Game time!
HAWKSVILLE - With the Hawks’ point guard ranks thinning by the hour, it might be time for desperate measures with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers invading Philips Arena for the weekend.
Who is this unmasked man?
And desperate measures means a Speedy Claxton sighting – not necessarily in the game but at least in uniform for the first time in nearly two years.
Tony Parker’s shredding of the Hawks’ defense Wednesday night proved that a point guard that can guard another lightning quick point guard is definitely needed. And with Acie Law IV out with an ailing back, the Hawks have to go somewhere for relief.
Mario West saw spot duty and played well. And Flip Murray tried his hand at slowing Parker down but got into foul trouble and was needed more for his offense than anything else. Might Claxton, were he to actually suit up and possibly play, be the answer?
Hey, it can’t hurt anything. After all, the man is on the payroll. Claxton says he’s healthy. Why not give him a shot and see if he can give your team a spark?
Who knows, he might actually slow Rajon Rondo down for the first a second or two. It would be the first time that’s happened since the Hawks and Celtics locked horns in the playoffs last year. And it’s something the Hawks desperately need to be able to do if they have any chance of beating the Celtics tonight.
There’s no guarantee it happens. But it’s at least worth thinking about considering the Hawks’ depth issues at point guard right now.
KG + STARBURY = LOVE
The Celtics’ arrival also brings former Georgia Tech star Stephon Marbury back to town for the first time this year (he missed those trips with the Knicks due to his estranged relationship with the team before he was jettisoned and allowed to link up with the Celtics).
While some people love to take shots at Marbury for all the drama that has transpired the past couple of years, at least one of his former and now current teammates, is showing him major love.
Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett praised Marbury, per my main man Marc Spears of the Boston Globe.
“Steph’s leadership has been sort of questioned and damaged if y ou will. But once a leader, always a leader,” KG told Spears and other reporters in Boston. ” I’ve told a lot of the young guys that haven’t seen a lot of Steph, I thought we got a steal in grabbing him. His different relationships with different ball clubs is a thing of the past. If you look at some of the guys on this team, they haven’t always had the best reps. We deal with each other on how we deal with each other. He fits right in. Not only is he versatile, but people forget that Steph was one of the premier guards in this league for a while.
“Other than him not playing for a year, we all expect good things out of him. He expects a lot of big things out of himself. He works extremely hard. You just don’t be the (man) from a point guard standpoint all them years of being who you are, obviously the facts are there, but you just don’t become that. You get that through hard work, watching film. I know dude and what kind of drive he has inside. I think he is going to help us in the long run. He’s definitely different from what everyone sees and their perception of him. But you make your bed, you lay in it. I’m not trying to defend him, nothing like that. But he’s a different soul. It’s about repetition, getting it down and moving forward.”
You talking to me KG?
Garnett is only expected to play limited minutes, something like the first seven to eight minutes of each half (per my man Stevie “Crickets” Bulpett of the Boston Herald).
That means the Hawks will almost certainly need to start both the first and third quarters with their big boy lineup of Zaza Pachulia, Al Horford and Josh Smith with Smith dealing with Paul Pierce at small forward.
It’s not even a gamble in my eyes. It’s a necessity. Garnett, even in small doses, is enough to warrant a tweak in the lineup. Besides, Pachulia’s played well in whatever role that’s been asked of him this season. And with his history with the KG, it might not be a bad idea to have him on the floor early to see if he can disrupt what the Celtics might have in store.
More importantly, those lineups add more sizzle to this rivalry (I don’t care what Rondo says, this is a rivalry to me if only because both teams despise each other). And with the weather as lousy as it is today, I’ll take sizzle anywhere I can get it.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
255 comments Add your comment
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:17 pm
Astro…
Not that it matters…I think Atlanta will win this game tonight. I just don’t see how they can lose it. Pierce and Allen are good players..but without KG…Atlanta, I believe, is a better team. And there should be NO WAY they lose at home.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:20 pm
here’s a thought…how is Atlanta currently down 5 when Boston has the following on the court? Walker, Moore, Marbury, House and Davis. LOL This is what is maddening about Atlanta
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
8:21 pm
Sekou, is Speedy in uniform tonight?
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
8:24 pm
John, you do know that the Celtics have played probably 30 games without KG and won the vast majority of them, right?
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:26 pm
Astro…
Look at their current lineup…seriously! Read into their record as you want..there is no way Atlanta should be losing. If you think so, you’re in serious denial.
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
8:27 pm
he dressed Astro…
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
8:28 pm
Thanks dave. Amd yes John, I don’t think the Celtics need KG to beat the Hawks.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:31 pm
Astro…
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I respectfully disagree. I think Atlanta is better when Boston doesn’t have KG. But for Atlanta to be struggling against the lineup Boston had out there during the 2nd (posted above)…that’s just pathetic.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
I have a question…just curious…does anyone think Atlanta will resign Bibby since he cannot play defense? I used to think resigning him was a no-brainer. But as the season has gone on, I’m not so sure.
DJ
March 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
STEPHON MARBURY!! GO BACK TO THE KNINKS!
Is Speedy in uniform?? I can’t tell.
DJ
March 27th, 2009
8:34 pm
Knicks*
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
8:35 pm
John, no worries. We can disagree and be civil. I used to under-estimate Pierce but I don’t anymore. He’s better than Joe and their supporting cast trumphs our guys. And their team IQ is far superior than the Hawks.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
Astro…
I REALLY wish I could argue what you just said, but I can’t. Their team, and coach, IQ…DEFINITELY superior. I know part of my belief in Atlanta comes from loyalty because they’ve been my team since I moved to Atlanta when I was 6. And I don’t understimate Pierce. But I look at Boston w/o KG and Atlanta w/o Marvin…I can’t help but believe Atlanta is the better team.
Sekou K. Smith
March 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
Hawks are just getting thoroughly outplayed right now by a superior team. Nothing more to it than that.
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
really Bibby… just stand and watch him grab the rebound…
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
8:41 pm
Good thing Philly is getting whipped by Charlotte.
Sekou K. Smith
March 27th, 2009
8:41 pm
Speedy is in a suit, not a uniform.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
8:42 pm
Wow…will there be any Hawks fans for the Lakers game on Sunday after this? I know there will be thousands of Lakers fans.
rms
March 27th, 2009
8:53 pm
Speedy would slow down Rondo. He would be suprised that he is in the game!!! “Who the heck are you and what are doing with a uniform on” says Rondo
Sautee
March 27th, 2009
8:56 pm
At halftime, the difference in the game:
Boston bench 6-14, 3-5 from 3 point 23 points
Atlanta bench 3-13, 0-5 from 3 point 6 points
Tough night for the FlipMo squad.
niremetal
March 27th, 2009
9:01 pm
Oh come on. Even the harshest Mike Woodson critic and most vociferous Josh Smith defender can’t say that Woody said that the first shot taken in the second half should be J-Smoove shooting a three. *sigh*
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
9:01 pm
How ya’ll like seeing Smith at SF?
Sautee
March 27th, 2009
9:03 pm
Joe, our superstar, with some “ole” defense. Nice example to set for your young teammates. I’m REALLY tired of Joe taking possessions off on defense. And it’s happening more as the year goes on. Too many minutes?
James
March 27th, 2009
9:05 pm
Man, we have the laziest, slack a$$, sissy player in all of the NBA. Just sorry little girls getting paid millions that can’t hustle and work hard!!!!!!!
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
9:09 pm
You know, the paying fans would not like it much, but Woodson might as well sit the regulars and give the bench some MUCH NEEDED PT!!! They’re going to be counted on in the playoffs. Tonight would be a good time for Solo and the bunch to get some serious minutes…just a thought.
terrell barron
March 27th, 2009
9:09 pm
Boo!!!!!!!
googla
March 27th, 2009
9:10 pm
J-SMOOVE WILL NEVER LEARN. NEVER! What an IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
RedTailHawk
March 27th, 2009
9:10 pm
LOL….Now that the game is out of hand, the Woodpecker may even put his best defensive player in the game (MARIO).
Sautee
March 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
AJ, I’m not liking it a bit. If he’s gonna play the 3 a LEAST post him down low. And it takes him away from the basket on help defense. Not to mention his outside shot. sheesh.
And what is up with Joe, dribbling it off his leg?
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
9:15 pm
Sautee, Joe is frustrated by the defense they’re playing on him. And when he gets frustrated, he is virtually worthless.
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
9:17 pm
1 bonehead Mikki Moore play. There will be another.
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
9:22 pm
worthless astro…?
wow…. Joe willl heat up…
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
9:26 pm
ugly.
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
9:27 pm
Yes, Dave. When you gets frustrated and decides to do it all himself, he really hurts his team. Virtually worthless when he gets frustrated and loses the concept of team. And he appeared to have that mindset in the 3rd quarter.
Astro Joe
March 27th, 2009
9:27 pm
When Joe
DJ
March 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
77-60 start of 4th…CRAP!
Sautee
March 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
Yes, big dave. Virtually worthless, at least on defense. That last play of the 3rd was pitiful. Was Joe trying to half-heartedly double Pierce, with Josh already head up on him? Or did he assume a switch without a pick set? Either way, it was another easy bucket for the Celts.
doc was right, we’re the “best of the rest”.
Joe’s gonna have to heat up a LOT to make up for a 15 point lead.
ken
March 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
joe is needs to past the ball, he is dribblin the shot clock out.
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
I have to agree with Astro…when he gets bottled up like this…he’s no use. He doesn’t involove his teammates at all. Again, why doesn’t Woodson just play the reserves..they NEED the time…and the starters could use the rest, along with the embarassment!
ken
March 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
joe really hurt us in the 3rd quarter. he was dribblin for days, losing the ball, and trying to take on five guys
J.J.M.
March 27th, 2009
9:35 pm
lol @ all the josh haters. yall love him when the hawks win huh
niremetal
March 27th, 2009
9:36 pm
The stats don’t tell the story of how poorly Josh and Al have played tonight. They’re making Big Baby look like Shaq. Smoove has had no defensive intensity.
This shows just how useless we are when Joe and Flip both don’t have it going…and we don’t have Marvin to pick up the offensive slack. JJ got frustrated with the double teams and stopped playing. Flip was ice cold. When they both are non-factors, we have zero players who can light up the scoreboard. Would be a good time to have a guy who can knock down perimeter shots and who’s money from the line…
JohnGTFan
March 27th, 2009
9:37 pm
J.J.M. Most of us are talking about JOE JOHNSON..but there will always be people down on Josh because he can’t use his age as an excuse anymore. I love the kid…tons of talent…but at the same time..does a lot of REALLY stupid stuff. But you gotta take the bad with the good. And I will always believe that Josh will be a solid no.2 guy for his career. But he’ll never be a no.1 guy, on any team.
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
9:38 pm
i swear… when the dude is having a bad night its off the bandwagon… when he’s having a good one its on…
i cant see how a guy that plays your point and your number 1 option can be worthless even if he holds the ball and draws the double… this is the only time there is any room for our offense. the only time in which the d is forced to work and rotate, otherwise nobody moves cause our players dont… when he is out the d has to do nothing at all… and more often than not we shoot ourselves out the game.. hence going down 15 at the end of the period when he got a breather… at times i wonder if he holds the ball purposefully just so that there will be some action on the floor…
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
9:40 pm
not to mention w e got nothing out of the bench tonight… wait a minute… do we even have a bench…? cant really tell…with woody…
ken
March 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
the refs aint makin it any better, joe clearly slap the ball out of allen hands, and glen davis clearly flop.
Clyde
March 27th, 2009
9:43 pm
I said I wasn’t going to be negative until the end of the season but after tonight’s game I might have to go back on my promise.
bigdave
March 27th, 2009
9:44 pm
does Bibby even know his defensive assignment… he left his man wide open..
wide open… dropped in the lane… moe was forced to leave his man… yielding the wide open 3…
niremetal
March 27th, 2009
9:45 pm
And of course, I’ll ask the obvious question:
On a night when no one save Zaza showed any intensity from our 7-man rotation, why didn’t Woody try putting Mario in the game?
otrhawksfan
March 27th, 2009
9:47 pm
will the hawks shine on a big stage again??? where is the clutch players on this team?