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
Big Ray
October 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
Najeh ,
LOL. Now that’s a heck of an analogy. Your perspective is always something I enjoy reading.
Section 303 ,
I share your disgust. But….
1. This entire team always goes to pieces when they play Orlando. Every last one of them. Who tends to show up the best? Josh Smith. Look at his stat line from tonight and realize that’s just how bad things are when we play this team. We played them good (and actually won) in ONE game in the last 2-3 years if you ask me.
2. I know you’re still pi$$ed at Joe (I can’t help laughing, it’s just funny because you won’t stop posting it…I’m not making fun of YOU though). But seriously, was anybody else going to give Joe $125 million? Hell no. I’m sure of it, even though I’m not expert or basketball pundit, and can’t prove it. Why take $94 million to go somewhere that the spotlight is even brighter (and the fans can be harsher) like New York, when you can stay where you are comfortable and make $35 million more? And nobody else could give him 6 years. I’m not looking to knock the man for his decision at all, believe me. I probably would ahve done the same damn thing. Did Joe stay out of loyalty? Heh heh heh…
3. Bucks, Bulls, Wizards still have to prove they are better than us. Bucks and Bulls have a shot at this if their coaches can successfully blend their new acquisitions in, and if they can remain healthy (Chicago, Boozer and Noah), Milwaukee (Bogut). Chicago is under a rookie head coach, don’t forget that.
The Wiz? Too many issues, rookie pg, and Gilbert “The Fool” Arenas. Wiz have talent, but not cohesion. Not yet. They tend to not stay healthy either.
4. The refs are consistent with the Dwight Howard calls. But only with teams that can’t truly contend with the Magic. Those that can contend, get better calls (Boston, formerly Cleveland, Miami, etc). Jacked up, but true.
Section 303
October 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Fundamentals, that’s and easy explanation. Hardly one that explains how the Charlotte Bobcats managed to get Howard in foul trouble in almost every game of their playoff series last year, though. It is not always called that tight for Howard…unless the Hawks are on the floor, of course.
And, by the way, I hate this “respect for the game” bullsh#t league policy. Just gives the refs more power to ruin games. Hawks were T’ed up twice for minor protests. Plus, I’ve watched a few other games this year where the players were hit with T’s for basically no reason. The rule is stupid and needs to go. Don’t pay money to watch those a$$holes ref.
Big Ray
October 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
I have the feeling that Zaza is going to lose minutes to Twin and Etan, depending on how things go.
Powell can play some, and we need that at the backup PF position. But we have GOT to get better rebounding out of our backup bigs. Zaza has had the edge there for the last couple of years, but then all he’s had to compete with were older-than-dirt Joe Smith, Randolph Morris, and a seriously out of shape Collins (last year).
Fast forward to now, and Collins is more effective offensively, and more of a defender. Etan is naturally stronger and a tougher defender. Zaza may find himself getting 10-12 mpg this season if those other two can contribute better than advertised.
Another stat to consider from this game –
Powell and Zaza combined: 19 points on 6-9 shooting, and 8 rebounds.
Bass and Gortat combined: 21 points on 9-19 shooting, and 16 rebounds.
Clearly the points were a wash, with our guys being better/more efficient scorers. But the rebounding…this can’t keep happening.
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
Big Ray, Josh actually gave Howard some problems when he was guarding him on the block. Could it be Josh’s explosiveness and quickness is a better formula to match up with Howard than power (which we don’t have)? I know LD did that because Al was in foul trouble. But it actually worked in the 3rd quarter.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
11:02 pm
I bet most of you bloggers road the short bus. You guys have been running around all season acting like this team would smell better than a skunk. LMAO!!
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
11:04 pm
By the way, sorry for the haters, but Josh Smith is now the best player on this team, hands down.
Ramon
October 18th, 2010
11:04 pm
@ Clyde, I totally agree!
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:05 pm
I agree that Etan and Collins will deserve minutes. I really hope this inspires Collins to really give it his all. He can be a versatile piece for us, especially in Drew’s system. ZaZa will become a malcontent if the continue to improve. Mark it down.
Powell seems to have upside. Give him some time to learn the system and players.
Are they an “impact big” no, but they’re better than Randmo, Smith and ZaZa at this point.
yoursporthouse.com
October 18th, 2010
11:06 pm
Its preseason people, calm down.
doc
October 18th, 2010
11:10 pm
durn clyde, all this time saying fire billy and woody and you ignored me as i pointed to some entity i called the BASG and now suggest as ASKG, after hearing dmb refer to the as spirit killers this past off season, as the real culprits in this fiasco. dude, welcome to the club just you are late to the party. you may have aimed way to low as you aimed against billy and woody.
Fundamentals
October 18th, 2010
11:10 pm
Tell that to the Magic and every other good team yoursporthouse.com. We suck right now!
doc
October 18th, 2010
11:11 pm
truthspitter, guys on the short bus may know the difference between road and rode. where do you sit?
Section 303
October 18th, 2010
11:14 pm
Big Ray, I have less than zero love for Joe Johnson. I cheer when he scores, but simply because I want the Hawks to win. My stance would change 100% if he would simply apologize. All I ask.
Most absurd part of the game: Hawks down 30. Drew brings the starters back to salvage some pride against the Magic’s ball boys (footnote: the ball boys wore the uniforms of Chris Duhon, Stanley Robinson, and JJ Redick). The Hawks still missed every shot and still could not stop anyone on D. I mean…really! Good Lord!
We ran around last year saying…”Man, if we could just avoid the Magic in the playoffs.” This year we will be saying “Man, if we could just avoid the Magic, Heat, Bucks, Bulls, Wizards, Knicks (remember, they beat the h#ll out of us last year, too) in the playoffs we have a shot!” Eastern Conference Finals my a$$!
Big Ray, also, I like the Wizards. I have seen them twice now: against the Hawks and against the Knicks, last night. Arenas is not needed. Wall will torch the Hawks D. And, I love Javal McGee. He is my pick for Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Hawks 7 seed. I’m sticking with that until I see otherwise.
northcyde
October 18th, 2010
11:15 pm
I guess the “Kool-Aid” pitcher is officially empty.
Sure would’ve been nice to have Shaq on the roster, just to make Dwight work a little. And that’s one of the differences between us and some of the other top teams. They have guys that can make Dwight work on BOTH ENDS of the court, which in turn, gets him in foul trouble.
The reason why Charlotte was successful against Orlando ( as successful as they could’ve been ), was because they not only had a plethora of bigs that could slow him down one on one, they also had people who could attack him whether in the post ( Nazr ), or with the dribble drive going to the hole ( G. Wallace ).
The Hawks have neither, because Horford’s offensive game is the face-up jumper, and only Marvin is remotely effective as a slasher to the hole off the dribble ( and even that is debatable ).
When we play the Magic, we MUST make jumpshots, with the way this team is constructed. LOL . . but for some reason though, they just can’t do it. I don’t know if it’s psychological or what . . but they miss a ton of shots when they play Orlando.
LOL @ 303 still being mad at JJ. The entire team sucked tonight, as usual ( although Josh Powell does get props for at least making those midrange shots, and Jordan looked good for about a 6 minute stretch tonight ).
Unless people want the offense constructed to have JJ take 20 – 25 shots vs Orlando ( which I have advocated in the past, so that our big people can stay underneath and try to get offensive rebounds to put back into the hole ), then JJ and everybody else are going to have to step up and do their job.
Cunningham’s write-up on this game should be interesting.
northcyde
October 18th, 2010
11:21 pm
And no . . none of this is Drew’s fault. People expected Drew to work miracles around here, when the real problem is the personnel makeup of the team.
Remember folks, this is what ownership and Sund passed up this summer:
- signing Avery Johnson to be coach
- passing on using the #31 pick on a young big man
- refusing to sign Chill to an offer of his liking, trading him for a trade exception ( and not a live body to help us )
- not aggressively going after Shaq ( i.e. – give him the full MLE, or even trading Marvin for him, so that we could pay him more money )
So anything that happens negatively with this team, is going to be mainly at ownership’s and Sund’s feet, not Drew’s.
Having said that Drew can’t completely mess things up either. The dude at least have to keep us in the hunt for a playoff berth, even if we can’t get a top 4 seed.
LOL . . I guess it’s not “just preseason” anymore, huh? To Najeh’s credit, he’s still taking that stance. But he didn’t see this game either. But then again, he did. All he has to do is re-watch Game 1 of the Orlando series last year, and that’s what we saw tonight.
truthspitter
October 18th, 2010
11:23 pm
doc
October 18th, 2010
11:11 pm
truthspitter, guys on the short bus may know the difference between road and rode. where do you sit?
In my chair with your old lady in front of me on her knees
doc
October 19th, 2010
1:08 am
truth, too funny dude, see you are asleep and dreaming again. at least you dont drink the kool aide around here and go down that road or is it rode? got to respect that.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 19th, 2010
5:09 am
Doc
Taking the high road or rode! LOL
Clyde
Good Job! Beginning to look at ASKG now. They did nothing but sleep this past trade season. Like Najeh says, “They don’t spend wisely.”
terrell
October 19th, 2010
8:07 am
You guys do realize were still 0-0 right? Havent even played the 1st REAL game yet, and yall are firing everybody. Especially Samuel. Wher were you when we only one 13 freakin games in your hero’s 1st year. Give LD a chance just like you did for your eyebrowless master.
terrell
October 19th, 2010
8:11 am
Big Ray, I think Zaza will be included in the JC1 deal, that’s more than likely going to happen.
terrell
October 19th, 2010
8:15 am
Everyone smashed Sund for picking up Powell. Now I see “Powell has some upside”, “Powell can play some”, etc… lol! Told yall he was better(and younger) than old a..Joe Smith. lol!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 19th, 2010
10:38 am
Duplicity!
Pape Sy may be the defensive specialist we opine for, I sure hope so.
Unless Jordan can supplant JT0 at PG or Bibby at the back up PG.
If we keep Jamal? Jordan will never see the court – IMO.
I think Jordan is too small to play SF, the big men would eat him alive.
We need to make a really smart trade to take away what we have in excess, and add to the post – an area of need and Size.
We look very small against the Magic, now Boston and Lakers.