AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBeantown bound!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SMYRNA - That was some win that finally pushed the Hawks into the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade (fine, nine seasons but a decade sounds smoother).
The Hawks can thank the Wizards for doing the dirty work, a 117-110 win that eliminated the Indiana Pacers from playoff contention shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday.
And to be honest, there’s no reason to fret over how they got in. The Hawks (despite all their failures) worked hard to get here. So not even a cynic like me (or even that rascal Blog Z) can knock them for the potholes they fell into along the way.
Show them (especially the players) some love for having the guts to get up off the canvas two months ago and make this push (the Hawks have gone 15-13 during this late season push with two games to play).
Give them some love for getting here despite all the hurdles, self inflicted and otherwise.
“This is a testament to the hard work and determination that those guys [in the locker room] have put into this season,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said Monday, spending extra time praising his players for toiling under at-times ridiculous circumstance with all the off-the-court foolishness that has gone on for what seems like forever. “This is huge for us, not only as a franchise, but for the city of Atlanta and all of our fans. We’re going to get a chance to experience playoff basketball here and that’s a special, special thing.”
The players knew as much Monday afternoon, long before the Wizards put the finishing touches on their hand-engraved invitation to the postseason.
But they weren’t willing to cast off these last two games as meaningless just because there was a chance their fate could be decided without them actually having to play anything.
“We still have work to do in order to finish this season off right,” Josh Smith said, “but the beautiful thing is that no matter what we’ve been through or how people have talked bad about us, we’ve accomplished our original goal by making the playoffs. Now it’s about not letting this be it. We’ve got to be hungry for more.”
Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson wanted to make the playoffs as much for that reason as he did for the rest of his teammates (well, all but Mike Bibby, who also has tasted the intoxicating flavor of the playoffs before).
“For a lot of these guys, they really don’t understand what the playoffs is all about until they experience it for themselves,” Johnson said. “These guys need to feel that, that’s when they’ll realize just how special it is to get [here]. Once they feel that, they’ll get that same hunger to get back there that I’ve had since I got here. It’s the same thing that has to drive us in that [first round series with Boston] and the same thing that has to drive us in the future.”
It’s also the same thing that drove Johnson and his teammates to this point, no matter how bumpy the ride has been.
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Comments
By Clyde
April 14, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the Hawks. They proved everyone wrong even me. Let’s see if we can get the starters some rest these two games coming up. And yes I’m a man of my word. Sekou do proof read term papers?
By A Thinking Fan
April 14, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Let’s support the Hawks’ players in their playoff run; not the broken spirit…
By richbrave
April 14, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Thank you, thank you. Please, please, no applause. Silver only, Silver only.
It was tight. 117-110. Not much defense. Deshawn Stevenson gone with back spasms. 70 bench points tonight. Jamison limited to 12. Roger Mason Jr. 37. Andray Blatche 11. A TESTEMENT TO COACHING. Rookie Dominic McGuire comes off the bench big. Ernie G. picked him #2 last year, and Eddie Jordan has been developing him all year. These guys have matured from a team that was one-dimensional(Gilbert Arenas) to a ten deep squad, any of whom can beat you. Nothing narrow-minded, control freaky about his coaching. Sorry hawks fans, had to tell it like I see it.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 14, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
All I ask of them is that they keep the Boston series competitive. Expecting them (or any East team other than Detroit) to beat Boston is pretty unrealistic. But for one day at least, let’s put the pessimism aside and feel good about this franchise.
By floze
April 14, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
We are in BABY!!!
Congratulations Atlanta Hawks - it has been a long time and well deserved. Boston be ready - you are going to see what young legs, enthusiasm, and nine years of pent up frustration means to us. Golden State 2008 edition.
By The_Future
April 14, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
woooo!
By Harry Hawk
April 14, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Well, congrats to the Hawks for making the playoffs. Whether they had a losing record or not, it doesn’t really matter. It’s a good starting accomplishment that will hopefully lead to bigger and better things in the future.
The Hawks need to sit Joe, Bibby, Horford, and Smoove most of the next two games. Let them get some minutes in, but the bench abso-f’n-lutely needs the work. The Hawks will have to use the bench in that Celtics series, so if they’re going to get swept, I want to see the bench contributing to the demise. I don’t want to see Joe Johnson posting 48 minutes a game in a sweep.
By Ryder
April 14, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Sekou FINALLY THE HAWKS HAVE COME BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS!
…we all had to be a bit cynical about this franchise because we all knew they had the talent but did they have the mettle? It wasn’t until Mike Bibby came along that Atlanta did what was needed to get in the playoffs.
….of course that won’t be good enough for the haters, but Sekou can you answer one question for me: come Saturday isn’t everyone in the playoffs starting off with a 0-0 record?
So what difference does it make about their regular season record?
Let’s just hope the starters will get the well deserved rest they’ve earned for this accomplishment the rest of this week.
I’m on my sixth shot now of Johnnie Walker in celebration, someone out there let me know if my spelling’s still correct LOL!
Once again for all the haters out there: Come saturday EVERYBODY’S 0-0!
By Ryder
April 14, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
richbrave I watched the game too on Comcast Sportsnet and I was really impressed with the Wizards tonight. While I’m estatic about the Hawks making the playoffs, watching how the Wiz won with their bench really brought it home how superior a coach Eddie Jordan is to Mike Woodson.
Jordan shows faith in his players and guys like Nick Young, McGuire and even Roger Mason Jr. and they repaid him for his development. Watching Jordan talk about having a 9-man bench made me weep, because I don’t even think Woodson knows how to use 9 men effectively.
Should Woodson be given another year to figure it out? That’s another question for another day.
For now, Atlanta’s in the playoffs! The Highlight Factory will be rockin!
By terrell barron
April 14, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Woody, please rest JJ and Bibby! They’ve got to be fresh for us to have a chance at shocking the world. Might as well rest Smith, Horford and Chills why your’re at it.
By Al 2 the Ex
April 14, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Great Job Hawks. Ive been following this team all season. Man i’m so glad they made the playoffs. They really deserve it.
By KnicksFan
April 14, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Reason number 1 why Isaiah Thomas should be fired: The HAWKS — the friggin’ HAWKS — made the playoffs and the Knicks didn’t.
Congrats to the Hawks. I actually really like this team and hope they keep this nucleus together. They could win some games in the future.
But they’re gonna have their hands full with the Celts. Still, a BIG improvement and as a Knicks fan, it’s nice to have someone else to root for.
By FUNK DAT
April 14, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Thank you Bobcats and Wizards, and CONGRATS TO THE HAWKS!!! I can finally buy my playoff tix after 9 long, frustrating, and disappointing years. Let’s make Philips wild and crazy so these young players will know they’ll have something to play for for many years to come. GO HAWKS!!! SHOCK THE WORLD!!! (or at least be competitive)
By Matthew
April 14, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Hawks!
For someone that remembers the ‘glory’ days (if you can call them that) with Mutumbo, Smith, Blaylock, Henderson, Laettner and the rest of that feisty group, this is quite a day.
To put this in perspective for yall, a whole semi-generation has seen the Hawks not make the playoffs. I’m a sophmore in college—I was in 5th grade when we last made the playoffs: Long time.
Let’s finish Nique’s business and beat the C’s!!!!!
By Sekou K. Smith
April 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
You need to get into coaching or motivation speaking Ryder with that 0-0 record for everybody come this weekend. Technically that’s indeed a fact. But we all know that’s not the way it works, my friend. But you don’t have a chance to shock the worl if you’re at home. So anything is possible (at least in theory, ha).
By mrprozach
April 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the Hawks, How long has this drought been? The last time the Hawks played a game in the Playoffs this college graduate was a junior in high school. It’s time for the 08 SEC Champion Georgia Bulldog Basketball team to come and tell the Hawks how impossible going worst to first really is!
By Sekou K. Smith
April 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
You need to get into coaching or motivational speaking Ryder with that 0-0 record for everybody come this weekend. Technically that’s indeed a fact. But we all know that’s not the way it works, my friend. But you don’t have a chance to shock the worl if you’re at home. So anything is possible (at least in theory, ha).
By BosnianBaller
April 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hawks in 6 over the Celtics.Celtics starting 5 hasn’t played in a complete game in months.
By Knicks4Life!
April 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Congrats, Hawks! Wow, the Knicks suck…
By Dan
April 14, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
PLAYOFFS!!!!
Congrats to all my fellow season ticket holders! All the crappy games we have endured makes this feel pretty sweet! Go HAWKS!!
By Bamabird
April 14, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Great job young birds! GO HAWKS!
By g-thang
April 14, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
yeah!! i got my tix and parkin’ pass for the playoffs baby!! sect 119 r U!! im ready!!
sekou, is the playoff format 2-3-2 for the 1st round? meaning the hawks will play 2 games in boston, 3 here, and the last 2 there? if we can get a win in boston, that would be great!!
By Ryder
April 14, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Sekou thanks for the compliment. I actually do motivational speaking for my youth, and you wouldn’t believe the comments my kids would give me whenever I would talk about my Hawks. They are still giving me grief about the Celtics, but I don’t care. I still tell them that I’m proud of my team and this is only the beginning.
By WizFan Congrats
April 14, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Hey guys,
Congrats from a Wizards fan!
I remember when the Wizards had a longggggg playoff drought too, and the great feeling a couple years back when we finally made it.
Forget about getting in with a losing record. Who cares? You’re in now, and that’s what matters. It’s an exhilarating experience no matter what, and what’s important is that now you’re getting invaluable playoff experience not just for your players, but for your whole ORGANIZATION.
If I remember correctly, Orlando sneaked into the 8th spot last year with a 40-42 record (if you guys win out, you’ll have a 39-43 record). Orlando got swept in the first round last year, but that gave them a taste of the playoffs again, and the front office went out and got a great coach and made some moves. Now, they’re the 3 seed in the East.
So, SCREW the haters. Your future looks like its finally going in the right direction.
By Chris G
April 14, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Congrat’s HAWKS!!!!!!!!! Let’s go ATL fans. “Show the Love” This is the begining of a really good young team! We are going to shock the NBA!!!!!!!
By Sekou K. Smith
April 14, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Playoffs are 2-2-1-1-1 until the Finals, when it goes to 2-3-2.
By richbrave
April 14, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
drmaryb, ray, doc, ando, Jami$$ion.
It’s party-time Atlanta style. Blow it out denezens. It’s been a real grind, but you’ve got the stuff of an NBA Championship here. It’s just a matter of getting that #5 and adjusting in the front office for it to happen. GM and Coach. Well I personally think (based strictly on what comps you folks give me about your coach and the Wizards) that a change is in order. Give credit to the ASG for not letting BK pull the trigger on Woodson in mid-season. Its very problematic that you would be in the play-offs if he had.
By Kev
April 14, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Hey I can get a chance to see them on TV. Im From Atlanta but been living in Washinton State for the last 14 Years. I saw the two games we played against Seattle. As long as we keep it close with Boston will good enough for me, I just want to see them play.
By richbrave
April 14, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
CLYDE:
Welcome back. All is forgiven. Thanks for the boost. You’ve been missed.
By Jay
April 14, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the Hawks, especially JJ, Smoove, and Horfod who have all played outstanding the entire season while also playing crazy minutes.
By Rutuger
April 14, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
**CONGRATS HAWKS!!
CONGRATS HAWKS FANS!!**
We could go on and on about how our record still sucks, what needs to change, blah blah blah… the fact is, I haven’t gotten to see us play a postseason game in almost a decade.
No amount of negativity will ruin this for me. We’ll go out and give it our all. If we can win even just one game it will say something to the rest of the league and also give us some national exposure.
GO HAWKS!!!
PS. All you spineless losers running out right now to buy your KG jerseys even though you’ve never even been to Boston and have lived in ATL your entire life, do us real sports fans a favor and STAY THE HELL HOME.
By terrell barron
April 14, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Horford is a winner. PERIOD! Back to Back National Championships and right back at it. He helps lead the Hawks to the Playoffs. Some guys just have it. They win at every level. Where would this team be without him? Not taking anything from Smith and JJ, but could you imagine Big Al not being here, and Zaza was the starting center? OMG! It hurts just to think about it. D
By terrell barron
April 14, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Horford is a winner. PERIOD! Back to Back National Championships and right back at it. He helps lead the Hawks to the Playoffs. Some guys just have it. They win at every level. Where would this team be without him? Not taking anything from Smith and JJ, but could you imagine Big Al not being here, and Zaza was the starting center? OMG! It hurts just to think about it. Does’nt it? lol!
By cp
April 14, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Im just happy to see this team get back to the playoffs and give this city something to cheer about. It has been a rough year for the professional teams in the A.. Everybody associated with the Hawks should send the Bobcats and Wizards anything they want… Someone asked on the last blog should we rest the starters or let them play for momentum. In my opinion you give these guys a rest and let the bench get as many minutes and shots as they want. I want JJ and Bibby to have fresh legs going into the playoffs and it would not hurt to let some guys on the bench get some playing time and maybe some confidence because they will be needed. The coach cant ignore them and act as if they dont exist in the playoffs. Our bench play will be crucial. Marvin Williams is the X factor. If he plays like he did against the Knicks this season or something similar to what he did in Seattle ( i know he wont be that good but you get my point) then I think we can steal a game or two. If Marvin comes out and plays like Duck then its really going to hurt us. I guess for now we celebrate and over the next few days we talk about strategy and x factors. Its been a long time coming my fellow Hawks fans.
By terrell barron
April 14, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
The Magic game needs to be a sellout. We need to show our support for these guys, regardless of our feelings for the Head Coach.
By Joshua
April 14, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
broken spirit…
By roger
April 14, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Hey last year, Playoffs was not even thought about, great draft this past year, they can only get better!!Congrats HAWKS-you are in!!!
By ntrigue
April 14, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Sekou Hawks will beat the celtics in 7 games!!! Remember when it happens that I said it!!! I got my tickets do yall???
By terrell barron
April 14, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Marvin makes the playoffs in his 3rd year, just like Paul did. lol!. Go ahead Duck, do yo thang boy!
By doc
April 14, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
ahh the roller coaster of hawk fan emotions. what will be said in two weeks?
folks have trashed clyde for a long time, having met him and talked with him i know very few others that have his passion or conviction in his love of the hawks. i didnt agree with him for the longest time and didnt like the way he “phrased” things but after a while i saw the integrity among all of it. i hope others have finally come around to know what class he has and that he is a man of his word, wish there were more of them around. his being here first is such a display of that integrity and without any excuses or suggestion of giving cred half way.
funny clyde is holding off on his classic sign off when he is probably right all along, that story will unfold. for the time being it is going to be fun to se how the young boys respond to the bright lights.
By mykhalc
April 14, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
terrell barron, on-point about HORFORD, no doubt!!!!
By Joe Bling
April 14, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Wow. It really happened. I can hardly believe it.
Whatever any of you might think (or wish) to the contrary, Woodson and Knight just earned themselves another season. Maybe not a whole season, but a start to one, anyway.
This is great. Even though being the lowest seed in the East this year is about as weak an honor as it gets, I’ll still take it, and so will everyone else on this board who has believed in this team for a long, long time. It’s a far cry from the route Boston took to the playoffs, but we’re getting better, slowly, every year. And I have to say that whatever happens in this first round, our long-term prospects are better than Boston’s.
Go Hawks! Playoffs, baby!
By 30Rock
April 14, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the HAWKS!!! The young guys with the addition of Mike Bibby hung in there and made it happen. That said I believe that Billy Knight MUST go. His move to bring in MB by trading away Shelden Williams proves that he (BK) is the biggest reason for team’s lack of success the past couple of years.
By BosnianBaller
April 14, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Let’s just enjoy it.Hopefully Woody will play the bench the next 2 games and maybe some of those guys can get some minutes in the playoffs.
By G Money
April 14, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Hey, hey, hey!!! Been gone for awhile. Glad to see that the Hawks made the cut. I’m happy for them, for the city, for Sekou and everyone on this blog. Everyone has climbed a mountain of mess to get to this point. GO HAWKS!
By reese
April 14, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
First of all, great job in making the playoffs.
Now that we are in, we can look at the next two games and past the next two games with a strategy.
1) Get the bench players as much playing time as possible. But not just with each other. Place them in there with the starters and get them use to playing together.
2) Assign one of your coaches the Job of watching Boston Celtic film from the games in which they lost. Have that coach devise a game plan to beat the Celtics. Review that plan with the other coaches. Tweak the plan and deliver it to the players. Tweak the plan again and practice the execution.
3) Devise a backup plan in case your original plan is not working. In other words, devise a scheme that gets all of the players involved, ensure that players must hustle and that players don’t have time to think about how good a team is Boston, but what each player must do to fill their role.
4) Build up the confidence of the players. AS Ryder states, each team is 0 and 0. Each team has a chance to make their statement about why they deserve to be here. Bring in players and coaches who have been to the playoffs before to talk about the mindset and belief in ones only ability to play at another level. Review the film of other teams who beat the celtics and discuss key plays that can be copied.
5) Communication is the key. Coaches need to show concrete examples of what they are talking about. Its time for coaches and players to review film of past games to make players understand what is and is not expected from their play. Its time for two way exchange of Ideas as to what is expected. In other words, show Zaza and Marvin Williams film of the last Boston game where neither one of them Jumped for a defensive rebound and let the Boston player jump in between them to get the rebound/score. Discuss why no coach stood up and told players to make Sam Cassell pass by double teaming him. Discuss, what other approaches will be taken to ensure that doesn’t happen again. Example, overplay and don’t worry if you get beat because your teammates will rotate and provide help defense. Then, design that rotation and practice it.
In other words, seasons 1 (preseason) and 2 (season) are over. Its time to prepare for season 3 (post season). Go Hawks, but go wisely, confidently, prepared and relentless.
By Brandi
April 14, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
I am so proud of the Hawks! It was a tough season, but they fought through it and made it to the playoffs! They are such a talented team! Way to go, Hawks!
By reese
April 15, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Ray, my post about the similiarity of coaches was not to say that woodson is a good or bad coach. It was to state that several coaches use the same approach and mindset. I used Nellie as an example because so many people mention that they would like to see him as coach of the hawks.
I just want people to understand that he is just as stubborn as woodson. They traded Jason Richardson to the bobcats for the rights to Julian Wright. Then, Nellie said that he met with management and coaches to explain that he is trying to get to the playoffs and therefore Wright would not play much. I also assume he felt the same about their european rookie who tore up the summer league with his play. I think is name is benelli.
Therefore, he didn’t develope this young player, got rid of a player (Jason Richardson) who he later admitted they made a mistake trading and will probably miss out in making the playoffs. The big difference between he and woodson is that Nelson does have a definable strategy and that strategy does involve playing his bench.
By Tokyo Tom
April 15, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
I have had to follow the Hawks from this side of the ocean for three years now- sorry I can’t be at Philips for the playoffs but I will be listening on the Internet. Terrell Barron- I spilled my lunch when I read your Marvin/Paul comparison but facts are facts. And- all you loser Celtic Fans: keep your stinkin’ green jerseys at home, yall ain’t welcome at the Highlight Factory!
By mrprozach
April 15, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
Props to Doc, Clyde(we still may need those t-shirts) and all of the other old school bloggers that have fought the good fight all these years.
By Hawkalicious
April 15, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
Lets make Philips Arena…..LOUD!
By J.T.
April 15, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Congrats! ATL hawks I knew you could do it. I have all the faith in the world for yall and I hope, I hope yall shock the world in the playoffs I know its possible so just get out there an do it they are humans just like yall are, just keep to yall game and pull off some victorys.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Hey Sekou RichBrave ray-star Jami$$on MannyT and doc - Can You Believe?
Where in the world is HBANDO? I see CLYDE showed his face - Hey Clyde I see you dropped that SIGN-OFF!
I thought I was going to have to order one of them’ T-Shirts - But not now - Baby! Why?
Because - For one moment in time?
These Hawks are - WINNERS
Oh-Yeah! Congratulations to the ASG!
Welcome to Atlanta!
By SalimFan
April 15, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Exelent post reese.
SALIM GETS PRIME TIME NOW BABY!!!! If he doesn’t i’ll lett woody hear about it at the game tomorrow.
By William Celtic
April 15, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
grats hawks your seasons over who cares your a crappy team with crappy coaches and with crappy fans and crappy upper management. do the league a favor and fold your franchise .. Hawks suck
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Hawks!
Congratulations - You guys deserve to be in the PLAYOFFS!
You work under the duress and guise of a flawed ownership & miserable fans! Yet, you keep fighting and trying and even though your team is not a .500 team?
You should be! You are certainly talented enough. You just haven’t had the SUPPORT of everyone in this ASG - So we FANS don’t blame you at all! Just take care of business and give the Celtics all they can handle!
Be competitive and give EM’ Hell - Just be a hand-full and see what happens - You Never Know!
You might pull of an UPSET! At least the lid is off the JAR now. Let’s make a new record of 8 years consecutive Playoff appearances!!!!!
Hey Hawks Go Get EM’!
By ajw
April 15, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
I will be there to make it LOUD. And I can’t wait. I followed the Hawks back when they had Mutumbo, Mookie And S. Smith. They made the playoffs, but I never felt as much for them as i do these guys. Even if they do have off nights, I think I have come to know these guys. I wish the best for them. I honestly don’t expect them to win one game, but 1 game is possible considering the way they played Boston the other night. Regardless, I will be in section 117 cheering them on. BTW, if anyone here wants to meet up before the game and hang out, send me an email. It will be cool to meet some people on here. I LOVE THIS TEAM!
By mrprozach
April 15, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
Well, We have our first Celtic interloper onto the board. If I remember correctly BillCeltiic your team finished dead last in the NBA last year. So if there were any franchises that should have been folded they were Big Dig adjacent
By SalimFan
April 15, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Wow I don’t mean to be a party pooper but Darius Miles cannot play basketball anymore.
The doctores re-examined his knee and stated that it’s a career-ending injury. Portland then got waivers. So sad…and no college-education to boot.
Well he did do some acting(although not that good) in the past maybe he can do that?
By SalimFan
April 15, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
ON A BRIGHTER NOTE ALL OF THE SEEDS ARE NOW SET!!!! GOLDEN STATE GOT ELIMINATED BY THE SUNS TONIGHT SO MY PREDICTION ABOUT DENVER BEING OUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WAS WRONG. NOW WE CAN MAKE PREDICTIONS!!!!!
By Kevin
April 15, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Oh yes the great hawks made playoffs (backed in) U really think we beat them(celtics)No way we to busy worried over owner n GM new suits so lets raise tickets again.I see a 4-0 sweep by boston n No sell out with Orlando.This is not La
By JoeJohnsonForPresident
April 15, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Good job Hawks! We have alot of great talent right now on this team and are poised for a great future (with a better coach of course)! JOE JOHNSON AND MIKE BIBBY RULE!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
Hey Salim
Thank you for the Darius Miles update.
I am sad to hear that he can no longer play! He was one kid I really admired and rooted for because he made it to the NBA against ALL - ODDS!
I hope he appreciated his opportunity to play this game and at such a very high level!
However, he is a great example of why kids should go to college and continue their education. If he is not very smart - all the hanger ons including parents and siblings will abuse him and spend all his money & then they will all be broke!
I just hope he is investing and spending his money wisely - however I doubt it! I just don’t want to pick up the paper someday and read that he was arrested for robbing a bank or something! I really wish him all the best!
Why doesn’t the Hawks put SPEEDY on waivers - I guess the Lords of London Insurance Policy is picking up 85% of his salary - but the right thing for him to do would be to ask for a buy-out or why can’t we put him on waivers too?
Go Hawks! Get Em’!
By ray
April 15, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Reese, I get what you’re saying. I admit I misunderstood you before. Nice analysis. Makes sense to me.
I’m very happy that we’re going to the playoffs. I’m happy for the team. I’ve always supported the team, no matter how frustrating they’ve been. They’ve played rather well since Bibby got here (after getting over some bumps).
I’m still not happy about the coaching, nor the management, nor the ownership. I do not want to them to take this “accomplishment” and try to spin it, but they probably will. The simple fact is, when it’s over haters and non-haters alike will treat this like JJ’s all-star appearances (especially last year’s…his first): they’ll say that we got in by default. They won’t be all wrong. Sorry, but it is what it is.
Not diminishing our team at all. With the right added piece, they really started getting the job done, and they’ve won some tough games. March and April have gone pretty good for us. I give them all the credit they deserve. I’m also glad because as JJ put it, they will get a taste of the postseason, which will only sharpen their appetite for next season and all those to follow. Kudos to Al Horford, who overcame and exceeded all expectations. This man is a true cornerstone of the future. Kudos to Josh Smith for improving and becoming more mature…a catalyst rather than a distraction (despite his steep learning curve). Kudos to Joe for doing what he does and turning it up in the last 15-20 games. Kudos to Mike Bibby for coming in and changing the weather for us. Kudos to the whole team for weathering so many things that they couldn’t and still can’t change or help. Congrats, Hawks players!
Clyde, you’re a man of your word. I can always respect that. Your slogan still has value and truth.
Doc, looks like I’m not the only one who shoots the revolver every now and again. Sharper than ever you are…I caught everything you said. Nice.
By Gus John
April 15, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
Well, now it will be harder to get rid of the GM and specially the coach…
in any case, I’ll root for the Hawks, live from Mtl…lol
By HawksHarbinger
April 15, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
This is terrifico!!!!!
I bet my buddy $100 that the Hawks would make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. Betting is beligerent behavior. Let’s be honest.
But I feel like a freaking odds maker now. That’s a decent feeling to have. Please haze my friend for having doubted me.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this
Well, if they make any more movies about cheating on the SAT, Darius Miles’ name will be at the top of the list.
Seriously, it does suck that his career ends knowing that he could have been so much better. But the dude’s contract is worth like $48 million. Unless he’s been taking meteorology lessons from Pacman Jones, he should have plenty left over for the rest of his life.
By mykhalc
April 15, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
off topic…but NELLIE sits BD the entire 2nd half in the biggest game of the season for GSW!!!????!!! WTF!!!!
here his quote…”I gave Baron a much-needed rest the second half,” was all Nelson would say afterward.
this might have even eclipsed WOODSON for arrogance and sheer stupidity!!! must be more to the story!!??? NELLIE must have already decided to not return after a move like that!!!!
By MannyT
April 15, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this
I’ve got one rant left for the night. It is a little off blog topic-so scroll if you want to.
Someone pointed out that Forbes listed the ATL as the most miserable sports town.
Forbes is cool if I want to follow the money, but I even question their business of sports focus, but I’ll get back to this at the end.
I understand that the championships are not rolling in here, but I want the real sports fan to think about something. If you like multiple sports, would you rather be here with the current situation or somewhere (like Seattle, Buffalo, Charlotte or Nashville/Memphis) where you have fewer sports to enjoy and no championships?
We are a choice location for almost every major sport in the US…and we had an OLYMPICS! Take that for every sports state that isn’t in NY, CA, UT or MO-for the true throwback old heads!
The biggest pro sport we don’t have is MLS soccer—which really doesn’t fill the stands in the US—even with Becks & Posh on board. I say ManU-you say who? However, we had the women’s soccer league-Atlanta Beat and have the Atlanta Silverbacks of the USL.
The ATL is a great sports town from the pro level on down to college, high school & below. We just have a lot of transplants and split league loyalties that take us in different directions. That makes us a fractured fan town, but a great sports town as we prop up all these different league and team loyalties!
And for my parting shot at Forbes-we don’t jack. Check out their multi sport GM ratings from March 2007. Numerically it’s flawed because of the level of flexibility in the cap on the different sports, but the winning improvement is also funny. I cannot remember who Kevin McHale is compared against for that stat. It is long enough ago that it should not factor in to his rating as much as it probably does.
ATL Rocks! Forbes brain locks!
WAF
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
Atlanta fans care too little to truly be miserable. Even then, at least we have one championship among our pro sports teams. That’s more than you can say for some other cities. Forbes lost all its sports credibility when it named McHale the best GM in the league… they might as well have given Isiah Thomas and Billy Knight honorable mentions.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 3:29 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, according to that same list, Isiah Thomas is a better GM than the highly respected Baltimore Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome, and John Schuerholz is the 3rd best GM in the city of Atlanta.
By smartguy
April 15, 2008 3:49 AM | Link to this
I still think Woody sucks. He’ll keep making the same mistakes he’s been making for the last four years. Nonetheless, I still think we actually have a chance. Good post, MannyT.
By Armond Hill
April 15, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks. It doesn’t have quite the same flavor as Bird, McHale, Parrish vs Nique, Willis, and Doc. Remember Tree takin’ a bite outta crybaby Danny Ainge? I love to hate the C’s. Maybe a little vengeance for Atlanta’s Air Force of the 80’s.
By Manny
April 15, 2008 6:16 AM | Link to this
Congrats, Hawks!
These are “Baby-Hawks.” It’s great that a team so young could make the playoffs.
By Charlie Criss
April 15, 2008 6:20 AM | Link to this
I love the Hawks players. I hate Woody and Billy.
By Maxx
April 15, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this
Man, I have been waiting forever to see my Hawks in the playoffs. I live in Phoenix and I still I catch almost every game. I wanna see Phillips arena full and loud, that would give this team unbeleivable inspiration and we might actually be able to beat Boston at home. That Forbes list is garbage. Atlanta was tagged the worst sports town in America in the mid 90’s and that stigma still unfairly sticks. Nobody knows how hard it is to be a Falcons fan these days, the Braves are good but I really feel that Atlanta is a closet basketball town. The Hawks haven’t given us anything to really cheer about since ‘Nique. Hawks are in the playoffs, and now we finally have something to cheer about- Go Hawks!
By Masood
April 15, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this
I know I’m not as regular a contributor on here as some of you guys, but I follow the AJC’s coverage of my favorite team on earth just as consistently, and I know for a fact that I speak for all of you guys when I say THIS FEELS GOOD! Us true Hawks fans have survived the J.R. Rider, Dan Dickau, and Chris Crawford eras, and we have watched this young nucleus tap further into their potential every year.
Sure, they may likely be the biggest underdog in NBA Playoff history, and sure, the no-flaws-at-all Celtics went 39-1 against sub .500 teams this year. But at least we didn’t have to give Phoenix a lotto pick, and at least we have bigger and better things to look forward to next year. We raised the bar and said playoffs or bust, and they did their part. Now we just have to do ours, and make sure the Highlight Factory is rocking with a sea of Navy and Red come game 3!
By Big Daddy J
April 15, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
Nice to see. Knight has given Woodson more than enough talent - JSmooth, Childress, Johnson, Bibby, Marvin,etc. Let’s be realsitic though folks, we are still 7 games UNDER .500 That would make us about 15 ganmes out of the last spot in the western conference. Woodson needs to go after the playoffs. Bring in a coach who knows some defense. I want to root for them so bad but feel like we have a dead anchor coaching the team.
By YOUNG PIMPN KID
April 15, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
** congrats to the ATL Hawks. Im glad they finally got soem chemistry together so they can show the A that they can win. I think they definately need a WAAAYYYYY better coach then Mike Woodson. They now need to go after a high profile player to get the Phillips Arena sold out. Too bad this year they didn’t use the playoff bound Hawks like tha last couple. Anyway good luck Hawks.
By yessir
April 15, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Fire Clyde!!!! Fire Smartguy a.k.a dumbguy!!!!
By Laschea
April 15, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks!!! The ATL loves and supports you all…..
By Tommy O
April 15, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
Statistically speaking it is far more impressive to fail to make the playoffs 9 years in a row than to make them once. 10 straight misses and this franchise could really have achieved something unique.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
A 30rock either u with us or against us BK doesn’t coach my team.FU(K FORBES.THE NORTH HAS ALWAYS HATED THE SOUTH.THAT’S A FACT.AND ATLANTA’S THE CAPITAL OF THE SOUTH SO WHAT U EXPECT.THEY HATE OUR SWAGGER,LINGO,STYLE,MUSIC,AND FLYNESS.BUT IMMITATE & EMULATE US.A BOSTON B!TCH.I CAUGHT BIG OFF NY MAKING U CHOKE.DON’T MAKE ME GO 2 & 0 AGAINST UNBEATABLETEAMS.Hell all those sh!ttysquads u’ve had.U better get yo one hit & wonderoff.Clyde whatsup?Hate 2 get rid of my boy BK but if it means MW goes 2 i’m Cool
By osijrg
April 15, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
well hawks-the fans and community have had full faith and confidence in the team, gm and coach since day 1. we all knew you would make the playoffs!
By doc
April 15, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
drmaryb the hawks are in the playoffs and that is all it is, they havent won a thing. sad to say in fact that they got in by watching their competition lose thereby not even winning to get there. no team that plays at sub .500 can be called winners, if they win from now to prove they are winners then fine. let us enjoy the moment without olacing to much emphasis on the win part, that makes it into a fantasy. havent we had enough of the fantasy?
strike me as a curmudgeon, there is long way to go before this patient is healthy. my dear, maybe even a little surgery will be required to get it off the ventilator. at least it is breathing on its own a bit. i am going to enjoy the signs of life as long as it lasts and that will be the next discussion, mark my words. the guys continued to work hard so give em cred, they achieved what they set out for, the playoffs.
By SpanishHawk
April 15, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
Congratulations Hawks!!!
Let’s see what we can do agains C’s. Hope to see bench players playing minutes in the next 2 games.
By paul revere
April 15, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
ATL is a joke! We are bringing brooms to the game, cause we plan on sweeping. Your starting 5 can’t even handle our bench!! Cover your eyes Hawks faithful, this is going to get ugly. The 1st playoff game in Atlanta should be rated NC-17, no children under 17 should be allowed to watch!! We will sweep in 4 games with an average win margin of 20 pts!!!
By sheikhnur
April 15, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
GO!!! hawks atlanta hawks deserves yo, comen in years not making the playoffs finally made it. Congrat the hawks.Thanks to AL Horford Mike, Joe J Smooth if it wasnt’t them they wouldn’t make it. men AL should be Rookie of the year double double as a rookie that ain’t easy in the NBA, all of ya know that. lets cheer for da hawks.
By Rich
April 15, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
GO CELTICS
By Brenda
April 15, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed for a long time. I’m so happy for the Hawks!
By Barry
April 15, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
Congratulations!Congratulations!Congratulations! To my young, fiesty, knitty, gritty, hustling, fighting, nasty, mean, passing, shooting, Hawks, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You have earned what you got and it is long overdue. NOW IT IS TIME TO DO SOME MORE!! LET’s make more HISTORY, by knocking off these Boston Celtics. If you play your intense running game those old men can not stick with you. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. LET THEM BE INTIMIDATED BY YOU AND YOUR PLAY!!! REMEMBER, NOTHING COMES EASY. YOU ARE FROM A CITY OF FIGHTERS, SO FIGHT FOR EVERY WIN IN THE PLAYOFF, AND REPRESENT THE CITY WELL. SHOCK THE WORLD. YOUR TIME HAS COME. It is now time for the world to see you are no longer the “THE BABY HAWKS”. YOU ARE NOW “THE HAWKS”. A CONTENDER FOR THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS. NOW LET’s KICK ANY TEAM IN FRONT OF US IN THE BUTT AND BRING A CHAMPIONSHIP TO ATLANTA.
AS ALI SAID WHEN HE WON THE HIS CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST SONNY LISTON, ” I SHOCK THE WORLD!!! I SHOCK THE WORLD!!!” . THAT IS MY MOTTO TO YOU THROUGH THE PLAYOFF: “SHOCK THE WORLD MY ATLANTA HAWKS!! SHOCK THE WORLD!! !!
SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! This a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“SHOCK THE WORLD”
SEE YOU AT PHILLIPS!!
Ringold
By Ben
April 15, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Sekou, Thanks for your good insider coverage through the years! Can you tell me what dates the 1st game in Atlanta, game 3, might be? I want to go ahead and buy tix, but I am going to be out of town April 24-27. Congrats!
By C
April 15, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
I still can’t get excited about a league where a terrible team like the Hawks get’s into the playoffs. This is the laughing stock of the sports world. Watch the NHL playoffs if you want QUALITY playoff action and not teams that are 7 games under .500.
By laughing
April 15, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Hawks, Woodson, and Knight. This fine collection of talent and management has brought Atlanta another losing NBA season. The fact they stumbled and bumbled their way into the PLAYOFFS in the crummy NBA East is no cause for celebration. They will lose 3 and go home, and will probably kid themselves that they “are on the right track”. At least if they missed the playoffs there was a chance of getting rid of Woodson and Knight; now, it won’t happen and the mediocrity continues.
By kb
April 15, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
www.2008hawksplayoffs.com
By Matt the Brave
April 15, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
If the Hawks play the kind of game that they played against the Celtics for the first three quarters of the game on Saturday for four quarters, then we might just win this thing. We gotta stay focused and keep pushing the momentum in our favor. Don’t make dumb rookie mistakes like in the Philly game here in Atlanta, and make sure to take advantage of the double teams that they’ll put on JJ. Should be fun to watch! Go Hawks!
By Oneiron
April 15, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
BFD - the Hawks make the playoffs with a less than .500 record. Yeah, the teams all start at 0-0, but your season record counts for something or it wouldn’t be necessary to play 80+ (yawn!) games to see if Boston, or the Mavs or Suns or Spurs take it all. Oh well, let’s wait until nearly July 4th to see who the champs are - in the middle of the summer -when everyone’s minds are on basketball - NOT!
By NoD
April 15, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Perfect time for the Jim Mora qoute: “PLAYOFFS, PLAYOFFS, don’t ask me about the PLAYOFFS”.
NBA needs to do something when a team as bad as the Hawks makes the playoffs.
By Bubba from Buckhead
April 15, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks! You guys have picked it up lately.
Work on defense. YOu can’t keep giving up 100+pt/game and expect to win.
I still think Billy Goodnight and Woodson need to go. This team should not be squeeking into the playoffs. High expectation.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Congratulations Paula Reverse & all celtics fans.U have posted the best regulation record in the nba since jordans bulls.But unlike the bulls you will not be a dynasty.U WILL BE ONE & DONE QUICKER THAN THE HEAT.WE ARE THE SECOND YOUNGEST TEAM IN SPORTS. WE’RE GOING TO BE HERE A VERY LONG TIME.UNLIKE U.OUR GM DID IT THE RIGHTWAY.IN THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME.DON’T BE SURPRISED IF I BEAT U WITH YOUR OWN CANE.
By Grhone
April 15, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
This is just what the “young” guys needed. Let’s hope we can keep this team together for a while. They will only get better! I’ve watched every game on either on TV or being at Phillips and I love these guys! I chose to get over the “Dominique” trade at the beginning of this season and hung in there with these guys every step of the way….Thanks for making basketball exciting again in Atlanta!!!!
By H from Marietta
April 15, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks for limping into the playoffs… This weekend the Hawks will play the role of sacrificial lamb to the mighty Celtics… This offseason the Hawks have no 1st round draft pick since it was part of the Joe Johnson trade… Marvin Williams looks like a waste of a 2nd overall pick when they needed a PG (CP3 or Deron Williams)… He’ll be known as the Sam Bowie of the 2005 NBA draft. Ba-leeve dat!
By H from Marietta
April 15, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks for limping into the playoffs… This weekend the Hawks will play the role of sacrificial lamb to the mighty Celtics… This offseason the Hawks have no 1st round draft pick since it was part of the Joe Johnson trade… Marvin Williams looks like a waste of a 2nd overall pick when they needed a PG (CP3 or Deron Williams)… He’ll be known as the Sam Bowie of the 2005 NBA draft. Ba-leeve dat!
By Austin Graham
April 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the Hawks. Just keep the Boston series close.
By Jack
April 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Who cares? They won’t win one game in the playoffs - See Thrashers
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
drmaryb could u please tell your colleague doc to stop exposing his genitals in public and urinating on the us,indecentexposure is against the law.u can’t compare the championship cavs to this team and call them the defending champs. half of that rosters gone.yes the hawks are under 500.but after the trade we are over 500 and after that road trip out west we like 14 & 9.That’s the team i see. The past is the past.You learn from it to advance your future.Did we back into the playoffs?No.Indys just back2 indy
By tony
April 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Hawks Fans, tell the talking heads on radio “SCOREBOARD”. Many teams did not make it, but you are one of the teams that did, “SCOREBOARD”…
By paul revere
April 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
jami&&ion are you effing crazy? The celts one and done?? they will win it all this year and the next two years.
are you seriously tauting the hawks because they are young?? young teams need GOOD leadership, which the hawks don’t have!! atlanta spirit group, knight, woodson are not capable of leading young talent.
By St. Bernard
April 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Way to win “in spite of” all the other things!
Here’s hoping they play well, but not well enough to save the jobs of Woody and BK.
By G-thang
April 15, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
let’s be honest and this is comin’ from a season ticket holder and playoff ticket holder…the hawks did not “make” the playoffs. washington beat indy and we clinched because of that. if we had beaten indy or the celtics, then i would say that we “made” the playoffs. washington helped us “make” the playoffs. im hopin’ that we can win atleast one game in boston and come back here for 3 games.
By Demonbeck
April 15, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
They’d have the best record in the East if they had drafted Chris Paul.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
A JACK JILL BILLY H &WHOEVERELSE WHO ARE SECRETLY MAD THE HAWKS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE YOUR ORIGINALCITY DIDN’T MAKE!FU(K U! REAL ATLANTANS OR ATLIENS THIS IS MERELY PHASE 1 OF BUILDING A DYNASTY LIKE I’VE SAID ALL YEAR LONG.PHASE 2 NEW COACH FINISH OUT THE PORTER PLAY FOR EASTCOAST CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT YEAR.PHASE 3 PLAY FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.GET READY WE’RE GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ALONG TIME.
By Eric
April 15, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
CONGRATULATIONS HAWKS!!
By Mach Williams
April 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
I’m ATLANTA fan (Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Braves), win or lose. I’ve been disappointed by the Thrashers, I’m skeptical of the Braves this year, ready for the Falcons and the new regime, BUT THIS ONE’S FOR THE HAWKS!!! CONGRATULATIONS MEN!! For all the BS you all have been through (ownership’s continuous fueding, Billy Knight’s underhanded attempts to fire Woody, etc), YOU EARNED YOUR BERTH!! Indy’s loss didn’t put you in, the games you all have won put you in. I’m proud to be able to say I root for the Hawks!! LET’S GET ‘EM!!
By Astro Joe
April 15, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Congratulations! I personally refuse to qualify this playoff berth. I kind of doubt that UGA fans would ever qualify how they end up in the BCS. And goodness knows Falcons fans will be elated once they make a return to the playoffs (by any means neccessary). So I will NOT dilute this achievement but will simply enjoy some national TV coverage of my favorite team as they go head-to-head with the favorites to take home the trophy. If the Celtics are all they claim to be, they will “destroy” more than just a team full of playoff virgins. Hawks are 7-3 in their last 10 games, that’s hardly “limping” into the playoffs for a team that will finish less than .500 on the season.
Nope, my glasses are rose-colored and I am thrilled to have a ticket to the first home playoff game some time next week. I’ll be there screaming my fool head off for the home team.
*1-2-3 PLAYOFFS… ACCOMPLISHED! *
By David
April 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
What a joke! This team does not deserve to go to the playoffs but that is what is wrong with the NBA and the discrepancy between East and West.
Now I love the young players on this team but they were toyed with against the Celtics seond team last week, we had no way to sto Cassel. We will win one game just so the NBA can be happy but this team has some big decisions to make because I can’t see them going farther next year even with Bibby who I really like.
By yoye
April 15, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Well deserved play-off post!! The team has a good solid future and I know they will play hard to make Boston life very difficult. I am excited to see them at play-offs finally!! Want to see the Philipps Arena support them to the end.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
paul i’m the second youngst team in sports u are the oldest team in sports.u think when i get experiance and my new coach i won’t be better?your gm sold his soul. and i love kg 2 death,but say you like your patriots choke.u certainly won’t be favorites next year.with orl det la no port & atlanta being better.especially when ray allen becomes ray allen and misses 50 games.u r the heat without a young stud,to build around when the parties over.
By DD
April 15, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Go Hawks!
And while you’re at it, how ‘bout being a real NBA franchise and get some radio representation.
By Breda
April 15, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
The Hawks make the playoffs as the 8th seed with a losing record, and we are supposed to be thrilled. Wow, Im overjoyed.
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Let me give a shot out to BK! If it were’nt for him stepping up and bringing in Bibby, we would be going home early, just like AJ and Shelly. lol! And oh yeah, DONT GIVE WOODY A PASS!
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
david we’re over 500 with bibby. so how can we not get better?i’ll see u out of state transplants later.save that hating it’ll kill u.do u think josh smith is at home hating on u.i doubt it.i’m looking forward to playing ball and getting my new coach win or lose. GO HAWKS
By G-thang
April 15, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
let’s be honest and this is comin’ from a season ticket holder and playoff ticket holder…the hawks did not “make” the playoffs. washington beat indy and we clinched because of that. if we had beaten indy or the celtics, then i would say that we “made” the playoffs. washington helped us “make” the playoffs. im hopin’ that we can win atleast one game in boston and come back here for 3 games.
By David
April 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
There’s still basketball in Atl? Huh!
And I guess they are the worst of the best … I suppose it will be fun … now they will get to play 3 more games and then start their vacation.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
take yo azzback up north breda.o mybad u couldn’t get $there oops
By JudasIscariat
April 15, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Congrats Hawks for making the playoffs. It is a well deserved achievement and a heck of an accomplishment. The Hawks should play relaxed ball in the post season and play out of their minds. The Hawks have the talent to stun Boston and upset the Celtics in round one.
By Dee
April 15, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Finally! I get to see the Hawks play on national TV. The NBA should be sued for the oversaturation with Lakers-Mavs-Heat-Spurs-Celtics crap.
By Pete
April 15, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Congrats Boys!!!!!!
By Casual Cal
April 15, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Congratulations you High Flying Hawks, when you fell back to the 10th spot you could have packed it in but you sustained, kept it together and got to the NBA’s version of the Big Dance with a little extra to it. Stay strong and positive you never know; remember just last year Golden State against the Mighty Mavericks. LET’S ROLL HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Listening to Woody on First Take. Guess what? He says he wants to get to 39 wins! Which means Joe and Bibby will still play 35 minutes, at least. If Bibby or JJ gets injured, I’m going to kill him. I guess he’s just trying to improve his overall record or something. For what, I dont know?
By Ryder
April 15, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJeC5jSE_dY
A little something to get the Hawks fans in the mood for the playoffs!
terrell he’s probably trying to impress the ASG into helping him keep his job.
By J
April 15, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
today is a great day party in the streets of the A the Hawks are back baby 2 more years and were in the finals.
All u Hawks hatters that never go to any games I will b calling you out when you show up for the playoffs losers.
Boston watch out cuz we are hungry in the south.
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Hey Reese, you mean Brandon Wright.
By G-thang
April 15, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
will someone please tell me if the 1st round playoffs sre the 2-3-2 format? does any know?
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Damm, Stern must really want Lebron to have home court advantage against Washington! Philly got robbed last night.
By joy
April 15, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
CONGRATS!!!!
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
To all the folks who think that making the Playoffs as the 8th seed in the sorry East is worthless, YOUR’RE WRONG! The Hawks are getting more exposure TODAY, than they have ALL YEAR LONG. You cant tell me, that’s not a good thing. Confidence is a mutha f***! They now feel like they belong. They’ll be a 5 seed next year, at least. That is, if Woody’s gone. lol!
By D Ole Hoops Coach
April 15, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the Hawks. This is a solid step forward. Got my tix and ready for the playoffs.
Go Hawks!
By hawkeyed
April 15, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
HAWKS ARE IN…!!!!
THANK GOD THIS TEAM IS IN…
not worried about going to far,
a start to being competitive..
need a true center still to make it
to the next level..
By HawkeyeD
April 15, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
HAWKS ARE IN…!!!!
THANK GOD THIS TEAM IS IN…
not worried about going to far,
a start to being competitive..
need a true center still to make it
to the next level..
By Kelvin
April 15, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe the delusional euphoria exhibited by the people in this city. The Hawks are essentially the same team as they were last year. They will end up with just a few more wins in a conference with a bunch of terrible teams. The Hawks didn’t make any kind of push to get into the playoffs. They in essence relied on Indiana and New Jersey to lose more than they were losing. They have missed on draft pick after draft pick (not including Al Horford) that have handcuffed the coach and frustrated the fans. The biggest disappointment Marvin Williams is an ordinary player with nothing special to offer. There are 50 other players in the league that could give you what he is giving you. Every time I look at a Chris Paul highlight I want to kick Billy Knight in the butt. So congratulations Hawks fans, you’ve made the playoffs for the first time in nine (9) years, ending the longest playoff drought in the NBA. But if I were you I wouldn’t blink my eyes because you will be gone before you know it.
By SpanishHawk
April 15, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Sekou informed that the series are 2-2-1-1-1
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
I think all of us celebrating Hawks fans know that we are probably gonna lose to Boston. Most of us don’t care. We are in the playoffs for the first time in nine years. That’s all that matters right now.
As far as the Celtics are concerned, my opinion is kinda divided on them. On the one hand, I would love to see KG finally get a ring. On the other hand, Boston fans are such a bunch of jackazzes that I feel bad wishing any good upon them. So it’s hard for me to decide. Do I want to read 10 Bill Simmons articles comparing KG to Larry Bird? Do I want the same punks who will buy lower level seats at Philips for the first round series and come wearing Celtics jerseys to feel happy in June? I don’t think so.
By Ryder
April 15, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Stern won’t be able to stop Arenas and the Wizards from whipping the Cavs next week. Besides, now that he realizes Lebron doesn’t bring ratings (last year’s Finals) the refs will take it easy on the Wizards, who are the darkhorse of the playoffs.
As for the Hawks, not worried about predictions, i’m just worried they will put the games on NBA TV instead of basic cable.
By happy
April 15, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
THATS WASSUP WAY 2 GO HAWKS WERE ON THE WAY TO BEING THE REAL HAWKS
By Dewaine
April 15, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Congrats, Hawks, on making the playoffs. Be very competitive against the Celtics.
Try to get a strong, defensive center for next season so that teams like the Celtics will truly have a hard time against the Hawks. You have the rest of the makeup of a very good team.
By cp
April 15, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
If the coach ( i wont mention his name again until he is out of here) plyas JJ and Bibby more than 10 minutes in either of the last two games then somebody really needs to put their hands on this clown. Yea it would be nice to win 39 games but damn will somebody explain to this clown that we are locked in for the playoffs and winning the last two games will really mean nothing. Get these guys some rest and the bench some minutes so they can have some type of confidence going into the playoffs. Whether the coach realizes it or not he will need the bench in the playoffs. We will need more than a 7 man rotation. Well 6 considering how Pachulia has really not been in long the last few games. This idiot makes simple things so hard. I want to see a starting 5 of Solo, Pachulia, Richardson, Salim, and Law. Give West a lot of minutes also. Play the bench the last two games. I dont care if Salim takes 20 shots just let them play.
By marian
April 15, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SINCE BEING AT A FEW LIVE SPURS/HAWKS GAME HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IN THE PAST, I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY JOE JOHNSON, SPEEDY (WHO WAS OURS ONCE), CHILDRESS, ZAZA PACHULIA!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I BET ACIE LAW IS EXCITED! THAT BIBBY! GIVES IT ALL WHEREVER HE GOES! GO HAWKS GO! GO HAWKS GO! THIS GIVES ME ABSOLUTE JOY TO SEE YOU MAKE THE POST-SEASON. I FEEL LIKE CRYIN’!
By Astro Joe
April 15, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Ryder, I personally expect Orlando-Toronto to get the NBA TV treatment. I can’t imagine that they would move the team with the league’s best record (not to mention the legacy of the Celtics) to NBA TV. Meanwhile, neither Bosh nor D-Howard (or their teams overall) have the cache of the Pistons, LeBron or Agent Zero. I think they will definitely place KG in prime time on TNT/ESPN, even if he were playing the Morehouse Tigers.
By HawkeyeD
April 15, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
the main thing is it breaks the streak… now the braves need in this year before that becomes a streak also..
GO HAWKS
GO BRAVOS
GO DOLPHINS!!! WITH PICK #1!!!
By ray
April 15, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Whatever is meant to be, will be.
That’s it, Doc, come with the heat. I certainly intend to.
By RA
April 15, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Okay,
I respect what Boston has done. Let me make that clear, but I’m just going to say it, with that assemblage of talent, my grandfather could coach that team to 55 win season and he’s been dead for 22 years! It is my heart’s desire that the Hawks defeat them, and if not that, I hope that they take so much out of those people that it will lead to their demise in a later round. As for the Boston fans, I wish them nothing good whatsoever. I only hope to smile as their collective heart is ripped from it’s chest, stomped into the dirt, burned, and the ashes are scattered to the four winds. I’ve ALWAYS hated Boston.
By Kelvin
April 15, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I wish we had basketball like this back in ATX! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
By doc
April 15, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
jami, truth dude nothing but truth. winners no, reached their goal yes. probably after the playoffs there will be none of this winner talk so enjoy the idea of the playoffs for now, revel in it with no shame. look only to the only recent winners an that was the thrashers who were pulled together with vets at the end of last season to do major flop because of inactivity in the off season.
yes off the vent, maybe, definitely breathing some life into us all by this reaction. just not winners. i hope this isnt a one and done but look to the clips and the warriors for some testament of what it takes to go forward or not after the yoke is removed.
By veronica
April 15, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
WELL DONE AND MUCH DESERVED I LOVE YALL AND GOOD LUCK .MR. BIBBY WELCOME HOME.
By DW
April 15, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Hawks!!! Well-deserved honor!
By brent a.
April 15, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Wow! It’s been so long since the Hawks were in the play-offs, whoever did the play-off poll in the other story listed “Celtics in 3” as an option.
Memo to the AJC’s crack sports staff: It’s a best of 7 series.
By G-thang
April 15, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
brent i have been bloggin’ that question for 2 days now and nobody responded. i am not sure who makes their polls. about 2 weeks ago they had somethin’ on there about the hawks and a 1st round pick, we don’t even have a 1st round pick in ‘08. as a matter of fact, i am not sure if we have a 2nd rd pick either, we gave it away for A.J., who has since been traded away.
By doc
April 15, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
yes brent, it is rather sad. maybe, they had to come up with a certain number of choices or meant that essentially, they would be done in three no matter if there was another game to be played. mean spirited dont you think?
By Jabez
April 15, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to the Phoenix Suns! You get a crappy second first-rounder for giving us Joe Johnson.
By south ga. boy
April 15, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
congats to the Hawks. I have been a long time fan. (saw pistol pete play at the Omni as a boy) I hope we can steal one game from boston for confidence sake for next yr. I believe if the Hawks can do 2 things, the can win the east next yr. No. 1, find a true 5 & move Al to the 4. it doesn’t have to be an all-star, just clog the middle & pull rebounds.No. 2, Josh goes to the 3 & spends 8 hrs/day on his 20 ft. jumper. with marvin & chill coming off the bench, look out.
By Lloyd
April 15, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Sekou, what’s our draft situation? I believe this is the year Phoenix gets our No. 1 to complete to Joe trade, correct? What about the second round, do we have a pick there or not?
By Jeff A.
April 15, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
i haven’t posted since my thoughts on resting the Hawks starters, but i just wanted to take the time to congratulate the Hawks and all you Hawks fans who’ve stuck with this team from 13-69 to now. i know you guys (and drmaryb) must be feeling good right now. I am not really an NBA fan anymore but i want the home team to do well - 9 yrs. without a playoff berth is a long time. Now Portland has the longest non-playoff streak at 5 years and counting. So mission accomplished Hawks, good job. All those minutes played by JJ, Bibby, Smith and Horford proved essential and here’s hoping they can get some rest for the next 2 games. We’ll see. U guys take it easy.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Lloyd — 0 picks this year in either round.
By Lloyd
April 15, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Najeh, thanks for the answer, just hate the one you had to provide.
By G-thang
April 15, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
yeah we made the playoffs…yadda, yadda. what can we do to stop the celts?? the wizards were 3-1 against them this year, so they can be beat. did anyone see those games?? what did they do to stop boston?
By Harry Hawk
April 15, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I figure that one of Marvin, Chills, or Smoove will be traded this offseason, so you have to think a deal involving one of those guys would be to bring a big man in. Let’s just hope it’s a veteran guy with some good years left in the tank. The Hawks need that veteran presence inside to go with Al (and Smoove, who I think stays in the ATL). Get another veteran big man to come off the bench (and a veteran shooting guard who can knock down some threes and spell Joe) and the Hawks could certainly be in contention for a #4 seed in the East next year.
(And that’s even WITH Woody back as coach, but I don’t want to think about that. Nope. Don’t wanna.)
I was thinking about this earlier today, man:
We were damn, damn, damn lucky to keep our pick last year and get Al Horford. That might be the first truly big break the Hawks have gotten since they screwed up and signed Jon Contract to that deal.
By ATLanta Born
April 15, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
You know what……………If you don’t like the Hawks get on the bus, and Hartsfield-Jackson stay open 24 hours…….. I am tired of these idiots always talking bad about my ATLANTA teams. When they have down years you talk about them and this being an UP year compared to the last 9 years, still want to down them. Making the Playoffs states that we have the 1 of the 8 best records in the conference regardless of what is considered good. KILL YOURSELF for these selfish remarks.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!! And Sweep these.
By Ryder
April 15, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
G-thang what the Wizards did was have the shooters who could attack Boston’s zone defense.
Remember Boston leads the league in perimeter defense, so it takes a team who can shoot the 3 in order to beat them. Also, they have two guys in Caron Butler and Deshawn Stevenson who can guard both Pierce and Allen one on one.
Also, when I was watching the games I noticed that Antawn Jamison would take KG out on the free throw line to limit his effectiveness inside. They would utilize the Princeton offense to throw passes down low to Brendan Haywood, who would abuse Perkins whenever possible.
Also, the Wizards have a deeper bench in Roger Mason, Jr., Andray Blatche and Gilbert Arenas. Now while Cassell will make big shots, could he match Arenas, who will be the Wizards’ sixth man?
People need to watch the Celtics series’ with the Hawks seriously, because Atlanta has a lot of similar qualities to the Wizards.
This is where Woodson’s refusal to build up the bench will come back to haunt him.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
a doc my compadre.is it the sydney sheldon script with the hurricane plot twist,that propells my equilibria on it’s axis like a planet?No.But wasn’t it suspenseful?And it only gets better and more thrilling with woodys firing.And since we’re talking 1st timers.Why can’t we be a first time playoff staple.Like NO DEN (b4 melo) CLEV(b4 lebron) WASH (4 arenas) DALL(BEFORE 2000 THEY WERE HORRID) ORL TOR,OR LA(3YEARS AGO KOBE WAS BARELY 500).doc honestly you look at any games?if you did you know we missing a hc
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
G-THANG.Your answer to what did washington do to go 3 & 1 against beantown easy.Boston is a great halfcourt team.With a good old bench.They play slow ball better than anyone.Washington is a young up & down team.But unlike a GS.Washington is a eastcoast team.So they play some D.So in other words they ran’em off the court and played good enough D to close’em out.Plus the fact haywoods better than perk & jamisons j good enuff 2 keep kg from the basket.If woody runs & uses the bench properly(rio on pp!)we win.
By E.S.
April 15, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Congradulations to the Hawks and the organization. All the negative fans out there, please name one team in NBA history that has started out with all these young players and made the playoffs in the fourth year. The key is that this is only the beginning of a dynasty if we can get a very good center and keep this young team together. The sky is the limit for years to come. They have tasted what it feels like to win and will go further in the coming years because the stars around the leaque are getting older and will have to be replaced with new talent while the Hawks will still be young but experience. Be patient Atlanta, you have something special.
By Eddie
April 15, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Go Hawks!
By CRYSTAL
April 15, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
CONGRATULATIONS,CONGRATULATIONS,GREAT JOB NO MATTER IF IT IS BOSTON ALL I WANT TO SEE IS YOU COMPETE!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS LET THE WORLD SEE WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW EVERYBODY ON THIS TEAM IS TALENTED.
By cw
April 15, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
CP, you idiot Before you talk about anyone, please learn how to spell. Do you think anyone cares what you want to see? HAWKS ARE IN THE PLAY OFF HA HA HA, oh and Woodson is the coach
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Ryder good post similar to mine about how to beat the cs.like i was telling g. james was taking kg out the paint.therefore leaving perk to get beat by haywood.same ish i’m on.plus cb can play d on pp.thats why i said start rio.if josh can’t hit the j .put marv in at the 4 to do it and stretch the d.jj can hold ray while al & bib do perk &rr. bring acie salim chills solo and marv as one unit if needed and run & gun them to death. matter of fact that’s a nice second unit.hell yea start rio. i like this.
By hudson
April 15, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Watch out KG, Big Al has your number! If we can keep Jsmoov in the game and out of foul trouble, we could take this series and pull off the first round playoff upset. GO HAWKS
By pipe dreams
April 15, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
The hawks should have lost the last 5 games to get an early vacation. I mean we are playing boston in the first round. The hawks are wasting peoples good earned money on a pipe dream. Any way go ATLANTA DREAM.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Yea ES i told’em this a dynasty all year.Never in nba history has a team with 3 guys starting the season 21 as a frontcourt ever been to the playoffs.man i have the second youngest team in sports.watch what i do with this experiance i get now,a coach with a system,and a veteran clutch player or veteran banger.i got my baby duncan from the islands,bestbackcourt in the playoffs 2 killers,the freak josh smith,a jr pippen 6thman.and my killer whiteboy from overseas.yall mad now,wait til we regroup.
By Murphy
April 15, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
People like you PIPE DREAMS give Atlanta sports fans a bad name. If your not happy about the hawks making the playoffs then shut the hell up and go somewhere. Nobody wants to hear your negativity.
The hawks have accomplished something that they havent been able to do in over ten years. They are taking the right step forward. Our wins have improved every year and from hard work they have reached they playoffs.
Everyone is 0-0 and the hawks have as much of a chance than anyone else in the playoffs right now. So either get on board or shut up. Im sure you would have been complaining if we werent in the playoffs. There is no pleasing people like you.
By sdf
April 15, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Can I get a
HELL YEAH!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Murphy
Get Em’ Preach that TRUTH Bra!
Didn’t Dwight Howard & Nem’ get swept their first time in the Playoffs! They said it was a learning experience for them. Now look at the MAGIC - Why not us?
Personally, I don’t feel that we will be swept. I believe this team will compete every minute of every game.
My only concern is that our Bench has not been developed, other than that I feel real good. Maybe ROY can help KG sprain is ankle or knee or something. Doc & Woody had the same record a year ago, Doc was not run out of town his Front Office went and got him some HELP!
I’m not sayin’ Woody is as good a coach as Doc, but you do need talent to win. The hawks finally got some talent. For all you haters, who claim the HAWKS backed into these playoffs? Your’e crazy. If we had Bibby all year, we would be over .500 too!
RichBrave Where you at! Should we send the Wizards a Thank-You card or something. I’m Just Sayin’!
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
drmary where u been. i been fighting hatas allday
By Enough
April 15, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Let’s see what strategy Mike Knapp will have the playoffs.
By Snoop Cat
April 15, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
jami$$ion,
Are you hooked on ebonics? LOL !!
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
no snoop i call it texttalk
By doc
April 15, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
jami, good fun guy and ya got me laughing, i assure you i am not a hata. dude, what i hate to tell you that one of the reasons you dont see me on the head coach thing is i am up ahead of the line having put in my two cents on him a long time ago. dont want to see anyone fired and feel he is a good guy but enough folks have said let him go so i dont have to.
my concerns lie more with the broken atlanta spirit group and what they bring to the table as far as getting the hawks in a different stratosphere from the one we are in. talk about spinning, just wait until the hawks actually become a worthy contender for the title. can you even imagine what that would be like? what do you think it will take … more money, only a new coach, a new gm, just one or two players? tell me you know it will take something more to get into the winners realm. now by saying what is needed does that make you hata?
By cp
April 15, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
cw are you Mike Woodson or his wife? I’ll be an idiot it’s no problem to me. I guess I can’t spell either. No problem with me. I guess you were really happy when you typed that silly little sentence and hit post. You say the Hawks are in the playoffs. NO WAY YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. When did that happen? I mean it’s not like I did not point that out in my post. Look Mrs. Woodson or Mike dont be mad at me if you are easily the worst head coach in Hawks history. I will still come help you pack once they fire you. It is no problem what so ever. Enough his strategy will be to hope that JJ and Bibby shots are falling and we rebound thats about it. Once again I will say who I want to get most of the minutes tonight since cw does not like it. Pachulia, Solo, Richardson, Salim, and Law as the starters but knowing ol Woodpecker the regular starters will play about 40 minutes tonight. Mrs. Woodson I mean cw can you tell your husband that we are in the playoffs and it is no need to play the starters no more than 10 minutes tonight.
By Ryder
April 15, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
jami$$ion, thanks for the support.
What a lot of people fail to realize is 1) Atlanta had one of the best home records in the East and 2) There will be NO back to back games in the playoffs.
If you remember that Atlanta was completely gassed at the start of the Boston game after Woodson had his six men play almost all of 40+ minutes against the Knicks the night before.
The key will be the Hawks ability to adjust to the Celtics’ half court tempo. Will they force the C’s to match their speed?
If I’m Woodson I’m on the phone with Eddie Jordan STAT! Atlanta has a lot of comparable attributes like the Wizards and could pose a challenge if they tap into those resources off the bench.
The funny part is that i’ll be watching the Wizards here in VA playing Cleveland who employs the same type of half-court offensive scheme.
By honest_abe
April 15, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
finally reached the playoffs.
after nearly a decade, this team finds a way to back into the playoffs. how fitting for this team to clinch by having it’s closest competitor for that 8th spot lose. i know, i know i’m such a damn pessimist, a”glass half full” type, a sore apple etc.. but this season has been imo opinion, an absolute waste, thanks to a broke arse ownership and a clueless coach.
before you kill me, CONGRATS to these young bucks for finally being able to achieve something in their pro career. CONGRATS (somewhat, because if you’re feeling anything like me, you’re nowhere near giddy) to the “TRUE” fans. not all these people that started watching a few games ago when they heard these atlanta hawks might actually make the playoffs. i’m talking about all my brethren who suffered through one of the most incompetent stretches by any organization in all of pro sports.
we finally made it fellas. but someone please tell me why i don’t feel excited? after all those games watching the big dog perform his “i’m a black hole show” and then watching a decent terry always look so much worse than his draft counterparts in baron davis and andre miller. after lon kruger’s retarded “we will make the playoffs” decree. after watching terry stotts, who was coaching for his career, coach the hawks to somehow play .500 ball in the last month of the season which of course eliminated any chance of getting dwight howard. after a 13 win season. 13. seriously a 13 freaking win season. sadly enough i’m pretty sure most of the bloggers on here like myself watched every single, mind numbing, gut wrenching game that season. after demarr johnson, after donta smith, after boreeeeeees, after sheed (for only a day), after the pg of our future DAN DICKAU!, after the DUCK, after speedy, after QQ#$Q#% (it hurts me to say his name) shelden williams. after listening to bob rathbun for all these year!!! tell me, after listening to him all these years you’ve gained some affection for him. no? ok then someone please put him out of his misery. after what seems like an eternity watching the most clueless, dumbfounded, out of his league, retarded, (you can put in the expletive here)coach ever i really do mean EVER!!!! the hawks have FINALLY made the playoffs. yipeeeee! and to think they’ll be out before we know it and we’ll say “was this season that much different than last years? well, besides a sweep in the playoffs i guess not.
By honest_abe
April 15, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
quick question.
jamis$$0n and mary: do both of you realize how incredibly stupid you both sound when you guys talk about “fighting cats” and “i’m beating this guy down” and “battling”. like this is some sort of free style battle. just thought i might clu u guyz n. holla!
By cp
April 15, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Just for cw once again. I would like to see Pachulia, Solo, Richardson, Salim, and Law get a lot of minutes tonight.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
look doc i’m very informed.i have all the hatas portfolio and your mugshot is yet to be discovered.i’m pretty sure you have a photographic memory somewhere lurking in your human simcard.Now playback all of our losses.And tell me if a coaching upgrade couldn’t get half of those back.i have maury’s lie detector.so come clean.yes the front office is damaged.but this roster is nice.we have the youngest frontline in the league.people praise bynum at center.al’s numbers just as good & he’s a rook.al’s td part2
By Mac-Town
April 15, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
I really want to see some more guys off the bench…it would make this very interesting. I wanna see how they perform with long minutes.
By richbrave
April 15, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
drmaryb:
Where’s your bio on the Xplosion site. I don’t see it.
No thanks necessary just take it to the Celtics. Top game rules.
ryder and jami$$on been pumping up the volume. GO HAWKS.
doc, sharp per usual, BUT
ando, suffering silence. I know you’re out there HB. Your number has been dialed. Please answer the phone.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
A doc if now this is a big if.Get’s it halfway right.We’ll be a playoff team for years to come.If they get it all the way right.we’ll become a championship team in two years.I stand by this 100 percent.Our nucleus is very young and extremely talented with guys who have star power.O yeah honest abe battle dis dick.Freestyle and rap on this mic.I haven’t even explored the depths of your ineptitude here.The effigy of your posts sway thru gallows ablazed.Don’t throw bricks you have a glasshouse.
By Steve T
April 15, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
I think these last two games are a great time for Woody to get the bench some PT. He needs to prove he can coach. For example, AC is goood at friving to the basket, but he doesn’t always finish. I think the problem is he finish with his right hand. Now if he starts to finish with his left hand, what would happen. It would throw the defense off.
The next move is to let JR play. JR may be the man he needs to beat boston. He can shoot and he help stretch the defense. Then let Solo play power forward. This kid bring some shot blocking skills to the team. He could have a shot blocking line up with JS, AH, and Solo.
By GoHawksGo
April 15, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
ZaZa Pachulia is a douche. He’s going to screw us over.
By infamouskrs
April 15, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Ryder…you’ve been on a tear lately…nice and respectable posts!
now to business…home court fan influence would do wonders for a team of 20 somethings! it’s all about gettin’ hyped…even if the game plan is flawed. PLAYOFF GAME SUPPORT AT HOME IS HUGE!
another thing to worry about is when the guys DO come off the bench…they’re not trying to be HEROs! KNOW YOUR ROLE….play the game smart and let the offense roll to you.
just a few cents.
i’m out…like a previous(whenever that was) ANDO post!
By Maxx
April 15, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
We need Mario West to get minutes, he is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, he gets rebounds on both ends of the court and he can finish around the basket. Nobody would know this because he never gets any minutes. Woody give Mario West a chance!!!
By GoHawksGo
April 15, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Solo, JR and Salim def. can and should contribute
By ricknole
April 15, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
I just want to see these guys compete on a National Stage. Very happy to be here, no matter what happens. Lets build from here!
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Good to see Woody resting the main guys. Also good to see he realizes Marvin NEEDS TO PLAY!
By Ken Strickland
April 15, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
ISN’T IT AMAZING WHAT OUR BENCH CAN DO WHEN THERE ARE ALLOWED ON THE COURT.
By infamouskrs
April 15, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
good to see those guys that were ridin’ tha pine or doing tha dirty work all season are doing some early damage….
SALIM….8 already !
CHILLZ…..8 already !
who woulda thought…….lol
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Josh Smith just commited 3 turnovers in a row. Get the ball in Acie’s hands. We have to cut down on the TO’s or we have no chance in the Playoffs. They’re already slim to begin with.
By jami$$ion
April 15, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
richbrave whats going on? i’ve been a fan of this city for 33 years. and these are the worse sports fans on the planet.and it’s just sickening.these dudes make the postseason and they tripping how they got there.any other team would be thankful.i was on the toronto and philly pages they mad they can’t advance up.but their glad they made it.they talking about winning.yall fu(kmen talking bout getting swept.hate to see u raise your sons.your son gone give they $to the bully.rich man f these cowards.GO HAWKS
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Sniper just injured his wrist, hand, or something.
By FUNK DAT
April 15, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Nice seeing the bench DOIN WORK. Acie just needs to be aggressive more as Nique said. I hope Richardson and Solo get some time too. We’ll need Solo when ZaZa gets in foul trouble vs. Garnett. Mario needs some burn too. I hope JJ and Bibby dont play the rest of the game.
By cp
April 15, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Ken I was just about to make that same point. It is amazing what guys can do when they are allowed to play their games and make mistakes without the fear of being pulled. Salim and Law are looking good. Steve Smith pointed out what many of us have said before, Childress is less effective if he plays pg. I hope the coach sees that Chill is doing all the things he was doing earlier in the season when he wasnt being forced to play pg but allowed to stay under the basket and grab rebounds and make put backs. It would be nice to see Solo, Richardson, and Mario get some pt
By ray
April 15, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Doc, keep telling the truth.
Abe, you answered your own question. Thankyou for being one of the people who can appreciate things for what they are (making the playoffs) while not forgetting the big picture and the actual truth (we’ll get into that later). It is what it is, my brotha! I feel like you do. Happy, but not bursting with excitement. Still, I want to see our guys wear the Celts out. If for nothing else, for their own pride, their continued hunger, and to send a message the Celts need to hear.
Know what’s bad? I’m looking forward to the grim drama of the offseason. I guess that’s what being a Hawks fan is all about, lately. I think I see some light at the end of the tunnel, but not sure how fast we’re going towards it. And it’s all too easy to go in reverse (how many times has that happened already?)We’ll see.
In the meantime…we’ve got two games left and a playoff series to get into.
By infamouskrs
April 15, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
4 point lead into the second half…..here’s for wishin’ the BCUnit could get into that locker room right now! ray…we might have a story for your 10:00 report!
time to throw away that coloring book Woodchuck….let Bibby coach this team to an upset series!
By Magic City
April 15, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Terrell,
J-Smoove has 2 turnovers in the 1st half - you need a recount.
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Just like Smitty, Bob, and Nique said, Chills points have went WAY down, ever since Woody decided to put Acie in the dog house. Chills belongs on the baseline, not on the perimeter playing PG. Anybody with a brain can see that!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
You gotta give HB Ando a break… it probably takes a few days for him to write one of those novels he posts anyway.
But nice to know that honest abe is taking his place. A little note to consider for the future, abe: “Glass half full” actually means you are an optimist, not a pessimist.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
And I gotta agree with Ken… if you give this bench playing time, they can give you quality minutes. Maybe they won’t be Sam Cassell or the Pistons’ second unit but at least they will allow the starters to play less than 40 minutes.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Watching this game once again makes me wish the Hawks had pushed harder for that #6 seed, which they had a shot at as recently as two weeks ago. If they had swept the home and home with Philly they would have had a really legit shot. Orlando would have been a very winnable matchup for this team. Oh well.
By terrell barron
April 15, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Joe looks like he’s cashed it in until the Playoffs. At least I hope that’s whats wrong with him. He does’nt have that pep in his step tonight.
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Congrats, now go beat boston or at least BEAT THEM UP!!
P.S. I still hate Laimbeer!
By Ryder
April 15, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the love, infamouskrs!
Can someone tell me why Childress and Marvin are getting all these minutes yet Soolo and Jeremy Rich are getting zilch?
I heard Woodson cut his head bald? Do you think it had something to affect his thinking?
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Aaaaaand just after I call Orlando a winnable matchup, the Hawks let the Magic build up a 11 point lead after 3 quarters. Great timing by me.
Oh well. Hopefully Acie and Salim get some good minutes in the 4th.
JJ Redick? Booooooo…
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Terrell, I don’t post very often, but I have read a lot of your statements. You seem to have a good understanding of the game. Is it possible for Pros to lose their rythm in just a few days rest? I know that Doc is trying to rest his stars now that seeding has been finalized. Does it actually matter?
GO HAWX!!!
By Clyde
April 15, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t know why Woody keeps putting Zaza in the game. The man looks lost. Let Solomon play and lets see if he can do any better. Woody is real clueless. Boston is going to attack the front line of the Hawks and will force them to play Solomon. If you never play the man he won’t be ready to go when we need him.
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Anybody got an update on Salim?
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Clyde, AMEN, AMEN, and AMEN AGAIN!!!
GO HAWX and HURT ‘EM IF YOU HAVE TO!
By FUNK DAT
April 15, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Got Damn Woodson, play Solo and seat Zaza’s sorry arse down.
By FUNK DAT
April 15, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Got Damn Woodson, play Solo and seat Zaza’s sorry arse down.
By FUNK DAT
April 15, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Got Damn Woodson, play Solo and seat Zaza’s sorry arse down.
By honest_abe
April 15, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
poophead: do you know how stupid that correction sounded? i’m sure you do.
By Atl Flavor
April 15, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
A Total of 7 wins against the Hawks this year is what the Celtics need. SEVEN!! Man I know we can get atleast ONE! They are OLD. One tweak of knee or ankle and its a WHOLE NEW series. I feel GOOD about the Playoffs. I think we really make some noise.
By JN
April 15, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
They still suck. Who cares if the Magic game mattered or not? The Hawks still lost. The Magic looked happy about winning; the Hawks looked like the Hawks. Yeah they clinched the 8th playoff spot (thanks to Indy losing and not of their own accord), but that doesn’t make them any better than the second rate team that they are.
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Am I wrong for feeling like this year’s HAWX squad will SHOCK the League, like Mutombo’s Nuggets,, when they defeated the supposedly unstoppable S’Sonics?!
If they do, I will NOT make fun of #15 (or any other HAWK or Hawx fan), if he clutches a basketball and cries on the floor!!!
GO HAWX. You can put it on the board, (wait for it…) YES!!!!!
By Horford Rox
April 15, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
AFTER 9 MISERABLE YEARS, I’LL TAKE THE PLAYOFFS ANY WAY IT FALLS!!
GOOOOOO HAWX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Hey Jami$$son,
I’ve been busier than a one-legged-man in a rump kickin’ contest! I’ve been at the rock-pile as Fred and Barney would say - BAM! BAM! Wurkin’ Hard for the MONEY!
I got your back, I love sparring with the haters! I see clyde is back, with all these weird posters on here, I wonderin’ how many sign-ons clyde is using these days!
I know HBAndo isn’t posting under any other name, because there’s not enough words on here to reflect that! Which makes me wonder - Is HB O.K.? I sure Hope so.
RichBrave I never go to the site, but I heard my BIO was on there, I need to check on that tomorrow with the team president. How are you baby? The bench got some work tonight and it was real nice to see JJ resting on the bench, he deserved that.
doc What’s up? Are you and ray hatin’ on the PLAYOFF BOUND Atlanta Hawks? Come on, guys - you know the deal. You know what’s really going on in Atlanta. Now I know the Hawks are not WINNERS just yet, But I am tryin’ to speak it into existence.
Yeah, they call me the eternal optimist. There is not one negative bone in my body, until you step on my corn - ouch! Doc - Is that you steppin’ on my corns today?
You don’t believe my Hawks are Winners? Perhaps not on paper for now, but forever in my HEART!
I love this team, I’m willing victories over here - Can I get an AMEN from the Congregation?
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 15, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Yes, I do.
It sounded nearly as stupid as your dumb azz telling people they sound stupid when they use hip-hop slang.
That was the entire point.
I don’t really give a sh-t what words you or anyone else chooses to use. This is the Internet, not the SAT. But if you are gonna criticize other people’s use of the English language, at least try to use it properly yourself.
By ray
April 15, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Geez. Look what a playoffs appearance brings to the blog. Heh.
The ASG has to be loving it. What a perfect time to twist their spin-o-meter even harder…
By richbrave
April 15, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
drmaryb:
I’m hangin’ girl. Been posting up volumes on the Richmond Braves on the two Braves blogs.
My thesis in on the Burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania by Confederate forces on July 30, 1864. Why?? My brother and sister were born there. I’ve always visited family there and no one’s ever done a socio-economic study of the population. Pretty boring stuff. And I’m almost done. Amen.
By doc
April 15, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
ok dr mary b, i get it, you are “manifesting it” but it isnt here yet as you said. no hate involved i just prefer to not go too low nor go too high until it is really appropriate to the situation. anybody remember some of the braves fiascos like against the cards back in what 1982 when they were blown out? yep i go way back for watching atlanta teams and this is more likely to go that route rather than a boot to the beaners.
i kind of liked the dark ryder myself. heh heh, keep it up dude. agree that the playoff structure helps maybe the hawks since they are so thin because the bench never got the attention that it should have during the year. unfortunately, it really helps the celts more since their older guys can play longer minutes and their bench can come in and play harder while they are in for shorter minutes. these games are all about speed of play and the hawks i am afraid are about to learn it ratchets up a bit when the playoffs begin. players play at a different speed with no holding back.
ok really do you know what is best about this to me is IT MAKES ME RIGHT AND ANDO WRONG about the trade for jj. seems like in the long run we didnt pay too much and we have gotten some really good basketball out of him in the duration. yep i enjoy saying it to ando that i am right and you are wrong, heh heh, just said it again. finally, it can be put to rest, no lottery to the suns.
well i am going to see what leo has left in the tix department and join my buds down there.
oh and clyde nothing but love man. you got more cool than a carrier has got freon. some folks dont appreciate real class.
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Hey NajehDavenpoop
Forget them’ (H O E S) man. Go over to the falcons blog, I just posted you up on that 3rd pick. Check that!
Man break these fools on here for attacking the messenger and not the message. If someone doesn’t understand something? The first response is always fear and ignorance.
Prejudice comes from ignorance - Weak minded people are intimidated when they don’t know what everyone else is saying? They don’t know what’s going on and so insecurities come flyin’ in.
Why not politely ask what someone what is being said instead of attacking them, you will be surprised - you might actually learn something new and different!
Different is good! It’s like speaking a foreign language.
People who have problems with Signs written in Spanish? It’s because they can’t speak Spanish! So you either learn Spanish and grow as a person or you can:
Get Your SCROLL-ON!
By new jersey faithful
April 15, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
drmaryb, the one legged joke wasnt funny!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Liar
Do you know how stupid HONEST sounds right before you tell a BIG AZZ LIE?
That’s like saying, Trust Me right before you SMUCK-ME!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
It wasn’t meant to be! And it definitely wasn’t meant for you! So keep scrollin’ every time you see my name! That’s what I do - when I see your handle!
I thought I told you to go back to NJ a long time ago! Your’e the reason we Atlantans are called:
Les Miserables
All Transplants - If you don’t like Atlanta then go back where the hell you came from!
By richbrave
April 15, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
drmaryb:
”..fear and ignorance…” Evie Calvin “Nuke” LaLUSCH in Bull Durham. Sista’, I thought that’s how you are supposed to play baseball.
newjerseyfaithful:
Would “busier than a one-armed paper-hanger” be more politically correct? Maybe not. I mean who really cares about a disadvantaged counterfeiter anyway.? Whoa.!! HAWKS ARE STILL PLAYIN’ Later.
By The South Florida Fan
April 15, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
As citizens of the NBA, it falls on the rest of us to help Save the Sonics! I beg you to please post your team/owner’s information with the following. Thanks!
We Miami Heat fans have put together a proposed plan of action here: http://thesouthfloridafan.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-help-seattle-keep-their-sonics.html
It involves this:
IMPLORE EVERY NBA TEAM BLOG TO POST THE ADDRESS OF THEIR OWNERS. IN ADDITION, LETTERS SHOULD INCLUDE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
“As a form of protest, we vow to boycott any game next season in which the Oklahoma City Sonics play, whether it be in our arena or watching it on television.”
Spread this around as much as you can. It’s going to take the other teams to prevent this from happening. Let’s save the Sonics!
By Matt
April 15, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Been a rough couple days for me, but seeing the Hawks sneak in the back door of the playoffs made everything ok again!
Here are my hopes and dreams for the coming 2 months:
The Hawks win 1 game against the Celts (I know some people are saying we could win the series, but come on now…)
Horford, in a shocking upset, edges out Durant for Rookie of the Year.
Josh Childress finishes a strong 2nd place behind Hedo Turkoglu for the Sixth Man Award
JJ wins his first spot on an All-Pro roster by being selected to the All-NBA Third Team
Mike Woodson is fired after the conclusion of the series because ASG realizes that these Hawks are underachieving this year.
After looking over all our history, I’ve come to the conclusion that Knight is actually a very good GM when it comes to making trades. The Bibby deal was outstanding, and I’m still gritting my teeth over how he stole Gasol from us in exchange for an on-the-downslope Shareef. He’s definitely not good in the draft, but at this point we won’t be getting top 10 picks anytime soon, so that’s not as much of a concern. And I’d point out that his 2 non-lottery picks - Diaw and Smith - have actually been his best. I think he just overthinks things when he has a top 10 pick. Besides, he had a damned good draft day last year. As for free agents, I honestly think the jury is still out (Zaza was a steal at $2M/yr, Speedy was a disaster, and that’s all he’s had the chance to do).
But I’ll risk all the wrath in the world by saying that I want Knight to keep running this team. I honestly think that if we had a coach who knew how to run a team that’s built to run (i.e. REST THE DAMNED STARTERS), we’d have won 42-45 games this year. And our team still doesn’t have a single 30 year old. Even Marvin is still just 21, and I honestly think he’d be averaging 18-20 ppg with a coach who pushed him to attack the basket more.
Most importantly, Knight is clearly a man who has learned from his mistakes during the past year. He fixed our PG problem, got us a second gunner, and dumped his biggest draft bust in one fell swoop with the Bibby trade. He also tried to fire Woodson - three times. Last year, he finally had a draft that no one can seriously deny was the best the Hawks could possibly have done. No one’s perfect. In this life, the most important thing is to learn from your mistakes. I think Knight has proven that he has learned from his.
So flame me all you want, but Knight has stocked our team with young, talented players with some scary potential for the years ahead, and he has proven over the last year that he now knows where the Hawks’ weaknesses are and how we should fix them. With a coach who knew how to use the talent that Knight provided, we’d have been a 4 or 5 seed this year.
I can’t wait until we get that coach and see what these Hawks can really do.
For now - CONGRATULATIONS, HAWKS!!! NOW GO BEAT THOSE OVERGROWN LEPRECHAUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Hey doc
I just got in from the RX had to go get some Dr. Scholls Corn Pads!
LMBoobiesO! HA HA HA!
Yea, I am really into that manifesting stuff - Why?
Well - because It Works everytime I do it! I truly believe in that!
Doc, we’re in the PLAYOFFS MAANE! - The Ugly Chick was invited to the party. Now, If she can get a handsome toad to kiss her?
Hell, she may turn into a beautiful PRINCESS! Don’t you believe in MIRACLES? Throw that FORBES magazine away and stop reading them’ trashy magazines -
know, I know - You don’t look at the pictures, You just buy them to read the ARTICLES! LMBoobiesO!
The Dinner & A Movie for tonight is:
Les Miserables
By The South Florida Fan
April 15, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
As citizens of the NBA, it falls on the rest of us to help Save the Sonics! I beg you to please post your team/owner’s information with the following. Thanks!
We Miami Heat fans have put together a proposed plan of action here: http://thesouthfloridafan.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-help-seattle-keep-their-sonics.html
It involves this:
IMPLORE EVERY NBA TEAM BLOG TO POST THE ADDRESS OF THEIR OWNERS. IN ADDITION, LETTERS SHOULD INCLUDE SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
“As a form of protest, we vow to boycott any game next season in which the Oklahoma City Sonics play, whether it be in our arena or watching it on television.”
Spread this around as much as you can. It’s going to take the other teams to prevent this from happening. Let’s save the Sonics!
By drmaryb
April 15, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Save the Sonics? Hell, we can’t even save the HAWKS!
Sorry Buddy, We are too busy tryin’ to figure out how to play Defense!
I was just thinkin’ I we could find a lost HUB-CAP on the side of the road:
(perhaps 285: pick any direction N-S-E-W it really doesn’t even matter - it’s just a big ole’ LOOP anyway)
And, if we could bury it underneath the paint and throw in Mr. Gooligan (Tanya Hardin’s Boyfriend), under the paint too!
Then, when the PROUD-CELTICS come down on offense? Just peel the paint back & let them’ people whack KG on both knees each time he comes in the paint!
Now, that might slow his Green AZZ down long enough for the ROY & J-Smoove to:
BLOCK that SHOT OUTA-HERE!
(as 3-D Scott would say)
If that doesn’t work? Then call that Lady who was suspended for two weeks from the GOLF-TV Network to come in for a Defensive-Consultation!
That - My - Friends would be a start!
By SalimFan
April 15, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
I’m back!! It was great to be in phillips arena again lol. Woody must’ve known I was in tha house b/c salim got plen ty of PT.
I ALSO CONVERTED MY ENTIRE SECTION INTO SALIM LOVERS WITH MY CONSTANT SALIM SHOUT-OUTS. IT ALSO HELPED THAT HE WAS HITTING SHOTS TOO LOL.
Actually the bench played better than the starters. Everytime the starters hit the floor tonight, the lead shrank……..and of course I had a chat with a few of the hawks dancers (luckily a few of them were passing through the teminals at the time I arrived).
By drmaryb
April 16, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Hey SouthFLA
If that doesn’t work? Then maybe we can send them their home boy:
Starvin-Marvin to help turn things around, hell, he has done wonders for the Hawks! Damn near got us in the PLAYOFFS! All by Himself!
By drmaryb
April 16, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
Hey RichBrave
Do I need to dust that old Razor Sharp Nylon (Yeah You Know) Cheetah Thong off - For the PlayOffs?
You Know I only pull it out when the HAWKS lose a very winnable GAME!
Are the Celtics a Winnable - Game?
I Think - Yes!
Copy > Edit > Paste:
My thesis in on the Burning of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania by Confederate forces on July 30, 1864.
MMMMH! very very interesting. I would love the read the ABSTRACT on that thur’!
Do a good job on that! It sounds very intriguing to me & I can see that you are passionate about that, since your Brother & Sister were born there!
Your Grade A++ in my BOOK!
By drmaryb
April 16, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Hey The Loss Tonight in a game where we had nothing to lose & We LOST IT anyway?
That pretty much Packed the Bags for WOODY! So, Clyde or whatever names you are posting under today?
You can PRINT them’ T-Shirts Tonite! Hell, You might the #1 Best seller if you can screen print the:
Billy-Goat refusing THE-HAND!
All you gotta do? Is get the Image of a BIG-OLE’ White Man’s Hand extended & a Sillouhette-sp of a BLack Man Refusing to Shake-It!
BK said,
“I Think I better let it Go - It looks like another LOVE - TKO!” -Teddy P.-
Or maybe BK was thinking:
“I GOTTA SHAKE-IT-OFF” -Mariah C.-
Either way - Your’e Sellin’ T-Shirts!
By Matt
April 16, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to say that we might have our if Horford can do this is a few more times to The Big Ticket!
By kwooden1
April 16, 2008 6:19 AM | Link to this
I didn’t think to much of the game, I just thought Solo and Richardson should have a gotten more minutes. I personally think the only starters that should play tonight are Marvin and Chills (he’s basically a starter) This will keep Bibby and JJ from having to act like their playing hard, and it will rest Horford and JS. (Smith only knows one way to play, so he might get hurt)
As for winning some games against the Celtics, are chances look very slim. First of all most of our guys are young, so the attention they will get in the Playoffs from the media is going to be new and overwelming. They probably won’t play well for the first two games. Next, the Celtics are on a mission to win the title, so they don’t want to drag this series out. Our only really hope would be for our coaching staff to create a really good defensive plan and really prepare our young guys for the pressure. I personally have only seen a somewhat creative defensive plan twice and they clearing aren’t any good at prepare guys to play. So with that said, in my mind the only way for the Hawks to win one game is for the crowd at Phillps for that first home game, to over motivate the starters and they end up shooting lights out. If JJ, Bibby and Marvin shoot lights out and the Celtics are not on, they can definitely win.
Lets start talking new coaches and GMs. Sorry, I know nothing about available GMs, but I will throw-out coaching names. I like Skiles and Carlisle as retreads, but the best thing for the money strapped owners is to hirer a former player. From what everyone says on the blog S. Smith is the man, so that might be a good idea also. The key is getting a good GM and I’m sorry Knight has to go because he hired Woodson and probably wouldn’t work well with another guy that he didn’t hire.
GO HAWKS!!
By ray
April 16, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
Matt, the only problem is that Horford won’t get the call against KG. He didn’t last time, and he won’t in the playoffs. In fact, look for a lot of calls to not go our way. AT ALL.
By JN
April 16, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
The best thing about this team is Mario, and Woody never wants to play him until there’s about 26 seconds left in a quarter. Will he even see action in the playoffs? He brings too much energy to the team to just sit on the bench.
By JN
April 16, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
The best thing about this team is Mario, and Woody never wants to play him until there’s about 26 seconds left in a quarter. Will he even see action in the playoffs? He brings too much energy to the team to just sit on the bench.
By phar71
April 16, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Do any of you know what time today the Playoff schedule will be announced?
By SalimFan
April 16, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
You know an interesting fact about this game is the fact that in 27min salim went 4-8 from beyond he arc (Thats 50% for you non math people).
Acie had 11pts in only 16min. I guess with the pressure off it really helped him do what he does best.
By Raptors fan in TO
April 16, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Congrats on the playoff spot, Hawks fans, from Toronto. Now I hope your team does the rest of the East a favour and beat the Celtics
By I.MUS WRITE
April 16, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
YEAAAAAAAH!!! Playoff Basketball in my city,Now thats what im talking about. Wow 10 years really seems like 20-I like most of you have been here through the Cal Bolders,Ed Gray’s, and Adam Keefe’s.
Itz our time,we deserve it.Finally some nationally televised games. The exposure will be good for us-maybe just maybe some basketball mind will be watching our games and decide that Atlanta is the place despite all the BS going on here.
G-Thang -Here we go again- The Hawks make the playoffs and you continue to hate ….. was’nt that the goal in training camp. You said the Wizards got us in the playoffs -I say ur delusional. I didnt see Butler,Arenas,Jamison or Daniels with ATLANTA on their chest this season so evidently it was our players who went out and got that spot so stop…….
Last night is proof that our bench is very capeable of contributing. Salim looked good last night -I think he needs to come in with chills to provide that offensive spark-When salim is under control he is always productive,dont have a clue why chills is running the point when Bibby’s out. Acie is an enigma- the guy gets to the rim at will and lately has been making good decisions and passes. Thats our coach……. leaves the two back up PG’s on the bench to play Chills out of position which takes away from his productiveness.
Im with N.davenpoop-I khow we probably wont win the series, but as long as its competitive like saturdays game im happy…….
I even read sumwhere that this series might go 6 games -This is’t GS /Dallas from last season -wont go that far but playn competitive ball on a natioal stage is a must . YEAAAAAAH BABY!!!!!! GO HAWKS
By G-thang
April 16, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
jami$$ion and ryder thanks for that update yesterday regardin’ what wizards did against boston to beat them 3-1. i think that we can do the same things. we got some good players, athletic type. the only worries that i have about us against boston series is za-za and our bench production. we need to get salim in there more. don’t be surprised if we win one of those games in boston!!
remember the ’80s olympic team against the russians? remember buster douglas against tyson? remember superbowl 3 when namath predicted an upset? remember golden state last yr? remember the 8th seed nuggets knockin’ off the #1 seed supersonics? all i am sayin’ is that every once in awhile a cat will beat a dog…NBA Where the impossible can happen!!
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Hey Matt, I saw a list of players being considered for 6th man of the year. Chills name was not on it! Sorry! And as far as Al goes, We all know who the REAL ROY is, but Durant will win. Maybe this will serve as motivation for Al this summer. If it does, watch out!
By PaulWarfield
April 16, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Remember last season when Golden State upset the mighty mavericks. Anything is possible. Im not going to sit here and say that Atlanta is going to win the championship, but they are certainly capable of knocking off Boston in the first round. The reason is because Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce have collectively never won anything. All of those guys are lifetime losers. Theyve never won squat. So they dont scare anyone at all. The Hawks are extremely capable of rolling up their sleeves, flexing their muscles and waltzing through this years playoffs ending the tournament as NBA world champions. It is within the realm of possibility. Will it happen, I doubt it, but I am never surprised by anything that happens in sports. Just look at the New York Giants in the NFL. They are not a great team but yet they are world champions. So dont be surprised if the mighty Hawks awaken the sleeping giants in all of them and start believing themselves to be champions of the world. Then go out and put action behind that belief and Im here to tell you ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
It looks like NY is after Mark Jackson. Damm, thats who I wanted in Atlanta!
By Ryder
April 16, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
That’s ok terrell I wanted him to coach Atlanta too but I fear that Woodson will get another year to see what he can do with a full season of Bibby leading the charge.
Atlanta won’t get swept in the Playoff Factory. I believe the Hawks have the blueprint to give the Celtics all they can handle. The real question is do they have the leadership to make it work?
One thing the Celtics better not enjoy this playoff ride too long, because it ends in DC even if they do beat Atlanta! The Wizards are too talented and too smart to fall for the veteran tricks Atlanta may succumb to.
I want the Celtic bandwagon riders to come out and defend THAT ONE!
By Supes
April 16, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Keep driking the Hawks playoff cool-aid. Boston wins in 4.
Billy Knight needs to be fired ASAP, him and his slow cooked oatmeal have cost us years of missing out on the playoffs. If this year saves his job…the Hawks will be dead to me. The ownership needs to look into the mirror and realize how big of a mess they’ve created.
By I.MUS WRITE
April 16, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Nevermind Billy Knight- I just hope Coach X is long gone before the start of training camp. I feel like this expirement has gone on long enough. Surely a .322 winning % over 4 seasons is enough to pull the plug,Only I keep having this dream where Coach X is allowed to stay because of his 1 playoff appearance.
Mark Jackson/Rick Carlisle would have been my frontrunners -but if they are gone there are still competent coaches out there who could mold this team into sumthing special.
By WiltonChamberlain
April 16, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Should Mike Woodsen get fired I think the Hawks should hire Don Nelson as a replacement. Nellie would make this roster fly being the crafty, cagy old veteran coach that he is, Nellie would extract the most out of the current Hawks roster and I believe the Hawks would be a 50+ win team under dandy Don Nelson. Nellie is one of the greatest NBA coaches and players of all times. Billy Knight should contact Don Nelsons agent as soon as the Hawks get clobbered by the Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
By G-thang
April 16, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
imus addressin’ your comment from yesterday, i am a hawks supporter and season ticket holder, but i did not think that the hawks made the playoffs. instead, it was more of what another team did than what we did. if washington had lost, we would not be in the playoffs hunt. we are in, not so much by what we did, but what someone else did WASHINGTON WINNING. i wanted the hawks to fight there way into the playoffs, they coulda done this by beating philly, twice, by beatin’ indy twice (they didnot even have o’neal playin’ the first time they met.) or by beatin’ celts. that would have showed me they fought their way into the playoffs.
but hey, if you want to give atlanta more credit for makin’ the playoffs than givin’ washington credit for “helpin’” us into the playoffs, go right ahead.
i was cheerin’ my azz off for washington durin’ that game, cause i was sure that the hawks could do it out right. I BEAT ALL TRUE HAWKS FANS WERE CHEERING FOR WASHINGTON THAT GAME
By doc
April 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
dr mary b are you implying i stepped on your toes while i was dancing a bit. gee back in my day a proper lady would never accuse her partner of such a thing. heh heh
it is official i have bought into the playoff thing literally. got my strips from leo sloss at 404-878-3800, so give him a call and get some good tix with a bit of personal attention to go along with it. so may you consider me one of the good guys now AJ?
clyde, you going dude?
By A.S.
April 16, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
All I can say is “WE MADE IT!”
There is no reason to start ragging on this team unless something horrible occurs in the playoffs. But they have showed that they can compete with good teams such as Dallas, Boston and Phoenix. They are a bunch of young players who can out run the Celtics veteran team. Lets make it happen!
By MotherTeresa
April 16, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Like Barry Manilow once sung “LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT”!!! Making the playoffs is an absolutely exhilerating feeling for the fans so I cant imagine how the players feel. The Hawks must take this playoff opportunity to give each game 150% on both sides of the basketball; offense and defense. The Hawks should go out with the attitude that they have nothing to lose and just play each game with RECKLESS ABANDON. That will be the recipe for a HUGE upset and advancement on to the second round of the playoffs.
By Jonathan
April 16, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Whose writing these headlines????
When did we beat Boston this season? Preseason?
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Woody, will you please give Mario and Solomon some burn tonight?
By ignition
April 16, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Again I’m proud of my guys these young Hawks, could care less about the coach. I hope he’s gone next year. I’m gonna give Billy a pass cause this roster has talent, and I hope Avery Johnson get fired from Dallas and we pick him up. I feel he would be a great fit for the Hawks, his X’s and O’s plus motivation tactics and with this teams heart should make for success.
By SalimFan
April 16, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Ahhh! A national stage. The perfect oppourtunity for marvin to make everyone around the country shut the H e l l up about the Chris Paul thing. It even annoys me some stupid ESPN colunist wrote something about it jeez.
By Steve T
April 16, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
I have a few things to say about the Hawks. The first thing is Billy Knight has done a good job of finding talents. He may not have hit the bullseye with every pick, but he did not missed the whole target.
I can recall the days when the Hawks should have put names in a hat and they would have had a better draft. Do you remember Jon Konack, Demarr Johnson, Kieth McCloubd, Doug Edwards, etc. I would take Marvin, the Joshes, AH, AC, Salmin, etc over those clowns any day of the week. The only thing this team is missing is a big man and folks, they are hard to find. The Hawks could do well if they can find a Ben Wallace type at center.
The next thing is I have been preaching what AC could do if he got the chance. I know everyone keep crying that we should have gotten Paul, but folks, Paul would not be the same player in Atlanta. It boils down to good coaching. Every saw that AC can get in the paint any time he wants. The problem was he wanted to drive to the basket and finish with his right hand. Now a good coach would teach him to develop other moves. A good coach would teach him to get in the paint and break down the defense. A good coach would use him to break down the defense when the team needs a basket.
The last thing is the Hawks need a new coach.
By SalimFan
April 16, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
I agree Steve T.
By richbrave
April 16, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
HAWKS need some trash mouth action like the WIZARDS are puttin’ on LeBRON and the CAVALIERS. I told you they wanted the Cavs bad. This is going to be a fantastic series IF everyone’s healthy.
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Beantown bound, and cant even blow out a D-League team tonight. What’s up with that? Come on guys, you’re better than that!
By SalimFan
April 16, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Yeah, LeBron was so destracted by stevenson the last time they played. Thats why the cavs lost.
In Gilberts blog he said that angering and destracting LeBron was part of their play to take him out of the game lol. Well it worked Bron bron was so focused on stevenson he forgot to play help defense lol.
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Man, that halftime video just got me crunk!
By makdaddy
April 16, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Every time I see Chris Paul play, I get numerous brain cramps due to thinking about the what ifs, and have suffered numerous concussions due to the persistent banging of my head on my wall.. Atanta Hawks.. number one three in the East.
But besides my rant, I love it that the Hawks made it to the playoffs. I think the Hawks can give the Pistons a lot of trouble due to their length and athleticism, but the Celtics are too good. I hope the Hawks get a game at home though, it’s all for next year.
By cp
April 16, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Nice to see “The Coach” reward Law with zero minutes so far tonight after a good game last night. Did Law try and talk to one of Woodpeckers daughter’s and that the reason he wont give him consistent minutes? The starters look sharp so sit them and let the bench play. It is a meaningless game. Salim came in and played good so what did the coach do, sit him down. Man this guy is a joke. Pachulia still plays no defense. I hope Duck plays some good ball come the playoffs because lately the guy has done nothing.
By richbrave
April 16, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
ryder:
My man, rave on about how the Wizards will take it to the Celtics in round two. A true man of vision.
For myself, I’ll be happy when they shut C. Barkley’s and LeBron’s mouths both at the same time.
Hey, Charles, you better put some of that money on the Wizards IF they all are healthy.
Aw, the Wiz are still pi$$ed about James’ conversation with Arenas on the foul line with the game on the line two years age. And they’ve got it in for the Cavs because they were swept four straight in last year’s playoffs. Its gonna’ be a grudge match.
In tonight’d final regular season game everybody that’s anybody is resting for the Magic and the Wizards. Petcherov, the eleventh man on a ten-man bench for the Wizards has played the entire second half and managed to turn a one point D.C. lead into a fourteen point deficit by the Wiz. with 8 to play in the fourth. I can’t believe he was an actual #1 pick year before last.
Hey, anybody heard from ANDO? I refuse to believe he’s so shallow that he won’t participate in a celebration for the team he loves to hate. He just doesn’t impress me as being that callow.
By FUNK DAT
April 16, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Why the EFF is Law not playin? I just dont understand our coach. Please fire him someone!!!!! Now, our starters are comin in? WTF!!!!! Maybe our starters dont really want to play and wanna rest for the playoffs. Why not play the bench who still want to play hard and prove something. FIRE WOODSON!!!!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 16, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
You know… there are 4 minutes left in the game, the Hawks are probably gonna lose this meaningless game to a team full of D-leaguers, so WHY THE HELL ARE THE STARTERS STILL IN THE GAME????
0 minutes for Acie Law, Solomon Jones, Jeremy Richardson and Mario West.
In hockey, I’ve heard they fire coaches even when they are in first place. With that in mind, I don’t think it would be a bad move to fire Woodson right before the playoffs start.
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Why in the hell is Joe and Bibby going back in the game? And why is Al and Smmove still in the game? And where the hell is Acie? Woody is a freakin IDIOT! They should fire him tonight and not let him coach the Playoffs!
By TheHawksFan
April 16, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Ok Woody WTF??? Keeping em sharp ehh?? Looks like the starters said F_ off about playing an WINNing against the WORSE team in the NBA.Then puts ACIE in 2 mins to go???? You can tell these guys are dog tired plus you know they went straight to the clubs last night when they got to Miami. Woody has over 200 losses so every win does look good I guess. Ending the season on a 3 game losing streak IS not good. A loss to the HEAT???? Against our STARTERS is NOT Good. Playoffs or not.
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Why the hell is our 6th man still in a meaningless game? WTF! It’s really hard to root for my team with that a***** still on the sidelines. I’m really starting to despise Woody.
By kwooden1
April 16, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
I usually would have just ignored this game all together, but I had to blog because I see no playing time for Law!! It looks to me like Woodson is trying to work his eight man line-up and get them ready for the Celtics. I completely disagree with this strategy because they will need another big (Solo), another point (Law) and a bigger shooter than Salim (Richardson) to rest their starters against Boston. Another reason to continue talking about who can be our next coach. Like the the suggestion about Mark Jackson, he’s very good on the play-by-play.
GO HAWKS FANS, that 1st home game at Phillps should be the best. I wish I could be their!!!!!
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
I’m just wondering if we would’ve won this game, if it was do or die? I’m not so sure.
By Mark
April 16, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Hey to whoever may read this: I live in Houston, Texas and attended Texas A & M University where Acie Law played bassketball for 4 years. I like the Atlanta Hawks (they were always my second favorite team from way back because we could see them on cable on TBS in Houston when Fastv Eddie Johnson, Dan Roundtree, Tree, John Drew, D. Wilkins, etc.) and was happy to see Acie get to go play with some up and coming young running talent like Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Horford. Mike Woodson or whomever is in charge of deciding NOT to play Acie is missing out. Acie can do so much for your team. He’s possesses the type of leadership that can’t be taught. I witnessed him live in person win game after game by his own clutch shooting and by making smart decisions on the basketball court. It’s absolutley unbelievable that he isn’t getting to play much. Understandably having a Mike Bibby makes sense…we wanted him with the Rockets. But Acie should be at least giving Bibby resting minutes. It doesn’t even seem like that is happening??? What the hell is up?? Acie is a Very Good point guard, floor general, exciting to watch basketball player and the Hawks are fortunate to have him. He has the “type of leadership” within him which can not be taught!
By FUNK DAT
April 16, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
If Woody’s idea was to have some momentum goin into the playoffs by STILL playin the starters long minutes then I think his plan just backfired. If you really look at it our starters just lost to the Heat without D-Wade or Marion. I’m sure their confidence is sky high for the Celtics. I really am doubting that we make the playoffs if Indiana does not lose. Woodson just doesnt have any clue whatsoever. You know the starters dont want to play, and the bench NEEDS to have some playin time to boost their confidence come playoffs, but what does he do? I dont know what Law did not to get any PT. I STILL cant believe Woody thinks we wont need him come playoffs. The kid can play. Anyway, I know we should squash the negativity since we’re in the playoffs, but it’s just so frustrating to watch this guy coach. I hope he is not back next year. FIRE WOODSON, GOT DAM IT!!!!!
By cp
April 16, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Looking at the score one might think that the bench got plenty of pt tonight and the starters got a night off but that did not happen. Our starters basically got outplayed by a NBDL team. JJ and Bibby looked as if they didnt want to be out there and I cant blame them. The day we are eliminated from the playoffs the front office should fire this so called head coach. The guy is so clueless that its not even funny. But hell I feel like Najeh and terrell, he shouldnt even coach this team during the playoffs. The whole world will get to see what we have suffered through with this clown once the playoffs start.
By hawksfanfordawin
April 16, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Sometimes i feel like i want to beat the pulp out of woodrow. What was he trying to prove seriously…..
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
This guy just put the starters back in with 4 min. left in the 4th quarter, in a freakin meaningless game. Our owners have to be idiots, for allowing this nonsense to go on.
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 16, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Terrell, I think they would have. They lost today because the players wanted to go on the floor, shoot a couple of shots, let the scrubs get the rest of the playing time and chill on the sideline. Woody on the other hand wanted to win this game so it would make his sub-.300 (I think) career winning percentage look slightly better. Damn I can’t stand Woody.
By hawksfanfordawin
April 16, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
I just cant wait for all of the analysists to start saying, what the hell is this clown doing…
By champ
April 16, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Yeah baby! Let’s ride this wave of momentum into the playoffs! Nothing gets you ready like losing 5 of your last 7, and 3 in a row. It must all be in the master plan of that genius Mike Woodson.
By BigXL
April 16, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Steve Smith said that Mike Bibby was actually icing down when Woodson put all of the starters back in with six minutes left in the fourth. Has any coach in 20 years, put their starters back in a meaningless game right before the playoffs? The object tonight should have been to get the bench playing time and to stay healthy. Woodson didn’t know that?!!! This clown should be fired BEFORE the playoffs.
By cp
April 16, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
I still cant believe it. I hope some guys did not lose confidence going into the playoffs because they basically got out played by an NBDL team. What goes on in the mind of this coach. Mike Woodson makes Lon Kruger look like Phil Jackson. The quicker this guy is gone the better. hawksfanfordawin that is what I was saying in my earlier post. The whole world will be going WTF after seeing this guy attempt to coach during the playoffs. If the Woodpecker did not show these last two games, hell the last two years that he does not deserve an extenion then I dont know what it will take to show these owners we need a real coach.
By I Want Woody To Coach The Playoffs
April 16, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Just to see him look like Dr.Evil. That DOME is gonna be shinning. If he wears that Gray suit its a done deal. Thats gonna be some funny sheit. He already paints his hairline in. Whats up with that? You think he looks crazy on the sideline now wait till you see the DOME!! I cant wait!! Poetic Justice for the shiet we have been put through!!
By JN
April 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
The Hawks have a blueprint to beat the Celtics in a playoff match? Is this a plan Woody found inside of a cracker jack box? Is it the same plan he used against the Heat? Woody must go and now!!
By Nate ArchiBALL
April 16, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Woody has got to go. He’s worst than a first year coach at the AAU level. He should apologize to Jones, Richardson, and Law for not playing them early in the third quarter. That game meant nothing and he put his starters at risk by playing them major minutes against one of the worst teams in the league….. Someone please explain Woody’s logic to me.
Go Hawks!!! Thanks for making the playoffs.
By please fire woodson
April 16, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
You have to be freaking kidding me… Mike Woodson might be the only coach in the world to try and beat a 14 win team although his team has their playoff position locked… The sad part is they lost to the sorry Heat and he was trying to win…. It was obviouis to me that the starters did not want to be out there but this genious felt that they should……Instead of getting some minutes for our pg of the future who had just had a good previous game he waits till its 2 minutes left in the game to play him….. Everyone in the world knows Chilldress is better when he is not playing pg but for some reason Mike Woodson does not know that……Everyone knows we will have to use our bench come playoff time but I have a feeling this dumb a* will try and play a 7 man rotation and have Childress at the point…. I thought we could steal one from Boston but tonights coaching display brought me back to reality, we will be swept. With a good coach we at least win 2, with Mike Woodson we might not even be competitive. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THE SUFFERING HAWKS FANS FIRE THIS IDIOT BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS I HAVE NO FAITH WHAT SO EVER IN THIS GUY
By FUNK DAT
April 16, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
I hope the ASG can see that their point guard of the future, AC Law, WILL NOT be ready to take over running this team after next year. Or maybe they plan on spending their “BIG BUCKS” on resigning Bibby to a long term contract along with all our other free agents. I hope they can see that they’re killin the future of this franchise by keepin Woodson as head coach. They cant be content with the way we barely fell into the playoffs. I hope with all my heart that they will fire him after this year. In fact, I’ll be prayin for it until it happens. God help us.
By RB
April 16, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it over and over so I refuse to say it again. I’ll let the comments above try and get the message to this ownership group. I’ll say this, they should have listened to Billy Knight. It’s now to late!
By Steve T
April 16, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
AC could become our version of Sam Cassell. The boy has a rep of hiiting big shots. Any coach worth his salt would use this guy to help win games. AC could be in a good situation because he could learn from Bibby.
I was wondering if we could get Ricky Davis from the heat. The Hawks could use him
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
F*** the end of the year, I want this clown gone today!
By RB
April 16, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
I bet the ASG is shaking in their collective boots at the prospect of having to dig deep and spend money on a coach. Maybe they should just throw the towel onto the courtroom floor and let Belkin be crowned the victor.
By ray
April 16, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Okay, one more ‘gin.
Today In The News
An article stating that Woodson is going bald for the playoffs is not quite what people think it is. In fact, our sources say that Woody’s reason for doing so is completely different. After catching up on his blog reading, he discovered the numerous criticisms aimed at his WAF stance, as well as his dumbfounded look (with or without the mouth open). Some of our agents managed to bug his office (again). One of our recordings was of him talking to himself…while alone in the office. It was then that he had an epiphany….”I’ll shave my head bald!” he thought. “Then the glare of the overhead lights reflecting off of my dome will distract people from the WAF and the scowls/dumfounded looks!” Once again, Blog Crimes Units have uncovered the truth…
You know, Billy going bald would’ve been an even better story. But Billy Knight, sometimes called the Sultan of Soul Glo, and also known as the Afro Ayatollah, just wasn’t having it. Oh well, one can only dream.
This is not how 8th seeds prepare for the playoffs. Getting beat down by the worst team in the NBA with both of it’s best/most talented players on the bench the whole game does very little to promote the idea of a first round upset. I know we’ve already made the playoffs, but a winning mentality is a winning mentality. You don’t build such a mentality by half-stepping your last two games (especially if you’ve won less than 40 anyway).
Mike Woodson never ceases to amaze. Acie Law gets in the game for what…2 or 3 minutes? Why do I feel like that was a parting shot or something? I mean, come on man. We know Boston’s better than us, but you’re going to need a guy like Law. 3 minutes?? Same for Solo and Jeremy Richardson. And West got NOTHING. How about while we’re getting beat by freakin’ Chris Quinn and Daquean Cook, you put in Mario West to seriously slow their roll?! I really don’t want to see us get swept by the Celtics (which could happen), but the silver lining on that little rain cloud would be that Woody is possibly the coach for only 4 more games. I know, I know. Sounds like I’ve got an agenda. Well I would if I had any clout or influence with the organization. But I’m a fan, which means I have no say in anything at all. Just give me your money and be happy with whatever I see fit to throw on the floor! Yep…ASG…gotta love it.
And in other news….hell just froze over for the third time. The devil has got to be p**. So what happened this time? HB Ando was wrong. Yep. Wrong. What was his win prediction? 31-34 wins? 36 wins? Come on people, help me out here. All I know is that it was less than 37 wins, right? RIGHT?? If that doesn’t get him stirred up, nothing will….
And that’s all…for now…
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
I can just hear Bibby now, gettin the young guns ready for Playoff basketball: LETS GO FELLAS! WE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD WATCHING US. AINT NOBODY GIVEN US A CHANCE IN THE WORLD. LETS JUST PLAY LIKE WE KNOW HOW TO PLAY AND GET THIS WIN FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTA. ITS THE WORLD AGAINST US TONIGHT, LETS SHOW EM WHAT WE CAME HERE TO DO. LETS PLAY HARD, LETS BE PHYSICAL, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, LETS HAVE FUN. AND LETS GET THIS VICTORY FOR US, NOT THAT IDIOT OVER THERE THAT CALLS HISSELF A COACH. LETS GET IT FOR US! WIN ON 3. WIN!!!
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I can just hear Bibby now, gettin the young guns ready for Playoff basketball: LETS GO FELLAS! WE GOT THE WHOLE WORLD WATCHING US. AINT NOBODY GIVEN US A CHANCE IN THE WORLD. LETS JUST PLAY LIKE WE KNOW HOW TO PLAY AND GET THIS WIN FOR THE CITY OF ATLANTA. ITS THE WORLD AGAINST US TONIGHT, LETS SHOW EM WHAT WE CAME HERE TO DO. LETS PLAY HARD, LETS BE PHYSICAL, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, LETS HAVE FUN. AND LETS GET THIS VICTORY FOR US, NOT THAT IDIOT OVER THERE THAT CALLS HISSELF A COACH. LETS GET IT FOR US! WIN ON 3. 1,2,3, WIN!!!
By ill take getting swept
April 16, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
I will take getting swept by the Celtics if it means no more Woodson….I don’t think this cat could coach an AND 1 team. I just want to know what pictures of the owners does he have in his vault at home. That is the only explanation I could come up with as to why this guy is still coaching this team…… I thought we had it bad with Kruger and Stotts but this guy here makes me think we would have had a better record with those guys if they had this talent…. You know a guy is a terrible coach if you are playing what if with Kruger and Stotts…. FIRE WOODSON BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS
By terrell barron
April 16, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
13, 26, 30, 37. WOW! If Woody coached next year we might get about 42 wins based on his avg.s. That might get us another 8th seed. And he actually thinks were getting better every year. What a joke! With a good coach we would have more than 42, THIS YEAR! Give me a break!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 17, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
“Afro Ayatollah”
Baaahahahahahhaahahhahahahahahahahahaha
You gotta give Ando some time man… each time you mention his name that’s an extra 10 pages he has to add to his next post.
By SalimFan
April 17, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
D A M M I T T They gave it to Durant!!!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
April 17, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
I don’t think that’s the official NBA award, but after Durant’s 42 point performance today I think he clinched it.
By BA
April 17, 2008 2:36 AM | Link to this
Afro ayatollla? That’s too damn much, Ray! The A.C. Law thing tonight is the most agregious slight I have ever seen a coach commit. This kid came out last night, smelling like the doghouse, and all he did was take it to the hole like freakin’ Tony Parker for ten minutes straight. And tonight? Remember WAY back, before his first injury, Law was a starter! They took this kid number ELEVEN, in what appears to be a very good draft class. This will be Woodson’s undoing. You just can’t deny this ridiculous wasting of good players. I’m no basketball expert, so please, my colleagues, fill me in: has any coach in the history of this league EVER been successful going with a six man rotation? It seems like you’d have to have at least an eight player rotation to take it out of the “cartoon stupid” realm. Whoever overrode Knight on firing Woodson at the break has to be regretting it now.
That having been said, this is by far the best Atlanta basketball season I’ve seen in a LONG time, and these people better pay Smoove and Chills because like my boy Jam$$on says, we have a dynasty brewing down here- and I hope some of you hating Celtics fans see it!
By JM
April 17, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this
Why play the starters 30+ minutes in two consecutive days right before the playoffs? Woody’s an idiot and they are going to get killed.
By JM
April 17, 2008 6:02 AM | Link to this
Why play the starters 30+ minutes in two consecutive days right before the playoffs? Woody’s an idiot and they are going to get killed.
By JM
April 17, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this
Why play the starters 30+ minutes in two consecutive days right before the playoffs? Woody’s an idiot and they are going to get killed.
By htwo0rider
April 17, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Way to roll into the playoffs. Fine performance against the 15 win Heat. I don’t know whats more embarrassing, getting to the playoffs only to get rolled in four games, or not making it again. Why are Atlanta professional sports so horrible? Is there a worse sports city in America? I know, we’ve got the Braves…but are they really going to the World Series! There must be more money in being somewhat competitive, rather than winning it all.
By LarryNitehawk
April 17, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
If the Hawks go out and win this years NBA title will these stupid fans who are slamming the Hawks just shut up! The Hawk bashers are so dumb and misguided about the team and know absolutely nothing about organized NBA basketball. I hope you all realize how lucky the Hawks are to have the great Mike Bibby in uniform. For those who are misinformed about the Hawks do yall realize what the Hawks record would have been if the Hawks had acquired Mike Bibby at the start of this season instead of when the season was 2/3rds finished. The Hawks would have finished with BEST RECORD IN THE NBA had they started the year with Mike Bibby at the controls!! Boston is going to get whipped by the Hawks since the Hawks matchup extremely well with them. The Hawks are at least 8 players deep off of that 12 man roster and if those first 8 players are properly utilized by Mike Woodsen, the Hawks will be able to sweep the Men in Green. HAWKS IN FOUR Go Hawks!!
By Horford Rox
April 19, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
As reported by Horford Rox…
There was a disgusting sound, feel, smell, and taste in the boston area today. No, I didn’t fart. It was the painful reality of an unexpected playoff series defeat at the unlikely hands of the ATLANTA HAWX!
What in the blasphemed name of Larry Legend happened? Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, and too much of THE REAL Rookie of the Year, Al Horford! Those guys dominated our dominating Celtics.
It all started on Sunday, when Horford gave KG an Arn Anderson caliber DDT on the Celtics’ home floor.
The Celtics charged toward ATLANTA’S bench, only to get a nasty beat down from HARRY THE HAWK and former footballer, William “Bill” Goldberg. That was just the beginning of the end of boston’s run atop the east.
ATLANTA would go on to win the series, 4 games to 2 and…
Horford Rox would write/forecast more info regarding the celtics’ demise, but it’s late and he is tired!
If Prince Charming is looking for Cinderella, Atlanta’s foot will fit the shoe!! Go HAWX and BEAT ‘EM UP IF YOU HAVE TO!!
By Horford Rox
April 19, 2008 3:44 AM | Link to this
P.S. I still hate Laimbeer!
By THE GREAT DECODER
April 19, 2008 4:45 AM | Link to this
BA = 74263#1!!!
By StoossyJettuh
August 13, 2008 5:20 AM | Link to this
block spyware
By JohnNOsa
September 1, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
very good
By JohnNOsa
September 1, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
very good