Article title: Playoffs Just A Dream? Article description: Hawks chances of getting in Category: National Basketball Association Date added: Jan 14 2008, 08:19 PM Article starter: Master Shake <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><div align="center">Playoffs Just A Dream?</div> <div align="center">How the Atlanta Hawks are being held back and what can happen to bring them to the next level</div> <div align="center">By: Kevin Merisanu </div> <div align="center"> </div> When Mike Woodson and his Atlanta Hawks started the season, no one knew what to expect. If anything, one would assume the predictable collapse of a team perennially ready to break through. But with two rookies on the roster and freshly redesigned uniforms, the Hawks looked to start anew and officially begin an era of exciting and successful, ball. After eight straight losing seasons, fans, players and ownership all longed for bigger and better things for the club. A little less than half-way through the 2007-2008 season, the Hawks (16-17, eighth in the east) are playing their best basketball in years. Rookie Al Horford is among the top candidates for Rookie of the Year and fans are salivating over potential all-star point guard, Acie Law. Even with all these things going well, there are still a few important issues that are holding the Hawks back from true contention. Coaching Mike Woodson is a below average coach with a 39-125 (.238 winning percentage) record. His coaching staff is below average, his knowledge is below average. Hell, even his suits are below average. He does some things well, but it's very evident that he doesn't have the knowledge or coaching ability to bring his team to the next level. His lack of offense creativity holds back players like Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Joe Johnson and Al Horford. When the Hawks are winning, he does what any coach would do; leave the productive players on the floor. He lets the Hawks run their offense using the fast break. Now, that's all fine and dandy, but what happens when you play a team like Detroit, Boston, San Antonio, etc... Those teams run a lot of half court sets. Half court sets you say! Mike Woodson knows of no such thing! To Mike Woodson, when you say run a half-court set it means "Oh uh, there goes our use of Josh Smith. Joe, it's on you. Mike Woodson cannot run the half court set effectively enough to even use it in seldom cases. This in turn leads to big wins for the opponent and it makes Mike Woodson look like a horrible coach. For the Hawks to win, they need a coach like Larry Brown, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan. I know all of these coaches have a team, but these are the types of guys who know the game, who understand how half-court and full court offense works, how to play defence and how to win games. My dream coach for the Hawks right now would be Pat Riley. He is losing in Miami and his job is on the line. A possible move to a team in eighth place, with tons of potential would do the Hawks good, the fans good and Riley some good. Fire Woodson, Hire Riley. Defense De-what? Defense. De-what? Defense. For the Hawks, scoring isn't usually the problem. You assume when a team scores 107 points they would win right? Well, scoring a 107 is nice, but giving up 113 makes your high scoring game a less enjoyable time. The Hawks have very little sense for defense. They are unable to stop key players and get burned in half-court defense. When they run with a team, no matter which team, they still give up a lot of points. Now, the Hawks only give up 96 points per game, but they score only 94. A lot of this lack of defense has to do with players like Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. While both can score and have their own top 10, their defense is weak most times and it really hurts the team. Josh Smith is a great shot blocker, and can contest a lot of shots, but his man-to-man defense isn't as solid as most players as athletic as him. He is often burned by bigger players due to the mismatch that is often created while he is playing the four. Smith doesn't have the proper foot work to defend in the post and often is scored on with ease. While being a great help defender, he just doesn't bring that strong low post defense the Hawks need. Joe Johnson is often sked to guard the LeBron's, Kobe's, Wade's, Allen's, Unfortunately, Johnson cannot stay in front of his man and ends up giving opponents open look. The main reason why the Hawks struggle on defense is the lack of a defensive minded coach, as well as the reluctance to play team defense. Point Guard Play Now, we've all got to give it to Anthony Johnson for playing this well at this stage in his career. He has stepped up to be the Hawks starting PG and has built some good chemistry with the team because of his veteran presence and knowledge. However, even with Johnson playing well, it is in some ways hurting the Hawks. When Johnson plays 28 minutes a game, Law only gets 18. Even thought Law was injured, I still firmly believe he needs to play big minutes. Law is the future PG of this team and franchise. He brings energy, youth and overall, he is the better player. Statistics show this year Johnson has been a better player, and it's true. But if the Hawks put Acie Law the helm, and let him play about 25 minutes per game, his stats would increase phenomenally. During Laws last year at A&M he shot 50% from the field and 45% from behind the arc. If he were to play big minutes he would probably shoot around 40% from FG and about 32% from behind the arc. Not great numbers, but for a rookie they aren't bad. Law is the PG of the Hawks future. When Woodson plays Johnson big minutes, he takes valuable experience from Law. If the Hawks want to win games, they need the youth and ability Law brings. He plays pretty good defense and can create for his team mates easily. With Law`s lack of playing and production, the Hawks suffer a huge blow to their bench and future. Coaching, defense and PG play. All these things lead to a .500 record of below. Right now the Hawks are an average team, who could go 1 or 2 game above .500. However, if coaching stays the same and the defense does not improve, you will end up sitting at home watching another Hawk-less playoff series. The Hawks are on the verge of something special. All they need to do is take the next step to become a great Eastern Conference team and to be a contender. It's on the shoulders of Billy Knight and the Hawks players to change their mind set and to finally bring back the playoffs to Atlanta.</div>
PG play and coaching are going to catch up the Hawks, but I'd like to see them in the playoffs since the Suns own their draft pick
Thing with PG play, is I know it will catch up, but in order for that to happen, we need the right coach. I think Woodson, has been doing a pretty good job, but more and more minutes need to go to Law. Last game he had 14 points, 9 rebound 3 assists. When he starts to get going, he will be good. I'm almost certain the Hawks will make the playoffs. They can beat all the teams under them and are capable of winning big games.
