Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew stays big with lineup
L.D. is using the same lineup today as he did at Minnesota: Bibby, J.J., Josh, Al and Collins.
That alignment “worked out better than I thought it would” against the T-Wolves, Drew said, but he considered changing it today for one reason: “Their strength is they have one of the best pick-and-roll players in the game.”
That would be Steve Nash, of course. Remember that Woody’s switches worked pretty well on Nash because Josh and Al could contain him on the dribble and make him take challenged jumpers.
Nash’s numbers against the Hawks in two games last season: 9 points, 8.5 assists, 33.3% FG, 0% 3FG, 29 min. His numbers overall: 16.5 points, 11 assists, 51% FG, 43% 3FG, 33 min.
L.D. said the Suns run so many pick-and-rolls the Hawks will get caught in switches whether they want to our not. If it turns out the bigs can’t handle them then he said he would go smaller.
“I don’t want to put them in bad situations,” he said.
As for Smoove at small forward, L.D. said he “did a good job picking and choosing his spots” to take jumpers against the T-Wolves. There were a few times in that game where you could see Josh think about taking an early jumper before passing back out to set up the offense. That a sign of Smith “getting a better feel for the game and the flow.”
So far Drew said he’s not concerned about Josh’s ability to guard small forwards.
“Smoove at the three is just as effective defensively as he is at the four,” he said. “I will stay with [the lineup] for now, until we run up against a team where it gives them a clear advantage.”
And what about Twin’s increased role?
“He’s a solid low-post defender,” L.D. said. “You really don’t have to be concerned about helping him down there.”
Injury report
Mo (knee) is out. L.D. ruled him out for Monday at Orlando, too. Marvin will be reevaluated later this week. There’s a chance he will miss more time.
Chills is back
Josh Childress said he he never thought there was no way a return to the Hawks couldn’t happen: “You never know.”
The way it ended up is he’s in Phoenix and the Hawks got a trade exception that they still hold.
“I’m definitely happy with the result,” he said. “I had a great time in Atlanta. For those two years they did well, and I did well. It worked out for both parties.”
Did he feel like there was never much enthusiasm from Hawks GM Rick Sund to bring him back?
“It’s part of the business,” he said. “It’s something you learn playing in the NBA. They made a business decision, just as players do. I’ve just got to roll with it.”
Childress is playing with a splint on the index finger of his right hand. He will wear it for another 3 1/2 weeks.
“I’m just trying to get out there and contribute until it heals,” he said.
MC
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235 comments Add your comment
truthspitter
November 7th, 2010
6:09 pm
This reminds me of what the Knicks came into the Hawks building and did to them last year. Same thing, this team is no better than last year.
hawks_4_life
November 7th, 2010
6:10 pm
There is no defense at all going on.
Whats up with the blog format
Hawks v Suns
November 7th, 2010
6:10 pm
Hawks need a strong 2nd half. Orlando might be be licking their lips if the Hawks can’t play stronger.
Real Talk
November 7th, 2010
6:11 pm
You guys think PHX is exposing the Hawks unbeaten winning streak against scrubs its going to be even worse tomorrow night in Orlando. I bet the Magic are lickin their Chops for this LMAO
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:12 pm
Truthspitter, I was at that Knicks game and this looks NOTHING like that game.
Against the Knicks I saw almost no defensive effort. I’m seeing effort, but the Suns are shooting well so far. I think we’ll come back.
Tyler
November 7th, 2010
6:13 pm
Outside of Al Horford, the play of the team has been disgusting in this first half. The defense isn’t there, and the guards can’t guy a basket. Al Horford has been a beast, but he’s getting almost no help at all. Josh is hustling and working hard, you can see that, but our backcourt is almost giving us nothing and the has been awful so far tonight. The Hawks need to step it up big on in the second half, especially on defense. On offense, the Hawks need to work the ball inside more. The Suns really have no one who can guard Al inside, and there’s no doubt that he’s going to attract a lot of attention inside if he’s given the ball, considering the way he’s been torching the Suns in the first half. Getting the ball inside will not only help our bigs, but it will also free up our guards on the perimeter who have been ice cold. Bibby has been terrible tonight, Teague has been OK, and Joe continues to struggle, plus Jordan Crawford looks lost out there. The Hawks need to ride Al and Josh to get back into this game and grab a win.
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:16 pm
Funny how Joe is 5-9 but it’s like “He’s struggling”
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:19 pm
Entire story of the game:
PHX: 5-9 on 3’s
ATL 0-8
lewis
November 7th, 2010
6:22 pm
jamal has 0 points 0-4 3
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:23 pm
Excuse me.
PHX: 6-14 from 3
Melvin
November 7th, 2010
6:23 pm
Sautee,
Probably b/c Joe hit at least 3 shots in the paint…
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:24 pm
suns hitting highly contested jumpers.. can they keep it up?
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:26 pm
Josh’s ball handling has improved ..
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
What the ____ are the hawks tryin to do with all this fancy passing? Just make the play.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:29 pm
bottom line
Suns are knocking down jumpers.
Hawks arent.
lewis
November 7th, 2010
6:30 pm
josh powell sucks
lewis
November 7th, 2010
6:30 pm
we were doing better with cheeseburger
Real Talk
November 7th, 2010
6:31 pm
lol @ Bob “Its about to be Code Red time in here”
truthspitter
November 7th, 2010
6:31 pm
The Hawks get it to 7. Bibby makes a bad pass next thing you know its at 15. Turnovers, poor defense, lack of hustle, no rebounding, not getting back on defense, Josh shooting jumpers, all the things that they have been getting away with are coming back to bite them. This team is so garbage
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:32 pm
believe it or not.. like it or not, missing Marvin vs this Suns team…
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:34 pm
lol@Marvin’s tie
Melvin
November 7th, 2010
6:36 pm
Why hasnt LD going back to Teague? Bibby aint doing nothing but causing defensive breakdowns..
J.J.M.
November 7th, 2010
6:37 pm
overrated
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:38 pm
Melvin, there is why.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
seems like something WOODSON would do huh
smh
Sautee
November 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
This team shows why we needed to have one more swing player.
lewis
November 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
how are u gona have bibby guaring richardson
Real Talk
November 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
@ Big Dave, Marvin wouldn’t made a BIG difference. The problem with this team, with the exception of Horford, is that they have no HEART. It been proven for the past three years. They fold under pressure. LD has shown to be a good offensive head coach but what is his answer to Defense?
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
heat up guys.. lets go..
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:41 pm
wow nash
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:42 pm
LOL 4 pt play opp.
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:42 pm
Real Talk..
i think you’re overreacting a bit.. the deficit is a matter of misses vs. makes.. i like what Marvin brings us on the defensive end..
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
there’s your “heart” right there.. they’ve showed resilience early this season..
YoDaddy
November 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
Dominique Wilkins is as bad as advertised with the commentary
Jamal Crawford doing it again
Melvin
November 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
Lick those fingers Jamal….
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
kill the switches LD
terrell
November 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
Hawks must be looking ahead to Orlando. And what’s up with all the back-to-backs?
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
man we have to win this…so many people were waitin on this game to point how the Hawks are a “fraud”
Big Ray
November 7th, 2010
6:44 pm
Suns offensive scheme is slick. They keep making Josh and Al come out to defend guards and guys like Hedo.
Yuck. Missing Marvin for that reason. Mo Evans, too. Believe it or not.
Jamal isn’t scoring, and has more turnovers than assists. No reason to have him on the floor when he’s playing like that, because you KNOW the defense isn’t there, either.
Cannot continue to trade baskets with them. That’s how they win. It’s NOT how WE win games.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:45 pm
lol got back in it QUICK
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
they just did it again
GET A CENTER HAWKS,HORSFORD IS A PF
November 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
why do josh smith thinks he is a point guard?
Melvin
November 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
Just trap Nash on the pick and roll plays….damn
YoDaddy
November 7th, 2010
6:47 pm
They will have to go underneath these picks…steve nash is killing the pick and roll
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:47 pm
makes vs. misses.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2010
6:47 pm
Ever think you’d be saying that? You know, missing Marvin and Mo…but it’s true. Suns are exploiting us on defense.
Where’s Teague? He played like a man on a mission in the first half.
On the plus side, Joe is on fire, so is The Boss, and Josh is doing good things within the flow.
Finally picked our rebounding up (JJ was a big help here), I was embarrassed at us losing that part of the battle for the better part of this game. Closed the gap with that and some shots. Speaking of which, I call Jamal out and he hits a 3, LOL.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2010
6:48 pm
And another 3 for Jamal. Hah, I call him out and he starts hitting…
Melvin
November 7th, 2010
6:48 pm
Nice 3rd qtr by the Hawks..
bigdave
November 7th, 2010
6:48 pm
Josh needs to stop cheating when guarding his man.. stay home.. and make him shoot over you, or make a post move.. Warrick has no post skill, gave him a basket..
truthspitter
November 7th, 2010
6:49 pm
Now there weak bench will be exposed because Josh Smith is tired for sure all of that and you are still down 4 points. First loss at home that is just bad.