6-Game Win Streak

I am pleasantly surprised by the Atlanta Hawks who are currently in the middle of a 6-game win streak.  The Birds have acquired wins at home and away over the Sacramento Kings (112-96), Orlando Magic (81-72), Washington Wizards (101-100), Charlotte Bobcats (101-91), Los Angeles Clippers (104-93), and the Charlotte Bobcats (94-91).

This streak is impressive because the team is in rebuilding mode and comprised of role players and lack top tier players – no disrespect to Josh Smith and Al Horford.  The other players on the consist of Devin Harris, John Jenkins, Ivan Johnson, Kyle Korver, Anthony Morrow, Zaza Pachulia, Johan Petro, Mike Scott, DeShawn Stevenson, Jeff Teague, Anthony Tolliver, and hometown favorite Louis Williams.

One of the reasons this team is finding early success is because it is stacked with jump shooters like Harris, Korver and Williams and guys who can play an up-tempo style of basketball like Smith and Teague.  Horford and Pachulia give you grit and Johnson is surprisingly effective after the bench.

Mulching and Nesting

The Atlanta Hawks have mulched and are nesting.  They liberated themselves from the ill-advised Joe Johnson max contract and the questionable Marvin Williams contract extension.  Johnson, who struggled being the marquee player in Atlanta, will take his talents to the Brooklyn Nets while Williams will see if he can revitalize his career with the Utah Jazz.

Sometimes there is a thing as addition by subtraction.  Yes, Johnson was an (underwhelming) All Star, who averaged 17.2 points per game, but Johnson’s production and leadership did not equal his paycheck.  Moreover, he had taken the team as far as he could – a first or second round playoff lost and a destiny of mediocre draft picks. 

The Birds may struggle this season, but they are building a nest to hatch something special.  You can argue that the Hawks are now Josh Smith’s team as he is the best player on the team.  Smith has the physical potential to be an All Star and dominate player, but his mental toughness is questionable as he has the propensity to shoot 3-pointers at odd times.  Additionally, he checks out and pouts.  Smith would benefit from watching LeBron James’ performance in the NBA finals – slash to the basket and dominate with size. 

Atlanta added Gwinnett County native, Lou Williams and Devin Harris to the backcourt.  Hopefully, Coach Larry Drew will depart from the asinine policy of the Hawks’ former coach and allow rookie John Jenkins an opportunity to develop by playing.  With the addition of the above players, I wonder how they will effect Jeff Teague’s playing time.  Al Horford will continue to be a force in the paint.  However, he needs to show improved clutch play and I hope the Birds find a real center so he can move to the power forward position.

The Hawks will likely struggle this season and may not make the playoffs, but I believe new General Manager Danny Ferry is making the right moves.  Now, he needs to make a big splash with free agency.  Ferry tried to bring Dwight Howard home, but the drama king, Howard, picked the Los Angeles Lakers.  He and Kobe Bryant will have a hard time beating the Oklahoma Thunder, but his chances of winning a title are better with them and I cannot hate Howard for chasing the dream.

The Association Is Hot

Life’s been busy, but I thought I would weigh in on some of the top stories around the NBA.

Earned Not Given

I watched all five 5 games of the NBA Finals and they were must-see television.  Kevin Durant is the truth and my type of player.  He appears to be all business on the court and his jump shot is silky smooth.  He will get a ring.  Russell Westbrook’s first step makes him almost un-guardable when he is slashing to the basket.  He is definitely an emotional player, but he needs to learn how to play under control.  James Harden reminds me of Joe Johnson, and that is not a good thing.  Overall, the Thunder is a team worthy of cheering for; except for the fact they abandoned Seattle because the taxpayers did not want to buy them a new arena.  They will compete for a title next season.

Noting the above, my team was the Miami Heat.  I wanted LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, et al to get a ring.  They set out for greatness 2 years ago and said title or bust.  They fail short last season, but came back focused.  King James blossomed into the unstoppable monster we envisioned.  Some NBA players are going to regret their hate.  He may have underachieved had they keep their mouths shut.  Although D-Wade struggled through much of the series, he played big during crunch time, and I cannot say enough about the game 5 performance of the Heats’ bench.  Mike Miller may have cemented his South Beach legacy.  Can you say back-to-back champions?

 I Am Taking My Talents…

Happy trails to Joe Johnson and Mervin Williams.  You cannot deny the accomplishments of both players (many for Joe and few for Mervin), but they had taken the Hawks as far as they could.  The Birds new general manager, Danny Ferry, is gutting the team and hoping that there are such things as addition by subtraction.  I would like to see the Hawks pursue Atlanta native Dwight Howard.  It is probably a long shot, but we could use a “hometown hero”.  If not Howard, we should try for Roy Hibbert.  He is 7’2 and athletic.  Imagine Josh Smith, Al Hofford, and Hilbert guarding the basket.  Defense wins championship.

The Dream Team

As I drove to work this morning there was talk of whether the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team – Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Deron Williams – could beat the 1992 “Dream Team”.  I say no and I believe the games would not even be close.  I mean no disrespect to the 2012 team, but as it stands – only 2 players on roster are on track to make the Hall of Fame and could possible compete with the caliber of the 1992 team – 5 times NBA champion and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant and 3 time MVP and 1 time NBA champion LeBron James.  Everyone else would get demolished. 

Why Not Us?

Various news outlets report that 34 year old technology billionaire Robert Pera submitted an offer to purchase the Memphis Grizzles for approximately $350 million.  The NBA Board of Governor is reportedly reviewing the specifics of the deal and will either approve or deny sale.

I wish someone would buy the Atlanta Hawks from the Atlanta Spirit Group.  The Birds need a single owner, i.e. an Arthur Blank type, with lots of money and a desire to not only spend money but also build a championship caliber organization.  Unfortunately, the Atlanta Spirit is the opposite.   They appear to lack the necessary funds and desire to spend money on marque player and coaches.  When they do spend money, they overpay the wrong guys, i.e. Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams.

Alternatively, I think it would be cool if the Hawks could be a publically owned team, i.e. the Green Bay Packers.  The team would be a nonprofit and fans could purchase shares to raise profits for the team.  This ownership method would build fan support because the community would have a vested interest in the success of the team because they would be partial owners.  Who has not dreamed of owning a professional franchise? Although shareholders could not vote on personnel issues, the organization would hold an annual shareholders’ meeting and owners would have access to exclusive owner merchandise and player meet-and-greets.

Atlanta is a city that loves basketball.  We just need a superstar and team we can get behind.  Until we get quality ownership, the team and its fan base will never live up to its potential. 

Wildcats On the Prowl

With the birth of our little one and my march toward the light of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., I have missed all of March Madness.  I normally fill out the customary bracket, but this year I simply did not have time.  Although I was not watching the games, I tune in to my favorite sports talk radio station to hear highlights and discussion.  The pundits and callers all seem to agree that the Kentucky Wildcats are the best team in the tournament.  Some even wondered if the Wildcats could beat the lowly Washington Wizards of the NBA.

Since I heard so much about the Kentucky Wildcats, I decided to watch their national title game against the Kansas Jayhawks.  So far, the Cats look amazing.  They play great team defense, they rebound, and they attack the basket on offense at every opportunity.  The Atlanta Hawks could learn a thing or two from this outstanding college team.

The other thing I like about the Wildcats is they wear the Air Jordan X, which are some of my favorite Jordan sneakers.  Kentucky's version of the X are White, Old Royal, and Gray (pictured above).  Back in the day, I had the White, Black, and Gray version.

Atlanta Hawks, Circa 1972

Birds Douse Heat

Buried on the back pages of the sports column, nestled between professional wrestling – what up Rock – and professional bowling there was a brief mention of the Atlanta Hawks handing the Miami Heat their first loss of the season.  The Birds beat the Heat 100-92.  It was total team victory with 10 players contributing.   Joe Johnson led the team in scoring with 21 points.   Al Hoford led the team in rebounds with 9, and Jeff Teague led the team in assist with 5 dishes.

I know it is still early in the season, but I would have thought the Birds would have gotten a little more publicity, but I guess when the college football season is wrapping up and the NFL post season is about to start, the NBA (especially the Hawks) is regulated to back of the sports page.

On last Friday, Bean and I went to the Highlight Factory to watch the Birds beat up on the hapless Nets.  Jay-Z needs to get the Nets logo changed immediately. About a month ago, I saw a mock Nets logo, which incorporated the Brooklyn Bridge; it was nice.  Although the Highlight Factory was practically empty, Bean and I had a great time because the Hawks put on great show, beating New Jersey 105-98.

I was surprised to learn that Tracy McGrady is on the Hawks’ roster.  Man has it fallen into obscurity.  At one time, he was battling Kobe Bryant for the throne.  I guess back-to-back knee surgery slows you down.  Either way, I think he will be a good addition to the team to fill the absence of Jamal Crawford.  Folks are sleeping on the Birds, but I think when you couple their continuity, athleticism, and youth with a shorten season, they are prime to go deep in the playoffs.  If the Hawks could pull a San Antonio and win a title after a lockout, that would be special.

The Hawks have a chance because Boston is old.  Chicago depends on Derrick Rose too much and I think with Jeff Teague in the lineup full time, they have a good chance of taming the Bulls.   Indiana is young and lacks playoff experience.  Miami is hungry and have the most talented team in the league, but they cannot score against the zone defense and the jury is still out on whether LeBron James can recapture his playoff magic.  Milwaukee, what up Bucks, lacks an impact player; and I am not sold on their defense.  The Hawks handled Orlando last year, plus the Magic will probably trade Dwight Howard by midseason (to a western conference team), so they should not be as dominate. The rest of bunch – Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington have issues and unless they show otherwise or unforeseen events occur, will not contend for a title.    

Bouncing Ball in the Summer

I use to really enjoy watching the NBA draft, especially watching who went in the top ten.  I’d sit and watch with my notepad, writing down player names, height, weight, school, strengths and weaknesses, and their new NBA team.  Once I compiled that information,   I’d then create the new players on my videogame and these players would start their virtual careers in the league.

Unfortunately, last week’s draft didn’t excite me because I hadn’t heard of any of the players.  I realize we won’t find out the true value of any of these players until after year three, but there didn’t appear to be any players who could make an immediate impact.  Although it’s generally a good thing when you team doesn’t have a high draft pick, but it didn’t help matters that the Hawks first pick didn’t occur until the second round.  The Hawks drafted 6’11 and 230 pound center Keith Benson with the 48^th pick.  Scouts describe Benson as a good defender, shot blocker, and consistent rebounder.

I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t expect Benson to do much to help the Birds get to the next level of success.  I hope the Hawks utilize the free agent market to make an impact.  Rumors around the Highlight Factory suggest the Birds may try to move Josh Smith in a sign and trade deal.  This possibility scares me because Smith is the heart and soul of the club.  He’s definitely erratic and his effort is questionable, but he at least tries for the spectacular in the biggest games as compared to Joe Johnson and recently Al Horford.  However, the current roster has unfortunately reached its ceiling and Smith (and Horford) is the only ones with trade value.  Johnson would have trade value if the Birds didn’t sign him to a ridiculous contract.  It’s hard to believe that his contract is worth more money than LeBron James. 

Here are my top five free agents the Hawks should pursue if Smith is dealt:

1. Caron Butler: He averages 15 point per game from the forward position and he could take some of the scoring load off Johnson.
2. Tyson Chandler: The Hawks need a big body that’s willing to play defense and rebound.  Chandler didn’t impress me during the early part of his career, but he showed heart during the finals and the Hawks could use a player with heart.
3. Nene: He’s the only one name guy in the NBA.  His game has come along way and he averages 14.2 points per game and 9 rebounds.
4. Zach Randolph:  “Z-Bo” redeemed himself in Memphis and with averages of 22.2 points per game and 11 rebounds per game, the Hawks could use him.
5. Michael Redd: He didn’t play any games last season, but when he’s healthy he’s an excellent scorer.

I’m disappointed to hear that owners and players have not made progress on the collective bargaining agreement.  The NBA is coming off one of the more memorial finals in recent history; the league doesn’t need a lockout.  America apparently can’t live without the NFL, but the same can’t be said about the NBA.  It’s a different demographic.  According to NBA.com, the players are seeking $500 million in salary givebacks over 5 years.  The owners counter that the league operates a collective loss of $300 million.  I hope the sides can reach an agreement because the league’s previous lockout was a publicity nightmare and only the “un-retiring” of Michael Jordan saved the league from prolonged exposure.   

In Flames

Atlanta's playoff run ends in flames with a 93-73 home loss to Chicago. The Bulls took an early and commanding lead and the Hawks never made any adjustments to get back in the game. As weird as this sound, I knew the game was over when Jeff Teague left with a right wrist injury because he (and Josh Smith) was the only player attacking the basket, distributing the ball, and trying to play defense during the series. I knew that when Jamaal Crawford came into the game, he was a liability in the Chicago series because he couldn't run with Derrick Rose. In addition, he ruined the flow of the offense because he relies on isolation plays and if his jump shot isn't falling, he lacks the explosiveness to get to the basket.

The Birds' future is uncertain as we move into the offseason. It's hard to say, but the team's core group - Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford - and they're supporting cast are not good enough to take us to the next level. Do we stay the course or do we try to trade one or two of our "superstars" for new talent?

The team needs fresh blood. Most people say trade Josh Smith, but I say keep him. At least he makes an impact on big games - good or bad. I'd like to see Joe Johnson traded, but his new contract is so ridiculous that I doubt any other team will take him. Marvin "Duck" Williams must go. He was a waste of a #2 pick. Al Horford is an all-star, but he completely disappeared in the playoffs. He's a restricted free agent, so I'd entertain offers, especially if a team is willing to trade a similar talent and a high draft choice. Jamaal Crawford is a free agent and wants too much money, so I'd let him go. Jeff Teague played great against Chicago, so I'd try to work him into the rotation with Kirk Hinrich, who plays good defense.

The Josh We Expected

The best part of Sunday's game was seeing Atlanta play inspired basketball - diving for loose balls, running in transition, contesting shots, and making the extra pass. Every time you're ready to write off Josh Smith, he puts in an all-star performance and shows his true potential. Sunday's performance against the Bulls was one for ages as he finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. If Smith continues to play like this, Atlanta will be in prime position to win their series against Chicago. I want to believe.

Home Disappointment

It's the second round of the playoffs and the series is tied 1-to-1. You're in your home gym in front of a sellout crowd and a national television audience and you come out so flat and with little effort that your coach has to call a time out 43 seconds into the game to remind you of the seriousness of the game. I just don't get how a team can make it to the second road of the playoffs, steal home court advantage from the number one seed and still lack motivation.

On a positive note, point guard Jeff Teague continues to make a case for why he should get increased playing time next season. Teague showed great recognition of defensive switches and got the ball to the mismatch. I like the fact that he aggressively attacked the basket, delivering a strong layup or floater, and did not settle for jump shots, like Joe Johnson and Jamaal Crawford. Teague was definitely our player of the game for the first half and finished with 21 points.

Josh Smith was our second half player of the game. He started playing the brand of basketball he's built to play - banging inside the paint and slashing to the basket. He challenged shots, grabbed rebounds, and limited the number of boneheaded outside jump shots. He finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks.

Where were Joe Johnson, Jamaal Crawford, Marvin Williams, and Al Holford last night? They may have been on the court but they weren't factors.

Windy City Dud

On a positive note, Atlanta played about as bad as they could, but were still in the game. On a negative note, they played about as bad as they could in playoffs. I'm a big Hawks fan, but it's hard to take this team seriously because they're so inconsistent. One game their up - playing great defense, driving through the lane, and giving the extra pass and hitting the open man. The next game their down - Iso Joe or Iso Jamaal, 3-point taking Josh Smith, and no defense.

You'd think the core group would have it together by now, but last night's 73-86 lost to the Bulls showed that it's still questionable if this team is ready for prime time.

Voice of the Hawks

Atlanta Hawks play-by-play man Steve Holman makes listening to Hawks games enjoyable because he's not only descriptive; he's a homer and clearly loves the Birds. I also admire the fact that he's not afraid to call out the Birds when their playing bad, especially Josh Smith. Holman's not afraid to criticize Smith when he takes an ill advised 3-point shot or fade away, which happen more than I'd like to admit, and if Smith's playing poorly, Holman will quickly question why he's still in the game.

I also like the fact that Holman isn't afraid to make fun of the opposing team and their fans. His criticisms of Dwight Howard's "illegal moving screen" and "I'm superman" were good. Another example was Monday night when he called out the "loyal" Chicago fans for leaving the game early when it became apparent that the Bulls weren't going to win.

Birds Strike First

The media (and most Hawks fans) predicted the Hawks would once again get out classed and swept out the the second round of the playoffs. It's happened two years in row with this same team, so it was definitely possible. Apparently, the Chicago Bulls felt they only needed to show up and the Birds would roll over on their bellies. Thankfully, the Hawks knew better and were able to go into the United Center and come away with a 103-95 victory over the Toros.

As a long time Hawks fan, who is critical of the team because they're so inconsistent, I was really happy that the Birds finally won a game in the first round. I realize the series is still early, but Chicago's a young team who is not playoff tested. If Atlanta can figure a way to stop the rest of the Bulls from playing well, much like they did with Orlando, there is a chance they could upset Chicago and find themselves in the conference finals.

The good thing for the Hawks is all the pressure is on the Toros. They had the best record in the regular season, they hold the #1 seed, Derrick Rose is the current league MVP, and Carlos Boozer was their big free agent. No one expected the Birds to beat Orlando or even win one game against the Windy City, so they should be relaxed and ready to use their playoff experience

Coming Home

The Birds are my basketball team, but at times I can't stand them. How can a team so talented drop dud-after-dud, especially in the playoffs? I listened to Orlando's blowout of Atlanta until the third quarter and then I called it quits. The more I realized, the more I realized the Hawks called it quits after the first quarter. Talk about uninspired basketball. Championship caliber teams don't flake out in a closeout game. Luckily, the Hawks have another opportunity tomorrow night. The Magic were on the ropes and played without confidence, one game may have given them their swagger back. If the series goes back to Orlando, it's a crap shoot.

Frustrating But Rewarding Play

I love the Hawks, but they're so frustrating because their consistently inconsistent. For every moment of brilliance, there are moments of disaster and you wonder - why do I even support this team because it seems like these people don't even care. They start fast and build a big lead, only to blow them and have to fight to win in the final minutes. Josh Smith's play is representative of the Hawks overall play. He'll have a highlight dunk then follow it with several boneheaded 3-point attempts or ill advised no look passes.

The Hawks play is frustrating and they appear reluctant to take the next step toward NBA greatness, they handled their business this weekend beating the Orlando Magic, 88-84 on Friday and 88-85 on Sunday. I'm often critical of Joe Johnson, but good job making those 4 free throws down the stretch. The Birds held home court advantage at the Highlight Factory and they head back to Orlando to close out the season.

Woeful Offense

Atlanta shot a horrible 39.5% from the floor and still only lost by 6 points. Orlando was worst, finishing 32% from the floor. The Magic's saving grace was Dwight Howard, who continues to play like a scoring and rebounding superman. As much as he may want to wear capes and flex his muscles, he's only human and I believe that fatigue will eventually catch up to him as this series progress.

The Hawks can improve their chances on Friday if Al Horford stays out of foul trouble because the Magic can't guard him, get Josh Smith to drive to the basket instead of taking jump shots, get Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford in a shooting rhythm, and continue to play total team defense. The Highlight Factory will be crazy!

Birds Storm the Magic Kingdom

I haven't blogged about the Hawks much this season because this year's team hasn't excited me. My lack of enthusiasm developed at the end of last season when the Orlando Magic embarrassed the Birds in the second round of the playoffs. My apathy further grew during the offseason when they overpaid to resign Joe Johnson and committed to bring back the same team - Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford - that struggled against elite NBA teams.

The Hawks finished the season 44-38 with little expectation and without much fanfare. They now start the 2010-2011 playoffs against the Orlando Magic; the team that previously killed their shine. Revenge is dish best served cold and this year's Magic isn't as good as last season's. The Birds beat them 3 of 4 times during the regular season; however, playoff basketball is a completely different animal and if the Hawks want to advance, Johnson must show up and play like an all-star, Smith must play within his skill set, Horford must continue to be consistent, Crawford and the rest of the bench must play strong, and somebody better slow down Dwight Howard.

Tonight, Atlanta proved that you can beat Orlando, 103-93, even if you don't slow Dwight Howard. What impressed me most was the fact that the Hawks actually won a road playoff game, something they haven't done in two years. Second, it was good to see them hold a lead in the fourth quarter and stop their opponent from rallying. Johnson led the team with 25 points, followed by Jamal Crawford with 23, Horford with 15, Smith with 13 and Kirk Hinrich with 13.

Hawks Doing Good

Honestly, the Hawks offseason moves or lack thereof didn't give me much enthusiasm for the season. They didn't bring in a big free agent during a summer of big free agents, they overspent on resigning Joe Johnson, and they hired an unproven/no-name coach who learned under former coach Mike Woodson. Take the above and add the fact that Miami got the "New Big-3" (Wade, James, and Bosh) and Boston added Shaq, and you get a strong feeling that the Hawks simply decided to mark time while other teams opted to make a run for the championship.

Fortunately, the Birds have proven me wrong during the early part of the season as they've done two things right. First, they started the season right, beating the teams they've done two things right. First, they started the season right, beating the teams they're suppose to beat, starting the season 6-0 with wins over Memphis, Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, and Minnesota. Although critics of the Hawks dimish this accomplishment because their opponents are allegedly not "playoff caliber" teams, but championship teams beat lesser opponents consistently.

Second, the Hawks agreed to terms on a multi-year extension with center Al Horford. As a Bird, Horford has averaged 12.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks. Horford has made an immediate impact since his rookie season and has developed into a team leader and all-star. Horford is the future of this team and I'm glad the Hawks took steps to keep him on board.

Hawks Overpay for Johnson

The Atlanta Hawks did the unthinkable - they offered Joe Johnson a max contract consisting of six-years and $119 million. The AJC reports that Johnson accepted the deal and is supposedly ready to actively recruit other top free agents to Atlanta. I understand the Birds were in a difficult sitution because before Johnson they couldn't make the playoffs and with Johnson, they've consistently sent at least one player to the All-Star Game, made the playoffs for the last three years, and finished with an impressive 50+ win season.

My only problem is Joe Johnson is not a top tier player and I'm not confident that he can lead Atlanta to the next level. He has great regular seasons, but disappears in the playoffs (and All-Star games). Johnson doesn't appear to be a leader on the court and lacks that star appeal that elite players have. I understand that 25 points per night is hard to replace, but I believe the Birds could've acquired other players to fill his shoes.

Moreover, I don't think any other NBA team, except for the New York Knicks would have paid Johnson top tier money. The Hawks should've wait and saw Johnson's market value. Once another team made an offer, it then should've offered its deal. It's clear from the Atlanta's offer that they believe two things: (1) the Birds aren't competitive without Johnson and (2) no other big free agent was willing to come to Atlanta.

Since he's signed and officially back on the team, I'll try to get back on his band wagon and maybe he'll recruit some other players, continue to play solid during the regular season, and have a break out playoffs.