Hawks 90, Bobcats 85
Greetings, all
Ken Sugiura sitting in for MC again. Michael stayed up in the northeast rather than bounce back down here for one game. He’ll be back with the team Sunday for the much-anticipated tilt with the Nets. Hmm, Sunday game at 1 p.m. I wonder if anything else will be on TV at that time?
The story, obviously, was the return of your favorite four-time All-Star. Joe Johnson surprised everyone when he showed up to the arena and wanted to give it a go. In recent days, Johnson had been working out and shooting on his own and was not feeling pain, which was encouraging to Larry Drew. Still, he wasn’t anticipating this quick a recovery.
Actually, the Hawks had their walkthrough before the game Friday without him. But he was shooting 3-pointers without pain, and he shot so well against assistant coach Nick Van Exel Thursday that he joked about getting on a plane to play in Boston. When he told Marvin Williams before the game Friday that he wanted to suit up, Williams didn’t believe him.
You can say what you want about him, but it was fairly clear to me talking to him and others how much he means to this team. He sounded very sincere in his desire to get back to the court as quickly as he could, and teammates like Williams and Mike Bibby sounded very glad to have him back, not just in a way they’d be glad to have any teammate back, but to have their leader return.
“That was another main factor why I wanted to come back,” Johnson said of the team’s recent downturn, “to help these guys. We’re all we’ve got in this room.”
I don’t anticipate a relapse on the injury. He got banged around a bit and held up fine.
- Which brings us to Jamal Crawford, who sat out his second game in a row with a back injury. Drew said he was told it was a disc problem, Crawford said it was spasms. He said his back locked up against Detroit and he tried to play through it without success.
He said it was feeling better and that he anticipated getting back against New Jersey or Orlando at the latest. Obviously, though, a back injury is not to be trifled with and something that can often get re-aggravated. Hopefully, some rest will be helpful for Crawford. The Hawks have some testy matchups coming up — Orlando on Monday, at New Orleans Dec. 26, at Oklahoma City New Year’s Eve — and it wouldn’t hurt for them to be at full strength.
- One positive the Hawks got out of Crawford being sidelined, though, was the play of Jeff Teague. I think MC might have covered this after the Boston game, but Teague said that with both Crawford and Johnson out against Boston, he felt responsible to pick up his game and play aggressively. I’m planning to cover this in a story for Monday’s paper.
He kept at it tonight with a real strong finish in the third quarter. I was watching him fairly closely, and I think this is a fairly accurate rundown of the possessions.
- Screen from Al Horford, finds Josh Powell alone under the basket, who gets fouled.
- Drives the lane, fouled by Derek Brown. Same possession, pick and pop with Horford, who hits from the free-throw line.
- Screen from Horford, Teague hits from free-throw line.
- On Charlotte’s ensuing possession, stays in front of shaking-and-baking D.J. Augustin, preventing him from driving. Augustin passes off to Tyrus Thomas, who chucks up a 3-point attempt airball as Charlotte has a 24-second violation.
- On final possession of the quarter, gets inbounds pass, dribbles upcourt, goes behind the back and pulls up for a buzzer-beating jumper over Augustin.
And then in the fourth quarter, he had that ridiculous block against the glass of Derrick Brown. He was in for 15 minutes total. I’m going to guess his 40 minutes back-to-back might be a career-best for him with the exception of games he’s started and then final regular-season game against Cleveland last year.
- Some numbers: Charlotte’s 18 offensive rebounds were the most against the Hawks this year, but the Bobcats only had nine second-chance points. Hawks had 27 fast-break points. Hawks went to the line just 13 times, fewest in the past six games.
Zaza Pachulia had a two-minute stint early after Horford got in foul trouble, got his own two quick whistles and didn’t go back in. All the Hawks starters were in double figures. Former Hawk Boris Diaw had 22 points, almost double his season average. Looks like he’s put on a little weight.
Hawks never trailed. Hawks took 25 3-pointers, the second-highest total of the season, making only six. Josh Smith, Mo Evans and Johnson were a combined 1-for-12. Hawks had eight blocks, one below season best. Teague had two, Smith and Horford had three.
- This isn’t exactly new territory, but it’s hard to believe Kwame Brown was once a No. 1 overall pick. I talked with someone within the past year who knew Brown in high school – I forget who but I’m not making it up – and he said basically that Brown just never was that into basketball. I imagine that can be something of a disadvantage in the pursuit of a professional basketball career.
I was looking at his Wikipedia page. Did you know about the incident in which he allegedly threw a cake at someone? Kind of funny, though strange. Rather interesting that Michael Jordan would sign him again after drafting him in Washington, and also that Brown wanted to go to Jordan’s team, although perhaps the options weren’t many. That’d be like if Billy Knight got a job somewhere and signed Shelden Williams.
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360 comments Add your comment
doc
December 18th, 2010
12:51 pm
jeje the a town dancers look as bad as me doing dance aerobics in the 80’s. just plain awful. so bad they rarely bring them out.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:51 pm
@northcyde,
In other words, I agree. But they are struggling now. The main problem is that Vince Carter just doesn’t care. Someone of his size and experience got destroyed by Melo the other night. I remember during the ECF Sekou tweeting about how Vince didn’t even care and let his man get right by him for the clinching baskets
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
12:53 pm
LOL @ doc.
Fans will show up for the big games and if this team starts winning consistently again.
We just don’t have a superstar appeal. Fans DO NOT go see Josh Smith play. HE WAS GETTING BOOED last night in the latter part of the 2nd half.
There are SO MANY struggling teams out there with QUALITY PGs we could EASILY nab.
Lowry, Udrih, Mo Williams, Monta Ellis, Darren Collison, TJ Ford
All of these guys make us better and we can survive trading Bibby and Marvin by increasing Damien’s minutes. Damien has shown glimpses of more offensive ingenuity than Marvin has (the Reggie Miller pumpfakes). Also, Damien always gives 100% effort and costs nothing
drmaryb (*_*)
December 18th, 2010
1:04 pm
Jae Evolution
But if Jameer can’t take all that Magic to the big dance?
Where would he take us. We don’t have a Superman here.
I think the Magic feel that Jameer is always hurt when you need him and they are looking over the fences at Miami and Boston and are getting scared.
One think about carrying a 94M payroll and being in the Luxury Tax realm?
Losing is not tolerated very well at all and is not an option.
Heads must roll and someone must pay for all that losing.
Matt Barnes was not the reason they lost though.
Boston’s Defense had a lot to do with that.
doc
December 18th, 2010
1:12 pm
i laughed when folks said vince was the missng piece. they did themselves in on that guy. he will get his championship as a piece player late in his career if at all. he is not a gamer in spite of all his talent.
Wally Walker
December 18th, 2010
1:16 pm
JeJe and Ryan, y’all right, in the era of no great centers the need for a true PG becomes even more inmportant. The above metioned PGs will help to improve this team greatly. Jamal or Marvin should be able command one of those PGs. I still look HInrich above all those PGs. Ellis is a head case and Mo Williams has choked in every big playoff series. Hinrich’s salary is 9 mil (2 years left). Maybe Bibby(5.7 mil -2 years) and MO’s expiring contract could do the trick. The Wizards want to dump salary and will still need a veteran PG. This trade will serve both team well.
The Hawks failed to make any suffiecient moves during off season. They must do something Big to improve the team and bring interest to the fans.
kred67
December 18th, 2010
1:38 pm
I try to follow the Hawks from Massachusetts, so forgive me if I’m asking something which is common knowledge down South. What’s going on with our rookie, Jordan Crawford? It’s bad enough that Drew won’t play him with all of our injured guards, but it’s even more mysterious that he’s not even dressed out. Any insight would be appreciated.
Cooley High
December 18th, 2010
1:47 pm
The reason Hawks attendance is down has 0 to do with Josh Smith. Hawks attendance is down because the educated fans know that this team is not going up but down with Sunds dogmatic approach of trying to win a championship with out a center. It aint happening.
Fans dont come out or care because you aint fooling us with horford as your center. The hawks did not advance because we dont have the strength in the post to compete in the half court style of championship play. The hawks did not address this clear weakness and the fans are making it known by not showing up.
Yes, people love Josh’s attacking the rim, and defensive superiority, but JJ and josh cant win if we dont have a center to anchor the defense. No offense to Al but we dont need his 20-footers but need him to play with his back to the rim and block the basket. Thats how you win championships. Not rolling out the red carpet to the basket.
Thats why attendance is down.
Atlanta Hawks, AKA THE GREAT PRETENDERS.
Cooley High
December 18th, 2010
1:54 pm
Its stupid to pick on Bibby whose in the last year of his contract and probably his career. Funny, even in his twilight he better than Teague. Just so you know how weak Turnover Teague is.
Shaq refused to come here to back up Horford. I can see his point.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
HaHaHa – Josh is playing 5.37% less mpg than last season. His rebounds are down accordingly. His Assists are down 9.53% per game. My point is that it has been assumed by some on this blog that Josh has upped his game somewhat this season. This analysis shows his game is actually rather flat compared to last season to this point.
Also, Josh is taking .6 more shots per game, but still only making the same # of shots per game, hence his shot selection is worse, as is his FG% (From 50.5 to 48.3). He is also making it to the foul line significantly less ( 3.8 times per game this season, compared to 5.2 times per game last season).
I know he’s been playing more 3 than normal, but again, his game has not picked up in other areas to show that, besides his 3 point shooting %.
I like Josh, but he’s not playing significantly better this season than last it appears to me.
Josh’s last year PER 21.0. This season 20.6. And yes, I know the inaccuracies of per, but it is pretty useful as well.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
1:58 pm
Cooley High – Bibby has 1 more season left after this year at 6.237 mill. (’011-’012).
Section 303
December 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
SteveW, don’t waste your time responding to Hahahah…the guy is just an a$$hole trying to get people’s attention. Ignore him. Put him in the corner. He will go away.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
Kred67 – We have JJ, Jamal, Mo’, Marvin, and Wilkens (and occasionally JT) all playing the 2 spot. He’s ok, but a work in progress. But he’s basically got so many vets in front of him, he’s not playing much.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
Section 303 – Thanks
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
2:02 pm
LOL….LOL Josh Childress Benched…for all you “GRASS IS GREENER” people. 5yr 35mil player riding the PINE.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/12/17/20101217phoenix-suns-josh-childress-benching.html
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
2:03 pm
I wonder who the Magic would give up for Arenas? Maybe Bass and a 1st pick? I’m not sure.
ryan
December 18th, 2010
2:08 pm
Gerald Wallace and Tyrus Thomas who Hawks should look at .
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
2:09 pm
Here is a question for everyone. Not for trade purposes just discussion.
Would you rather have Jamal Crawford or Vince Carter?
ryan
December 18th, 2010
2:13 pm
Forget Mello but i think Hawks can get decent big men or PG with few teams trying to dump salary .
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
2:13 pm
How about Mo’ and our trade exception for Josh Childress? Throw in Etan, the Suns need a PF. Ok, give the Suns a couple of 2nd picks as well to sweeten the deal.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
2:14 pm
Ramon – at this point in their career it’s a close call, but give me Jamal. 5 years ago Vince and it’s not close.
Just the facts ma'am
December 18th, 2010
2:16 pm
The hawks are # 18 overall offensively, down 3 places from last years team which was tied with the world champion lakers at 15th
The hawks are near the bottom overall defensively at number 23.
What is strange is the hawks were near the bottom last year defensively yet signed a coach to bring in the, drum roll please, Princeton offense.LOL.
So this year the offense is worse and the defensive is still terrible. Imagine how bad the defense would be if Josh wasn’t here.
For those of you who want point guard, Atlanta is a + 2.68 in assist which means ball movement is not a problem.
Defense is .
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
2:22 pm
Its hard seeing Felton go crazy in NYK and not thinking that the Hawks could’ve made a push to sign him but didn’t. His speed from end to end has to be among the top in the league. Could you imagine him playing along side Joe, Josh, and Al? Bibby couldn’t truly push a fast break even if he wanted to, because he doesn’t have the speed anymore. Bibby’s best fast breaks are the half court lob passes to Josh. Think about it, when was the last time you saw Bibby lead a fast break end to end like other young pgs in the league. That could be the reason why Josh and Al doesn’t always give up the ball to Bibby at first.
I really think Houston would trade Brooks for a package if it included Zaza. That’s how weak they are at C now.
I could see Houston agreeing to:
Houston Gets:
Bibby
Zaza
Mo Evans
Atlanta gets:
Battier
Aaron Brooks
Hahahaha
December 18th, 2010
2:24 pm
“I like Josh, but he’s not playing significantly better this season than last it appears to me.”
Hes not playing worse, he playing good like he always does. Youve got me scratching my head trying to get some substance out of your point.
“Josh’s last year PER 21.0. This season 20.6. And yes, I know the inaccuracies of per, but it is pretty useful as well.”
Were talking .4 here… Help me out, Im sure there’s something to gain here but 21.0 and 20.6 are pretty much the same. In fact in school a 3.96 gets the same A and magma cum Laude As a 4.0.
Josh is a stud, dude. Who plays defense.
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
2:25 pm
Steve, I just looked at the salaries, and Vince makes 7 mil more, lol. Not even close. But as far as players. For the Hawks, I may would say Vince. Because he can play the 2 and 3. And believe it or not, Vince would actually sell tickets in Atlanta, more than Jamal. And I like the way Vince plays (when he wants to lol) and draws fouls. Nevermind, I just talked myself out of Vince, lol.
Vince was the one person in league history who was just as talented as Kobe Bryant physically, if not more. He could’ve done anything he wanted to in the league. But he didn’t have the desire. If Vince had Kobe’s drive. Vince would have 2 or 3 rings right now.
ReddJonn68
December 18th, 2010
2:29 pm
I’ve had it with this team, the Magic are losing so they are doing every thing in their power to improve that team. Hell I wish we could find a GM with some guts,even with Joe this team is not strong enough to compete for an Eastern conference title. This organization is just going thru the motions, they are not trying to give true Hawks fans a better product. I just sick of just watching teams pass us by, I’ve had it. I love all Atlanta teams, but I refuse to wear or buy anymore Hawks merchandise until they try to improve our squad!
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
2:33 pm
Childress is HURT right now
LOL @ Orlando and their payroll. They have 25M more invested in their players and are DESPERATE to get better.
Sund and ASG have this illusion that this “core” will compete. Well, Sund just wants to be a top 4 team which I believe is impossible if we finish 3rd in our division
INCREASE THE DAMN PAYROLL AND MAKE SOME TRADES
HOW DO U HAVE 7 OWNERS YET CAN’T EVEN GO INTO THE LT.
THEY SAID THEY’D GO INTO THE LT FOR THE RIGHT PLAYER.
SO TRADE FOR A PG AND TAKE ON THE EXTRA SALARY
GOD
Just the facts ma'am
December 18th, 2010
2:34 pm
As far as assists go, only Dallas, San Antonio and Boston are rated higher. Boston, by the way double Atlanta, Dallas and San Antonio with a +7.44.
Distributing the ball is not the hawks problem and fast breaks dont happen in the half court style of the championship rounds. Bibby is adequate
Defense under the basket is much more significant.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
2:35 pm
LOL @ Orlando desperate to please Dwight. This is the guy who can’t even make a free throw. How are you a max player and can’t make FREE throws? Pathetic
Just the facts ma'am
December 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
And CAPS dont prove your point.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
PACKAGE MARVIN AND BIBBY FOR THE BEST PG AVAILABLE
TRADE MO FOR A DRAFT PICK IF U NEED CAP RELIEF
MAKE CHANGES
WE DO NOT NEED A CENTER. THERE ARE LESS THEN 7 GOOD CENTERS IN THIS LEAGUE FOR AL TO WORRY ABOUT (ONE OF THEM, ROY HIBBERT, HE DESTROYS)
GET A POINT GUARD ALREADY
DON’T TRUST THIS TEAGUE EXPERIMENT. HE IS STILL TIMID AND DISLIKES SHOOTING
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
@Just the facts ma’am
.
Josh smith isn’t the same player he was last year, STEVEW has pointed that out nicely. Last year Josh was a very active defensive force for most of the year, this year he hasn’t been the same person…..WE NEED THE OLD JOSH BACK!
Just the facts ma'am
December 18th, 2010
2:38 pm
Ill bet altanta would love to have Howard and would max him out as would any team who understands the importance of low post play. Who cares about free throws. You guys aint getting to the rim so you better hit your jump shots.
ReddJonn68
December 18th, 2010
2:40 pm
Right on JeJe! No pun intended. It would be a hell of a lot better if Sund & those idiots up top, were even making an effort & just shopping around to see what we could get!
F—ING MORONS
Just the facts ma'am
December 18th, 2010
2:41 pm
Last year Josh was # 1 shot blocking powerforward in the game… this year….Josh is @# 1 shot blocking forward in the game and # 7 over all.
can you add some facts with your opinions?
ReddJonn68
December 18th, 2010
2:43 pm
So JeJe are you actually saying that if Dwight Howard were on our team, that you wouldn’t do everything in your power to please him & keep those seats filled LOL!
ReddJonn68
December 18th, 2010
2:50 pm
Well the trade is official
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
2:50 pm
Jsmoove…. it isn’t his numbers, it’s his presence. Last year he was a defensive players 1st….this year, I am not so sure.
northcyde
December 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
Uh Oh
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5932861
And they’re still talking to Washington about Arenas by trading Rashard Lewis? Like I said in the summer, this is a nuclear arms race in the Eastern Conference.
And keep your eyes on the Knicks. They still have some tough games left. If it is obvious to them that they can’t beat the top level teams, they’ll make that move for Melo, by trading the big expiring contract of Eddy Curry, Gallanari, and probably someone else.
The trio of Amare, Melo, and Felton is NOT what we want to see in the East. And if Orlando can finish their moves, this is their potential new lineup
PG – Nelson
G – Arenas
F – Richardson
F – Turkolgu
C – Howard
( or they start someone like Bass, and bring Hedo off the bench )
Orlando, if they can accomplish that, aren’t playing around one bit. And they once again become a major problem in the East.
Phoenix has officially given up on the season. If there is ever a time to make a move to get Steve Nash, it is right now. Do it before someone else does. If there is interest in Jamal or Marvin, you look to move one or both of them, if it will bring back an all-star player.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
Orlando just got a lot better – Richardson, Turkoglo and Clark. They gave up Vince, Gortat, an Peitrus, and a 1st pick
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:04 pm
And they’re about to get Arenas for Rashard Lewis.
Grandad
December 18th, 2010
3:08 pm
Spurs = original black uniforms.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:09 pm
Ramon – Yep, at this point in their careers, I still say give me Jamal. If Vince sells tickets to ATL fans at this point, besides going to see him to say you saw him in a Hawks uni’, that’s sad. He’s going down hill fast, and the last thing we need is another player with no heart. And Vince has no heart recently that I’ve seen. But probably still a HOF’er on stats alone. And what a player 5-10 years ago!
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:13 pm
Northcyde – I think Bass and bring Hedo off the bench. The Suns said Hedo was not a 4, at least in their offense. A frontline of Bass and Howard – those are beasts, and they’re young. That’s a tough frontline. Losing Gortat will hurt them more than they think however.
And the Magic better win quick, because I think Arenas’ best days are behind him. Richardson still has 2 or 3 prime years left on the other hand.
BTW, now the Magic can score, but losing Barnes and Pietrus will severely hurt their perimeter defense.
Grandad
December 18th, 2010
3:14 pm
Hawk Priorities:
(1) Shane battier
(2) Marcus Camby
Why?
Because they are available !
Grandad
December 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
*I forgot one:
A really good perimeter shooter. [shot-maker]
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
WHY IS AJC EATING MY POSTS
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
3:20 pm
SteveW, you’re right about losing Barnes and Pietrus, but if Hedo is fresh, he can cause major problems. My post that GOT EATEN BY AJC stated just that
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:22 pm
I know the Magic are dumping a couple of really bad salaries (Vince 17.3 mill. expiring; Lewis owed like 65 m in the next 3 years, that’s a stinker!), but they’re also: Getting a terrible contract in Hedo, and Richardson becomes a FA after this season, no there’s no gurantee they keep him. And Richardson has career numbers comparable to JJ. It will take a big deal to keep him.
And Arenas Contract is worse than Lewis’s – His is a year longer at about the same money. And with a new CBA coming up….Wow. The Magic are in a contract hole they may never dig out of.
SteveW
December 18th, 2010
3:23 pm
Or at least take a long time to dig out of….