SuperHawks route lowly Timberwolves in 'Sota, 20-7, ties best start in franchise history

26 28 27 31 | 112
17 24 28 18 | 87

recap

box score

It is such a beautiful day to be a Atlanta Hawks fan. Not too long ago, rookie Mike Woodson, Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks were the worst team in the league at 13-69. After 4 long years of player development and steady improvement, it seems the Hawks have taken a quantum leap into the NBA elite in this 09-10 season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves hope to emulate the Hawks' success story in the coming years. The Hawks core of Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, and Zaza Pachulia have played together for 4 seasons, and over the past 2 seasons they have added big Al Horford (3rd pick 2007 draft), Mo Evans, and Mike Bibby to their core. A couple of key role players such as Jamal Crawford (leading candidate for 6th man of the year), Jeff Teague (19th pick 2009 draft), Joe Smith (14 year veteran big), and young Randolph Morris, and the 2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks have one of the top 10-man rotations in the league.

This game was never in doubt, as the Hawks jumped out to an early lead, turning the Wolves 7 first quarter turnovers into 14 points, the Hawks ended the first quarter leading 26-17.

The Hawks did a great job of keeping the Wolves at arms length, the game never got closer than 8 in the first half, despite foul trouble with Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia. When Smith was on the floor, he was a huge difference-maker, in 21 minutes Josh scored 10 pts (5/6 FGs) 3 rbs 3 asts 3 stls, but the biggest difference maker in this game had to be Jamal Crawford.



Just as he has been doing all season, Jamal comes off the bench to lead the team in scoring, it is amazing to see how offensively gifted this guy is, he must have one of the best pull-up jumpers in the league, and he is shooting at a career-high FG%, in this game, Jamal enters at 2:30 remaining in the 1st. The Hawks keep the lead going into the 2nd quarter and that is when the Jamal Crawford light show starts. He starts his scoring tier by hitting a 24-foot 3-pointer on an assist from Mike Bibby. The Wolves did get within 7 points on a Al Jefferson layup, but Really, the combination of Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford is getting too potent for opposing teams to handle, Joe and Jamal alternating scoring put the lead back up to 13 for a 54-41 halftime advantage.

The 2nd half had more of the same, the game was never really in doubt, but the Hawks did get a little lax defensively, allowing the Wolves to outscore them in the 3rd, 28-27, so in the 4th quarter, Joe and Jamal put the team on their back, and the most consistent player of the night had to be big Al Horford. In a game where Smith and Pachulia had 5 fouls, Horford played a game-high 41 minutes for 16 pts (7/15 FGs) 11 rbs 4 asts 2 stls 1 blk. Horford, shooting a 7th in the league best 57.8% on the floor, was great at making the right plays and playing defense, it would have been cool to see Horford with 19 rebounds, but he has the ability to get those numbers anytime.

Jamal Crawford scored 13 of his game-high 26 in the 4th quarter to put away the Wolves, including 2 back-to-back beautiful 3-pointers in the beginning of the 4th. The Wolves did battle back, but they did not get any closer than 12 as the Hawks stepped up and scored 31 4thQ points, the most of any quarter in the game for a 112-87 victory, the Timberwolves second worst defeat this season.

"We started with a bunch of babies six years ago, 18, 19, 20-year-old kids, and they've grown," coach Mike Woodson said. "The ownership has given me the latitude to continue to coach this team and our core guys have been together now four years and that makes a big difference." -Mike Woodson

"They're kind of the example of a team that got its players young," Love said of the Hawks. "They played together. They stuck together. They grinded out wins together. They had high points. They had low points. But they stuck together. ... That's something I hope I can be a part of one day." -Kevin Love

It great to see other players and teams continue to give the Hawks credit for their rise from the bottom and acknowledge the team as a top 5 team in the NBA today.

"We're trying to do something special," Woodson said.

translation: "We feel we can be the best team in basketball and maybe even win a championship"

I believe these Hawks can do it, they will at least make the conference Finals this season, but it would be a dream come true for the Hawks players coaches and especially the fans to see the Atlanta Hawks represent the East in the NBA Finals.

It can happen, stay tuned.

Denver Nuggets (19-9) tomorrow.

Hawks outexecuted down the stretch - Bosh beasts, Raptors win

Hawks 88 Raptors 93
21 29 15 23
24 22 23 24

We didn't have to lose this game.

Seems like every time i give Coach Woodson credit in a game, the next game the Hawks lose and Woodson is blamed for one reason or another, but in this game, Woodson is rightfully blamed.

and no one knows better than Brett LaGree at PeachtreeHoops, see how he breaks it down:

"With 3:32 left in the third quarter, Zaza Pachulia went to the bench. The Hawks were up 2, in no small part thanks to the 8 offensive and 9 defensive rebounds Pachulia had already grabbed. By the end of the third quarter, the Hawks would be down by 4 points. In the fourth quarter, the Hawks would never regain the lead. As a team they would grab, in the fourth quarter, just 7 defensive rebounds. Toronto would grab 15 fourth quarter rebounds, 4 of them offensive. Pachulia would never leave the bench."

Why, Mike? I was watching the game from home with friends and we were all saying "Wow! ZaZa is getting like ALL the rebounds!" but of course, Bosh was beasting, Al Horford can't contain that beast, and the Raptors won, like they were supposed to, but ZaZa could have definitely got a few of those rebounds, he has been outstanding in rebounding and defense since Josh has been out, he should have played more minutes than 0.

Now, after every game, everyone knows the coaches and players talk and give their analysis from their perspective, which is always an interesting thing, because analysis of the game is a whole different sport than playing, lol, and Mike Woodson is undoubtedly an expert, we cannot understate or undervalue the career this man has had with basketball, google him, but peep what Woodson said after the game:

"We hurt ourselves because we settled too much for 3s. We were just too selfish tonight. Sometimes those shots are appetizing and they look good, but if you're not making jump shots, you've got to get to the free throw line.''

Come on, the Hawks are the #1 3pt shooting team in the NBA, they were 6/13 in the 1st half, but in the second half went only 2/13, that does not mean the shots were bad or selfish, just not enough was going in, this was not a "get-to-the-line" kind of game, when you play a team like the Toronto Raptors, they are Chris Bosh and shooters, that is it, and Jose Calderon, who had 11 assists, but seriously, they are not a physical team, and surely Jermaine O'Neal doesn't make them that if/when he returns, no one cares.

Anyway, Al Horford has got to do better, Marvin Williams has got to do better, and we are on our way to Washington D.C., this way not a bad loss, the Hawks are still a better team than the Raptors thus far, and we will continue to prove that, especially after the return of JOSH SMITH.

Going into December 10-6. 4th in eastern conference.

believe that.

Devin Harris, Vince Carter Homecourt Advantage, Robin Lopez season high, but Joe Johnson is magnificent, Hawks 108 Nets 115

Hawks 108 Nets 115

22 28 26 32

27 22 24 42

Great game.

it wasn't an outstanding performance defensively for the Hawks, especially in the 1st quarter, but the Nets played flawless offense this grand return game for Devin Harris to break a 3-game losing streak.

PeachtreeHoops, the #1 unofficial hawks blog gave some great statisical information that pretty much sums up everything:

I think it's fair to expect that if the following things occur the Hawks should win the game.

Joe Johnson scores 32 points on 16 shots.
Joe Johnson scores 21 points and does not miss a shot in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks make 15-27 three-pointers.
Marvin Williams scores 21 points.
Flip Murray scores 21 points on 13 shots.
Acie Law IV (welcome back) scores 9 points and has three assists in ten minutes.
Mike Bibby makes 4 three-pointers and doesn't turn the ball over once.

How did the Hawks go about wasting their broad offensive success last night?

By letting the Nets shoot better than 50% from the floor.
By also letting the Nets rebound more than 35% of their own missed shots.
By sending the Nets to free throw line almsot twice as often as the Hawks visited the stripe.
By forcing just 8 turnovers on roughly 90 Net possessions.

Give the Nets credit, they played a running game and made more shots than than the Hawks down the stretch. Rookie Brook Lopez had previously been as average as his brother, Robin Lopez on Suns, but tonight he hit a career-high 25 points on 11-17 FGs, doing most his scoring in the 1st half. Devin Harris was very good in this game though, 30 pts (8-17 FGs 2-4 3pt FGs 12-12 FTs)6 rbs 8 asts, and Vince Carter was a shadow of his former self scoring down the stretch in the crucial 4th quarter, 30 pts on 7-20 FGs 12-16 FTs. and who the hell is this guy, Ryan Anderson scoring 15 pts 4-4 3pts, but ive always hated this Dooling fool in Magic and he scored 10 pts

But the Hawks played great, Marvin Williams had an outstanding scoring output, 21 pts on 7-17 FGs 3-4 3pt FGs 4-6 FTs, Flip Murray played more minutes probably than he should have but was clutch, scored 21 pts in 37 minutes, but Acie Law IV was more clutch, scoring 9 pts in 10 minutes. The other starters didn't really have a good night, Bibby's 12 pts 4-11 fgs is about average for him, he may do better every once in a while and he will be more often than not, Al Horford is great in the making, but he as of 8 games into the season and 4 without Josh Smith he is not the strong low post threat he could-will be for the Hawks (safe for that crazy 27 pts 17 rbs 6 blks roadkiller), because in this game it was all offense. Which brings me to my next section:

isN't JOE JOHNSON at least the 3rd best SG in the NBA?!

32 pts (11-16 FGs 5-8 3pt FGs 5-6 FTs) 9 rbs 5 asts 2 stls
Those stats don't even begin to tell the story of the great that is Joe Johnson, as a PG he is the best floor leader, decision maker any team could have, his courtvision is seldom hindered by even the best defense at PG, on offense, it will take at least young Jason Kidd defense just to slow him down, and please do not let Joe back you down, he is among the best of them. As a Shooting Guard, Joe will make 40% guarenteed all the time, he is an excellent slasher, he is one of the best in the league in traffic and after ball pick-up, he hits midrange super consistently. As a Small Forward, Joe Johnson is a great rebounder

Josh Smith?

Josh Smith MAY return tonight, he has been listed as day-to-day until after the road trip, which is tonight so..

caption this pic, lol.

Coach Mike Woodson calls out Josh Smith

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Hawks coach Mike Woodson and Josh Smith finally had their training camp dust-up Tuesday, ringing in yet another year together.

Woodson called his team together in a practice-ending huddle and began his speech by telling his team that they needed to take their game to another level with the regular season approaching.

He mentioned Smith by name, which prompted the fifth-year forward to react by saying he was willing to “take all the blame.”

After a brief exchange the huddle broke and Smith headed for the locker room steaming at being called out and shattered his mouthpiece case against a wall. Woodson, smiling the entire time, warned his assistants and other players that Smith would be fine and that they shouldn’t worry.

“Listen, it’s getting close to that time and we can’t go into this thing being cool about anything,” Woodson said long after the buzz had died down. “We had a good run last year and that run is over. You’ve got to build on that run. And the only way you do that is through hard work, on the floor and that carrying over into games.

“I’m not letting these guys off the hook. They can think I’m tough or whatever, but we’ve got to be ready. We’ve got to be ready.”

The final preseason game is Thursday in Detroit before the regular season opens on Oct. 29.

Smith has been a shadow of his usual self during this preseason. While statistics are normally lower due to fewer minutes being played, some of his numbers are drastically low.

He’s grabbed just one rebound in the Hawks’ last two preseason games and didn’t block a single shot in either game. Fouls limited him to just over 15 minutes in Saturday’s win in Charlotte. But he played 33 minutes in a loss to Orlando Monday and grabbed just one rebound to go along with his 13 points and five assists.

Smith’s preseason averages of 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks aren’t anywhere close to what will be expected when the season starts.

Not after he averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals last season.

“For me it’s about measuring myself,” said Smith, who insisted that his reaction to Woodson earlier was strictly a tongue-in-cheek showing to get a rise out of everyone — and he later went into Woodson’s office to make sure there was no mistaking his motives. “Coach is right. I do need to crank it up. And we do need to crank it up as a team. And I understand that when Oct. 29 comes I’m going to lay it all on the line. I’m going to play 82 games as hard as I can and do whatever it takes for my team to win, be it rebounding, blocking shots or scoring or whatever it is.”

What Woodson knows is what he says Smith will learn as this season goes on; that when a player goes from his rookie deal to his first big contract — the Hawks matched a $58 offer sheet from Memphis Aug. 15 to keep Smith — expectations rise.

Even in the preseason.

Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson said he went through a similar process three years ago after signing a five-year, $70 million deal to take over as the Hawks’ top player.

“People expect you to come out and perform at the highest level every night,” Johnson said. “And you [expletive] near have to do that. So it’s going to learning experience and a process for him, because he’s never been asked to carry that kind of load. It’ll be tough for him at the start, it was for me, I went through a roller coaster when I first got here.

“But after a while, when you really learn your niche and play to your strengths it’ll come easier. If you don’t recognize that early, though, you’ll continue to struggle.”

source - http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/10/21/hawks_woodson_smith_fight.html

2008-2009 Season Preview, Atlanta Hawks, Eastern Conference Assessment Predictions

Southeastern Division:





Orlando Magic ( 52-30)


The Orlando Magic are better this season than they've ever been and the Magic are the #2 seed in the eastern conference and a legitimate championship contender at least the eastern conference. Alot of people are feeling that Micheal Pietrus, a 6-6 G/F with GS last season, will not be a significant upgrade over Maurice Evans. I think that Pietrus will be at least as good as Evans and start at SG to add stability to their team, consistent shooting and slashing ability that will make requirement-doubling Dwight Howard a big price to pay, if he learns to hit his free throws(68.6% FTs). Courtney Lee will be a good player, he will probably play sparingly, but will score and play defense. and Anthony Johnson is a highly underrated 34 year old point guard, he was always a veteran leader on the hawks and played strong and clutch down the stretch of those few and far wins, and he hasn't slowed down a bit, playing big minutes for the Magic. Kenyon Dooling was a decent guard (not PG) who could shoot but he was always a additude problem and felt he was better than he was, the Magic will not miss him, and the other best bench player, Kieth Bogans will be better in his place. Rashard Lewis (31) will be better, Hedu Turkoglu(29) will play better but score less points than last season, and Jameer Nelson(25) will be the Derek Fisher point guard leader, scoring and passing well, hitting free throws, and making good decisions.


and this is all outside the gold-medal DWIGHT HOWARD factor, whom will average
25.5 ppg 14.9 rpg 2.5 asts 2.1 blks 60.1% FGs 67.2% FTs
being the team leader offensively and defensively to make him an MVP candidate






Washington Wizards (50-32)
Gilbert Arenas is never going to stop talking, his perspective is one of the realist voices and he is one wildest personalities in the NBA, but his game is about to talk alot louder than he will. Gilbert Arenas is still the man on that team, he is going to adjust his game to fascilitate and score as great as he knows he can, but it all starts with GILBERT, it all depends on him if he can make the BIG three of Caron Butler, Antwan Jamison, and Agent Zero ALL all-stars and have their best season in franchise history, and the pieces around those three aren't too bad either. Deshawn Stevenson kept us entertained while Gilbert was gone, he made himself an important role player on this team, and now he has to adjust his play with Gilbert, he should score a little less but still hit make big plays and get Gilbert the ball for big shots. The young boys of the Wizards are gonna improve and play big minutes this season, Nick Young and Andrey Blatche. Blatche is already really underrated as a 22-year-old 6-11 small forward matchup nightmare on offense or defense, he is going to play more with 23-year-old Nick Young, the second year ROY contender. Brenden Haywood will be solid as usual, Etan Thomas is back so we hope they don't fist fight again, but if they share the center they'll both be solid, we're pretty dure Antonio Daniels is still there, but we don't care because in order for this team to be great its going to take the following:


Gilbert Arenas - 25.5 ppg 4.3 rpg 6.4 apg 44.3% FGs 36.7% 3pt FGs 80.1% FTs
Caron Butler - 20.3 ppg 5.6 rpg 3.4 apg 46.1% FGs 27.3% 3pt FGs 83.4% FTs
Antwan Jamison - 17.4 ppg 9.3 rpg 2.1 apg 45.3% FGs 36.4% 3pt FGs 74.2% FTs


Miami Heat (30-52)


Dwayne Wade is (probably) the best guard player in the NBA, he could very well be the second coming of Micheal Jordan, score 35 ppg this season, and lead the NBA-worst, used-to-be-champion Miami Heat to respectability and playoffs in 2009. Problem is, if he does he will need Jamaal Magloire and Udonis Haslem to play defense, the rookies, Mario Chalmers and Micheal Beasley to play their role, and James Jones to hit threes off the bench, i.e James Posey. And they can do it, maybe Micheal Beasley is as good as some say he is, he could average 17 pts 7 rbs and be the Rookie of the year, maybe Shawn Marion won't get traded even though he and Beasley are the same man Marion will play PF and average 17 pts 10 rbs, Jamaal Magloire will be reborn at 30 and averag 9 pts 9 rbs and Mario Chalmers starts and is rookie of the year candidate with Beasley averaging 10 pts 4 rbs 5 asts, i.e Rajon Rondo. Maybe James Jones is a 6th man of the year candidate and averages 10 pts off the bench and leads the league in 3pt FG%, maybe Alonzo Mourning DOESN'T get bought out to play for a real contender, and plays backup to Jamaal Magloire or Mark Blount......and plays his heart(no pun) out.


But in order for any of this to be a possibility, it all starts with gold medal Dwayne Wade, being the best PER player in the league and a likely MVP award winner averaging

Dwayne Wade - 33.4 ppg 5.4 rpg 5.4 apg 52.4% FGs 32.3% 3pt FGs 85.1% FTs

Charlotte Bobcats (27-55)




Sigh. Micheal Jordan, Larry Brown, and Bob Johnson is a train wreck in immediate unfolding. This is a team that looks good on the surface but when the surface is seen through you realize that this is a franchise that has not yet achieved respectability yet. Larry Brown is going to prove himself as a curse to young teams and give this franchise its worst record since its first year in business. D.J Augustine is a good player, but he will not be good until and only until he leaves that situation, he and Raymond Felton are going to beef, Adam Morrison is going to play big minutes and Gerald Wallace is going to demand a trade. Jason Richardson will remain good, averaging 20 ppg, but in the attempted development of Adam Morrison, Richardson will take less control of the team and turn Vince Carter, just not caring. Now, the focal point of the defense, and maybe one day the offense, Emeka Okafor, will also play up to his contract, he may have a career year, and he is the deciding factor on whether or not the Bobcats will completely suck or just be bad, if he's good (15 ppg 10 rpg) the Bobcats will only be bad, but its set in stone, the Bobcats will be at least bad. Sorry, fans.


Emeka Okafor - 15.2 ppg 10.1 rpg 2.1 bpg 52.1% FGs 67.8% FTs
Jason Richardson - 18.7 ppg 5.1 rpg 3.2 apg 44.3% FGs 38.1% 3pt FGs 71.2% FTs
Gerald Wallace - 16.2 ppg 7.1 rpg 2.1 apg 1.8 spg 43.2% FGs 78.2% FTs



THE Atlanta Hawks (47-35)




The Atlanta Hawks, its our year baby. I speak as a general basketball fan first, knowledge and realistic expectation second, and hometown fan bias last. And with that being said, i think the Hawks are going to increase their win total by at least 8, but im betting 10, and i'm going to explain why. The Atlanta Hawks spent the first 20 games of the season, tinkering with the lineup, trying to find the best players for positions and matchups, often Anthony Johnson and Tyronne Lue started at PG, when the Hawks got Bibby, they were 22-28. They took some getting used to on the road, when the Hawks went 4-11 before their first winning streak finished 11-7 for a 37-45 record and the #8 seed in the 'Leastern Conference'.This season, the starting center is no rookie, the PG situation is not unstable, joe johnson will not be injured and Josh Smith, the leader offensively and defensively for this team will have his best season yet again. Mike Bibby will be the good PG consistently the Hawks have lacked since Jason Terry, he will be the leader to improve his teammates with passing first, scoring second. Joe Johnson is livid he wasn't chosen to be on Team USA, he will play consistently great like he always has, and be a third time all-star this year.


Mike Bibby - 14.5 ppg 4.5 rpg 6.5 apg 46.3% FGs 37.4% 3pt FGs 78.9% FTs
Joe Johnson - 20.3 ppg 4.2 rpg 5.2 apg 48.4% FGs 39.7% 3pt FGs 82.1% FTs
Marvin Williams - 12.2 ppg 5.2 rpg 2.3 apg 43.1% FGs 32.3% 3pt FGs 76.4% FTs
Josh Smith - 20.8 ppg 9.2 rpg 3.3 apg 3.1 bpg 2.1 spg 48.9% FGs 33.7% 3pt FGs 81.3% FTs
Al Horford - 14.2 ppg 10.4 rpg 2.1 apg 1.4 bpg 1.2 spg 51.4% FGs 80.1% FTs
bench

Maurice Evans 8.7 ppg 3.2 rpg 3.2 apg
Flip Murray 6.5 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg
Zaza Pachulia 5.1 ppg 4.8 rpg
Acie Law IV 4.2 ppg 3.2 apg
Jeremy Richarson 2.3 ppg
Randolph Morris 1.4 ppg 2.2 rpg



Southeast Division:

Orlando Magic (52-30)
Washington Wizards (50-32)
Miami Heat (30-52)
Charlotte Bobcats (27-55)
Atlanta Hawks (47-35)






Atlantic Division:

Boston Celtics (58-24)
Toronto Raptors (48-34)
Philiadelphia 76ers (50-32)
New York Knicks (24-58)
New Jersey Nets (18-64)



Central Division:

Chicago Bulls (44-38)
Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
Detroit Pistons (48-34)
Indiana Pacers (30-52)
Milwalkee Bucks (40-42)





1.celtics
2. magic
3. cavs
4. wizards
5. 76ers
6. pistons
7. raptors
8. hawks

Post-Playoffs, Newly Extended Coach Mike Woodson in-depth interview, Hawks future

This is a great feature of the Mind of Mike Woodson, and why he is in-fact the best coach for these Hawks in this position. Even if the team hasn't played up to potential and we just hadn't RUN the way the Hawks need to run to be an elite team in the east, WOODSON KNOWS DEFENSE, and apparently DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Congrats, Boston). If we can get an offensive great assistant coach to replace David Fizdale we will be a good team in the east. I will comment on a few things throughout this interview:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By SEKOU SMITH

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/20/08http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/06/20/woodson_0620.html

The first-round playoff series between the Hawks and the Celtics was a turning point for both teams.

The Hawks shook off the funk of a nine-year playoff drought by pushing the series to seven games, winning three dramatic home games. They energized their fan base and served notice that their doormat years might be over.

The Celtics pushed on to win the NBA title, No. 17 for a franchise neck-deep in championship banners. They completed a one-year turnaround from the worst team in the Eastern Conference to the best team in basketball.

It's a link that was on Hawks coach Mike Woodson's mind this week when he spoke with AJC Hawks beat writer Sekou Smith about the team's past, present and future:

Q. In a league notorious for copycat tactics, what will the rest of the league take away from what Boston did this past season and particularly the playoffs?

A. Their team is unique in that, and you can really go back to the Detroit team we had [in 2004], the foundation was defense and rebounding. In addition, you just didn't know where it was coming from on a given night. We just had different weapons on that Detroit team. And when they all were clicking we were incredibly hard to beat. Even when they struggled to score points they didn't get blown out and that's a product of a foundation built on defense and rebounding. What was also a given is that they had three guys that could get you in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. You go in trying to figure out how you were going to stop those three guys. The Lakers caught all three of them playing well. We caught Paul and Garnett playing well and Ray struggled. In the end, I think people will look at the Celtics and realize that you can have three key guys and a nice supporting cast and build your foundation on defense and rebounding and you have a shot at winning it all.

PlayoffsHawks: We have our big three - Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Joe Johnson, in that order. Josh Smith as a SF/PF can score at will around the basket, he should be our leading scorer, shot-blocker, Al Horford at PF/C can bang with any bigs in the league, and he has a sick jumpshot, he's always been a beast defensively and with rebounds, but he should be our 3rd leading scorer. All-Star Joe Johnson has shown he is the great consistent player, now he needs to show that Steve Nash influence in how to make his teammates better, and still average 18-22 ppg, maybe 6 apg.

Q. What then becomes priority No. 1 for the Hawks in pursuit of that goal?

A. The first priority has to be [Hawks general manager Rick Sund] getting Josh Smith and Josh Childress back in Hawks uniforms. I don't even think you can think about anything else until you resolve that matter. From there we have to figure out our ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th guys and who they are. Teams will pattern themselves after Boston in that regard. I think back to last summer this time when [Celtics coach] Doc [Rivers] and I talked about how his team needed to make a big move and not draft another younger player to take that next step. And they did exactly what he was talking about, and probably a whole lot more. I don't think it's to our benefit to add another young guy. We need some veterans to add along with our eight core guys. We're still young enough in certain spots, with guys three and four years into the system, that our core group will continue to get better next year and beyond. What we have to do is build around them, give them an opportunity to shine by putting veteran guys around them that know what it takes to win in our league.

PlayoffsHawks: Woodson is right on, trade Marvin Williams.

Q. More specifically as a coaching staff, what will you tweak and revamp in order to make sure you're growing along with your talent next season?

A. Having Mike Bibby go through veteran camp will be huge for our team. Bibby still doesn't know my system like I want him to know it. When we acquired him at the trade deadline I turned the ball over to him and he ran it the best he could, and he did a [heck] of a job with it. But going to veteran camp and learning what we're about is huge for him. I think as a coaching staff to go back to our offensive system and tweak some things is extremely important. And defensively we have to go back to how we played in those home games during the Boston series. And I know the playoffs is different, but being defensive minded from the first day of camp all the way through is what carried them. We've tried to build that in our players and they've gotten better. I'd like to think after a playoff round they know how they have to intensify their defensive approach to be successful. Although we made shots in the playoffs, it was our defense and rebounding that really held us together to win those playoff games.

PlayoffsHawks: Bibby will be much better for the Hawks next season, 12-15 ppg 5-7 apg, grooming Acie Law to soon takeover the starting position.

Q. Guys who had sporadic roles or production during the regular season seemed to come to life in the playoff for you. Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams both played crucial roles in the playoffs, as did rookie point guard Acie Law IV, albeit in limited action. How do you build on what they did in the postseason going forward?

A. All those guys, along with everybody, your game has to go to another level. Everybody across the board has to take their game to the next level. This is a very pivotal summer for Acie Law as far as getting him back going, and that starts really in summer league. Zaza coming back with a better mental frame of mind to accept his role and play is just as crucial. And Marvin building on his last two years and maybe taking that next big leap in terms of getting where Joe [Johnson] and Josh Smith and Bibby are in terms of being a consistent scorer has to take place. Marvin has to step into that role where he can be that third guy or even that second guy some nights that we rely on night in and night out.

PlayoffsHawks: the Hawks really do have a decent coach, if Doc Rivers then why not...

Oh, but we really do gotta trade Marvin Williams though, he is not a 2nd or 3rd man MAN! He is a complementary role player at best, and if he doesn't get a sick jumpshot he'll be useless, because he will never have a slashing game, we already got the best, Josh Smith. I'm glad Woodson reminded the world of ZaZa's role as a back-up big, he is a good role player, just not a good starter like the season the Hawks went 13-69. Acie Law is a starter in this league, but only if he learns to distribute, he scores well though.

Q. The one player everybody seems to be wondering about is Speedy Claxton. Where does he fit with this team right now and beyond?

A. I don't really know where his future is. We're still handling him from a rehab standpoint and we'll get a chance to sit down with him in the next couple of weeks and map out his position in terms of where he's going with our basketball team. I know he still wants to play. Our job is to make sure he's getting proper treatment and make sure he's ready to go. But only time will tell.

PlayoffsHawks: Speedy Claxton is cap space, that's all he is, in the off-season of 2009.

Q. You've lost David Fizdale from your staff to Miami. Is there going to be continuity to allow some of this growth and development you're talking about or will a new set of faces cause some upheaval there?

A. We'll be fine. We'll continue to teach and make sure guys know and understand what needs to be done. We'll interview some guys in Fiz's absence since he's gone to Miami. I have enough veteran coaches around me. We'll add another coach in Fizdale's position. I feel comfortable, though, with the fine coaches we have coming back.

PlayoffsHawks: get a great offensive minded assistant coach, anybody.

Q. With so much pressure on everyone last season to get to the playoffs in the fourth year, is there any sense of relief now with a new two-year contract that you can go about the business of developing some new chemistry, between players and between players and coaches, for the future?

A. Everybody is excited being back. We've gone through the tough times. When you start from the bottom trying to build a team its just not easy. I never experienced anything like what we went through. But in tough times you grow as a team. Last year going into veteran camp guys came back early and we built chemistry and carried that over into preseason and the start of the regular season. We felt that early on and then stumbled in January and February. I think the taste of the playoffs makes guys want to get back to camp sooner. I think the awful times are behind us. Expectations are always high when you're trying to win basketball games. That's just the reality of our sport. But if you don't want the expectations to be high you just shouldn't be a part of our sport. Blame it on whatever you want in the past, it's just a hard road to travel to get to this point from where we started. I've watched NBA teams go from zero to where we are today and I can't help but think we're going to continue to grow. I promise you I'm going to continue to demand and push our guys to play at a high level every night.

Alright.

The Hawks 07-08 season was a big step forward, the 7-game Boston Celtics series was a giant leap in the ranks of the best teams in the east, and now there's is no team, especially not the NBA Champion Celtics that we are afraid of or intimidated by. We will watch the Bulls, Knicks, and Heat as they try to ascend in the east next season, but the Hawks will not slip. if the Hawks sign a big 7-footer to start at center so we can move Horford to PF (DESANGA DIOP!!), i guarantee the Hawks will win 50 games next season and if by some crazy appointment, we meet the Boston Celtics again in the playoffs, i GUARANTEE we'll beat them boys. Now, thats a tough bet, yes? and it's not just because i'm a die-hard fan, shoot, i thought the Lakers were gonna beat the Celtics in the Finals, we all saw the Celtics step their game up through every round of these playoffs in 2008, but that Celtics swagger can be broken, and an new-old rivalry has already been reborn. The arrogance, entitlement of the Celtics (Hillary) against the young, swift, resilient Atlanta Hawks (Obama), we all know what happened in that battle don't we? LOL and maybe that ain't fair, but i don't care, and maybe it all happens opposite to my prediction, they meet again in #1 vs. #8 and the World Champion Celtics SWEEP the young Hawks like they should have done last year. But, our team is on the ascention, the Celtics have plateaued, yes, they'll be the best team in the east for at least 3-4 years, but the Hawks are flying for that number one spot, and seeing the Celtics celebrate that championship motivated and showed them that they are not that far away.

Peep this feature about the youngest Hawks, the 3 rookies by Jon Cooper of Hawks.com

The 2007-2008 Atlanta Hawks season recap, best told by Jon Cooper of Hawks.com

Here's a Post-Finals Q & A with ESPN.com Mark Stein who believes the Hawks were just practice for the Celtics

Hawks GM Rick Sund Offers Mike Woodson a 2-year contract extention

Alright, alright, Happy Birthday Mike Woodson, ESPN the Associated Press reports you were granted a contract extension. I know a few of us Hawks fans are a little unhappy about that, more specifically Mark Bradley of ajc.com, but we guess he deserves a chance to have a full season with this team.


The reason many of us feel that Woodson should have been replaced is the same reason he is being kept; his performance as a coach with these guys in the playoffs. Granted, we took the eventual NBA Championship RUNNER-UP Boston Celtics to seven games, which the sports world refuses to give the Hawks credit for, and the Hawks played extremely well at Phillips Arena, the Hawks are the reason the Celtics have "road-demons" to conquer, because they did play poorly, but the Hawks played up to the task. However, in games 2, 5, and 7, why oh WHY did Woodson allow the Hawks to play so poorly? We all know Boston is a different team at home, their arena obviously has this strange aura that makes the home team play great and the visiting team play not-so-great, but WHY especially in game 7, did the Hawks play so discombobulated? So disorganized? So unstructured? So indecisive? I attribute that 100% to either the coach NOT getting through to his players, or the coach having no real game plan of what to do out on the floor.

We will see what happens next season, but i must say the "leastern conference" is becoming not-so-least this 08-09 season, i can guarentee that alot of eastern conference teams are gonna get alot better, we CANNOT win 37 games next season and expect to make the playoffs, my guess is it will take at least a 42-40 record and we should do better than that!

If Mike Woodson and the Atlanta Hawks aren't +.500 or better by the all-star break in 2009, then bring on AVERY JOHNSON, that guy has the highest winning percentage in the NBA, coached in the NBA Finals in '06 (got referee robbed), was a victim of Don Nelson the second year in the playoffs, and by the third year, the players started tuning him out and he was a victim of Chris Paul (aaarrrggghh!!). No, seriously though, with MiKE D' ANTONI being the head coach of the New York Knicks, we had better go and pick up Avery Johnson, because we are gonna be in for a long rivalry with New York as they try to take our spot, we have got to keep moving on up.

SIGN DESANGA DIOP