RealGM

This is the 2nd game in a row where the Hawks came out early to start games with the energy we all have been craving in the previous losses. Now that they have come out with the energy that they've been needing, the NEW PROBLEM is relaxing too much with huge leads. The good thing is that we have come away with 2 good WINS. So, I'm not trying to spoil anything. Let's savor this 3-2 homestand for now and hope that the Hawks will keep bringing that early energy in the road games on this upcoming road trip. Because we can't relax late in any of those games ahead, especially against a hot POR team, PHX, and a now pissed off DEN club who will be "looking for blood".

DEN is !!!!

I think Woody has to demand more fire out those guys late in games, especially with big leads. Because we almost blew it tonight as well as vs. CHI on SUN, and in both games guys were content and chilled as the opponents made runs to come back in those games. We also allow WAS to come back late and steal and win from us. For us to continue to become as good as we can be, we HAVE TO FINISH TEAMS OFF when we have leads late in games.

But hey! What the H#LL!!! We've won 2 in a row and we are back to .500 at 17-17 (unofficially 18-17 - LOL!!!)

I disagree with regards to this evening. I felt that we played okay tonight with the lead. It was already too late when they made their run and they hit a ton of shots. It's very hard to blow teams out in the NBA.

Tonight we got up double digits early and gradually raised the lead until it was too late.

Denver averages 107.3 per/game. We scored 100, they didn't, and we only average 95.1. I'm proud of our Hawks tonight, we kept a very explosive Denver team under 100 points, and we still won by 11.

I agree that the Hawks give up leads in the second half a little too easily, but to an extent that happens to every team in the league. If a team is up by 20 in the 3rd, the coach has a judgement call to make. Does he wear his guys out to make sure that they win or does he let his starters rest and feel confident with his lead. Beyond that, the Hawks are a team that wins by athleticism and defense and to do that you really have to put in a lot of effort, the guys will naturally slow down if they think they can win without killing themselves. Its the whole, "season as a marathon" thing.

Don't get me wrong, I think we give up leads a little more often than other teams and a lot of it has to do with inexperience of the HC and the players but last night against the Nugs was a fairly safe victory. Hopefully we'll find a balance as the season moves forward.

It is obvious that the Hawks weren't looking to run as much in the second half. However with a big lead and a game coming tomorrow i can see why Woody might want to slow it down.

To me the big positive going into this road trip is that all our guys seem to be starting to hit their stride. JJ is starting to hit from deep. Marvin had a good game after struggling recently. Smith has been quiet with foul trouble the last couple of games but he had been on a major roll.