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
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
3:24 pm
SteveW
I read a few days ago that when ORL gave Shard that contract, they figured it showed they were committed to him and that if they won a ring, it wouldn’t matter how big the contract was.
Seems like everyone on ORL besides O.Smith is against adding Arenas though
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
3:25 pm
ORL does seem a bit short at the 3 now. No one around 6″9 besides Hedo. I guess they’re like us. Half our roster is 6″5
cp
December 18th, 2010
3:35 pm
Orlando wants to win now. They have to keep Dwight happy or he probably walks. They were discussing this on ESPN the other day…..The Steve Nash being available rumors have been out there for a while now. This might be the perfect time for the Hawks to jump on that. The Suns probably want expiring contracts and a first. The Knicks want Melo and if they do decide to trade their young talent to get him then the East is even tougher. Maybe a few deals will force Sund to finally act on something.
ryan
December 18th, 2010
3:44 pm
The Hawks have to do something Heat are much better Orlando just got stronger Knicks are a lot better these players don’t seem to buying into Larry Drew right now we have some expiring contracts that teams want Sund do something .
drmaryb (*_*)
December 18th, 2010
3:49 pm
Bloginator
Can’t keep up with 100 posts per day and not eat some. It’s the law of averages.
Does the CAPOLOGIST have a job? Or does it live in it’s Mama’s basement and eat ràt cheese all day?
____________________________
SteveW said:
“I wonder who the Magic would give up for Arenas? Maybe Bass and a 1st pick? I’m not sure.”
- Breaking News just said Rashard Lewis for Gilbert Arenas is the offer, their salaries are identical.
________________________________
.
ryan said:
“Gerald Wallace and Tyrus Thomas who Hawks should look at .”
- word on the street is Thomas is untouchable. MJ is shopping Wallace and Captain Jack only. Does it seem odd, Wallace didn’t play lasrt night (ankle? Or ego?), also, did you notice Jackson took himself out for almost the whole game with elbow pain, buþ came back at the end? (Elbow or Ego?).
Being shooped. Maybe Jamal back is hurting because The Hawks phones are lighting up like a X-Mas Tree to for feelers on Jamal’s availability too?
Maybe, his Agent is telling him this, since we NEVER hear any Hawks Trade Leaks!
Why is it we NEVER hear The Hawks making any noise when we are clearly in the midst of a Trade T ornado? Do we even care to fix our glaring holes on our own roster. Can’t we see all the teams around us improving or at least trying to make a Championship Run? Is our core really so untouchable and why?
ryan
December 18th, 2010
3:55 pm
Agree drmaryb (*_*) its good see Joe back but i don’t know if it going to be enough .
drmaryb (*_*)
December 18th, 2010
3:56 pm
MC
Are you hearing NeThing in the rumor mill Hawks Wise?
Does ASKG really their core that much and why?
NeOne notice Marvin plays hard when he fears being traded, then back to invisibility?
Aye Sund! R U still on vacation? If so, why send 2 Men & A Truck to vacate your office and pick up your hard drive?
drmaryb (*_*)
December 18th, 2010
3:59 pm
Sund!
My bad, rumor has it you don’t use computers or stats to make any assessments. Then what is your data source for trades? Gut feelings and familiarity?
It was not a bad pick
December 18th, 2010
4:06 pm
The Hawks do not need a trade..Its time to unleash Marvin as the 2nd option behind Joe Max….It would be like making a big trade without even making one..last night 12 shots got you 16 and 8 .also good D….Keep feeding this monster..Hedo? Marvin will destroy this dude ….continue to play Collins and ZaZa more and more…teague is coming along also…
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
4:10 pm
The Magic are now the Warriors with D12…..
I think the Just got worse, because SIZE, TOUGHNESS MATTER and 7′0 gortat and 6′11 lewis will be missed
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:12 pm
LOL @ drmaryb.
Sund is still on vacation.
We are a lock for top 5 in the East most likely – that will suffice for Sund.
I would like to hear from one of our beat writer(s) if the ASG/Sund are shopping anyone.
Bibby + marvin for MONTA ELLIS
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:15 pm
Rufus,
The East is so bad that Orlando will no way finish below 3 seed or 4 seed. CHI and ATL prob can’t beat them in a series, meaning they got Hedo for LeBron and Dwight may be able to beat up on Boston’s old bigs.
My biggest hope now is these new guys have delays in their physicals (like Vujacic/T.Williams the last few days) and WON’T play Monday night. LOL we’ll hear SVG and Dwhine whining again about losing to us
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:16 pm
The Rashard/Arenas trade seems dumb. Rich and Hedo are very solid additions. I would’ve tried add in cash or another player to try get Javale or Blatche (less likely)
Tyger
December 18th, 2010
4:21 pm
Still don’t like Teague…
Yes, he’s getting more playing time, that’s a positive. And it is unfair to evaluate these guys before they’ve actually been given a chance but I still just don’t like Teague. Yes, he’s playing better; but is going from horrible to bad, an improvement?
Why is he playing better? He’s being given minutes first of all. Second, he has young legs, decent handles, and a willingness to defend, i.e. hustle. That’s all positive, but a 1st rd. pick has to have more than young legs and hustle; otherwise, he’s just Mario West.
My problems:
1. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers – most of the time, he still looks lost. Now, with enough minutes the light bulb could go off and suddenly he may “get it”, but right now, I haven’t seen the huge upswing from Year 1 to Year 2. Mentally, he still hasn’t turned the corner and time is ticking.
2. Shot mechanics are just bad – I’m surprised he can get the ball to go in at all. He’ll never be a prolific outside shooter, so defenders aren’t threatened and will just clog the paint. Moreover, with the ball in his hands so much, he should be a deadly FT shooter as well, but not.
3. Comparisons: Rajon Rondo – drafted about the same place in the 1st rd, neither a prolific shooter, both very athletic players, but Rondo has turned the corner and become an elite PG, despite not having a great jumper. Surely, having 3 HOF players and a HOF coach helps, but Teague isnt surrounded by cat litter either.
4. Managerial error: Hawks have not been able to solidify the PG position internally since Mookie Blaylock. Mike Bibby was/is a stop-gap, but its too late for Bibby, his heart is there, but his legs are gone. AC Law/Salim weren’t given fair opportunities…which bodes well for Teague. They are really going to give him a chance to step up his play, but my guess is he just doesn’t have the tools. He may be a decent player eventually, but I don’t think he will be as lucky as Mike Conley and get that second big deal here in ATL.
northcyde
December 18th, 2010
4:23 pm
Jeje . . who would you rather pay 40+ mill to? Arenas or Lewis?
At least Arenas has the capability to play at an all-star level. Rashard is arguably only slightly better than Marvin.
@ it was not a bad pick . . . lol, damn that. Marvin has had 6 years to assume that role. I’m not a Marvin basher, but if I could ship him out to Phoenix and bring back Nash, I’m not even blinking to make that deal.
Matter of fact . . . Marvin+ Teague for Nash.
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
4:34 pm
@JeJe
I think you are giving them too much credit…They won’t be able to defend or reboud with this new team. The loss of Gortat will be HUGE.
They will be better offensive team, but their defense will implode. They traded for 2 defensively challenged 6′3 SG in the east with Dwade, JJ, Allen and Grainger….they are going to get killed.
For those “ragging” on Sund about being a GM, Otis Smith just got robbed by the Suns. He took on an additional 23mil, gave-up a starting caliber center, 1st round pick and CASH, to get a lot shorter and weaker on defense….and that is just one of the deals. The 2nd deal is just as BAD
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:44 pm
I feel bad for Nash.
One of the best guys in the NBA and now all his buddies from the years are gone (Raja, Diaw, Amar’e, J.Rich.)
We REALLY need a PG
Northcyde, I wouldn’t take either. It does seem Arenas is finally healthy though. It’s funny because he left like 10M+ on the table to stay with the Wiz (paycut) but it never worked out.
I really would like an update on what Sund/ASG are doing. There are so many starting PGs out there.
Jamal, Marvin, Bibby, Mo, draft picks (we don’t need more skinny 20 year olds).
Trade 2 of the above 3 for a PG!!!!!!
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:46 pm
Rufus,
I agree with what you’re saying, but like I said, ORL is a lock for at least the 2nd round. No one can contain Dwight – if he could actually shoot FTs they’d be that much more powerful.
J Rich is explosive and Hedo can guard LBJ. This team is loaded with lethal 3pt shooters ALL over. Hell, I think any guy on the team not named Dwight and Bass could go for five 3s in a game. Losing Pietrus sucks but he didn’t seem to do much this year.
I don’t feel like we’re far off. I just cringe every time I see Bibby in at the end. Besides shooting, he does NOTHING for this team. I don’t even think he’s thrown one alleyoop this year
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
4:48 pm
The sad part of all of this is, now Sund will say with all of the top teams making moves, this is even a better chance to stand pat, because it will show familiarity and good team chemistry, lol. Its a lose/lose situation. Sund forgets in Detroit, every piece they had, they traded for with the exception of Prince.
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
4:49 pm
Jeje he just threw an ally oop to Horford last night. lol
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:50 pm
Even if ORL took on contracts, they got rid of a career Loser (pun intended) in Vince. I just don’t think Gortat was a good fit in ORL with Dwight so young and getting minutes. They do need a backup center though. Maybe they go get a veteran minimum contract (are you allowed to sign someone to vet min if in the LT/over cap?)
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:50 pm
LOL Ramon. Sad thing is I was there.
Who cares? He’s still unathletic and sucks
Get a new PG
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
4:53 pm
LOL @ Ramon.
Sund acts like he set the core in place for those Pistons ECF/Finals rosters. I can’t even name who was on his team in Dallas.
Awful GM
Should’ve hired Avery.
My 2 hopes are:
1) Magic players delay their phyiscals
2) Arenas and SVG don’t get along and we can surpass them.
REMEMBER, IF THE HAWKS DON’T WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR, THE #1 GOAL (AS WITH ALL TEAMS NOT IN MIAMI) IS FOR MIAMI TO NOT WIN A RING. YES, I’LL TAKE THOSE PRICKS IN BOSTON OVER MIAMI. GOD I HATE LBJ AND BOSH!!!!!!
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
4:55 pm
JeJe
I agree 100% with the Bibby statement….I know he hits big shots, I don’t know if his defense is worth it.
Rufus1
December 18th, 2010
4:57 pm
I vote Lowry or Bynum from Detroit
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
4:59 pm
Jeje, the Lakers are going to win the ring, so it doesn’t even matter about the rest, lol. And I don’t really see Arenas adapting well to Van Gundy’s in your face type of coaching. Arenas now has to guard Ray Allen, Dwayne Wade, and Joe Johnson in the playoffs FULL TIME. And the Magic no longer have their athletic wing defenders they had in Barnes or Pietrus. So you can only imagine where they’re going to go now, after this trade. I see D12 more likely to live the Magic now, because I do not think they just got better.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
5:01 pm
Steve Nash does have a pretty reasonable contract (10-11M a year).
Could we offer Bibby and Jamal + picks? No way they’d want Marvin with the 32 SFs they already got, but I think they’d want Bibby back in PHX to back up Dragic who is very talented and maybe Jamal as an expiring? Maybe they could add in another player to balance salaries
drmaryb (*_*)
December 18th, 2010
5:07 pm
Demoralized!
After Josh and Al asked for help down low, they got Nothing! They must be watching ALL the Eastern teams getting better and making moves and saying,
“Why Not Us?”
If I were them, I would take some nights off too.
Even if the Magic don’t win? At least they tried.
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
5:08 pm
One thing I am concerned about is playing Boston with Shaq starting or Miami in general.
So if we are going against Shaq or Ilgauskas at C, the natural thing is to start Collins. But both teams have KG and Bosh at PF, and you would naturally want Josh’s athleticism to guard them, rather than Horford (who would do better on a Brandon Bass or Boozer most likely).
So what they hell do you do in this scenario?
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
5:10 pm
Maybe Arenas comes off bench (LOL @ 18M coming off bench) and plays combo guard next to Duhon. The team just has way too many SGs..Redick and QRich who is only like 6″5 will both see weird minutes nightly I bet
ANYONE BUT MIAMI
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
5:11 pm
Hell, I’d offer Smoove in a package for Nash if we could get a healthy Robin Lopez here.
IDK WTF Smoove has been doing these last few games. He has these big triple doubles then he just goes haywire. His awful games are comparable to Marvin’s. Smoove has awful games, Marvin has invisible ones. Not quite sure which I prefer
JeJe
December 18th, 2010
5:13 pm
Exactly, drmaryb.
Orlando has 90M+ Invested in players. That’s a ton in the LT, but they are TRYING.
Sund has NOT made one move with the core besides his solid Jamal trade. WTF? We have been SWEPT in the 2nd round twice in a row and no one on this team really improves from year to year besides Horford and Teague (who is such a trivial player most of the team that he doesn’t count)
MannyT
December 18th, 2010
5:19 pm
Don’t get what all y’all are worried about–Sund added D Wilkins to team this month w/o giving up ANY of his core players. My bad, no time warp, wrong Wilkins
I doubt Gilbert starts in Orlando if Jameer is healthy. Maybe in the future, but he won’t know the offense well enough to start. His best asset to playing time is Hedo. When you have a legit point forward, you can have a shoot first PG.
Moving Lewis frees playing time for more productive PFs (Bass & Anderson).
@JeJe – You can always sign someone for the minimum if you have a roster slot available. Otherwise Miami would have about 7 guys on that squad.
@drmaryb – Isn’t the Hawks capologist the person that opens the bottles & keeps up with the caps at the bar near Taco Mac
Time to go watch the Thrashers. As much as Hawks fans complain about not making deals, the thrashers just about turned over the entire squad since Kolvy left…and they are winning.
Samuel
December 18th, 2010
5:24 pm
Hedo can guard LBJ. LOL!!
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:24 pm
just saw the Magic trade…SMDH
now we need this trade
Hawks get Carmelo Anthony
Nuggets get Mike Bibby & Tayshaun Prince
Pistons get Zaza Pachulia & Marvin Williams
lets get it
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
5:26 pm
Jeje are you serious? Lopez is a cancer to a team. I wouldn’t even offer Josh or Al for the good Lopez out of the twins, lol. The only teams in the playoffs you have to worry about size is Boston and Orlando (and only with D12 now in Orlando). You don’t trade a regular player who’s one of your best players for a situational player. If the Hawks start running like they say they want to, the roster will be fine.
Sautee
December 18th, 2010
5:27 pm
Tyger,
I’m not totally sold on Teague myself, but about the turnovers, you are just mistaken.
His assist to turnover ratio is 2.48:1 which is better than Devin Harris, Brandon Jennings, Rodney Stuckey, and Mo Williams and just a tick behind Raymond Felton (2.5:1).
And THAT is your number one problem with Teague? Maybe he’s better than you think.
Perception is not always reality.
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
5:27 pm
Here goes a sensible trade for everyone involved (Grandad how you like this one)…
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=28rcw5h
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:28 pm
Chris Paul for Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby and the next 10 years worth of 1st round picks and trade exception
let’s make it happen
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
5:29 pm
Hawks get:
A. Brooks
S. Battier
K. Martin
C. Hayes
Rockets get:
J. Crawford
Z. Pachulia
M. Bibby
M. Evans
Tyrone
December 18th, 2010
5:30 pm
Just heard from my cousin BooBoo – Phoenix wants to dump Josh Childress and his salary. Word is they want Jamal’s scoring and expiring contract, Bibby, a state Hero, and the Hawks first pick for Steve Nash and take Josh Childress, please! Apparently, they are rebuliding and want number picks. Currently, they have 2, theirs and Orlando’s.
Sund, you are on the clock!
Jae Evolution
December 18th, 2010
5:31 pm
I think J-Rich is going to EXPLODE playing for Orlando…
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:31 pm
Andre Iguodala for Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia
If friggin the two worst contracts in the league can be moved we can make something happen
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:32 pm
STeve Nash & Josh Childress for Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford and a 1st rounder
lets get it done…we need some hope around here
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:34 pm
Hawks cannot acquire Josh Childress because they traded him already this year according to Trade Machine
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:35 pm
Jamal Crawford & Mike Bibby for Steve Nash & Grant Hill…
lets make it happen
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
5:36 pm
Could Joe have rushed back, because Sund IS getting ready to trade Jamal and/or Bibby?
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:37 pm
Marcus Camby & Andre Miller for Mike Bibby & Jamal Crawford
on paper this is a great trade…two productive vets at the positions we desperately need
Sautee
December 18th, 2010
5:41 pm
Tyrone those nimbers don’t even come CLOSE to working out. LOL!
Got any more of what BooBoo is smoking?
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
5:41 pm
Marvin Williams & Mo Evans for Gerald Wallace