Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson on Hawks
Jackson and Van Gundy offered their takes on the Hawks.
Got on a conference call today with ESPN NBA analysts Jeff Van Gundy (who of course is the brother of Magic coach Stan Van Gundy) and Mark Jackson (who of course was a candidate to succeed Woody).
Asked both analysts if it is realistic for L.D. to mold this group into a championship-caliber defensive team. Here are their answers. . .
Van Gundy:
“Somebody has got to tell me what Mike Woodson did so wrong, No. 1. He took over a team that won [13] games, and he kept winning more and more and more. Sometimes you just get beat by better teams. Orlando swept them–and you can say the blowouts [were a problem]–but Orlando is a better team. That’s just how it is. If they fired coaches that got beat by better teams, a lot of guys would be fired.
“I watched the exhibition game last night with Orlando, and it looks like they are trying to install some Princeton-type of movement offense. Defense is really coach-based. It is influenced by personnel, but it’s more [about] what you believe in. Offense is a matter of going to your best strengths. To me, it remains to be seen if they can play well on the move. A lot of people said they isolated too much and it put pressure on Joe Johnson. It will be interesting to see when Teague gets back what he can give them offensively and if Jamal Crawford can repeat what he did.
“There will be limits to their team defense. They are a small, small, team. They are small at the point, small at center and small at power forward. I think they have overachieved dramatically.”
Jackson:
“They should be a playoffs basketball team, anything short of that disappointing when you look at what they’ve done the past few years. . . . As for getting better on defense, you certainly can do that if you have the mindset and across the board there is accountability and you are preaching and teaching it all the time. It certainly can be better. The schemes take away what the other team does effectively and you have the principles you go by as a team and you execute those principles. It will be interesting to see if they have the mindset and are willing to do that.”
MC
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192 comments Add your comment
Grandad
October 19th, 2010
10:54 pm
Joe’s place Joe speaking
Josh had commited to Indiana.
Fundamentals
October 19th, 2010
11:29 pm
Made it out to Milton today. I definitely appreciate Powell, Pachulia and Thomas for spending alot of time with the fans. Others seemed a bit disinterested.
Hopefully Teague’s ankle was hurting b/c he couldn’t take Bibby or anyone off the dribble. Josh ate almost every shot attempt he tried.
Twin looked great, moved well and seemed happy.
Jordan looked exhausted, but tried to give a good effort tonight.
Other than that pretty quiet. Only real fire/aggression was in the stands, not on the court as two girls decided to fight it out.
Who was the guy in the Pistol Pete jersey getting everyone’s autographs? He was relentless. We need him to give the team a speech about intensity and effort.
Ramon
October 19th, 2010
11:30 pm
O’Brien, you have yet to see me say that he said it exactly as I said it either.
Ramon
October 19th, 2010
11:34 pm
Sautee, articulate means to interpret or think.
Joe's place Joe speaking
October 19th, 2010
11:37 pm
Melvin, Grandad Thanks! I was curious to see if he was highly recruited and what schools were recruiting him.
Section 303
October 19th, 2010
11:39 pm
Fundamentals, you mean Joe Johnson was one of the guys who seemed disinterested in the fans? Stunner….glad I was sitting down when I read your post.
Fundamentals
October 19th, 2010
11:49 pm
I didn’t single Joe out 303 – you did. Man up buddy, make your own comment.
Most who walked through the crowd just seemed to want to keep moving to the bus. There weren’t that many fans there. To me it seemed like if the whole team could’ve hung out 10 minutes after practice the fans would’ve been satisfied. Instead they moved pretty quickly to the locker room and then to the bus. What was the hurry practice ended at 7:10 and they were on the bus by 7:25. They advertised they’d be there till 8:00.
Is a 1 hour practice really that grueling when 30 minutes are spend on stretching?
Hmmm
October 20th, 2010
12:15 am
O’Brien, Thanks. I’ve actually heard that before. I thought there was sometihng new out lol.
Hmmm
October 20th, 2010
12:27 am
I didnt know J-Smoove had a blog.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 20th, 2010
12:34 am
About Josh Smith’s blog post:
Hope right you are Smith. Hope right you are.
HawkEye
October 20th, 2010
12:40 am
Im still holding all judgement until the season actually begins. While it is only preseason, i wouldve loved to see the hawks play with more fire and passion against Orlando, but then again there are some teams that are just better than you from the starters to the bench.Funny but i remember a time when it was the other way around and we gave Howard fits. Oh well.
Im not really sure what to make of the hawks because it is still very early. I am still waiting to see our team when we get all of our pieces back. LD will have the hardest time teaching these players defense, not offense. Our starters (especially JJ, Al and Smoove) must set the tone on defense for it to translate to the bench.
Hawks have to play with passion no matter the score. Sometimes the best message you can send to a team is “we are not giving up no matter what.” I still believe this season will be a good one. Not sure about a deep playoff run but who knows. Im catiously optimistic but thats not a crime. You have to believe before you can achieve. GO HAWKS GO.
Hmmm
October 20th, 2010
12:52 am
Danny Green was recently waived by the cavs. I think we should look into it. I’m sure with him and Pape Sy…we can make marvin nervous or at least ATTEMPT to play better. He’s also be good just for some depth at the SF spot.
diet pape sy
October 20th, 2010
1:12 am
articulate
1. uttered clearly in distinct syllables.
2. capable of speech; not speechless.
3. using language easily and fluently; having facility with words: an articulate speaker.
4. expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness: an articulate thought.
5. made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts: an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area.
6. (of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts: an articulate image.
7. having parts or distinct areas organized into a coherent or meaningful whole
MsDee
October 20th, 2010
1:31 am
Humm,
How many times now have Danny Green been waived?? I dont think we need to take a chance on him considering the fact that I havent seen him on a basketball court since being with Boston.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 20th, 2010
1:44 am
Put Up Your Dukes!
Maybe the two female matadors in the stands could try out for the Hawks.
The team could have used a fighting chance against the Magic, Monday night.
shawn
October 20th, 2010
2:12 am
This team is a joke becasue AS (their owners) are a joke. I watched Them the other day and this team does not excite me at all. Defensively, they are small and not good. Offensively, I have no idea what LD is trying to implement. Anyway, as I said before, I do not see an upgrade when you hire LD as your coach.
Big Ray
October 20th, 2010
3:27 am
Jeff Van Gundy showed with that comment precisely why his Adams Family lookin’ a$$ is still in the broadcasting booth. Nobody asked him anything about Mike Woodson. And no wonder he defends Woody vigorously.
Hmmm…I seem to remember the Rockets running a slow-paced, one dimensional offense, and never going anywhere with it in the playoffs. Now who was that wretched balding loser who never could get out of the first round of the playoffs, despite having Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady on his roster? I mean, he didn’t have a “small, small, small” lineup, so what was the issue? And don’t tell me injuries, because although both players experienced them a lot, Van Gundy got to the playoffs with homecourt advantage with BOTH of those guys playing together in the playoffs TWICE.
Hell, he can’t even hold a candle to Woody, who never had two All-NBA players on his squad. You got a superstar wing player and a superstar center, and you can’t get out of the first round? STFU. That’s why you’re still in the booth. And if Mark Jackson ever wants a coaching job, he might want to stop being seen with you…
As to the Hawks…
The issue isn’t pure size as much as it is useable size. Have to agree with Northcyde, we also play small. No one is worse about this than Marvin Williams. Instead of 6′9″ 245, with a 7′3″ wingspan, you would think he was no bigger than Mo Evans (minus the biceps). I watched “small” a$$ Quinton Richardson outplay and outrebound him like it was nothing. What’s Quinton, 6′6″ and about 225?
In the meantime, we have 7′0″ Jason Collins, 6′11″ Zaza Pachulia, and 6′10″ Etan Thomas. Like I said, “useable size.”
Big Ray
October 20th, 2010
3:31 am
Now I will agree that Jason Collins has looked better these days. I really do think he’ll take some minutes from Zaza.
Beyond that, we’ve had the chance at getting some guys with size, who have the skills to be in anybody’s 7 or 8 man rotation. We just never pull the trigger and hit the target. Call it whatever you want.
Big Ray
October 20th, 2010
3:32 am
Like I said, “useable size.”…..that’s the issue…
Emir S.
October 20th, 2010
4:42 am
I still beleive Rick Sund has a trick up his sleeve. I mean as a GM, you can’t possibly be scared to pull a rabbit out of a hat, knowing all you have is daisies. (Hope you guys get the metaphors)
BTW, I was just on the Hawks website. I was checking out the roster, and I noticed the website roster had pictures of each player now, something new apparently. Anyways, have you guys seen Etan Thomas!? The dude….is R-I-P-P-E-D! Like holy crap……
I have a feeling, if he really tries, he can take huge minutes away from Zaza this season.
Alot of you guys seem to be very negative with the team and towards it. I understand why and I understand that changes should be implemented. However, at the same time, I think assumptions should be held back till atleast 10 games into the season. Preseaon, is just preseason. Wheter we are 1-4 or 0-5 or even 5-0, it dosent determine the outcome of the season. Not at all. If it does, then expect Miami (3-3) to end up as sub .500 team. Expect Chicago (2-4) to finish at 31-51. Oh and while your at it….the Cavs (5-2) have high expectations for them to end up at 52-30. Yea…right. Guess the Lakers (2-4) wont be competing for anything either.
The team is sloppy atm, yes. But once again its preseason. Its why its there. To buff out the dents, test your rotations, see what area the team needs the most improvemnts still, etc, and etc.
We can all agree that we NEED a C. A true legit C, who does’nt have to put up 15ppg. But do atleast 12-15 rebounds and atleast 1-3 blocks a game. Hell, if you can give me 5-8ppg then I’ll be in love with you. I’d even consider to put Josh Smith(MyFavPlayer) up for trade. Maybe trade him for an efficent SF, that can replace Marvin Williams. (even tho, I still think Marvin will fourish in this so called Princeton style offense.) Anyways, Im probally daydreaming atm. (Its 5AM)
But yea, lets give it 10-15 games into the season before we pass judgement and throw out assumptions.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2010
8:23 am
This Rangers-Yankees series has me thinking… would a small-market, below the cap team (say the Grizzlies) EVER have a chance to beat the highest paid team in the league in a conference finals in the NBA?
The idea that basketball’s salary cap creates an even playing field really is just a myth.
vava74
October 20th, 2010
8:33 am
Najeh,
The fact that the NBA cap is not a hard cap makes it a lot less effective at evening the league since big basketball markets like LA and Boston can sustain over the cap/luxury tax situations for extended periods of time without flinching.
NBA rosters are small and the talent pool is also limited: consequently the absence of a hard cap makes a huge difference since any given roster plus one or minus one quality player can imply 10 wins more or 10 wins less.
Look at the NHL and you’ll see what I mean. Hard cap and it’s the most competitive league.
vava74
October 20th, 2010
8:45 am
JVG is an idiot.
Lack of size at PG position? Is Jameer Nelson 6′5”?
What we lack at the PG position – the jury is still out on Teague – is a minimum defensive presence.
Bibby and Jamal (even worse) were almost non existent on D and when Nelson first and Duhon abused that lack of D the rest of the Hawks were left scrambling.
Even if you put a 4 four men team consisting of excellent defenders playing a 5 man team with good outside shooting team with a strong C like Howard, the 5 man team will always win easily.
With Bibby and Jamal we are playing D 4 on 5.
Hmmm
October 20th, 2010
8:48 am
MsDee, I think you mean Gerald Green. Danny Green was drafted in the 2nd round of the’09 draft. He won a title at UNC with Hansbrough etc. Though after looking at some footage of him, I can see why he was waived. I beleive Danny and Gerald are actually cousins, which explains a lot (LOL)
Doug Hi
October 20th, 2010
8:56 am
I have lived in Atlanta all of my 36 years and I have supported the Hawks for most of those years. I was so disappointed in this organization when the Hawks fired Woody because, while the Orlando series was bad, we lost to a better team. Orlando shot over 55% from the field (including 3-pointers) and we just ran into a buzz saw. You notice that Orlando didn’t shoot as well against the Celtics in the next series and they lost that series.
In any event, if Woody was the problem with the Hawks then why did they go and hire his assistant and make him the lowest paid coach in the NBA. It seems clear to me that this organization is not focused on winning but rather on watching the bottom line. The Hawks got better every year on Woody’s regime. Let’s see what they do under LD’s. I will continue to be a Hawks fan because that is what I am but it doesn’t look like the organization is committed to winning.
GOOD LUCK LD…I hope that I am wrong.
Hmmm
October 20th, 2010
9:02 am
I saw Chris Kaman play last night. I must say, I was salivating. I cannot beleive the CLIPPERS have held on to him for so long. We were rumored to be after him a few years ago. Now with Griffn there and Zach Randolph and Marcus Camby gone, we have no shot at getting Chris Kaman. SMH when will we ever catch a break.
PISTOL PETE
October 20th, 2010
9:19 am
HONEST REPORTING……HOW REFRESHING IS THAT!!!!!! I EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME AS IT EVER WAS,THEREFORE I WON’T BE WASTING MY TIME & DOLLAR’S WATCHING THIS CRAP TEAM!!!!
i_am_soulstar
October 20th, 2010
9:28 am
I can’t believe Jason COllins is looking useful these days. Thank God for small favors.
And Josh Smith says don’t worry.. http://jsmoove.net/blog/?p=128
doc
October 20th, 2010
9:33 am
vava, the nfl is probably a better example of what you are speaking of. it is where they alter schedules as well as a hard cap to benefit the bottom and hurt the top. that is why super bowl teams rarely make it back because of competitive scheduling practices, of good teams playing good and bad teams playing bad, where some really good teams are just too broken up to be competitive because of physical and mental attrition. though ratings are up and it has never been stronger, i see the league as diluted and point out, it is why some pretenders end up in the super bowl more ofter than not. in the nfl the cream does not rise to the top, it gets homogenized.
ICECOLD
October 20th, 2010
9:42 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2c6p7bq
this trade works.. its a dream trade.. but i think everybody wins with it… both teams.. especially the hawks though
Jase
October 20th, 2010
9:45 am
Melo melo melo melo please
vava74
October 20th, 2010
9:49 am
doc,
I don’t like the NFL example because the bottom line is that it distorts the competition.
A hard cap and maximum contracts of 4 years would work wonders in the NBA and my guess is that you would have at least 5 different champs every 10 years and 10/12 every 20.
truthspitter
October 20th, 2010
10:08 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ylna4mk
Zaza and if push comes to shove a 2nd rd pick or maybe a 1st in 2012 or 2013
for
Hasheem Thabeet
Why we do this because we get a true C who offers a defensive presence and should be able to get some rebounds just by default. Furthermore, I really think he has a chance to be better than Hibbert on defense and slightly worse on offense.
Why they do this because this summer Marc Gasol comes up for Free Agency and someone will max him out if the Grizz have any thoughts of matching I don’t think they wanna be paying Thabeet $5 million a year as a backup. That’s like having Dwight Howard and long nose as centers but Memphis is not Orlando and they are not going into luxury plus they have another foreign big man.
Lastly, if Gasol makes it to the summer as a restricted FA I would offer Smoove in a sign and trade for Gasol.
i_am_soulstar
October 20th, 2010
10:21 am
Icecold,
I’ve never cried from joy before, but if Denver went for that trade (even if we had to give away 2 first round picks), that just might do it.
Probably have to put Josh or Al somewhere up in there to make it work though, and in that case, I’d wouldn’t give away 2 first round picks.
I don’t see us getting Carmelo without giving up Josh or Al.
Samuel
October 20th, 2010
10:35 am
I’m glad to be in sinc with people that actually know basketball. Wake up people.
i_am_soulstar
October 20th, 2010
10:35 am
I think Denver would go for this one, although I’m not sure if some of the fans would.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=29gfzq3
Samuel
October 20th, 2010
10:37 am
JVG must be reading this blog.
D-Ball
October 20th, 2010
10:46 am
All this BLOGGING about nothing. Folks, nothing has changed with this team. Expectations should not be any different than last year or the year before.
bigdave
October 20th, 2010
10:46 am
“I watched “small” a$$ Quinton Richardson outplay and outrebound him like it was nothing. What’s Quinton, 6′6″ and about 225?”
i totally agree with you, and its even more evident in his back to the basket game. one would think that Marvin could be a match up nightmare to opposing SF working from the blocks. as far as Richardson. dude is far from slight.. he’s put together and solid up top and base. i wouldnt be surprised if dude was around 240-45. his 3pt shooting prowess would lead you to believe otherwise but he is a handful in the low post as well. still no excuse for Marvin.
doc
October 20th, 2010
10:47 am
vava, i agree about the distortion and why i mentioned it. what is also of interest in the nfl is there are no guaranteed contracts, only bonus money is guaranteed. so there is less of the let down after a big contract you might see in other leagues. that in itself ramps up the nature of the performance. unfortunately, when a team decides to save money instead of remain competitive they might delete a worthy player just to save payroll. nothing perfect.
Sautee
October 20th, 2010
10:55 am
Ramon,
You posted this:
Ramon
October 19th, 2010
11:30 pm
“O’Brien, you have yet to see me say that he said it exactly as I said it either.”
I can’t believe that ol’ Dept. of unintended irony didn’t get to this one first.
Here’s your original post:
September 28th, 2010
5:27 pm
“Section 303, is Al whining when he states (over and over) that he can’t win without playing the PF position, when he knows he’s not the best PF on the team? Is that doing what’s best for the team?”
And now you say THIS?
“O’Brien, you have yet to see me say that he said it exactly as I said it either.”
LOL, Ramon, I’m amazed. This is akin to Bill Clinton’s ever-so-lame “It depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is”. Clinton was trying his best to squirm out of a tight fit and you are doing exactly the same. I have tried to be patient and get you to come around. My patience is wearing thin.
So now I’m accusing you of cowardice.
You can put up all the definitions of “state” or articulate” that you want and it STILL doesn’t excuse you for speciously conflating (look it up!) Al’s words.
You know in your heart that you have accused him of something he didn’t say and have run away from your act. You should be ashamed as a Hawks fan for denigrating a good man. At the very least you should be able to admit that Al never said those words. If you cannot then you sir, are a coward.
doc
October 20th, 2010
11:14 am
AJ you brought up the thrashers recently on a blog. yes, there are parallels. they sucked as the preseason started as they adjusted to new players and a new system. they have shined coming out of the gate. i can hope for that as we approach the season. i have got to pull on that line of thinking as we move forward to find any silver lining right now. to expect teague to be the answer or missing link for this team is just crazy.
here is another line and a parallel to what we might see in a couple of years for marvin:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ApVrI8AkvbuRp93Auq0shiU5nYcB?slug=nc-lehtonen101810
KERI WAS LONG CRITICIZED FOR BEING THE ANSWER AND A TOP DRAWER DRAFT PICK AND NEVER GOT OFF THE TRAINING TABLE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE AN IMPACT. sorry for the caps that was not for emphasis just a mistake.
doc
October 20th, 2010
11:25 am
sautee, i will gladly mea cupa for sure if there is anything in my blog karma ahead of time before you grab hold of it.
tony
October 20th, 2010
11:27 am
Move that sorry team out of Atanta so we can get a new owner who is committed to winning championships.
ryan
October 20th, 2010
11:33 am
Magic Johnson said he would like to own NBA team since he sold his shares of the Lakers maybe we can him to buy the Hawks and save us from the ASG .
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 20th, 2010
11:39 am
Marvin needs an ADRENALINE SHOT
Big Ray
October 20th, 2010
11:44 am
“Those guys can really guard”
- Marvin Williams
Wrong attitude. Totally wrong. Get off my starting squad, and go sit on the bench Mr. “I won a college championship and nobody can take that away from me.” Yeah, well Al Horford won two of them, but do we hear about that?
“They’re not 25 ppg better than us.”
You’re not doing a good job of convincing the world otherwise.
vava74
October 20th, 2010
11:46 am
Magic sold his stake on the Lakers because he is broke and close.
He is not buying anything.
He said clearly two things:
1. The sale was motivated by bitter economic motivations and for the benefit of his family (ie he needs the cash);
2. He is a Laker for life.
vava74
October 20th, 2010
11:52 am
broke OR close
vava74
October 20th, 2010
11:53 am
Or, the offer was irresistibly high…