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
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
10:13 pm
why do you place your players in mismatches that the opposing head coach doesnt even create?
why did you not, by design, create opportunities for your players to get the ball in the low post?
why didnt you show an ability to manage your team and call the TO?
Venom
March 8th, 2010
10:13 pm
I wonder how teague is feeling. He probably wishes that he wasn’t drafted by the Hawks.
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
10:14 pm
Joe trying 2 show for them new york fans and lost them the game by ball hoggin/missin a free throw
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:14 pm
Dan…I like your timeout suggestion. But Woodson could only handle one part of that…the timeout. I’m sure the drawing up a play part would be a no-go for him.
Kitis
March 8th, 2010
10:14 pm
It wasn’t match-up problems that killed us tonight, Woody. They did take advantage of switches on Gallinari, and we had defensive mix-ups that gave them easy buckets. We had a HUGE advantage with Lee being in foul trouble, and it took us getting down by 11 to actually exploit or offensive advantage in the post.
Woody’s lack of in-game adjustments is what kills us in close games like these.
I wonder if Rathbun would take the kind of contract the ASG would offer him to coach this team, because he always knows what’s ailing us.
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
10:15 pm
i have no problem with Mike Woodson, the man, the person… i wish him well and would love him to lead the Hawks to glory…
but seriously he is FLAAAAAAAAAWED!!!!!
clinton,nj
March 8th, 2010
10:16 pm
So does Crawford step right into JJ’s role next year?
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
10:16 pm
LOLOLOLOL
AMEN TERRELL. WE HAVE THESE 2 WORTHLESS STIFF OVERWEIGHT/AWKWARD (ONE IS ONE, ONE IS THE OTHER) PIECES OF GARBAGE FOR 6 MORE YEARS AND $40M+. AND YOU IDIOTS THOUGHT THEY WERE GOOD SIGNINGS LAST YEAR LMAO
WOODSON SAYS “WE STILL HAVENT FIGURED OUT ORLANDO….” UM WHEN ARE U PLANNING ON FIGURING THEM OUT?
JESUS
WE HAVE THE WORST COACH, STARTING PG, AND STARTING SF IN THE NBA.
WE LOST TO A TEAM THAT STARTED SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, BILL WALKER (SOME 12TH MAN SCRUB WHO PLAYED ABOUT 30 SECONDS TOTAL IN BOSTON), WILSON CHANDLER (LOL), AND DAVID LEE, WHO IS LIKE 6″8. GOOD JOB WOODSON. OF COURSE WE DONT MATCH UP WELL. UR DUMB POTATOHEAD ASS DOESNT USE THE RIGHT PERSONNEL. U THINK OUR STARTING 5+CRAW IS THE IDEAL MATCHUP IN ANY GAME.
WHY DO I SAY THIS SAME !#@$ AFTER EVERY LOSS? IS ANYONE EVER GONNA LISTEN TO ME? WOODSON DOES NOT USE THE BENCH IN CLOSE GAMES
THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAMN LOSS
WE HAVE LOST TWICE TO OKC, 3 TIMES TO MIAMI, 3 TIMES TO THE KNICKS, AND WE HAVE 2 ROAD GAMES VS. MILWAUKEE LEFT.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE DOMINIQUE, WHO THINKS CRAWFORD SHOOTING FROM THE FT LINE IS A 3 AND DOESN’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HORFORD AND AL HARRINGTON
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
10:16 pm
The Hawks had a better chance winning the game the way we played it out. Calling a timeout and letting Woody draw up a play would’ve led to one thing:
JJ dribbling out the clock to put up a tough jumper. We’re a much better team running than we are in the halfcourt. So I don’t doubt Woody’s decision to let Crawford and company run with it. But, seriously, everything that preceeded that I put on Woody. All of the defensive lapses paired with our inconsistent play on offense = Woody’s problems IMO.
Jose
March 8th, 2010
10:16 pm
Watch this!! Joe and somebody else will miss a few games soon. Too much mileage, Thanks to Woody. INCONSISTENT!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 8th, 2010
10:16 pm
I saw Woody’s postgame interview. He’s wrong again. He shouldn’t have called a timeout. The Hawks ran a better play without that timeout than they’ve run out of any of his timeouts all year. It actually got them a dunk, instead of a contested jumper, for crying out loud. Josh just blew the dunk. Period.
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
10:17 pm
gotta have a PG people!!! gotta have one to do anything down the stretch…
dub366
March 8th, 2010
10:17 pm
If woody Stay Here These young HAWKS will be burn out in 2 yrs
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:18 pm
I’m starting now…regardless of what happens the rest of the way. FIRE WOODSON!!!
Rick Sund
March 8th, 2010
10:18 pm
Guys, we are offering Joe a $100 million / 5 year contract next year. We feel he is the best free agent out there, and we ARE YOUNG AND HAVE POTENTIAL. Those are the key things.
I want to commend myself for signing Marvin and Bibby. They have been MARVelous for this team. Bibby is still as good as he was in 2002 on Sacramento, and Marvin went to UNC!
RandMo and Joe Smith and Collins are veterans in the lockerroom. We still believe Teague will be better than Tyreke and Stephen Curry.
Best,
Rick
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
10:19 pm
I have absolutely no problem with JT0 STARTING from here on out. I don’t care if he’s a rookie, because I don’t see the dropoff being as signficant as some of you. Seriously, what does Bibby offer us on nights like tonight?
1 point, 1 assist, and countless breakdowns on defense.
terrell
March 8th, 2010
10:19 pm
All we need is 48 wins and it’ll be considered an improvement over last year, according to the Woody lovers. I dont want to hear that mess this year. This team is still doing some of the same things it was doing 6 years ago. They improved in wins based on talent alone. Not coaching. Period! End of story!
Ken Strickland
March 8th, 2010
10:20 pm
It’s official people, HC MIKE WOODSON HAS NO BUSINESS COACHING THIS TEAM. JoSmith scores 8PTs, grabs 2RBs in 6:44mins and doesn’t leave the bench of the next 6 quarters. Teague played well for 5:47mins in the 1st qtr and doesn’t see the court again. Bibby plays 21:21mins and registers 1 pt, 1 assist and was successfully abused by the Knicks, as they took advantage of him and Woody’s beloved switching DEF.
THE ATLANTA HAWKS KEEP MAKING THE SAME STUPID MISTAKES, WHILE OFTEN LOSING, BECAUSE HC MIKE WOODSON KEEPS MAKING THE SAME STUPID MISTAKES. AS THE HC OF THIS TEAM AT THIS JUNCTURE, HE SIMPLY CAN’T GET PAST HIMSELF AND/OR OUT OF HIS OWN WAY WHEN IT COMES TO COACHING STRATEGY, MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AND EFFECTIVELY UTILIZING HIS BENCH.
clinton,nj
March 8th, 2010
10:20 pm
Your right Venom, that kid wishes someone else drafted him im sure
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:20 pm
Good point Wabe. What do we have to lose besides bad defense?
FIRE WOODSON!
Wabe
March 8th, 2010
10:21 pm
Would the dropoff be that significant? Seriously?
As of right now, JT0 > Mike Bibby.
Better defensively, and a better fit for our running and gunning ways. He might not have the jumpshot Bibby does, but more often than not this season, Bibby’s been a non-factor.
bigdave
March 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
Ken Strickland…
absolutely.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
So after you’ve played a team 4 games, a head coach still doesnt know the reason his team is mismatched against another that has dominated them??? You just heard him admit it himself.
If you’ve played a team 4 games and all you have to say is “we just dont match up well against them FOR SOME REASON” (aka meaning he’s clueless) then how can you expect dude to COACH UP the Hawks for a playoff series or make in game adjustments???
Pete
March 8th, 2010
10:23 pm
The Hawks couldn’t be more “average” if they tried. They have the heart of a hampster. How could any team with an ounce of pride lose consistantly to a less than pathetic assortment of zeros also known as the Knicks ???
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:23 pm
I’ll trade the occasional 3pt from Bibby for the development of a true point guard. O…I forgot…we need an additional shooter out there so JJ can turn the ball over in an effort to pass it to him with 2 seconds left on the shot clock. Silly me.
clinton,nj
March 8th, 2010
10:23 pm
You tell em’ Ken!!
Pete
March 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
Will football season please get here ????
dub366
March 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
the owner don’t want to admit that Billy Knight was RIGHT to get rid of Woody.
Venom
March 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
Man if I was Teague I’d rather play for a DLeague Team than the hawks.
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
I agree with Woodson not calling a time out and the end of the game took a great play from NY. I now am leaning towards getting rid of Woodson. Kobe, King James, Wade, etc, usually start the 4th quarter on the bench and stay until the 8 or 7 min mark to finish strong. Joe sat all of 1 min??? Then he comes in the game missing jumpers!! Every coach from little league down knows to mix your reserves with your starters to be most effective
clinton,nj
March 8th, 2010
10:26 pm
How could anyone knowing anything about basketball think Woodson is a good coach???
Venom
March 8th, 2010
10:26 pm
Somebody send the Hawks to Oz so they can pick up a Heart, a Brain, and some Courage.
J.J.M.
March 8th, 2010
10:27 pm
im not even a huge braves fan but ill take some jason heyward right about now over the hawks
BILLY KNIGHT
March 8th, 2010
10:27 pm
ahaahahhahahaahahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
10:27 pm
Dan
That next play from Woody would have been JJ tricky dribbling between his legs and then fading with a no chance JUMPER……………………………HAWKS LOSE with JJ and will never challenge for the Eastern Conference Championship………………….Is Billy Knight still the GM??? Sund has he ever won a NBA Title as GM? Bringing back old man Bibby, who would be out of the league except FOR SUND giving him a Three Year Deal……………….bringing Back Marvin and ZAZA does not challenge the ELITE TEAMS in Da NBA. Sund need to be fired along with Woody………………..waive Old Man Bibby but we are stuck with ZaZa and Marvin. The team needs new ownership or Belkin as the sole owner. He was the one of this ownership group who have a vision on how to build a Championship NBA Team. I see why he objected to making Da Deal For Soft Play JJ. I PRAY JJ walks after this year………………he is not as GOOD as he Thinks he is!
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:27 pm
Tired players miss jumpshots and turn the ball over….those are facts!
FIRE WOODSON!
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
10:28 pm
HAWKS SUCK AND SO DO YOU FAIRWEATHER FANS THINKIN THE A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM, THE HAWKS GONNA LOSE IN THE 1ST ROUND @ THIS POINT
dub366
March 8th, 2010
10:29 pm
Let Larry Drew FINISH coaching the year out you’ll see a difference in the way the Hawks play.
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:29 pm
I do agree with Pete the Hawks have no heart bigger than a hamster! A true coach looks at trends and makes adjustments. Bring Bibby off the bench and let Teague start. To replace his 3 pt shot, start Mo.
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
10:30 pm
IT IS 3 ON 5 OUT THERE EVERY NIGHT.
MARVIN AND BIBBY ARE USELESS JOKES. BIBBY GAVE UP AT LEAST THREE 3′S ON HIS OWN ACCORD IN THE 4TH. ANYONE ELSE SEE HARRINGTON (NOT HORFORD, ACCORDING TO DOMINIQUE) SCORE ON MARVIN AND MARVIN END UP ON THE GROUND FOR NO REASON?
HOW THE HELL DO WE PAY 14 MILLION FOR THESE 2 SCRUBS? GIVE US AJ AND MATT FREIJE BACK. THESE GUYS ACTUALLY GAVE EFFORT
Taylor
March 8th, 2010
10:30 pm
I am so so so mad. Josh Smith 3 of 7 at the FT line? really???? I wish the season ended tomorrow so we oould fire woodson and be done with it.
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:31 pm
I don’t understand how the Knicks can LOSE
Ken Strickland
March 8th, 2010
10:32 pm
DAN-Smoove took a jumper in crunch time because he was likely to tired to do much else, because Woodson rode his back into the ground for over 43 mins rather than use JoSmith to give him more rest.
I’ve come to the conclusion that WOODY LOVERS aren’t defending him because they believe their own BS, but because they’re unwilling to admit they’ve been wrong about him all along.
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 8th, 2010
10:33 pm
THEY LOSE BECAUSE THEY SUCK IDIOT, THE HAWKS ARE NOT A REAL TEAM, REAL TEAMS DESTROY THE KNICKS
vava74
March 8th, 2010
10:33 pm
Woody played Josh 43 minutes (after a terrific showing by Joe S against MIA) and JJ 40 minutes after he struggled with some kind of flu…
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:34 pm
The Knicks LOST to the NETS and shot 0-18 from 3 point land and torch the Hawks 10-15!!!! As a coach you have to make adjustments. Also, he has to take Joe out when he is not hot. Joe hurt us again tonight. The way ZaZa plays, the Hawks need to pick up M. Moore or any big out there! Hell, I would rather have Kwame Brown that ZaZa
AM
March 8th, 2010
10:35 pm
I wonder what the players “really” think about Woodson….I bet they can’t stand his non-coaching butt!
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 8th, 2010
10:37 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???
kwooden1
March 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
The HAWKS don’t match-up well against teams that have PF that play on the perimeter. Our defense revolves around Smooth cleaning up double-teams on Bibby’s man, and shooting PF bring Smooth away from the basket. I think the biggest problem with this team is the lack of penetration by the PGs. (Which has been said many times on this Blog!) We need someone to consistently attack the defensive off the dribble and it can’t be Joe all the time! Joe is still leading the team in scoring and assists and that really has to change for this team to get better right now! I think Horford and Smooth are taking the steps they need to, for this team to be great in the future, but they need help at the PG right now. I think the solution is for Woodson to get the 2nd unit more time in the 2nd half. Bibby, JJ and Crawford need the rest, so they can be fresh in the 4th. He didn’t use Joe Smith at all this game and didn’t give Teague any time in the 2nd.
GO HAWKS!!!
AG
March 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
Ol Hawks fan, just didn’t finish my point….so calm down. I am also very upset at this loss, in addition to the loss to Miami, Dallas, Golden State, Phoenix, etc. all games we should have won. Also, this team has been injury free, so our record should be so much better. There are a few Hawks with a lot of heart. JSmoove is a NBA player and although I did not like that shot, he was open. The shot before that by Joe…Also, some of the players do read these blogs.