that appearance. But yes, thank goodness we only have ONE mind at work with the Wiz. At least we have an appearance of beneficence at best, and benign neglect at worst.

I think that is lacking here. The ASG has evidently made SOME of their dirty laundry quite public. I suppose some transparancy regarding internal machinations of the club is O.K., but from an equity standpoint not advisable. These public rifts amongst the ownership team(IF that is the operative word!) are not instilling confidence amongst the faithful. Perception is everything, certainly in marketing. Ultimately is what the ASG must do to be a successful franchisee.

If I were a Hawks fan, I would keep an eye out for flight in the event of declining fan attendance. But 15,000+ per! Imagine what the average would be if things were harmonious here and the franchise contended every year as the Braves have over the past 16 years.OMG. I see a marketer’s dream in Atlanta.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Manny T:

Unfortunately, I saw mine then I didn’t. Unless I’m more senile than I think, it WAS there.

By doc

March 3, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

myk, remember the only thing we hear from the gm beyond him saying he talks a lot to smart basketball people (maybe this is the communication problem between him and basg but i digress), doesnt like atlanta writers and sportscasters so he doesnt give interviews and he cant stoop o the stupidity of the fan base to develop a rapport (finally i get to the point) … that he is always on the phone with other gms and agents every day looking for deals and players. so yes you are really dumb to wonder why he hasnt gotten anyone and to suggest he isnt trying.

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

doc/ray:

As an aside. Snyder really would like Hall. There have been talks between them, my man in D.C. tells me. Speaking of not laundering dirty linen, Mr. Dan has been much less available to the media this free-agent period and is letting bag-man Cerrato do most of the talking. Another well meaning, but misguided owner.

By doc

March 3, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

rich, the exit i surmised over two years ago was going to be if belkin ended up with ownership. my contention was he would low ball until the community couldnt stand it anymore. however that might have been a premature assessment of belkin and his goal. it is all pure speculation. right now seattle looks to be moving with new orleans a possibility. they are sitting on go. it will take a few more years of neglect to rape the basketball spirit here. atlanta is very much a bball town as it jed in nba ratings in the playoffs two years ago even without a team in the mix. the right set of owners will own this town and do well if they get the product up because folks will come out in droves to support it. it has been years since a team even came close to .500 here.

By doc

March 3, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

i hope snyder gets the guy, he talks the talk just becomes a cripple when it is time to stand up and walk. i pity the coach, they might as well hire a baby sitter, too.

By ray

March 3, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

Doc, you are the very definition of “tongue in cheek.” I swear, if we ever get to a game together with Jhan and Ando, it’s going to be nothing but trouble…

Yeah, I too like what the Falcons have done. I’m a big Falcon fan and now I feel like I’ve got something much better to look forward to and be proud of with newer, and I think better management all the way around. I see they let Warrick Dunn go. I really liked him, all the way through his career at FSU, at Tampa Bay, and here. Consummate professional. I figure now either we’re going to draft one of the top tailbacks, or get one through trade/free agency. I’m excited. Blank went to the right place for his replacement gm. Also, he recognized an inept GM when it comes to personnel decisions. Rich McKay hasn’t done much right since he left Tampa Bay. Despite all this, I don’t go to the Falcons blog…they make me want to fight over there…

richbrave, I have no idea what to expect anymore. Everything’s open for conspiracy theory stuff…

Sekou, come on man. Josh and Al can only step up so much more. JJ, Marvin, Zaza, Solo, and more…they’ve got to step up. JJ’s been getting the minutes, but he appears to be in and out of his game here lately. We need better games from him…consistently. Perhaps he’s really just worn down. And Woodson…well, his being around just doesn’t help any way you hash it. Acie can’t get into a rhythm because either he’s injured (like now) or Woody is screwing with his minutes. We need him so Bibby can rest. Geez, Woody…when he gets well…do the right damn thing for once!

By richbrave

March 3, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

drmaryb:

Whaz up? What can be done for this year has been done it appears, don’t you think?

Earlier in the evening there was a post about DIOP coming here. That was interesting, I found a site where you could play GM and trade people hypothetically. Diop for whom? Can’t remember the site name right off the top of my head. I’ll get it for you, unless someone reads this and knows of it.

With BIbby I believe the Hawks will begin to win games consistently against weaker teams. Winning on the road is another matter. Veterans like Bibby surely will be able to show the way to the road victories. This team is still in diapers figuratively speaking. It will take more time. I saw it with the Wizards. Right now, the young guys are beginning to win without Caron and Gilbert. It’ll happen if the team keeps your FAB FIVE together and gets that second center.

By MannyT

March 4, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

richbrave

I think Billy Joel said it best.

You may be right

…but it does seem to happen a lot more than I would expect.

As gramps might say…after the blog freeze out of February 2 double aught eight when the lid came off the BK/Woody blocked triple dump, nothing would surprise me anymore.

Maybe the AJC/Cox family is too afraid to have partial ownership of the Hawks & Thrashers as punishment for blog slandering the ASG ;-)

By richbrave

March 4, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

The witching hour is upon us. Good night all.

By dakid

March 4, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Jami Andre is the star of that team. Different when you are playing off someone. I love Chills game though, but I would rather have Andre. IMUS that would be a wonderful frontline with Diop. I love his defense. My problem with Joe is that he needs to Attack more. I kinda understand why he doesn’t cause he won’t get the calls. This is true about Josh Smith also, they never get the calls they should. But ref’s don’t respect losing teams, and more so teams with a coach that sucks. Our Gm has to go. He stinks. Plain and simple. He has a attitude with he is the logo(Jerry West). He received credit for helping with Indy who did win anything, and Memphis who couldn’t get out of first round, who also didn’t make playoffs until they fired him.

By doc

March 4, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

shhhhh ray, dont tell anyone so it doesnt get around but the falcons got their back already so they will get a big (dont we need one of these in bball uni) lineman or a qb with the fist pick. me, i like the way jake long of michigan guy. wouldnt hesitate to get their qb in the second round and we are set. dorsey and uva long are not my prefereds.

By Ken Strickland

March 4, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

DOC-I love what they’re doing. They seem to be using FA’s to fill the skill positions(TE, FS, RB, CB). I believe they’ll be competing for the NFC South title next yr. Remember, I said it first. On the Marvin issue, I recognize it’s too early in his development and career to write him off. JJ is a 2 time Allstar and you can find fault in his gm if you choose to dwell solely on perceived negatives. Focusing on a players shortcomings, or perceived shortcomings, is why we see negative comments and opinions about JJ, JChildress and JSmith being posted.

Ray-I don’t know why they nixed that trade. The recent exposure of the Spirit’s constant blocking of BK’s attempts to improve the team is strange indeed. Starting the season with Calderon as our PG would have made a tremendous difference. With his penetrating ability, even Woody’s sorry excuse for a halfcourt OFF would have benefitted. I’ve always said BK couldn’t make a move without ownerships prior approval. I hope Woodson uses Acie’s return to rest Bibby so his foot can heal. We need him healthy for a run at the playoffs. Resting him a gm or two will help us in the long run. We might have to shut him down anyway if Woodson keeps playing him all those mins while hurt.

By ntrigue

March 4, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

Sekou, When will we ever see a lineup of horford, Smith,Jones, Johnson, and Bibby? Is it something im not seeing in Solo’s game? Why does Woodson refuse to give solo legitimate playing time? Sekou could you offer your insight on this? Thanks

By Yasser Naal

March 4, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

I am a HUGE Hawks fan but it is so hard to care for a team when the owners could give a S if we get in the playoffs. There are so many things that could easily be going right for this team that basically arent..like why isn’t salim stoudamire getting more minutes? or why the hell is woodson still head coach? Why does Zaza keep getting playing time?..his post game is just horendous! And I knew since the first game of the season against the mavs that JJ wasn’t gonna have the same year he had last year.

This city needs a GOOD sports team. The falcons are terrible, the braves seem to be going down hill, Thrashers aren’t too good. It’s time for these Hawks to start winning!!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

The David Stern stupidity continues. Shawn Marion is allowed to play in the re-do game now? With 0 fouls? This is ridiculous.

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

BIG RAY, you nailed it about our in-house DOC!!!LOL between your in-depth analysis posts, ANDO’s lemme be the GM damn-it posts, and DOC’s i’m gonna make you read it twice posts, when does a cat have time to do anythin’ else???LOL keep it comin’ fellas!!!

DOC, got a question for you or any of the cats that see the game in-person. who is physically bigger…SMOOVE or MARVIN??? i can’t get a gauge from the tube. Volman, MannyT, Jhan, Reese holla back on that one too if you feel like it…

By doc

March 4, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

to me, now it is smoove, different body types though with marvin having potential to get bigger with his butt being the type bk likes. marvin could still grow into a four if he bulks and develops the necessary skills of passing, rebounding and playing defense. i guess he is a quarter of a player, now. yep the guy is not much better per minute played than in his first year when he was not an option in the offense there either before someone tries to bring that one up again.

sorry ken look it up for yourself marvin just isnt though i want him to be just like you do. he has stalled. take away a third of his minutes puts him at 24 minutes just like his first year and he is a 9 and 5 guy instead of a 15 and 6 guy.

By doc

March 4, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

read it twice myk: to me, now it is smoove, different body types though with marvin having potential to get bigger with his butt being the type bk likes. marvin could still grow into a four if he bulks and develops the necessary skills of passing, rebounding and playing defense. i guess he is a quarter of a player, now. yep the guy is not much better per minute played than in his first year when he was not an option in the offense there either before someone tries to bring that one up again.

sorry ken look it up for yourself marvin just isnt though i want him to be just like you do. he has stalled. take away a third of his minutes puts him at 24 minutes just like his first year and he is a 9 and 5 guy instead of a 15 and 6 guy.

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

DOC, you need help my karmic friend LOL you might wanna give yourself a session with the needles!!!LOL

By johnny

March 4, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this

Yeah, a real coach…..

But against a team like the Celtics or Spurs we need to play alot more of Zaza or Solo with Horford. Maybe even start one of them……… it moves Marvin to the bench but it needs to be done.

Kendrick Perkins was +22, a frontline of Perkins and Kg kills us because Horford can only match up with one of them and we get killedon points in the paint, 2nd chance points, and rebounds overall….. Horford + Zaza needs to be used in games like that or Horford + Solo.

Plus Marvin going to the bench transforms a weakness into a strength……… our bench + Marvin would have a lot of firepower and go from an average bench to one of the best in the NBA spearheaded by Marvin and Chillz with the backup big being Solo and the backup pg being Acie, plus 2 sharpshooters in Salim and JRich giving us at least 2 sharpshooters on the floor at all times, or 3 (Out of JJ, Bibby, Marvin, Salim and Jrich).

So yeah, the size killed us. I think next year we should have the same exact team except add Diop as our starting 5, slide Horford to the 4 and Smoove to the 3 and move Marvin to 6th man, and Chillz as 7th man still getting 25 minutes a night. Then the rest of the rotation is the backup big (Solo or Zaza, either or), backup pg (acie), and a sharpshooter (Salim).

Those things along with making the playoffs this year being a huge step for us (after finishing strong) and getting George Karl or some other GOod NEW COACH for next year are all keys to us making the leap to being able to fight for a top 4 seed next season, just like Orlando did from last year to this year after makin the playoffs for the first time (Got swept) and got Stan Van Gundy as their new good coach.

So finish strong, make playoffs even if we get killed in round 1, add a Diop to start at the 5 for next year, resign the joshes and bring everyone back, lineup as I stated, and get a real good more uptempo style new coach and we’re ready to make another leap forward with this young good very talented team.

Woody needs to figure that out though and get us two bigs out there against teams like the Celtics or Spurs, two bigs (Horford + Zaza) plus a big small-forward/shotblocker like J-Smoove or a big sf like Marvin could really handle it very well and we wont be having Kendrick Perkins with the highest plus/minus in the game again ever.

By ray

March 4, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this

Doc, who are you speaking of? Norwood? I love the kid: blazingly fast…but he’s not the best guy for a smash-mouth running attacking…only because he’s not a bruiser. So who did we get (I haven’t been following close enough). As for the offensive player by the name of Long-I’m all for it. We need a revamped O-Line. Without it, it won’t matter what quarterback we have.

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this

BIG RAY, MICHAEL TURNER from SD was signed…LINK

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this

In Marvin’s defense, in the last few games when Woodson has played Childress starters’ minutes and limited Marvin to 20-25 minutes per game, Marvin has played better defense and rebounded better than he has most of the year. But I’m in agreement with doc. Marvin hasn’t developed a whole lot since his first year in the league, and hasn’t really shown he can be anything other than a one-dimensional scorer on a consistent basis.

By ray

March 4, 2008 2:30 AM | Link to this

Doc, duh. Stupid me, all I had to do was leave the Hawks section and go to the Falcons section. Michael Turner, eh? Sweeet. Now we can use Norwood as a game-changer.

By doc

March 4, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

ray, i promise there is a bigger world out there than the hawks, chuckle. we gothcha.

By doc

March 4, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

com’n myk, just a guy having fun and making sure no one thinks we really take this stuff TOO serious, ya know?

By rich

March 4, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Yea Burner Turner will play big up the middle but the team won’t turn the corner till they get the big guy at the 5 position they’ve needed for so long, ‘course if Hampton heals up & returns to form that could make a big difference…we just need to throw strikes while we run off tackle—that’ll open up 3 pt shots…Horford can rebound but can he hit a curve ball? Smoltz might be a good backup QB but Brooking will never be able to dunk—OK, everybody on same page now?

By Astro Joe

March 4, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Ray, Falcons also signed Alfred Jenkins, just to keep you up to date. LOL! How dare you allow trivial things like work, life & family interfere with having the latest news on the local sports teams. What are you? An adult?

I’ll be spending my evening flipping in between what should be an entertaining Hawks game and MSNBC’s coverage of the election results.

By JohnD

March 4, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

The original Miami ruling was apparently an attempt by David Stern to save the Heat season. Failed on that one.

Now, by allowing players not with the teams to play on March 8, the design of the re-play seems to be an attempt to destroy the Hawks run at the playoffs.

THE RE-PLAY IS A JOKE!

New York, LA, Miami, Chicago, Boston and Detroit (yes, even Detroit) seem to be the favorites of D. Stern. Major TV markets and all that, so Stern must be just crushed when San Antonio wins the championship.

Too bad the Hawks are not up to raining on David Stern’s parade and knocking one of his favorites out in the first round.

By Ken Strickland

March 4, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

MYHALC-I laughed loud and hard when I read your response to RAY about DOC and ANDO. That was funny.

DOC-I agree that Marvin isn’t the player most of us would like him to be. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be. Marvin provides us with what we need most, size and outside shooting. His physical skills will improve when his overall maturity and grasp of the gm progresses. I’m not going to let personal likes and dislikes prevent me from seeing the flashes of ability he’s shown. He had a setback last yr, which puts him in the 2nd half of his 1st yr as a fulltime starter. JSmith is in his 3rd yr as a fulltime starter, and that makes a big difference.

As far as the Falcons, it’s a very good sign when your 1st 4 FA signees produces at least 3 key starters. In the next group of FA signees I see a MLB and either an LT or DT. The LT, DT signing will determine who we draft in the 1st rd. Also, the decision whether to trade DHall will also have a major impact. Trading him should give us another 1st rd pick. I’M GOING ON RECORD AND SAYING THE ATLANTA FALCONS WILL WIN THE NFC SOUTH TITLE.

I wish I could be as bold with my Altanta Hawks predictions. But I have no faith in Woodson’s ability to manage the talent we have. properly.

By new jersey faithful

March 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

In the NBA as in life, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. All these good(rich) teams are picking up all the veteran players that have been released. Of course the not so good(poor) teams get nothing. I hate to put the Hawks in the not so good category,but its true for now. Most of these teams dont even need these guys and will see little playing time,even in the playoffs. The Hawks could obviously use one or two of these guys, but they choose not to come to Atlanta. They all just want to go to the team with the best chance of winning it all that shows any interest in them. Who knows though, they may have never been invited to Atlanta knowing how things work down there!

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Michael Turner is a good signing. Von Hutchins and Erik Coleman are irrelevant signings. Until the Falcons address the offensive line, they will continue losing.

And regardless of who they draft or sign in free agency, their best quarterback only becomes available in November.

I would also like to say one more time that David Stern is a full blown idiot.

By doc

March 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

ken you “got kool aide” my friend on your lips again.

By new jersey faithful

March 4, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Anybody know who the last rookie was to average a double-double?

By #21=Top 50,1stBallot

March 4, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

I want to say it was Okafor 4 years ago. His numbers are very similar to Horford, playing out of position. Hope Al doesnt succomb to the same plateau Okafor faced. Though doubtful since he Al’s offense is much more polished.

Where in Jersey? I’m in Newark- the great city of Newark. Ha.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

WE ARE GONNA GO ON A TEAR, I CAN FEEL IT.

LONG POST WARNING——-

I have bigtime faith that the Warriors will make the playoffs. The warriors were 25-36 last year before going on a major tear to finish the year 42-40 and make the playoffs…… their tear started 8 games after they made the big trade for Stephen Jackson……. we’re about 8 games after trading our big one to pick up Mike Bibby (Who I believe fills our biggest need as our missing link, a very good pointguard, an outside sharpshooter we needed bad, and a veteran leader/floor general, a pg that Woody trusts and hands the keys to, and he knows how to win and close out games, takes alot of pressure off JJ, another clutch option at end of games, is good at pushing the tempo and controlling it, and makes his teammates better.)

Anyways, so yeah. I see the same potential in the Hawks to go on a serious tear to end the season. So I think they can definitely make the playoffs. I know the Nets and Bulls are both a good bit better after their big trades too, but I think we have just too much talent and are gonna click. We played with Boston, the Warriors, Spurs and Jazz all on their home courts. We gonna be alright.

I think that we should start Solo at center. This is why. He can run with us, he can reboudn, and it moves Josh to the Small Forward and more/most importantly moves Al to the power Forward. It gives us two bigs in the starting lineup so we dont get killed too bad against a team like Boston with 2 BIGS like Perkins and KG…… and our shotblocking/interior defense improves alot…… also it turns a weakness into a major strength, and it may light a fire under Marvin (Who has struggled since he got the minor injury in Portland)…… it turns our bench from an average one into one of the very best in the NBA spearhead by 6th men Marvin and Chillz, plus 2 sharpshooters in Salim and JRich, and a 3rd big in Zaza………. if not Solo starting than Zaza instead as he fills the same need and can shoot that 18 footer which helps our spacing alot which is huge, and he can rebound and it fills the same needs bigtime.

I would make the move. Marvin’s shot to space the floor Zaza can hit out to 18 feet too and he pulls a bigman out a bit which helps space even more. He cant run with us as much but Solo can, and the shotblocking wont be as good but he’s a bigger body that can bang with a Perkins. i would actually start Zaza and have him ignite break and trail, plus it turns our bench into a HUGE strength. Thats alot of firepower off the bench spearheaded by Marvin and Chillz. That could be huge, and we hopefully bring back everybody for next year and add Diop and the new coach after making the playoffs this year on a strong finish and we’re ready to make the jump and fight for top 4 seed next year……….

Perkins had a +22, dont allow that to happen any more by putting Zaza as our starting center. make our bench a huge strength with Marvin added to it instead of the slight weakness it is now, get Smoove and Horford into the right positions, light a fire under Marvin cuz he’s struggled since getting hurt in the portland game, allow us to match up, improve our rebounding and interior defense, get more 2nd chance points, Zaza can pull a big out to 18 feet still with his good shot, it will give us the best chance to win lots of games with a team that matches up (But dont switch it til after we play Golden State).

WE WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!! THIS TEAM IS READY TO GO ON A ROLL!!!! GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

By SCOUT

March 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Coach Woodson, You have done as good a job as probally anyone, with regards to getting the “young gunz” to maximize their talents. I’ve been watching the whole process. I rarely have missed a game throughout the whole nine year process. I’ve seen these guys grow up litterally before my eyes.You have been bamboozled by the so called Gm. If he would have finished building the team with a point guard, you would be in a better position. However, Lately your decissions really agitate me. And I mean the whole season. Not playing salim earlier, surely cost us games. Joe has nothing left in the fourth because you ride him so hard. Your half court sets are so juvenile, I can predict them through the T.V. In hindsight coach woodson I really hope we make it to the playoffs.I don’t think you can take us to the next level next year though. I mean top four in the east. It is time for change.We need to maxamize these “young gunz”!Good luck on the playoffs! I hope we send you out with a bang coach.

By SCOUT

March 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

ihjj’lkm;

By Flappin Hawk

March 4, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Is Law available tonight?

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

DOC, you know i know where you’re comin’ from bro!! all’s good even when you do make me think twice!!!LOL

By new jersey faithful

March 4, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

#21=Top 50,1stBallot Bout 40 minutes west on rt.78 to Clinton. Used to watch the Hawks when they were on TBS back in the late 80’s til they did away with the Hawks on TBS, I was sooo mad! Jersey is cool,gets a bad wrap, but very exspensive though!

By ray

March 4, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, I finally got back in the game with the Falcons. I caught up on all the free agent signings. To be honest, when Rich McKay was at the helm and that mousy-looking Jim Mora jr were there…I watched every game during the season, but never paid attention to what was going on in the offseason. So this year I was slow to keep up….good thing you, Doc, and Myk have been around to help me get back on the gridiron straight and narrow.

Najeh, I see some offensive lineman coming our way. I’m sure that Dimitroff and Smith are too smart to think they can do anything without a good line. You want to run the ball down your opponent’s throat? Gotta have a line. Want to air it out with your receivers? Gotta have a line. Anything you want…gotta have a line.

I believe what we’re seeing with the Falcons is something we need to see with the Hawks: Brand new management. The owner has done his research as to where and how he needed to get his football guy (Dimitroff). How to get his coach (Smith). The owner is directly involved where he must be, but otherwise will trust his guys to get the job done. I really don’t think Blank wants to run things. He just likes closing deals (convincing Turner to come here, for one thing). We’re seeing what it takes to get top free agents to come here.

Think about it, the falcons were in just as big a mess as the Hawks, if not worse. The GM stunk it up, the coach actually LEFT (before the season was over), the most electrifying player got thrown in jail, and one of the most talented players just about flipped and demanded a trade. How was the Falcons situation NOT worse? * The one and only difference has been…OWNERSHIP*. We have no evidential reason right now to believe that the ASG can simulate such a comeback. We don’t even know if they have sole control of this team (is Belkin still legally involved?).

I’m not saying the Falcons will have instant success. I’m saying they have an instantly firm foundation. The Hawks don’t even have that…

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

BIG RAY, nice post…on-point!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

i think the spacing would be fine/perfect with a Diop/Horford/Smoove frontline (Solo or Zaza in Diops spot for rest of this year too for instance)….. sure it would be much better with Marvin in that spot but Smoove can hit an open 15 footer well enough and will only improve.

The positives far outweigh the negatives. Interior defense, matching up to a frontline like the spurs or celtics, rebounding, lighting a fire under Marvin (Whos struggled since the portland game where he got hurt and needs a fire lit), moving Al to pf and Smoove to sf so they can thrive, and turning our bench into a major strength from a slight weakness, spearheaded by Marvin and chillz making it from average to one of the best benches in the NBA overnight. and our spacing will still be fine/perfect. Zaza can hit the midrange j and pull a big out a bit for spacing too if its him instead of Solo for the rest of this year.

Look at Boston for instance. They have two sharpshooters that space the floor in Ray Allen and Pierce. Rondo cant shoot a lick, KG is their post presence and can hit a pick/pop jumper and has range out to 18 feet but that isnt his game in the boston system AT ALL and Smoove can hit those shots out to 14 feet and is getting better at it, and Perkins is a banger/hustle/picksetter that rebounds, defends, and only scores on putbacks or open dunks off a dish.

So off of just Ray Allen and Pierce their spacing is PERFECT. The rest of their shooters are off the bench (Posey and House)…….. we still would have our 2 sharpshooters for spacing in Bibby and Joe Johnson plus have the rest of our shooters off the bench (Marvin, Salim and the Richardson kid)…….. so why wouldnt that be absolutely fine??? OF COURSE IT WOULd, that aspect of our game would still be very very very well off.

Absolutely.

By Astro Joe

March 4, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Ray, AMEN!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

JohnD, wanna know something funny?

That list of Sterns “pets” (aka favorites) that you made……

Atlanta used to be one of Sterns pets. We are a huge market and the Omni was BUMPING from 85-90, we grossed alot of profit for the NBA in that time and were one of their biggest draws.

We still have the potential to be that again once we get back to being a contender (If we ever do, my bet is on that we do within the next 2 years)…….

We are one of the biggest markets and this town LOVES basketball (We led in the ratings for the playoffs despite not having a team in the playoffs), 15000 plus tickets sold on average even though the team hasnt made the playoffs for a decade.

We are so hungry for the playoffs, if we go on a tear and finish the year bigtime say getting to 40 wins and make the playoffs it will be like Golden State in last years playoffs times 10, it will be so exciting at our first home playoff game in a decade and our highflying young hawks will know where they need to be heading for the next decade.

Believe that. WE BELIEVE, GO HAWKS! (LoL)…… Stern wants Atlanta to succeed again, he definitely does.

By jami$$ion

March 4, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

A RAY I’ll go on to say this the falcs weren’t even in the playoffs last year,were in more disarray,3rd worst record and i bet they battle 4 a spot this year with only 6 (not 8 )spots attainable.And JOHNNY I agree with you also.Move Marv 2 the bench,start Solo against bigger teams.But let me add this start WEST against teams with good 3s or 2s.NOWAY Pierce gets hot to burn us if Marios on em!Plus it takes pressure off JJ to work hard on both ends of the court.We’ll win more games.Call it The Rodman Effect

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

JOHNNY, totally worth a try BUT where would be our bkups be at the 4 and 5 spots with the way the roster exists today??? SOLO would be the option at the 5 if ZAZA gets in foul trouble but what happens if both AH and ZAZA get in foul trouble?? with the way the roster is now, the only option to me would be, slidin’ JS to 4, with MW comin’ off the bench at 3, and SOLO at 5. a good option as long as SMOOVE is not is foul trouble!! the thin bench makes your valid suggestion real ‘iffy’, especially with WOODSON makin’ the decisions!!!

By RealSquawk

March 4, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

JOHNNY

that suggestion is right on point that almost forces us into a running style which is the only way we need to play. Watch how effective it is against golden state tonight.

plus i think it would light a fire under our bench at any point bringing marvin chills j rich and salim off the bench is a plus and zaza gets the offensive rebounds to make that system really work

By fudd21

March 4, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Johnny I can’t even begin to agree with your theory. Comparing the Hawks to Boston is like comparing apples to steak (I couldn’t even say oranges). You are right in that Rondo cant shoot but he still plays on the perimeter. That means 3 people are operating on the perimeter, KG is operating 18 feet in and Perkins is a mop up guy. You move JS to 3 and the Hawks would have 3 people operating from within 12 feet. Don’t give me that crap about JS is an effective 15 foot shooter. There is a reason teams play off him and he is so wide open for jumpers. They want him to shoot. KG on the other hand consistently hits the 18 footer so you have to play him out to that distance.

I know many of you want to move JS to the 3 but I think it would be a big mistake not only on offense because of spacing, ball-handling, but I also think JS would have trouble guarding some of the better 3’s in the league. Yes, he’s a great off the ball help defender but I think he will struggle with his on ball defense against quicker 3’s.

By jhan

March 4, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Marvin needs to watch tapes of Mark Aguirre. There was a man with a big butt who knew how to use it. Marvin is actually bigger so he should be even more effective.

By Astro Joe

March 4, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

jhan, Aguirre was mean & nasty. He was a PF in an SF’s body. Marvin is a SG in a ‘tweener’s body. Personally, I’d settle for the November/December Marvin who gave us 17/5 every night. And if you take a look at the #2 picks in the last 10 years, that would put him right there among others selecting at that lofty spot.

By ericgrvs

March 4, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

The Hawks “will not” make the playoffs because Woody the wood pecker will make sure he plays his starters too much and not use his bench players.

Woody the wood pecker has already admitted that he will continue to give is starter a more minutes that he should because he believes they are the only ones who can get the work done; he is so ignorant.

By cp

March 4, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

Ken you know I respect whatever you say because more often that not you really bring it but its no way the Falcons contend for anything this upcoming season other than another top 10 pick. This team has more holes than a little bit. We still have a terrible o line, one good player on the defensive line, a young promising cb and a pro bowl cb who wants out of town, no safties, no qb to take pressure off our new rb. This team is a good 2 or 3 years away in my opinion. The game tonight against Golden State will be a good one because they play the tempo we should be playing. They are one of the few teams I dont mind forcing their style of play on us. I look to see Horford and Josh Smith to have big games tonight.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Better win tonight. Gotta go to New Orleans tomorrow. Damn, our schedule has been horrendous, since the addition of Bibby.

By MannyT

March 4, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

mykhalc I will pay more attention to Marvin & Josh to try to answer you. However, I have to say that some folks know how to use size and some don’t.

I love to use Chills for this example. He looks like he weighs less than 200 lbs, but he gets a lot of scrappy points. He’s not heavy, nor a great leaper, but he uses those arms to get where the body can’t. Check out his drives to the hoop. He uses that exaggerated triple jump step to get to the hole. When he is in space, he gets tossed around. In traffic, he tries to get slimmer and slides around others.

To your original point, Marvin doesn’t use his butt enough. He should be able to bang more at the 4 on defense than he does. Even on offense, he should post up smaller guys. If he had one of those step back jumpers, imagine what he could do. Either use the butt on a post up, but sometimes fake that and step back into his mid range jumper.

I’ll pay more attention to Josh on Saturday to see how he uses his weight on defense. He relies so much on the athleticism that I can’t recall him doing much physically (with bulk) on offense—but I am not the most observant guy around.

Miami game might be better to judge. Tonight should be a track meet.

Besides—I know I’ll be late tonight due to other commitment.

By richbrave

March 4, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

MANNY T:

Sorry man, but the post “…some… know how to use size and some don’t…” struck me as being funny. I may get a social security check, but being 20 stays fresh in your mind. Even when nothing physically is apropos anymore.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

KG USED TO play that outside game, he hardly ever plays that anymore.

If you watch boston play (I live in boston and have lived here for the last 6 years) he has the exact same job that Al Jefferson had last year.

The whole offense runs through him in the lowpost. He may take 4 or 5 15-18 footers a game and make 3 of them, but his job is to anchor the defense, shut down pick and roll, guard the rim, and on offense its to run the offense thru him most the time as the primary option: score if he doesnt get double-teamed, and if he does get doubled he’s such a good passer from inside that he burns them finding the open man every time for a score. Its a win/win, which is why Boston is so damn good (And because they have two other options ot go thru in Ray and Pierce, and those are teh guys catching those passes and they are deadly in single coverage, etcetera).

I was just making the comparison because thats who we played last night and it was the first one to come to my head…. and if they can be the best team in the league with only 2 outside shooters spacing and 2 sharpshooters off the bench than why wouldnt we be fine with JJ and Bibby 2 great shooters spacing the floor and 3 sharpshooters off the bench? Would you rather move Smoove to 6th man and have Marvin start for floor spacing and so we have 3 great shooters that play primarily on the perimeter and only have 2 guys in the paint like Boston does?

That could work too, dont get me wrong.

But how about another example: Utah. Deron is a solid shooter, Brewer cant shoot (A chillz type of player), Kirilenko at SF is the exact same style and skillset with less athleticism as Smoove, and Okur is their only sharpshooter to space the floor in the starting lineup. And Korver off the bench.

Or how about Phoenix? Shaq+Amare+Hill all cant shoot well and play inside (Hill slashing), and their two sharpshooters are Nash and Bell at the 1 and 2 much like ours are JJ and Bibby, plus they got Barbosa off the bench as their other shooter and now Giricek.

I think we’re straight with that is what Im saying. And you cant convince me otherwise, you have to guard the 3 point line and perimeter with Bibby and JJ torching from out there, and Smoove can roam and slash, attack rim off pick and rolls, and stay around 12-15 feet for open jumpers. Never shoot a 3pointer, if youre out there its as a passer, you dig? Horford is our lowpost guy doing his thing inside, Smith can get some of that as well, and Diop is in a Kendrick Perkins role, a role he was in in Dallas. and we have sharpshooters of the bench.

Sure it would work better with Marvin for spacing, but i think the positives outweigh the negatives with Smooth. if its zaza at 5 he has the midrange game and jmpers and pulls a big out a bit for smooth to work downlow on sf’s and Horford to against pf’s or the other big. We’re all good especially on d.

So many positives to that move, IMHO.

All of that IMHO.

By randy

March 4, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Can someone explain why Marvin still starts?? He is easily one of the worst players in the league. Please bench this clown. He can’t handle the ball, he gets destroyed inside even against smaller players, he is an absolute waste of space. If Marvin is still in the NBA in 3 years, I will be shocked.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

By the 3rd quarter, Joe will be worn out. We’re going to need his scoring late in the game, and he’s not going to have anything left. TAKE HIM OFF BARON DAVIS PLEASE! Put Mario on him for a while.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Marvin just screwed up 3 times in a row REAL QUICK!

INSTEAD OF AN 8 POINT LEAD, NOW ITS A TIE GAME, COURTESY OF MARVIN

(aND IM A MARVIN LOVER SAYING THIS, HE HAS BEEN BAD EVER SINCE THAT PORTLAND GAME WHERE HE GOT HURT…….. NOW HE GOT A DUNK AND WE’RE UP 4, BIBBY IS THE MAN AS I WRITE THIS)

By ugaman

March 4, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

I don’t get all the talk on here about Solo being a big. For one, he is extemely thin and he’s not that tall compared to other bigs. IMO he even seems like he is shorter that Al, about the same height as JS. Even now, when Solo entered the game, he is just so thin and will get pushed around at will. If you start him against other bigs in the league, he would get lost on the floor and pushed out of the way consistently. That’s why AL is so good. even though he is undersized, he is very smart and strong, so he can hold his own in the middle.

I gotta say that I love it when Mario comes in. His energy is infectious and he outhustles everyone on the floor every play. He also doesn’t waste time taking jumpers, but drives to the basket, demanding the refs call a foul when contact is made. Why he doesn’t get more pt is beyond me.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

SMOOVE NEEDS TO STAY INSIDE ON OFFENSE, MARVIN NEEDS TO STAY OUTSIDE ON OFFENSE (OR MIDRANGE).

PERIOD. BOTH WILL IMPROVE OVER THEIR CAREERS IN THE OTHER ASPECT, BUT AS OF NOW THEY NEED TO STICK TO WHERE THEYRE VERY GOOD AT.

AND OH YEAH, MARVIN NEEDS TO STOP FUMBLING THE DANG BALL.

AND HORFORD IS THE MAN.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this

Was that Goofy finishing at the rim? WTF!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

THIS IS FUN TO WATCH BOY, 37-35 HAWKS WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT IN THE FIRST!!!!

WOW WE ARE GOOD WHEN WE RUN!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

I WOULDNT CALL AL UNDERSIZED AT ALL.

HE’S UNDERSIZED FOR A CENTER, BUT HE ISNT A 5.

HE’S A POWER FORWARD, AND AINT HE 6’10? HE’S THE SAME SIZE AS AMARE STOUDEMIRE, PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT BULKIER/STRONGER/HEAVIER TO TELL THE TRUTH.

AL IS DEFINITELY NOT UNDERSIZED AS A POWER FORWARD, HE IS A VERY GOOD SIZED POWER FORWARD LIKE A CARLOS BOOZER, ELTON BRAND BUT TALLER, AMARE, ETCETERA…..

SOLO IS 6’10 IT SAYS, HE NEEDS TO GAIN ALOT OF WAIT BUT I WOULD USE HIM AS A 5 AND BE THE HELP DEFENDER LIKE A MARCUS CAMBY, SAY LAST NIGHT AGAINST BOSTON BIG AL WOULD BE UP AGAINST PERKINS AND SOLO WOULD GO AGAINST KG….. OR IF ITS ZAZA I WOULD PUT ZAZA ON PERKINS AND AL ON KG, ETCETERA……

SOLO ISNT READY YET THOUGH, YOU ARE RIGHT. HE NEEDS TO GAIN ABOUT 25 POUNDS.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Someone needs to tell the Hawks that just because Golden State doesn’t care about defense or rebounding doesn’t mean the Hawks are also exempt from caring about defense or rebounding.

If they had played even halfhearted defense so far they would be up by 15.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Marvin is playing pretty good tonight, as I say this, another turnover for Joe.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

DAMN, STAY UNDER CONTROL SMOOVE

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Put back smoove woody my goodness!!!!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

I LIVE IN BOSTON AND MY BOY SALIM STOUDAMIRE REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF EDDIE HOUSE AS OUR SHARPSHOOTER OFF THE BENCH AND KINDA/SORTA BACKUP PG.

By coachb

March 4, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Mike Woodson How can you call this defense? Holes everywhere on the floor. Do we have anyone that understand what man to man means. Playoffs = Defense.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

It looks like whoever gets the ball last will win tonight.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

are you kidding me joe johnson 24 points!!!!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT NAJEH.

WE’RE BETTER THAN THAT DEFENSIVELY AND REBOUNDING, AND WE CAN STILL BE UNSTOPPABLE WHEN WE RUN. LETS GO BOYS.

WOW WHAT A DUNK ON THE BREAK BY MARVIN, HE HAD A GREAT PASS ON THE BREAK TO CHILLZ THAT GOT JCHILL TO THE FOUL LINE TOO……. WHEN YOU SEE STUFF LIKE THAT AND THAT MAN-SIZED REBOUND AND TOOK IT HIMSELF STARTING THE BREAK BEFORE HOOKIN UP SALIM.

ALL THAT STUFF WHEN YOU SEE FROM MARVIN AT HIS SIZE AND ATHLETICISM WITH SUCH A TRUE JUMPSHOT ITS JUST INSANE, LEAVES YOU WANTING SO MUCH MORE AND YOU SEE THOSE FLASHES OF JUST WHAT A GREAT SMALL FORWARD HE COULD BE IF HE FIGURES IT OUT AND WORKS HARD………

I HOPE.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

Are you effin kidding me man 27 points are you kidding me!!

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

Damn, Joe sure looked tired in that halftime interview. Better keep him off Baron on defense. We really need Acie right now. Bibby is obviously ailing. Did you see that lob to Ellis? He did’nt even attempt to defend it.

By Capt. Caveman

March 4, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Please stop with the player interviews as they walk off the court out of breath !!!!

Why can we not do without those. They are not informative and the questions are redundant.

Plus the guy can barely talk. It doesn’t do much to help their image or PR to be gasping for air to try and answer another stupid question from an idiot interviewer.

By ugaman

March 4, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

I would make a bet that marvin has been reading the blog. Even though he still makes some questionable plays and consistently running himself into blocked sots, he has really been more aggressive over the past few games. I can live with this kind of effort from him.

Joe is on fire because he’s not being double teamed every play, and this is showing how good of a player he can be when the rest of the team is aggressive. Golden State can’t afford to leave their man tonight, which is opening up the floor for JJ. This should be an exciting finish. I love it when they play to their strengths, which is run, run , run.

Here’s hoping Woody subs well so we don’t wear down by the end of the 4th and don’t have the legs to deal with Baron.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

APPARENTLY JJ HEARD ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS BLOG ABOUT HIM OVER THE LAST DAY AND A HALF.

THE GAME AGAINST THE CELTICS DIDNT SIT VERY WELL WITH HIM.

GOOD TO SEE!!!! PLAY WITH THIS FIRE ALL THE TIME JJ, THE REST OF THIS TALENTED TEAM CAN SUPPORT THAT, INSIDE GAME WITH HORFORD, PCIK AND ROLL GAME WITH HORFORD AND JJ, PICK AND POP GAME WITH MARVIN, A BIGTIME PG PLAY FROM BIBBY, SHARPSHOOTERS WITH RICH, SALIM, MARVIN, JJ AND BIBBY, MORE POST PLAY FROM SMOOVE, CUTTERS MOVIN WITHOUT BALL FROM CHILLZ AND SMOOVE AND OTHERS, UPTEMPO GAME!!!

COME ON JJ, ALL THE TIME1!!!!

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

If they double team joe we are goin g to lose because nobody else is making shots

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

BIBBY AND HORFORD ARE THE MAN.

BIBBY WILL BE OKAY, ITS ONLY A BRUISED HEEL THAT IS LINGERING, ONCE HE’S BACK TO 100% LOOK OUT!!!!!

LOOK OUT ALREADY, BIBBY IS DOING GREAT BUT HIS SHOT AINT FALLING QUITE IN THE LAST FEW GAMES BUT HE IS CLUTCH AS HECK AND BIGTIME PG MAKING TEAMMATES BETTER AND PUSHING TEMPO, STEADYING HAND, GREAT OUTSIDE SHOOTER, RUNS THE OFFENSE AND IS A BIGIMTE PLAYER.

I LOVE IT. JJ YOURE MY MAN, MARVIN AND SMOOVE YOU ARE GREAT AS WELL TONIGHT AND ALWAYS FOR ME!

ADD A BIG NEXT YEAR SURE TO START AT 5, AND A GOOD NEW COACH THATS MORE UPTEMPO, CLOSE OUT THIS YEAR STRONG AND GET TO THE PLAYOFFS IS A HUGE STEP FOR US……

ANYWAYS, I DIGRESS….. GO HAWKS!

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

WTF is that kindof third quarter opening.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

i meant to say with horford and smoove on the pick and roll game, not pick and roll game with horfod and jj, with Bibby running it, thats what i meant to say in the middle of my post before last one.

Whatever, the one where Im begging JJ to play with this fire all the time and rambling about allt he positives of this good young talented team with Bibby running it.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

I propose that we start a petition to David Stern asking for the 3rd quarter to be abolished.

For real, if we went straight from halftime to the 4th quarter, the Hawks would easily be a playoff team right now.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

I propose that we start a petition to David Stern asking for the 3rd quarter to be abolished.

For real, if we went straight from halftime to the 4th quarter, the Hawks would easily be a playoff team right now.

By Average J0e Johnson

March 4, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

lmao@Rathbun

“Marvin Blows It”

someone get this guy marvin out of here

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me marvin missing another layup cmon man!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

The warriors are smart enough to know that they have to start playing defense and rebounding in the 2nd half to win the game.

The Hawks arent smart enough to start playing defense and know that same thing, apparently.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Smoove make your freethrows man!!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

8 point game, we’re still in it, lets go hawks this is a big game at home.

play defense int he 4th quarter, and rebound, that is big. lets score, bibby its your time now too, 4th quarter.

Lets go hawks, marvin, chillz, smoov, jj, bibby, and big al….. its time, lets go, we’re in this come on hawks!!!

By Mac-Town

March 4, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

Did anyone see the play where the Golden State guy was wide open for the corner 3? He missed it…but all the hawks players were just standing around like “who’s gonna go out and guard him?”

wtf? PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS this deep into the season shouldn’t be that lost

By randy

March 4, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

You are right Mr. Sekou!! I sees it too! Losing by ten to the Celtics, what a step up. Well sure they dogged it and toyed with us until the final few minutes, but we only lost by 10, man we are definately a playoff team! I mean when you have talent like Marvin Williams, Zaza and a coach as smart as Woodson, you know we gonna make it. Good post Sekou, right on brotha. We be good.

And hey if we don’t make it, we can just keep rebuilding, I mean we been rebuilding for 10 years now, I figure in another 10 we should hit that 40 win mark!! YEEHAW!

GOOOO HAWKS!!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

what a DUMB DUMB DUMB turnover by smoove. Idiot.

By LOL@Hawks

March 4, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

2 travels back to back lmao NBA teams shouldn’t be allowed to play like this

as a fan forget it they dont DESERVE to make the playoffs

By ericgrvs

March 4, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Like I said before: the Hawks will not make the playoffs. They are too inconsistent, and that is because of the coach.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Just another case of why Marvin should be on the perimeter and smoove shoutd be inside.

Smoove makes a dumb travel trying to make a wide open perimeter move.

Marvin makes a dumb travel trying to make a post-up on a serious mismatch.

Stay in your strengths boys.

By LOL@Hawks

March 4, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

There are SO many things wrong with the Hawks it isnt even funny

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

GOLDEN STATE IS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT TO WIN THEY NEEDED TO START REBOUNDING AND PLAYiNG DEFENSE IN THE 2nd HALF.

OUR STUPID A* YOUNG TEAM CANT FIGURE THAT OUT. WE GOT LURED INTO AN UP AND DOWN GAME AND THEN WARRIORS HAVE LOCKED DOWN SINCE HALFTIME AND WE’RE STILL CONTENT TO LET THEM SCORE AND TRY TO WIN BY OUTSCORING THEM.

F*** RIDICULOUS.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

GOLDEN STATE IS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT TO WIN THEY NEEDED TO START REBOUNDING AND PLAYiNG DEFENSE IN THE 2nd HALF.

OUR STUPID YOUNG TEAM CANT FIGURE THAT OUT. WE GOT LURED INTO AN UP AND DOWN GAME AND THEN WARRIORS HAVE LOCKED DOWN SINCE HALFTIME AND WE’RE STILL CONTENT TO LET THEM SCORE AND TRY TO WIN BY OUTSCORING THEM.

frickin RIDICULOUS. FIGURE IT OUT.

If we dont start playing defense RIGHT NOW we wont win this game.

FIGURE It Out HAWKS!!!! GO HAWKS!!!

By randy

March 4, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Marvin is the only 6’9 player i know of that gets blocked regularly by 5’9 guards. I sometimes wonder if the refs give him foul shots cuz they feel sorry for him. Time to move Marvin to the end of the bench behind Mario and Soloman. But Woody will keep playing him 35+ minutes a game.

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Maybe woody should stop looking like an a* and being lazy and play a zone instead of man cause they keep blowing right by us. Bibby looks like he is hurting. So put salim in the damn game. Is it really that hard to think of these things?

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

JJ REALLY CRAPPED THE BED, AND SO HAVE OUR HAWKS.

By Al 2 the Ex

March 4, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

good job jj. how many assists duz he have for golden state

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

This game looks like it is over. We cant play any defense.

By ericgrvs

March 4, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

The Hawks will not make the playoffs because Bibby’s heel won’t not have a chance to heal since Woody the wood pecker does not know how to use his bench to give Bibby adequate rest. In addition, other teams know that Bibby’s injured heel will prevent him from being able to play defense. Consequently, no matter what Bibby does on offense, it will be negated by his lack of defense due to his injury. We might as well wait until next year to get to the playoffs which is when Bibby will be completely healthy.

By ugaman

March 4, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

Why can’t Steve Smith become the Hawks coach. He consistently sees the correct adjustments the Hawks need to make. Woody is clueless. Even I can see that Horford has a huge mismatch tonight and very rarely are we trying to exploit it. Terrible coaching. Now everyone is worn out and we have no energy at all because of the lack of use of the bench. This game should be Woody’s last. If ASG can’t see this then they are absolute morons.

By Mac-Town

March 4, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

obviously what we’ve been doing isnt working. I say we give Salim and Richardson more playing time and just play the same style as Golden State and see how far that takes us

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

Is Marvin capable of holding on to anything without dropping it?

I mean, obviously he is unable to hold onto a basketball for more than two seconds without dropping it or getting it stripped. Does this apply to everyday objects too? When he picks up a fork to eat his food does he drop it before it reaches his mouth? When he has a kid one day will he be able to hold it in his hands without the baby falling to the floor?

These are the kind of burning questions the Hawks inspire.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

lets go hawks, just play that defense and we can score, lock down boys, lets go guys, lets get this one, we’re there, lets go lets go lets go HAWKS!!!!

Come on baby, lets do this.

Whats wrong with Bibby, his heel got 100 times worse since the home game against sacramento or something? Come on mike, we need you. lets go boys, hopefully salim is hot if he’s in for bibby.

come on HAWKS!!!

By Al 2 the Ex

March 4, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

jj does have 36 points tho so yea

By randy

March 4, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

FIRE WOODY AND BILLY!! TRADE MARVIN FOR A HAM SANDWICH, HOLD THE MAYO!

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

Do you believe in miracles, i sure do. the hawks are only down by 12 guys instead of hating on them lets cheer for them. Cmon GO HAWKS!!!

By Al 2 the Ex

March 4, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

jj does have 38 points my bad

By woodsonsucks

March 4, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

If this game doesn’t prove Woodson is clueless. I really don’t know what will. For what JJ is giving I think taking him out for a blow would be a good idea.

By ericgrvs

March 4, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Like I said before: Marvin and Smoove are making stupid decisions and playing outside their strengths because they have an ignorant coach who does not know how to make the right decisions or discipline them.

I love the Hawks, but I realise that they are going down hill from this point because the coach is retarded (figuratively speaking).

By Shameful.

March 4, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

This is embarrassing

By drmaryb

March 4, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Wooddy

Ryan Cameron just screamed for DEFENSE

Why doesn’t WOODY put in RIO the only person on the darned team besides J-Smoove who cares about that! What does RIO have to do to get some PT.

I just don’t get it! Come on’ play some D put in RIO

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Smoove what type of layup, man he is totally ruining this game for us..

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

mike bibby killed us in the 2nd half.

what a bum. 13 turnovers in 2nd half for us, where is our pg to help with that?

By ugaman

March 4, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

JS looks like he has already given up. One on the whole team, dribbbling through triple teams, fumbled passes, lack of interest on defense. He may be talented, but I’m tired of his inconsistency.

By HawksSuck

March 4, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Well, atleast the Braves start their season in a couple weeks…

By Al 2 the Ex

March 4, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

i think j smoove is also a retard because he cant catch. also instead of taking it strong to the hoop he takes a clown shot which didnt go in. also id lyk to ask woody how he could bring the game within ten the give up to straight threes imean how does that happen seriously?

By who cares

March 4, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

We gotta get rid of JOSh Smith, this aint g******* AAU ball clown, pass the f*** ball.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

This hawks team has NO HEART at all.

Horford is the ONLY ONE with any heart on this entire team.

WHERE IS BIBBY?!?!?!??

Woodsonis an idiot. An absolute moron, he singlehandedly lost this game for us and got MURDEERED by don nelson.

Talk about halftime adjustments. They just toyed with us. They came out defending in the 2nd half to win the game, and we’re too stupid to defend in the 2nd half because we got sucked into thinking we could win the game on offesne……….

dumb woodson. Should NEVER allow that, we shouldve been up 20 in the first half if we played any defense at all……

Nelson was playing CHESS while Woody was playing Checkers.

By WDF

March 4, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Joe Johnson player of the game

LOL!!!!!!

By Joe Bling

March 4, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

So the Hawks cut it to 10 and what happens? Josh Smith takes it down the lane like he’s offensive option No. 1. Layup blown. Three-pointer Golden State. Geez.

Next possession, ball through Josh’s hands. Three pointer Golden State.

This is all on top of the key play of the game in the third quarter where the Hawks turned it over, Bibby stole it back and passed to Josh who promptly threw it away on a three on one. That was the play that started Golden State’s run.

Why doesn’t Woodson call timeout and put this idiot on the bench for offensive possessions? Can no one else see that Josh Smith is costing us GAMES with his offensive play? So many wasted games, so many wasted opportunities, all p** away by stupid decisions!

By drmaryb

March 4, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Hawks

Does that Basketball look like it needs some SOUR CREAM, BUTTER and CHIVES?

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Something has to give. Someone has to get fired. I dont care if its the dag on towel boy someone has to get fired. I cant take this crap anymore. We are to damn good to be losing games like this. I dont understand how the front office cant see this. Its so frustrating. The hawks have a MONSTER first have and they come out flat the third quarter. They havent been able to stop anybody the entire game. Woodson is supposed to be a defensive coach and once again he cant figure out a scheme to stop anybody. Someone has to get fired tonight right after this game!!!!

By randy

March 4, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Amazing! Woody still playing his starters behind 16 with 1 minute left in the game…

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

The reason why we lost the second half is because of woodson. We cant win with him no matter how good we play..

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

JOSH SMITH IS TERRIBLE, FOR REAL. WHAT A LACK OF FOCUS, HE GETS FRUSTRATED AND HURTS THE TEAM AS A RESULT OF IT WHILE TAKING OUT HIS FRUSTRATION.

WHAT AN IDIOT. THE ABSOLUTE OPPOSITE OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS.

THE GOLDEN STATE COMMENTATORS WERE JUST MAKING FUN OF JJ FOR HAVING NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WHEN A DOUBLE-TEAM OCMES, HE HAD ABOUT 15 ASSISTS FOR GOLDEN STATE IN THE 2ND HALF.

WITHOUT BIBBY WE ARE ABSOLUTELY F*******, AND BIBBY IS LIMPING AROUND…… NOT LOOKING GOOD IN THAT ASPECT.

REAL REASON WE LOST IS BECAUSE GS IS SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THEY AHD TO PLAY DEFENSE IN THE 2ND HALF TO WIN, WHILE WE COULDNT FIGURE IT OUT.

AND WE GAVE UP ONCE WE WERE DOWN BY 15, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS STILL 9 MINUTES LEFT…….. SERIOUSLY NO FULLCOURT PRESSURE IN THE 4TH QUARTER AT ALL?!?!?!?

WOODY IS JUST A MORON. FOR REAL.

WHY DIDNT HORFORD GET THE BALL I DONT KNOW ABOUT 558,874 MORE TIMES IN THE POST TONIGHT??!??!?! HE SCORED EVERY TIME HE GOT IT AND MADE THE CORRECT PASS WHEN THE DOUBLE CAME…….

RIDICULOUS.

By drmaryb

March 4, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

J-Smoove just needs a coach to pull in the reins on this super-talent. We don’t need to get rid of Smoove - Just define his role and help him understand the DO’s & Dont’s Discipline is all he needs…but he should be a HAWK for life.

He is the most exciting player I’ve seen since NIQUE thing is NIQUE was smart enough not to pass the rock - too busy scoring for that!

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Stop with all the f’n hating nobody excpected to win with bibby’s heal injury, we didnt even expect to win without the injury. The hawks will have smooth sailing after the hornets game. We just have to hope that woody does not mess everything up like usual.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

IMAGINE HOW BAD CHRIS PAUL IS GONNA TORCH BIBBY TOMORROW NIGHT WHILE BIBBY IS LIMPING AROUND TRYING TO GUARD HIM???

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Bahahahaha. I’m sure Marvin Williams didn’t cost us any possessions with his constant fumbling of the ball, missed defensive assignments, and inability to pass the ball. Good luck getting any comments about that out of Joe Bling though.

By WDF

March 4, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Need more big men Need to play defense (we play none) need to stop careless turnovers (fumbled passes, getting stripped, dumb passes) Joe Johnson needs to play with more confidence/spark Josh Smith needs to stop takin such WILD shots Marvin Williams just needs to be in the D-League Bench is short and Talentless

Its soo much wrong with this team our only hope is to play the same style as Golden State.

By Joe Bling

March 4, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Hate to say it, gang, but I have a feeling this was a really bad loss. The team is not getting better, and they are not playing ANY defense. The new savior is playing crippled. Just not much of a positive vibe going on at all as we watch the season rapidly fading out …

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

WOW BIBBY REALLY DISSAPEARED……..

HE REALLY LET US DOWN TONIGHT, AND LOOKS LIKE HE WILL CONTINUE TO LET US DOWN FOR A WHILE BEING THAT HE’S LIMPING AROUND OUT THERE……..

THIS IS BAD, WE COULD WIN ALOT MORE GAMES WITH A 100% HEALTHY MIKE BIBBY, THE MIKE BIBBY WE SAW IN OUR HOME GAME AGAINST THE KINGS……

ITS GONNA BE VERY BAD IF HE DOESNT GET HEALTHY VERY SOON……. THERE GOES OUR POINTGUARD THAT WE FINALLY LANDED.

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

All u dumb people who are saying that Josh Smith needs to be traded or he is a retard is just wrong. Besides Horford he is the hardest working player on this team. He does so many little things that makes him good. Just listen to what people from other teams are saying about him. The kid is 22 years old and has plenty of time to improve on what is already a strong career. To get rid of him would be a very bad move for this franchise. Once again he has flaws in his game but he will only get better and he has done that every year he has been in the Association. So chill out with the retard and trade talk cause every other team in this league would gladly take him off our hands

By HawksSuck

March 4, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

You guys are fools. Bibby is out their hoping around on one leg and you are blaming him for not playing well?? Atleast he friggin plays hurt, which is more I can say for Law and Claxton, you know our other 2 point guards that are constantly on the injured list.

Bibby isn’t the problem, Hawks suck, thats the problem. Give up on this awful team, flush your playoff dream down the toilet.

By PD

March 4, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

I’m happy to see at least JJ got his shot and scoring back. I think Woodson just needs to ban Josh Smith from taking the ball down the court and force him to make an outlet pass every time he gets a rebound. Also, our defense is terrible with opponents just able to penetrate at will. We need a real center to give us some sort of interior presence besides Josh Smith’s occasional blocks. I still dont understand why we cant find some big guy from the D-league. Golden State just made it look way too easy. Finally, FIRE WOODSON!!!!!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

As if to rub it in even further, New Jersey is tied with San Antonio, and Chicago is beating up on Memphis.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Everyone but Horford is expendable. and yes, I’M P**!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

IM LISTENING TO CARLOS ARROYO ON NBATV RIGHT NOW EXPLAINING HOW THE MAGIC ARE 16 GAMES OVER .500 AND IN THE 3 SEED BECAUSE OF HOW HUNGRY THEY WERE COMING INTO THE SEASON AND MOTIVATED BECAUSE OF HOW THEY MADE THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR.

YOUNG TEAM, LEARNED THAT THEY BELONG AND GOT HUNGRY FOR MORE AFTER GETTING SWEPT IN ROUND 1.

MAKING THE PLAYOFFS IS SO BIG FOR THIS YOUNG TEAM IN ORDER TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP FORWARD FOR NEXT YEAR…..

I HAVE FAITH, BUT IF WOODY NEEDS TO BE FIRED TO GET IT DONE THAN THAT IS THE SACRIFICE THAT HAS TO BE MADE IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT IS A CRUCIAL POINT IN THE FUTURE OF THIS FRANCHISE, A TURNING POINT, WE NEED TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, THAT IS SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO HUGE!!!!

GOTTA GET IT DONE, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, IF WE DONT MAKE IT IT COULD BE DOOM FOR THE FUTURE THAT COULD BE SO BRIGHT FOR THIS YOUNG TALENTED AND SHOULD BE VERY GOOD TEAM.

By Teddy Jck Eddy

March 4, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Bibby isn’t the kind of player who shows up and gives his best game in game out.It’s like Law last year somethings can be seen with stats over years.Bibby has never sustained his play at a high level over a season,he’s hit and miss,always has been.

By ugaman

March 4, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

It’s called the lack of using the bench in order to keep the starters fresh. If you look back, I stated this would be the outcome if Woody didn’t use his bench in the second half. You can’t really blame the players. When you are gassed and running on fumes, you tend to make mental errors. GS was playing so well at the end because Nelly used his bench through the whole game and kept pushing the ball, knowing that our guys would eventually wear down. Good strategy by Nelly, poor strategy by Woody. This is a game that we should have slowed down and dumped the ball to Horford and Smith over and over, forcing Nelly to put some of his bigs in to slow the game to a tempo that would favor our team running. Our bigs can outrun any other teams bigs, but a good coach would have known how to exploit our mismatch instead of letting the other team dictate with their mismatch. This game, like so many others this season are on the coach.

By coachb

March 4, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

132 points = loss every night. We need a change to get this team ready for next year. They were playing better at the beginning of the season. We did try to play defense. I don’t know what that was out there tonight. Mike Woodson please step down you can’t help this team. Playoffs is a joke with this coach.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

I DIDNT SEE ANY MISSED ASSIGNMENTS ON DEFENSE FROM MARVIN TONIGHT, HE ACTUALLY LOOKED LIKE HE PLAYED THE HARDEST ON DEFENSE OUT OF ANYBODY ON THE ENTIRE TEAM.

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

You people are funny. Now this loss is all Bibbys fault. The guy has one good foot and has to be on the floor cause all of our other points are hurt. What do u want the guy to do. He is playin the best he can. Maybe if freakin Woodson would give Salim more PT Bibby wouldnt be limping around like he can barely walk out there.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

im near tears right now.

Its been 10 damn years since we made the playoffs. Everyone wants to be out there to support the team and have it rocking like the omni was in 85-90, or even in 98 or 99…. man and this team has SO MUCH TALENT. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE LANDED THE MISSING LINK IN BIBBY…..

WHY DOES HE HAVE OT INJURE HIS HEEL IN HIS FIRST GAME HERE, ARE WE CURSEd?!?1 WHY ARE WE?!?!?

We made so much money for the league and our owners in the 80s when we were contending…….. why cant our owners see that!??!? why cant they see that winning is the key to making mroe money if thats their goal in htis thing////??? why do we care more than they do, and have been this way for a DECADE?!?!

We have so much talent, making the playoffs is so CRITICAL to the future of this franchise for next year and beyond.

Why is woody killing us?

Why cant a leader step up and calm Josh down when he gets frustrated when we’re down 10, instead of letting him take out his frustration by going out of control and getting us down another 10?!?!?

Why cant the coach explain that we need to play defense in the 2nd half to win the game?!/ why cant the coach figure out to give the ball more to Horford inside, especially tonight but every night??1

Why cant the coach figure out to run pick/roll with Bibby and Horford or Bibby and Smoove, or pick/pop with bibby and marvin or jj……

MAN OH MAN. Its just been SO DAMN LONG since we could get to the playoffs….. we are so hungry. This place would be full if we were above .500 and it would help us be even more above .500 because a young team feeds off the home crowd and wins more games like that (example: portland), and that breeds confidence which wins more.

WE NEED tO GET TO THE PLAYOFFs. THIS NEEDS TO END…….. 9 LONG YEARS MAN…….

WE HAVE SO MUCH TALENT, SUCH A BRIGHT FUTURE WITH OUR CORE TO BUILD AROUND, THE CAP SITUATION IS GOOD, WE HAVE GREAT YOUNG TALENT AT EVERY VITAL POSITION, ALL WE NEED IS A DEFENDING/REBOUNDING ROLEPLAYER OF A CENTER LIKE A DIOP OR PERKINS OR EVEN RATLIFF….. MAN OH MAN…….

ITS BEEN TOO LONG, IVE BEEN WATCHING THIS TEAM GROW AND GET BETTER EVERY EYAR AND ANY COACH COULD HAVE A TEAM THIS TALENTED WITH TWO GREAT CLOSERS IN BIBBY AND JJ AND EVERYTHING ELSE INSIDE PRESENCE IN HORFORD, WE USUALLY PLAY GOOD DEFENSE, SHOTBLOCKER, UNIQUE TALENT IN SMOOVE, SHOOTERS, REBOUNDERS, MIDRANGE STUD IN MARVIN, UNSTOPPABLE WHEN WE RUN…….

EVERYTHING MAN, I JUST CANT TAKE IT NAYMORE. WHEN IS THIS NIGHTMARE GONNA END!??!?? IS IT EVER GOING TO END!?!? MAKING THE PLAYOFFS IS SO VITAL, THIS IS SUCH A HUGE STRETCH FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR FRANCHISE, IT COULD GIVE US LIFE OR IT COULD ABSOLUTELY KILL US…..

AND AFTER WATCHING TONIGHTS GAME THE HAWKS HAVE MADE ME CRY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LOSING GAME 7 TO THE CELTICS IN THE LATE 80’S 2ND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS……….

I CANT TAKE IT, ANY GOOD COACH WOULD HAVE THIS TEAM ABOVE .500…… SO MUCH TALNET, SO CLOSE, SO EVERYTHING……

PLEASE GOD LET THIS NIGHTMARE END AND LET US START WINNING!!!!!

By drmaryb

March 4, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Hell Johnny

I believe Stevie Wonder can read your posts. The caps are annoying! Are you like Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Stewart?

Do you only Scream when you type, or do you also Scream when you talk too?

Your point is lost in translation!

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks were run by consensus by everyone on this blog, the roster would be full of NBDL players because we would have traded away every valuable asset we have after the first bad game they play.

At this point, we all pretty much know what the strengths and weaknesses are of each player. Joe Johnson is a talented scorer who is not quite quick enough, athletic enough or consistent enough to be a true #1. Josh Smith is amazingly versatile and almost equally inconsistent. Al Horford is a future low post force on both ends of the floor who is a little too foul-prone because he’s a rookie. Marvin is a positive asset when his mid range jumper is falling, completely useless when it’s not falling. Bibby is crafty and has range, but is a little past his prime and can’t be counted on to carry the team on his back by himself. Childress is your typical glue guy with no real offensive game who still manages to contribute positively most of the time. The jury’s out on Acie Law because of his injuries. Everyone else is good at exactly one thing, at most, and a liability at something else.

Even with a roster as imperfect as the one I just described, making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference should be a piece of cake. Y’all can call Josh Smith terrible after every bad game he has, or Joe Johnson terrible after every bad game he has, but if you know basketball you know deep down inside that they are producing what can be expected of them based on the situation they are put in. In every Hawks loss, there are some players who play well and some players who play bad. The common thread between all of the Hawks’ losses is horrible coaching. Mike Woodson is the underlying reason why this team is not a playoff team as of right now. Ever wondered why the Hawks play progressively better throughout the first half, then chill with Woodson for a few minutes at halftime, and come out flat in the 3rd quarter? This team would function better without a head coach. Until Woodson is fired it’s unrealistic to expect anything better out of this team.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

And I’ll go ahead and predict that there will be a barrage of 2005 Draft/Billy Knight related posts after the Hawks lose tomorrow at New Orleans.

By THE Hawks Fan

March 4, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Well 10 games under AND still 1 game out of the Final Playoff spot. Still not bad for a team that hasnt sniffed the Playoffs for 10 years. I think we will be playing for our Playoffs lives in the Last game of the season. Mikey G JR is not going to get rid of Coach Woodson during the season. Just let it go. This up to the players to get us over the hump. JJ and Bibby are the KEY. Get Josh under control and LET the bench PLAY ANDDDDD ACIE get WELLLL sooon. GOOOOOO Hawks!!!!!!

By jj

March 4, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

u can’t blame bibby at all. the guy u need t blame is d!ckhead mike woodson.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

O.K. lets calm down a little bit. This is the same team that knocked The #1 seed ouit of the Playoffs last year. I do know 1 thing, we need a HEALTHY Bibby and a HEALTHY Acie or we can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Johnny i feel you man, i feel like just breaking down and crying.

By thehawk

March 4, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

JOSH SMITH= NEVER TAKE THE BALL DOWN THE COURT! he is a great player but if he would just stop running the ball down the court and charging right to the defense and throwing up wild shots he wouldn’t make so many mistakes. he just needs to post up and make his moves there. i think he lost the game tonight with his sloppy passes crazy layups and missed free throws. i just wish he would mature a little bit and learn this, sure would help

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

“If the Hawks were run by consensus by everyone on this blog, the roster would be full of NBDL players.”

Thank you Najeh Davenpoop There are a few of us on here that actually are thinking and not just popping off at the mouth

By drmaryb

March 4, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Go RichBrave

I’m done pulling my hair out - I’m a bald eagle now…blame it on the HAWKS!

No more pretty hot chick!

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

So much for the Nets being tied with the Spurs. They’re now down 13. And have you seen the Bulls next 6 games? Cleveland, Boston, Detroit, and Utah, Philly, and New Orleans. They could lose 6 straight. We should be fine.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

WOULD THIS TEAM BE BETTER IF WE TRADED JOSH SMITH TO THE NETS FOR DIOP AND MARVIN WILLIAMS TO THE RAPTORS FOR ANTHONY PARKER?

WOULD A LINEUP OF:

MIKE BIBBY ANTHONY PARKER JOE JOHNSON AL HORFORD DESAGANA DIOP

WITH CHILLZ AS 6TH MAN BE A MUCH BETTER TEAM?

IT SHOULDNT BE, RIGHT? BUT WOULDNT THAT TEAM LOOK LIKE A PLAYOFF TEAM VERY VERY EASILY ON PAPER????

SO WHY IS THIS TEAM STRUGGLING SO BADLY AND 10 GAMES BELOW .50O???

By preston

March 4, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Johnny you are in tears now over this game?…..I was tied up on a job assignment today for 7 hours today due to an issue that I swore was somebody else’s fault….hec, I even fought tooth and nails over the fact that I knew I was right with what I had done, only to find out that I was wrong…….totally wrong….and now I feel like an idiot….can’t even think about talking about the hawks or poking fun at Woody right now…..infact I am in tears..

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

In response to Johnny when you look at the team we have now on paper we look like a playoff team. We are in the 9th spot and still have a very good chance of making it to maybe even the 7th or 6th seed. The hawks are young and will continue to get better. But i am telling you if we trade Josh Smith the hawks will not get better unless we bring someone in who is still young and who is better then him. Diop is not the answer at all. He would be a nice addition to what we already have but he is not worth giving up Smoove or Marvin. The change that needs to be made with this team is what everyone already talks about and that is Woodson. We need a new leader that can light a fire under these guys and get them to that next level.

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

JOHNNY, MIKE WOODSON is the answer!!! you’re new here. so we understand!!LOL

WOODSON’s gotta go…PERIOD!!!

and i did NOT even see the game tonite but i KNOW!!!

By RB

March 4, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

This is a collective mess! Not the players but the coach, GM, and this D@mn ownership group. Sad to say, but the Hawks will not make the playoffs. They should have sent Woody packin when BK asked them to. Where is Belkin when we need him! And by goodness we need him!

By richbrave

March 4, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

JOHNNY:

Yours of 9:16 p.m. Yup. Its the old NBA rope-a-dope. Works to perfection on a young team. Been through years with Brendon Haywood and Etan Thomas being sucked into that trap in the 2nd half. Ya’ gotta’ “D” up in this league to win. Sorry guys.

By terrell barron

March 4, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

His name is Woody, Johnny. That’s why!

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

I definitely dont think Bibby is past his prime.

He is only 28 years old, he should be right at the beginning of his prime.

Maybe the heel makes it look that way, but he definitely isnt. He could very well end up having his best 3 or 4 years in his career while with our Hawks.

By Tiger Woo

March 4, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Embarassing, pathetic, uninspiring performance by the Hawks. The defensive breakdowns were unbelievable. 17 3-pointers by Golden State?

Woody should have removed the starters early in the 3rd Quarter - they were getting drilled - layup after layup after dunk.

We sure could have used Stephen Jackson - why did we let him get away? I’d take him over Marvin any day.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

It will be harder to sign josh smith over the summer than trading him for someone else, the sixers desperately want josh and if they dont get him we are going to be in cap hell over the next few years, can you imagine 3 players with max deals…

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

It just looked so positive with the 15-12 start, then we get Bibby….

and man oh man this team, ten years, frustration, just looks like such a brightfuture, great talent, Horford needs the ball more in the post and on pick and roll with Bibby or JJ running it….

I dont know man, this team makes me want to just break down. My girl thinks im nuts for caring so much about this team but I have and will continue to care for a long time…….

Go hawks, please god get it together and win out and make the playoffs….. stop making your fans nearly cry, Im a grown man cant be crying over a damn basketball team that continues to torture me for a decade.

Pop in the old tape of Nique, wittman, Doc and Willis I guess…..

By mykhalc

March 4, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

NO WAY BIBBY is past his prime!!! the cat is on one foot!!! let’s be real with the posts!!!

By woodsonsucks

March 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

By thehawk 20pts, 11reb 4blocks and 4 assists and 3 to. Yet u say he lost the game. You must be related to Woodson with that type of logic

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

Joe looks slower this year.

I think we would be a lot better off with him at small forwrd than at 2guard, he can make plays from there and play more of his game and match up better…..

he’s more of a 3 but can also play the 2……. problem is that marvin and smoove are both small forwards in our starting lineup too.

By hawksfanfordawin

March 4, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

Have you guys heard of sekou, i think that he gave up on this team..

By Tiger Woo

March 4, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

If Bibby is playing on one foot, why the heck is he playing 35 minutes against a running team? He was obviously a defensive liability this game and his shot wasn’t falling.

The Bibby trade may turn out to be a good move in the long run, but right now, the lack of depth at the point and with the bigs is killing the Hawks.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this

Hawks are torture, man.

Honestly think about this, would this lineup:

Bibby Anthony Parker Joe Johnson Al Horford Desagana Diop

with Chillz as 6th man and the rest of our bench

be alot better than what we have right now???

what is going on, that should be alot worse but I dont see that team losing very much, the defense and rebounding would be alot better and Horford could be our 3rd option on offense and our inside man (probably be our 1st option 2 years from now), and JJ and Bibby can do their thing as the top 2 options and bibby as playmaker/pg, the other 2 are defenders/roleplayers, Diop locks down paint rebounds and matches up with bangers, and Parker guards the D-Wades of the world and knocks down 3pointers….

??????

By Tiger Woo

March 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith didn’t lose this game - defense, or lack thereof, lost this game. Iv’e never seen so many open 3 pointers in my life. B-Diddy and Monta Ellis simply toyed with the Hawks driving to the hole.

By JOHNNY

March 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

woodsonsucks

he actually was one of the key factors in why we lost the game.

that statline is lying to you.

he got frustrated when we went down by 8 and went out of control on offense and stopped giving effort on defense, by the time he was done “venting” we were down by 20.

Josh messed up bad tonight.

By Tiger Woo

March 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Desagana Diop is a stiff …

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 4, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Bibby is in his 10th season in the NBA. In 7 of those seasons he played 80+ regular season games. That doesn’t include all the playoff games he has played. Age doesn’t mean much when you’ve had that kind of workload. That doesn’t mean he can’t still play, but physically he is past his prime.

By Tiger Woo

March 4, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Johnny,

Did you even watch the game tonight?

I was at the game - Josh Smith was not a key factor in the loss. The loss was a team “effort” - poor perimeter defense was a major factor - you can’t give up 17 3-pointers and expect to win many games.

By Murphy

March 4, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

What is with you JOHNNY? This loss was not all josh smiths fault at all. Im glad your not the GM…..well you might actually be better than Knight. Josh Smith tends to play hard night end and night out. If his offense is bad he plays D and vice versa and usually we get both out of him. Diop isnt a person that will give u 18 points 3 blocks per game 3 steals and 10 rebounds. Thats what we would be losing. When we play teams like the warriors we couldnt even use him cause they would put all their shooters around the 3 line. Like I said before he is a good addition to the team but he should Never take Josh’s place on this team.

By Overit

March 4, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Fire Woody. It can’t hurt at this point. I’m so tired of getting my hopes up for this team just to see them crash land again. I don’t care if the issue is with the Owners or coaches - change something. The players are good and play hard; we can win with this team. We NEED another coach at this point. Woody, thanks for your effort, enjoy IU next season mate, now get out please.

By Samuel

March 4, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Actually, I liked the way the Hawks played tonight. This style is their strong point. When Golden State shoots the ball like they did tonight, nobody will beat them and I mean nobody. Unfortunately, they can’t shoot like that the entire playoffs. We just need to add a few more athletic players and continue to run. Their(GS) bench was the difference in the game.

By Matt

March 4, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

I just emailed the “owners” box at Atlanta Spirit calling for Woodson to be fired. I thought JJ could have hit 50 points tonight if Woodson had rested him for even a few seconds in the third quarter so that he could have some gas down the stretch. Instead, he was out of fumes by late in the 3rd (who wouldn’t be after playing 30 of 32 minutes at that pace?), and that spelled doom for us. Woodson’s refusal to spell our starters was predictably fatal in a game like that.

Smoove also turned the ball over too much (again) and missed too many free throws (again); I wish I could blame the latter on Woodson, but he missed 3 of them before he’d even played 24 minutes.

Woodson gotta go, and maybe Drew (working in conjunction with Bibby) could get JJ some rest and convince Smoove to focus. Otherwise, we’re screwed, since it’s clear Woodson is that rare breed of human being who is completely unable to recognize and fix his mistakes.

By DecDawg

March 4, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

The biggest issue with the Hawks is that Woodson does not have a defensive strategy. The only defensive minded players on the team are Josh Smith and Mario West. Now I like Mario, but when he’s on the court, it’s like playing 4 on 5 because his man can always help on someone else defensively. With regards to the guys who log the most minutes, JJ is terrible defensively. He hasn’t had a defensive stop all year when it matters. Marvin and Bibby can’t keep ANYBODY in front of them. Horford is decent but he’s not at the point where he can shut anyone down. This means that everyone on the other team is a threat to score against us every night because we are horrible at one-on-one defensive and do not play team defense. That’s why everytime Josh goes to the bench, it feels like a layup drill.

By Matt

March 4, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

And to preempt the Smoove-is-God crowd around here - yes, I realize JJ and Marvin turned the ball over more than Smoove tonight. I was just mentioning Smoove because it’s a recurring problem I noticed with him, and because it is part of the lack of focus that I think he’s had on the offensive end for the past couple weeks.

By Joe Bling

March 4, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Tiger Woo - A lot of our defensive woes begin on the offensive end with poor decisions - and too many of them are being made by Josh Smith. You are certainly right that the defense has been a major part of our recent slide (even in the win over Sacramento), but you have to recognize that bad decisions on the offensive end are creating opportunities for the opponent. If you taped tonight’s game (and haven’t deleted it like I already did) go back and watch what happens every time the Hawks made a bad decision on shot choice or passing. It kills us. Josh isn’t the only one, but his mistakes seem most egregious and boneheaded to me.

By DecDawg

March 5, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Joe Bling,

I have to agree with you on the fact that our unbalanced offense creates problems for our defense but I have to admit that I give Josh a pass sometimes cuz he plays harder than everyone on the team. The other guys make mistakes and walk away from defensive challenges while Josh will at the very least try to make up for his mistakes…and theirs.

By woodsonsucks

March 5, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

Johnny, Matt and Jo Bling The Josh hate is amazing. Joe,Marvin and Chill play no defense at all. Josh does a lot wrong. Salim hit him in the shins with a pass but you blame him. Marvin can’t finish against anyone but you guys have nothing to say. Jo Bling maybe you notice his mistakes more because you are looking for them as opposed to all the other mistakes. The biggest mistake is Woodson. Don Nelson made adjustments at halftime. Woodson as always didn’t. Joe got double teamed and looked totally confused about what to do. His coach did too. U win as a team and lose as a team. I think Josh Smith & Al Horford are co-MVPs of this team. Matt a lack of focus is shooting 40% from the field like JJ is doing. Why don’t you go complain about him.

By cp

March 5, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Another 3rd quarter meltdown. From now on if we have the lead we should not go in the locker room. We should stay on the court and shoot jumpers or something because whatever is going on in the back is killing us. Even the Golden State play by play guys were echoing the same things we are saying on here. I damn near thought they were reading the blog because they were dead on. They were wondering why we dont run more, and how we did not make any adjustements. Mike Woodson showed tonight why I call him Greg Knapp. They guy makes no adjustements what so freaking ever. We were getting killed on the glass and instead of putting Horford back in he stayed with Childress. The problem with that is Childress was doing nothing at all tonight. Bibby was clearly hurt and was not effective so instead of putting in Salim who actually looked good he kept Bibby in. This guy makes no adjustments what so ever. I can clearly see why BK wanted to fire this guy. Enough is enough. We might get destroyed tmw night against the Hornets. Chris Paul will try to score 40 and dish out about 13 assist because he wanted to play here and we passed him over so he always has a point to prove against us. Bibby will not be able to stick with him. I want to be positive about the Horents game but with Mike Knapp at the helm I just cant.

By reese

March 5, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

I knew we were in trouble at half time when the score was 70 to 68 and Joe Johnson looked like he had already played a full game.

One of my concerns was that Woodson would not play Salim enough. Salim scored 18 points the last time we played GS and now he only gets 13 minutes.

I understand that woodson is playing bibby a lot because he is not in shape and he is trying to get him in shape. However, I just don’t get why he is not trying to develop his bench.

J Richardson is starting to regress. When he first came to the hawks he was looking for his shot. Now, he is not even looking at the rim and looking to pass to someone else. On fast breaks he is starting to fade out to the sidelines instead of going to the basket.

Yet, know on the team is going to J Richardson and telling him to shoot or to go to the basket. Look at Baron Davis. He screamed at Pietrus for passing up a shot in the lane and throwing it out to a 3 point shooter. The shot was eventually made, but it was negated by a 3 second violation. The camera went to Nellie and he was giving a shoot motion. In other words, Baron was a leader and extension of his head coach.

Marvin played well in the first half. He was challenging shots and going after rebounds. However, he and several other hawks were out of gas in the 2nd half. Golden State is in better shape than the hawks.

By Malone

March 5, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

BK and Woody’s contract will not be renewed (IMO) and an entirely new staff will figure out what to do with this talented but misguided (mis-coached) group.

By ray

March 5, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

I’m tired of people dumping all or most of the offensive woes on Josh Smith. Yes, the guy makes mistakes. Last I looked, our resident 2-time all-star was turning the ball over too. What people seem to be forgetting is just how hard Josh plays and how he’s always rescuing most of the team on defense. How many guys are failing to rotate over when needed? How many times have we seen Josh Smith fly into view of the camera to help out on an offensive player that’s blown by one of our guys.

You want to keep dumping on Josh for the offensive problems? Place the blame where it belongs: the head coach! Josh has been playing this game for a few years without a true leader on the team. Now we have one in Bibby, but he’s hurt. Place the blame where it belongs.

For all the crap he’s gotten, Marvin Williams had a good game. I have to say that it was against a team that doesn’t play defense, but he still came and took what the defense was giving. Good game for Marvin.

JJ was great until the second half, where he ran out of gas. I can’t for all the world figure out why we started playing the Woody-ball game: throw it to Joe and see if he can beat the double and triple teams.

Our overall defense was awful.

Just think, now we get to go to New Orleans and be reminded (yet again) who we should’ve drafted at #2 a few years ago….

By the way, do you still think we make the playoffs? Heh….

By reese

March 5, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

Ray, Woodson’s post game speech and several people here state that the defense was bad. However, what did Woodson do to change the defense.

When in the past 4 season has this hawks team shown that they can stop good offensive players by playing man to man. Who on this squad has shown that they can play in your face man on man defense.

Never and no one are the answers to that question. We play help defense and Josh Smith and Al Horford are the ones who are providing the help.

Golden State was scoring by Baron Davis or Ellis driving to the basket and making layups that were challenged by Josh Smith. Basically, they were good offensive players making difficult shots.

Golden State was scoring by Baron Davis or Ellis driving to the basket and when Josh or Al came to help, they kicked the ball out to 3 point shooters. Basically, 8 players took 3 point shots for Golden state. These shooters made 17 3 point shots. The hawks didn’t even take 17 3 point shots.

Golden State was scoring by fast breaking and by posting up Al Harrington.

On Defense, Golden State mixed in several different defensive tactics. They double teamed JJ everytime he touched the ball. Yet, the hawks double teams were too late coming.

They packed 4 to 5 players in the lane when hawks players drove to the basket. Thereby, forcing the hawks players having to worry about players trying to strip the ball and players trying to block the shot.

To disrupt the hawks inside game, they went to a zone defense.

The times where the hawks were able to post up Marvin, JJ or JChill against Baron Davis, they were unable to get by him and they spent so much time trying to back him down that the other GS players had time to help.

The hawks were in the bonus with 6 and half minutes left in the game. Yet, we were unable to capitalize on the situation. We never went to a full court press. We never went to a half court press. We never went to an extended zone defense.

In other words, I can easily describe the game plan of Nellie and the Golden State Warriors. However, I’ve been watching the hawks under woodson for years and I still can’t explain what he is doing to change the pace of the game. Why? Because he didn’t do anything but verbally challenge his players to do better and not give them the rest or offensive/defensive schemes to change the pace of the game.

By reese

March 5, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

MyKhalc, Josh Smith is the bigger player. His shoulders are more toned than Marvins. However, neither he nor Marvin are bigger than the players that they face each night.

Marvin needs to hit the kitchen table and weight room this summer. He needs to gain strength to allow him to take bump and continue strong to the basket. Currently, he is contorting his body to avoid contact and then he is not strong enough to get the ball up. Occasionally, he is getting the benefit of a call and is able to get to the free throw line.

Josh Childress and zaza have the same body contortions and poor upper body strength which leads to the same problem of releasing the ball below the rim when they drive to the basket.

Josh Smith has better upper body strength, but has poor hands, small hands and poor dribbling skills. Therefore, he is rushing a lot when trying to drive to the basket. Josh Smith compensates by just trying more times than the others and not letting his limitations stop his aggressiveness.

By ray

March 5, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this

Reese, exactly! Place the blame where it belongs. Instead, some people don’t get it: they want to find ways to blame Smith (is he the coach, is he the team leader?) inlcuding by saying that our defense is bad because Smith makes our offense bad. How retarded can you get…guess i shouldn’t ask that question.

By mykhalc

March 5, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this

REESE, nice breakdown and mahalo!! great 1:17AM post man!!!

the thing i always keep in mind is that SMOOVE and MARVIN are VERY young and more importantly WITHOUT a veteran BIG to show them the way!! they have had to learn it all on their own while ONLY havin’ ZERO and ONE year of college ball respectively!! EL GATO GRANDE shows what the extra years after HS ball in college with a good program and coach can do for one bein’ prepared for NBA hoops!!!

and just about EVERY other coach shows our coach how the game SHOULD be coached!!! WOODSON is truly the primary reason THIS team has under-achieved!! for all the BS that goes on with BK and BASG, WOODSON has shown continually that he is NOT READY FOR PRIMETIME!!! and that probably holds true for the entire franchise!!

and i feel for the players!! i think we all can relate to how it feels to work for someone that you KNOW DOES NOT have a clue!!! been there and hated to go to work durin’ those times!!! WOODSON is a joke as a HC!!!! except for the players themselves, EVERYTHIN’ about this franchise, as it exists today, is a joke!!!!

By reese

March 5, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this

Ray, I realize that I’m a little bit more aggressive with my philosophies about what players should do. I’m unlike several here and I want hawks players to stay aggressive even when a facet of their game is off or when they make mistakes. Thats why I like the way Josh Smith plays.

In the last GS game, harrington shot poorly and had turnovers. Yet, Nellie acknowledged those facts and allowed him to take the same shots this game. He took 13 shots and had 13 points.

Yet, so many on this blog state that hawks players need to quit shooting when they are off. Well tonight, Golden State had 5 players take more than 10 shots. Whereas the hawks only had 3 players take more than 10 shots. Bibby, Childress and horford each played more than 30 minutes and neither took 10 shots. Someone has to shoot the ball and there are enough opportunities for more than 3 players to take 10 or more shots.

Horford is an aggressive rebounder, yet he only had 8 rebounds tonight, was out rebounded by the shorter Pietrus and the whole hawks team was out rebounded by a shorter team.

There were times that Golden state would get a defensive rebound and had a 4 on 1 fast break. They just out hustled the hawks players down court. I never see Childress or Marvin beat the other team’s players down court to stop a fast break.

This is when I get frustrated and wonder why Woodson doesn’t rotate players in and out to ensure that the team remains aggressive.

By jami$$ion

March 5, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this

you hawk fans are so finicky.all of you make me sick to my stomach.you whine and complain like a once a month bleeding b!tch. this sh!t is rediculous.once again we’ve let another team impose their will on us and expected to win.and we as fans know what the problem is the world knows what the problem is ,but we keep placing the blame where it doesn’t belong,any time you give up 135 points what do you actually realisticly expect.A LOSS! there is no way in hell you thought you were going to win this game without any defense. So you can blame bibby ,you want a scape coat,the man’s been playing hurt since he’s been here giving his all and you want to crucify him like christ.ooh its joshes fualt last time i checked he and marv were the only ones attempting to play defense tonight,he put up 20-11-5-4 and it’s smoove’s fault yeah right. how about all the time JJ goes 4-20,yall don’t baptize JJ in the fire woth satan,someone said lastnight(another foolish comment if i ever heard any) when josh leads the team in scoring we lose implying when JJ leads the team i scoring we win.well check this newsflash out JJ dam near put up 40 guess what we lost by 17 and we 10 games under 500.this tells me no matter who leads our team in scoring we still aren’t very good.anyway on good teams on any given night any one can beat you so therefore who gives a rat’s azz who leads in scoring. this games is about making plays down the stretch,being there when the games on the line,finishing opponents when you have them down,applying pressure when it’s needed,making the nessasary adjustments depending on prsonel and game situations,being physically and mentally prepared.we lack all of these gentlemen.are we talented? why yes very much so,we are so talented that contrary to many of yall beliefs i’m glad we don’t have a draft choice.you probably think i’m crazy for that statement no i’m not,another young player is the last thing we need,another young stud to come under this coach who’ll stagnate his growth ha. only losers think about draftpicks.do you think the patriots are thinking about the draft,i know we aren’t the patriots by a long shot,but i beat philly isn’t thinking about a draft choice.no their thinking about the playoffs and so are the nets,but we we’re thinking about next year you know why.we’ve been losing so lonmg we have adapted a losers mentalityfrom our owners to our pathetic fanbase. 1st of this team was assembled wronginstead of building from the insideout or out side in we built from the side.we built from the wing with a good roleplayer as our franchise player,how stupid is that?2nd we hire an inexperienced defensive minded assistent to coach a athletic running team.3rd we have owners that will not let the gm do his job.anyway we have a core bibby,horford,josh,acie,chills,west,need a coach

By JustAThought

March 5, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

So “if” Bibby is hurt……then why is he playing? If he’s playing, “being” hurt is not an excuse. Sekou you didn’t even mention him in your game story, he’s a pro, and he didn’t even show up. Don’t cut his azz any slack.

By JohnGTFan

March 5, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

only one word describes this team…embarassing.

By BT

March 5, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

I guess Sekou has been told not to say anything at all if he can’t be positive.

By Harry Hawk

March 5, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Woodson’s excuses after every loss are indictments of his coaching ability. He’s been begging for a pink slip for a couple of years. I hope he gets it. My personal longing for Woodson’s pink slip makes me wanna sing an old spiritual and shed a few tears.

By Sautee

March 5, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

It’s certainly disconcerting when on two occasions Steve Smith mentioned that the Hawks needed to go to Horford down low ‘cause he had a mismatch and both times JJ went one on two and bricked the shots. Who do we think called those plays?

Everyone on this blog knows that GS has NOBODY that could handle AH on the blocks. So why weren’t we going through him every other trip down? Answer: NO F*g PLAN!

Sorry for the caps, I was channeling Johnny for a minute there.

By woodsonsucks

March 5, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Reese Maybe I don’t understand. Are u saying that Josh Smith can’t dribble better than Marvin and what exactly do you mean by poor hands? I think JS dribbles and passes way better than Marvin. A lot of his turnovers are for being out of control or forcing the action that doesn’t mean he can’t dribble. For all of the skillset Marvin is supposed to have I don’t see it. Josh and Marvin are the same size and weight. The difference is one has heart and the other doesn’t.

By Jo Bling

March 5, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Josh is hardly the only player making stupid mistakes, but his do seem to be the most costly. The play where he threw the ball away on the three-on-one break in the third quarter last night was a killer. But don’t confuse me with a Josh hater. I’m just a critic. It pains me to watch him hurt the team with bad decisions because it’s obvious that if he could just get his offensive game under control he’d be a superstar. He has all the makings, but superstars learn to maintain their aggressiveness while playing under control. Maybe you are correct that I’m putting too much of the onus on Josh. That’s fine. It’s just my opinion. From watching practically every game this season either in person or on TV, I’ve settled on Josh’s play as one key area that, if corrected, would help us win A LOT more games. That’s not to say that JJ, Marvin and others don’t need to step it up. They do for sure. But with his effort and athleticism, I think Josh could step into the realm of superstar and take this team to new heights if he could just refine his game and play a little more under control on the offensive end. You would think that getting him to do that is the coach’s responsibility, but I don’t think he listens to this coach.

By MannyT

March 5, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

reese I buy into your late night comments, but I will throw some positive words toward JJ. (Disclaimer, I missed most, but not all of last night’s game.)

When you talk about defense, he usually gets the toughest perimeter assignment, especially during crunch time if the game is close to guard the 1,2, or 3. He usually plays better man D than anyone we have. Unfortunately, you cannot have 1/2 your team playing good man D and the other half daydreaming. Woody just runs the dude into the ground. If this were baseball, JJ would pitch 300 innings a season for Woody.

During the 3rd qtr turnover fest, there were times when he got back to defend the 2 on 1, but it became a 3 on 1 or 4 on 1 and it ended with a dunk. Others have to hustle.

I liked the hustle Salim showed late in the game. He was trying to do the little things. I saw him box out a bigger player and get a foul call.

Unlike Nellie, I don’t think Woody is willing to mix up his rotations to attack. He will often react, but never seems to push his advantages.

Woody works that standing arm fold. I understand it is an effective strategy after using a Star Trek Vulcan’s mind meld#Mind_melds) …unfortunately they don’t play in the NBA!

Me thinks Woody (and maybe BK nowdays) has Phil Collins Hello, I Must Be Going CD cover on the desk!

By terrell barron

March 5, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

Can you beleive that the Hawks and the Warriors are BOTH fighting for a Playoff spot? Thank God were not in the Western Conference.

By MannyT

March 5, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

richbrave glad I could provide a chuckle and a flashback Tues evening regarding the use of size.

All that said, on the small but effective side, you had Adrian Dantley, Charles Barkley, & even Fat Lever (as a rebounding guard.)

Let us not forget Dennis Rodman as a defensive and rebounding machine who went up against bigger guys every night.

Our guys are not huge. Size is a factor, but not the most important one.

Last night, there was no size disadvantage and we got stomped.

By Bubba Maximus

March 5, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

The pathetic jock-sniffers who worship at Josh Smith’s throne are starting to sound JUST LIKE the losers who bowed and scraped at the feet of convicted felon Michael Vick.

When the Hawks win, all glory be to “J Smoov” (which, BTW, has to be one of the most inappropriate nicknames of all time).

However, when the Hawks lose and/or Smith struggles, it’s ALWAYS somebody else’s fault.

It just goes to show that quite a few of the self-proclaimed geniuses who (apparently) spend every waking moment lurking on this blog don’t know NEARLY as much about the game as they think they do.

P.S. What’s the record of the Hawks since they added that future first-ballot Hall of Fame PG to the roster?

Suckers.

By terrell barron

March 5, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Najeh, Kobe is in his 12th season. Does he look past his prime? And I’m pretty sure he’s been in more Playoff games than Bibby. Bibby just needs to get healthy.

By new jersey faithful

March 5, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Golden State is a great team. When we played them in GS, people failed to mention that Steven Jackson didnt play and neither did their big center. Hopefully they can rebound 2nite and pull an upset over NO!

By I.MUS WRITE

March 5, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

……Who are we as a team? I mean are we a running team,physical team,defensive team. I’ll tell you what we are…… a bunch of dam CHAMILLIONZ…………….How ever the opposing team plays thats how we play. Y didnt we feed Horford the rock more -I mean they had no one that could guard him,but we just changed colors and shot jumper after jumper. We even stopped playing D mid way through the 4th……. Josh and Marvin made me cringe ……Marvin has the worst hands I’ve ever seen-my god. Jo Bling……..I have to give it to u,JS looked like he was playing in a AAU game……Josh PLEASE stop dribbling. Wow they both had 20 points - Very quiet 20…. crickets chirping…….. I doubt we make the playoffs now with Philly and Nj playing well ….. its almost over. Devin Harris looks just as good as KIDD manning the point …wish we could have traded sumthing for him and Diop -oh well

Mike Smith and staff are doing a good job in free agency get these old washed up guys outta here(minus Dunn-great player for us) Bring in nice free agents at positions of need. PLEASE get some lineman O/D LINEZ. I would Take Jake Long at 3 and Flacco in the 2nd or 3rd and use the remaining picks on lineman and a linebacker to replace D.williams

By terrell barron

March 5, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Maybe Marvin will be just as inspired as Paul tonight. Paul is upset that we did’nt take him, so Marvin needs to show why we did’nt. This is you chance to shine Goofy. Paul will have at least 25/10, can you match that Marvin? We shall see. And before yall get all over me, I know that CP3 is on a different level than Marvin, I’m just trying to make a storyline here.

By Volman

March 5, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Manny T, were you at the game last night?

I wanted to leave early in the 4th but my friend would not let me.

By mykhalc

March 5, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

terrell, thanks for statin’ the obvious about BIBBY in your 10;32AM post. Najeh, is usually on-point but he is waaaaayyyyy off on this one!!!

By DarkRyder

March 5, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

JohnGTfan richbrave still trying to go to watch the Hawks play a team that’s actually going to the playoffs? Any word on when Gilbert is coming back? I hear he’s in practice now?

By big vick fan

March 5, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

MAN I WISH THE HAWKS HAD A REAL COACH AND GM HOW ABOUT WE TRADE JOSH SMITH AND A FUTURE #1 PICK 2 HOUSTON FOR YAO AND HIRE JEFF VAN GUNDY CAUSE THE HAWKS DON’T WANT 2 RUN ANYWAY AND WHO ELSE IS BETTER COACH IN THE HALF COURT AND DONT SAY LARRY BROWN HE’LL QUIT AT THE ALL STAR BREAK. ALSO HIRE KENNY SMITH AS GM LOL

By I.MUS WRITE

March 5, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

“BIBBY IS PAST HIS PRIME” Dont understand that one. How can you judge a guy who is playing on one leg. Bibby is better than LUE/AJ even on leg. Sum of yall are nutz…… We get rid of two old stiffs for a proven vet -he comes in on a brutal west coast trip and instantly we get more production………..Whats the problem!!!!! There is’nt one give the guy a minute to heal and he will be okay!!!

By I.MUS WRITE

March 5, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

“BIBBY IS PAST HIS PRIME” Dont understand that one. How can you judge a guy who is playing on one leg. Bibby is better than LUE/AJ even on leg. Sum of yall are nutz…… We get rid of two old stiffs for a proven vet -he comes in on a brutal west coast trip and instantly we get more production………..Whats the problem!!!!! There is’nt one give the guy a minute to heal and he will be okay!!!

By I.MUS WRITE

March 5, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Good post Ray about the falcons….. say what ya will about A Blank -he is a classy dude that gets result……… I just wish they would trade -Deangelo Hall………. for a 1st rounder or Brady Quinn, His mouth is way to big …. especially for a CB who gets burnt on the regular. Similar situations but the hawks dont have Big Bank Blank instead we have owners by committee trippn and tumblin over each other when there is a decision to be made —what a dam joke of an organization this is.

By MannyT

March 5, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Volman I got there in the 3rd qtr. I never went down to 303G where I usually sit. I’ll be there on Sat for the double header I’ll wear my big red Esteban Batista autographed Hawks shooting shirt—thus easy to find. It’s way too big. He’s about 100 lbs heavier and 9 inches taller.

By doc

March 5, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

i posted earlier but it didnt come through. that said i will restate it simply that the hawks last night were overmatched in doing what they are supposed to be strong at. ultimate failure is that bibby was way too slow to rotate because of injury. it was simply their 5 on our 4 when we played defense, out matched and outwitted as there was no effort to acknowledge it and do something or someone different.

the second half suggests this team is not in shape to run like that or overworked because of a lack of substitutions over this game and this season. they were fresh and we werent, then it begins to look like the nba all star game with pros taking shots without anyone contesting them. all of it adds up to one of the best displays of three point shooting or one of the worst displays of defending it.

face it, if this goes on much longer it will be a press to reach the mediocre expectations of 35 wins and maybe hard to get beyond the number totalled last year. not what was promised from woody at the beginning of the year if we stay healthy. two years ago he got a pass because the team was so youthful, last year because they were unhealthy. what is the excuse the kool aide gang wants to use this year?

does harrington going mean that the falcons are nearing a deal for a qb?

By hbrownj

March 5, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

i watch all of the hawks games via nba league pass all of the commentators seems to agree that the hawks has some of the best players to be a winning teams,but a wrong system in place.it would not matter if billy knight had drafted a point guard instead of marvin,woodson is still the coach and and the record would not been any better

By ray

March 5, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

I see the blame for a great many things is going to continue to rest on Josh Smith. I guess people have to find somebody to pick on. Nevermind the fact that the guy came here out of high school not even knowing how to do anything but dunk and jump after the ball (which resulted in blocked shots from time to time). Why shoud he listen to an idiot like Mike Woodson? The guy can’t coach anybody on offense. If Josh listened to Woody, he’d never run down the floor, unless it was to get back on defense. Listen closely during the games. The one thing I always hear clearly after one of our guys misses a shot is Woody shouting at anybody who hasn’t instantly crossed the half-court line going in the other direction. Forget offensive rebounding or full court pressure. Ain’t gonna happen while Woody’s there. Doesn’t matter if we’re playing a team that likes to run or one that will walk it up the court. That’s Woody-ball for ya. Sure…listen to Woodson…and become a stiff like he is. Woody lost these guys’ ears a long time ago.

If we make the playoffs, it will be due to horrendous play on the part of other teams. Jersey and Philly will have to lose on the regular, and we will have to win more than half of the remaining games. We haven’t been that successful since December. Bibby isn’t going to get any more healthy when he has to play on that heel every night.

As Doc pointed out, we ran out of gas against Golden State. Three reasons for this: 1) this is Golden State’s game. They win like this. They do this all the time. 2)we don’t run like this, and when we do, it’s only in spurts. Woody never wants a game like this, despite the fact that we are more offensively successful this way. 3)once again, as Doc suggested-a lack of timely substitutions. Why in the devil is Bibby out there trying to guard these quicksilver guys for so many minutes in a row while injured? Why are we playing the “throw it to Joe, sit back and watch” game AGAIN? Yes, the guy exploded for 29 before the half. Did you see/hear him during the interview before he hit the locker room? He was EXHAUSTED, could barely TALK.

I think we’re done. It’s possible that we’ve been done. Doesn’t matter at this point. And I look for Knight and Woodson to be gone by next season. Replaced by whom, I have no idea. But I look for both to be gone. I won’t miss Woody a bit.

By koolaidkid916

March 5, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Okay… I’m going to post about Bibby for you guys because I’m going to speak some truths that you all will eventually figure out on your after watching him game after game.

First, let me tell you where me and my opinions/observations are coming from. I’m 28 years years old, I live, was born and raised, in Sacramento, CA, and I follow the Kings almost as much as all of you guys do on here.. so much to the point that I’ve been reading up on how Bibby’s been doing through these posts since he moved, just like I did when Chris Webber left us, and Peja, and Bobby Jackson, etc. etc…

With that said, hopefully some of you might unfortunately take me as a somewhat viable resource for the information that I’m about to share with you regarding Bibby (aka.. Bibbiliscious, The Bibbinator, Mr. Clutch..), since I’ve only been watching his every move since he arrived in Sacramento some 8 years ago.

Ok, so I’m going to try and make it brief and painless, and if any of you have any responses or questions for me, I’ll try my hardest to make time to answer them.

Since our Kings were faced up in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers in 2002 where Bibby was just absolutely amazing, he has had a VERY distinct REPETITIVE pattern about his play every year thereafter. And it’s what you’re all seeing right now. Described as follows:

1) Bibby WILL always play hurt. I give him credit for that. But unfortunately, it’s always something that’s hurting him. If it’s not his ankle, it’s his thumb, if it’s not his thumb, it’s his wrist, if it’s not his wrist, it’s his HEEL. Every year he’s played, but he’s played hurt. I’ve honestly never seem him in the past 6 years go ONE FREAKING YEAR COMPLETELY HEALTHY!!! NO JOKE!!!

2) Now because I’ve never seen him play an entire season completely healthy, I can’t say if my next comment about him is related to this or not but… “Bibby is so damn inconsistent” that you all will find yourselves pulling your hair out wondering where that Bibby from five games ago went. Which gets me to my next revelation for ya’all.

3) Bibby is the “Bibby” that you will all come to love only like once out of every 5 or so games. Sometimes if you’re lukcy, it’ll be 1 out of every 3, but mostly 1 out of 5. So basically that’s good news for you Hawks fans, because I think if I’ve been following correctly… Bibby’s DUE for his TYPICAL “Good Game”. Just remember that when you see him next have a good game, that you better savor it, cause you know FOR A FACT that it’s gonna be a couple more games till you see that again.

4) DEFENSE:…. Bibby HAS NEVER PLAYED DEFENSE. Broken Heel, broken finger, broken whatever… it’s just not genetically embeded within him. I’m not joking, and I’m not hating on tha man. I own a Bibby jersey and have worn it proudly, but believe me when I say this. Bibby = NO DEFENSE. Sorry, just the way it is. Believe it or not right now… but learn to accept it.

5) Vocal Leader!? …. NOPE!! Not Bibby either. Bibby leads by example…. but there was really never much example to lead by. Look up the Kings stats for the past 4 years and tell me what you see regarding assists. I’ll save you the time by telling you what you’ll find. Our BIGS have always had more assist’s than Bibby because that’s the type of offense that he thrives in. High post, pick’n’roll/pop center to point type of stuff. It’s not a bad offense, Rick Adleman lives and dies by it and the Rocket’s are doing just fine under that system currently, but unfortunately, that’s all Bibby’s really known in the NBA since Rick Adleman basically raised the kid under that system. With that said, I think that his TRUE point skills have yet to be tested or shown. This could be a good thing for you Hawks fans. Because……

6) Bibby is one hell of a SMART player. The dudes basketball IQ is off the charts, no joke. I can guarantee that he already knows your teams system (or lack thereof), and probably knows of ways to improve it, but just might not ever really be vocal enough to say anything. Again, maybe with a new team, he can grow out of these things. I mean… Steve Nash didn’t even become Steve Nash until he hit his thirties right?

7) TEAM DIME!! Now I’m not sure if he’s gonna pay to have his THUG CREW move to Atlanta with thim, but TEAM DIME may soon be roaming your local clubs and bars groping your wives, sisters and girlfriends. Woo-Hoo. It’s pretty gay actually when you see all 50 of them roaming the streets following behind Bibby waiting for him to buy them whatever they want. I was at a club once here in Sacramento and Team Dime rolls thru right… well Bibby is so damn quiet even off the court that he sends a couple of his “boys” over to ask her if she wants to hang out with him at his place after words. I mean, c’mon man… how damn shy are you… with your 18 kids.

Conclusion… I’m glad that that fool is gone cause Beno Udrih is a REAL POINT GUARD, not a Shooting Guard trying to be a POINT, and nothing feels better then too see your home team being ran by a Real PG after seeing it TRY TO BE RAN number a #2 being told he was a #1 his whole life, for 8 DAMN YEARS. So take what I say for whatever you want, but just know that I’m a fan of the Kings like you guys are a Fan of the Hawks. I DVR every game like you guys do, and I pause it when I need to get something to drink or go to the restroom, just so that I don’t miss a minute of the game, since I like to analyze every play, just like you all do too.

p.s. Some of you should’ve been reading our local forum’s on SACBEE.COM after Bibby left us. You would’ve seen how Happy the majority of us were if you did. Hope I helped! :)

By MannyT

March 5, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

ray/doc You make good points, but I still think we make playoffs due to weak schedule. Look at what’s left after Houston. It is easier than Philly & NJ schedules.

While I don’t think Woody will make anything better over the last month, the schedule is just easier. If some of the starters get some rest, we may even stumble up to 6th or 7th seed. Mainly because Caron Butler seems to be out and Arenas needs time to get into playing shape and coordinated with his teammates.

I can see this as easily as I see Woody folding his arms before halftime tonight.

By Jo Bling

March 5, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

The Hawks aren’t done - yet. Crazy as it seems. If they could just put together a little winning streak they’d be fine. But that game last night was a bad loss. Took a lot out of us. And they just can’t afford to lose at home anymore - period. Bad loss. Tonight could be ugly.

By JohnGTFan

March 5, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

DarkRyder

Yeah, my dumb-ss is going. No idea why. I really thought over a week ago, that ATL would make the playoffs and finish with a 40 - 42 record. I need my head examined. They should be completely embarassed! Giving up 135 points! I know GS leads the league in points, but come on. That “effort” was pathetic!!!! AT HOME no less. No, I have no more illusions. Phoenix is sitting back laughing, licking their chops…going to get probably a top-10 pic AND not have to pay someone 80 million dollars for only showing up against poor defenses, turning the ball over left and right, and not having faith in his teammates. Yes, I like JJ, he is a good player…but the leader of this team HE IS NOT! Atlanta needed to trade him at the deadline…now they need to do it in the offseason. A 2guard can be replaced easily in this league! But the all around game of JSmith cannot. Trade JJ for a high draft pick, or to a team with a true “big” and a 2nd rounder. Give the money paid to him to lock up Smith. Woodson will be gone as will BK. Yes, the ownership is a joke..but even they know when a ship is sinking…this one’s at the bottom of the Atlantic!!! Give Smith, Horford, Bibby, Chillz and Law some help. JJ, Marvin (goofy), Pachulia can all go. Keep everyone else…Salim, Solo, etc…but the above 3, time to say good-bye.

By JOHNNY

March 6, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

There is an excuse for gegtting beatdown inside in the paint when we are so outsided at the 4 and 5

but with a taem this athletic and long we should NEVER EVER FRICKIN NEVEEERRRRRR EEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Get beatdown at the 3point line like that. Just inexcusable. Lack of effort.

Fu$kin pathetic.

By BozoTheClown

March 6, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Mike Woodsen should be fired. The Spirit Group should immediately hire Dominique Wilkins to be the next player/head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. In addition, Nique should also hire color analyst Steve Smith to be an assistant coach, and activate Smith as a player to help improve the performance of the team. In addition, Wilkins should activate himself and Steve Smith to augment the talent on the team, teach the young players how to play basketball and help guide the Hawks into the playoffs. Under the direction of Mike Woodsen, the Hawks will not make the playoffs.

By KnightRider

March 6, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight should be ridden out of town on a rail.

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March 15, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

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