Atlanta Hawks: Heat at Hawks
Zaza was raving the other day about a saying he saw on Twitter:
“Better to have it well done than well said.”
What he means is it’s time for the Hawks to stop talking and start doing. There are just two exhibition games left, tonight vs. the D-Wade less Heat and tomorrow at Charlotte. The season starts Wednesday in Memphis.
Can the Hawks get it together by then?
“I am sure that is a question on everyone’s mind after seeing us play five games we have already played,” Zaza said. “I am sure nobody is happy who is cheering for the Hawks. It starts from us, the players, the coaching staff, the management–nobody is happy.”
Yes, there have been injuries. There’s a new coach. There’s a new offense. It will take time.
But now the Hawks are healthy, the season is approaching and there has to be some urgency.
“We haven’t had really had the chance to play together,” Teague said. “At the offensive end it is kind of stagnant. We are still trying to figure things out. Guys really don’t know it all the way. But we can always play defense, and that’s something we have been working on really hard these last couple practices. I think you will see a whole different side of us tonight.”
Heard that one before from the Hawks. In fact, they were saying pretty much the same thing before getting blown out (again) by the Magic Monday night. Well said but not well done.
Bibby made it a point to say he would take on the challenge of getting the offense going.
“Teams have been really coming hard at us,” Bibby said. “I think it starts with me. I put that on me as far as giving energy to the team and try to get us easy baskets instead of trying to set up in the halfcourt. I think the energy will be better tonight. I am going to start with me and try to get everybody easy baskets.”
That’s fine but L.D. is trying to make it about defense. He said the Hawks made some strides when they held Orlando to 44 points in the first half Monday. He noted it will take time to create a culture of all-out defense.
The Hawks are running out of time before the games start counting.
“I think that when Coach Drew came in, a lot of people talked about the offense but I think what he’s been harping is on defense,” Al said. “I think the only way that this team can amount to anything is if we can consistently bring it on the defensive end. And I know we’ve talked about this in the past but it has to happen in order for us to have any chance. That’s effort, playing hard, really getting after it hard consistently from everybody. Because if one guy breaks down it can throw the whole thing off.”
MC
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312 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
October 21st, 2010
11:03 pm
Who still thinks we won’t win 50 games
cp
October 21st, 2010
11:19 pm
I think Riley will take over for the Heat before the season is done.
northcyde
October 21st, 2010
11:20 pm
People are talking about the offense, but the defense won this game for the Hawks. Miami shot 37% FG. When you can do that to your opponent, you’ll usually win the game.
Great game by JJ, even took up the challenge of guarding Lebron in the 4th. Bibby and Marvin playing a nice supporting role tonight.
Overall the play of the bench was poor, and we still need to know who we can roll with.
Offense looked good at times. Have no idea what was wrong with Horford’s shot for 3 quarters.
Grade – ( B ). . . . good job Hawks
Ramon
October 21st, 2010
11:25 pm
Did anyone see Horford grab a rebound, and dribble past Bibby and Joe just to attempt a 1 on 4 move in the middle of the lane?
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 21st, 2010
11:34 pm
Now that’s what’s up. Go Hawks!
bigdave
October 21st, 2010
11:42 pm
ha..
we’ve seen hawks play solid defense and eventually shoot themselves out the game. settling for highly contested difficult jump shots while teammates grow bored and frustrated watching. there’s a big difference in plain missing shots, and missing open ones.
we all knew the defense could be solid minus the over compensating switching. excuse those of us who believe the offensive execution was a breath of fresh air.
kirkinga
October 21st, 2010
11:44 pm
The Hawks played very well relative to how they have played up until tonight. I think Reggie Miller was correct that there was a compelling intensity from both teams that made for a great game. Perhaps we’ll see the Hawks on national tv more often than is currently planned.
I know it is preseason, but I hope Coach Drew continues to find significant minutes for players # 8 and beyond.
Lastly, good to see the fans turn out for a preseason game and remain vocal and supportive throughout. Combined with the crowds that turned out for the Braves playoff games, I think fans did a great job of refuting the narrative that Atlanta fans are indifferent towards their pro teams.
Go Hawks!!
Ken Strickland
October 21st, 2010
11:45 pm
That was an exciting gm, especially for an exhibition gm. The motion OFF does exactly what it’s supposed to do, and that’s create ball and player movement, and open scoring opportunities. I have to give credit where credit is due, and MBibby deserves a great deal of credit for the excellent gm he played on both ends of the court.
Once everyone adjusts to the motion OFF, and we start playing DEF like we did in that 4th quarter, we’ll be a top 3 team in the East. We wore them down with our constant movement, pushing the ball and attacking the rim. Even when JJ and Jamal went ISO, they didn’t pound the ball or hesitate when attacking the basket. One of the reasons we prevailed in the 4h quarter is because the Heat made it easy on us defensively by doing exactly what we always did under Woodson, go strickly ISO, except with Lebron. He ended up going one on 5 and forcing up some wild shots in the end.
Man, I really like Haslem. Why did we let him go? The Hawks officially started preparing for the regular season tonight. LDrew already knows who his top 11 players will be: PG’s-JTeague/Bibby, SG’s-JJohnson/JaCrawford, SF’s-MWilliams/MEvans, PF-JSmith/JPowell, C’s-AHorford ZPachulia/JCollins.
The 12th spot will go to either JoCrawford, EThomas, or someone we pickup after teams make their final cuts.
Now that I’ve had my say, LET THE GLASS HALF EMPTY WHINERS, CRIERS AND COMPLAINERS HAVE THEIR SAY.
KevinM
October 21st, 2010
11:56 pm
KenS, you deserve to get praise for your support. The first time this team has looked like a team.
They played well, and looked interested. Perhaps they knew it was time to get serious and get used to the rotation.
Bibby did what he had to do, as he still thinks he’s the starter. I personally like the Teague factor off the bench. That is a mismatch for any 2nd team, and he has that spark that gets the team moving.
These guys look like they enjoyed playing together tonight…I will give them their just due. They had no problems matching up with the current Heat roster. DWade might be too much to overcome however, but for now, the Hawks can see the work they have put in pay off.
Section 303
October 22nd, 2010
12:01 am
Back from the game. Maybe there is some hope! Good outting. Now, I hope Coach Drew rests most of the guys tomorrow. Just get this Bobcat game over with and don’t have any injuries.
I am using this game as further vindication on my Chris Bosh take. He is not really that great. Clearly the weakest of the “Big 3″. He is also the worst investment of all the free agents this summer. I am betting the Heat will wish they would have taken a pass on Bosh by the end of the season. Josh Smith was clearly better than Bosh. Was not even close, really.
Not that anyone cares, but I’m calling a truce on my Joe Johnson bashing. I’ll stop. I don’t like him anywhere near as much as I did before he told me he could “care less” if I showed up at games. But, I was pulling for him tonight. Something about seeing the team I dislike the most come into Philips made me start pulling for Joe, again.
Good night!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 22nd, 2010
12:30 am
Section303
It takes a really BIG man, with a BIG heart and strong CHARACTER to,
say what you did and call a truce on the Joe Johnson comments.
I for one appreciate all your wonderful and insightful posts and you seem to be a great Father as well. I have heard you mention taking your beautiful Son to the. Games on here. In the throws of a battle, people sometimes say things they don’t really mean. The best way to move on sometimes is to not keep bringing it up, just let it die – from the Athletes perspective, an apology would just give a whole new life and something else to talk about. It can actually make things worse – you know what I mean? I hope so.
But, I am happy that you enjoyed the game at the arena, and made it home safely. Glad you didn’t throw popcorn, we don’t need another Palace Brawl … LOL!
You are TRULY a real Hawks Fan!
Mmmwah! (a big ‘ole wet kiss!)
I’ll have to grab a seat in your section one of these days, so we can scream at the opponents.
G-Nite!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 22nd, 2010
12:34 am
I like Coach’s demeanor and professionalism.
He’s a Teacher, calm, not too intense and not a yeller.
That is very nice.