Yahoo Hawks Team Report

[AmishBoy]

Barack Obama’s campaign theme of “Change” applies to the Hawks as well.

Change is coming, already has if you count the resignation of general manager Billy Knight after six years.

More change is coming.

Personnel changes, attitude changes, philosophy changes and just about anything else that could be changed is on the menu.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson, however, isn’t going anywhere. By guiding the Hawks to a Game 7 against Boston in their first-round playoff series, Woodson saved his own hide—his 106-222 record after four seasons trumped by his team’s postseason rush.

“Mike deserves an opportunity to see what he can do with this team,” Hawks part owner Michael Gearon Jr. said while discussing Knight’s resignation.

The Hawks’ personnel changes could include new addresses for forwards Josh Smith (a distinct possibility) and Josh Childress (not as likely). It could also mean a wholesale swapping of the reserves other than Childress and Zaza Pachulia.

Woodson’s staff could look vastly different by training camp, as both Larry Drew and David Fizdale will both be in high demand this summer.

“It’s a strange day,” Smith said after hearing of the resignation of Knight, the man who put together the entire roster. “I don’t know what to make of what’s going on right now. I do know that I feel for BK. He drafted all of us and watched us all grow the past four years, and for him not to be a part of it anymore just doesn’t feel right to me.”

There’s a whole lot more that might not feel right by the time training camp begins.

Season Highlight: The Hawks’ hair-raising run to Game 7 against Boston in their first round playoff series woke up a slumbering fan base and put the rest of the league on notice. The Hawks showed the world that there is more to the franchise than just a dysfunctional ownership group and mixed up front office crew. There’s also some talent on hand.

Turning Point: Mike Bibby’s acquisition at the trade deadline changed things dramatically for the Hawks. They went 16-17 with Bibby in the lineup and ended an eight-year playoff drought with Bibby at the controls. The veteran point guard provided everything the Hawks needed to get to the postseason but fell flat against the Celtics.

Notes, Quotes

• Game 7 against Boston marked Mike Woodson’s final outing under contract with the Hawks. His contract ends June 30. But he had one huge supporter in his bid to continue as Hawks coach. Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson is firmly entrenched in the Woodson camp.

“I hope he comes back,” Johnson said after the game. “I hope we’re able to bring him and his entire coaching staff back. That was one of the main attractions for me coming here (from Phoenix three years ago), so I would definitely love to see him come back. I’ve learned a lot from all of those guys. They’ve taught us all a lot.”

• The Hawks couldn’t agree on whether or not the Celtics looked like a championship team after the series.

Rookie center Al Horford saw enough of Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe and Glen Davis to know that there’s plenty of ammunition to get it done.

“We really gave them all they could handle,” he said. “But I do feel like they can get it done. They certainly have a good enough team to do it.”

Johnson, on the other hand, isn’t nearly as sold on the Celtics as his young teammate.

“I don’t know if they’re going to win it,” he said. “[The media] has got them picked to win it. I had us picked to win it. But I guess I’m out of luck.”

When asked if the Celtics are as good as everyone thinks, Johnson didn’t retreat a bit.

“No,” he said. “They’re probably not as good as everyone thought. We didn’t show that here in Boston, but we showed it in Atlanta.”

Quote To Note: “It’s a bittersweet situation for me, a difficult decision to make for me. But I think it’s the best decision at this particular time—but difficult to come to because I love these guys. I think they’re great. Great players and great guys. I’ve gotten to know each and every one of them personally. I think the best is yet to come with this group. I’d like to see this group stay together, I think they can do some special things.”—Outgoing Hawks general manager Billy Knight on the future of the franchise he helped rebuild.

Roster Report

Most Valuable Player: Joe Johnson turned in one of his finest seasons yet in a Hawks uniform, leading the team to the playoffs and leading them in scoring the entire way. Whatever he lacks in verbal leadership abilities Johnson more than makes up for by leading this team by example. But those who questioned the Hawks’ pursuit of him three years ago need not open wide to snack on the crow they so rightly deserve—Johnson could care less.

Most Disappointing Player: Speedy Claxton’s tenure with the Hawks is quickly turning into another cautionary tale for teams strapped to fix their draft mistakes through free agency. He didn’t play a single game this season because of a knee injury that could very well end his career. That $25 million the Hawks paid him to be the point guard of the future (instead of drafting Chris Paul or Deron Williams) looks even more ridiculous now than it did when they signed the career backup.

Free Agent Focus: Josh Smith and Josh Childress are the Hawks’ most important players this summer. Both of the restricted free agents have to be signed to lucrative extensions for the Hawks to keep moving in the right direction. Smith will certainly cost more than $45 million that stalled talks before this season. Childress, who could have been signed for the mid-level before this season, will certainly demand more than that this summer. There is on easy way out of this, not even a sign-and-trade deal for one or the other. The Hawks have to make sure both of these guys are back on the roster next season or they risk alienating a significant portion of that fan base they recaptured during the playoffs.

Player Notes:

• G Joe Johnson was highly critical of his younger teammates during the playoffs and made a loud call for some added veteran leadership.

“I thought we’d come into this game knowing what was at stake and knowing we had a chance to make history and move on to the next round,” Johnson said after the Game 7 blowout loss. “I thought we’d come out with a lot more enthusiasm and a lot more discipline, and we didn’t do any of that. We came out so lethargic. We had no continuity on offense. It was a joke, man.

“We’re so inexperienced, and we showed that every game in Boston. We had no chance of winning game here. None. I guess some of these guys thought we were just going to be able to come out and play hard and have fun. There’s more to it than that.

“Four games here and we got run ragged all four times. You would think in Game 7 you would have a (expletive) clue. We didn’t have a clue as to what was going on out there.”

• F Josh Smith isn’t worried about free agency. He knows he’s done enough in four years to prove to anyone paying attention that he’s a legitimate player in the NBA. But he can’t help but feel a connection to his hometown organization, the one that bet on him and provided an opportunity for him to prove just how valuable he could be.

“You don’t spend as much time in this organization as we have and not feel like there’s work to be done,” said Smith, who finished the regular season as the Hawks’ second-leading scorer, rebounder and leader in blocks and steals and was sixth in the voting for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award. “What we can’t control is how things play out from here. All we can do is let the process work itself out.”

• C Al Horford is still trying to figure out what to do with himself now that the season is over. He ended his last two college seasons with titles. So a deflating Game 7 loss to the Celtics was a bit more than he could handle.

“I don’t know what to do with myself, man,” Horford said Monday as he walked down a corridor to his car. “I know we lost, but I just don’t know what to do with myself. You’re just done.

“Obviously, you know the season is going to end at some point. But in school you kind of knew what you had going on next. Here you’re done and you’re just … done.”

Link

[AmishBoy]

I hadn't read any of those Joe Johnson post game 7 comments before. All I can say is wow. I wonder if he's like this in the locker room. He's beginning to be more vocal about what he wants. The new GM may start listening.

[dig]

I'm glad to hear JJ say that... clearly Woody isn't getting in their heads so someone has to, and thats what veteran leaders are for....

Also, it says Chills "could have been signed for the mid level before the season, but know will cost more." Was this is an offer we put out there last summer or is the author just speculating?

[Joker]

Man I sware we have a AK-47 and Manu G here(difference is our one doesn't come to play on the road). Not to mention we still need a real Kobe, not a fake one, 'sorry Joe'.

[dig]

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Man I sware we have a AK-47 and Manu G here(difference is our one doesn't come to play on the road). Not to mention we still need a real Kobe, not a fake one, 'sorry Joe'.

OK I think I'm going to need an interpreter....

[Admin]

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Quote To Note: “It’s a bittersweet situation for me, a difficult decision to make for me. But I think it’s the best decision at this particular time—but difficult to come to because I love these guys. I think they’re great. Great players and great guys. I’ve gotten to know each and every one of them personally. I think the best is yet to come with this group.

I’d like to see this group stay together, I think they can do some special things.

”—Outgoing Hawks general manager Billy Knight on the future of the franchise he helped rebuild.

I wonder if there is any chance that part of the reason why he didn't accept their rumored one year extension (other than the fact that it's a little insulting) is because the owners want some big changes that he isn't okay with, changes to the core like Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, or Josh Childress?

[Diesel]

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Quote To Note: “It’s a bittersweet situation for me, a difficult decision to make for me. But I think it’s the best decision at this particular time—but difficult to come to because I love these guys. I think they’re great. Great players and great guys. I’ve gotten to know each and every one of them personally. I think the best is yet to come with this group.

I’d like to see this group stay together, I think they can do some special things.

”—Outgoing Hawks general manager Billy Knight on the future of the franchise he helped rebuild.

I wonder if there is any chance that part of the reason why he didn't accept their rumored one year extension (other than the fact that it's a little insulting) is because the owners want some big changes that he isn't okay with, changes to the core like Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, or Josh Childress?

We've heard over and over again that ASG said that they will resign the Joshes. However, I think a bigger thing is that he couldn't fire Woody. He has no power if he cannot fire the coach or trade who he wants.

But those comments do suggest that there may be a core change.

[Admin]

I'm sure that not being able to fire Woody is a big part of it, but I don't think he would feel personally insulted about having to keep Woody for one more year like he would being told to trade one or more of his prized young players that he personally drafted.

[Supporter]

Youre an idiot

[AmishBoy]

That one year deal is insulting and you can't blame BK for leaving after that. I do wonder how much value he puts in the core he built though. I sort of think BK has a can do no wrong type of love for the players he drafted though this may not be true since he he did part with Shellhead.

I have to admit that I'm now for leaving this core together to see how much they can improve unless a trade for a really good player comes up. I still live off the dream that one day Josh Smith will "get it" and become the monster he seems like he can.

[Packfill]

Despite what JJ said I have a hard time believing he would be upset if Woody is sent packing. Everything else he has said this year is completely contrary to the notion of Woody staying.

[frosgrim]

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That one year deal is insulting and you can't blame BK for leaving after that. I do wonder how much value he puts in the core he built though. I sort of think BK has a can do no wrong type of love for the players he drafted though this may not be true since he he did part with Shellhead.

I have to admit that I'm now for leaving this core together to see how much they can improve unless a trade for a really good player comes up. I still live off the dream that one day Josh Smith will "get it" and become the monster he seems like he can.

There are so many conflicting issues with the ASG and Hawks management one can't keep straight what is going on. First, BK tends to not like trading players he drafted (see the press conference when he traded SAR). But, BK wanted to trade Childress for Calderon. Gearon says the owners aren't meddling, but they get involved in all the trades and the blocked a firing of Woodson.

As for Gearon's statement that they would resign both Joshes, I will believe it when I see it. We have been mis-informed by the ASG so many times now that I don't believe anything they say. Also, note that re-signing the Joshes does not mean that either one of them will be in a Hawks uniform. In an SnT the Hawks sign the player and then move him out; therefore, the ASG technically did sign them. Gearon is using word-plays with us and I can't stand it.

[DrReality]

There have been a series of changes over the months in the front office of both Hawks and hockey team. And I'm sure to be on the inside would be disconcerting, looking around at the personnel changes, the law suit, etc and wondering what's going to happen. Like a hostile takeover. Gotta be unsettling. Theone year thing was to show him the door without some big showdown. Backhanded.

[Joker]

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Man I sware we have a AK-47 and Manu G here(difference is our one doesn't come to play on the road). Not to mention we still need a real Kobe, not a fake one, 'sorry Joe'.

What is so hard to read about this. Will someone please tell me. This looks no different then any other post around here. I could understand if I was saying Manz deez hoez don't be understandin sheittt. But I'm speaking American English. Would someone please come and help me out. Diesel, you write really good. Please tell me what's my problem, and why goofs like dig and dolfan are always being jerks about grammar.

[macdaddy]

I don't think it was the grammar. I think they really didn't understand your point. I assume you're saying Smoove is AK and Chill is Manu? and JJ is Kobe but as you point out he's not quit as good as Kobe.

I just can't believe that we are sticking with Woody and considering all these other changes. I think there is no way that they let Smoove go. I was proud of our guys for taking the Celts to 7 games but I don't see how you can make the case the Woody deserves to stay simply because of that series when we weren't even competitive in 4 of the games and got embarrased in the game 7. If Woody is getting some credit for the the 3 games we won then he certainly deserves some blame for the 4 we lost badly.

JJ realizes that with another coach or another team he might not be the centerpiece that he has been here. Now that he's seen some success he believes he can lead us to the next level unless the team get's radically altered.

[Joker]

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I don't think it was the grammar. I think they really didn't understand your point. I assume you're saying Smoove is AK and Chill is Manu? and JJ is Kobe but as you point out he's not quit as good as Kobe.

I just can't believe that we are sticking with Woody and considering all these other changes. I think there is no way that they let Smoove go. I was proud of our guys for taking the Celts to 7 games but I don't see how you can make the case the Woody deserves to stay simply because of that series when we weren't even competitive in 4 of the games and got embarrased in the game 7. If Woody is getting some credit for the the 3 games we won then he certainly deserves some blame for the 4 we lost badly.

JJ realizes that with another coach or another team he might not be the centerpiece that he has been here. Now that he's seen some success he believes he can lead us to the next level unless the team get's radically altered.

Oh true, I do that sometimes... My point was Josh Smith is like AK-47 and Manu except for the fact that they play their best in big games and he doens't. We play JJ like he's Kobe but he not even in the same state if even country to play a role like Kobe Bryant's. Thanks man, I do appreciate that a lot. I type so quick after my thoughts that there not always clear to the common eye. Thanks again...

[frosgrim]

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Man I sware we have a AK-47 and Manu G here(difference is our one doesn't come to play on the road). Not to mention we still need a real Kobe, not a fake one, 'sorry Joe'.

What is so hard to read about this. Will someone please tell me. This looks no different then any other post around here. I could understand if I was saying Manz deez hoez don't be understandin sheittt. But I'm speaking American English. Would someone please come and help me out. Diesel, you write really good. Please tell me what's my problem, and why goofs like dig and dolfan are always being jerks about grammar.

FWIW, I am not great at spelling, but my grammar tends to be decent. That said, I worked my butt off in college to handle my grammar issues. I tend to write train-of-thought, which is what you do, so take this post as advice. You compound the grammatical and spelling issues by adding in slang that not everyone is familiar with; thus, your posts are dificult to read due to the poor grammar and non-standard English. Add in that you are making annologies that no one can follow due to the poor sentence structure, and you are left with difficult to read posts.

I can sort of dicipher your annologies, but not fully:

AK47 = Smith?

Manu = ??Bibby??

Kobe = JJ

Thus your point is that we don't have a Kobe/MJ/Bird/Magic/Kareem/Hakeem-type player and that is why we are an 8th seed team in the East, no?

Try to read your posts before posting them. A way to catch grammar mistakes is to read the last sentence first and then go backwards. This should help you catch the run-ons and fragments that plague your writing (as they do mine- I should add).

[Joker]

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Man I sware we have a AK-47 and Manu G here(difference is our one doesn't come to play on the road). Not to mention we still need a real Kobe, not a fake one, 'sorry Joe'.

What is so hard to read about this. Will someone please tell me. This looks no different then any other post around here. I could understand if I was saying Manz deez hoez don't be understandin sheittt. But I'm speaking American English. Would someone please come and help me out. Diesel, you write really good. Please tell me what's my problem, and why goofs like dig and dolfan are always being jerks about grammar.

FWIW, I am not great at spelling, but my grammar tends to be decent. That said, I worked my butt off in college to handle my grammar issues. I tend to write train-of-thought, which is what you do, so take this post as advice. You compound the grammatical and spelling issues by adding in slang that not everyone is familiar with; thus, your posts are dificult to read due to the poor grammar and non-standard English. Add in that you are making annologies that no one can follow due to the poor sentence structure, and you are left with difficult to read posts.

I can sort of dicipher your annologies, but not fully:

AK47 = Smith?

Manu = ??Bibby??

Kobe = JJ

Thus your point is that we don't have a Kobe/MJ/Bird/Magic/Kareem/Hakeem-type player and that is why we are an 8th seed team in the East, no?

Try to read your posts before posting them. A way to catch grammar mistakes is to read the last sentence first and then go backwards. This should help you catch the run-ons and fragments that plague your writing (as they do mine- I should add).

Thanks man, I will work hard to change that. I will eventually start having to write emails without someone looking over my work in the workplace. I really need to improve on this area. I already had two members call me out on it.

As for college papers, I have several people who proof the paper for me. As you could understand B's and C's tend to be the outcome when I write a paper.

EDIT: Just to add, how comes my writing doesn't look as bad to me as they does to others. When I'm playing basketball I can see if my shot release is off just by looking at my form and elevation. In business and I can tell my perentages are wrong just by looking at the math; but I can't tell if my grammar is really bad or not. I guess I know what I was going to say and I just assume you will too which is my problem but I'm not sure. I leave out key words for some reason as well... I sometimes will write sentences with the right meaning but it ends up like this... I was to play basketball at the gym at 5. I left out (going), it's a very common mistake with me.

[frosgrim]

Slow down in your writing. Take a breath. Let the words sit and then look at them again. Remove any and all colloquialisms/slang.

Some people are naturals when it comes to writting, others have to work at it. Take writting as something you have to work at, like shooting jumpers. Practice makes perfect. It won't come overnight either. I still use an editor when I write academic papers. It is extremely difficult to find errors in logic when you read your own stuff (at least for me).

The other suggestion is to read professional writing. Pick up the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal. All of these dailys have good writers and strong editorial staffs. Their writing will be technically correct. You don't have to agree with the content, but you can learn from just looking at how things are written.

Oh, pick up a copy of Strunk and White, Elements of Style.

[Joker]

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Slow down in your writing. Take a breath. Let the words sit and then look at them again. Remove any and all colloquialisms/slang.

Some people are naturals when it comes to writting, others have to work at it. Take writting as something you have to work at, like shooting jumpers. Practice makes perfect. It won't come overnight either. I still use an editor when I write academic papers. It is extremely difficult to find errors in logic when you read your own stuff (at least for me).

The other suggestion is to read professional writing. Pick up the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal. All of these dailys have good writers and strong editorial staffs. Their writing will be technically correct. You don't have to agree with the content, but you can learn from just looking at how things are written.

Oh, pick up a copy of Strunk and White, Elements of Style.

Thanks once again...