For the past three seasons the Atlanta Hawks have increased their regular season win-total and secured themselves a spot in the NBA playoffs. For the second year in a row they advanced to the conference semi-finals. Last year this Hawks team looked like they were satisfied just getting out of the first round. The Cleveland Cavaliers swept them out so fast of the 2nd round it hardly felt like they got there. However, if we are to believe in the progression this franchise has shown each year, I ask you this: what should we expect now?
One could argue that how competitive this Hawks team is in this series vs. Orlando will decide the fate of this franchise for the next few years. Head coach Mike Woodson is playing without a contract. Reluctant star Joe Johnson is a free agent this summer. Jamal Crawford is only here for one more season. The Hawks, who looked out matched during the regular season vs. Orlando, must make this series competitive. If the Hawks bow out 4-1 or even worse, get swept 4-0, what will occur? What has to happen? What needs to happen? Does the Atlanta Spirit offer Woodson a new contract? Do they offer a Joe a max contract? My guess is (a) Woodson is gone and (b) the Atlanta Spirit offer Joe a sizable contract but not a maximum deal. They will then let some other franchise get suckered into putting superstar money into a player that will give them a pretty average return on their investment.
What happens if the Hawks stretch this series to 7 games, but lose? Does Woodson deserve a new lease on life? Will Joe head into the summer feeling good about the state of this franchise? My guess is (a) Woodson is offered a 3-year contract extension...if he wants it. However, another opportunity may come his way, perhaps in Philadelphia where his mentor Larry Brown may take the job as team president, and (b) the Atlanta Spirit offer Joe a sizable contract but not a maximum deal. They will then let some other franchise get suckered into putting superstar money into a player that will give them a pretty mediocre return on their investment. Sound familiar?
Bottom line, for this franchise to stabilize it's future, it almost has to win this series. A trip to the Eastern Conference Finals transforms the Hawks from good to great. You become a destination spot for free agents who believe they could be the missing piece to get this team over that final hurdle.
Fate is described as an inevitable course of events. Tonight those events begin. The Hawks futures rests on it...
I'm ok with Woody gone if Doc Rivers is the next coach. I'm ok with Joe J gone if Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudamire is the next move. This team needs a coach that can motivate and make them grow up. Josh is done w Woody and Woody is done w Josh. Josh isn't going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI think the Hawks have to stretch this series to six or seven games and be competitive in every game for the season to be viewed as successful and/or to justify Woody keeping his job.
I think the Hawks win the seris if they play defense like they did in games 6 & 7 against Milwaukee. They can frustrate Dwight Howard and keep him in foul trouble.
TLanceB frum teh twitterz