Atlanta Hawks: Mavericks 98, Hawks 93
J.J.'s last play was only the beginning of Atlanta's problems. (AP Photo)
– The Hawks lost seven home games last season. They’ve lost four times at Philips Arena in the first four weeks this season. Can’t knock their 5-1 road record but also can’t ignore their inability to beat good teams at home.
– Losing by close margins isn’t much of a mitigating factor, either, since the best teams tend to win those kind of games more often than they lose them. The Hawks were healthy and rested this time, too, while Dallas came in after taking a tough L against Chicago last night.
– That didn’t keep the Mavs from looking sharper in the first half. L.D. said the Hawks haven’t played with the same energy at Philips Arena. It’s also true they haven’t played the same level of competition. “We have put ourselves in positions that we shouldn’t put ourselves in,” L.D. said. “A lot of that is a failure to follow details.”
– “I thought we had a good plan coming in,” Al said. “It’s a tough loss. We still have work to do as a team.”
– Down three with 13.2 seconds left, the Hawks ended up getting an awkward 3-point try from J.J., who looked to be trying to draw a foul on Tyson Chandler. Clearly that’s not what the Hawks were looking for.
– “Get a handoff, turn the corner and get fouled,” Drew said. “We drew up a play to go to the basket and get fouled. We wanted to put the onus on the official. If we make the free throws when we foul them and there’s plenty of time left. We did not get a clean exchange between [Joe] and Al on the handoff.”
– J.J. played with a glove on his left hand. He got it banged during the preseason and he favors it at times. I’ve never seen him miss so many open shots as the last month–the Mavs appeared to be letting him shoot long jumpers at times–but you never get far asking him if injuries are affecting his play.
– “I’m good, man,” he said yesterday. “Just nursing these little ‘nick knacks’ I’ve got. Other than that, everything else is cool. I will be all right.”
– The Hawks reacted as if they had never seen a zone defense before. They passed it aimlessly around the perimeter until someone decided to jack up a 3-pointer. The Hawks missed 18 of 25.
– L.D. said the Hawks expected to see zone and the plan was to reverse the ball and attack the creases. “We settled,” L.D. said. “That’s way, way too many 3-point shots for us. They zoned us and we lost discipline. We settled for perimeter shots. Our movement was slow. We looked unsure. We started holding the ball. We fell prey to exactly what they wanted us to do.”
– Al had 20 rebounds. His teammates had 17. The Hawks had a 20-18 edge on the boards in the second half but Dallas led 26-17 in the first with eight offensive rebounds. There were a few possessions where the Hawks watched the ball fall to the floor before Dallas collected it. “We did a poor job of boxing out,” Drew said.
– Atlanta’s bench was awful in the first half. The reserves played a combined 37 minutes and combined for two points and two rebounds. The goal is for those guys to provide energy but instead they let the game get away in the second quarter.
– The Mavs are the latest Hawks opponent to show the difference in depth between the teams Atlanta has beaten and the teams they can’t beat. It’s too difficult for the Hawks to beat good teams when the bench drags them down.
– This was the fourth straight game Zaza was just kind of out there. It’s perplexing because he had been productive and energetic.
– Jamal still isn’t shooting well and his turnovers are up. He had seven assists so it’s not like he’s stagnant but the instant offense has been up-and-down. He had a key steal, craftily poking the ball away from Chandler on a trap with Smoove and dunking at the other end.
– Another strong line from Josh: 21 points, six assists, five steals, 10 of 19 shooting. Just five boards, and it looked like he grew frustrated because he and Al were the only guys working to get them.
– The Hawks couldn’t take advantage of an off night for Nowitzki, who was 8 of 22. He was just 2 of 9 in the fourth period and missed at least four wide open looks that he almost always makes in clutch situations.
– With Bibby in foul trouble and L.D. apparently having seen enough of Teague in the first half, in came Jordan Crawford to play with a small lineup. He gave the Hawks spark by making his first four shots, including a fadeaway over Nowitzki.
– “It felt good to get out there and play,” Jordan Crawford said. “I’m just excited that I got the opportunity and I just tried to take advantage of it.”
– “Jordan gave us some really good minutes,” L.D. said.
– “Atlanta has so much firepower, and they they insert a kid who probably hasn’t played in three or four games and he lights it up,” Jason Terry said.
– Later, Jordan showed his inexperience. He messed up a coverage that led to a Barea 3, lost Terry on a pick-and-roll layup and threw the ball away when trying to whip a pass to Mo under the basket. Back came Bibby, who continues to be the only guard making 3-pointers consistently.
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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185 comments Add your comment
terrell
November 21st, 2010
10:10 am
Stop hatin on the Hawks. Same record as most of your pre-season champion Miami Heat. It’s a long, long, season.
terrell
November 21st, 2010
10:11 am
With that said, when will LD take Marvin out of the starting 5? He’s pitiful. Bless his heart.
Eric
November 21st, 2010
10:14 am
Jeff Teague is a Acie Law clone.
Mike
November 21st, 2010
10:20 am
One big issue I had with Mike Woodson was that he never shook-up the line-up when it was clear that things were wrong, just hope L.D. doesn’t make the same mistake. Marvin Williams has never deserved to be in the starting line-up, and Jeff Teague should be third string behind Jordan Crawford.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:21 am
Easter – Eggs!
The Hawks are like a Cad-bury Chocolate Easter Egg!
Pretty, but Hollow!
Rufus1
November 21st, 2010
10:21 am
Simple Problem
Our #1 and #2 scores from last year are have very rough starts….That Simple!! LD puts them in situtations where they get WIDE OPEN SHOTS AND THEY ARE MISSING THEM!!!!
If anyone would have said Jamal and JJ would have such terrible starts to the season, I would have said you crazy.
THE BRIGHTSIDE
AL, JOSH AND JORDAN CRAWFORD.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:27 am
The Truth
“Maybe he attended the same party JJ attended and got caught-up in drinking too much booze or worst.”
Worse is the correct vernacular! IDK which is worse, the Hawks or your abuse of the english language! you can’t bash the team with that un-abashed grammar.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself! It drives me crazy when people complain and can’t spell!
mr hawks
November 21st, 2010
10:29 am
m. williams, zaza, teague, powell, has got to go. the hawks set on there butt and let the hornet pick up the point guard they needed. our bench is pitiful
Dave
November 21st, 2010
10:29 am
I heard some rumors that the Hawks were shopping Jeff Teague. They had him going to Detroit for Will Bynum, and one report said that Sacramento offered Jason Thompson. How do the Hawks keep getting busts at the point guard position, when there are so many good young points.
lukas
November 21st, 2010
10:30 am
NBA and NCAA should dictate that NBA-elegible players should be at least sophmores or have played 3 years overseas. That would prevent not ready, promising, but high-bust-risk players (MARVIN, Crittenton, Brandan Wright,ODEN, and the list goes on…) enter the draft.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:34 am
terrell – don’t call me Te-Relle!
“Stop hatin on the Hawks. Same record as most of your pre-season champion Miami Heat. It’s a long, long, season.”
God knows I love you man, but I don’t give a rats tail about The South Beach Boys!
Misery, does NOT love company! I don’t give a damn about nobody, but these Hawks … And, we suck higher than giraffe booty!
I hate this team as constructed, and have said so, since the last play off series! This team is exactly what Chris Webber said they are: PRETENDERS! There is no balance, whatsoever and we are top – loaded! Too many small players on the perimeter with no game and not enough SIZE in the paint!
We NEED a PG and a Center – damn-it!
We have NOT had either, since Mookie and Dikembe! Why does these GM’s continue to ignore the fundamental issues!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:38 am
Royalty!
Hell, I would take Royal Ivey over what we got! At least, he plays defense and doesn’t hurt his team>
Damn! I have better things to do and will not follow this ISH all season! IMA Get a LIFE!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:41 am
Shopping?
The Hawks need to SHOP their ownership group!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:44 am
Way TOO Early?
This team has been together for 6 years! Don’t tell me ISH about – It’s too early to tell what we got!
We Got:
A bunch of over-paid puzzys running around in Jock-Straps! They look like Trans-ves-tities impersonating Basketball Players! Puzzies shaving their beards!
Ray
November 21st, 2010
10:46 am
Bibby, Josh, Al, JT, Powell, Joe, JC2, and Moe
Can all stay everyone else must GTFO just saying lol.
Those players actually bring the energy when needed. Actually expand that list to include Zaza as well Yeah I know what people, but until we find a Dwight Howard somewhere in the next couple of years we need him.
I want Haywood and Caron Butler for JC1 and Thomas or Collins(maybe not don’t know yet).
As for Jeff Teague why all the hate I’m starting to believe it’s more hate on ASG then it is Teague itself because ASG got Marvin over CP3. Again who was to say CP3 turned out the way he has in NO.
terrell
November 21st, 2010
10:46 am
Mary B, this time last year we were killin Woody for wearing out the starters. At least LD is using more than 6 players to figure out what works and what doesn’t. That’s what you supposed to do this early in the season. JJ isnt used to sharing the ball, Teague and Collins isnt used to playing AT ALL. Just trying to be a little patient,that’s all.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:47 am
Al Horford
Josh Smith
Jordan Crawford
That’s what we got?
Fck that!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:49 am
terrell – don’t call me Te-Relle!
My patience is Gone like the Hawks!
This town, These fans – We deserve a WINNER! We don’t NEED no Losers!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:53 am
Wearing out the Starters?
The Starters are wearing out the Bank!
They haven’t played since Tuesday and can’t bring energy to a defeat team that lost to Chicago on a back-to-back without Carlos Boozer?
Who is wearing out who? These fans are hard working, every-day people with no jobs and disposable income. Basketball is for entertainment purposes only! To take our minds off our REALproblems! How is not showing up to collect a 10.8M dollar paycheck – stressfull? Jamal?
Who the hell does this guy think he is? Obama?
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:54 am
Ray!
“I want Haywood and Caron Butler for JC1 and Thomas or Collins(maybe not don’t know yet).
As for Jeff Teague why all the hate I’m starting to believe it’s more hate on ASG then it is Teague itself because ASG got Marvin over CP3. Again who was to say CP3 turned out the way he has in NO.”
STFU!
Section 303
November 21st, 2010
10:55 am
I’m not about to “stop hattin’” on the Hawks….by the way, the “stop hattin’” craze these days just shows how p#ssy our society has become. Anytime you point out a fact, like Joe Johnson sucks, you be “hattin’”. Well lump me in the “hattin’” group.
Here is another rant…..I am sick of Zaza hugging and kissing on every visiting player. That guy has become the biggest piece of Euro-sh#t in the league. I would love to see him go try and hug on the Celtics when they get to town on Monday. They’ll punch him in the face.
Time to blow this team up. Other than Josh, Al….I guess there is no one else, really….we have nothing.
And, to all the Joe Johnson lovers out there…answer me this question…what game have we won this year because of him? You know, for $24 million, you kind of expect some things. Like…winning games for the team. What game have we won because of him? I can point to several we lost because of him, but none we have won.
Ray
November 21st, 2010
10:57 am
@ DrmaryB
Seems someone has their panties in a twist.
You hate this team as constructed then what would you do different huh? you’ve been complaining so far like a little kid. You actually listen to Chris Webber GTFO!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:58 am
Section 303
Enthusiastic Co-Sign!
Eff these Biatches! Send this whole team packing!
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
10:59 am
Ray!
I already told you what to do and where to go!
Sautee
November 21st, 2010
11:00 am
Dave,
Not defending Teague at all, as I think he’s not ready for Prime Time yet, BUT….
If he’s a bust why did Sac. try to trade for him?
Ray
November 21st, 2010
11:01 am
@Drmaryb you never told me anything so you can take that somewhere else.
You still haven’t answer the question what would you do Mrs. Arm chair coach? With this team.
bigdave
November 21st, 2010
11:02 am
“Until we get 20/25 minutes of steady PG production behind Bibby (by a real PG – not by Jamal), we are going nowhere.”
Hallelujah!!!!
as far as the zone.. i think the coaches had the right concepts in place and prepared.. its just that players were hesitant in attacking it. they looked dazed and confused. particularly the 2nd unit. Jeff just deferred to Jamal and settled.. Jamal pump faking on passes to open cutters even after coach inserting Josh with the group. its a phantom defense.. you just have to trust in ball movement and have the SKILL to make accurate passes.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
11:05 am
Trade – Machine!
As a fan, I don’t have to fix this team and make trades! But, what I can do is tell you – We need a PG and Center! If there is a GM on this payroll? Let his Azz figure it out! I pay to watch a play and It is NOT my interest to construct a team! I’m NOT paid to do that, but I will tell you this:
I got better things to do with my MONEY, than to watch this ISH!
Aye Sund! Do your Job!
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
November 21st, 2010
11:06 am
“I’m not about to “stop hattin’” on the Hawks….by the way, the “stop hattin’” craze these days just shows how p#ssy our society has become. Anytime you point out a fact, like Joe Johnson sucks, you be “hattin’”. Well lump me in the “hattin’” group.”
What KIND of hat?
Bowler? Top Hat? Cowboy?
Dave
November 21st, 2010
11:08 am
Sautee, why did Golden State give us Jamal for Acie Law??? Maybe to clear cap space in the future, or maybe Sacramento and Golden State are just lousy organizations that don’t know what they are doing.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
11:08 am
Ray!
I have been posting for Four Years! You can go and read the archives IF you don’t know me by now!
I told you to STFU – and you still talking?
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
11:14 am
I don’t give a damn who is on this team! Get us some Winners in this building! I will watch Shrek and Donkey IF they can play Basketball! I don’t care is they are 2 feet tall and look like azz, IF they can ball!
Ray
November 21st, 2010
11:19 am
@drmaryb
So what that you’ve been on here for Four years I’ve been here for 10 years posting under different names. It still doesn’t help the fact that you’re just complaining, and can’t come up with a solution to the problem the hawks are having.
Yeah we need a PG and C, but also need more than that. As we can now see we need help at the SF position. Personally only the PF and SG positions are locked down. Truthfully only the SG is the locked down position depending on who you ask.
We already know we need to move Al back to PF and get a legit 6-11 to 7-1 guy in here to clog the lane.
Again with Jeff Teague he needs time just like Collins as someone else stated last season they barely played any games.
I’m going to stop this argument cause it’s pointless.
Mantis
November 21st, 2010
11:21 am
I have to wonder if Rick Sund is intentionally running this team into the ground.
Jordan Crawford is obviously a gem. He could evolve into the next Dwayne Wade. He is an aggressive and able scorer, but Larry Drew lets him ride the bench during games where he could be getting invaluable experience for later on in the season. If I were the Hawks management, I would have hyped Jordan up during the preseason and gave him plenty of minutes. He has not disappointed, and the Hawks would have been better off depending on him, while perusing real big men in the off season, than signing Joe Johnson with the NBA’s biggest contract of the 2010 offseason.
Why did we let Byron Scott and Avery Johnson get away? Why did we even bother to interview them in the first place, if we were just going to recycle one of Mike Woodson’s lieutenants… and then act surprised when he makes the exact same mistakes that we complained about when Woodson was coach?
Craig
November 21st, 2010
11:27 am
Jeff Teague needs time just like Acie Law needed time, right. Acie is currently riding the pine in Memphis.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
11:31 am
Ray!
IF you have been posting for ten years under different names, then that says it All!
I have one name and IF you knew me? I never complain! I support this team and state facts!
I have not posted since the Summer and have mad my first assessment after 13 games, I was going to wait until 20 games to render an opinion!
but, I have already seen enough! I am not the Trade Machine on this blog! We got Gran-Daddy for that! My role is well defined on this blog and my opinions are JUST that – Opinions!
The real bloggers on here, know me and understand my value. If you don’t? Then, that just about sums it up! Now, stop bothering me and just go away! I could care less what your opinion of me is!
Craig
November 21st, 2010
11:38 am
Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Darren Collison, and Ty Lawson were all point guards in the same draft as Jeff Teague. They are all taking the NBA by storm, why do the Hawks keep strewing this up???
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
11:41 am
Slipping Gears!
On the road – We play like we’re at home.
At home – We play like we’re on the road.
This team transmission is in Reverse!
ILL-Logical
November 21st, 2010
11:42 am
Two points:
1. The narrative about the last shot by Joe missed an important element; if Joe had actually tried to draw the foul by getting Chandler in the air an initiating the contact,the game could have gone into overtime based on Joe making the three free throws.
2. Josh outscored the future Hall of Famer in a head to head match up( while spending some time guarding Chandler and breaking up at least 2 alley oop attempts ).
ASA’s 20 rebounds was a major factor as well as the 3 blocked shots.
lewis
November 21st, 2010
11:47 am
Forgot to mention,
Al Horford is a beast.
Section 303
November 21st, 2010
11:49 am
Craig, it’s amazing, isn’t it? The organization just cannot get it right. I have to cringe every time I hear Rick Sund say “I don’t watch much college basketball.” Gee…couldn’t tell. Factor that into having no eye for talent and it is not hard to see why the Hawks are the Hawks.
Jeff Teague sucks, though. I will hear no arguement against that.
ILL-Logical
November 21st, 2010
11:54 am
Two points:
1.If Joe had actually had tried to draw the foul against Chandler , the opportunity to tie the game at the free throw line would have made a come back would have been much easier. Instead, we got a iso Joe ,off balance heave that had no chance to go in.
2.Josh outscored the future Hall of Famer head to head AND split time guarding Chandler and broke up at least alley oop attempts to him above the rim.
ILL-Logical
November 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
Two additional points about the game:
1.If Joe had actually tried to draw a foul call on his three point attempt, he could have had the opportunity to send the game into overtime at the foul line.ASA’s poor hand off not withstanding.
2. Josh outscored the future Hall of Famer head to head while also spending time guarding Chandler and breaking up two attempted alley oops to him at the rim.
Rod from College Park
November 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
Jamal Crawford has a couple of bad games, and he should be traded. (LOL). After one game, Jordon Crawford is better than Jamal (LOL). The problem with the Hawks, as I have said for the past 3 years, is the bum that starts at the 3, Marvin Williams. Why not just start every game with 4 players instead of 5. We would do just as good, because Marvin brings nothing every game. Woodson is at home watching games on tv because he put his faith in Marvin, and Drew will be in the same position, if he does not figure it out soon.
northcyde
November 21st, 2010
12:04 pm
We’ve lost 5 of the last 7. Lose to Boston, that’ll be 6 of the last 8 . . putting us at 8 – 6.
After Boston, these are our next 6 games:
@ NJ
WAS
@ NY
@ TOR
MEM
PHI
In two weeks, this team could conceivably be 14 – 6 . . . but still be a “fools’s gold” type team because our best win would’ve been @ Cleveland. More than likely, you’re talking 12 – 8.
The Hawks had a dream type schedule handed to them to start the season. Really, all they had to do was take care of business at home, and they could’ve posted a huge record.
But with us already being 8 – 5, it means this team has little margin for error. This team is at the point now in which it can’t afford to have a bad game vs a bad team.
Unless this team really starts to gel, we’re not going to post much better than a .500 record in December. So however many games we’re over .500 at the end of November, will probably be equal to the same number of games we’re over .500 at the end of December.
KevinM
November 21st, 2010
12:05 pm
I just can’t believe that Teague could only get 3.5 minutes last night after 4 days off. Really?
I don’t see LD doing things much differently than Woody to be honest……Marvin, 26 min, 6pts, 1reb…really?
There’s not much more to question any more…..like Coach Dennis Green says “They were who we think they were!” There are no surprises on this team.
drmaryb
November 21st, 2010
12:16 pm
KevinM
“Nuff – Said”
Eric
November 21st, 2010
12:18 pm
L.D. said when he took over this team that he wanted Jeff Teague to take the starting position from Bibby, and he has given him every opportunity to do so. People may hate on Bibby, but if he goes down this team is in a world of hurt.
Samuel
November 21st, 2010
12:19 pm
How can you use a #1 pick on a guard that can’t shoot. It’s truely amazing how some of these guys land jobs. I mean, one of the first things anybody who knows anything whatsoever about basketball does when they evaluate a player is assess their ability to shoot. After all, that is the name of the game right. Especially at guard. Dude is getting worse. He looks scared to death. He’s relieved when he draws iron. LOL!!
I predicted that this team would finish in the 6-8 slot and get beat by either Boston, Miami or orlando in the 1st round. They seem to be on track for that.
LD has been saying all the right things to this point. Let’s see how he handles adversity.
northcyde
November 21st, 2010
12:20 pm
@ Craig . . . Acie’s contract is only guaranteed through December 8th. There are strong rumors out of Memphis that he’ll be let go when that date comes. Last I saw, Acie was averaging 1 point and 1 assist, and was shooting something like 15% FG.
I’ll keep saying this:
“If you can ball . . you can ball.”