For as great as this state is in football(well Falcons and Yellow Jackets aside), Georgia is oh so pathetic when it comes to basketball. Can't get it right. Nope just can't.
The Hawks haven't made the playoffs since.... well.... forever ago.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets just had two first players taken in the first round of the past NBA draft. Those guys were SO good that Tech lost to UNLV in the first round of the NCAA tourney.
UGA had one heck of a coach in Jim Harrick, but Tony Freaking Cole had to ruin that. (and don't start on the test, I have heard of classes at other schools where players didn't even SHOW UP, so please.) Now UGA is struggl-ING through the Dennis Felton era where even 5 years later he is STILL blaming Harrick for Felton having to kick out HIS OWN PLAYERS.
Basketball is just sorry in this state right now. And a piece in Sports Illustrated was supposed to say that MAYBE the Hawks were turning it around, thanks in large part to Josh Smith, who is in a contract year. But Hawks head coach Mike Woodson quickly turned the article from what was a minor positive into a MAJOR NEGATIVE... Mike Woodson has two quotes in it that makes me want to jump out of my skin.
#1 In reference to the statement that the team has begun to jell into a cohesive unit, Woody reveals this gem: "Last year we would have spurts of 12 or 13 minutes when we were worthless. But we are starting to finish games on both ends of the floor."
Ummmm Woody, weren't YOU the coach last year? You are calling a product YOU COACHED worthless? Huh? And how many years have you been the coach? You are only NOW STARTING to finish games. That sounds like it is STILL a work in progress. HOW MANY MORE YEARS WILL IT TAKE TO FINISH "Finishing games?" 3? 4? MEMO TO YOU: You'll be GONE!
#2 about Josh Smith's progress as a player..."When he came into the league, he couldn't dribble, he couldn't pass, he couldn't shoot."
Dribbling, passing and shooting are pretty big if you want to be a FREAKING NBA PLAYER! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Why was he drafted at #17 overall if he had NONE OF THOSE SKILLS? He could jump, that's why we drafted him. SO COULD CARL F-ING LEWIS, WHY DIDN'T YOU DRAFT HIM?
Between Woody, Paul Hewitt who bemoaned his situation on 790the Zone recently (go to www.790thezone.com for that interview and for Woolvey's reaction!), and Dennis Felton (who has kicked off more players from his teams than have actually come in under him and graduated. Look it up. It's true!) Georgia Hoops is just in a sad state. At least we have great high school basketball to work with. Several local schools such as Norcross and McEachern are receiving national attention. Thank goodness. Anything to divert attention AWAY from the three major teams.
(Also, it should be noted that the Atlanta Vision are No. 9 in the recent ABA power rankings, and they lead the South Division of the Blue Conference. They play this weekend against Bahama[sic] Pro Jam and two wins would certainly help the team's playoff push. For more information, check out my beat article on www.scoreatl.com)
Oh and they officially named the WNBA team here in Atlanta, slated to kick off this May. They are the Dream. At least it's not the Dreamz (like many other WNBA teams have Z's at the end of their names Utah Starzz, for example) I was a tad disappointed though with the announcement of the name. I had heard a rumor that the team might be called The Frogs and they would nickname Philips Arena "The Pad." I just liked the fact that we'd call it the Pad as in maxi-pad. They are women basketball players? But I guess that would get a little messy. BA--ZING! Thank you. I'll be here all weekend!
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