Hawks

By PD

January 14, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

I agree the team is coached like it is a 1-pony show. The rest of the guys are not All-Stars but 2 of your bench were starters once for very good teams. Woody TRUST THE TEAM!

By Paul

January 14, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this

It’s odd. Last year after a nice run late in the year, we came out in the beginning of the new year and stunk it up, and that appears to be happening once again. Really strange. Some things need to happen:

1- As Sekou says, rest Joe.

2- I’ve been on the Smith bandwagon for too long. It HAS to come to a head where he cannot shoot jumpshots at critical time. I understand he has to in order to get better and to open up his drive. But take those within the flow of the offense or not when it’s brutal for the team if you miss.

3- We need to score in the post on post offense, not just be driving. We don’t do much backing up in the post and getting double-teamed. I understand we don’t have someone to do that but someone needs to step up and try. Josh or Al Horford or Marvin probably needs to be the one. We NEED a post game. Right now teams are getting used to how to defend our backcourt jumpshots.

4- Marvin Williams has the skills I feel. Now, he needs to step up and be a consistent 18 point scorer. He is actually better than he was last year but i could be wrong but it seems he scores less. IF MARVIN CAN’T CREATE ON HIS ON WE NEED TO CREATE PLAYS FOR HIM…and not just one time in the game but several times. Right now all teams are doing is attacking Joe and Bibby. A pick n roll with Marvin would be good for his midrange game.

By Sautee

January 14, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this

Sekou

Would you say that it’s related more to too many minutes or to the pressure he’s under in this scheme for the minutes he does play?

By Ron E.

January 14, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

I have a better idea than resting Joe: fire Woodson and bring in a new head coach who can implement a fundamentally sound, basic offense (not anything special just doing the stuff that everybody criticizes the Hawks for not doing after every loss the last few years — moving the ball, pick-and-rolls, playing inside-out, running more plays for Horford, not isolating Joe for 15 seconds, not having Josh Smith heaving 3s with 4 seconds left on the shot clock, etc.).

By Sekou K. Smith

January 14, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

Fantastic question Sautee, I think it’s the mental and physical toll of both. And for a guy who won’t snap and left off steam like most of us, that internal pressure is even greater.

By rms

January 14, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this

Well Sekou, I hope the team packed their Red Bull with them to L.A. because they are going to need it. You think Woodson is going to slow down on Joe? Of course not, that would actually make sense and you know we dont do things around here that makes sense…. Clippers snap losing skid against the Hawks tonite!

By Hawks Fan

January 14, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this

I’m with Ron E. Watching the Hawks on offense is painful. No fluency, no one seems to move around and hustle to get open looks. We just look at ball carrier, take a couple steps, and jack up a shot. Its pathetic to watch. The question has to be raised: Has Woody lost the team, or are we just in a funk right now?

By shrees2

January 14, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this

It was quite apparent that Joe is tired, the starters in general. You could count the # of points Joe, Biddy and Josh had in the 1st quarter on one hand. Josh did get better when he drove the lane, but those long shots at the end of the game was not the way to go. Acie, Flip, Solo and even Morris are fresh and running up and down the court causing those fast break points. Woodson seems afraid to trust the bench to finish the game, however they are the ones putting up the points after the starters dig a hole. Somone on the coaching staff has to notice this before the Hawks end up the # 7 or 8 seed again. Because in case no one has noticed the teams behind them are winning, a four game losing streak in the NBA can be lights out, and the Hawks have come too far to go back now.

By Chea

January 14, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this

Co-sign Sekou on Flip’s crunch-time absence. I just don’t understand why Woody doesn’t watch the game to determine who should be on the floor at the end. The Hawks made their biggest advances by far when Flip was on the court, shouldn’t that clearly lead to him being on the floor the last three minutes?

Also, Josh and Marvin’s value went way up as we kept running and running. We gotta get out and run, the Joe-iso wins are long gone. A system like that will also necessitate Woody using Acie by default. Woody’s gotta make it fun to play the game first and foremost, and everything else will fall in line.

We really gotta stop getting on Smoove like this. He’s absolutely worth that contract if we ran a decent offensive system. Keep hitting him inside, let him polish his touch on shots within five feet, and he will dominate for us.

By rms

January 14, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this

My second statement is this: Why is Marvin closer to the basket when Josh is shooting long jumpshots (especially in critical moments in the game). It seems like it should be the other way around. I would prefer to see Marvin shooting the jumper and Josh underneath or near the basket. Josh is in the wrong place at the wrong times too much. I rather see Marvin hang around the perimeter than Josh. By the way I thought it was pretty ironic for SportsSouth to do a bio on Joe right before the game and then during the game he goes out and lay an egg!! Not a good look!! So much for SuperStar status…

By JMar

January 14, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

I agree about Joe needing a break, but what’s Josh’s excuse?

By HOME GROWN aka E.J.

January 14, 2009 9:15 AM | Link to this

Josh with these jumpshots, whats the deal? He has to drive the basketball and score from the inside. He has to understand that we need him inside and not outside. We have enough shooters from there. Go inside and get the points that we cannot get from anyone else.

I am not blaming anything on him, but like Paul said it kills the offensive rhythm that we try to create.

What can you say about JJ minuets that has not already been said here? What’s the anwser though? Do we take him out of games to give him rest, and risk the loss of production? I guess we are not winning with him on the court so we have to do something.

By kenny

January 14, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

Hawks: Talented but out coached and wrong talent

We do not have another great shooter other than Joe and when he is off we are in trouble. We can not hit simple free throws don’t these guys get paid to play this game (BIG MONEY) We do not have a TRUE center We do not play with energy oh unless we are winning or playing the Celtics We have a few players on the bench that should be starting especially with the way the team is playing now (FLIP) We have guys that think they can shoot (JOSH SMITH) who are dunk/block or bust type players and they shoot all of the time.

Let’s face it the Hawks gave a good run in the beginning but now we are seeing the true Hawks come out. We need to get a true center, 2 more pure shooters, move Josh Smith and Al down to the forward positions, change the name HAWKS to something else (we have never won with this name) and get rid of Woodson. He has won this season because of talent alone and the guys getting more mature not because he has got them there. We can still win just need to make some personell moves.

By Dre

January 14, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this

Sekou; I’ve been waiting for this topic to come up. I’ve been watching the last few games and noticed a change in Joe. I didn’t know if it was he was just tired or frustrated. I’ve watched his reaction when he doesn’t get calls and when his teammates don’t complete plays. Dude just seem out of it. Another thing I noticed at the game Sunday against Philly was the brief exchange between Flip and Josh. They didn’t seem to be getting along. The Hawks are at a critical point, this thing can get out of hand quickly.

By KCC

January 14, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

To get to the grit of it if you want to kill the ants you have to kill the queen. The queen here is Woodson he has completely lost this team and is HOPING his starters bail him out again. I have a starting line up for you:
POINT: Acie SHOOTING: Bibby Small Forward: Joe Johnson Power Forward: FLIP Center: Josh Smith

We can’t rebound as it is, everyone is focused on Joe Johnson like crazy, we need pure shooters on the court. I am sorry but when the ball leaves Josh Smith’s or marvins hands from more than 10 feet away I can only assume the ball is heading the other way. They can not shoot and need to know their roles. WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Does Mike Woodson know the definition of insanity? I love the Hawks but when they play like this I turn off the tv and watch other things which is sad. They get paid millions of dollars to do this so I don’t feel sorry for them it is their freaking job. They will just lose support like the past and will have enough fans at the games to barely fill the upper deck. Get rid of Woodson or the Hawks miss the playoffs someone needs to change this teams swagger and demeanor right now or they will be preaching a Jim Mora ” Playoffs, did you say Playoffs”

By ray

January 14, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

Co-sign everything Chea said. Every bit of it. Right on the money.

By darrell starks

January 14, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

When will WOODY LEARN MAYBE NEVER JOE IS ALREADY WORN OUT AND ITS NOT EVEN HALF WAY THRU THE SEASON THIS WILL CAUSE THE TEAM BIG DIVIDEND. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By sickfan

January 14, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

Smith is an offensive liability at crunch time. He can’t create and he can’t hit an open jumper. Last night he killed us. Joe was off, but he was being covered on every shot. Josh Smith was being left open and he just couldn’t put down the open J. As an NBA player you have to be able to hit the open jumper

By Dan

January 14, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

Chea

I agree that Marvin and Josh played better when the team ran. Josh, however, still settled for way too many jumpers. He had chances to attack the basket several times last night, but pussed out and took a 20-foot jump shot (that he missed, by the way). He ended up with a lot of points (24?), but he could have had even more. That guy drives me nuts. I question if he will ever live up to his contract.

I am not a Marvin Williams fan at all. He was good last night, but still did stupid things. The tech he got for hitting the ball, after his dunk, was stupid. That guy is like a pizza roll: even when it is good, it is still pretty bad…

By STRETCH

January 14, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

Some one needs to take control of this team and fast! Every night its the same thing. These Hawks have lost lots of games by 7 pts or less this year because they cant

1. Shoot free throws.

2. put a big man on the floor.

3. Get the point across to Josh Smith when he’s jacking up shots he hasnt figure out that he cant make yet!

4. Find a coach that knows how to actually coach. I wonder who’s worse, him or Paul Hewitt!

This off-season the guys upstairs better be looking to trade. And man if i were in control i would definetly trade Josh Smith for a bonafide big man. Cause as long as Josh is on the floor he will continue to hurt the team.

How about a lineup of ACIE(1) BIBBY (2), JJ(3) HORFORD (4) CAMBY (5) or whoever they can get! Package Josh and Morris(which is a total waste) and get a big!

By dap01

January 14, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

Our coach does not have a clue on how to utilize our talent.

Our coach is out coached every game.

Our coach knows only one play, give it to Joe.

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

Chea- Good post…. Yall can get on me if u like, but im sorry Josh is a DUMB ball player period. The guy just doesnt get it- 1-8 to start the game, throwing up terrible shots in crunch time, bad/stupid passes…. Dam its hard to support that yung’n Upon further review- i think its 20% coaching and 80% Josh try’n to play above his abilities. Im pretty sure Woody has got on him about firing away like he does but he probably jacks up shots anyway-knowing he wont get benched becuz we dont have an adequate replacement for him…..DAM

I believe if we had say Jerry Sloan coaching here he would design a better offense that allows Josh to play inside and slash to the bucket,but josh would probably still dribble full court for a turnover and continue to jack up shots-the man just is’nt disciplined and itz hurting the team.

R we suprised JJ is’nt scoring like he was …. Give the man a break. He—- gaurds the top guy every night, assists,scores,rebounds etc.. he has to do these things or we are a sub 500 club right now. Im not suprised its starting hurt his game.In my mind Joe is a #2 option on a good team, I could see him and Lebron together -JJ playing wing man- to the tune of 18/6/7 a game., or next to Kobe.

I know Jj is sick of the dumb things that Smoove does and the lack of help he gets on a nightly basis….. 2010 is right around the corner -we better get him sum help before he bolts for greener pastures.

Eddy Curry is a freak i hear -jus with the wrong sexx Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, million dollar guy tyrn to get hand jobs from his driver, thats disgusting - especially when your money can get u all the Magic city dancers you can handle.

By Aggie

January 14, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

**Acie can be the player we thought we drafted when he plays loose

how does a coach get a player to loosen up?

do you do it by benching the player?

do you do it by giving the player garbage minutes (or garbage seconds in the case of Mario West) ?

do you do it by inserting him once the game has been decided?

I don’t know exactly how you can accomplish this but at this point (4 game losing streak) baptism by fire needs to be part of the equation

we are shorthanded due to Horf’s injury and the starters’ fatigue, so there is no better time than now to hand the ball to Acie and let him gain some experience which should result in more confidence and looser play

if Acie knows that he wont be yanked after a turnover or a missed assignment he will play looser

if he knows that the coach trusts him to run the team he will play looser

Acie could wind up being the next Boris Diaw if Woody is not careful**

By Barry

January 14, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

This all comes down to coaching which is managing the ame and your players. It appears this coach sometimes doesnot have a clue to managing the ame and his players during the game which is extending into a season. I see him doing things no differently than he did last year. He has Joe being the one man show even with the additions of quality plaayers to help Joe out on his playing time. His designed plays does not appear to include other players wherein the players are given the freedom to shoot without being pulled fom games by the coach. I believe there may be a need for a new offensive philosophy for this team. I know this should have been done after last season with Woody gone. But the Hawks got lucky and got Bibby who was allowed to actually run the team down the stretch and got the Hawks in the playoff. Our appearance in the playoff was not Woody. It was our acquisition of Bibby who was a veteran coach on the floor at the time. Woodson would not dare to change Bibby’s style of play as he does the rookies he has brought in. And I think that’s a blessing for Bibby. Lucky he was a veteran. But now we have Flip Murray able to help in the backcourt and he is not being given a full opprtunity to spell Joe and Bibby on some given nights: Not to include A.C. Law. This coach is scared as hell of change. And this fear is going to cost him his job. He has to learn who to be creative offensively with all the talented players he has and teach his players how to play physical man to man defense. since I have been watching Woody coach this team, I have nearly every game, even against bad teams, have been close. they never full dominate and route teams. It appears they play to keep from losing than attacking teams and winning. This philosophy “stinks” and has not changed since Woody beens here. This style of play will not win us a championship. And that is what this is all about: winning championship. So how about it. We need a change somewhere to achieve this objective. Therefore, if the coach does not change his philosophy and manaement style, then he must go. The consistancy in seeing this style leads me to believe we cannot win a championship with it.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! This is a SECRET froma HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!

GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

             "SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!"

Ringold

By Joel

January 14, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

Good gosh Josh Smith is killing us. With his skills he ought to be slashing to the basket and dunking and getting fouled constantly. Instead, he wants to take jump shots with what has got to be the ugliest jump shot in the NBA - or close to it. That’s a coaches mistake. Josh could be a nightmare for teams if he stayed around the paint and posted up. And JJ is a great shooter, but he goes to the basket as soft as anyone I’ve ever seen. Offensive scheme is pitiful. Looks like a coach problem to me….

By D Brown

January 14, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

JJ doesn’t need a break, he just needs to open his mouth and break his foot off in somebody. The league has figured out if you stop Joe you stop the Hawks. Why haven’t the Hawks; no body rotates to help out when he’s double teamed, as a matter of fact unless they’re running a play there’s no motion. He’s under contract for one more year and what have we got to show for it …a team that has regained “respectability”. If changes aren’t made soon we won’t have to worry about giving Joe a break because he’ll be gone.

Look at Cleveland there’s no way you can tell me that collection of misfits is better than our roster but yet and still they find ways to win.

By cjizzle

January 14, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

I see the colapse coming again from the top half of the eastern conference to the bottom half of the eastern conference. We had the same colapse around the same time last year!! As usual Woody gives you that same stupid look on his face as if he is clueless. Last night was the fourth game in a row were the team came out flat!!! Woody’s rotation is as bizarre as his coaching style. Acie Law continues to come in and shine and then Woody puts him on the bench for the rest of the night sometimes days at a time!!! This team is too good to go from the top three or four teams to the bottom seven or eight seed!!!!

By Wink from Lithonia

January 14, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this

Give us a BREAK!

Same thing every game, fall behind early, battle back into the game, fall behind again and come up short in the end.

It amazes me how Woody can give credit to the other team for what they accomplished in beating his team, dead on analysis, but he can’t come up with an in game stategy to challenge it.

Joe is tired, but I am tired of watching his game deteoriate, he averaging 14 points/gm over last six. It seems we are back to the experiment of him as a point guard.

Bibby is our only aggressive shooter right now. Josh thinks he is, but he is not capable. Marvin should increase his shot attempts, but Woody is too busy calling iso’s for Joe. Joe does not have the shot first demeanor that Josh has. They should trade their demeanors; team would be better.

As stated earlier on the blog, Josh needs to get his hard hat and camp out in the paint area inside and let Marvin roam the perimeter; Josh needs to understand he is our only low post option at this time.

So with everyone confused about what their roles are on the starting five and a coach who is pushing the pedal on one guy, yes Joe should be tired, but he has to MAN up and admit it to Woody, but really what player does not want his number called!!!

Woody needs to check the production results he is getting and make adjustments. Definition of INSANITY - to keep doing what you have always done, but expecting a different result!!! (See above beginning statement)

By AW

January 14, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

NO Vocal Leadership from Players DRIVES ME CRAZY, Look at timeouts No Venting from Players, Just everyone in the OWN World

By Hawkette

January 14, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

AHHHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHHH! OK, I FEEL BETTER NOW! IT’S THE SAME OLD SAME OLD SINCE JANUARY GOT HERE! THE HAWKS SHOULD NOT BE LOSING THESE GAMES. I’VE TRIED AND TRIED TO GIVE THE COACH THE BENEFIT OF A DOUBT BUT LAST NIGHT HE KEPT FLIP ON THE BENCH WHEN HE CLEARLY WAS THE SPARK THAT MAY HAVE HELPED THE HAWKS WIN THE GAME. AND MARVIN MISSED TWO FREE THROWS THAT WILL HAVE GAVE THE HAWKS A LEAD IN THE END OF THE GAME, I COULD GO ON AND ON! EVERYONE ON THE TEAMS SEEMS TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE BALL THROUGH THE MIDDLE. THEY’RE OBVIOUSLY SCARED TO GET HURT! FEAR IS DESTROYING THE HAWKS CHANCES AT WINNING. A CHANGE MUST COME BECAUSE I AM LOSING MY PATIENCE AS A HAWKS FAN.

IF THE TEAM LOSES AGAINST THE CLIPPERS TONIGHT, I JUST DON’T KNOW IF I’LL BE ABLE TO HANDLE WATCHING THE HAWKS THE ENTIRE SEASON. I AM A FRUSTRATED FAN RIGHT NOW AND JUST CAN’T HANDLE THE ADDED STRESS OF ANOTHER LOSING SEASON FOR THE HAWKS.

By auhf

January 14, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

i don’t recall any news stories about michael jordan being overworked or needing a break from playing all the minutes he played and at the level of play he delivered every night

By Woody...no

January 14, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Ok, here we are at a critical point in the season and everyone has brought up the point…has Woody lost the team? My question is, has Woody ever had this team (believing in him/system)? I know that coach has and is trying to instill a tough minded, defensive basketball team, but is it working? I think that his players tolerate him but don’t honestly buy into him completely (hence Childress leaving & J Smith barely signing). You can be the greatest tactical coach in the league, but if the players don’t 110% buy into your system, you’re toast. I know that Woody has burned his starters, alienated his bench (probably p** them off as well), and HASlost this team. How about Dominque Wilkens as our next coach.

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this

My how easy it is to put this lost on Josh when you look at the last 4 crucial possesion of the game a Josh only took 1 shot (in which i did not like). How critical Josh last jumpshot would have been if Marvin would have made his 2 free throws(which he missed both), Bibby would have hit that contested 3 pt shot or JJ would have made his forced jumpshot. These 3 consective possesion happen prior to Josh jumpshot. And now it’s Josh fault the Hawks lost this game. The same guy who scored 24pts and 10rebs on a poor shooting night. By the way, he was 1-8 in the 1st qtr and 8-14 thur the last 3qtrs. 6-9 from the free throw line in which he miss those 3 free throws in the 1st half. Hawks came back from 19pts down and took the lead with Josh on the floor and JJ on the bench. Not trying to dog JJ but can’t believe Josh is to blame for this lost….

By Hawkette

January 14, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this

Why’s everyone putting all these great comments on here? Go to hawks.com and put these comments on the basketblog. Maybe we’ll see changes then.

AHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHH!AHHHHHHH! I CAN’T TAKE ANOTHER LOSS! I CAN’T BELIEVE I STAYED UP LATE TO WATCH THE HAWKS GET BEAT!

By ksfd

January 14, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this

sekou - the look on johnson’s face was not a tired look, it was a look of disgust at the play of smith and his inability to understand the game of b-ball and take direction from his coach about shot selection and rebounding

By HOME GROWN aka E.J.

January 14, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

Barry is right on with the point that sometimes a coache’s style will not work. Look at Dallas with Avery Johnson. He took them as far as they could go but never won a title. Why, some said that the team lacked defence. No one really said that the offence was the problem. Which ever it was, something was wrong and it didn’t work. Dallas spent the money to bring in different players to try and make things happen, but it never materialized. Our offense is no where close to those teams and our defence was good at the beginning of the season, but has tailed off in the last few weeks. Injuries and lack of energy from extended minuets to the starters. I thought that defence was Woodrow’s specailty? How is that working out for us? At the start of the season, we worked as a TEAM with defence and fresh legs and something to prove. What do we have left? With loses to Boston and Orlando at home (which was our hook that we hung our hat on home court)and then Phili we have been grained. With tired legs and a crumbling belief in the system how much is there? A good coach can see things that are not working and make adjustments, how many adjustments have you seen? Good coaches can raise a player to the level that he needs to fit the scheme that works with the team concept. I think that Woodrow may have taken this team as far as he can. 8th seed 1st round; 7 games.

By Left knee hurts

January 14, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this

Come on Hawks! We need these next 2 West Coast games and get back on the winning street. I tuned in during the 2nd qtr run and was happy the boys made a come back at least.

By yetta

January 14, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

Changing Josh Smith’s position is the coach’s fault. Josh should be under the basket all the time and he wouldn’t be taking jump shots. Seems like Josh Smith is being setup by the coach and teammates. Yes, they will trade him and we will see him do better with the other team; I see it coming.

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this

Melvin,

It’s a common refrain. I have no problem agreeing that he is a big part of this team and that his mistakes hurt us, or that his missed shots hurt us. But can somebody name me a person on the team who’s mistakes or missed shots DON’T hurt us?

If JJ misses shots or turns the ball over, he’s tired. If Josh does, he’s just dumb.

The whole time he was out, people were crying for him to come back (and he did…too early)….just so they could go back to blaming him for losses. And if we win, he gets blamed for making it close. Hah! It doesn’t get any better than that! If he reads this stuff, he’s probably wishing we hadn’t matched Memphis’ offer.

Perhaps if he got hurt again, and was out for 20 games, we could see just how good this team can really be. After all, he woudln’t be around to hurt us so much, right? LOL….

Speaking of which, that was a bad-a$$ foul call on him last night. The picture here on the front page clearly shows he blocked Amare’s shot….all ball. Sucky call…

Another thing. Has it not also been a common refrain that Joe is playing too many minutes? First, we say it. Then Joe says it. Then Sekou says it.

Now WHERE oh WHERE are those arguments about the minutes NOW? NOW people say JJ is tired, now that he’s missing shots and not playing well at all. Where’s somebody at to prove to us that this is a bunch of malarkey, that all is well. Should we change a few things now, or continue to DFWI? Just like I said, as soon as things go south, people start yelling FWI, FWI! Does Woody look like a world beater now? Oh wait, I forgot, it’s the players’ fault. Woody’s been preaching the truth all this time, the players just REFUSE to do the right thing….heh…

By cp

January 14, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

I have to co-sign Wink from Lithonia. Great post…. My problem with Woodson is that no matter what works he will go away from it… Last night Law and Flip were the ones who came in aggressive and cut into the lead.. So instead of going back to them what does he do, brings Flip in to play the point and leave Law on the bench. Last night was one of the few times I have seen Law be the primary ball handler and Flip focus on scoring. It was working well. Most times when they play together Law is forced to give up the ball to Flip which in my opinion makes both guys less effective…Law was getting to the hole and kicking out.. Flip shot was on… Woodson however saw no need to go back to that. He went back to our starting guards who just did not have it last night..If we are not going to use Law just include him in some package and get it over with.

By ray

January 14, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this

Homegrown,

Preach it, brotha.

Yetta,

It’s a possibility. And I’m okay with it from an objective standpoint if it is for assets that make us better. If not, then we’ll hear a thousand complaints about how we should have never let him go….You have to get better when you do these things. Even if it’s a situation where you’re not better this year, but you are much better over the next several years. But that goes for trading anybody in the active rotation.

I’ve asked a million times for someone to come up with an reasonable, viable trade scenario involving Josh Smith. Still haven’t heard one from his greatest and most frequent detractors….or anybody else for that matter.

My favorite is when somebody says “trade him for a starting center.” Hee hee…didn’t know anybody was giving them away…but hey, if you can find that unicorn, then capture it…

By ant banks

January 14, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

If you rest jj, that means that you will have to play other people. woody is tryin’ to keep his job. do you think that he is goin’ to put HIS livelyhood in the hands of some guy named “flip” and “mo”.

woody is goin’ to ride jj til the wheels fall off.

By ProudTechFan

January 14, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

People lets not forget about the Hawks that won 7 of 8 at home in December. Every team has its ups and downs including the good ones. Look at the Celtics, they lost like 5 of 7 but they have margin of error and so do we. Yes we ran into a hot Magic team that is probably the 3rd or 4th best team in the NBA. Injuries to Horford has really hurt and yes Joe seems tired, but this is no different than what every team in the league goes through in an 82 game season. We still had a chance to beat a very good Suns team on the road last night, without an extra 6 fouls from Horford against Shaq, and with Joe not having a good night. He will bounce back and so will the rest of the team. Woody is fine, we have shooters with Bibby, Flip, Evans, and Marvin when he is on. I cant say im not concerned but I think we have a good chance tonight, to get a much needed win on the road against a pretty bad clippers team. We could have easily gotten blown out last night after that awful first quarter, but we never gave up, and I credit that to the coaching staff and the players themselves for putting forth extra effort the rest of the game to at least put themselves in position to win. Lets not abandon them now, they need our support now more than ever, and I for one dont plan to give up on them…

GO HAWKS!!!

By St. Bernard

January 14, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this

How long do we put up with Woody?

We better be calling for Acie, because there is no way that we sign Bibby again. So, we’ll be left in the cellar with JJ making his way out of town the next year. WAKE UP ASG!

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

Auhf…..Micheal Jordan, are you serious? Mike was a freak of nature and head and shoulders above JJ, JJ is good but he’s not Mike.

Lets not forget ,Horace Grant,Scottie Pippen, Rodman…he had a nice cast of players so he didnt have to do everything.

The first 3-4 years in chicago Mike didnt have any legit players so he wuz forced to do everything,but learned that u cant win in this league as a one man show. I wonder when Woddy will learn that .

By darrell starks

January 14, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

Why is it so hard to bring in acie for bibby and play quality minutes I DONT UNDESTAND HE GIVE YOU better defense at the point he penatrate better than bibby and HE RUN THE FAST BREAK QUICKER WHATS THE ANSWER WOODY? GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Ramon

January 14, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this

Ray I think they want Sund to trade Smooth for Brad Miller or Dalembert (maybe even Curry, lol). If scouts are noticing that the backcourts dominates the ball for 80% of the game, why wouldn’t we expect Smooth to be as frustrated with it as some of us bloggers are. Bibby doesn’t push the ball as much as he did once before. I can imagine Smooth (and Horford) feels the pressure to make plays happen at moments. And if you we could subtract the shot attempts Smooth has taken this season with less than 5 seconds on the shot clock (or quarter), I’m sure his percentage would increase around 5%.

Woody says that the bench can play longer when the team starts building some nice leads. And JJ says he needs rest. However, both of them are the main reasons why the leads don’t build up. Just as much as Woody, JJ seems to love the half court offense. His actions would lead anyone to think so, as many times as he is the one that slows down the pace (even before Bibby came). But all evidence points to the Hawks building their largest leads when they’re running. However, the head coach and captain seems to stray away from this constantly. The ONLY undersized team I’ve ever seen to have good success without more than half court sets were the 90s Miami Heat teams. But the difference is those teams were build for defense. We have a team build for running and offense. Yet, we’re watching horrible reenactments of the Bad Boys. Its like have a thoroughbred but only letting him plow.

By O'brien

January 14, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

JJ played 42 minutes last night, shooting 4-21. How effective will he be tonight? (Second game of a back to back, and the Warriors like to run).

To echo what somebody else said: After the game, Woody can always tell you what the other team did right, so why is he unable to make adjustments during the game? And when he does make adjustments, it’s too late.

Has there ever been a game where you felt like the other team was out coached by Woody?

I hope the Hawks win these next 2 games. But a change has to be made. Either a new coach, a new offensive scheme, change the rotation, play the bench at crunch time…something’s gotta happen.

By Ramon

January 14, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

I.Mus Sorry man, but Mike had Oakley in his Oak’s best days. That is hardly ‘not having any legit players.’ Mike also had a way better coach than the Hawks have lol. By the way, in his early years, Mike shot WORSE than Smooth percentage wise. And MJ is my 2nd fave player all time (Pippen 1st).

By Ramon

January 14, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

12:32 post having

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

Come on Melvin…. Get off that mans nutz, if u cant see where he is hurting the team then u never will. No body said he was the single reason we lost the game, but he is more to blame than anyone else.

After 5 dam years when is he gonna get it togetha and know his strengths and weaknesses….these things happen in the first or second year…

Marvin may not be as agressive as Smoove but he doesnt kill us with stupid plays. He should be the one roaming the perimeter looking for the spot up j. Not only was he 1-8 but shooting airballs and all kind of silly shyt, Go ahead and tell us how good an athlete/ shot blocker he is, yada yada yada- I would take a cerebral player any day over a super athletic player with no type of bball IQ.

I said this on the last blog …If he isnt playing defense,guarding the rim/altering shots then what good is he to the team …we dont need his broken azz j. Horford is blocking more shots this year than Smoove. That man is a walking turnover- I thought this year would be different…boi wuz I wrong

Can we get a Bogut for Smoove deal going, Bedrinis,Boozer,Bosh -(healthy Booz) any of these guys will do….

By Mick

January 14, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

Come on Rick Sund. Enough already, PLEASE STOP THE BLEEDING NOW. FIRE WOODY NOW!!!

By Ben

January 14, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

mike Woodson needs to be FIRED for all this garbage going on. Every single !@#$ing game, we can already expect we’ll be down 17-6 before Woodson even calls a timeout. When was the last time we got off to a 10-0 start, and the other team had to call a timeout? This team is not built for a playoff run. We are not that good—recognize it people. Woodson cannot motivate our players. How is he still a coach? I actually have supported this clown, but he obviously does not want his job the way he’s been coaching 1) where is the defense? defense stinks 2) WHY do our bench players sometimes explode and then they get benched at the end? Woodson just has to put the starters in at the end, even if Flip Murray has 40 points in 1 quarter. You can always expect Marvin to be in at the end of games, regardless of if Flip or Mo are playing well. 3) Why the hell does Acie Law get pulled after he had some nice minutes yesterday? Where was he in the 2nd half? 4) If Joe is so tired, then TELL WOODSON. Don’t just rot on the court and take awful 3 pointers. 5) Why does Randolph Morris not play more? he has had 1 bad game this year out of the 3 or 4 he’s been in. He shut down Toronto early in the year, he is freaking huge, and he had 4 boards in 6 minutes yesterday with Shaq on him. What the heck does 120 pounds Solomon Jones do? 6) Does BIbby do anything for our team if his random 3 pointers don’t go in? FIRE MIKE WOODSON AND FREAKING TRADE MARVIN FOR A REAL SMALL FORWARD—NOT SOME AWKWARD SF WHO CANT HIT FREE THROWS AT THE END, WHO DOESN’T FORCE JACK!@#$ ON OFFENSE

By Chip

January 14, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

Woodson is just horrible and gets no better. The Hawks obviously have some talent, but Woodson hasn’t a clue as to molding them into an offense. He’s run the best player into the ground by not developing a smart substitution plan. If the players on the bench are not capable of 10-15 minutes a game, find some journeymen or d-league types who are. Mostly, GET A COACH!

By Chea

January 14, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this

I would take a cerebral player any day over a super athletic player with no type of bball IQ.

Sigh.

1. It is nonsense to imply that Josh Smith has no bball IQ, and
2. It is equally horrendous to imply that Marvin has more.
3. Being a “good athlete” is in no way equivalent to being a “shot blocker”. It takes basketball instincts to block shots.

No body said he was the single reason we lost the game, but he is more to blame than anyone else.

Not even close. Woody and JJ were much, much more responsible; an objective viewer could come to no other conclusion. Concluding that Smoove was the reason we lost above all reflects a desire to believe Smoove is the root of our problems.

You also should look up Najeh’s post on all of the so-called “athletes” who are nowhere NEAR as good as Josh Smith. He’s got what it takes to play this game and be the x-factor for the Hawks. If you are committed to believing otherwise, go ahead.

By terrell barron

January 14, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

Sekou, you’re just beating a dead drum. JJ will play at least 40 min vs. the Clippers tonight. Josh Smith will continue to shoot jumpshots. Solo and Acie will continue to ride the pine. We’ll more than likely lose our 5th straight. Eric Gordon and Al Thornton will have their best games of the year. And Miami will probably move ahead of us in the standings by next week. Bank on it!!!! And btw, I would’nt be suprised if the Bobcats took over the 3rd spot in the div. in a few weeks. They’re 15-24 and playing a lot better. We’re 22-15 and playing a lot worse.

By Chip

January 14, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this

Josh needs coaching. He didn’t get 3 or 4 years of college training in the fundamentals of bb. His playground style is exciting, but he simply doesn’t understand “team”. His shot selection is very questionable, yet he has shown that he can make extraordinary passes when he thinks of it. He needs a coach, as does Marvin. Bibby knows the game, he is just in the twilight of his career and the wheels are not there anymore. Joe is exhausted from overplay. Horford has been coached before, in college, so if Woody doesn’t ruin him, he will be ok. WOODSON HAS TO GO! if these talented guys are to jell into a playoff calibre team.

By jhan

January 14, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

ray - how about trading Josh & Chidress to GS for Bedriens & a 1st round pick. Re-sign Marvin & Bibby, move Horford to PF.

New starting line-up: Bibby, JJ, Marvin, Horford & Bedriens.

Bench: Flip, Mo, RandMo, Law, Solo, ZaZa, & 2 picks.

Both Josh’s would flourish in a system like that.
We would finally have a balanced squad.

I don’t know if this makes us better or just more balanced.

By terrell barron

January 14, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

JJ just has’nt looked like himself lately. I dont know if it’s from too many min, or if he’s just tired of playing for Woodrow? Maybe Flip introduced him to the purp? Idk? Something’s definitely going on there. Just kidding Flip. I think?

By Ben

January 14, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this

**our next 6 games are against the CLIPPERS, GSW, Toronto, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Then we play PHX, Miami, NYK, the Nets, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Charlotte, LAC, and WASHINGTON.

THIS IS THE MOST WINNABLE STRETCH OF GAMES I’VE EVER SEEN. The only games we SHOULD lose are PHX, NJN ( they own us), and maybe one of the Milwaukee games. GET IT DONE**

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

Imus, I did said that I didn’t agree with Josh decision to take that last jumpshot. However, the point I was making was the prior 3 possesion before his last shot was just as crucial to the game as him missing that last jumpshot. They were down 3 pts before Josh’s attempt, if you go back to when Marvin missed him free throws the Hawks either had the lead or could have tie the game. Follow by 2 more empty possession down the floor (Bibby & JJ ill advised shots) in which Phx had score each of their possessions. But just like Ray said, it’s a double edge sword when it comes to Josh….

By ray

January 14, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

LOL! @ IMUS…

You can always tell when IMUS is either getting annoyed or thinking he might be losing an argument. Away goes the cohesive thought process and out comes the “jock”, “crotch, “nuts” comments, everytime, I swear! IMUS, you got problems, yo…LOL…but you’re straight crackin’ me up.

Jhan,

I like the last part you said: “I don’t know if this makes us better or just more balanced.”

Me either, although you can pretty much guarantee the last part. Hey, Biedrins is a center, Al is a PF, the rest takes care of itself. More balanced? Gotta be. We wouldn’t be hurting on the boards, either, and our lineup would have good size. I have to say that as much as I like Josh, that’s a deal worth looking at. Especially since Golden State has a good shot at getting a decent first round pick. Of course, keeping Woody around may not help the situation, and you have to wonder just what Sund would do with that pick.

Chea,

Good points again, my man. I couldn’t agree more. I also think that we need more than just a great X-factor, though. We need more size. And we need to play to our strengths. Can Woody help the last part? So far, the answer has been “no.” The ability to flex and adjust during games is not something I’m seeing. What I am seeing is incredible hindsight after each game. But then, each of us seems to have that….

Ramon,

Looks like you found some key contrasting points. JJ needs rest, but Woody says he’ll play the bench when the starters begin getting big leads. Yeah, keep up with that idea and we’ll be 22-22 before we know it. By the way, I’d take Miller before Curry, and I don’t want Miller, lol….

O’Brien,

That one question about Woody is so damn scary I can’t read it a second time. In Woody’s defense (did I really just use that phrase?), I’d say he was on top of things in that first game against Toronto, where he quickly put JJ on Calderon (and subsequently Bibby on the non-lethal Anthony Parker) as a defensive adjustment. As for any other time, I’m pleading the 5th amendment…

Terrell,

I really do hope it’s not as bad as all that, but we do have to pay close attention to the Clippers youngsters. Thornton destroyed us last year, and Gordon has serious talent. Dude has no problem dropping 20 or 30 points on you quick. Something has to right this ship. Something…

Having said all that, we still have a winning record. In the past, we would be looking at being further away from a .500 record, while trying to get to that level. And here we sit, still 7 games above it, despite a 4 game losing streak. It could always be worse, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

By HOME GROWN aka E.J.

January 14, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this

Ben I wanted to know the upcoming schedule and you are right. It is time to step it up and get another winning streak going. Toronto and Chicago might pose a problem for us as well, shoot man all these teams may have a chance if we keep playing like this!

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 2:59 PM | Link to this

Chea- Josh has BBALL Iq its just really low. Stop putting words in my mouth also…I never said Marvin has a higher bBall IQ- I said he doesnt kill us by making dumb decisions- Marvin knows his role and stays within it.

Maybe we saw 2 different games on tue night. Woody as a coach is average at best we all know that- How is this loss more on him than the players ….he didnt shoot,rebound,block a shot or play defense at all last nite …He is the same person that people were calling COY during our 6-0 start.

JJ is just overworked and needs the team to step up…..Every player goes thru a slump or has bad shooting nights -it doesnt help that he has to put up 20+ points for us to have a shot at winning—- When you are the best player on your team and you have to work like a pack mule then of course the production is gonna dip

I dont have to look up anything Najeh wrote- he cant even decide if he’s black or white….LOL Jus kiddn Poop

90% of the time I agree with his posts which is more than i can say for u. For the record im not anti Josh, I think he is a talented player but once again when is the light gonna come on. In 5 years if he continues to play this way and doesnt really improve,sum of yall will be saying the same shyt….. He sure is an athlete, he sure can dunk…..f******* outta here

Ramon - Mike had Oakley who was a solid player -but his main job was playing Defense and rebounding he didnt develope his jumper until late in his career,so basicly he was for Mike what Horford is for JJ…. Come on man- rodd higging,sidney greene,randolph waiters,brad sellers is that your idea of help, Orlando wooldridge was the best of that bunch during the early years and he was just okay to me. Jordan didnt start sharing the ball til Pip and Grant came in.

Totally different scenario here…..We have good players already and we dont need Josh for his offensive ability-unless its within the flow of the offense. Mike had very little to work with and had to be the man, which he was capable of as we all know. I cant believe im even entertaining the idea of Josh vs Mj offensively…… Im gonna stop here that is so rediculous

By AtlFlavor

January 14, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

Hawks need to get back to TEAM DEFENSE. Teams are avg 10 threes a game against us. 36 in the last 4. There has been no perimeter D at all. Hopefully that wont be the case tonight against the Clips who shoot 29% from deep. Joe can get a break but its going to have to be ON THE COURT. Put West out there with him and Bibby for the 1st 5mins let him work on the perimeter D. He played well last year in the games he started. Bring Marvin in before the end of the 1st with Flip and Mo Acie and Solo. Morris and Hunter can fill in the gaps. Al is out Joe running on fumes Marvin hurting lost last 4, you gotta try something. Just get a W. A win cures ALL.

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

Melvin….I hear you man -I just get so frustrated with josh becuz i know he has it in him to be a 20/10 type guy i just wish he would tone it down and stop trying to do so much. Work within the offense, give the ball to a guard on the break, slow down with the silly passes etc…….

Excuse me for the Nutz comment- I was having a moment at work, sumone wuz really working my nerves and i just happen to be reading ur post -coulda been directed at anyone.

Lose an argument ….there are no winners and losers here just opinions and speculation

Ray- Come on officer friendly stop being an instegator, yall know i get crazy from time to time. Wait a minute how are u blogging didnt i just see you in Dunkin Donuts????? My bad must have been one of your brothers in blue.

As a matter of a fact you are blogging quite often -Dam it -iz this where my tax dollars are going?…. HAHAHA

By The Hawksta

January 14, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this

Man there is some serious mudslingin going on today fellas! SEKOU struck a main artery!

It’s amazing how once again JOSH dominates a blog written about JOE!

I think the common denominator amongst the post today and in the past is that we’ve all complained big time about Woody not using his bench. I spoke about Woody coaching for his job in early December. Boy how the chickens come home to roost! Joe’s tired and we are three time zones away from home. Man, how’s he gonna feel when they get back?

This is the only thing I’d like to know about Josh when it comes to his game? Has Woody ever sat down and reviewed tape of his play? Someone has to gage his feel for the game and where his mind is at. That’s the only way you might connect with this kid. The tape don’t lie. His vision is good. It’s his decision making that’s questionable. This has to be done with every player really.

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this

Its all good IMUS. I’m just waiting on you to turn back into the 007 (can’t remember the name Ray gave you) and get us some inside info on the team. Hopefully a trade or personel change. Any thing would do right now. Oh well, I hope the Hawks come out and play with the same energy they did last nite in the 2nd,3rd & 4th qtrs against the Clips tonite and Warriors later this week… Ok, according to Ben schedule of the next 14 games. If we could go 12-2 or 11-3 i think that would put us right back in the mix of the 4th and close to the 3rd playoffs spot….

By Dan

January 14, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this

Melvin

Stop it. Don’t try and defend Josh Smith. He took several poor shots last night. He refuses to drive to the basket, and 9 times out of 10 will simply settle for a jump shot he can’t make. Josh is one of our highest paid players. He has to perform to that level. He doesn’t.

I agree that there were other factors that contributed to the loss last night, but Josh Smith killed this team with poor shot selection. He finished with 24 points. He should have scored at least 10 more points if he would just attack the rim. The guy is a million dollar talent with a 2-cent brain.

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this

Terrell B- u might be on to sumthing there…..1:32pm post-we keep calling for different but it remains the same…DAM

Melvin- I forgot all about that LOL… I think it wuz super spy or sumthing like that. I keep my ears open so if i hear anything u know im passing it on.

Lately Ive only seen bench players but I did get to chat with Thomas dimitroff about 2 weeks ago, i was picking him for everything i could get….. All i got wuz that they were gonna focus on Defense this year…I was like come on homie give me more i read that in the AJC LOL….

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

Where u at CHEA? ….are you gonna tell Dan that he’s off as well…. go ahead- throw those rocks and hide you hands

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this

Dan, it’s not so much about defending Josh. It’s more about how the team missed opportunities to pull off a win last nite. My point is that you can’t contribute that lost to 1 person or 1 possession.

By Sautee

January 14, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this

Dan

About this: “Josh is one of our highest paid players. He has to perform to that level. He doesn’t.”

No question Josh didn’t play his best game but if you’re gonna go by production versus contract, maybe you should look at Joe and Bibby who make considerably more than Josh and certainly by any measure performed worse against the Suns.

You really seem to have it in for Josh. If performance vs. pay is your measuring stick then be fair and criticize the higher paid players too. They underperformed even more egregiously than Josh.

By Rocky

January 14, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this

JJ needs to go to the basket more often and draw some fouls

By happyhawk

January 14, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this

i’m just curious will you guys consider trading —

horford tor aldridge? marvin for fernandez? zaza for pryzibilla?

By jhan

January 14, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this

Rocky - my guess is JJ gets fouled in the lane at least 10 times every game. The problem is he only gets the call 3 times. I’m not sure why he has to be completely hacked for the refs to call a foul against him. The man is the Rodney Dangerfield of the NBA.

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this

Who’s throwing those rocks….heh,heh

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this

HappyHawk, I would like to have Aldridge. I’m a little curious as to how he would defend at the 5… After 2nd thought, give me Aldridge. His offensive game would overshawdow his ability to defend at the 5 anyway. Besides, how many people can stop the great low post players such D.Howard, Duncan, KG, Shaq and Yao.

By one66soul

January 14, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this

Hawks are in the lead for NBATV Fan Night next tues. Go Vote.

http://www.nba.com/FanNight/

By I .MUS WRITE

January 14, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this

H Hawk -I would do all of those except the Zaza for Pryz.

By O'brien

January 14, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this

As much as I love JJ (he is our best player) but the Hawks need a leader on the floor (Bibby is not the Bibby of old). We need someone who will bring Josh over and say, drive to the hole next time. Someone who will huddle guys together before a free throw to give advice. Someone who will light a fire under somebody’s a$$ when they keep messing up.

I know that JJ is the silent assasin, but we dont get much from the head coach, so I really wish JJ would speak up more.

By ray

January 14, 2009 5:45 PM | Link to this

Dan,

True. Josh is getting paid good damn money, and we need him to come through. He shot 9-22 and ended up with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

JJ makes more than Josh does and did far worse. Same with Bibby, who’s making around $5 million more than Josh this season. He did worse, too. You gonna get on their case now, or just stick with Josh? Just askin’….

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 5:53 PM | Link to this

Looking at tonight’s game, the Clippers are probably gonna be missing 3 of their top 4 players. Most of their scoring is gonna come from Eric Gordon and Al Thornton, and although both are talented neither one is all that efficient. This game is very winnable if the Hawks a) stick to defensive fundamentals and don’t let the Clippers get to the basket and draw fouls, and b) box out Marcus Camby. If Gordon and Thornton are jacking up jumpshots all day and the Hawks box out and rebound well, even a below average offensive effort from the Hawks will probably be enough to win.

By Ramon

January 14, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this

The way many of you hate on Smash would made someone think he slept with your wives, mothers, and/or both.

By #21=Top 50,1stBallot

January 14, 2009 6:07 PM | Link to this

Longtime no post, so few things to cover:

Joe-With regards to Joe and the lack of foul calls, I was watching the game on league pass and a few games ago (think it was the 1st Magic game) one of the announcers brought up an interesting point: Joe drives to the hoop an pretty often, but he contorts his body seemingly in order to avoid contact/block instead of taking the contact and drawing the foul. Countless times before (and since still) I have seen Joe head to the rack and jump all around drawing minimal contact- a foul no less, but apparently not enough to get a call. I thought it was his lack of respect as a superstar, but it seems just to be his playing style. Look at guys like D Harris, Maggette, Kevin Martin (before past two seasons)- they all get to the line a ton because they either embrace contact or overhype the foul. Joe’s taciturn nature as a player prevents him from doing that and hence doesn’t get a lot of the calls. This is an extension of the lack of “leadership” people seem to be commenting on. For all his skill ability, Joe just doesnt command presence. I’m still riding for him, unabashedly, but he could be more demonstrative.

Smoov- Something is amiss, there can be no other explaination. He is not playing the maniacal on ball defense he displayed before the ankle injury, nor is he challenging shots, nor does he seem to be as explosive (save the couple of adrenline addled posterizers he produces every 4 games or so). That said however people need to put it in perspective that his FG% is actually higher than at any point in his career- while his PPG are steadily rising despite a dip in REB’s. I’m not excusing his oft ill-advised hoists, but with the fact above mentioned, he could only be getting but so many put backs. I’m guessing however he is not 100% either in health or confidence with his ankle- much the way we are about his 18+ft jumpers. Part of what contributes to them however is a longstanding problem of offensive structure- or lack thereof. It would be in the Hawks best interest to motion the wings more. This would accomplish three things: 1. keep Smoov from floating around the top of the perimeter as the play clock winds(making him less an outlet for a failed iso-Joe) 2. have at least one of our athletic wings more apt to crash the boards to capitalize on their hops in lieu of pure bulk 3. this would capitalize on the excellent passing ability of our guard’s and center. But alas, Woody still running the show….

Duck- Love the 3pt dimension and hope he keeps pluggin away at it because it really does a lot for the squad if he can stretch the court laterally. He’s also playing much improved on ball defense. As for a most on this blog though, he needs to be in attack mode more often. His attempts are down, but his minutes are up; that means he (as someone put it earlier) “knows his role”. The problem is that he isnt the type to break out of that as much as we need him to in order to spread around the scoring burden. He has to step up his aggression in order to score more in order to salvage the nights where Joe is off.

Still much basketball to be played. Seasons- much like games- are subject to runs, just gotta keep winning the one’s we should on the road and protect home court. To do this we need health and to develop the bench. Already flying much higher than in season’s past, but the air is even better the higher we….

RISE UP!

RISE UP

By ray

January 14, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this

IMUS,

Heh, heh. I can’t let you know the secrets. Trust me, I work plenty of long hours, but I find creative ways to stay in touch. Although, chances are if I’m posting a mile a minute, I’m not at work. Though there are exceptions, heh heh heh!

What, me instigate? You know, the difference between investigation and instigation is really rather minor in some ways, hee hee!

Jeez, 10:30? Do you think they could play any later?? I have to be up at 0430, suited and booted, ready for duty! I think me and the DVR might have a date….maybe…

By SirReal

January 14, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

I agree. Joe Johnson looks BEAT! Thats what high expectations will do. i feel sorry for these guys sometimes. ( many would argue how when they are rich or whatever) People, these guys are bounds to heavy sums of $ and hence they are pretty much slaves to the contract. They rarely get to truly enjoy the $ they make. They are off for what 2 months before having to go back to training etc. Not to mention all the obligations they must have. ( Endorsements, going to see kids, etc) Its actually a miserable life for some of them. It looks like ATL is pushing Joe too hard and asking too much of him.The man has skillz but he is only human. PEOPLE, THESE ATHLETES ARE STILL HUMAN BEINGS!!

By The Truth

January 14, 2009 7:06 PM | Link to this

So many great points made on this topic. You guys are stealing my thunder. It’s Ok, however, I guess I’m also becoming like JJ as Sekou suggested, “I NEED A BREAK”. The difference which is a knock against JJ is that this blogging is volunteer work while JJ is getting paid. Ticket holders do not appreciate players taking nights off because they need a break. JJ message maybe, “AS A SUPERSTAR THAT I BELIEVE I AM, I NEED TO BE PAMPERED BECAUSE I’M NOT GETTING LOVE FROM THE REF”. Also, 101 coaching should learn the concept of time management which is why the problem is caused in the first place. Enough said.

By Dan

January 14, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this

Ray

I won’t get on Joe. I’ve watched that guy carry this team on his shoulders several times since he has been a Hawk. Plus, factor in that Woodson tries to kill him by never resting him and I give a pass.

Josh Smith just disappears too often. He has been a nonfactor too much this year. He was brutal on Sunday afternoon, for instance. He was totally lost on D. And, once again, decided it was OK to shoot missed jumper after missed jumper. How much longer do we have to wait for this guy to grow up?

By JR

January 14, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this

Just in case you weren’t watchingn the Orlando games and the last debacle in Phoenix notice the size of the centers. Dwight Howard is a force we don’t have an answer to. Shaq is Shaq. Need I say it. WE NEED A BONA FIDE CENTER. Unless we are draining 3’s we’re cooked. JR

By Mac-Town

January 14, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this

Hey, Josh Smith’s shot selection is dunks, layups….or either deep jump shots…….can someone tell me why coaches and himself have not tried to concentrate on short/mid range jumpers? He would be more deadly if he were able to do that, instead of trying to pull those deep balls. That way when he attempts to drive people would have to respect not only his ability to finish at the rim….but also his mid-ranged shot. He needs to be more worried about that then shooting 3s

By Mac-Town

January 14, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this

About joe, its simple, he needs rest. We need another ABOVE AVERAGE scoring guard OR a DECENT/GOOD scoring big man to ease some of the load off joe (and bibby)…I’m glad to see some people waking up to the cancer that is josh smith though

By Mac-Town

January 14, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

Here’s the thing with me, …I dont think we’re as good as we think we are. Why is our record so good? We have been lights out from 3…and we have played pretty good D for the most part. Those are our recipes for winning, besides that when it come to “executing” on offense…and coaching…we’re a big FAIL. The problem now is that the good D is slipping as far as consistency is concerned and also that we have no legit big man.

By cp

January 14, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this

Didn’T the Clippers beat us once last year with only 8 dressed players? The way we are playing I wouldn’t look past anyone right now.

By The Truth

January 14, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this

I wonder how the Hawks would feel if us ticketing paying fans decide we needed a break too and stayed home instead of witnessing the loses at the home games. The way we are playing lately, this may actually happen. The expectation is for ATL to support their Hawks regardless of their performance. I guess the “I need a break” does not apply to us. However, since JJ didn’t exactly say “I need a break” and just speculation on Sekou’s part, perhaps I need to cut him some slack. I hope we win tonight so we can turn this negative page. If not, the beat goes on.

By Dan

January 14, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this

Is anyone planning on staying up late tonight to watch this game?

I’m probably going to DVR. Can’t justify staying up late to watch another loss. And, I am totally convinced the Hawks will lose tonight. Hate to say it, but that is how I see it. GS will be a loss on Friday, too.

.500 here we come!!

By E. G.

January 14, 2009 9:34 PM | Link to this

FIRE WOODY THE WOOD PECKER AND USE ONE OF THE ASSISTANT COACHES AS AN INTERIM COACH.

WOODY DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO COACH, AND JS MUST BE WOODY’S SON BECAUSE HE MAKES BAD DECISIONS JUST LIKE WOODY (LOL).

By E. G.

January 14, 2009 9:39 PM | Link to this

THE DISEASE IS SPREADING: WOODY CAN’T COACH; THEREFORE, JOSH SMITH CAN’T PLAY (LOL). WOODY IS SHAKY; THEREFORE, JOSH SMITH IS SHAKY (LOL.

GET RID OF THE DISEASE, AND JOSH SMITH WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL.

WOODY’S COACHING HAS GOTTEN WORSE EVERY YEAR, AND JOSH SMITH’S DECISION MAKING HAS GOTTEN WORSE EVERY YEAR.

GET RID OF WOODY (THE PLAGUE), AND THE JOSH’S MENTAL DISEASE WILL DISAPPEAR.

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this

We got another gift from the Pistons tonite. They lost to the Pacers. Now only if the Bucks can beat the Heat and we take care of business against the Clippers….

By The Hawksta

January 14, 2009 9:48 PM | Link to this

I’ll be up tonight! Going into work late in the morning. Had a fender bender on Thanksgiving, finally got the repairs done. Gotta pick up the ride tomorrow:) Been driving a Saturn for 3 days now(lol)! Nothing like driving your own!

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this

Detroit lost again tonight. As bad as the Hawks have been recently, I still think this is a team that is capable of making the second round — but ONLY if they have home court in the first round. In order to do so they have to take advantages of opportunities like this one created by Detroit, which has now lost 3 straight and as of right now is tied for fourth with the Hawks.

By richbrave

January 14, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this

doc:

CRITTER’s assist to turnover ratio is 3-1, 18 assists to 6 turnovers. I think that’s pretty good so far.

By RLP

January 14, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this

I have been watching the Lakers and Spurs game. What fun. I especially liked it when the Lakers went on a little run and Pop called two time outs in the span of less than two minutes to get his team straightened out. As the announcers said it did not appear that the coach was very happy with Duncan. It takes a special coach to call out his main man AND for that main man to respond positively. It is sooo much fun to watch teams that know how to play offense. I also watched in amazement as the Spurs back-up guard looked exactly like Parker weaving though traffic. I do not know if the Hawks will finish fourth or to all the way out of the playoffs but I do know they are not yet in the elites. And I don’t think it is the lack of talent as much as the coaching. But then again how many teams are so well coached? Other than the true elite teams I mean.

By Ben

January 14, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this

WOW NICE JOB AIRBALLING A 3 FOOT HOOK SHOT JOSH. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS THE DREAM SHAKE AND YOU’LL BE THE GREATEST BIG MAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 10:53 PM | Link to this

“But then again how many teams are so well coached? Other than the true elite teams I mean.”

Very good point — there are a lot more good players than there are good coaches. It doesn’t take an elite coach to contend for an NBA title — see the Cavaliers — but it takes a good one, and Woody is average at best.

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this

so i guess the idea of Solo starting got scratched…? kinda like coach said he was going to find some mins. for his bench…

at the end of the day Woody will talk a good game but remain predictable…

Notice when good offensive teams play, there is constant movement. watch us and the clips, guys are just standing around observing.. not putting themselves in position to score or swing the ball… that, and poor floor spacing is one of the reasons we settle for contestant jumpers..

By Fritz

January 14, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this

I.Mus is calling it right. Smoov just doesn’t have a high basketball IQ. And to repeat what I’ve said before he doesn’t appear to be coachable.

An observation from last night’s game. Acie finally plays during the first half and helps spark a comeback. You’d think he’d get a run in the second half, wouldn’t you? Doesn’t play a minute? What’s with that?

Watching the game tonight - could be the worst exhibition of shooting on the part of both teams that I’ve ever seen in an NBA game. 4-4 at the 6 minute mark. Starters just not playing with any flow. Do you think Woody might try another combination - give Acie a chance, or ANYONE?? I just don’t understand what gives with his substitution patterns? Could be he just doesn’t have a feel for the game.

By Dan

January 14, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this

Their is A law doing his thing, missing an easy layup.

By Dan

January 14, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this

Joe didn’t even try to shoot a half court shot. Perhaps he is worried about his shooting percentage? Thats not how a real leader is supposed to play.

By Dan

January 14, 2009 11:10 PM | Link to this

What A. Law making a three? i can’t believe it!!!

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this

Whew that was ugly 1st qtr of basketball for bith teams… Sekou, I guess Mike Woodson doesn’t read your blog. He sub for JJ in the 1st qtr only to put him back in the game in the last 2 mins of the 4th qtr.

By ES

January 14, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this

I had an additional take on why Joe Johnson’s production has slowed down so much recently. You have to think Woody’s substitution patters are a part of it.

My favorite quote of the Clips’ broadcast: “This Atlanta second unit would struggle beating a D League team.” How’s that for an objective take on the Hawks second team…

http://thedirtychronicles.com

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:11 PM | Link to this

with adequate game experience Acie is the 2nd coming of Tony Parker….

By Chea

January 14, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this

Dunleavy v. Woodson: Who will accentuate their team’s weaknesses better?

Eric Gordon should take half their shots today, and not just because he’s on my fantasy team.

Let’s leave Acie in too. I am impressed with how he is playing. He’s has the right to pout given his unfairly low PT, but I don’t see anything but focus from him.

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this

by the way… savor it while u can, cause coach will find a way to bury him on the bench come 2nd half…

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:17 PM | Link to this

Dan,

And, once again, decided it was OK to shoot missed jumper after missed jumper. How much longer do we have to wait for this guy to grow up?

Man, I understand what you’re saying outside of the above comments. You act like the man knows he’s going to miss the shot, or intends to miss it. You’ve got to be kidding me. What about all the missed jumpers Bibby and JJ had? It was ok for them to decide to take one “missed jumper” after another? Come on man, guys don’t shoot with the idea in mind that they are going to miss. It would make more sense just to say that he took one ill-advised jumper after another. To insinuate that dude knows he can’t hit a shot (which isn’t true), but takes it intentionally anyway is just plain nuts….

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:19 PM | Link to this

why dont we try… Law-1 Bibby-2 Joe-3 Josh-4 Al/ZaZa/Solo-5

1st man off the bench Marvin, out there with flip, marvin doesnt demand the ball so he and flip will be aight…

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this

My goodness. Even the Clips get more respect from the refs than the Hawks…

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this

Najeh,

You up too, eh? I couldn’t resist. Had to watch. At least til halftime.

Yeah, there goes Acie Law, doing his thing, making a 3 pointer. I see our backcourt is finally starting to warm up just a hair, after going 4-12 to start the game.

Dunleavy vs. Woodson. Oh, the matchup is just scintillating…yawn…

At least Woody has gone to the bench early. Smart move, but he won’t go back to them, especially if they play well. Then again, miracles do happen every now and again.

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:30 PM | Link to this

Did I just see Josh go behind the back, coast-to-coast, and finish with the layup, despite being slapped on the way to the rim (no foul called)?

Way to go dummy!

Let’s see if he can come up with any more dumb plays…

By The Hawksta

January 14, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this

(lol)! I’m up too! Need some excitement thanks Joe! Now go dunk on somebody!

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this

Flip is the biggest ball hog ive ever seen… he will intercept a pass to get his shot off…

We are NOT a half court team… point blank period, not the strength of THIS roster…

We are a better offensive team with ACIE at point, dont bench Bibby just put them both on the floor… we double all the time anyway if opponents try to post Bibby up on the defensive end..

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:36 PM | Link to this

Good to see Marvin throw that short little jump hook. Good to see Dummy helping Zaza out on the boards.

Good to see Joe choking the life out of Thornton on the defensive end. Thornton must think Joe has a vendetta against him. Dude will not let him breathe…I love it.

By The Hawksta

January 14, 2009 11:36 PM | Link to this

Nique might say this game is over before half time

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this

Yeah haha, I’m probably gonna be up for a while…

So far the Hawks have done one thing well, which is limiting the Clippers to jumpshots and mostly keeping them away from the rim. The Clippers are only shooting 28% which is a big reason why the Hawks are up.

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:38 PM | Link to this

bigdave,

You damn straight. We’re not a halfcourt team. If you can get that memo to Woody, we’ll take up a blog donation for you.

Hawksta, whassup?!

By Fritz

January 14, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this

The half’s almost over and were up 11 with Smoove on the line for a free throw. Seems like this is the perfect game to give our starting five a rest. The Clippers have to be the worst team in the NBA. If Woody can’t trust the bench with big minutes in the second half we have to question his judgement (even more than we already question his judgement). We’ll see what happens in the second half.

Let’s hope he give JJ a breather! Wow, he only played JJ 19 minutes in the first half. Heaven help us if he rides him for another 40+ minutes tonight.

By Melvin

January 14, 2009 11:42 PM | Link to this

Ray, did you throw that rock….

By cp

January 14, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Law will be rewarded with minutes in the second half… If he gets a respectable jumper I think he will be a good pg. Its clear that he can get past anyone to get to the hoop, he just has to finish better. Its an ugly game but at least they are winning…. Camby would look great on this team. The Clippers got him for a bargain.

By ray

January 14, 2009 11:48 PM | Link to this

Fritz,

Expect it. I’m just sayin’….

Najeh,

I’m with ya man. I’m going to be a bear at work tomorrow though. Gotta get up at 4:30…yecchh…

And what is up with people buggin’ about you not being able to decide if you’re black or white? Last I looked, there was more than just the two races on this planet, but maybe I missed the memo, LOL!

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:49 PM | Link to this

STEP ON THEIR THROATS HAWKS…!!!

By Dan

January 14, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this

Ditto that CP. I think Camby would’ve been a great addition to deal with the hawk’s inside issues.

By The Hawksta

January 14, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this

Sup Ray guest you can hit the sack now. That 4am wake up time is no joke! I wake up at that time every morning look at the clock and go back to sleep… never fails. That military time never left me. Who says we Air Force guys have it made(lol)!

Najeh, Mel, BigDave what’s happenin! Think I’ll watch the rest in bed.

FREE ACIE

By bigdave

January 14, 2009 11:54 PM | Link to this

RAY, LET ME GET THAT IN WRITING AND NOTARIZED…

YA KNOW, IVE NEVER BASHED WOODY ACTUALLY LIKED HIM B/C OF HIS BELIEF IN DEFENSE, AND OUR PLAYERS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER; BUT YA KNOW HONESTLY THESE ARE NOT HIS TYPE PLAYERS… PERIOD… HE WAS NOT THE BEST HIRE FOR THE TALENT WE HAVE BROUGHT IN AND DRAFTED..

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 11:56 PM | Link to this

I’m with cp… Camby would be a great fit for the Hawks. Amazing that the Nuggets let him go for essentially nothing.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this

“And what is up with people buggin’ about you not being able to decide if you’re black or white? Last I looked, there was more than just the two races on this planet, but maybe I missed the memo, LOL!”

Haha it’s all good, it’s all funny to me.

By Ben

January 14, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith is officially the worst passer in the NBA. The dude has no passing IQ. He cannot see any passing lines, does not anticipate—how many more times is he gonna throw some !@#%$!#@^% bounce pass to the other team? Grow the hell up you idiot

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this

PEEP JOE’S REACTION TO JOSHE’S “50 FT. BOUNCE PASS”

MIKE DUNLEAVY = MIKE WOODSON

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:02 AM | Link to this

I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF THIS GAME ENDS UP CLOSE…

By rms

January 15, 2009 12:04 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? As bad as the Clippers are playing right now we are just as bad? We aint even good enough to put them away. Thats just how bad we are. Look at the score.

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this

Damn Ben that was kind of mean, the man is going to make some mistakes he’s only 23 years old. This team is still one of the youngest teams in the NBA. I think that once we get back to winning then things on this blog would be alittle better..

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this

WHAT IT DO HAWKSTA!! JOSH SMITH IS ACTUALLY AN UNDERRATED PASSER…

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this

MARCUS CAMBY HIP CHECKED JOSH RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REF TO PREVENT HIM FROM GETTING THE LOOSE BALL AND THERE WAS NO CALL…

By Dan

January 15, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are trying to cough up another one.

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:11 AM | Link to this

COACH BARKING AT BIBBY, YET LIKE I SAID, HE BURIED ACIE ON THE BENCH… HE JUST DOESNT USE HIM IN THE 2ND HALF WHEN HE SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIS SPEED…

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:15 AM | Link to this

Melvin,

Who me?

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 12:17 AM | Link to this

Bigdave I saw that also, and I was like can you just push someone like that….

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:18 AM | Link to this

I thought this was the Atlanta Hawks, not the Atlanta Dangerfields. No respect, man…none…

I started up the stairs, then changed my mind. Had to watch just 5 more minutes. Sure enough, we’re letting them get right back in it. We’re getting burned by Mardy freakin’ Collins. Mardy Collins??!

This is ridiculous. We better win this game. If we don’t, out come the jackals.

By cp

January 15, 2009 12:20 AM | Link to this

Woodson is going to play Flip at the point regardless of the situation.

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:23 AM | Link to this

Ray, I hate to say you’re right, but it looks like there will be no Acie sighting in the second half and that JJ will put in another 40 minutes. Unbelievable.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 15, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this

Holy sh-t… Solomon Jones just got posterized!

By cp

January 15, 2009 12:26 AM | Link to this

Wow@that Thornton dunk. Solo has just been youtubed.

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this

YOWZERRS!!! (SHAGGY’S VOICE)

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this

Way to play “D” Marvin, just have a seat….on the floor…

Poor Solo…got posterized by Thornton after he got away from his man.

Somebody please take those headphones away from Dominique. Look, just give him some fake ones that look like they’re connected, but really aren’t. He won’t know the difference, I swear…

By cp

January 15, 2009 12:27 AM | Link to this

If I was Law I would just take my shower at halftime and take a cap to the airport so I could get to the next destination. It’s not like he plays in the second half anyway.

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:30 AM | Link to this

Fritz,

It’s not like I want to be right, either. But it’s as predictable as thunder right after lightning….

It’s good to see us trying to run and trap guys. Too bad it’s not always working. Thornton is heating up…

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:33 AM | Link to this

Heh. Flip’s shooting good tonight, but damn. 26 minutes and counting….almost as many as Bibby. Meanwhile Acie is trying to borrow a pair of tweezers from somebody in the crowd so he can pick those splinters out of his a$$.

By cp

January 15, 2009 12:35 AM | Link to this

I meant cab… When Josh plays under control as he has tonight he is so much more effective.

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:36 AM | Link to this

CP, it’s funny and sad all at the same time. You’re right though.

Good to see JJ getting back in the groove. He’s had a pretty good game tonight. I realize we’re only up by 10, but damn, give the man a breather.

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:37 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable the Clippers are within 7!

It looks like three years ago right now.

By Ben

January 15, 2009 12:38 AM | Link to this

Once again, we take the hard route for beating this p**-willy team, which has Fred Jones and Skinner playing major minutes. I swear, Smoove puts up decent numbers but really isn’t good. His boneheaded passes and lack of shotblocking really are p** me off. We will lose to Golden State if we play like this garbage

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this

The only thing that’s saving us is that Mike Dunleavy is “outcoaching” the Woodman!

Have you ever in your life seen an 8 second violation?

By rms

January 15, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this

I agree ray. Dominique is awful. He makes me wanna put on the mute button. Yes cp AC law should just go take a shower after halftime since he aint playing again. what does Woodson think when leaves his backup pg on the bench and brings in a sg to replace his starting pg. ????Huh???

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this

Up 14 with 2:53 left. Will Woody take JJ out?

By Ben

January 15, 2009 12:42 AM | Link to this

omg we have a bench player in at the end of the game! great game duck. 11 points. that sure will help us out in the long run, seeing that this was “supposed to be your breakout year”. oh wait, every year is your breakout year

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this

2:53 left and JJ’s played over 37 minutes.

If we can’t give JJ a rest against the Clips, when will he ever get a rest?

By rms

January 15, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this

Ray LOL, come on man its too late to laughing like this man!! LOL AC would probably rather stand up since his butt is so sore. HA HA

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this

CRAZY HUH RAY..

FLIP ONLY HITS THAT SHYT CAUSE HE COULD CARE LESS IF IT WENT IN OR NOT….

JOSH TRYING TO SHOW KEE KEE WHY THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE AN OFFER TO HIM… MINUS THE FIRST GM AGAINST PHILLY AND WELL DIDNT SEE THE ONE LAST WEEK JOSH HAS PERFORMED WELL AGAINST LAST SUMMERS POTENTIAL SUITORS…

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:46 AM | Link to this

TO BE HONEST JOSH COULD PUT BIG NUMBERS UP EVERY NIGHT IF HE HITS HIS 15 FOOTER WITH REGULARITY, COACH DOESNT COMPLAIN, B/C HE NEEDS HIM TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT SHOT…

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:47 AM | Link to this

1:21 IN THE GAME WHY ARENT THE STARTERS OUT? THATS POOR COACHING!!!!!

FLIP NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION IN THE HUDDLE…

By Mike

January 15, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this

57.1 seconds left . we are by 14 and joe is still in the game.

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this

JOE ANOTHER FFFF…IN 40 MINS..

HE’LL NEVER PUT UP 40 PTS CAUSE HE PLAYING 40 MINS A NIGHT…

I WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF HE WANTS OUT OF THE CITY CAUSE WE PUTTING MILES ON HIM…

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 12:50 AM | Link to this

Up 13 with 1:20 left and Woody calls time out. I think he’s calling time out to get JJ out of the game and give him a rest. BUT NO!

He keeps him in until 51.7 seconds left - Dominique says he’s played over 40 minutes tonight - More than any other player on the team! I ask you - did we really need him that much tonight against the Clippers. I think I’ve lost all hope that this will ever change.

Oh, RAY - we were wrong! Acie got in the for the last 51.7 seconds. What a joke, but I’m not laughing.

By ray

January 15, 2009 12:51 AM | Link to this

Whew, got that one in the bag.

JJ and JSmith got their games on tonight.

Play of the night: Your choice. I have two- Smith with the steal and jam…or…Law to O. Hunter for the bucket.

Peace. Going to bed and take this nap before I get up and go to work. G’night Hawks fans…

By Dan

January 15, 2009 12:54 AM | Link to this

Joe could add at least 10 points to his average if he would drive looking to get fouled and make his free-throws, instead of just driving and trying to make every difficult shot go in. Isn’t that obvious?

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 15, 2009 12:54 AM | Link to this

That was at best a B- game from the Hawks, but that’s good enough to beat a doormat. If nothing else, it’s nice to see an acceptable defensive effort all game.

By bigdave

January 15, 2009 12:57 AM | Link to this

GRATEFUL FOR THE WIN, BUT THE DEFENSE WASNT AS GREAT AS THEY’RE MAKING IT SEEM.. CLIPS JUST DONT HAVE OUTSIDE SCORING TO SHOOT US OUT THE GYM…

By cp

January 15, 2009 12:57 AM | Link to this

Yea ray it is funny and sad.. I was picturing Law getting dressed in street clothes and calling a cab while Woodson gave his uninspired speech…. Thornton plays the way I wish Marvin would. Thornton was pretty much getting his grown man on against everyone in the second half… We won but we struggled at times.. A healthy Clipp team could be dangerous…Collins was abusing Bibby the whole time Bibby was in.. I thought Collins was trash before tonight but the guy is decent… Gordon is going to be very good in a few years… The Clipps are better than their record shows.. They are missing a lot of key guys but still play hard.. I read where they were thinking about moving Camby but I don’t know if we have anything they would want in return…Well a win is a win.

By Dan

January 15, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with you, Najeh.

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this

We needed this win, I know that it was not pretty…. but we won and that’s all that matters…. Joe just want to win and that’s what we did tonight so why is everyone complaining. So what Joe played 40 minutes, Wilt played like that every game for years. We’re eight over 500 and this is still along season so let’s see what happens.. We win and we still cry

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this

We needed this win, I know that it was not pretty…. but we won and that’s all that matters…. Joe just want to win and that’s what we did tonight so why is everyone complaining. So what Joe played 40 minutes, Wilt played like that every game for years. We’re eight over 500 and this is still along season so let’s see what happens.. We win and we still cry

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 15, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this

“Joe could add at least 10 points to his average if he would drive looking to get fouled and make his free-throws, instead of just driving and trying to make every difficult shot go in.”

I agree with that to an extent. What separates Joe from the league’s true superstars is the lack of the extra gear athletically to let him blow by people and hang in the air and draw contact near the rim. So in that respect it’s not as easy for him to will himself to the free throw line the way a Kobe, Wade or LeBron might. Joe is and will always be a below-the-rim player. That said, you’re right that the way he goes about finishing near the hoop doesn’t put him in a position to get fouled. Sure, he hits those floaters and off-balance shots close in more often than not, but he’s not gonna get fouled on those as often. It would be nice to see him switch it up some when he gets near the hoop.

“Thornton plays the way I wish Marvin would. Thornton was pretty much getting his grown man on against everyone in the second half”

Co-sign every word of that. The inability to “get his grown man on” is why Marvin is still a role player and nowhere near the star nearly everyone thought he would be when he got drafted.

By Fritz

January 15, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this

Macaroni Tony,

We cry because we want to win against the better teams, not just beat the hapless Clippers who can’t shoot. We cry because we know that we will never get to the next level unless we have a solid dependable bench, and a team offensive strategy that allows us to adapt and adjust during the game. We cry because we know it’s a long season and that long minutes wear even the best athlete down. We cry because we feel we now have the talent and athleticism to win, and know if can be managed better.

Wilt was unique - he could play every minute of every game. Not only was he a once-in-a-lifetime physical specimen, but he played in an era when the game wasn’t as fast or competitive.

By Ed

January 15, 2009 1:25 AM | Link to this

Woody’s coaching is so erratic that it has stymied the development of this team. Marvin has shown some improvement, Bibby is playing better than he has in years, but none of the other players has shown significant strides from last year. Plus, as an overall team, the Hawks have regressed tremendously since their 6-0 start. The only way the Hawks are able to play really well is when they bring playoff intensity to a game that their opponent doesn’t. When they play teams that are really up for them they rarely win.

By E. G.

January 15, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this

Hey MACARONI TONI

Wilt was not a point guard or shooting guard like Joe Johnson, so he did not have to move around alot on the defensive end or offensive end.

You wonder why we are hard on Josh Smith: He’s 23 but he is not playing smart after five years of NBA ball, although he did play smart tonight, but that’s only because he played an opponent against who he always does well because of the size of the players (light weighs).

I bet year after year you will be telling us “he’s only 24”, “he’s only 25”, “he’s only 26”, “he’s only 27”, ad nauseum.

By Sautee

January 15, 2009 8:12 AM | Link to this

new blog up

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this

No I have followed the Hawks for over 20 years for the good years at the Omni and the bad years at Phillps. If you look at JS last seven games, he’s been playing like the 20+ player a game player that we like. If we can get other players around him going with his energy then we will win more games. I agree that Woody does not play his bench right but I can not do anything about it from this point… Go Hawks

We are still off to the best season in years…. I think that the record should be alot better with our talent, but we will have to over come this together….

By Macaroni Tony

January 15, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

We’re mad that JJ played 40+ minutes but what about Crawford playing 60+ minutes.. Dang that’s alot…