Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > September > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNot buying the Hawks quite yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The shining light of Atlanta pro sports opens training camp today, and amazingly that would be the Hawks.
When you are the only team coming off a playoff season — look it up, it won’t take long — you cease being the most-lampooned target in the city. Unless, of course, things go wrong again.
“Everybody’s smiling and motivated around here, because there’s probably a lot of other teams that think it was a fluke that we made the playoffs last year,” Josh Smith said. “So I feel like we have a lot to prove.”
That is the problem with this particular shining light. It’s way too early to assume stability. Maybe even direction.
Think of a bulb: There is no warning when it goes out.
Think of the Hawks: We saw both ends of the spectrum last season. We don’t know which end is reality and which is the aberration.
Are they the team that upset the Boston Celtics in three home playoff games, or the one that backed into the post-season with 37 wins and not only lost four playoff games in Boston but didn’t even compete?
Do you feel good about this team?
“Ask me that in January,” said Rick Sund, the new general manager.
Sund’s biggest concern: The schedule is not designed for early success: 10 of the first 16 games are on the road, where the team went 12-29 last season, and there’s no certainty how this team would deal with a bad start.
Success in sports often is less about talent (which the Hawks have) than it is about resolve and maturity. We just can’t know if this team is there yet.
“You go out 2-8 or you go out 8-2, things get blown out of proportion,” Sund said. “People think, ‘You’re there.’ ‘You’re not there.’ That’s my concern. We can’t get too high or too low. Detroit can lose three games out of the box, or they can win their first five. It won’t affect them either way. We have to understand the season is a marathon and not a sprint.”
General managers always have a Plan B. If things go south early, the question is what Sund does and how quickly he does it.
This is too important of a season for the Hawks for management to allow things to spin out of control. Much of the positive vibe that built during in the playoffs dissipated when Josh Childress bolted for Greece — unprecedented for an NBA regular — and ownership signed Mike Woodson to a two-year extension.
There were obvious arguments on both sides of the Woodson issue. Keep him: He made the playoffs. Fire him: He is 106-222 in four years.
But here’s the most important thing to keep in mind: a two-year deal does not represent an overwhelming vote of confidence. A one-year deal would have screamed, “He’s a goner” and undermined Woodson’s authority with the players. A three-year deal would have been a vote of confidence.
Two years says: “We’re not sure yet.” For those wondering whether the Hawks can take the next step, the question really is: “Can Woodson take them there?”
Give Woodson this much. He isn’t deluded. He understands that 37 wins and a first-round loss probably won’t cut it this season.
“Once you make the playoffs everything becomes higher in terms of expectations,” he said. “I look at our team now as a team that’s had a taste of playoffs. The players are hungry to get back. I know from a coaching standpoint that I’m hungry. We have something to build on. The schedule is what it is. We can’t run from it.”
They made the playoffs last year and now have a chance to be better. That puts them ahead of everybody else. If you’re the Hawks, you embrace that while you can.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By D-Cider
September 29, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Jerk Schultz, you really are “the glass is half-empty” kind of dude. Considering ALL the Atlanta teams have a glorious tradition of losing, any positive steps should be praised. Of course, the Braves chose to lose in October, but lose they did, except in a strike-shortened season against a team that is hexed worse than the braves.
By dondada
September 29, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
I can hardly wait for the season to start. Woodson has to use his bench more. Acie has to get more PT. In theory you have the bodies now Woodson, let me see what your can do.
By hazer
September 29, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
The glass is never half empty or half full. The glass is simply too large for the amount of water in it (C;
By Josh Childress
September 29, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Hey, let me just say, so far Greece is teh AWESOME. I am loving it here in Athens — partying every night, hitting the beach every day. I LOVE IT.
Hey Schultz, next time your in Santorini, look me up. I own this country.
By Peter
September 29, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
We shall see Shultz……..This should be interesting for real. They have lots questions and challenges to deal with early this upcoming season.
But please no bashing!!!!!!
By Seldin
September 29, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz Do you feel that the Hawks this season can finally play in half court offence or are they going to have to run n gun like last season. Becuase i just cant see Mike Woodson getting this team to develop a Half Court Offence??
By RA
September 29, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
You don’t have to be sold on the Hawks Schultzie. Just don’t sale them out. You’re silent all summer and the best you can do now is point out all the things that could go wrong. Atlanta brought in four solid players, okay three, but all you can talk about is the one they lost, the one that, by the way,turned his back on the entire league? Really, if that’s what passes for journalism in this city, I hope my eyesite fails sooner rather than later.
As for Woodson, for the first time since he inherited the ash heap that was the 2004-2005 Atlanta Hawks, he has a team talented enough, and seasoned enough to contend. If he can’t do anything with it, he deserves the boot, but please don’t keep harking on the last four years. Phil Jackson himself couldn’t have done much better with the depth and talent that Woodson had to work with.
It’s pathetic, I wait all summer for someone besides Sekou Smith to write something about this team and this is the best you can do, pathetic.
By Screaming Fans
September 30, 2008 3:01 AM | Link to this
LET’S GO HAWKS! LET’S GO HAWKS! LET’S GO HAWKS!
By Mitch
September 30, 2008 3:48 AM | Link to this
I think that when a team like the Hawks has such a long stretch of losing, and makes it to the playoffs, it can serve to aid them in reaching for higher goals.
I’m by no means saying that the Hawks will win 50 to 60 games, and yes, losing Childress will hurt some, but the Hawks stil have a solid young nucleus with Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson, plus Bibby for a full year. This team took the eventual NBA champions, a 66 win team, to the seventh game on the enemy’s home floor, before going down. An experience like that can serve to help a team.
I think that the Hawks can win as many as 45 games, finish second in the division, and get to the second round. If they win 45 games, they would then avoid the elite teams in the first round of the playoffs, such as the Celtics. While it would be unrealistic to expect the Hawks to turn into a 50 to 60 win elite team overnight, this team has enough talent to take a modest next step.
I will be surprised if the Hawks dont improve at least somewhat.
MitchBy Maniac is accurate
September 30, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
The reason I have so much pessimism is the move the Hawks didn’t make – firing Woodson. The Hawks backed/stumbled into the playoffs and the three games the Hawks won don’t encourage me more than the four blowouts worry me.
By Mychelfromatl
September 30, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait!!
RISE UP
By The Grinch
September 30, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
I believe if this team wins it will be despite Woodson. I’ve never heard someone in charge of a professional team in any sport have such low expectations as what he spouted off in every interview last year. Only the ASG would keep a “just happy to be here; any win against anyone any time is gravy” kind of guy in charge of a young team with this much talent. Hopefully they can motivate themselves.
By smartguy
September 30, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Woodson is still the coach, and the front office is already making excuses (the schedule). I can’t stomach this group (the ASG) any more. I really, really wish that Smooth had gotten the heck out of town.
GO GEARON GOONS!!!
By McRly?
September 30, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Horford wasn’t grown at this time last season, but you can bet he’s all grown up now. His presence on the court means these Hawks have their vocal leader now, their controlling factor, their Regulator. JJ is awesome, but not a vocal leader. J-Smoove is the ATL Weapon-X, not the leader. Marvin was still searching last time I checked, and Bibby is a great floor general and a good leader, but not the kind of forceful presence that commands the team not lay down and die. When the chips are down, you can bet Horford will be the Enforcer that refuses to allow our competitive edge to fade. This team, if it stays healthy, is a top 5 team in the East. Write it down.
By Rick
September 30, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Seldin
Learn to spell “offense”. The only reason I’m making fun of you is because you bolded your text so it would stand out.
Go Hawks.
By LB
September 30, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
“Think of a bulb: There is no warning when it goes out.”
I used to think Jeff was critical, then I thought he was negative, then I thought he was mean spirited, now I know he is paranoid and just strange. There are reasons for concern, but reasons to be hopeful shouldn’t be dismissed, as Schultz too often does.
At least he doesn’t despise the Hawks like he does the Thrashers…although they have the same management.
By JD
September 30, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
This is the standard by which the journalists in this town view the sports teams. Talk about pessimism at its highest.
Regardless of HOW the Hawks got into the playoffs, they got in. They did (or didn’t do, depending on your point of view) what they had to in order to make it in and damn near accomplished the impossible by taking the eventual champs to seven games. This was the team that was supposed to get swept away like dirt under a rug but that didn’t happen. And instead of trying to generate at LEAST a modest buzz around town about the possibility of doing it again, here you come with this junk about whether or not they can.
We all have our doubts about Woodson’s coaching ability and how he manages the team. He’s not the best coach at making in-game adjustments, but the fact of the matter is this - he did what he had to do (by scaling the team down to a small rotation) in order to put this team in a position to get into the playoffs. Did it hurt the teams chances of winning the series? Damn right it did. No one’s discounting the fact that had he used his bench more effectively down the stretch last year, the Hawks would have been better suited to put up more of a fight than they did in the four road games in Boston. The reality of it, though, is that he got the team into the playoffs, got them to experience that atmosphere. I have no doubt that NOW, with that exposure behind them, this team will do what’s necessary to get back to that plateau (maybe in spite of Woodson, maybe not).
Please, though, don’t start writing articles that places doubt on this team. Now, at a time when there’s a positive vibe (minimal at best, but still positive) about the Hawks, why write this? Do you want the fans to not support the team? It’s true that ownership needs to stay out of basketball decisions and let the general manager and coaches do their jobs, but don’t start this season by seeding the clouds of doom and gloom already. Let them show what they can do and then give your impressions.
By Steven
September 30, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
I didn’t think Jeff gave a damn about the Hawks…Actually I still don’t think he does. Jeff, leave the Hawks articles to Sekou and just concentrate on Falcons/Braves/Bulldogs
By TJ
September 30, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Hawks will probably get 45 wins max this season. Improved bench with starters back equals better team then last. This will be a hard season as the rest of the east is loaded this year. Mike Bibby and JJ playing a full season together will show you what they could actually do together. And Marvin Williams will win most improved player award this year. Just a gut feeling. Go hawks!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
September 30, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Usually I would blast this type of commentary from you Schultz, but their are a LOT of legit points in this one. I mean I love the Hawks but c’mon 37 wins doesn’t prove anything just because the East was so ridiculously weak last season. Any other season and more than Childress and the GM would have been making their exit. Having said that, I will remain positive that the Hawks will build on the momentum from last year. The start of the schedule is going to be real rough though. Its like somebody has it out for these guys, but you gotta win on the road if you want to be considered a real threat in the NBA- the really good teams do that. Although the Hawks made a few strides last year, they STILL have a lot to prove. Winning on the road, playing more solidly in the half-court set, better coaching and maturity are just a few of those things. I did like the comment from Sund about the losing of three or four in a row and then running off five or six by Detroit and how they don’t get to high or low because this is a marathon. The Hawks have to get some of that. Game 7 of that series with Boston showed me they are not quite there yet and I wonder if Woodson is the coach to get them there. Talent alone won’t get that done. Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing if all this can happen, but considering who we’re talking about, the jury will rightfully still be out on this squad but I’m hoping for the best.
GO HAWKS!!!
By LaBrawnDaBrain
September 30, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Hey Schultzie, Happy New Year Baby (as of sundown today)! I hope you will enjoy your honey-dipped apples as much as Hawks fans will enjoy the 08-09 season. LBDB
By Orlando
September 30, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
JOSH CHILDRESS: Just a quick question. I hear that you’re not exactly lighting it up in Greece. Missing game winning shots already? I bet now that you wished you had taken $9 million to be a sixth man.
Despite what the naysayers like the “experts” on ESPN and Schultz are saying, Atlanta will contend for one simple reason: Mike Bibby will be here for the whole season.
Keep in mind that the Hawks were a .500 team when he arrived last February. The chemistry that this team developed can’t be ignored, which is something that turns into maturity and resolve during those losing streaks.
Above all, the Hawks have to remain hungry. They haven’t accomplished anything yet and can’t get this mentality that they’ve “arrived”.
Also, one has to look at the additions they made as well. Getting much needed frontcourt depth in Morris, veteran guards like Murray and Evans.
Finally, Horford and Law have a year under their belts, a year with playoff experience. As long as Woodson remembers that you can put more than 7 guys in a game, they will be fine.
By HawkishAnger
September 30, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
There is totally a warning when a lightbulb goes out…it flashes and makes a sort of popping sound…there’s no warning when a lightbulb will go out….that’s is indeterminable except to those in the industry, and that info is likely a trade secret…
By HawkishAnger
September 30, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
There is totally a warning when a lightbulb goes out…it flashes and makes a sort of popping sound…there’s no warning when a lightbulb will go out….that’s is indeterminable except to those in the industry, and that info is likely a trade secret…
By Orlando
September 30, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
The Hawks answered their three biggest questions heading into the offseason:
1)Frontcourt depth. Having Morris will be a huge help for Horford, even if he only plays 10-12 minutes a game. His presence will help when Al and Zaza should they get into foul trouble. Also he can be inserted to move Al to the PF spot.
2) Backcourt depth. Flip Murray and Maurice Evans will provide both perimeter shooting and help spell JJ so he doesn’t have to play 42 minutes early in the season. The return of Claxton (don’t laugh) will at least provide more veteran help at the PG spot.
3) Stability. Now that we know Josh Smith is going to be here for the next 5 seasons, they can continue to work on keeping their nucleus intact. Personally Marvin Williams will need to have a breakout year in order to secure a long term deal as well.
If everyone stays healthy and Woodson actually plays his bench we’re looking at a 42-45 win team this year.
By bdgboss
September 30, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
I like the hawks chances buddy! I don’t know what you smoking that makes you think they won’t make it. I’m willing to bet your job that they improve and also make some noise when they get there. This is the best team the Hawks had in a long time ATL you should actually try getting behind them for once. Chilly will b missed but so will all the other big names that left us. get over the chump he didn’t even start!! If you’re a fan of the braves, falcons or bulldogs witch I assume you are they have prepared us. I have no feelings for the outcome, trades or players not getting signed. We just like them while they vacation here. Oh yeah Jo Jo is bringing home the M.V.P and josh makes his first All-Star the rest is up in the air after playoffs.
By crystal
September 30, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
just wait hawks will impress again and they are going to start early tell me what other teams do we have to look forward to in this town
By Oh Really
September 30, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Jeff-
You’re not buying the Hawks, but you’re buying the pitiful Falcons and their QB Matt “BigBust” Ryan. I guess this is to support your push behind the Michael Vick assassination in the AJC. I hope the Falcons continue to stink up the NFL and then hopefully Arthur “Wannabe Jerry Jones” Blank will sell the team. Maybe, just maybe” without having decent Professional Sports team in Atlanta the sportswriters will move away and clog up some other paper with junk and 790 the Zone will go out of business with that crappy radio crew
By Ken
September 30, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Ok let’s be real, with the history of all Atlanta teams, you can’t really blame anyone for having doubts about whether our little run of success in legit. That being said, I hope the hawks can take their experience to another level. That road heavy start will be tough, although not as bad as I thought after actually looking at it. New Orleans, Cleveland, and Toronto will definitely be tough road games in November, But in December consecutive games against the 3 Texas teams is a killer. We’ll really see how much improvement they have made in the half court. Our team has plenty of athleticism and versatility, i’m just not sure there are enough playmakers. Horford should be a good low post presence and if J Smith/Marvin take the ball to the basket more that would make a great difference. Of course it’ll be interesting to see how the “BIG” line-up works when Zaza/Morris plays the 5, Horford slides to the 4 and Smith to the 3. If that goes smoothly we can really do some damage. Also having a 100% Bibby should pay some dividends, but as many others have shared I’m not sure about Woodson. If continues playing the starters 40 plus min/gm he’s gonna cut their careers short, let alone have them tired at end of games. Really though, I don’t think he’s the coach to take them to the next level, despite the success he had last season (and I do give him props for that). I hope he proves me wrong. GO HAWKS!!! GO HAWKS!!!
By Doc Rivers
September 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
I hope the hawks make it back to the playoffs, I would like to see them again. I think they really brought out the best in our team. I’d love to meet them in the first round again, with the same final result of course. Repeat!!
By Paul Pierce
September 30, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Oh Yeah, I’m definitely with Doc on that, I’m praying we see the hawks in the playoffs again; especially you know who. I hope this message gets to him and fires him up to make it back. The result will be the same of course, but we’ll have our fun quickly this time, ha ha. Go hucks.
By Gray Mule
September 30, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Improved every year under Woodson. Yep. Did that. After being stuck in the “Didn’t make it” grouping, with our yearly improvements, Hawks ended up #8. Sure was a lot better being part of the “In it” teams than in the “End of the regular season, so go home” group. Doesn’t matter how we got there, we made it. Then, at home at least, proved that they deserved to be there. Other eastern division teames have improved - a lot? Good. That means that they will have to play each other and half of them will lose every game. Hawks won’t have to worry about half the east running away and hiding from them. Atlanta will be “right there” for the entire season. Count on it.
Gray Mule
By Seldin
September 30, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Dawg who is you to tell me how to spell offense right
By Ken
September 30, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Solomon Jones is a force!! No really i’m wondering who our 3-point shooters are going to be outside of Joe Johnson. Bibby will hit a few and Mo Evans can when left open, but is that enough outside fire power?
By BA
October 1, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
Think of Jeff Schultz: he looked about forty years older in the photos from Hawks media day than the photo next to his captivating column.
Is Schultz sixty-five or has he just lived a hard life?!
By JSS
October 1, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this
BA,
The answer is simply that Jeff is simply a FRAUD!!! In every possible form and manner, he is exemplification of what becomes of person when they have nothing to stand on in terms what they believe in or espouse. Jon Kincade is just like him. This city suffers immensely for harboring such callous individuals as the face of their print and on-air media.
The COMB-OVER has lived a hard life and it shows…
By jomo
October 1, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
Negative reporting like yours was the reason I cancelled my subscription.
By richbrave
October 1, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
JEFF SCHULTZ:
So I guess you have passed on season tix much to the chagrin of the ASG.
By jc_dawgs
October 3, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
The bar has been raised. Last year 35-40 wins was my hope. This year….45-50.
The days of having difficulty winning on the road are going to be a thing of the past. Its been a tough road for quite a while now. No more!…..Hawks are back.
By ray
October 5, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
It’s simple: the Hawks must find a way to improve in the improving Eastern conference. Sund’s answer was both hilarious and understandable…
“Ask me in January”
I hope his plan B is a good one. It will have to involve either or both of two ideas: a good trade that addresses and issue we have, or getting rid of Woodson. I vote for both.