How to avoid these pathetic/huge letdowns...???

[ATL DirtyBird]

This isnt an overreaction bc this is a legit concern. This has always been a problem and over the past couple of weeks has become even more evident. The melting in the 4th quarter and inability to mail in games and sometimes not even show up is really concerning. Where does the blame go for the piss poor effort in tough games? Is it Woodys problem? Lack of a real leader? No real star? Players still have a losing mentality?

I personally think major changes need to made unless we are content with perennial 4 seeds. I dont think Sund will make the move that needs to be made for us to make that jump but I still hope for something bc the more I watch this, the more I feel like grabbing a fire poker and beating my TV.

Somebody put my mind at ease

[killbuckner]

The Hawks aren't willing to pay the luxury tax and there are 3 teams in the east who are and the rosters reflect that. This offseason the Celtics used their MLE on Rasheed Wallace. the Magic used theirs on Brandon Bass. The Cavs used theirs on Moon and Parker, The Hawks didn't use theirs to save money. Maybe it didn't make business sense to use the MLE, but when there are 3 other teams in the conference that don't care then the Hawks are just fighting a losing battle.

[christian72589]

you guys have a super talented roster

It was a back to back and the magic were trying to make a statement. We were playing like garbage and we just got out of an overall slump last night. You will be fine... maybe surprise some people and crack the top 3 seeds.... maybe pass the Magic...

Good luck, I have you guys as my number 2 team.

[JoshB914]

Honestly, how many games have we mailed in this season? Until this week's Miami and Orlando debacles I feel that our intensity level has been consistently high. There may be some personnel issues on this team but I don't think we've reached a point where we can say that lack of effort is a serious problem with this team. If we suffer a few more losses similar to Miami/Orlando over the next few weeks then it will be cause for concern.

It's also worth noting that it's time for the annual Joe Johnson swoon. That never helps.

[LL Cool Scott]

It's an organizational problem.

We have an ownership unwilling to pay what it takes to truly contend, and is almost certainly going to let Joe walk at the end of the season.

We have a coach who the players love and respect, but can't seem to get these guys motivated when adversity hits (then again - what coach in this league can?)

We have a "star" who seems to be going through the motions and has ZERO leadership qualities. Plus, he's a selfish player who throughout his career has proven time and time again he's more interested in money and personal glory over team sucess.

We have young stars in Al and Josh who are too young to take the leadership mantle from Joe and make the team their team.

Finally, and most importantly, we have a roster that is not talented to compete for a title, and doesn't have the character (yet) to respond to adversity.

[JoshB914]

This isnt an overreaction bc this is a legit concern. This has always been a problem and over the past couple of weeks has become even more evident. The melting in the 4th quarter and inability to mail in games and sometimes not even show up is really concerning. Where does the blame go for the piss poor effort in tough games? Is it Woodys problem? Lack of a real leader? No real star? Players still have a losing mentality?

I personally think major changes need to made unless we are content with perennial 4 seeds. I dont think Sund will make the move that needs to be made for us to make that jump but I still hope for something bc the more I watch this, the more I feel like grabbing a fire poker and beating my TV.

Somebody put my mind at ease

you still sure about that, man?