Hawks-Knicks thread
Hello, all-
Hope you’ll be somewhere to see the game. I’ve got to get down there before I get stuck in SEC traffic.
Things I’ll be watching
1) What do the Hawks do with Al Harrington? The former Hawk busted out for 21 in the first game and had control of the game in the first half. Watch for double teams if he gets it in the post.
2) Same question with Toney Douglas. Expect him to see plenty of minutes off the bench, as Nate Robinson is squarely in Mike D’Antoni’s doghouse. Douglas also went for 23. Perhaps Mike Woodson goes to Jeff Teague, who knows a little about defending Douglas from their ACC days, and might be a good match in quickness.
3) Can the good feelings of unselfishness from Wednesday keep going? The Hawks assisted on 37 of 52 baskets as they moved the ball around and found open shooters. Given the way the Knicks defend (109.1 ppg defensively, third worst in the league), I’d expect they’ll have a chance to do so.
4) How many points does Joe Johnson get? His last three games – 9, 10, 12. (Mathemeticians among you will predict 15 points.)
5) Can they put the Knicks away early? With a Saturday night in Dallas awaiting them, the Hawks can use as much rest as they can get.
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468 comments Add your comment
niremetal
December 4th, 2009
10:01 pm
*Horford and Zaza or Horford and JoeS
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:02 pm
Im poking fun at teague Ray. He is a rookie and makes rookie mistakes. As for the al and josh statement. Josh dont need al to block a shot or make a basket Josh creates and block his own. Al cant do either.
BONE
December 4th, 2009
10:03 pm
The HAwks have a better chance of selling out 2 games in a row than being consistent on a nightly basis.
Jody
December 4th, 2009
10:04 pm
Wabe,
I agree and until ownership and management get serious about title contention instead just “staying competitive”, it will remain that way.
BONE
December 4th, 2009
10:05 pm
Wabe the HAwks aren’t on the Cavs level.
Sam from da Swats
December 4th, 2009
10:05 pm
Wabe, although I agree with you, Boston beat the Knicks by 2 points. Phoenix was blown out by the Knicks. They are just an unorthodox team that can sneak up on teams at times. We didn’t match their intensity. The Hawks will be ok…
BONE
December 4th, 2009
10:05 pm
The Hawks are guppies not sharks
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:06 pm
Hey Mr. Sund,
Can we have a center?
Look what it’s done for New Jersey. How about Indiana. Charlotte. Milwaukee. Philadelphia. Miami. Portland. Memphis. Golden State. Sacramento. Memphis. San Antonio. Oklahoma City.
All those teams have real centers.
What’s that? They all have worse records than us? Huh. How about that. Doesn’t seem possible with our sorry-ass, fake-ass center….
Jody
December 4th, 2009
10:06 pm
Woody says “I’ll talk with Smoove about not putting himself in that position” to get ejected. That’s all well and good, but Josh doesn’t get ejected if Woody steps up and lobbies for his players.
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:08 pm
Post game interview with Woodson, and all he could talk about was how our defense really missed J-Smoove. How he erases so many mistakes.
Hey, Smoove is a PF. All the announcers, commentators, even the coach. Not one thing said about losing out on defense because of our center. All of it because we were missing our starting PF…go figure….
Hawks v. Knicks
December 4th, 2009
10:09 pm
Hawks are still a day a night team. There are days they can play with the Celtics and then there are days they can’t keep up with some of the worst teams in the league.
Toronto had 3 more wins than New York and the Hawks put 146 on them on Wednesday. Fast forward two days and Toronto rebounds and wins against Washington in OT while … I guess the Hawks were feeling bad about that big win??? … lose to the Knicks
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:09 pm
I have had the pleasure of meeting you Jody so shout to you.
Im not sure we need size as much as we need someone who understands how to play in the paint. A natural center. It is our most major deficit.Horford is not that man.
Big Ray, Horford is not the only player on the team, we win or lose as a team. That does
not excuse that Al cant play the post. Some times you have to play a certain style to compensate for your weakness, like bibby and horford.
Have a good night
BONE
December 4th, 2009
10:11 pm
Are the Hawks the most inconsistent team ever?
nunna yo buzinezz
December 4th, 2009
10:11 pm
tonite was a good time to extend the team concept and play more guys like we did against toronto.
we needed some beef up front and we have decent beef with randmo in the game up front..couple him along with horford and some teague time to shore up the defense and create opps for joe and crawford on da wings and we gets a W tonite yall!!
but,like i said in the “anti ken”blog earlier,woody did the obvious..look for a coaching change between now and the all star break..
rick sund is not going to let this fool destroy a good team,and “WASTE” a season on his bad coaching..
if he does,then,SUND NEEDS TO GO!!
bigdave
December 4th, 2009
10:11 pm
dont know why you went small Woody… we cant afford to do that…
the problem isnt at the 5… Horford is fine at C, however, w/o Josh… Marvin is a 3 and can’t be counted on to defend the rim as a 4 guy…
instead of trying to kill them consistently inside we tried to play their game or small ball. they are just as weak in the middle as us. however, we tried to play finesse with them. PLAY RANDOLPH!!!
small ball is done to generate more offense. it is a liability on the defensive end. dont know what Woodson was thinking. we had offense. we needed D!!
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:12 pm
Ray, I think he was referring to Josh’s blocks and how no one else on the team can do that. I like what stinger said. Josh’s absence reminded us how much we need to improve in the paint.
Dan
December 4th, 2009
10:13 pm
Two things to say:
1- Joe johnson is seriously hurting the team. Whether it’s on his own or a play called by Woody, it’s not working. Hawks are an Elite team when they play together and share the ball and find the open man. When they hustle and play defense to create turnovers and easy baskets. This one on one BS has to stop.
2- Josh Smith. What can I say? Inmense talent, but I have never seen an NBA player complain to the officials more than he does. When will he ever mature? A missed dunk and not being able to control his emotions.
that is one more reason why he will not be an all-star.
Josh you need to grow-up!!!!!!
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:13 pm
Truth Serum,
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. Al and Josh play off of each other on defense the same way Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace used to when they played with Detroit. We saw this last year as well.
Josh should be considered for DPOY, and I wouldn’t put Al up there. But Al is no slouch defensively. He just can’t do it all by himself. Josh is a FREAK defensively.
And I think Al did just fine creating his own shot when they gave him the ball. Yeah, shooting 5-11 is not great, but when they gave it to him, he drove, got fouled, was able to hit hook shots. He didn’t hit every shot, but 17 and 14 is a nice double double. You can at least give the man credit for that.
I’ve never said he’s the best thing you can have at center. But he certainly isn’t the worst. We could have Brendan Haywood or somebody like that. Seven feet of worthlessness. You only get a Brook Lopez if you draft him. Nobody trades a 7-footer that can play. NOBODY.
bigdave
December 4th, 2009
10:14 pm
thank you Stinger… why do the Hawks go under screens on shooters???
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:14 pm
I expect the Mavericks to beat us underneath too!
rms
December 4th, 2009
10:14 pm
That was messed up what he did to Teague though. I thought it was funny. How are you going to play your vets throughout the entire game and when its over then give me that BWAF look and put me in for the final :22 seconds. As if to say oh well might as well play you since we lost anyway get in there boy!
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:15 pm
Truth Serum,
I’m all for a bigger guy at center. As long as he can play. We don’t need a stiff. All too often, there’s a stiff available. Until then, we have to make do with a shorter guy. It sucks, but like I said, we can do worse, much worse.
I agree on Josh. Dude is just freakin’ crazy good on defense, as long he wants to be. He’s our catalyst.
F... Woodson
December 4th, 2009
10:16 pm
Until the Hawks fire that bald head dummy on the side lines we will never be a contender….When Josh got tossed out, a smart coach would have used his freakin bench…Why not put in Collins or Morris to protect the basket, or at least foul hard…Or better yet how about leaving Al at his natural position(POWER FORWARD, HE’S ONLY 6ft8) and rotating Collins,Pachuila, and Morris… I am so sick of Woodson, he is the worst coach in the Nba…
SWICTHING DEFENSE?
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:17 pm
Josh Smith. What can I say? Inmense talent, but I have never seen an NBA player complain to the officials more than he does. When will he ever mature? A missed dunk and not being able to control his emotions.
that is one more reason why he will not be an all-star
Then you must have started watching NBA ball yesterday. Never heard of Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace….
kwooden1
December 4th, 2009
10:18 pm
Listening on the radio, this game sounded like we’re still dealing with a immature team. The HAWKS haven’t really found out what kind of team they are. Another team should not dictate the way you play, you should always dictate to the other team. The HAWKS were making shots against Toronto last night, but weren’t making shots tonight! (11-21 3s Weds night, 4-23 3s tonight) Also, Smoove getting thrown out, was probably the biggest factor in the loss. (I think part of that was missing the dunk!) Without his weak side defense, Al was left all alone trying to protect the middle. Smoove showed a lot of immaturity getting thrown out and then it took an entire half to start getting the ball inside showing more immaturity. I will give Woody credit for going big with Zaza and Al at the start of the 3rd. That really helped by getting the NY bigs in foul trouble, but in the end he didn’t stick with it. Zaza never played in the 4th! Overall I give Woody a C- for the game, because it took an entire half to get the team to start attacking inside, he never figured that Teague had the speed to help and he went away from what was working. I hope that the HAWKS will learn from this
GO HAWKS!
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:20 pm
We do disagree. I do also agree. Al is not the worst center in the NBA. I just thinking about winning not mediocrity.
There are many centers who can play that have been traded. I disagree with you. Ive seen it done too many times. I dont think sund is capable of making the deal.
Night to ya’ll
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:21 pm
Big Ray,
Some people want to call Josh immature. Lebron just walk off the free throwline after his 1st shot and approach the Bulls bench to bark at Noah… My goodness…
vava74
December 4th, 2009
10:22 pm
Three factors killed us today:
1. Josh’s childish behavior. After the first T he should have shut his mouth. It’s inexcusable since we obviously miss his defense and energy.
2. Woody’s lack of control over the game flow:
a) Poor defense – switching was not working Woody, wake up!! The Knicks were getting to the rim easily because Al was being attracted to the perimeter.
b) Bibby’s poor overall game which was not compensated by Woody by giving Teague more minutes.
nunna yo buzinezz
December 4th, 2009
10:22 pm
MELVIN,
WITH THE HEAVY MINUTES BY JOE,AL,AND MARVIN PLAYED 40+..LOOK FOR A DALLAS BLOWOUT TOMORROW,AND SOME TIRED LEGS AND JOE WITH AN OFF GAME..
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:22 pm
Oh yeah, look all that dancing The James Gang did during pre-game on the court… Get that mess out of here….
rms
December 4th, 2009
10:23 pm
BONE:
Regarding your 10:11 post, thats what I’ve been saying about this team this season and especially last season. We were and still are the most consistent inconsistent team in the NBA!
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:23 pm
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:15 pm
We are on the same page Ray!!! Good points.
vava74
December 4th, 2009
10:23 pm
Melvin,
Lebron does that because he is allowed to.
Josh should know that HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT, the refs already have him singled out as a trouble maker for goodness sakes!!!
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:23 pm
nunna,
I wouldnt be surprise if we get blowout tomorrow night. But then again, Im sure our COY will have a strategy for tired legs….
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:25 pm
Truth,
No, they’ll beat us on the perimeter. Dirk will shoot our lights out. Jason Terry will run Joe ragged, and Jose Barea will run Bibby into the ground. We won’t get beat down low by those guys.
In fact, the the Mavs just got beat down by the Grizzlies. Dallas’ big ol’ center Eric Dampier didn’t do jack $hit. He had 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks. They lost, 98-82….to the GRIZZLIES.
Looks like tomorrow night’s matchup will be a tale of two teams scorned…
Blast
December 4th, 2009
10:26 pm
This is from Bone: “Mavs gonna bend Hawks over and pump them hard”? What’s up with the gay reference, dude? This is a sports blog!
This loss hurt. This game sucked. Josh getting ejected had a lot to do with it, but not all. After Josh went out, Knicks attacked the rim with ferocity. Somehow Hawks could not respond. So if Josh got injured for a stretch, how will Hawks rebound? Coach fault? Player fault?
Just curious to see how they handle themselves versus Dallas on the road. 13-6 record. Lost 2 @ home, one to the lowly freaking Knicks!
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:26 pm
Vava,
Josh was arguing the call with his back turn to the Ref, while the Ref was standing almost 3/4 of the court away…. Comeon….
hawkfan
December 4th, 2009
10:27 pm
maybe we should just play boston every night, we seem to at least get up for them energy-wise
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:28 pm
I wish we could have scored a 146pts tonight…
Jody
December 4th, 2009
10:31 pm
Melvin,
I co-sign on that. Josh should not be totally blamed for getting ejected. When it’s CLEAR he’s getting mauled and getting NO CALL, he’s got to have some channel to vent, especially when his coach simply ignores it, and essentially excuses the incompetence of the refs against his own player.
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:31 pm
Yeah that Dirk is a bear. I think when we double outside on he and terry is when they hurt us inside. Im not conceding the game. I dont go up and down with each game. Its a long season and you will lose some you should have won and win some you should have lost. I just dont get emotionally drained with each game.
Lets see where were at in March/April.
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:32 pm
Vava,
And that’s fair?
Look, somebody should have pulled Josh aside. I agree that he needed to shut up, but when you have a 23 year old hothead yapping, you grab his ass and pull him farther away from the ref. You don’t look the other way, then wonder what happened when he gets tossed. Where’s the veteran leadership?
Nah, I shouldn’t even be looking for that, because there IS none. I’ll just tack that onto Josh. It’s up to him to make sure he stays in the game so we can win. Lord knows we can’t leave it up to our max money player or the COY….
O'Brien
December 4th, 2009
10:33 pm
When Avery Dallas and the Mavericks lost to the Warriors in the playoffs, it is because Avery let the Warriors dictate the game. And thats what Woody did tonight.
The Knicks went small, so Woody went small. When we play an uptempo team, we play uptempo as well. When we play a halfcourt team, we play halfcourt as well.
When will Woody and the Hawks force other teams to play the way we play? I dont think that will ever happen, because the Hawks dont have an offensive identity. And our defensive identity (switching) sucks.
Truth-Serum
December 4th, 2009
10:33 pm
Blast
December 4th, 2009
10:26 pm
Keeping it real post blast!
josh smith
December 4th, 2009
10:33 pm
I must learn the joe johnson method. If i dont get the call then just go back up the court and scowl then take more shots then anybody else.
Jody
December 4th, 2009
10:33 pm
Big Ray,
You hit the nail on the head.
Melvin
December 4th, 2009
10:39 pm
Obrien,
Co-sign your 10:33 post
BONE
December 4th, 2009
10:44 pm
If the hawks have to lose 11 games for Mike Woodson so be it. I’m serious. This team will not make progress with Woodson. I’m actually hoping they lose now so we really have a legit reason to can him.
Mychelfromatl
December 4th, 2009
10:49 pm
JOE THATS WHAT YOU CALL LEADERSHIP!!!!!! REALLY BRAH??????????????????????????
Big Ray
December 4th, 2009
10:51 pm
O’brien is right, unfortunately. I like it better when we have those Sybil moments and just share the ball. Doesn’t happen often enough. Wonder why….no I don’t. I KNOW….