Atlanta Hawks at Bucks: Too Much Fun Preparing For Games? (UPDATE: Crawford out with toe injury)
Woody's mad and Jamal is hurting. (AP Photo)
Milwaukee–(EDIT: Jamal Crawford (toe) is out. He said he hurt his right toe late in the Wizards game when (he thinks) big JaVale McGee came down on his foot while challenging a shot. He said he had turf toe during his New York days but that injury was “much worse” than this one. Crawford hopes to play Wednesday vs. Cleveland even if the game has no bearing on seeding for the playoffs.)
Tense scene at Hawks shootaround today. Woody was going over the Hawks’ defensive rotations and he felt some players were taking the lesson too lightly. So Woody told them in salty terms he didn’t see what was so funny considering opponents had been exploiting the Hawks’ in that very situation late in games.
Woody headed for the bus without talking to reporters. (Edit: In pregame Woody said: “That’s my time. That’s time for me and my staff. I don’t want to have to keep repeating myself because that means you’re not listening.”)
Clearly he’s not happy with the Hawks’ focus with game No. 81 tonight.
“That just comes with having a young team,” J.J. said. “Honestly that’s something we need to work on as players is locking in and having more attention to detail. Because that does come back to haunt us late in games.”
These things happen over the course of a long season, of course, but the circumstances had to bother Woody.
The Hawks are still playing for the third seed in the East. They aren’t a very good road team and have a tough task against the Bucks tonight, especially if with Jamal (toe) sits out. Leaving shooters open due to lax rotations has been an issue for much of the last half of the season–you only need to look back to the Wizards game Saturday to see how the Hawks can be nonchalant about rotating and closing out.
The Hawks seemed to take Woody’s blowup in stride.
“It can be tough late in the year like this,” Al said. “You don’t want to look ahead but you can’t help but look ahead at the playoffs. We have to do a better job as a team trying to key in and finish the right way.”
– The Bucks are 3-1 in games without Bogut. Old pro Kurt Thomas is picking up most of Bogut’s minutes and as pointed out by Charlie G., my old colleague at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Bucks are adjusting on the fly without Bogut:
“Bucks coach Scott Skiles has to do a balancing act with his lineup now that Bogut is absent and the team is relying on a center trio of Thomas, Dan Gadzuric and Primoz Brezec. At times, Skiles has elected to go with a smaller lineup, as he did in the fourth quarter Saturday with Brandon Jennings, Luke Ridnour, John Salmons and Jerry Stackhouse combining with 6-10 Ersan Ilyasova.”
Thomas is in his 15th season. Obviously there’s a dropoff from Bogut to Thomas in production, skill and size. But Thomas still is a pretty good pick-and-pop shooter
and a tough rebounder and post defender.
“He’s a very solid vet that knows how to play,” Horford said. “That’s the kind of guy you like to have on your team.”
Look for Al to take Thomas out to the perimeter, where he should have little trouble zipping by him.
– The only thing that can be settled for the Hawks in the playoff picture tonight is eliminating Charlotte as a potential foe. That happens if Miami wins at Philadelphia tonight to draw 3 games clear of Charlotte with each team having two more to play. Both the Bucks and Bobcats would win a tiebreaker over the Heat.
Jon Newberry at Hawksbasketblog breaks it down: “(T)here are too many possible scenarios of how things could shake out to go through them all. The simplest scenario is if we win our last two games against Milwaukee and against Cleveland and Miami wins their last two game. In that case the matchups would be ATL (3) vs. MIL (6) and BOS (4) vs. MIA (5).”
– THHB has a poll up at Peachtree Hoops asking who Hawks fans would rather face in the first round. So far it’s the Bucks in a landslide.
MC
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339 comments Add your comment
Melvin
April 12th, 2010
9:33 pm
I think Big AL is fustrated by Thomas ruff play…
Blast
April 12th, 2010
9:33 pm
Get AL out! Bring in Zaza!
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:33 pm
Al is fustrated. go Nique.
Justin
April 12th, 2010
9:34 pm
I feel a big finish coming on for Zaza.
Ree Roe
April 12th, 2010
9:37 pm
@ Big Ray, everything you said is all well & good. But my original comment was about how the lead we have/had disappears when he’s in the game. He’s NOT contributing. He’s actually hurting the team when he’s in the game. The court as a classroom moments for Teague are over. If he’s not ready to contribute, keep him on the bench. Every possesion is crucial for the Hawks & we don’t have time for him to mess up while we try to clinch
-REElax, it’s Roe!!!
cp
April 12th, 2010
9:38 pm
drmaryb lol thats a question about Marvin that many of us have been asking for years.
Big Ray lol you might as well give up. These are the same people who will say but it was garbage time if he plays well in extended minutes but criticize the kid if he doesn’t go crazy in 5 minutes worth of play. Oh and don’t even bring up the numerous eggs Bibby has put up this season. That always seems to escape their memory.
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:38 pm
how can you front Josh and still be in front of him, Nique?
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:39 pm
oops, meant behind him.
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:39 pm
CP ,
What’s bad is when you know instinctively that they are smarter than that (well, some of them anyway) and then they just totally ignore the facts. Whatever. I should emulate you and just refrain.
No way is Teague like Law. Even Mike Woodson doesn’t see it that way, and he was rather explicit when he said so. I recall him saying ‘Nothing against Acie or his game, but THIS kid has the necessary skills.’
I wish I could find a link to that article. Woody doesn’t even see these two guys the same. He’s never been this positive about Law. I’ve never understood how a Woody apologist could ever be in such stark contrast with Woody’s publicized opinions. Whatever. There are also people who think they’ve been inducted by Martians….
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
DIZZZZUNK
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
great ball movement
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
SWAT THAT ROCK!!!
Blast
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
Hawks are looking gooooood, man!
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
get that weak shiznit outta here
Melvin
April 12th, 2010
9:40 pm
Josh is hosting a block party in the 3rd qtr….
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:41 pm
Wow. This is gonna be one heck of a series.
We talk about Stack gearing up to play us. Let’s not forget Zaza was once a Buck. And he’s giving his former team some kinda hell, ain’t he?
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:41 pm
wow stern is ok with those horns? wtf
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:42 pm
Joe looks like a true predator out there. He’s getting that playoff look. Haven’t seen him with that look since the playoffs against Boston. I like it!
drmaryb
April 12th, 2010
9:42 pm
Looks like Charlotte locked up that 7 Spot. We play either Buks or Miami.
After we Win tonite – which team is more likely for us?
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:43 pm
I think it’s the fact that Joe is going to the basket more than usual, and mixing that well with his tricky dribble/jab step/step-back jumper game.
Blast
April 12th, 2010
9:44 pm
Zaza sure is, Ray. Not sure if it has anything to do with Bucks as his former team, it’s been so looooog ago, but Zaza has been fiery the last few games, man.
Love it! Hawks need him!
cp
April 12th, 2010
9:44 pm
You have to give the Bucks credit though. They are without their best player and are getting killed inside but they play so hard. They don’t give up at all. Their shot selection, mostly by Jennings is whats hurting them.
northcyde
April 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
You guys keep talking in circles. I’m not asking him to average 14 and 7 . . . I just wanted ONE GAME in which he showed his talents, while the game is still in the balance.
That’s it.
The kid has to learn to make an impact in 5 – 7 minute stretches. When he can do that, he’ll get more playing time.
OK . . . I’ve significantly lowered my expectations now. All I want him to do, is spark a run. 7 – 0 run . . . 10 – 2 run, etc. It could be via scoring, or defense, or anything. I just want HIM to spark it. That’s IF Woody puts him back in.
Is that asking too much to see in just ONE game?
Make an impact in a fairly close game just one time please sir.
Blast
April 12th, 2010
9:47 pm
Hawks missing crucial free throws.
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:47 pm
drmaryb ,
Milwaukee
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:48 pm
flyin mo!
Blast
April 12th, 2010
9:48 pm
How could that be a foul on Mo? He went up higher, got the rebound, and Brandon ran into him!
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:49 pm
JJ got his Mojo back
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:49 pm
sweet j from jj
save some for the playoffs
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:49 pm
CP ,
I give up. I posted a 5 game stretch in December in which Teague not only played well, but sparked the team. No matter how many times I posted it, it gets ignored. You can lead a horse to water. You might even get it to drink. But you can’t keep it from spitting the water out.
Jody
April 12th, 2010
9:51 pm
The officiating in this game has been horrible (against the Hawks!)
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:51 pm
Ken Strickland
February 28th, 2010
6:47 pm
It’s interesting to hear we tried to sign Stackhouse. Do you think his decision to sign with Milwaukee had anything to do with his knowledge of Woodson’s reluctance to utilize his bench beyond JCrawford? Have you noticed how BJennings has been unable to get in the lane since Teague entered the gm. And have you also noticed how we haven’t had to switch everything, as a result of Teagues ball pressure and ability to fight over picks?
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:52 pm
Seen Teague spark the team in more than one game with a steal and a couple of assists to guys who wouldn’t otherwise get the ball (Joe Smith, Zaza). Must have been my imagination. Unfortunately, Bob Rathbun, Dominique Wilkins, and the statisticians have all suffered the exact same delusions.
That, and how many times can you expect to see the rookie in a tight situation when Jama or Mike is available? Exactly. I give up this time. No, really.
HawksFan11
April 12th, 2010
9:53 pm
Northcyde
This is the kind of leadership I expect from Joe. Scoring at will inside and out, directing traffic, pumping guys up, got that killer look in his eyes and the team is responding.
Great job all around taking charge of his team and this game.
O'Brien
April 12th, 2010
9:54 pm
Ray, cp,
None of the rational bloggers are saying that Teague deserves to be the starter. Or that he is going to be an all star PG. All we’re saying, is if he was given consistent minutes, then he could be an option on those nights when Bibby is struggling.
Darren Collison did not come in and take charge right away. But once CP3 got hurt and he got consistent minutes, he improved. And we are talking about a guy (Teague) who has been yanked by Woody whenever he made a mistake (earlier in the season), so isn’t it understandable that he gets timid sometimes?
But this late in the season, I am not worried about his minutes. That should have been taken care of earlier in the year. Woody felt more comfortable going with the other guys, thats fine. This summer, Teague needs to work on his jumper, and hopefully by next season he will be playing better, and will force Woody to give him more minutes.
Once again, ZaZa gets more minutes, and he contributes, and Joe looking like he is in playoff form. What sore thumb? And I like our defense tonight. Lets finish strong, and hopefully, no scoring droughts in the fourth.
How about them Braves? Losing 17-2. Wow.
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
joBjo ,
Careful. You didn’t see that, and that didn’t happen. Stop or they’ll pi$$ test you for drugs.
Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings draws a foul on Teague by stepping on Teague’s foot, then Jennings is forced into a bad shot…er…I mean he missed it because he was busy laughing at Teague’s inept play.
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
See that good play by teague haters?
HawksFan11
April 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
The ROOK
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
9:56 pm
cmon hawks pay attention
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:56 pm
wake up JTO.
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:56 pm
uh oh teague is gettin chewed out
Ree Roe
April 12th, 2010
9:56 pm
@ Big Ray,
lol @ you using a 5 game stretch of Teague’s 82 GAME SEASON. Dude is runnin around like a chicken with his head cut off (and I don’t mean that as a compliment). And if Woody felt he was playing so well & your numbers “support” Teague playing well, why would Woody cut his minutes? Hmmm something doesn’t sound right. Defend ya boy. You too cp since you love Teague’s play so far this season
-REEgistered as Roe!!
joBjo
April 12th, 2010
9:58 pm
Big Ray. HUH?
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:58 pm
Ree Roe that lil signature u git is hella gay.
Riley:”Man u gay”
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
9:58 pm
*got
BONEY
April 12th, 2010
9:59 pm
Nice bucket by Teague – you just matched your ppg average – you can relax now.
Big Ray
April 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
O’brien ,
I agree. It’s hard getting people to understand the difference between wanting to see the guy get more than 9mpg, and wanting him to take Mike Bibby’s job.
Funny that you mention Darren Collison. According to the logic of some….ahhh, nevermind. You said it better than I could have.
I actually railed against Woody’s initial preseason decision to play Teague as little as he has. But I can’t argue with the results. What I have a hard time with is people who ignore this and say that Teague doesn’t play because he can’t play. Funny how this is not what Woody seems to think at all. No, he’s not going to be quoted saying a guy sucks. But he’s also not going to be quoted saying that he feels the kid has the skills (but needs some work), that he feels he can run the team some day, or that he feels he plays fairly well for somebody who doesn’t get a lot of playing time.
I expect a veteran guard to get a decent amount of work done in 5 to 7 minutes. I do NOT expect a rookie pg (particularly the SEVENTH pg picked in the draft that year) to do that if he doesn’t get much game time.
And I can’t ignore what he DID do when he got decent minutes CONSISTENTLY.
I don’t see how that’s any different than talking about JJ airballing two shots in one game while ignoring that he is our best offensive option every night.
J.J.M.
April 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
smh@teague
Nique's Revenge
April 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
threeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
VenomSpitter
April 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
Smokin Joe