A Smoove Return? How Atlanta Fans should greet Josh Smith

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)


Josh Smith soaring in the 2008 Playoffs

On Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons will visit the Atlanta Hawks in Philips Arena. Usually, a mid-November game between two middle of the pack Eastern Conference teams will not draw much attention on the NBA radar. However, this is no ordinary early season game. This contest will mark the return of one of Atlanta's own --Mr. Josh Smith.

In the summer of 2013, Smith and the Hawks ended their nine, often-tumultuous, years of marriage as the 6 foot 9 forward inked a four year, $54 million deal with the Detroit.  For Atlanta fans, the departure of "J-Smoove" was bittersweet. Afterall, he can largely be credited for the Hawks' arena being nicknamed The Highlight Factory due to his high flying dunks and exciting chase down blocks. He was there in 2008 when an upstart Atlanta squad took the mighty Boston Celtics to the brink in an thrilling seven game series.

He was Atlanta through and through, down to the ink on his left bicep -- an old school Hawks logo. With all of this as a backdrop, one would think the return of Smith would be a celebratory occasion in Atlanta....Right?

Not so fast, my friend!

Anyone who consumed a good amount of Atlanta Hawks basketball between 2004 and 2013 is aware of the immense talents Josh Smith possesses. Over his Atlanta tenure he became one of the most versatile players in the league. Smith's career averages of 15.3 PPG, 3.2 APG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.1 BPG indicate how well-rounded his game was. He ranks among the Hawks' franchise leaders in nearly every statistical category and became the youngest player in NBA history to record 500 and 1000 blocked shots.

Yet, with all of these accolades, Smith never quite received "key to the city" status from his hometown faithful. As much as Hawks fans enjoyed the good things Josh could do, they equally lamented how good he could've been . Gifted athletically and physically, he was notorious for settling for long range jump shots and 3-pointers that were the antitheses of what he was expected to do -- wreck havoc in the paint. Smith was capable from three, but never a threat (.283% career). Things got so bad from there that when Smith would load up for a trey in Philips Arena, fans would collectively groan or yell "NO!!!".

Consequently, Hawks fans grew weary of waiting on Smith to mature into a franchise player or even a perennial All-Star. They grew tired of the wasted possessions that resulted in an ill-advised shot or turnover. They were fed up with his bickering with officials while play was going on. The novelty of the baby-faced 18 year old kid who had crazy hops and gave tribute to Dominique Wilkins in the Dunk Contest of 2005 wore off. After six straight playoff appearances, Hawks fans thirsted for a title contender, but Smith's team was regressing and blame needed to be placed on someone.

Conveniently, with Smith entering free agency in the summer of 2013, Atlanta had an out clause in the arrangement with the hometown kid. General Manager Danny Ferry had plans of completely remaking the Hawks roster. He began by dumping the salaries of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams in 2012, then replacing Head Coach Larry Drew with Spurs' assistant Mike Budenholzer. For Smoove, the handwriting may have been on the wall.

Atlanta extended a courtesy hello to Smith in Los Angeles during the free agency interview process, but according to Smith, that was the extent of the conversation.

The only time I saw the Hawks during free agency was when they came to one of my workouts just to say hello. I think they were meeting with Dwight Howard that day. They never came in or sat down with me during the free agency period to offer me anything.” - Josh Smith on 92.9FM Atlanta

Whatever the case, the decision to let Smith walk may have been the best for all three parties involved; that being Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks, and Hawks fans.
Outside of one year playing at Oak Hill Academy in high school, Smoove had spent his entire life in the ATL. A native of nearby College Park, he couldn't escape the pressures and expectations of being the savior of his hometown franchise. When things went sour (as they sometimes did) his home fans would often boo or criticize him during games or take their frustrations out on local sports talk radio. It's safe to assume that being in new surroundings, away from the bubble that is Atlanta, Georgia has to be somewhat of a relief for Smith.

The Hawks organization can now move forward into a new beginning. As long as Josh Smith was employed with the team, he would naturally carry the burden of being "The Man" whether justified or not. Now players like Al Horford and Jeff Teague, who were equally responsible for Atlanta's past playoff misfortunes, will be front and center and will have to answer the questions if the Hawks can't get it done in the postseason. The Hawks also have the opportunity to sign free agents and seek that true franchise player it's been in need of for nearly 20 years with their cap flexibility.

As for Hawks fans you ask?

Quite frankly, we should thank Josh Smith. In nine seasons as a Hawk he brought smiles to faces young and old. He helped resurrect the Hawks from being a laughing stock to respectability. He played often played hurt. By all accounts he was a model citizen and never got in trouble with the law. Those are all great qualities any fan should want in an athlete.

The questions are, Should we boo Josh Smith Wednesday? Of course not.
Should we give him a standing ovation? That may be too extreme.
Should we cheer when he loads up for a three? He's shooting .314% from three this season. Hell yes!

Welcome home, Smoove!  You'll forever be an ATLien.

James Dolan: "The Guarantee" and his 'Foot in Mouth' syndrome

Over the years professional sports owners have uttered some bizarre words. Some would say, bordering on asinine. Add James Dolan to the litany of those bosses who, quite frankly, don't know when to zip it.

A disappointed James Dolan during a recent Knicks loss

Mired in an early season funk, losing four of their first six games, the New York Knicks have been a disappointment thus far. Their MVP Carmelo Anthony has had a slow start, defensive anchor Tyson Chandler is out four to six weeks with a foot injury, and head coach Mike Woodson has felt the heat from fans and New York media.

And just when it didn't seem like things could get any worse; they did on Sunday afternoon. New York was obliterated by the San Antonio Spurs, losing 120-89 in front of a frustrated home crowd and an even more perturbed Dolan. Before the start of the 2013/14 season, the Knicks owner put lofty expectations on his team by stating he expected them to win a championship. When the team didn't respond in the first few games, Dolan went on a tirade, allegedly scolding General Manager Steve Mills and ordering the Knicks City Dancers to limit their in game routines.

Now comes the latest episode.

After the loss to San Antonio, Dolan guaranteed a Knicks win over the Atlanta Hawks in their Wednesday night tilt in Philips Arena.

We’re going to win the next game. That’s a guarantee.’’ - James Dolan

Yes. It has come to this for the CEO of Madison Square Garden. He's guaranteeing wins in November. One would understand if the guarantee was made in a do-or-die Game 7 or even in a matchup with a premier team such as the Spurs. To bloviate in this manner about a game against the traditionally mediocre Atlanta Hawks screams desperation.

It's no secret that the arrival of the Brooklyn Nets to the New York metropolitan area has flustered Dolan. The Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has assembled a squad that desires nothing less than a championship. This season alone he is spending an inordinate amount in luxury tax dollars, unconcerned about the new ramifications from the NBA's recent collective bargaining agreement. On the flip side, the Knicks are struggling early with a team that is somewhat handicapped financially due to the cap-killing contracts of Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire . For years the Knicks have had NYC all to themselves and they want to stay at the top of the discussion when it comes to NBA Basketball in the city -- But Brooklyn is coming.

The pressure is undoubtedly being felt in Manhattan as the watchful eye of Dolan is squarely on this team, particularly Melo and Woodson. Carmelo Anthony has made no bones about wanting the test the free agent waters in the summer of 2014. He's told Knicks brass that he wants to return to the Big Apple, but only under the conditions of them building a championship contender around him.
Woodson has drawn criticism early for his lack of in-game adjustments and defensive strategy which is mostly predicated on switching assignments on pick and roll situations. Wednesday's game will be important for Woody as he returns to Atlanta, where his head coaching days began. In some ways he believes he was underappreciated for his time with the Hawks as he led them from ping pong purgatory to playoff prominence. He will be motivated to turn the Knicks fortunes around by beating his former squad and averting more talks of a dismissal.

However, the "guarantee game" on Wednesday night won't be walk in the park for the Knicks. The Atlanta Hawks have been one of the most efficient offenses in the league through the first two weeks of the season. They have scored at least 102 points in each of their first seven games and lead the league in assists per game at 28. Al Horford and Jeff Teague have elevated their level of play under new coach Mike Budenholzer. Free agent addition Paul Millsap has proven to be a solid replacement for Josh Smith. The Hawks will look to take advantage of the absence of Chandler in the middle and with their quickness in the backcourt with Teague and Dennis Schröder against the more pedestrian Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni.

All of these elements combined with the unpredictability of Dolan could be a recipe for disaster or a rallying point. The Knicks are at a crossroads. The Hawks look to be trending upward. This should make for an exciting watch Wednesday night on ESPN.

"Get ya popcorn ready!"

The week I almost gave up watching sports for life

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)

Even Ugga is sad on this day (photo courtesy
of latimes.com)

I know what you're saying.

He just named this post like this to get views and clicks.

Believe what you may, but the views and opinions in the beginning of this piece ring true and are shared by many a fan in the state of Georgia this second week of October, 2013.

For those who may have been comatose since the beginning of the month, let me give you a brief synopsis of the tragic sports events that have happened in the Peach State this week.

Sunday Night: The Atlanta Dream, entering their third WNBA Finals in four seasons, were dismantled in Game 1 by the Minnesota Lynx. This would start a downward spiral to a week where fans of Georgia teams must've felt like the Sports Gods were exacting revenge for some egregious act unbeknownst to us.

Monday Night: Possibly the worst day/night in Atlanta Sports history, only rivaled by October 9, 2005, the Falcons and Braves would take turns pulling at our heartstrings. The Braves, down two games to one in their Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, wasted no time falling behind in Game Four. They gave up two solo home runs to Carl Crawford of L.A. to trail 2-0 by the end of the third inning. The Bravos would, however, fight back and eventually take the lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.

Meanwhile back in Atlanta, the Falcons found themselves trailing the once dysfunctional New York Jets 27-14 heading into the fourth quarter of their Monday Night tilt. The Falcons, already at an appalling 1-3 record could ill-afford to lose this game. With that in mind, they gathered themselves and nosed ahead of the Jets 28-27 with a little under two minutes left to play. Unfortunately for them and Rise Up Nation, their defense would disappoint as Geno Smith led the Jets on an eight play, 55 yard drive to set themselves up for a game winning field goal.

Kick Good. Game Over. 1-4 is the Falcons new record.

To find some sense of hope, I and many others returned back to the baseball game only to watch the Braves find a way to break our hearts again by giving up a go ahead homer to Juan Uribe in the eighth, essentially shutting the door to any chance of returning home for a decisive Game 5.

What compounded the agony of the loss for Braves fans was the visual of lights out closer Craig Kimbrel ready and waiting in the bullpen to kill any Dodger rally. A managerial mistake by Fredi Gonzalez? Who knows, but he wasn't the only Atlanta head man getting criticized on this horrible night.

Mike Smith of the Falcons made a few questionable decisions (adding to his list) on Monday night. Most notably was electing to try for a touchdown at the end of the first half at the one yard line rather than take the points on a field goal. The decision failed and proved to be the difference as Atlanta ended up losing by two, 30-28

And if these things weren't bad enough, the Hawks lost their preseason opener to the Miami Heat, giving SportsCenter some more ammo to ridicule and belittle our poor Georgia teams.

Just flat out disrespectful, huh?

The rest of the week would prove to be just as disastrous. Falcons wideout Julio Jones would be sidelined for the rest of the 2013 season with a foot injury. Erroneous rumors of future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez being traded because of the Falcons' dwindling title hopes arose. The Dream would go on to lose their third Finals by being swept--for the third time.

And then, if that wasn't enough to send you over the edge, Saturday afternoon occurred.

The Georgia Bulldogs entered Saturday's pivotal game against Missouri ranked number seven in the nation and having a slim, but possible, chance to play for  National Championship. Mizzou entered the game undefeated and was even picked by a few prognosticators to upset the Dawgs. With injuries to both of their star running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall--a season ender for the latter, Georgia was a depleted team. Missouri took advantage and with that had a 28-13 lead late in the third quarter. the Dawgs, like the Falcons on Monday, fought back to get within striking difference-to no avail. Quarterback Aaron Murray threw two critical interceptions towards the end and that's all she wrote as the boys from GA lose 41-26. With their second loss this season, all hopes for a title are dashed for Georgia.

That's nothing new as they are essentially the fourth team (Braves, Falcons, Dream, Dawgs) in the state of Georgia to have their season end in the span of six days.

Rough ain't it? Enough to make myself consider abstaining from sports until further notice.

But my loyalty to these teams and their quest for a title will have me still there on Sundays as the Falcons play. It will have me there on Saturdays as the Dawgs sick em'. I will still do the chop at a moment's notice. I will still blog about the Hawks and be there come opening night.

Being a sports fan isn't quite like marriage, but the conditions are similar.

In sickness and in health
Til' death do us part
For better of for worse

The last part as in a marriage is the most difficult to abide by, but to say a popular phrase these days "it is what it is". As easy as it is to walk away and give my allegiance to teams in other states and municipalities, I will not and I will continue to be there for the long haul. The question is, will you?

If you enjoyed this article, comment or send me a tweet.

The Death of the Traditional NBA Point Guard

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)


Cover of the NBA Entertainment Video, Superstars

I can vividly remember back in 1990, my father buying a fresh new copy of the NBA Entertainment Video, Superstars. As a young kid back then, I had recently begun a courtship with the game of basketball. Each and every aspect about this sport was as fresh as a new pair of Air Jordan V's still in the box, laces untouched. So one could envision how watching career highlights of greats such as Magic, Bird, MJ, Akeem (before he changed it to Hakeem), Nique, Barkley and Dr. J, with popular music hits from the 1980s as a backdrop, was hoops heaven for a young man like myself.

As much as I was in awe of the greatness of the aforementioned stars, a little man from Detroit caught my attention more than the rest. Isiah Thomas' brilliance jumped off my television set and made a lasting impression.

The man that they affectionately called "Zeke" was unlike any point guard I had ever seen play the game at that point. Not only was he the general of the Detroit Pistons' offense, but he also had a fearlessness about himself, unafraid to attack the hoop amongst the trees. Consistently leading his team in scoring and assists, Thomas was a dual threat. He was truly an anomaly, ahead of his time. Until that point, I only associated point guards with being facilitators and playmakers for other teammates.

Fast forward to 2013, and the evolution of the point guard in the National Basketball Association has undoubtedly taken place. Players like Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, John Wall and a host of others have redefined the role of the position today. They have no issue taking a majority of their team's shots, all while being expected to perform traditional point guard duties.  But in between Isiah and Westbrook & company, there certainly was a progression in the league from "pass first" to "let me get mine".

The question is, when did the mentality change?

The answer has multiple layers to it, but let me simply tackle the issue in three parts.

Part One: Primetime and Showtime

The 1980s were a time of change. Not only in life itself, but in sports; basketball particularly. The NBA exited the 1970s with a reputation so bad, they could've used intervention from Lindsay Lohan. Overwhelmed with a rampant drug problem and declining ratings, the Association needed a boost--and quick.

Enter Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. As if on cue, the two transcendent stars improved the image of the league overnight and made games become "Must See TV". Having Finals games on Taped Delay up until 1983, the NBA was fortunate enough to have Magic and Bird's teams meet the following year, just in time for their permanent move to live, prime time championship action. Legendary players on legendary teams in an epic series equaled a ratings skyrocket, which propelled the NBA to unforeseen popularity. 

More games were televised, as the NBA inked a deal with Turner Broadcasting in 1984, and David Stern became commissioner that same year. Stern's visionary thinking included showcasing the league's stars in All-Star events and exhibitions. The Slam Dunk Competition and Three Point Shootout gave players, who otherwise would not get any shine, an outlet to showcase their talents to the world and make a name for themselves.

This platform appealed to the younger generation of basketball players who now were enticed by the thought of having their name and face on television sets worldwide, all because they could dunk or shoot long range jumpers. This was no more evident than in 1986, when a diminutive Spud Webb won the Slam Dunk Competition. Standing at only 5 feet 7 inches "tall", Spud mesmerized the crowd in Dallas by taking down his more imposing competition, including teammate, Dominique Wilkins. His triumph alone motivated smaller players to improve their jumping abilities and reach for the rim instead of practice their bounce pass. More and more, as the eighties gave way to the nineties, point guards around the league were comfortable with becoming more offensive minded. Kevin Johnson, Mark Price, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf (also known as Chris Jackson) and even All-Time Assist Leader John Stockton became legitimate scoring threats.

However, as much as the little men of those times contributed to the revolution of the point guard position, one man ,who is almost as big as the game itself, deserves acknowledgement.

Part Two: Michael Jeffrey Jordan

No introduction needed, Michael Jordan was, and is, revered by basketball fans around the globe. His popularity, which was a byproduct of Magic and Bird, brought him to commercial success that arguably exceeds his on-court success. Jordan was never confused for a point guard (though he briefly experimented with it in Chicago), but his style of play influenced young kids to this day. His ability to score at will with a grace and flair had five year olds attempting trick shots on their Nerf hoop at home, trying to simulate the degree of difficulty. Though fundamentally sound, Jordan specialized in making an impossible shot look possible.

This, combined with MJ's marketability and advertising genius, made being an offensive juggernaut the thing to be in the early nineties. Passing and playmaking was no long en vougue as advertisers and companies were not beating down the doors of assist and steals leaders. Ballers wanted to "Be Like Mike" and less like Magic, though the latter contributes to the next theory. 

Part Three: The Role Reversal

Earvin "Magic" Johnson is perhaps the most unique basketball player the world has ever witnessed. At 6 feet 9, his game was unconventional and has not quite been equaled since. To have natural point guard skills at the size of a power forward, Johnson often dominated players at his position due to the height advantage alone. His ability to play the perimeter, along with Jordan's brilliance, and the influx of European basketball created a culture change in the NBA in the 90s.

All of a sudden, big players (even centers) became proficient at long range jump shots and ball handling. A far cry from the exclusively interior play of bigs from times gone by. With the taller players being long range shooting threats, they drew their defenders out further away from the hoop, allowing smaller guys to penetrate the lane undeterred.

In the late 90s and into the new millennium, it was not uncommon to see power forwards like Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace comfortably shooting from seventeen feet and beyond, while small guys like Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, and Steve Francis attack the rim with reckless abandon.

Iverson in particular, was the epitome of the anti-establishment of the NBA. His corn-rows, street credibility, and somewhat rebellious attitude towards traditional league standards helped create himself a cult-like following from young players, only surpassed by Jordan in his prime. "The Answer" had no issue calling his own number during Sixer games, even if his shots weren't falling or he was double and triple teamed. Each of Iverson's coaches over 14 seasons pleaded with him to become more of a facilitator and trust his comrades on the floor--to no avail.

But by the time Iverson laced his sneakers up for his final NBA contest in 2010, his impact on the game and the definition of point guard was truly felt. That year, John Wall was selected first in the draft by Washington. Many have compared his game to A.I.'s, as Wall has the tendency to look for his own shot first before allowing teammates to get into the game.

That seems to be the norm in today's NBA. Some would argue it's just a changing of the guard in a literal sense, while others would deduce it's a consequence of the "me first" nature of the professional athlete in the present.

In either case, the current day description of an NBA point guard entails more than what it did thirty years ago. Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook can throw down ferocious dunks with the best in the league, and Stephen Curry is considered to be the best shooter in the league.

Conventional point guard play has not totally left the association as veterans like Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and Rajon Rondo still make table setting for their teammates a top priority.

However, those men are in the minority as the others who have chosen to redefine the position of the point guard have assisted in changing the game of basketball and how teams are constructed in the NBA.

I guess you can say assisting is still in their DNA somewhere!

Will the "Spurs Way" translate in the Highlight Factory?

By J. Terrell Price (@dirtywordshow)

New Coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and his mentor Gregg Poppovich

Atlanta, Georgia is a city unlike most in the United States. Its makeup consists of mostly transplants who have chosen comfortable southern living over the bitterly cold winters and hectic pace of the north. Truly an International City, the ATL is a melting pot for all races and nationalities. Dubbed "The Hollywood of the South", it is customary in this town to arrive fashionably late for events, dressed to the nines, with the intent on being seen and entertained.

So when the Hawks organization decided to call its home, Philips Arena, The Highlight Factory a few years ago, they planned to provide entertaining basketball that would cater to the sometimes superficial fanbase. And at times, they did not disappoint.

Josh Smith could be electrifying by dunking, blocking shots, and throwing an occasional (well-executed) behind-the-back pass. Joe Johnson, at times, looked like a top ten player with his silky-smooth game and dribbling expertise. And the team actually had moderate playoff success, though never advancing past the semifinals.

However, General Manager Danny Ferry is not in the business of "look good first, win second". He has been groomed and molded by a San Antonio Spurs organization, whose mandate is championships. So there should have been little surprise when he replaced head coach Larry Drew with a man who is cut from the same cloth.

Newly hired Mike Budenholzer, the long time Spurs assistant, finally has  his chance to showcase his head coaching credentials. He brings an impressive resume' and an encyclopedic knowledge of the game. Instead of waiting to become the heir to Gregg Poppovich, he was convinced by Ferry to come to Atlanta and change the culture of a franchise who, quite frankly, has lost its identity.

Budenholzer has the tremendous task of getting the most out of a team who has lost what little box office appeal it had with the departure of the aforementioned Smith to Detroit. He will employ a new offensive and defensive scheme, that takes pages from the Spurs' modus operandi. 

San Antonio has traditionally been an effective offensive team, who centered it's attack around future Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan. Point guard, Tony Parker was developed (thanks in much part to Budenholzer) to be the type of floor general who would feed Duncan in the low post and also break down the opposing defense with dribble drive penetration. Not the most exhilarating type of basketball, but successful nonetheless.

The question is, can the remaining pieces Atlanta has left over from the recent regime simulate what the Spurs have been able to do?

To answer that, one must look squarely at the Hawks' new centerpiece Al Horford and guard, Jeff Teague. Horford, since entering the league in 2007 has been a consummate professional and a model of consistency. While not being blessed with the height of Tim Duncan, he does possess some off the same skills. Most notably, a dangerous mid-range jumper that is about as efficient as they come in the NBA. He is most effective at the elbow with most of his looks coming via the pick and roll. That being the bread and butter of the proposed Budenholzer offense, Horford will be sure to get plenty of looks as the roll man or the pick and pop man. If he can raise his scoring and rebounding numbers remains to be seen.

Jeff Teague will be responsible for orchestrating the offense to a tee. His numbers have improved each of the last three seasons and his skill-set can be compared to that of Tony Parker. Parker was given tough love by Pop in San Antonio, even after establishing himself as a bona-fide star. It is believed that Budenholzer will have the same expectations for the incumbent starting guard, who is returning after a flirtation with Milwaukee and his former coach, Larry Drew, that resulted in him signing a 4 year $32 million offer sheet with the team. Atlanta matched and, after some damage control, Teague is on board with the program.

Should Teague struggle to grasp the system, the Hawks have a young German phenomenon by the name of Dennis Schroeder waiting in the wings. Schroeder, while only 19 years of age, held his own at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland. His fantastic play elevated his draft status, allowing Atlanta to select him at #17.

Between the two point guards, Schroeder is more of a natural point, due to his ability to create space and opportunity for his teammates. However, Teague is more seasoned and brings a scoring element at the position that his younger contemporary does not.

The remaining pieces of the roster are impressive to the basketball connoisseur, but to the average fan who is drawn to the sexier aspects of the game, there is much left to be desired. After being turned down by Dwight Howard in free agency, Atlanta went on a transaction rampage by filling the roster with a combination of bigs, glue guys, and shooters.

Possibly the most notable signing was Paul Millsap from Utah. No one will mistake the power forward for Josh Smith, but he is essentially his replacement. Millsap's game is more comparable to that of Horford. This is further proof that the "Spurs South" system is in full effect. Other signings DeMarre Carroll, Elton Brand, Pero Antic, Gustavo Ayon and returning Kyle Korver are nothing to call ESPN about, but they fit into the plans of Ferry and Budenholzer. They want a cohesive roster that is coachable and willing to buy into what is being sold.

The days of erratic play that fans in Atlanta were accustomed to in recent memory may be coming to an end. Argue about the entertainment value of the currently constructed roster if you please, but what cannot be disputed is the fact that the Atlanta Hawks are creating an identity. The results may not be immediately seen at the turnstiles, but if there can be an immediate point of reference, look no further than across the street.

The Atlanta Falcons had the ultimate box office draw in Michael Vick. The Georgia Dome sold out each and every Sunday and jersey sales were at an all time high. After Vick was indicted and later convicted of masterminding a dog fighting ring, Falcon fans were stripped of the one player who would reel in even the most casual fan. Years after the fact, the Falcons have modeled themselves after another championship organization, the New England Patriots, and have been the most successful regular season team over the past five years. And the ticket sales have not missed a beat, despite the fact that no Falcon is among the league's leaders in jersey sales or endorsements. Winning and winning alone has contributed to the team's popularity in the A.

If the Hawks stay the course, this could be their story and beyond. At that point, we can officially change the name of Philips to the "Title Factory". Sounds a lot better, doesn't it?

 

 
 



RISE UP! is no longer just a Mantra in Atlanta, It's a Mandate

By J. Terrell Price - The Dirty Word

When the Atlanta Falcons came a mere 10 yards from punching their ticket into Super Bowl XLVII, after a failed 4th down pass attempt from quarterback Matt Ryan to Roddy White, fans felt an all too familiar sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Another unrealized championship opportunity had gone by the wayside.

This was supposed to be the year. Best record in the NFC, home-field advantage in the championship game, a 17-0 lead early. And yet, it was Colin Kaepernick an the San Francisco Forty-Niners who were headed to the big easy by the end of that depressing Sunday in January.

Falcons fans had finally witnessed a playoff victory in the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era just a week before in a heart palpitating win over Seattle, but the loss to San Fran brought back those same doubts and criticisms the duo endured over the previous four seasons. With a 1-4 record in playoff games since 2008, the Atlanta Falcons are officially on the chopping block, for lack of a better term. In the five seasons since Smith and Ryan took over, this franchise has an impressive 56-24 record, only bested by the New England Patriots.

This level of success has been a breath of fresh air for fans, who before 2009 had never even enjoyed back to back winning seasons, let alone playoff appearances. That didn't happen until 2011.

But those milestones are rarely mentioned in these parts anymore, as fans and players alike aspire for higher goals. Getting to the playoffs is no longer viewed as a successful season. Best record in the NFC? Been there, done that....TWICE. To a man, the veterans on the team know what is expected. Championship or bust. And that's the way it should be.

The team is talented enough, well coached enough, and experienced enough. General Manager, Thomas Dimitroff, has done his part to field a competitive product on the field. Each year he has supplied Matt Ryan with offensive weapons any quarterback would salivate over. He has drafted well on defense and brought over accomplished veterans like Asante Samuel and newly acquired Osi Umenyiora from the Giants. Of course, there is the Ray Edwards disaster, but that's the anomaly.

The point of the matter is, the team is stacked! They have replaced long time running back Michael Turner with Steven Jackson in hopes of creating a more dynamic running attack, giving freedom to the receiving trio of Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Last season was supposed to be Gonzalez's last in a hall of fame career, but he was so convinced this team could mount another Super Bowl run that he put off retirement for one more year. White and Jones are considered a top wide receiver duo in the NFL.

Jones has athletic ability that would translate well to any other sport. He almost looks effortless in some of his touchdown catches. White, though some would associate him more with his twitter shenanigans (see -- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/14/roddy-white-george-zimmerman-verdict-twitter_n_3593212.html), is a reliable option for Matt Ryan, who has been there since before the new regime arrived.

And then there is the aforementioned signal caller who can now afford to treat each member of his arsenal to a dinner....or 20. His still wet inked 5 year $104 million contract ($59 million of which is guaranteed) secures his place as the franchise player. It also makes a bold statement to fans that Owner, Arthur Blank believes that much in him to bring a title to this city.

Ryan is getting the kind of paper that only a select few in this league enjoy. In getting a $100 plus million deal, he joins the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and most recently Joe Flacco. Those guys have something the Atlanta quarterback doesn't -- A championship on his resume.

That will be a main topic of conversation as training camp turns into preseason into the regular season. This Falcons organization aspires to be considered a superior franchise in professional sports. Arthur Blank has visions of a world class stadium being constructed next to the Birds' current home, The Georgia Dome, by 2017. A new venue will most likely bring higher ticket and concession prices and parking fees. Locally, fans have had cynicism over the prospect of investing more into a team that hasn't brought the ultimate prize to the Capital of the South.

"I just don't how I feel about driving 45 minutes, paying to park, then to drop $300 on two tickets for some guys who haven't won anything", says Ronald Briggs, a Forsyth resident. This sentiment is shared among many fans who have followed the middling franchise since it's early days.

Actor, Samuel L. Jackson, has become the official hype-man before each Falcons home kickoff with an inspiring gospel-like rendition of "Rise Up". The slogan has been a battle cry for fans since 2009. So much so, that when two Falcon fans speak to each other, "Rise Up" is a term of endearment and unity. For the players on the field, however, "Rise Up" is much more than words. It's a requirement in 2013. No longer will playoff appearances suffice. There needs to be a special visit to the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey on February 2, 2014. That is the location and date of Super Bowl XLVIII.

Then, and only then, will the rest of Falcons Nation sing with the rest of Samuel L's choir.

Copyright, 2013

Hawks Enjoy Financial Flexibility Most NBA Teams Desire

By J. Terrell Price - The Dirty Word

Danny Ferry looks on During a 2013 Playoff Game

When Atlanta Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry inherited the traditionally mediocre franchise, he was given a talented bunch, who was widely considered underachievers on the basketball court and overcompensated on pay day. That was due in large part to the enormous six year, $124 million, freshly minted deal shooting guard, Joe Johnson enjoyed. Combine that with the nearly untradeable five year deal of Marvin Williams, a former number 2 pick who never realized his potential nor justified his contract status. The Hawks were perennial playoff participants, but never materialized into true championship contenders and were cap-strapped to boot. So when the former Cleveland executive took over in June of 2012, he knew he had work to do. To put things in figurative terms, Ferry was given the keys to a brand new Lexus Coupe that was on an empty tank of gas, without money provided for a fill-up.

Not even three weeks into the job, Danny Ferry did the unimaginable by trading the contracts and the services of Johnson and Williams within hours of each other. In return, Atlanta acquired a number of players in the final year of their deals, granting them significant cap relief for the future. After the 2013 campaign, the Hawks would only have 3 players under contract and enough scratch to sign 2 big fish free agents (Namely Dwight Howard and Chris Paul).

Well we all know how that went, don't we?

Even though the Hawks whiffed on the prized free agent talent of 2013, they did salvage the off-season by landing the solid and consistent Power Forward from Utah, Paul Millsap. He replaces the enigmatic Josh Smith, who ended his nine year relationship with the Hawks franchise by signing a deal with Detroit. The acquisition of Millsap is brilliant within itself, but the dollar figure is even more appealing. At a meager 2 years and $19 million, Atlanta gets a player who possesses all the skills to be a productive contributor on a rebuilding team. Danny Ferry did not stop there. He re-signed shooting specialist Kyle Korver at 4 years and $24 million. The 10 year veteran, Korver, provides the ability to spread the floor in new coach Mike Budenholzer's system.

The system that Coach Bud, as he's affectionately called, plans to implement involves constant player and ball movement, centered around pick and roll play and a dribble penetration point guard. Atlanta now has the luxury of having two of the best and brightest young playmakers in the game. After a chess-like negotiation, incumbent starter Jeff Teague's 4 year $32 million offer sheet from Milwaukee was matched by Atlanta. At $8 million a year, for a quality starting point guard, in a guard-oriented league, the deal is considered highway robbery for the Hawks.

Teague will be challenged and pushed by 19 year old, German point guard, Dennis Schroeder, who was drafted by Ferry at #17 in the June draft. On the surface, Teague should not be threatened by a guy who was born after the first Chronic album dropped, but Schroeder has opened eyes during the NBA Summer League tournament.

His natural point guard skills and innate passing ability has had critics comparing him to the likes of Rajon Rondo. Should the rookie, Schroeder develop into a valuable piece in Atlanta's reconstruction, Teague's contract is one that can be moved with ease and could garner them more assets in positions of need.

If there is one concern in Atlanta, it would be the ongoing dilemma of Al Horford playing Center. The two-time All-Star has played undersized at the center spot for the majority of his career. Now, with Josh Smith gone, he is considered the franchise player. One would surmise that it would be in the Hawks' best interest to move Horford over to his natural power forward position to preserve his career and to minimize the wear and tear of playing bigger opponents. 

After the Hawks were rejected by Dwight Howard and passed on the oft-injured Andrew Bynum, they still are left with a void at center. Veteran Elton Brand was signed as a spot big man for a one year $4 million deal and the draft brought 7 footer from Brazil Lucas Noegeria. Noegeria is raw, frail, and needs to develop his body to be able to handle the physicality of the NBA. There is still doubt as to whether the Brazilian will even play for the Hawks in the 2013-14 campaign or stay with his FIBA club in Spain.

This Atlanta Hawks roster is far from a finished product. There are still more questions than answers as it pertains to how good (or bad) this club will be. There is speculation among some NBA experts that Atlanta is one of many teams who are angling toward a lottery pick in the 2014 Draft. A draft that is projected to supply the best collegiate and amateur talent to the league since 2003. If you were to ask Danny Ferry if that were the plan of action, he would probably vehemently deny such an accusation.

What he would be excited to tell you about is the prospect of his franchise once again being a free agent player in the summer of 2014. With the new collective bargaining agreement handing out punitive action to teams who exceed the salary cap, the Hawks remain fiscally flexible for the next few years.

When the big names decided to go elsewhere this summer, it would've been easy to give into fan frustration and sign B level stars like Al Jefferson and Monta Ellis to lucrative deals, but Ferry continues to stay the course. He refuses to bring this franchise into the same financial peril that it suffered through only 13 months ago.

The plan is clear. Stay prudent, develop a system, create a culture, and most importantly, be flexible. For a franchise who is still seeking its first Conference Finals appearance in the Atlanta era, you have to start somewhere. Why not  here?



Copyright

2013 - A Look into an eventful year in Sports

2013—A Look into an eventful year in Sports.

By J. Terrell Price

 

A repeat, a hoax, a newly crowned champion, a streak, and a phenomenon who took the baseball world by storm . Those are just a few of the storylines in sports that have grabbed our attention in the 2013 calendar year.

As if 2012 wasn’t eventful enough, this year has shaped out to be one of those “where were you when…” type of years.  It began with the Alabama Crimson Tide displaying their supremacy, and that of the SEC, with a domination (and that’s being gentle) of America’s darling, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who's star linebacker, Manti T'eo would create his own page of headlines.

Many pundits and prognosticators pegged the Irish as a David to Bama’s Goliath. That is until the opening kickoff…or maybe it was the opening coin flip, which Notre Dame won and inexplicably deferred to the Tide. Ball game over. SEC Dominates Again. Those are the sentiments echoed once again for the seventh consecutive year. And to think that if  there were five more seconds allotted to the Georgia Bulldogs, this title would be theirs.

But not even two weeks after the annihilation that was the “Title Game” came news that T’eo’s made for television story of an ill girlfriend who died of leukemia the same day as his grandmother was all a part of a cruel hoax; and Manti was the “catfish”. You see, not only was the girlfriend not striken by a terrible disease, but she did not even exist. T’eo believed the woman he shared many a phone conversation and developed an online relationship with, Lennay Kekkua, was in fact real. Turns out that an acquaintance of the linebacker, Ronaiah Tuiasosopo was the voice behind the fictional woman. He claims to have initiated the hoax, not revealing himself until after the faked death of the Kekkua character. Many question whether T’eo was in on this dirty cruel joke or not. No one knows whether it was a tactic to elevate the the linebacker’s Heisman hopes and future draft status or a deeper mental issue that will detered National Football League general managers. It seemed to play a role in T'eo's draft positioning, as he was not chosen until the second round of the NFL Draft in April.

 

While the “Catfish Celebrity Version” was playing out, the NFL playoffs were approaching a climax. The NFC playoffs drew to a pinnacle as the Championship of the conference pitted the Atlanta Falcons versus the San Francisco Forty Niners. The snakebitten Falcons franchise hosted their first title game in their 46 year history, but could not stop the hot and suddenly celebrity-bound quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. In the AFC, two rivals met again as rematch of the previous year’s title tilt between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots played out. This time the Birds from Maryland came out on top and defeated the Pats, giving longtime Raven, Ray Lewis the opportunity to end his career with the ultimate omega—a Super Bowl title. Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offense did not disappoint as they took care of the Niners in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. As entertaining as the game was, what most likely was discussed on twitter and social media that night was the blackout in the venue. After Pop star, Beyoncé shut the Halftime Show down with a titillating performance, something weird happened as play resumed. The lights went black in half of the Superdome. Some attributed it to Bey's hot show that included pyrotechnics and enough explosives to shut any Fourth of July party down. Others joked of the Superdome's old and decrepit age for an arena and the host city's lack of funds to pay the electric bill.

 

During all this football business, there was a basketball season playing out if anyone cared. The champion Miami Heat returned their squad for another run, as well as the usual suspects as contenders. Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Los Angeles have aspirations of a title as well—The Los Angeles CLIPPERS. A perennial step child to the glorified Lakers, the Clippers at one point were the hottest team in basketball, while the Lakers were more akin to a daily soap opera. The simmering beef between longtime Laker Kobe Bryant and newly acquired Dwight Howard came to a head in early February when Bryant questioned the severity of Howard’s nagging back injury. As the Lakers mired through inconsistent play, they found themselves jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference.  Kobe would, however miss the postseason due to a tear of his Achilles tendon late in the season. Bryant, a typically durable player had to sit out and watch his Lakers go quietly into the night under the "leadership" of Howard, who chose not to even finish the elimination game by getting ejected. Not the most glorious way to enter into a free agent summer. The Eastern Conference proved to be Miami and “the field” to use a golf analogy. No team emerged as a legitimate threat to the reigning champions during the regular season.

The Heat seriously flirted with history as took aim to break the all- time record of 33 consecutive wins in the regular season. A record set by the Lakers of 1972.  The winning streak that started right after Super Bowl Sunday continued through the All-Star Break and into the second half of the season. As LeBron James asserted himself as the most prolific player in the game, Miami took their dominance to another level. The streak got into the twenties and as far as 27 games. The scappy Chicago Bulls ended it on  one dramatic night, devoid of their own superstar, Derrick Rose. Coming up seven games short of their goal, the Heat set out to reach their ultimate prize as the playoffs neared.

The NBA's Eastern Conference offered little in the way of competition to Miami until they encountered the rough and rugged Indiana Pacers. The Pacers, who gave the Heat a tough series a year before, traded wins with the champs through six games. Game Seven, however, was no contest as Miami rolled on to the Finals where they would meet with the Western Conference Champs, the San Antonio Spurs.

The Final Series would in some ways become a mirage of the Eastern Conference Final series as wins were traded between the Heat and Spurs through five games. The final two games would turn out to become the most epic climax to a championship series in recent memory. Miami, literally seconds from losing a second final series in three years, pulled off a miracle as Ray Allen tied up Game 6 and sent it into overtime. LeBron James and the crew sealed the deal in that one and lived on to see another day. Game 7 would be more LeBron, more Dwyane Wade, and more champagne flowing by game's end for the boys from Dade County.

 

                                          

After the whirlwind, grinding NBA season, the basketball world's attention shifted from LeBron back to Dwight Howard and his pending free agency. The disgruntled Laker was courted by five teams, including his hometown Atlanta Hawks. Dubbed the "Indecision", a spin-off from LeBron's "Decision" of 2010, Dwight's choice of who would pay him up to a five year $108 million contract sparked debate all across the world. Dwight eventually chose Houston as his destination, even though the Lakers could offer him the most money. His decision was possibly justified by the idea of playing alongside budding superstar James Harden. Maybe the prospect of learning under basketball greats, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin McHale enticed the talented, but offensively remedial center was vital. Or maybe the nonexistence of state taxes in Texas was enough to soften the blow of passing up an extra $30 million in salary Dwight could have garnered from Los Angeles.

This transaction alone created a ripple effect in the NBA as the teams who did not get Howard's services were left scrambling to fill their rosters and appease fans who were salivating at the thought of having a dominating big man on their squad.

With the year round business of the NFL and the attention-grabbing headlines of the NBA into early July, Major League Baseball always seems to be relegated to the kiddie table in the sports pecking order. While we marveled at LeBron and lamented Dwight and checked in on NFL mini-camps, Los Angeles Dodger fans were treated with a phenomenon unseen to the baseball world since "Fernandomania" struck in the early 1980s. Cuban-born, Yasiel Puig made his Major League debut in early June, and from his first at bat, a star was essentially born. He displayed a flair for the game and provided an entertainment value to the sport that had been lacking since the 1990s. Recording an outfield assist in his first game, Puig was a nightly SportsCenter highlight. His June statistics were so good, fans clamored for him to be selected into July's All-Star Game, despite the fact that he had not played the full season.

Puig's emergence has propelled the Dodgers into first place in their division. While other teams vying for National League supremacy are the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates.

However, the most notable story in baseball did not happen on the field, but off. A Biogenesis Lab, based in Miami, has been the center of controversy as it has been implicated in supplying multiple Major Leaguers with performance enhancing drugs. Among them include superstars Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez. Braun was named in the scandal as early as 2011, but vehemently denied any use of PEDs for the longest time. He eventually succumbed to accusations and evidence and accepted a 65 game suspension, essentially the rest of the 2013 campaign. Rodriguez, however has not wilted in his stance. Major League Baseball even sought to ban the Yankees slugger from the game for life, sighting the "Good of the Game" clause. Eventually, he was given a 211 game suspension that would last through 2014. ARod is currently appealing that punishment, allowing him to play until the matter is heard in court by an arbitrator. These cases of PED use has further stained the game of baseball. The sport that has not quite recovered from the 1994 season-ending strike now has to handle the public relations disaster that is its best and most prominent players associated with drug use. Hopefully a strong end to the regular season and an entertaining post-season will reduce the stench of a scandal that has tainted the game.

As Summer draws near a close and Fall nears, the cycle that is the sports calendar returns back to football. College and professional games will begin come September and there are plenty of storylines. Returning Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Manziel has garnered more attention in the offseason for his shenanigans off the field than his play on it. Basking in his new-found celebrity, the twenty year old has attended just about every fraternity party known to man and may be getting investigated by the NCAA for receiving pay for signing his autograph at multiple signing functions. The matter will be discussed throughout the remainder of the year, as will football in general.

We are two-thirds through the year of 2013 and the most entertaining portion of this sports novel has yet to be written. We will continuously update you on the happenings as they occur.

Past Near Misses have Atlana Fans hoping for a different outcome on Sunday

By J. Terrell Price
The Dirty Word Show

It's easy to understand the apathetic, sometimes "I don't give a damn" nature of Atlanta sports fans, who have experienced more than their fare share of heartache when it comes to their home teams' playoff history. Afterall, the images of Cliff Levingston's ill-advised missed layup in 1988 vs. Boston or Mark Wohlers' slider that didn't quite slide to Jim Leyritz in the '96 World Series are firmly ingrained into this city's conciousness. Throw in a little "Danny White to Drew Pearson" (see - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7duiJm-6o) and maybe a Eugene Robinson on Super Bowl eve, and you have a multitude of stories to tell your children and grandchildren. That is if you don't consider these to be in the category of horror.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons have a chance to reverse some of their own misfortunes and to turn once cynics into believers. They, of course, had their own flirtations with another Atlanta Heartache when they inexplicably turned a comfortable 27-7 fourth quarter lead into a 27-28 deficit in their Divisional Playoff against Seattle last Sunday. Already coming into that game with considerable doubt amongst fans due to their recent playoff failures, the Falcon meltdown felt all too familiar in these parts. So when two precision passes by Matt Ryan set up a game winning field goal by Matt Bryant, many fans didn't know whether to celebrate or call for EMS. Playing in just their third ever NFC Championship Game and a first at home, the Falcons are on the precipice of the biggest sporting event of the year -- Super Bowl XLVII.

The task will not be easy as their opponents from San Francisco enter the game with a stout defense and a suddenly electrifying quarterback in Colin Kaepernick. The Niners signal caller shredded the Green Bay defense in last Saturday's Divisional with a record 181 rushing yards for a QB. Packer defenders were seen some 15 to 20 yards behind Kaepernick on one particular run. That performance, along with the solid reputation of San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh has led many of the prognosticators to favor the Niners. A blatant slap in the face for the 1 seeded Falcons, who were also the underdog to Seattle. Not to mention, this is the franchise that tormented the lowly birds throughout much of the 80's and 90's when the two teams were division rivals. Using the word "rival" generously.

The fans at the Georgia Dome are expected to be boisterous once again, nearing decibles of 115. But if San Francisco has any momentum on their side or threatens to shatter the Falcons' Super Bowl dreams, it may as well be called the Library at the Georgia Dome. That is the biggest source of fear and anxiety that has taken over the emotions of this fanbase. Those past shortcomings have conditioned Atlanta fans to hope for the best, expect the worst and witness the unusual.

If the Falcons win Sunday, and pull off the unthinkable in New Orleans on February 4th, not only will the national perception of Atlanta sports change, but so will the perception inside the perimeter and throughout the state of Georgia. Only experiencing one championship in a combined 154 professonal seaons, a Falcons title could be the biggest accomplishment in a city and state who is used to being left at the altar. Sure, we have the 1995 Braves to reminisce upon, but to have the best team in the most popular sport in America parading down Peachtree would be special. It would also go a long way in changing the attitudes of sports fans in this city. New generation Falcon fans will no longer associate hometown sports with "Loserville USA" but with the marketing slogan and mantra of it's championship football team: RISE UP. It surely can happen. These people deserve it.

The thoughts and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Dirty Word, but of the individual author.

Drew’s passive aggressive approach is hurting Atlanta

By J. Terrell Price

Coming off a humbling 97-58 loss in Chicago, one which included a franchise record setting low for points scored in a half (20) and points in a quarter (5 in the second), the Atlanta Hawks find themselves at a crossroads near the midway point of this 2013 NBA campaign. A season which technically began in July with a franchise overhaul, not seen in these parts since the dismantling of the Mookie Blaylock and Steve Smith era in 1999. Shipping All Star guard Joe Johnson to the newly christened Brooklyn Nets signaled a spectacular beginning for the Danny Ferry regime and an abrupt end to the “Iso Joe” Hawks. Ferry chose to favor a more versatile, shooting oriented squad, which in theory would complement the talents of Josh Smith and Al Horford. The two new cornerstones of this Hawks franchise had previously had their full capabilites stymied in favor of the all-around talents of Johnson. Larry Drew, the Hawks head man, was expected to get the most out them with his “motion style offense” he promised to install upon his hiring in 2010. Yet, here we are in the midst of another season and Josh Smith still has not fully taken advantage of his powerful 6’9” frame, continuing to exhibit spotty shot selection and making ill-advised decisions while leading fast breaks. Horford  has rebounded solidly after a season-ending pectoral injury sidelined him for all but 11 games last year. However, Drew’s lineup shuffling throughout the beginning of the season has Horford and Smith playing at center and  power forward respectively or a position down depending on the matchup. Drew has also dangled three point specialist, Kyle Korver in the starting lineup. Korver, who is shooting at a 43% clip from three has been one of many shooters Ferry brought in to supplement the loss of Joe Johnson’s production in the lineup. Another of the new acquisitions, Lou Williams has gone from sixth man supreme to starting shooting guard, back to sixth man. The lineup changes Larry Drew has put forth have become a source of pregame debate and speculation amongst Hawks fans, who have no idea from game to game what the starting five will be. As the Hawks have gone from a respectable 20-10 to losing 5 of their last 6 tips, Drew has shown a lack of consistency and an inability to make adjustments in game. He apparently has second year starter Jeff Teague on a short leash, constantly pulling him at a moment’s notice in favor of veteran Devin Harris. Teague had his coming out party last season under Drew, but with the myriad of guards on the roster, he is often substituted in favor of a Lou Williams if mistakes are made. More telling than that is the absence of Teague during crucial moments down the stretch in a number of close games , including losses to Detroit, Minnesota and Washington on the road. However, more seasoned veterans Smith, Horford, Williams, and Zaza Pachulia have also had questionable decisions on the floor which have contributed to the recent slide. Yet, Drew seems to give them more autonomy and less bench time. Drew has also seemed to be unsuccessful in motivating his team, as a recent players' only meeting revealed. The meeting was supposed to galvanize the talented, but misguided bunch, but has only seemed to produce more confusion and mistrust. As the Hawks get ready to face their old mate, Joe Johnson and a the suddenly streaking Brooklyn Nets, they are facing more questions than answers. Another loss would almost certainly add another nail in Drew’s coffin.

 

The thoughts and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Dirty Word, but of the individual author.