Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 91, Magic 81
Al and Co. made Dwight work for his. (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)
- You can put asterisks next to this W and the one at Orlando if you want. The Magic were without Jameer and just getting over the flu (a fact they were sure to remind everyone) for that Dec. 6 game. This time they sent out three rotation players who hadn’t even practiced with the team yet.
- “We caught them at the right time,” J.J. said. “They’ve got new guys who haven’t gotten acclimated. They were a little vulnerable and we took advantage.”
- With that out of the way, let’s acknowledge that the Hawks gave a good effort tonight and have seemed to figure out a plan for dealing with their arch-nemesis. “To be successful against them we’ve obviously got to be physical with Dwight,” Twin said. “We’ve got a lot of big guys on this team and we’ve got to use our fouls against him.”
- I was as skeptical as anyone when the Hawks re-signed Twin and said Woody should have played him more so he’d be ready to do battle Dwight. Got to admit that in three games he’s done a competent job bodying up to Dwight and making him shoot over him. He lacks mobility and hops but he’s smart and stout.
- “Any time you have to battle Dwight straight up, you don’t see many guys who can do that,” L.D. said. “He’s not a defensive stopper by any stretch of the imagination but he makes him work, he makes him earn it. He plays him with a physicality. That’s what we need.”
- Twin’s play against Dwight does two good things for the Hawks. One, it means they don’t have to scramble so much off of double teams and weaken their already suspect perimeter defense.
- Two, it allows Al to get some space to do work off the dribble, shake free for perimeter shots and not get worn down ( or in foul trouble) from leaning on Dwight.
- Dwight had 19 points on 14 shots but six turnovers. He started spending a lot of his time griping at the refs, always a good sign for his opponents.
- “Hats off to the bigs,” Smoove said. “Zaza came in, Etan and, number one, Jason Collins came in and played big minutes and just did whatever it took to frustrate Dwight.”
- Zaza played 11 (foul-shortened) minutes and had seven rebounds and a physical presence around the rim. Josh Powell, who usually does not provide that kind of tenacity or rebounding, got a DNC-CD.
- Fantastic line for Al: 24 points 10 for 15, 11 rebounds, four assists, no turnovers. He was equally effective with moves to the basket and the usual pick-and-pops.
- That fourth quarter was the textbook for how Marvin can help this team. The Magic used a small lineup for much of the period and Marvin collected five of their nine missed shots. He waited on the wings for the ball to swing to him and made open shots and also earned five free-throw attempts.
- Jameer predictably got by Bibby a few times but Bibby did a good job of at least making him go to where there was help. This was another game where Bibby more than offset his defensive deficiencies with his shotmaking. He got the Hawks going in the third quarter.
- It’s clear that Joe is going to play the same way whether he’s rusty or not. He forced a few shots and had five turnovers.
- Orlando’s newcomers combined for 27 points while making 6 of 23 shots. “Tonight the adjustment wasn’t so much on the offensive end but our defense,” J-Rich said. “It’s going to take a while for us to get used to each other but we’ll just have to keep working.”
- The Hawks went 5-5 in the stretch of 10 games that started in Miami and included Orlando twice, San Antonio and Boston. The Hawks were 2-3 in those games and 3-2 in the others with brutal losses at Detroit and New Jersey.
- “We need our guys to play with a sense of urgency every time we step on the floor, irregardless of who our opponent is,” L.D. said. “I think that’s been the disheartening thing, especially with our losses in New Jersey and our loss up in Detroit.”
- “We’ve been up and down,” Twin said. “I’m not worried about how we’re going to play against the Miamis and the Orlandos. For us we have to come into each game with that mentality of knowing were going to be in for a fight each game. I think there are a few games this season we definitely let slip away.”
Michael Cunningham
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224 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
December 22nd, 2010
1:55 pm
Even though we’re watching the Magic stuggle after making an in season trade that involved starters, some of you continue to insist that the Hawks follow suit. We don’t have a super star player like DHoward to carry us though rough periods. We have to win as a team, and disrupting our starting lineup could be even more devastating to us than it’s been for Orlando to this point.
Now, I wouldn’t be opposed to acquiring GWallace, or even SJackson, as long as we didn’t have to give up any key players. If LBrown intends to retool, he’d likely be looking for expiring contracts and draft picks in return. We have 2 expiring contracts(MEvans-2.5M, JaCrawford-10.8M), our picks, and the 3.3M trade exemption.
GWallace really intrigues me. He could definitely function effectively in our motion OFF, and he has one on one skills. He’d definitely improve our rebounding and scoring, and he ldn’t hurt us defensively. I can see us trading for him, and bringing him off the bench until he learns the players and our OFF/DEF. Having him as our starting SF, and bringing Marvin off the bench, would definitely make us very hard to deal with come playoff time.
Marvin has proven he can get the job done, especially when we’re shorthanded and he gets more scoring opportunities, but when that’s not the case, he too often disappears. I believe GWallace would give us more consistency, and so would Marvin, off the bench.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Mo, ZaZa and Etan for Gerald Wallace. That’d give us 1-2 slots for improving the team come Feb as well as helping on the boards and rebounds. Love Wallace’s knack for the boards.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
3:24 pm
I’m not for a big trade, but I do think we could be crafty and improve the team come Feb. I see alot of movement and alot of players being released before the stretch run IMHO.
Grandad
December 22nd, 2010
3:45 pm
When you look @ trade scenarios, one must look @
the other teams motivation. Much like Ken Strickland,
I would love G.Wallace due to his tenacious defense.
However, the B-cats are wanting a bundle.
I’m not quite certain [Mo, Zaza, & Etan] equates a bundle.
Since MC will not whet our appetite;
I have taken it upon myself to scour the web for every rumor
possible. I have seen and or read so many that I cannot remember
where each & every one came from. therefore documentation will
be a problem sometimes. [Hey, I'm not a journalist].
My sources are varied, many, many, many newspapers as I read
voraciously. Most are speculation while others are just someone
throwing some garbage against the wall to see if it sticks.
So, Grandad’s trade “rumor” of the day!
To Memphis:
Jamal, JC2, ZaZa & Mo
To Hawks:
Zack Randolph & OJ Mayo
Don’t attack me I’m only a rumor monger.
glw
December 22nd, 2010
4:28 pm
Well not sure whats going to happen in Bobcat land now…..Larry Brown is supposed to be stepping down.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
4:35 pm
Guess our question for you, Grandad, would be like Memphis, can OJ effectively run the point? I’d venture that Zebo would more than replace ZaZa and hopefully we wouldn’t get burned by losing JC2.
Mo, like Joe, is pushing his body too quickly. He should’ve healed b/f limping back. We can use him, but not at the level he’s able to give us lately. Dude’s running ~70%, that’s just not enough.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
Grandad, you still interested in getting Ajinca?
tbhawksfan
December 22nd, 2010
4:49 pm
To Memphis:
Jamal, JC2, ZaZa & Mo
To Hawks:
Zack Randolph & OJ Mayo
That would be a very nice trade. But we’d have three very productive PFs. A 3 way or another trade would need to happen but, love the trade idea.
Horf
Ken Strickland
December 22nd, 2010
5:36 pm
GRANDAD-Unless the Bobcats decide to package other players, GWallace’s $10.5M salary will limit what they can expect in return for him. Do you think they would consider JaCrawford($10.8M expiring contract)for him straight up? Wallace’s DEF, and consistent scoring and rebounding, would compensate for the loss of JaCrawford’s OFF.
If they’re looking to trade both JWallace and Capt Jack, wouldn’t they need to receive a SF in return, which is why I included Marvin? However, if we make that trade, I’d choose to traDE Marvin, at this point, rather than Jamal. Jamal gives us scoring punch off the bench, at both SG and PG, and that’s a priceless comodity in the playoffs.
slimjr
December 22nd, 2010
5:39 pm
Oh Man, Chicago beat down the 76′ers by 45 last night??? Have won 8 of 9…Not bad…Pretty good coaching out there too..Look out people..
slimjr
December 22nd, 2010
5:40 pm
keep up the good work JJ!!
slimjr
December 22nd, 2010
5:43 pm
Duck/Cash/2-1st round picks for DWILL
Josh for Rudy Gay…
C’mon Rick Sund. Do something dude or it’s going get ugly for your squad…
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
6:28 pm
If you went Wallace for JC1 straight up you’d definitely solidfy Marvin as our new 6th man and make our SF spot our strongest position. Damien could efffectively back up Joe and give a good defensive presence, with JC2 sneaking a few in as well. That leaves what to do to help PG or C?
What C prospect can you pick up in Feb on waivers, or what can you get for Mo/ZaZa to shore up the lineup. Can Al/Jason/Etan hold the C position effectively so you could risk getting a PG prospect? Who’s out there realistically?
I say absolutely not to Captain Jack. He’s been here before. If we sign him, let’s pick up JR Rider, Antione Walker and even ask Rasheed to come back.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2010
6:32 pm
I don’t see a trade as a must. IF we can improve, so be it, but don’t freak out b/c other teams are in panic mode. Feb will offer some amazing opportunities to pick up some studs. Question is will ASG be able to drop players and sign new ones to solidify this roster? Will they go into the tax to make the jump?
I still say we need to find ways to improve the slots Mo, ZaZa and Etan reside.
Samuel
December 22nd, 2010
8:44 pm
Just saw the “three stooges”.
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
12:37 am
Great to have JJ back to bailout the “three stooges” again!! Hawks are are going to be in big trouble come Feb..Keep up the great work JJ!!
Sund=Knight
atlantahawks@tumblr
December 23rd, 2010
1:42 am
http://atlantahawks.tumblr.com/page/1
STRETCH
December 23rd, 2010
5:16 pm
League sources told FanHouse that the Bobcats and Portland have discussed a trade that would send beloved small forward Gerald Wallace to the Blazers with center DeSagana Diop and point guard D.J. Augustin in exchange for center Marcus Camby and point guard Andre Miller. And while the Blazers are exploring a litany of their own options and don’t appear eager to do the deal as of now, the discussion that is one of many being had by the Bobcats reveals plenty about the sort of the on-court changes Jordan has in mind for his club. FanHouse.com
STRETCH
December 23rd, 2010
6:48 pm
General manager Rick Sund is taking the same wait-and-see approach he did prior to the start of the season.
“We’ve improved every year; now we will see if we can get one step closer to a championship,” Sund said.
Note: He is focused on “getting ONE step closer to a championship?” REALLY????
What ever happened to actually trying to WIN a championship????
Samuel
December 23rd, 2010
8:31 pm
Looks like we jumped the gun on the Magic. That team is looking pretty good right now. They’re gonna be good when it’s all said and done. They’ll still be better than the Hawks, im afraid.
O'Brien
December 23rd, 2010
10:55 pm
From hoopshype.com;
Brian T. Smith: Hawks small forward Pape Sy, 53rd overall pick of 2010 NBA Draft, expected to join D-League’s Utah Flash on Monday. Twitter .
Why did it take so long for the Hawks to send him to the D-League, I dont understand.
O'Brien
December 23rd, 2010
10:58 pm
More from hoopshype.com;
Adrian Wojnarowski: Charles Oakley has officially joined Paul Silas’ coaching staff with the Bobcats, league sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter .
I didnt know Oakley wanted into coaching.
Ken Strickland
December 24th, 2010
12:46 am
Everyone is lauding the Magic GM for making those trades, without considering they were prompted by the poor decisisons he’s made in the past. After making it to the NBA finals, wasn’t it he who decided to get rid of CLee, RAlston, TBattie, JRichardson, MBarnes and HTurkoglu? Wasn’t it he who decided Gortat was valuable enough to be resigned at a starters salary?
Wasn’t it he who thought acquiring VCarter would take the team to the next level? Didn’t these trades end up getting back 2 of the players he got rid of earlier(HTurkoglu & JRichardson)? Every since Orlando played in the finals, their GM has made one failed decision and personnell change after another.
I doubt very seriously if they’ll be able to find a backup center that can match Gortat’s production off the bench. DHoward is still foul prone, and Gortat’s loss will definitely be felt during the playoffs. In the past, we had problems matching up with them, but now they have problems matching up with us.
The one player that’s holding the Hawks back the most, and no it’s not MWilliams, is JTeague. Once he gets his confidence and overall gm together and earns the starting PG position, it will improve our speed, quickness, penetration, and most importantly, our DEF.
With him as our starting PG, teams will no longer be able to gain an advantage at the start of gms by targeting Bibby.
David
December 24th, 2010
2:27 am
Excellent win…Visit sports for more.