Atlanta Hawks at Knicks, AKA Trapped In A Zone
Super commenters Najeh Davenpoop and O’Brien voiced their concerns about the Hawks vs. zone looks after the Heat used one to stymie the Hawks late in the game Saturday. The Mavericks did the same thing to come back and win on Feb. 26, and you’ve got to think the Knicks will show some zone tonight. Why wouldn’t they? The Hawks tend to seize up and waste possessions when they see it.
There’s even less player movement than normal, there are pointless passes around the perimeter and there are rushed shots. Woody has said most opponents back off the zone once the Hawks shoot them out of it. But what about those games like the two recent losses where they don’t shoot them out of it? Then it’s another “We missed good shots” lament after a defeat.
Clearly the Hawks have to figure out something else. So what exactly is the plan vs. a zone? “Good ball movement, attack the defense and penetrate and dish,” J.J. said after the loss to the Mavs. Sounds good. Now maybe the Hawks should try doing it.
– The New York Post says J.J. is “on display” tonight. The story notes J.J.’s good relationship with coach Mike D’Antoni and agent Arn Tellem’s good relationship with Knicks boss Donnie Walsh and speculates that Johnson could end up in New York. New York media desperate for the Knicks to be relevant again clearly covet LeBron–notice how the stories are about LeBron even when they aren’t–but now they seem to be focusing on J.J. as a consolation prize.
– D’Antoni wants to “speed up” the game by possibly giving Toney Douglas more minutes at point guard. Or maybe it will be Sergio Rodriguez. Either way, I don’t have to tell you that “quick point guard pushing the pace” isn’t something the Hawks really want to see.
– T-Mac is questionable because he’s feeling old.
– All Hawks players were at shootaround today and are good to go, reports FSN South/SportSouth Hawks sideline reporter James Verrett. I’m not with the team but will blog off television.
– Talk amongst yourselves, Hawks fans.
MC
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493 comments Add your comment
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
10:38 pm
woodson DOES NOT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. LOOK AT GAME 2 OF THE MIAMI SERIES. WE DESTROY THEM RD 1, AND THEN WE GET KILLED IN GAME 2 AT HOME. WE HAD 3 DAYS OFF.
THAT’S OUR HEAD COACH
HE DOES NOT USE OUR BENCH IN CLOSE GAMES, OR PERIOD
GOD DAMNIT
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
10:41 pm
The Hawks have had one good game since the break (@Utah). I’m thinking the Bucks show them the door in the first round.
I’m done defending Joe Johnson, too. If the Knicks want him, take him. He can’t hit a big shot to save his life. No way he is worth the money it would take to resign him. No way!
I can’t rip them enough for their crap play. No defense, no clutch shooting, and a coach who won’t be here next year. The reason he won’t be here? They are losing in the first round. Immature team who thinks it is better than it really is. The Hawks are done. They’re finished. Put a fork in them. Total frauds.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
10:41 pm
YEA I HOPE THEY DO READ IT,,,,,,HEY BIBBY, DO US ALL A FAVOR AND RETIRE NEXT YEAR BUM YOU ARE LIKE AN OLD GUY @ THE YMCA, HAVE 1 GAME EVEY YEAR WHERE U GET LUCKY N HIT SOME THREES
Dominique a nique a nique
March 8th, 2010
10:42 pm
Your Text, Dialectized (jive)
We gots edged by an down and comin’ team tonight. Man! De Hawks need t’get da damn ball in IsoJoe’s hands mo’e, plum likes dem old days when ah’ wuz strokin 30+ shots some game. It ain’t how many ya’ make dat matters, it’s how many shots ya’ snatch — and Iso Joe ain’t snatchn near nuff.
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
10:51 pm
Really, how much better is this team than last year? They still don’t ever win on the road. They still blow games left and right. I think the real Hawks are standing up. At least we know now that this team is a fraud. Get the venting over with now. No need to get all worked up about the playoffs. This team is not going to be around long.
If it were possible to etch it in stone on a message board, I would. Hawks will lose in the first round. I don’t care if it is Raptors or Bucks. Hawks will lose. Team just not as good as I thought. Congrats, Hawks, you had me fooled.
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:52 pm
I think Woodson has to make changes to save his job. A real coach will make a tough decision a bench his struggling point guard. Looking at the numbers, the Hawks are 13-4 when Marvin takes at least 10 shots! If this team is to be successful, Marvin has to play a bigger role.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 8th, 2010
10:52 pm
“Mike Woodson, Bibby and Marvin have some “DL” Brotha stuff goin on. How else can you explain Woodson’s unconditional love with playing these losers???”
LMAO hilarious
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
10:53 pm
IF WE PLAY TORONTO WE ARE GURENTEED TO GET SMIIIZAAAACKKKKKKKKKKKKED
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
10:56 pm
I’m taking a couple of weeks off from this team…starting to drive me nuts. Sold my seats for the Piston and Bobcat game. Going to Indy for Big Ten Tournament (Go Spartans!). Then, watching the Big Dance.
If anyone wants my seats to the Spurs game, let me know. I need some time away from the Hawks and I’m taking it. This team can go F itself for all I care.
kwooden1
March 8th, 2010
10:57 pm
With everything we’ve said the HAWKS were 3-17 from 3, that’s where the game was lost!!
GO HAWKS!!
Hawkz4life
March 8th, 2010
10:58 pm
lol i play for the spartans
vava74
March 8th, 2010
11:02 pm
Marvin had no role in our loss. He played defense, boxed put and hustled.
His shot was off but he had no responsibility on the loss. As soon a he got in for Bibby in the 4th we improved our game to the point of being point blank from a win.
Woody has maxed out his ability and is Noe riding the backs of the players.
We have a good and solid group which is not correctly aligned. There is no logic or consistency in our rotations.
Why bring Bibby back when we were being abused by NY’s back court?
And the switching defense? Does it take a lot of brain to realize that when a team is hot from 3 point land and has quick guards we cannot rely on the switching defense? F**K!!! Any retarded can see that we are constantly getting torched from 3 point land on account of the switching d.
Anyone remotely talented from outside has a chance for a career day against us and when we face guys that are known to be dangerous from the outside we are bound to be torched:
practically all the Magic perimeter players had multiple treys against us, JR Smith drilled 6 or 7, Curry ditto two times, CJ Watson and Ellis also had a few, Galinari had an almost career night, Kidd drilled at will, Jeff Green hurt us as well from the outside along with Durant, Harrington scored 28 points during a first half, Decquan Cook had a field day, Nate exploded in and out, Varejao(!) scored from 3 point land, Rudy in Atlanta almost gave the win to Portland with a series of uncontested treys, Peja looked young and healthy again … From scrubs to stars, almost everyone has a field day against us…
YOU SIMPLY CANNOT USE THE SWITCHING DEFENSE ALL THE TIME AND IN PARTICULAR WHEN THE OPPOSING TEAM IS STARTING TO GET HOT FROM THE OUTSIDE.
YOU NEED TO MIX IT UP.
I will not even dwell too much on the offense. I think Woody is not using JJ properly and is undermining his skills. It’s his task to spare him for the last minutes and reserve both the energy and the random design of the ISO for the last minutes instead of featuring it from the tip off.
By the time that we need JJ to bail us out (or try to) he is tired and the defense is already perfectly addapted to his play. It gets less effective as the minutes pass for both reasons.
Just think about it: even a fairly average defender (individually) or defense (collectively) starts to pick up signs and moves along the game and adapt to JJ’s game.
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
11:04 pm
Hawkz4life, you serious? If so, betting I know who you are.
Hawkz4life
March 8th, 2010
11:07 pm
yea but its not that hard to figure who i am, im always on here lol
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
11:07 pm
WHY IS JAMAL BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNSELFISH? HE PASSES TOO MUCH
AND SMOOVE PASSES TOO MUCH. HALF HIS PASSES ARE JUST BRAINDEAD PASSES. EMBARRASSING
Hawkz4life
March 8th, 2010
11:09 pm
because he reads the blog and so many haters were talking about his shot selection recently
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
11:10 pm
Hawks4life, if you are who you say you are, than congrats on yesterday! Proud of you guys. You probably know by now how important it is to beat on UofM.
Saw you play a couple of times in high school. You even came up and spoke with my wife and myself after a game at Central Gwinnett.
Anyways, looking forward to the weekend. Good luck!
just a thought
March 8th, 2010
11:15 pm
I have come to the conclusion that when a person has a dislike for another person or a situation, they will find a way to throw blame their way. However, a Joe Johnson missed free throw is not the reason the Hawks lost this game. And obviously he couldn’t have hogged the ball too much because Jamal, Josh, and Al each had more field goal attempts than Joe in the fourth quarter. Al added two turnovers and Josh added some horrendous jump shots. Don’t get me wrong…I’m not defending Joe because he has his terrible moments as well. It just seems he gets crucified on this board regardless of what’s going on. Is it is possible that the loss could be attributed to Jamal’s poor shot selection and shooting? Or the Knicks scoring 40 points off of Bibby’s defense? Or Marvin being no where to be found as usual? Or Woody not making the necessary adjustments on defense? I’m just saying…….there’s a lot of blame to go around.
Hawkz4life
March 8th, 2010
11:15 pm
thanks man, i probably did talk to you @ the central game, was it the game we lost by 2? i kno this year theyre a game or two up on the creek
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
11:17 pm
No, you guys won. You put on quite a show…thinking you may have scored high 30’s or low 40’s? Was a good game. Your senior year.
Geemack
March 8th, 2010
11:19 pm
Another loss to the Knicks? You gotta be kidding me? These guy play with no passion at all. You guys can holler fire Woody until you’re blue in the face at some point the player have to execute the game plan.
Playing great defense is about heart, hustle, & effort and I don’t see that from the Hawks on a consistent basis.
AG
March 8th, 2010
11:23 pm
vava74 makes a great point. Everyone we play against somebody has a career night. How can you let LJ go for 48 on HIS birthday? JR Smith, Nate Robinson, D. Wade etc… all almost going for 40. The defense is horrible. I did not blame Marvin, but when he is aggressive, the Hawks win.
Hawkz4life
March 8th, 2010
11:25 pm
oh ok, lol yea i liked playin vs central they got me going, but yea im on here everyone in a while so check me out LETS GO SPARTANS check us out on friday, AND LETS GO HAWKS
Rod from College Park
March 8th, 2010
11:27 pm
vava74,
“Marvin had no role in our loss. He played defense, boxed put and hustled.
His shot was off but he had no responsibility on the loss. As soon a he got in for Bibby in the 4th we improved our game to the point of being point blank from a win.”
Seriously dude you need to stop defending this guy. He brings absolutely nothing to our team. He rebounds only because Al and Josh do all the dirty work. I saw this guy get boxed out by Sergio Rodriguez under the goal. He misses wide open shot after wide open shot. He can’t defend anyone. TEAMS DON’T GUARD HIM. I saw the Knicks check him with Eddie House. Al Harrington looked at the guy, took him straight to the hole and put him on his a%*. I have never, in all my basketball years, seen a 6′9 guy end up on the ground more than Marvin. He truly is one of the worst starting small forwards in the league. WONDER WHERE ALL THE MARVIN”S BACK guys are. I told you, I have seen this movie before.
Section 303
March 8th, 2010
11:28 pm
I’ll be there, man! Go GREEN!!
AG
March 8th, 2010
11:31 pm
I noticed teams are treating Marvin as Mr. Irrelevant. He is being guarded by the opposing team’s guard, and usually a forward is checking Joe. I know against Chicago Hinrich checked him and in the Miami game he was guarded by guards.
Grandad
March 8th, 2010
11:53 pm
There’s nothing left to be said concerning the Hawks.
However, I’m with ‘Section 303′, it’s time for “March Madness” anyway.
Good luck in the tourney ‘Hawkz4life’!
You’ve got an ex-teammate up in the great northwest don’t you?
Lp
March 9th, 2010
12:15 am
the reason why the hawks can’t win is pretty simple, they rarely put pressure on the defense. I love joe’s game and ability to make jumpers but I could guard him 98% of the time. joe is gonna dribble to the middle cross cross pull up if he or someone on this’d
JeJe
March 9th, 2010
12:16 am
“”We’re just not matched up well with the Knicks for some reason,”
He says “for some reason.”
U HAVE THE PERSONNEL. U ARE A WORTHLESS COACH.
RESIGN.
BIBBY AND MARVIN: RETIRE AND GIVE YOUR MONEY BACK, YOU CROOKS
Lp
March 9th, 2010
12:16 am
the reason why the hawks can’t win is pretty simple, they rarely put pressure on the defense. I love joe’s game and ability to make jumpers but I could guard him 98% of the time. joe is gonna dribble to the middle cross cross pull up if he or someone on this team could consistently get to the basket we would be dangerous because we would be able to draw fouls something we can’t consistently do
JeJe
March 9th, 2010
12:22 am
BIBBY IS WORST DEFENDER IN NBA
I AM NOT EXAGGERATING
WORST DEFENDER IN THE NBA. EVERYONE KNOWS IT. THE MAGIC ANNOUCNERS KNOW IT, DIMESMACK KNOWS IT, WE KNOW IT. HE IS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. HE IS OVERWEIGHT, OLD, DOES NOTHING ON OFFENSE BESIDES SHOOT AWKWARD CONTESTED SHOTS. HE COMMITS RETARDED DOUBLE TEAMS, LEAVING DEADLY SHOOTERS OPEN
2 MORE YEARS OF THIS OLDASS HASBEEN, AND 4 MORE YEARS OF MARVIN WILLIAMS. LMAO DUDE HAS A PLAYER OPTION ON HIS 5TH YEAR. DIDN’T EVEN GET 1 CONTRACT OFFER FROM ANYONE BESIDES HAWKS
Dante Fitzgerald
March 9th, 2010
1:01 am
SMH!
jj
March 9th, 2010
1:48 am
It is a darnh shame that this season is going downhill because MANAGEMENT is too cheap or blind to realize that this TEAM need a change.They are cheating not only the fans,but the Players also.When you send your troops into battle,they should have a Leader that they can count on to be wise,alert,innovative,knowledgeble,and knows WTH they are doing.Woody has served as well as he can,but please MR.SUND,do something.BK was a visionary and THE GROUP flushed him for seeing what’s happening now.Woody must go or this Franchise will suffer a terrible fate.We,The Fans deserve better and so do The Players.
ken
March 9th, 2010
6:54 am
I hate to be repetitive but can someone please explain to me why Bibby continues to have games with 1 pt & 1 ast in 22 min and that’s acceptable to coach Woodson. Please explain to me why MW continues to dissapear in games. Why Woodson flat refuses to rest his starters and trust his bench . I’m tempted to quit watching this team and just resign myself to the fact that this is at best a slightly above average team who will struggle with whoever they play in the first round of the playoffs. It is what it is.
ken
March 9th, 2010
7:03 am
Up until last night I kept holding out hope that the Hawks would turn the corner and reach the level of Cleveland , Boston, and Orlando and put up a ckhallenge in the East. Now I must face reality. THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE.
Mr. Phil
March 9th, 2010
7:54 am
All of the problems with this team start and end with Joe Johnson. He is a horrible leader and worthless when it counts. Everyone gets blinded by his 20 point a game average. But if you are at or watching the games, you can see the poor decision making, missed fourth quarter shots, and lack of communication from this pretend All-star. Joe Johnson stole the spot Josh Smith should have had at the all-star game. And I will bet anyhing Marvin Williams would be a far better player if he did not have to be attached to the sinking iso-joe ship. This hurts to say folks, but this time will never make progress with Joe Johnson as its leader. We should have traded that pathetic bum. I have had it and will not be renewing my season tickets or ever watching another Hawks game until this pretender is booted outta here.
joBjo
March 9th, 2010
8:09 am
there is no f’n way the Hawks are going to pass the Magic. So play the dam bench Woody so the starters can be fresh for the playoffs.
joBjo
March 9th, 2010
8:48 am
and to develop some reserves.
joBjo
March 9th, 2010
8:50 am
it appears that Bib and Marv took the summer off after signing the new FAT contracts. I hope they can pull it together by the playoffs. if so, all will be forgiven. lol
joBjo
March 9th, 2010
8:51 am
add Z to that list of FAT summer time party boys.
Blue Kid
March 9th, 2010
9:59 am
I am so frustrated with this team. No heart!!! ….. No pride!!! ……… The Spirit Group did not renew Woody’s contract because they first wanted to see how the team did this season (plus they’re cheap and did not want to eat the remainder of his contract). I think it’s safe to say that after the Hawks get bounced in the first round (and they will) , Woody will not be back. Joe will end up signing elsewhere (not necessarily a bad thing), and the Spirit Group will go on the cheap with a new head coach.
If they do go in a new direction, my vote is for Mark Jackson. He has an extremely high basketball IQ, is a former star player who understands how to motivate and push guys hard (being a former floor general/point guard), and he won’t command a huge paycheck until proven …. In the meantime, more frustrating Hawks basketball.
Rufus1
March 9th, 2010
10:27 am
Coach or The Players
Is it the coach or the players? Do we have 55 or 60 win talent…or 45-50 win talent?
I think it is the coach..this is Woodson’s 6th year and he still cannot make in game adjustments, has not developed a bench or a PG and still has no OFFENSE BLUE PRINT!!!! HOW CAN YOUR PLAYERS DEVELOP OFFENSIVELY, WHEN YOU HAVE NO OFFENSIVE IDENTITY!!!
PS. COACH……THE OFFENSE WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF ITSELF!!!
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