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
Shaun
November 10th, 2010
11:19 pm
Same old Hawks.
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:22 pm
MC i here people on here screaming about trading zaza and jamal for prince how crazy is that.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:23 pm
PISTON 2-6 HAWKS 6-3
GO FIGURE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
HawkEye
November 10th, 2010
11:26 pm
Man it’s funny. Just 9 games into the season and people are already calling it a season. SMH. Relax people. There’s a reason there are 82 games in a season. You are going to have these nights when things go from good to bad to worst. The differece will be how the Hawks respond after a tough strech of games. That being said, this is when we will find out what kind of team we have. Now a few major questions come into play:
Can Drew keep these guys together after 2 heartbreaking losses and 1 wasted effort?
After a lackluster performance, can the Hawks respond by sending an early message to Utah?
Will the deffense, offense, and bench improve?
Will a performance like this (albeit in garbage time) cause Teague to be more aggresive when the game is on the line?
The Soap opera that is the Hawks season continues. Stay tuned.
Tom
November 10th, 2010
11:28 pm
hawks, what the heck was that?
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:31 pm
The hawks are okay but missing a star player that can carry the hawks like i have said before if you have no star player you will not win a nba title, and specialy in a city that thrive of excitement.
look at the falcons 6-2 but every since vick left it’s hard 2 sellout games in the dome, what do that tell you about a city with 1 championship out of three sports hawks, brave, falcons.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
November 10th, 2010
11:34 pm
“Atlanta’s roster remains unbalanced. Meanwhile, Milwaukee, with roughly the same payroll as the Bucks, 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.”
I know you meant Hawks, not Bucks, but the point still stands — when the Hawks do spend money, they spend it unwisely. Outside of their top 4 players, the Hawks have $25 million committed to Bibby, Marvin, Zaza, Mo, Twin, Etan, and Powell. Bibby and Marvin are average, and the rest are well below.
Meanwhile, when you look at the Bucks’ roster, everyone who makes over $1 million a year besides Redd is earning their paycheck.
If you are not going to go over the luxury tax, you better be getting your money’s worth on your role players.
Eldridge Recasner
November 10th, 2010
11:36 pm
This team is no different than last year. Joe Johnson is a BUM!
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:39 pm
Three player who are possible on the trading block that can make the hawks contender not pretender.
1.MELO
2.BOSH could be soon if heat don’t use him right.
3.IGGY who i like alot could be on the move.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
HawkEye
November 10th, 2010
11:42 pm
Comeback kids strike again! Hawks are going to have their hands full with the Jazz on friday.
KevinM
November 10th, 2010
11:45 pm
Hard to believe how flat their play was tonight. This team has so many mood swings, you never know what you’re getting.
Is Marvin/Mo really missed that much to lose 3 in a row?
Twin is out of his element….good one MC.
House Man
November 10th, 2010
11:47 pm
My brother and I left in the 3rd quarter. Could not stand to watch it. I LOVE the Hawks but tonight was real bad. Let’s get off this 0-3 streak against UTAH!
KevinM
November 10th, 2010
11:47 pm
The roster of these 2 teams IMO just don’t compare. The Bucks bring so many different options at you…and we’re told our guys are the versatile ones that will be a problem matching up with…
On to the next game….
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:48 pm
Some of the blogger always scream scrub player 2 bring 2 the hawks,why is that because of there lack of knowledge about nba basketball, you won’t win unless you great players who can take over a game, what a BUM.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
superiorblogman
November 10th, 2010
11:52 pm
Al and Marvin are so soft I think they are gay. Drew is a bad coach. He came in all about offense and its showing. No one is going to show up to any of these games. Move this piece of crap show out to Vegas or somewhere where someone cares.
cp
November 10th, 2010
11:56 pm
so the guys quit out there smh. these cats got some terrible attitudes. they had under woodrow but they cant blame him this time. its early in the season but its clear that things are going to be the same because these guys just don’t seem to want to grow up. I’m tired of hearing the same tired excuses and cliches. its time for guys to step up or Sund needs to act like a GM and get some better talent in here….If the rumors are true about Nash and Melo then one of those guys need to be brought in.
darrell starks
November 10th, 2010
11:56 pm
ASG are broke and wan’t go over luxury tax, so we can dream on about bringing in a star player.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
November 11th, 2010
12:15 am
….
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:23 am
THREE TRADE SCENARIO
1.MELO FOR JAMAL, MARVIN, and a 1ST but melo must sign and extension 2 stay here.
2.BOSH FOR JAMAL, ZAZA, the heat are looking for a banger down low.
3.IGGY AND LOUIS FOR JAMAL, MARVIN, TEAGUE, IGGY want’s out of philly.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
Clyde
November 11th, 2010
12:27 am
I’ll let my boy JeJe speak on my behalf for the thoughts on the game.
rusty
November 11th, 2010
12:30 am
josh smith when will you ever grow up,you are an embarresment. jj i much rather have signed salmons & let your sorry butt go & saved all of that money, i think your overated. jc 1 where the hell is your game going, sund you should have been put on the last bus out of town, zazza, wake the hell up .this team shows no heart,why the hell should the people in atlanta come to see you. why the hell does this team always quit
NBA
November 11th, 2010
12:39 am
Joe Johnson = Jon Koncak
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
November 11th, 2010
12:48 am
hmm I dont know now fellas. When you’ve had your “core” this long, things like being concerned about whether the team is “holding their heads down” shouldnt even be an issue.
Something’s not right.
MsDee
November 11th, 2010
12:55 am
In the Hawks defense, we have multiples back-to-backs with ONLY 1 day off in-between. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH TO REST AND HAVE A COMPLETE PRACTICE BEFORE PLAYING AGAIN.The Hawks has 4 back-to-back games this month with ONLY ONE ‘3-day’ off period from the 16th @ Indiana before playing Dallas on the 20th and 6 back-to-backs in the month of December with a total of 3 ‘2-day’ off periods. These guys, as much as we want them to have energy every single game, aren’t robots. Its utterly impossible to STAY READY with LOTS OF ENERGY with no rest in between games. I notice Orlando nor Boston or Miami has a schedule like us these first 2 months of the season.
MsDee
November 11th, 2010
12:58 am
I mentioned before that Orlando nor Boston or Miami has a schedule like us these first 2 months of the season and yet they are STILL losing!! What are they excuse???
Big Ray
November 11th, 2010
1:06 am
What trips me out is Josh is right, but he’s also at fault here.
It’s true that quick, perimeter scoring forwards are not a good matchup for him. We’ve seen this before. At the same time, he didn’t give a total effort all the time, and it ony made things easier for Maggette.
However, their is also the frustation he has of guys not sticking together on defense, or helping where they should. It’s the same old problem. Bibby and Jamal either can’t or don’t keep up. Not having Mo (who will usually give the effort, and can guard 2s, though limited against 3s), or Marvin (can guard quicker 3s) only exasperated the issue.
Don’t know if anyone noticed, but it was all perimeter shooting players who did the damage. Jennings, Salmons, Ilyasova, and Maggette. Milwaukee bigs didn’t do much of anything inside. Even then, only Gooden was impressive on the glass with 10 boards.
The issue is what it has been, and where it has been. On top of that, we didn’t shoot or pass well. Josh was right about that, too.
Then we gave up. Now we get to see how Drew and his two new team captains start handling that. Adversity is here. Time to pay the piper.
Anybody wondering why we didn’t grab another wing that’s bigger than Mo Evans, or sign up a defensive backup pg who has no aggression issues….instead of Etan “I don’t play, and I’m rusty” Thomas?
MChaseD
November 11th, 2010
1:11 am
As much as people want to say Marvin is a bust, we NEED him!!!! And Mo! The line up we’ve been running the last few games is not suitable to our team. Simple as that.
northcyde
November 11th, 2010
1:13 am
MsDee . . . I personally could care less about what Miami and Orlando are doing. The fact is that this team has lost to 3 winning teams, while feasting on the weak opponents that we had in the first 6 games. Our schedule so far has been a cakewalk, compared to Orlando and Miami.
Our tough games in November are at home, the place where we usually play well at. But if we can’t beat good teams at home, we’re going to be in a seeding fight for spots 4 through 8 all year.
Don’t get it twisted MsDee . . . this Hawks team was READY tonight. We had a 13 point lead in the first quarter. They came out like world beaters.
It was the sorry play of our bench . . the guys who should be rested and ready to go every night, that lost this game. When you miss shots, don’t play defense, and turn the ball over like they’ve done the past 3 games, you’re going to lose.
Stop making excuses for these guys. Good teams like ours aren’t supposed to get the hell beat out of us at home.
northcyde
November 11th, 2010
1:16 am
Big Ray . . . we all discussed upgrading this bench over the summer. That’s why Rick Sund has to take the brunt of what is going on now vs these good teams. The indications were there when we were struggling a bit to beat these bad teams. Now the good teams are finishing us off, or we have to fight like hell just to stay in the game.
LOL . . hate to say it, but UTAH may already be a MUST WIN for these guys. We can’t go into December with a 9 – 9 or a 10 – 8 record. That road schedule in December may kill us.
superiorblogman
November 11th, 2010
1:18 am
Hawks blow real good.
cp
November 11th, 2010
1:19 am
they quit straight plain and simple smh
Ramon
November 11th, 2010
1:22 am
Why is Eric Bledsoe (the other UK point guard not named Wall) looking and playing better than Teague? He seems to have great awareness, and refuse to be denied when he wants to go somewhere on the court.
MsDee
November 11th, 2010
2:31 am
@northcyde, I hear what you are saying and I do agree but at the same time fatigue can kick in out of no where esp when there is no rest in between. Yes, we may have STARTED out strong but we FINISHED lazy. And Yes, the bench sucks right now for us but that’s where LD needs to sub one player at a time when needed. If JJ is winded, then sub him ONLY or Teague for Bibby when needed. No need to CONTINUE to put the whole bench in at the same time when we dont have a ‘bench’ to begin with. We have to use what we have WISELY, until SUND can come thru for us with the right pieces. And not sure if you noticed but JJ and Josh have been playing some heavy mins, with ONE off day in between the next games. That aren’t going to cut it for those 2. They NEED rest, that’s NOT an excuse..THAT’S A FACT!!
vava74
November 11th, 2010
3:59 am
We were beaten on the perimeter. Plain and simple.
AND, it was the 3rd game in a row that Jamal came off the bench stone cold and completely disrupting the motion offense.
Last 3 games, 3 Hawks losses:
vs PHO – Jamal was 3/11 – 4 ass 3 TO (+- of +4 BUT he had ZERO buckets until the 3rd quarter)
@ ORL – Jamal was 4/11 – 1 ass 2 TO (+- of -15)
vs MIL – Jamal was 2/7 – 5 ass 0 TO (+- of -25 – worst in the team while still benefiting from a few minutes in which the team crawled back to respectable numbers)
His body language has been completely wrong and the motion offense stalls with him on the floor.
Sure, he had a few games this season in which his instant offense was ON and scored a bunch of points helping us extend or get good leads, but the problem is that nothing in Jamal’s game is structured, its a crap-shoot, a pure individual exercise of hit or miss.
Against PHO we lost control of the game when he came in, against ORL we lost the advantage we built (zero field goals and 2 turnovers during a stretch in which Zaza also buried us with 2 TO) and again against MIL he came in and the offense went completely dead within him missing shots and his defensive assignments.
MsDee
November 11th, 2010
4:07 am
@vav74, very good point. I didnt realize how bad Jamal has been playing these last 3 games. Maybe its all the trade rumors getting to him that causing him to not care anymore with the Hawks. I truly believed he thought he was part of ‘the core’ here in Atlanta but instead, SUND has made it very clear to him that he’s not. He’s human and maybe its affecting him more than he wants it to.
Clyde
November 11th, 2010
4:29 am
6 wins in a row now we loose 3 in a row and people start getting worried. Where is the faith?
JoJo the Godfather
November 11th, 2010
5:59 am
I can’t say much about Sund picking up Thomas over another wing…If it was Pachulia & Collins hurt rather than Marvin & Mo, then we’d be trying to win with Horford & Powell as our only centers. However, there is still that 15th roster spot open, and if the team knew the shape of Mo’s knee all summer, then for those reasons alone, I can criticize Sund for not having another SF on this team.
Having to move Josh to the 3 and count on balance from Horford, Pachulia, Collins & Powell just won’t work…Having to move Joe to the 3 and count on balance from Bibby, Jamal, Jordan & Jeff is even worse.
JustAThought
November 11th, 2010
6:31 am
Wasn’t it a back to back game for the Bucks………
vava74
November 11th, 2010
7:07 am
At least Teague showed all the doubters that he has excellent passing skills.
Bounce penetration passes, scoop passes, fake pass followed by quick release penetration passes.
He showed his PG arsenal.
His defense and his shot remain a work in progress but my guess is that he just needs minutes, to play back to back games at 25/30 minutes.
LD said that he will look at the last 3 games again and see the substitution patterns.
Here is a simple change:
Instead of Jamal, get TEAGUE as the first guy off the bench WITH ZAZA. It is obvious that they mesh well and that Zaza’s production improves with good penetration passing.
Jamal is being extremely detrimental to the flow of the game and even Jordan has showed much better discipline and involvement in the team offense.
Jamal should be traded ASAP and to be honest, I would even accept a protected 1st round pick as the only payback.
O'Brien
November 11th, 2010
7:30 am
MsDee,
The Bucks were playing their second night in 2 days (although the Knicks game was not close, so they probably didn’t play major minutes).
And what about Utah? They were 22 down against Miami in Miami, but they won in OT. And then they were down 18 in Orlando on a back to back, and they came back and won.
Hawks have no “fatigue” excuses. Bottom line is effort wasn’t there, energy wasn’t there, and team work wasn’t there.
Ray,
The interesting thing to me, is the Hawks have 3 captains .
But yet… 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..
So with 3 captains, we still don’t have a leader on the court to bring the guys together in the second quarter and calm them down? Is every captain waiting on the next captain to huddle the team together? Or are they all looking at the coach saying its his job to get everybody on the same page?
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.” MC .
And I dont want to see that from my team captain, especially in the second quarter.
Double Zero Eight
November 11th, 2010
7:51 am
The Hawks won’t win the conference with the current roster. They can’t beat Boston or Orlando in a
playoff series. That’s the ugly truth.
The Real Team
November 11th, 2010
7:59 am
Finally, the real Hawks team is showing up. If they don’t make a trade for a big man or another scorer, it will be a long season.
The Truth
November 11th, 2010
8:02 am
From previous blog (edited):
How is it that Josh Smith playing the SF/PF had more rebounds (8) than Al Horford playing the C/PF(6)? Can anybody on this team get a rebound? The Bucks total rebound was 44, the Hawks total rebound was 32. For the last 3 games, our worst quarter has been the 3rd. What is LD preaching in the locker room at the half? What ever it is, it’s not uplifting. We lost this game because:
The Bucks bench is better than the Hawks bench. But worst, our bench just sucks
A shout-out to Zaza, he sucked even worst
Jamal is playing uninspired ball resulting in little offense and a liability on defense
JJ started hot ended cold, back to hog ball again, too many jumpers not enough FT
Al Horford is emerging to be consistent offense but little else
Bibby, no preparation and it showed
Josh Smith got discouraged in the 3rd and lost interest
Note to Josh Powell: Because you played for the Lakers with rings doesn’t make you a superstar; more is required than just offense.
We need a blue-collar worker
It is clear now why Mario got PT on this team. He epitomize what this team lacks. Heart.
Section 303
November 11th, 2010
8:04 am
This team will never get over these mental issues. I’m convinced of that. Here’s what will happen: They will rise up and beat Utah on Friday, just because everyone is cutting on them for last night’s debacle. Then, they will beat Minny (Minny sucks) and then start losing again. Same story, different year. I’ve never seen a bigger collection of head cases.
Very sorry for the people who were there last night (I am glad to say I couldn’t make it last night). This team does not deserve the few fans it does have.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
8:09 am
“2.BOSH FOR JAMAL, ZAZA, the heat are looking for a banger down low.”
LOL! Like ZaZa is any better than the scrub bigs they have there
THIS TEAM PLAYS NO DEFENSE
THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY
SUND IS TERRIBLE AT DRAFTING
THIS TEAM HAS GIVEN UP 100+ POINTS TO 5 OPPONENTS, ALL OF WHICH ARE INFERIOR TEAMS. GOOD JOB DREW. YOUR GOLDEN STATE OFFENSE REALLY WORKS, GIVEN THAT WE HAVEN’T HAD ONE BLOWOUT WIN
ILL-Logical
November 11th, 2010
8:13 am
@ MC: 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.
Really. For someone who says they just report the facts, that is a very interesting “fact”.
My observation was that as soon as Joe went iso and stopped passing the ball to a) ASA who was hot and b) Josh who was open several times under the bucket, the game tempo changed. And inspite of several open looks at the 3 point line courtesy of Josh’s dribble penetration,Joe wiffed. If you look at the stats for the last 3 games, Joe’s shooting % is muy malo( just trying to give you a little South Florida flashback).
So if you are going to assign individual blame based on your astute observations, be prepared to be challenged on the facts. After all, ball don’t lie.
terrell
November 11th, 2010
8:18 am
It was just one of those nights. EVERY NBA TEAM has em. Chill out for crying out loud. And we’re missing 2 of our top 8 players btw. Not making excuses, but still.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
8:20 am
LOLOLOL 3 CAPTAINS.
HORFORD U NEED TO SPEAK TO THESE CLOWNS AND UNITE THE TEAM AND DEMAND THE BALL MORE IN THE POST
3 CAPTAINS LOL. WHY NOT HAVE 8 CAPTAINS? WE’RE A HAPPY FAMILY!
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
8:28 am
AMEN SECTION 303.
LOL HORFORD IN HIS “HOT STREAK” AVERAGED 6 REBOUNDS
THAT’S AN ANEMICALLY ABYSMAL NUMBER
Section 303
November 11th, 2010
8:29 am
If Rick Sund can’t see that a shake up is needed with this roster then he is either just blind or does not care. This group has been together for years now. They haven’t changed. Yes, the win total has gone up, but this group still folds too easy. Like last night.
Time to make a move. Time to bring a player or two in here who won’t quit every time adversity hits.
Kills me reading Josh’s comments about how they will fix this. B#ll sh#t! They won’t fix anything. They will win a few games and say everything is fine, but go back quitting shortly after.
Still can’t believe all the pats on the back the Hawks got for losing to Orlando on Monday. They should have won that game. Surprised this loser organization does not hang a banner in Philips Arena, advertising that they almost beat the Magic.
vava74
November 11th, 2010
8:31 am
ILL-Logical
All colapses happened precisely when Jamal entered the game shooting blanks and turning the ball over.
JJ has been guilty of not being consistently the defensive stopper he can be and of not having his shots going in.
And that’s it.
Ramon
November 11th, 2010
8:33 am
Jeje, Horford needs to SPEAK with his defensive effort before he says anything in the locker room. If Josh was frustrated with little help on the defensive interior, guess who his side kick is in the low post.
Mike is back
November 11th, 2010
8:42 am
MC, well it was my first game of the season…so naturally I was disappointed in the effort I seen. My biggest disappointment in this game was in LD. What magic he sees in that Bibby, JJ, and JC1 line up…I would like to know. When LD came out with that same line-up to start the third quarter…I SAID COME ON MANN…you are looking eerily like your predecessor.
However, I’m not about to throw the Hawks under the bus…for one terrible lost. I stated PREVIOUSLY…I thought we would struggle early…and be much improved heading into the All-Star…so I was pleasantly surprise…with the 6-0 start. Now that we are back to reality…it’s time for LD to give up on that Bibby, JC1, and JJ line-up…ITS KILLING US…AND please no more Tofu Collins…that experiment is dead…I find it hard to believe that Tofu can give you anything…that ZaZa, Powell, and Eton can’t.
It was a bad game…but it only counts as one lose. Everybody was ready to leave the Falcon for dead…after the Philly beat down…but they recovered…SO CAN THE HAWKS. It’s a long season…the Hawks will have better days.
Right now LD’s best option…is to move Josh to the SF, and feed of his energy…Dude is playing like an All-Star this season…might as well ride him out…until you get some healthy bodies back…CUZ that Bibby, JJ, and JC1 line-up…AIN’T THE MOVE.
LET’S GO LD, AND LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
November 11th, 2010
9:00 am
vava, we were beaten on the inside too. look at rebounds and the fact josh and al werent effective zaza the leading scorer got trash points like teague did against scrubs. before you say josh isnt a three, threes can score inside and out as well as pick up trash points with hustle. sad that josh looked every bit as good as marvin does, which means he is playing down. marvin gets beat by the quicker threes in the league too and why we have seen jj there inthe past guarding those types and one of the vlidations of his contract. where was he last night? mia, too.
no energy guys coming off the bench, just not impressed with the energy that powell brings to a game, looks asleep and two steps slow against better competition.
yes, we are missing marvin and mo. only they dont provide the balance that is still needed on this team.
Gamer
November 11th, 2010
9:16 am
With Jeff Teague speed and ball handling ability the Hawks should never see long scoring droughts during a quarter of any game.
Either Teague’s not getting it or the Coaches are not putting it to him strong enough to get it!! Whatever the problem is with J. Teague, it need to get fixed because BIBBY isn’t the answer.
WHAT HAPPEN TO THE NICK THE QUICK GIVEN TEAGUE A QUICK KICK TO THE NUANCES OF PLAYING POINT-MAN AGGRESIVELY!!!!
If Teague don’t seize the mentality before TRADING DEADLINE THEN HE NEED TO BE SHOP AROUND.
STRETCH
November 11th, 2010
9:17 am
The same ole Hawks. This team will do no better than a 5 or 6 seed this season. I just dont understand what Sund & Co is looking at!
Im sorry but its just too much of the same things with this “CORE.” If they dont make a move this season, then its all about pocketing money, not only for ASG but for Sund as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this group peaked last season. Even when Marvin/Mo comes back, these facts are still there:
1. Overpaid for JJ – folks, he is a complimentary player, he is NOT a superstar. JJ is Robin needing a Batman. And the dude is 30, so do they think he is going to get quicker???
2. (For the Billionth time) – Al Horford is playing out of position.
3. Josh Smith – as great as an player he is, he still needs to mature after 6 or 7 years in the league. How is he a captain when its obvious he is NOT a leader?!
4. Teague – BUST! Just take a look at all the guards that have come into the league since he got here and how they are already contributing to their teams. He hasnt figured it out yet either.
5. And can someone please explain to me how you need 3 captains for 15 players with head coach already and assistant coaches? And they arent going to go anywhere cause they dont have heart, they play selfishly on offense and they continue to bicker amongst each other when the games start to go the other way. The signs are there folks, this thing needs a shake up!
John
November 11th, 2010
9:21 am
What I have seen from Prince, now that he does not have the all-star cast around him, is that he is an average SF at this time in his career.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
9:24 am
Lol @ people raving about Teague and Jo-Craw in garbage minutes. Acie Law could’ve scored 20 points last night for us. Who cares? We were down 30 freaking points
Astro Joe
November 11th, 2010
9:25 am
I think the Jamal Crawfored era needs to end. Teague will be a MUCH better player if he is paired with Mo in the backcourt. LD’s new offense essentially has Jamal “playing out of position” as his iso skills are no longer as valuable. And once you introduce an offense that doesn’t optimize Jamal’s iso skills, then you greatly de-value the reigning SMOY’s effectiveness. Guys who signed later in the summer are available on 12/15 to be traded. So after 12/15 there are no restrictions. I’d like to see Jamal traded between 12/15-17… once Jamal is gone, the Teague that some of you think is an impactful player may emerge. With Jamal here, I don’t think it will happen.
mgm
November 11th, 2010
9:28 am
9 games is ten percent of the season. The hawks have played the first 6 games against mediocre to bad teams and won. The last 3 games (two of which were at home) were against good to great teams and lost. This is the same result we’ve gotten from this team the last few years.
Right now there is no bench cohesiveness or depth. That should improve. The starters are what they are and have been. The only thing I have noticed is that Al has improved his range and Josh is actually making some jump shots. The rest looks the same. Is there any reason to think that this team is elite. I hear the organization, the announcers, the media throw that term at this team. What have they done to be elite. The pinnacle for this team still remains a first round lost against Boston two years ago. That is not elite.
doc
November 11th, 2010
9:33 am
thanks aj!
now maybe ye will come off the bench on a heroic fashion now that you have spoken after cling for yoir beat down of the bucks yestrday
Section 303
November 11th, 2010
9:33 am
mgm, that “elite” thing kills me. The Hawks players and management will try and spin that they are “elite” just because they were able to get a top 4 seed in the playoffs. Totally ignoring, I guess, the fact that this team ended last season getting killed by Orlando and being booed off the floor by their own crowd. You know, all things “elite” teams do, right?
Last night tells me all I need to know. This team/organization is no different this year than it was last year. They quit. They quit everytime things get tough. That’s how they should be known throughout the league. Just a bunch of quitters.
tjhook
November 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Has anyone considered this: Larry Drew is trying to implement an offense with point guards who haven’t run this sort of offense. The team is prepared to play but not built to sustain Drew’s offensive flow. While touting Teague drew and Rick Sund need to do research on what guards have experience in his style of offense. Teague is a good athlete but maybe not the style of player the new-style Hawks need.
Just Dumb
November 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Question: Do any of you know anything about basketball? All youi guys do is complain about how bad the HAWKS are, yet every game you all watch. They are not a bad ball club. Yes they have lost 3 games but so had Miami and Orlando and Boston has lost 2 games. This is the NBA everybody loses.
Now the team is struggling right but this team also start out with one of the toughest schedules maybe not beating the opponents that will make the lead on ESPN but they were 6-0 and since the lost of both small forwards they have lost 3 games.
Granted this game was the worst of them but please can you no knowing basketball people give the team a break.
The team is fine and will be better than last years team.
Mike is back
November 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Doc, Josh is going to have his matchup issues at the SF no doubt…but I would prefer to see him at SF any day…than to go with that JJ, Bibby, and JC1 line-up…for long stretches of the game. Dude is just getting re-acclimated to playing the SF position. Less face it…there going to be some guys he has trouble keeping in front of him…but he is the only high energy guy…save for MO…on the team.
I think the same can be said about Teague. IT JUST ASKING TOO MUCH FOR BIBBY OR JC1…to guard these young speedy, crafty PGs and SGs…Less face it…some nights LD is going to have to suffer through Teague’s growing pains. You are loosing the game any way…let him get baptized in fire some nights…that’s the only way he is going to learn.
Hey, it is…what it is.
mgm
November 11th, 2010
9:40 am
You know the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. This organization is thinks it isn’t insane because it changed the cook (LD). However, the chef’s ingrediants are exactly the same so I guess they are insane.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
9:49 am
tjhook,
Bibby was playing well in the first few games. this is the SAME offense he ran in SAC
Section 303
November 11th, 2010
9:50 am
Just Dumb, stop. I’ve seen this script before, trust me on that. The Hawks are the Hawks. I’ll say it again, they will win on Friday, simply because everyone is ripping them. Then, they will go back to their typical halfa$$ed ways.
The roster needs to be broken up a bit. That is clear as day. When a team continually quits (and that’s what the Hawks do, quit), changes have to be made. We shouldn’t have to wait until February or the playoffs for that to happen. Would be nice if someone in the organization actually had a winkle of vision and made a move early that would help the team/season.
J from the A
November 11th, 2010
9:51 am
I don’t see any Atlanta Hawks fans. All I see is a bunch of Chicken Littles.
“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”
doc
November 11th, 2010
9:52 am
whoo that didnt come out too good on the i phone whie walking.
ye=jamal
cling-calling
section 303 yes and it starts at the top.
they quit when the heat got theirs, said we cant compete and closed the tent.
guess we are building for the future. that is what drew is here to do and we will have to wait until next year to reap any rewards.
yup mike.
ok they come back strong and put away the utah jazz is my hope and quell this internal up rising of self.
mike how is the girl? mine will be sitting next to me at the jazz game.
Tech75
November 11th, 2010
9:54 am
This is why you don’t just change the coach. It’s a problem with the maturity level of the players and their selfishness.
This is why I never get excited about the Hawks… they have no heart, no backbone. They roll over at the first sign of resistance.
O'Brien
November 11th, 2010
10:03 am
All off-season, my opinion was Mo Evans and JC2 could hold down the backup SG position (especially in this motion offense).
I think Rick missed the boat. He should have traded Jamal (when his value was at its highest) for a backup big (and dont waste time signing Etan), and then sign a legit backup SF (like Rodney Carney, Matt Barnes), or trade a second round pick for Chris Douglas Roberts.
I dont know what trade options were available, but I find it hard to believe that Rick couldnt find a good trade partner for a $10 mil expiring contract and the reigning SMOY.
I’m not giving up on the Hawks. But these players have not shown the consistent mental toughness needed, and they are not good enough defensively, or when it comes to rebounding.
I would welcome a Jamal trade in December to shake things up.
Section 303
November 11th, 2010
10:24 am
O’Brien, your scenerios make too much sense. Therefore, the Hawks will do none of the suggested moves.
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
10:25 am
FIRE SUND
THIS “KEEP OUR CORE INTACT” GARBAGE DOES NOT WORK. WE ARE NOT THE DETROIT PISTONS. THE PISTONS DID NOT GET SWEPT IN THE 2ND ROUND 2 YEARS IN A ROW
Chris E
November 11th, 2010
10:41 am
I know we are frustrated as Hawk’s fans but to me I am reading more emotion which is getting in the way of true analysis. Do the Hawks have holes? Absolutely!!! Are they too many to overcome? I don’t think so. To me, there biggest problem is defensive effort!!! Which to me can be alleviated by more mental toughness, which with Drew at the helm I believe they are poised to achieve. Last night, the bench let the team down plain and simple. The starters played well, got off to a big lead and the bench squandered it. Its not the end of the world. Its a learning experience and I have full confidence they Drew will make the proper adjustments. Way more confidence in him than Woody and I wasn’t a Woody hater. I think Collins should start and they should bring Marvin off the bench. The last 3 games without Marvin the starters have not had a drop off. The drop off has come from the bench and extended minutes from the starters having to come back on good teams. Hopefully, Marvin could show more aggression with the second unit and with him, teague, powell, zaza and crawford u have a formidable second unit. Mo would have to still get time as well. Twin just needs to start and play 15 to 20 minutes, then you can mix and match the rest of the game. I believe overtime that’s what we will see. Lastly Teague has got to control the second unit better. Crawford has got to learn to defer to Teague and play within the offensive system. This will keep things cohesive offensively regardless of who is in the game.
IJustDon'tGetIt
November 11th, 2010
10:42 am
The Hawks conceded early and made last night’s game a scrimmage/preseason production. Given the way Milwaukee walked out of Phillips on their visit at the close of the last season, there was NO reason they should have found that much comfort level back on our courts! Pride alone should have made sure that was not the case. SMH…
lewis
November 11th, 2010
10:59 am
problem isnt the starters its the first 4 guys off the bench that stink
Teezo
November 11th, 2010
11:10 am
It was said best…The bench came in for the 3rd straight game and did nothing…This is where hopefully Drew will realize that having Collins start might not be a bad thing, and let Marvin come off the bench along with Crawford…When ATL can get off to as good of starts as they have against PHX, ORL, and MIL its no reason for teams to be right back in the game 5 minutes later or maybe they were used to playing bottom of the barrel teams in those previous 6 games…Now we will see what Drew and ATL is made of with a UTA team that shows they can do the same thing, come back from a large defecit…I’ll give em a chance since they are not at full strength and I want to see what kind of difference Marvin and Mo will make, if nothing happens, I’ll say it again, this “core” has met it’s ceiling and its time to break em up…
vava74
November 11th, 2010
11:27 am
Teezo,
check my earlier post on Jamal’s production on these 3 losses.
it was when he checked in that our offense collapsed and we lost the leads we had.
he shot in these 3 games in the low .300 and had awful overall involvement in the offense.
I know it was garbage minutes but Zaza got going with Teague calling the shots on offense.
We need that starts to happen when games matter and for that Teague MUST BE THE FIRST GUY off the bench, not Jamal.
Teague would bring a change of pace and penetration+dishing that suits Zaza’s limited offensive skills and helps keep the game deep in the opposition half court rather than in the perimeter, half way into our court the minute an outside shot misses.
Will
November 11th, 2010
11:51 am
I blame the players for giving up, and I blame coach Drew for rotating four bench players in together, in which they lost leads, and does not play with any energy what so ever.
Come on Coach get it together!!!!!
O'Brien
November 11th, 2010
11:56 am
I was not a fan of Woody, and I was glad to see him hit the road. But to be fair, it’s starting to become clear why he didn’t bother playing the bench as much as some of us think he should.
He didn’t want to watch them go through their growing pains, and be “dead in the water”. His emphasis was on winning as many regular season games as he could, with little foresight on the playoffs.
But credit to LD for taking these losses, because its possible the bench might get it going later in the season, and they will be needed, especially in the playoffs.
That being said, Rick should have upgraded the team. And there is still time.
As for the team, are we missing Marvin, or are we just missing a SF? When Marvin comes back, it will be interesting to see how he plays. After his back injury a couple years ago, he was very inconsistent.
tune me out
November 11th, 2010
12:01 pm
Why is anyone surprised? These are the real Hawks showing up…they made no significant changes from last year other than having an assistant coach take over. This team is made up of a few dysfunctional parts that seldom play together for any length of time. Every time I turn on a Hawks game it only takes one or two possessions to see Joe Johnson or Jamal Crawford go one on one, run the shot clock down and throw up a wild shot. Also it never takes long to see Josh Smith either loafing or making a really bad play. This team will regress from the fluke record of last year and maybe win 38 games. Who cares?
Will
November 11th, 2010
12:04 pm
Hawk, does not have a good enough bench or reserve players
to play all of them together. Their rotation should be maybe
8 deep.
BeetleBailey
November 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
The Hawks should trade Josh Smith for Carmello Anthony and Marvin Wiliams for Chris Paul. The Hawks would then have a team that could go deep into the playoffs possibly winning a championship.
The Truth
November 11th, 2010
12:12 pm
The Hawks loss the lead in the first half mainly because of poor defense along with a stalled offense; The Hawks had no answer for Corey Maggette was more the reason than anything else. He scored 20 pts off the bench and ignited the Bucks comeback. He kept running off screen and we made no adjustments. Did he start scoring in the paint and his teammates fed off of him. Crawford sub for Bibby who was also ineffective. So nothing from nothing left the same. While Maggette was torching JJ, Crawford couldn’t match the energy of Dooling. Our bench including Teague, Zaza and Powell were all ineffective when it mattered (the most) in the first half. When the lead was loss we never recovered.
Hawk n the Ham
November 11th, 2010
12:13 pm
I drove in to watch the game from Birmingham last night. Jamal was just flat out terrible. I can’t recall ever in the last decade seeing Jamal play with no heart, but that looks to be the case now. No hustle, deferred every time he touched the ball.
When Jordan Crawford got the ball last night, he was crafty! That kid has a motor on the offensive side. I hope Jordan becomes a regular substitution from now on. His D is lacking working off screens, but that just comes with time fighting through those picks.
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
WILL no you have 82 games in a season so you have keep your starter fresh during the year, that was woody old philosophy was 2 play his starters 38min a night and run them in 2 the ground then come playoffs there legs are gone, LD is doing a great job with his rotation.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
The Truth
November 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
*He started scoring in the paint and his teammates fed off of him
Will
November 11th, 2010
12:16 pm
And one other thing why are the hawks back to playing the
switching defense, that did not work last season under woodson,
and is not working this season either under L. Drew.
switching defense was so terrible it cost Woodson his job.
Will
November 11th, 2010
12:23 pm
darrell, if Drew does not start playing his starters long enough versus his bench players
they’re not going to make the playoffs anyway, this bench is horrible!!!!!
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:25 pm
O’Brien no i don’t think the hawks are missing marvin, because josh is playing a lot better at SF than marvin, i just believe that LD have get josh on the post more along with joe, and emphasize defense defense defense, but for some reason LD don’t play collins more for defensive purpose and alway go with a smaller line up, keep collins, horford, and josh in the game longer 2 controll the defense end.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:28 pm
AT THE END OF THE GAME.
STARTER JAMAL, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD, COLLINS.
stay big 2 the hawks advantage.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
oldtimer
November 11th, 2010
12:32 pm
A difficult night last night, but let’s not get too excited about making moves. JT0 can still grow and his speed and athletic ability will be a game changer.
Also remember, Hawks will be a different team with Marvin back.
Game tomorrow night depends on how much small forward play we may be able to get from Mo, and possibly Marvin
Clint Newhouse
November 11th, 2010
12:35 pm
Hawks still need solid point guard play. BJ was really giving Hawks a hard time last night. How far this team goes, even after return of Mo and Marvin, is dependen on development of Teague. Another tough matchup at point guard on Friday night
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:37 pm
Will the hawks bench are not loosing the games it’s a team effort, last night the starters look like booboo and couldn’t main tame 2 keep them in the game, but in the second quarter the bucks could not miss nothing everthing was long jump shots so i can’t blame the second unit for that becuase every shot was contested.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
cp
November 11th, 2010
12:37 pm
Once again, get Nash in here if that rumor is true. The Hawks have absolutely no leaders on this team…….Its time for the front office to take off the rose colored glasses and look at this team realistically.. They have been together to long to be still using the same tired cliches and excuses.. They are saying the same crap they were saying a few years ago……These cats quit on Woodrow in the playoffs last year and in many regular season games….New coach same result, they face some adversity and quit again… Its time to shake up the roster because its clear nothing has changed with these guys…Like 303 said, they will win a game nobody think they should , the fans get behind them again and they come out and drop the ball again….I like Drew and think he will end up as a good coach but man he has had a few Woody lite moments already…..Its time for Sund to get off his azz and get something done.. He didn’t do anything this summer but bring in a bunch of scrubs although better talent was available……………And get rid of Jamal asap. Its clear this dude doesn’t care and its hurting the team..
darrell starks
November 11th, 2010
12:39 pm
cp what player would you give up for nash ?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
JeJe
November 11th, 2010
12:47 pm
I agree with Teezo – start Collins and let Duck and Craw come off the bench with Teague and ZaZa and use Mo in case of emergency. Josh seems to be better at the 3 even though LD wanted him in the post more
Najeh Davenpoop
November 11th, 2010
12:51 pm
I really don’t think Phoenix is about to trade Nash for anyone. Without him, they can kiss their attendance goodbye.
Ken Strickland
November 11th, 2010
12:57 pm
I was on the highway last night and was feeling bad about not being able to watch the gm. But based on the score and what I’ve read, I don’t think I missed anything.
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 finally realized their mistake and let him go back in Phoenix, where he thrived under D’Antoni’s wide open pick and roll dominated OFF system. And when it comes to playing DEF, he makes Bibby look like a DEF stopper. LIKE I’VE SAID BEFORE, THIS ISN’T FANTASY BASKETBALL.
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.