Atlanta Hawks: Lots of talk about ‘D’ but few results
Since camp opened on Sept. 28 L.D. has laid out some specific defensive goals he wants from the Hawks.:
Get back in transition and then stop the ball and protect the basket.
Defend the pick-and-roll by showing hard with the help.
Block out.
Play with energy.
More than two weeks later, what he’s gotten is players showing “no energy as far as stopping the ball and protecting the basket” in transition, “kind of swiping at the ball from the help position” on pick-and-rolls and not boxing out.
Is L.D. disappointed his preaching hasn’t yet led to results?
“No,” he said. “It has to become habit. Doing it the old way, we could possibly finish somewhere in the middle of the pack defensively. But I am looking beyond that. I think we should be one of the top 10 teams in the league defensively if we make the total commitment of taking care of our responsibilities. That is something I am teaching every day and I am not going to let up.”
So L.D. broke down all those issues during a video session today and said the Hawks then had “one of the better practices with the energy and the responsibilities on the coverages.” It also helped that he had more bodies.
Jamal, Twin, Mo, and Marvin all returned to practice today. Teague (ankle) is still out and may not play Saturday vs. the Hornets in Johnson City, Tenn.
The injuries have nothing to do with effort, of course, but they’ve affected everything else. It’s been tough to get a read on the Hawks because, outside of parts of the first half of the exhibition opener, they’ve had a patchwork group on the court
That’s contributed to the ragged play. It’s also scuttled many of L.D.’s plans like playing Teague with the starters, Al at power forward, and keeping Jordan Crawford at two guard while not playing him crazy minutes.
“That part of it is tough,” L.D. said. “But that’s just the way it is. You have to deal with it. When they [the injured players] get back we’ll spend more teaching them to try to get them caught up.”
There will still be issues when the full group is intact. In addition to facing the tough task of molding this group into the kind of gritty defensive team they’ve never been, L.D. is hamstrung by personnel.
Bibby’s issues with lateral quickness were on full display against Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum. L.D. didn’t even bother trying him on John Wall.
Sure those are some young, fast guys but the problem for the Hawks is the league has a lot of those. If they can’t somehow find a way to contain ballhandlers on the perimeter it’s hard to see how they can make the defensive leap L.D. is seeking.
That’s why the Hawks need Teague to rise up. Otherwise, L.D.’s other options include letting J.J. spend significant time guarding point guards (which J.J. doesn’t like because he wears down), play Bibby only in lineups that also include Marvin, Josh and Al, or hope Jamal can do better.
The injuries have prevented L.D. from sorting those things out.
“I understand we don’t have guys, but I still want the mindset to be every single night we are going to make it tough for people to score against us,” he said. “I’m looking at transition ‘D,’ I’m looking at how we defend the pick-and-roll, and are we in position when the ball goes up on the glass to rebound. Once we get that part consistent, it becomes habit-forming. I think we have enough to score baskets.”
If not for Teague’s injury, he would have gotten a lot of those minutes JC2 has been playing at point guard.
“It’s frustrating,” Teague said. “I played well in the one game, though we didn’t win. And then I got hurt in practice the next day. But it happens. I’m just glad it’s not worse.”
By the way, L.D. said Jordan Crawford is not a realistic option at point guard, so he’s not in competition with Teague to either back up Bibby or supplant him in the starting lineup.
“I’ve made no bones about it as far as how I see Jeff,” L.D. said. “My expectations for him was to come in and push Mike for the starting role. Jeff has had a good camp and then unfortunately he had the ankle injury.
“I look at Jordan as who he is. He is not a point. He has the ability to play some point but he doesn’t have those natural point-guard instincts. He’s a good passer. That being said, I just view him more as a two than a one.”
Injury report
Teague ran on the treadmill for 19 minutes and said he felt fine but he’s being cautious.
“Wally [Blase]told me to take my time and don’t rush it,” he said. “An ankle is nothing to mess with. I don’t want to tweak it and make it worse.”
Jamal said his back is at 75 percent.
“It felt pretty good,” he said. “It’s better and better. The worst is behind me.”
Collins said he might play Saturday.
“I hope so,” he said. “It’s a little sore, which is to be expected on the first day back from a sprain.”
Mo and Marvin should be ready to play Saturday.
Pape Sy (back) is still on the shelf. L.D. said he had no update on his status.
MC
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167 comments Add your comment
truly1
October 14th, 2010
6:08 pm
hey
truly1
October 14th, 2010
6:09 pm
nevergot first
Rev in Tampa
October 14th, 2010
6:18 pm
I am glad to see Drew’s mental toughness in the face of adversity. Double-down on the D!
Roland
October 14th, 2010
6:19 pm
Any updates on how Al’s ankle is doing, or possible predictions from him as to when he’ll be ready to give his full effort out there?
Grandad
October 14th, 2010
6:21 pm
Jamal said “his back is at 75 percent The worst is behind me.”
Now that’s funny.
UGA
October 14th, 2010
6:22 pm
Wouldn’t it be smart to bring in another PG? What if this happens during the season? Not that he’s a world beater, but Anthony Johnson was running with them during the offseason and is available…..
tenacious d
October 14th, 2010
6:30 pm
the one good thing about the “stand around and watch Joe go one-on-one” offense from past years is that the other four players had plenty of energy to play good D. The motion O is going to wear everyone out equally so now we can give uo 118 pts a game
Jay
October 14th, 2010
6:43 pm
This is going to end badly.
Jody
October 14th, 2010
6:57 pm
Great info as usual MC. I do agree with Larry Drew’s assessment of Jordan Crawford in that he’s a two guard with really good playmaking and passing ability as oppossed to a point guard. With that being said however, him getting consistent playing time is key in my opinion. The young man has got game and it’s in the Hawks best interest to let him grow and not hold him back.
Rev in Tampa
October 14th, 2010
7:04 pm
Drew has the goal of the Hawks being in the top ten in defense. The biggest hurdle they have to clear to reach this goal is their own mentality. They must learn to love defense. It is evident that the Hawks are weak-minded. (Horrible road record, lazy in transition-D, not fighting through screens). Their bad habits are more than just habits leftover from Woody’s style. Their habits come from softness. But they have the talent to be great.
Hmmm
October 14th, 2010
7:05 pm
I’m not happy with Ld’s assesment of JC2. Does this also mean that JC1 wont see any minutes at the point this year wither? Who will back up Teague? Bibby is finished and is not a viable option at this point. What IS he thinking. Noone saidJC@ had to supplant Teague, just back him up.
i_am_soulstar
October 14th, 2010
7:17 pm
JC2 s a true shooting guard every way imaginable. D. Wade gets it in at 6′3, I’m sure JC2 will do the same with time.
I think they’re playing better safe than sorry with Teague. And I’m glad they are. Our other point guard is his last leg apparently.
jcboyett
October 14th, 2010
7:17 pm
any updates on getting al an extension?
i_am_soulstar
October 14th, 2010
7:36 pm
on his last leg*
Samuel
October 14th, 2010
7:56 pm
After two weeks they still haven’t gotten any better during the preseason. I don’t see it happening during the regular season when they really start playing.
tenacious D,that was the first thing I said when I heard of the new motion offense. You can count on one hand the coaches in the history of the NBA who have made anything similar work. I don’t see a minimum wage “newbee” getting multimillionairs with guaranteed contracts doing all that running. Something has to be sacraficed and it looks like it will be defense.
People here want to blame Bibby for all the defensive problems but I see poor defense from the entire team. Teague may be quicker but i still haven’t seen him stop penetration even when healthy. Plus, our frontline is severly overmatched. Looks like injuries will be the excuse for our backpeddling this year. We will have to fight hard to make the sweet 16 this year i’m mightyfraid.
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 14th, 2010
8:08 pm
Samuel here’s Woodys Penis:
->
Get ya grub on
Astro Joe
October 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
Enter your comments hereyess this means that Drew sees some natural PG instincts in Teague. Good to hear that guys are on the mend… let’s not rush anyone back into these pre-season games though.
MC, please remind me, did Pape Sy arrive in Atlanta hurt? Is there any reason to question the due diligence of signing this guy prior to a full examination?
Astro Joe
October 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
Wow, rookie mistake. That first part should read, I guess this means that Drew sees some natural PG instincts in Teague.
KevinM
October 14th, 2010
8:30 pm
“I look at Jordan as who he is. He is not a point” – LD….Something I said earlier this season, and JC2 was forced into the role because of no help behind him.
Thanks, MC. This is a good time to emphasize that so far, the preseason hasn’t met the expectations of the coach. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there are enough guys who played against Washington who should have been comfortable to not make it look like a makeshift team out there.
As for the D, Joe sure might not have a choice but to work harder on the defensive end night end and night out and defer some of the offense. I see Marvin in the same situation. These 2 have to lead the defense or there will be many games where the Hawks get behind early. Bibby might be the biggest downturn heading into the season, and he still might get the starting nod.
Notes on the Wizards after watching them play the Wizards…I see no reason why they don’t have a shot to make some noise this season, especially if they can get some value for Gilbert, because it doesn’t look like they are going to promote him with this youth movement. And their offense looked much better than ours, handing out 27 assists. That is what a functioning motion offense is doing for them. And Sam Cassell teaching Wall sure doesn’t hurt either.
Michael Cunningham
October 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
@Roland: “Any updates on how Al’s ankle is doing, or possible predictions from him as to when he’ll be ready to give his full effort out there?”
the ankle is not 100 pct. the plan is to bring it along slowly so there are no setbacks and he will be ready to start the season.
Michael Cunningham
October 14th, 2010
8:39 pm
@AJ: “MC, please remind me, did Pape Sy arrive in Atlanta hurt? Is there any reason to question the due diligence of signing this guy prior to a full examination?”
Sy said the back tightened up during a workout five days prior to camp. i’m surprised he’s been out this long but not sure that means they didn’t give him a thorough exam.
Ken Strickland
October 14th, 2010
8:47 pm
It amazes me to see certain WOODY LOVERS thumping their chests and claiming they are the only ones who know anything about basketball. While at the same time, they’re boasting that any and everything they say, think, or feel about basketball is THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, WOW!
Now here’s where they lose me when it comes to their feable attempts to employ logic and common sense to their special brand of BS.
1-They both feel the Hawks would be much better off if Woodson had been retained. Chances are we’d still likely have the same core players we have now, and the Eastern Conference be just as improved? So COMMON SENSE begs me to ask, how in the hell can anyone with an actual IQ think Woodson could do more than Drew, especially in the playoffs, under the same circumstances, and with basically the same team, when he failed so miserably last yr? DUH!
2-One has even labeled LDrew WOODY LITE. Well, COMMON SENSE begs me to ask, if Woodson was so doggone great in your opinion, shouldn’t you be pleased they replaced him with an assistant that you feel is a replica of your beloved Woody, rather than having a disdain for him? DUH!
This is P-R-E-S-E-A-S-O-N, and the fact we’re 0-3 and playing poorly overall means very little in the overall context of things, and here’s why:
1-COMMON SENSE should tell you that any team that’s missing 6(ONE HALF) of the players that will make up the 12 man active roster, will likely play poorly.
2-COMMON SENSE should also tell you that if 2 or those 6 are starters(SF MWilliams & PG JTeague), and 2 of the 3 remaining starters(C AHorford & PF JSmith) are less than 100% and nursing injuries, but are playing because the team is shorthanded, the team will likely play poorly.
3-COMMON SENSE should also tell you that when new OFF’s and DEF’s are being installed, and the situation in #2 prevents key players from participating fully, the team will likely play poorly.
4-When your teams 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th leading scorers are missing or playing injured, the team will likely play poorly.
5-If the injured and missing starters did play, and play together, and both the OFF and the players performed very well, why think the team will do worse when the season starts, the players are healthy, excited, motivated, and the roster and rotations are set?
Wouldn’t COMMON SENSE tell you that anyone who knows, or thinks he knows more about basketball than anyone else would have enough sense to know these things already, and would have factored them into their special brand of BS?
Oh well, just food for thought.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
8:58 pm
Bits & Pieces!
This team has so many bits and pieces. But, not one single
player is in their natural position.
Last season, Mr. Johnson called this team scrappy!
Nothing has changed.
We are still trying to figure out WHO is WHAT.
This makes me want to go looking for that old ….
You old bloggers guessed it right!
My Razor Sharp Cheetah Thong:
That old nasty thing is crusty, old and packed away, but, if
the Hawks revert back to the same old excuses of 5 years ago?
I will have no choice but to pull that old THONG out and start
gun-slinging it! The old re-building Hawks made my azz
uncomfortable when I sat to watch these BS ball games!
That thing went out with the performer – Cisco!
The last time he sang a HIT SONG?
It was the Thong-Song, right around the time the Hawks were
at a 13 Game winning clip! Now, I’m not saying we revert
that far backwards. But, if Teague can only give 19 minutes
on a tread-mill, then the Hawks will be on that tread-mill
too. Playing great defense about 19 minutes per game!
Child Please!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
9:02 pm
Build It! – They will come.
Aye Sund! Build your Effin’ Team!
Find this core some damned Help!
This Town … This City … These Fans? Deserve a Winner!
We don’t need these Losers!
No more excuses!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
9:04 pm
Habitat for Humanity!
PG
Center
13 Years and … Still Effin’ Waiting?
Where is the Humanity in that?
Marvin@ the Point??
October 14th, 2010
9:06 pm
LD is drinking on the job. Josh can play with 3 fingers stiched together but other guys are sitting for a sore this and a tight that. Yeah this needs a good spin.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
9:09 pm
Chiropractor in the House!
Pape Sy needs a SPINAL CORRECTION!
Is there a Chiropractor on this Staff?
I know an excellent one!
Call your Girl – Dr. Mary E. Burton … Google That!
Damn!
Dept. of Unintended Irony
October 14th, 2010
9:22 pm
“I don’t see a minimum wage “newbee” getting multimillionairs with guaranteed contracts doing all that running. Something has to be sacraficed and it looks like it will be defense.”
Either that or spelling.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
9:23 pm
Don’t Tell Me!
IF:
1. Teague turns his ankle in the regular season or play-offs?
We can play:
JJ, Jamal, Jordan or Bibby @ PG and still maintain!
2. Al turns his ankle (his only repeated injuries) during the regular season and play-offs?
We can play:
Zsa, Collins, Etan at C and still maintain.
Go get Daimpeer now!
We already passed on any other options.
I guess when the injuries come and really count, we will go
to the D-League and string together some 10 day contracts.
Is that our plan B?
I better go grease that Thong up.
I’m not being negative – just pragmatic.
My Mamma always told me to stash $100.00 in my junk drawer
for a – rainy day! Why? Because the Sun don’t shine up your
azz everyday! Count on it!
northcyde
October 14th, 2010
9:29 pm
It’s like I said in the last blog. Drew seems to be almost afraid to let Jordan completely do his thing, because he and everyone else believes in Teague.
So if Jordan isn’t a realistic option at PG, ( which on this team, is crazy to say, imo ) it means that he’ll have a hard time getting on the court. Mo Evans is going to have to play like garbage, for Jordan to see the floor. If not, Drew will opt to go with Mo.
Get used to seeing the kid, because you may not see him 2 weeks from now when the real games start.
I think it’s hilarious for Drew to believe in Teague that much, but almost hold in praise for Jordan.
One needs a “dog trainer” ( Van Exel ) to turn him into a big dog.
The other already shows signs of being a big dog, but the owner plans to put him in a cage and strap a big chain around his neck to subdue him.
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
9:38 pm
Groovin’ down the ‘AVENUE’ with PAUL TAYLOR. Little smooth jazz tonight.
Relax HAWKSTERS. If you din’t notice, neither side played the ‘D’ in D.C. the other night. It was pretty much a track meet with the local heros showing off for the VERY few fans who bothered. I understand tix and merchandise sales are WAY down in the Phone-Booth. WIZARDS needed this one bad to begin rebuilding disaffected fans, and just put in more effort, but in my estimation what you see now is what you get in the regular season. I don’r see the WIZ improving much once the light’s go on. I certainly don’t feel that way about the HAWKS. Seen the same basic playa’s turn up the heat, and play with gusto when the game’s for all the marbles. So lighten up folks, it’s the pre-season.
Sautee
October 14th, 2010
9:42 pm
northcyde,
How do you “know” just what plans LD has for JC2?
For all we know he could be thinking of throwing him out there BEFORE Mo.
After all, Mo has an expiring contract. If JC2 shows enough, Mo could go for a backup SF, and at any rate JJ WILL play 3 some this year.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
9:44 pm
As Good as it Gets!
This team was good enough to go out and get role player!
We needed/need specialists:
Defensive Stoppers on the Perimeter:
Tony Allen
Matt Barnes
Raja Bell
Ron Artest
Etc.
Defensive Stoppers in the Paint:
Shaq
Dampieer
Etc
Point Guard:
Collinson
Devin Harris
Royal Ivey
Help me out here?
Etc
Those three simple, non flashy, simple moves?
Would have improves this team greatly.
Thomas Dimitroff was ridiculed for all the “who dat?”
picks he made in the NFL Draft last season, but look at
his defense now? Leading the NFL in take-aways!
Corey Peters
And a list of back-ups that I can’t recall right now, special
team players from small schools! He has built a perennial team
that will compete year in and out for many years to come.
He has made NO excuses, he just did his job!
The Hawks and Sund did Nothing!
They like their Effin’ core?
That core got blown outa’ the play-offs last season!
northcyde
October 14th, 2010
9:45 pm
I don’t want to get MC in trouble with Drew . . . but I bet if MC went up to Jordan tomorrow and asked . . .
“Do you think you can play PG on the NBA level?”
Jordan wouldn’t even hesitate to say yes, even if his best position is the 2.
Even if Teague is the best option at the point, how in the world is Jordan excluded from playing the position, when Bibby and Jamal ( two guys who are more like SGs themselves ) are the only ones left to play it?
LOL . . Jordan can’t play the point, but Smoove will get work at the 3?
Doesn’t make sense coach.
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
9:46 pm
Damn, mellow tonight. A bit of VIRGINIA GENTLEMAN, sweet vermouth, cherry bitters, shaken not stirred, ice on the side, does wonders for the old constitution. I say I’d been puffin’ some serious weed if I didn’t know better. Bein’ high on life if too cool man. Ya’ll enjoy your lives, and don’t go trippin’ on the HAWKS ya’ he-yah! They gonna’ pull the rabbit out of the hat have no fear.
O'Brien
October 14th, 2010
9:58 pm
“If they can’t somehow find a way to contain ballhandlers on the perimeter it’s hard to see how they can make the defensive leap L.D. is seeking.” MC .
Thanks MC. But yet some fans last year continued to criticize Josh and Al for poor defense in the paint, but would not acknowledge the fact that defense starts on the perimeter.
O'Brien
October 14th, 2010
9:59 pm
northcyde, ,
I dont see how LD is holding in praise for Jordan. He likes him as a SG, which is what he has always been projected to be. And like you said, with JJ and Jamal on board, where is Jordan going to get the minutes anyway?
Whereas we need Teague to step, we dont need as much from Jordan. If they wanted Jordan to get more PT, then Jamal should have been traded.
And of course Jordan will say he can play the point. I bet Josh would say he can play PG (dude averages 4 or 5 assists per game). I’m sure Mo has said he can play SF (although we know the results are not there).
Plus regardless of what LD says, I think if Teague and/or Bibby struggles, Jordan will see time at the point. Even Woody played JJ and Jamal minutes at PG.
O'Brien
October 14th, 2010
9:59 pm
Samuel, ,
Isnt the Lakers 1-2 in the preseason? Isnt Kobe struggling? Maybe we should write them off.
I understand your skepticism, but why not give the LD and the team a chance to see what they look like after the first 20 games?
Its like your judging them already based on preseason games, despite the fact that so many of their starters have been injured, and they are learning a completely different system after playing in Woody’s (your COY) system.
Although Woody’s system is one of the reasons why they got beat down by Orlando, losing by an average of 25 ppg.
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
10:02 pm
HA,HA. ARENAS played three minutes and pulled a groin. That’s what lying about an injury gets you.Now everybody’s wondering….. ‘Is it real or is it memorex?’ Ya’ll think the HAWKS are bad? PLUEEZE.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
10:07 pm
Aye Bartender! – Another Round!
RichBrave … Put that next round on your tab!
Man, I’m P.O. tonite! As if you couldn’t tell?
Rich, I’m just tired of all the excuses made for these players.
I know … I know … BBall is for entertainment purposes, but:
We need a Winner – In this town!
We deserve better!
It just hit me from reading ALL the excuses in MC’s team qoutes?
We don’t have a Plan B!
Are we gonna play these same back-ups if our starters wear down
in the rugged offense and defense?
We were not injured from standing around and watching Joe
and Jamal last season. But, if we are all moving in motion
and playing man-to-man defense this year and playing Pat Riley
practices? There will be a ton of injuries this year and I don’t
trust any of our back ups. I keep hearing Joe can play PG and
SF, Josh can play some SF, Maurice is too small to play SF -
but he can slide between SG and SF, Jordan can’t back up at PG
but he can play SG, Jamal is sulking, but if he is still here? Jamal
can play some PG and SG …. And, And, And … I haven’t even
got to the Post yet!
We need a Effin’ real team to roll out there!
One where everyone knows their roles!
Don’t get me started on Marvin and Twin.
Al says he’s a natural PF …. Blah … Blah… Nah!
I’m done for now!
I need a drink!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
10:15 pm
“Isnt the Lakers 1-2 in the preseason? Isnt Kobe struggling? Maybe we should write them off.”
Are you kiddin’ me?
Are you really gonna’ compare this team to the Championship
Lakers at this point?
That team is soundly built, with no questions about who’s
what !!!!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
10:21 pm
I need one of them Najeh posts to calm me down!
I just realized – I don’t like any of our back-ups and ALL of the starters
playing three different positions!
truly1
October 14th, 2010
10:24 pm
northcyde Everything is going to be okay. LD will put JC2 at point guard if he gets in a crunch you know how I know because he just did it. I dont want anybody starting at the point guard position that is going to come down and shoot without thinking about passing first. Like he did in the first game. But lets just see him develop we have alot of players that can shoot first chance they get the first being JC1. I will take JC1 over JC2 in that department this year. nextyear not at all. Lets let him grow for 1 year the hawks didnt draft him to play now. Maybe they can find someone in a trade for JC1 then JC2 will get all those minutes
Grandad
October 14th, 2010
10:26 pm
Samuel
You do realize that the “Triangle” is a form of motion offense
don’t you? The most significant difference is screening.
However, both are team oriented offense based on player and
ball movement with an emphasis on the ball changing side of
the floor.
The “Princeton” or Bob Knights old “Passing Game” are all
derivatives of some style of motion, as is the triangle.
“You can count on one hand the coaches in the history of the NBA
who have made anything similar work.” -Samuel- @ 7:56 pm
Red Auerbach & Phil Jackson;
RA ran a 5 man weave motion offense and PJ has made exclusive use
of the “Triangle”. Shall I contiue or is listing the two all-time
winner’s of championships good enough.
Samuel,
I have no quarrel with you, but perhaps you need to grasp the
concept then master the components of any circunstance before
disposing of it so easily.
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
10:31 pm
drmaryb:
Chill girl. I don’t think things are on the upswing like in prior years, but the team does have experience which they had little of when we first started dating. So DREW gets his players back and pulls together a decent ‘D’ which is effective. I think you’re hearing the pre-season applause in MIAMI and ORLANDO. They got to floor ten good’uns just like us in the end. Just call me ALFRED E. NEUMANN because I’m ‘MAD’ about the HAWKS.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
10:34 pm
Grand-Daddy!
I missed your call today, I was in CE Seminars all day.
Call my cellie @ 404 tomorow or tonight.
G-Daddy, help me out here.
What are we gonna do if the injuries come during the
regular and post season?
Do you trust our back-ups at PG & C?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 14th, 2010
10:36 pm
RichBrave
Thank You – Lover Man!
niremetal
October 14th, 2010
10:37 pm
O’Brien on a roll. But Dept of Unintended Irony wins the green jersey for the day.
Grandad
October 14th, 2010
10:42 pm
nc
JC2 is NOT a pg.
Can’t you comprehend that fact.
The young man is a”"”Shoooter”"”a gunner, a gunslinger.
He’s also more scorer than a pure shooter if you understand the dif.
Surely you can accept the difference between a nat pg & a nat 2g.
why are you being so surly about this.
northcyde
October 14th, 2010
10:45 pm
O’Brien . . . he’s been doing it all summer.
During summer league, there was talk about controlling his shot selection. That’s fine. But if he can make those shots, why suppress that ability?
Even before the Detroit game, Drew said something along the lines of “letting him get it out of his system”, referring to his shoot first nature. And how did Jordan respond to the assertion that Drew was expecting him to put up shots?
( paraphrasing ) “He didn’t have to tell me. I already knew.”
Jordan is a “baller” . . . . a phrase that I refused to use to describe Teague last year.
I just don’t want Drew saying what the kid “can’t do”, when it’s obvious that if push came to shove, he COULD do it. Jordan has an “it” factor to him that we can’t even say about Marvin Williams, let alone Teague. And that’s not a diss to Teague, because I do think Teague can be a adequate to good PG in this league.
But Jordan is a baller in the same mold that our “dog trainer” Nick Van Exel was in his youth. Different styles of play, but the same tenacity and fearlessness.
I don’t know why that statement by Drew bugs me so much, but it did. Jordan has all the intangibles to be a combo guard, just like Jamal, Stuckey, Foye, and Lou Williams. No way you limit him to just being a 2. Not on this team, with a 3rd team All-NBA player and the 6MOY who also plays the 2.
You don’t keep ballers off the floor. You let them ball. That’s why both Flip Murray and Jamal took minutes from Marvin and Bibby.
They were ballin.
On this team, Drew should just leave all options open.
tenacious d
October 14th, 2010
10:59 pm
I agree that this experiment is going to end badly. My crystal ball shows that we will keep Horford and dump everyone else to start a rebuild at the end of this season or next. LD will be gone by mid next season.
doc
October 14th, 2010
11:05 pm
coach grandad meet coach samuel.
this should be fun if samuel continues to show up.
mentioned it two nights ago, defense was not exhibited by either team. this was shabby basketball at best.
northcyde
October 14th, 2010
11:10 pm
And Grandad . . lol . . you’re the same guy that says “positions don’t matter”, when it comes to Josh and Al . . . but Jordan isn’t a PG or can’t play PG?
I know he’s not a PG. He’s a combo guard.
If Teague starts, so be it. If he can play the position, that’s actually the best case scenario for us.
But drmaryb expresses the exact reason why I got bugged . . .
“I don’t trust none of the bench”
So if we got a guy that is showing sings that he can ball, you get him on the floor . . by any means necessary.
His best position is the 2 . . but he CAN play the 1. And if he can play the 1 ( in short stretches ), you get him on that floor.
All of this hoping that proven scrubs like Twin, Etan, Powell, and lately Zaza and Mo will come around to be good this year, is not even on my radar. I want 4 guys off thlt bench who are going to BALL . . . not take up space on the floor, or on the injured list.
And if Jordan is amongst the 4 on the bench who can ball, so be it.
Don’t be telling that kid what he can and can’t do.
Grandad
October 14th, 2010
11:22 pm
Mary Ellen
Everything’s gonna be just fine.
Go back about 3 blogs and I tried to hook you up with MC
to fix Pape Sy’s back. (told him you were a chiropractor)
MC wants you to work on his back.
Last year = 57 wins
This year = starting 5 intact [Teaguer will supplant Bibby]
LD = new coach + fresh ideas, philosophy, plan, standards,
offense, Identity, enthusiasm from players, & new attitude.
This year = Joe all-star
This year = Al & Josh, You will see startling improvement.
Teaguer = speed @ the point (when have we had that)? Mookie!
Jamal stays = Great
Jamal traded = Great (as long as we get talent for talent)
JC2 = give him time … Great find!
Zaza = Most Improved Player
Marv = Re-invented
J-Cheese = [will be] a nice surprise
Etan/Josh#2 = excellent practice players/nothin’ more nothin’ less
Pape Sy = If he actually exists??? Mario with skill!
Now we may not win 57 again, but our chance of advancing in
play-offs are greater than ever.
Glass nearly full.
A Big man…..??? I’m keepin’ my fingers crossed.
Even if not, I like what we have.
“I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not.”
“This is your team.” -Coach Norman Dale- “Hoosiers”
This post is dedicated to -Mary Ellen-
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
11:31 pm
drmaryb:
Now listen to us old grand-dads, be cool, things are gonna’ work out for the best.
richbrave
October 14th, 2010
11:39 pm
NYTOL
cp
October 14th, 2010
11:41 pm
I think some of you are reading a little too much into LD’s comments. I dont think he is going to hold Jordan back at all but he is right, Jordan is not a pg. I think LD will find minutes for the kid.
Jae Evolution
October 14th, 2010
11:43 pm
What if the Hawks were to trade JC1 and Bibby for Agent 9 (Gilbert). He would be a risk, everyone knows that, but he is still a semi-young dude at 28 and can score ANYTIME. Floor general, good passer, good leader, would solve all these guard problems we seem to have.
Lineup would look like this:
Gil/Teague
JJ/JC2
Marvin/Evans
Smoove/Powell
Horford/Zaza
Very unimpressive second unit in my eyes but incredibly strong starting five. Hah whatever I’m bored just wanted to hear any thoughts.
Grandad
October 14th, 2010
11:46 pm
nc
“And Grandad . . lol . . you’re the same guy that says “positions don’t matter”, when it comes to Josh and Al”
Touche!
My point is and in previous posts I have said:
“with the possible exception of pg.”
The only reason I bring it up is:
example – @ Washington when JC2 was running point
the offense stopped. All player movement stopped.
I’ll qualify this by saying, ” I only watched partial
3rd and all 4th qtr.”
Ball reversal was non existent.
Plus, try and look @ it from Jordo’s POV.
If he becomes enamored with “pass 1st mentality”
he will lose some of his “inner dog” as you call it.
*[as a shooter]
Trust me as I know 1st hand that a shooter needs to be
somewhat selfish in an *existential kind of way.
[I exist therefore I shoot](or somethin’ like that)
Whereas a pg must as a prerequisite think of his teammates 1st.
“You don’t keep ballers off the floor. You let them ball.” -nc-
A concept with which I am familiar and I agree.
I still think your letting LD rankle you for no reason.
Lookie here, cordial discourse.
One can only hope it continues.
northcyde
October 14th, 2010
11:50 pm
I think drmaryb just found out that all of that offseason Kool-Aid that some of you were dishing out, is actually Clover Valley ( the generic Dollar Store kool-aid ).
She’s like . . . . “Grand-daddyyyyyyy . . I thought you said this was Kool-Aid? This ain’t Kool-Aid. This is Dollar Sto sugar water. I can’t even taste the “red”.
Grandad
October 15th, 2010
12:04 am
northcyde
@ least it ain’t orange kool-aid, ’cause we all know;
“nothin’ sucks like a Big Orange”
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
12:17 am
Lit Up!
Northcdye … I know right?
I read that article up there and a light came on!
I saw a lot of excuses re: injuries and realized that,
when I looked down the bench?
I saw a scary movie. Goons and Gobblins were staring back
saying, “Hey Coach! Put me in!”
After seat #8 & #9? I saw Hindu (Alan “drop-top-bentley”)
and Speedy Claxton staring back & Koncak too!
OMG! Next Friday with “Dee-Bo” on a Beach Cruiser!
rof-lol & kicking the couch!
Waka – Flacka – Flame!
I’m sorry, I just don’t trust any of those guys after:
Bibby
JC1
JC2
.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
12:21 am
Oh and:
Zsa Zsa
truthspitter
October 15th, 2010
12:46 am
First of all, I respect all the regulars around here that always post under the 1 name they go by. I also understand that there are some people in the world that like to be optimistic no matter the situation even if they have to lie or ignore the glaring truth. On the other hand, I am the truthspitter and I will not lie for the Hawks or spin things in a positive direction if I do not see it that way even though I will continue to support them with my time.
I agree with Northcyde that this is another silly comment of many by LD. Crawford may well be a much better option at PG than Teague or Bibby. Case in point, in college Deron Williams did not play PG exclusively, he played SG along side Dee Brown as the PG. Gilbert Arenas did not play PG in college but found his home at the position in the NBA. Stephon Curry played 1 of 3 years as PG in college the other two years were at the SG position. Jordan’s size, shooting, passing and scoring combination could make him a rare player at the PG position while on the other hand he will be just average at the SG position because his size 6ft 4 inches is not ideal for a SG. Furthermore, Teague did not play PG exclusively in college because Ish Smith did and I truthfully don’t see any great PG skills in Teague he frankly turns the ball over too much and with PG’s and quarterbacks that’s the most important thing give us a chance by protecting the ball.
Lastly, I am tired of the excuses about this teams bad play even though it is preseason. It is never okay to not play good defense. Defense can keep you in the game when your offense stinks. On the other hand, I must be truthful and express the fact that the defensive liabilities will be further exposed in this new scheme to be not only on the perimeter but also with our lack of size between Al and Josh. They are both young stud players but both slightly undersized and I can see them getting abused in the paint on the regular to a point where double teams are needed and that will not turn out good. Anyone that watched the Hawks the last couple of years knows we hardly ever had to double these past years because once again even though the switching was flawed it dictacted to the offense what to do, and that was not pound it inside which is more demoralizing than turning your guards into ballhogs which the switching defense did. Finally, as I have said this team is doomed for the lottery people but that is not totally bad because hopefully we can get a legit C out of this and it will be the faults of Sund, the ASG, and without a doubt Larry Drew.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
12:47 am
Where are they Now?
Pervis Ellis (nervous pervis)
Terry Cummings
Jerome Kersey
Anthony Mason (the big ugly scary dude)
Tony Delk
Dee Brown
Vinny (microwave)
Charles Oakley
Adrian Dantley
A.C. Green
Craig Hodges
Etc.
All the GREAT role players that loved and knew their roles.
We, the NBA is missing the Specialists who played within
themselves and didn’t try to do too much. They helped their
teams compete and win Championships!
We Need a Few Good Men!
After today’s starters? There is a huge drop off in talent.
The Love of the Game has been replaced with The Love of Money!
so so saad.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
12:49 am
Temp Pimps!
That’s where they loan you a Ho till you get on your feet!
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
1:15 am
@ Grandad . . .The “Big Orange” is more like a “rotten tangerine” . . . or that Great Pumpkin on the old Charlie Brown Halloween cartoon. We may not win a single conference game this year.
@ drmaryb . . . I really want to drink the Kool-Aid, but it’s hard to do when ALL of the guys we brought in were either out of shape or hurt or got hurt after a few practices. That’s why my faith lies in our REAL CORE of JJ, Smoove and Horford . . and not in the M*A*S*H unit.
It’s just preseason though. Positives are good. Negatives don’t count.
Big Ump
October 15th, 2010
1:18 am
KevinM
Good post on 10/14 at 4:13pm
Grandad
October 15th, 2010
1:44 am
nc
I couldn’t resist.
Dooley appears to have righted the ship.
-&-
@ least Kiffin is gone.
You won’t have to drink “Tang” too long.
TheAntiMe
October 15th, 2010
2:56 am
It may sound like spin on LD’s part but it does make sense that the Hawks have had the switching defense so ingrained into their brain cells that it is a new mindset for them to acquire.
That being said, the players will have to show the desire to buy into playing D, straight-up or otherwise. They really can’t use the new defensive philosophy as a total excuse because we all remember the defensive lapses they had last year – especially in the 4th quarter – while playing the familiar switching defense that they were well acclimated to.
I do believe that the bigs were mostly in good defensive position last year and it did seem like a lot of the problems were on the perimeter. I hate to pick on Bibby but he obviously does have more problems than most of his teammates on D. He is still a good option on offense and even if he doesn’t start should probably be afforded his share of minutes, however, when his shots stop falling (it seems that assists are hardly a factor in his game) he needs to come out for Jeff Teague or Jamal.
Big Ray
October 15th, 2010
3:12 am
Why all the hubbub?
Larry Drew says he doesn’t see JC2 as a natural point guard. Nothing wrong with that. I can’t argue with him. However, I don’t think that what Drew said, means that he won’t play JC2 at pg if need be. Sure, he might use Jamal first. Or he might turn to Bibby. But if either guy remains less than healthy, or hurts the team more than he helps….something tells me Drew will roll with what he thinks might work.
I think if he was absolutely adamant about not playing JC2 at the point, he wouldn’t have done it already, preseason or no preseason.
But….I could be wrong. I think I’ll wait for JC2 to be glued to the bench before I start complaining about him being glued to the bench. And then…oh boy won’t that be fun, because then Drew will draw comparisons to Woody, who has been accused of doing the SAME THING.
Heh…nothing to do but sit back and see. I like JC2’s game. He can play. But I also know that Teague played just fine in his first preseason game. Just fine indeed. So I can’t bash him for not keeping his fire lit until he proves that he is inconsistent in that category. I also know that Acie Law used to look pretty good in the preseason for us (just like he is in Memphis right now). It is what it is.
Now, if JC2 gets in a regular season game and starts ballin’ on people, and L.D. glues him back to the bench, I’ll be hollerin’ like anybody else. Bet on it.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 15th, 2010
3:16 am
So basically we’re gonna become Golden St. or the Knicks?? (plenty of scoring…no D…poor record)
lets hope not.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
4:00 am
Personally, I am very disappointed and unimpressed with the play that Brock, Delk and Marsh have exhibited so far.
We will probably finish in the lottery…
Samuel
October 15th, 2010
4:48 am
Grandad,
I said you can count on one hand. Maybe I should have said two fingers. LD is not Phil Jackson or Red A. The Hawks sure as Hel_ aint the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls or LA Lakers. Phil runs a very distant version of a motion offense. Very distant. All you have to do is watch the Games and it’s basically the same as 90% of the offenses in the NBA. The thing that has made the triangle look so good is two guys named KOBE and MICHAEL. Don’t get it twisted.
Ken, why do you insist on calling Teague a starter when “Ya Boy” LD has never named him the starter. Every report I have seen has Bibby the starter. I think yall anointed Acie that title a couple of years back. Unfortunately, talent alone doesn’t make you a star in the NBA. The ability to play through injuries is a major component that many have fallen short on. So far, Teague isn’t looking too good by “disappearing” just as he gets his big break. ALA ACIII.
Looks like injuries will be your scape goat this year. It’s been a fact that the Hawks have been one of the most healthy team in the league for the past few seasons. Call it luck if you will but there is no such thing as luck in my book. Like I said, Cause and Effect. Bash Woody all you want but he was able to keep this team healthy by not running them into the ground during “FREEKIN” preseason trying to prove a point. Blame him for wanting to win too much during regular season, if that makes any sense but “PRACTICE?”. “WE TALKIN BOUT PRACTICE?”
So now we go into the season “banged up” before playing one game. Some of you sound like Mo Evans mentioning the Hawks and the Lakers in the same breath. Get a Clue.
Again, I believe LD had a hand in undermining Woody and sweet talked his way into convincing the fools at the ASG to give him a job. NOW, it’s time to “SH_T OR GET OFF THE POT”. All the slick talk in the world can’t help him now.
Samuel
October 15th, 2010
4:51 am
If LD has any sense at all, he’ll find a way to get JC2 on the floor. I don’t give a dam_ if he’s the ball boy.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
6:53 am
“The Betrayal Theory”
by Samuel the Blogger
Preface by ISO Woody
In stores on the 25th of October!!!!
Pre-order your copy NOW!
Don’t miss this enthralling tale of deceit and treachery!!!
Learn how Larry Drew publicly supported the switching D and the ISO play but secretly conspired in the background with Al and Josh… and orchestrated the mutiny which culminated with the “Orlando Disaster”.
Shocking revelations will blow you off your feet!!!
Learn who hired the limos to pick up the players at the Milwaukee airport and who called Skiles in the middle of the night revealing the Hawks’ best kept secret: the switching D is just a gimmick, you just have to use picks until you get the player you want on Bibby or Jamal…
Get all the facts on who said to Woody that Chris Paul was too small and could not shoot and that Deron Williams was too fat to play the point!!!!
… and who who injured Acie Law by greasing his snickers before a practice!!!
400 pages of gut wrenching revelations!!!!
Samuel
October 15th, 2010
6:57 am
Lotto, here we come.
Samuel
October 15th, 2010
7:03 am
vava,
I prefer this story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znQe9nUKzvQ
Maybe Woody didn’t scratch where he didn’t itch.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
7:20 am
Break Yourself!
Bibby runs the fast break very well also.
He never turns it over and tosses up some real nice
Alley-Oop passes to the wings and Al. That should be
positively noted for the PG value. His three point shooting is
also an asset on the perimeter.
Bibby has value, maybe we should play help D or zone D
when he is in there. It’s all good.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
7:30 am
vava74
Those 3 guys you don’t like won’t make this team.
The roster is set @ 15 I think?
These guys will probably play D-League or get 10 contracts
If injuries come, but I hope we remain healthy.
BTW I like those hard practices, tape them ankles and play
hard IMHO.
O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
7:30 am
“During summer league, there was talk about controlling his shot selection. That’s fine. But if he can make those shots, why suppress that ability?” northcyde .
How about the fact that in game one, Jordan was 5-15, including 0-6 from 3. In game two, he was much better overall(7-17), but he was only 2-7 from 3.
His best game was in game three, where he went 13-20, including 3-4 from 3. But how do we know that LD didnt get him to have better shot selection, which led to better results?
Isnt that one of the problems you have pointed out with Jamal, is that he keeps shooting, even if he is cold? JC2 is a rookie, who will probably get PT in spurts.
Do you want him coming into the game jacking up shots just because he has the ability to make them? He needs to work on his shot selection in the preseason, because shot selection will be key in the regular season, plus other teams will defend better in the regular season.
And if I’m not mistaken, Jordan’s college coach also said that was one thing he had to get Jordan to work on too. Shot selection.
Can JC2 play spot minutes at PG? Sure. But PG is not his best spot. However, when push comes to shove, I think LD will play him at PG if he has to.
O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
7:40 am
“Lastly, I am tired of the excuses about this teams bad play even though it is preseason. It is never okay to not play good defense.” truthspitter .
I agree. And the concern is that it will carry over into the regular season, especialy since they havent been able to play at full strength, so we still dont know if everyone is on the same page.
Hopefully guys will get healthy soon, so LD can see what the team looks like defensively, and will see better results.
Samuel,
Woody had 2 years to show what this team can do in the playoffs. In both years, they struggled to win in the first round, and then got swept in the second round (including an NBA record 101 points losing to Orlando).
In my opinion, Woody was a HUGE part of the problem. But he was not the only problem. The players should take some of the blame. That being said, a change was needed because I think Woody had reached his ceiling.
Is LD the right man for the job? I dont know. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt and wait until 20 games (quarter of the season) or so to see how the team looks before I start throwing stones at him.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
7:43 am
OBRIEN
Enthusiastic Co-Sign!
vava74
October 15th, 2010
7:44 am
Samuel,
Frankly, I think that you are suffering from sleep deprivation if you think that this video has anything to do with the Hawks.
It also tells me that you are drinking from the wrong sources and that you don’t understand human nature.
If that video tells us something, is that human nature is just like that and that racism (both ways) is a direct consequence of our lack of evolution as a collective species.
I think we are slowing getting there and that hatred filled speeches will not contribute for that to happen faster.
Malcom X was creating yet another fracture because that empowered him, gave him an edge.
Many people in the history of man have done that: press the most basic buttons of human nature in order to trigger the hatred and fear of the masses and use that in their favor.
Hitled did that, Lenin did that, Fidel did that, Che Guevara did that, Mao did that, …
The recipe is very simple: address the disgruntled, the poor, the underprivileged and give them a target, someone to hate and fear.
Feed their most basic instincts and build up that hatred and that fear and they will see you as a visionary, a liberator, a leader and you will gain command over them.
The result? Invariably the agitator becomes powerful and the masses remain the same.
It’s always just a serf serving exercise.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
7:53 am
DrMaryB?
What? Really? Delk, Marsh and Brock will not be rotational players? Not even on the roster??
And we are worried about how they played D? And how they did not execute our offense??
I am shocked!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:00 am
I am shocked too !!!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:05 am
vava74
What is your point re: Brock, Marsh and Delk?
Re: The Malcom X post and analogies?
Very astute and very valid observations there.
Keep it coming.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:07 am
Side – Bar!
On a side note, T.I. goes before a Federal Judge today for a
Probation Violation. The Prosecutor wants a 14 Month sentence
reinstated. But, on another unrelated incident, T.I. talked a
would be jumper down from a 22 Story building that he was
entering (V-103 Radio Station) and helped saved his life last week,
(Hmmm … Coincidence or Staged Event?).
Apparently, T.I. needs mood altering drugs, for some reason.
Perhaps, he can see a Psychiatrist and get RX’s for:
Medical Marijuana
Medical Ecstasy
Guns?
Anyway, Good Luck today T.I.!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:09 am
Jump Fool!
On a side note, T.I. goes before a Federal Judge today for a
Probation Violation. The Prosecutor wants a 14 Month sentence
reinstated. But, on another unrelated incident, T.I. talked a
would be jumper down from a 22 Story building that he was
entering (V-103 Radio Station) and helped saved his life last week,
(Hmmm … Coincidence or Staged Event?).
Apparently, T.I. needs mood altering drugs, for some reason.
Perhaps, he can see a Psychiatrist and get RX’s for:
Medical Mar-ijuana
Medical Ecstasy
Guns?
Anyway, Good Luck today T.I.!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:13 am
Jump Fool!
On a side note, T.I. goes before a Federal Judge today for a
Probation Violation. The Prosecutor wants a 14 Month sentence
reinstated. But, on another unrelated incident, T.I. talked a
would be jumper down from a 22 Story building that he was
entering (V-103 Radio Station) and helped saved his life last week,
(Hmmm … Coincidence or Staged Event?).
Apparently, T.I. needs mood altering drugs, for some reason.
Perhaps, he can see a Psychiatrist and get RX’s for:
Medical Mari-Jane
Medical Ecstasy
Guns?
Anyway, Good Luck today T.I.!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:16 am
Blog Monster to blame for the dble-posts.
Sorry …
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 15th, 2010
8:17 am
@ Vava74 that “Betrayal Theory” sounds like a best seller.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 15th, 2010
8:22 am
drmaryb
TI’s rescue was a definite staged event. Good luck to the brother on trial today.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:29 am
Are You Kidding Me?
Hawks Fan NO
I know right?
Desperate people do desperate things.
What is the like-li-hood that some guy was gonna jump off
a building just as T.I. Was entering that same building?
A made for a Movie scene.
You can not make this stuff up!
Maybe, the prosecutor was in on it too?
Still, Good Luck T.I.
Samuel
October 15th, 2010
8:33 am
Hitled did that, Lenin did that, Fidel did that, Che Guevara did that, Mao did that, …
Malcolm, Fidel, Che and Mao were all great men. Hitler was scum.
Many people in the history of man have done that: press the most basic buttons of human nature in order to trigger the hatred and fear of the masses and use that in their favor.
Kinda like Ken and many others did here that resulted in the firing of an honorable man and a good coach who took the doormats of the NBA to 53 wins and a 2nd round playoff appearance.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
8:50 am
Samuel
You are right about Hitler!
His name should never be mentioned in a positive light – EVER!
I didn’t recognize his name in vava74 Posts, because it was
mis-spelled !!!!!
vava7s went way overboard by mentioning the “H” Word!
Uuuggh!
i_am_soulstar
October 15th, 2010
9:19 am
drmaryb,
I used to work at V-103 and according to the one person up there that I keep in contact with (Elle Duncan), the station (which is on the 8th floor of the 22-story Colony Square building) got wind of the jumper, and began talking about it on the radio.
T.I. happened to be listening apparently and called the station’s studio phone to see if there was anything he could do. They say arrived at the scene and recorded a message for the jumper on video, which police played for the jumper. They guy then came down and met T.I. in the lobby of the Colonmy Square building where they chopped it up for a while.
I did think it was quite the coincidence as well, but I’ve reserved judgment on whether it was staged or not.
—–
I think I’ll also reserve judgment about this Hawks team until the regular season starts, although having most of the guys back for the New Orleans game on Saturday may be a good indicator of things to come.
i_am_soulstar
October 15th, 2010
9:29 am
Just awful grammar above, gotta proofread more
Astro Joe
October 15th, 2010
9:32 am
Dr. Mary, T.I. pulled an urban version of the balloon boy story… as real as the “real housewives”.
It will be interesting to see if Drew’s devotion to Teague’s development negatively impacts the team. Strange how many of our other main players are forced to play “unnatural” positions for the good of the team but JC2 can’t even attempt to get PG minutes unless there is a west nile virus epidemic amongst the “natural PGs”.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:39 am
Samuel,
Malcom, Fidel, Che and Mao were all great men?!?
I will not lose any more time arguing with you on anything. However, just to wrap it up:
I’ll give Malcom a pass because he was a byproduct of a society riddled with hatred and bigotry and I can understand why he ended up being as he was.
But to defend those self-serving manicheists? Ha! Poor you! I advise you to read a bit and educate yourself.
Mao and Lenin (each, on their own) killed more people than Hitler, both in gulags and work camps and by programmed starvation.
There are letters written by Lenin where he gloats that: “if it is necessary that millions die of starvation…” – as it happened – “…for the revolution to be successful, so be it!”
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:40 am
As for Che, he was an idiot, a woman beater (well documented), a guy with no respect for human life, who used fancy left wing words to live a grand life, the life of a gunslinger and of a hoodlum.
His speech and all his “ideals” were mere justifications for him to satisfy his blood lust and to be adored by illiterate masses.
Che is more than anything one of the first pop culture products: an extremely lucky photo (the one you see everywhere nowadays) by a guy called Korda generated what we have now: Che is an image, to which people project qualities and ideals which are either not real, or wrong and lies.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:41 am
As for Che, he was an idiot, a woman beater (well documented), a guy with no respect for human life, who used fancy left wing words to live a grand life, the life of a gunslinger and of a hoodlum.
His speech and all his “ideals” were mere justifications for him to satisfy his blood lust and to be adored by illiterate masses.
Che is more than anything one of the first pop culture products:
an extremely lucky photo (the one you see everywhere nowadays) by a guy called Korda generated what we have now: Che is an image, to which people project qualities and ideals which are either not real, or wrong and lies.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:43 am
Without that photo, people would still know Che, as an historical figure, but he would hardly be a household name as he is right now.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
9:49 am
Soul_Star
Hey, if I were you? I would keep in touch with Elle Duncan too.
I would have to take a look @ a switching teams if I had her
or Beyonce’s phone number myself. (lol). I’m just sayin’.
Astro Joe
Balloon Boy? Don’t forget about The Fan Man too.
Anyway, it’s all good stuff and unbelievable too.
Agreed about all the outa’ natural positions players on this team.
Why Stop Now?
He He ..
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:52 am
I still wanted to say that it’s ironic that Che’s recognition nowadays is a product of capitalism: the reproduction of his image as if he was a soap or a cereal brand.
i_am_soulstar
October 15th, 2010
9:54 am
Lol @ Dr. Mary B.,
She is finer than frog hair split four ways.
But it’s too late for me… trapped in the twilight (friend) zone.
vava74
October 15th, 2010
9:57 am
drmaryb,
I think that my sarcasm caught you off guard.
I know perfectly well that Delk, Brock and Marsh are nothing but fillers.
My point was that, since they have played EXTENDED minutes in the previous two games, to draw ANY CONCLUSIONS on LD’s work is a pathetic.
If he fails to deliver, I will be the first on the line telling things as they are.
Until we have a decent sample, we should be a bit more moderate.
O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
10:12 am
“Strange how many of our other main players are forced to play “unnatural” positions for the good of the team but JC2 can’t even attempt to get PG minutes unless there is a west nile virus epidemic amongst the “natural PGs”.”AJ .
Do you want LD to come out and say he will play JC2 minutes at PG, even though he currently has 2 PGs on his roster who he is hoping will get the job done?
Didn’t Jamal play some PG last year when the other PGs were not getting the job done? I think it will be the same scenario this year.
If Bibby and/or Teague cannot get the job done, then our SGs (JJ, Jamal, JC2) will see minutes at PG, no matter what LD says (imo). But I still think he is saying the right things.
ILL-Logical
October 15th, 2010
10:38 am
*She is finer than frog hair split four ways.*
Whoa,haven’t heard that one since the last time. Talk about about old school.(and judging by the pix I have seen of her,it is an apt description)
El Bravo
October 15th, 2010
10:43 am
vava74, I appreciate your disdain for Che’s ideals but do not over-simplify the man because of them. We may disagree with his Communist ideology but Che was an erudite; born of a well-off family, a top-of-the-class physician and well-rounded individual who willfully sacrificed all of the privileges he was born with to his ideology. I don’t much care for his ideology but there is some virtue on his actions…
On a separate note, is it time for the Hawks to cut their loses on Bibby? I just don’t see him being a useful member of this team under the new system…
KevinM
October 15th, 2010
11:24 am
Our PG situation is anything but sensible. We have a guy (Bibby) who obviously is either waiting for the regular season to start or he isn’t going to change his ways for LD. But right now, he is the starter.
It doesn’t help that Teague can’t stay on the court for him to take charge (anybody remember Acie’s issues when he was trying to make a statement?)
Now if JC2 is going to get minutes at the 1, which right now is his best opportunity to get minutes, I think we have some real issues on this team going forward. Without Teague, there is no on the ball pressure. Neither Joe nor JC1 nor JC2 is slowing down all the quick PGs in this league.
Rondo/Rose/Wall/Jennings/Harris….these guys are going to shred our soft defense if we don’t start applying ball pressure and forcing these guys into bad decisions.
Not all teams have that quick guard, but Orlando/Miami have ways to compensate. Those teams have guys who lead their teams though. Right now, our leader isn’t bringing the ball up the court.
Please, don’t think our 2s can guard other 1s……I have seen that backfire every playoff season.
I am starting to buy into what so many have said about the need for a much improved perimeter defensive strategy. Since we don’t have a defensive specialist like DMaryB is pining for(and who can blame her?(we have ignore the need at this stage), there has to be a plan that has puts our guys in a good position for transition.
LD is still trying to figure it out, and while the players can say, yes, we will do whatever you indoctrinate, but we just aren’t used to it after 6 years. It is a WIP……work-in-progress. The schedule is in their favor to get it right before the tough portion comes up.
But don’t take these lower East teams lightly; there’s a renewed life in DC with Wall…there’s huge optimism in Chicago, where guess what? they are running a motion offense and getting away from iso-Rose…watch out! The issue is, the players are apparentiemyWatch out for Boston and their depth they have acquired and a full offseason from Super Nat in Doc’s system! Milwaukee has the vets this year to wrap around their wonder boy.
DMaryB, that list of specialists is just too sensible for Sund to consider. These are the guys who make big plays when you need a big bucket or steal. We still don’t get it in Atlanta. The Braves get it…they continue to look for punch from their role players.
Seriously, what defensive specialists has Knight or Sund brought us? I thought Mo was that guy. Wow, he has been a big disappointment because he was getting Orlando. Side bar: you think Orlando would like to have Trevor Ariza back, who they traded to get Evans and Brian Cook? Yikes.
We still need specialists off the bench….so far, we have had Zaza, Flip and Jamal give us some semblance of a boost to the starters. IMO, that’s been it.
That is more critical to the success of this team than retaining the core IMO. I just would like to see Teague and others threaten the core.
i_am_soulstar
October 15th, 2010
11:25 am
El Bravo,
Someone on here said it before me (could’ve been Ken Strickland), but I think at this stage in his career, Bibby should be playing the same role Eddie House plays.
Ken Strickland
October 15th, 2010
11:28 am
NORTHCYDE-I read your posts because you have some good insight, usually, but sometimes you can really come up with some BIGGUNS. How do you have the nerve to say LDrew is trying to hold Jordan Crawford back, especially at PG, when he’s averaged over 40+MPG over the 3 preseason gms? And over the last 2gms, he’s left him on the court for 47.4mins and 46.52mins respectively? And then you ignore the fact he’s played primarily PG during those last 2 gms. In fact, Jordan Crawford has played more mins than any other Hawk during preseason.
Again, as I’ve pointed out before, you’re making statements and assumptions with absolutely no facts, logic or history to back them up. Come on NORTHCYDE, I know you can do better than this, you’ve proven that already.
With preseason rapidly coming to a close, teams will be cutting some pretty good talent, and the Hawks have both EThomas and JCollins under minimum contracts. For me, what we decide to do with Bibby, if he continues to struggle, is the biggest issue. It appears that with the emergence of Jordan Crawford, especially at PG, the Hawks have already decided to move on without Jamal Crawford, unless he wises up and starts playing ball, instead of playing possum.
KevinM
October 15th, 2010
11:29 am
The issue is, the players are apparentiemy
Should read, it sounds like the players are buying into the changes from TT and appear to be picking up the new system. What does that say about this team? I mentioned questioning their IQ in an earlier post, and I hope I am ignorant on that thought, and I have been wrong before.
I would just like to see a refreshed team ready to go after the East title, which is as open as its been in a while. You have to take opportunities when given to you….does LeBron get everyone focused in soon enough? DHoward only has to improve his FTs IMO and that team will be tough to beat.
Astro Joe
October 15th, 2010
11:37 am
OB, on the heels of JC2 showing some potential as a short-duration PG, Drew says that dude isn’t competing for PG minutes. Essentially because it isn’t his natural position. That seems counter to what this team is all about… natural positions has never been a requirement before… maybe that is part of the master plan of the “new sheriff in town”. Good luck with that (for this specific roster).
vava74
October 15th, 2010
11:42 am
El Bravo,
“willfully sacrificed all of the privileges he was born with to his ideology”
That is where you are completely wrong, he did not sacrifice anything.
Living a productive life within society and within legality, making an honest living and providing for your family is much more difficult and hard to be good at than to indulge in a life of free roaming around the world spitting hatred in self serving exercises and go into free wheeling killing whenever he thought that someone was “too privileged”.
He basically liked to live free from society’s conventions and limits, to kill and to live as an outlaw, a womanizer and consequently there was no sacrifice from his side.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
11:44 am
Still hopeful that folks will get up to speed with LD’s practices and start plugging in. We need a good look at this team with all pieces of the puzzle to evaluate where/how to move forward.
MC – Ask Bibby straight up, what’s up? The guy is not 85 years old? How does he expect to start, much less play showing that kind of effort and intensity? The guy isn’t worth giving Eddie House minutes based on what we’ve seen thus far.
Why can’t Jordan back up Teague? Seems to be showing promise. Also could use Sy at PG and SF for spot minutes as he develops.
Win or lose I like the idea of pushing our new talent to see what they’ll have late in the season. Doesn’t matter the seed, we need them ready. Something Woodson never did. He played for the seed and nothing else. We’ve got to be ready!
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
11:46 am
Good point Astro – when has anyone played their “natural” position on this distinguished bunch of tweeners? I see JC2’s efforts at PG as proof positive we need to utilize talent and think outside the box for once.
wordsmithtom
October 15th, 2010
11:54 am
DrMary,
About switching teams: I hear it’s not all it’s cracked up to be….
As for Chairman Mao: “If you been carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain’t goin’ to make it with anyone, anyhow” John Lennon
i_am_soulstar
October 15th, 2010
12:23 pm
I don’t mind Larry Drew saying that he doesn’t see Jordan Crawford as a point guard.
I doubt it means that he won’t use him at the position.
He probably said it because the coaches would like to see Teague develop a mental edge, and having to look over his shoulder at Jordan Crawford might be counter-productive to establishing Teague’s confidence.
Although I always think competition for the same spot is motivation. But they know him better than I do.
cp
October 15th, 2010
12:26 pm
Good post O’Brien. Folks on here always tend to overreact to everything. As you and Ray pointed out, if guys are struggling I’m sure LD will play JC2 at some point if need be. I’m guessing LD wants Teague at the point because he has seen the work he has put in and has confidence he can get the job done. The one game he played he put up 20 and 6… And yea I don’t understand how northcyde can talk about shot selection with JC2 when he spent so much of last season telling us how terrible Jamals shot selection is. People on here always want it both ways. If a guy is performing well then its “oh well its just preseason”. If a guy is playing terrible then the its just preseason excuse seems to go out the window. You cant have it both ways folks. How can it be just preseason with certain players or certain aspects of the game but count with other players and other aspects of the game.
Melvin
October 15th, 2010
12:46 pm
Looking at the Eastern conference, I wouldn’t be surprise if the entire SouthEast division makes the playoffs along with Boston, Milwaukee and Chicago to fill the other three spots…
wordsmithtom
October 15th, 2010
12:52 pm
cp,
Good points. 20 + 6 was nothing to sneeze at. Then Teague turns an ankle. Suddenly, LD is forced to use Jordan at point where he puts up 30. Well, great….but did the action look like the play of a point guard or of a 2 playing point? LD must be careful not to undermine Teague’s psyche, talking up JC2 too loud might cause Teague to try and rush back too quickly from his injury. He knows what Teague can do…he doesn’t want to hurt his confidence. JC2 obviously has confidence in his shot and scoring ability…saying he’s not perceived as a natural point guard is no secret. I’m sure he knows that too. Teague, however, has made a lot of progress into developing the point skills. We need him…don’t undermine that because the rook went for 30 in his absence.
JoJo the Godfather
October 15th, 2010
1:11 pm
Trade a draft pick to Dallas for Ajiinca & soon…Dallas fans are starting to turn in his favor…Picked up 3 blocks in Wednesday’s game.
O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
1:34 pm
KevinM,
Mo Evans is a decent defender if he is guarding SGs. The problem is he is a 6′5″ SG who is being asked to guard SFs who are 6′7″ and 6′8″. Mo just isnt big enough.
I agree about us needing another PG, especially for defense. I have confidence in Teague, but that does not mean he will be ready for 30 mpg right away. But Sund and LD have put almost all their eggs in Teague and Bibby’s basket. Thats a big risk for a team that wants to make the ECF.
AJ,
JC2 is a rookie SG who has bad shot selection at times. LD wants him to work on his shot selection, and his defense of other SGs as his priority.
He doesnt want him to have to worry about learning how to run an offense (when to pass, when to shoot), call plays, and guard opposing PGs too.
Maybe LD does not want to throw JC2 to the wolves just yet
Big Ray
October 15th, 2010
1:36 pm
Now I’ve heard it all. Samuel, you’ve outdone yourself:
Many people in the history of man have done that: press the most basic buttons of human nature in order to trigger the hatred and fear of the masses and use that in their favor.
Kinda like Ken and many others did here that resulted in the firing of an honorable man and a good coach who took the doormats of the NBA to 53 wins and a 2nd round playoff appearance.
The blog got the coach fired. I repeat, the blog got the coach fired . I guess we’re also responsible for the intelligence reports that said there are WMDs in Iraq, Lindsay Lohan’s addictions to everything she touches, and we also framed Roger Rabbit.
Holy Moly….
Big Ray
October 15th, 2010
1:37 pm
O’brien ,
Your posts have been off the chain today!
Grandad
October 15th, 2010
2:25 pm
Samuel
You said you wanted five coaches who used a moving offense.
You also elaborated that I failed to name but two.
Since we are using an historical context, here goes.
Five old “coaches’ whose offensives were both moving & attacking:
(1) Genghis Khan
(2) Alexander (now he was Great)
(3) Attila the Hun
(4) Napoleon (French, but still…)
(5) Dick Cheney (just kiddin’)
*** Leonidas (I put him in for defense)
*** [even though he used a packed in zone]
cp
October 15th, 2010
2:26 pm
Samuels man crush on Woodrow has been nothing short of disgusting
Astro Joe
October 15th, 2010
2:55 pm
OB, we’ve read accounts of Jordan demanding that veteran players get in the right set, we’ve heard about nice passes, and we’ve seen the results of a good assist-to-turnover ratio. I’d suggest that Teague needs as much refinery as Jordan irrespective of their “natural positions”. But on a team chock full of tweeners, the notion that JC2 is locked into an SG box seems silly AND premature. And my guess is that if the previous head coach had made such a statement (essentially locking JC2 behind Joe & Jamal in a 3rd string at best role while showing intense loyalty to a preferred player… in this case Teague), well, you know how folk would have reacted. It feels like our rookie “player” is being sent to the back of the line of the position that includes a 4-time All-Star AND the reaigning SMOY. Meanwhile, that same player just flashed some ability to play spot minutes at a position of need.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
2:55 pm
Celebrity Justice!
T.I. In court right now and V-103 is broadcasting Live?
2 Live Stews reporting that you can not access their
building without security access. So, T.I. Saving
Joshua’s life is shaping up to be a staged event to
alter his 14 Month sentence being sought by prosecutors.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
3:01 pm
ws-tom, but JC2 also had 7 dimes to go along with that 30 pts. And, he played with
D-Leaguers while doing it. He was the only scoring option on that crew.
He can play the PG, based on pure instincts and heart, no thinking
required. He is a scoring machine – Not a Thinker, IMHO.
doc
October 15th, 2010
3:02 pm
samuel, genocide is genoside whether in austria of jews by hitler, africa by tribal leaders or in china by mao. you need to read about mao or maybe talk to some chinese willing to talk of how devastating the tactics of mao were. your lack of either insight and/or depth on that topic are sad. i am truly sad for you in your lack of either knowledge or compassion on that one.
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
3:08 pm
cp . . don’t lie on me man.
I had very little problems with the play of Jamal Crawford last year. Most of my Crawford complaints came when we acquired the dude, and during the Milwaukee series.
But what I don’t like about the dude, is that when he is ice cold, he still takes the same types of shots . . . long jumpers. That’s the bad shot selection I’m talking about. That’s the bad shot selection everyone talks about, when discussing Jamal.
He has the ability to be a great pentrating guard, along with him possessing the ability to take and make tough shots. When he’s making those shots, you won’t hear a peep out of me about shot selection. Skill wise, the dude has top 20 in the league type talent.
But the guy has historically been one of the streakiest shooters in NBA history, because he will be 1 – 8 FG, and STILL jack up an off-balance 21 footer.
All I’m saying about Jordan, is for Drew to not be trying to supress what he does best . . and that’s score the basketball . . whether it be from the 2 or the 1.
********
SMH @ all of this talk about not hurting Teague’s confidence. A “baller” is ALWAYS confident. There are no mental hangups with ballers. So you’re telling me that he not only needs a “dog”, he also needs to have as little competition as possible for the PG job, in order to build his confidence?
Hell, even Salim didn’t lack confidence. He just wasn’t efficient.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
3:18 pm
Unless Aijinca blocked 3 shots against Dwight?
Does it really matter?
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
3:22 pm
@ Ken . . . Drew told you straight from his mouth that he had no intentions of playing Jordan at the 1. If healthy, Teague would’ve easily played 30+ minutes at the point, while Jordan played the 2.
He didn’t play the point in the first preseason game, so what makes people think that there were plans to play him at the point if everyone was healthy?
And people may not like the negativity that truthspitter spouts, but he made a valid point about Jordan early this morning.
At 6-4, Jordan may be a 2, but he’s an undersized 2 that may have a little difficulty shooting over guys who are 6-6 and taller. At the point, he’s Jason Kidd’s height, and can shoot right over the average 6-1 to 6-3 PG.
He was 5 – 15 FG in game 1 when he played SG. When he played the 1, he was a combined 20 – 37 FG and dropped 12 assists in 2 games . . mainly playing with scrubs.
But I know . . . it’s just preseason.
No lack of confidence in that kid. And he doesn’t need a “dog trainer” to bring it out of him.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
3:25 pm
Astro Joe
Enthusiastic Co-Sign!
I love JC2 … Just play him!
“The Pre-Season is for me!”
-JC2-
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
3:29 pm
JC2 is a Scorer! Period!
cp
October 15th, 2010
3:45 pm
Nobody is lying on you. Plenty of times last year you came with the if Jamal is cold Woodson has to pull him out the game comments. So how is it wrong for LD to want Jordan Crawford to work on his shot selection? As O’Brien pointed out, his first game he didnt shoot yet he kept jacking up shots. I guess its to much for the coach to want the player to work on his shot selection. They have been talking about his shot selection since the summer league. LD clearly said he wants him to play his game but not take a lot of bad shots. So i dont see how you can be critical of Jamal jacking up jumpers when he is cold when Jordan is known to do the same thing. As O’Brien also pointed out, his college coach was pretty much saying the same thing. And once again Jordan will get minutes you guys are just reading too much into what LD said about him playinig pg. Grandad had a great post during the summer league about how Jordan is not a pg…. Grandad could you please break it down again. As a matter fact he pointed out some instances against the Wizards were you see Jordans mentality as a scorer rather than a pg.
cp
October 15th, 2010
3:47 pm
That should have read he didn’t shoot well but he kept taking shots. I think he did the same in the second game.
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
3:48 pm
2-guards on the Hawks:
Joe
Jamal
Mo
Jordan
Both Mo and Joe can play SF, be Mo’s best position is SG because SF’s eat him up. JJ can equally handle both positions
Jamal’s best position is SG, but he can play the PG in a scoring role.
So if Drew doesn’t view Jordan as a 1, how is Jordan going to get on the floor at SG, without Drew pretty much cutting Mo completely out of the rotation?
Grandad
October 15th, 2010
3:53 pm
mc
Come on, yawl are making a mtn out of a mole hill.
LD said:
— “He’s a true competitor,” L.D. said. “He has a big heart. At times he gets blinded by wanting to get the shot up but I like his competitive spirit. We will continue to nurture him along.”
JC2 said:
- “Coach is letting me play a lot of minutes and giving me freedom”
MC said:
– “For a while in the second half it looked like Crawford and John Wall were trying to outdo one another.”
drmaryb said:
“He can play the PG, based on pure instincts and heart,
*[no thinking required]*.”
*(I’m sorry darlin’ but I must disagree on that one) [G-dad]
* “@ times he gets blinded by wanting to get a shot up”
What’s so hard to understand about that?
* “he has a big heart & I like his competitve spirit”
Sounds like high praise to me.
* “It looked like JC2 -&- Wall were trying to outdo one another”
The most damning statement of all. *(in this context)
* “no thinkin’ required”
Mary Ellen, I’m not gonna debate you ’cause you play dirty.
Grandad
October 15th, 2010
4:00 pm
Mary Ellen 3:18 pm
“Unless Aijinca blocked 3 shots against Dwight?”
“Does it really matter?”
Yes ma’am, I think it does.
AA would really fit here.
Rotation player initially.
J-Cheese & Zaza + Etan have 18 fouls to use vs D.H.
AA, Josh, Al = super front line (somewhere down the road)
Astro Joe
October 15th, 2010
4:01 pm
northcyde, the only other reasonable explanation, given Bibby’s slippage and Teague’s inexperience (is he ready to play 30+ minutes a game?), is that either Joe or Jamal will be spending some time running the point. And that will open SG minutes for JC2. We may see some sets with Jamal and Mo in the backcourt together or Joe and Jordan.
O'Brien
October 15th, 2010
4:08 pm
“So if Drew doesn’t view Jordan as a 1, how is Jordan going to get on the floor at SG, without Drew pretty much cutting Mo completely out of the rotation?” northcyde .
Exactly. Which is why I have been saying we should have traded JC1 and signed a backup SF. That way, JC2 and Mo Evans would handle the backup SG spot, our bench would be more balanced, and JJ would spend all his time at SG.
And I dont see anything wrong with LD telling him to work on his shot selection, and that he doesn’t see him as a PG. JC2 is a good passer, yes. But so is JJ, and I dont want to see JJ play PG either (on offense or defense).
AJ,
When push comes to shove, I think JC2 will get minutes at PG if Teague and Bibby dont play up to par. I think too much is being read into LD’s comments about JC2 and PG.
The Truth
October 15th, 2010
4:12 pm
The Friday Truth Award is awarded to: Northcyde
“No lack of confidence in that kid. And he doesn’t need a “dog trainer” to bring it out of him.”
If he plays like a baller, scores like ballers, barks at people likes a baller, HELL HE MUST BE A BALLER!!.LOL
We must remember that playing JC2 at the point is not an indictment against Teague (hell I like him too). It’s nothing more than an optional situational lineup to close out games as I mentioned in my previous post; a dual-combo-guard lineup with JC1, JC2 and JJ as a SF. Last year, we closed-out games with JC1 at the point instead of Bibby though Bibby started. This new wrinkle could put the most offense pressure on an opposing defense. Most coaches would probably salivate at the idea. If we want to start discussing unconventional lineups, look at Lebron playing PG for Miami. The only thing that really matters is the win, not how you get there. If LD pass this up because of some ego issues with Teague, then that puts him in a whole new perceptional limelight which would be unfavorable in Hawksville. Again, this is just one of perhaps many other offense options and not a permanent installation.
KevinM
October 15th, 2010
4:20 pm
What I am reading here is that Mo is not going to be Marvin’s backup. LD sure hasn’t said that we have 4 2’s?
I still see Mo as a 3, no matter if its a size issue he isn’t successful…if that is the case, what is Marvin’s excuse? Why hasn’t Marvin just dominated that position because of his size and length?
Frankly, whomever we put at the 3 could very well be the worse play in the starting lineup or off the bench. While our optimism may come out, we know what we are getting with Marvin. No need for him to go through the motions of the preseason though…..its a long season….does anyone else get tired of hearing this?
We accept more mediocrity than possibly Utah…..does anyone really despise Utah and the way they play? I don’t think so…all you hear are ‘nice’ things about Jerry being a great coach, yet he can’t get over the hump in any season.
It just gets old to accept the limitations that come with this roster. I would like for one period of time to hear teams that don’t like to play us because of our aggressiveness or we are impossible to contain.
The only thing we can hang our hat on for positive results is Jordan Crawford playing out of the 1 because of our limits. Funny, a 53 win team that doesn’t have a solid 1.
Oh, and take notice not that it means anything to the ones keeping track………the worse preseason record……….0-4 belonging to Charlotte…phew….we’re only 0-3. The only 2 to not taste victory this preseason….no worries…Orlando on Monday….
Rev in Tampa
October 15th, 2010
4:22 pm
I wish we could transplant JC2’s “dog” into Marvin. All Marvin lacks is a mindset (heart) and a layup.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:23 pm
Grandad – been calling for Ajinca since last summer. Good 7′ prospect w/ youth and skills. I think he’d fit here well at a Spirit Prices too.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:26 pm
I say JJ and Smoove can fill up the 3 spot if need be with or without Marvin. Use Mo at SG or move him. Bibby and Mo should’ve been outta here for a SF who could rebound and hit the 3 or for a big who could develop into someone to stop Dwight…or at least a young athletic 7′ prospect to run with.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:27 pm
No word on Jamal or our trade exception $$ being put to use.
Astro Joe
October 15th, 2010
4:30 pm
Somewhewre, TI is thinking “I should have let him jump”.
cp
October 15th, 2010
4:47 pm
With the way Bibby has looked I see him playing even fewer minutes than last year.
JC
October 15th, 2010
4:48 pm
Javaris Crittenton, for the minimum. 1st rounder. back up guard.
Nuff said.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:51 pm
That’d depend on if the Bobcats haven’t beaten us to him…not that Sund is chasing after anyone.
Kid is really paying for not sticking around GT to let his talent and body develop. Sad.
cp
October 15th, 2010
4:51 pm
Lol@ Astro… TI got one of the sweetest deals ever from all those weapons he had. Maybe he will finally get it.
The Truth
October 15th, 2010
4:52 pm
If JC2 balls this way on the road, imagine what he will look like in the Highlight Factory in front of a packed crowd. He gets pump-up after witnessing some of Josh’s facial dunks and blocks. It could be very entertaining.
JC
October 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
Fundy.
bobscat released him today. JC3!
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:55 pm
Good to hear JC2 has some heart, emotion and energy. He’s desperate to ball. I hope he’s contagious.
Fundamentals
October 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
We’d have to trade 2 players and get one to have a slot for JC3. We’ve got no roster slots open.
KevinM
October 15th, 2010
5:08 pm
Fundamentals, you may laugh at this, but based on the number of observations you put in on this roster, whose to say you aren’t outworking the 18th best GM in the league? You and Grandad just keep bringing those options and keeping us optimistic with ‘what-if?’
JC, the character has got a lot to do with who comes here and gets a locker at Philips. All good guys you want your daughter to meet.
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
5:10 pm
@ cp . . that statement about Jamal was one of the very first things I said about him when he came to Atlanta.
If he’s cold, you get him out of the game. Because not only will he keep shooting the same shots that he’s missing, he can’t make up for his poor play offensively, by playing good defense.
But when he’s on, you give him the green light to take just about any shot, because he has shown the ability to score in bunches.
If he’s made 4 shots in a row, and he wants to take a quick 3 pointer, he’ll get no complaints from me . . . even if it is technically a bad shot. Jamal is deadly when he has it going, and you ride that until he cools off.
But when he’s ice cold, that’s where shot selection should kick in. If it doesn’t, you get him out of the game . . . period. That dude’s nickname is “Siberia” when he goes cold.
That has always been my stance on Jamal.
northcyde
October 15th, 2010
5:26 pm
@ The Truth . . . that’s another damn good point you just made. While it may have been in front of a 40% capacity crowd, the fact that Jordan has done this on the road is just another indication that this kid may be a baller. God knows that we need some players stepping up when we go on the road.
The game vs the Hornets will be interesting. It’ll be a neutral floor up at East Tennessee St. University ( I’m assuming that if the game is in Johnson City, TN, it’ll be on the ETSU campus ). It’s neutral, but I bet the crowd still cheers for Chris Paul and the Hornets.
Hopefully Teague and Jamal will be able to play, because those two need to play alongside each other. But if Teague can’t go, it’s going to be VERY interesting to see the Crawford backcourt in the game together. It may be a disaster . . or it may be something dynamic.
Teague better sleep with his ankle in a cooler full of ice overnight, so that he can get some of the shine that Jordan is getting.
slim
October 15th, 2010
5:39 pm
Jamal is going to cause problems for the team, as much as I hate to say it trade him now to get something decent in return.
KevinM
October 15th, 2010
6:05 pm
“slim
October 15th, 2010
5:39 pm
Jamal is going to cause problems for the team, as much as I hate to say it trade him now to get something decent in return.”
Hey, how about a 2nd rounder and a TPE?
The Truth
October 15th, 2010
6:14 pm
Atlanta Hawks: Five Reasons Why They Should Extend Jamal Crawford’s Contract
4. The Atlanta Hawks ownership would be showing a continued sense of loyalty to their players if they decide to re-sign Jamal Crawford. Loyalty is something in previous offseasons (specifically with Joe Johnson) that the Hawks have been inconsistent with due to financial constraints involving the ownership debacle that plagued the franchise for years.
They first must re-sign Al Horford—that is understandable—but the next person in line should no doubt be Crawford, as there are very few game-changers off the bench in the league. The lack of Crawford’s production on the court would leave a huge void in the offense going into next season.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/487421-5-reasons-why-the-atlanta-hawks-should-extend-jamal-crawford-a-contract?utm_source=newsletter
drmaryb (*_*)
October 15th, 2010
7:03 pm
G-Daddy
How can we gét Aijinca away from Mark Cuban?
Are they looking to move him since they let Damp go?
I thought we had guy in our Summer Leage, named
Aminu Aijinca? Are they brothers? I’m confused.
Anyway, if G-Daddy likes him? I love it! Get him in here if
we can.
Now, when I said, “No Thinking Required.”. I was being sorta
sarcastic there. Of course the game is played and won between
the ears.
CP
Great Posts tonight.