The Hawks played great basketball all night long, played conference champion basketball, but in the end couldn't grab the "w".
Again we say, so what?
As we discussed earlier, this neither made us champs or chumps, but the way the team played, the way the team battled, they way the played like one of the toughest teams in the league proved that the outcome is a secondary story, simply another outcome of which there are 82 in a season.
This was no step back and it was no step forward. It's another brick in the wall that is the NBA schedule and there is another game on Friday against the Warriors.
What will show the mettle of the team is how they respond and how they play against Oakland.
No, there is no moral victory, they lost the game. They didn't break the Celtics streak. But, the more important outcome of the game was that despite a shooting start that might have dumped any other team playing the Celtics, despite some questionable officiating in the second half (hey, these are the champs and it's not like the L has a lot of experience showing the Birds the love), the Hawks outplayed the Celtics, outworked the Celtics, and proved that the growth--the record--the Hawk--are no fluke.
See you in April (well, March 27th), C's---Josh Smith will be waiting----
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Everybody, Everybody!
OK, the intense hype for this regular season game (ummm--Boston is in the ATL if you haven't heard) is off the charts.
If the HHB can channel it's inner Wilbon, we can say that this is a little too jacked up to get for a December game.
Yes, this is a chance for the Hawks to end Boston's 378 game winning streak or whatever it is tonight.
Yes, the Hawks can puff their collective chests out should they end that streak and take out the champs.
And yes, it would be nice to watch Paul Pierce and Company pout their way off the court should the good guys (Good guys wear Black, btw--and blue---and red---anyway) come away victorious.
But, big picture, what does it all mean?
Not much.
It's another nice win in an early season of nice wins, but allow us, if you will, to play the Official Wet Blanket:
1. Too much stock in a win could cause massive complacency, especially among the younger players who have yet to learn that every game and every possession is important.
Yes, we are looking at you, Josh Smith.
Already, the Hawks have been dangerously close to losing games at home against teams that are below them. And yes while it's good to win some games without your fastball, it's not good to get into a habit of doing so. Or so we're told.
2. Too much stock in a loss could send irrational Bird Watchers over the cliff.
Yes, we are looking at you, Hawk Nation.
Already, we are dangerously close to being irrational with our expectations. This game is not a referndum of the Hawks season. Losing does not mean we can't compete come April (should we get there---looking furiously for some wood to knock on) nor does winning mean we can print tickets to the Conference Finals and beyond.
Yes, we know that the HHB is the place where we said that Mediocrity is an Improvement, not a Destination, but we're willing to take our baby steps and accept that whatever outcome tonight can be used to build, not settle on.
Still, it's great to have the NBA world watching little ole Philips Arena tonight when the curtain rises on this game.
As we have said many times, many ways---Relevance is nice, and makes you not want to ever go back to the dark underworld of Lottery Land.
To have the home team on the WWL and have all eyes watching the Good Guys tonight is a good feeling---a proud feeling---and we can understand that folks want to prove to the world that the team we watch, the team we live/die with is worth the passion and emotion we put into it.
So, screw it---forget the Wet Blanket---Get on your feet tonight in the Arena, scream at the TV at home---Let's go out there and get the W so that we can announce our presence with authority and send the C's a message that Zaza started all those games ago.
This is our house. And you are not welcome.
If the HHB can channel it's inner Wilbon, we can say that this is a little too jacked up to get for a December game.
Yes, this is a chance for the Hawks to end Boston's 378 game winning streak or whatever it is tonight.
Yes, the Hawks can puff their collective chests out should they end that streak and take out the champs.
And yes, it would be nice to watch Paul Pierce and Company pout their way off the court should the good guys (Good guys wear Black, btw--and blue---and red---anyway) come away victorious.
But, big picture, what does it all mean?
Not much.
It's another nice win in an early season of nice wins, but allow us, if you will, to play the Official Wet Blanket:
1. Too much stock in a win could cause massive complacency, especially among the younger players who have yet to learn that every game and every possession is important.
Yes, we are looking at you, Josh Smith.
Already, the Hawks have been dangerously close to losing games at home against teams that are below them. And yes while it's good to win some games without your fastball, it's not good to get into a habit of doing so. Or so we're told.
2. Too much stock in a loss could send irrational Bird Watchers over the cliff.
Yes, we are looking at you, Hawk Nation.
Already, we are dangerously close to being irrational with our expectations. This game is not a referndum of the Hawks season. Losing does not mean we can't compete come April (should we get there---looking furiously for some wood to knock on) nor does winning mean we can print tickets to the Conference Finals and beyond.
Yes, we know that the HHB is the place where we said that Mediocrity is an Improvement, not a Destination, but we're willing to take our baby steps and accept that whatever outcome tonight can be used to build, not settle on.
Still, it's great to have the NBA world watching little ole Philips Arena tonight when the curtain rises on this game.
As we have said many times, many ways---Relevance is nice, and makes you not want to ever go back to the dark underworld of Lottery Land.
To have the home team on the WWL and have all eyes watching the Good Guys tonight is a good feeling---a proud feeling---and we can understand that folks want to prove to the world that the team we watch, the team we live/die with is worth the passion and emotion we put into it.
So, screw it---forget the Wet Blanket---Get on your feet tonight in the Arena, scream at the TV at home---Let's go out there and get the W so that we can announce our presence with authority and send the C's a message that Zaza started all those games ago.
This is our house. And you are not welcome.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Rain, The Park, And Other Things
Nope, not a serious collection of theories of why this dang song is so catchy and a clear indicator that the HHB is tragically unhip:
Cowsills - The Rain The Park And Other Things
Uploaded by gonta99
Rather, it's a prologue to a series of random, not thought out---thoughts (see?)
Hawks Slow Starts No Mystery
Psst---the HHB has a secret.
We know why the Hawks start slow in these games recently, really, we do.
It's complex, but the HHB thinks we can break it down for you.
Here it goes:
1. When the Hawks come out and treat every possession like it's play time at the Bouncy Castle, and turn the ball over multiple times in the first few minutes of the game.
2. When Josh Smith forgets that he is almost unstoppable going to the hole and takes an gleefully uncontested jump shot when he could land a plane between he and the next closest defender. We call this "Antoine Walker Syndrome".
3. When the Hawks treat the defensive lane like there is a "Wet Paint" sign over it, thereby allowing somewhat easy---and by somewhat we mean very easy---baskets.
4. When the Hawks see a double digit first quarter deficit as "rolling up the bet".
Oops---the NBA has advised me to remove #4 by penalty of removing our credentials. Wait, we're not credentialed. We're not even relevant. Take that, NBA!
Seriously, the Hawks have their gaps in games where they forget that each NBA possession is a precious jewel, to be honored and treated as such else the other team taketh the ball away and score, score, score.
I have found this occurring in the beginning of games, but also during stretches where RFM is running the point (see below columns for reference points on RFM). Um, he's not a point guard. And since the HHB has determined that finding a long term replacement at the point is critical to supporting this young team as they grow, using a transition player like RFM to run the point instead of developing Acie Law (Point Guard Approved by the HHB) is not wise long term. Heck, from what we see, it's not wise short term either, as evidenced by his woeful +/- at the point.
Josh Smith Lives, and Sometimes We Die
He is sometimes amazing. sometimes baffling, but the HHB is glad he is a Hawk.
Surely, you have seen this block from Saturday night against the Cavs:
Ummm----Yes. Thank you.
Perspective on the Season
Let's see, the Hawks were without one of their more dynamic players for over 10 percent of the season (given a full 82 games) and have played seemingly fairly ordinary basketball thus far, meaning that nobody is really playing way over their heads, and yet look at the Hawks.
14-9, .609 basketball, 11-6 in the conference with wins over current #2, #3, #6, and #8 already this year.
As the late great Bernie Mac would say, "That's good basketball, America!"
The HHB is enjoying this run, given the fact that it hasn't taken an inordinate amount of luck or over-their-heads basketball to get where they are. This is a good basketball team that can definitely get better.
There is good talent, good chemistry, and good balance.
Good times!
The HHB never claimed to be smart or pithy, but they are still humming that stupid song and can be reached in the Comments area
Cowsills - The Rain The Park And Other Things
Uploaded by gonta99
Rather, it's a prologue to a series of random, not thought out---thoughts (see?)
Hawks Slow Starts No Mystery
Psst---the HHB has a secret.
We know why the Hawks start slow in these games recently, really, we do.
It's complex, but the HHB thinks we can break it down for you.
Here it goes:
1. When the Hawks come out and treat every possession like it's play time at the Bouncy Castle, and turn the ball over multiple times in the first few minutes of the game.
2. When Josh Smith forgets that he is almost unstoppable going to the hole and takes an gleefully uncontested jump shot when he could land a plane between he and the next closest defender. We call this "Antoine Walker Syndrome".
3. When the Hawks treat the defensive lane like there is a "Wet Paint" sign over it, thereby allowing somewhat easy---and by somewhat we mean very easy---baskets.
4. When the Hawks see a double digit first quarter deficit as "rolling up the bet".
Oops---the NBA has advised me to remove #4 by penalty of removing our credentials. Wait, we're not credentialed. We're not even relevant. Take that, NBA!
Seriously, the Hawks have their gaps in games where they forget that each NBA possession is a precious jewel, to be honored and treated as such else the other team taketh the ball away and score, score, score.
I have found this occurring in the beginning of games, but also during stretches where RFM is running the point (see below columns for reference points on RFM). Um, he's not a point guard. And since the HHB has determined that finding a long term replacement at the point is critical to supporting this young team as they grow, using a transition player like RFM to run the point instead of developing Acie Law (Point Guard Approved by the HHB) is not wise long term. Heck, from what we see, it's not wise short term either, as evidenced by his woeful +/- at the point.
Josh Smith Lives, and Sometimes We Die
He is sometimes amazing. sometimes baffling, but the HHB is glad he is a Hawk.
Surely, you have seen this block from Saturday night against the Cavs:
Ummm----Yes. Thank you.
Perspective on the Season
Let's see, the Hawks were without one of their more dynamic players for over 10 percent of the season (given a full 82 games) and have played seemingly fairly ordinary basketball thus far, meaning that nobody is really playing way over their heads, and yet look at the Hawks.
14-9, .609 basketball, 11-6 in the conference with wins over current #2, #3, #6, and #8 already this year.
As the late great Bernie Mac would say, "That's good basketball, America!"
The HHB is enjoying this run, given the fact that it hasn't taken an inordinate amount of luck or over-their-heads basketball to get where they are. This is a good basketball team that can definitely get better.
There is good talent, good chemistry, and good balance.
Good times!
The HHB never claimed to be smart or pithy, but they are still humming that stupid song and can be reached in the Comments area
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mediocrity---An Improvement But Not a Destination
"Middle of the road, man it stanks,/Let's run over Lionel Richie with a tank."
The immortal words of the late, great Steve Dallas ring as true today as it did two decades ago.
And so it is with our beloved Hawks, who played like dogs, not fought like lions in their two games over the weekend.
It is a testament to how far the Hawks have come that they can completely sleep walk through a game at home against the Knicks and still come away with the win. (Sidenote: The HHB has always, always hated watching "Knick Fan" gloriously walking out of the Hawks building with a "w" in their grinning, never-stop-talking-smack mouth". To have it be so close despite having more than they do was gut wrenching---but, alas, the game was won, and the noisy mouths can stop for one trip into Philips. End Note)
But against a decent team like the Mavs on their homecourt, the sloppy defense, careless offense act won't get it done. They need efforts as the ones the authored against New Orleans and Chicago to come away with a Gold Star and a Ring Cookie for their evening's efforts.
Let's give credit where credit is due:
Al Horford----Al, you know the HHB has your back, but I gotta tell ya---It cut us deep when you would bow out of Gator games with the occasional injury, but to see you in the layup line against the Mavs and then grab the poms poms stings even more, because hey, this team needs you man, badly.
Even in games he has played recently we have seen more of the First Year Al, the guy who rushes his interior moves and disappears defensively for too long than the Horfie we saw in Chicago, who brought his big, brass balls to the United Center and declared that the game was his and the Hawks.
More Horfie and less First Year Al, please! Thank you!
Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby----Got no complaints about these two offensively, though it does seem like Joe is forcing things a smidgen. Bibby has been golden offensively, through prone to the occasional off night as shooters can do. Bibby's defense has been--hmm--spotty against some of the aggressive guards recently. So, the bottom line---Mike Bibby is still Mike Bibby---glad to have him.
The problem from these quite untrained eyes when it comes to Joe forcing some things or the off night shooting from the backcourt seems to be a offensive philosophical issue more than a personnel or decision making issue.
Seems to the HHB that Mike Woodson is content to pass the ball around until there is a good outside shot available, rather than work the offense inside-out some of the time. In fact, when the Hawks do move the ball into the post, with Bibby and Johnson working their magic from the outside, the Hawks are tough to beat.
This is where I join the legions of dozens who rail game after game about the Hawks practice. Why don't the Hawks use Horford as a post play more? With Bibby, Johnson, and Marvin around the perimeter, it seems like tossing it in to Al and then letting him work the ball back out when the defense comes gives the Hawks an excellent chance to get those coveted jump shots that we only attempt 60-70 times a game.
Yet, I see Horford play after play, bust his bottom to get down the court and first to the post, only to turn and jog to the weak side and then to the top to give a perimeter shooter a place to temporarily offer possession of the basketball.
Yes, sometimes the Hawks post Johnson, but why use Johnson as a post processor unless we can clone him so that the ball can get tossed out to himself for the more-open 3? (Hmmm---probably shouldn't give Joe any ideas on how to spend his millions.)
Anyway, let's move on.
Marvin Williams----Still love his jumper and his moustache, would like to see him stronger around the basket, especially when finishing inside. As Bill Walton might say---Slam it home, big fella!
Josh Smith---At times, it was good to see him back---at other times, it was not so good to see him back. You get to see it all---the blocked shots, the effect inside, the careless passes and ridiculous jump shots, the marvelous way he can knife inside to get contact and finish.
Bottom line, it's good to have him back---will be better to see him continue to grow on the court and take each possession seriously. Seriously.
The Bench---I will stand by the numbers we looked at before the season and say that, based on a stupidly small games sample, Maurice Evans is no Josh Childress. The HHB is keeping Chillz' locker in tact, hoping he'll be back and that this whole Greece trip was a ploy to conceal an NBA mandating gambling suspension.
Gambling the HHB can forgive, choosing Greece and leaving us Childress-less we can't swallow.
However, there is nothing not to like about the effort that Evans brings, and the occasional left-side, sideline three that he is fearless in taking. It's just that he does not make his presence known like Childress did, and in times of starting lineup failure, it was a critical piece of making the playoffs last year, and is missing this year.
Ronald "Flip" Murray or RFM to the HHB (you conclude what the "F" might stand for) is an interesting little spark plug----completely out of control, able to leap tall building in a single bound, and then smack into the first floor on the next jump. He's good to have, but we wish we didn't depend on him so much for minutes.
Acie Law---Darn you Acie! If you were further along we might not need so many minutes from Murray, leaving perhaps only the best from RFM rather than having to take the bad with the good. He has GOT to improve over the last 3/4 of the season or the Hawks need to find another PG--as the hospital shows say---stat.
Zaza Pachulia---We almost didn't list him and then wouldn't say why for days until we would bring him back and say, "What? We didn't feel like the column material matched up well with Zaza's game!"
He is tenacious on the offensive boards, he throws his body around with total disregard, he seems to have a permanent chip on his shoulder, and he lacks a defensive presence like the HHB lacks writing talent.
Still, he is a solid backup center and we don't know what he is/isn't doing to make a condo in the Woodson doghouse. Maybe nothing, maybe something. Who knows.
The Hawks seem to be settling into what they are, a close to .500 team who has the talent to be better than that, but maybe mentally aren't there. Hopefully that will be addressed soon so that they can (1) qualify for the postseason and (2) do something once they are there.
The Hawks don't have a lot of time to make it happen if you believe that:
1. Winning teams need solid play from the point guard position.
2. Mike Bibby isn't getting any younger and we may/may not bring him back.
So while being .500 ish is OK for now, it shouldn't be a final destination, nor a pinnacle, but the Hawks are facing just that if the dog show doesn't get better.
The immortal words of the late, great Steve Dallas ring as true today as it did two decades ago.
And so it is with our beloved Hawks, who played like dogs, not fought like lions in their two games over the weekend.
It is a testament to how far the Hawks have come that they can completely sleep walk through a game at home against the Knicks and still come away with the win. (Sidenote: The HHB has always, always hated watching "Knick Fan" gloriously walking out of the Hawks building with a "w" in their grinning, never-stop-talking-smack mouth". To have it be so close despite having more than they do was gut wrenching---but, alas, the game was won, and the noisy mouths can stop for one trip into Philips. End Note)
But against a decent team like the Mavs on their homecourt, the sloppy defense, careless offense act won't get it done. They need efforts as the ones the authored against New Orleans and Chicago to come away with a Gold Star and a Ring Cookie for their evening's efforts.
Let's give credit where credit is due:
Al Horford----Al, you know the HHB has your back, but I gotta tell ya---It cut us deep when you would bow out of Gator games with the occasional injury, but to see you in the layup line against the Mavs and then grab the poms poms stings even more, because hey, this team needs you man, badly.
Even in games he has played recently we have seen more of the First Year Al, the guy who rushes his interior moves and disappears defensively for too long than the Horfie we saw in Chicago, who brought his big, brass balls to the United Center and declared that the game was his and the Hawks.
More Horfie and less First Year Al, please! Thank you!
Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby----Got no complaints about these two offensively, though it does seem like Joe is forcing things a smidgen. Bibby has been golden offensively, through prone to the occasional off night as shooters can do. Bibby's defense has been--hmm--spotty against some of the aggressive guards recently. So, the bottom line---Mike Bibby is still Mike Bibby---glad to have him.
The problem from these quite untrained eyes when it comes to Joe forcing some things or the off night shooting from the backcourt seems to be a offensive philosophical issue more than a personnel or decision making issue.
Seems to the HHB that Mike Woodson is content to pass the ball around until there is a good outside shot available, rather than work the offense inside-out some of the time. In fact, when the Hawks do move the ball into the post, with Bibby and Johnson working their magic from the outside, the Hawks are tough to beat.
This is where I join the legions of dozens who rail game after game about the Hawks practice. Why don't the Hawks use Horford as a post play more? With Bibby, Johnson, and Marvin around the perimeter, it seems like tossing it in to Al and then letting him work the ball back out when the defense comes gives the Hawks an excellent chance to get those coveted jump shots that we only attempt 60-70 times a game.
Yet, I see Horford play after play, bust his bottom to get down the court and first to the post, only to turn and jog to the weak side and then to the top to give a perimeter shooter a place to temporarily offer possession of the basketball.
Yes, sometimes the Hawks post Johnson, but why use Johnson as a post processor unless we can clone him so that the ball can get tossed out to himself for the more-open 3? (Hmmm---probably shouldn't give Joe any ideas on how to spend his millions.)
Anyway, let's move on.
Marvin Williams----Still love his jumper and his moustache, would like to see him stronger around the basket, especially when finishing inside. As Bill Walton might say---Slam it home, big fella!
Josh Smith---At times, it was good to see him back---at other times, it was not so good to see him back. You get to see it all---the blocked shots, the effect inside, the careless passes and ridiculous jump shots, the marvelous way he can knife inside to get contact and finish.
Bottom line, it's good to have him back---will be better to see him continue to grow on the court and take each possession seriously. Seriously.
The Bench---I will stand by the numbers we looked at before the season and say that, based on a stupidly small games sample, Maurice Evans is no Josh Childress. The HHB is keeping Chillz' locker in tact, hoping he'll be back and that this whole Greece trip was a ploy to conceal an NBA mandating gambling suspension.
Gambling the HHB can forgive, choosing Greece and leaving us Childress-less we can't swallow.
However, there is nothing not to like about the effort that Evans brings, and the occasional left-side, sideline three that he is fearless in taking. It's just that he does not make his presence known like Childress did, and in times of starting lineup failure, it was a critical piece of making the playoffs last year, and is missing this year.
Ronald "Flip" Murray or RFM to the HHB (you conclude what the "F" might stand for) is an interesting little spark plug----completely out of control, able to leap tall building in a single bound, and then smack into the first floor on the next jump. He's good to have, but we wish we didn't depend on him so much for minutes.
Acie Law---Darn you Acie! If you were further along we might not need so many minutes from Murray, leaving perhaps only the best from RFM rather than having to take the bad with the good. He has GOT to improve over the last 3/4 of the season or the Hawks need to find another PG--as the hospital shows say---stat.
Zaza Pachulia---We almost didn't list him and then wouldn't say why for days until we would bring him back and say, "What? We didn't feel like the column material matched up well with Zaza's game!"
He is tenacious on the offensive boards, he throws his body around with total disregard, he seems to have a permanent chip on his shoulder, and he lacks a defensive presence like the HHB lacks writing talent.
Still, he is a solid backup center and we don't know what he is/isn't doing to make a condo in the Woodson doghouse. Maybe nothing, maybe something. Who knows.
The Hawks seem to be settling into what they are, a close to .500 team who has the talent to be better than that, but maybe mentally aren't there. Hopefully that will be addressed soon so that they can (1) qualify for the postseason and (2) do something once they are there.
The Hawks don't have a lot of time to make it happen if you believe that:
1. Winning teams need solid play from the point guard position.
2. Mike Bibby isn't getting any younger and we may/may not bring him back.
So while being .500 ish is OK for now, it shouldn't be a final destination, nor a pinnacle, but the Hawks are facing just that if the dog show doesn't get better.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Out Sick
As a special HHB Birthday present (yesterday was the actual day), for whatever reason, the Official HHB Viewing Center was not showing the Wednesday game between the Grizz and the Hawks.
Since the HHB has been under siege by a virus attack from Parts Unknown, it was to be an enjoyable respite in an otherwise miserable week which struck us down from contributing any salient thoughts about the Hawks recent victory over the Wizards (thanks for taking care of that business boys!) and whatever might have occurred in the Memphis game on the 3rd (another win!).
Then I find something in the fantastic Peachtree Hoops blog about the recent disappearance of Zaza Pachulia. More importantly, PH asks the question that raises the reason the HHB got into covering the Hawks to begin with----WHY DON'T HAWKS FANS GET ALL THE ANSWERS?
The scene in the locker room of the Hawks is a funny one after a game. Really, to the HHB's fading eyesight, there are only a couple of writers who ask their own original questions. All the other radio, wire report folks, TV wait for these "pioneers" to go in for their line of questioning and then surround the target to get their sound or TV clip for the night and go home.
It's both a humorous and sad sight to behold.
So, to Peachtree Hoops and folks everyone who yearn for the truth, the HHB is not here to say you can't handle it, it just that there is nobody there to ask the question.
Now, where's the NyQuil?
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