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.
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
493 comments Add your comment
Mz. Hawkdafied
November 2nd, 2009
1:20 am
Oh is Marvin still doing the jumproping at the beginning of games?
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:23 am
@ Mz. Hawkdafied: That’s because we’re facing a REAL frontcourt! The Wizards are missing their starting power forward and the Pacers have a weak frontcourt so of course the Hawks frontcourt would have dominated
Zach
November 2nd, 2009
1:24 am
what is about the road that makes us a 12 year old girl who didn’t get the pony she wanted for christmas?
And what in the world is Marvin doing? show up Marvin! the Hawks signed you for 5 years to do the opposite of what you’re doing now.
BONE
November 2nd, 2009
1:25 am
I will say this Teague is a player. He will be better than Josh and Marvin I gurantee it. Did u see how Teague crammed it on Odom. He’s a point guard doin this. Josh was just takin jumpers instead of attackin the rim. Marvin was his usual invisible self. Teague showed me alot tonight and Marvin and Josh showed me alot too, that they are never gonna be all star players.
O'Brien
November 2nd, 2009
1:26 am
I’m sure Rod and roan st will be glad to know that after 3 games, Marvin is averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds per game. I know its still early but…Marvin needs to step up.
Also, Teague had more points than Marvin, Josh and Al. We can’t win when we get nothing from our front court.
And Woody was right though. The Hawks need to play better defense. After 3 games, we are giving up an average of 105.3 points per game. We need to play better defense.
BONE
November 2nd, 2009
1:26 am
Teague has a chance to be an all star in the future
macaroni tony
November 2nd, 2009
1:27 am
Joe called the Hawks soft, no fight….
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:28 am
Is anybody watching the postgame show??? Some interesting insight from Joe…his comments basically stated that our players don’t know their role…for example Josh and Al shouldn’t be handling the ball like guards. It just looks awkward
macaroni tony
November 2nd, 2009
1:29 am
NO! Joe said it like it is. We need more fight, people say that JJ don’t talk but he did tonight…
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:30 am
The Hawks ARE soft…Joe just telling it like it is
O'Brien
November 2nd, 2009
1:31 am
I’m glad Joe was telling it like it is during the post game interview. However, he needs to speak up during the game too. I’m glad he got on ZaZa during the timeout.
And he needs to get on Josh about shooting those long jumpers. And not giving up the ball on the break.
BONE
November 2nd, 2009
1:31 am
well joes right. I’m sorry ya’ll but Josh is too damn dumb. His BBAll IQ is one of the lowest I have ever seen. Does he thinks he’s Magic Johnson or somethin. Ur a forward josh not a point guard. U can’t teach bball IQ and he doesn’t have it.
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:31 am
I liked what I saw from Teague but its only the 3rd game…let’s not get too presumptuous
MAC-TOWN
November 2nd, 2009
1:33 am
Anybody else think that Mo Evans should start ahead of Marvin Williams and take most of his minutes???….seriously…he’s better offensively and defensively.
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:34 am
Wow thats a bit harsh BONE. but he needs to become a role player. The problem with this Josh is that he wants to be “that guy” instead of letting Joe be the leader…
keno
November 2nd, 2009
1:36 am
What’s with all the Joe bashing? He was the only starter that came to play. Seriously, when you have four players in double figures and two are off the bench, there’s a problem. Joe disappeared? Josh, Marvin, and Al never showed up. I guess Joe shoud’ve put the team on his back. Well, Ron Artest was already riding it so there was no room and it looked like Joe’s teammates forgot he was out on the floor and decided playing without him. Kobe’s teammates know to get Kobe the ball. Joe’s teammates decided to take matters into their own hands and the results were a disastrous 3rd quarter. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Joe literally cursing out his teammates on the sideline like that. They deserved it.
PD
November 2nd, 2009
1:36 am
Wild How Joe Johnson called the team soft in the post-game interview! Maybe he is truly getting frustrated with his team.
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:39 am
Keno, I 100% agree.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:40 am
Mz. Hawkdafied ,
Yeah, I’m sick of it. We just don’t have those kinds of guys. The thing is, people don’t realize that with the Pistons squad, you have to have a coach that is a teacher, and can get his guys to buy into what he’s selling. I mean, Larry Brown had ‘Sheed doing the right thing, and that is an accomplishment all by itself. Doc Rivers is able to achieve the same thing. Woody doesn’t have that. He just doesn’t. I know some people will hate that I’m giving part of the blame to the coach, but what can you say about a guy who can’t even convince his team to stop giving up 105 points a game?
BONE ,
I disagree. Josh is not dumb, and he does not have a low basketball IQ. What he is, is impatient. He’ll make a mistake by trying to force something, not because he doesn’t know what to do at all. Nobody was calling him dumb in the first two games, especially game 1, where he got 8 assists and 1 turnover. What’s your explanation for that, “it was an accident?” Everything looks right when you’re winning, everything looks wrong when you’re losing.
Being a forward or center doesn’t mean you can’t handle the ball or pass the ball. But he does have to learn WHEN to do these things. There are some things you can do against the Wiz and the Pacers that you can’t do against the Lakers. They aren’t the NBA champs for nothing. Josh still got 7 assists, are you going to tell me that was by accident? It’s not a matter of IQ. It’s a matter of composure, and he is still learning that, much to our frustration.
Nobody had complaints about Josh and Al during the first two games. I won’t say jack about Marvin, because he’s been everything but remarkable, even though he rebounded and defended well against the Wizards. But now the complaints come raining down because we lost to the best team in the NBA.
I know it’s not about the fact that we lost, but HOW we lost. But it should be obvious: if you make ANY mistakes against the best teams, THEN YOU WILL LOSE to them. Have to keep the mistakes to a minimum. Otherwise, this is the result.
PD
November 2nd, 2009
1:42 am
I like Mo Evans starting because Josh cannot shoot the three. Marvin can get his shots in the 2nd unit. But they would need an alternate starting unit for taller teams. It is doable they just have to gameplan the whole thing. It is more than possible. Got to figure out a way to get Horford to the power forward spot.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:42 am
Normally I’d clown JJ some for that post game interview, but he had it spot on. The frontcourt was awful. As long as he’s also telling them that to their faces, I’m cool with it.
Be a leader, Joe. Tell them how bad they’re messing up.
But who yanked Joe when he was red hot?
Mz. Hawkdafied
November 2nd, 2009
1:42 am
PD, do you think this is why JJ didn’t sign them papers? He’s just plain sick and tired of the same ol same ol. Thanks GAbulldawg for the insight on our frontcourt.
BONE
November 2nd, 2009
1:43 am
Yea it is harsh what I said about Josh but it’s the truth. Smart players know their limitations. Play to their strenghts and not their weaknesses. For example last year in the playoffs Josh was TOO DUMB to realize why he was always open for the jumper. He was always open becuz everyone knows he can’t shoot. I mean I’m not exaggerating Josh is one of the 10 dumbest players in the NBA. I stand by that.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:43 am
Heh. Three games into the season, one loss to the best team in the NBA, and it’s time for firings, trades, and lineup changes. Typical……..
Clyde
November 2nd, 2009
1:45 am
A team’s identity starts with the coach.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:45 am
…. sigh …….. DING …..
BONE
November 2nd, 2009
1:45 am
Of course Josh is gonna have a good game against the PACERS. there the PACERS. When we play and elite team he plays poorly.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:45 am
Clyde I agree with that to an extent.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
1:47 am
I’m up kinda late for an old guy but I’ll try to be succinct. If Joe is a leader he should not call out his young teammates in the media. I confess, I did not hear his comments nor their context. But these fellas have been together for a good long while now. How, and I repeat how, do they NOT know their roles? A coach can comment on a player to/in the media but a player must keep it in house. In the locker rm.. @ prac., etc., just keep it in within the team. Even if your the leader you should not create a hierarchy that leads to resentment and discord.
Did he really say they don’t know their roles. That’s malarchy !
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:48 am
Heh….okay, Bone …
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:49 am
Grandad ,
How, indeed? If they don’t know their roles, where does that point?
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
1:50 am
Oh yeah; Big Ray & Ga. Bulldog – Thanks.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
1:51 am
Better hope Josh doesn’t have good games against the Spurs, Celtics, Magic, or any other top teams. If that’s the case, somebody will have to send them a memo, informing them of their loss of elite status.
Man, you really get to hear some of the best stuff on here…..
Time to Go
November 2nd, 2009
1:52 am
A hard fought lost to the best team, that displayed major improvements both in coaching and needed personnel would have been OK
However….a lost to the best team that displayed the same poor coaching and lack of size and toughness in the paint OUGHT to bring up talks of some changes being made somewhere.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
1:53 am
Mz Hawkdafied: Thank you as well.
Mz. Hawkdafied
November 2nd, 2009
1:55 am
Big Ray, I really don’t want to start being a Woody basher. And I’ve never really been one. But as time goes on I am starting to wonder what this team would look like with another coach. I mean he’s so fixated on being the Detroit Pistons that got him his ring that maybe he’s not even trying to see the team for who or what they are and that’s probably the problem. If the ASG/ Rick Sund gives him another contract without the Hawks making any progress this season, I just might lose it.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 2nd, 2009
1:57 am
“Josh is not dumb, and he does not have a low basketball IQ. What he is, is impatient. He’ll make a mistake by trying to force something, not because he doesn’t know what to do at all.”
What he also is is a player who, five years into his career, still has no defined role within the offense. And as long as that continues, he will continue to not know when to use which one of his versatile talents.
To a lesser extent this applies to Marvin and Al Horford as well. I say to a lesser extent because Josh being the most versatile also tends to be the one who forces the issue the most trying to do things he shouldn’t be doing. But all three are held back by the perimeter oriented nature of this team’s offense.
Whether you’re a Woody fan or a Woody hater (I’m stuck firmly in the middle), I think we can all agree at least that Woody needs an offensive coordinator.
Still have not Left
November 2nd, 2009
2:00 am
The third game of the season is the best time to determine if a team is better or not. Fire all coaches and trade all players.
Mz. Hawkdafied
November 2nd, 2009
2:03 am
Najeh, he doesn’t think so he said the offense is fine, they just need to work on defense. And I used to be in the middle too.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
2:08 am
3rd game 30th game that 3rd qtr. was inexcusable. However, I for one, have not advocated firing anyone. Five yrs. in though is plenty of time to evaluate a HC.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 am
Co-sign Najeh Davenpoop at 1:57a.m.
Mz. Hawkdafied,
I’m not a Woody hater. I do hope to see better from what he brings to this organization. I cannot in good conscience put it all on the players. Just can’t do it. Considering what another coach might look like with this team doesn’t make you a hater. In fact, that’s part of the GM’s job, evaluating all positions.
Now if he thinks that this team can do greater things by moving a player or two, and keeping the coach, then he has to take the chance and do that. But he has to be pretty dang certain. You don’t get a player’s ability back in return, and very rarely can you “trade up” in this league. In most cases, it’s the coach that gets moved.
If ten players don’t listen when you say “play defense”, do you trade the ten players, or get a different coach? It’s really not that cut and dry, but you get my meaning.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
2:12 am
Najeh ,
Heh. All too often, whether or not you’re a “hater” isn’t determined by you. You know how that goes. One word of criticism, and you’re a hater. One word of positivity, and you’re a supporter or relative. People have issues…
GA Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:13 am
Grandad, to be fair, Joe didn’t exactly say that they didn’t know their roles. If you go back and read my comment I didn’t quote him. But Joe said that the guys were trying to do too much on offense, that he didn’t get the ball enough (and he didn’t, I saw the game) and not getting back on defense. When ppl are “doing too much” on offense, it kinda implies that they’re not playing their roles, so thats why I said that
nunna yo biznezz
November 2nd, 2009
2:14 am
jeje,
even if we had chris paul,do u honestly think he would be playing under woody..woody’s boy is mike bibby..and,teague’s play tonite will only be counted on as him playing junk minutes against junk players off the lakers bench..so,look for teague to get less minutes the next game..
on woody:
i was waiting on the lakers run in the 3rd to see how woody would react..
would he:
A.not be afraid to put in his big guys off the bench(whom sund brought in just for this reason) to offset the weakness that his starters were playing?
B.will he design plays and order his bigs to attack the basket to both,”slow the lakers down and get to the line”?
C.remove josh or get in his azz when he takes those ill advised long jumpers when he is more of a slaser/dunker?
D.use the strengths of his team to get us back into the game?
E. or use his bigs that were provided for him off the bench when he stated many times in this past off season that he didn’t have a bench nor any bigs last year?
he did nothing on neither of the claims i laid out..
he is a sorry excuse for a coach..
and,he needs to go
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 am
The players stopped listening the Coach back when Bibby came IMO. This nothing personal but Woody has to go. He is an assistant stuck in the 2004 Detroit era – he won’t budge from his vision or lack thereof. He won’t make halftime adjustments, he benches hot players and rides cold ones and his players are motivated to excel under his tutelage…Heck his players don’t know their roles (I agree with all those who say that is an indictment on the coach.)
Let’s get a real coach in here an let’s become a true elite te
am.
Fin
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 am
Grandad ,
I’d agree with that, but in fairness, and trying to be completely objective, I have two possible caveats:
1) Sund hasn’t been here the whole five years. He just got hired in 2008.
2) Sund shouldn’t try and move to quickly, or he might follow Billy Knight (remember how that turned out?)
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 am
are not motivated
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
2:22 am
Ga Bulldog: my apologies. Our Bulldogs certainly didn’t know their roles yesterday, even wi. two wks. to prepare. I could probably make some correlations between the Hwks & Dwgs but it’s just too late.
Big Ray
November 2nd, 2009
2:25 am
I wouldn’t take anything away from Teague. Mop-up minutes or not, he got baskets, just like he has the whole time he’s been here (Orlando preseason game excluded). He’s learning, and I see no reason why his minutes should decline against the next two opponents, who are weaker than the Lakers.
Grandad
November 2nd, 2009
2:29 am
Big Ray: my sentiments exactly. I have confidence in Mr. Sund to do what is necessary and right. Also; Ga Bulldawg(sp), got it right this time.