Atlanta Hawks: Intense practices have injuries adding up
The open practice at Philips Arena today was a relatively light affair for the Hawks. The way things are going, L.D. might have to start sprinkling in more sessions like that to keep his team in one piece.
Six guys were left behind when the Hawks flew out today for games at Detroit and D.C.: Teague (ankle), Marvin (ill), Twin (leg), Pape Sy (back), Mo (knee) and Jamal (back).
Al, Etan and Josh Powell also have missed time with injuries since camp opened.
“It’s a different preseason for us this year,” Teague said. “It is a lot more intense in practice. Injuries happen in the game. Last year it was a little more laid back and we didn’t have a lot of serious injuries at this time. It is really intense, guys are going really hard and things happen.”
For some of the injuries, it’s hard to know how much of it is just vet players taking it easy so they can be healthy for the long season. And with Mo and Pape, the issues were there before the Hawks started practice.
Still, L.D. said his long, intense practices have been a factor in the assorted nagging injuries but that he doesn’t want to let up too much.
“It is going to be like that, especially when we are preaching being more a physical team and playing with more of a physicality,” he said. “We are going to have our nicks and our bruises. The thing I have to gauge is the fact we are not beating up on each other too much.
“Some days will be a little bit more intense and tougher than others. I won’t wear them down from playing like that every day in practice. Some days we will have to gauge it to where we are not banging as much. But for the most part I want them to bring that energy and intensity every day because that’s who we have to be when we play.”
Teague rolled his ankle when he landed on Jamal’s foot in practice Saturday. He said he thinks he will be back on the court by Tuesday.
Mo said he pushed the knee too early a week ago and had to have it drained. Now he’s backing off a bit while he continues to build strength.
“I don’t want to start that type process,” he said. “If you rush back from injury put yourself at a disadvantage. When I come back I want to be as close to 100 percent as I can. I see Kobe is out there limping around and not really having his full range of motion. I think he came back a little too early. I don’t want to be put in that situation.”
The Hawks will take 11 players on the trip. L.D. said Smoove (hand) would be a gametime decision Monday at Detroit. Josh said he would be out a week after cutting his hand on the rim Thursday but it looks like he could return sooner.
L.D. said he would wait until the Hawks got some guys back before adding more elements of his motion offense. Expect to see some weird lineups in the two games since L.D. still wants to limit the minutes for some of his regulars.
“Injuries are a part of it,” he said. “You hope to get through training camp where it’s an injury-free camp but that’s a not reality. There are bumps, there are bruises.”
MC
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115 comments Add your comment
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Punks!
When MJ played in Washington and drafted Kwame?
He complained about today’s young players who will
not play the 50/50 game and dive for loose balls.
MJ said, ” I’m near 40 years old and am banging my body
on the floor for loose balls. Where is the effort?”
MJ was disgusted that the new players don’t want to ruin
their manicures by diving for loose balls! They scream for
contracts, but they don’t scream for hard practices!
I’m almost done with supporting the Today’s Athlete!
Bump all these injuries! Let’s Go Punk!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
9:44 am
JoJo
I agree! Get rid of Jamal and Maurice – period!
Bring in some hungry players who will accept a role!
Section 303
October 11th, 2010
9:52 am
Guys,
Just an FYI, if you have NBA League Pass, the Washington game will be televised on Tuesday.
J from the A
October 11th, 2010
9:55 am
It’s f’n preseason, guys. I for one don’t want our vets pushing injuries during this time of year.
It’s one thing to demand a player play through it during play off time. It is a whole ‘nother thing to demand that they play through it during the PRESEASON. smh.
Section 303
October 11th, 2010
9:57 am
J from the A, right on! Preseason games just do not matter and should be treated that way.
kwooden1
October 11th, 2010
9:58 am
nire, I didn’t see practice but I’m sure your dead on about Josh and his shooting. That hitch in his mechanics is hard to make up for during games. I also think he fades on his shots to much. I think he’s got keep shooting when he’s open though. Everybody misses sometimes, but if you don’t shoot during the flow of the offensive, it can hurt team rebounding and transition defense.
J from the A
October 11th, 2010
10:01 am
And, I will say it again: As long as Mo successfully comes off this injury, I think he is going to thrive (off the bench) in the motion offense. He moves well without the ball and has shown that, at times, he can be explosive.
An improved Mo and a developing Jordan may give us the insurance we need to move Jamal before the trade deadline. (Of course, the improvement of Mo and the development of Jordan are two big IFs.)
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
10:01 am
J from the A!
If not NOW? When?
When is it too early to build character?
These guys are fully paid to do a full days work, you can’t
Just “turn it on – when it really counts.”
Character, doesn’t have a magic-switch!
Fundamentals
October 11th, 2010
10:02 am
Granddad: “You only get one chance to make a 1st impression”
We did, with the same let down and lack of effort that killed us last year. What came next? Whining about injuries and needing LD to tone it down.
Hopefully they’ll man up and not give us a strike three!
Jamal is most likley being held in case of a trade – IMHO
Mo is just full of himself…again. You’d think he was a captain or real impact player the way he talks. I’ll grant he’s playing SF out of position, but the guy doesn’t deserve that much credit, even from his own momma!
Fundamentals
October 11th, 2010
10:04 am
We don’t want vets pushing injuries, but we do want players pushing hard. You don’t hear me calling out Smoove for getting his stitches healed. Let him heal, but when does chuch basketball camp end and the NBA begin?
joBjo
October 11th, 2010
10:04 am
it’s obvious that several players have come in in less than good shape. how can these lazy millionaires not even show up in shape? don’t blame practice for lazy players coming in out of shape! disgracefull! if this is a sign of their commitment, then I fear for this season!
Fundamentals
October 11th, 2010
10:06 am
Nire & KWooden – Josh’s shooting will improve when he knows when and where he’s expected to shoot from. Preparing for specific shots in the game and running plays will fix that problem. He’s like Marvin, he’s got to know when and where it’s coming from to be successful. It’s called an offense. Glad we’re finally going to run one.
Rushed shots at the end of shot clock aren’t good for Joe, much less Josh or Marvin. Nobody thrives in that environment.
Fundamentals
October 11th, 2010
10:08 am
From AAU through the NBA kids don’t have the hunger to master conditioning. They just want to beat out someone for the starting role and then gloat about one good performance. It’s no longer about being the best you can be, it’s all about starting, stats and money. This is a problem w/ kids from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
10:10 am
Under Construction!
I would be elated to see this team as currently constructed,
become a World Beater!
But, how you practice is how you play!
If your main focus is on your next contract?
Then, you are not focused on the task at hand! (Jamal?)
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
10:16 am
Coddlers & Toddlers!
“This is a Grown Man’s Business.”
- Big-Boi from The ATL movie -
This is a Grown Man’s business!
Why are we coddling toddlers?
i_am_soulstar
October 11th, 2010
10:46 am
J from the A,
I absolutely agree with your 9:55 AM post. It is not routine or even sensible to ask a player to play through the pain during the preseason. LD’s intense practices have caused a few bumps and bruises, but these are apart of the growing pains that a team must go through to change its notoriously “soft” culture.
If guys are anything besides 100%, I don’t support them playing games that don’t count and possible making an injury worse. It’s just not worth it.
And I believe that many of these guys that aren’t playing are still practicing. So as long as they’re learning the system, let them cheer from the bench for the rest of the preseason if they’re anything less than 100%.
KevinM
October 11th, 2010
11:12 am
DMB…you are dead on it today! “I’m almost done with supporting the Today’s Athlete!”
That comment alone speaks loud and clear about the core of this team. How many of those guys get dirty on the floor after loose balls? I have see JJ avoid contact like no one’s business!
While I’m not there to be able to show them how to do it, the $$ is just too great for these guys and done’t be surprised to see Al and JC1 taking it easy on their bodies waiting for that LT deal.
As much as I want to believe Sund and his statements, what he says means very little. This basketball expert still looks like he in OTJ training. I am waiting for one of his evaluations to really pan out. Come to think of it, I am hoping one of his draft picks really pans out.
This is not a team that Sund has done much for; this team has been together and his job so far has been negotiating better deals than most likely what they would get on the open market.
Still a team with too many questions…..those injuries might be a signal of things to come. I wouldn’t get so giddy about Chicago losing Boozer; we may be in the same doctor’s office.
Mike is back
October 11th, 2010
11:20 am
MC, I think if LD is successful at getting these guys to come out every game and battle like warriors…all the aches and pain will be well worth it.
Fundamentals, agree on 11pm post, on guys sustaining lingering injuries…Hey, when you are trying to cultivate a climate of toughness…guys are going to get nicked up. They have to lick their wounds and Man the F up.
Drmaryb, you are right, nothing worst than a bunch of candy ass millionaires…again I think this is a case where LD’s familiarity with the troops…that tells him he has push these guys…in order to change their mindset.
Just the thought of that of Orlando series…makes feel like LD needs to continue to work the F out of these guys…heck, after way they packed it in…in the playoff last season…they should be well rested. lol
GO MC, GO LD, AND GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ntrigue
October 11th, 2010
11:48 am
Feels good not to see Woodson anymore!
Hawk n the Ham
October 11th, 2010
12:19 pm
Has anyone had the NBA online League Pass before? If so, do you have to download a special player to watch the games, or does it play through the same video player on their website? Thanks in advance.
Go Hawks!
Ramon
October 11th, 2010
12:28 pm
Drmaryb, I will say that about Wade, Lebron, Durant, (Josh at times), and Gerald Wallace, they will dive for loose balls, and go all out on the hustle end. A while ago, that is what I was talking about the Hawks having that ‘you won’t outwork me attitude’ as a TEAM. If Atlanta (as a team) gave the effort that Houston gives (they’re about the toughest minded team I can think of right now), they would give any team in the East problems, regardless of the superstar word.
Speaking of which have anyone ever seen JJ dive for a loose ball?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
12:38 pm
Punks – Stink!
DecDawg
October 11th, 2010
12:40 pm
@Ramon – I have never seen JJ hustle/dive for a loose ball. And this type of hustle is a MUST for team leaders.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
12:52 pm
Health Care!
These guys have access to the Best health care in the world!
If you show up to work as a professional athlete – outa’ shape?
Don’t come crying to me!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
12:56 pm
Talent!
Steve Mariucci-sp just said it best on the NFL Network:
“Talent doesn’t win games – Performance does!”
Grandad
October 11th, 2010
1:12 pm
There is a difference between being *hurt -&- being injured.
* Being hurt – means you can & should play through the inj.
* Being injured – is completely different:
1. involves medical staff
2. involves re-hab
3. the Coach is not part of the decision making (when ath plays)
4. more serious than just bein’ hurt
-note- I’m sure I left somethin’ out.
Now for a couple of comments:
Mo is injured.
* J-Cheese suffered an inj during the Memphis game.
* Jamal’s appears to be contract related.
* Bibby is doggiig it. ~~neither hurt nor inj~~
* Pape Sy ??? You know this kid wants to play!
* Josh – inj, no question, -&- he wants to play.
* Ditto, Al.
Grandad
October 11th, 2010
1:18 pm
[* Being hurt – means you can & should play through the inj.]
*Being hurt – means you can & should play through the {{{-Pain-}}}
* {{{Pain}}}…..[not]…..(hurt)
O'Brien
October 11th, 2010
1:37 pm
Given LD’s motion offense, and the energy required, plus the higher risk of injuries, you would think Rick would have done a better job of improving the bench.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 11th, 2010
1:38 pm
Drmaryb: “Character, doesn’t have a magic-switch”
Right on, for youngsters such a Teague feeling comfortable enough to even insinuate to the press that they are being overworked in practice let’s me know a lot about his character. Drew needs to keep doing what he is doing and pull JT0 to the side and tell him zip it and practice like he plays. You don’t become a legend without practice-I don’t care how much natural talent you possess.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
1:40 pm
Grand-Daddy!
Spot on! Thanks for the explanations.
Football players play through nagging pain all year long!
There is no such thing as being 100% healthy during a season.
I challenge the commitment to perform here.
These guys don’t value preparation and training camps.
(See Brett Farve). These type guys only want to play when
they can be seen by the National Media! (see Shaq!)
It’s pathetic to witness laziness!
If you are really injured? All that ish goes out the window!
Teague and Al rolled their ankles, so they are excused!
But sore backs and hurt thumbs? Give me a break!
(See Kobe)
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
1:47 pm
Who Dat?
New Orleans Fan! Amen Bruh, these guys are killing me!
What was Mr. Woodson doing these past six years in practice?
Playing arouind? No wonder they set the record for -
How to be embarrassed in the play-offs!!
Go Figure!
Aye Coach Drew! Work them Punks! Kill ‘em in practice!
Because, they weren’t killin’ nobody in them 2 series!
JoJo the Godfather
October 11th, 2010
1:55 pm
I’m all for guys sitting out if they need to heal an injury…What they should recognize though is that for every game they sit, somebody is getting their minutes…If Jamal wants to sit, I guarantee you that Jordan is thankful and will try his best to take advantage of the playing time…I expect Jeff & Jordan to get big minutes tonight…20+ pts for both tonight.
JoJo the Godfather
October 11th, 2010
1:58 pm
Well, I guess I forgot that Teague was the first name listed as out…Oh well, Jordan will have to got off for 40 instead. LOL
i_am_soulstar
October 11th, 2010
2:04 pm
Definitely JoJo, an injured player stepping foot on the court during a preseason games makes no sense at all to me.
High cost, low reward.
Not my type of gamble.
That’s why I stick to Blackjack in Vegas. 1 to 3 odds.
Section 303
October 11th, 2010
2:28 pm
Hawk n the Ham, I have NBA League Pass, but through DirecTV not online. I think, however, getting it online is pretty easy. You just go to whatever site and choose the game you want to watch, click on it, and it plays.
I’m a huge fan. I love watching the other games. Really like the west coast games the best. Great TV on late Friday and Saturday nights.
Hawk n the Ham
October 11th, 2010
2:55 pm
Section 303, I’ve been thinking of cutting the cable when Google TV comes out later this month. If it streams on a normal webpage, then I think it will work, which would be sweet!
Ken Strickland
October 11th, 2010
2:56 pm
TRUTHSPITTER-you might not respond directly to my posts, but you do respond don’t you. And your inability, or unwillingness to respond to them directly isn’t due to your dislike for what I have to say, but to your lack of courage and/or ability to confront my posts with your very narrowly focused, negative, and often uninformed, single minded opinions of the team and 1 or 2 specific players.
All you’ve contributed thus far are negative comments about AHorford, JTeague and what the team can’t or won’t accomplish, period. Other than that, you might as well be deaf, dumb and blind. As far as the Hawks being soft, that’s the same label that’s been placed on the 2 TIME DEFENDING NBA CHAMPION LA LAKERS. Apparently being considered soft hasn’t stopped them from becoming champions.
Being mentally tough is far more important than being physically tough. A soft team wouldn’t be able to improve each of the last 5yrs, and overcome all of the liabilities that were present to become the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference. In other words DRUM MAJOR FOR THE SPECIAL ED CREW, they out performed and finished ahead of all the so called tough teams except 2 last yr. If that’s your idea of being soft, I’ll bet all of the Eastern Conference teams over the last 2 yrs, except the Cavaliers, Celtics and Magic, would gladly accepted that kind of softness.
Isn’t it ironic that of the 2 teams that are considered soft, one finished 4th and 3rd in the East respectively over the last 2yrs and made it to the 2nd rd, while the other team won it all, TWICE IN A ROW. With those accomplishments, I’ll take soft in this instance over whatever the hell you’re looking for ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
GeeMack
October 11th, 2010
3:10 pm
Ken Strickland
You playing poker? Because you just went all in on Truthspitter. Lol. Hope all is well with you. You made some good points, but I also see where the label “soft” for the Hawks can be applied, and I think that’s why LD has approached training camp the way he has to eliminate that mind frame on this team.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 11th, 2010
3:23 pm
Marshmallows!
KenS … Lord knows I love your passion and optimism
for All things Hawks!
But, come on Bruh!
Them Hawks folded like a cheap lawn chair against the Magic!
You can’t blame that on NOBODY but them players!
There are NO excuses for lying down like that!
To a man – They laid down!
bootsy collins
October 11th, 2010
3:35 pm
hawks ain’t got no heart.
Grandad
October 11th, 2010
3:38 pm
LD needs to see who’s gonna be with him?
If they are whinin’ now, they will be the 1st to jump ship.
So, go ahead & see who’s with ‘im & who’s agin ‘im -Now-!
“Leadership is diving for a loose ball. It’s being able to take it as well as dish it out. That’s the only way you’re going to get respect from the players.” -Larry Bird-
“Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell a teammate you’re ready to play as tough as you’re able, you’d better go out there & do it.” -Larry Bird-
“Players will see right through a phony. They can tell when you’re not giving it all you’ve got.” -Larry Bird-
Ken Strickland
October 11th, 2010
3:54 pm
DRMARYB-haven’t I said on more than one occasions that THE PLAYERS QUIT ON WOODSON? And wouldn’t that indicate I hold the players, not Woodson, responsible for what Orlando did to us? There’s nothing Woodson could have done at that point to prevent what happened. Woodson certainly created the atmosphere that led to the players laying down and quitting, but the actual decision to lay down and quit was strictly on the players. THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WOODSON WOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH HIS JOB ON THE LINE.
It’s obvious, at least to me, the players wanted him out, and knew his fate rested on the teams playoff performance. A poor performance meant he wouldn’t get another contract extension, and a rousing performance, like the one we had against Boston in the 1st rd of the 07/08 playoffs, meant he’d likely get another contract extension. We all know which choice they made, and the subsequent result.
At that point, and considering the circumstance and results, there’s no way Woodson could be rehired. None of us has any way of knowing if players went to Sund, or an owner, to complain about Woodson. Let’s face it, key players on teams winning NBA titles have certainly done it, why not disgruntled Hawk players. We’ll also likely never know if not resigning him had any influence on JJ’s decision to resign with us, rather than demand a sign and trade.
KevinM
October 11th, 2010
4:03 pm
Look for more of these comments from LD:
“It isn’t that hard to understand fellas”.
That ought to tell you what he is dealing with implementing his Princeton offense, which by the way, is what Eddie Jordan ran as a head coach. There is not a guarantee the system works, nor does it guarantee that anyone using it will be better. With this hire, the expectations should be to improve on last year, not take a year to ‘adapt’ to a new philosophy.
Now Ken S. you talk about improving for so many straight years, but really, was last year an improvement over the previous year? Regular season aside? The swap of Flip for JC1? What did we improve on last year showing the end results? Injuries against Cleveland versus no injuries versus Orlando? I don’t see the improvement. Don’t you think that is why LD now has a voice in matters?
What amazes me is how he hung around for 6 years and wasn’t able to implement any of his suggestions. I just don’t buy it. No one is going to be unheard from and just accept his lieutenant ranking.
It doesn’t hurt giving the backups all the minutes in the preseason if you know what you already have, and looking forward to hearing which combinations are out of the floor at the same time.
I still see Bibby is in the starting lineup. When is the change to Teague expected to take shape?
KevinM
October 11th, 2010
4:08 pm
This is the year of all about proving it was Woody’s fault all along. The players? Coddle them and keep them together. No other way to describe it.
Nothing else has been modified in this organization.
Melvin
October 11th, 2010
4:11 pm
No Layup Rule!
drmaryb, you are going hard in the paint (Wacka Flocka Flame style, he’s a rap artist) and it’s only the 2nd game of preseason. I agree we need to show more toughness this season but not to the extent where guys on going down in preseason b/c they did not allow their injuries to heal.
Although the core of this team is fairly young, they have played together for several years. If they need to win meaningless preseason games to gain psychological toughness then our season is already lost…
Melvin
October 11th, 2010
4:16 pm
If I didn’t know any better I would think that the poster Knuckles is T.S…LOL
Grandad
October 11th, 2010
4:37 pm
As a teacher your 1st day in the classroom is the most important.
You must gain control immediately.
Then set your expectations.
“Victorious Warriors win first then go to war” -Sun Tzu-
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the
first four sharpening the axe.” -Abraham Lincoln-
dstdeelite
October 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
Call the police!! We have a serial blogger in our midst. Jeez..
How many times a year does Marvin have the BG’s? Didn’t he miss a game last season for a “stomach illness?”
Samuel
October 11th, 2010
4:53 pm
This is exactly what you get when you undermine and orchestrate a coup an overthrow your coach or Boss. You come in all Gung Ho and try to prove something and the results are so many injuries.
HOW THE HEL_ are you still “learning” an offense and the season starts in a week.
Astro Joe
October 11th, 2010
5:10 pm
Co-sign Melvin @ 4:11.