Wizards-Hawks thread
Greetings, all-
Thanks for all the love. It really means a lot to have passed muster with you guys. Just a couple notes, and we’ll get to the game.
1) Mario West is going to dress tonight. Zaza Pachulia is at home with flu symptoms, so Mike Woodson won’t have to sit anyone to see what “Greasy,” as he’s known, can do. As you can imagine, West was pretty fired up about getting an opportunity.
2) Mo Evans may not play. His wife is delivering their first child. Woodson didn’t know where things stood when we talked to him, around 5:40.
3) I asked Woodson about playing zone against the Celtics, particularly how much they’ve played it in the past and this year.
“We played (some) zone last year. Probably the year before we played zone a lot. It’s kind of shrunk over the last couple years but two years ago, we played zone a lot. That won us a lot of games. Last year, we played it some. Mainly, we tried to play it in back-to-back games where you kind of, instead of chasing guys a lot, it kind of bought us some time to keep guys strong towards the end of the game. But against the Celtics, our coaches suggested zone and we went with it. It was nice to see because it kind of caught them a little off guard.”
“We’ve played zone a few times this season.”
Is there a particular reason you haven’t used it as much?
“It’s a long season. As the season wears on, we’ll probably start playing some more of it when we get time to practice and really work at it. It’’s easy to do with the guys that have been here, our starters, because they know it. But we did it with Jamal (Crawford) on the floor the other night, and it was pretty good.”
As requested, UGA’s Travis Leslie’s dunk against Kentucky.
If you missed the link posted in the comments, an si.com story about Jamal Crawford.
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
255 comments Add your comment
theZaZaguy
January 14th, 2010
5:36 pm
One guard I would love to see in the ATL is Tony Parker. Then maybe his wife would come to some of the games. Of course that’s the only reason.
ILL-logical
January 14th, 2010
5:56 pm
VaVa74: I concur!
CP:After looking at Josh Boone’s stats,I believe he would an asset but doubt the Hawks’ “braintrust” would agree.Who would be traded?
Hope that Arenas gets in touch with his heritage and joins the efforts to rebuild Haiti. His personal wealth and visibility could add value to the current efforts.
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2010
5:57 pm
I just saw pictures of the devastation in Haiti, and the expressions on the faces of the survivors just tore me up. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MUCH LESS HELP THEY’D BE ABLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN GBUSH AND HIS REPUBLICAN POSSE WERE STILL IN POWER?
KevinA
January 14th, 2010
5:57 pm
Sautee
January 14th, 2010
4:21 pm
What does it tell you when we have more people “hatin’ on the perceived “haters” than all the “haters” out there.
Folks, there’s no way that everybody is gonna perceive this team the same.
Enjoy what we have and if you disagree with a poster just scroll on down.
Some of these posts kill me with the “need” for a homogeneous “lets all think the same way” mentality.
Can you even imagine how boring this blog would be?
Amen from the back bench.
richbrave
January 14th, 2010
6:01 pm
Hope that Arenas gets in touch with his heritage and joins the efforts to rebuild Haiti. His personal wealth and visibility could add value to the current efforts.
Hopefully that would satisfy his legal penance.
terrell barron
January 14th, 2010
6:03 pm
Anyone else having trouble posting? Wtf? Some post go right up, some not at all.
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2010
6:16 pm
Man, I’m finding it very difficult to focus on the Hawks with all of the devastation that’s going on in Haiti. I have so damn much respect for them and the eternally strong spirit and will to survive they’ve always displayed. They not only defeated the French and gained their own freedom and independence, they fought and helped others gain their freedom and independence as well, including the United States.
ILL-logical
January 14th, 2010
6:36 pm
Having visited the Haiti years ago, I can identify with the plight of the people. From the ocean front resorts to the hills of Petitionville(Port a Prince’s wealthy district) to the Ironworks in downtown Port a Prince, I have seen the misery that is the every day existance of the commen people in the best of times. I cannot imagine what this tragedy has done to an already desolate country.
But I also remember the spirit of the Haitian people who have endured a great deal in their history so I know that somehow, someway they will rise again.
ILL-logical
January 14th, 2010
6:45 pm
Having visited the Haiti years ago, I can identify with the plight of the people. From the ocean front resorts to the hills of Petitionville(Port au Prince’s wealthy district) to the Ironworks in downtown Port au Prince, I have seen the misery that is the every day existance of the commen people in the best of times. I cannot imagine what this tragedy has done to an already desolate country.
But I also remember the spirit of the Haitian people who have endured a great deal in their history so I know that somehow, someway they will rise again.
cp
January 14th, 2010
7:00 pm
ILL-logical good point. Boone can play center and pf and he is still young. He doesn’t score much but we only need him to block shots and rebound. He is only making 2 million but I have no idea who we could give up to get him……..Its nice that Woodrow loves Mario but I would rather have a big who rebounds and blocks shots. Mario might not even make the team. Some guys get so caught up in his hustle and energy that they don’t realize he doesn’t bring much else to the table. Whats the purpose of Mario if we still have Mo?… We can only dress 12 so who will be forced to wear a suit just so Mario can play?…
Samuel
January 14th, 2010
8:01 pm
Ken,
You’re absolutely right. Man, I really do feel for them. I have a good friend from Haiti. He’s one of the best people I ever met. Makes you really feel thankful for a what you have in life.
Obrien,
I saw your trade idea. I was at school so I couldn’t post. I really love my Mississippi boys, especially Jefferson and Ellis. My son played AAU with Al since he was 9th Grade. He played against Ellis in high school ball. Outlaw too.
I’ve been straining my brain trying to come up with a way to make something work for Jefferson. I believe he will thrive even more in a warm climate. He’s basically been playing and living in a cold climate since coming into the league.
For the life of me I can’t see it working. I really couldn’t move Josh at this point. Now way. I would trade Al and say Evans but I can’t see that happening either. If we traded JJ, we’d have to move Josh to SF and that wont work. As much as I love Big Al. I can’t see it happening.
Check out the shot Ellis made after shoot around. Id say dude is on Fire.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/monta-ellis-backwards-tri_n_423389.html
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2010
9:14 pm
ILL-LOGICAL/SAMUEL-this tragedy makes all of the issues we’ve had regarding the Hawks seem so petty. Man, I’m so sorry for coming down so hard on you guys over this stuff, and for that I apologize. On one of my many trips to the Dominican Republic, I visited a flee market in Haiti. There was a vendor there selling quality brandy for a very good price. So naturally, I bargained them down and bought several bottles.
After walking around the market for a while, I saw how hard these people were working and how destitute they were. I started feeling guilty, so I went back to the vendor I bought the brandy from, and without an explanation, I paid him the full asking price for the brandy, plus a tip. Even though the original asking price was a very good price, by talking him down, I felt like I had taken away from someone that had so little to begin with.
What really hurts are the circumstances that led to so much of their poverty. A bunch of motivated and determined slaves, led by Toussaint L’overture defeated the army of their oppressor and world military power, France, and gained their independence and freedom. They also helped other nations throughout this hemisphere successfully gain their independence. That had a rippling effect on other slave nations as well as the vatican and it’s control of the international slave trade. And because of that, Haitians have been kept down by both the vatican and the international community every since.
When the Haitian people overthrew the Duvalier’s, Poppa Doc and Baby Doc, who robbed Haiti blind and took most of it’s monetary resources, the French and the Vatican didn’t hesitate to provide sanctuary for both. They also provided sanctuary to the Marco’s family, Idi Amin and the shah of Iran, who also robbed their respective countries blind. Both France and the Vatican thrive on corruption and poverty.
Think about it, in countries that are predominantly Catholic, the people are basically poor and uneducated, except for France. Think about the state of affairs of all the Catholic countries in South America, the Carribean and Europe.
Samuel
January 14th, 2010
9:32 pm
Appreciate the history Ken, Actually ive been reading up on Hatian history for the last hour since I saw this idiotic statement from that buffoon, Pat Robertson.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HaitiEarthquake/white-house-advisor-valerie-jarrett-speechless-pat-robertson/story?id=9555714
Samuel
January 14th, 2010
9:39 pm
Ken,
No apologies needed. I consider you family now since you’ve earned your stay around here. I have no hard feelings against anyone around here. It’s all fun and games to me. Just shoot’n the breeze. One of these days I want to do some traveling internationally like you and Clyde. I’m setting my sights on Rio in ‘16. That’s when my baby girl will be ready for the Summer Games.
richbrave
January 14th, 2010
9:55 pm
Samuel
January 14th, 2010
9:32 pm
Appreciate the history Ken, Actually ive been reading up on Hatian history for the last hour since I saw this idiotic statement from that buffoon, Pat Robertson.
Since Mr. ROBERTSON directed that we send a hit squad to take out CHAVEZ, I would not be surprised at any proclemation he might bring forth. His daddy was our commencement speaker for my undergraduate ceremonies. I’m chagrin to say we both grew up in the same neck of the woods, southeastern Virginia. Thank God his type of didactics didn’t find their way into my life, although my parents and neighbors tried hard enough. He’s not much of a Christian for someone who professes to those principles.
Big Ray
January 14th, 2010
10:35 pm
I can’t imagine what those in Haiti are going through. Have to count it among my many blessings that I’ve never been through something liek that.
Pat Robertson is what he is. ‘Tis one thing to be thought a fool. ‘Tis another to open thy mouth and remove all doubt.
Prayers (and donations) go out to the people of Haiti.
O'Brien
January 14th, 2010
10:36 pm
What’s wrong with Boston? Is it injuries? The Bulls are up by 6 against them (in Boston) with less than 4 minutes left in the 4th.
Having watched Bibby play the last couple seasons, I forgot what a penetrating PG looks like. Derek Rose is awesome. John Walls is coming next season, there is CP3, DWill, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Devin Harris, Rondo etc…this is becoming a league of penetrating PGs. I hope the Hawks next PG (I dont know if it will be Teague) will be able to do just that, because that also leads to easy shots for others (imagine JJ being set up off a drive and dish).
Big Ray
January 14th, 2010
10:39 pm
KevinA ,
Had to laugh at your 5:57 post. Not laughing at YOU just laughing at the idea of people actually accepting each other’s opinions. Um, yeah, some of us are capable of that. I think you’ve seen enough evidence that others just can’t scroll past, but have to call names and hurl insults. Oh yeah, and imitate others….
Big Ray
January 14th, 2010
10:40 pm
O’brien ,
Chicago is a tough matchup for the C’s, as are we. Remember, they took Boston to the hilt in last year’s playoffs….
As for penetrating pgs…well, you have to have an appreciation for that type of play and for what the league is evolving into. And for that, you have to actually “give a sh_t about the offense”….
Big Ray
January 14th, 2010
10:44 pm
Just watched Derrick Rose juke Rajon Rondo and slice the Boston defense in half.
Damn. A penetrating pg IS a beautiful thing, O’brien .
O'Brien
January 14th, 2010
10:47 pm
Ray,
I am not looking forward to seeing how slow (and ineffective on defense) Bibby is next season, and the season after that. Another penetrating PG I forgot to mention is Aaron Brooks in Houston.
As for the Celtics, they are playing without KG and without Rasheed. How would the Hawks look if we were playing without Horford and ZaZa?
KevinA
January 14th, 2010
11:09 pm
Bibby does well in a few
Chemistry
3 pt% 8th
Turn overs one of the best
Doesn’t foul much
Good passer
what is missing
Slow
Bad D
Assists 23rd
rebounding 28th
FG% 23
Steals 21
Blocks 43
Minutes 2nd tier 27.7
These stats are among PG’s
RLP
January 14th, 2010
11:15 pm
I watched the Celtics and Bulls. At halftime Charles Barkley wanted to rant. He congratulated ALABAMA UNIVERSITY (sic) for winning the national championship in football He claimed that Lane Kiffin MUST have pictures of somebody having sex with a monkey because he has had three jobs given to him that he did not deserve. I forgot his third point but then he wound up announcing that he was donating $10,0000 to the Haiti relief effort.
KevinA
January 14th, 2010
11:15 pm
Big Ray
January 14th, 2010
10:44 pm
Damn. A penetrating pg IS a beautiful thing, O’brien .
We need one. Do we keep Bibby and Teague and try to draft another PG and survive another year?
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2010
11:28 pm
SAMUEL-thanks for the link. It’s really amazing what comes out of the mouths of these racists, who hide behind religion, with their god complex. If the Haitians had to make a pact with the devil in order to defeat the French and win their freedom, wouldn’t the devil be the one responsible for it taking place, since he was the catalyt for making it happen?
Anyway, I need to get my mind on something that’s not so depressing. Lets see, Eva Longoria Parker, Halle Berry, Boyonce’, Jessica Alba. Wow, I’m still depressed, but now I have an erection. heh, heh, heh.
richbrave
January 14th, 2010
11:38 pm
Regarding HAITI. Watch out for scam artists and HAITI. Give to a charity that’s well regarded and established. And be very wary of donating electronically. Stroke a check and deliver or mail it to the charity of your choice.
Also, if you have elderly people in your life beware of an FDA scam that’s going on. People are being intimidated and threatened by mail, telephone and e-mail scammers who give reasons for bogus charges to be filed against the individual by the feds. Then they relent and say mail us a check to cover the fine, or let’s have your personal info. Elder folks are easily intimidated and confused. Help them out.
richbrave
January 14th, 2010
11:41 pm
KEN STRICKLAND:
“Wow, I’m still depressed, but now I have an erection. heh, heh, heh.
Dirty old man. And thanks once again for the boost the other day.
cp
January 15th, 2010
3:12 am
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2010/01/hawks-94-wizards-82.html
O'Brien
January 15th, 2010
7:44 am
KevinA,
The Hawks pick too low in the draft to get the kind of PG we will need. I think our best bet will be to try and trade for Devin Harris (if the Nets get the #1 pick, probably John Walls), or groom Teague and hope he develops into a starter. Another reason Teague needs his minutes, is because Bibby should not be the starter here for 2 seasons after this one.
(Side Note for Astro: Although Teague was the 7th PG taken in the draft, if I’m not mistaken, Ty Lawson the 6th PG taken. And even playing behind Billups, he got minutes early, so when Chauncey was injured, Lawson was ready to go).
Boston and Cleveland lost last night. The Magic play the Lakers tonight. If the Hawks can beat the Suns, the top 4 in the East will be even closer. Hawks need to win the division and get the #2 or #3 seed to play Boston in the second round.
JSS
January 15th, 2010
7:45 am
Just a note of Thanks to many of you…
Amidst all of the death and destruction, here is some GREAT news from Haiti… My nephew-in-law Jean St. Val’s family is alive and well… These are the stories that we are trying to accomplish for even more families around the world… Please give and keep up the good work!!! Thank you!!!
And for those of you who have not visited us on Facebook at AJC Bloggers for Haiti Relief, please do so… We DO NOT seek contributions directly, we provide links to resources, charities and Non Governmental Organization known as NGO’s (cleared by the American Institute of Philanthropy), and updates on the ongoing relief efforts… Feel free to use you own networks and connections, but please join the group if you can so we can keep you more readily updated…
JeJe
January 15th, 2010
8:06 am
Great Buzzer-beater last night by Sundiata.
Just wondering: how is he in the for the last play, yet we keep Marvin in at the end of Crawford a lot of the time? The guy is an NBDL rookie who was just brought up. Sloan is obviously a genius. Anyway, anyone know is Deron has been dealing with injuries?
JeJe
January 15th, 2010
8:19 am
Nvm Deron got hurt
KevinA
January 15th, 2010
8:27 am
It would be nice to see a Teague start tonight. There is now way Bibby can guard Steve Nash.
We do seem to play better against up tempo teams and were at home and rested. Should be a geat game.
Fundamentals
January 15th, 2010
8:39 am
You won’t get to see Teague start, but I’d like to see the 2nd unit roll out to end the 1st and possibly begin the second. They brought tremendous energy & played well in the last game.
Are Mo and ZaZa still out? I liked seeing Collins come in early in the 1st the other night. What about Randmo?
KevinA
January 15th, 2010
8:42 am
O’Brien
The Magic play the Lakers tonight
They play Portland tonight and if Roy is out (hamstring) it should be an easy win. They play the Lakers Monday.
GeeMack
January 15th, 2010
8:44 am
Ken Strickland
Good stuff on Haiti, and the Halle Berry comment “classic”. Lol.
Fundamentals
January 15th, 2010
8:48 am
Utah & San Antonio are notorious for picking diamonds from the rough. Never seen anyone else do it better. Good to see a GA boy succeeding.
KevinA
January 15th, 2010
9:16 am
Fundamentals
One of those big’s need to sit. With the Suns we might need Mario and his defensive speed. When Barbaso and Nash play together who is going to stop them from driving and living in the paint. Phx love the 3 pt shot and shoot for a high average.
Their center Fry loves to shoot the three which will keep Al away from the bucket. I don’t see much of a chance of Collins or ZaZa playing much. Joe Smith prob the better opton with Al playing major minutes.
Key to the game might be Josh equaling the efforts of Stoudemire. Nash will have a big game.
Sautee
January 15th, 2010
9:20 am
Ken Strickland,
Way too much information!
Ken Strickland
January 15th, 2010
9:39 am
RICHBRAVE-you know me so well, and you’re welcome. During the glory days of the old Washington Bullets, I was like you, a fan of the Hawks and Bullets. It was hard not to be a fan of the Pearl, Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, Bobby Dandridge, Kevin Greavy, Henderson and the way they played the gm. Back then, the biggest scandal was the episode where KWashington accidently shattered the face of Rudy T.
You can forget about Teague getting a chance to start or playing more mins than Bibby. Even if Bibby couldn’t play, Woodson would start MWest. If West wasn’t on the team, he’d start Crawford and use Evans in the guard rotation. He’s not going to give Teague or this team a chance to show what can happen when you add speed, quickness, penetrating ability and DEF at the PG position. At least not as long as Bibby is still on the team.
Why do you think we’ve seen the trend established where Woodson usually followed up a solid performance by either SStaudemire, ALaw or JTeague with a DNP CD, or no more than 3-4 meaningless mins at the most. Even when ALaw started for an injured Bibby and more than held his own against some of the NBA’s elite PG’s, especially on DEF, as soon as Bibby returned, Woodson anchored him to the bench and never included him or his DEF in the regular rotation. No player that poses a threat to replacing Bibby has ever been given a chance to do so by Woodson.
So, until we get rid of MBibby or Woodson, we can forget about seeing how much better this team can be with a PG that can use speed, quickness and penetrating ability to attack a DEF, as well as play DEF.
The lack of appreciation for the committment to improving his overall gm, and the way he’s performed in limited opportunities, shows Woodson either doesn’t care about, or doesn’t understand, the value of what RMorris can do for the team during those times when our OFF goes south. I’m certain everyone, including the WOODY LOVERS, remember his statement about rewarding those players who take advantage of whatever opportunities that are presented to them. Well, if that statement was more than just lip service, or typical Woody BS, RMorris definitely qualifies for more mins and consideration. SO, WHY HASN’T HE RECEIVED ANY?
When a HC limits the chances, opportunities and/or mins of his players, especially bench players, he limits the overall ability of the entire team. It was said recently that Woodson definitely played little DEF when he was in college or the pros. He was known primarily as a profilic jumpshooter, and not much else. That’s why I don’t think he ever started in the pros. But as a HC, he’s suddenly considered to be a DEF minded HC, even though he stubbornly insists on starting and protecting a slow, none penetrating, one dimensional PG that plays NO DEF. Then he blames the teams DEF failures on everyone but himself and his PG.
THE HAWKS AREN’T GOING TO GET MORE CONSISTENT, OR MUCH BETTER, WITH THIS KIND OF COACHING ATTITUDE, PHILOSOPHY AND/OR APPROACH, AND/OR UNLESS WE GET A WILLINGNESS TO EMPLOY MORE STRATEGY, INNOVATION, ADJUSTMENTS AND COMMITTMENT TO UTILIZING ALL OF OUR POTENTIAL ASSETS FROM OUR HC.
GeeMack
January 15th, 2010
9:42 am
Hawks fans
I hope everyone recognize the Hawks are only 3.5 game out of 1st place in the east. We should be shooing for 1st place in the east to have home court advantage throughout. We have 2 games against Cle. in April. We have 2 more games against the Magic, and another game against Bos (hopefully KG is back for that one). These games are excellent oppurtunities to make up ground with half the season almost gone.
JeJe
January 15th, 2010
9:47 am
Ken Strickland,
What are your thoughts on Woodson’s comments from that article that he doesn’t “give a !@#$ about offense?”
JeJe
January 15th, 2010
9:48 am
Woodson did say he’d play Mario because he knows what he’s getting from Mario.
I’d think after Teague’s block and nice game the other night, he’d be rewarded, but I guess not.
WOODY ISN OG OODY
O'Brien
January 15th, 2010
10:06 am
Ken,
I dont think Woody is afraid of playing Teague for the reason you mentioned (not wanting to show up Bibby). I just think based on Woody’s (lack thereof) offensive system, he puts more emphasis on being able to consistently make a jump shot (therefore ignoring the other talents that Teague brings to the table).
The ironic thing is he is supposed to be a defensive minded HC, but yet he doesnt give Teague the PT when Teague is a better defender than Bibby, especially against quick PGs.
I would be surprised if Teague gets much PT tonight. Woody’s reasoning will be that its going to be a high scoring game, so we will need Bibby’s jump shooting.
Fundamentals
January 15th, 2010
10:12 am
Everyone knows Woodson’s focus is on Defense. We all know he’s going to play veterans regardless of potential on the bench.
He plays Mario because he knows he’s going to get someone playing D and rebounding with reckless abandon. Alot of folks have been bashing Rio, but I still say you can’t discount the fact that h is energy helped spark the team and the 2nd unit took over in Washington.
Teague looked great against the Wizards. I’m loving his composure under pressure. He seems to be more selective with his shots and he’s not turning the ball over. No one can really question his D, as he’s proven to be as effective as any guard we have, plus he’s proven to be an excellent help defender. He needs a shot, but won’t get it.
Hopefully Bibby & Teague will split minutes 50/50 next season with the trend moving towards Teague as the starter. Hopefully Teague can develop a better jumper. I think alot of his scoring is confidence related and not technique. Right now he’s our future as is Randmo for our big.
We don’t have any real potential to draft and we’re stuck without alot of $$ to sign free agents. We’ve got a great core. We’ve just gotta get the most out of them. Can Woodson do that – YES! Will Woodson do that? We all have our ideas on that one.
Mike is Back
January 15th, 2010
10:32 am
KenStrick and Samuel, Ditto on Haiti and Ditto on Pat Robertson, amidst this terrible tragedy…HELP IS FINALLY ON THE WAY. Amidst the darkest clouds…THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE. Hope for a better tomorrow…that is what I hope for the people affected by this catastrophe. I enjoyed reading the history and background information. It was enlightening.
KevinA
January 15th, 2010
11:16 am
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/1/15/1252555/look-whos-coming-to-dinner-the
A little love for the Hawks
Sautee
January 15th, 2010
2:34 pm
new blog up
Carl
January 15th, 2010
10:47 pm
This thug Josh Smith blows the game
Carl
January 15th, 2010
10:49 pm
Josh Smith probably keeps guns in his locker.