Atlanta Hawks: Bucks 108, Hawks 91
When the going got tough against the Bucks, Josh and Co. gave in. (AP Photo)
– No quantitative analysis really necessary. The Hawks got outworked by an opponent that played last night, outrun by a team that’s not as fast, outscored by a team with less offensive talent (but better depth).
– The Bucks outscored the Hawks 45-18 in the last 16 minutes of the first half. They had a 17-6 rebounding edge over that period.
– “We came out like we wanted to win,” Josh said. “In the last three quarters, I don’t know what happened.”
– “It’s hard to explain,” Al said. “I don’t understand what happened between the start of the game and the end of the first quarter. I thought we had a good thing going. We had a lot of energy. It’s one of those things you can’t really explain.
– Maybe worst of all, the Hawks stayed down once they got down. “That’s a big concern because I’ve always looked at this team as when it gets a little tough, we have a tendency to hold our head down,” L.D. said. “Anybody can go through stretches where they play well and they win and everybody is high-fiving. When it gets tough, that is when your character really gets tested. When it gets a little tough, I don’t want to see guys hanging their heads. I don’t want to see guys giving up.”
– That’s what happened. The Hawks pretty much let everyone know they had no intentions of making a game of it when Milwaukee opened the third quarter with a 9-1 run and the Hawks didn’t seem to care. “You don’t come in here against the Hawks and expect to be up 30 points,” Scott Skiles said.
– I knew it was over for the Hawks when I saw Smoove get frustrated and fall into one of his don’t give a flip moods in the second quarter.
– “He wasn’t the only one,” L.D. said. “The one thing I don’t want him doing is I don’t want him displaying it. There is a place for it. Certainly we don’t want him doing it out on the floor where the whole world can see he’s upset. We talk about doing it during huddles or at halftime but we don’t want to display it out on the floor. If you get upset, dig your heels in and play a little bit harder.”
– Judging by Josh’s comments after, he was mad because guys weren’t passing: “We didn’t play with a lot of intensity and we didn’t share the ball offensively. That’s what lost us the game.”
– The bench played a big part in this debacle. Don’t let the boxscore fool you. The Hawks got nothing from their reserves until garbage time. L.D. and his staff are always talking about the bench at least maintaining leads they are handed, but two nights in a row they immediately gave them back.
– “We got off to a very good start,” L.D. said. “The minute I started subbing, we went dead in the water. That’s probably the third game that has happened. I have got to find a better substitution patterns or find better combinations. Our energy was the most disheartening thing because when we go to the bench I expect us to be a very high-energy team.”
– Maybe the Hawks just don’t have the depth to beat the better teams when everyone is healthy. No doubt missing Marvin and Mo has fouled up the rotation but how much better could the Hawks really look with those two in the lineup tonight?
– This is the second game in three nights where Twin proved to be out of his element and Etan didn’t play. Powell had trouble checking Ilyasova and Smoove couldn’t keep up with Maggette even when he tried.
– Atlanta’s roster remains unbalanced. Meanwhile, Milwaukee, with roughly the same payroll as Atlanta, played without Carlos Delfino and got little from starters other than Brandon Jennings and John Salmons. But they rolled to a W with useful pieces like Corey Maggette, Ersan Ilyasova, Earl Boykins and Keyon Dooling.
– Now Utah comes to town after back-to-back comeback Ws at Miami and Orlando. The Jazz never lay down, defend like they mean it and run a precise offense that requires focus and effort to defend.
– “We will fix it real quick,” Smoove said. “I am not worried about us getting out of a slump. We are too good of a ballclub.”
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
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146 comments Add your comment
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
1:02 pm
Steve Nash is 37. He is retiring in 2 or 3 years. Why trade for him? Get a YOUNG PG who can LEAD this team. Not Jeff Teague who has not made a jumpshot before
Chris E
November 11th, 2010
1:04 pm
They are missing Marvin but he should come off the bench. Those of you who have given up on the Hawks, I’ve heard it all before. Despite the loss, they are a very good team and have improved. No they don’t have any flashy names but collectively they can get the job done and have proven that they can play with anybody. The bench needs to play to get better. The talent could be better but its not bad. Marvin coming off the bench I think makes them better. Teague just needs to own the second unit and make Crawford play within the offense. The maturation of the 2nd unit will be the key to how far the Hawks go in the playoffs. If they get comfortable and confident in their roles the Hawks will be better because of it.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
1:08 pm
“The Hawks would be fools to give up anyone the Suns would accept for SNash. When SNash was with Dallas and their structured OFF system, he proved to be little more than an average PG. Dallas”
LOL the dude has 2 MVPs and probably would have 4 or 5 if not for LBJ/Kobe.
Ken Strickland
November 11th, 2010
1:17 pm
When the Hawks were winning their 1st 6gms, we still had our bandwagon jumpers, as well some who still doubted the Hawks and were just waiting for the 1st opportunity to say I TOLD YOU SO. Well, after winning the 1st 6gms of the young season, and playing the Magic on the back end of a back to back in Orlando and taking them to the wire, we see comments about this team being the same old Hawks. I guess NEGATIVE MINDED, GLASS HALF EMPTY DOUBTERS and/or BANDWAGON JUMPERS, see what they want to see.
At the 1st hint of adversity, which is what they seem to live for, and after only 9gms no less, they crawl out from under their rocks spewing their same old NEGATIVE MINDED BS. They point fingers at whatever player they have personal issues with, and/or start coming up with one stupid and/or unrealistic trade suggestion after another. OH WELL, I GUESS IT TAKES ALL KINDS.
lewis
November 11th, 2010
1:24 pm
espn poll of 40,000 has 47 states majority voting for ravens to be winners
Ken Strickland
November 11th, 2010
1:25 pm
JEJE-Bill Russell earned 9 NBA championship rings in 11yrs, and Magic Johnson has a couple of MVP trophies, but would you be foolish enough to use that as a reason for signing them, while ignoring everything else? YOU TRUELY ARE A FAN WHO TAKES THE SIZZLE OVER THE STEAK.
O'Brien
November 11th, 2010
1:25 pm
Ken S,
You did not miss anything. The starters had a big lead early, bench came in, and gave it up. LD stuck with the bench, and they sucked even more. Then the starters came back in, and they sucked.
Teague played well in the late third/early fourth, and Jordan played well too. Hopefully Teague can build on his performance and show it more consistently.
I wonder if Mo’s injury is the reason the Hawks didnt trade him this offseason after he picked up his option?
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
1:27 pm
“JEJE-Bill Russell earned 9 NBA championship rings in 11yrs, and Magic Johnson has a couple of MVP trophies, but would you be foolish enough to use that as a reason for signing them, while ignoring everything else? YOU TRUELY ARE A FAN WHO TAKES THE SIZZLE OVER THE STEAK.”
LOL. Dude, you are clueless. If I took the sizzle over the steak, I’d be happy we are a fast athletic team that scores points. NO. THE REASON I CRITICIZE THIS TEAM IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONSTRUCTED TO COMPETE. I DON’T CARE ABOUT OUR OFFENSE. I WANT TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.
IF U THINK THIS TEAM WILL COMPETE U ARE DISILLUSIONED, AN IGNORAMUS, OR A COMBINATION. GTFOH
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
1:28 pm
Amen Lil Pat.
It’s a free country you people. I can say w/e I want. If this team sucks, I will say it. I gave them their props @ 6-0. Go look it up
Just Dumb
November 11th, 2010
1:33 pm
Section 303,
It may need to be broken up, I dont know but what I do know is the same people that said when they were 6-0 that well the season is early are the same people that act like we have played an entire season after just 9 games.
Look I am a true hawks fan been a season ticket holder for years but let us all be real it is only been 9 games.
Also Why do we need to blow up our team afte 9 games?
And who do we go get to make us better….You people(not you in particular) throw out trades like water…Again it has been 9 games.
But I also know that if they were 9-0 the people would say well they havent beat the Celtics or the Heat. Or of they had beat the Magic it would have been “Well they didnt have Jamerr Nelson” . This team cant win for losing with some “Fans”. In this case the word “FANS” is used loosely.
superiorblogman
November 11th, 2010
1:34 pm
Zaza is only on the team because he is not black. He is loved by the white people of the blog atmosphere when he is the major problem a 6″10-6″11 guy that plays no defense and big minutes is not worth having on a playoff team. Zaza is ugly as hell also. Horford is really too soft to be a starting C. Josh is a PF just like Horford, they need a total overhaul on the frontcourt. This team is depressing and sucks. Guys I advise you to start watching college basketball and scouting your own lottery guy. I am going with Perry Jones out of Baylor as my pick for the Hawks in the lottery.
Hawks Fans: Adversity is here, now what? | Atlanta Hawks: Fan Nest
November 11th, 2010
1:34 pm
[...] Beat Writer Michael Cunningham reports, the Hawks still have some mental toughness issues. Why? Is it coaching, or is it player personnel? Is it both? Whatever the case, Larry Drew’s [...]
Rick
November 11th, 2010
1:48 pm
Why is anyone surprised? They beat garbage to start the season. This team is not very good and a 4th loss is coming against Utah. Keep spinning it like the ajc and it’s pathetic writers do.
cp
November 11th, 2010
1:48 pm
Steve Nash at whatever age he is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any pg on our roster.
Fear th Deer
November 11th, 2010
2:10 pm
Nice turnout by the hawks fans last night! No wonder the Hawks played like they didn’t care.
Sautee
November 11th, 2010
2:10 pm
Rick,
Exactly what “spin” are you talking about?
Scroll back up and read MC’s first paragraph and tell me what “spin” the AJC is putting on this game.
Astro Joe
November 11th, 2010
2:14 pm
F the Deer!
Double Zero Eight
November 11th, 2010
2:14 pm
I am a Hawks fan. I am also a realist. Does anyone believe that the Hawks are capable of beating Miami, Orlando or Boston for the eastern conference title with the current roster(even if healthy) ?
cp
November 11th, 2010
2:25 pm
Ken Strick no disrespect but the players quit last night when facing their first hint of adversity so how come the fans cant criticize them for a lackluster performance. And lets be honest here, this is not the first time this squad has quit when they get down. MC hasn’t been with this team long and he has noticed it…..Maybe its not the fans you should scold but the players who constantly do the same b.s. over and over and over.
PANDEMONEUM
November 11th, 2010
2:25 pm
bucks fan here
wow
great win for the bucks
u guys can thank the ny knicks
we had a home game against them on tuesday
and destroyed them
gooden finally woke up in that game along with jennings
and the bench got some good pt
the 1st quarter did not look good for the bucks, and were lucky to only be down 5
***
what r the hawks going to do with jamal crawford ?
hes on the last year of his contract, and hes making alot of $
MsDee
November 11th, 2010
2:48 pm
@CP, look, Miami lost a 20+ lead to Utah IN THEIR HOME!?!? Look, it happens TEAMS ARE GOING TO LOSE!! We only lost 3 freakin games in the EARLY part of the season where you suppose to make the mistakes so that by mid-to-end of the season, CORRECTIONS, AND ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE BY LD, UNLIKE WOODY WHO NEVER MADE ANY ADJUSTMENTS…please you guys/’fans’, RELAX!! Weither yall see it or not (maybe cause u just want to find fault in this team) this TEAM IS BETTER THEN LAST YEAR AND U WILL SEE IT LATER ON IN THE SEASON..SO CHILL OUT AND ENJOY THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE CAUSE WE ARE DEFINITELY ON IT WITH THE HAWKS AND I’M FINE WITH THAT AS LONG AS I GET OFF THE RIDE HAPPY AND EXCITED!!
hawkfan
November 11th, 2010
2:57 pm
i’m scared for tomorrow’s game which is on national tv (espn) for everyone to see our weaknesses, utah is on a southeast division massacre chopping us one by one this week and the hawks are the next victim, we need to snap out of this slump soon enough before we wake up and we become the bottom 8 seed like that
Grandad
November 11th, 2010
3:18 pm
Blame it on the bench all you want.
The starters were on the floor when the 3rd qtr began.
Someone @ sometime or another had already quit by then.
Game over @ the half.
Bucks bench = no better than ours.
LD said it all: “That’s a big concern
because I’ve always looked at this team as;
when it gets a little tough,
we have a tendency to hold our head down”
Attitude adjustment coming soon!
Yawl don’t see it.
It’s [Joe & Jamal] (somethin’ ain’t right)
Bibby was the one acting like a Captain last eve.
Watch Joe, [causin' the offense to slow down]
What was the quote?
“We wait too late in the shot clock to start the offense”
Jamal just ain’t right because of his contract.
Plus, he and Joe have never really clicked.
There, I’ve said my piece.
Fear the Deer
November 11th, 2010
3:24 pm
Actually a transplant. I follow the Hawks as well!
Ken Strickland
November 11th, 2010
3:31 pm
Like I said, I didn’t see the gm, and judging by the score and what’s being said by the regulars on the blogs, I have to go along with what’s being said. However, I still think LDrew is using this early portion of the season to develop and prepare his team for the playoffs, even if it means sacrificing some wins. He knows better than anyone what got him this job and why. Therefore, his focus is on developing a team that can come together near the end of the season and make a strong run IN, not just TO, the playoffs, like the Celtics did last season.
If this type of effort and letdown continues to be an issue, especially around the All Star break, then it becomes time for LDrew to become concerned, because he can’t use the entire season preparing the team without seeing some results of his efforts.
JEJE-I was out of line on my last comment to you. You’re a regular on these blogs and entitled to see things your way. I read your comments because you make good points, and I shouldn’t use that approach to single out the comments you make that I agree with. I sometimes find myself doing some of the same things I redicule others of doing, and that’s being hypocritical.
Just Dumb
November 11th, 2010
3:32 pm
Thanks MsDee…. You said a mouth full. Could not agree more
lewis
November 11th, 2010
3:44 pm
Jamal is a pansy.
Haha can’t score, defend, and whenever he dribbles turns it over.
TRADE ZAZA AND JAMAL FOR ANYONE.
sam'l
November 11th, 2010
3:49 pm
“Why does this team always quit?”
See you next year…..Truthspitter, wait up……
Chris E
November 11th, 2010
3:54 pm
Ken, that is exactly what LD is doing. He has to play his bench to see what he has and get them to gel so that in the playoffs they will be ready. Basketball is a TEAM sport and the Hawks have talent, youth and chemistry. They proved last year that they could play with every team in the NBA except Orlando and that was with an iso offense.
They have already improved from last year and LD had them believing in his system. It will take time for them to actually believe in themselves within the system to make it work. 9 games is certainly not enough time to make a judgment. They just need their 2nd unit to get consistent minutes, have their roles defined and LD has to find the right combo’s. Their second unit is as good as most.
When the Hawks play as a TEAM, give maximum EFFORT and play within the SYSTEM they have been taught anyone with eyes and any basketball acumen can see the difference!!!! I like the Hawks chances once Teague gets more aggressive and the 2nd unit finds some cohesion.
As I mentioned earlier though, I would like to see Twin start and Marvin come off the bench. Any thoughts?
KevinM
November 11th, 2010
4:16 pm
Why this team can’t play together all the time is a mystery. They say they believe in LD; they said that about the former HC as well.
Was Sund picking up the phone today? Doubt it, he isn’t going to be making any changes of impact. He’s about tweaking. Truthfully, this roster needs a kick to get it in gear and be ready for any team, especially at home. Down 30…….really? I feel alot like some of the crowd last night….BOOOOOOOO!
When you ask what happened, no one has an explanation. Been the after game comment now for quite a while. I gotta say, for anyone who likes to follow this team, they are getting plenty of coverage here and on FSS.
If we all could only be as convincing as Bob Rathman and the Stinger……
Freshfromatl AKA Fresh
November 11th, 2010
4:21 pm
Man the sad thing is…the Bucks not even better than the Hawks SMH. It was just like the Hawks didn’t even give a F*** yesterday night. I’m actually kind of mad that I spent $175 on two tickets to tomorrow night game and they may very well do the same thing again SMH. It’s one thing to be a bad team, but it’s another to act like you just don’t give a f***
IF THE HAWKS PLAY WITH THE SAME ATTITUDES AND GIVE ANOTHER HEARTLESS EFFORT TOMMOROW NIGHT, I WILL NO-LONGER SPEND MY HARD EARNED MONEY ON HAWKS TICKETS ANYMORE!!!!!! Tomorrow may very well be the last game I attend.
Steven A.
November 11th, 2010
4:23 pm
TAKE A CHANCE ON GREG ODEN
Move Jamal plus 1 player and a draft pick to bring in Greg Oden, provided he is willing to extend his deal.
nique
November 11th, 2010
4:39 pm
Al (and LD) needs to take charge of this team and holler at these guys to get focused. He’s probably the only true leader on the team.
Steven A.
November 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
Al Horford is a soft 6″10″ PF/C who cannot protect the rim. Needs to work on his “SHOT BLOCKING”
skills. He is a more athletic “Christian Laetner.” Nothing more.
PANDEMONEUM
November 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
hawks just have bad timing
theyr good enough to be in the playoffs
and can even win in the first round
but with miami, orlando and boston they will have a hard time getting to the ECF or championship game
rob
November 11th, 2010
4:54 pm
Trade Jamal, Josh Smith, Mo Evans, and Jeff Teague to Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony, Nene Hilario, and Ty Lawson
PANDEMONEUM
November 11th, 2010
5:17 pm
it doesnt make sense to me, to give JJ a max contract
then go and trade half the team
do people want to make trades and still be competitive and a playoff team ?
or make trades to set up the team for a future run ?
its more probable, that any trades made would be for a future run
bibby and jamal seem to be the most expendable
bibby because u have teague and hes getting old
jamal because of his contract expiring
the best u could prob get would be a young or bencher and a 2nd round pick, for each
then, a decision has to be made on jsmooth
he could bring in a 1st round pick
doing all that would bring down the team and the playoffs for 2 years
but would set the team up for 2013
teague, JJ, marvin, pf, horford
2011 1st round draft pick about #20 – atls pick
2011 1st round draft pick from jsmooth trade
2011 2nd round draft pick – atls pick
2011 2nd round draft pick from bibby trade
Atlanta Hawks: Receives conditional 2011 second-round pick (top-40 protected) from Houston via the David Andersen trade on 7/14/09
2012 1st round draft pick top 20 – atls pick
2012 2nd round draft pick – atls pick
2012 2nd round draft pick from jamal trade
and the team can always trade these picks for future picks or other players
Samuel
November 12th, 2010
12:34 am
I guarandamtee you that LD will shorten his bench pretty soon. He stole his job saying all the right things and being the anti-Woody but when the losses start rolling in this team will settle in and be the same ole team as they have the past three years(1st round playoff talent and nothing more). Challenging and pushing our bench will get you nowhere.
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2010
12:47 am
The Hawks have completed only the 1st 9gms of the young season, and fans expect LDrew and every Hawk player to do a 180 and immediately overcome every issue, habit and attitude that was develop after 6yrs under Woodson. IT’S GOING TO TAKE TIME PEOPLE. Some of the very ones doing all of the complaining haven’t managed to change anything about their attitude and approach towards LDrew, MWoodson and/or the Hawks.
Let LDrew and the team get their issues and adversity out of the way early so we can concentrate on winning our division, or at least finish in the top 3. We’ve already seen how good this team is at finishing gms and rising to the challenge when facing an old foe, under difficult circumstances, that’s destroyed us in the past in record fashion.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, it appears LDrew wants this team to be able to switch from the Motion OFF, to High Low, to Pick and Roll, and to ISO on the fly, depending on the opponent and situation. That takes time, patience and repetition. And trying to get it done while managing a 10 man rotation, and developing JTeague and JoCrawford, makes it that much harder. Woodson knew his limitations, which is why he took the easy way out by limiting himself to managing a 6-7 man rotation and all but ignoring his young players.
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2010
1:48 am
Man, the BLAME GM is in full force. All of a sudden AHorford is soft, JSmith shoots too many jumpers, Teague isn’t ready, JCollins is out of his element, LDrew stole his job and isn’t ready, we need to trade everybody for somebody else etc. All of this craziness, and not one person is willing to admit how much MWilliams’ absence has hurt the Hawks, as well as MEvans.
After winning the 1st 6gms of the regular season with last yrs starting lineup, we suddenly have a new starting C(JCollins), PF(AHorford), SF(JSmith) and no backup SF, due to injuries. JSmith and AHorford are playing out of their regular positions, PF and C respectively, while JCollins is starting after several yrs of coming off the bench, sparingly. All of these players are in their 1st yr under HC LDrew and are still learning his OFF/DEF systems, and what he expects of them.
Yet, we have these NEGATIVE MINDED, GLASS HALF EMPTY BANDWAGON JUMPERS who can’t understand why the Hawks aren’t perfect every night they play.
O'Brien
November 12th, 2010
7:26 am
I’ve been on the Hawks for their play against Milwaukee especially. Coming off a 2 game losing streak, playing at home against a Bucks team that played the night before, I was disappointed in our lack of effort.
However, Ken’s right. It’s still a work in progress, especially with Marvin and Mo out. Look no further than South Beach for another example.
Sure, Miami has played a very tough schedule (Boston twice, Orlando, Utah, and N.O. among others). But nobody expected them to be 5-4, with the talent they have. But they have Chemistry issues, and their HC is probably experimenting as well.
Dont give up on the Hawks this early. But win or lose, I expect a better effort tonight.
O'Brien
November 12th, 2010
7:33 am
“He stole his job saying all the right things and being the anti-Woody…”Samuel .
Really? So if you went on a job interview, and you told them everything they wanted to hear, and they hired you, that means you stole your job?
Its one thing to be skeptical of the Hawks and LD, but to say the man stole the job? I know you were a big fan of Woody, but still…
My question is, how come Woody hasn’t even been interviewed for any assistant jobs, much less a HC job (if he was as good as you said he was).
COY at one point, right? But not even an interview? Great HC, that Woody. Maybe he can steal an analyst job on TV.
JeJe
November 12th, 2010
9:06 am
HAWKS WIN TONIGHT, WIN VS MINNY, THEN LOSE.
WE’VE SEEN IT ALL BEFORE
THIS TEAM IS A TEASE
NO DEFENSE = NO CHAMPIONSHIP.
THE EAST IS OURS FOR THE TAKING. WE ARE MORE ATHLETIC THAN BOSTON, MIAMI IS EXTREMELY OVERRATED, AND ORLY IS TOUGH. IF WE MADE A DAMN TRADE OR ACTUALLY PLAYED D, WE’D BE IN THE FINALS. BUT NO.
NO DEFENSE = FAIL
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2010
1:13 pm
I didn’t get to watch all of the Boston/Miami gm, I had to help my DIRTY BIRDS PART 2 whip the Ravens. But what I did see shows me I was right about one of Miami’s weaknesses, the zone DEF. Doc Rivers also saw what I saw, because the Celtics played a lot of zone. Fans can whine and complain all they want during the regular season, because there will be plenty to complain about. But, down the stretch, and during the playoffs, HC LDrew will have our ATLANTA HAWKS ready, willing and able.
Now, I’m not saying we’ll win the NBA title, or even make it to the conference finals, because there are many intangibles that determine a teams chances of winning an NBA title, just ask last yrs Celtics. But whoever defeats us in the playoffs will have certainly proven themselves to be good enough to win it all.
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2010
1:28 pm
My excitement over this team and HC LDrew isn’t based on what we do this yr. I’m excited about the teams future. Unlike in the past, when we wasted one draft pick after another,LDrew will actually give our draft picks a chance to develop and contribute. Under LDrew, players that don’t have a specific skill set, like ISO, or long range jumpshooting skills, will still be given an opportunity to develop and contribute.
As long as we have young players developing, progressing and contributing, the Hawks will continue to improve as a team. Next yr, I see LDrew’s Atlanta Hawks becoming the dominant team this yrs Miami Heat has been hyped up to be.
Samuel
November 12th, 2010
1:36 pm
Ken,
You giving up already? Koolaid getting sour huh.