Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Magic
L.D. picks Dwight over shooters. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The Hawks remember the sting from getting demolished by the Magic last may. Did they learn anything about how to play the Magic, though?
“Last year is over with,” L.D. said before the game. “This is a new year. We have to bring a new attitude and the way we approach the game. We will do some things a little differently than we did last year playing against Orlando. Will they work? I don’t know. But I do know we are going to try to take out some of the predictability of the things we have done in the past.”
L.D. mentioned the “pick your poison” aspect of playing the Magic. Dwight is the “1″ and the shooters the “4″ in their famed 4-out, 1-in offense. It sounds like L.D. picks playing Dwight more straight up rather than leaving those shooters.
But like with L.D.’s desire to make the Hawks an overall gritty defensive team, it’s not clear he has the personnel to match his desires. Hawks brass seemed to know it, too, thus the summer pursuit of Shaq and Brad Miller instead of plugging other glaring holes on the roster.
If the goal was to match up with the Magic, the Hawks don’t t appear much better suited to do that then they did in May.
Al is a smart, quick, defender in the post but he’s giving up significant size to Dwight. Zaza, Twin and Etan will give it a try. And of course even if those four can control Dwight the Hawks still have to guard the perimeter, where they have more personnel issues.
But that’s the group L.D. has to work with so he will try some new tricks to avoid having to pick a poison.
“The head of the snake is that 3-point line,” he said. “What we want to do is try to avoid as many open looks for them. Dwight is still a priority, but going into a game playing Orlando you have to be concerned about the 3-point line because they led the league in 3-point shooting. We know what the priorities are. It really comes down to us.”
Stretching the four
One of the “4″ in Orlando’s 4-out is Rashard Lewis, one of those stretch fours all teams with good centers covet. The Magic also have Ryan Anderson in reserve.
L.D. on the challenge Josh faces defending stretch fours Lewis:
“Some fours that are going to be primarily around the basket, some will be midrange, but this guy is out to three. In transiton, it is instinctive for fours to run out to the paint and then fan out and get their guys. But when you play a guy like Rashard that can stretch a defense in transition you have to find him immediately.
“That is a big test for Smoove because he is just not used to it. He has to be focused on every trip down the floor and where to find him if he doesn’t he is going to be lacing it up.”
L.D. said the Hawks can post up Josh against Rashard but . . .
“When we have done that in the past, Dwight is always lurking somewhere around so we have to be good with our decision-making,” he said. “Just because we post you, which we think is an advantage, you still have to make the smart play. It’s not forcing the shot, it is not doing anything out of your character. If the double team does come you accept the double team and you pass out.”
Injury report
Teague is out. He is aiming to return Thursday vs. the Heat.
Pape Sy (back) said he still doesn’t know when he will be able to practice for the first time.
“It’s sore,” he said. “It’s getting better.”
L.D. said he’s not sure how many minutes Josh Powell (groin) can go.
MC
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322 comments Add your comment
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:08 pm
cp,
I think I told yall over and over that the Magic were at least 20 points better than us. Yall are the ones who said it would be different with a new coach. Ask Ken, wherever he is. He had all the answers as to how to stop the Magic. Guess nobody told LD.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
Rick Sund and Larry Drew are both good suckers
cp
October 18th, 2010
9:09 pm
Pachulia hasn’t looked good at all. I have no idea what happened to ZaZa. He isn’t the same player he once was for the team.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
9:11 pm
Zaza has been garbage forever. The guy is a PF also. He plays no defense at all
drmaryb (*_*)
October 18th, 2010
9:12 pm
Well fellas…. De Ja Vu.
We just don’t match up well with this Magic Team.
They have so many shooters and their defense is not to shabby either.
85Souf
October 18th, 2010
9:12 pm
Who would you rather the Hawks have Carmelo or CP3? I think we’re just scared of Orlando
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
Everybody needs to calm down.
The Magic are the only team in the NBA that we match up HORRIBLY against.
It shouldn’t suprise anybody that the game turned out like this.
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
I’d rather have a defensive team that had problems scoring over an offensive team that couldn’t defend anyone.
cp
October 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
Nah Woodson wasn’t the only problem. The talent on the bench is an issue and has always been an issue. Sund had opportunities to upgrade the talent on the bench and he didn’t. I have been complaining about the lack of a back up sf and lack of productive big man off the bench all summer. Ill say now what i said then, we should have brought in Dampier and Boone. The way Shaq is looking for Boston he should have been brought in. We have cheap owners and a GM who is known not to make big splashes. If you offer guys deals and they turn us down I can understand it but I don’t know if serious offers were ever made.
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
LD said he was gonna hold people accountable this year. So I guess our starting lineup next game is
C-Porkchop
PF-Powell
SF-Josh
SG- JC2
PG-flip a coin
85Souf
October 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
Whats worst the way we started the 1st quarter or the way we started the 3rd quarter?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 18th, 2010
9:16 pm
Their entire bench and coachinf staff are just laughing at us.
Very disrespectful and demoralizing … That’s why The Hawks are
NEVER mentioned by the National Media when talking about contenders.
Don’t get mad – Get Better!
We look disorganized and out of place out there.
Who is playing what position?
J from the A
October 18th, 2010
9:17 pm
We don’t need to add another big name star (e.g., Carmello or CP3). We need a solid 9-man rotation where each and every man is worth a d*mn.
Oh yeah, and a system that works …
pinoy hawk
October 18th, 2010
9:17 pm
the hawks suck because their doing it on purpose. it is the preaseason and LD does not want to show other teams the hawks “real” offensive plays…lol!
take it easy guys.. i think LD’s coaching skills and the team should be judged after the first 10 games of the regular season.. if they still suck after that then Sund should either fire LD or make trades (jamal for a sf or C)
Real
October 18th, 2010
9:18 pm
I bet Stan Van Gundy didn’t have to break a sweat all game. I don’t blame the local Atlanta area for not wasting network time on these embarrassing Hawks preseason games. TNT might need to think about broadcasting the game on Thursday because its going to be worse when the SUPERPOWERS come in, SMH @ the Atlanta Hawks SO SADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Rev in Tampa
October 18th, 2010
9:21 pm
Jamal just stood there and did not even try to get the rebound. He is embarrassing tonight.
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:23 pm
drmaryb (*_*)
Do they have playgrounds at Princeton?
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
9:23 pm
The Hawks are garbage I have long quit watching this. Drew has depressed the team with this new mess they now have lost all confidence. Sund is a failure so is Drew
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
This morning Cannibloggin had this astute observation:
Fundamentals It preseason. This game means more to the hawks and not much to the Magics. Kinda of like a has been scrub getting psyched for Money Maywether who is only tuning up for the money fights. Believe me. Magics are not concerned about the hawks!
Guess the Magic didn’t care tonight. They don’t play professional ball or give an honest effort. It’s just preseason to them….IDIOT!
They obviously know how to play, when to play and play PROFESSIONAL basketball. The Hawks are just in it for a paycheck. I’m disgusted.
Awful effort tonight!
Big Ray
October 18th, 2010
9:25 pm
Heh.
Ain’t nothing changed in how we play Orlando. Nothing at all.
Which, interestingly enough, means that anybody complaining about Larry Drew being at fault here, is going to look pretty silly. Last I looked, we couldn’t beat Orlando with the guys we have.
Pursuit of Shaq and Miller? When? We “pursued” nothing. And nothing is what we came up with. The fact that Shaq signed for the minimum in Boston says something.
cp
October 18th, 2010
9:26 pm
I dont think Jamal wants to be here. He played very uninspired.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 18th, 2010
9:27 pm
It’s only preseason. I’m not all that worried about this game.
I do wonder why Horford and Smoove have fewer shot attempts than Marvin (again) or either of the Crawfords, and I am curious as to how they are shooting only 18% from 3. But it is nice to see that they managed to make it to the free throw lines 27 times. And it is nice to see a 15/5 assist/turnover ratio.
It’s already a well known fact that Dwight Howard is the one guy Horford just cannot defend at center, and until Sund does something to bring in a guy who can, this entire team is going to struggle defensively against them. I would like to know whether the poor shooting from the guards is more a result of poor offense, good defense, or just plain missing shots.
bigdave
October 18th, 2010
9:28 pm
hmmm..
cp
October 18th, 2010
9:28 pm
Big Ray its almost comical that the front office thought Etan and Powell would be sufficient bigs off the bench. And you are correct about Shaq.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 18th, 2010
9:29 pm
Great Comments by everyone tonight!
Everyone is entitled to their valid opinions …
This is a blog not a classroom:
A forum for healthy discussions …
Even the idiot bloggers can show us what an idiot sounds like,
so we can not be an idiot as well.
Big Ray
October 18th, 2010
9:29 pm
Seems to me that we lost like this to them LAST preseason. Was Drew at fault for that? How about our NBA record playoff “loss by total number of points” we put up in the playoffs back in spring? Oh yeah, definitely Larry Drew’s fault.
It’s his fault Marvin disappears. It’s his fault that we try to trade jumpers with Orlando. It’s his fault that Jamal and Bibby can’t guard their own wallets. Yep, definitely Drew’s fault. I heard he also lied about WMDs being in Iraq.
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:29 pm
Big Ray, it ain’t about winning and losing. You don’t get doubled up on rebounds and lose by 30 b/c you’re 1-2 free agents short or your system is a bit off. You lose that badly b/c you just don’t care. It’s so obvious it’s a mental toughness, energy problem. They just don’t believe.
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:30 pm
Naj,
Now that’s half full.
lewis
October 18th, 2010
9:31 pm
they just looked so bad again tonight its scary
drmaryb (*_*)
October 18th, 2010
9:32 pm
Rev … I saw that too.
Jamal looks like he doesn’t want to be here.
I will be glad when JT0 comes back, He is the ONLY Hawk who can break down a defense. Like Iverson used to do in his prime.
I saw no penetration from the Hawks whatsoever.
A lot of jumpers!
85Souf
October 18th, 2010
9:32 pm
The Hawks Dont Suck, They Just Dont Play Well At Times, Mainly Against Orlando, and People Are Saying Thats The Only Team We Dont Match Up Well Against, Well People What Will We Do If We Have To See Them In The Playoffs??? And Dont Say Lose
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:33 pm
Ray,
Wasn’t Drew supposed to remedy all that. Why else would you change coaches after winning 53 games?
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:33 pm
Tomorrow night’s open practice should be interesting. I just wanted an honest effort…even if they lost by 20, not this total lack of D and effort. It’s just deflating to a fan to watch. It’s gotta change.
If they don’t buy in this team will not only be broken up, it’ll be destroyed by Feb. We’ve got to come together and play some real inspired DEFENSE or it’s over baby!
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:34 pm
85Souf, – we’ve given no effort all preseason. It ain’t just Orlando. We came in slack, we’re not in shape, we’re not ready to play.
Obviously ORL is, they showed it tonight. As has almost every other team we’ve faced this preseason. Oh, we beat NOH with 1/2 their team on the bench…sorry.
Big Ray
October 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
cp ,
Shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Owners that want to make dynamic moves hire guys who have creative/clever minds. Guys who like to roll the dice. The ASG wants nobody like that. How many articles have we seen for the last two or so years that talked about Sund being slow, deliberate, and conservative? Exactly.
If the ASG wants something different or something better, then they have to make a change in the front office. But I’m betting they don’t want that. They’re “committed to their core.”
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
The Hawks need to hire Buddy Love from The Nutty Professor as the coach for some inspiration, he’ll get it out em:
“No MatterWhat….Ya Got To Strut!!!”
Hawk n the Ham
October 18th, 2010
9:37 pm
Fundamentals, are you saying this ownership group has the want and passion to do a fire sale on the Hawks’ players? I just don’t see that ever happening. They love them some ‘Core’.
Mmmmmmm……..Core……………
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 18th, 2010
9:37 pm
LOL @ Mac.
Long time now see bruh
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 18th, 2010
9:38 pm
Did this core “peak” last year???
Najeh Davenpoop
October 18th, 2010
9:39 pm
“Naj,
Now that’s half full.”
Yeah… I’ve been more half empty than half full about this offseason in general, but I have a hard time placing a whole lot of importance on the outcome of a preseason game. Any of these losses could be just as much about the Hawks taking it easy during preseason as they are about any deficiency in talent or coaching. Maybe if that’s true it says something about the Hawks’ mentality, but whatever, I’m not a psychologist.
If this happens in the regular season, I’ll be on here talking about how terrible they are just like the rest of you.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 18th, 2010
9:39 pm
I know right@venom…..I cant believe it’s the same ol story with the Magic though. This is just brutal. Pre-season or not.
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:40 pm
True I guess Hawk n the Ham. It’s just so frustrating to see them essentially not try b/c they’re scared to know how they’d fare if they gave 100%. What happened to the nights in the dark days where we played everyone tough, lost at the last 2 minutes and dreamed of a team like this! That passion, that hope, that drive is gone, so gone.
Samuel
October 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
We will have a very dangerous situation on our hands with JJ this year. He just signed a long term deal and has become use to being mentioned as an allstar. A few games like this and I can see some real grumbling start to happen. LD will be walking on thin ice as far as keeping control of the locker room. We better start winning. Preseason or no.
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
We’ll be waiting Najeh. I pray you’re right. I honestly do. Hopefully tomorrow night will inspire me.
Hmmm
October 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
I Like Josh Powell though. A definate upgrede over Joe Smith. We just need teague back so we can bench Bibby. Nelson abused him soooo bad.
MsDee
October 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
I think LD and Rick Sund has something under their sleeves b4 Nov 1st!! They are seeing what they need to see with the PG situation(Teague could have played but needed to continue to see Bibby’s poor performance) , with the SF situation(need a backup to Marvin or a starter instead), with Horford’s situation(PF needing a TRUE BIG), and of course with Jamal’s situation(He obviously didnt want to be out there with us, instead he looked to want to be with orlando after the game)…something’s coming!!
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:43 pm
Samuel, are you saying Joe might blow up and make some demands? I’d love to see that. Bust’em up Joe, bring Al “Boss” Horford with you while Smoove is shaving. Teach’em a lesson, make them winners again.
cp
October 18th, 2010
9:43 pm
Great point Ray. Its time for those guys to take off the rose colored glasses when it comes to this so called core. Its time to shake some things up.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 18th, 2010
9:43 pm
“drmaryb (*_*)
Do they have playgrounds at Princeton?”
Why don’t you google that?
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
9:44 pm
Real question is will Al sign if the team isn’t gelling? Why would he?