HAWKS1986

Marvin's a significant start. The Hawks need to find a franchise small forward who can have a legitimate impact on a game. I would like to Acie succeed, but if Woodson stays, the Hawks either have to get Ben Gordon through free agency and/or draft a point guard who can impact games in his first year.

There is a big-time void at the small forward position and it has to be addressed. Additionally, the Hawks desperately need guard(s) who can run a team, but is able to break down defenses , create offense and shoot with confidence. The Hawks may be able to find someone such as Ty Lawson, Stephen Curry or Tyreke Evans, but the Hawks can't go another year without developing a young guard or two. We may have to start over.

Doug Collins was fired in 1990 from the Bulls, and then came Phil Jackson, a former player with no previous head coaching experience. Woody may have taken the team as far as he can go, but a different voice is needed for instruction and motivation. Phil Jackson was/is still known as the Zin-Master and able to get the most out of players.

At some point, sooner or later, Woodson will have to held accountable. Maybe he feels his job his safe and that he can keep Acie in his doghouse, but its not going to do either one any good. Game 3-4 are must-win games, but different strategy has to be employed. Acie will be on a national stage to show what he can do, and Woody doesn't want to play into Jon Berry's assumptions in route to a potential Lebron hisue party blowout at Phillips. Acie and Woody need each other more than ever. Karma has a strange way of working, but Acie will likely play a big role tonight in Game 3. He could surprise us, and Woody could have a light go on in his head about how he had used him this past year. If Acie performs well, it may save Woody's job and reputation and it will keep Acie on trap on being the Hawks' next franchise guard.

Mike Woodson can't allow Acie Law to hide on the bench anymore. And Acie can't allow Mike Woodson to be an obstacle in his playing career by keeping him in the proverbial doghouse. They need each other more than ever. Woodson needs Law to succeed in the Cavs series and take on a leadership role on the court, and Woodson can't afford to play games with his development. Joe is hurt. Marvin is hurt. Big Al is hurt. Speedy hasn't played in two years. Mario is not a shooter. And Mo Evans isn't a point guard. Acie is a capable player, but he has to overcome his self-doubt and Woodson's skepticism to help keep the Hawks competitive and validate the organization to make him a first round pick two years ago. The Hawks have had a difficult time developing lead guards for years. And Acie spotty play during his second year suggest that Acie was destined to be a victim of a draft (do-over), meaning if Woodson stays as coach, he will replaced by another young draft pick... it happened to Shelden Williams with the selection of Al Horford. Woody is stubborn, but he needs a different approach in handling Acie Law. Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Derrick Rose are young guards who have led their teams to the playoffs. Woodson and the Hawks are still searching, but maybe management needs to re-assess the way Law has been handled. THEY CAN NOT ALLOW ACIE TO FAIL... Failure by Acie is an indictment of Woodson's inability to develop young players. Wodson has tried to import older veterans (i.e. Bibb, Flip, Speedy, Lue, and others) to cover up his shortcomings as coach who can develop young players--especially lead guards. The time is now for Acie to take that next step in his development, but if he fails or is set up to fail, then Woodson's tenure will face further scrutiny as someone who can't develop young players and that is foundation of building a championship team.

If its true, I hope it is a serious option for management to consider..

The Hawks have do a better job evaluating young talent.

We shouldn't underestimate Nique's (intelligence/drive to succeed) because of the way he speaks or uses slang. I didn't think Avery Johnson would be a good coach (at first), and when he spoke he sounded like Mickey Mouse, but he turned to be a very solid coach... I thought Larry Bird wouldn't get along with no one and couldn't relate, but he was successful.. As Nique would say: "You can't judge a book by its cover"...

I thought Woody said something was wrong with Law's back... after a three-point play and got off the floor rather quick..LOL

Jon Barry is laughing his head off right at Woody..and can't wait for Saturday to let everybody know about it..

We were supposed to lose..as you say.. Chicago was suppose to lose to Boston, but they were FAR MORE COMPETITIVE AND CONSISTENT, and we saw legitimate growth from their young, individual players (i.e Rose, Gordon, Noah, etc..) (something you can build on)... Chicago showed great character on the road, even though they lost...Atlanta's embarrassing string of road losses spanning two consecutive years is problematic.

Nique might be able attract great assistants... Vinny del Negro have former head coaches as assistants in Chicago so if Nique has a chance construct his own staff and bring in his players, he can surprise people...

Nique has had several years to evaluate the Hawks personnel, and if he feels he can contribute and lead this team, why not? Isiah Thomas was successful at Indiana in his first coaching stint. Larry Bird, of all people, coach well during his first stint. Byron Scott was a surprise to me when he helped lead New Jersey to back to back Finals appearances.

I thought Woody may have been safe, but if the Hawks get blown up and out by the Cavs in from our Atlanta fans, whatever safety net Woody thought he may have built may be compromised. These Cavs blowouts are absolutely embarrassing! Woody may use the injury excuse, but the Hawks were already getting blown out last year on the road, and the few first games against Miami. There is something internally wrong with the mental makeup of this team and coaching plays a part of it as well. Some may be against Nique being brought in as a head coach, but he would be the safest pick, an in-house pick and provide a different voice.

Big Al is a tweener with an inconsistent offensive game, and if he doesn't improve, his days as a starter are numbered. I wish Big Al had half the offensive skillset of a Michael Beasley or Boozer, but right now it looks like he has a long way to go towards developing a consistent offensive skillset. Fratello on Hawks forward Al Horford: “I’m not sure if it is the bad ankle with (Al) Horford but somewhere in that Miami series you saw him lose his offensive confidence, he’s just not the same offensive player as he was during the regular season.”

I remember Woodson saying those comments about Horford. Horford was the 3rd pick in the whole draft a few years ago.

Sad indeed. However, the Hawks made it easy for the refs to look the other way. JJ at 6'8 240, and Marvin at 6'9 245 took very few shots (made less) and if their isn't any consistent offensive aggression (taking it to the rim), Lebron is going to have an even more easier night defending...with or without the ref's help (if needed)

Yeah, it seems you are right Hotlanta1981. I really want to give Big Al the benefit of the doubt, but next year will be his third year. Big Al plays with energy, but his lacking offensive skills and being undersized power forward is not conducive to a long future as a starter...and it is definitely a growing concern.

I have been hearing and reading about this offensive coordinator theory-- let's do it..if it helps..

I am definitely not an Al Horford hater, but his power forward skills are lacking. And there are times, he can be taken totally out of the game and is absolutely no threat in shooting the ball. He is not the next Karl Malone or even the next Carlos Boozer, but when is Big Al going to take his offensive game to another level? Will Big Al turn from starter (averaging 32-37 minutes) to valuable benchwarmer or energy player (averaging (20-23 minutes) per game. Big Al hasn't been much of a shot blocker, gets out-muscled or made to seem very small against more skilled, bigger players. And his lack of confidence in his outside shot is a little unsettling. He is young, but so is Paul Milsap and Michael Beasley. Al plays with more heart than Marvin, but Big Al was a Top 10 pick. So Big Al has to be held accountable for his growth as an offensive player. With Carlos Boozer out there as a free agent option, the Hawks need to take some chances in improving their team.

....(re-signing Marvin long-term) ...as part of a sign and trade with Utah, to get Carlos Boozer? Wow, great minds think alike? LOL

We agree on something. Now that has been established, now what is the best way to dispatch of Marvin during the offseason?

Harry Potter? Maybe you should summon the Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz, because a heart transplant is needed...

Ex, Josh's inside play thus far has been the reason the Hawks have stayed within single digits... if Marvin can hit some outside shots that would be great... I see Coach has sat Marvin ineffective self on the bench (to reflect)... Could you please twitter him Ex and tell him Cleveland is going to let him have that three-point shot all night--if he has the COURAGE TO TAKE IT...Thanks Ex (LOL)..

1-2 FT from the line... give him a gold medal... (I know his wrist his hurting)..Well, I applaud his courage, but Cleveland is going to GIVE him that UNCONTESTED three-point shot ALL NIGHT LONG..but he won't take advantage of it..(so far) The negative Marvin effect tightening Hawks team play (playing tentative), Cleveland runs out to double digit lead. ..And Lebron is on the bench (RESTING) and we can't take advantage..Damn...