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
Venom
March 8th, 2010
8:35 pm
bad defense
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
8:36 pm
who is Mo gonna guard??
Jody
March 8th, 2010
8:37 pm
Great pass by Josh; Marvin just couldn’t knock it down.
Blast
March 8th, 2010
8:37 pm
Joe costs us so many turnovers trying to do too much… Like taking on 3-4 defenders by himself.
Marvin has to hit those open jumpers, man!
vava74
March 8th, 2010
8:38 pm
Marvin’s shot look awful. He his hanging far too long in the air and releases going down…
Venom
March 8th, 2010
8:39 pm
Blast that is exactly why I wanna see what the team would be like without joe dominating the ball.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
8:39 pm
Young guards will never blossom under “Woddy” coaching.
Rod from College Park
March 8th, 2010
8:41 pm
All you stat guys please look this up. I think that Marvin Williams has missed the most uncontested shots in the league this year.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
8:42 pm
Has Marvin put together three or four good games back to back this season?
vava74
March 8th, 2010
8:48 pm
It’s a mental thing. No one, absolutely no one voluntarily releases why coming down.
He has some sort of mental block and he can’t shake it off…
vava74
March 8th, 2010
8:49 pm
While
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
8:56 pm
Hawks big men can have big nimbers. says Nique.
AM
March 8th, 2010
8:57 pm
Uggggg…..I need a break from the Hawks. My bloodpressure is rising!
northcyde
March 8th, 2010
8:58 pm
(( clapping @ the bench ))
For once, they didn’t get outplayed by the opponent’s bench. They held the fort and were able to play 5 – 7 minutes
(( clapping ))
That’s all the need to do. Hold the fort on a game by game basis.
As for the game, Smith and Horford are taking advantage of the lack of bulk on the NY frontline. Nice to see them active. If we can contain Larry Bird ( Gallanari ), and not let some other fool go off in the 2nd half, we should be able to pull away.
Blast
March 8th, 2010
8:58 pm
Come on, Hawks!
Take Bibby and Marvin out!
vava74
March 8th, 2010
8:58 pm
Maaaan! Get Bibby out of the game for goodness sakes!
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
8:59 pm
Bibby never give the ball to the bigs on a fast break unless that player is closer to the basket and doesn’t have to put the ball on the floor. 7 y/o know better that that. That WAS STUPID!!!!!!!
vava74
March 8th, 2010
9:00 pm
Marvin is giving some D and boxing out. Bibby is giving us zero.
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:00 pm
Before anybody decides to criticize Horford for his inability to protect the rim, please note where AL is being drawn out to on every defensive possession.
The Knicks are coming straight down and switching Al for JJ, which leaves Horford at the top of the key and JJ on David Lee.
AM
March 8th, 2010
9:00 pm
Could someone ask Woodson why he refuses to use his bench? Honestly….I am so sincere about this. No tongue in cheek…just please MC….ask Woodson why he doesn’t utilize his bench more. Our starters are going to be drained before the playoffs and he doesn’t seem to care.
sam'l
March 8th, 2010
9:01 pm
For whoever says they can’t get WQXI at night north of the city, you’re in luck. Unlike most NBA stations, the ZONE broadcast the games over their Internet site And NBA.com takes their audio feed every game as well. Now, the bad news…listening to Steve Holman can cause permanent brain damage. At least he doesn’t wear women’s clothes and bite people …….
Now, the serious stuff….how many times have opposing teams been stymied by the Hawks defense only to throw up a desperation shot at the buzzer and have it go in?. It happens a lot! Actually, it’s beginning to defy the laws of chance……..,
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:01 pm
time to watch tna vs wwe
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:01 pm
The Knicks are just spreading the floor and they are blowing past our gaurds.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:02 pm
There is no one that can defend Woody’s horrendous coaching
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:02 pm
Joe better pick it up in his interview with the Knicks.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:02 pm
Why is BIBBY ON THIS DAMN TEAM??????
AM
March 8th, 2010
9:03 pm
Rodriquez is punking Bibby and Woodson leaves him in. I think Mike W has a crush on Mike B.
Melvin
March 8th, 2010
9:04 pm
Josh can’t buy a basket in the 2nd half…
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:04 pm
hawks will lose anyways…no heart
Melvin
March 8th, 2010
9:05 pm
Why do we continue to switch Horford on Gallinari….
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:05 pm
bibby is a fucccccccccccccccccccccccin bummmmmmmmmmm
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:06 pm
Josh nimbers good second half of the season.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:06 pm
last time it was nate this time galinari. are u serious
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:07 pm
Man this is sad
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
Marvin took that seqence off 5:15. tip out he didn’t get from Al. no D or rebound at the other end. why run down there early if you’re not gonna play.
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
get a PG in the game!
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
Marvin stood there and watch Da Knicks get the rebound and put it back in……………WTF?
Rod from College Park
March 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
Marvin does not even hustle back on D. He lets Sergio Rodriguez box him out.
northcyde
March 8th, 2010
9:09 pm
And like I said. This whole “play the bench” cry from the fans, isn’t about playing the bench at all. It’s about playing Teague.
Mo Evans did a good job in the 1st half, yet, not one post about his decent play in that first half.
This is all about playing Teague. If Teague doesn’t play in the 2nd half, yet we win the game, all the talk will be about why Teague didn’t get in . . not about why Woody didn’t play his bench more.
LOL . . . if a person simply read the bog, and not saw or followed the game, they’d think the Hawks were down 15 at halftime.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:09 pm
The hawks can’t be serious. The knicks are tougher than the hawks
Melvin
March 8th, 2010
9:10 pm
Woody how about sub for Horford and Josh. They are sucking wind…
AM
March 8th, 2010
9:10 pm
This is all about coaching! I’m sick of seeing the league’s worst teams playing us so close. Woodson’s strategy is so predictable….no wonder we have not extended him. Sund is smart not to reup….he’ll go after Joe J. and get us a new coach so we can really contend. We have the 6th man of the year….3 legit all-star starters….and a young PG with potential. Name more than 5 franchises with that lineup? It’s all Woodson and Sund knows that!
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:10 pm
You’ve got to WANT DA BALL TO BE AN OUTSTANDING REBOUNDER………………….some of the HAWKS just stand flat footed and watch………………………..Where are the heart of this TEAM????
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:11 pm
LMAO zaza sucks
d.carter
March 8th, 2010
9:11 pm
The Hawks are soft
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:12 pm
Nique said foot on the line. Crawford was like 4 feet in front of the line LOL
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
9:13 pm
The Hawks cannot beat the Spurs, Cavs, Magic, or any horrendous team that plays fast-break basketball.
What A Joke.
d.carter
March 8th, 2010
9:14 pm
wOODY DOESNT HAVE A CLUE!!! Joe is a jumpshooter take the most shots on the team but rarely ever gets to the line
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:14 pm
Craw got big foots. Venon. lol
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:14 pm
Rod from College Park
March 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
Marvin does not even hustle back on D. He lets Sergio Rodriguez box him out.
………………..
lmao