The Hawk Hack

By Volman

February 9, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Was that Childress dunk nasty or what?

Josh Smith is HUGE for us guys…. It was a great win for the guys coming back after being down 10 in the 3rd and beating this hot Phoenix team.

This looked like a DIFFERENT team tonight.. one that didn’t expect to get close and lose.. but they expected to win.

Lorenzen had a good game defensively for once? I kept screaming, “put in SOLOMON!!!!!!” Seriously, he needs a shot.

Go Hawks.

By True ATL fan (non-transplant)

February 10, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

Somebody please tell Mike Woodson that we’re a true running team, not that halfcourt crap. We dont have the players to play a true halfcourt offense…..but we do have the players that can get up and down the court. I think we play best when we imitate the western conference teams. Afterall, I thought thats why we drafted all those long forwards! RUN FORREST, RUN!!!!! Bout time you wake the hell up ZAZA Bout time you hit some shots Salim Now on to Golden State and PLEASE, no meltdowns!

By Steve T

February 10, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Who keep saying we should trade Josh Smith? This guy is going to be something special. The guy had blocked five shots and scored 25 points.

Marvin is starting to find his game. This guy is going be great when he develops his game. The boy can attack the basket. He should attack the basket more. Then he can start shooting his jumpers. By doing this, the defense will not be able to play him close. He could drive or hit the jumper.

I am not like the rest of you guys who want the Hawks to make trades. I like the team we have. Now if there is a good point guard or center in the draft, I say we take him.

If not we may be able to sign someone in FA. The hawks stand a better chance to lure a big time FA because this team is on it way to the top. They just need one good post man.

Let Billy do his job and build a team for the long haul!

By Paul

February 10, 2007 3:24 AM | Link to this

As “The Wolf” said in “Pulp Fiction”, let’s not start suc—- each others dic— just yet!”

I hardly call Phoenix quality without Nash. I don’t think Phoenix is even a playoff team without Nash. They are like 4-10 without him which projects to about a 23-win team. They aren’t that bad but clearly they need the offense to be run through Nash to be effective.

I am now sold on Nash being MVP again if we can beat them when he is out. We are improving but clearly not worthy of being within 15 points of them at Phoenix if they are healthy.

Be realistic peaople, it is a marginal win but I will take it.

By Wedgie Evans

February 10, 2007 3:37 AM | Link to this

Nash is the MVP, and the Suns are significantly worse without him. But you are seriously smoking something if you think having Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa and Raja Bell as your top players, with D’Antoni as head coach, doesn’t make you a playoff team. Where the Suns are lacking, regardless of whether Nash plays or not, is in their defense, which explains why normally inconsistent players like Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams were able to get good looks and score points today. The intensity level of the Hawks was sky-high, and Phoenix didn’t look completely in sync for most of the game, which added up to a Hawks win. Hopefully the Hawks keep up this same level of intensity when they play Golden State, which is a much tougher team at home than on the road.

By Rev. M.M

February 10, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

Great Win Hawks!!! Your are finally playing your game of basketball. No team in the League can out run you. If all of you keep attacking the basket, we are going to win all these road trips. Go Hawks!!!

By BK stinks

February 10, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Hey Steve T, who has not let BK do his job? I believe the problem is that we have let BK do his job and look at the results. BK passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams so don’t give me this let BK do his job. There were two point guards that my girlfriend could have picked and she dosen’t like or pay attention to basketball. I like Woodson but BK can’t pick his nose much less a basketball player. That bench can’t play dead and BK has passed or missed on so many players that could have helped the Hawks. Like I said, I like Woodson but Knight is the worst excuse for a GM and he will continue to make bad decisions and bad picks that will eventually get Woodson fired. If I were Woodson I kick BK’s butt.

By morris

February 10, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Steve T, billy will be fired if belkin wins an injunction to gain control of the franchise on march 2nd. It was reported by espn that belkin will ask the courts for control of the teams when proceedings start in early march. If the courts grant that injunction billy knight the baffon will be the first person fired by belkin in this organization. Most legal experts think belkin should have control of the teams anyway since a judge has already ruled that he can buy out his partners. This whole ownership mess is about to get ugly in the next few weeks. Personally, I hope belkin wins so we can get a real GM to run this team.

By RA

February 10, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Okay, first off, give the Devil his due. Billy Knight has made a lot of mistakes, but any team that could take out Phoenix in Phoenix can’t be all bad. Listen, Marvin Williams is a quality player, just let him get old enough to drink. Josh Smith is more than just an afro. Joe Smith is money! BK has brought in some good talent! Remember, he inherited a mess just like Woodson did, and while they’re still not the Phoenix Suns, they did beat them…

By BK stinks

February 10, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

RA, yea the Hawks beat Phoenix without their best player

By Steve T

February 10, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

I for one do not want Belkins to have the hawks. The guy is a retard. He did not want Joe Johnson and Joe has been worth every penny. Billy is a smart GM. People keep trying about a point guard, but you can get a point guard in every draft.

Chris Paul is good, but I don’t think he could take this team over the top. The hawks need a real big man in the low post. As far as point guard, I would like to see Speedy, Ty Lue, and Salmin work their magic over 15 games together.

BOOT BELKINS BOOT BELKINS BOOT BELKINS BOOT BELKINS

By Steve T

February 10, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

BTW, when the Bulls started their rebuilding effort they started with big men. Point guards are a dime a dozen.

By Paul

February 10, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I enjoy watching the Suns second to the Hawks. I’ve seen many of their games on the NBA package.

They look like a lost team without Nash. At one point I think they had like 5 assists well into the second quarter.

Nash is awesome offensively as well as the best point man in the game by miles. Getting assists is one thing but it is another to get assists in a manner that you make your players shoot at an amazing shooting percentage. HE makes Marion and Stoudamire shoot at amazing percentages because of all the dunks he sets them up for.

The sickest thng about Nash is hiw own shooting this year. The guy is shooting 53.6% from the field and 49% from 3-pt range. His corrected FG% that weights 3-pointers since they do count 3:2 on the scoreboard shows Nash shooting a corrected FG% of 63.3% which is insane. Those are SHaq-like numbers in a guy that can shoot FTs!

I stand by my statement that without Nash, they might not make it in the West. Amare and Marion had the unenviable time of playing with Marbury in the 2003-4 season. THey won 29 games. They added Nash and went from winning 29 games to getting a number 1 seed.

The Suns are talented but rely on Nash setting them up for easy shots.

Beating a Nashless Suns is nice but not impressive to me. What do you think that the HAwks are suddenly on par with the elite? Ge me a frigging break. THere is a reason the Hawks won and it isn’t because we are suddenly a good team. We are still below average. I want us to lose a few more games personally and get Oden.

By RA

February 10, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Hey BK stinks,

You know what? I’m soo sorry. The fact that Steve Nash is Phoenix’s only quality guard, well, that just completely slipped my mind. I mean, it’s not like they have anybody else who could step right in and score oh, say, twenty points… It’s such a shame the way those nasty old Hawks beat up on those poor Phoenix Suns. I mean after all, the Hawks were at full strength last night. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot that Ty Lue, our best point guard was in street clothes last night too, but of course that doesn’t count. Yea, and Speedy (not so much) Claxton was still hobbling on two bad knees. Oh yea, and Marvin Williams is still fighting a sore back, and Joe Johnson is dead tired, but I mean, except for all that the Hawks were completely healthy, and even with those problems the Hawks are still stronger and deeper than the Suns without Steve Nash. Good greif BK stinks, what the deuce was I thinking! You know what, the Hawks just need to go right back out there to Phoenix and apologize for playing them without their best player. I mean, it’s basic courtesy to take it easy on teams that are having a hard time with injuries isn’t it. I mean the NBA cut the Hawks a world of slack in December!

Oh, and by the way BK stinks, that’s called sarcasm.

By footy102

February 10, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

The point guard situation is in a quandry. Speedy is great when healthy. But, from my experience sore knees don’t heal. Not even over a summer break. They may have to waive speedy. That’s right I said it. That type of injury never heals. Wait till FA to get a point guard.

By RA

February 10, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Oh yea, and Paul,I’ve got something for you too. Anybody that thinks that the Suns can’t function without Nash, they just weren’t watching the third quarter of last night’s game. If you look at the balanced scoring that the Suns had last night, you’ll see that they can work their offense just fine, even in the absence of Nash. (They scored over a hundred points for Pete’s sake!) The truth of the matter is that no one was more surprised than the Suns’ coach last night because he knew that the Suns were stronger and deeper than the Hawks, but yet they still prevailed, and for those of you that missed it, Nash’s backup had a pretty darn good night in his own right. It’s true, their best guard was out, but so was our best point guard. They may have been crippled, but no more than we were, and they had the better team. The Hawks had a thousand chances to get blown out of that game last night, but they didn’t. They fought tooth, nail, hook, and claw for that win, and I’m not going to take it away from them. Even if they had won with Nash there, that still wouldn’t be enough. You’d come up with some lame excuss about how the Suns beat themselves… Whatever, I’m a true Hawks fan. I’ll take that win and I’ll take my hat off to the A-town boys for going out and earning it.

By RA

February 10, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

I’ll tell you what. I’ve been married for a few years now and it’s nice to get a final word in, even if just for a few hours…

By bk stinks

February 11, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Hey RA, I’ve got something for you as well, 19-30 and next to last in the division.

By danny

February 11, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

RA, you need to go change your diaper and get a box of kleenex as you sound like a big cry baby. You actually think that the Hawks are stronger and deeper than the Suns, you better check the standings my boy. In case your wife won’t let you here are the facts, Phoenix is 39-11 and Atlanta is 19-30. Phoenix is in first and Atlanta is next to last. Last word, you mean that your wife wears the pants and tells you what to do, you are a baby boy and that is not sarcasm.

By RA

February 11, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Such witty replies, and it only took the two of you (Danny and BK stinks) twenty hours to do it. Your parents must be soo proud of you. And danny since you obviously don’t know the meaning of the word sarcasm, here it is as defined by Meriam Webster’s online dictionary:

Sarcasm: 1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain 2 a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual b: the use or language of sarcasm

Oh, and Danny, my diapers, briefs, or boxers, none of which you’re fit to change or wash, are none of your concern and I’d thank you very much to stop fanticizing about them.

By RA

February 11, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

One more thing Danny. Never call a grown man “boy.”

By Hawk fan in L.A.

February 11, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

This is for Masood who was obviously offended by my computer error and comments. Since you are a Johhny-come lately to the Atlanta sports scene let me educate you. As a 30 year fan of the Hawks the so-called fans you say are so beleaugered, have been doing the same crap for 30 years, even in winning times. When Dr. J or Larry Bird would come to town, the scene was very reminiscent of the Lakers game the other night. All American cities have transient populations now in this global economy so dont give me that for an excuse. As for trading JJ this man came to the ATL and has tried to turn around a franchise where nobody shows up, and when they do they come to see the other team (they are not all transients). It is a shame to see a player who is every bit as talented as Kobe, waste his most productive years. As for the bold words in my previous posting they are meant to provide emphasis (like you are an idiot)to certain words. As for the double posting my computer had an error message and i was not sure it went thru on the first attempt. Sorry Masood

By Matt

February 11, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Alright, I’ve been reading these for awhile and I just want to say this.

ALL OF YOU WHO ARE BASHING KNIGHT FOR TAKING MARVIN OVER CHRIS PAUL AND DERON WILLIAMS ARE REVISIONIST MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKS WHO PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW YOUR A FROM YOUR ELBOWS IF YOU EVER ACTUALLY HAD TO RUN AN NBA TEAM**

It’s almost painfully clear that BK’s strategy ever since he came to Atlanta was to snap up as many talented players who looked like potential stars as he could get. What type of players have traditionally been most likely to turn into stars? Guys with the height of a 3 or 4 with the athleticism of a 1 or 2. That’s exactly the kind of players that Johnson, Childress, Smith, and Marvin are.

And what do you frickin’ know. IT WORKED. Johnson and Smith are quickly becoming legit stars, and Williams still has TONS of upside. $20 says that Childress gets traded within 2 years if the other three young 6’8/6’9 guys we have keep developing as they are. And you know what? Childress will probably still go on to have a long, productive career.

As for the revisionist, sickeningly arrogant criticism of the Marvin pick, I’ll say this. Marvin is still very young, and showing flashes of brilliance in the same way that Tracy McGrady did during his first couple seasons. People were bashing the Raptors for taking McGrady when they desperately needed help down low (not that I expect Monday Morning Quarterbacks to remember or care about that).

Do people think that it was a mistake for the Raptors to pick McGrady now? No. The mistake was letting him go.

No one, and I mean NO ONE except Chris Paul expected Chris Paul to break out like he did. No one thought his ppg would actually go UP from 15.3 to 16.1 and his APG to go from 6.6 to 7.8. More often than not, point guards in the draft see a massive drop in their numbers as they transition to the pro game; next to big men, point guards are the most common busts in the NBA draft (Mateen Cleaves, Bryce Drew, Antonio Daniels and probably Livingston and Telfair…). Marvin Williams was always considered the player with the brightest future in the draft, and if the Hawks had taken Paul over Williams, the scouts and pundits would have cried bloody murder.

Yes, Paul would have been better for the Hawks right now, as we speak. But no one can say with a straight face that they knew in 2005 that Paul would blossom like he did. And no one can say that they know how Marvin will compare come 3-4 years from now.

A team with Johnson, Smith, and Marvin as its nucleus creates match-up nightmares against any team. We’re already seeing that in most games. If we let them develop for another year or two so that they’re more consistent and add a decent point guard, the Hawks will probably be contending for the top seeds in the East.

In conclusion, if you really think you know how to run a team better than guys who’ve been around the league since most of you were leaving streak marks in your diapers, then you better hope that Pride isn’t actually a deadly sin.

Just in case, I suggest you shut up.