Mo Evans is out
Just one game into the season and Atlanta’s amazingly good luck with injuries looks to be running out.
First, there were the nagging injuries to several players that contributed to a lackluster preseason (and which subsequently seemed moot after Atlanta’s season-opening W) but there were no major issues. Now Mo Evans is back in Atlanta to have his right knee drained and will miss “several days of action,” according to the team.
The knee has been troublesome for Mo since last season, when he said he played through the pain. After starting summer workouts, he said he “felt something quirky going on” with the knee but he and Hawks trainer Wally Blase decided to wait a couple weeks “to see if it heals itself.”
“In hindsight we wish we could have gotten those three or four weeks back because moving into training camp I would have been able to go full go,” Mo said the other day.
Evans tried to push the knee too soon during camp–he said his competitiveness made him want to get out on the court–and had to back off when it swelled up. He looked to be moving really well in the final preseason game and Monday at Memphis, when he scored seven points on 3 of 3 shooting in 15 minutes.
His absence leaves L.D. with one less option on the perimeter. Mo is an undersized small forward but one of L.D.’s other options, JC2, is even smaller. The Hawks lose experience and defensive acumen with that exchange. Jamal could play more minutes but that’s still a significant drop off in D.
MC
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110 comments Add your comment
wordsmithtom
October 29th, 2010
9:15 am
drmary, I see your logic and to a point I agree. However, those signings were done in a timeframe much different from this year’s expiring work agreement. Rules are changing dramatically for next year’s budgits, and GM’s have to adapt. It’s owner’s options, obviously, but when Stern says he wants to cut by 30%, that’s dramatic….and a real change in the way GM’s operate going forward.
wordsmithtom
October 29th, 2010
9:16 am
Or as John Maynard Keyes said: “I change my mind when the facts change.” Well, Stern’s push to cut has changed the facts going forward.
Astro Joe
October 29th, 2010
9:21 am
I haven’t looked at the schedule, so Mo’s absence may not be a huge issue. But considering that he is one of the few wing players on thie roster with some defensive ability, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss his absence. Again, depending on which games he misses. Neither the 76ers nor the Wizards appear to have a SG who is indefensible by the healthy wings left on the roster.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
9:25 am
wordsmithtom
That’s my point in the original comment. Sund, knew Al’s deal was due today 3 years ago, also he knew the CBA was up for negotiations 10 years ago.
That’s why I asked? What are the ASKG and Sund doing now?
These are not surprises. It is a GM’s job to plan for the future and not look surprised when Time is Up!
Astro Joe
October 29th, 2010
9:30 am
Paddy, this is a blog not an article. You can tell it is a blog because at the top of the page, it uses the word “Blog”. Blogs are more informal and generally are written for a specific community of readers. Articles are more formal… MC writes differently for each vehicle. Among the blog family, we know the nicknames and will gladly define them for new members of the community. But you may want to consider entering without throwing stones. That isn’t very neighborly. Or, you may leave and stick to reading the articles.
KevinM
October 29th, 2010
9:35 am
Me being Sund, I let Al go through the season and let the CBA dictate the new rules and then resign him to a matched contract offer.
Everyone here knows the cap is the enemy here, not Al or Sund. The ownership group is not going to exceed the cap and Al’s turn along with JC1 is coming up at a bad time. Yes, we saw Noah get resigned, but you haven’t heard Reinsdorf saying he wouldn’t exceed the cap.
Sounds simple to me, and I don’t think there is anything complicated about Sund.
Astro Joe
October 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Kevin, don’t forget that Horford could accept a 1 year QO and then leave as a UFA the following year (assuming the rules stay the same in the new CBA). There is an exit strategy for players who don’t want to stay with the team that drafted them that cannot be stopped by that team. Ben Gordon is a recent example… he couldn’t come to terms with the Bulls on an extension, accepted their qualifying offer during his RFA summer and then left as a UFA the following summer. Obviously, I don’t know that Horford would do that, but I don’t think that we should assume that he will stick around with a team that seemingly is struggling to take the next step. He will have the ability to walk without the Hawks being able to stop him. It will just takes 2 years.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
10:21 am
Howard isn’t thge proble. Dude only averaged 12 attempts per game last season. Thats chump change. Conversely, Shaq is his preime averaged 24-28 attempts per game (Horford would really have nightmares then). Look if dwight dunks the ball 25 times on us thats ONLY 50pts. It’s not him, it’s his flunky teammates who are reaping the benefits of our Howard paranoia. Le that ogre get his buckets in the paint. We’ve got collins, Etan and Zaza who can play him straight up and just foul him. Put him on the line before he makes the shot. What is dwight a 60% FT shooter? 50pts then becomes 30 pts at BEST. HE is NOT the problem.
We have to shut down super scrubs like JJ Redick, Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, and Rashard Lewis(yes, I mean that 119 mill SCRUB). There is no reason they should EVER have open looks at the basket. Jameer Nelson sucks, Bibby is just makinghim look good. Give me 20 bucks and i’ll stick to the hobbit like glue. Most of his pts in the paint come from his defender worrying about what dwight is doing. SMH, it’s pathetic. When LeBron dunks on us it makes us play harder and focus more, but all of a sudden when Dwight does it we piss our pants and cant think straight. I dont understand it. Playing Orlando in anything but a Man D is just stupid. Doubling dwight is stupid because it doesnt work. Leave him alone and just focus on his sorry teammates.
I blame Mike Woodson. His swithching D and inflexible gameplan didn’t help. “It works, JUST PLAY HARDER” is not going to be baught into by grown men who have been getting their tails whipped by the same team for the past three seasons.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
10:21 am
*Isn’t the problem
vava74
October 29th, 2010
10:31 am
TS,
When impersonating someone, if you want to be successful you should not go overboard. No one will buy it…
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
10:35 am
vava74, Im not TS. Was it my Horford nightmare refrence? LOL
KevinM
October 29th, 2010
11:09 am
Astro, if he only wants to sign a 1 year, then he can be traded next year…but this year, he has few options, unless Sund and the ASG are going to be ‘friendly’ to him.
So, Al could either do it the Smoove way or wiggle his way into a trade scenario. I would be content with either situation, as long as we get more length to slot in at the 5. The hardest position in the NBA to fill.
And, Dampier is going to 0-2 no cap limit Houston, for Yao insurance. Not a bad move….the Adelman system will work for his skills.
KevinM
October 29th, 2010
11:11 am
Big Ray, “Lastly the Hawks need a center and we should have never fired Woodson. More than half of his supporters no longer follow the hawks”.
You aren’t serious about the Woody thing are you? I didn’t think anyone that has been with this program for the past 6 years could ever say that.
The center part: no one in the Hawks’ organization is listening….that’s obvious.
vava74
October 29th, 2010
11:25 am
Hmmm,
No, I was talking about the bogus Big Ray post which TS posted at 9.38AM.
I guess that you were either distracted …
Nookah
October 29th, 2010
11:25 am
Al will be signed at some time. Sund is just doing what he is paid by the ASG to do and that is make the best decisions for the franchise (and that is relative). We all know ASG are not big spending owners and seem to be happy with putting out a competitive squad rather that really making the push for a Ring. So what do they do? They are conservative at best in signing their assets and are more comfortable making the market come to them.
It is for this reason they will be very cautious in signing Al especially with the utterings of Stern and the new CBA around the corner. Are they cheap or is this being prudent? It’s a fine line but being Hawk fans we see it as the former. All we are interested in is winning the big one and the ASG is more concerned on a return on their investment. Therein lies the dilemma for us as fans.
When all this is said and done, I agree with the overall sentiment, we need a centre, not necessarily a 7 footer and we need Al. There seems to be the feeling that once the player is 7 feet he is an effective centre (see Thabeet).
Hmmmmm, love your 10:21am post!!
Let’s be patient guys and hope Sund and the ASG do the right thing. The good thing is that as fans we have the right to be impatient!!!
Do I hear 2-0?
Go Hawks!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!!
vava74
October 29th, 2010
11:26 am
KevinM,
You were yet another victim of Tru th Ser um’s Big Ray impersonation…
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
11:30 am
vava74, Oh lol, Yeah I missed that, my bad haha.
Nookah, Thanks!
Is Pape Sy even traveling with the team? MC?
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
11:32 am
vava74, Actually I DID catch that, I just ignored and forgot about it hehehe. Samuel is the one of the only Woodson fans that I can think of lol.
Truehawksfan
October 29th, 2010
11:43 am
I agree with Hmmm. When we play against Magic, we should focus on the other guys more and foul Dwight. There is no reason to let the other guys open like that.
vava74
October 29th, 2010
11:57 am
OUR PROBLEM with the MAGIC is a combination of TWO THINGS:
1. Inability to defend Jameer Nelson
2. Overreaction to Howard’s importance in the game (irrational fear).
tidog
October 29th, 2010
11:59 am
Whatever goodwill ASG and Ric Sund have gained with the Atlanta basketball fan base would surely be lost if they blow inking a Horford extension. There ain’t no piece out here that can plug into the core3 to replace Al.
Astro Joe
October 29th, 2010
12:01 pm
Kevin, I think it is a mistake to equate extending Horford to not seeking a center with more length. The reason we can’t compete in the 2nd round isn’t because Horford is 1-2 inches too short. Our poor 2nd round performances is as much about attitude and effort as it is about size and scheme. The first hurdle (toward becoming a true contender) is playing well on the road. I’m guessing that most teams that make the conference finals win around 25 regular season games on the road. And that takes mental and emotional focus, which hasn’t been a problem for Horford previously.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
12:20 pm
vava74, I guess the fear stems from the fact that the Hawks are not used to another team completely DOMINATING them in the paint. We are always among the leauge leaders in points in the paint, and J-Smoove/Horford usually don’t have too much trouble shutting down the paint on the defensive end. We have to adjust. Accept the fact that Howard will get whatever he wants down there and move on. The Hawks have not been able to compartmentalize that reality and continue to execute….YET
LD’s offense seems to have Horf/Smoove operating in the high post more which may help since Dwight exclusively dominates the low post area. It’s only a matter of time before LD gets the Hawks to over their “Magical fear” lol. I cant wait.
Nookah
October 29th, 2010
12:23 pm
One bad game does not a season make. Al will be fine and he will make the necessary adjustments and the Hawks will be better off with his presence.
Astro Joe, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Beating the Magic has a lot to do with our mental attitude. As soon as we get our heads right when playing the Magic we will be very competitive with them. Beating the Magic is all psychological now and they have us whipped in that aspect of the game right now. Before we take the court with those guys we seem to have already lost.
I hope LD can get our mental fitness up to par especially against the Magic. We need to transfer the same attitude we have when we play Boston, when we play Orlando.
I have a question for the more basketball savvy bloggers. How should we play Boston this year with the additions thay have made? Specifically more size in the paint.
Thoughts please….thanks
Go Hawks!!!
Nuff respect everytime!!
Big Ray
October 29th, 2010
12:29 pm
KevinM ,
That’s not me posting at 9:38 a.m. That’s the troll who realizing that he has no credible influence because he says the same three things every single time he posts:
1) He hates Jeff Teague
2) He hates Al Horford
3) He misses Mike Woodson
Oh wait, I forgot #4….he hates Mike Cunningham.
If you see an outright anti-Al Horford post with my name on it, you know it’s the troll. I guess it’s rough when people won’t pay you attention in life, so you have to go to a blog for interaction with the rest of society. Then, you have to try and tear somebody else’s credibility down by posting as them. Well, to be like someone else, you have to think like they do. To think like they do, you have to…well….be capable of thinking. Don’t be fooled by the troll. It’s how he gets his jollies these days. You know, ever since they stopped making garbage pail kids…
Big Ray
October 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
Hmmmm ,
I certainly hope so. Because I’m sick of watching us come apart at the seams every time we encounter Orlando.
Here’s a funny thing: Washington used to get the best of Orlando when Brendan Haywood was still playing for them. Haywood gave Howard problems. But, Jevale McGee doesn’t. I guess there IS a difference between one 7 footer and another, huh?
Nookah ,
I say we play them the way we always have. Boston has added size, but if you recall, size was never the issue for them against us. Garnett is a 7 footer, everybody knows it. Kendrick Perkins has better lateral movement than Shaq or J O’Neal, and he has a great wingspan to go with it (and dude is 280 lbs). Big Baby is a dose in the paint as well. We have given Boston problems with our athletic superiority. We have to continue to press that advantage, and continue to get after them the way we have ever since the 2008 playoffs.
So really, Boston hasn’t changed much in how they match up against us, they just have more beef than before, but it’s not like they added anybody who can keep up with us in the full court game. More importantly, they lost Tony Allen, who was a defensive super sub. Oh, they’re still very, very good. But we can still beat them.
If only we attacked Orlando the way we attack Boston.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
12:58 pm
Big Ray, Most def. I’d LOVE to have a guy like Tyson Chandler on our bench instead of Etan and Collins. That’s a guy who knows how to get under D12’s skin. But even with that it will be tough. Each time we send Dwight to the line, that means we have to walk the ball up the court and face Orlado’s pressure defence in the half court. That takes away forom the Hawks strength which is transition. Hopefully the combination of LD’s motion, mixed in with some sets + some ISO will be enough. As long as the guys buy into the schemes and we start to run them to perfection (and get guys healthy) Orlando will eventually have a serious problem on their hands.
Nookah, I agree with Big Ray. We just have to play boston like we always have which means RUNNING THEM INTO THE GROUND lol. If we run the way we did in the Memphis opener (did anybody get tired just watching that one really long sequence where we were running back and fourth?) we will be giving Boston even more headaches thean we have in the past.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
1:04 pm
Last season I was watching some inside the locker room clips on NBA.com from the All-Star game. JJ went up Lebron and said “My patna dem” and gave him dap and then Lebron said it back and laughed. Well, I now know what they were refrencing LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxpc4LKsMXs
It’s kinda catchy
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 29th, 2010
1:14 pm
AWHH MAN MC!!!
Don’t give me this BAD news!
Our front court cannot function with the illustrious MO EVANS! Who is comparable to only D WADE and KOBE. He is UNDERVALUED and UNDERPLAYED! Get well soon you BASKETBALL BEAST you!!!
This Sixer’s game is gonna be that much harder.
Ken Strickland
October 29th, 2010
1:18 pm
UPDATE-The Dallas Mavericks have made Tyson Chandler their starting center, which means BHeywood, who was promised the starting nod if he signed with them, will be a backup. We might be able to interest the Mavericks in a trade for Jamal Crawford at the trade deadline. Having a starting caliber center like BHeywood would give us greater security and more options if Smoove or Horford went down.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
1:19 pm
^LOL
smh, I told y’all we shoulda traded his butt along with Bibby this summer. I dont even have the energy to give Mo press anymore (positive or negative)
TRADE M&M
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
1:26 pm
If mike gives us more D I may change my stance though.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
1:26 pm
Ken S
Unless Haywood demands a trade, do you think would do it? I mean trade a big who defends the paint for another small who’s idea of defense is a Church Fan (to cool his man down) and a mean stare on their way to the basket?
Besides, they have their own SMOY Jet-Terry who already does that.
Dallas needs defense not offense. But hey, if they do it? I’m all in!
BTW, how you doin’?
Michael Cunningham
October 29th, 2010
1:29 pm
@Granddad: “Mr Cunningham
Which one is the regular blog now?
“Daily Hawks Report” or “News & Notes”
Decisions…Decisions?
You’re tryin’ to confuse those of us whom you deem dim.”
consider me among them. this change was made above my head so i’m still trying to figure it out, too.
Michael Cunningham
October 29th, 2010
1:29 pm
@HoosierHawk:” @ MC, do you think the hawks will sign a scrub to fill in? Or just change the rotation?”
i don’t think they will sign anyone since Mo’s return seems to be a matter of days.
terrell
October 29th, 2010
1:30 pm
Vava, I agree. Our perimeter D was a major problem when we played Orlando, or any other team that had a quick pg for that matter. However, I wouldn’t call 28 and 18 an overreaction. lol! Btw, the switching didnt help either. Cant blame Al when he was out on the perimeter hiding Bibby’s shortcomings.
Michael Cunningham
October 29th, 2010
1:35 pm
@ Paddy: “Michael….if you can’t or are not allowed to print the players full name, don’t write the article ..Is it any wonder journalism is becoming a lost science. Please, no more “schoolyard” nicknames.”
why would i not be allowed to “print” players’ full names? the tone of this blog is informal and conversational. i don’t use those names in the newspaper.
Hmmm
October 29th, 2010
1:39 pm
BTW MC, I read the Hawks preview in the AJC…Niceness!
terrell
October 29th, 2010
1:40 pm
Come on Mary B. Jamal’s D aint that bad. As long as he and Bibby aren’t on the court at the same time, that is. lol! But seriously, he’s actually pretty good at anticipating when it comes to steals. I’ll put it like this. I’ve seen worse. Ever saw 2 time MVP Steve Nash play D? lol!
Gilley
October 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
Let the rookie play!!!!! He has proven he can contribute. Stop acting like Mike Woodson Larry Drew (Ryan Cameron Voice After A Player From The Opposing Team Commits a Foul) LOL
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
2:04 pm
Terrell
I wouldn’t let Jamal guard my yorkie! My yorkie yaps louder!
But hey, if you think Jamal is as good as ADT?
Then let him guard your house on X-mas Eve!
rof-lol!
Astro Joe
October 29th, 2010
2:13 pm
Wouldn’t Jamal and Jason Terry be redundant on the same team?
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
2:14 pm
Yeah, and I saw Nash’s dbe-digit assists too. LOL!
i_am_soulstar
October 29th, 2010
2:18 pm
Jamal’s defense is awful.
He needs to try hypnotism, because it’s like he can’t even wrap his mind around staying in front of his man or putting a hand in the face of the shooter.
If only he was Mario West on defense (someone’s gonna hate me for that). Not incredibly athletic, but mentally tenacious.
I take a few fouls a game if he’d just try.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
AJ
You reiterated my response in one sentence, whereas I took the scenic route.
I didn’t get that one either? Listen people, our roster is set.
If we didn’t make a trade during the free agency period, I doubt if we make one now.
Al said, ” I will go to war with what we’ve got.”
So, let’s get it on!
Play Ball!
O'Brien
October 29th, 2010
3:02 pm
Ken S, AJ, DMB,
Chandler has also been injured before, so I dont think the Mavs would trade Heywood unless they are getting another center.
If the Mavs wanted to trade Heywood, I assume they would want ZaZa as part of the deal to backup Chandler. We should trade ZaZa now while his stock is through the roof
Also, Heywood probably isnt happy being a backup center in Dallas, so why would he be happy being a backup center for the Hawks?
richbrave
October 29th, 2010
3:12 pm
MO is out? Brass decided to rest him after that freak show in ORLANDO last night, huh? Can you folks see what I’ve been sayin’ about the WIZZIES. Did they wet themselves against the MAGIC last night or not? Do you actually think ARENAS jacking up shots from all over the floor is going to change much for this moribund bunch? The D.C. franchise wants back into the top three for another prime lottery pick, and this time it better be an inside player.
I mean did you see YI, JAVALE and ‘DREY runnin’ from the post? It was absolutely comical.” I ain’t goin’ in there.” DAMN, where’s HEYWOOD when you need him? Far, far, away.
O.K. rant #1 done. I have more invective saved for the post-mortums of their tilt with the HAWKS, forthcoming shortly.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 29th, 2010
3:26 pm
Hmmmm…said:
“If mike gives us more D I may change my stance though.”
I hate to break it to you, but I seriously doubt Bibby or anyone else for that matter gives a “rat’s tail” about any of your stances.
Sorry, this is just an opinion blog. It’s not that serious. This crazy stuff is for entertainment purposes only. -smiles-
JoJo the Godfather
October 29th, 2010
3:32 pm
So who gets activiated: Sy or Thomas?…No need for Thomas against teams as small as Philly & Washington…Collins didn’t even lean forwatd in his chair the whole Memphis game. Is Pape Sy healthy enough to play in case of an injury or foul trouble?
i_am_soulstar
October 29th, 2010
3:40 pm
Delonte West Fistfight in Celtics’ Lockerroom
http://phoenixsoulstar.blogspot.com/2010/10/delonte-west-fistfight-in-celtics.html