AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAs fate would have it, Hawks win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Seeking to make lemonade from a truly rotten lemon, the Hawks asked fans to come “be part of NBA history.” They even commissioned Al Horford to do a video spot, which wound up being splashed across the Internet to unintentionally hilarious effect: “An historic day for the NBA,” said Horford, straight-faced, and then he revealed that the first 3,000 patrons would receive a free A-Town Dancers swimsuit calendar.
If not quite historic, Saturday night was weird beyond measure. The Hawks and Heat played twice at Philips Arena, the first “game” lasting 51.9 seconds and “starting” with the Hawks leading 114-111. That would, as fate and perhaps history would have it, be the final final score. The Hawks posted their 25th victory of the season without actually scoring a point during the “game” in question. Got that?
As Miami coach Pat Riley said, nearly two hours before the fateful 51.9 seconds: “I’m a little confused today.”
For the restart of a game that had begun 80 days earlier, the NBA printed up a three-page “fact sheet.” It included this pity paragraph: “Players who will be inactive for the resumption of the Dec. 19 game, yet who will be designated as active for the regularly scheduled March 8 game, may be in uniform and are to sit in the second row behind the team benches.”
Riley again: “I’ve read the rules, and I believe the NBA made them all up.”
If not for Riley, this would have been just a single who-cares game between two teams of varying lousiness. But his what-the-heck protest of the Dec. 19 game was somehow upheld by the NBA. Much has happened to the Heat since then, none of it good, and the only thing worse than having to play on a Saturday night in March while holding the league’s worst record is to have to play twice.
Over in the Hawks’ locker room, Josh Childress was asked what play he expected Miami — having had 80 days to draw up an inbounds set — to run. “They seem to think that, because it’s Riley, he’ll go for the 3 immediately. But you don’t know. They might have a trick play like Boise State, some 4-point play we’ve never seen.”
The fateful 51.9 commenced with two players who were based in the Western Conference on the night of Dec. 19 taking the floor — Mike Bibby and Shawn Marion, who had scored 23 points on Dec. 19 for Phoenix and had since been traded for Shaquille O’Neal. (That O’Neal, whose erroneous disqualification was the crux of the sustained protest and the league’s $50,000 fine against the Hawks, wasn’t even in the building made the whole thing seem even sillier.)
The Heat inbounded to Dwyane Wade. He dribbled up, dribbled around, almost tried a trey but passed instead. Mark Blount shot and missed. (Boise State can breathe easy.) The Hawks rebounded. Joe Johnson drove and missed. The Heat rebounded. Bibby knocked the ball out of bounds with 8.5 of the 51.9 seconds remaining. Wade shot to tie from the deep left corner. He missed. Eighty days after it began, the game was over.
The Hawks celebrated a bit disproportionately. Mike Woodson pumped his first. Horford, who hadn’t been a part of the mini-game — matchups, you understand — raised his arms on high. Pyrotechnics flashed above the floor. Then the teams, having toiled feverishly for 51.9 seconds, took a 15-minute break.
“A heck of a rush,” Woodson would say later. “From a coaching standpoint, it was a heck of rush.”
And then the Hawks went out and did it again, sort of.
Game 2 came down — wouldn’t you know it? — to the Hawks leading by three and the Heat with the ball, and this time Daequan Cook missed from 35 feet.
Said Josh Smith: “It seemed kind of awkward. We’d kind of already played the [first] game … Winning the second game felt better. It was more a full game.”
In sum, the Hawks played 48 minutes and 51.9 seconds Saturday against the league’s worst club, and they outscored the Heat by three points and exited with two victories. Awkward or not, it was a profitable night. Maybe even an historic one.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Mark Bradley
Comments
By Anthony
March 8, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
A good night for the team but it all means nothing if they can’t put some wins together. It still seems they are too inconsistent. This time of the year they should have some kind of “plan” on how to go about games and putting together wins. I love my team but they still seem to have no clue when it comes down to crunch time. They also have a bad habit of not getting “up” for lesser talented teams. Early in the year you can blame it on players not being used to playing together but at this stage of the season it all comes down to coaches getting players ready to play. Yea, yea, I know they are supposed to be professionals and grown men and all that but try playing as many games as these guys do and after awhile you’re gonna need somebody to light a fire under your tail. AND THAT COMES DOWN TO COACHING! I’m glad we won but impress me with some consistency. What you think?
By Don'tTrustIt
March 8, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
First!
Don’t believe the hype….we still won’t make the playoffs.
Just another false hope.
By BATMAN
March 8, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
NOW WE KNOW WE CAN BEAT THE HEAT.
By KB21
March 8, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Consistency in performance is the key to winning in the long run. With the Hawks, their consistency issues that cause them to lose are more on the defensive end than the offensive end. Yeah, I know the Hawks don’t really have an offensive system and are better equipped to be an up tempo team than a half court oriented team, and they have major issues with consistency on the offensive end.
With that said, when the Hawks play defense, they win games. I want Mike Woodson fired, but he is right with one thing. To win in this league, you have to play defense.
By deja vu
March 8, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Woodson looks as lost when they win as when they lose. He’s managed to coach DOWN half the team, still has no offense or ability to make adjustments in game. How does he have a job? The “offense” has no movement and consists of one on one and flailing jumpers as the shot clock winds down…FIRE THE OWNERS!!!
By Mr. G
March 9, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
I cant figure out for the life of me…..Why did Joe Johnson play all of the second half while Dwayne Wade sat for half of the third quarter…..that is why Joe Johnson is missing in the second half since the coach doesnt even want to let the man rest…..It was nice to see ZaZa being a timid monster on the offensive glass…..Why doesn’t Josh Childress start instead of our Invisible Man named Marvin Williams….I think Marvin had 1 point off a technical foul….Why cant ever run some plays for Horford on the block instead of him knock down the jumper….does anyone think Woodson learned anything about controlling tempo from Pat Riley….everytime the Hawks ran and got close, Pat called a timeout to regain the tempo….It seems as if the Heat controlled the game with it going so slow….
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 9, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Well, that’s 51.9 seconds we will never have back.
By kisha
March 9, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
@Mr.G- You are absolutely right about the Joe Johnson situation. This was also apparent against Golden State and New Orleans. He logs a lot of minutes offensively and defensively in the first half that I wonder why people are so quick to criticize his energy level in the second half. Maybe the problem is the suspect defense of some of his teammates or the inadequate bench. I notice that they tend to look a little lost when he’s not out there and so does Coach Woodson. He’s too dependent on Joe and so are the fans. He’s the only all-star that has to put his team on his back. I would look depressed all the time too.
By dig003
March 9, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
This has to be the most worthless, uninformative column I’ve ever read. Even for a Bradley piece it is quite unbelievable. I wonder how much this hack gets paid per submission… this can’t be more than one hour of work.
Since Bradley offered no real analysis, I’ll try talk about the actual games played rather than stretching out one paragraph into a page… the Hawks looked pretty terrible out there again, as we have the past week. Bibby appears useless and slow and JJ looks solid early, but since he’s guarding DWade and playing 45(!!) minutes, he once again gets tired late and hoists up contested shots after we stand around for 20 secs.
Our “offense” is pitiful and the defensive effort inconsistent. Woody is a joke and if we want a shot at the playoffs the players will have to lead (Bibby & JJ have never been leaders for their teams) and push the young guys to play hard (except for Al, who always plays hard). I’d like to see JJ get in everyone’s face and challenge them to focus and play hard, and let Bibby sit for a few days until his foot gets better…
By kisha
March 9, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
And the award for worst player of the night goes to….Marvin Williams. Marvin is not here so I will accept this award on his behalf. He would like to thank Joe Johnson for as Marvin so eloquently quoted “I went 0 for 8, so that means he did my job and let me see who else.” He would also like to thank Ricky Davis for exploiting his lack of defensive skills and his momma for giving him that big ole butt.(Is it just me or does that thing weigh him down and causes him to move a little slow?)
By Peter
March 9, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this
Wow we beat the worse team in the league !
By BA
March 9, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this
This article featured nothing we didn’t already know. This guy is in the running with Terrence (racist) Moore for most uninspired columnist at the most uninspired liberal rag in the country. At least we got Sekou, the real talent at this paper.
By BA
March 9, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
There’s no way he spent an hour on this. I guess they fired the editor that would have kicked this back. Too bad Bisher doesn’t like basketball. It’s not just the Ajc, the radio shows just gloss over the Hawks like they are a D-league team. If you think this is bad, you should see the Braves blogs!
By jeff
March 9, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
As a season ticket holder, it is absolutely incredible to me that woodson still has a job. with no clear offense after how many years, the owners keep wanting to give him a chance. with the talent we have, we should be five hundred and would be with a real good coach. i talked to one of the owners last week and they said that there is not good option for firing the coach in midseason. who are they going to replace him wiht. thus, we have to muddle through with the same lousy coach until the end of the year, no matter what the result. the only good thing about making the playoffs is that we get to see a couple more games and then will be out. how can we win in the playoffs which consists of jj going one on one. it’s crazy. does woodson have a brain?
By Dr. Warren
March 9, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Maybe the Spirit Group could fire Woodson and then bring him back, like the Falcons are doing with Joey Harrington. That would be the ultimate pimp on the fans, as if we haven’t been jacked around enough already.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
March 9, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Figures, the Hawks would be the only team that wins a game by not scoring…lol We’ll take it!
GO HAWKS
By Hock
March 9, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Marvin William, the Ryan Leaf of the NBA.
Chris Paul, the Peyton Manning of the NBA.
Billy Knight, the village idiot.
By insider
March 9, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Mike Woodson rewarded with three year contract extension.
Mike Woodson rewarded with three year contract extension.
Mike Woodson rewarded with three year contract extension.
By stanley sisson
March 9, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
they got the 2 wins they needed.but now they have to go out and get on a win streak.with 20 games left they need to go 13-7 rest of the season to get to the playoffs.but we still need a new head coach next year.and that man would be JEFF VAN GUNDY.
By thehawk
March 9, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
first off those 2 were big. who cares who it was against we still got 2 wins and i think the nets lost so we are in soul possession of 8th place. mr.G marvin had 8 points all off of his 8-8 free throw performance. it was spectacular. childress should start over him as a 3 and maybe move smooth to a 4. smooth sometimes tries to loose it for us by throwing up a 20 foot jumper. last stanley if we go 10-10 these last 20 games we will still make the playoffs, that’s how bad the east is GO HAWKS!
By Ryan
March 9, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Yippee - The Hawks can beat the worst team in the league by three points. I bet all the other NBA teams are running scared now!
By bigeasy830
March 9, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
I Agree with most of you that Marvin should not be a starter, he should come off the bench. The kid just does not have that killer instinct to be an NBA star. If he had the heart of Salim he would be a super star. Remember Salim had a better rookie season,Conspiracy theory, is that the reason why Woodson and BK has sabatoge Salim, so he would not show up their boy, Marvin. But any, that is no reason to call Marvin names like G Boy, and all those other homophobic names, thats pitiful. Mavin is a good player he may still to grow to be a great player, but, the best thing for the team is to have him coming off the bench and be the main scoring threat for a second unit. The Hawks will make the play-offs check the schedule it is favorable for them. But, Josh Smith’s statement that it felt awkward to win the first game speaks volumes about him.The important ting is that you got a win an the team is closer to making the play-offs because of that win, He should have felt over joyed not awkward. That kid does not have a clue about winning in the NBA. JJ said some on the team seem as if they don’t care about making it to the playoffs. He must have been talking about J-Smoove. If you noticed the team played much better with him on the bench for that period in the 3rd and 4th quarter. J-Smoove should have been traded for a quality big man. I don’t think he wants to return to the Hawks and thank God he turned down that contract that we offered to look at it now that would have been a mistake.
By deja vu
March 9, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
the only players who have improved this year under woodson’s “coaching” are Childress and…well, honestly that’s about it. Zaza is a joke, as is Marvin of the funny walk, and deer-in-headlights Law. Horford’s a stud, but in spite of the “coach”, not because of. Joe has regressed, not his fault, but woodson using him to try and cover up his embarrasing lack of offensive knowledge. And while JSmith has stats, in the 4th quarter he’s a game killer with those crazy shots…memo to Josh, you are a terrible outside shooter! Where is the strong coach to YANK his but next time another lead disolves? WORST NBA COACH I’VE SEEN IN 45 YEARS OF WATCHING BASKETBALL1
By richbrave
March 9, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
BA:
Yours of 3:??a.m. Sekou AND David O’Brien an equally talented blogmeister.
By stanley sisson
March 9, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
to the hawk very good commentary but have you forgot this are the hawks we talking about here we do find ways to blow it. but as you well know with a coach like MIKE WOODSON their is a very good chance we wont make it.i still believe we have to go 13-7 to make it.do you believe JEFF VAN GUNDY would be a good coach.
By Esteban
March 9, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Whats most troubling about these Hawks is their inability to play solid defense on a consistent basis. Why does the team allow so many uncontested shots on the perimeter? Why are so many defensive assignments so easily blown only to allow easy layups for the opposing team? I find it difficult to believe these mistakes are not the clear result of Mike Woodson’s ineffective, unproductive,and unmotivating tactics. Plain and simple. Please dismiss this man and bring in someone who can put a spark on this team to play some defense, and THEN maybe on those nights when Joe Johnson and co. cannot get it going offensively, our defense will at least give us an opportunity to win some games.
By hawkfaninbham
March 10, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
I don’t know what offensive or defensive scheme the Hawks were employing during the five in a row win streak earlier in the year. But I do recall saying to myself how well they played as a team, on both sides of the court. Helping each other defensively and distributing the ball alot. All of that type of play is long gone,even in the 2nd game with the Heat on Saturday, as time was running out, no one should have taken a shot unless he was wide open or driving to the basket. JJ takes an 18 footer, falling away from the basket, defended by 2.Missed shot that gave Miami hope.To make the playoffs, EVERY MAN ON THIS TEAM NEEDS TO EXAMINE HIMSELF.By now every player should know what he does well and what he doesn’t. I believe a few egos have prevented M Bibby from being able to run the team as a point guard should.
By brandon sisson
March 10, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
i’m not going to tell i think the hawks will make the playoffs iknow they will so ha ha ha ha to everbody who think haws wont make it.
and always remember hawks rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By brandon sisson
March 10, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
i’m not going to tell i think the hawks will make the playoffs iknow they will so ha ha ha ha to everbody who think haws wont make it.
and always remember hawks rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ronald
March 11, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
this is a messy team and coach and the people who is running it they need to go hide
By ClownSanderson
March 20, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
The Hawks still stink. The Hawks will probably make the playoffs but theyll do it as a sub .500 team. They will probably get in the playoff chase by going 36-46, a pitiful record but good enough to make the playoffs in the eastern conference. The Hawks can simply go 6-7 in their final 13 games and waltz right into the playoffs. The Hawks wont make it past the first round but theyll end their playoff drought and will look forward to next year when one key acquision can make them a championship calibre team because of the fine nucleus that they currently have on their roster.
By stanley sisson
March 22, 2008 5:16 AM | Link to this
we be lucky if we go 5-8 with a COACH like MIKE WOODSON. he does not know how to use his players at all. BIBBY sat out way to long in the NETS game. we just need a new HEAD COACH PERIOD.