AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > October > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USVick’s better, Tara’s bitter, Hawks squawk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
The Tuesday Countdown…
10: I haven’t received a “play-Matt-Schaub-and-move-Michael Vick-to-wide-receiver” e-mail in two weeks. Hello? Are you people still out there? Or is it back to complaining that the Confederacy got jobbed in the War of Northern Aggression?
9: Yes - the protection is better. Yes - the receivers have been better. But doesn’t it also seem like the approach by coaches has changed? Vick’s first comment after the game: “I’m just getting more opportunities to throw the ball. There is a certain comfort level and a groove that you get [into] when you can throw the ball around the field.”
8: The Hawks open the season Wednesday. Embrace this moment, people. They’re still in the playoff race.
7: Tara Reid is the latest Hollywood “star” to claim her life has been scarred because of botched plastic surgery. Funny, I thought it was just having no talent, sleeping until noon and deciding to pour Vodka on her cornflakes.
6: Seriously, I’m dating myself here. But back in the day, when a celebrity’s career was pretty much toast, they just did the game-show circuit before fading to black. Now it’s heart-wrenching stories (sarcasm) on the cover of BLAB Magazine about excessive liposuction and picking mutant breasts off the top shelf. Please. Just go away.
5: Meanwhile, back to real life emotional trauma: the Hawks.
4: Going against Philadelphia will give the team a close-up look at Allen Iverson, a player who wanted to come here, would have improved the team and excited the fan base. But the Hawks’ ownership was divided on Iverson and Billy Knight just wasn’t feelin’ it. So, without Iverson, is anybody feelin’ more than a 30-win season?
3: Tonight is Halloween: Can anybody on the Hawks dress up as a center?
2: Feelin’ lucky, punk? The gambling website Bodog.com lists the Hawks as 250-1 odds to win the NBA title, making them the longshots on the board. Over/under: 28 1/2 wins.
1: Part of the New York Knicks’ settlement agreement with Larry Brown is that he not publicly discuss the matter publicly. Sure. And you thought the Hawks were long odds.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
Comments
By John D.
October 31, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
Allen Iverson a Hawk? Does anyone remeber Isaiah Rider? Cancers come in big and small packages. Talented? Yes! Big trouble? Yes!
By gdg73
October 31, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
John D. Either you have been misinformed or are just plain ignorant if you can honestly sit there and comapre A.I. to Isaiah Rider. The only similarities are that they are both black and play basketball. A.I. comes to play every night and gives 100% on the floor. Iverson would have made the Hawks very relevant in the city of Atlanta and the NBA. “Big Trouble???”, give me a break.
By macaroni Tony
October 31, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
either love the Hawks are write about something else Go Hawks
By chas
October 31, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
I agree with with gdg73. To say we didn’t need A.I is an just a dumb statement. Just seems the Hawks don’t want older players even if they are good. Trust me you won’t find anybody in Philly who would tell you that he came to play every night.
By I think with a silky, southern drawl
October 31, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
Like I’ve said all year, the Falcons are going to the NFC Championship game (they’ll lose to Dallas, who will beat the Ravens 24-10 in the Super Bowl).
Wait unitl Abraham gets back, and wait until Mora wises up and start Ashley Lelie!
-Get yo popcawn ready!!! (Dec. 16, 2006)!!!
By mountain_jim
October 31, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
It appears someone above Mora woke Take-A-Knapp up 2 1/2 weeks ago, and let him know he was going to be fired way before Vick, pointed out what many of Vick’s supporters were all saying about Vick’s passing under Reeves, and said he better figure something out and quick!
To his credit he did, and Mike showed his greatness once the Knapp leash was off, and once the pass-blocking-seive Lehr was suspended.
You are hatin’ on this years Hawks though - 41 wins, even with the injury to Marvin.
Watch and see.
Go Hawks!
By archimedes
October 31, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
By TTCO
October 31, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
Schultz, Number 10 in your list confirms to me that you are an idiot. Just because a fan complains about a players or teams poor play does not bring up the cival war or racism. If you cant do any better than that then take up another profession because comments like that do not come from a competent sports journalist!
By mark
October 31, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
When your an out of work, no talent celebrity you have to rely on a scandal to put you back in all the magazines. Has Kirstie Alley done anything since Cheers, except get fat and then lose a bunch of weight? Has Lindsey Lohan done anything but star in a couple of Herbie movies, get trashed and be one of the biggest whores in Hollywood? Do I even need to mention Paris and Nicole? Nothing helps the career like a good scandal. They actually have reality shows for “has beens!” (see Surreal Life) My wife brings home US Weekly magazines and it shows celebrities dipping their fries in ketchup! The headline reads “they dip their fries just like you!” NO SH!!! I bet their sh stinks just like mine too!! AMAZING!!
By TD
October 31, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
JS, I thought your comment on number 10 pretty much hit the mark. Those posters who wanted to move MV to running back, WR or whatever have faded away at least for the moment.. Also, those individuals who somehow cling to the stars and bars and romanticize a time that never was will continue to lament the loss during the civil war.
By jhan
October 31, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
How many titles have the Sixers won with AI? Exactly the same number the Hawks have since he’s been in the league. Good NO sign by Billy Knight.
By Skydawg
October 31, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
LMAO..yeah the Cowboys are going to the Superbowl with Romo at QB. Man I was having a pretty bad day until that chuckle. One game against the Panthers does not a Superbowl bowl contender make.
By Hawk4Life
October 31, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
jhan
How many titles did Karl Malone win? John Stockton? Charles Barkley? All would’ve been bad signs for the Hawks using your DUMB*SS criteria. It takes more than 1 man to win a title. If Jordan couldn’t do it by himself, why do you think A.I. should’ve? A.I. was a punk when he first came into the league but he is an MVP caliber talent now, has been for the last 6 yrs. Check out his assists, steals and points per game. He’s not a selfish player, just one that has no real talent around him.
By mo
October 31, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
Man, imagine Allen Iverson being a Hawk. Oh man… that would have been wonderful!
Also, it was definitely a change in the coaching philosophy that put Mike Vick in a better position. # 10 was “Actual Factual!”
And the Cowboys will definitely see the NFC Championship… from a barcolounger in their living rooms! It’s gonna be one of three: Bears, Giants, and the Falcons!
Uh, quick question… could someone please tell me where the chances of the Panthers winning the NFC South went? I just can’t find it anywhere.
Oh, and GO Saints! Go Away! (Katrina’s over. I still feel sorry for the city, but no longer for their football team.)
By TTCO
October 31, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
Mo, It was #9 that was factual #10 was racist babble!
By Jawgadawg
October 31, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
The call for AI is just crazy. If you want to be better - maybe but if you want to be great - no way. You have to stick with young guys to have any chance.
By Dustin
October 31, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
….oh Yea to be a great basketball team you must stick with the inexperienced young guys? WTF are u seriously that stupid experience and skill make a team something that A.I has both of and something that just about every player on the hawks team needs. You are stupid if you would say that allen iverson would not majke the hawks a better team. HELL TERRELL OWENS would make the Hawks better.
By Boogie
October 31, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
Who knew the line could block?? Who new the receivers could catch?? Who knew to OC could have a good game plan?? Who knew from the first 5 games that Vick could be succesful throwing the ball?? I admit I was calling for Vick to be an H-back and do everything. We know that all that can happen and a good running attack and solid D is possible now. We pray they can be consistant and be versatle enought to continue the good work. A few trick plays couln’t hurt.
By Edgar
October 31, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
Jeff, after the Giants game I just surrendered to the football gods. I’ve watched this franchise since day one and it’s been one disappointing season after another except for the ‘98 season. The gut feeling I had on the Monday after the Giants game was the same gut feeling I had the Monday after the Cowboys beat the Falcons in the playoff game in Jan. ‘81. I just figured the record would be 7 and 9, Mora would get fired and another coach would come in facing the same dilemma as all the previous coaches here. I guess I just didn’t give Mr. Blank enough credit for his savvy. For what it’s worth the meeting he had with Knapp and Donatell must have been very “constructive” to say the least. I also saw the “Inside the NFL” show later that week and caught the interview between Cris Carter and Mike Vick. The exchange between the two wasn’t staged. The expressions on both faces told the story. You could tell Mike Vick was more than sincere You could see the hurt in his eyes. This franchise was letting him down. From what I’m seeing now it looks like they are letting him be an extremely talented NFL QB instead of some kind of freak that’s going to storm the NFL and win it all but first they had to find that different way that he would need to blow up the league. They finally decided to just use the playbook and let the people around him “Make a Play”. That’s all he was asking for. He’s been around long enough and he’s also got a great supporting cast around him to take us to February. I know 2 games don’t make a season but we all see now that it’s clicking. As I told my friend, “It’s nice to see our QB has finally matured into a great All-Pro QB. Hey folks, look around the league and see how he’s changed the way teams want their QB’s to play. Just look at Dallas last night.
By Pago Pago
October 31, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Who cares about the nba?!?!
By Boogie
October 31, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
Edgar: I agree I had the same downer week. Lets hope they keep it together week by week and add new options to what they are doing NOW. Please don’t get too high too soon.
By cp
October 31, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
I like AI and all but he couldn’t even lead the Sixers to the playoffs last year and that team had more talent than the Hawks. Yea the trade would have brought more fans to the games but I highly doubt that the team would have been much better. The Hawks would have had to trade away some young talent to get AI. So how would the Hawks have been better with even less talent to go with Iverson than he had previously in Philly? ENOUOGH SAID.
By RSW
October 31, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
There you go again, Jeff, auditioning to be a stand-up comic.
By SICEM
October 31, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
Pago Pago, Im feel ya who cares about the NBA anyway? Most of them are just a bunch of overpaid playground ballers. Hell they cant even play the game the way it is supposed to be played AS A TEAM! It has become just a bunch of foul mouth thugs for the most part. Look at the early exits from world championships and olympics and you will see that the NBA is a bunch of individual all for me punks that want to dunk every time instead of play like a team and win! The NBA is an embarrassment to the USA on the world stage! If you want to see the game played this way go to most any city park and you can watch it for free!
By The Wizard
October 31, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
RSW, I think you’d best tell Jeff that Jay Leno’s job looks pretty secure.
By RA
October 31, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this
As for the negative remarks about the Hawks, I would like to remind Mr. Schultz that in many ways the vulture is wiser than many people in that before he begins to tear into the carcuss, he makes sure it’s dead.
By Diogenes
October 31, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
To The Wizard: It appears that only Jeff has a sense of humour among all of these sports fans.
By Blake
October 31, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
Schuab & Vick… Most people were saying use Schuab a few weeks back, because they knew that the falcons were 1 dimensional. Most believed that Schuab could throw the ball better than Vick and open up options for this offense and make the falcons 2 dimensional. Vick has to be consistent throwing the ball, if he can prove that he can be consistent, you will never hear “Start Schuab” again. The first 6 games of the year the Falcons were 1 dimensional—all we could do is run the ball, Vick wasn’t throwing it (make any excuse you want, no O-Line protection, bad play calling etc). Defense’s schemed for the Run oriented falcons, and you saw NY and NO wipe us out.
I am still a big fan of putting Schuab in the game after every Vick scramble to allow Vick to catch his breath, Vick’s style is more active than most quarterbacks are, and I believe he needs a breather every now and then-—you do this for every other “active” position on the field. This made more sense in week 3,4&5 than it does now because Vick wasn’t completing passes then. However getting Schuab in the game would: 1. allow Vick’s backup to get some reps (which is important with Vick considering the hits he takes) 2. improve Schuab’s marketability for a trade—next year we will need to get something out of Schuab as a RFA. Who is willing to part with a high draft pick for a unproved backup? 3. allow Vick to see some competition. I know Vick will not loose his job, but there have been times when he does not give 100%. (Carolina last year, Saints game this year, Pick off Arizona) Anyone else besides Vick would have been benched for that effort. Competition is good, and #7 needs it too! Now that #7 is throwing the ball around, and doing a good job, the Falcons are 2 dimensional and winning games—No more Schuab talk.
By toocoldscorpio
October 31, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
I think Jeff Schultz should be congradulated about his article a few weeks ago calling out this horrible coaching staff. They are doing the job now but I still don’t trust them. And I have said that for the past three years. Even the playoff year.
By toocoldscorpio
October 31, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this
I think Matt Schuab might be a decent QB given the chance .But I don’t know for sure. He has played in a few games. Can some one out there tell meONE single Falcons victory where Matt Schaub plaid significant minutes. I can’t recall. Can someone help.
By JohnD
October 31, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
I never said Iverson did not give his best during the games but the NBA, and any other basketball, requires a TEAM concept.
A player, regardless of ability, who refuses to practice, who must have the ball in his hands 95% of his time on the floor, and who has not questionable character but serious character flaws, is not a player to be thrown in with the youngest team in the league. Let’s talk about leading the youngsters down the wrong path.
If you simply wish to watch a very talented player take most of the shots, challenge for the league lead in scoring, and still have a team that wins a mediocre number of games - then Allen Iverson is your man.
None of the above even considers the damage his salary would do to the Hawk’s ability to sign other players. Our cap space would be HISTORY.
As for JR Rider, the major difference in the two is that AI is a more talented player and gives more effort but on the character scale there is not significant difference in the two. If Iverson was as indifferent as Rider he would also be long gone.
One more thing, if Iverson is such a savior, such a great teammate, such a great talent - then why did no other team step up and take his contract? The Knicks have several malcontents to trade. How about Kobe and AI in the same backcourt? Why would Dallas pass the opportunity to add such a talent? The Sacramento owners have plenty of money and face losing Bibby to free agency - why did they pass on AI?
The Clippers have the money, although the owner does not like to spend, and also have an outstanding front court. Why not AI in LA? Why not Chicago? Again teams with plenty of money and a slow PG! Orlando? Charlotte?
All the above teams need a guard and by the measure of the posters here they all passed on an all-time great. Why? BECAUSE HE IS TROUBLE!
By dewan lee
October 31, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
Last backup QB played for th eFalcons was supposed to be the prize free agent. That was before a certain QB got hurt the year before free agency and the backups had to play a full year. For the name of Doug Johnson please stop the Matt talk until he proves something over due time.
As far as AI dont insult him with JR Rider. I know AI from my days in Hampton Roads and he will not miss a game to shoot dice with the fellas. First as has been pointed out AI will fill up the stands which always help when you dont have an owner (Belkin is the one with common sense). ANd who cares about the draft pick we would lose cause all we would draft is another 6 7- 6 9 guy that plays forward. I think we have enough of those on the roster already.
Belkin seemed to be the only one of the group with insight to say why do we pay a guy more money than the Suns could afford ( remember they are paying Nash, Marion and had a year before Stoudamire contract was up) (Who do you think they would pay Stoudamire or JJ no disrespect JJ but lets be realistic)plus 2 picks and your 1st round pick from 2 years prior, no matter how bad he had looked. The Hawks would have gotten JJ in free agency without a trade since this is not baseball and salary caps do exist. AI brings in fans and that helps with winning as a nice fan base always helps the home team and a young team gets confidence. Its amazing how that formul works but please ask Cleveland and Lebron and see how they went from worse than the Hawks to almost defeating the Champs.
By dewan lee
October 31, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this
I think the last player who was considered selfish wanted the ball all the time, did pretty good in a Hawks uniform. He did so great that they ran him out of town and have never achieved the success on the court, off the court or in the stands since he left and went to the Hall of Fame.
By buzz
October 31, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this
10, are you sure you didn’t steal this idiotic comment from that weasel Cornhieser (take God for mute buttons during MNF!) … 4, I would rather not win a game than have “that punk Iverson” play for Atlanta …10-1, as usual, your logic and comments stink …
By JohnD
October 31, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
dewan lee,
There is a huge difference between Dominique and AI. The “they” you speak of was not this writer. The man who ran ‘Nique out of town was Lenny Wilkens since the Hawks would have never been Lenny’s team while ‘Nique was here.
All those “theys” who called him selfish learned very quickly where you find a team that does not have a ‘Nique - at the bottom. I watched night after night as the ‘Nique led teams handed him the ball with little time on the shot clock and asked him to do what very few in the league then or now can accomplish - score when the opponent knows your only option is a shot.
Comparing AI and ‘Nique is soooo wrong. ‘Nique was the “human highlight film” and Iverson is the coaches film of “how not to play the game”, if you hope to be a winner.
By JohnD
October 31, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
dewan lee,
Compare AI with Lebron James? What next, the Ayatollah Khomeni and Billy Graham?
James, a model citizen by all accounts; a team player even though he stands out; a man who always seems to say the right things; a man who rebounds, scores, plays “D”, and passes the ball and you compare him to Allen Iverson?
What good is filling the seats to watch this miscreant Iverson if you have no money remaining to sign other players? If you at the same time destroy the chemistry BK has worked so hard to build? If you demonstrate to a young impressionable team that selfish play and criminal behavior are rewarded by your franchise? What good could come from having AI at all? I will answer for you - a few people who know nothing about the “game”; who only think talent wins and disregard the team aspect; who have never stepped on a court other than in high school or someone’s back yard or most likely never at all; people who value the “thug” mentality above all else; people who think someone like AI, who has no apparent respect for anyhing or anyone; will somehow be a positive step for a struggling franchise.
As for the deal for Joe Johnson, I thought at the outset the Hawks paid too much. I liked Boris and thought we should find a way to utilize his talent. Eventually however, I realized you can not attract quality free agents(plural), without attracting the FIRST quality free agent.
The free agent issue is moot since he was a restricted free agent and the Suns could match. Your sentence about why we paid more than the Suns since they were already paying others does not make sense to me.
The price for Joe was steep, perhaps too steep, but a franchise has to step up and Joe Johnson is an All-Star quality player and individual who brings nothing but credit to the Hawks.
By dewan lee
October 31, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this
John thanks for the reply but I will clear things up for you. Joe Johnson had told the Suns that he did not want to play for them so that goes back to what you said about chemistry. The restricted figure was out of the Suns budget which is the same budget taht allowed Q Richardson to walk away from that team. Analyze the players that I said had just received deals and remember that as soon as this deal was done they gave Stat the Max deal. Since Colangelo is not Steinbrenner and the NBA does have a cap there was no way that the Suns would have attempted to pay him his restricted figure based on chemistry issues (unhappy player and salary constraints). The new deal given to Diaw is considerably less than what their figure was for JJ. As an accountant I play with numbers all day so I figured out their numbers during the time of the deal for JJ. I forget all my numbers but roughly I remember that signing JJ would have put them about 12 million over the cap.
HOw can you say AI does not pass the ball when he has averaged more assists than Kobe, MJ, Scottie and pretty much anyone not named Kidd for the last 8 years. AI has been a good teammate as all he wanted to do was win. So what if hsi comment about practice kind of sucked but did you see the interviews that they did with Red before his death when one superstar player said can I take the day off cause i am tired and Red said sure and another because he wanted to do a commercial. Red said shoot can I do the commercial with you (LOL). The point is yeah there has been some small issues with the law and that issue back in high school was bogus. Can you tell me who has played on the Sixers with AI since he has been there and I dont want to here Jumaine JOnes or wobbly knees Webber? My point exactly but this guy regardless of how hurt he was he went out and played and made it to the Finals based on his talent alone. The media has a nice way of painting a picture half colored but once you look at all the different hues in it you can appreciate the true beauty of that art work. WHo knows AI may not have worked but based on what BK has done to this once thriving franchise then I rather see what may happen than another free agent spending free on a career backup named SPeedy who is in his 30s and watching CPaul race down the court ( no disrespect To MWill). CPaul was only one of the best players to play in the ACC in the last 20 years but what do we know BK is much smarter than the rest of us. I am sure that you and I could not draft the hometown boy and use a 5 pick on a non scoring player when NJ now has a replacement for the best point guard since Magic with a 18 pick. Now tell me how dumb we look year after year and still say that we should have at least tried AI since the only PG we will get is Lue and Claxton.
By BBatZTL
November 1, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
A) HOW did a Hawks blog break out in the middle of FOOTBALL season?
B) Who cares about the NBA?
C) The Falcons are up to something special this year, PAY ATTENTION!!
THIS is where my attention lies. Talk to me again about the Hawks in Feb. or March .
By dewan lee
November 1, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this
LOL BBatZL. Is Pete Sampras still playing (HAHAHAHA).
By Wedgie Evans
November 1, 2006 03:54 AM | Link to this
Hawks will have between 33 and 37 wins this season. They ain’t going to the playoffs, but people ain’t gonna run all over them either. You are a hater, Mr. Schultz.
Anyone who thinks Allen Iverson wouldn’t have helped the Hawks knows nothing about basketball. The problem is his contract, not his personality. We already have one long-term deal (Joe Johnson) — trading players on their rookie contracts for AI would have left very little cap space to add and keep other impact players. Allen Iverson plays with more effort and heart than anyone else in the NBA — if having cornrows and tattoos makes you a criminal, maybe you should stick to watching the PGA Tour and Nascar.
Schultz is on the money about the Falcons’ coaches though — Greg Knapp finally realized that if Vick isn’t allowed to get into a passing rhythm, his completion percentage will never increase. Letting Vick throw more passes was by far the smartest move this coaching staff has ever made.
The Falcons will beat the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, and go on to lose to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. But I’m guessing Vick will be a top 3 MVP candidate by the time the season is over.
By firehead
November 1, 2006 07:48 AM | Link to this
I really hope that Billy Knight is saving and investing his money well, because Atlanta is the only city that ACCEPTS losing as a way of life.
By Edgar
November 1, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
Thanks Boogie. I’m trying to keep it even. My honest feeling about the Hawks is this….Atlanta expects a team to do more than win or it’s not going to support it. Check out the Braves. This city also wants something special. By that I mean another Dominque Wilkins. When that happens then you will see Philips Arena fill up every time they’re at home. The Hawks need to not only get that first pick in the lottery but there has to be that special player (like Wilkins, Jordan and James) to jack this city up again. Just winning ain’t enough. That special person with the extraordinary talent is what it’s going to take.
By scribe
November 1, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
after a decade of incompetence, the hawks and the National Thug Basketball League have no place on my radar and no place in teaching my children the values of hard-work and good sportsmanship.
By TTCO
November 1, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Firehead, A lot of Atlantans DO NOT ACCEPT losing but when we complain about it in a lot of cases we are called haters which I guess in ebonics is the same as a racist. Some people need to broaden thier minds and realize that we are not haters or racist we just dont like losing and speak out about it and by doing so you people shouldnt act as if we spat on the grave of Rev. Martin Luther King.
By SICEM
November 1, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
Scribe, all I can say is AMEN BROTHER!