Atlanta Hawks at Hornets: Back in action
New Orleans–It’s been a long time . . . I shouldn’t have left you . . . without a strong blog to step to. . . .
Season’s Greetings, blog people. Hope you are having a good Christmas weekend. I had some of my people come down from The Ville to stay with me for a few days. In case they read this, let me just say it was a delightful time and at no point did I contemplate the advantages of living alone. Ain’t family great?
The Hawks are back in action (and Jamal is back in the lineup) but not before taking some time for inaction. L.D. let them loose after the W against Cleveland Wednesday, canceling an early Thursday practice because “it would have been beating a dead horse to death,” or at the very least beating down a tired team.
So the players were free from postgame Wednesday to shootaround today. Everyone showed up and they seemed to have a bit more pep.
“I noticed at shootaround today they seemed really rejuvenated,” L.D. said. “I hope it carries over to the game tonight. They seemed to be a lot spunkier. They looked to be a little fresher, there was a little vibe there. I know that was really needed because the way the schedule was the first 31. Hopefully the little break did them some good and they can come back rejuevenated.”
(The Hornets also haven’t played since Wednesday but coach Monty Williams had them practice twice since then: “I didn’t want to go into the game [after] taking two days off. It’s a long season and you have to take advantage of the breaks but at the same time you’ve got to work.”)
Jamal, Marvin, Joe, Al and Bibby all got some time to rest their nagging nicks and pains.
Jamal said he would have no physical limitations after missing five games with a sore back.
“Now it’s just going to be about getting my timing and getting my game shape back,” he said. “I am just happy to get back out there.”
Al said the swelling has gone down in his shooting hand. It’s “better” but not quite back to feeling normal.
L.D. is starting his regular lineup: Bibby, J.J., Marvin, Smoove and Al.
“We’ll start that way but we will play a lot of big lineup tonight,” L.D. said. “I want to play Al a lot at the four and just go big with Okafor at the five.”
See Pape in Utah
Pape Sy will soon join the D-League’s Utah Flash. They don’t play a game until the end of the week so it’s possible Sy will continue to practice with the Hawks until then . . .
Monty Williams on J.J.: “He plays the point from the post. He’s one of my favorite players, always has been, because he does a number of things. He draws so many double teams and he can kick it around to the open guy.”
MC
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281 comments Add your comment
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
bigdave,
My only reservation is this: How long before Al loses some early aggressiveness for wanting to stay on the floor?
I haven’t seen it yet, but it would be human nature, one would think.
Andy
December 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
I don’t think that many people really understand why the benching of Horford for entire quarters due to the perception that he is in “foul trouble” is such an issue. Bret Lagree does an excellent job explaining the pros and cons of this strategy at Hoopinion. I advise people to take a look at some of his posts.
At any rate, think of it this way. The point of sitting a player when he is in foul trouble is to preserve that player and prevent them from picking up fouls too early, so that you can maximize the use of that player. However, what Larry Drew does really defeat’s the purpose of “maximizing the use of a productive player”. L.D.’s strategy actually results in the player playing less minutes overall due to imaginary foul trouble than he would play with real foul trouble.
With Horford playing only 8 minutes in the first half (with only 2 fouls), the maximum number of minutes he could play overall could be 32 for the night, however, we all know that the chances of him playing the entire 24 minutes in the second half without a rest is extremely unlikely. So, realistically, Horford will probably play about 16 minutes, total, in the second half. That would put him at 24 minutes for the entire night, due to this imaginary perception of foul trouble.
Now, imagine a scenario in which Horford played with 2 fouls in the first quarter. The chances of him picking up a third foul in the second half are reasonably unlikely, and even if that did occur, you may be able to get an extra 6-8 minutes from Horford in the half. Starting the 3rd quarter with 3 fouls is not going to prohibit Al from being aggressive, and most likely, he will still play his regular minutes in the second half, even with 3 fouls. Unless Horford gets to 4 fouls in the third quarter, he will most likely play around 8 minutes in that quarter, and even if he did pick up a 4th foul in the third, he’d probably still play 5 or so minutes in the quarter. Then, even with 4 fouls, he could play without limitation in the fourth quarter and play at least 8 minutes. When you factor all of that in together, Horford would probably end up playing around 30 minutes anyway. So, overall, the bench treatment is a bad idea and shows a lack of knowledge.
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
And the pisser about Al’s first foul is this: Horford was CLEARLY fouled by West on the rebound which was knocked away and then the ref who called Al for a foul was outside and had a bad angle (replay showed NO foul). If West had been called for HIS foul, Al’s wouldn’t have even happened.
Astro Joe
December 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
I’d be shocked if AL finishes this game with more than 4 fouls.
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
Sautee..
point.
at least by taking him out early w/ 2 @ least you wont have to worry about him playing that way late.
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
he might not finish w/ more than 4, but they were asserting the inside game and attacking the rim. u cant run the risk of playing w/ ZaZa and P to finish games..
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:31 pm
Al’s feet in quick sand when the ball comes off rim.
more jump shots for Al. he’d get his share..
listen, if you’re getting offense from other areas. sitting Al w/ 2 fouls isnt going to kill u. he doesnt impact the game from a defensive standpoint and we had no problem scoring. whats the issue.. ?
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:35 pm
dont know why Marvin doesnt cut to the basket when he man leaves him.
LionHearted
December 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
See what happens when your STUPID ROTATIONS destroy the flow of the game
LD is clueless
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
he picked up his pivot.
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
Yeah Josh was assuming Marvin would be aggressive and cut to the rim.
Well Marvin……….
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
huh?
Drew hadnt made a sub since halftime.. how did he screw the game up 9 @ half?
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:38 pm
lol. Al reaching down fouling.
smh. and you wonder why he sat.
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:38 pm
now you can afford to leave him in w/ 3
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
why didnt Joe switch back… lazy
Melvin
December 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
When are we going to see some accountability for Bibby lack of defense?
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
Game, set, match goes to bigdave
LionHearted
December 26th, 2010
8:40 pm
His dumb decisions in the 1st half effects wat happens in the 2nd half also
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:41 pm
Somebody told CP3 that Astro was dissing him. LOL
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
8:41 pm
..? we were up 9.
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
I do not understand why teague is not out there when Jamal is stinking it up on offense.
Ray
December 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
LMAO at bigdave. “[Al] doesn’t impact the game from a defensive standpoint…”. This makes me wonder if you even understand the game of basketball. Not to mention the fact that Al is team’s best rebounder, most efficient scorer, best post player, statistically, he’s also the best individual post defender, and one of the best mid-range shooter on the team (stat-wise). You lose a lot by not having him on the floor, both offensively and defensively. It’s a lot more complicated than your shallow analysis states.
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
bigdave,
We started missing jump shots.
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
December 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
Marvin out with cramps, he should be fine after he takes his Midol.
Melvin
December 26th, 2010
8:46 pm
LOL, the Hornets announcers said that Paul has scored 11pts in the 3rd and blame it on Mike Bibby…LOL
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
Oh no, Hawks are shooting 3 for 12 in the 3rd and have fallen behind. Duck is playing like BIG DUCK. He is laying low for the next 7-10 games..Man he sucks. Hawks lose with the three stooges on the floor in the 4th quarter!! Its a wrap. Chris paul is lighting it up now. Wow Billy you took DUCK over Chris. Your a GENIUS!! NOT…..My remote is getting ready to make a change. I can’t TAKE THIS sorry team………………………………………………
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
Centers guarding point guards, Iso-Joe… has Woody possessed LD’s body this quarter?
Melvin
December 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Dumb coaching by LD. He’s trying to defend Paul with bigger and slower defenders….
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Hey Marvin just take a leave of absence. Trust me you will not be missed…
Ramon
December 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Is Teague injured?
Hawks vs Hornets
December 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
Hawks come out flat after the half … Hornets make em pay. Can’t come out flat in the 4th if they want to win this one
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
Does anybody else remember Teague playing well against CP3 last year?
I mean it was just for a few possessions, but still……….
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
HAWKS WIN!!HAWKS WIN!!! COME ON JOE TAKE OVER SON!!!!!
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
THe only hawks player capable of staying in front or Paul is Teague. I cannot think of any reason why Teague should not be getting minutes. Especially when Jamal is clearly rusty
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Marvin can’t throw it in the ocean…………….Brutal…
Byron
December 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
There’s a reason why people complain about L.D. Not everyone is a “hater” because they criticize Drew. People are just pointing out the obvious. Drew makes a lot of mistakes, plain and simple. He’s a rookie coach, maybe he’ll improve as his experience grows, maybe he won’t improve. We don’t know yet, but right now, he is definitely one of the lesser coaches in the league, definitely bottom 10.
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
SUND JUST Quit… We can do a better job on this blog…
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
get mo and collins and crawford out of the game
LionHearted
December 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
I still dont understand LD’s beef with Teague.
Bailey
December 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
Wow, what is up with the current lineup? I don’t know what happened to L.D. before the game, but he’s really having some issues tonight. Why would you match up Bibby on Paul (or Jack) and Marvin Williams on the 7 ft. Jason Williams? Four perimeter players and a fairly immobile center against a Hornet’s lineup with size, length, and quick guards.That’s a recipe for defeat. I hope L.D. doesn’t stick with this lineup for long. He’s really hurting us with some of these combinations. I’m still wondering what his plan in this one is.
lukas
December 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
Larry Woody has crippled AH in this game.
Sautee
December 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
Take it to the rim. Every time down, take it to the rim.
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2010
8:59 pm
MC,
The blog wants to know why Teague is not getting any playing time this game!
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
9:00 pm
Teague has not bought into his motion offense yet. Also he not as good a passer as the other guards.Did I just hear Duck has 18 points??? Come on duck!!! You can do it!!!
O'Brien
December 26th, 2010
9:00 pm
So Bibby played 31 minutes despite going 1-6, and despite the fact that the N.O. PGs have 23 points?
I’m surprised Teague has not gotten any PT though.
And Hawks get outscored 28-16 in the third? Wow.
bigdave
December 26th, 2010
9:01 pm
“Not to mention the fact that Al is team’s best rebounder, most efficient scorer, best post player, statistically, he’s also the best individual post defender, and one of the best mid-range shooter on the team (stat-wise).”
try not to let your emotions towards Al impair your thought process when you when you hurry to his defense. the dialogue was based on having to sit Al w/ 2 fouls vs playing him. my point was that when we have consistent scoring coming from other areas, sitting Al does not hurt you as bad vs. those spells when nobody is making shots and you can go to the reliable pick and pop game. if we’re getting buckets throw in an equally efficient defensive presence in Collins and get stops.
and honestly nobody is afraid of Horford’s shot blocking ability. and he’s looking out muscled vs Emeka in the post. also watch how many boards he lets fly by.. or when he fails to box out his assignment.
Collins causing turnovers as we speak.
stop speaking like a #1 fan and watch the game..
O'Brien
December 26th, 2010
9:01 pm
Hawks kryptonite is the pick and roll.
O'Brien
December 26th, 2010
9:02 pm
Its about time Bibby!
slimjr
December 26th, 2010
9:02 pm
Hawks are a 5th or 6th seed down the road but it will not matter!! They get their arses handed to them come April….
LionHearted
December 26th, 2010
9:03 pm
No one has bought into the Motion Offense lol