Atlanta Hawks: Schedule stuff (UPDATE: 2010-11 schedule released)
The Hawks are set to release their schedule at 2 p.m. today. I will break it down here soon after. You will break it down below soon after that. Together we will formulate predictions, opinion and analysis that likely will mean little once the Hawks open the season.
Now doesn’t that sound fun? Hey, it’s August.
UPDATE
The schedule is out. Here are some highlights:
– The Hawks open the season with two road games and three in four nights. They play at Memphis Oct. 27, at Philadelphia Oct. 29 and at home vs. Washington on Oct. 30.
– Atlanta’s longest road trip of the season is broken up by All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Games at Detroit Feb. 14 and at New York Feb. 16 are followed by All-Star weekend Feb. 18-20. Atlanta the continues the trip out West with games at the Lakers, Suns, Warriors, Blazers and Nuggets.
– The Hawks follow that trip with nine of their next 10 games at Philips Arena with just one back-to-back set. Atlanta plays 14 of its last 21 games at home.
– Atlanta plays a total of 23 back-to-back sets: 11 home/away, seven away/home and five away/away.
– Miami’s SuperFriends won’t make their first regular-season visit until March 18. The Heat visit again for Atlanta’s home finale on April 11. Miami will play an exhibition game against the Hawks at Philips on Oct. 21.
– The defending champion Lakers come to town on March 8. Orlando visits Dec. 20 and March 30. Defending East champ Boston visits on Nov. 22 and April 1.
– The Hawks play host to the Wizards on Thanksgiving Night (Nov. 25).
–The Hawks will play 14 games on national TV: seven on NBA TV, four on ESPN and three on TNT.
My three thoughts, worth $.02 each:
1. That closing schedule looks like a kind of trade-off between opponents and location, doesn’t it? It’s hard for the Hawks to complain about 14 of their last 21 at home, but they draw the Bulls three times, Miami twice (though that April 11 game could be meaningless for the standings), Boston, the Lakers, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Orlando. On the plus side, the Hawks play consecutive road games just once during that span, and they are at Indiana and Washington.
2. There could be an opportunity for L.D. to get off to a good start in his first season as the head man. Memphis, Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit and Minnesota looks to be a manageable stretch to open the season. As always, that comes with the caveat that’s it’s folly to look at NBA schedules and predict wins and losses. And four of those games are on the road, where the Hawks were known to mess around and not handle their business last season.
2. Breaking up the February trip with All-Star weekend sounds good to me. I’ll take the long weekend in L.A. It should be good for the Hawks, too, since it takes what could have potentially been one long, 12-day West Coast trip and makes it a four-day trip East and an eight-day trip West with a short vacation in between. And the Hawks have all those home games to look forward to when they return to Atlanta.
MC
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259 comments Add your comment
SteveW
August 10th, 2010
11:06 pm
Another team I wouldn’t count out versus the Heat is the Suns – simply because of Chilz’ and Grant Hill, and their depth. The Suns 2nd team, great PG play, may be able to wear the Heat down.
The Bulls I’m a little less sold on – Rose and Noah will be effective, but i don’t see Korver, Deng, and Boozer matching up well with Wade, LeBron and Bosh.
SteveW
August 10th, 2010
11:08 pm
Suns – Chilz’ and Grant Hill play tenacious D, and may bother Wade and LeBron – maybe not…
northcyde
August 10th, 2010
11:20 pm
Rod’s comments toward me are . . . disappointing.
This is what I’m talking about folks. People on this board can have evidence right in their faces, but either refuse to believe it, or just dismiss it altogether, saying that it’s “false” or “misleading”.
Do I have to add in the fact that he’s been injury prone his entire career?
Do I have to add in the fact that while T-Mac’s career FG% is 43.5% . . he hasn’t shot that well since the 2002 – 03 season?
But as soon as I post something against Marvin . . it’s true?
But against T-Mac, it’s “oh he hasn’t had enough time to come back from injury?”
This is microfracture surgery we’re talking about Rod. The surgery that pretty much killed the career of the person most like T-Mac . . . Penny Hardaway. Maybe T-Mac can do like Penny did, and hang around the league for 5 years after his surgery, as a bench player.
But his days of being a productive starter are gone. And while Marvin may have his issues . . his issues are mental. T-Mac has mental AND physical issues.
BigTimeTechFan
August 11th, 2010
12:01 am
Nice Jordan Crawford and Teague can gain some confidence the 1st couple of weeks
SteveW
August 11th, 2010
12:02 am
Northcyde – your quote speaks best to some on this message board
“This is what I’m talking about folks. People on this board can have evidence right in their faces, but either refuse to believe it, or just dismiss it altogether, saying that it’s “false” or “misleading”.
As a matter of fact, feel another attack coming on – I’m thinking about just posting from now on, and only answering objections generally instead of specifically – such a waste of time to get into childish catfights about a game.
i enjoy discussion, not illogical attacks that continue with very little or no basis of fact
SteveW
August 11th, 2010
12:13 am
I do learn so much from the give and take, reading the different view points on the board – it’s cool and has helped.
Good board – good to have our minds changed if we’re wrong. Good to leave with disagreements when we each have our own opinions. Good to be mentally and intellectually challenged.
Mistakes happen – we’re all human. Good to have some fun, play around a little – Conclusion – I’ve learned from this board.
Clyde
August 11th, 2010
12:30 am
Northcyde I’m gonna hit the Magic City Classic this year. A year ago I was DJ’n at a spot called the Volcano that weekend.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 11th, 2010
12:36 am
northcyde is right
<<<<<<<AAMU
Hopkins dorm
ASU sucks
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
August 11th, 2010
12:38 am
All the fine ones come down from Huntsville or random people
ASU = bustdowns
Reggie
August 11th, 2010
1:09 am
@Northclyde im on board with you saying that T-MAC brings the Hawks zero to the table. What good is a player past his prime that is always injuried? I dont care about what he did 5 years ago look at what he has done in the last 3 seasons…nothing. I know Marvin is a bust however who do u want guarding Lebron…Duck or T-Mac….seriously cmon.
MsDee
August 11th, 2010
1:11 am
Please…enough with all the T-MAC talk..He will not be playing with the Hawks..and thx goodness!!!
MsDee
August 11th, 2010
1:18 am
Let’s talk about the Hawks still being well under the radar to surprise and “SHOCK THE WORLD”!! I LOVE that we arent mentioned on ESPN or NBATV. I have to kinda feel sorry for LeBron cause no matter where he goes, he will FOREVER have that PRESSURE to come out and WIN IT ALL every season he is in the league since he decided to leave Cleveland. And if they, GOD FORBIDS, dont win it all this 1st season being together, you better know for sure that those “SuperFriends” would soon be called the “Three-Little-Enemies”!! And we all know who would have the BIGGEST smile on his face, The Cavs GM!!
Rod from College Park
August 11th, 2010
1:27 am
northcyde,
So the evidence you posted concerning T-Mac from the 2010 season when he played a grand total of 24 games for the Knicks, and 6 games for the Rockets, all after coming back from Micro-fracture surgery in less than a year is what I’m supposed to agree with you on? This also is the same surgery that Amare and Kenyon Martin came back from. It took them a little more than a year to get somewhat back to normal. So I’m supposed to take your one year, 32 game stats as fact, and throw out the fact that a GM (Joe Dumars), who actually competed at the highest level, knows what it’s like to come back after a serious injury at the highest level, put together a team that won an NBA championship, works with professional NBA players everyday, and hears from them what a talented player McGrady was, was willing to take a chance on him for the vet minimum. Get real!! Wake up. Who crowned you king. The fact that you or Vava or anyone else even has the nerve to compare Marvin Williams in any way to T-Mac a 7 time all star is absurd. Marvin has never faced a double or triple team, he has never been a leader or the primary option on a team, he has never been one of the primary ball handlers, never been an all star, has never ever had any pressure on his back to make a play since he’s been a Hawk. I could care less what the stats say, there is no comparison of the players. What would T-Mac be able to do if he was on the floor with Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Would he be able to knock down a wide open uncontested jump shot? Would T-Mac get his shot blocked one on one against Brandon Jennings? What about against Jameer Nelson?
The fact that you make statements about both guys physical and mental status, like you actually talk to them or know them makes it even worse. You have no idea what Marvin or T-Mac’s mental status is.
Also don’t make blanket statement about a guy being injury prone his ENTIRE career, and try to pass them off as truth. Entire means all. T-Mac has played in over 60 games 9 of his 14 seasons. That’s more than half his career he’s been out there. Should I take your word for that too. As I said before, your research skills are impressive, but don’t think that makes you above criticism if you post some BS.
Reggie
August 11th, 2010
1:35 am
Sorry MsDee the Cavs GM wont have time to smile because he will be too busy trying to figure out who they draft in the lottery next year. As far as the Heat is concerned…let me say im 100% Atlanta Hawks baby; however that being said i dont think people fully realize how freakin powerful the Heat are from top to bottom, that team is loaded and has 60% of the all-star/gold medal olympic team in the starting line up! I love my Hawks but the Heat and Magic are going to run through us like a freight train thank god for the Bobcats…wait they handle us too.
Rod from College Park
August 11th, 2010
1:38 am
Also even though the original discussion was not if T-Mac would take Marvin’s starting job (which wouldn’t be that difficult), it was would you rather spend a million dollars on players like Cheesburger Collins, and Powell or take a chance on a player the caliber of T-Mac, and if T-Mac could help this team, I think Darrell Starks said it best.
“BUT WITH 1LEG I WOULD TAKE TMAC OVER THE DUCK.”
Reggie
August 11th, 2010
1:47 am
Rod unless you can guarantee T-Mac will play in atleast 65 games i would take the two big guys who may prove valuable when we play Orlando.
MsDee
August 11th, 2010
1:59 am
@Reggie
I truly hear what u are saying but at the same time, that what makes that PRESSURE that much tougher. LeBron is putting ALL his apples in one barrel. If his plan doesnt come as his hoped, the WHOLE NBA..no stratch that, the WHOLE ENTIRE WORLD would be laughing at him cause they already feel he should have stayed home and made it work for the CAVS. This 1st season has to be to the finals cause if they dont make it that far, all that confidence they had in the beginning, will start to disappear before they know it. Then they will start blaming each other for missed assignments, who should have shot the ball, who should have made the right pass, who should have boxed-out, and so on… Now dont get me wrong, they do look and sound like a POWER HOUSE TEAM, they just betta be that LAST TEAM STANDING come May 2011!!
vava74
August 11th, 2010
3:25 am
Rod,
Like I said: let’s see how the season unravels for T-Mac and speak on the subject again.
I think he is washed up. Maybe I am wrong. We’ll see.
Individual stats without winning a single playoff series are meaningless on my opinion, so what T-Mac did in the past has little value for me.
rusty,
To think that the best starting 5 is to put on the floor the 5 best offensive players is not the right way of thinking.
A good balance between offense and defense is necessary and there are plenty examples of successful teams which had in their starting 5 a good defensive player occupying the slot where they had a better offensive player on the bench.
To start Jamal is always a bad option. ALWAYS.
Jamal is what he is: a spectacular offensive force which should be used in limited bursts.
Last year he played too much for us and that hurt us. He should have played roughly 2/3 or 3/4 of the minutes he got.
His extended minutes on the floor accelerated Bibby’s decline and diminished his influence on the team’s play whilst aggravating the ISO-offense dependency we had.
northcyde
August 11th, 2010
4:01 am
Like I said Rod
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5092348
Luckily for him, Detroit did have enough faith in him to bring him in. His game was so off last year, that even HE thought about calling it quits.
That’s why I said that he’s having issues physically AND mentally. That’s HIM saying it . . not me.
Bailey
August 11th, 2010
5:10 am
I know this is off-topic, but damn, this is hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b28W0TC4AUg&feature=related
drmaryb (*_*)
August 11th, 2010
7:21 am
Bailey … Bailey … Bailey!
That was a sick video clip man!
F u n n y – C r a z e e – S t u p i d
Go on man. ROF & LOL!
O'Brien
August 11th, 2010
7:56 am
Rod, northcyde, vava,
I don’t think TMac would have earned the starting job over Marvin. But we could have at least brought him in for a workout to see what he had left.
For the vet minimum, I would have rolled the dice and signed him. If he plays well, great. If he struggles, we release him.
Steve W,
Orlando still has Dorrell (sp?) Wright (who would have been a solid backup for Marvin) and Pietrus to throw at LeBron, so I think they will be fine.
I’m not sure why the Hawks feel they dont need another wing. Having another wing on the roster could also help light a fire under Marvin, because he has been handed the starting job from his second season.
dap01
August 11th, 2010
8:18 am
Darrell: You might take T Mac but obviously no one else in the league would. T Mac had to persuade a team to pay him the league minimum.
vava74
August 11th, 2010
8:23 am
OB,
I don’t get tired of this. I must be crazy:
We have a logjam at the SG slot. So: let’s start JJ and get Mo to start at SG.
(Rod, this is the part where you should stop reading)
We would have Marvin and Jamal to come off bench to cover both positions with instant offense (which I think Marvin is able to supply if he gets back to his Tar Heels role as a 6th man) and compromising D only on 1 slot (Jamal as the SG off the bench).
We would basically have two guys with the assigned role as the bench’s 6th man, an option which would allow us to keep JJ fresh and stay aggressive and athletic.
Marvin could also spell Josh for a few minutes since his best game is the mid/short range where he has good touch and gets a lot of calls.
vava74
August 11th, 2010
8:57 am
start JJ at the SF slot
drmaryb (*_*)
August 11th, 2010
9:14 am
VaVa74
Geez man! Can ANYBODY on this team play their natural position?
For the LOVE of basketball – this is the MOST dysfunctional team in the entire NBA! … From the ASG all the way down to the water boy to the fans!
If we copy, cut & paste the entire team – the rat-tag bunch will never know their role or win anything! I’m gone – have a great day yall!
dap01
August 11th, 2010
9:33 am
I agree with drmaryb(*_*): This is how a team can actually become successful without any intelligent planning or management.
vava74
August 11th, 2010
9:36 am
DrMaryB,
JJ is 6′7” and 250 lbs, his body is already more suited for the SF slot than for the SG slot and as the years pass, either he dries up (losing 20/30lbs) or he will become to slow for the SG slot.
He has the body, the talent and the tools to be a truly excellent point forward so I don’t think he would be out of position. Quite the contrary.
vava74
August 11th, 2010
9:45 am
240lbs
Ken Strickland
August 11th, 2010
9:47 am
Before his injury, TMac had the ability to get a good shot anytime he wanted. He’s no longer physically able to consistently do that, but with the help of LDrew’s motion OFF, I think he had enough left to be very effective, especially off our bench. He would have given us another clutch performer, ball handler and penetrator.
With the gm on the line and us needing to make the final shot, a lineup of TMac, JJ, Bibby, Marvin and JCrawford could present some serious match up problems for the DEF. With all 5 being excellent jump shooters, and with 3 or the 5 having the ability to take people off the dribble, it could have been potentially awesome.
Ken Strickland
August 11th, 2010
9:59 am
DRMARYB-I co-sign your assessment of JJ. He has the foot speed, size and strength to defend any SF. His combination of ball handling, passing, post up and penetrating skills would create a nightmare for any SF’s. I’d replace him at SG with Jordan Crawford. Look, if PPierce can play SF and be effective, JJ can be even more effective.
Where I’d depart from most would be in the player I’d choose to replace JJ at SG. I’d actually start rookie SG Jordan Crawford, and bring Marvin and JaCrawford off the bench.
doc
August 11th, 2010
10:01 am
interesting more attention was given to tmac on a hawks blog last night than there has been in the national news for the last two years. that is how far the man has dropped.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 11th, 2010
10:01 am
vava74
When JJ dries up and loses 20-30 lbs.? Get back to me.
Marvin is our SF, like it or not, then trade his butt for a better one.
We don’t need JJ to play “point forward” there is no such position – then, get a PG!
Again, this is the most dysfuntional rag-tag in the entire NBA.
No one has a role!
O'Brien
August 11th, 2010
10:05 am
vava,
I am on board with the JJ at SF, and Mo at SG. But that is a risk LD is probably not willing to take right now.
One big reason for the Hawks needing a good start to the season, is it will help them to buy in even more to LD’s system.
bigdave,
AGon has been a disappointment (especially on defense) since the trade. But give him credit for that single in the 9th.
If Esco makes the error AGon did, he is probably pouting, and does not beat that throw.
KevinM
August 11th, 2010
10:05 am
TMac is done and he has not worked for this amount of $$ in a long time….it will show in his play this year. I’m not sure he plays 60 games. You might as well sign a Larry Hughes or AI if you want more production.
Right now, we don’t need another jump shooter. He might help sell a few tickets, like AI, but you don’t just bring him in for that. Shaq had more to offer in a severely weak position. He had near Al numbers for a team that was LeBron dominated. I thought he could bring 12/6.5 plus more. Trouble is the management group wants no controversy when promoting the core.
A few glue guys IMO that should be looked at:
Rodney Carney – has he signed?
Devean George
Trenton Hassell
DeShawn Stevenson – might be an overlap there
Damien Wilkins – can he still defend?
Marcus Williams – played behind Conley and Mayo last year….gives us some size at the 1.
Add Kwame or Admundsen to that list for backup post minutes and have a 15 man roster to work with. I would venture to think we won’t be as healthy as last year, and I see where there will be more bench minutes this year.
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
10:07 am
What does any of this have to do with Trading Mo & Mike Bibby? Get rid of those clowns Bring in Pape Sy, Trey Gilder, and Sherron Collins. We’re not doing ANYTHING this season with those mirauders on the roster. Just stealin’ money smh.
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
10:11 am
JJ has short arms & is not athletic which is why he is not a SF. He tries to body up to effect his opponet. It works at SG where he is bigger but at SF he will just be whistled for the foul. He has no advantage at the SF spot.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 11th, 2010
10:11 am
Ken S.
I know right? Someone last night was saying (rusty?) that
T-Mac has more skills than JJ (a five tool player) – nonsense.
That’s been our problem, asking JJ to do everything on this team will
wear him down after 82 games. The other guys on this team need to step up and earn their pay-checks too. JJ defends the opponents best player in lock-down fashion, he has to ISO in the paint to get his own shot off,
rebound, assist, bring the ball up at times, hit the three …
and … and … Coach his mates on the side lines too? (not his strength) …
IMHO he deserves max-pay on THIS team! What’s next?
Block Shots and play center too?
Go Figure! Aye ASKG! Build your roster – now!
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
10:29 am
Also, the SF crop of this generation is insanely talented whereas the SG crop is just meh.
Do we really want JJ guarding Carmelo, Granger, Lebron, Durant, Pierce & getting hounded by Ron Artest – Shane Battier night in and night out?
KevinM
August 11th, 2010
10:33 am
Talk about a youth movement:
Ken S – Where I’d depart from most would be in the player I’d choose to replace JJ at SG. I’d actually start rookie SG Jordan Crawford, and bring Marvin and JaCrawford off the bench.
“Where I’d depart from most would be in the player I’d choose to replace JJ at SG. I’d actually start rookie SG Jordan Crawford, and bring Marvin and JaCrawford off the bench.”
Really? An all-rookie backcourt with a rookie head coach?
JC1 playing behind JC2?
E#2 being our primary stopper against Pierce/LeBron/Kobe? Not happening….
JC2 assignments:
Game 1 – Memphis – Tony Allen / OJ Mayo
Game 2 – Evan Turner
Game 3 – Gilbert Arenas
Game 5 – Detroit – Rip/Ben Gordon
Cleveland and Minny ok, the rest, please no!
Sund drafts 2 starters the last 2 years…..genius!
When I asked for 2-3 new starters, I didn’t mean to bring in the birds who haven’t learned how to fly yet?
KevinM
August 11th, 2010
10:36 am
Hmmm……..dead on! E#2 isn’t here to be our defensive stopper.
It’s not happening, plain and simple.
This isn’t a 30 game season.
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
10:51 am
Defensive stoppers? Trade Bibby/Mo Bring in: Pape Sy, Trey Gilder, and Taylor Griffen (next Shane Battier)
Those guys are known for their defense. They are also long and athletic. Those guys coupled with Marvin and defensively we should be fine on the wing. We will have tons of long & Athletic bodies with SIZE to throw at Wade, Lebron, Melo, Durant and whoever else wants to get HACKED! ^_^
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
10:59 am
We already have a commitee of scorers (Crawford x 2 , JJ, Marvin) Now we just need a commite of defenders (Josh, Al, and____) <<——any day now Rick.
JoJo the Godfather
August 11th, 2010
11:05 am
I’m still a fan of Bibby & Evans to Charlotte for Boris Diaw, which frees up an active roster spot for Sy or whoever at the 5th guard spot…Charlotte now has Augustin, Livingston & Sherron Collins at PG. Could they use Bibby? They already tried to move Diaw once this offseason to free up minutes for Tyrus Thomas…Sy & Diaw (one plays in France & one’s French), at 6′7″ & 6′8″, and both with PG handles, could be interesting bench guys for this team.
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
11:09 am
JoJo, That deal still looks good to me. Boris may not mind coming back now that Fidel Castro(Woodson) is gone. I should have figured the Bobcats would snatch up Sherron Collins (I said as much weeks ago). Indiana still needs a vet PG. It would be nice to jut dump him on them for some cash or picks.
Hmmm
August 11th, 2010
11:10 am
*Just
SteveW
August 11th, 2010
11:17 am
Why the Hawks want to sign guys for the vet min.?
You get a rebate from the league, depending on years of service – $365,000.00 or so for Jason Collins – $205,000.00 or so for Josh Powell.
These rebates are not supposed to count against the salary cap, but every cap figure I’ve seen for the Hawks include them.
The Hawks currently may have 3.25m in cap space instead of 2.7m.
What this all means is, that to sign Josh Boone for 1.5m instead of the vet min. of 1.1m for him, would in reality cost the Hawks their $200,000.00 rebate.
So this is why we’re fishing for vet. min. guys. If we sign someone for above that – Kwame or Boone for example – it’s because we really think they can help.
Elson, Skinner, Etan Thomas, Boone, Kwame – I think all are better than the RandMo I saw in Summer League.
So we’re looking at an upgrade at the 13th spot it looks like regardless of who we sign.
And who ever suggested signing Trey Gilder as a 14th wing – I cosign with that. Scouting reports say he has all the tools to be an NBA Starter – except absolutely no shot from any range basically.
darrell starks
August 11th, 2010
11:21 am
BIBBY AND MOE for BORIS DIAW, IS A GOOD MOVE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
SteveW
August 11th, 2010
11:24 am
We can laugh and disrespect Sund all we want – and he did look like he did a terrible job to me in Seattle.
But here, underestimate him to your peril. the dude has us set up to make some nice moves nearing the trade deadline – if ASG sees we can make a run:
We have our MLE
We have our TPE
We have a 3.66m Trade exception
We will have some cap space left (probably).
2 expiring contracts to work with
A half of season or so to see if Marvin improves, stays the same or regresses in LD’s system.
And into the future – the guy has got us set up cap wise, regardless of what the “professional” class says on other media outlets.
For example – We lose Jamal and Mo’s contracts in time to re-sign Al Horford
We lose Bibby and ZaZa’s contracts in time to re-sign Josh Smith.
The dude is set up man….
darrell starks
August 11th, 2010
11:28 am
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, AL.
BENCH JAMAL, J2, BORIS, ZAZA, COLLINS.
RESERVE POWEL, SY.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!