Hawks Squawks: Hawks 109, Lakers 92
– The Hawks dominated the Lakers in every which way. The offense was unstoppable. The defense was excellent. The bench was superb.
– The Lakers are tougher with Andrew Bynum (Achilles’) of course but that shouldn’t take away from the Hawks’ complete effort. “Any time you beat the Lakers, the defending (NBA) champions, it speaks volumes,” Woody said. “If we are committed for 48 minutes we can beat any team in the league, I really believe that.”
– It sure looked like it tonight. The defensive intensity, rotations, closeouts and rebounding were all on point. “Guys got after it,” Marvin said. “We took on the individual challenge to defend.”
– “I was satisfied with every position defensively,” Woody said, and how many times does he say that?
– Kobe got 28 points but only eight after halftime. He showed why he’s the best during that 14-point second quarter, when the Hawks did pretty much everything they could to slow him but he just made tough shots.
– “They did a fantastic job,” he said. “They’re playing with a lot of energy and confidence.”
– J.J. was just as good as Kobe with 25 points, eight assists and just one turnover. “Joe played like I thought he would play,” Woody said. “Kobe brings out the best in everybody.”
– “Just for the Lakers, period,” J.J. said. “Because they’ve been so dominant over the years.”
– After halftime, the Hawks hardly heard a peep from Lakers fans. “There were a lot of Lakers fans but that’s to be expected,” Mo said. “They’ve earned that. But it was good to have our fans cheer for us by the time the game ended. We definitely are going to need that support,”
– It’s not like the Lakers weren’t motivated. They are way clear of Dallas at the top of the Western Conference and probably won’t catch Cleveland for the league’s top record. But Kobe had said they were “on edge” after losing at New Orleans on Monday because they don’t want to relax heading to the playoffs.
– “They just outplayed us,” Phil Jackson said. “Regardless of inspiration, they beat us to balls, they were quicker to the offensive boards.”
– Good move by Woody to stick with Zaza over Al, who was strangely passive–why did he keep passing up those open jumpers Gasol was giving him?
– Zaza made a difference. It wasn’t just the 10 points and 10 rebounds, it was the way he made sure the Lakers got nothing easy when they came into his area. And no one fires up the guys on the bench like Zaza, whose highlight was a drive through the lane after a dunk after faking a pass.
– Mo (18 points, 7/9 FG) also was good off the bench. The Rook’ was solid. With those three getting it done it hardly mattered that Jamal had an off night shooting (5 of 14).
– “Our bench was huge again tonight,” Woody said. “They’ve been playing extremely well and we’re going to need them to play that way the rest of the way.”
– Woody seems to be trusting his reserves more. Tonight makes six straight games of at least 14-plus minutes for Mo, six straight games of 10-plus minutes for Zaza and two straight games of nine-plus minutes for Teague.
– “We are starting to get more opportunities to play,” Mo said. “We need to step in and get our rhythm as well (as the starters).”
– The Hawks had just five turnovers, none in the second half, and against six steals.
– J.J. had a swollen right thumb. “In the first quarter I was rasslin’ with Artest,” he said. “My thumb bent back. I was just keeping a heat pack on it.”
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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128 comments Add your comment
terrell
April 1st, 2010
10:02 am
Marvin stinks! All we need is a sf, and we’d be scary.
Grandad
April 1st, 2010
10:03 am
Everyone keeps saying: “start Mo” Maybe it should be ’start Zaza’.
Frontline – Josh, Al, Zaza. Just a thought.
Zaza not a ’shot blocker’ but a ’snot knocker’.
Somebody to put LbJ on his arse when he comes traipsing into the lane
with his special “Stern force field” turned on.
Bash on!
terrell
April 1st, 2010
10:11 am
The Blog police is at it again. No more freedom of speech.
GeeMack
April 1st, 2010
10:18 am
Good win last night.
This should be expected a top eastern conference team should beat a top western conference team a home.
An impressive victory will to win in Clevland win the games matter. We will have our chance Friday.
The Cavs have disrepected the Hawks the 6 times we’ve played the it’s time to man up.
Rod from College Park
April 1st, 2010
10:28 am
O’Brien
“I’m starting to think that starting Mo over Marvin might not be the thing to do. Because Mo might not be as effective on the starting 5, and Marvin might not be any better on the bench. We just need Marvin to play solid defense, crash the boards, and make the open shot. But he has to step his game up in the playoffs, especially in the second round.”
How many times have you typed that same thing this year. Get over it. the guy is a bum. People don’t just become decent players in the playoffs. They would show some signs. Mo should no doubt be starting at the 2. He brings more energy and defensive presence and hustle, let alone scoring ability than Marvin does. Marvin will be the same guy starting or off the bench. He just does not have IT. Everyone else on our team who has had a bad year, Mo, Bibby and Zaza have already proved in their careers that they have the ability to step up. Marvin has not.
terrell,
“Marvin stinks! All we need is a sf, and we’d be scary.”
We’ve got one. Joe Johnson.
Great game by the Hawks last night. Building was electric. One thing that does concern me is Josh starting to take more long jumpers. Please continue to play the game you have played all year Josh. No one doubts that if you practice you can hit that shot, but there is no need to add that shot to your game now. Mo Evans should be starting. If Al continues to hit that 15 to 20 foot jumper in the playoffs, we could be very dangerous. To all the Bibby haters, Bibby is a clutch player and will assert himself in the playoffs. He will still be a defensive liability, but he will make up for it on the offensive end. Good job by Woodson. Mo and Zaza both play with a chip on their shoulder, and it is just what this team needs. We need a couple of bad guys to even out all these nice guys we have on the team. Good job Hawks. MC please stop quoting Marvin in your articles. He brings nothing on the floor, so we really don’t need to hear what he has to say after the game.
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
10:31 am
IF MARVIN DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE, WE WILL NOT GO FAR. MO AND ZAZA PLAY LIKE THAT AND WE WILL GO FAR BUT MARVIN NEEDS TO !@#$ING WAKE UP. WTF IS THIS GUY DOING?
HE HAS NO HEART, NO FIRE, AND DOES NOT WANT TO BE A STAR. JUST WATCH HIS SHOW ON SPORTS SOUTH. HE IS CONTENT WITH BEING AVERAGED. HE KNOWS HE RIPPED OFF THE ASG
jg
April 1st, 2010
10:36 am
@ Zach–remember the cavs drive the ball to the goal so they get to shoot a lot of free throws. that is the most un-balanced number i’ve ever seen. WOW!
keeping on the same topic–i heard kevin garnett and paul pierce and even rivers belly-aching over how many free throws durrant shot against them last night. let me say this–if i was a celtics fan or player i would never i repeat never complain about officiating. they have gotten call after call decade after decade..so please shut the heck up.
i’m a falcons, hawks and braves fan in that order–and i never complain about the braves not getting the ball and strike calls–i know we got some slack over the past few years too…but not anywhere close to what the celtics, bulls, lakers, cavs, niners and cowboys get every year.
go hawks!!!
MsDee
April 1st, 2010
10:37 am
No, I blame Rick Sund and the ASG for not paying attention from the past years that Marvin was not worth what they are paying him. Marvin did what anybody would do. If someone offers you money, u not going to ask why? You just take it.
Grandad
April 1st, 2010
10:38 am
I think yawl should boo Marv during the play-offs,
that should help.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
10:57 am
Let’s see… a near perfect game at home against the defending champs who were angry and looking to get back on track. And, all you guys can come up with is “Marvin stinks”, etc…..
Sad, pathetic, annoying.
Truth-Serum
April 1st, 2010
11:00 am
“For those who want to credit that loss, even partially, to the absence of Bynum, let me give you some perspective. The Lakers got to the NBA Finals (and didn’t lose easily to the Celtics) with that same lineup in ‘07-’08. Not only was Bynum missing, but they didn’t have Ron Artest, they had Trevor Ariza….”
Be that as it is Ray, it is hard to make definitive and conclusive analysis when time, growth and intangibles are involved.
I agree with you on the win, excellent. I loved the toughness and resiliency we showed where it mattered, in the paint. Those were great hard fouls from Zaza and Marvin and Mo too. Physical play in the paint …my kinda of team! People being knocked on their butts trying to penetrate our lanes. Kobe wasn’t smiling either….
Would Bynum have been a physical presence and factor? No doubt. We aren’t the lakers but as Ive been saying since day 1, we are a physical center away from competing from a championship!
It ridicules that I keep getting these dumb questions from guys like Grandad and Sautee that ask” what have you got again Horford?” I don’t know how I can be any clearer. Take our last to games against the 2 teams that were last years finalists. We beat Orlando in part because horford was forced to the bench, was ineffective and had his minutes restricted. Last night was the same results. Horford’s block shots to personal foul ratio is upside down and if it were a mortgage it would be in danger of foreclosure. His steals to turn over ratio is also lacking. Did I mention he fluctuates between #18 and # 29 on the block shot lists for centers?Awful defender. I’m not dishing him but I’m not going to mention every time I present his defensive numbers that I think he is a very good power forward ( not as good as Josh), in order to circumvent the accusations of hating horford. We wont win a championship with him as center…Have I said this before?
The bottom line is defense wins championships. Last night we defended the paint and the rim like a first class team who is in the hunt for a championship. Horford is not physical enough to get that job done, no, not on the defensive end.
Great game, and as usual, good blogging Ray!
Blue
April 1st, 2010
11:08 am
Yes, I agree. Great win for the Hawks.
But it really ticks me off that this team will “get up” for quality opponents, then look completely lethargic against lesser clubs. There is no excuse that. This team could easily be over 50 wins already (unnesessary losses to Golden State, Detroit, Philly, Toronto, two to New York, etc). And mind you, the Hawks had 4th quarter LEADS in the majority of these games.
I don’t know if it’s coaching, or if this team is just really immature still. Whatever it is, I’m not so sure they can beat Milwaukee or the Heat in a seven game series because of this ongoing problem.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
11:10 am
Blue- I would say that the team’s tendency to play up and down is due to immaturity, but it is vastly improving. Moving into the rare air of consistent, confident focused play night in and night out despite the competition is really the final step this team needs to take.
Truth-Serum
April 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Grandad
April 1st, 2010
10:38 am
I think yawl should boo Marv during the play-offs,
that should help.
Im glad you arent on my team! Its one thing to have a criticism, it another to be contrary to team spirit. As you know, I think horford should come off the bench because of his weak defense but Id never boo him or ask others who share my opinion to boo him. Horford is doing what he’s told and the best he can, for that I applaud him. I also applaud Marvin. Woody has his roles to fill and hes winning by role playing.
For you call for hate I Boo you Grandad. Lets stay unified. Its ok to criticize but leave the hate at the bubba crew conventions or tea parties, which ever you attend.
Burgandy
April 1st, 2010
11:16 am
Is blue the same as sybil? who are these fictional characters that show up out of nowhere to support the anti Woodson tea parties?
Truth-Serum
April 1st, 2010
11:17 am
*your call
Westurd
April 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Their is always agruments against Horford playing out of position and not being a true center, but my arguement is this……..Al’s size and youth allows him to run the floor quickly, make quick moves under the basket, hit 15 footers with ease, and allows him to be quicker than most other true centers in the league. Al has versatility that other centers don’t.
Clyde
April 1st, 2010
11:30 am
Its amazing how quick Zaza is to fight someone but when someone comes down the lane he does the Cha-Cha Slide and slides to the left to give up a easy layup.
FIRE WOODY
Clyde
April 1st, 2010
11:32 am
If this blog was on twitter FIRE WOODY would be a trending topic.
If Marvin played with the same energy as Mario West he would be a star in this league.
FIRE WOODY
GeeMack
April 1st, 2010
11:43 am
Blue
I know the Hawks inconsistency is a problem, but are you serious?
The Hawks can’t beat the Bucks or Miami is a seven game series? In your opionion.
Be clear the Hawks can beat any team in the NBA in a 7 game series when they play the way they did last night including Clev, LA & Orl.
O'Brien
April 1st, 2010
11:58 am
Blue,
If the Hawks did NOT have home court in the first round, I would be concerned. But with 4 games in ATL, I dont care who the first round opponent is, I am confident that the Hawks will take care of business and advance.
However, if the Hawks do not advance pass the first round, then I will call Clyde to see if there is room on his “FIRE WOODY” wagon.
Rod from CP,
I’m not saying that Marvin will step up in the playoffs. And I’m not holding my breath. But as a Hawks fan, I will continue to root for him (although I think Sund made the wrong move signing Marvin to the contract he did).
Grandad,
Boo Marvin? No way should we boo one of our own players (regardless of how bad he has played). And its not like he is making us lose games by himself. I can understand if you dont want to cheer for him. But don’t boo him.
And for the record, I dont think booing will help anyway. I dont think anything or anyone can help Marvin. Only Marvin can help Marvin. He is who BK didn’t think he was.
Blue
April 1st, 2010
12:06 pm
GeeMack
My point is you just don’t know what Hawks team will show up from night-to-night brother.
As last night proved, when these guys are focused, they can beat anybody …………. I repeat …….. ANYBODY in this league.
However, as cliche as it sounds, they are notorious for playing “down” to the level of their competition. Sure, the Heat and the Bucks are both inferior teams, but that’s what troubles me. Why did the Hawks need seven games to defeat the Heat in Round 1 last year? I really hope they’re able to turn it up a notch and go hard once the playoffs start. Because a first-round exit would be catastrophic.
MsDee
April 1st, 2010
12:09 pm
I want to believe that GRANDAD was being sarcatic..I dont think anyone would really Boo Marvin, he still is a Hawk player..he’s family!!
Big Ump
April 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
Truth -Serum What’s up.
Blue
April 1st, 2010
12:16 pm
O’Brien
You make a good point about the 4 home games. I just don’t want them to play around with D-Wade and company, or the Bucks for that matter. If the Hawks have these guys down, they need to go for the jugular and quit playing around. If the Hawks make it to the second round, then at least win a couple of games against Orlando or Cleveland, I will consider this to be a successful season. Bring in a couple more key pieces in the off season, then try to go further next year …. All realistic goals I believe.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
MsDee- He was definitely being sarcastic. He was making a dig at all the people on here who can only find fault with Marvin. You know the ones whose only opinion is always the same no matter what’s going on.
Earthquake in Haiti- Marvin sucks. Hawks beat Lakers- Marvin Sucks, Braves have a home opener- Marvin sucks. You know what I mean.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
12:20 pm
Blue your goals are definitely realistic. Any team can look past another team. No team will go undefeated in the playoffs. I mean the Celtics won the championship after going seven games with us, a measley 37 win team that year. So don’t overstate it either.
GeeMack
April 1st, 2010
12:27 pm
go hawks
GeeMack
April 1st, 2010
12:33 pm
Blue
I see your point.
Blue, Daniel,
I really believe the Hawks could take Clevland in a 7 game series.
Orlando right now is a bad match up, but the gap that separated these teams before are closer than in the begining of the season.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
12:39 pm
I am with you Gee.
Ken Strickland
April 1st, 2010
12:40 pm
EXCELLENT WIN LAST NIGHT! The way we played, especially on DEF, we would have beaten anybody, including Cleveland. HC Mike Woodson deserves credit for doing some good coaching and for making some solid decisions. He used Bibby the way he should have when he was knocking down those jumpers and benched him when he wasn’t. He played Teague at the right time and took advantage of his speed, quickness and DEF. He also didn’t force us to rely on, or get hurt by, his beloved switching DEF.
I loved the way he left Zaza in the gm when he was dominating Gasol, especially on DEF. I also want to take my hat off to AHorford for showing his maturity and understanding of the gm. Gasol’s length gave him trouble inside in the 1st half, so in the 2nd half, especially down the stretch, he went outside and starting hitting his deadly jumper. THIS WAS THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM WIN OF THE ENTIRE SEASON, AND EVERYONE HAD A HAND IN THE OUTCOME.
Anyone finding anything or anyone to complain about in last nights dominating win is just a HATER, plain and simple. I like what Crawford said before the gm. He basically said that in the playoffs we won’t have to worry about the problems we seem to have against lesser teams like the Knicks and the Warriors because lesser teams like them won’t be in the playoffs.
We’ve certainly started gearing up against the better teams, and the showdown against the Cavaliers in Cleveland will be a perfect test for us. Cleveland has to win that gm decidedly, after getting some home cooking and still struggling to win the last 2 against us. They must prove to themselves they can prevent us from entering the playoffs and doing to them what Orlando did to them last yr.
GeeMack
April 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
Ken Stickland
If the Hawks play the way they last night. They can beat Clev, even if Clev brings their “A” game.
I think winning those close games have given the Hawks confidence that they can beat anybody, any time, & any where.
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
I need to save that post by Ken. Nicely put sir, nicely put.
Omar
April 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
Please fire Woody!
Daniel
April 1st, 2010
1:01 pm
Wow, Omar so original, so thoughtful, so appropriate.
Mike is Back
April 1st, 2010
1:03 pm
Ken, excellent observation…good post!!!
Clyde, I hear ya dawg!
KEEP IT GOING….GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MsDee
April 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
Lol, yeah Daniel that’s was CLASSIC!!
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
1:06 pm
Face it, folks.
We have minimal post presence on this team.
This means that Joe, Crawford, Bibby, and Mo have to keep making shots for us to win games. Yesterday’s game was a prime example of feeding off the crowd energy, and the Hawks always enjoy playing the Lakers at home.
However, anyone who is satisfied with Horford’s post game must be kidding. The guy holds the ball for 10 seconds then takes one of those egergious awkward fadeaway jumpers against great players like Duncan & Gasol. This guy needs to get better moves…fast.
The Hawks are very deep but not as deep as Orlando and Cleveland. I don’t forsee this team winning games on the road in the playoffs because everyone has to be clicking (besides Marvin — he is !@#$ing garbage) for us to win big games
Truth-Serum
April 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
Big Ump! in Da House! Wat Up Folk?
Westurd My disapproval of Horford defense is not base up his size, although it hard to play 82 games and the playoffs as an undersized center with out wearing down. I hope he doesnt tear a foot out of socket this year. I noticed that of the horford defenders on this site refer to his offense as the measurement of their stamp of approval when I can scream DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS TILL THE ROOSTERS CROW! Its about defense, not trying to dis your hero nor his….14 pts.
“but my arguement is this……..Al’s size and youth allows him to run the floor quickly, make quick moves under the basket, hit 15 footers with ease,”
Sir, you just described a power forward.
Its about defense
“I also want to take my hat off to AHorford for showing his maturity and understanding of the gm. Gasol’s length gave him trouble inside in the 1st half, so in the 2nd half…”
He rode the pine during the crucial moments when the game was on the line. I glad he understood and was not offended that we needed a defensive presence and the back up center is a better defender than he so he accepted his role….picking splitters out of his azzzz.
Big Ups to Zaza for playing defense and shutting down the lane, cant blame that on bibby. Loved the hard foul from Marv too….Men in the paint! Zaza is not the solution to our lack of defense but he is a better choice than using a power forward to protect the rack….Send in the f-ing Marines not the boy scouts!
Blue
burgandy
omar
where do all these one name one time poster come from….
Is your argument that weak guys…seriously?
Blue
April 1st, 2010
1:10 pm
GeeMack, Daniel, Ken
All good points. I’m gone …… Be cool fellas.
MsDee
April 1st, 2010
1:11 pm
I would rather play Orl than Cavs in the 2nd round simply b/c I truely believe the NBA will have it no other way; Cavs vs Lakers in the Finals no matter how well we play. So with that being said, I would like to aleast make it to the ECF this season against the Cavs. After winning against Orl, FINALLY, the Hawks now will approach them differently and come ready and focus. I am also starting to look forward to the bench coming in, they have really turned it up as us late being aggressive, playing GREAT DEF!!
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
STOP ACTING LIKE IT’S FIXED THAT LEBRON WILL BE IN THE FINALS.
THE CAVS F!CKING LOST TO THE MAGIC IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR. THE SPURS WON 4 RINGS.
YOU PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS
Truth-Serum
April 1st, 2010
1:14 pm
*not base upon his size,
Clyde What game were you watching? Zaza was the games MVP for his defense.
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
1:16 pm
I don’t understand why the Hawks are still losing close games this year. Wasn’t this what they did the 3-4 previous years? Why did we lose to Milwaukee and Philly last week?
Wabe
April 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
We just beat both teams that played in last years NBA finals within 8 days, it’s unbelievable to see people still on here ragging on the Hawks.
Unbelievable.
B**ch about firing Woody AFTER “we get swept in the 2nd round”, quit b**chin over nothing right now.
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
MARVIN WILLIAMS DOES NOT WANT TO BE A STAR.
WATCH HIS INTERVIEWS. HE IS CONTENT WITH BEING AVERAGE
JeJe
April 1st, 2010
1:21 pm
FIRE MIKE KNAPP
northcyde
April 1st, 2010
1:25 pm
I always find it hilarious how people give Woody props for coaching a good game . . . but only if we beat a real good team.
Zaza’s great play enabled Woody to do what he always do . . . keep players out of the game in the 1st half who have 2 fouls. This is something that he’s been criticized heavily for over the years. But he does it to obviously protect his essential players. If the bench player steps up, Woody has ALWAYS given that player extended minutes. Zaza’s excellent 2nd quarter, plus the fact that we built a lead on them, enabled Woody to do just that.
In the 2nd half, Horford and JJ took over the quarter, and extended the lead. So with us being up 16 late, Woody has the luxury to insert Teague into the lineup, something that he ALWAYS does, if we’re up big in the 2nd half.
And with Mo Evans playing extremely well, and Marvin having no impact on the game, it was an easy call for Woody to give Mo the extended minutes . . . then leave him in the game after it was obvious that the Lakers weren’t going to make a run late.
The facts are that the bench played well enough to earn Woody’s trust last night. It’s the best collective game that they’ve played all year. And it’s nice to see Zaza and Mo playing well as we approach the playoffs.
Woody knows his team. He always has.
Boneyard Randy
April 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Hawks. How can you not love these guys? I’m going to eat at Eno right now. When is Zaza going to come out with his own scent? “Pachulia” by Zaza.
northcyde
April 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Nice to see SLAM Magazine giving the Hawks love, by putting them on the cover
http://www.slamonline.com/online/blogs/the-links/2010/04/slam-138-on-sale-now/comment-page-1/#comment-1128243