ajcsportstalk

By smartguy

March 11, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

FIRE WOODY WHILE THERE’S STILL A CHANCE

By Sam

March 11, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Come on now, they gave up 74 in the first half. How about some constructuve criticism from the announcers? I mean they are down 20 and “Smitty” and Rathman are talking about how a good a game Joe Johnson is having? Oh really? They guy he is supposed to guard Turkulo had a TRIPLE DOUBLE BY THE THIRD QUARTER

By ken

March 11, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

We have been going through this for 60 games and still have not figured out how to play defense. It will not get better because they keep doing the same things and making excuses. Coach Woodson has overplayed the key players and now it has caught up with them. He is just now starting to play the bench because he is force to. The Hawks are what they are. A mediocre team at best with a worst management. They have not really tried to make the team better which tells me they are content where they are. These players and coaches have been singing the same song all year about what they need to do, then go out game after game and do the same things. It makes no sense whatsoever!

By Frank

March 11, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Actually Smoove was guarding Turkalo.

By jharv

March 11, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

This is the most frustrating team to pull for anymore, everytime we make progress we slide backwards. How can a team with this much talent continue to give up leads and play lost on consistant basis? I’ve been a Hawks fan for as long as I can remember and it’s sad to see this once proud franchise become a laughingstock

By Joe

March 11, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

playoffs, did u say playoffs?

By Sarcasm

March 11, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are having a great season. Yes, they are 11 games below .500 and sure they have given up record-setting scoring days from several teams and sure, they only have 5 first round draft picks in their starting lineup BUT they are in the tough Eastern Conference. Hey, and if they don’t win this year, look at next year’s draft even though they don’t have a pick. I’m so exciting about this team. I hope they keep Woodson, Knight and that the Spirit stays on. I also hope the lawsuit never gets settled. This franchise is one of the best in sports. I bet they beat the Rockets by 30. Woodson is 5 wins from 100 so let’s make sure to fill Philips that day. It truly is an amazing achievement for this coach and franchise.

By Mark

March 11, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand how this team has collapsed so much on defense. Early in the season, when things were still looking promising, they were playing some decent D. Now, the whole team fails to find shooters and sits around and hopes Smoove will bail them out with some help. That’s not going to win any games.

By BT

March 11, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

What is left to say about ASG, B Knight and Woodson other than hopeless.

By RickNole

March 11, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Dont matter, just fire Woody!! I wish my firm would consistenly allow me to lose cases, but yet still have a job after 5 years.

By Sam

March 11, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Same difference

By drmaryb

March 11, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Hey Doc

Let’s clear the air. I copied & pasted the entry directed at me on March 9,2008 and twenty-six minutes later is your response on my behalf?

Perhaps you can explain this to me along with your diagnosis that I am psychotic? (again being judgmental)

By Glutton for Punishment

March 9, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

drmaryb forgive me if you have mentioned it in the past because I don’t have much time to read this blog every day, but are you truly a physician and if so what specialty? I know Doc is a retired Ortho (lucky dog)and I am an FP, tennis player and MOST IMPORTANTLY… a female..

This is DOC’s response to an entry directed at drmaryb 26-mins later

By doc

March 10, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

gfp. retired vascular, general and trauma doc, just living the life of alternative medicine doing acupuncture. the drm is into that area in the chiropractic world i think she said in her intro. most importantly the last i looked a male.

I highlighted the points GFP & DRM & MALE just to help jog your waning memory

sincerly, drmaryb

By Larry

March 11, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

These Hawks make it tough to be a fan. THey should get sued for fan abuse.

All we heard from Woody is DEFENSE since he got here. We are athletic enough to play consistent defense night in and night out. But we don’t….immaturity….lack of leadership, poor coaching…..I don’t know and it is getting very hard to care.

By Dr. Tobias Funke

March 11, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

The Hawks should be forcibly ripped away from the Anti-Spirit Group and run by the NBA, just like the Expos. This ragtag bunch of idiots has had plenty of time to get their collective $hit together, but somehow the team is still no better off than it was when they bought it and hired the brilliant Billy Knight and his troupe of flying wingmen. It’s time to gut the roster again and start from scratch. Keep Horford and Joe if you can, but everyone else is expendable, including the nimrod coach and his clueless bosses.

By drmaryb

March 11, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Doc

I may have misinterpreted the last comment, about (last time you checked a male.) Maybe you were referring to yourself after more consideration. But at first glance, it seems you were talking about me. In the beginning of my blog discovery - several of you guys were summizing that I was a man who worked in a cubicle? And that I was using a fake sign-on name.

I did come out of character one time to take care of the Pepsi Kid, I signed on as Big-C#ck-A-Doodle-Do & that was to address his racist comments while using language he (a 17 year old) could comprehend.

I believe I sent him to the kids table.

Other than that I have always used my real name and spoke my mind. I hope we can still be friends - I have a lot of respect for you doc on here.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 11, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Fire Woody. I demand the AJC free Sekou Smith at once.

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 11, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Houston is basically Tracy McGrady, Rafer Alston, and a bunch of role player glue guys. They are not all that strong scoring in the post now that Yao is gone, which means J-Smoove and Al Horford should be able to stay out of foul trouble. If the Hawks clamp down on the 3 point line and attack Mutombo early to get him into foul trouble they have a good chance to win that game. Knowing this, I fully expect Mike Woodson to design a game plan around shooting jumpshots and playing a zone defense, and watch with a puzzled expression on his face as the Hawks lose by 50.

By tcrews

March 11, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Again I say Go get Kenny (Jet) Smith to coach this team.

By anphill2

March 11, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

I thought this one through.
With Bibby, JJ, Al, Marvin and Chillz, why don’t we create an offense, that features JJ in isolation on the low block, and repeat this for 48 minutes. Really, 20 games left, and we have no other offense?

By terrell barron

March 11, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

How about trying a different starting five. G

By terrell barron

March 11, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

How about starting Bibby,Joe, Chills,Horford,and Zaza or Bibby,Joe,West,Smoove,and Horford. DO SOMETHING! What we’ve being doing isnt working, so why not shake things up a little bit?

By brian elliott

March 11, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Bad Loss last nite. Let’s face it, Mavin Williams is a bust. He doesn’t play defense and stands and watches others move on offence. Zaza is horrible to watch and looks pathetic. Joe turns over the ball way too much. It was hard to watch this game last nite. It was nice to see West in last nite and Richardson. they were more fun than the starters.. The team once again needs an overhaul and a good coach. Not a lot of hope for change from this bunch. Not getting Chris Paul has really hurt this team. Sad to say but this team is pitiful!

By doc

March 11, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

drmaryb, nothing but respect. as they say rather be happy than right. again though when i reread my comment some letters and maybe even words were left out or dropped but i was in the context of boys being boys as ray and rich did, declared myself. i also spoke for you in the context of knowing GFP and knowing she doesnt read everything and might miss that you were a female and it seemed like she was looking for a buddy on the blog especially one that plays tennis so i was not talking out of school but encouraging a friendship between you two as you have several things in common.

one thing hasnt changed the hawks, in the vernacular of my daughters …. still suck.

By Peter

March 11, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Hey someone tell me if this team EVER plays Defense ?

By fudd21

March 11, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Sekou To answer your question, I ws VERY disappointed with the Hawks performance. To not give a better performance with so much riding on the line is inexcuseable. Some said in the last post that maybe the players are sick of Woody and are losing on purpose to make sure he doesn’t get a contract renewal. That wouldanswer the pitiful defense we have been seeing lately. Wasn’t Woody supposed to be a defensive minded coach. Then why in the heck are teams putting up season highs on us. Ridiculous!!

By Dominique

March 11, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Looks like I’ve got to come out of retirement to get the Hawks going. Does anybody still have Spud’s phone number?

By terrell barron

March 11, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

I’ve got a funny feeling that Smooth thinks that he is not going to be here next year, unless he can play small forward. Thats why he is trying to dribble up the court, create off the dribble, and take bad jump shots. Where did all of this come from? I’ts obvious that Smoove knows that Horford is the PF of the future for the Hawks, thats why he pressing. I will hate to see him go, but when we get a true center, and AH goes to PF, where would he play? Just a thought. What do you guys think?

By Jo Bling

March 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Look at the numbers below that show the three-point shooting stats of our last four opponents (not including Miami, an opponent we held to 5-for-18 on three-pointers and defeated. Coincidence?) All of the others are losses:

Orlando: 15-28 Charlotte: 9-17 New Orleans: 15-29 Golden State: 17-32

These numbers are insane. If the Hawks really want to win (and there appears to be some question about that) then correcting this perimeter-defense meltdown would be a good place to start. This kind of defensive effort is just inexcusable. Why hasn’t the coach done anything to address it?

By fudd21

March 11, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Terrell I agree with you on the fact that if Al moves to PF where would smoove play. I have said all along I just don’t see the basketball skills from him to allow him to play the 3. There are many on here who are asking that Josh move down to 3 but again I don’t see it.

As far as him pressing, I can’t say I agree with that one. He has been doing that all year and I believe most of his career. We always think we are better than we actually are and I think Josh believes he is a better shooter than he actually is. Plus until they get a coach or vocal leader to reel him in from doing that he will continue to shoot the jumper. If I were the HC, the longest shot he would take each game would be from the free throw line.

By terrell barron

March 11, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

BECAUSE HE A FREAKIN IDIOT!

By terrell barron

March 11, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Now I see why Joe always has that, I DONT GIVE A .UCK look on his face. I would hate going to work myself, if I had a stupid as. boss like Woody, who never let us take BREAKS. lol!

By D Ole Hoops Coach

March 11, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

The last few games, the Hawks have been getting killed by allowing wide open 3’s. The main reason is that other teams are anticipating the traps and swinging the ball on the perimeter quickly as soon as the traps come. The result is the 3rd or 4th guy is shooting a wide open 3.

Part of the problem may also be that with the minutes the starters plus Chills has played, the Hawk’s traps look to be slower in coming. The legs have to be very tired at this point.

I think they need to quit trying to trap on the perimeter on almost every possession and try staying home, especially when the other team has three or four guys on the floor that can hit wide open 3’s all day long. At least stay home on the guys that are known shooters!

By drmaryb

March 11, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Hey doc

Your’e cool. I like you a lot. I think your’e insightful and funny. After a second look I do see where I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I like this BLOG thing, I can’t believe I just discovered this 2 1/2 months ago, and I am still doing it. So I guess I am regular “guy” now. One of the “boys”. And I like that, but I am still a girl though ;0 ha ha!

I hope GFP does holler at me again, I would love to play tennis with someone on here. I see you were trying to help us connect and that is a beautiful thing.

Psychotic - Me? Maybe Sometimes. I am a firecracker and I like being a maverick it’s fun!

Now what are we gonna do about our NBA team. They are playing horrible. Have they quit on Woody since the BK story came out about wanting to fire him?

I think Bibby is really hurt and as an ortohpedic what do you think his DX: is? Is it a calcaneal bruise?

What TX: would you prescribe? Ultra-Sound maybe and P.R.I.C.E.? Should he be playing on/through that type of injury being a weight-bearing joint?

Is there a chance of an Achilles Tendon Rupture?

I think we need to give this team one more year to come together no more tearing down and rebuilding for me, I can’t start over with this team. It would be easier to get a new coach than to get new players!

By dakid

March 11, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

FREE SEKOU, AJC you guys allow so much racist garbage but a beat writer actually does his job and know you guys are writing his blog.

Josh isn’t a 3, he’s Darius Miles, with better shot blocking skills, minus Darius’ ball handling and head tap after a dunk. Al is a beast, Josh is a freak, but he can’t harness his game. Seems like he doesn’t want to.

Coaching is the worse in the NBA. GM is the worse in the NBA. Marvin was the worse pick for this franchise in 10 years

By Sherman

March 11, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Until they get a coach and ownership that can work together, they will be the team that every other team is supposed to beat. They just haven’t figured it out yet. Seventy points in the first half, give me a break. And coach, it’s OK to pull someone when they are playing poor defense, no matter what kind of game they are playing according to the annoucers.

By jharv

March 11, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Here’s a thought, when listening to Steve Smith call a game, he has a knack for calling it as he see’s it and seems like coaching could be in his future, he’s got a great mind for what works. Can anyone see him coaching the Hawks in the near future?

By Ken Strickland

March 11, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

All of us Hawks fans need to ask ourselves one question. Do we really want the Hawks to back into a playoffs series they aren’t good enough to earn on their own? We all know there is something really wrong with our team. Before the Allstar break, we would’ve been able to win these gms we’re now losing. Fatigue is certainly an issue, but there is something else going on.

I’ve noticed how teams are now playing us the same way, and consequently we’re losing the same way. I’ve also noticed how we’ve failed to make a single DEF adjustment, although we’ve become more proficient offensively.

If you look at Orlando’s 9 man rotation, their 2 PG’s are their only ballhandlers. That would make them vulnerable to full court pressure. Full court pressure would have eased their size advantage and forced their spot up shooters to create their own shots, which isn’t their strong suit.

Woodson appears to be very rigid and inflexible, just like his mentor Bobby Knight. They’re both very slow to make adjustments because it’s never their fault if something isn’t working, or goes wrong. Indiana U. fired BKnight because he refused to changed his long standing negative behavior. The reason, he never accepted the fact his behavior was a problem. He always saw himself as a victim. Woodson looks at his situation in the same way. It’s the players, not him, not his system, not the other teams adjustments, that’s responsible for the teams troubles.

With that type of mentality and/or approach, and ownership’s refusal to have him fired, we have nothing to look forward to for the remainder of this season.

By Mike

March 11, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

The east is so weak the Hawks probably only needt to win 6 of their last 20 games to qualify for the play-offs.

By Tiger Woo

March 11, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

This isn’t rocket science, guys.

It’s time for the Hawks to sit down and look at some game film to make the necessary adjustments.

Does the coaching staff even look at game film? I thought that’s what coaches do.

Mike Bibby is a good player (offensively) but isn’t it a coincidence that the Hawks defense has gone to crap since they traded AJ?

By Ken Strickland

March 11, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

TIGER WOO-that is a very astute observation. However, Bibby’s DEF isn’t as bad as it seems. Being forced to play extended mins with a foot injury has had an effect. Losing ALaw, and his excellent DEF, to injury has also hurt.

By BA

March 11, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Where is Sekou?! This paper is a communist censor-happy rag!If you fire Sekou, I’ll drop this rag like a bad habit. And please, people, here’s a tip: no one cares if you’re a doctor, no one cares if you’re a woman, no one cares if you play tennis, go to eharmony or something. You’re nearly as bad as the mouthbreather that gets on here and talks about the stinking Washington wizards all the time. This is an Atlanta Hawks basketball blog, not I think I’m a celebrity brag about my crap blog. ZaZa sucks, Woody is a moron. Go hawks?!

By devin

March 11, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO FACE THE TRUTH.. ATLANTA HAWKSSSS SUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK! QUIT MAKING UP EXCUSES,
ATLANTA HAWKSSSS SUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK! PLAYOFF????? I JUST WON THE LOTTERY! ATLANTA HAWKSSSS SUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK! WOODY, KNIGHT, NIQUE & OWNERS…. ATLANTA HAWKSSSS SUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!

CONCLUSION!!!!!!!! ATLANTA HAWKSSSS SUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKK!

By Tiger Woo

March 11, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Ken Strickland,

I can understand what you are saying - hopefully when we get Acie Law and Mike Bibby healthy, things will improve defensively. Of course, time is running out for this season - they need to find a way to improve their perimeter defense - and quick!

By Jon Koncak

March 11, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

First I think we should shave Chils head. Then we should try and teach Marvin how to play defense. He got pushed around at will last night, nice to watch. It’s just being the hawks that bibby gets hurt his first game here, I was actually suprised he didnt tear an ACL, so I guess were fortunate. I love watching Za Puchilia, he is this teams worst nightmare. Its like when I played, tall and horrible. Waste of space. Between Childress and Marvin it’s hard not to dream of what could’ve been for the Hawks with good high draft picks. Bring back Ty Lue, ahahhahah. Anyone seen the crook Speedy lately? Doesn’t he have 2 more years left on that contract? ahhahahahha, fire Knight and Woodson.

By Remembering Roundfield

March 11, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

I agree that the defense has recently sunk to a new low. I have had similar thoughts concerning the teams playing to get a new coach. I don’t think it was a planned thing. It’s just that they know there’s nothing that Woody can do to them at this point (lame duck).And even though they want to make the playoffs, sometimes they don’t try as hard as they might have if things had turned out differently this season.

By dondon

March 11, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

I blame the coaching and BK for the lack of defense. The Hawks have almost everyone playing out of position, so there is almost always a mismatch. Dwight Howard is a grown @ss man and he totally abused the front court players. There were times when Woody had them in zone defense, which is confusing to me since you use zone to make teams take outside shots and why would you make a team that’s ranked in the top 5 in 3P percentage take 3’s. I say get rid of BK and Woody and try to revamp this team with the correct complimentary players. I am tired of seeing Chills be the first sub off the bench no matter what. Are you serious? He subs for the center, the forward, or the guard, with the exception of Joe who apparently must play every second of every game until it is clear the Hawks are going to lose. Ridiculous. The problem is that nobody outside of Mike and Joe know their role including the coaches who apparently cannot put together any type of offense with the current roster. Please don’t make it to the playoffs. I just know Woody would get a new contract if they did and there is too much talent to suck as much as they do.

By Hawks SpeedBump

March 11, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

The Rockets will be a great opportunity to get into the record books. The win that takes the seconds to second overall in Win Streaks.

We can even get into the record books twice by losing by over 10 points. That will be the longest winning streak by 10 points EVER.

History in the making. We know the Hawks are up to it.