Smildress and I were thinking of ways to repay you for the 7 comments you've left us, the 1500 page views we've had since December, and the generally happy mood we're in from our Uncle Otto's lunch. We thought about firing shirts out of a cannon, dropping cows from our roof, or posing for kiss cam, but ultimately we decided to give you our take of a midseason report. Without further ado and hopefully no more doo-doos, we present to you Ehlo & Smildress' "now yearly Atlanta Hawks midseason super-superlatives."
Best Career Reinvention since John Travolta in Pulp Fiction - Mike Bibby
For a point guard thought to be past his prime, Bibby has had a surprisingly strong first-half. He's shooting at his highest level in five years and at a career-high three-point percentage. Furthermore, he's averaging more steals per game than he has in the past 4 years, and the lowest turnover rate in nearly 7 years. Either he knows it's his contract year, or he's in a system that truly fits his style of play. To me, it's both...Smildress says "contract year". Additionally, Bibby has only missed one game this season, which (in the 121-97 loss to the Clippers at home) highlighted his importance to the team. I shamefully suggested that the Hawks trade Bibby a few weeks ago, but he's caused me to eat my words - he's simply too valuable to the team to be traded at this point in the season. Although his defense, as well as the missed layup against Orlando, drops his grade a bit, Smildress and I agree that Bibby has been the integral cog whose offense makes up for nearly any mistakes that he's made thusfar.
Issue: Will Bibby's high-level of play continue for the rest of the season? If so, how do the Hawks tackle his impending free agency?
Grade: A-
Most Likely to Injure Himself Stepping Onto the Team Bus - Speedy Claxton
Seriously, what the hell is with this guy being injured all the time? Trade him for 3 five-dollar foot longs or something - take whatever you can get.
Issue: When will he get shown the door?
Grade: F
Best Reason to Have Forgotten About Josh Childress - Maurice Evans
In what most people will admit was a tough loss this offseason, Childress decision to bolt to Europe instead of play with our beloved Hawks, most league pundits wrote off the Hawks bench as being that of the quality of poo-poo. Cue Maurice Evans who was a quiet signing by new Hawks GM Rick Sund. A starter on last year's Orlando Magic playoff team, Mo has come in and accepted his role as the team's 6 1/2 man. One of only two players to have not missed a game, Mo has come in and given the Hawks exactly what they needed off the bench with Childress leaving. Mo defends, rebounds, scores and provides a solid backup to Marvin, Joe, and Smoove. The ever versatile player that he is, Mo has even seen spot duty in the starting lineup for all the players listed before. Providing a solid three point threat off the bench, Mo plays a smart game averaging nearly one turnover every two games.
Issue: Can he become the James Posey of the Atlanta Hawks?
Grade: A
Best Eyelashes - Al Horford
Ehlo: Really?
Smildress: Yeah, he really does have beautiful eyelashes. There's even a Facebook group called "I wish I had Al Horford's eyelashes".
Ehlo: Keep your bizarre obsession to yourself.
Although his numbers are down from last year, Horford is still the backbone of the team. Even if offensively he's not the centerpiece, he does seem to be the vocal leader that will accept nothing short of tough, hard nosed hustle from himself and his teammates. Even though Horford does show flashes of pretty good offensive play, the Hawks do not need him to be a dominant low post scorer. However, if he does develop that skill over the off-season, the NBA better watch out. He's only in his second year in the NBA and has a lot of room to grow. Thusfar in the season, Big Al has been everything the Hawks could want - he plays smart and within his own capabilities. Rarely does he try to do too much, and for that he deserves praise.
Issue: Will Horford ever make Smildress' day by batting his eyes in Smildress' direction?
Grade: B+ (Due to lack of offensive progression)
Elmer Glue's Best Hands - Othello Hunter
While totalling 6 points, 3 fouls, 3 blocks, 7 rebounds and zero free throws made (4 attempts) in 10 games, Othello Hunter should be most known for his great hands - My boy has zero turnovers. While still the 12th man on the team, he's shown enough potential to cause an Ehlo standing ovation when in a game, but not enough to cause Smildress to take notice. At blogger night, GM Rick Sund specifically mentioned Hunter as a player with lots of potential - let's hope we see some...next year.
Issue: The Hawks have had a multitude of injuries on the season, but none have caused an increased in the O man's PT. What will it take to get OH on the court?
Grade: N/A, too many coach decision absences.
Most Likely to Pass Out in the Middle of a Game - Joe Johnson
What can be said about Joe that has not been mentioned already? The Hawks' lone All-Star has taken the team and once again put them on his back in hopes of gaining the appreciation from the league that he already has amongst Hawks fans. Joe has played an average of almost 40 mins a game, which surprisingly is less than last year's 41 mins. The overall wear of minutes has seemingly taken its toll on Joe as the month of January saw him post averages much less than his normal play. He also sat two games recently for a sickness that could only be caused by his lack of rest due to Woody playing him at such high minutes. Joe has done everything that has been asked of him and more and he continues to play at a superstar level. Soon enough the league must take notice of this rising star and give him the recognition he deserves. People say stars are made during the regular season and superstars are formed during the playoffs. By leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference's fourth best record, Joe has set up the potential to receive's the nation's recognition as one of the league's best players. If he continues his play into the postseason, we could be complaining less about his non-superstar status and more about next season's inevitable ticket price increase.
Issue: Will Joe get the rest he needs to be dynamic through the duration of the Hawks' hopeful road to the championship?
Grade: A
Most Similar to Free-Based Rock Climbing - Solomon Jones
Much like free based rock climbing, which sounds totally awesome until you're on the mountain with no ropes thinking "what the hell am I doing up here?", Solo appears to be a great NBA player who seems to have no idea what he's doing when in a game. Don't get me wrong, he does show flashes of brilliance - and at times seems like he could eventually be a solid player who earns plenty of playing time. However, at this point in his career, he seems to be somewhat of a lost player on the court. Whether that's due to a lack of playing time, Woody's consistently inconsistent lineup rotations, or just a simple lack of developed skills remains to be seen. The point remains that Solo still seems awesome, and one day he hopefully will be.
Issue: Will Solo ever go free-based rock climbing?
Grade: B-. Not really enough playing time to grade better or worse.
Most Resembling a Joker in a Deck of Cards - Acie Law, IV
Everyone likes to look at the picture of the joker, but when it comes time to play the game, he is removed from the deck. Much like the Joker, when Acie Law gets into the game he acts as somewhat of a wild card. There are times when we think he's the point-guard of the future. Meanwhile, there are other times where he simply looks lost on the court. A fan favorite, Acie should be commended for knowing his role on the team and not disrupting team chemistry by asking for more playing time - even if he's earned it.
Issue: Have his stat lines earned him more playing time in the Hawks rotation?
Grade: Incomplete (Limited body of work has shown glimpses of great play but is marred by limited playing time)
Most Likely to get an Ass Splinter from the Bench - Randolph Morris
Randy, you came to the Hawks for playing time. You come into the game behind Horford and Zaza, and leave shortly thereafter in foul trouble. In fact, you have more fouls on the season (20) than rebounds, steals, blocks, assists, and turnovers combined. If that's Woody's strategy, keep up the good work.
Issue: Will RaMo end the season with more fouls than all other stats combined?
Grade: N/A, too many coach decision absences.
Best Resembling Miller Lite - Flip Murray
Much like Miller Lite, which tastes great and is less filling, you score at will without filling up other stats. Do not take this the wrong way, what Flip provides to this team from the bench can not be overstated. For a team that lacked a consistent scorer of the bench, Flip has provided the natural scorer the team thought they had with Salim Stoudamire. Averaging two more points than his career average, Flip has been a somewhat consistent contributer to the Hawks sucess during the first half of this season. Sometimes he runs around like a chicken without a head, but for Flip, this is rarely a disadvantage. Flip is the only other player to play in every single game this season (Mo Evans).
Issue: Will Flip be able to continue his recent great play or revert back to his early-season turnover prone style of play?
Grade: B
Most Likely to Have Voted for John McCain - Zaza Pachulia
Zaza Pachulia, the token caucasian on the team, seems to have a style of play much different than that of the other 11 guys on the team. An oafing bruiser, Zaza collects rebounds as if they were double cheeseburgers. One to throw around his body and never back down from a fight, (check last year's playoffs for evidence of this) Zaza has shown the ability to be a solid back-up center in the NBA. He has even shown the ability to be a quality spot starter if called upon as was needed with the recent injury to Al Hoford. Zaza is the type of player every coach has to love (even if Woodson does not) as he goes out every night and leaves it all out on the court. In one of Billy Knight's best moves, Zaza is even signed to a reasonable contract and provides the Hawks with the down-low rebounder the team needs off the bench.
Issue: Will Zaza give KG what is coming to him when the two team's meet again on March 27?
Grade: B+
Best Habitat For Humanity Bricklayer - Josh Smith
Don't get confused with the volunteer organization listed in this superlative. While Yankee Stadium was known as the house that Ruth built, Philips Arena is brick-by-brick becoming the house that Smoove built...literally. Does Josh have unbelievable talents? Yes. Is the sky his limit? Yes. Is he one of the most atheletic players in the league? No doubt. But any player that continues to shoot nearly 2 three-pointers a game when his career average is 25% should be benched for stupidity. Josh, you have other-worldly talents and when you drive to the basket, no one can guard you (except Smildress). But, as a 5th year player in the Association, it truly is time to know what your strengths are - and to perfect them. You are not a jump shooter, and this season you won't be. Maybe your offseason goal should be to work on your J, but for the next 30 or so games, you really should play to your strengths. Be extremely active on the defensive side of the ball, and attack the basket on offense. The Highlight Factory has a good enough foundation, stop adding bricks to it.
Issue: Will Josh Smith have a lower free throw percentage than Shaq? (Josh - 58.3% and dropping, Shaq - 61.9%)
Grade: C-
Most Likely to Pull a Mario - Mario West
Although your averaging less than 3 mins a game, we salute you Mario West, for your hard work and hustle that helps you overcome your lack of natural ability and keeps our starters from recording unnecessary fouls at the end of each quarter.
Issue: Will you lead not only the team, but the whole league in Mario's this year?
Grade: B+ (he does what he's supposed to do, can't argue with that)
Most Comparable to Ryan's Steakhouse - Marvin Williams
Much like my favorite dinner buffet, Marvin brings a little bit of everything to the table while providing nothing spectacular. Marvin is averaging one more rebound and one less point than last year, but he's still averaging 14 points and almost 7 rebounds per game with a couple of assists, very few turnovers, and pretty good percentages. His hustle reminds me of Ryan's fried chicken - not what the steakhouse is known for, but possibly its best menu item. It is clear that amongst all the players on the team, Marvin has changed his game the most this season - He's made 44 threes thusfar, but only attempted 10 last season. I still think Marvin has the biggest upside of any player on the team - he's probably 2 years away from putting all of his talents to their best use. Smildress agrees, saying "Marvin has become a decent third option on the team. Even though he's no Chris Paul or Deron Williams, he's one or two offseasons away from truly being a good (if not great) player."
Issue: Can he increase his scoring by 2-3 points per game, truly making him a solid offensive option on a team that is offensively inconsistent?
Grade: B
Most Damning - Mike Woodson
To be fair to Woody, it is very hard to argue with the team's current record as they have reached 31 wins before the All-Star break and only compiling 37 with last year's playoff team. Woody has also had to manage a lineup that has dealt with their fair share of injuries and still has managed to keep the team fighting for home court advantage in the playoffs. While we, and many other fans, love bashing Woody and his owl-like face, objectively it truly is hard to fault him much thus far into the season. Still the team's lack of consistent play, failure to show up in the 1st quarter, failure to close games in the 4th quarter, and keeping teams in games when they should clearly be blown out, all reflect on Woodson's coaching skills. Watching player's shake their heads when coming out of team huddles, make both of us wonder whether Woody is still the best available coach for the job. Would this team have more wins under a different coach-hard to say. But still, as loyal Hawks fans, we can not complain too much with the job Woody has done.
Issue: Does Woody have the ability to inspire the team to play to their full potential and finish the season as strong as they started it?
Grade: B
Overall:
So far this season, the Hawks could be compared to peanut M&Ms. They're not the smoothest, but they taste just as good. For now, the Hawks aren't quite at the elite level of the best teams in the NBA, but they're fun to watch and always have the potential to surprise all their critics. Furthermore, at 31-21 going into the All-Star break, they have a solid hold on fourth place in the East. Who are we to argue with that? Here's to a great second-half of the season, filled with many wins and consistent play. From the not-such-a-highlight-factory, Ehlo & Smildress say Good Night, and God Bless the Hawks.
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