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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2009 > January > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBanged-up Hawks hanging tough
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With six air balls, two missed lay-ups and — citing the analysis of one Joe Johnson — “a lot of bonehead plays,” this wasn’t one of those games you watch and think, “Wow, those Hawks are really coming along nicely. I’ll think I’ll take four season tickets.”
But it’s actually games just like Monday’s that can help define a team’s season — a good season. A 2-6 stretch had followed a 21-10 start. The defense had become soft. Injuries had taken out two starters and Monday took out two bench players.
The only happy guy was Speedy Claxton, because he finally had somebody to talk to.
But what did the Hawks do Monday? They won, 87-84. It wasn’t poetry. Nothing rhymed and certainly nothing flowed. The opponent, Toronto, wasn’t great. (The Raptors already are on their second coach of the year and are 8-20 since Nov. 30.) But this isn’t the BCS. In a week, nobody will be remember how the Hawks won, just that they did.
A team needs ugly wins as much as it needs the ones that play out nicely on national TV. Ugly wins often say something about toughness and resolve. That doesn’t mean the Hawks are there yet. This win was largely an escape. The Hawks missed easy and open shots. Mike Bibby blew a lay-up when the closest Raptor was two states over. The Hawks trailed most of the game (after 9-8) and didn’t take the lead until early in the fourth (68-67).
But it’s worth noting that this generally has been the kind of game they’ve lost.
“I’m just glad we won,” said Johnson, whose off-balance, three-point shot with 12.5 seconds left gave his team the 87-84 lead. “This is a tough time for us. We’re so bogged down with injuries right now that everybody has to step up. It wasn’t pretty, but somehow we made it happen.”
Al Horford still has a swollen knee. Marvin Williams still has headaches, the residual of a concussion. In the same sequence Monday, Josh Smith was poked in the eye following a rebound and Acie Law was kneed in the quad. Smith returned, but Law was told that he’ll be out seven to 10 days. Reserve Mario West left with an ankle sprain.
Law also hit his head on a TV camera as he limped to the locker room. Welcome to Mike Hampton’s world.
For most of the second half against Toronto, the Hawks featured Josh Smith (who played over 43 minutes) and four guards: Johnson (45), Mike Bibby (43), Flip Murray (34 off the bench) and Maurice Evans (33).
“It wasn’t pretty but we sort of turned it into an ugly match,” Smith said. “It might be that way for a while, with Al and Marvin out. We have to get closer as a team.”
It would make coach Mike Woodson’s day. The Hawks trailed by 11 in the first half and nearly lost to a Raptors team that shot two of 18 from three-point range and is missing two starters (Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon).
Lately, Woodson has wondered just how tough his players really are.
“When we lost Josh Smith early I thought we were as tough as any team in the league mentally, as well as physically,” he said. “We’ve kind of lost that edge a little bit. But when I look at our schedule and where we are today, we’re right on pace with where we thought we should be.
“I’m not in a panic stage right now. If we stay on target we have a chance to win 45-plus games. Surely we’ll make the playoffs if we do that.”
We’ve learned not to assume greatness. But a win certainly means the bottom isn’t falling out.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By Guyana Dawg
January 19, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
just win baby…
By cwm
January 19, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
by the way Jeff Schultz what game were you watching joe did not hit a off balance three He hit an off balance two though …. if you are going to write about the game at least go to it……
By virgil
January 19, 2009 10:34 PM | Link to this
is the hawks front office going to continue to deny the need for a bg man in the middle. i think we could pull of a trade involving M.Williams and another playerfor a big man or maybe at least we can get an early 1st rd pick
By The Grinch
January 20, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
There’s Woodson the inspirational again. “Even though we’re losing we’re right on target…we’ve had a hot start; now if we can just play .500 ball the rest of the way we won’t finish last and they might give me another two year extension…” I have never in my life heard a head coach in any sport as consistently happy to aim for the middle as Mike Woodson. HOW does this man continue to be employed as a head coach? This team deserves better; it’s actually reasonably talented.
Virgil, agreed. Sund said in the off season we didn’t need a 5 because Horford was an ideal 5 and Zaza was plenty fine as a backup. Either he’s a bloody idiot and is going to slaughter Al’s career by playing him out of position or this need will be addressed before too much longer. Surely he was just spinning Knight’s incompetence (I know, Jeff; stop calling him Shirley). Horford is an ideal PF and Smith an excellent SF. Williams as part of a package ought to net us someone above 260 pounds.
By Get it straight
January 20, 2009 1:05 AM | Link to this
First off, the score was 85-84 when Johnson hit a jump shot around the free throw line with 12.5 seconds left to play to make it 87-84. Joe Johnson did not hit a 3 at that time.
By Dr. Warren
January 20, 2009 3:52 AM | Link to this
Why aim for 45? We were on pace for 50 less than two weeks ago. Lack of consistent defensive intensity, to my mind, goes straight back to coaching—i.e. motivation. A 6 or 7 game yearly improvement seems to be what Woodson wants. Pragmatism is great but don’t tell the Falcons, Rays, ‘91 Braves or any other team that reversed its fortunes far more effectively.
By ltdbrave
January 20, 2009 6:56 AM | Link to this
This team is only as tough as it’s coach, which equates to a not very tough team. They consistently play catch-up basketball and the majority of the time start off very slow. I think Woodson needs to have his job description rewritten. He is not a baby sitter but a professional basketball coach who needs to motivate a very young team.
By shresee2
January 20, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
Well, I was at that game yesterday and no I was not happy. Josh is not a jump shooter and I know someone has had to tell him that. He is best driving the lane, and getting rebounds. He can out jump most in the league. The easy shots the Hawks are missing is frustrating, and no one is even commenting on how bad they are at the free throw line. The mental errors is going to get them kicked right out the playoffs against a Nets, Pistons or Orlando teams. Even at the end of the game before Joe hit the 2 pointer to win the game, he had to yell at Flip to slow down the pace to let the clock run. They are so quick to shoot a bad shot allowing teams too much time to beat them. They also need to play man to man defense, when they play zone they get to lazy in the play. The defense power house they were becoming is lost, but they know defense wins games. if they can make their shots on the end of the floor.
By JO
January 20, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this
The Hawks need a dominating BIG Man as this is where they get beat a lot. Also Josh Smith needs to stop acting erratic and stop shooting jumpers because he sucks. The rest of the team is probably fine (not great but fine). All in all, currently this team isnt better than what we saw at the end of the season last year: .500 team with flashes of something better but is missing something…
By noddy dred
January 20, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
COME BE APART OF THE BEST SUPERBOWL PARTY IN ATLEAST 11 YEARS WHEN THE 2 LIVE STEWS HOST THEIR 1ST ANNUAL STEWPERBOWL PARTY AT THE LUCKY LOUNGE. JOIN ME, THE STEWS, AND A SLEW OF CELEBRITIES FEB. 1, STEWPERBOWL SUNDAY. TELL’EM NODDY SENT YOU.
By woody for coy
January 20, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
Realistic expectations please!!!! You do not move from a 37 win team to a championship team with the same squad..It doesnt happen!!. Please guys have a little patient. The goal is 50 wins and a first round home court..
By Richard
January 20, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Love the Hampton comment!! The one about Speedy was also pretty funny.
It prompted me to wonder if there’s any chance of Speedy hitting the court this season. Any news on this front?
By Zach
January 20, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
Geez, 45 wins is too low to shoot for? When did 50 wins become the expected total for the Hawks? I would be very happy with 45 wins. It’s an improvement over last season.
Injury bug is biting the Hawks pretty badly at this point. Just keep improving.
By south ga. boy
January 20, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
i share errbody’s frustration. i think this team could be the 04 pistons,(no dominant 5, but athletes that can run, jump, shoot & play def)and maybe they can, maybe not. i once thought the grinch’s idea was the way to go, but im not sure josh can be a sf with his inconsistant jump shot, and marvin’s jump shot has improved by light yrs. dont want to trade away an all star sf. al is definately not a 5, he’s doing as great a job as a 6’9” pf can do playing a 5, but his career will be shortened if he stays there. bottom line, don’t know which way is best, maybe we will by the end of the year, do know one thing, NO EXCUSE FOR THE P** POOR DEFENSE OF LATE, THAT CAN CHANGE NOW.