AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > January > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHawks lack a leader to follow
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
So this is what it’s like when Reality meets Potential.
Josh Smith skies for a dunk. Josh Smith stands at the intersection of oblivious and unconscious following a timeout and fails to set a pick or … do … anything. And a teammate is left hung out to dry.
Joe Johnson hits a big jumper to key a comeback. Joe Johnson forces a late shot from behind the backboard against two defenders — low-percentage, even for Moses — then saves the worst for overtime: He travels, has a shot blocked and misses a layup.
Salim Stoudamire hits a three. Salim Stoudamire drives and passes back to the atmosphere, which misses.
Hawks lose. The won-lost, Reality-Potential breakdown now stands at 9-26. But just think how much more aesthetically appealing the Hawks will be if they can upset Houston today in Philips Arena and break into double digits in victories.
Houston has lost 10 of 12, but the Hawks have a way of boosting a franchise’s hope index. Washington had lost five of six until dumping the Hawks by 31 points last Wednesday. The Wizards came back three nights later and won in Philips in overtime. The Hawks had 47 turnovers in the two games.
Suddenly, it’s good to be a Wizard.
How come it’s never good to be a Hawk?
Well, you could write a book. But depending on the horror quotient, Bram Stoker might claim copyright infringement.
So let’s stick with the most basic of reasons why the Hawks seemingly have saved their best meltdowns for when it really matters. Either nobody is capable of taking charge, or nobody wants to take charge, or somebody tries to take charge only to discover that his four teammates have the collective attention span of a flea.
When the game is on the line, the Hawks don’t run an offense or a defense. They break huddle, then run in different directions. That’s either coaching or lack of listening. But when you’re 9-26, there’s enough blame to go around.
The Wizards game the other night at Philips was a classic example. The Hawks followed every highlight with self-immolation. They rally, look to turn a corner, then implode. They can’t figure out why it keeps happening to them. But the answer is the same in every sport. An opponent steps up, and the team that lacks a player with some sense of just-gimme-the-freaking-ball fizzles.
Johnson and Al Harrington are as close as the Hawks get to go-to guys. In the last game, the two went a combined 13-for-39. Johnson also had seven turnovers and went 1-for-5 in overtime.
It might not seem fair to single him out. That comes free of charge with $70 million contracts.
Here’s the problem (OK, another problem). Harrington is a nice player, but he’s going into free agency. The Hawks can trade him or let him go, but there’s a better chance that I’m starting for this team next year than he is.
The Hawks are 9-26 with Harrington. They’re not going to be much worse without him. He’s not the guy to build around. It’s not his team. If it’s ever going to Johnson’s team, it’s not yet. It was easier to be a go-to guy in Phoenix because Steve Nash was feeding him the ball. But Nash wasn’t included in the sign-and-trade. Not many players can do it alone — and Johnson is not one of those elite few.
“I won’t say it’s difficult because I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle,� Johnson said. “But at the same time, I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve had my mistakes. I’m adjusting.�
He says he wants the ball with the game on the line. “I just feel a lot better when the ball’s in my hands,� he said. But nobody’s hands have been great.
The Hawks are averaging nearly 17 turnovers a game. I don’t know how many on average are being committed in crunch time, but when a team is 9-26, it can’t afford to scorch the few opportunities it has.
“We’re still trying to figure some things out,� Woodson said.
Like maybe who their leader is.
Here’s one possibility: He’s not here.
Permalink | Comments (27) | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By EP
January 15, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
When I see the Hawks, I’m reminded of coach John McKay’s quote when asked what he thought about the execution of his Tampa Bay Bucs team after a particularly miserable performance: “I’m in favor of it.”
This franchise is still paying the price for exiling ‘Nique to the Clippers…he’s our Bambino curse. The only way this team will improve (besides divine intervention) is if they realize that starting four 6’8” swingmen and a backup center only works on PlayStation.
I’d start a firebillyknight.com site if I thought anyone actually cared enough at this point. Worked for Ron Zook…
By pj
January 16, 2006 02:36 AM | Link to this
3 reasons (among many) to toss Billy Knight upon the scrapheap that is the detritus of the old Omni: Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams. I know it’s too early to judge whether or not they’re part of the history of Hawks’ first round draft pick futility (meet Roy Marble and Rumeal Robinson with Adam Keefe as the wacky neighbor!), but early results are very, very discouraging. Besides, those three, what the Hades are their roles anyway?
Of course, if we’re to quiz Mr. Knight about his questionable judgment in talent evaluation, no doubt, he’d belligerently argue, “I know basketball! What are your creditials, huh? Huh?”
Sorry, Billy, I know that I would’ve drafted a mature, competitive pro in Chris Paul over another “project with loads of upside”. Hasn’t this franchise learned from the DerMarr Johnson debacle?
By scott
January 16, 2006 03:04 AM | Link to this
Billy Knight needs to go to the doctor to see if he has something mentally wrong with him. Who the hell puts together a team of small forwards? Seriously, he thinks that a team of 6’8 small forwards is the future of the game?
I don’t know which one is dumber, Knight of the idiot Hawk owners who pay him.
By sad
January 16, 2006 06:53 AM | Link to this
seriously, what does mike woodson say in those huddles before a crucial last play? does he even try to make a plan?
10 bucks says he talks about his beard or reminisces about the a-town dancers.
By Astro Joe
January 16, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
And where do we get the leader, because it is not likely going to come from the draft. Personally, it needs to start with the head coach and while he appears to be a very nice guy, this team is NOT responding to his leadership.
By joe
January 16, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
who really cares about the nba or the hawks.
simply put, the hawks lack leadership in the front office,coaching and the players have little direction,but why should any of them care, they are all going to get paid their money no matter if they win or loss.
the owners do not have clue,but it’s their money so why should any of us care, i certainly don’t.
By By pen
January 16, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
I truly beleive that the hawks are a better team than they were before. However, they really need a player who can finish the game.They also HAVE to limit on turnover.if they can do that, they will win a lot more game than last year.
By tyrone
January 16, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Ive been a season ticket holder since 1982! I love the Hawks! We’re on the verge of turning this ship around. I can feel it. There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, more exciting than seeing our beloved Hawks shoot that ball. They might not win every game, but there are very few teams that play with the intensity, passion, and discipline of the Atlanta Hawks. Go Hawks!!!! NBA World Champs in 07!!! Unlike every armchair power forward in this town, Billy Knight KNOWS basketball, and he knows how to win.
By BILLY BOB
January 16, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Hey Tyrone send me some of whatever that is your on or atleast tell me what it is so I can get a prescription. You are really missing the boat if you think that Billy has a plan for this team and that the current team is exiting to watch. Billy has shown that he has no clue and this team while it can be exiting for short stretches can be excruciating for a lot longer stretches. I do disagree with those of you who want the head of Coach Woodson, he seems to have a clue just not the pieces of the puzzle to make his gameplan work. If I were Woodson I would tell my buddy get me some inside help and a point (I don’t need draft picks) or please fire me so I can go back to enjoying life with a real pro team as an assistant. Billy is truly the problem in Atlanta this drafting on potential is something that I have never understood and what the hell is a high ceiling on a basketball player? We have had chance after chance to draft players who are proven talents in the early picks but time after time we go after the project because he has a great upside well we see where upside has gotten us so get us a proven player or two for Al and forget holding out for picks.
By jimmy
January 16, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
tyrone, i got a question for you. Where were all these naysayers when the hawks were an elite power house back in the mid 80s. The Atlanta Air Force was dy-no-mite as far as im concerned. The electricity in the air surrounding the hawks right now is crazy. I do think we have a chance at making the playoffs even this season, then with a little luck, we’ll be cutting the net off the basket again. Holla back.
By Gary
January 16, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
I don’t think I’ve been to a Hawks game since they played in the Omni. Is Dan Roundfield still on the team? What about John Drew?
By John
January 16, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
I think most people agree….what is Billy Knight thinking? And by the way, I don’t think the Hawks are getting their monies worth from Joe Johnson. I’m just anoyed that with all the hype about bring him here and the powers that be in the Hawks organization, paid him this huge contract and we’re still losing. We need an allstar who can get the fans going. I went to the Wizards game and it was boring, boring, boring. The players playing like ho hum! We the fans tried to cheer them on and they just playes like whatever. Owners get your act together before u won’t have any real season ticket holders. I doubt if I by season tickets next year
By Dennis
January 16, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
We need a damn center. Just like half the NBA teams do. Bring back Tree Rollins!
By hawks numba 1 fan
January 16, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this
the name of this topic should’ve been about AL not JOSH SMITH how many times has he blocked a shot and the rest of the team just stood their while some one on the other team got the rebound, AL and JOE are not leaders even they are admitting it what have they done to turn things around tnothing and AL who has been horrible the last couple of game I’d have to say he’s the biggest dissapointment not the youg guys I would rather but the franchise in their hands than AL’S
By lawton
January 16, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
FIRST PROBLEM, the multihead monster called Hawks ownership. If you got 100 owners, you got 100 leaders, thus,no direction from the top. no single vision for the team. yes, they are still paying the price for moving nique outta a town. the Hawks dont know WHAT they wanna do. do they wanna push the ball? do they wanna go midtempo and run plays here and there? do they wanna walk it up and run plays most of the time? do they wanna be offensive oriented or defensive oriented? who is there point guard, jj, royal, lue? who gonna help smith block shots? who gonna teach jj how to dribble, 70 million dollars and he cant dribble outta doubleteams, embarrassing. i would fire billy knight and woodson. bring in a defensive oriented headcoach and another center from just any damn where they can get one, jettison harrington and one of the joshs for draft picks, and start this mess over.
By Harry Hawk
January 16, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
jimmy, I was a naysayer back in the mid-and-late 1980s. While I may only have been under the age of ten, I knew that the Hawks were never going to win anything as long as teams like the Celtics, Bulls and Pistons were in the same conference. Hell, the Hawks brought in Reggie Theus and Moses Malone. Remember that? “We’re finally going to get it done!” Well, that didn’t work. Seventeen or eighteen years later, we’re still waiting for the Hawks to “get it done” (i.e., win a couple of playoff series and make it to a conference final, if not the Finals) and be a powerful force in the Eastern Conference.
By A Thinking Fan
January 16, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this
dysfunctional roster, don’t blame it on the players…
JJ should not be the primary ballhander. I think that has been said about 1000 times on this blog…
By A Thinking Fan
January 16, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this
dysfunctional roster, don’t blame it on the players…
JJ should not be the primary ball-handler. I think that has been said about 1000 times on this blog…
By DavidU
January 16, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Its hard to find a leader when the roster turnover every year, and everyone is so young. Their veteran player is Tyrone Lue, and even though he has played well this year. How can the leader be Lue? Leadership will come when the GM and coach decides on a team and a style of play. They need to do something with Al, trade him, sign him but do something. And let the team grow without everyone every year having to look around wondering who’s going to get traded for Antoine Walker again. Then with stability a player can step up and become the leader. I hope its JJ because his contract almost demands its him. But it’s a little tough to step up and be the leader with only 30 games on the team and not knowing if he second best player will even be around past March. The talent is there they just need time, past failures of the team have nothing to do with the current players, but with the organization. Stability will help a leader develop.
By A Thinking Fan
January 16, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
Well said DavidU!
By RoadDawg
January 16, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Harrington needs to be traded for some point guard help. Lets face it this year was over when Lue and Ivey were the starting point guards. I say move Harrington to the West, like Denver and get Watson in return. Then realize that even with that trade we still have too many small Forwards and accept the fact that Josh Smith is a great young player but also the best player we have to offer for a real blockbuster trade, and see if you put him out there some team will bite and give us some vets for leadership and a young big guy. I love Josh Smith but we are going no where with a team full of SFs. I’d rather trade Childress, but lets face it he has done nothing to give him any trade value so you move who ever can give you something that actually result into a starting five. PG, SG, SF, PF, C. and not PG, SF, SF, SF, PF.
By DavidU
January 16, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
I like Harrington a lot, but not for this team. Like you said RoadDawg, too many SF. So if they decide that Harrington is who they want (I’m all for that) then you have to move one if not both he Joshs. they Drafted Marvin number one so they are stuck with him, whether he develops into a Tmac type or a Kwame Brown type, and JJ just got all the money and the draft picks. So the odd men out are the Joshs. The important thing is who ever they go with just they need to get a real point guard, not a back up. Lue is a great back up, we need someone for him to back up. and a big body. Elite Centers and PF are not just hanging around the league, but they need someone like Foster, that will not give them 15 points a game, but will get dirty and get them 10 rebounds. and keep building. But please they need to get rid of 1-2 SFs by the trading deadline to actually continue the growth of the team.
Go Hawks
By tom
January 16, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
GO HAWKS WIN NUMBER 10 Maybe they can finish. If they finish the season 26-20 we’ll make the playoffs
By JMar
January 16, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this
Nobody expected the Hawks to be a playoff team this year. Nobody expected Harrington to be with the team at the end of the season or beyond. Josh Childress is a solid backup SG and SF, but it doesn’t appear that he will develop into a much more than that. So I wish people would stop crying about how bad Billy Knight is and how dumb it was to take Marvin Williams, because while we may have too many SFs now, in the long run we will have given Marvin time to develop behind a veteran SF in Harrington, and given him a better chance to succeed in the future, while setting us up to draft the PF or PG we need. You complain about lack of stability, and yet Knight was smart enough to find the talent in Zaza and lock him up for four years. A backup center? That doesn’t mean he isn’t a bargain, especially when compared to the Blounts and Dampiers of the NBA. Knight also signed Lue for two years at a price less than the Lakers were willing to give him. It sure seems to me that Knight’s doing an all right job - use Harrington to trade for a PG, draft Lamarcus Aldridge or someone else with size, and all of a sudden “too many SFs is absolutely not a problem.”
By DavidU
January 16, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
I agree JMar, the cupboard is not empty. There’s obviously talent on the team, but to say everything is great would be crazy, they have only won 10 games still trailing the expansion Bobcats, who have 2 point guards (Felton and Knight) and 3 quality Big Men (Okafor, May and Brezec) and ONE!!! SF (Wallace). I like their chances for the coming years with their roster than ours. I agree the potential of Marvin was just impossible to pass up, but then you have to move people to let him get the playing time to develop. There is a log jam at SF, 2 people have to go this or next month…Have to for this team to improve. And Zaza is not a Center, he’s 6-11…he’s a PF forced to play center, great for fantasy teams because of PF,C eligibility. Bad for the real world. Knight did well in the Zaza signing, and he did great getting a real free agent to sign and actually want to play for Atlanta (JJ). but a lot of work is still needed, starting with what kind of team they want to be offensively, and their need for a Starting point guard. Not everything is bad, but come on Knights not Jerry West, he’s done some dumb moves (5 SFs on one team and no point guard, he’s constant admiration for Antoine Walker—he better not give up Harrinton for him to come back again).
By lawton
January 16, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this
i think the main thing i dont like about knight is getting and letting go players he couldve built with NOW, instead of going on another 5 year plan. shouldve kept rasheed wallace, (unless there was a secret backroom deal with detroit beforehand). wallace wouldve gave them a IDENTITY AND MARKABILITY to bring other free agents in without begging. he had chopped enough salary to resign wallace, then go out with the high draft pick and get a point guard, then throw in some small forwards and still get a second tier center like za za. better than the mixture they got now.
By Brian
January 16, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
PLAIN AND SIMPLE THEY NEED TO GO OUT THERE EVERY GAME WITH THE INTENT TO HURT THE OTHER TEAM. UNTIL THEY DO THIS NO TEAM WILL RESPECT THEM. THEY NEED TO SNAP SOME LEGS AND NECKS.