Hawksquawk Forums: A tough stretch - Hawksquawk Forums

Well it was inevitable but the Hawks have hit a skid and I have to admit right now it looks bleak. Watching the last three games I believe we have seen two things at work. Number 1 is Orlando used us to elevate themselves as a legitimate contender in the East. They actually went into San Antonio last night and won so they are playing the best basketball of the season for them. It is not unusual to see a team have another team down 30 or 40 only to coast to the end which usually allows the losing team to make the score respectable. Orlando set out to embarrass us and bury us. They went up 30 then they kept grinding until it was 50. They wanted to make a statement and while doing so to humiliate us. I think they pretty much accomplished that because we are in a major funk now.

When looking at the Hawks right now I have to admit it is hard to find anything positive to take from this. Like all tortured Hawks fans I am afraid that a rough road trip could once again put us at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and force us to have to fight just to get in. I haven't seen the consistent defensive effort on a night to night basis since the first 6 or 7 games of the season. Players like Iguodala that are shooting sub 30% from three have big nights from the outside because we don't make a commitment to guard them. Save the first half of the home opener against Philly I believe those first 6 or 7 games was the most complete basketball that we have played. Now Horford is hurt and may be out for some time and we weren't exactly intimidating in the middle to begin with.. How do we survive?

I don't have that answer? I believe with a lot of franchises Woody would be in trouble just due to the lopsidedness of the scores. Getting down by that many points questions effort and effort in my opinion is one of the things that can get a coach fired quickly. However, this is the Hawks and we are not firing Woody nor do I think we should. As a group we have to come together again. Players, coaches, everyone. They have to hold each other accountable. As individuals I think it is on Joe and Smoove. Joe has been doing a good job moving the ball around as his assist totals will back up but when it is crunch time this team needs him to come through. Whether it be hitting a jumper, making free throws, finding the open man, or getting into the paint. I think it is on Smoove now to take up Horford's stats and presence. We need Josh Smith now!! We can't wait. His rebounding and at times effort have been unforgivable. I don't want to hear that he is hurt because right now this team is hurt. It is time to step it up. We need him to be his own form of superman again.

Its gut check time for the Hawks. I want to see them bounce back but the last few years have bruised me so I don't really know how this team will respond. I will be watching every night though.