Hawks 98, Cavs 84
Greetings, all-
Sorry this is a little late. I wanted to get out of the arena media work room so the poor gents who have to wait on me to leave so they can lock up could get home a little earlier than normal, and then once I got home, I was futzing around a little bit.
Anyway, I confess I don’t have a ton to offer you. We found out about the Atlanta Spirit settlement right after the first quarter, and I spent much of the rest of the game helping out on a story about that, so I didn’t get to watch much of the game itself. I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m asking you to feel sorry for me because I’m not. Just explainin’ is all. It sounds like it was actually a pretty impressive second half.
Anyway, a brief thought on the settlement. I saw some entries on the blog about how this might affect the team. My guess is not much. One point that Bruce Levenson made is that he’s never had a player or coach or any Hawks or Thrashers staff member ask about how the lawsuit was going. It’s not like it was hanging over anyone’s heads, except for those directly involved, I presume.
It’s worth noting that to buy Steve Belkin out, of course, the ownership group had to give him money to go away, so presumably the shoe box with all the cash in it just got lighter. It’s conceivable that with the settlement out of the way, the Spirit group will be better able to attract investors, which they need. However, I think you’ll agree that this doesn’t likely strike most as a terrific investment. Both teams are having trouble drawing despite both performing fairly well.
I guess this would strike the more bold as a great time to invest in that the Thrashers certainly seem like they’re on the way up and the Hawks figure to be competitive for the near term. But, then, there’s a pretty long history of people not buying tickets that you kind of have to get around.
Anyway, on to the game.
Team was very flat to start. Larry Drew said he’d told the team at shootaround and then before the game to be wary of coming out slow. 1) They’d just beaten Orlando. 2) They were at home. 3) Cleveland is very easy to look past. 4) It’s almost Christmas.
Despite all that – or maybe because of it – they were still not into it at all. It picked up a lot in the second quarter, I thought, and then Drew said he talked to the team at the half, and that’s when the game changed.
Obviously, Joe Johnson’s best game since coming back from surgery. He said it was one of his best games of the season, saying he hasn’t felt in rhythm much this season. Drew said he called a lot of plays for him and that Johnson was playing with confidence. I haven’t seen a ton of games, but I can’t recall one in which Johnson had such a height advantage over the guy guarding him.
Didn’t get to talk to Marvin Williams afterwards, but a great game, evidently. Perhaps the not starting really did get under his skin. I’ll say this — he invariably is in a good mood and has a good attitude so I was a little surprised at how much not starting Monday bothered him. If that was the bee in his bonnet tonight, maybe it’s a stick that Larry Drew can use with him. As for how often he’d go with Jason Collins at 5, I’m not sure, but I imagine it’d be every time they play someone with a dominant center.
Some Drew quotes:
“We tried to exploit some mismatches that we thought were to our advantage. That’s the way we have to play. That’s the way we want to play. As I told the guys, we have enough play sets that we can get into different things where teams can’t lock in on us. Certainly, when you see what you think is an advantageous matchup you’ve got to go right to it and that’s what we did tonight.”
On the second half:
“Didn’t do a whole lot as far as any type of adjustments, but what we did was I thought we did thing sa lot harder we were fighting through screens a lot harder. We were making a conscious effort of boxing out. We were pushing the basketball off the boards and when we got out there and started running, that’s when we were at our best.”
From reading the game thread — I really wish I’d heard “dagger in the coffin.” Thanks for sharing that.
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287 comments Add your comment
drmaryb (*_*)
December 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Fundamentals said this:
“Defense, rebounding and knocking down the open shot in the flow of the offense will take us to that next level.”
Hello? Can You Hear Me Now?
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Suggestion for the team:
1) Next time we start big, start ZaZa.
Things I wish we had done this past off season:
1) Sign Shaq instead of Collins (and I like Collins).
2) Sign Dampier instead of Etan
3) Sign Wilkens instead of Sy
4) Sign Jarvis Hayes.
Then we’re talking on this blog that if Teague develops, we might win it all. Instead we’re left with hoping again. But Shaq and Smoove may have been a toxic, complaining combination, so you go to war with who you’ve got. We’ll see what happens.
Fundamentals
December 23rd, 2010
11:06 am
I love Gerald’s knack for crashing the boards and playing physical D. He always seem to score on when called upon. I know we keep talking Centers and PG, but Wallace might be one to pick up?
I kept working on ways to get Camby or Pryzbilla, Andre Miller and Gerald Wallace out of some combination of Marvin, Jamal, Mo, ZaZa to hopefully send Marvin & Jamal to the home folks and to improve our team?
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:06 am
Rev – I think my last post on Marvin cleared it up!
I would trade Jamal for Gerald Wallace in 1/2 second, and I’d even through in JP or Etan to sweeten the deal.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:09 am
I keep wondering if we are playing Mo’ over Wilkens to improve his trade value. And I wonder if Jamal is “hurt” so he won’t get traded at the deadline? And I also wonder if we’re not playing to Marvin’s strength’s more to increase his tradeability? Just curious. I know they do they sort of think in baseball, showcase a player so his trade value will increase.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
Fundamentals – Would you do Bibby and Mo’ for Andre Miller? I would. Then Jamal for Gerald Wallace, in a heartbeat, and throw in JP to teach the Bobcats how to win championships blah, blah, blah. Now I really like our team.
Fundamentals
December 23rd, 2010
11:12 am
Wonder if Jamal’s back is as injured as his toe was?
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:14 am
The trade I’d really like to pull off is Bibby and Mo’ for Lou Williams. Lou and Teague at the point would be a great young combination. And Lou’s cheap, like 3m per for a few more years or something. Then do Jamal for Gerald Wallace. You just got much younger and more talented with those 2 trades. Look good for the future.
JChikara
December 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
The Hawks need to realize to buy into what Larry Drew is selling. That is, the team plays better when everyone gets a chance to make shots. It’s no longer “rely on JJ to shoot on every possession” and I think Marvin’s ability to score is a definite plus coming off the bench. He matches up better again second-tier talent and will be a plus with Jamal out of action.
I know a lot of people think that it was easier to start Marvin instead of Josh, but remember this: Josh is able to play better defense and it gives the starting lineup more opportunities for JJ and Horford (Atlanta’s most reliable scorers) to pace the offense.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
I do think Jamal’ back is injured, but the thought of feigning injury to avoid a trade has crossed my mind in his case.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:16 am
This team has a fragile psyche, so I know we have to make moves based on chemistry as well as talent.
Ken Sugiura
December 23rd, 2010
11:18 am
to address a couple things, i do think teague is being more assertive with jamal crawford out. it’s not a knock at all on Crawford, it’s just the reality of the situation. after the boston game, teague said something along the lines that, without johnson and crawford, he felt like he had to be more aggressive. i think the next step is for him to feel like he can be the same playmaker with them on the court as he is without either on the floor with him.
fundamentals, i’m not sure what you’re getting at regarding jamal’s toe, but his back injury is legitimate, and backs, obviously, are not to be trifled with.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:20 am
Actually Lou is 6m per for the next 3 seasons (including this one). I still like him at that price.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
Ken Sigiura – Thanks for the update on Jamal’s back. I do wonder if it will hurt our opportunity to trade him before the deadline, or will it maybe encourage him to sign for less to stay with the Hawks (3 years 14 mill sounds about right for a 30+ year old back up shooting guard in this case). I still say he gets a 5 year 50m deal on the FA market unless the new CBA just kills it.
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
Or 5 years at 45m anyway for Jamal on the FA market.
Fundamentals
December 23rd, 2010
11:25 am
Thanks MC – I think it goes back to DuJuan Blair falling on him. He’s not been the same since, though he said immediately after he was fine.
LD is “unlocking” Teague it seems. Hopefully you’re idea is true MC. If the kid could continue to gain confidence he’ll start by the end of Feb.
Fundamentals
December 23rd, 2010
11:25 am
Oops – Thanks Ken.
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2010
11:28 am
Trading Marvin…
Trading Marvin doesn’t help the Hawks unless Bibby goes with him. Dribble penetration is our #1 problem….period. The Hawks problems are about Bibby and Jamals 4qt defense and the fact they can’t stop dribble penetration.
If we hold a team to 13pts in the 3rd qt with the bench, then the finishers give 27 in the 4th, that is the problem. Trading Marvin doesn’t change our problem, unless you take the “Bibby Bullet” out of LD’s gun. He like most people value offense too a fault…the Spurs game was a perfect example.
PARKER DOMINATED THE 4TH QT, BECAUSE BIBBY COULD NOT STOP HIM.
O'Brien
December 23rd, 2010
11:37 am
Is resigning Jamal a bad idea? (in my best GEICO guy commercial voice).
I think it is. Sooner or later, we will have to replace Bibby (if Teague is not the answer, then we will look elsewhere). And once we get a more traditional PG, we will not need Jamal to play backup PG.
Plus JC2 needs PT.
And Jamal will continue to hinder Teague’s development, his defense sucks, and why should we pay a backup SG the money Jamal wants when we are already paying JJ (our starting SG) $124 mil?
Especially if Jamal’s money can be used to address either the frontcourt or the perimeter defense.
O'Brien
December 23rd, 2010
11:43 am
SteveW,
We cannot afford to pay Marvin and Gerald Wallace. If we trade for Gerald, then Marvin needs to be dealt.
The Portland deal to make is Jamal for Rudy Fernandez and Pryzbilla (we can throw in Twin or a second round pick if they want).
I think Shaq would have co-existed with Smoove just fine, and I was hoping we would have signed him. We could have started Shaq/Horford/Smoove sometimes. And Shaq is a good passer too.
And marketing wise, the ASG would have sold more tickets, been on TV more etc.
Rev in Tampa
December 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
SteveW,
I don’t think the Hawks are trying to feature any player for a trade because I don’t think they are planning any trades. Before the season I was excited about the possiblity of a trade or two happening to address the team’s imbalance, but I have come to believe that Sund is going to stick with who he’s got.
Fundamentals
December 23rd, 2010
11:49 am
OBrien – so you’d like:
Marvin for Gerald hoping MJ would want a UNC product
Jamal & ZaZa for Przbilla, Miller and Rudy? Not that they’d do it, but the salaries match.
tony
December 23rd, 2010
11:57 am
Belkin would of been the best choice to takeover the franchise because more than one owner will create confusion and disagreements. I was 100% with Belkin against bringing “fan basher” JJ to Atlanta. The guy is a playoff killer and doesn’t have a clue how to lead a team against the elite. It seems like we are stuck with him for along time unless a miracle happens.
This team need a pg with leadership ability and a coach who will let every player play his own position accordingly. Right now every player is playing the role of a pg, sg, sf, pf and c. I believe this GM can make the right decising without spending over the luxury tax but the fans have to be patient.
I know LD has done a decent job so far against sub-500 teams but I believe his motion offense will eventually fail because a true pg has to be allowed to create scoring opportunity for the team and control the tempo of the game in order for an offense to function properly.
When they realize that LD is not the right man for the job they need to hire Bill Laimbeer. Laimbeer is a winner and he has won everywhere he has been. We have a very good team even with JJ. However, this team needs strong leadership. I believe JJ would flourish if he had a teammate like his former teammate Steve Nash.
There are 3 pgs in the upcoming draft who have caught my attention, but the one who I like the most is Demetri McCamey of Illinois. This young man is going to be a star in the nba. He has Steve Nash leadership qualities. Demetri McCamey will fit in well with JJ and the rest of the team.
terrell
December 23rd, 2010
12:09 pm
Give us a good product and we’ll show up. Why spend your hard earn money to go to a game, when you never know what Hawks team is going to show up? Might be one of those nights when they “just didnt have the energy”. Thats why I’d rather watch on TV. At least I can turn it off if it’s one of those kinda nights. Btw, I like the aggressiveness I saw from Teague last night. Needs to learn how to finish, but the agresssiveness was there. Marvin actually showed up too. Wish he would’ve waited until the Hornets game to have his 1 good game of the month though, going against CP3 and all. lol!
The Real Hawk
December 23rd, 2010
12:17 pm
Raise your hand if you care Marvin is unhappy coming off the bench.
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Grow up dude.
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
Wow!!! Marvin’s mad about coming off the bench. Better be glad he plays for the Hawks, because he might be out of the league if he played for another team.
Marvin has looked pretty good the last couple of games, but let’s also realize who we have played. When he can consistently perform against top level teams (Orlando had not played together), finish strong against smaller players, take advantage of mismatches, and hit those wide open shots then I will be convinced. I stated three years ago that Marvin is the key, and that is why its been so depressing watching this guy underperform for 5 years. His role on this team is to hit Open shots, defend the top wing players, and help rebound. This season he is averaging 10ppg and 5 rpg. Hopefully he can keep up this run, but as I have said for the last three years, I won’t be holding my breath.
Again to all of you who think that our defense is our only problem, I suggest that you are wrong. When we play top level teams, and they can really gameplan against us in the playoffs, we can not score. In the Orlando series last years we averaged 82ppg. In the Cleveland series the year before, we averaged 78 ppg. Scoring is one of our main problems in the playoffs. If you think that Marvin can be depended on to be a scorer agianst top level defensive teams, I have some swamp land in Florida to sell you. The only consistent scorers on this team are Joe, Jamal and Horford. Josh is really not a scorer. If you play the Hawks in the playoffs, you simply shut down Joe by doubling him, let Horford get his, and make Marvin and Bibby beat you. I don’t have that much confidence in Marvin. You should only trade Jamal if you are able to replace his scoring, or you really won’t be able to score in the playoffs. Making a statement that Marvin can replace Jamal’s scoring after a 4 or 5 game run by Marvin is absurd.
It was not a bad pick
December 23rd, 2010
12:26 pm
Rod from College Park
He had 26 against Boston best d in the nba…i said if he get touches he will produce…
drmaryb (*_*)
December 23rd, 2010
12:33 pm
Can I Get an Amen!
…. from the congregation?
Rev are u married? Just wonderin’
lukas
December 23rd, 2010
12:35 pm
It was not a bad pick,
I guess it will take another 6 years of “dissapearing act” for you to see the reality about Marvin. He should be coming from the bench.
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
12:42 pm
Marvin at the 3 will not get you to the ECF. TOO SOFT..Can’t D his own shadow..
terrell
December 23rd, 2010
12:43 pm
not a bad pick, So Marvin’s a str8 baller waiting to happen, but he cant get any touches on a team that has Joe Johnson as its superstar? Wow! So why didnt he have career nights when Joe was out again?? I’m waiting? And please dont say that the #2 pick couldnt get enough touches because he was playing with the great Jamal Crawford. Or the HOFamer Josh Smith. Please! All Star players take over games. Especially when they’re on the floor for 35 + minutes like your boy Marvin usually is. Cant get enough touches my azz. WHEN YOU MAKE SHOTS YOUR TEAMMATES WILL FIND YOU. OTHERWISE YOU’LL BE HANGING OUT AT THE 3 PT LINE LIKE A HOOKER WAITING ON A JON.
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
12:46 pm
RICK SUND= BILLY KNIGHT(Worst GM in Hawks History)
He’s going with Billy’s team who peak last year.It’s a wrap..Going to get real ugly in Feb.
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
12:48 pm
Marvin For Candice Parker
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
1:04 pm
“Give us a good product and we’ll show up. Why spend your hard earn money to go to a game, when you never know what Hawks team is going to show up?”
Kenny Smith last night on NBA TV referred to the Hawks, quote;” I don’t like watching bad basketball.” He’s been saying this for weeks now on TNT also…
That’s why the remote control works wonders. When we get bored with this boring a** team, go watch something else..Mookie would you please come back and play????
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2010
1:11 pm
@O’brien
The Jamal for Priz and Fernandez maybe the only deal the financial the Hawks would make….
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
1:22 pm
“WHEN YOU MAKE SHOTS YOUR TEAMMATES WILL FIND YOU. OTHERWISE YOU’LL BE HANGING OUT AT THE 3 PT LINE LIKE A HOOKER WAITING ON A JON.”
CHURCH!!!!!!!!!!!
It was not a bad pick,
One game does not a season or a career make. Look at Marvin’s playoff numbers for his career. If you as a number #2 pick in the draft and a supposed star allow Flip Murray, and Jamal Crawford (who got no playing time the year before) to take your shots, then that should say everything that needs to be said. Don’t you think if your boy Marvin was that good, that he teamates would find him, just like they did Flip, and Jamal, and like they do Joe?
SteveW
December 23rd, 2010
1:24 pm
I don’t like any trade with Rudy F in it. When a dude says he doesn’t want to be in the NBA, he’s not going to do anything but hinder a team.
Rev. – You could be right. Only time will tell about a trade.
Jamal’s salary offsets Gerald Wallace’s if you trade jamal for him. But maybe your talking about next season.
J from the A
December 23rd, 2010
1:26 pm
I am worried Portland wouldn’t trade Pryz or Camby w/o picking up a backup center. Perhaps they could arrange a trade for a back up center with another team.
If Andre Miller would be a good fit for the Hawks (and I am not sure he would be), I’d go for:
JC1
Zaza
MO
(pick maybe?)
FOR
Camby
Miller
If Miller isn’t a good fit for the Hawks, then a 3-way deal needs to be made:
Portland would still get
Zaza
Jamal Crawford
Hawks would get
Camby or Pryz
[maybe R. Fernadez]
quality PG or back up SF from another team (Lou Williams? Nocioni?)
Something along those lines at least.
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
1:27 pm
It was not a bad pick,
When the point guard Bibby was asked to comment on Marvin, he said something to the effect of Marvin is tall, and he can shoot free throws. If that is all that a vet on your team like Bibby has to say about you, that should tell the story.
J from the A
December 23rd, 2010
1:32 pm
Just an idea:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=247e4ow
Hawks get Camby, Lou Williams. Hawks give up Jamal Crawford, Mo Evans, Zaza Pachulia.
Doubt this trade would work, but it is probably in the ball park of something that might work.
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2010
1:46 pm
What 6 years of disappearings acts? You guys exaggerate like fiction writers. Marvin has had 1 bad year(2009-10)10.1pts a game.
2006-7)13.1, 5.3rbs
2007-8)14.8, 5.7rbs
2008-9)13.9, 6.3rbs
Now he is starting to find his offensive flow, you guys start talking about being the #2 pick again, something no one has argued about for 3 years. If you don’t like him that is fine, but don’t pretend like you are offering and objective basketball opinion.
Jamal Crawford couldn’t defend a one legged old lady with a hip replacement. He get 15pts a game but the person he is guarding, get 20pts, 7ast and another 5 hockey ast.
I will take the 6′9, solid defender and his 12pts vs the 6′5 defensive liability, and his 15pts. I know that Marvins defense is worth the 3 pts.
PS. JOSH Childress got BENCHED…..LOl They are trying to trade him after 2 month…Lol
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
Marvin Williams Playoffs…
2007-8) 11.4pts
2008-9) Back injury 5pts
2009-10) 8.4pts
1.5 points below his season ave(except for the year he was injured)…That is because the teams in the playoffs are all good defensive teams.
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
2:12 pm
Rufus1,
Jamal Crawford does his job. His job is to come off the bench and provide scoring for his team, which he did better than anyone else in the league last year. He is known in this league as a scorer. Marvin is not known as anything but a great free throw shooter. Jack of all trades, master of none. Again, stop it with the Marvin’s man does not score nonsense. See all the Indiana games last year, Philly games, Lebron games….. He is an average defender, but poses no resitance against top NBA small forwards. You become an above average defender by locking people down, or intimidating scorers. Marvin poses no threat defensively. Again, Marvin’s man always ends up having to be guarded by Joe, so that should explain everything. When the game is on the line and we need to stop the Lebron’s, Pierce’s, Granger’s and Iggy’s of the world, Joe Johnson is the guy they call on, not Marvin.
Marvins Playoff averages:
07-08 -11.4ppg and 4rpg
08-09- 5.0 ppg and 1.5 rpg
09-10 – 8.4 ppg and 5.7 rpg
Josh Childress is on a team with better options at the 3. Would Marvin get time before Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Jared Dudley or Pietrus. I doubt it. All have made and name for themselves in the NBA and played at a very high level, except for Dudley, who is known as a true Defensive Specialist.
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
2:18 pm
Rufus1,
“1.5 points below his season ave(except for the year he was injured)…That is because the teams in the playoffs are all good defensive teams.”
So what’s your point? If he averaged 2 ppg and only made 1 ppg he would only be 1 point under his season average. If you play, it counts. Kobe played with broken fingers. Joe admitted that he was hurt last year also. It all counts. If you were that injured, don’t play. So based on your statement, Marvin’s scoring will drop against good defensive teams? My point exactly. All the more reason why Jamal is so improtant, because he can score against anybody, Marvin can’t.
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2010
2:27 pm
@Rod
Stop making excuses for Jchill….he got benched before the new players got there.
I have said to before No one can stop LBJ and JJ was guarding those players when they were scoring 30pts…You watch the games this year when Marvin SHUT THEM DOWN. You know who wasn’t on the court when that happened, JOE.
Jamal Makes 11mil a year(Marvin 7.5mil), get starters minutes, shots like 42% wants a 5 years and 50mil, is as bad on defense as you say Marvin is on offense and that is okay with you…..Really!!!! What is you logic, because Marvin was the #2??
kwooden1
December 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
To hear Marvin talk about not being happy about coming off the bench was great news to me! Whatever it takes for Marvin to be assertive and play with aggression! If he misses his first two shots, he’s basically done for the day. He needs to consistantly have more of an effect on the game. He’ll never get over being picked so high and the draft, but he’s also not giving the money back so he’s got to live with his critics.
sam'l
December 23rd, 2010
2:47 pm
Gee, arent’ the repetitive bloggers getting shrill. trying to censor others and using crude language……probably time to censor yourself before you’re thrown out all together.
Things do change……Joe Johnson could be healthy, i hope….Jamal will come back, orlando for the moment is beatable….but their coaching staff does have something on the ball. to the point where they can see a situation, mesh with management come up with a plan and execute, and the first few days don’t count….because their players are going to be coached to become a cohesive unit…….
Gearon and who (Levenson?)….I would have loved to hear something like, “Now that that idiot Belkin is gone, we’re gonna find us a center and a real point guard, get as deep as Boston……and take the team over the top.” i didn’t hear that…..Really guys, if you want to fill the stands, that’s what you need. Maybe look at Josh and pry into the real reason he’s so inconsistent…….I suspect he’s got an entourage and a place to go party at 3 in the morning……
Damn…..such a good player too……
slimjr
December 23rd, 2010
2:50 pm
Hey Duck, go play with the girls if your not happy dud….
northcyde
December 23rd, 2010
3:00 pm
“Jamal couldn’t defend a one-legged old lady with a hip replacement”.
Hilarious.
@ terrell . . . The Hawks the past 3 seasons posted a 90 – 33 record at home, and wom a whopping 34 home games last year ( 3rd best in franchise history ) . . . and people still only came out in droves to see the big name teams. And they actually came out LESS to see the 53-win Hawks in 09 – 10, than they did the 45-win Hawks in 08 – 09.
We’re a little behind the pace we were at last year, but at 19 – 12, I believe it qualifies as one of the top 10 best starts in franchise history.
The fact is that ATL only gets revved up to see stars, and not necessarily to see good basketball. What Kenny Smith says is crap. You don’t win 60% of your games, and play bad basketball. It may not be as exciting as people want to see, but we do win.
People have long wanted to play that Phoenix / Golden St. style of ball in ATL. But all the teams that truly win in this league, all seem to play rock solid defense. And if they only score 85 pts in a game, they can still beat you with stellar defense.
The ASG made a huge mistake by not bringing Shaq in. He was the “superstar” that the market would’ve came out to see, even if he doesn’t have “superstar talent” anymore.
But don’t act like if the Hawks started playing better, that people would come. You know better than that.
No . . for the Hawks, is going to have to take us at minimum to get to the Easter Conference Finals AND playing a hard fought 6 or 7 game series in it before losing . . or somehow come up with a miracle, and bring in a charismatic superstar ( in talent and personality ) . . to really bring people out.
If the Hawks played like the Spurs, and won like them, it still wouldn’t be an exciting enough product in ATL.
Rod from College Park
December 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Rufus1,
“Jamal Makes 11mil a year(Marvin 7.5mil), get starters minutes, shots like 42% wants a 5 years and 50mil, is as bad on defense as you say Marvin is on offense and that is okay with you…..Really!!!! What is you logic, because Marvin was the #2??”
Jamal does his job on a consistent basis, Marvin does not. Jamal has earned is money, Marvin has not. We did not trade for Jamal because of his defensive prowess. We traded for him to be instant offense off the bench, and back up Mike Bibby at the point, which he has done. Again Jamal is a scorer. Nique was a scorer also. Defense was never one of his strengths. We knew that when we traded for him.
I’m not making excuses for Chill’s. Really never liked his game either, but he was more effective than Marvin when he was here. He ended games for us not Marvin. He was a better defender than Marvin, and a better rebounder. Plus on top of all that, if you read the reports, Chills has been hurt this year also. Marvin shut down LBJ this year? Wow, I must have missed that game. (LOL)
If Joe was guarding those guys as you say, they also had to guard them. If Joe was guarding Lebron, and Lebron had 30 then Joe had 25, not 8. Plus Joe would make those guys work on the defensive end, Marvin won’t. They will be free to roam, and double guess who (Joe Johnson).