Atlanta Hawks: Offense will be fine . . . defense will define
Despite some of the uncertainty surrounding the Hawks on the eve of the regular season, I think they they will end up being very good again offensively.
The Hawks must be about D. (Curtis Compton/ ccompton@ajc.com)
There’s the talent, of course. J.J., Jamal, Al, and Josh will score. I think all are willing to share the ball, including J.J. When the motion breaks down or when the Hawks play more traditional sets (which they still will do a large percentage of the time), J.J. and Jamal can score with the best of them.
The preseason turnovers were a function of playing too fast in transition and trying to figure out all the “reads” that are part of L.D.’s motion offense. Once they get a feel for the latter, I think the Hawks will be tough to guard late in games. You could see it at times when the regulars were playing together. The open shots were there. It looked really good.
With more motion sets Bibby won’t just be standing on the weakside watching and he’s so good at slipping into space and making shots. I think Zaza and Mo are going to benefit from the motion, too. So will Marvin, who must have said “I know where my shots are coming from each night” 30 times during the preseason.
But then there’s the defense. I’m not sure the Hawks can meet L.D.’s goal of being a legit top 10 defensive team. He’s saying a lot of good things about defense, including not switching on screens.
“It puts ownership on us guards to really guard our men and get over picks and fight through them,” J.J. said. “That’s pretty much it.”
“Chasing around little point guards and stuff kind of took us out of what we wanted to do defensively,” Al said. “I think it’s good he’s got everyone staying with their man.”
The Hawks are fine on the backline. The problem will come in those games when Bibby, Jamal, or J.J. (is there any way to avoid regularly matching him on point guards?) can’t contain the perimeter that way. Then what for the Hawks? The answer can’t just be as simple as more Teague, can it?
Woody talked a lot about defense but never got this group to play it a high level consistently. L.D. said he’s ready to back up his talk about defense becoming Atlanta’s “staple” by awarding playing time based on defensive effort.
“We have a plan in place as far as expectations where we want to be as a team defensively and where we want to be defensively individually,” L.D. said. “As I told the guys at the beginning, they are going to be held accountable. We go into every game with a defensive game plan and schemes and I expect them to put forth all the energy into it. If we have to make adjustments, we’ll make adjustments. But no matter the coverages, guys have to put in the effort.”
That last part figures to be repeated throughout the season by L.D. He’s put in a defensive system that theoretically won’t create terrible mismatches for the guards or the bigs. But it won’t work if the Hawks fall back into the lax habits the switches sometimes encouraged.
“I think we are at our best when we play with energy defensively, when we are flying around and doing something,” L.D. said. “I think one of our attributes is we are athletic and we have to utilize that to the best of our capabilities. It’s easy to gauge when we are in our spots, making the right rotations. We have a blueprint of our defense and where people should be. It’s very easy to see when guys are not putting the forth the effort.”
It will also be easy to see what L.D. handles it when they don’t. The Hawks won’t be a serious contender until they can defend like Boston, Orlando and Miami, nor can they count on staying ahead of Milwaukee and Charlotte unless they get tougher on D.
The Hawks are going to score. The next step is getting stops when things get hard.
MC
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157 comments Add your comment
Melvin
October 26th, 2010
9:59 pm
From NBA FanHouse. You may have to overlook the key errors…
“Duffy confirmed two of his other clients from the 2007 draft, No. 4 pick Mike Conley Jr. of Memphis and No. 14 selection Al Thornton of Washington also will not sign extensions by Monday.”
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/10/26/greg-oden-to-be-restricted-free-agent-next-summer/
Melvin
October 26th, 2010
10:00 pm
Again I will forego my right to say First…lol
TigerWoods
October 26th, 2010
10:03 pm
Hawks have pieces but they are not complete. Need a big man. No need to get rid of Al, just get a backup big man. And then let that darn speedster play. Put Bibby’s fat albino arse on the pine. Time to see what we are made up and let the horses run like the wind
N.D.T.K.A.
October 26th, 2010
10:13 pm
Watching Boston and Miami play tonight I see what many on this blog are talking about. Boston even with guys getting up in age are committed to playing high level defense. The Celtic players take ownership of defending their man on defense and executing the offensive sets of Doc Rivers on offense. Boston also has an all-star caliber point guard. I say this to express the Hawks really need to take their “jobs” seriously.
I think if we could have brought in Shaq, based on what I saw of him tonight, this would have really helped the Hawks. But again, who knows if it is just the structure and veteran leadership that has Diesel playing at a high level. I see three things that may plague the Hawks all season.
1. A commitment to defensive ownership.
2. A bench with no identity and not enough firepower outside of Jamal Crawford to be counted on to hold leads in games.
3. Can Mike Bibby make a commitment to play defense and will Jamal Crawford defend at a consistent and high level?
Just my observation.
Melvin
October 26th, 2010
10:13 pm
Good stuff MC. I agree the Hawks will have to become a better defensive team but will it be realistic for them to do that by simply changing the scheme and not the personnel? We will see…
Tony from Stone Mountain
October 26th, 2010
10:14 pm
If Hawks play good defense, they will win many games!
i_am_soulstar
October 26th, 2010
10:15 pm
Defense wins championships
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 26th, 2010
10:19 pm
Offese Sells Tickets
BUT DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 26th, 2010
10:20 pm
Offense Sells Tickets
BUT DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
STEEL(Formerly VenomSpitter)
October 26th, 2010
10:21 pm
Rondo had 17 ast
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 26th, 2010
10:26 pm
Nick Van Exel for starting PG!!!
I Heart Atlanta
October 26th, 2010
10:30 pm
MC
I won Tix on twitter and couldnt reply back because yall didnt follow me, but i will be there to pick them up Thursday, and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!1
Najeh Davenpoop
October 26th, 2010
10:41 pm
From the previous blog:
“Charles Barkley and company know hoops. I actually like their coverage, much more than the ESPN bums. But, truthfully, guys like Chuck were bashing the Hawks for their one on one isolation offense – but then question the firing of the coach who instituted it…
Why?
Things like that just have me feeling that they really don’t know as much as a guy like Sekou (for instance) knows. He’s covered the Hawks in depth, and therefore, knows this team inside/out.”
My theory (which I mentioned a couple of blogs ago) is that players and ex-players don’t like putting too much blame on the coaches when they lose, because it implies that coaches should get a larger share of the credit when they win. As insightful as Chuck and Kenny are, they are still ex-players and they are still shackled to an extent by that mentality. They see it as the players’ responsibility to share the ball, get it inside, etc. and underrate the impact of a sound system on that happening. Ultimately, they see that a 53-win team fired its coach and assume it’s a bad move.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 26th, 2010
10:44 pm
“There’s the talent, of course. J.J., Jamal, Al, Josh and Jamal will score. ”
Heh… Jamal will score twice?
Samuel
October 26th, 2010
10:49 pm
LD keeps saying that players will be “held accountable” on defense but does that mean? Will he sit Bibby and put Teague in and have 10 turnovers. How about Al getting “owned” buy bigs around the league in the post. Does he sit Josh for bricklaying from the outside and whining at the officials. What?
Michael Cunningham
October 26th, 2010
11:04 pm
@ I Heart Atlanta: “MC I won Tix on twitter and couldnt reply back because yall didnt follow me, but i will be there to pick them up Thursday, and THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!1″
sorry about that. i messaged you again.
Wabe
October 26th, 2010
11:07 pm
From the last blog:
Double Dip
October 26th, 2010
10:30 pm
Wabe Ill take that one. thats easy. The hawks were expose in the playoffs for being weak under the basket. They did absolutely nothing to strengthen their weakness while the teams around them got better.
The same old assistant new coach – LOL- is an experiment that was a fallout of a dumb sund move who relieve Woodson with out a legit plan or direction. Drew is no up grade but a second foot in the quick sand of mediocrity. Instead of beefing up in the paint with legitimate forces the hawks decide it was more important to address an offense than equaled the lakers with a gimmick offense and ignored a defense that rank not from from the bottom. This type of idiocy is not going to hold the 3rd seed spot nor will it win 53 games
Instead of focusing on adjusting the defense for having a center who can hold the rack we are basically picking drawers out of our butts trying to figure out what the hell happened and WTF is a Princeton offense and who really G A F.
mean while Chicago , Miami , Milwaukee and Boston got better and address there weaknesses and increased their strengths
Go figure.
Double Dip, I understand what you’re saying. I’ve understood the logic behind people shifting teams like the Bucks and Bulls up. But, in terms of talent, I’d argue that the Hawks are still as talented as the Bulls/Bucks, if not more. Truthfully, I don’t think the additions of Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver really make the Bulls a better team than the Hawks.
Hawks management was yet again very passive in the offseason, and it shows that they have little to no intention of getting this team beyond where they’ve been. They may assume that all problems fall on coaching -thus the coaching change – but, there are still personnel weaknesses (size) that they’ve failed to address.
With that said, I still can’t understand how people are assuming the Bucks and Bulls leapfrog the Hawks. Talent wise, the Hawks starting 5 is still equally/more talented than both of those teams.
We’ll see where things go.
Wabe
October 26th, 2010
11:10 pm
Hawks > > Bulls/Bucks
That’s all I’m saying…
Not tryin’ to overcomplicate the issue. I’m not trying to sound like a homer Hawks fan. I like to think realistically. And realistically, I don’t see the Hawks being a legit threat in the East with Boston/Orlando/Miami in the mix. But, I do think the Hawks are right around where they were last season…
#4th seed behind the C’s, Heat, Magic but in front of the Bulls and Bucks.
Clark Kent
October 26th, 2010
11:18 pm
No one cares, basketball is a snooze-fest.
Grandad
October 26th, 2010
11:21 pm
LD said:
“players will be “held accountable” on defense” *[Defense]
Samuel said:
“but does that mean”
“Will he put Teague in and have 10 turnovers” *[Offense]
“Does he sit Josh for bricklaying from the outside *[Offense]
and whining at the officials” *[behavior]
Connect the dots here Samuel.
One does not seem to have any bearing on the other.
tidog
October 26th, 2010
11:30 pm
Grizzlies should present a good matchup for the hawks. Randolph and Gasol won’t have the height and size advantage that a certain team in Florida presents against the Hawks front court. Lace em up and get it on the nba is back.
tidog
October 26th, 2010
11:43 pm
Hawks never won a title when 7 foot Tree Rollins was the center. Whats your point?
Grandad
October 26th, 2010
11:58 pm
Thought Police, catching claustrophobia in Mom’s basement?
Atlanta Fawks
October 27th, 2010
1:26 am
Yawn……… Hawks will be same old team they have been past 4 years. Oh and the Heat will self destruct before all star break. Too many egos in Miami and sharing the rock is a but different than sharing dirty Miami skeezers. Next!
Clyde
October 27th, 2010
1:56 am
*yawns*
Anthony
October 27th, 2010
2:35 am
They might aswell give up before it even starts. They will end this season just like they did the last 2 seasons. This teams got NOTHING to look forward to.
KevinM
October 27th, 2010
3:29 am
Hawks should beat Memphis, and any other team that isn’t in Sund’s elite formula. Problem is, its hard to see the Hawks matching up to Boston, who according to experts here, is too old and can’t play defense.
Boston will always look at Atlanta in the rear view….and did I mention DHoward likes our team as it is constructed?
But play the games, and see if Joe can step up his game above 13ppg in the playoffs.
and finally, Thought Police part II
October 26th, 2010
11:48 pm
The Hawks problems are as big on the interior as the perimeter. They don’t have a top notch defensive interior. Where’s the length to get a crucial rebound? Can your 1/2 court defense stop every team when needed?
There’s more questions than answers as we watch the same group not be held accountable for the last 2 years of playoff basketball. Especially if you can’t beat last year’s Miami team.
The Ayatollah
October 27th, 2010
4:19 am
Oh I don’t know why there is any problem on the defensive interior side of things. After all, the Hawks have the #1 defensive power forward in the world. If you have that, then why do you need anything more than whatever stiff you can plug in at center? Thank goodness the Hawks have an all star instead of a stiff or it would be nothing but trouble. Maybe without a coach that calls for the power forward and the center to guard freaking point guards half the night, we can see how the power forward and center actually do guarding their own guys instead of playing defense on the perimeter because the guards can’t do it. Pretty bad when it takes the former coach’s assistant to figure that one out
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
4:54 am
It’s a Wrap!
Ramon, here’s Part I of the sequel (my response to what Najeh! Said and I agreed), were my exact words from the previous day:
Najeh said:
““Say’s were leader fo Dampier, Wouldn’t be mad if we signed him, but as a starter……really??”
September 17th, 2010
7:13 pm
Rotoworld is a fantasy site. Don’t take their basketball analysis at face value. They probably just see Dampier as a more valuable fantasy commodity than Marvin and assume that he would push Marvin to the bench. I think if the Hawks are actually interested in Dampier, they are going to sign him to supplant Zaza as the first big man off the bench.”
My response was my thoughts exactly. And what you copied on the last blog!
Now, I see why Sautee holds your little feet to the fire.
You have some major issues with telling the truth, quoting others and basic level reading comprehension.
You need a translator to explain the meaning of words to you.
What would you do if I used one of my other four languages besides English?
You need a Thesaurus or a Dictionary or a Speak ‘N’ Say – something!
Now, run-a-long, Ramon.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
5:31 am
Play Ball!
As I’ve and others have said a zillion times:
Play some defense as though your life depended on it!
If not, watch others do it from the bench.
Do we have the personnel to do it?
We shall see, starting tonight
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
5:34 am
What was all that ISH being posted up there?
What does any of that garble really mean?
Looks like somebody is off their 17 Meds again.
The Ayatollah
October 27th, 2010
5:55 am
Thought Police II must stand for somebody who only has two thoughts on their brain at all times. First thought is this sorry creature hates the hawks beat writer. Second thought is same person hates the hawks starting center. What a sad way to spend an existence, doomed to write the same thing over and over again, incapable of an original thought that does not bleed hate. Why open a can of haterade when a poor creature such as this bathes in a barrel of it daily. Somebody’s mama sure isn’t proud.
Department of troll control
October 27th, 2010
5:57 am
dont feed the trolls or they keep coming back
Marcus
October 27th, 2010
7:07 am
I think we will be OK, also.
I do believe we will take a hit in the reg. season W column and perhaps a lower seed in the playoffs, but be more formidable in the playoffs. I can see us growing over the season to where we become much more proficient by playoff time. I predict 45 wins, 1st round victors and tough out in 2nd round, depending on the matchup.
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
7:21 am
Samuel,
I have some of the same questions too (Josh and his untimely shots, turnovers by our guards etc). But whereas its straight forward to say accountability on defense, I think the questions you asked will just be a case by case basis. Time will tell.
Watching the Celtics, it was easy to forget that their defensive mastermind (Thibodeau) was not there anymore. Guys were still playing defense.
I think this reinforces that a big part of defense is the mindset. I dont think the Hawks are mentally tough enough, and they can’t blame it all on Woody.
Although they beat us in the preseason, we need to win this game tonight. We have struggled on the road under Woody, and Memphis fans will be hyped because hope springs eternal the first game of the year.
Go Hawks.
jason
October 27th, 2010
8:04 am
MC the do u know who will start at point guard?
KevinM
October 27th, 2010
8:31 am
jason, here ya go, straight from MC’s tips:
5. Can Teague take over the point?
Mike Bibby will start the opener, which means Jeff Teague didn’t unseat him as the starter. Drew wants Teague to play a major role because the guard can shore up Atlanta’s shaky perimeter defense and push the pace on offense. However, he’ll have to be more aggressive to win the job from Bibby
Show me state
October 27th, 2010
8:31 am
MC…I’m there 2nite…Go Hawks!!!!
Astro Joe
October 27th, 2010
9:01 am
If guarding your man was enough to be a top 10 defense, then why do teams pay for a defensive coordinator? Oh, that’s right, because it’s impossible to be a top 10 defense by simply playing man-to-man defense… these guys are much too good… they made it to the NBA because they can score. I just hope that while we keep hearing about effort, that there is actually a scheme in place that goes beyond “guard your man or else”.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
9:24 am
I think, based on The Hawks Training Camp fed from NBA TV, the HC talked some about defensive schemes. Coach talked about when the opponent throws the ball into the high post, he wanted the guards to show a double team to force a pass and get back to his perimeter man to recover.
It sounded like a psuedo double team to disrupt the post man who had the ball.
Being disruptive on defense and causing havoc. Stuff like that.
I am sure there will be some switches and zones ran as well.
But, ultimately being responsible for your own man. Listen, it all boils down to being active and intense on defense. There has to be more effort than just standing there and watching. If were talking about Dwight, I say let him get his but, shut down those 3 point shooters. Jameer Nelson ran us over like a hot knife in butter. We need to get that killer mentality on defense – for real!
I sure hope so.
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
10:03 am
AJ,
Even with a scheme, the right players must be in place to execute. I’m not sure if we have the right players.
That being said, LD has talked about defensive adjustments (and he even mentioned some switching), so I think there will be a scheme.
I think his emphasis on man to man is to get them out of the mindset of switching everything all the time.
Astro Joe
October 27th, 2010
10:09 am
OB, agreed. I recognize that what a coach says to the media isn’t neccesarily what he says to his players. Memphis has plenty of offensive talent, so we will get a chance to see the impact of their effort against a handful of potential 20-point scorers (Gay, Randolph, Mayo & Gasol). We’ll also get to see the motion offense against a team that historically hasn’t been able to stop the other team from scoring. I’m predicting a little more scoring than the 88-80 Celtics-Heat contest last night. How is that for climbing out ona limb?
Astro Joe
October 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Dr. Mary, right on. I just hope that the simplistic defensive message being delivered via the media is different than a more complex scheme being installed with the players.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
10:40 am
Trade Secrets!
I agree, you never want to circulate your play-book – right?
I guess that’s why even the beat writer doesn’t have unlimited access all phases of the team practice sessions. I’m also, thinking in the pre-season games too, you don’t really want to show all your sets and schemes either.
I was saying to another blogger that pre-season is more for the coaches to evaluate his roster, mainly the rookies and invites – right? So, the sloppy play and losses didn’t really bother me. I know Orlando demolished their opponents, but they are on a different level and aren’t looking at new players.
Let’s Get it On!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
10:43 am
That last post was in reply to Astro Joe and others. -smiles-
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
10:51 am
I’m a huge fan of what Al Horford does, but I’d trade him for Brook Lopez in a heartbeat.
Al Horford and Jamal Crawford and maybe a 1st round pick
-for-
Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, and Terrence Williams
PG Devin Harris
SG Joe Johnson
SF Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith
C Brook Lopez
New Jersey would go for it, and it would make the Hawks a championship contender.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2e4vs2k
Rev in Tampa
October 27th, 2010
10:52 am
@ O’Brien – “Watching the Celtics, it was easy to forget that their defensive mastermind (Thibodeau) was not there anymore. Guys were still playing defense.”
Good point. It is part of the culture of the Celtics ORGANIZATION that they play team basketball. They play team defense because that is what defines every player who puts on the green and white.
That being said, I despise the Celtics as much as I despise the Yankees & Phillies. However, I was filled with inexpressible joy as I watched the Celtics manhandle the Heat!
LD has an uphill battle as he challenges the mindset of the Hawks. You are right when you say that the Hawks are weakminded on defense. The other side of the coin is that they are stubbornly hanging on to their bad habits. LD has no other choice than to break their wills in the tough practices. If half the team goes down with injuries from practice then so be it.
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
10:57 am
Not even saying that Brook Lopez plays the game better than Al. But Lopez definitely plays the center position better.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
11:04 am
Rev
But, why would the Nets trade their Future All-Star Center for a smaller PF who plays Center out of position? I don’t understand the rationale from the Nets perspective?
KevinM
October 27th, 2010
11:05 am
2 things came to mind this am…..shouldn’t the reigning EC champs have beaten the new look Heat?
I am sure Doc isn’t too thrilled with what took place in the 2nd half last night….and Big Baby was there for the taking 2 years ago Sund…where were you? on vacation? He would take Marvin’s slot easily.
Also, I remember being discontent when the Hawks chose Chills over Jameer Nelson and also took Smoove over Jameer, the reigning college POY.
Where oh where could the Hawks be today with a solid PG? I guess a 2nd rounder and TPE and an overload at PF is what we deserve. Did anyone else pine for Jameer at that time when we needed a PG soooooooooooooooooooooo soooooooooooooooooo bad?
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
11:09 am
I don’t think the league sees him that way. Al’s a top 5 center according to most, and Jamal’s expiring contract (10 million off the books) and an extra first round pick works well for a rebuilding team who’s trying to start over (and get rid of Devin Harris). I believe they’d actually benefit more in the long run from this trade.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
11:12 am
Sorry Rev … I meant that last post to be directed to
I_am_soulstar.
Ramon
October 27th, 2010
11:17 am
KevinM, at the time of that draft, the Hawks were trying to replace A. Walker, and having someone in place to replace Al. Harrington. But I think Jameer Nelson is more a product of his surroundings in Orlando. Most experts didn’t think he would be that good in the NBA. He and Delonte West had a lot of doubters at the time.
Ramon
October 27th, 2010
11:21 am
I_am, I don’t think they’d be willing to trade Lopez. But acquiring Horford would allow them to use Favors in a trade for Melo. But I still don’t see why they would trade a 19/8 center for a 16/10 pf/center. If he was healthy, and JC2 progress to be good enough to score when counted on, I’d consider trading JC1 for Murphy though.
Hawk n the Ham
October 27th, 2010
11:31 am
Stop with the fantasy trade machine garbage. Our roster is set with Sund and ASG. Nothing is going to change now. Just sit back and be happy it’s game time!
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2010
11:33 am
Most of you predict the Bucks will finish ahead of the Hawks based on the stuggles we had against them in the 1st rd of the playoffs. Yet, when it comes to the Celtics, you abandon that excuse and rate them ahead of the Hawks as well, while completely and conveniently forgetting about the Hawks’ dominance over the Celtics last yr.
It’s obvious the Heat will become one of the top teams in the East, but last nights loss to the Celtics shows they certainly aren’t there yet. And those fans who insisted on buying the Heat sizzle rather than the steak, now see Miami has to overcome the CHEMISTRY and ADJUSTMENT issues I’ve been making an issue of all summer.
As much as most of us criticized Woodson’s coaching and dependence on ISO’s and the switching DEF, the team had enough individual talent to overcome both, as well as 2 grossly underachieving starters(SF MWilliams & PG MBibby), and exceed all preseason predictions by finishing as the 3rd best team in the Eastern conference, even without a legit 7′ center.
With that same core of talent that over came those issues returning, along with a new HC, additional OFF options, DEF accountability, and with additional and improved talent, we will definitely be a better team. Why aren’t you HORFORD HATERS and MIAMI LOVERS doubting Miami’s chances of being a title contender, with them starting 6′9″ Joel Anthony at center? If Horford is undersized at 6′10″, what in the hell is Anthony @ 6′9″. WHERE’S THE LOGIC?
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2010
11:46 am
HAWK IN THE HAM-good point. We have a number of fans with delusions of being better GM’s than Sund. That’s why we get so many comments that claim he’s stupid for not doing exactly what they think he should do, or should have done. So to make it appear real to them, they come on basketball sites that focus on real basketball and try to promote the FANTASY BASKETBALL that takes place in their delusional heads. Even though the real regular season officially started last night, the fantasies in their heads must live on, otherwise they have absolutely nothing to contribute or hope for.
Fresh
October 27th, 2010
11:51 am
Lol @ Heat fans on their forum demanding Pat Riley trade D. Wade to the Hornets for CP3 after 1 bad game. I guess some things never change lol.
Fresh
October 27th, 2010
11:56 am
Ken Strickland,
There is no logic with these arm-chair GM’s. Most of them just sit in there mom’s basement and think of trade scenario’s that will never happen and then go out of their way to justify them while defying common logic.
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2010
12:08 pm
I for one, don’t buy into the idea that our rash of injuries were the result of LDrew’s intense practices, and here’s why.
1-Pape Sy’s back issues started at the very beginning of training camp and couldn’t have been the result of the intense training camp.
2-MWilliams has had recurring back issues for the last 2-3yrs, so are you going to blame those previous issues on an intense training camp as well?
3-JTeague and LHorford sprained ankles occurred during our 1st preseason gm, which had nothing to do with training camp. Horford was able to continue playing with his injury.
4-Bibby, like Marvin, has had recurring back issues, and his back issue didn’t show up until after our 6th preseason gm.
5-And JSmith cut his hand on a rim during a preseason gm, so how could that be attributed to an intense training camp.
Horford, Teague and Josh aren’t playing at 100% efficiency, and have been hampered by their injuries. Bibby’s back injury might have been caused by him actually bending over and assuming a DEF position in gm 6.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
12:13 pm
I for one have never seen the logic in the Bucks and Bulls finishing ahead of the Hawks. I just don’t see that based on Ken’s analysis, which I fully agree with.
I see the Hawks finishing 3 or 4, only if Miami blow it up! I have made no comments on the Heat – WHATSOEVER! I have no idea what they will do until they do it! I was not impressed with them at all against the Hawks wether Wade played or not. They actually played better w/out Wade IMO.
They seem like mass confusion on offense and I can’t tell what they are doing on defense at all. Big-Z looked lost out there, I don’t like his game away from the basket player is dumb for a guy his size. Their starting center is 6′9″ and that is a joke! I got to see it before I believe it with them. Can they play together?
Bosh looks very soft to me in the paint, where is his defense?
IMHO
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
12:16 pm
My realistic goal for the Hawks is to finish 2 or 3. I want them to raise the bar from last year. I love the new motion offensive identity and want to see much better defense. We finished 10 on defense last season, I want to see top 5 this time around.
darrell starks
October 27th, 2010
12:18 pm
drmaryb dont worry the heat 81 wins and 1 lost lol.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
J.J.M.
October 27th, 2010
12:19 pm
smh I still have DISH I guess I will need to switch to Direct TV so I can watch the hawks
darrell starks
October 27th, 2010
12:20 pm
The hawks will need a miracle this year 2 make the playoffs.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
October 27th, 2010
12:24 pm
MARVIN IS A BUST, WILL BE ANOTHER YEAR OF DISAPPOINTMENT WHAT A WASTE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
12:25 pm
Cymbals go Clash!
Fresh said:
“Lol @ Heat fans on their forum demanding Pat Riley trade D. Wade to the Hornets for CP3 after 1 bad game. I guess some things never change lol.”
If CP3 didn’t have serious knee issues? That may not be a bad idea.
The Heat have no PG nor C! Same needs we had/have? – for so long.
I don’t see the Heat meeting all these expectations.
LeBron and Flash may clash like cymbals! They do the same things and may not be compatible IMHO. That team has no balance and way too many holes in it.
Who is the SF, PG and C on that team? I doubt it will work like Magic for them.
If they’re trying to be the Yankees? Where is the pitching?
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
12:25 pm
Never said I would be a better GM. I ‘m an epidemiologist. I have no desire to have Rick Sund’s job (seriously). I have no wish for any douchebag and his douchebaggery attempting to place limits on my fandom either.
This is a blog.
I see posts I don’t agree with all the time. But I’ll either state why I think it’s unreasonable, or I just won’t say anything at all. People behind a computer screen are typically more disgruntled because they can be.
Internet gangsters. Red or blue stickers on your laptop?
Nature of cowardice, I suppose.
Wabe
October 27th, 2010
12:26 pm
J.J.M.
October 27th, 2010
12:19 pm
smh I still have DISH I guess I will need to switch to Direct TV so I can watch the hawks
You’re not alone. I got Dish too.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
12:26 pm
2 of Same and 3 on 5 with no bench will win them NOTHING!
richbrave
October 27th, 2010
12:30 pm
Reality begins tonight HAWKS fans. Good luck. Play good ‘d’ and bring in the ‘W’.
WIZZIES and THE MAGIC. Need I say more?
Mike is back
October 27th, 2010
12:30 pm
What’s up MC and the Blog Crew…I have been completely shut down at work, and often too tired to blog when I get home…new job…but that’s a good thing.
I didn’t get a chance to see any pre-season games…HOWEVER, I’M STILL BULLISH ON THE HAWKS!!!
Sure, they will have their struggles adapting to LD’s new coaching philosophy…but they will overcome their struggles, and be a tough team to beat. I know that is a lot of wishful thinking…but all of LD’s principles are grounded in the fundamentals of basketball…at some point things will start to click for these guys…when that happens…LOOK OUT!!!
I think we struggle in the first quarter of the season…then start steam rolling teams heading into the All Star break. The difference will be we start slow in the first half…and finish strong heading into the playoff.
Yeah…Yeah…Yeah…I know to much wishful thinking…same old Mike…WHATEVER. LOL
GO LD, AND GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
12:31 pm
Who would’ve thought we’d get Jamal Crawford for Acie Law and Speedy??? Unless your name is Rick Sund, your responses to trade speculation are nothing more than speculation also.
Ramon
October 27th, 2010
12:37 pm
I think the Heat will be just fine. Wade’s only been practicing since Saturday with the team. And to make it worse, Miller was a big part of what they’re trying to do. Despite all of this they still only lost by 4 baskets, And the offense will be the last thing to come around. However, their defense already looks great. And the job that Haslem was doing on the inside was phenomenal. With Boston playing defense like that, what other team in the league (besides the Lakers) would’ve been with in 10 points at the end of the game? The Heat will be just fine.
vava74
October 27th, 2010
12:40 pm
i_am_soulstar,
Brook Lopez LOOKS better but he does not PLAY better than Al.
Brook played in a 13 win team. It’s easy to put good numbers in a team where by the second quarter the games are already garbage time.
Also, Brook can’t guard his own shadow.
I am not saying that he will not evolve and become a quality C, but right now, he is pretty one dimensional and not to mention a sub-par rebounder for his size.
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
12:48 pm
vava,
I think Al is a better overall player than Lopez. But I think Lopez is a better center than Al, and has more upside (I hate that word) at that position.
I don’t know if we’ll ever make it to the promised land with Al playing center, and what’s worse is I think Al has accepted that.
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
12:50 pm
If you’ve already told yourself in your head that something won’t work, then you’ve already lost. Al makes these comments about needing a center (no doubt inspired by being abused by Dwight), but he could be using this energy to focus on becoming a better center. Just my thoughts.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
12:51 pm
Bones of Contention!
I_am_Soulstar
An Epidemiologist? Kewl … Maybe you can help MC eradicate the Blog Virus that is trolling around on here. MC has given up on killing the super-bug.
It’s not so bad when it lies dormant and is in re-mission, but when the MEDS wear off? Watch Out! (rof-lol and kicking the couch!)
But, all the opinions are just that! Opines! Thank the Lawd … We are not all in agreement: like the quote says:
“When two men in business agree – one is unnecessary.”
-arthur unknown-
Keep the good stuff coming … We need all the varying opinions we can get!
richbrave
October 27th, 2010
12:56 pm
drmaryb:
How’s my lady dooooin’?
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
12:57 pm
drmaryb,
Lol I agree, and agree to disagree with you all in an untimely fashion at one point or another.
Chuuch!!
vava74
October 27th, 2010
12:59 pm
i_am_soulstar,
I agree that Al is not mentally OK when facing Howard and plays scared. I will consider this the worst legacy that Woody left us.
Overall Al is always spot in the way that he analyses the Hawks but not in this case. I think that there is a certain lack of “dogness” is Al since if he played with aggression and confidence he could play effectively against Howard (I am not talking about neutralizing him).
I know that TS will jump up and down in delight after this, however, in Al’s defense I reiterate: there is no viable substitute and Al is a more than adequate Center (I would rate him a B+ right now) for 77 games (regular season) of the year.
One of the things that Al should work at is flopping and selling the illegal shoulder charges that Howard usually gets away with.
Also, although Howard is very strong, he is not “mean and rugged”. This means that if Al elbowed him in the face and played physically (hitting him hard), Howard would not be as effective.
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
1:05 pm
Indeed vava,
Al could be an A- center if he wasn’t so focused on playing power forward.
If only his attitude was “I need to learn to defend Dwight” instead of “I need to not play out of position”…
The sky would be the limit for that guy.
Attitude determines altitude.
Ramon
October 27th, 2010
1:39 pm
I_am the most confusing part about that is, although he was listed as the 4 in college, it was his defense on Oden (not Noah’s) that shut down Oden. So you would think he’d be able to limit Howard on the block. Because the Hawks shouldn’t worry about Howard scoring 50. If he scores 50 without being double team, then great for him. But the stubbornness of the Magic wings, they would still force shots if Howard wasn’t doubled. Horford’s main problem is keeping Oden off of the boards. If he can successfully box Howard out, and oversell some of the over the back calls that Howard is rarely called for. He’d be in good business.
Grandad
October 27th, 2010
1:45 pm
Ken Strickland
“We have a number of fans with delusions of being better GM’s than Sund. That’s why we get so many comments that claim he’s stupid”
Sounds like me.
However, I agree with Mr.[i_am_soulstar] I do not want Sund’s job
either. I create trade scenarios for amusement. (a hobby, sort of)
I do not respect Rick Sund’s acumen as a GM.
*(douchebaggery) = word of the day ! ! !
Also;
I have *seized & desisted from making any of: *[~D.O'I.I.~]
[G-dad's Trades of the Day] due to the opening of the season.
Re-runs and new ones beginning @ or near trade deadline.
Note to Ken Strickland,
continued best wishes my friend and get well quickly.
cp
October 27th, 2010
1:47 pm
NBA league pass has a free preview for a week I think…Im ready for the game, hopefully the Hawks come out with some energy and effort.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
1:48 pm
Bully-Ball!
Hawks should get that DVD from the Bobcats -vs- Magic play-off series last season. Larry Brown, Gerald Wallace and Captain Jack devised the perfect offensive scheme to frustrate Dwight. They literally took him out and sat him on the bench in that series.
Even though the Bobcats lost, they battled for 5 games and were highly effective.
Why not just do that?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
Allen Iverson
2 years 4M in Turkey.
Vince Thomas NBA Expert on The 2 Live Stews just said:
“It’s very sad, a debauchery to see Iverson in Turkey, but he has made his bed, and now he has to lie in it.”
Vince said Houston is a 1st Round team and done, they have no Super-Star with Yao playing limited minutes and Kevin Martin is a scrub of Super-Stars, even though he dropped 30 something points in a 2 point loss to the Lakers.
Vince said, Miami will come together when the rust shakes off, but he blamed Spolestra for the loss last night, because the had no Offensive Scheme.
He said, the Heat must have an offensive identity to excel, too much free-lancing going on last night. No mention of defense? Hmmmm….
Grandad
October 27th, 2010
2:05 pm
i_am_soulstar
“Not even saying that Brook Lopez plays the game better than Al.
But Lopez definitely plays the center position better.”
I can’t even respond to that.
Blog friends, do yawl realize, Mr soulstar has just made a profound
statement. That my friends is one of the more lucid, succinct facts
stated on this blog since I’ve been here.
I’ve been chewing on it since I read it.
He has in one statement defended brilliantly both sides of the argument that has raged on for over a year.
My hat is off to you (i_a_s)!
*Not sarcasm*
Grandad
October 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
Mary Ellen
Now I have to figure out a way to use both;
debauchery & douchebaggery in a sentence together.
Well, I just did.
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
2:23 pm
At least soulstar understands the issue going on.
Al wants to be a PF, but doesn’t want to be an elite center . . . and Smoove still thinks he’s some great shooting SF.
This goes back to the last blog, but relates to this one as well. For the Hawks to improve defensively, they must become more physically and mentally tough.
But let me also quote the great womens basketball coach at the U. of Tennessee:
Offense sells TICKETS . . Defense wins GAMES . . Rebounding wins CHAMPIONSHIPS
Defensive rebounding was one of the biggest issues with this team last year. Some will quickly say that the switching defense was the main culprit of this.
Ummm . . no.
The culprit, was that the Hawks don’t put a body on anybody when the ball clanks off the rim. And that leads to 2nd chance points.
It’s funny though. They go after their own shots like it’s a 6 lb diamond, but go after defensive rebounds with a lot less passion.
Keep that in mind tonight, as Zach Randolph tries to go after every offensive rebound possible.
The number is 13. If we keep the Griz to under 13 offensive rebounds, we should win this game tonight. If that number goes over 13 offensive rebounds, we’re going to be in for a battle. If that number goes to 18 or over, we’ll lose.
Rebound the basketball tonight.
Sautee
October 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
soulstar,
about this:
i_am_soulstar
October 27th, 2010
10:57 am
“Not even saying that Brook Lopez plays the game better than Al. But Lopez definitely plays the center position better.”
Not arguing this one way or another, BUT if this is true then why on earth would NJ agree to trade him for Horford? Yes, I know the trade proposal was for more than Al but if you are NJ why would you “downgrade” your center position?
When you mentioned that we never expected to get JC1 for Acie and Speedy, you forgot to mention that GS was LOOKING to get out of Jamal’s contract. NJ is definitely NOT looking to divest themselves of Lopez.
Different story entirely.
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
2:43 pm
To keep Horford and Smith here as our frontline, we have to add a 3rd guy who isn’t a liability when he comes into a game. If we can’t get a “real center”, a decent PF/C will do, provided that he could play both positions and give us a solid 20 – 25 minutes a game off the bench.
When you looked at what a guy like Luis Scola did last night ( 18 pts and 16 rebs . . although he shot only 7 – 18 FG ), that’s the kind of a big man bench player we need here. A guy that can be active and even take up the slack for Horford and/or Smith if they have a subpar game. If the true center we seek is unattainable, we at least need to bring in another hybrid PF/C that can ball.
Key word: “ball”
Rufus1
October 27th, 2010
2:50 pm
The Grizz preview..
The Writer thinks AC Law will push Conley for Playing time.
http://www.straightouttavancouver.com/2010/10/18/1758218/memphis-grizzlies-preview-2010-2011#storyjump
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
That’s why even passing on an undersized beast like a Dejuan Blair was a MAJOR MISTAKE by this team. That was a top 10 talent that freefell through the draft because these “genious” GMs around the league were concerned about his so-called bad knees, instead of seeing that this dude was a bad azz.
2 seasons later, he’s going to be the Spurs starting CENTER . . at 6 – 7 . . 265 lbs. And the reason why Pop will play him at center, is because Dejuan is strong as an ox, and plays ultra physical against anybody. This leads to him being an absolute BEAST on the boards, especially on the offensive boards.
Instead, we take Teague instead of Blair. Teague may very well pan out, but we already know that Dejuan has a “dog” in him. But his dog is more like a St. Benard sized Pit Bull. Shoot . . Coach Drew is trying to pull any type of dog out of Teague, whether it be a Sheep Dog or a Hound Dog.
Bloggers think that they’re a better GM than Sund, because Sund has already proven over the years that he’s a bad GM that doesn’t know how to construct a championship caliber team . . even if you do have a budget.
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
Rufus . . . Conley wasn’t nearly as good as people thought he was coming out of college. His shot has improved, but he’s not the most playmaking PG in the league. Acie is the better playmaker, while Conley is the better scorer. Acie’s PT will depend on how well he defends the position.
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2010
2:59 pm
GRANDAD-What’s up my friend? I wasn’t trying to single anyone out, just being critical of a perception. I-AM- SOULSTAR-you shouldn’t be so THIN SKINNED, pun intended.
Before we start writing off Horford’s ability to be more competitive against DHoward, we should wait until they meet during the regular season. Too many conveniently forget Horford was playing on a previously sprained ankle and we were missing several key players, including 2 starters, when the 2 teams met this preseason. It’s also important to note we didn’t present our full regular season OFF and DEF packages, while Orlando went all out to win every preseason gm they played.
I’ll wait and see how a healthy AHorford performs against DHoward after receiving the solid perimeter DEF that’s been lacking since he’s been a Hawk. With LDrew’s insistence on eliminating the SWITCHING DEF as a staple, all of our players know they won’t be constantly forced into mismatches, and can concentrate on defending their original assignments.
How can anyone say DHoward abused Horford when Horford spent so much of his time on the perimeter switching off on and defending PG’s? Some will pretend they never noticed this ever taking place. No one player can stop DHoward, and it’s foolish to think otherwise. One can only hope to neutralize him, and it will take a team effort to do that.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
KenS
Is right. Tbe Bobcats neutralized Dwight. I have no idea how, they did it,m but they did. Problems is they let the 3 point shooters go off.
Astro Joe
October 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
Geez, are we playing Howard tonight? Are we playing Howard 30 times this season? Howard has turned into an obsession on this blog… like he is the Boogeyman and y’all are running a-scared of him.
I could have sworn that we were playing Memphis, Philly and Washington in thenext few days. Did Howard get traded to those teams?
terrell
October 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
JJ/Josh/Al vs Mayo/Gay/Randolph/Gasol. Tough matchup. If we can get ANYTHING out of the sf position, we should be ok. But that’s a big IF. Hopefully they wont go deep into their bench. Damien Wilkins gives us fits.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Astro Joe
I know … I know … We are having a marathon conversation and have tolally overlooked tonight’s game. I hope the Hawks are not over looking Memphis too.
yodaddy
October 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Boston’s Defense looked amazing…Shaq was dishing out the pain on his fouls…another underrated aspect of defense from a big center. That hardwood hurts. The Hawks as a team don’t really have the fortitude to knock someone on their behinds when they start getting happy. Wade going for a layup against Shaq gets blocked and he gets knocked down, LBJ got smacked clear across the face challenging shaq at the rim. And they wonder why Miami were taken contested jump shots instead of driving the lane. Glen Davis, Rondo, KG, Perkins…those aren’t nice guys…they aren’t friendly…and that’s why they’re winners.
That’s what the hawks are missing. Al Horford is way too nice…I need him to flip somebody like a Dennis Rodman or somebody….when they come through the lane wreckless they need to end up on their back. Marvin Williams is too nice…need a Matt Barnes in your face type of guy. Joe Johnson is a stone face so I don’t know if he’s upset or happy or what. Which brings the convo back to Josh Smith. Josh Smith is not having that and hopefully his push for DPOY will help the others on the team
terrell
October 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
“The Hawks never won a championship with 7ft Tree Rollins as their center. What’s your point?” Hahahahaha! True dat.
terrell
October 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
MC, Why isn’t the game on TV,or the radio? Wtf?
Rufus1
October 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
@Northcyde
I remember the game he played against CP3, I think he can defend, but he is injury prone. He currently has a BAD HIP.
terrell
October 27th, 2010
3:39 pm
Stop it with the Shaquille Oldneal love fest. He’ll be on IR in no time.
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
3:41 pm
Ken . . what about the preseason game? Or did that game not matter to the point that we can just totally throw that game out?
The fact is that Horford needs to start to BATTLE these big dudes. If he knows he’s undersized, then he has to either match them physically, or outsmart them. Instead of blaming the coaches for Horford’s shortcomings, how about blaming Horford himself?
And that goes for Josh’s jumpshooting . . . JJ’s lack of drawing fouls to get to the FT line ( because he doesn’t drive hard enough to the hole ) . . . Jamal’s pizz poor perimeter defense . . . Marvin’s flat out lack of desire at times out on the court.
You act like all of these things can be coached into players. When in reality, these players have to WANT to do it themselves.
We really need Al or Josh to become a dominant rebounder on this squad. Both of those guys have the ability to average 11+ rebounds a game. But do they have the DESIRE to do that?
Or does that need to be “coached” into them as well?
It’s bad enough Teague has to be “coached” into finding his “inner dog” and be a leader . . now we gotta coach Horford to play like a big dog vs Horford too?
I know . . . Horford should listen to this song everytime he goes to play a big center. Maybe that will motivate him to play a lot tougher than what he does. Let Smith listen to this too, so that he can turn into “Smash” and kill off “Smoove”
Matter of fact . . . the Hawks promotional team should make this the Hawks opening game theme song. Do a video to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvXaTfoJqWA
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
vs Horford = vs Howard
Then again . . . this may be a battle within himself. Horford now ( vs ) how Horford should play at center.
Fresh
October 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
Marc Gasol to miss tonight’s season opener for Grizzlies
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/oct/27/marc-gasol-miss-tonights-season-opener-grizzlies/
Fresh
October 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
Terrell,
The game is on Sportsouth
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
Astro Joe . . . it’s a partial obsession because Orlando is the main roadblock in our way. We’re not even close to figuring out how to be successful against that team, without them missing a ton of open looks to keep us in a game.
Orlando is like that level on a video game that you can’t beat. No matter how many times you play the game, you always die on the same level and at the same place.
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Fresh . . . no excuses for not taking this game now. What a big break we got with Gasol out. Now Thabeet’s soft a’zz will have to play. Horford will probably foul him out.
Rufus1
October 27th, 2010
3:48 pm
@Astro Joe
D12 isn’t just the Boogeyman for the blog, his is the boogeyman for anyone who writes about the Hawks. They act like the Magic can put 20 loses on the Hawks alone.
Their is a chance we miss the Magic in the Playoffs, because the season hasn’t played out.
terrell
October 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
TV says the game’s on Ssouth. Yes! NBA.Com didnt have it on local TV or the radio.
ryan
October 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
We can wish and wish for a trades its not going to happen just let the season play out we need new owners is the only way things can change we have to give Drew a shot at it that is all we can do .
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
4:03 pm
KevinM,
Big Baby would not have replaced Marvin. He would have been our backup PF. When he was a FA, we didn’t even make him an offer. Just like we didn’t make Bass an offer. Joe Smith didn’t get the job done, but hopefully Powell will.
As for Chills over Jameer, nobody had Jameer rated that high. The beef (imo) was picking Chills over Deng and Iguadala. Josh over Jameer was not a bad choice. Josh, was a potential top 10 pick, but his stock fell mostly because there was concern about his attitude, not his talent. We got a steal at 17.
Put Jameer on a team that doesn’t have Howard and see how average he looks.
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
northcyde,
We were bad at rebounding. There were numerous opportunities where even our guards (JJ included) did not even make the effort to go after a defensive rebound.
It’s like they just assumed that 1) Al or Josh will get it or 2) The ball is out of reach, so why bother.
And I agree about our frontline. ZaZa is a good backup, but not what this team needs.
He is another one who seems extra motivated to get the offensive rebound (usually off his own misses), but on defense, his rebounding falls off.
Ramon
October 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
O’brien, I think we were terrible at rebounding also. I don’t know if it was more of an effort or a scheme that left our numbers down. Many times they would have Josh leave as the shot goes up to try and get him out on the break. I personally think it would be better to get Josh out on the break, and have Marvin and Joe attack the defensive boards to help Horford out.
cp
October 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
Our guys dont block out. That’s what frustrated me not just last year but also previous years. Guys on our team rely to much on their athleticism to rebound rather than getting in position and blocking out. Not having to deal with Gasol should help us but I expect to see Zach have a big game. Dude gets after it against us. It will be a good game because the Grizz are much improved.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
4:39 pm
ryan
Yup! Pretty much.
Astro Joe
October 27th, 2010
4:42 pm
northcyde, IMO, the Magic was just the most recent superior team to squash us in the 2nd round. Is it possible that we’re just not a top 2 team in the conference with this smallish roster of players with fluctuating attention spans?
Meanwhile, we have 82 games to play against 29 teams over about 6 months. And it all starts tonight.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
Grand-Daddy
What’s up baby? How is sweet little Mamma doing in Tennessee?
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
4:52 pm
Hawks catch another break for the home opener.
Gilbert Arenas is out for Saturday’s game.
- So that’s tonight @ Memphis – w/o Marc Gasol
- @ Philly
- vs Washington w/o Arenas
A good start to the season is right there for us.
J.J.M.
October 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
I have a link for the game if you have dish…I will just use my HDMI cord and stream it on my tv
Grandad
October 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
yodaddy
I agree in general with your post sir!
I too, since that an enforcer and an angry attitude near the basket
would enhance our overall identity as a team that takes personal responsibility for defending the basket, as well as overall defense.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Gracias!
I just want to take a moment to say Thanks – a – Million:
To MC for all the kind updates and breaking team news, and to all the fellow bloggers All of You: new, old, indifferent, kind and not-so-kind.
At the end of the day, it’s all good and it proves one thing!
We are all Hawks Fans, regardless of how we view the team and approach the conversations. This blog has made the off-season not seem so long and fun!
Let’s Go Hawks!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
5:02 pm
Boon – Docks!
JJM
Do you live in the Boonies? lol
Grandad
October 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
Mary Ellen
She’s hangin’ on. (old school) “full o’ faith”
We’re back home for the time bein’.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
G-Daddy
Well Lil’ Mamma is in my prayers and thoughts. I’m glad you made it home safe.
I hope her favorite G-Daughter makes it home from Peace-Corps in time.
Hey Ken S,
You too, Mr. Graciously Optimistic, you take care of yourself and Get Well Soon!
KevinM
October 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
O’Brien
October 27th, 2010
4:03 pm
Those thoughts about Big Baby playing PF might be right, but I still see him as strengthening the frontline and would have been a good addition here. All he does is turn on his motor and makes things happen. He would have been very affordable, starter or bench player.
That energy would have taken some of the uptick the C’s get when he gets in the game.
I felt the same with Shaq; I just think keeping him away from the C’s would have been a better move than letting him go there and fill a role whether its 10 min or 1 game/week. He would have helped us no doubt.
And all that Jameer Nelson does is improve his team. They are in the mix, and no one is threatening his position. He has turned away Rafer Alston, who I liked very much, Jason Williams and Duhon. Not much of a threat, but Jameer has a good stroke and keeps moving the ball to the guys who need it. I do remember he wasnt rated that high, but isn’t that what the brass is supposed to determine: who are the guys that will last a long time and benefit us the most? We give up on Chills and just eat that pick as a mistake.
FYI, Bibby had an interview today on 680 with Chuck and Chernoff. Basically, he gave us his thoughts on Marvin, (tall, athletic, and a good FT shooter) and Smoove ( getting better every year ). He stayed away from the controversy between Woody and LD differences, only to say LD will hold people accountable to the systems….says he doesn’t feel as much pressure with LD at the helm.
Finally, he says Teague brings things that he doesn’t to the team and he is helping him any way he can. Bibby says he is on the best team in the East and his job is to make everyone else happy giving the ball to the right person at the right time.
It doesn’t sound like Bibby is worried about his job at all. He sounds very confident as a 13 year vet that he has held off many other guys to keep the PG job and doesn’t expect anything different.
Hmmm
October 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
smh Bibby needs to sit down somewhere…preferably on the bench where his bad defence and decreasing ball-handling skills wont hurt us.
Hmmm
October 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
Luckily, He wont be abused by conely and Acie LOL.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
6:01 pm
KevinM
Bibby must be a Politician if that’s all he could find to say about Marvin.
vava74
October 27th, 2010
6:23 pm
There is an offer of the NBA LEAGUE PASS for free until the 1st of November (included).
If it works it will not be necessary to use a feed from elsewhere.
richbrave
October 27th, 2010
6:35 pm
northcyde
October 27th, 2010
4:52 pm
Hawks catch another break for the home opener.
Gilbert Arenas is out for Saturday’s game.
- So that’s tonight @ Memphis – w/o Marc Gasol
- @ Philly
- vs Washington w/o Arenas
I don’t think ARENAS’ absence is going to make that much difference. Thye weren’t starting him anyway. But even if they had……….well, the WHIZZIES will wet themselves in my opinion right out of the box with or without GIL. I mean we-e-e-e’ve got YI. Whew. Gonna’ take a while for all the new names and faces to settle in. Say like another top lottery pick next spring, then purging players like YI from the squad.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
I’m just glad the long offseason of rehashing beaten down arguments is over.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
By the way, Marc Gasol is out for tonight’s game.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 27th, 2010
6:48 pm
Never mind, I see it’s been mentioned already, my bad.
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
7:08 pm
What’s the key tonight? Is it turnovers? Is it rebounding? Who gets the game ball? My guess is JJ, and it will come down to rebounding (Randolph is very active on the glass).
MC,
I hope we can get a blog at least a few minutes before game time. That way, we can read your comments, and comment, before the game starts.
Hawk n the Ham
October 27th, 2010
7:13 pm
If anyone is interested. NBA League Pass is free for the next week.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
7:18 pm
I got my popcorn and cherry-coke all cheesed up and ret-2-go!
JeJe
October 27th, 2010
7:18 pm
LOL @ those Bibby comments. Good job improving, Marvin!
Melvin
October 27th, 2010
7:21 pm
Watching the Heat/76ers. Spencer Hawes look terrible…
JeJe
October 27th, 2010
7:24 pm
Memphis has a very scary starting lineup and always scares me, but defensively they suck. We do well against this team usually (think we lost a garbage game to them in April though). Just can’t take them for granted, and no 9 point quarters please
JeJe
October 27th, 2010
7:25 pm
Melvin,
It’s Philly who is terrible. Why the heck did Collins, a highly respected guy in the NBA World, take this job? He had a sick Bulls offer 2 years ago…..
Mike is back
October 27th, 2010
7:29 pm
Ken, What’s up broooooooooo…I know it’s been a while since I posted…but let me get this right…we are celebrating cuz Mark Gasol is not playing…Daaaaaang. I mean…dude got a nice game…and he is a 7 footer…but daaaaaaaang…when did this cat become a dominate force in the league…I must have missed summin…While I was gone.
No doubt we will take our lumps…but once we get everybody back healthy…especially BIG AL…just like last season…ESPN, TNT and now the NBA channel…will be back pedaling and eaten crow…at lease until the second round of the playoff. lol
LET THE GAMES BEGIN……….GO HAWKS…LET YO HATERS…BE YO MOTIVATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
7:32 pm
JeJe,
I think he took the Philly job because thats who drafted him years ago, so its probably his hometown team
As for Philly sucking, they made a big mistake not signing Josh Smith, choosing Brand instead, and I dont think AI2 and Turner will work.
I would have considered a trade of Jamal for Iggy
truly1
October 27th, 2010
7:33 pm
whats the link for the game I have dish?
Mike is back
October 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
truly1, I’m watching the Hawks on channel 759 on Direct…I guess they want you to get league pass…just to see your home team…dang…I didn’t even know…the channels went up that high. lol
drmaryb (*_*)
October 27th, 2010
7:54 pm
Josh was a RFA, Philly was never in control of signing Josh Smith.
The Hawks were going to match ANY offer sheet Josh signed and not many teams bidded for that reason!
O'Brien
October 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
drmaryb,
Philly gave Brand 5 years, $80 mil. I’m not so sure the Hawks would have matched.
Memphis offered Josh 5 years, $60 mil. That was much easier to match.
Ken Strickland
October 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
All of you who think Horford not shutting DHoward down is our main problem against Orlando don’t understand the issues. Dwight wasn’t the one blowing by MBibby like he wasn’t there, nor was he the one hitting all of those 3’s. Going ISO and shooting jumpers aren’t the ways to take advantage of a foul prone center.
NORTHCYDE-We really can throw out that preseason gm against the Magic. We were missing 6 players, 2 of them were starters(JTeague & MWiliams) and 2 of our remaining starters(JSmith and AHorford) were playing injured. I doubt very seriously if LDrew made winning that gm a priority. But once we got the majority of those 6 missing players back, he had the team go all out against the Heat and showed what this team is capable of.
Just once, I’d like for Hawk fans to give the Hawks the same consideration and time to adjust and learn the new systems that’s being given to teams like the Heat, Bulls, Bucks and Celtics.
Mike is back
October 27th, 2010
8:46 pm
Teague want be replacing Bibby any time soon…Might be an opening for JC2. It’s going to take him some time.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 27th, 2010
10:52 pm
Mutombo throws Atlanta under the bus with his comments to Carmelo – sucka.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5735056
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 27th, 2010
10:58 pm
Zaza Pachulia with the DOUBLE DOUBLE – Way to go CHEF ZAZA!
soul sister
October 28th, 2010
9:08 am
Good game HAWKS! Keep up the good working! GO HAWKS. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
nique
October 28th, 2010
11:46 am
don’t understand why it’s so difficult to find a box score on this site….guess i’ll have to check espn
Ken Strickland
October 28th, 2010
3:17 pm
MIKE IS BACK-It’s great to have you back, hope you can stay this time. We need another logical voice in what has turned out to be a wilderness of delusional and fantasy thinking. No matter how hard I tried to convince most Hawk fans that this yrs team team, although basically unchanged, will be vastly different and much improved over last yrs team, they still insisted on coming up with one excuse after another to disagree. There seemed to be no end to the obsession fans had for wanting Sund to foolishly sign every FA that came close to 7′.
Like LDrew said shortly after being made HC, this team will no longer try to match what other teams do, but will force other teams to match what we do. Somehow that revelation hasn’t seemed to penetrate the one track mentalities of these fans. They’re still thinking in terms of the past, and stuck in WOODY MODE. After watching last nights bench production, and LDrews skilled distribution of mins,
1-is there anyone out there that thinks our bench won’t be much better than in previous yrs, and far, far more dependable and productive come playoff time?
2-do you think we’ll enter this yrs playoff with exhausted starters, and/or a number of key players trying to play through a series injuries?
3-a team full of frustrated, disgruntled and unmotivated players who have issues with their HC that are so serious they would actually quit on him?
This yrs team WILL NOT STRUGGLE IN THE 1ST RD, and it WILL NOT GET SWEPT IN THE 2ND RD. No team wil want to play us by playoff time, including the Magic. As the season wears on, and fatigue becomes more of an issue, the Hawks’ emphisis on running, player and ball movement, will start to take a toll on those teams in the 4th quarter. We have 3 veteran assassins, JJ, Bibby and Jamal, who can win gms for us in the clutch.
I’m waiting to see how LDrew works Jordan Crawford into the rotation. Becaue if he accepts playing within he confines of the motion OFF, which will give him all of the open scoring opportunities he wants, he might be a better overall 6th man option than Jamal, who still seems to be in ISO mode.