It would be unfair to assume that the Hawks are crumbling after three consecutive home debacles, just as it would’ve been presumptuous to believe that a team without Al Horford (and his backup) could maintain a 16-6 pace for the rest of the NBA season. But at the very least, this basketball team has slipped into that uncomfortable zone between concern and panic. I call it: trouble. They look fatigued. They look disinterested or lost or, worst of all, hopeless. They certainly look short. A team loses the 6-foot-10 Horford and the 7-0 Jason Collins, and suddenly you half-expect 6-8 “center” Ivan Johnson and two members of the Lollipop Guild to run on to the court wearing colored shorts and striped leggings and start singing to Dorothy.
Yes. It’s only three games. If the Hawks can rebound and defeat Indiana on Wednesday night in their half-empty home of Philips Arena, they will be 17-9 and still own one of the better records in the Eastern Conference.
But this is the NBA. Size matters, guys. “We certainly need another big body here,” coach Larry Drew said. Also, maybe therapy. It’s natural that after a stretch that has seen the Hawks trail by 20-plus points in three consecutive home losses, Drew wonders where his players’ heads are at.
“As much as you don’t want it to affect your team players, it’s got to be in the back of their minds — it’s got to be,” he said. “Hopefully they can move forward and get through this.”
It’s easy to scream, “Make a trade!” But the Hawks are handicapped in that area in so many ways. They’re not in a situation where they can take on salary. They’re also not in a position to move significant pieces off this team without blowing up the roster because their biggest trade asset (Horford) is injured.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/ ... munchkins/