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
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
IC,
You said:
“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.”
Either you are saying Woody is lying to us about Horford’s defense or your contention that Horford is a mediocre defender is flat wrong. You just can’t make that work out both ways no matter how hard you try to spin it as “great leadership”. LOL!
How classy of Woody to be disingenuous to his boss, his team, the press and the fans. Boy, THAT’S quite a spin!
“As for your argument about minutes between al and zaza… they are both scrubbs so what does it matter?”
As I recall I was YOU who brought that up in error. I guess it mattered to you enough to mention it.
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
7:02 pm
I thought it was quite clear to Al that he needed to work on his offense during the off season. I knew that. Are you saying Al did not? How did he become a pro and the most NBA ready man in the draft if he doesn’t. know what he needs to work on. Are you saying that Al does understand what the coach is asking of him? Bottom line is if he could develop a offensive game he would have by now, but he cant. this is as good as he gets.
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
7:07 pm
I feel u sautee. You feel woody is responsible for Al’s home work…Did you finish college? Did the professor do your work for you? I believe he did.
bigdave
October 26th, 2009
7:08 pm
pff.. ok…
ufø
October 26th, 2009
7:26 pm
Josh Smith is a pretty good SF & and Zaza is a good bench player everyone else sucks including JJ.
niremetal
October 26th, 2009
7:34 pm
Guess you didn’t get the memo about Josh playing less than 30 minutes at SF over the course of the entire last season. Funny that…
Al came back with a greatly improved midrange jumper. How is that not improving?
Sautee, I get the feeling this guy ain’t worth the trouble.
Jody
October 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
I wonder has anyone ever considered that some of Horford’s injuries may be due to him playing out of position at the 5?
Big Ray
October 26th, 2009
8:21 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. ”
No, that’s NOT coaching with leadership. It’s lying. If Woody is saying one thing in the locker room, and something different to Horford (one of the players IN the locker room), then says something different to the GM, then he’s doing something other than being classy. If this is true (and I don’t believe it is), then you may as well change Mike Woodson’s name to Don Nelson, Sr.
If the intent is to exalt the coach and crucify the players all at once, I suggest another method altogether, because THAT quote above only makes Woody look like a villain.
Having said that, I believe that Sautee’s comment is both compelling and valid. Woody has said that he loves what Horford brings. Yet I find that one of Woody’s most ardent (and vehement) supporters has little more than disgust for Horford (don’t ask me to bother with quotes, too many different names are used to express a single person’s opinion, and 12 out of 13 of them will all deny the same thing, using the exact same words…go figure…).
If this person were a campaign booster, and Woody a politician, it would be like continuing to donate to his campaign to get elected, but voting against him in the polls….
Very strange, yet entertaining all the same.
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
8:22 pm
Jody,
Injuries can and do happen regardless of position. Truth-serum likes to talk about how Al got worn down last season. The trouble with that argument is that it ignores the fact that Horford was 3rd in the league among Centers (after Howard and Yao) with double-doubles AFTER the All-Star break. That’s not exactly “breaking down”.
It also doesn’t equate that Yao is the biggest Center in the league, with a HUGE size advantage over almost everyone, but it didn’t keep HIM from injury.
Big Ray
October 26th, 2009
8:30 pm
Jody ,
Maybe, maybe not. However, it’s as likely a factor as any.
O'Brien
October 26th, 2009
8:31 pm
Maybe JJ is thinking about going to Cleveland next year to play with LeBron (if the Cavs can afford him). Doesnt Shaq and big Z come off the books next year? (Although I dont know what the Cavs would do with Delonte West).
Maybe JJ realizes that he is much better off as Robin, rather than Batman. And lets face it. LeBron and JJ on the same team would be tough to defend.
Big Ray
October 26th, 2009
8:51 pm
The Truth ,
Interesting comments about JJ.
O’Brien ,
Despite how it may make me look to other Hawks fans (I can’t help that part, it’s a guaranteed misunderstanding), I have to hand it to you on your 3:23 post about JJ today. That was a good one, and I’m no JJ-basher, which I know you aren’t either. Wow. Bravo.
Big Ray
October 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
O’Brien,
Now you’re scaring me. But you could be right.
Jody
October 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
Sautee/Big Ray,
Good points. I’ve just always felt that Horford playing the 5 was not the best thing for him or the team due to his size and wondered if some of the injuries had anything to do with that. It’s clear the guy is a power forward and when I think back to the game last year against Chicago where he put up 27 points and 17 rebounds all at the 4 spot (where he man handled the opposition), I worry that is size and potential are being wasted playing the 5. Steve Smith always talked about how he felt Horford’s numbers and game would explode if he ever moved the 4 spot full time and Charles Barkley had similar thoughts. But hey, what do they know about basketball, right?
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnJVSbtLyL8
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
9:08 pm
bigdave,
Enjoyed your 6:43 reply. Lots that I agree with including this:
“Al is at his best when he gets the ball and goes quick.”
Exactly. I’m thinking of one play in particular when Al got the ball on the left block and IMMEDIATELY drove across the lane with Howard in his face and scored with a nice half hook. We need to see a LOT more of THAT. And that was in the face of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
“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.”
All too true bigdave. I guess either way we’re screwed.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:13 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8BsErFbBqE&feature=related
Josh Smith is the future OF the Hawks
& GIOVANNI DOS SANTOS is the future of the mexican national soccer team!
YEAH!!!!!!!
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:16 pm
BADASS PLAYER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPgUoagFbYg&feature=response_watch
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
9:27 pm
Idiot check
October 26th, 2009
7:07 pm
“I feel u sautee. You feel woody is responsible for Al’s home work…Did you finish college? Did the professor do your work for you? I believe he did.”
Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said that about Al. WOODY SAID IT!
And no, I wasn’t able to finish college as I dropped out to help feed the family when my dad got sick. Thanks for your personal attack. It figures. As soon as you get painted into a corner, you invariably come with the personal attacks.
It doesn’t change the fact that when it comes to Horford, you obviously disagree with Woody, while hating on OTHERS who disagree with him.
Whatever, man, whatever.
Big Ray
October 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
“It doesn’t change the fact that when it comes to Horford, you obviously disagree with Woody, while hating on OTHERS who disagree with him. ”
Hmmmm …..
??/////// = truth serum ran out of names
October 26th, 2009
9:34 pm
I hate to state the obvious
doc
October 26th, 2009
9:38 pm
jody, that may be horford’s high mark for his career. last year i stated just that to sautee right after it happened and he never approached those number again though his line mates josh and marvin went down for prolonged periods last year. that performance may have been the anomaly.
doc
October 26th, 2009
9:40 pm
richie, how do you stand it … the redskins, the wiz and the nats? thank goodness for the caps, eh? talk about loserville.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
Hell yeah I ran out of names since I have so many on this blog!!!
Jody
October 26th, 2009
9:46 pm
doc,
It may or may not be an anomaly. Until the Hawks get a real center (not necessarily a better player than Horford) as Hubie Brown suggested during the Orlando game, we may never know.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:49 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrPx48ysn0I
What a great rivalry!!
98 bottles of beer on the wall.
October 26th, 2009
9:50 pm
You can call it what you want. When the press ask what do you think of so and so player, you say what is politically correct. When you boss ask you he gets your professional opinion. When a player asks you face to face then its between you and that player. The is a politically correct answer for the press, a professional opinion answer, and a, I care about you as a person answer. All three are the truth as they are being applied, politically, professionally and from a friend. Learn to distinguish the difference.
I hope you are having a nice day Ray and things are going well for you. Ive made my rounds today and was able to check in with my lap top in tow. I appreciate the start. But the bottom line is Horford is a mediocre player who should be a backup power forward. Further more as Ive said for over two seasons:
98 bottles of beer on the wall.
October 26th, 2009
9:50 pm
The Hawks need a center!
1
98 bottles of beer on the wall.
October 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
when your boss
niremetal
October 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
Further more as Ive said for over two seasons: [nothing]
That’s the most intelligent thing you’ve said for over two seasons.
rusty
October 26th, 2009
9:53 pm
the woodpecker hinders the whole team with his lousy attitude,his lousy
defense & offense schemes. joe doesnt have a clue how to play any different than iso joe. he is pissed off at all of the criticism he is getting & is is just frustrated.
??////////////
October 26th, 2009
9:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFaJnhMj3To&feature=related
Now lets take the world cup
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
9:59 pm
doc,
You MAY be right, and that’s the career high water mark. We obviously won’t know that for years. But here’s the thing…… in that game (which I recorded and have since watched) many if not most of Horfords points came when he beat his man to the paint, and we GOT HIM THE BALL.This is what I’ve been saying for the last two years. USE HIS SPEED. When he hustles down and has his man pinned deep, he needs the ball THEN, and not after his defender has set up. And that’s JUST what I saw against CHI that night. The big question is, why did we not learn something from that game?
Yes, he’s playing Center with a power forwards’ body. But he DOES have an advantage over most Centers that we fail to maximize.
Who me?
October 26th, 2009
10:00 pm
Jody
October 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
Good post. Yeah, he would be better playing his natural position. He may be to far along in his career to develop offensive ability, but he can be useful by picking up garbage rebounds and put backs. Reality is he is not going to suddenly develop sweet moves, take people off the dribble, form a deft three point shot or do acrobatics at the rim. He doesn’t have that kind of talent. There is a difference between talent and skill. Skill can be learned. talent is a natural gift. Josh has talent. Crawford has talent. Horford has skill, but is not a center.
Who me?
October 26th, 2009
10:02 pm
Please note the semi colon and the message that follows non mental.
Poot-Ommeter
October 26th, 2009
10:12 pm
I’m out for the night
Fellows, its be real… and its been nice….but it aint been real nice. I’m out guy shalom!
Sautee
October 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
Two quotes and everyone can decide for themselves what’s what:
From our multi-named blogger:
“.But the bottom line is Horford is a mediocre player who should be a backup power forward.”
From Coach Mike Woodson:
“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.”
I tend to take our coach at his word. Enough said. Good night all.
Poot-Ommeter
October 26th, 2009
10:16 pm
In parting Ray. I agree with Woodson. He did an excellent job of handling a potential explosive question from the press and gave a politically correct answer. I also agree with the way he handles the closed door evaluations of the skill levels. I appreciate the trap but it get a -2 on the poot-om-meter!
Poot-Ommeter
October 26th, 2009
10:18 pm
Looks like we all agree, the coach did a good job! Have a good night!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
October 26th, 2009
11:56 pm
Love the alternate jerseys.
I would start Smith or Collins and continue to bring Zaza off the bench if Horford has to miss any time. I like Zaza’s presence off the bench, bringing energy and rebounding, better than what he provides as a starter, which too often results in bad shots and foul trouble.
SWAT Native
October 27th, 2009
12:16 am
I for one have been calling for an “ATL” jersey for a few years. I think they’ll sell a zillion of ‘em, even to non-Hawks fans. You’ll see them in rap videos very quickly. I already had the golf shirt, but I can’t wait to get an authentic jersey, and I love the fitted hats, too.
I can’t wait for opening night. I’ll be in the house.
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2009
12:32 am
What disturbs me the most is 2 days before the season opener, when asked what he’s going to do if his starting center an PG can’t suit up, Woodson says he hasn’t thought about it, WOW! Now we know why he can’t seem to think or make adjustments during a gm.
This fool has more talent, depth, experience and versatility on his bench than at any time during his 5yrs as HC, and he still can’t think in terms of utilizing his bench. He’s still programmed to ignore the bench and push his starters whether they’re exhausted or injured. HOW CAN WE EXPECT HIM TO UTILIZE HIS BENCH UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN HE CAN’T BRING HIMSELF TO EVEN THINK IN TERMS OF UTILIZING HIS BENCH WHEN FACED WITH LOSING 2 OF HIS STARTERS DUE TO INJURY?
And their are still people out there who believe he’s a good HC and actually has a clue.
richbrave
October 27th, 2009
12:41 am
Starters out at #’s 1 and 5 are a recipe for disaster. As a WIZARDS fan I should know.
richbrave
October 27th, 2009
12:43 am
Maybe he’s been told to zip it, KEN. Just a thought. No offense O.K.?
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2009
1:06 am
And please stop with this undersized BS, please. The Pistons won back to back titles with 6′9″ BWallace and the Celtics also won titles with 6′9″ DCowens and 6′10″ KPerkins at center. If you need an excuse to justify our underachievement that badly, find something that doesn’t sound so stupid. The Suns, Spurs and Pistons have been among the winningest teams over the last decade, including NBA titles, but their starting linups are about the same size as ours. Compare their starting linups during their peak to our current starting lineup.
(1)PHOENIX SUNS C-AStaudamire 6′10″ 249lbs, PF-SMarion 6′7″ 228lbs, SF-RBell 6′5″ 215lbs, SG-LBarbosa 6′3″ 202lbs & PG-SNash 6′3″ 178lbs.
(2)DETROIT PISTONS C-RWallace 6′11″ 230lbs, PF-AMcDyess 6′9″ 245lbs, SF-TPrince 6′9″ 215lbs, SG-RHamilton 6′7″ 193lbs & PG-CBillups 6′3″210lbs.
(3)SAN ANTONIO SPURS C-TDuncan 6′11″ 260lbs, PF-MBonner 6′10″ 240lbs, SF-BBowens 6.7″ 200lbs, SG-MFinley 6′7″ 225lbs & PG-TParker 6′2″ 180lbs.
Compare these lineups with the Hawks starting lineup and then tell me how any of you can say we’re undersized.
ATLANTA HAWKS C-AHorford 6′10″ 245, PF-JSmith 6′9″ 240lbs, SF-MWilliams 6′9″ 240lbs, SG-JJohnson 6′7″ 240lbs & PG-MBibby 6′2″ 195lbs.
Our starting lineup is even comparable to the Orlando Magic’s, a team that went to last yrs finals and just whipped us like we stole something. Our problem isn’t with a lack of size. The other teams players operate within OFF/DEF systems that allow them to take full advantage of, and get maximum results from their talent. That’s definitely not the case with the Hawks.
KevinA
October 27th, 2009
1:58 am
Mercy, ya’ll al got the Hawks going down over one last preseson game. Fact is we may be young but we will get tougher as time goes by. It may be next year or the next but the Hawks improvement is real. Trust me this year the gains will make you ok. And then it will just get better. yall talking pu-ssy talk . Man up and support your team. No need for big changes, time will tell.
Clyde
October 27th, 2009
3:53 am
All this stuff yall are saying I said three years ago.
Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!
vava74
October 27th, 2009
4:02 am
Realty Check:
SE Division Standings:
ATL 0-0
ORL 0-0
vava74
October 27th, 2009
4:02 am
Get a grip!
vava74
October 27th, 2009
4:02 am
Wait at least 15 games before passing judgment on the new season!