Hawks

By CB

January 25, 2009 8:00 PM | Link to this

As I watch these Hawks I, for one, am really impressed. All this without Al Hortford and Bibby having a bad night.

A question for Sekou, after reading the recent article about CHildress…where would he fit on this team…ahead of Flip or Mo Evans…I do not think so….your thoughts

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this

From the previous blog…

I’ve been watching this whole game and I had no idea the Suns were shooting 60% until I just saw the box score. Weird… I thought the Hawks had been playing much better defense than that.

If fouls per minute was a category in fantasy basketball, Louis Amundson and Randolph Morris would go #1 and #2.

Josh Smith has played like an MVP tonight. I know he was matched up against Amare most of the game, whose defense I have criticized on many occasions, but he has displayed a pretty nice array of post moves when he’s gotten a chance, and his decision making has been great.

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

I will loose all respect for mike woodson if he plays mike Bibby in the fourth quater. There is just no reason to play him tonight. He’s cold, ice cold either put in Joe or Acie Law.

I like Mike just as much as the next guy, but obviously, he doesn’t need to be on the floor tonight.

~Sir Links A Lot~

By ray

January 25, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this

From the previous blog….

I’ll leave the caps off and say that I came off the couch like a madman when JJ drove and passed to Josh for the “holy crap, he did it again” jam…

Josh is playing so well right now. I love it.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this

Organic growth is harder, both on a fan base (that has to put up with years of losing as we all know very well) and on a GM (who has to evaluate college players instead of players who have proven themselves in the NBA). But the guns for hire model is harder on an ownership, who has to be convinced to spend big bucks on costly veterans. I don’t think one way or another is necessarily better… as happy as the Celtics should be now with the guns for hire method, I won’t be surprised in a few years if the Al Jefferson-led T’Wolves and the Kevin Durant-led Thunder are among the Western Conference elite while the C’s are struggling to find a big man to replace the retired or declined KG.

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this

AYE… U GUYS… THIS IS A HELL OF A GAME…!!!

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this

GOOD D SOLO GOOD D…

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this

Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, on cue, have both started playing terrible in the last 5 minutes. Bad decisions and missed opportunities all around. The Suns are not playing all that great right now, and if the Hawks executed well the last few minutes they would be leading right now.

By Melvin

January 25, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this

Look like fatigue has finally caught up with us in the 4th. 2 mins left and down 4. Can the Hawks reach deep and pulled this one out….

By Sekou K. Smith

January 25, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this

I’m sure there’s a place for a player like Josh Childress on this team (not that he’ll be on this team this season or anything) CB. But he was able to blend in and play a vital role in each of his four seasons here, I don’t know that it would be hard to make room for him now. He’s a 6-8 slasher that knows this system and is a splendid athlete. I’m sure he’d find his way easily.

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this

BIG SHAQ IS RECKING HAVOC…

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this

YA KNOW… I HATE TO PLAY THIS CARD… AND I DONT KNOW HOW HEALTHY HE IS BUT ACIE WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE HERE TO PENETRATE THIS D…

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this

BIBBY CANT DEFEND SHYT…

By Sekou K. Smith

January 25, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this

A five minute scoring drought in crunch time is a recipe for a certain loss. Bibby and Joe kept going to their bread and butter, that screen game on the wing, and kept coming up empty.

By ROLLINS TREE

January 25, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this

WOODSON = LOSER = FIRE HIM = WIN!!!!!!!!!!

By Melvin

January 25, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this

Did Nash get away with a crab dribble or what… after they call a walk on Josh on the other end… my goosh..

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this

……I blame Mike Bibby for playing like crap today. If Acie were playing Shaq would already be on the bench fouled out. If his shot is off he’s useless. Acie should have played this game. Acie is the reason we came back in pheonix earlier this season.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this

In the immortal words of Jim Mora Sr., we gave them the frickin’ game. Better execution down the stretch would have locked this game up for the Hawks.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this

Agreed on J-Chill. Any time a guy can make significant contributions off the ball, he will find a way to fit in to any system. J-Chill’s biggest impact comes when he crashes the boards and makes so-called hustle plays, and any team can use that off the bench.

By Melvin

January 25, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this

Dang this was a winable game. We have to regroup for the Heat tomorrow…

By ray

January 25, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this

ARRGGHH.

Another dropped game to the Suns, this time at home. Costly missed shots by Bibby (off nearly the entire game), Josh, and JJ. That’s right. JJ.

That and a few botched defensive assignments. Still, it was a very competitive game. What bugs me is the fact that we got away from what was working in the first half and early third quarter. And Stoudamire finally got his game on in the second half, albeit somewhat quietly until that one shot towards the end.

Encouraging to see us competing that well with Bibby not playing well, and Joe having a good/bad game.

Discouraging to see Smith trying jumpers at crucial moments (though they did get away from feeding him in the post and on cuts to the basket), Joe again throwing some bad passes and forcing too many shots, and Bibby just having an off game.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this

As for the unnamed person quoted in the above blog, no the Suns are not significantly better than the Hawks. More talented, yeah, but their team chemistry is nowhere near what the Hawks have.

This Houston-Detroit game on ESPN has been really good down the stretch.

By ray

January 25, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this

Despite some good minutes from Solo, we really are missing Horford, as was apparent. So too, were the Suns missing Stoudamire until he started playing better. Even then, we should have won that game.

By pinoy hawk

January 25, 2009 8:50 PM | Link to this

Can’t blame bibby for the loss. Just a bad shooting night for him. Unlike JJ who has been awful for the last 3 or 4 games. Bottomline bad coaching by woody. He panics in these situations

By ayar

January 25, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this

Does anyone want to reconsider their “Joe Johnson is a superstar vote.” As much as I like Joe, he simply isn’t consistent enough to be in the superstar category. How many layups did he miss tonight?

By cp

January 25, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this

This was a game they should have won… Nique was brutal on the mic.. Bibby was brutal the whole game on both ends of the court…. Joe and Josh were brutal in crunch time…Marvin still disappears at times….. I don’t like when Flip is playing at the point but it was obvious to everyone that it just wasn’t Bibby’s night so instead of bringing Flip back in he left him on the bench. Flip was actually having a good game scoring the ball and we went ice cold in crunch time..I dont know what it is about January but Joe does not play well during this particular month…..I

By Sautee

January 25, 2009 8:52 PM | Link to this

I just HATE losing a home game that was eminently winnable. I hope this one doesn’t haunt us down the road.

By ray

January 25, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this

Agreed, Najeh. I think Josh was tired, which led to the jumpers. But it’s still a bad decision. Joe missing shots in close…I have no explanation for that. Maybe he was tired, too. But the bad passes? WTF??

By cp

January 25, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this

If there is any truth to the rumor this past summer that we could have acquired Barbosa for Chillz then Sund dropped the ball on that one.

By 404atlhoops

January 25, 2009 8:54 PM | Link to this

What is it with the Hawks missing uncontested layups? Do they have something against dunking the ball? First it was Mike Bibby and tonight it was Joe Johnson. That was a huge miss by Joe after he got the rebound from Marvin’s blocked shot on the fastbreak. It look as if the Hawks were going on a little run midway through the fourth quarter. I thought Josh Smith had a good game.

By Melvin

January 25, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this

Bibby was ineffective tonite. Woody should have put Flip back in the game… Yep, he’s going to live and die by his starting backcourt….

By ray

January 25, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this

Gotta give Josh credit for the bulk of the game though- 19 and 12 against Stoudamire and Shaq. Nothing to sniff at. Too bad some bad plays down the stretch undermined that, and I can’t emphasize enough that we got away from getting him the ball where he was hurting the Suns…

As for JJ, he was having a Jason Kidd-like night despite the bad shooting, until he too, made several bad plays down the stretch.

Najeh, yeah, that’s me you hear, echoing you…

By O'brien

January 25, 2009 8:56 PM | Link to this

How many games have we lost because we stop moving the ball around? Instead, we stand around and watch JJ do his thing. And just like I predicted, JJ got his fair share of shots, but he went 5-19. (And why did JJ not dunk that ball?).

Also, Flip should have played more in the 4th. But for some reason Woody leaves Bibby in. When will Woody learn, that when Biiby and JJ (to a lesser extent) are off their games, you have to take them out the game sometimes, or when they’re in the game, make sure that the Hawks find the open man, as opposed to settling for iso JJ or Bibby.

By Melvin

January 25, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this

Thank goodness the Pistons loss again tonite. Good thing they don’t want the 4th seed….

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this

I’m not BLAMING Bibby, i’m just saying that it was OBVIOUS at halftime that it wasn’t his night and acie should have ben in there. It looks like Woodson is going to flush another great college Guards career down the toilet.

He’d rather play a struggling bibby……Bad Coaching is right.

~Sir Links A Lot~

By kirkinga

January 25, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this

No mystery here about tonight’s loss…poor shooting by Bibby and JJ. I don’t really think it goes any deeper than that.

Stoudemire didn’t play like an injured player,it would be nice to get him in a Hawks uniform. Josh Smith played well too, but Amare was able to get to the line twice as much as Josh.

It’s a pain to be a game all the way but come away with a loss. Even if we were fully healthy I believe the Suns are a better team than the Hawks, though not by much. Their frontcourt is better than ours and the Hawks almost always lose to teams with a frontcourt advantage.

Good news is Detroit is lost to a Yao-less Rocket team.

Tough road game tomorrow in Miami.

Go Hawks!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it seems like the Pistons do us a favor whenever the Hawks lose. They do look like they are starting to turn a corner as far as team chemistry is concerned though… they got it together in the 2nd half today and played pretty well.

Co-sign Ray…. I thought Joe and Josh played superstar-level basketball for the first 42 minutes today. Sure, I’d like to see them play better down the stretch, but I’m certainly not gonna hold today’s effort against either of them. The Suns are just a bad matchup for this team even with Horford.

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 9:08 PM | Link to this

a couple of things that should be and are quite obvious…

• Mike Bibby is a liability… when is is on, he is very effective.. if he can’t find his shot he is useless… no defense, no ability to penetrate.. he is not worth resigning. maybe to bring him off the bench but i doubt he would take that role, and he is a primarily a shooter now and he would need ample mins. in order to produce in such a role…

• secondly, coach should not send LoSo back to the Fulton Co. jail when Al gets healthy.. he had a gutsy performance and in extended mins. he gets into the flow of the game and produces… yes he got in foul trouble but that comes from lack of game experience… he played big tonight, and hit 2 clutch free throws that i wouldn’t have doubted, any of our starting 5 players blowing at least one…

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 9:09 PM | Link to this

Ariose Isn’t Acie still injured, or was he in uniform today?

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this

tomorrow’s game should be a good one…

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this

“I felt good about our Bigs, they didn’t run away.”-Mike Woodsen

What? Run away, they get PAID to PLAY why would they run away? YOU Woodsen, just don’t want to play them you baffoon.

Smoove had a great game, agreed, but he can’t do it all. Espically with woodsen playing his starting guards who were ICE COLD!!!! Instead of going with guys who actually know how to get to the rim and draw fouls(Flip, Acie)

~Sir Links A Lot~

By kirkinga

January 25, 2009 9:14 PM | Link to this

“If Acie were playing Shaq would already be on the bench fouled out. If his shot is off he’s useless. Acie should have played this game.”

There is no way of knowing this for certain. Bibby hits a couple of more shots we’re celebrating a win instead of assigning blame.

“Encouraging to see us competing that well with Bibby not playing well, and Joe having a good/bad game.”

Good point and tells us that this team has some heart. Woodson was able to get some spotty, but productive minutes from just about everyone which is also a hopeful sign as well.

Go Hawks!!

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this

Poop, Nah Ace was in uniform today and ready to play.

Also, RandMo should have gotten another crack at Shaq in th second half. He provided solid minutes defensively just like Solo.

~Sir Links A Lot~

By ayar

January 25, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this

Certainly the blame for tonight’s loss can be shared by many; however the lion’s share falls squarely on Coach Woodson’s shoulders. He simply did not put his team in the best position to win. Some post that he should be coach of the year. I won’t argue that point. But certainly no one can argue that if the ballotting was for “coach of the night,” he would finish second.

By Woodyisanidiot

January 25, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this

Kirkinga”Josh Smith played well too, but Amare was able to get to the line twice as much as Josh.” Maybe if Smith’s coach would give him the ball where Amare got it in the second half. He could of got to the line also. You dominate in the first half and then he runs the offense away from you in the second half. As everyone on the team goes to the perimeter to watch JJ dribble the ball for 19 seconds and pass to someone for a jump shot. How about this? Run the ball and make Shaq tired. Nash and Shaq get easily fatigued. Not Woodson he wants to watch JJ shoot for 25%.

By O'brien

January 25, 2009 9:19 PM | Link to this

Ariose, I think Sekou had previously reported that it would be unlikely that Acie would play today (based on his injury). However, I agree that Bibby should not have been in the game down the stretch.

Big Dave

I agree that when Bibby is on, he is very effective. And when he is off, he is a liability. That being said, I still think the Hawks should resign him. The key is Woodson needs to realize that Bibby is off, and take him out the game. But knowing Woody, that’s not his style. He plays his guys no matter what.

By kirkinga

January 25, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this

“Mike Bibby is a liability… when is is on, he is very effective.. if he can’t find his shot he is useless”

Sorry this is just not true. I refer you to Friday’s game when he shot 3-10, but had 15 assist, 4 rebounds and in 3 steals in just 29 minutes.

He shot poorly tonight, and his defensive liabilities is no longer news,but to say he is useless in any context is not consistent with with the facts.

Go Hawks!!

By kirkinga

January 25, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this

“Nash and Shaq get easily fatigued”

Uh, Shaq yes, Nash, no he doesn’t tire easily and in facts is amazing in that we plays at such a fast pace yet will kill you with a deadly shot or pass at the end of the game.

Amazing though how every loss is the fault of the Head Coach, and every win is the sole provenance of the players.

I just can’t believe any basketball fan would actually say such a thing and be expected to be taken seriously.

Go Hawks!!

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this

Kirk, Anyone would have been better than bibby tonight. I watched him closely(He Was an eyesore today lol), poor defense,Barely any assits, and poor shooting…….and that was just the FIRST half. Thats when I knew it was going to be a long night because Woodson is as stubborn as a mule. What kind of spineless coward doesn’t keep his star players in check? Even LB gave Chauncey a hard time when he was in detroit.

Anyway, I’m not mad at the players, or Bibbys poor shooting. Like I said. It’s on Woodson to realize that regardless of which player it is, if their having an off night, you either need to replace them for someone who is producing(Flip) or make them do other things like deffering to others and playing defense.

This was a great game, but you know what they say. If a game is decided by five points or less, it’s a coaching problem. If it’s decided by ten points or more its a player problem(Ex: Wrong personell, not playing with any heart, will, and determination)….tonights game falls in the former.

….And yes, resigning Bibby is a good move, as long as their is someon consistantly backing him up as he goes through dry spells(If they can get any playing time heh).

~Sir Links A Lot~

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this

O’brien… i hate it cause im a Bibby fan, but in stating the obvious..

consider the monetary price of resigning him… in my opinion i think that our efforts to hide Bibby on D will eventually be exposed at the expense of a rotating help defender. take tonight’s nail in the coffin play; the Amare AND 1… Josh had to help on a penetrating Nash. a good coach, pg, and a offensively gifted big will prove to be curtains for us.. and im sure you know eastern conference playoff teams are full of those…

By pinoy hawk

January 25, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this

Kirkinga I agree. How many games have bibby won because of his clutch shooting and great play making in the 4th q? Putting him late in the game is justifiable for these reasons

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 9:45 PM | Link to this

Kirk, yes we fans CAN be wrong. But were not tonight, the tape doesn’t lie(I taped the game) Woodsen had the wrong guard in the game, I saw it after the first quater.

When we go down 8-22 in the first quater, that isn’t woodson’s fault. He’s not on the floor playing. But he IS in charge of player rotations and the fact that Bibby shouldn’t have been on the floor on the second half is fairly obvious. My first post on this blog blamed mike bibby for his tepid shooting performance.

If your the coach and someone on the floor is obviously playing like crap it’s up to you to remove them from the game in order to give your team a better chance of winning.

…And we ALL know by now that when it goes bad for Bibby it goes REALLY bad. Woodson should have just cut his losses there and went with flip/Acie.

~Sir Links A Lot~

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 9:47 PM | Link to this

wow… brother… aight Kirk…

i refer you to my quote… “he is not worth re-signing…”
in our offense, do you honestly feel that type of shooting production night end and out will equate to victories?? i doubt it… sure it was great against the Bucks…

as far as facts, empirical evidence shows that when Bibby shoots well the Hawks are successful..

im not Sekou, i dont post to give the “news”, * in my opinion* i feel Bibby’s flaws are greater than his contributions…

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this

“Uh, Shaq yes, Nash, no he doesn’t tire easily and in facts is amazing in that we plays at such a fast pace yet will kill you with a deadly shot or pass at the end of the game.”

I agree with all of this, but a big reason Nash has so much energy is because he doesn’t give much of an effort on defense.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 25, 2009 9:52 PM | Link to this

I’m not second guessing anything tonight. I really can’t find too much fault with the game plan, other than going away from Josh in the post in the 4th quarter (and the one time they did go to Josh he traveled). I can’t find too much fault with the overall game plan or effort. The Hawks just didn’t make plays down the stretch. It’s that simple. Sometimes those bunnies don’t go in, and tonight was one of those nights.

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 10:03 PM | Link to this

KIRK,

IN FACT THAT STAT LINE YOU REFERENCED IS A BIT INFLATED DUE TO AN OPPONENT WHO WAS NOT DEFENSIVELY SOUND IN PRINCIPLES. I CREDIT MOST OF THOSE ASSIST TO HARDER CUTS AND MOTION IN OUR OFFENSE FRI. TRUE ENOUGH BIBBY MADE GREAT PASSES. HOWEVER, IM NOT TO SURE THAT A WILLING JOE/FLIP OR AN ACIE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THOSE CUTTERS… VERSUS A DECENT DEFENSIVE SCHEME JOE GOES BACK TO RUNNING PG…

ID LIKE TO SEE THOSE ASSIST TOTALS MORE OFTEN.. MY ONLY POINT WAS THAT BIBBY IS NOT AN ASSET…HE IS DISPENSABLE…

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this

Najeh, we did go away from Josh down low tonight… he was working the blocks… but ya know, Josh went away from the post.. overall his game was on tonight…

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 10:21 PM | Link to this

AND AS FAR AS THOSE FEW STEALS THOSE WERE GAMBLES… HE SAT IN THE PASSING LANE ON THE IN BOUND AND WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE BALL… HE USED THE SAME TECHNIQUE IN THE PREVIOUS WIN VS. CHICAGO AND GOT 5…

HE’S NOT RIPPING ANYONE ON D…

By kirkinga

January 25, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this

Ariose, It seems that Acie has replaced Salim in youe estimation. Perhaps another name change is to fllow? :)

The whole Acie thing is like a dog chasing it’s tell. We all know full well that as long as the Hawks keep winning and Bibby is healthy that Acie isn’t going to play much. So it’s easy to keep saying “If only Acie would’ve played more then…”

It’s a safe thing to safe because Woodson is not going to play Acie enough for anything you say to be proved wrong. It’s almost lke trying to get someone off Death Row.

Najeh

True what you say about Nash, but I’d like to see him a Hawk too. The whole lack-of-defense charge against any NBA player really doesn’t mean much to me.

The days when most teams and players played good defense are long gone.The game has been opened up and at this level these guys are hard to guard which is why they are pros in the first place.

bigdave

You certainly are entitled to your opinion. “Useless” is not a word that can be applied to any starting player in the NBA. You just don’t make it to this level and be “useless”. You can have weakness in your game, but you can’t be useless and play for any length of time in the NBA as these are the best athletes in the world.

I guess I’d like to see the argument that Bibby is “useless” when the team wins, not when it loses. That way there is less chance of emotion winning out over rationality.

Go Hawks!!

By Harry Hawk

January 25, 2009 10:47 PM | Link to this

Bibby (2-for-13 from the field) was nearly as useless as t** on a boar tonight.

However, Joe (he had a good game otherwise) shot a paltry 5-for-20 from the field. When your two veteran guards go a combined 7-for-33, it’s going to be mighty damn hard to win a game. Thanks to the efforts of Josh, Marvin, and Solo, the Hawks were able to hang around.

(Speaking of Solo, the man deserves a lot of credit for hanging in there tonight against Shaq. That’s the sort of performance that ought to mean a lot to Woody. Shaq’s about as grizzled a vet as there is in the league. Solo didn’t punk out.)

By The Truth

January 25, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this

HERE IS THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: WHAT IS WRONG WITH JJ’S OFFENSIVE GAME? I know other team mates contributed to the Phoenix loss (including Josh and Bibby down the stretch) but JJ is developing a bad pattern as of late. The group dynamics of the Hawks is to look for JJ at crunch time for leadership. But there is something about the leader’s game that is becoming disturbingly inconsistent and erratic. It is as if he is trying to redefine his offensive game in the middle of the season. He seems hell-bent on getting in the paint in traffic to score or setup others and it is taking a toll on his turn-over ratio. The excessive dribbling is getting to be annoying. It is throwing his teammates rhyme off. When Bibby is on his game, JJ’s problems are overlooked, but when Bibby struggles as the case in this game, JJ’s recent problems are apparent. Seems like JJ is trying to re-invent himself offensively; as if he is trying to prove he is more than a jump shooter. Maybe he is too pre-occupied with what the critics say about his game. Rather than go to his bread-and-butter during crunch time, instead, he wants to experiment with an inside game and is causing turn-overs and missed shots. Maybe it is a coaching strategy to isolate and penetrate. Whatever the case, it is not working. JJ needs to get back to the basics of letting the game come to him. He needs to play from his strength and within his limitations. If the shots are not there, don’t force it and don’t try to be a hero. He needs to trust his teammates again. They don’t always need him to be superman. I hate to say this but JJ is beginning to look like the old Josh.

By Matt = niremetal

January 25, 2009 11:18 PM | Link to this

Of course JJ faded down the stretch…he played 43+ minutes, including all but 30 seconds of the first half. Josh was in just about the same boat, although Woodson gave him his rest a bit earlier in the game.

By Ariose

January 25, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this

Actually, I havd to disagre with you, you’re supposed to go in the paint during crunch-time….ask LeBron James, it works. JJ didn’t get any foul calls which is what really sent me over the edge. He’s not great at drawing fouls…..

By The Truth

January 25, 2009 11:35 PM | Link to this

Ariose Normally I would agree, but that has not been JJ’s strength. For some reason, JJ is not a good finisher in the paint. In that case, you trust your team that is a better finisher in the paint.

By Mike is back

January 25, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this

I caught the game today, I haven’t been watch many game lately, but I really like what I seen. Bibby, got in early foul trouble and couldn’t find his rhythm. Joe still looked tired. Overall I really like what seen in the Hawks. They look like a different team, when Woody is using his been.

I Thought Woody made some key substitution in the game, the shots for Bibby and Joe just wasn’t falling. I think Woody needs to keep resting Joe, because its obvious he still tired. Solo looks like another Key player that can really help this team.

I would still like to Al play the PF when he comes back, and move Smoove to the SF, and bring Marvin off the bench. Solomon Jones has really impress me his play. He is a solid young Big that can give 8 to 10 points off the bench. Zaza and Solomon did as best that can be expected against Shaq.

Like Marvin said, the team just didn’t execute the offense going down the stretch in the fourth quarter, but the effort was there on defense, so no reason for the Hawks to hang their heads.

Besides the breakdown going down the stretch in the fourth quarter, I think the Hawks played well and Woody is communicating and motivate his team to perform. Nobody likes to loose, but you got to like what you are seeing in these Hawks!!!!!

Speaking of rising stars, I think Solomon Jones star is shining Bright!!!!!

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

By bigdave

January 25, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this

aye kirk,

check the archives dog… win, lose, or draw, i analyze performance… Bibby is not to blame for a Hawks loss tonight, no one player is in any team sport. sounds like to me, you just like to critique… so work on this.. when quoting someone make sure your perception of the text is aligned with the intent of the remarks. you failed to grasp the jest of my comments, instead you ran with a word (useless) that i used to describe the dying demand of inking a flawed Bibby to a LONG TERM DEAL. now your new found premise is an attempt at linking my comments to one that challenges the credibility of Bibby as NBA talent.. get out of here…!! i justified my opinion with observations conveyed in the initial post.. and furthermore in the replies that follow… maybe you wanna double back…

LETS GO HAWKS!! (Im no fair weather fan) -bigdaveBORNANDRAISEDINATL

By The Truth

January 26, 2009 12:03 AM | Link to this

Matt = niremetal You maybe right; the answer to my JJ question may just be fatigue. If this is the answer to the question, then it creates an old debate about managing player’s minutes.

By kirkinga

January 26, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this

bigdave, we’ll just disagree is all. I think saying Bibby is useless useless cannot be backed up.So yes I critiqued the statement and gave a recent example of how I thought it was incorrect.

That is what I responded to so there is no need to check the archives or go off into other points. It was the “useless” claim alone that concerned me. I’m not here to argue contracts or argue period.

If someone can show me how Bibby is “completely useless” then I’ll happily retract my position. But that doesn’t appear to be happening soo. It’s all good I guess.

Thanks for your time.

Go Hawks!!

By gypsyjoe

January 26, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this

I got to watch the game on NBA free pass this weekend. Man JJ is having a tough time he missed about 4 layups. Also Bibby was cold as ice and we still were in the game to the end. We need to stomp on the Heat tommorow. GO HAWKS!!!!

By RLP

January 26, 2009 12:25 AM | Link to this

I think the main reason the Hawks lost this game tonight was because the Suns played a game they felt they HAD to win. In other words they just wanted it more than the Hawks. The two teams were evenly matched but the Suns had lost three in a row and needed a win badly. Bibby and JJ were off shooting a combined 7 for 33. Had either of them been hitting the Hawks would have won despite the Suns intensity. It seems to me lately that JJ has performed much poorer than anyone else on the team. I think that is one reason his assists were up tonight. It seemed to me that on several occasions he passed when he would normally have taken a jump shot. His passes actually resulted in scores. But he had to one for Bibby. While Bibby did not his assists seemed to me to come more in the flow of the game rather than as desperation passes from someone who had no confidence in his shot. Let’s hope that this is a January problem because if it continues the team will sink.

And after all of the discussion yesterday of a trade of Amare for JS I think it would be a mistake. It would adverse team chemistry AND JS is equal to Amare now and will eventually be considered a better all around player.

By bigdave

January 26, 2009 1:30 AM | Link to this

this guy…? aight dude…

By SLAM N. YOFACE

January 26, 2009 1:35 AM | Link to this

I hate these loser Atlanta fans that say “tonight was a great game” and “Go Hawks” after a loss like tonight. What the? If you lived in Philly or NY the other fans would rip your loser heads off!! We should not accept losing the way Atlanta fans do.

I know thats what we have been dealt for a long time but this years team is too good to be losing to the Nets (3 times already?), Golden State and even tonights game was ours to win. Don’t be happy that we can hang with the elite teams in the NBA. I WANT TO BE THE ELITE TEAM IN THE NBA!!!! And this team is maybe a year away from being that for real. Stop being so southenly nice and lets stay on this team to push them to the next level.

By bigdave

January 26, 2009 1:37 AM | Link to this

SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE… EEEEWW!!

[http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoftheday/2009/01/25/nba20090125_pod.nba/index.html]

By MannyT

January 26, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this

Ariose The quick answer to your CHIRP question from last blog is that cap space would serve no benefit in the short run unless we are making a trade where we take on a few million in salary this season. In the long run, the expiring contract will have value next season.

longer answer…I cannot confirm anything about Speedy’s injury and the related insurance. I am not sure how this works if Claxton is not on board with the medical retirement. However, in doing some research, it looks like teams take insurance on contracts as they see fit. It doesn’t seem to be required. If I were an actuary (or an oddsmaker…not much difference ;-) I’d price the insurance based on the risk I saw with each individual player. Given that Speedy had some history of injury, his premiums would have been higher than the average player.

All that said, if the Hawks did not have his deal insured from the beginning, I doubt insurance companies would be lining up to take on the offer at this point. It would be similar to writing policies in bars for drunk driving…not likely to make any profit from it unless you charge a really huge premium (90%+ of policy value) .

If they did have insurance, good for the Hawks. Given their cash situation, would you want to get rid of a subsidized contract where you pay a small percentage of the salary? Probably not. Even if you eliminate Speedy’s deal, we are still over the cap. Trading Speedy for a player that you have to pay 100% salary costs the ASG in a big way. Unless that player will make a significant contribution this season, why take the cash hit?

Now if the ASG decides that moving Speedy is more important than the insurance payment, I refer you to Portland’s GM. Look at end of this link for Trade focus: LaFrentz’s contract This will be more useful next season if the insurance is right.

BWAF

By MannyT

January 26, 2009 1:47 AM | Link to this

bigdave you have to put the web address between the parentheses and the text that you want to be blue in between the brackets.

Josh tells Nash - pose for the poster

BWAF

By Sautee

January 26, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this

big dave and kirknga

Don’t y’all know that NO ONE is completely useless?

You can ALWAYS serve as a poor example! ;-)

By yetta

January 26, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

This game was a big disappointment for me! When the coach saw that Bibby was not scoring, he should have put Flip back in the game in the last quarter. Go Josh!!! I do not blame you for this loss; you played a great game. We continue to blame you no matter how many other players miss their jump shots.

By ILL-logical

January 26, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

In the fullness of the moment, I believe that last night’s game was a hallmark for me and ,I hope for the team as well.

I saw Michael Dean Woodson-here to fore referred to as the current incumbant…- not get totally bent out of shape berating his reserve players when they (in his eyes)erred; but also pat them on the back as they left the floor.I now see what easing the tension can do so I am easing up on my frustrations with him.(Let the walls of the church say Amen)

This is important to the long term growth of both the team and several players,Solo in particular.First, congratulations to that young fellow-he manned up last night.I believe that some more trust got built up last night and maybe over time that trust will be rewarded.

On another note, the Amare vs. Josh matchup was interesting: Josh won the first half but Amare won the second and the game. BTW. I see Amare in detroit for Rasheed if the Pistons’ misfires continue.

So, from here on Coach Woodson will continue to receive the eye of scrutiny from me but I will excercise greater patience with him as well as the team.There will be no championship banners raised this year but the foundation is being laid for future success. So Mr. Sund,patience we are going to get there but it is going to take time and growth on the part of us all.

By I .MUS WRITE

January 26, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this

How frustrating- 6:00 minutes to go in the game and we cant get one basket…..Solo is the only person to score(foul shots) .

Where was our All Star down the stretch…..Yeah he had an off night,yeah he had 13 assists, but come on this is when starr players shine. Phx played good d in the final minutes,but I gaurantee they wouldnt have held Wade,Kobe,Lebron to 0 points with 6 minutes remaining and the game on the line……………

Coach X is so…… Bibbs should have been on the bench at the end of the game Flip was playing better and could have atleast slowed Nash dwn -bibby was gettn torched out there.

Also Marvin should have got the ball more late, Barbosa is 6’2 200lb Why not post Marvin…Jeezuz

Props to Smoove that boi is playing sum inspired ball as of late I think he’s been here reading my posts…LOL I think he ran out of gas at the end tho. That monster dunk got me off the couch Props to the yungn for going hard while Al is dwn.

Randolph Morris looked okay for a couple minutes last night. Solo is stepping up but still to light in the pants.

In a perfect world ……. We would have gotten Flip and Mo this summer, got speedy off the books and gave his money to keep Chills here…… Flip /Mo are good bench players but how much better would we be with Chillz on board.

Sum one said this before but Acie would have been good in this game,penetrating and racking up fouls on big Shaqovich……… I had a dream last nite Ac gets traded this summer and goes to the Hornets to backup Paul and goes bananas to the tune of 12pts/5assists in 18 minutes,5/1 TO ratio…………….. DAM

By Mike is back

January 26, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this

ILL-logical I agree, I caught the second half of that Milwaukee game, and I saw the same thing. I seen Woody trying to motivate the young guys.   I see slashers, cutters, and solid screens. It’s refreshing. 

By JM

January 26, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this

Late to the blog today and most of my observations already have been discussed but Sekou; what is the deal with JJ. Is he hurt or something? For an all-star, he has looked less than impressive the last couple weeks. And Woodson needs to tell him to stop dribbling out the clock on those iso’s (which would also save Smoove and others from taking poor shots and the end of the clock).

Go Hawks.

By kwooden1

January 26, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

Tough loss last night, Phoenix definitely wanted to play better after looking terrible against the Bobcats Friday night. I add the follow the game on the internet, but it definitely looked like Woody used his bench much more effectively. Morris got sometime and it looks like Solo played well. With Bibby and JJ not shooting well it’s good to see the Flip, Mo and Marvin take up the offensive slack. I think all the assists from Bibby and JJ the last two games will definitely help the development of the overall team chemistry. Bibby and JJ will get their shots back, but helping the confidence of the rest of the team will really go a long way in making this team much better. Hate any losses, but I definitely see a lot of improvement.

Time to look ahead, got Miami tonight which will be tough. The last game against Miami really got the HAWKS out of a tough stretch. Miami is playing well and getting great production from Chalmers and their bench. Team defensive is going to be one key, quick guards give the HAWKS a lot of problems. Not a lot of great shooters on Miami, so were going to have to keep them out of the lane and make them score from the outside. I do believe with Miami you key on Wade and make someone else beat you. Wade leads them in assists and scoring, much like JJ for the HAWKS. I would put Marvin on Wade and let JJ guard Diawara (or their SF) for most of the game. Have to attack Wade on offensive.

GO HAWKS!!!

By Ariose

January 26, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

MannyT, preciate tha info, you came through like always…..and LOL@CHIRP!!

I.MUS-I hear you dawg, acie is gonna leave the Hawks and go bonkers lol…..I hope that doesn’t come true though.

~Sir Links A Lot~

By Astro Joe

January 26, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this

I.MUS, funny, I keep thinking that Acie gets traded to Dallas and goes back home and eases the loss of the Devin Harris trade.

In the past few games, Joe has answered the question about is he a superstar in a very definitive way. He is a very good player who has superstar tendencies but he is most definitely not a superstar. But I can’t see him missing an All-Star game in the next 3-4 years (assuming health of course).

Rathbun actually was right about something, Phoenix played that game with a sense of desperation. And then I read this morning that both their GM AND owner unexpectedly showed up the day before the game… because the team was in such a bad stretch. Any player who enjoys the Phoenix-area weather had to be thinking “we better win some games or I’m about to be traded to Minnesota or Oklahoma City”.

If either JJ or Bibby have an average game, we would have won yesterday. Fortunately, we gave no ground to Detroit. If we handle our business tonight against a hot Miami team, then last evening’s game will simply be an after-thought (much like the Texas road trip).

By rms

January 26, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

Acie Law will be traded and the Hawks will be upset in the first round of the playoffs!! Count on it…

By Daniel

January 26, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this

I have to say that in general this is the worst group of regular posters I have ever seen. I am an avid fan of Atlanta Sports and I have seen every televised or home Hawks game this season. Sekou does a great job reporting and giving analysis, but in general the rest of you guys have terrible sports opinions. All I ever see on here is how Acie, Solo and Randolph Morris need more playing time. What in the world are you guys watching? Bibby is the reason that this team has improved to a potential 50 win team. Sometimes the looks just don’t go. None of you, AND I MEAN NONE OF YOU,

By Jamal

January 26, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

U idiots need 2 stop blaming Joe. Of course he can’t perform in crunch time look how many minutes Woody’s dumb a.ss is playing him. He is killing JOe. Lay the F.uck off him.

By STRETCH

January 26, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this

Shaq should have fouled out by half time! Ive been watching him closely over the years and he constantly beats guys up. And the refs did everything in their power last night to keep him in that game.

There was one foul called and they showed a reply and it clearly showed him commit the foul, but the call went against the Hawks!

Cant blame it all on the zebras though. The so called leaders made terrible decisions down th stretch, miss layups, shots(Bibby), free throws etc!

Another 1st round out. This team will be lucky to win 45 games.

By MsDee

January 26, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this

If Acie leaves and performs well somewhere else, it just goes to show once again how Woodson either just dont like rookies or knows how to develop them, or better yet, just not patient enough to get them ready cause there is no reason why Acie shouldnt be geting more planning time!! PERIOD!!

By steve

January 26, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this

question,can joe johnson dunk?

By Sautee

January 26, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this

new blog up

By ROLLINS TREE

January 26, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this

At what point are the owners of our Hawks going to realize Woodson CAN NOT inspire this team to win games that we should be winning?

FIRE WOODSON AND SAVE THE SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!