Atlanta Hawks: Etan Thomas and Josh Powell add ‘physicality’
If Etan doesn't get much chance to mix it up with the likes of Dwight he'll prepare teammates for it. (AP Photo)
Even considering L.D.’s plan to use a deeper rotation, it’s possible Etan Thomas and Josh Powell won’t get regular minutes during the season. As it stands now Thomas is no higher than the No. 3 center behind Al and Zaza , and with Al expected to play minutes at power forward Powell might be fifth or six in the bigs pecking order.
Yet even if Atlanta’s two new big men don’t get much game time the word at Hawks training camp is they are already paying dividends with their physical play during practices. One observer said he wouldn’t be surprised if a fight breaks out soon because of the way Thomas and Powell mix it up.
Not that such a development would be unwelcome for the Hawks as they try to shed their finesse rep.
“All of Etan’s career he’s brought toughness,” Smoove said. “Josh has come in and he’s a physical player. We definitely need that. He played on a championship-caliber team with two rings. The physicality is there, and I like that. It definitely brings a ‘no back down’ attitude to the bigs.”
The Hawks are known as an athletic, skilled team, which is another way of saying they haven’t had any real bangers. They can run the floor, grab steals, block shots and throw down dunks but when it’s time to grind (i.e., the playoffs) they come up short.
Thomas and Powell are grinders.
“They have certainly brought some physicality to our practices, which I embrace,” L.D. said. “Both guys play that style. Coming here and being who they are, it makes our practices that much more competitive.”
Before injuries and age intervened, Thomas earned a rep for being tough and scrappy despite being short for a center. He’s still got a grown man’s build (those biceps in particular are impressive) and a disposition to take on all comers.
He said he’s noticed the Hawks are ready to make amends for last spring.
“One of the things I’ve constantly heard is the way last year ended left a bitter test in their mouths,” Thomas said. “Yeah, they won 53 games, and that’s a great season, but the way it ended left a bitter taste. Everybody is really hungry and determined not to let that happen again. Everybody came ready.”
When the Hawks signed Powell, Rick Sund cited his experience with the Lakers as a plus. Powell didn’t play much for the Lakers over the last two seasons but was praised for his practice habits and professionalism.
He has the insight that only comes from being part of a championship program–the other day during a grueling set of sprints at practice, Hawks assistant Lester Conner told Powell: “Bring those two championship rings in here so they can see what we are working for.”
What does it take to reach that level?
“The first thing is you have got to have a group of guys that is committed,” Powell said. “Commitment can be from all aspects: defensively, offensively, sacrifice. We obviously have the talent. We have a lot of guys with skills. We just have got to continue to work hard and create good habits.
“[You do that] with the effort. When you have that in practice it’s much easier to have in games. We have to have that mindset, that killer mentality.”
Thomas and Powell are helping to bring that out in practice. It’s already led to a few heated engagements.
“You’ve seen it a little bit,” Smoove said. “A little complaining. It is definitely getting a little physical out there. I like it. There ain’t nothing wrong with a little testosterone going, the energy is going and the body fluids are going.”
No call, no cry
L.D. stopped practice today when players started complaining about the calls by local officials brought in for scrimmages. The calls were pretty bad–lots of illegal screens went without a whistle, to the point that even J.J. lashed out–but L.D. didn’t want to hear it.
“Let the officials make the calls and play,” he told them. “That’s a big part of our growth. We are always complaining to officials about calls. We have got to get that [blank] out of our system. That starts here in practice.”
L.D. elaborated on his stance afterward:
“To me nothing positive comes out of that. They are not going to change the call, so just leave them alone and just play basketball. It’s a very emotional game, and I understand that. . . . [But] we don’t want to get into being a team that complains a lot and always disputing calls and that type thing. Stay away from that and just play ball.”
L.D. said he was called for one technical foul during his 10-year career–he even remembered the city (San Antonio) and the official (Wally Rooney). He said he never was called for a tech as an assistant coach.
Now that he’s moving over to the head coach’s seat, his interactions with officials will increase dramatically. How does he think he will handle them?
“I don’t know how am I going to be,” he said. “If if it ain’t going the way I like it, obviously I am going to voice my opinion and stick up for my players. Some [coaches], they are masters at how they work officials. Some guys they take the approach of leaving the officials alone. That is kind of the approach I want to take and want my players to take the same approach. I know it is an emotional game but they have to fight through that and kind of let me handle it.”
Injury report
The nagging injuries are starting to pile up as the two-a-days start to take their toll after a summer off. Today Josh Powell (groin) was added to an injured list that still includes Al (ankle), Pape Sy (back), Mo (knee), and Jamal (back).
“That’s normal training camp stuff,” L.D. said. “Their bodies are not quite used to this kind of work when they haven’t done anything for a while. Not saying they haven’t played any basketball, but the two-a-days and some of the starting and stopping [lead to soreness].”
– Conner is a lively presence during practices due to his talent for mess talking. He shouts out encouragement, praise, critiques and whatever else he thinks the Hawks need to hear.
The other day during sprints Conner walked near reporters and shouted at players: “Miami who? We are going to run them out of the gym!” Today during suicide sprints at the end of practice Conner yelled out: “Best-conditioned team in the league!”
Coincidentally, that last one is a Pat Riley rallying cry, too.
MC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
74 comments Add your comment
Matt
October 2nd, 2010
12:30 am
Pape Sy discovered Bigfoot–and then dunked on him.
Ghost of Bob Weiss
October 2nd, 2010
12:49 am
“There ain’t nothing wrong with a little testosterone going, the energy is going and the body fluids are going.”
ughhhh, what are they practicing again? lol
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 2nd, 2010
3:49 am
@ Ghost of Bob Weiss,
its late, your mind is in the gutter, good night (morning)
Najeh Davenpoop
October 2nd, 2010
6:50 am
“From this discussion I wanted to know Van Exel’s style of play as a point guard. Was he a true point guard (focused on high assists) or a slasher/scorer, or an outside shooting threat?”
I remember him being a shoot-first point guard who, when he got hot, would be damn near unstoppable shooting from the outside. Not trying to imply that he couldn’t run an offense, but I do remember him being the kind of player who looked for his shot first. Then again, maybe this was partially due to the kind of role he played later in his career, either coming off the bench (like in Dallas) or on teams that didn’t have a ton of other scoring options (like in Denver).
One thing is for damn sure — I never saw him lacking confidence at any point in time, and that’s a mentality Teague needs badly.
STUCK IN SC
October 2nd, 2010
7:36 am
The Hawks two new player’s bring physicality to the team. Well I’m no expert but if your riding the pine, seems to me the physicality is non-existant, unless they are banging on the bench to get the gatorade. Give me a break.
dap01
October 2nd, 2010
8:09 am
Stuck in SC: With deep thinking like that, it’s no wonder you are stuck in SC. Think, Think.
bigdave
October 2nd, 2010
10:37 am
MC .. another good read.. question:
when and if you notice.. let me/us know how Al looks out of any touches with his back to the basket. do you see him showing confidence in going over his right shoulder? or is he still attempting to bang his way to the center of the paint to go up right? any drop steps? inside pivots, face ups? i love the way our offense sounds.. however, for us to make any progression in playoffs (when your opponent know yours sets) its vital that we’re able to drop it down low and get some positive results (fouls/buckets) with consistency.
ant banks
October 2nd, 2010
10:58 am
i don’t care what the prognosticators (constipators) say. i STILL have the hawks finishin’ 3rd in the east, behind orlando and miami. i like us finishin’ better than boston, chicago, and milwaukee.
The Truth
October 2nd, 2010
11:01 am
“HOOPSWORLD caught up with Horford during Hawks media day and he reiterated his stance on wanting to play more power forward, his desire to remain an All-Star and his excitement about new head coach Larry Drew’s motion offense.
“I’ve been adjusting to it (playing center) since I got here, so obviously I would like to play a little more at the power forward position, which is my natural position. But I’m OK with still playing some at center,” explained Horford to HOOPSWORLD.
The phrase that should worry Hawks fans is the “playing some at center” remark. This statement shouldn’t be taken lightly because if the Hawks fail to get his signature on an extension early, the club risks losing him on the open market next summer even though he’d be a restricted free agent and they’d be able to match any offer.”
Maybe Jamal is not the only player the Hawks should consider moving. As wild as that might seem, if Horford doesn’t accept the extension offer, he’s looking like Carmelo, so all bets are off.
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17441#ixzz11DHbtmhz
O'Brien
October 2nd, 2010
11:12 am
The truth,
The difference between Jamal and al is al is a building block of this team, while Jamal isn’t. Also, we don’t need Jamal as much Because he is backing up JJ, a 4 time all star and 3rd team all NBA. We need horford. So I wouldn’t compare him and jamal’s situation.
Rev,
I think van exel averaged 14 ppg and 6 apg for his career, and is top 10 in the NBA for 3 pointers made. So I think he was a scoring PG first.
I would take 14 and 6 from teague, with good defense.
The Truth
October 2nd, 2010
11:27 am
“So I wouldn’t compare him and jamal’s situation”
Again, if Horford doesn’t accept the extension offer, he’s looking like Carmelo, so all bets are off.
Rev in Tampa
October 2nd, 2010
11:47 am
If Al moves to the PF, then what do you do with Josh?
Mel
October 2nd, 2010
12:08 pm
Since we’re going to run a motion offense that doesnt call for much standing around the perimeter, can’t Josh Smith play at 3 now? Just curious
The Truth
October 2nd, 2010
12:14 pm
I think what makes Al happy is being a part-time PF. In that situation, Josh could be resting or spot duty at SF. But Al must be careful if he wants to stay an All-star as a PF considering competition from the likes of Boozer, KG and Bosh. It would be easier for him to be an All-star as a center in the East.
JSS
October 2nd, 2010
12:42 pm
Van Exel was always stuck on Laker teams which had a lot of pieces which were not properly used. He and Eddie Jones in the same backcourt was not a good thing. The early maturation of Shaq, Kobe, and Derek Fisher brought their own friction. The Del Harris battles did not help either.
In terms of his play, he was fearless and sometimes selfish. His 3 stroke when on was a thing of beauty. He wasn’t called “Nick the Quick” for nothing… He had a lot of Billups in him with a way better handle. He would take the big shot like Chauncey, but he just did not recognize that he was playing with the most dominate player of his generation (Shaq).
Rupeward
October 2nd, 2010
1:06 pm
@Najeh Davenpoop
Nick was a ball distributor earlier in his career. More of a slash and dish type of guy. They used to call him “Nick the Quick”. Additionally, he could always be depended upon to fill the hole.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 2nd, 2010
1:34 pm
Blog Monster is Hard at Work today!
Uuggh!
jason
October 2nd, 2010
1:44 pm
MC if we do indeed trade jamal by the trade deadline, who do u think we would get in return that can really help us in the playoffs if we make it?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 2nd, 2010
1:45 pm
Throw in The Towel!
I give up on posting today!
Later, gotta’ go pay some bills now.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 2nd, 2010
1:50 pm
Lights Out!
Didn’t Nick punch a referee (Donoghay-sp?) In the throat on the
scorer’s table?
Or was that Cassell?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 2nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Bleacher Report
Anger in Sports: A Look Back Over My Time
By Richard O’Neal on August 07, 2009
As a 25 year-old, I’d like to say that I’ve seen my fair share of sporting events. I’ve seen the good and bad; the beautiful and ugly; the highs and lows. I played up until I was 23, and I have taken note of some of the behavior that people around me and that of players on television have displayed, which brought me to my main question: Has anger in sports gotten out of hand, since my existence?
Anger is defined as a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong. It’s understandable that anger is a natural part of a human’s ability to feel things and cope, but a person can be and often is judged by how they choose to handle their feelings.
More and more each year, sports become a huge part in the lives of males and females. The vastly growing market of new media/and social media makes it very easy for younger people to view the negative behaviors of athletes and pick up on these negative actions of their role models. Baseball, basketball and football are the main areas of focus pertaining to where a lot of these issues are in American society.
Football
Football would have to be one of the worst displays of anger in sports. There is so much aggression learned and taught that it becomes a part of a player’s behavior. Thrown or slammed helmets, late hits, excessive profanity, thrown headsets and constant yelling are consistent factors in practices and games. As a former player, I understand that it’s a physical game with physical tendencies but there has to be a point where the line is drawn. Think back in 1999 when then Cleveland Browns offensive tackle shoved long-time NFL referee Jeff Triplette to the ground after being accidentally hit in the eye by a flag or former linebacker Bill Romanowski punching a teammate back in 2003, resulting in a fractured eye socket and a lost tooth.
Baseball
The game of baseball is much lighter on anger than football but still has questionable tendencies that should be discussed. Broken bats, balls thrown at the body and mainly the head, charging the mound and the famous profanity-laced tirades of managers when calls don’t go their way. There was an incident a couple of years back when minor league player Izzy Alcantara drop-kicked the opposing team’s catcher after he was called out for three strikes(Here’s the video). How could we forget the incident involving Roberto Alomar spitting in the face of the umpire. (The aftermath) Now that I think of it, baseball sounds much worse than I initially thought.
Basketball
Basketball has its fair share of lumps as well. Basketballs are thrown into the stands and/or spiked onto the court, flagrant fouls turn into injuries and poor sportsmanship is displayed on and off the court. In 1996, Nick Van Exel shoved a ref onto the scorer’s table because he couldn’t control his anger and was suspended for the final seven games of that season and fined $25,000. In this same article Dennis Rodman was suspended and six games and fined $20,000 for headbutting a referee just a month earlier. Speaking of Rodman, we all remember his little run-in with the cameraman as shown here. Back in 2001, a referee was knocked unconscious by a player from Uruguay because the player was upset with a non-call (Seen here). In November of 2004, one of the worst displays ever in a sports event, the “Brawl at the Palace” took place. The Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers participated in a huge fight that involved fans and the coaching staff because of a hard foul by Ben Wallace on Ron Artest. (Seen here)
Nascar
I wasn’t even going to get into this but even Nascar isn’t immune to anger in sports. We have seen so many crashes and spin-outs lately due to anger and even fights outside of the cars. Fans look at it as being a part of the sport but they aren’t realizing the seriousness of the situation.
I realize that these issues could be thought of as being too sensitive or taking it to the extreme but read back over all of these points again..Watch some of these videos again.
Fathers or mothers, do you really want your children to learn these behaviors and incorporate them into their lives?
Young people, do you think this is acceptable for grown men and women to act this way?
What kind of example are they setting?
Most players don’t ask or choose to be role models, they just are and they need to step outside of these situations to see what they are showing people.
Will these things change?
I doubt it but someone needs to light a spark under these sports figures to inform them of the choices they make.
- drmaryeb The Entertainment Reporter -
Geemack
October 2nd, 2010
4:12 pm
Hawks fans,
The history of the NBA is filled with team that had great offensive systems, with good players that never played for a title. Examples (Webber led Kings, Nash led Suns, Morning led Heat, Niques led Hawks, The Pierce & Walker led Celtic) the list goes on.
The formula for winning a title in the NBA is 1 superstar and 2 all star caliber players. Example (Jordan, Pippen & Rodman, Magic, Kareem, & Worthy, Bird, McHale, & Parish, Dumars, Thomas, & Aguire) the list goes on.
It is exciting to know that Hawks fans will no longer be subject to fundamentally flaw basketball (ISO Joe). Due to LD bringing in a sound offensive system, however there is disappointment that the Hawks management have not brought in the players to allow the Hawks to take the next step in their developement to win it all.
Will the Hawks have a better regular season? They should. However we can not ignore the facts that the teams the Hawks are chasing (Bos, Orlando, and The Lebron led team) all strengthens their weaknesses while the Hawks stayed the same. That will hurt them in the playoffs again.
Also remember JJ is 29.
jason
October 2nd, 2010
5:35 pm
poll question who was our best addition/resigning.
A. Jordan Crawford
B. Joe Johnson
C.Etan Thomas
D.Josh Powell
E.Jason Collins
jason
October 2nd, 2010
5:35 pm
or f.Pape sy