Injury concerns for Hawks?
Smile Joe, you're rocking the new red jersey my man. And for once, an alternate uniform actually looks good.
HAWKSVILLE – After a reasonably injury-free preseason the Hawks came crashing back to reality Sunday.
Al Horford sat on a corner table with wires hanging from his ankle (courtesy of a twisting in Friday’s loss in Orlando) and Mike Bibby joined him later on wire duty (on his non-shooting wrist) after jamming it during a drill in practice.
That scowl on Hawks coach Mike Woodson’s face, also a product of Friday’s dismal showing against Magic, immediately turned into a look of worry.
Woodson hadn’t planned on either his starting center or point guard being questionable for Wednesday’s regular season opener against Indiana at Philips Arena.
But as of this morning there’s some concern that one or both of them will be forced to play at less than 100 percent against the Pacers.
“Al tweaked his ankle and he tried to go a little bit [Sunday], but he said it wasn’t responding,” Woodson said. “I hope both of these guys are ready.”
Woodson said he would know more after today’s practice, which wraps up early this afternoon (check back here for more updates as the day goes on).
I asked Woodson what he would do if either one of them isn’t ready to play Wednesday night and he admitted that he hadn’t thought about that yet; he’s understandably holding out hope that both will be fine (and in all likelihood, they should be able to play).
But what happens if they do have to sit?
What would you do?
Mario West isn’t around anymore to insert into the lineup on those crazy nights when you need a fill-in starter and want to keep your bench rotation the way you like it. So it’s a dilemma the Hawks surely aren’t interested in having to deal with on the eve of the season.
My easy answer to fix this problem, if it actually becomes a problem, is to go with Jamal Crawford at the point and Zaza Pachulia as fill in starters.
NEW UNIFORMS?
So the Hawks unveiled their new red, alternate uniforms (above) at the Paint the Town affair Sunday, huh?
Funny, I remember seeing these things in the summer. Or at least a very real knock off. I like the red joints. I even like the ATL on the chest (even though I’d have loved to see the Pac-Man logo brought back just to clown). I’d much rather they come with the red stuff than one of those two-tone alternate sets like the Wizards sport or a silver get up like the Mavericks sport every once in a while. And they’re much better than those pale yellow joints that the Hawks rocked a couple years back.
If you’re not a fan of the new stuff, don’t fret. From what I understand the Hawks won’t be wearing these new uniforms much this season.
VIDEO SELECTION OF THE DAY
Injury news aside, Horford is caliente in the streets these days. Not only is he a part of the NBA’s new Hispanic marketing campaign, there’s some fresh video circulating of him being interviewed for CNN’s “Latino in America” series. In case you missed it:
MAGIC REDUX
As you might imagine, the Magic game was the topic of discussion for several observers. The recurring theme was that they were glad the Hawks got smacked around a little bit and that it served as the wake-up call needed for a team that had gotten a little comfortable abusing other teams during the preseason.
“That game was a perfect illustration of what we can’t do this season, against anybody,” one keen observer pointed out. “Orlando is so good inside and out that you have to pick your poison and just deal with it. We doubled Dwight Howard in the first half and did a pretty good job of limiting him but they shot lights out from deep and buried us. After halftime we stopped doubling Dwight and he ate us alive. That was a tactical error on our part. By then the shooters were already in a rhythm and we couldn’t do anything to slow them down inside or out. They just took us apart. That’s what will happen to you against a great team like that, and I don’t care what anybody says, that’s a great team. Orlando making [the NBA Finals] was the worst thing that could happen to the rest of us. They didn’t even need Rashard [Lewis] the other night and they ran away with it. They’re going to do that to a lot of people this year.”
I mentioned that I thought the Hawks’ strategy to play the Magic in a half court game was as flawed as always, only to be reminded that the Hawks couldn’t run with the Magic making nearly 70 percent of their shots during on stretch. But my point remains, the Hawks will never have a half court advantage against the Magic. Dwight is too big and dominant. And Jameer Nelson can probe the defense and find shooters all day long if you’re working just half the floor. The Hawks waxed the Magic to start last season by beating them up and down the floor and forcing the action. I said it then and I’ll say it again, that’s the blueprint they need to use every night. Every single night.
HOT TRACKS
Veteran big man Joe Smith (aka Joe Beast) is a bit of a lyrical star himself, having owned his own record company for years and showing off MC skills some of his NBA brethren wish they had. He’s whipped up an intro song for the Hawks that he played in the locker room after Sunday’s practice that had a menacing sound to it (there were heads bouncing as it played. It had me bouncing, too, for pure clown effect, of course). Seriously, it sounds good. I’m working on locating a bootleg copy of the track for you to hear before it hits the charts. In the meantime, check out this playoff track he cooked up for Cleveland last season:
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255 comments Add your comment
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
3:55 pm
“The Truth”…
well get you an AK or AR cause if you were gonna hit JJ who’s done nothing but loose years of his pro basketball career by trying carry out curing world hunger, fixing the current state of the economy, and play assist-man/scorer under Woody’s regime than the orchestrator of his current duties should’ve been sprayed as well…
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
3:56 pm
*”trying to carry out”
theZaZaguy
October 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
I wonder if it’s possible for Big Al to get well…bigger. He got pushed around way too much by Dwight. Dwight outweighs Al by 20 pounds, if he could gain just 10-15 pounds more without sacrificing mobility, maybe he could hold his ground and at least slow Dwight down.
theZaZaguy
October 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
I wonder if it’s possible for Big Al to get well…bigger. He got pushed around way too much by Dwight. Dwight outweighs Al by 20 pounds, if he could gain just 10-15 pounds more without sacrificing mobility, maybe he could hold his ground and at least slow Dwight down.
TheHawksFan
October 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
The Hawks didnt take too many 40 points ass whoopings when Mario was here. Coach Woodson is no fool. Like he said ” Mario did some good things for us”. The Hawks had a open deal with him. The Hawks dont want to pay 1 mil to guy that will earn EVERY single cent, but will pay 6 mil for 3 years to a guy that doesnt even play. WTF??? Yeah there is trouble on the way.
KevinA
October 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
On our way to 50-54 wins our improvement will show in the form of wins from teams that are not as good or close to our skill level. Orlando is clearly better. So are Boston and Cleveland.
Here are a few teams we can do better against and improve from last years win total. Nets, Pacers, Bucks, 76ers, Clippers, Bobcats, Grizzlies.
Here are a few teams we almost always lost to but are now within reach. Rockets, Suns, Jazz, Hornets,
All of these teams represent losses or multiple losses last year. We don’t have to beat the best teams to improve our record. As we win these games maybe we will close the gap on the best. Optimism gets burn in this house.
cp
October 26th, 2009
4:16 pm
So we didn’t take many 40 point beat downs because we had Mario? Is this even a serious response? lolllllll. Hmm I recall being man handled in the playoffs with Mario sitting on the bench. I also remember when Orlando was being us by 50 points last season at one point with Mario out there so please explain to me how Mario made this defense oh so much better.
Daniel
October 26th, 2009
4:23 pm
Word up! Kevin A
ufo
October 26th, 2009
4:32 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94xAkiWcUBQ
yeah!!!!
ufo
October 26th, 2009
4:34 pm
Thats me on the video.
ILL-logical
October 26th, 2009
4:37 pm
Finally saw the article regarding Joe’s “dissatisfaction” with the direction of the team and one of the more interesting tidbits was that the Hawks originated as the Buffalo Bison-I did not know that!
Anywho, it sounded as if Joe’s decision to turn down the team’s offer this summer may be rooted in more than market economics. What I read into the piece was that (1)he is not sure about the whether or not the franchise is willing to bring in the players to compete(see his quest for A’mare this summer) and (2) it sounds to me if he has some doubts about his coach as well.
Whatever Joe’s reasoning behind the comments attributed to him in the article,after reading it, I don’t feel all that confident that Joe will be wearing a Hawk’s uni next year.
Dick D. Byggest
October 26th, 2009
4:45 pm
There’s not much difference in Zaza and Horford, Horford is a little better defender, but both are scrubbs in the grand scheme of things. There is no offense between them. Both collect garbage and put backs. So what are we missing. The Hawks are going no where. They have 1 second tier all star and that’s it. Crawford can play and so can Josh but the rest are either on their last leg, unproven or another teams rejects. All of the publications pick this team from 4-8. On paper they are correct. This has been a team of over-achievers but this team now may be weaker than last years team. JJ may not even resign if Woodson is not going to be here. This team may be on its way down!
Lou Dobbs
October 26th, 2009
4:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITntOLfAuEc
and that why I hate mexicans.
F_ck Sund
October 26th, 2009
4:50 pm
Dick D. Byggest Id have to agree with you. There just isn’t enough talent here to go very far. May be we can trade Horford for something. Bosh for Horford to give us a low post scoring threat. That will open up the offense and allow it to be fluid.
La Raza
October 26th, 2009
4:51 pm
Why the Mexican Race is the only race that matters. LA Raza- The race. Viva Mexico
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 26th, 2009
4:53 pm
Truth -
I agree with you on JJ. You should never be brutally honest with the media where your team is concerned – I mean, it was a preseason game. I hope I’m wrong – but this could be a precursor to him divorcing himself from the team. Elite player’s don’t complain to the press about his team (refs maybe), they MAN UP and hustle harder. Elite players don’t fold up when teams are pounding them – they turn it up in response and get their teammates involved (not throw them under the bus – esp. when said star didn’t play so hot himself.)
Let’s hope these early injuries are not an indication of a injury=plagued season!
Now!!! On the man who boasted about every game being important and his team coming to play after the Heat victory…
It was just a preseason game and all, but that Magic game was indicative of Woody coaching prowess throughout the duration of his tenure as Hawks HC – no response when we get punched in the mouth by elite conference foes. We roll with the same stale iso plays – no ball movements. There is a disgusting lack of adjustments after half-time and the lack of hustle in the third quarter. An offensive coordinator and a MOTIVATOR are in order. Let’s hope we are not saying these things come December.
Go Hawks, Jeah!!!
The Dept. of Unintended irony
October 26th, 2009
4:54 pm
Should we be surprised that “Monitoring the voice of ignorance” would misspell the word “whining”?
Maybe that should be Mentoring The Voice Of Ignorance.
Either way it’s the unintended irony we have all come to love on this blog.
The Truth
October 26th, 2009
4:55 pm
bigdave
Agreed; I’ll get him next. Just waiting on him to open his mouth, say something stupid and then I will pounce. It would otherwise be OK for JJ to openly and publicly criticize his team for underachieving since players like D Wade and even MJ have done it in the past, but the difference is their individual performances are rarely questioned. We can’t say the same about JJ. For some unknown reason, JJ has more of a tendency not to show-up during primetime when the outcome really matters. Yes, the coach play-schemes have something to do with that but also player execution as well. For example, I think it is the player responsibility to knock-down open jumpers or make free-throws or pass-out of double teams or avoid turn-overs, etc. Woody can point things out but he can’t make them execute. However, to JJ’s credit, compared to the Hawks of the past before JJ, any success is better then none at all. We have to thank JJ for getting us get to this point. But we have to continue to raise our standards, we can’t continue to play and look mediocre because of our history. If that were the case, we would just be stuck where we are.
La Raza
October 26th, 2009
4:55 pm
We Mexicans are better than any other race. Thats why we bring the mexican flag every where we go. F_ _ _ k America and Lou Dobbs,
http://www.mayorno.com/WhoIsMecha.html
Monitoring the voice of ignorance”
October 26th, 2009
4:56 pm
The Dept. of Unintended irony…..Quit whining”
swatguy
October 26th, 2009
4:58 pm
O’Brien, I believe only captains can pull refs aside and discuss issues. I’ve never seen Joe do that. Heck I’m waiting to see him dive for a loose ball too.
Well, you cannot make leaders, they are born.
Bibby is the captain.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 26th, 2009
4:59 pm
La Raza can go eat a chalupa and kick rocks!
Sekou Smith
October 26th, 2009
5:10 pm
Both Bibby and Al Horford are expected to be good to go for the Pacers. Bibby was on the practice floor today (shooting lights out, by the way) and Al got treatment and just rested to make sure he gets all he can before the game.
Marvin’s (inadvertent?) dunk on Woody in practice today at the end of a drill was beyond hilarious. I’m still laughing hours later.
I’ve heard nothing about the Hawks making any overtures to any other bigs floating around in the ether. Expect them to go with this 13-man group from now until something drastic happens (which I don’t see on the horizon).
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:14 pm
I want to know if the guy with the name La Raza is really a mexican or a white guy trying to make mexicans look bad, i think your a white guy.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:20 pm
What dumb ass would say F_ _ k America.
I`m mexican and I love this country, I just hate racist white people. example Lou Dobbs.
Who ever said F _ _ k America need a smack.
doc
October 26th, 2009
5:22 pm
truth i said often last year it is hard for jj to be the man when things go wrong. rarely if ever does he say it is on me because the offense is run through me, i am disappointed with the way i am performing blah blah blah. would like to see him plat like a team player but accept criticism as a leader if he is going to be our star.
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
Want to know the BIG difference between Horford and Zaza?
Blocked shots per game.
Zaza: 0.34
Al: 1.42
It’s either a myth or somebody’s spinnin’ to say the Hawks have no defense in the paint. Between Al and Josh they block 3.03 per game (last year).
That’s better than the starting 4 / 5 combos on MOST teams. The only one I could find better was Noah and Thomas (3.29).
I don’t deny that our SEEMING lack of post defense bothers me at times, but the numbers don’t back up that perception. And I’m cognizant that blocked shots are only a PART of post defense.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Am67-Sew7k
The ghost of Michael Jackson
The Truth
October 26th, 2009
5:23 pm
Sekou
How can Marvin inadvertently dunk on Woody? A dunk is a very deliberate action. You don’t accidentally do this on someone. That’s like saying your boss inadvertently fired you.
The Truth
October 26th, 2009
5:25 pm
doc
Totally agree
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqKvSxmUoVQ
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
Lou Dobbs what a joke.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqKvSxmUoVQ
I can see you guys at 2:13 in this video.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:32 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9endvlpBny4&feature=related
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:36 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEe18ECiQh4&feature=related
LOU DOBBS VS RICK SANCHEZ
RICK NEEDS TO SMACK LOU.
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
5:44 pm
Satuee…
another example of the numbers lying… because we block a few shots a game does not mean that we are defending the post well… they get tried enough, the ought to block something… what bothers me is the uncontested drives to the basket… when a 1.. 2… or 3 just parades to the lane with no fear. i think we do a decent job out of isolation’s in the post because the arm length and jumping ability (particularly Josh when he’s defending the post) forces the opponent to change a shot release, angle, or trajectory to avoid the block. for example we had Boston (at Phillips) scared throwing up wild shots at the basket in that 7 game series trying to avoid a big momentum block…
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
5:50 pm
Al plays about three times more minutes a game than zaza. I do agree however that there is very little difference between all and horford.
Can somebody explan why this sport blog is being used to promote the mexican race rather than deal with basketball?
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
5:53 pm
God love white people and black people too. Can we talk about the Hawks?
.......
October 26th, 2009
5:57 pm
What kind of Message does Jamal starting at point in place of Bibby send to Jeff Teague our BACKUP POINT GUARD BTW. Why we pullin’ rank on Teague like that? Thats the same thing we did to Acie. Jamal is NOT our backup point guard! Now if Joe gets injured than Jamal can start at SG SINCE HE IS THE BACKUP SG……were never gonna develop any more youngters if we keep this nonsense up…Let the kid get his feet wet. It’s just the Pacers. T.J Ford can’t shoot a lick just like Teague and I highly doubt Jamal can stay in front of T.J Ford for any significant amount of time….too fast….That’s Teague’s department That’s why we call him J-Quick
Anyway, it seems as though Bibby is a go so it’s not even an issue anymore.
Dick D. Byggest
October 26th, 2009
6:04 pm
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
5:20 pm
I`m mexican and I love this country, I just hate racist white people
Why am I not surprise that you are Mexican and a racist at that! Im not really interested in your race or your racial political make up. Who cares? You are more racist than Rick Sanchez. Take your racial discussion some where else. This is a hawks sports blog sight. Call Mr Sanchez if you want to discussion Mexican racism or as you say La raza the race.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
6:08 pm
How is Rick Sanchez racist?
Do you mean Lou Dobbs, but forget it, talk about the hawks.
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
6:13 pm
“He’s going to be fine,” Woodson said of Horford. “Honestly, I just don’t ever concern myself with Al because he’s always been so much more advanced than your average rookie. Defending and rebounding, he does it all. Offensively he has to get a little better, but that’s where we come in as coaches. We have to help make that happen.”
So bigdave, have the coaches failed to help Al enough on offense? That’s exactly what Woody seems to be saying.
He ALSO said “defending and rebounding, he does it all”. Sounds like Woody LOVES his young, playing-out-of-position Center. Odd. Seems like those who defend Woody to the teeth (not you) would believe in the judgement of their idol.
And BTW, you DID see my caveat that blocked shots were only a PART of post D, didn’t you?
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
6:25 pm
http://bastadobbs.com/
YEAH!!!!!!!
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
6:25 pm
Fact check: “Al plays about three times more minutes a game than zaza. I do agree however that there is very little difference between all and horford.”
The facts say:
Al: 33.5 min / gm
Zaza: 19.1 min / gm
Not even twice as much. Much less THREE times as much. Nice try.
Hyperbole alert!!!!!!!
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
6:29 pm
Al is about as good as he is going to get. He doesnt have an offensive game and is mediocre as a defender. He plays against other power forwards who play center out of default and he puts up mediocre numbers against them. So that tells me that he is a mediocre player.
At the end of the day if Al wanted to develop an offensive game(if he could),he is responsible for it himself. All the good players and put in the time after the game to get better. A coaches job is to teach you how to play the game and run his plays. Its your job to develop yourself. Your mother doesn’t live here. Man up and stop blaming the coach because john cant play!.
.......
October 26th, 2009
6:31 pm
Blowout Not Blown Off: Micah Heart W/Player quotes (Teague…hint, hint)
http://www.hawksbasketblog.com/2009/10/26/blowout-not-blown-off/
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
6:40 pm
Did you see me blaming the coach? No, you saw me quoting Woodson. And wondering what the quote meant.
If Al is good enough on D that Woodson says “Defending and rebounding, he does it all. ” then why are you, who defends Woodsons’ every move, DOUBTING YOUR IDOL?
Are you saying that Horford is a mediocre defender and Woodson is lying to all of us?
Woodson, not me, says “Offensively he has to get a little better, but that’s where we come in as coaches. We have to help make that happen.”
That’s Woody talking. Are you saying he’s WRONG?
You say “At the end of the day if Al wanted to develop an offensive game(if he could),he is responsible for it himself.”
Are you DOUBTING WOODY?
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
6:43 pm
Sautee yes.
the coaches have failed everyone on this roster. ive felt that way since Woodson got “star struck” after Joe’s game 4 v. Leprechaun’s performance. instead of treating that game like a pro coach saying okay… i have a guy that can pull performances like that out when need be, he tried design an offense where its to be duplicated every single play night end and out…. thats a shame. Al Horford plays like a guard in the post. yes he has been mis-managed. he was a bull at Fla. now he comes into the league where he needs a bit more skill and he is taught to size up and jab step? boy.. he has never scored off those moves. nobody falls for those slow jabs, and fakes. Al is at his best when he gets the ball and goes quick. i tell you Saut, ive never been more disgusted with Woody and his inability to game plan. he does the same thing night end and out regardless of opponent. as if we are just that dominant of a team to just force our will or something. it sucks. our defense by design sucks. our offense by design sucks. our personnel is not that bad. its just not formatted for our system. its like putting a phillips head to a flat head base. to be honest i have no earthly idea as to how we have progressed to where we are now given our coaches defiance to counter and to game plan. i think its simply growth and cohesiveness, while the league changes and moves dont pan out how positively the Hawks remained cohesive. its time for a COACHING CHANGE!!!!
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
6:45 pm
No, Im saying , Woody says one thing to the press and another thing in the locker room and another thing to the gm and another thing to Horford. How classy of Woody to take the heat for Al’s lack of talent. Great leadership to keep the heat off your players and put it on yourself. Thats coaching.with leadership.
As for your argument about minutes between al and zaza… they are both scrubbs so what does it matter?
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
6:50 pm
yea idiot check,
i blame the coaching… what are they advising Al to work on during the summer to better help the Atlanta Hawks… damn Al Horford … how can Al get better for the sake of the Atlanta Hawks and “what we do”? they advised Marvin to expand his shooting range. he did it… and guess what, it helped the Atlanta Hawks to some degree last year. my question is, what are they advising Al to do? what, just hit the weight room? seems like it… ive seen no growth in his offensive game from. if Woody say’s, yea “we as coaches have to… blahzay… blahzay” then its admission. it is what it is. cause if its not then simply our players arent put in the best positions to excel. period. at that point its STILL a coaching problem.