Business (trip) as usual
Don't let the beautiful views fool you, this trip to the left coast is a business trip for the Hawks.
LOS ANGELES – Jeff Teague’s Halloween costume aside, the Hawks are here in my favorite city for one thing and one thing only; business.
This is a business trip that they’ve been looking forward to since the NBA schedules were released in the summer.
And believe me, I’m as guilty as anyone of falling in love with the sights and sounds of this weather paradise (that’s sunset at Venice Beach above, courtesy of Hawksville’s resident suit man Big Kuntry) and forgetting, even if it is just momentarily, that there’s work to be done first.
The business starts at Staples Center today against the defending champion Lakers and weaves through Portland (Tuesday), Sacramento (Wednesday) and concludes dangerously in Charlotte (Friday), a place the Hawks haven’t played well dating back to last season.
That’s why, in my estimation, this is such a crucial stretch of the early season for the Hawks.
Too many times they’ve departed the friendly confines of Philips Arena and seemingly lost any semblance of order, swagger and just plain know-how that they’ve shown on their home floor.
Seriously, the one thing the Hawks have yet to conquer during this rejuvenated stretch of the Mike Woodson era is their road game. Those 16 road wins from a year ago kept them from being among the league’s elite; by the count of most of those in the know a legitimate big-time squad wins 20-plus away from home. We’ve talked at length around here about the Hawks’ failings on recent attempts on the big stage – from the Cleveland series last year through the preseason finale on ESPN against Orlando.
The Lakers, and to a larger extent this road trip, present an opportunity for the Hawks two right all those recent wrongs. Win two or three of these games and perhaps it’s a bit easier to classify this team among the best (or at least the teams legitimately challenging for that seat at that table).
I am more convinced than ever that the Hawks are on the path to greater things. I don’t know what other conclusion you could make after watching them rise from the depths of their 13-69 ashes of five years ago. But I need something to erase any doubts that may linger. I need to see the Hawks rise up to the challenge that this road trip presents. That doesn’t mean I expect them to breeze through this thing undefeated and pile up six straight wins to start a second straight season. I just need a resolute effort against the two teams they’ll face to start this trip. Compete like a team that’s serious about stomping with the big dogs and it’ll be a lot easier for us all to think of the Hawks in that regard.
THE LAKERS MATCHUP
The Lakers will be without at least one of the main cogs of their championship puzzle for tonight’s game. All-Star big man Pau Gasol was ruled out of the game with that hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout training camp and the early part of this season. I’d suggest that’s a good thing for the Hawks … until realizing that the Lakers are deep enough and talented enough that it’s not going to make a huge difference.
In fact, the Lakers match up just as well against a team like the Hawks because they’ll have a smaller and arguably more athletic lineup to match up against the their visitors from the east with Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum across the frontcourt.
Marvin Williams will have his hands full tonight dealing with Artest, and probably Kobe Bryant at times, on the defensive end. I imagine Joe Johnson will see quite a bit of both of those guys as well, particularly Artest on defense. But Marvin can’t sleepwalk (as he says he did in Friday’s win over Washington) through the first three quarters against the Lakers and the Hawks expect anything but disaster.
They’ll need everyone engaged from start to finish if they’re trying to do what the Mavericks did the other night in knocking off the champs on their own floor – and something tells me the Lakers won’t be interested in suffering consecutive home losses now or at any other time this season.
Again, this is a game full of intriguing matchups that require our magnifying glasses.
By the way, in case you missed it, my esteemed colleague Steve Hummer authored a fantastic piece on Hawks’ sixth-man Jamal Crawford that requires reading.
FOOTBALL SEASON IS OVER AROUND HERE
Again, football season is over around here folks. It’s done. Finished. Over with.
Gabriel Smith and the Smyrna Spartans go it in Saturday! Now football season is done. (Photo credit belongs to Blogette Z)
I’m not just saying that because Michigan has fallen off the cliff (witness the devastation of our latest disaster, a 38-13 waxing at the hands of lowly Illinois) or because Gabriel Smith led the Smyrna Spartans to a smashing finish to their season Saturday in the mud (an 18-12 overtime win over South Paulding in which he opened the Spartans’ scoring with a 90-yard jaunt up the sideline and finished it with 12-yard scamper in the OT. It was a good day and major props to another esteemed colleague and the Spartans’ coach, one D. Orlando Ledicheck). It has nothing to do with the Bulldogs and those black helmets (personally, I thought that was a fresh touch, even if the Gators weren’t particularly impressed) or the fact that Georgia Tech is on a collision course with the BCS (I wish Michigan had hired Paul Johnson).
It’s just time. We’re a week into the NBA season. It’s time to get on the basketball bus.
It is November.
So by decree of the man soon to be formerly known as Blog Z, it is officially basketball season from this day forth … at least around here.
COSTUME MADNESS
We’re still investigating the Ladybug outfit Teague was forced to fly in on Halloween. There’s no doubt it was part of a rookie ritual that the youngster will never forget. And since there is photo (and rumored video) evidence of this hilarious sight, we won’t allow him to forget it either. As soon as one of his teammates give up the goods … uh, I mean our investigators can locate the footage, it’ll be planted here for the enjoyment of all.
Don’t forget, Hawks-Lakers tonight live from Staples Center. I know you’ve got to work in the morning and you might not stay up to watch the whole thing. But the blog will be live and hopping throughout.
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493 comments Add your comment
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:31 am
Yeah let’s not even get started with the Dawgs…thats a whole nother blog
. glad i didn’t buy tix to Jax
Ken Strickland
November 2nd, 2009
2:44 am
BIG RAY-when Woodson helps the opposition and creates mismatches by switching on every pick and roll, instead of having his players fight over the picks, it’s unreasonable to expect good DEF with Bibby in a mismatch with a C or PF and Horford or Smoove in a mismatch with a SG or PG. Woodson needs to junk his switching DEF and instruct his players to fight over the top of picks, or have one player step back and allow the other player to step through the pick. Either option is better than what we’re doing.
Even though our pts scored increased 9PPG when Bibby arrived, we had a corresponding 9PPG increase in pts allowed. That number has increased since Woodson went exclusively to a switching DEF. He needs to either allow Bibby to play straight up DEF or bring him off the bench. Bibby might have saved Woodson’s job when he arrived, but he could very well end up costing him his job in the long run if serious DEF adjustments aren’t made.
cp
November 2nd, 2009
2:45 am
The two highlights of the night for me was the play of Teague and when Nique called Phil Jackson Joe Jackson. I couldn’t stop laughing. Nique work on ya craft seriously.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
6:15 am
Ken ,
I think Woodson is going with the switching defense based on two ideas. One, the infamous Detroit model. Two, the idea that a switching defense allows for better help defense. Really, we need go no further than point number one: the Detroit model has no room for a Bibby. It calls for a point guard that is big enough, quick enough, and tough enough to guard not only 1s, but 2s.
It’s not Bibby’s fault that he has trouble with both at times. Quicker point guards with slick handles are troublesome, and forget guarding 2s that are any sort of credible offensive threat. I’m not bashing Bibby, I’m just saying: he doesn’t fit this Detroit model that keeps getting brought up. And guess what? Marvin doesn’t either. Well, on paper he does. On offense he does. On defense, he does not. If he ramps his defense back up, then he fits. Until then, he doesn’t fit.
In fact, the more you think about it, the more these guys don’t fit. Horford could play the Ben Wallace role, but Josh would have to play the Rasheed Wallace role. Josh has the ability to change the game with help defense the way ‘Sheed did, but he is still a little shorter at 6′9″ (’Sheed checking in at about 6′11″), and lacks ‘Sheed’s ability to go outside on offense whenever needed. Marvin, as stated before, doesn’t defend at Prince’s level. Offensively, he’s nearly a match, at least on paper.
Who plays the role of Rip Hamilton? Answer: nobody. Bibby would seem the perfect candidate to come off screens, but he just doesn’t run around like that anymore, and wouldn’t get his shot as easily. And unlike Rip, he can’t defend 2s that well. Imagine asking him to defend Kobe. Not even funny…
JJ is closer to Billups than he is to Rip. He can handle the ball, initiate the offense, and take over the game by making big shots. But Billups was able to do that because he wasn’t, and didn’t have to be the leading scorer by a wide margin. And, he was a true pg who was capable of guarding two positions if the situation called for it. He was not guarding people because his backcourt mate was incapable of doing so. He had two very steady, surefire offensive threats in ‘Sheed and Rip, something JJ still doesn’t have every given night. Besides, we don’t want him to HAVE to run the point. It takes away from his abilities.
So either we get the guys that fit the model, and add the level of coaching necessary, or we scrap the model. No offense to Woody, but I have yet to see where he can convince guys to play one way every single night, much less outmaneuver the coaches of better teams. You can keep telling me it’s all about the players, but I’m not going for that. Too many times I’ve seen less overall talented teams beat more overall talented teams in the playoffs to keep going for that alibi.
Clyde
November 2nd, 2009
6:32 am
Year after year we sit on this blog and say the same ole things. Woody needs to do this and Woody needs to do that. But what happens? The same ole SH**. Ask Astro Joe I was the first one to say Woody needs to develop a new offensive and defensive scheme and 5 years later he’s still running the same ole ragedy plays. Lets face it; Woody is Woody and he will never change.
Lets trade JJ while we can and get some in return because he’s gone after this year. I think someone said JJ for Kevin Martin and a big? Lets do it and FIRE WOODY by the All-Star break.
JustaThought
November 2nd, 2009
7:51 am
Hahahahahahahaha! Same ole Hawks! They can’t play the Pacers/Wizards every game………….playing in ECC….Yeah right.
Clyde
November 2nd, 2009
8:07 am
Woody is just like Mike Shula. A nice guy but lacking the ability to lead a team to a championship. The Hawks need a new vision cause Woody’s just ain’t gonna work. Alabama changed their vision by adding Nick Saban and 2 years in a row we are in a title hunt.
Roll Tide
JeJe
November 2nd, 2009
8:12 am
MARVIN WILLIAMS SUCKS
TRADE HIM FOR BROOK LOEPZO R MARK GASOL
Clyde
November 2nd, 2009
8:19 am
Players in the NBA stop playing after they get a new contract.
Clyde
November 2nd, 2009
8:20 am
I would trade Marvin Williams for tickets to the SEC championship.
JeJe
November 2nd, 2009
8:32 am
WE NEED ANOTHER GUARD OFF THE BENCH. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO JUST HAVE TEAGUE AND CRAWFORD. WHAT HAPPENS IF GOD FORBID THERE IS AN INJURY
vava74
November 2nd, 2009
8:38 am
My take on yesterday’s game:
I think that this time everyone around here missed the focal point of the problem, including – this is a surprise – niremetal.
Everyone contributed with bits n’ bobs which have to be, in my opinion, nit picked with care in order to determine the root of the problem and eliminate what is irrelevant.
Woody’s role:
I will start by analyzing JJ’s hot hand and Woody’s decision to take him out of the game.
In my opinion Woody was spot on with his decision: Phil Jackson is a genius who knows that when the Hawks fall in love with the jump shot, they are very easy to beat once you “turn on” the defense on JJ.
So, Phil “invited” us to shoot from outside, playing JJ (who got hot early) and Bibby (who did not get hot early) soft, but keeping the paint protected.
Consequences? The team entered into jump shooting mode and people, let us be frank, this was not Woody’s fault.
So, why Woody took out JJ?
He understood that if we continued to ride JJ, he would get tired and SOONER OR LATER the Lakers would change their strategy and would tighten the defense on him completely putting us out of the game.
Any team depending so badly from just one hot hand seldom wins the game, in particular away from home and with the refereeing that we see in the NBA.
So, by taking JJ out of the game, Woody tried to, and succeeded to some extent, keep us in the game involving other players and breaking our JJ dependency.
In particular, I think Woody was trying to get the game back to the front court and to get Crawford hot so we could, later in the game, have two threats instead of just one.
Where I concede that Woody is/was wrong is on the switching defense: we cannot use this all the time, specially when we are facing a team like the Lakers who have a slow PG which Bibby should be able to defend at least moderately well.
So, what happened??? Same old sh*t, that is what happened…
In particular: J-Smoove
What happened was what typically happens to the Hawks: J-Smoove reverted back to his childish and egotistical mode, envious of JJ’s hot hand, he started breaking plays, not entering the paint and shooting brick after brick.
J-Smoove was the main culprit that we did not have any inside game and was making shots that should have been reserved to Marvin (another sleep walking night).
How can you have any degree of success when you only have one player in the paint and everyone else in the perimeter??? Is this Woody’s fault? I can guarantee you that Woody’s instructions do not preview shooting from the outside after 1 pass, not hitting the boards, not driving, …
People around here gave little importance to J-Smoove’s voicing his opinions in the huddle during the media day questioning a play Woody designed. Well, that was a sample of Josh’s disruptive behavior.
The problem lies precisely on the fact that J-Smoove could be the cornerstone for our success if he realized what he can do and what he cannot do.
When we suffered those 18-0 in the 3rd period, there was (amongst other mistakes by other players) J-Smoove with 2 TOs, one by taking the ball up court as if he was “the man” and with a lazy pass to JJ.
Yes, other players underachieved (Marvin, Al, …) and JJ went 1-8 in the second half, however, this all comes as consequence to the above.
Let us imagine that we did not have those 2 TO: 18-0 could immediately go down to 14-4 (quite different) and eventually the Lakers’ momentum would have been broken… maybe the 18-0 would have been 10-6 or 10-8…
We know that Zaza will have his 1 or 2 dum TO’s, however, we should expect that Josh diminishes/eliminates his, specially in light of the fact that we all want him to become an All-Star.
More J-Smoove In retrospective:
If we look back to the Indy game, J-Smoove had an APPARENTLY good game.
However, as I had already pointed out, during the first half, whilst he was “hot”, Troy Murphy almost matched his points (only -2) and assists (only -1) whilst having a huge advantage in rebounding (+6 or 7) and the result was that we were up by only 1 at the break.
It was only when J-Smoove started to work down low defensively and stopped trying to be the center of the attention that we pulled away and secured the win.
Against the Wiz he had a very good overall game, however, with that game his mind set reverted back to the childish self he typically is, which is to think that he is the man.
JJ’s words after the game were, in my opinion, correct and mainly directed to J-Smoove and to Zaza (I would not have voiced them publicly though).
Marvin:
People complain – justifiably – about Marvin, however, we have to realize that there was no ball movement and no inside-outside game without which Marvin does not get the open looks he needs to shoot the rock or to drive and get to the line.
I strongly believe that J-Smoove is to blame for some of Marvin’s lack of involvement since he was breaking plays, stepping into his areas and was taking the shots which should have been reserved to Marvin (whilst neglecting to hit the boards and working down low).
Notwithstanding the above, let us all hope that J-Smoove learned his lesson and that we can put this in perspective: we played badly but we fought back to make it “a palatable defeat”. Now, let us focus on Portland.
Final notes:
Props to JT0!!! Let him run circles around Andre Miller on Wednesday.
If I were Woody, I would talk to Josh and if he did not acknowledged his responsibility, I would bench him and play Joe Smith against Portland.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
8:43 am
Yes, as many times as Ive been so shallow as to direct my hate towards Woodson, ive regretted that my main issues are with myself and the lie I live. Im a product of ken’s need to rally his hate posse. I actually am not a real person just the alter-creation of ken. The bottom line is the Hawks success is equal to woodsons success. We dont reach the higher levels because we dont have a center or a low post game. We are marshmellows and its in the middle that we are soft! Woodson do miss all thoses shots, or turn those balls over, the players do.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
8:44 am
*Woodson dont*
BallHawk
November 2nd, 2009
8:44 am
I don’t post here much because what I have to say is truly redundant; but it is also the be all, end all truth about the Hawks.
The Hawks weaknesses do not require an NBA expert to ferret out. They are glaring and obvious. They have been discussed on this board ad-nauseum.
We need a true center. From there, adjustments can easily be made to take this team to the next level.
The key word is adjustments. NONE will be made as long as Woody is coach. He won’t even play the bigs that he has.
Get a center, FIRE WOODY, and the Hawks will be fine. Until then, the Hawks will be eternal also-rans.
David R
November 2nd, 2009
8:50 am
Why in the heck does Marvin Williams start! He needs to come off the bench and allow crawford to start. Cant believe we signed this guy for three more years.
Undisputed Champ!
November 2nd, 2009
8:54 am
We have no low post to compete with the true champions and contenders. I agree with VAVA to an extent. All good outside shooting will eventually come to an end if you have no inside game to take the load and pressure off. The hawks have no one to play an in and out game with, and no man in the middle.
I caution that the hawks shouldnot fall a part. There is a lot of good here. They were right to Challenge Zaza yesterday during the time out. Hes paid to be a force. Hes is sorry. The entire low post is weak. Every one and his mother knows that. The opposition definitely knows it.
Sund knows it too, but did nothing to addresss it but rather wants to sell the fiction that zaza and horford are championship calibre players. They are backups in reality.
Dont get discouraged Hawks, and fans. There is more right than problems. Fix the middle. You just played the World Champs in their yard. Now you know whats at the next level. Harden up in the middle and you will be in range.
shout to Big Ray!
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
8:56 am
Im not ken. Who ever is using my name im not ken. I dont like woodson and I did not make those statments above. Please stop using my name.
BallHawk
November 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
@ dap01
November 2nd, 2009
9:18 am
R U a time traveler? How did u post at 9:18 am when its only 9:00 am now?
ILL-logical
November 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
Ok, everybody take a deep breath.There now, all of the angst is sgone; all of the invective has been hurled. Now let’s live in the moment.
All of you who did not think that this would be the outcome ,raise your hands.
The only difference from last year’s game is that Joe kept us in it for the first quater. Other than that, it was the same old,same old.
But it is a teachable moment: As many have noted, thee were very few adjustments as momentum shifted; the front court players went off the reservation and got manhandled big time,except for Joe Smith and the defense was porous-as in poor us!
Solutions? Well short term you have got to rethink Marvin’s role but if you start Mo you really are undersized. But against the elite teams and especially on the road, the team needs more heft and height-along with ability- in the starting line up.
It is just three games into the season and hopefully there will be some adjustments made : better bal movement- inspite of Joe’s first quarter heroics ,it was still iso Joe! The switching defense has got to go-if Bibby can’t handle his opposite number staight up , then someone else needs to have the job. Crawford,I’m looking at you. And finally, Let’s be real here; the front offie ,ownership and to a degree ,the coaches are just trying to improve the perception of the Hawks in the marketplace. they are not trying to win a championship this year! so let’s adjust our expectations accordingly.
Pt Jacktes
November 2nd, 2009
9:05 am
Does Atlanta Have a Pro Basketball team? Who cares? The NBA is a bunch of thugs who are over paid. Haven’t watched them in 10 years and don’t plan to start now.
dap01
November 2nd, 2009
9:18 am
Have any of you ever watched an NBA game where there was a sudden momentum swing by an opposing team, and a good head coach would quickly call a timeout and make adjustments to quickly turn the tide? Have you ever watched a game where after a timeout, there was a play run to perfection?
I think you get my point!
Timbo
November 2nd, 2009
9:25 am
Pt Jacktes, thanks Rush . . .
Timbo
November 2nd, 2009
9:25 am
All this game did is make me hope for more Jeff Teague . . .
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
9:31 am
‘the front court players’- There in lies the problem. What front court players? Do you mean the circus Horford and zaza?
GeeMack
November 2nd, 2009
9:36 am
Big Ray,
I knew someone was going to find a way to blame the Hawks lack of heart on Woody. It’s amazing how Doc Rivers gets so much credit for getting the most out of KG, Ray, & PP. These guys were hall of fame players before they ever met Doc. It’s easy to get your team to play great defense when the anchor to your defense is KG one of the all time great defensive players in the history of the league.
Ken
I’ve said on many occassions about how much I respect your basketball knowledge, however when these guys play defense the way Woody teaches we all ways get good results. The problem is one of the leaders of the team JSmoove don’t all ways buy into the system. Our problem is not coaching it’a personnel. This is not Champioship contention personnel, or conference contention personnel. If Woody gets 48 to 51 wins with this team with the improved East he will have over achieved. It’s time to use these pieces to get the personnel needed to win a champioship.
BallHawk
November 2nd, 2009
9:36 am
@Pt Jacktes – What the HELL are you doing here then ????????????
….and admit it…you mispelled your own name…LOLOL
vava74
November 2nd, 2009
9:38 am
The front court collapsed because Josh refused to play down low and keep up with the tasks assigned to his role as a PF.
He basically left Al alone and occupied the zones assigned to Marvin.
He broke plays, launched stupid jump shots, made bad passes and tried to carry the ball up court as if he were man.
All these things completely foiled whatever game plan we had.
Like this, it is easy to hate Josh with the exact same intensity as we love him sometimes. Yesterday was hate night.
Anyone thinking he is the man who will lead us anywhere, look again please.
Yes, he is spectacular and can change a game in our favor, however, he does the opposite as well.
People have to realize that BBall, like any team sport, involves a high degree of coordination between players and “creativity” only plays a limited role.
Look at the triangle offense and how orchestrated it is (and how successful).
Phil Jackson would never get along with Josh, he would trade him in no time.
If Josh does not change his mind set, I say: trade him.
vava74
November 2nd, 2009
9:39 am
GeeMack,
On the money!
GeeMack
November 2nd, 2009
9:42 am
ILL-logical
“let’s adjust our expectations accordingly”
This is not an ECF’s team or a champioship team. The moves we made were to keep us in the 4th or 5th spot.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
9:42 am
Please dont use my mame. Any one can see the difference when you are talking and im talking.
If woody would run more plays and implement the triangle offense through al and zaza we could reach the finals. It Woodson fault for not using the talent we have in Horford. Get a new coach and the problem is solve!
Shout out to Sautee
GeeMack
November 2nd, 2009
9:46 am
vava74
Thx
You and I agree sometimes. Lol!
Undisputed Champ!
November 2nd, 2009
9:47 am
GeeMack You are right on point. This is a team thats locked into forth seed. JJ is getting older and is thinking about his legacy and a ring or two. Clearly the Hawks dont want to do what it takes to shore up the low post sadness and arent serious about reaching the final. You can only get so many miles out of this tank. Like ive said to im horse you cant compete in the finals without center.
GeeMack
November 2nd, 2009
10:00 am
ILL-logical
I like that line.
I MUS WRITE
November 2nd, 2009
10:02 am
Je Je the numbers wouldnt mathc for a Marvin for Lopez trade but I would definitely do that trade. hell I would even throw in somethin to sweeten the deal…..Morris/2nd
I MUS WRITE
November 2nd, 2009
10:20 am
If the team played soft and didnt show any heart, JJ adressing it in the post game interview is not the forum. How about in the locker room at the half or after the game. He was also complaining about getting the ball/shots. From what i saw he got plenty of shots in the second half they just were’nt falling. what did he want his teammates to do force feed him the ball when he’s ice cold? Sometimz i think JJ would rather go for 40 and lose vs. going for 19 and winning the game-does he really think he should be taking the majority of the shots no matter what?I almost feel like trading the guy is in our best intrest-He’s a goner people- July 1st 2010
Teague is alot faster than i thought -turning the corner for a 3pt play against the super quick Farmar is impressive. Odom ducking his head was priceless i mean he only has a 10 inch height advantage LMAO.
I would like to see Mo get the start as well he just fits better with the first unit. Can we offically bury the Granger vs Marvin debate- i dont even have to go in on this one 1-6 is what im say’n
Ditto GeeMack-Woody is not at fault for this loss, we were competitive until the 3rd qtr meltdown.
terrell barron
November 2nd, 2009
10:27 am
Ready to break up the team after the 3rd game? Wtf? It was the Champs for crying out loud. I didn’t expect us to win in LA. If you did, you’re living in a fantasy land.
kwooden1
November 2nd, 2009
10:47 am
What I saw last night was a 3rd quarter mental metal down!! All the turnovers I saw are correctable mistakes. I disagree with Sekou, because the HAWKS got steady again when Joe Smith came in the game late. The Lakers had to bring back their started because the HAWKS stopped turning the ball over and started securing rebounds. Once that happened they could start scoring and playing solid defense. The guys were rushing to much, trying to fastbreak. (you have to secure the ball first!!) The overall rebounding #s and turnovers wasn’t that bad in comparison to LA, but the kind of turnovers really hurt them. I thought the Lakers defense wasn’t that good for most of the game, the guys just got rattled during that stretch in the 3rd. Just like the loss to Orlando on the road, I think this will serve as another lesson in terms of the type of focus they will need to have for an entire game.
JSmoove and Marvin didn’t have good shooting nights, but again the turnovers in the 3rd really killed them. JSmoove took to many jumpshots, those are opportunities that he needs to give to Marvin. Smoove should make the extra pass to Marvin or drive on his man. Smoove needs to trust that Marvin will hit the open shot and also know that his role is to get to the basket and draw fouls on the opponents big men.
Didn’t mind the comments from JJ after and during the game, he need to get on Zaza for the bad turnovers!! He also needs to direct a lot of that fustration on himself, he’s got to keep the ball in his hands and make plays during those stretches.
GO HAWKS!!!
Undisputed Champ!
November 2nd, 2009
10:50 am
zaza has always been a turnover waiting to happen.
Rufus1
November 2nd, 2009
10:57 am
Please Calm Down!!!!!
Please Calm Down!!!!!
This was the Lakers at home coming off a lose…We have match-up problems on the block, we weren’t going to win.
THE GOOD
JOE Johnson 1st half
Joe screaming at ZAZA
Teague
THE BAD
Marvin
Josh
Al
Zaza
WOOOODY
Bibby missing wide-open jumpshots
If we get blown-out in Portland…I would be concerned.
I believe they will play better in portland, because they have to prove they are a better team…Woody has to prove he is a better COACH!
vava74
November 2nd, 2009
11:11 am
GeeMack,
Yeah, every once in a while we agree!!!
Where we usually don’t is on the solutions to the problems. I am a romantic when looking at sports and I always privilege in my heart to build from scratch (like we did) and hope that organic growth does the trick.
I still have not lost hope in this team and I consider that we have the tools (personnel wise) to be successful provided that J-Smoove accepts his true role.
Right now, I have no doubt in consider him as the disruptive influence hindering our game play. Just look at JJ’s words (which I preferred that it had not been made in public).
He did not protest that he was benched when he was hot, he protested that some players forgot their roles.
In order to be successful, we need Josh, however, we need him to play the kind of basket ball he is suited to play and not the Mr. Hyde we saw yesterday.
Alternatively, we need to trade him at once since I don’t think Josh will respond to any other type of coaching: I believe that Woody balances well the egos and has managed to create a family like environment which slowly has been taking Josh the right direction.
A more disciplinarian coach and someone more vocal in the media (like Larry Brown) would lose him in 5 minutes.
Someone mentioned that Woody does not “coach details” giving the example seen when Josh scrimmaged with Team USA and apparently listened to small corrections made by D’Antoni.
Well, that argument is clearly biased. During media day I liked what I saw from Woody. He intervened often but not enough to disrupt the flow of the drills and I could see that he tried to instill knowledge in several areas of play we typically call details (picks, defensive stances and body positioning, etc…).
If Josh does not listen to Woody, than it’s Josh’s fault, not Woody’s.
With this, I am not saying that Woody is perfect or that he is making a remarkable job, however, from last night’s game, it is clear that on court there was a “Mutiny in the Bounty” and guess who was Fletcher Christian…
kwooden1
November 2nd, 2009
11:45 am
meltdown – can’t seem to type sometimes!!
Iblameurparents
November 2nd, 2009
2:22 pm
Resting starters and putting different lineups means absolutely nothing if discretion and a judicious approach in doing so is not implemented. For all the talk of having a deep bench it has become painfully evident in the last two games that the Hawks have become a guard heavy team in both style and players. Every player on the team is a face the basket player, even the “bigs” prefer to shoot jumpers, was that Joe Smith taking 3’s?. This style often leads the perimeter crowded. I do not for the life of me, understand why Josh Smith has not developed a back to the basket game at this point in his career, is it because the coach’s penchant for jumping rookies have left him devoid of the intestinal fortitude to pull his enigmatic forward over and demand it and in the process remind said forward that he is not a guard. How many offensive rebounds did we have against the Lakers? How many offensive rebounds do we average per game? This is an antiquated offense, predicated on perimeter penetration and spot up shooting. For the first time in Woody’s tenure I saw a fluid offense with JJ coming off picks shooting jumpers hitting the open man without dominating the ball. Then poof it was gone like a mirage. We are getting next to nothing out of Marvin who looks heavy, slow and quite honestly not very athletic, my wife says he walks like Shene-ne from In Living Color but I digress. If we are to have a guard perimeter offense, why would you take out the hottest shooting player on the floor, JJ and sit him for virtually a quarter to demonstrate your depth? Guys do not get into a rhythm like that on a regular basis so maybe that was the night Joe plays big minutes over a season it will average out. But not when he is on a roll against the Lakers on the road. Could you imagine Kobe, Lebron, Wade sitting out that long if they started out on a roll like that? With Woody anything is possible, a coach with a lot of good players but not much balls!