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
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
11:23 pm
Jeje, just proof that Josh is looked at as an all star caliber player by other teams and GMs.
Section 303
December 18th, 2010
11:23 pm
Just put on the T-wolves/Nuggets game…39-points for Love, so far. And, just after I turned it on, he hit a three.
Geemack
December 18th, 2010
11:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
Blog monster acting crazy tonight.
bigdave
December 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
im no Kevin Love fan, im not even sure what makes him “smarter” than Josh.. but 43 and 17 is insane.. plum ignorant.
Ramon
December 18th, 2010
11:36 pm
Section 303, Love has 43 points but still a +/- of -6, and Sheldin Williams is guarding him tonight. I don’t think that is that impressive. And Harrington is on the way to scoring 20 points on Love off of the bench.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 18th, 2010
11:40 pm
“LOL @ Najeh thinking we’d get a Carmelo-caliber player for Josh Smith. No one outside of Atlanta cares for Smoove’s game, besides his shot-blocking. His offensive game is a damn trainwreck.”
Smoove, Jamal, and draft picks easily trumps Favors + draft picks, which so far is what New Jersey has offered Denver. Try not to let your personal vendettas blind your ability to evaluate players. Smoove is a borderline All Star, plain and simple.
Grandad
December 18th, 2010
11:44 pm
Ramon;
(+/-) involves four other players any way you slice it.
Actually nine other players, due to whomever is on the court
for the other team.
It is an individual stat within a team achievement.
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
11:50 pm
Josh Smith for Kevin Love is just a stupid idea especially since Love’s been dominated in head to head matchups against Smith.
Love can only play one position..
Josh Smith is a point forward and the 2nd best shot blocker in the league as well as the best help defender in the league. He fills the stat sheet efficiently and consistently.
I don’t get you people saying he doesn’t bring it every night because that is a fallacy…he disappeared against only Boston (Both times) this year. IDK the reason for that because he usually plays well against them but this year he’s struggled against them. Other than those two games he’s played at an All Star level easily.
Yes he still has temper tantrums but they are fewer and don’t last as long as they used to. He’s not perfect (if he had a level head he’d be LeBron James esque). Truth is that Josh Smith can change the tide of a game in just a few possessions whether it’s an energy play or block…or if he’s pouting and whining to the refs jogging back on defense.
I think what he really needs is a mentor because he came straight from high school and hasn’t really played with any real impact veterans nor a strong head coach and basically doesn’t know HOW to win
YoDaddy
December 18th, 2010
11:59 pm
I also wouldn’t take anything less than a Carmelo type presence for Josh SMith…at the very least another all star just below superstar status.
However most of those types play on the wing. We have a top 4 center (Al). We already have a top 3 SG…that leaves PG and no team is giving up their PG (Rose, Rondo, DWill, Westbrook, Curry, etc.) so there’s basically nothing to trade him for that would make the team better. At SF LBJ, Carmelo then cut the deck…LBJ is locked up…Carmelo available but won’t extend with the Hawks. That leaves Josh Smith on the Hawks until he becomes a free agent.
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
12:02 am
Grandad you’re right. But Love averaging 0.48 blocks per game, and 0.5 steals per game, aren’t exactly screaming ready for playoff basketball.
Grandad
December 19th, 2010
12:20 am
Ramon
I’m not arguing either way.
I only posed the question.
As a Coach, I would prefer K.Love.
Although he would need to be surrounded by four stout defenders.
Plus, I consider rebounding an extension of defense.
Also I “feel” as if Al & Love would have good chem.
Having said all that;
Josh fills the stats every night.
I think Josh plays with great emotion which is contagious.
Each has a strong suit !
K.love will most likely have a longer career due to playing
on the floor and not in the air.
Landings add up. [knees]
Josh is a home town man. Let’s give him the nod.
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
12:20 am
Ramon, Sheldon Williams did not play a second of the game while I was watching.
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
12:21 am
And…thought of another category where Love has an edge on Josh…free throws. Makes the score 6-4-1 in favor of Love.
Rod from College Park
December 19th, 2010
12:21 am
“ROD FROM CP-You seem to have serious issues with comprehension, or you just love making yourself appear to be a victim. I said, “I CAN REMEMBER EITHER SAMUEL OR ROD FROM CP”. “EITHER” means ONE OR THE OTHER, NOT BOTH. If you didn’t say it, then COMMON SENSE should have told you I wasn’t referring to you.
WHY WAS THAT SO HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND?”
According to a previous post by YOU, YOU stated that all I ever do is post about Marvin Williams, so why now would you think I would be posting about Vince Carter, Orlando, and Hedo? My name should not have been one of the EITHERS. No one else on this blog would confuse me ans Samuel, but you. I wonder why???
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
12:22 am
@ryan
“Miami and Orlando trying to out do each other if Sund does nothing than i will say he should be fired .”
RICK SUND=BILLY KNIGHT
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
12:25 am
“Josh Smith is a point forward”
Josh Smith would fumble two double D’s with his middle school handle..”Joke”. Not…….
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
12:27 am
JOSH SMITH FOR KEVIN LOVE!!!!
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
12:30 am
Section, Sheldin played 25 minutes tonight.
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
12:37 am
“Smoove is a borderline All Star, plain and simple.”
Borderline does not impress due to his lack of scoring abilities, cant finger roll,no fade away,no turn around jump shot, no bank shot, no floater.must I go on??? In his mind he’s somebody else on the offensive end. Then the 4th quarter comes along and reality sets in against the top ten defensive teams and he becomes a major liability..Shop his butt asap……
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
12:38 am
Grandad, seriously, in just about on any team I would take Josh. I guess I’m just one who believes Josh has yet to really have that kind of coaching. I can only imagine what Pop, Sloan, Phil, Rivers, Hubie, Van Gundy, and a few others would do with Josh. We all agree we still haven’t seen Josh used in a way that we think takes full advantage of his abilities the most. This season while his jumper is improved. It seems we see him on LESS back door screens at the rim than we did last season.
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
12:41 am
JS has a set shot not a true jump shot….That’s high school stuff.. Not impressive at all…
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
12:47 am
Grandad, I will say this. I may would take Kevin Love over Horford!
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
12:54 am
Think about a line up of PG, Joe, Josh, Love, Camby.
Carlos
December 19th, 2010
7:27 am
I agree with slimjr. ATL bloggers seem to think J. Smith just has so much talent. The dude is athletic and he can jump, therefore he can dunk and block shots. He can pass pretty good too. That’s about the only positives.
-He cant dribble
-His jump shot is improved but not reliable
-He cant operate in the post on offense.
-He takes wild shots.
-He’s not a lock down on-ball defended he just blocks shot
-Worst of all, despite his liabilities, he still tries to force himself to be something he’s not on offense. EVERY GAME.
The man is closer to being a BUM than an real star. Get him outta here!!!!
dap01
December 19th, 2010
8:20 am
Sund, we are tired of the CORE crap. Go get Nash.
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
8:21 am
Josh Smith for Rudy Gay….
slimjr
December 19th, 2010
8:22 am
Marvin for DWILL…
Rev in Tampa
December 19th, 2010
8:31 am
ESPN Accuscore Projections are giving the Hawks no respect. It picks the Nets over the Hawks by 53% to 47%. Its at NJ, but they’ve only won 7 games (one of the seven over the Hawks).
drmaryb (*_*)
December 19th, 2010
8:38 am
The Decision II
(aired on Every Major Network & www)
Look what hell made! LeBron has opened the pearly gates of Basketball Heaven:On Saturday, December 18, 2010, The Real GM’s of Basketball have made an attempt to re-gain control of their teams and have orchestrated a second wave, an after shock of seismic proportions, and has orchestrated a DECISION of their own. In an attempt to show it’s players – Who is really in control!
While RFA’s may control their own destiny, the rest of the players must still pack their bags and families (or not), and relocate to other Basketball Cities when told.
Do You Think?
The shaken GM’s are slightly annoyed that their power, jobs and team roles are under player attack and may become extinct and out-sourced to Super Agents and Player Consultants like the “World Wide Wesley’s” of the under world?
Fellow Bloggers, what do you think about the Saturday Blockbuster Trades
that sent:
Gilbert Arenas – Rashard Lewis
Gortat, Pietrus and Carter – Richardson, Turkologu and Filler Meat
All scrambling to pack their bags and pick up those boarding passes to report to their newly assigned fan bases?
Will Sund likewise Rise-Up and Make some Noise for his Hawks Team, that will show the World Wide Wesley’s and Players that:
He is still, relevant, employed and in charge as well?
That my friends is the Question: To Be or NOT to Be?
“If it is to be – It is up to me!
- Dr. Sid Williams –
Life College of Chiropractic
dap01
December 19th, 2010
8:47 am
The Hawks have a group of likeable, good guys who have some talent. The problem is they do not constitute a team. The seem to have been put together by accident. There has been no plan and yet we have to hear Sund talk about a core.
A collection of power forwards is not a core.
JeJe
December 19th, 2010
8:53 am
“I think what he really needs is a mentor because he came straight from high school and hasn’t really played with any real impact veterans nor a strong head coach and basically doesn’t know HOW to win”
I’ll agree with that.
However, Josh Smith is an athlete, not a basketball player
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
9:30 am
Ramon…does Josh go for 43 and 15 against Sheldon Williams? The answer is no, in case you were wondering.
You’re really reaching here. Stop trying to poke holes in a 43 and 15 game.
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
9:47 am
Section, no Josh would go for 24, 13, 8, 4 blocks, 3 steals against Sheldon Williams or anyone else.
Ramon
December 19th, 2010
9:50 am
Section, Love had a great game statistically, there’s no doubt about that. I just value the defensive side of the ball more than the offensive side.
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
9:50 am
Ramon…no, he wouldn’t. He would do that sometimes…other times he would just go through the motions. That’s what Josh Smith does.
Carlos
December 19th, 2010
9:57 am
Josh Smith is not who most of you all crack him up to be. Several people complain about Marvin’s ppg.
Marvin is shooting 47% from the field. Josh Smith is shooting leaps and bounds better at an amazing clip of 48%.
Marvin on average attempts 8 shots a game. Josh attempts 13. If Marvin took the same amount of shots as Josh on average, then their ppg would be similar.
All this complaining about Marvin and him needing to be replaced by Damien or anybody, and yet nobody points out that even the lowly Josh Powell looks better on offense than Josh “Wild Shot” Smith and shoots over 52% with a better jumper and better moves around the post.
Josh Smith is a CRAP player. Blocked shots and dunks arent going to get us out of the 2nd round, especially when it’s mixed in with questionable bball IQ, constant complaining, and wasted offensive possession of Josh Smith trying to be somebody he’s not.
No, I’m not in love with Marvin’s game. I actually could do without both him and Josh Smith. I’m just pointing out how Josh isnt so great himself.
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
10:17 am
Carlos, he isn’t a crap player. He just needs his a$$ lit on fire more often. You’re getting carried away.
Josh Smith is just one of those players who should have went to college. I would love to see him try and pull one his pouting fits on Tom Izzo. If Josh did it once, and I highly doubt he would have the balls to try, he wouldn’t do it again. A 2-year run in college would have served Josh well.
He is a poster child for why the NBA should make the age requirement be at least 20-years old.
Bo'nesehea
December 19th, 2010
10:23 am
You guys don’t understand the game of basketball. When your team has ineffective point guard play, why are some many people wanting to trade a strength for a strength. A Power Forward for Poward Forward does not make any sense. Search for the best available Point Guard and trade players whose departures will not weaken the team. Marvin, Jamal, Bibby, Maurice Evans, Teague, ZaZa and picks are players who can be traded without demenishing the teams effectiveness.
I thought guys are suppose to understand the NBA game. MEN!
Rod from College Park
December 19th, 2010
10:39 am
Carlos,
Please don’t compare Marvin Williams and Josh Smith in any way. One has heart and the other does not. One guy cares, and the other does not. One guy is timid and the other is not. One guy works on improving his game, and the other does not. One guy had to work to become an elite player, and the other was given elite status, and has not worked hard enough to stay there. One guy is clumsy and goofy, the other guy is freakishly athletic. One guy wants the spotlight, no matter what that means, and the other guy just wants to be in the crowd. These are all unteachable things, you either have them or you don’t. Marvin only attempts 8 shots a game because that is all he wants to shoot. He has been given every opportunity to be a star on this team. One guy is left wide open, and guarded by much smaller players, the other guy is game planned against, and battles much bigger and stronger players on a nightly basis. In case you did not know this, it is much easier to maintain a higher FG% with less shots. Your points about Josh are valid, but please don’t discredit him and compare him to Marvin. Josh reminds me of Micheal Vick when he was in Atlanta. Vick had all the skills, and could have been the best player in the league here, but he had no guidance, no coaching, and he did what he wanted to do. Now in Philly, he is focused, has a great coach and guidance, and you see what has happened. It is up to the Hawks organization to get Josh focused and under control.
Sautee
December 19th, 2010
10:41 am
Grandad,
I see that your suggestion prompted a good night of discussion.
Here’s what I think about pairing Love and Horford:
First, I’m in agreement with Big Ray about them both being closer to 4’s than 5’s.
That said it COULD work with this caveat: You would have to have a shut-down defensive PG, on the lines of Gary Payton or Chauncey Billups in their prime to pair with Joe. This current team allows WAY too much penetration for that pairing to work effectively. Josh indeed does clean up a lot of mistakes by his teammates. And I just don’t see Teague developing into that (Glove) kind of defensive player, though he definitely shows promise on the defensive side.
But with a first rate defender paired with Joe, it could be effective to have both Love and Horford. To me, that’s the ONLY way it works.
Carlos
December 19th, 2010
10:43 am
Marvin Williams and Josh Smith are both scrubs……The Hawks wont ever be an elite team until both are gone.
Marvin plays scared….like a little girl
Josh Smith whines and cries…like a little girl
We dont need any females on this team. They are WNBA players.
“I want winners!!!!”
Section 303
December 19th, 2010
10:51 am
Everyone, Bo’nesehea has come down from up above to pountificate.
Albert Patterson
December 19th, 2010
10:57 am
I have been highly critical of Jeff Teague in the past but over the past few games he has started to show me his talents. He has improved quite a bit with his aggressiveness and if he can work on protecting the ball, I think he can become a star in the NBA.
Jamillion
December 19th, 2010
10:58 am
Don’t know where all the josh smith hate is coming from, you guys are just prejudice & bitchy. Boneshea said it best you trade the trash and get better. The equivalent of what you are requesting is a billy knight move, you guys are so hypocritical.
Sautee
December 19th, 2010
11:00 am
LOL@ Carlos thinking that the player who came in SECOND in voting for Defensive Player of the Year is a scrub.
That’s freakin’ hilarious!
You may hate Josh Smith’s game Carlos, but in NO WAY could any fair appraisal of Smith’s talents come up with “scrub”.
Unless for you any non-All-Star is a “scrub”.
Carlos
December 19th, 2010
11:08 am
Real All-Stars are guys you can surround with other players, and that guy can lead you to having a good/great team.
Josh Smith will never lead a team. He’s a playground player that performs best in those ugly, scrappy games and relies on his athleticism, with almost 0% bball skill.
Too bad that crap isnt going to cut it after the first rd. in the playoff against solid teams.
I cant believe you guys think this dude is an All-Star. You would rather see Josh Smith dunking on the New Jersey Nets than the team beating the Celtics or Heat.
You cant give the ball to Josh and tell him to go get you baskets.
Sautee
December 19th, 2010
11:21 am
Notice, Carlos, that I didn’t say Josh was an All-Star. But to claim that he’s a “scrub” is either pure hate, or a lack of perspective.
So you think Memphis offered 58 million to a “scrub”?
Gimme a freakin’ break..
Ken Strickland
December 19th, 2010
11:23 am
DEFENSE, especially perimeter DEFENSE, is the hawks biggest problem, and anyone who has watched the Hawks, and who knows anything about basketball, should already know that. How in the hell can we expect to improve our perimeter DEF by bringing in SNash, the only PG in the entire NBA that’s an even bigger DEF liability than MBibby.
The Hawks have an offensive system already in place that has allowed the team to score enough PPG to win consistently. So with that in mind, why would anyone suggest we trade for SNash, a 36yr old one dimensional DEF liability.
Common sense should tell anyone that a team doesn’t get measureably better by adding to the problems it already has. If I was going to go after a vet PG, it would be a DEF minded one like CBillups, not a DEF liability like SNash. With the MOTION OFF already in place, we don’t need a dynamic PG like CP3, SNash, DWill, or DRose. We need a PG that can:
1-PLAY SOLID ONE THE BALL PERIMETER DEF,
2-run the OFF, be effective without the ball, and command the respect of strong on court personalitird like JJ, Bibby and Jamal,
3-penetrate and finish,
4-score consistently enough to make opposing PG’s play DEF and make teams pay if they double team.
We don’t need a super star caliber PG to fill those requirements. Like I’ve said before, we need a PG with the combined skills of MBibby and JTeague. I believe that would be a far more realistic goal than constantly day dreaming and engaging in delusional fantasizing about us trading for high profile super stars like CP3, SNash, CAnthony etc.
If JTeague can gain and maintain the confidence and consistent performance level he’s provided over the last 2gms, the Hawks would definitely take a giant leap towards the next level. He would allow us to start every gm with solid DEF and the ability to push the ball and maintain an uptempo OFF. Bibby would provide us with solid perimeter scoring when needed off the bench.
Idiot are rampant
December 19th, 2010
11:31 am
“DEFENSE, especially perimeter DEFENSE”
The hawks aren’t losing games from the perimeter. Nobody’s killing us with bombs from the arc. The hawks are getting killed just like last year….in the paint and particularly under the basket, so badly that Al Horford is begging to be removed from the post and is now playing a perimeter game.
Stop the bleeding
get a center