Split Personalities

We're torn here at the HHB---We have been building and driving the (50) win bandwagon based on the belief that the Hawks are talented enough to reach that milestone.

On the other hand, there is a season's worth of proof that this team is not a team at all. Sure, there are flashes, but in the contrast of an opponent who is patient, methodical, and energetic, the Hawks, as they did in their 98-85 loss in PHL Tuesday night, the team shows it's immaturity and mental lack of strength.

It's fitting that, on the night where this immaturity was on display team-wide, that it was Josh Smith who appeared to be the most gathered, and definitely the most effective. Smith took (15) shots and missed only (2), including three no doubt bombs and all of his throws. At one point, Smith had (20) of the Hawks (45) points.

The Hawks had a crippling (19) turnovers as well--fitting that they were evenly dispersed throughout the team, as there are not enough fingers to point at the culprits.

Five, Four, Three, Two, One---Buzzzzzz

We had to laugh at IBR on the telecast, bemoaning Al Horford's "drop" in offensive production. It's hard to score when you don't get to shoot, Bob! It's reminiscent of when folks in Minnesota were wondering why Herschel Walker wasn't rushing for 100 yards a game. Well guys, when he got 3-5 carries a game, it's hard to produce---not to mention you had him away from the deep-I formation that he dominated with.

Sound vaguely similar? It should. We are barreling towards a "Trade Al Horford" entry into the HHB due to the obvious lack of development given the coaching staff. Once again we see another bench post player come in and get more attention offensively than Al.

This time it was his backup at Florida, Marreese Speights, who got to look like a polished post player, while Al was once again handed a mop and told to clean up after the guards.

It's a waste of talent, and don't be surprised if some hack blog isn't the first to feel this---if we can tell, you can bet the players do, too.

If at First You Don't Succeed, Don't Change a Thing!

The offensive policy of hoping that our outside shots fall and then shrugging our shoulders or, in this game, turning the ball over is a bit tiresome. The Sixers, who we were told often throughout the game, are not a good half court team, yet they looked like the Globetrotters compared to the Hawks in the set.

Time after time the Sixers seemed to get an open shot, while the Hawks continued to look like they are shooting hoops over the Great Wall of China.

Hmm---maybe we're getting close to another post, one that has been authored by every other Bird Watcher in the Nation---hey, we're not above jumping on the pile!

The HHB has sent the official word to hold off on the down payment for the second round playoff tickets---Arguments to the contrary can be left in the Comments Area.

Bow Wow, Hawks Fans

They are calling these days in January the "dog days" of the NBA season.

Makes sense, since the Hawks are certainly playing like dogs these days.

Whether it's simply fatigue from winning too much prior to January or the fact that the team is simply unwilling to do the things it did in December when they won 21 games, the Birds are playing like dead fish right now and until someone shows up with the life paddles, the Hawks are currently DOA.

Some examples:

Josh Smith when winning: Takes the ball hard to the basket and finishes while making his presence felt on defense.

Josh Smith when losing: Takes the ball and stands outside to launch a jump shot and is nowhere to be seen defensively.

Any guesses as to what we have been seeing more of lately?

Did you realize?: Smith is shooting a career low from the free throw line (64 percent). Earn your right to shoot those bombs, Josh----still bricking from long range and then taking your free points to an all-time low is not a good way to start.


Al Horford when winning: Well, healthy for one. Al is out for the Phoenix, Clippers, and Oakland game for sure. When they are winning, his energy is obvious and he is contesting shots defensively.

Al Horford when losing: Invisible, watching opponents attack the basket. Rushing his offense and playing small around the basket.

We've been saying it---Zaza Pachulia (the non-sick version) has shown more energy in games lately.

Did you realize?: Al is up in all the good categories and down in the bad ones. They only good stat he is lower in is his rebounds per game, which is down one per game--identical to his offensive rebounds per game.

The play of these two inside guys are critical to opening up the lethal shooting of Bibby and Johnson from the outside. In recent games, the tandem has gone ice cold, which means it's time for the interior guys to increase the good things that they currently do to lift the team higher. Starting on the defensive end would help.

You get the picture---and it's up to Woodson to get these guys in gear and defend from the opening tip. Another 30+ point first quarter is a pretty good indication that the team is not coming out of the locker room to make a defensive statement.

Oh by the way, one final thought on the 109-94 loss at home to PHL----When Royal Ivey and Lou Williams are on the floor for the Sixers, it makes 0.00 sense to leave a hot Andre Iguodala wide open for consecutive threes.

Just some friendly advise during these very dog days.

The HHB is preparing the Official HHB High Definition Viewing Room for some late games as the Hawks migrate towards the Pacific. Comments and late night snack ideas are welcome in the Comments section.

Joe Johnson = Lamar Mundane

2 down, 80 to go, right?

In a game that tested the team's mental strength, the Hawks slowly eroded a 23 point first half deficit, took their first lead with less than 2 minutes to go, and then let Joe Johnson seal the comeback with a 32 foot bomb that should be described as clutch, giving the Hawks a 95-88 comeback win over the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night and leaving the Hawks with an as yet unblemished 2-0 record.

Ah yes, Joe Johnson. No slow start for him this year. In both games, Joe has buoyed the Hawks with his silent scoring early on and then applied the killer sauce at the end of the game.

During the Magic telecast, former coach and current analyst Matt Goukas remarked that Johnson was miscast as the go-to man and was best suited being a "3rd or 4th option, like he was with the Suns".

No offense intended to Mr. Goukas, but he's nuts. Johnson is miscast by a lot of media types like Goukas as a good player on a bad team---getting stats when it really doesn't matter. It's so wrong.

Johnson isn't merely a free shooter who checks the scoreboard in the second half to see how many points he has and if he should hijack the game to make sure he gets his. (That would be your own Reggie Theus, Mr. Goukas, during his run with your expansion club)

Johnson is one of the more versatile scorers in the league, able to score from anywhere (including 32 feet away, apparently) and look easy doing it. His scoring in the lane is so unrushed, so soft, that it really doesn't matter who is in there when he shoots.

Johnson buried 35 points on 14-23 shooting (yow!) and dumped in 5 assists as well. His dunk to give the Hawks the lead with less than two minutes to go and his 3 point dagger was indicitive of his desire to take the big shot and capability to be clutch, which was seen in the playoffs last year and is pouring over into 08-09.

You make make him 3rd or 4th option, Mr. Goukas, but when a 35 footer comes raining out of the sky, it'll wire you up.