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
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
12:05 pm
Fundementals, no I don’t, lol. I just like researching and reading.
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
12:06 pm
I think Van Gundy is going to get Ewing to come off the bench and give 10-15 good minutes, lol.
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
Ramon, Just wondering. I’ve got a friend named Ramon who works for DNR is why I asked. When I saw the mention of the hatchery it stuck me as odd. The Ramon I know used to live on the Dawson hatchery 6-8 years back before he got promoted.
I wonder if Ewing could play spot minutes for a title shot? Any word on folks that they speculate for bigs for ORL? We might could use one too if we could shop Etan, ZaZa, JC1 or Mo?
slimjr
December 24th, 2010
12:16 pm
Friday ATL Constitution paper says Sund is committed to his “core” guys(Billy Knights team). So fans of Atlanta expect the same crap! Nothing but excuses when this team get smoked in the playoffs again. Sund says “We’ve improved every year.Now we will see if we can get one step closer to a championship.” Hey Sund are you reading these blogs? We ain’t buying your bull****! Your team is 10-18 in the playoffs these past 3 seasons. And have averaged losing by over 20 pts. a game on the road in the playoff’s and you are trying to insult our intelligence with that garbage?? Like Bush even you don’t believe your BS!! This guy is amazing ya’ll…..
Sund=Billy Knight (Worst GM in Hawks History)
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
12:21 pm
slimjr,
What rumblings have you heard or seen for a quality big or PG that could help us? Knowing Sund, we’ve got Mo, JC1, Etan, ZaZa and maybe Bibby to work with? Speculate a bit if you would?
terrell
December 24th, 2010
1:01 pm
The “core”. lol! So who does he consider the “core”? His “core” ?(Bibby, Jamal, Damien, Mo, Etan) Or Billy’s “core”? JJ, Marvin, Josh, Al, Zaza) Whatever man.
slimjr
December 24th, 2010
1:39 pm
@fundamentals
“What rumblings have you heard or seen?’
The title of today’s article by Michael Cunnigham “HAWKS HOLDING BACK AS RIVALS ACT”
“For now,team will stick with its core group..He did not elaborate who his core group was.Sund also said they have been encourage by Atlanta’s “ability” to stay afloat (13-12 since starting 6-0) despite injuries to JJ, Marvin, and Jamal Crawford! Here comes the excuses.Atlanta has played the most games in the NBA (31) and tied for back to back games played(10)..Whatever……get ready to get smoked in the playoffs again…Sund was CYA’ing people..
Different GM same Garbage
Sund=Billy Knight
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:05 pm
Seems like Dallas might let Ajinca go, possibly Hayward if the deal is right? Portland might deal Pryzbilla or Camby? Diop in CHA? Rumblings are only starting. We could use a quality big to help Collins who’s name isn’t Thomas or Pachulia.
Seems Jordan is anxious to get something done? They already have a ton of crap ex-Hawks. Can we add some to the list?
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
2:17 pm
Am I the only who actually likes the look of the team MORE without JC1? Teague seems to be playing better. The team has played the best defense of the year when JC1 hasn’t been in uniform. In the last 5 games, the Hawks have given up an average of 88.2 points per game in JC1. With more playing time for Teague, Wilkins, Joe and Marvin (along with Mo coming back finally healthier), the Hawks have been limited to only one horrible defender in the perimeter and that’s Bibby. The Hawks don’t need Crawford’s 17 ppg if they’re going to be able to hold teams under 95 ppg consistently. Also Teague while, not a scorer, is a better rebounder than Crawford also. They average the same amount of rebounds per game, although JC plays 2.5x more than Teague.
So maybe the Hawks need to see if the Clippers will take Crawford for Kaman.
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=249v97p
Grandad
December 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
slimjr & Fundamentals;
great info from that hard hitting informative article
that MC ground out, with all his inside contacts.
According to Ken Sugiura he’s been working on that all week,
digging for leads and providing insight.
If Ajinca can be had, I still wish for him [Christmas].
Heck, I would settle for Thabeet.
G.Wallace is too much to hope for.
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:25 pm
I’d be shopping Crawford for a combination of players or one depending on quality. Something to shore up the bigs or PG. Kaman, Pryzbilla, Camby, Haywood, Ajinca, Diop, Dalembert, ect. I really think there will be some shake-up big time this Feb before the trade deadline.
I’d rather see JC2 or Damien instead of Mo. I’d also like to see Etan or Collins instead of ZaZa.
Is Powell’s knee still injured or has LD dropped him from the rotation?
What about trying to salvage Barron Davis from the clips as well?
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
2:29 pm
Or better yet
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=28r2bu7
Hawks get:
Samuel Dalembert
Jason Thompson
Kings get:
Jamal Crawford
Zaza Pachulia
Etan Thomas
Sacramento would do this deal any day of the week. And the Hawks would get two big bodies for the playoffs, while giving up Zaza and dead weight. And the Hawks still end up with expiring deals, and are no longer tied to Zaza’s contract going forward.
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:30 pm
OK, Barron is too expensive, but you could go Kaman for JC1 straight up if you used 1 million of the TPE. Most likley ASG/Sund would say no b/c it would put us in the tax next season since Kaman has another year…but honestly going into the tax is a move we fans would see as doing the best they can to win here in ATL instead of pushing mediocrity on budget.
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:33 pm
Aquire Gerald Wallace w/ Marvin & Mo + 1 million of TPE
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
2:35 pm
Fundamentals, I’d rather see Crawford sent off for Wallace than Marvin. Marvin can defend 2 positions. Crawford can only defend his seat. Also, the Teague that’s playing is way better without Crawford than the Teague who shares the backcourt with Crawford.
slimjr
December 24th, 2010
2:40 pm
‘I really think there will be some shake-up big time this Feb before the trade deadline.’
I think so too. Orlando is fixin to take off. Sund will be compelled to finally make a move by then…This team is not ready to make waves in the playoff’s at this time. EFC is out of the question!!Kenny Smith keeps repeating on National TV that this team “plays bad basketball.I do not like to watch bad basketball.” Now that speaks volumes…Sund says he’s not makin a move at this time….Yawn…..My remote is charged up and ready for action!
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:52 pm
Let’s assume you got Dalembert & Thompson for ZaZa, Etan & Jamal. That shores up the bigs. Now what of the PG slot? You now have Marvin, Mo and maybe Bibby to deal?
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
2:59 pm
Marvin for Jameer Nelson?
or
Bibby & Mo for Andre Miller & Rudy Fernandez?
Fundamentals
December 24th, 2010
3:03 pm
Bibby has played great as a floor general and spot shooter, but he needs a pinch defender every play. Trading JC1 would definitely help in shoring up the perimeter if we play Damien & JTO more. I like the SAC trade for bigs, though many argue that Dalembert can’t play the motion offense. I think he’d be a valuable shot blocker/defender w/ Collins when we needed to go big. We can still run Al when we want to go small. Maybe the bigs trade is all that’s necessary, though I’d like to have someone to help with PG play – especially a taller, tougher defender? Wait…wasn’t that supposed to be Pape Sy?
Can you tell it’s Christmas and nothing’s happening for the Hawks, yet the league is boiling so hot the pot’s spilling over?
Ramon
December 24th, 2010
4:10 pm
Fundamentals, I think Bibby and Teague can hold down the point pretty well. And while some may hate the sound of this, I wouldn’t be opposed to having Joe run point 5-8 minutes a game some times. If you think about it, Joe already guards the opposing teams PG most games (think D. Williams ). Having Joe assume the role for 5 minutes wouldn’t be disastrous, as Wade has done it for a good while. Or possibly see if Charlotte would take Josh Powell for Livingston.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 24th, 2010
4:59 pm
Larry Drew Said:
“3) Cleveland is very easy to look past. ”
But, how can The Hawks look past anyone? Who do they think they are? Boston?
O'Brien
December 24th, 2010
5:49 pm
Fundamentals,
I dont think the Hawks can package the TPE as part of a trade package. If they use it, I think it has to be a straight up trade. X-Amount of the TPE for a player (or players).
Ramon,
Agreed. The team would learn to adjust w/o Jamal. Maybe Marvin continues to step up, maybe Teague steps up, and maybe JC2 steps up. But more than likely, our defense will be better.
Jamal,
I know you read this blog, and we appreciate what you do. But the ASG cant afford to give you the money you want, so rather than lose you for nothing over the off-season, the Hawks will be better off tradinig you now. Nothing personal, just business.
SteveW
December 24th, 2010
8:41 pm
Not necessarily contraction, but I have heard rumblings of Las Vegas or Seattle making a play to move the Hawks to their city. I’ve heard that the Las Vegas offer would be very lucrative to ASG. Hope ASG doesn’t do it!
SteveW
December 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Ramon – Yes, I have like the Hawks w/o JC1 recently also. I’m not sure why. We have 63,606,550 committed for next season w/o Pape Sy’s contract added. That will be 64+ mill committed for next season, with a new CBA coming out, with probably a 58m or so hard cap, with teams having 5 years on a graduating scale to reach that amount. The numbers just aren’t there to re-sign Jamal, even though I would love to. He’s played hard in the playoffs the past 2 years, and always looks like he tries.
SteveW
December 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Like should be “liked” in my last post.
SteveW
December 24th, 2010
8:49 pm
How about Bibby and a 1st pick for Lou Williams if the Sixers would bite?
And how about Jamal and Mo’ for Gerald Wallace if the Bobcats would take the bait.
SteveW
December 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
Or Jamal and Etan for Caron Butler and Ajinca?
slimjr
December 24th, 2010
9:24 pm
“Not necessarily contraction, but I have heard rumblings of Las Vegas or Seattle making a play to move the Hawks to their city. I’ve heard that the Las Vegas offer would be very lucrative to ASG. Hope ASG doesn’t do it!”
BYE….
This is
December 24th, 2010
9:40 pm
This is the most uneducated bloggers ive ever witness as it pertains to basketball. What the H e ll are you people doing?
drmaryb (*_*)
December 25th, 2010
6:41 am
SteveW
Please explain WHY Philly, Charlotte. or Dallas would do any of those silly trades. Why would Dallas make any trade at all, considering their current status? Where is the Logic? Where is it?
O'Brien
December 25th, 2010
10:41 am
If Dallas makes any trades, it would be for Melo (imo).
And the Hawks will not trade Jamal for Gerald Wallace. That would leave them with Marvin ($7.5 mil) and Gerald Wallace $10.5 mil) to play SF. Thats too much money.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 25th, 2010
11:36 am
Problem with Melo to Dallas is:
Melo ain’t going to Dallas. He and La La WANTS to be in NYC.
Maybe Chicago (I doubt it), or NJ (I doubt that to – not enough talent to win there). He will be an UFA next Summer, So, Melo is in charge of his destiny.
Denver, can’t send him anywhere, he doesn’t want to be.
tony
December 25th, 2010
12:11 pm
There won’t be any major trades for the hawks because the fanbase is too black. You will be better off supporting the Thrashers where ASG are more incline to spend the BIG BUCKS to sign quality players. Since 6/2010 the Thrashers have made 4 trades even while they are battling it out in court.
By: Kelvin Allen of USA Today
If the Atlanta Thrashers wanted a player who could create buzz in the marketplace, they got him in Dustin Byfuglien. If the Thrashers wanted a player who could add intimidation, size and toughness to a lineup that has smaller scorers, they got him in Byfuglien.
If you want this organization to improve the hawks, I suggest you start looking at players in the upcoming draft.
We should draft Demetri McCamey(pg) or Keith Benson(c). Demetri brings leadership, high assits and stability. Keith brings solid-D and inside scoring. Demetri will be my 1st choice.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 25th, 2010
12:28 pm
Too Black?
tony said this:
“There won’t be any major trades for the hawks because the fanbase is too black.”
…..But, I’m Brown. My best friend is white, but she is really pink.
I guess we are all colored people.
But, what does that have to do with the Hawks making a Basketball Trade?
I think tony was looking for the Thrashers Blog and came here by mistake?
slimjr
December 25th, 2010
1:21 pm
Hey Tony, I got news for ya, your race or color you claim wont matter when you go meet with your maker.Back to basketball talk!
slimjr
December 25th, 2010
1:27 pm
“Yes, I have like the Hawks w/o JC1 recently also. I’m not sure why.”
Because JC1 does not play a lick of defense so he wears out his welcome with the coach and then is traded..He has become a “journey man” for that reason.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
December 25th, 2010
1:55 pm
“This is the most uneducated bloggers ive ever witness as it pertains to basketball. ”
enough said.
drmaryb (*_*)
December 25th, 2010
2:01 pm
HoopsHype
“Privately, Lakers owner Jerry Buss tells people that Bryant has been worth as much as $80 million a year to his franchise.”
Like I’ve said, “A players value is not based on how many points scored, it’s how many tickets are sold and Neilsen Ratings when the games are played.”
“Andray Blatche mixing it up with Javal McGee outside of a DC Nightclub “Shadow” Friday morning. Al Thornton gets punched by the bouncer while trying to break them two up? – Allegedly.” With those chemistry issues, rumor says the PF Blatche may be shopped around. Too bad he isn’t a Center.
BTW, Chris Kaman is NOT available for trade! Per the Clippers, Good Centers are just too hard to come by! Hello! Trade Dummies did yall hear that?
So, just stop it with The Bibby for __________(Center) trades!
Oh Yeah! Merry X-Mas!

Rev in Tampa
December 25th, 2010
2:44 pm
Are you guys watching orlando and boston? Magic up 13-0
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
3:46 pm
Drmaryb – Charlotte is wanting to unload Wallace and Jackson for alledgedly quitting on a bad team. They want to start over so to speak.
Philly thinks that Jrue and Lou can’t coexist, so they’ve been rumored to be willingly to part with Lou. 1st pick to help in rebuilding, and Bibby to teach Jrue how to run the PG.
And Caron is a FA, and they’ve decided to move Ajinca (I’ve heard). + Having Etan and Brendnan Haywood on the same team again would put the Mavs in the news cycle 10x more often than they are now. Being facetitous on that point, but Grandad wants Ajinca so bad, I’m trying to come up with ways to get him!
hawkfan
December 25th, 2010
3:54 pm
hahahaha, “i may be i may be wrong” funniest nba commercial i’ve seen in awhile, funny it can kind of be a bit, charles doing it again, hahaa
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
3:59 pm
Ramon – Can you say Dan Dickau? He was drafted after Demarr, and is no longer in the League.
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
BTW – We had to trade a future 1st pick to Sacramento for the rights to Dickau. Because we traded away Jamal Tinsley the previous year after we drafted him, because we didn’t think he could play in the NBA. But we thought Dickau could. Sad
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:01 pm
Rev- Not any more…
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:13 pm
2006 draft – Shelden Williams # 5 – Hawks
#6 Brandon Roye
#8 Rudy Gay
#21 Rajon Rondo
2007 Draft: #11 Acie Law Hawks
#12 Thaddeus Yound
#15 Rodney Stuckey
#23 Wilson Chandler
#26 Aaron Brooks
2005 Draft: #2 Marvin Williams Hawks
#3 Deron Williams
#4 Chris Paul
#5 Raymond Felton
#10 Andrew Bynum
#17 Danny Granger
#30 David Lee
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:15 pm
2004 Draft:
#6 Josh Childress Hawks
#7 Luol Deng
#
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:17 pm
#8 Andre Iguodala
#15 Al Jefferson
#20 Jameer Nelson
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
In 2001 we traded Pau Gasol, Lorenzen Wright, and Brevin Knight for Shareef Abdur Rahim and the 27th pick.
SteveW
December 25th, 2010
4:37 pm
But we shouldn’t feel to bad. Look at Detroit in 2003.
#2 Darko Detroit
#3 Carmelo Anthony
#4 Chris Bosh
#5 Dwayne Wade