Atlanta Hawks: More of the same
Practice today for the Hawks basically consisted of a video session and free throws.
“One of those days where I decided it would be more productive to just watch some tape instead of putting some wear and tear on them, especially with a game tomorrow,” L.D. said.
Everyone seemed subdued and tired, including L.D. He wasn’t enthusiastic about Atlanta’s performance in the 84-74 victory against New Orleans Saturday at Johnson City, Tenn.
“It was all right,” he said. “We’ve still got a ways to go as far as work and get to where we are trying to get to.”
His list of complaints is familiar: defense, rebounding, turnovers. And this time the Hawks couldn’t use the absence of their regulars to explain it. The starters plus Jamal all played at least 25 minutes while the Hornets went deep into their bench.
Now the Magic come to town after they crushed the Bulls Saturday. Orlando also beat down New Orleans last week.
“Watching then play in the preseason, they are looking like a team that is on a mission,” L.D. said. “So we are going to have to step our energy and step up our intensity and planning.”
Injury report
Mo made his preseason debut and played seven minutes. Word is he looked pretty good in that short stint.
Jamal said he was pleased with his play in his first competitive game since last spring. “I was trying to find my rhythm in the first half but then I was fine in the second,” he said. “The back feels good.”
Josh Powell still is nursing a sore groin but had eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes against the Hornets.
Jason Collins ended up not playing. L.D. said he decided to give him another day’s rest.
Teague is scheduled to return Thursday against Miami but said he would lobby trainer Wally Blase to let him play tomorrow.
MC
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77 comments Add your comment
lewis
October 18th, 2010
9:57 am
trade jamal for a pg
lewis
October 18th, 2010
10:03 am
*^^a pg who actually passes and defends.
O'Brien
October 18th, 2010
10:08 am
“jj has been very pointed in his encouragement of those two guys to suggest how weak they are mentally and how worried he is in them”…doc .
I think you’re reading too much into it. Just because a team captain is encouraging 2 of the younger guys (one rookie, one second year player) does not suggest to me that they are mentally weak.
If I just got hired at a new job, and I’m being encouraged by a guy who has been the hardest worker there, I dont see that as me being mentally weak, and I dont see that as him being worried about me.
However, like you, I was concerned about Teague’s early summer league comments about deferring. But I think LD and Nick will get him up to speed.
The bad thing is, with the uncertainty of Teague, and Bibby’s continued decline, it would have been nice to see another PG brought in. Then again, it would have been nice to have a legit backup SF too.
I agree with blaming the ASG. It has been pointed out that sometimes, they dont want to spend any money. And when they do spend money, they often dont spend it wisely. Lose-Lose.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
10:13 am
This team is garbage as currently constructed. Teague is not a pure PG and did not play the position exclusively in college but people wanna give him the job and those people include the incompetent lifelong backup of Larry Drew. I have heard the name Chauncey Billups thrown around on this site but why can’t Jordan Crawford be our Chauncey Billups? Billups is another guy that did not play PG exclusively in college. Furthermore, we can go always back to a guy like Penny Hardaway who played SF in college and then moved to PG in the Pros. I am higher on Jordan Crawford than Teague and think that this is a big mistake just to hide him at the end of the bench and not give him a chance to compete for a spot. He earned some playing time this preseason but I don’t see how he will get it playing behind Bibby, Teague, Jamal, and Joe. Finally, you have to be sensible people noone wants Bibby unless you are gonna take on a long term contract from another team. The Hawks really should have moved Jamal Crawford by now. Noone is gonna give you full value for Jamal now unless he has another 6 man of the year type of season before the all-star break, but really he would have to play 30+minutes to do that and there are only 96 minutes at the 2 guards spots.
Bibby 10 minutes Teague 25 minutes Jamal 13 minutes
Joe 30 minutes Jamal 18 minutes
Now someone tell me with that minute distribution chart how Teague is suppose to get dramatically better and prove that he is a starting PG in the NBA? He is still only playing half the game and you will still wonder at the end of the season can he handle the whole load of being a starting PG in the league. Furthermore, Jordan does not see the floor with that chart and I don’t see how anyone can come up with a chart drastically different. Jamal needs to be traded for Teague and or Jordan to ever get the time they need to grow.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
10:27 am
This is what our minutes distribution should look like.
PG Bibby 12 Min Teague 36 Min
SG Johnson 30 Min Jordan 15 Min Evans 3 Minutes
SF Williams 36 Min Johnson 8 Min Evans 4 Minutes
PF Smoove 38 Min Horford 10 Min
C Horford 28 Min ? We need someone worthy of playing 20 Minutes as a backup C and it’s not Zaza trade Jamal and Zaza to the Kings for Dalembert and what else ever they will give you. Use the money Zaza would make next year to resign Dalembert and you are in better shape as far as rotation bigs go.
lewis
October 18th, 2010
10:39 am
that’d be cool if dalembert wasn’t another has-been or never-was
Astro Joe
October 18th, 2010
10:44 am
Last season, Teague was a foul-machine. Due to injury, he hasn’t had much time to play defense against real competition, so we don’t yet know if he can defend AND stay out of foul trouble. Bottom line, I think we will see plenty of Jamal playing point this season. And I doubt that Teague is able to stay on the floor for 36 minutes/game.
Rick
October 18th, 2010
11:13 am
Enter your comments here
Hello Hawks fans. I was @ the game Sat night vs Hornets and here are my observations.
Joe – Good shooting and passing, best player on floor – (A)
Josh Smith – Lazy most of of game. Came alive after fans booed his effort (include me) – (C-)
Marvin – Improved, agressive, hustles – (B)
Al – Steady and physical, looked somewhat lost in new system – (C)
Bibby – Slow & old, but good court general -(C)
Jam Craw – Fast, consistant at point, decent shot – (B)
Jord Craw – Young and explosive, looks to shoot first – (B-)
Josh Powell – Suprising good rebounder & defence, Played Hard – (A-)
Za Za – You got to be kidding me. Could not even catch the ball, terrible effort (F)
Coaching – Still getting there feet wet. Larry seemed really stressed (C)
Highlight – (1) Marvins 32 ft jumper at halftime buzzer. (Swish)
(2) Bench play 2nd quater was strong, lit a fire under the starters later.
Low Light -(1) Terrible defense amoung starter in first half
(2) Double technical on Josh P and then Josh S. childess behavior for professionals.
Even though it was a Hornets “home game”. Fans mostly for Hawks, Good turnout and overall quality was around a C. Still a real treat to see my boys from ATL play
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:14 am
Dalembert was a great defensive presence early in his career. Is he now? What about the motion offense? Is he able? Ajinca is a much cheaper aquisition.
How about Barea and Ajinca from Dallas
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:16 am
What’s up with ZaZa? I know he looked alot better when he started for us when we sucked, but come on? Can’t the guy put together solid backup minutes? He was whining to start a few years back. He still thinks he can. Why can’t he prove it?
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:17 am
Oh…my bad, lack of talent, energy and focus on team game.
Grandad
October 18th, 2010
11:17 am
truthspitter
I didn’t seem to recall Anfernee Hardaway playing
small forward in college.
So I looked it up.
Hardaway was named #5 on the list of top 100 modern
college point guards by “collegehoopsnet”
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:21 am
Teague, both Crawfords, Joe and Bibby can play PG. Why not split the minutes between Jordan and Teague? If they can’t handle the load let Jamal or Joe pick up the slack. Use Bibby as a sniper since he refuses/can’t play defense.
Hardaway had the height to play either, but he was a PG.
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:22 am
Mo is still odd man out if Jamal stays? He can’t play SF.
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
11:53 am
How about this:
Atl Gets: Andre Miller, Greg Oden
Port Gets: Marvin, Zaza, and Bibby
This deal would allow Joe to move to the 3 for the time being, with JC1 starting at the 2 with Miller or Teague at the 1. Oden becomes our sixth man off the bench. And if he ever recovers enough to play 25 minutes a game, instantly becomes the big that we needed. And with this we still keep JC1 leaving us with more flexibility to make a deal later on if needed.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
11:55 am
Grandad
October 18th, 2010
11:17 am
truthspitter
I didn’t seem to recall Anfernee Hardaway playing
small forward in college.
So I looked it up.
Hardaway was named #5 on the list of top 100 modern
college point guards by “collegehoopsnet”
Grandad I am from the Memphis area and you don’t know what you are talking about on this one but that does not surprise me because you are usually way off. I was a big Penny fan and he played SF in college but handled the ball a lot
vava74
October 18th, 2010
12:31 pm
Ramon,
Excellent weed you must be smoking!!!
And even better weed would have to be chain smoken by the POR guys if they went for it!!!!
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
12:42 pm
Vava74, Andre Miller and Roy have been rumored to have serious chemistry issues. And now with Roy demanding to have the ball in his hands even more, it will only get worse. And a good part of their organization is ready to wash their hands with Oden. Remember, like Horford, Oden is up for an extension. And they may see it better to lose him now then for nothing later. Also, they do still have Camby and Joel Pryzbella on their roster at the center position.
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
12:43 pm
Or keep Marvin and put JC1 in the deal if that’s what it takes.
Sautee
October 18th, 2010
12:49 pm
Ramon,
I don’t think Portland would EVER do it.
By the way did you ever find the link to where Horford (according to you) said “I have to play PF for the Hawks to win”?
Don’t be accusin’ what you can’t back up. And I’ll be asking every time I see you post.
Ken Strickland
October 18th, 2010
1:02 pm
SOULSTAR/WORDSMITH-Excellent analysis, just excellent.
DOC-Why does there seem to always be a but, or what if, when someone mentions the idea of the Hawks being improved, even though they haven’t made the trades or FA splash fans have been clamoring for? Yet, not one word or cautionary concern has been forth coming about the Bulls, Bucks, Celtics, Magic or Heat when it comes to the potential pitfalls that could quite possibly hinder them this season.
We’ve heard excuses and concerns about our PG situation, new HC, new OFF/DEF, players potentially not buying into the HC or his systems, injuries or potential injuries, and what is considered a vastly improved Eastern Conference. We’ve also heard our share of complaints and concerns about Marvin, Smoove, Horford, Ja Crawford, JPowell, JCollins, MEvans, EThomas, Bibby etcs. However, I’ve yet to hear any of these people raise one concern,question or doubt that any of these same issues having any affect on any of the other teams.
Why can’t the Bucks, Bulls, Magic, Heat and Celtic’s be affected and win fewer gms as a result of the improvement of the other teams in the East? Why can’t the Bulls be held back by having a new HC, new and unknown OFF/DEF systems, or issues of players not buying in? How can everyone be so certain Lebron, DWade and Bosh can really coexist and come together effectively as a team?
Why is it so doggone easy for everyone to buy into the the Heats HC, GM and big 3 saying all of the right things, yet raise all sorts of questions and doubts when the Hawks HC, GM and players say all of the right things? Just because we made it through last season without suffering any major injuries, why do some raise concerns and doubts about our chances of doing it again this yr. On the other hand, these same individuals have no concerns or doubts whatsoever about teams like the Bulls, Bucks, Celtics and Heat, who have key players that have proven to be injury prone, or are coming off major injuries, or both.
The fact that the Hawks have chosen a blue print for improvement that doesn’t suite the expectations, desires and limited understanding and approach of some fans, doesn’t mean they won’t be improved as much, if not more, than the teams that followed the desired blue print of those complaining and doubting fans. Expecting and generating improvement from the players you already have, can be more beneficial than exchanging players in trade, or though FA’s. The former approach limits the chemistry, adjustment and ego issues that often rise when adding and substracting key players, especially starters. It can become even more of an issue when adding multiple starters and bench players.
I’M JUST SHOCKED AT HOW SO MANY OF YOU ARE SUDDENLY SO AWARE OF THESE ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE HAWKS, BUT JUST AS SUDDENLY BECOME DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND TO THESE ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMPETITION>
doc
October 18th, 2010
1:44 pm
i am just a little mote measutrd than you in my assessment of these hswks ken. setting the bar where i think it belongs not you. i hsve my reasons for my opinion just as u do
urs. i hope u r right bro. i just dont see it thru ur lens yet. let them walk before i run to ur corner.:-)
Ken Strickland
October 18th, 2010
2:33 pm
DOC-assuming what you say is true, why aren’t you as measured in your assessment of the other teams as you say you are with the Hawks? Under the circumstances, do you really think you’re setting the bar where it belongs when it comes to these other teams? Why not let all of the teams walk, not just the Hawks, before running to ur corner?
People with doubts about the Hawks act like these other teams will automatically start the season clicking on all cylinders, without doubting for one mins they’ll avoid encountering any of the same issues that’s being used as excuses/reasons/justifications for doubting the Hawks.
Bottom line my friend, we’ll soon see, and I also hope I’m right.
Big Ump
October 18th, 2010
3:13 pm
Ms Dee
Great post. How eveything going with you?
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
3:21 pm
Sautee, you can ask. I’ve already posted the link for it, and that’s that.
doc
October 18th, 2010
3:32 pm
ken just calls em like i sees em.
heat, celts improved magic the same if not better becsuse of their own stsbility snd they all three thrash us this season. last year o said us third over boston, not this year. not sure we get three wins against these guys together. shoot lastcyear i had the gall to suggest we could take cleveland with fair refs. not happening that way against the heat as wade and laqeen can beat us by themselves wiyh one hand ties behind their backs. just not bold enough the combo wont be better. plus the vets they got are ballers.
think west will be tougher too as the jazz look better and the thinder are now maybe just below elite whereasvthey werent there last year. throw in the tx teams, lakers, suns snd blazers and sny trip out west csn turn into a death march. also think the bulls are better, milwaukee has an id snd bobcats may surprise along with the wiz. so overall on comparison to othwrs the path will be steeper than last year. throw in an unfortunate injury and you will taste crow ken.
Grandad
October 19th, 2010
1:56 pm
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