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
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:29 pm
why do these weak teams look like world champs against us?
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:29 pm
Does this team now how to play defense???????????? And now another turnover
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
House with a layup. no D
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
smh hawks cant beat the knicks
terrell
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
Same ole speech after the game.
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
The Knicks have been spreading the floor and penetrating all game. Either that, or they set the pick at the top – force the switch – and attack the mismatch.
Melvin
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
Why woody just go sit in the lockerroom and let the team play by themselves..
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
Damn the hawks are making this team look like the celtics of the 80s
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:30 pm
did you guys check out that camera shot?? woodson is showin so much emotion, fire and energry…coacging up a storm
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:31 pm
Hawks just dont have heart and they suck on the road
terrell
March 8th, 2010
9:31 pm
Same ole dumb look on his face.
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:31 pm
dam Marvin you can’t just grab him with both hands and hold on.
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
mavin sorry ass ends up on his ass
Ree Roe
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
I’m tryin extremely hard not to say anything negative…Go Hawks
-fREE Roe!!!
AM
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
I bet Woodson plays 2k10 with the fatigue off!
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
Wasn’t Marvin supposed to be Al Harrington’s replacement LMAO
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
another NY layup.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
LMAO @ AM
buick59
March 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
Knicks are showing them to be the frauds, pretenders they are. All of those who apologized for their choke against Miami by saying the Heat had beaten the Lakers. Well guess who just beat the Knicks…The Nets.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
down on the road….your team is looking horrible….and all woodson can do is sit down with his hand on his chin???
Woodson took this timeout to tell the team he aint trippin on it. we’ll get em another day…and to let them know that all the drinks are on him tonight at the strip club after the game.
terrell
March 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
50 wins my a..!
Simpdawg
March 8th, 2010
9:34 pm
Mike Woodson has lost this team. The Hawks needs to fire Mike Woodson and really consider hiring Jeff Van Gundy.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:34 pm
Josh is the only guy who’s shoiwng heart.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:35 pm
They just figured out that it’s an advantage to go inside??? man, people who think woodson is a good coach are dumb as h3ll.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:36 pm
lol@Rathbun was like “pre-tty simple!!”
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:37 pm
I find it hard to accept that these guys can make Million$$ and yet can take so many plays off during a game. where is the pride and work ethic in todays player$$?
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:37 pm
This looks like the run and shoot…………..Who’s up NEXT? Did the FAT LAdy START WARMING UP?
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:37 pm
My personal analysis:
The Hawks defense has looked horrible tonight. There might be many factors playing into their poor play. But, from what I’ve seen, the penetration is killing us. They’re basically spreading the floor which leaves guys like Al and Josh in tough spots. Al and Josh have been forced to make snap-decisions all night long – should they rotate and help against penetration or stay with their guys? They’ve done both throughout the course of this game, and we’ve gotten beat regardless of what they’ve done. When they come to help, we’re leaving guys like Gallinari wide open, and he’s killed us. If they don’t help, you see guys like Eddie House taking it right past our guards for uncontested layups.
To those blaming Horford’s inability to defend the paint, please start with our gaurds. They can’t stay in front of anybody, and you’ve seen that tonight. The Knicks haven’t done anything special, they’ve just exploited the Hawks greatest weakness – our gaurds defensive abilities. Both Crawford and Bibby have been beat multiple times tonight for layups. You can’t expect the team to play solid TEAM DEFENSE if your guards can’t stay in front of anybody. To blame Smith or Horford for this is foolish.
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:37 pm
whoever Lee is guarding gets the ball
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:38 pm
Bibby = playmaker
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:38 pm
WTF is Sorry azz Bibby doin.
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
game over
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
HAwks are so dumb
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
tHAT’S THE WAY TO GO BIBBY? THROW DA BALL TO NO ONE……………….ANOTHER TURN OVER.
vava74
March 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
Way to go floor general!
rob
March 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
This Hawks/Knicks game is the most aggravating thing I’ve ever seen. Joe is having another late-season meltdown where he heaves up pathetic jumpshots with 15 seconds left on the clock; Horford can’t catch the ball; none of our guards play D; our “coach” doesn’t actually coach, which is made clear by the fact that we dominate in the paint in the first half, and then don’t even make attempts to go inside in the second half until we’re down by 11 points. We don’t play D at all. The f’in Knicks can just camp at the 3 point line and drain open shots. This is a team that went 3-34 from behind the line in their past few games. PATHETIC.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:40 pm
TURN OUT DA LIGHTS………………………..
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:40 pm
LOL Bob sounded mad when he said they are 10 of 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:40 pm
Rob, co-sign.
NBA (National Betting Association)
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
NO SHOCKER HERE
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
Josh Smith really is carrying the team
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
JJ was pretty open. Crawford could’ve lobbed it up to JJ and he could’ve had an easy layup.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
JOSH GOT TO IM PROVE HIS FREE THROW SHOOTING.
O'Brien
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
Hawks 3-15 from 3, while Knicks are 10-14. I feel like I’m watching GT play.
And Bibby is horrible. Why did we resign him again? I thought we should have gone after Jarrett Jack, who is cheaper, younger, and plays better defense. Oh I get it, he is not the shooter that Bibby is. How is that working out for us so far?
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
9:41 pm
finally Woodson realizes you cant play Bibby and Jamal…
Venom
March 8th, 2010
9:42 pm
Josh is the only person worth a damn on this team
LOL
March 8th, 2010
9:42 pm
this is a pathetic display, this Hawks squad has way too much talent to be always getting pushed around by these league bottom feeders, been tryin to give Woodson the benefit of the doubt but i feel he has taken this team as far as he can, maybe its time we did bring in someone else to take us to the next level.
NBA (National Betting Association)
March 8th, 2010
9:42 pm
Knicks gonna make me rich tonight
joBjo
March 8th, 2010
9:43 pm
ok Hawks, it’s winning time.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
9:43 pm
The Hawks have to win, how can you lose to a team that has the guy on the Pringles can for a head coach??