Why are the Hawks so Maddening?

The short answer: the Hawks are the opposite of the Falcons.

After starting out the year 6-0, I, along with many people, had high hopes for the Hawks season. All of a sudden the deflating off-season where the Hawks lost Childress and played chicken with J-Smoove turned into thoughts of a 50-win season and challenging the Magic for the Southeast division title. These expectations, while fun to roll around in at the time, inflated my hopes too high for this team. To see them play hard, team defense. To see them swing the ball around the perimeter to find the open shooter. To see Joe take over in the 4th in a close game. These wonderful things proved fleeting as the long-haul of the season wore on.

Sometimes the good Hawks will come to play an entire game (I remember somewhere in the drunken haze of my bachelor party that the Hawks played well when we beat the Cavs in Atlanta in December). Sometimes the good Hawks will play only a quarter (usually either the 1st or the 4th). Sometimes the good Hawks won't play for a couple of games.

And that is what is so maddening. The utter inconsistency. The Falcons played way above their heads to get to their 11-5 record, but you knew it. That's what made it so fun. Despite the fact that the Hawks have a winning record this late in the season for the first time 1999, there are times I want to go crazy watching them. And it is because they keep giving you glimpses of how good they could be, and then they'll lapse into the same losing patterns of the last 4 or so years.

I'd be so much happier with the 32-25 record if I didn't think they could already have 40 wins.

Would the Hawks Be Better Without Josh Smith?

Last night's game against the Nuggets kept making me think: would the Hawks be better without Josh Smith? Seeing Horford play PF and use his size and quickness advantage time and time again to the tune of a double double really enforced what everyone has been saying: that he is playing out of position. Now, I knew this was true for a while but my homerism may have blinded me to just how big a difference there is when he is at PF versus at C.

Al was able to use his inside and outside game in a balanced effort which made the defense play him honest. This, in turn, set him up for either open shots, easy rebounds, or quick put-backs time and time again.

So are the Hawks doing the team a disservice by playing him at the Center position with Josh at the 4. Now I know Josh *can* be a game changing PF but the question that keeps coming up to me is: could we get a reliable true Center or upgrade at PG for him. With Bibby and ZaZa coming off the books at the end of the year, we will have two holes to fill in a market that isn't exactly flourish with talent. While both have said they would like to stay, you never know how free agency will change their mindset.

Perhaps trading Josh for a true Center (maybe for Kaman and the Clippers draft pick) in the offseason would balance the roster a bit more and make the team more consistent. If we are going to play a slower paced game, we ought to get the talent on the floor to match that and Josh simply doesn't fit.

Don't get me wrong, I've been a huge Josh Smith fan since he came out and have forgave repeatedly the mental lapses. However, at a certain point the team has to look at putting the entire team in the best position possible and I wonder if we can do that while trying to start both Al and Josh. Additionally, with the emergence of Marvin, having a true PF (which Josh really isn't) and a true C (which Al really isn't) would free up more space for Bibby, Joe, and Marvin to work on the wings.

p.s. Flip should never guard Billups. Ever. Like not even while playing NBA 2k9. He got torched last night and the 37 FTs Billups took made me sad.

Junior, the Sr. Version

Rumors have noisened over the past couple of days about the possible addition of Ken Griffey, Jr. to the Atlanta Braves. These rumors have made me quite nostalgic. You see, back around 2000, Daniel and I used to play the 'what if' game about Junior. Mainly, 'what if' we could somehow get Junior and pair him in the outfield with Andruw. Eventually we came up with the idea that you could just play those two in the outfield and have a 'short fielder' much like in sotfball. Someone who plays on the OF grass just behind second base. This would basically stop anyone from stealing, cut down on the number of infield hits as well as the number of grounders making it through entirely. It was our brilliant idea and our eternal hope.

Now here we are, Andruw-less (thankfully) but with the prospect of getting Junior to call The Ted home. I am here to say: let's do it!

Sure he is aging. He isn't the defensive player he used to be nor is he the hitter he once was. However, he is perfect for the Braves.

Here's why:

-Bobby loves platoons. Diaz and 'The kid' are both amenable to playing in one.
-Griffey hit over .300 against the NL East last year.
-Warmer weather could lessen the injury risk for Griffey.
-Griffey could provide veteran leadership for a young team
-He could help our young left-handers develop at the plate (McCann, Kotchman, Johnson)
-He could play LF or RF (in case Francouer didn't just suck due to being a fatty last year)
-He WANTS to play in Atlanta

Sure there is an injury risk and no, he isn't going to give us a .300 average and 30+ homers. But he would be a steadying influence and a minimal risk for the club. At best, he boosts our offense and plays servicable defense while helping lead the club. At worst, he fills a gap while our young players get more seasoning (Schafer, Gorkys) in the minors.

I say get this done Wren!

Hawks Wheelin' and Dealin'

So, inspired by the ESPN Trade Machine, the latest Simmons article, and the impending trade deadline, here are some trades that would improve the Hawks that I think both teams would make:

Simmons suggestion: Butler, Juan Dixon and Darius Songaila's crappy contract to Atlanta for Marvin Williams, Speedy Claxton's not-quite-as-crappy contract, Acie Law and a future No. 1. This trade would give Atlanta an upgrade at the SF position from the developing Marvin to the developed Butler, an upgrade at the back-up PG position, and little more depth in the frontcourt with Songaila. Meanwhile Washington would get two young players with potential, the insurance money from Speedy, and a future no. 1. The draft pick wouldn't hurt the Hawks that much since we'll be picking pretty low in the first round if we picked up Butler.

The Hawks obviously need to try and get either some more depth or improve in the frontcourt, so here are some trades that could bring that:
Speedy, Zaza and a No. 1 to the Clippers for Marcus Camby. This would give the Hawks a HUGE upgrade as Camby would be the starting center and Horford would become one of the best bench frontcourt players in the game. The Clippers would get an expiring contract, insurance money from Speedy and a No. 1. But sources say Camby is untouchable. So...
Speedy and Zaza for Kaman. The Clippers get out from under Kaman's remaining 4 years since they now have both Zach Randolph and Camby, and the Hawks get an upgrade at center. Might demand a pick though...

Speedy, Zaza, and a No. 1 for Brad Miller. Same logic as with the Camby trade, except that Miller isn't as good. Maybe we could just give them a No. 2...

Here's one of my favorite though...
Bibby, Zaza and Speedy for Hinrich, Larry Hughes and Noah. The Bulls get out from under the Hughes and Hinrich contracts. They also get back two expiring contracts with a veteran PG who can continue to tutor Derrick Rose. The Hawks meanwhile get back a decent PG, an overpaid bench player, and the chance to reunite Noah and Horford. I'd do it since we have no guarantee of re-signing Bibby, especially for a reasonable contract considering his age and defensive ability.

Any suggestions?

Inside Woodson's Mind

The last week has been a very difficult time for the coach of the Hawks, Mike Woodson. He had to coach three games without his heart, his soul, his Joe. How did Woodson cope with this loss? Well he did like any of us would, and went into complete and utter denial... at least I imagine he did. Let's take a peak into what it was like:

(In the locker room before the Minnesota game)

Woody: Alright guys just remember to not mess up on anything, even things I haven't bothered to coach you on, or I will glare at you slack-jawed. And remember what I've been preaching recently, you've got to start slowly in these games. The first half is really just about warming up and making sure no one pulls anything. And always remember the number 1 rule on offense: Pass it to Joe and get out of the way.

Marvin: But coach, isn't Joe sick in Atlanta?

Woody: If there are no questions, let's get out there.

(later in the game Woody talks to Marvin on the bench)

Woody: Joe, you've gotten your 2 minutes of rest in, I need you to get back out there and carry the team on your shoulders. Lord knows Marvin can't even stop crapping his shorts.

Marvin: Uhh... coach?

Woody: Get back in there Joe, we've got to get you on the all-star team!

AND SCENE.

Horrible? Yeah, I thought so. But not as horrible as the quote highlighted over on Peachtree Hoops. Nice picture choice Drew.