Atlanta Weather

| Traffic

Search
Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks: Thunder 103, Hawks 94

12:25 am January 1, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

Jamal had it going until the fourth. (AP Photo)

Jamal had it going until the fourth. (AP Photo)

Oklahoma City–If you didn’t see this one, just think back to the Hawks’ game at Orlando (the first time), at Miami, at San Antonio, at Boston, at New Orleans. This was pretty much the same thing–hurt by turnovers, dribble penetration, poor shot selection–except for the gory sight of a cut on Smoove’s head.

  • The Hawks are 2-6 in road games against teams with winning records. They either had the lead or were close to it in all of those Ls.
  • “It’s definitely frustrating,” J.J. said. “We are so close and then we are shooting ourselves in the foot. Maybe it’s a few bad shots, or maybe a few turnovers. We’ve got to grow up in that area.”
  • “You keep plugging,” L.D. said. “Hopefully at some point it will click in. We went into the fourth quarter with a two-point game; that’s a great position to be in. It’s a little frustrating but still I am encouraged we are putting ourselves in that position.”
  • This game probably won’t do much to sway L.D. from his tendency to favor his shotmakers. He sat Bibby for the entire fourth quarter and played Damien Wilkins. The Hawks scored just 15 points while holding the Thunder to 18 (when not including Ibaka’s bush-league dunk at the end).
  • Then again, it’s not as if the Hawks had the right guys taking good shots.
  • “It’s a little frustrating,” Josh said. “We couldn’t put the ball in the bucket at the end. We have got to be able to overcome. Jamal had it going pretty much the whole game and we kind of went away from that a little bit.”
  • One reason they went away from it is because Josh started jacking jump shots in the fourth. He was poised for a triumphant return after going to the locker room in the third quarter with a nasty gash courtesy of Ibaka’s teeth.
  • But with the Hawks down 85-81 and in need of good possessions, Josh fired up a 21-footer with 12 seconds on the shot clock. After Jamal missed a 3, Smoove came down and threw up a 3 with 16 seconds on the shot clock.
  • Jamal was incredibly efficient: 26 points, 8 of 15 field goals, 7 of 9 free throws, five steals, three assists and no turnovers. “My legs are getting back under me,” he said.
  • But when he missed three of four baskets in the fourth quarter Joe (1 of 4) and Josh (1 of 4) couldn’t help out. Al might have done so but he sat early in the fourth quarter after he was forced to play the entire third quarter with Josh out (you can forget about interior D covering up the inevitable assaults at the basket if one or the other isn’t in there).
  • J.J. missed three straight open jumpers after making his first and never really got on track. “I think we put various guys on him and made it tough on him,” Durant said. “He missed some shots that he normally makes but for the most part we did a decent job on him.”
  • It’s tough to criticize Joe too much when he had 11 assists against one turnover while being hounded all night. But there comes a time when he has to stop shooting when they aren’t going in.
  • “He missed typical Joe shots but he did have 11 assists and he was chasing Westbrook for the most part,” Drew said. “The last couple of games he is guarding guys he wouldn’t be normally matched up with.”
  • That’s another byproduct of Atlanta’s lack of perimeter defenders in the rotation.
  • “It may be a little tough at times because defensively I am normally guarding their main guy,” Joe said. “Then offensively I’m coming down and fighting against two or three other guys. So it’s tough and frustrating at times. But that’s neither here nor there. We could just make the easy plays and then things wouldn’t be so difficult but we just don’t do that.”
  • After the Hawks limited Golden State’s 3-pointers on Wednesday, the Thunder made 10 of 18. Of course some of those were high degree of difficulty daggers from Durant, who made all three of his 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.
  • “They are a really good offensive team,” L.D. said. “They made some big shots. We tried to keep [Durant] off balance but when it came down to when they had to make a shot, he was the guy who knocked them down. You have to give them credit because defensively we mixed it up but he’s a shotmaker.”
  • The Hawks tried to play at the Thunder’s pace early and nearly got buried. They could have kept it closer if J.J. was hitting but they never could get consistent stops.
  • “We made very, very carless mistakes, careless turnovers,” Drew said. “The shot selection was not good. We talked about that at the very beginning. Against a team like Oklahoma you have to conrol tempo and limit their momentum. We turned the basketball over, had some ill-advised shots.”
  • Josh ended up not getting stitches for that gash: “I thought I needed some but they said no.”
  • “When I saw it, I got a little lightheaded, to be quite honest,” Drew said. “It wasn’t pretty at all. He came back with an aggression. I was very surprised he did come back.”
  • Josh was upset about Ibaka’s dunk. The shot clock was off and the Thunder were up 101-92. “That’s a sign of disrespect,” Josh said. “Everybody in the whole league knows that you don’t do nothing like that. We remember something like that.”
  • Smoove had a conversation with Durant about the play: “He said he was going to handle it because he knew that wasn’t right.”
  • The basket gave Westbrook his 10th assist for a triple-double.”It doesn’t matter,” Drew said. “You run the clock out. The game is over. You don’t make that kind of play.”
  • While it should be noted that L.D. left Josh in a game at Toronto so he could get an assist to complete his triple-double, the difference was that it happened with 4:30 left.
  • Happy New Year, blog people.

Michael Cunningham

You keep plugging. Hopefully at some point it will click in. We went into the fourth quarter two point game, that’s a great position to be in. It’s a little frustating but still I am encouraged we are putting ourselves in that position.

You keep plugging. Hopefully at some point it will click in. We went into the fourth quarter two point game, that’s a great position to be in. It’s a little frustating but still I am encouraged we are putting ourselves in that position.

  • Print

219 comments Add your comment

O'Brien

January 1st, 2011
11:35 pm

I supported letting Woody go last season.

However…for those who are interested in the numbers, the Hawks averaged 102 ppg last year under Woody. This year, they are averaging 97 ppg under LD.

And despite LD’s motion offense, we are still having trouble scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter against good teams. And this is the same problem we had last year under Woody’s ISOs.

I agree that our assists are up, but in crunch time, we still have trouble scoring.

O'Brien

January 1st, 2011
11:47 pm

And I know there has been talk about Carlos Boozer and his lack of defense, plus his injury history. But the guy is averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.

That is All-Star numbers.

The Truth

January 1st, 2011
11:56 pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAWKSVILLE!!

Regarding the Hawks, have I missed anything? I know; it is what it is. For the sake of sanity and peace of mind this year, we should all lower our expectation about these Hawks:

No – They will not reached the ECF as currently constructed (dreamers can wake-up now)
No – The question is not will they go pass the 2nd round
Yes – The question is will they make it out of the 1st round
Yes – Their problem is defense and chemistry, they can’t win because they don’t know how
No – Teague is not the answer until he finds a consistent jump shot (perhaps mission impossible)
Yes – Sund is who we thought he was, a mistake

Still can’t understand all of the Marvin bashings, the real problem is big money Joe. As inefficient as Joe is, I wonder how many PPG he would have if he was the 5th option. Yes, I know he had surgery, but @ 125M, he still should do better. Here’s a question: Has big money Joe pass Gilbert Arenas bad contract?

Ken Strickland

January 2nd, 2011
12:14 am

We should be targeting MConley, who will be a restricted FA after this season. He’s good defensively, penetrates well, and has a decent FG%, including his 3pt FG%. He can:
1-improve our perimeter DEF,
2-attack DEF’s with his penetrating ability,
3-give us a more consistent outside and inside scoring weapon,
4-give us an actual PG with PG skills.

We should also take a very long look at Denver’s C Nene, who’ll be a FA after this season.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 2nd, 2011
12:23 am

Conley signed a five year extension before the season started. He is not a RFA.

Rufus1

January 2nd, 2011
12:56 am

@Ken

Westbrook went right to the basket everytime Bibby was guarding him….23pts, 10ast and 10rebs

@Ramon

Stop making excuses for all of the BONE HEADED DECISIONS Josh makes. His offense keeped us in the game, but his DECISION MAKING helped lose the game. I expect more from my 7 year veteran making 12.2mil a year.(23pts and 9rbs is expected…7 turnovers and bad decision making isn’t)

Al averages 1.5 turnovers and 3.4ast…..Josh averages 2.7 turnovers and 3.6ast….Josh needs to learn his place.

L-QUE

January 2nd, 2011
1:38 am

Tyrone3:04 Savant5:00 Boys take a chill pill all that writting and you not talking about nothing a blind man can see what the Hawks needs A YOUNG POINT GUARD SCORER-FACILITATOR like Westbrook, Nash-Billups closer to the nursing home than trying to stop Westbrook few have done it .Durant was going to be a monster on his home court, the killer was Green who Al couldnt handle JS kept Durant in check for the most part in the first half JJ was to tired to score chasing W&D.in the second half,JC1 played good SPOT DEFENSE but couldnt handle either alone JOSH tried to add SCORING which is always missing from the point.JJ&JC1 cant play together .Atlanta wins when Bibby score 15 or more what do that tells you .for the record ,D.Harris or one out of detroit is our best bet this time of the season.Billups-Nash time is over, Curry- Rose-Westbrook-Ellis-Gordon-Jennys-Rondo-Nelson and a few more young bloods are taking over, their time is about gone they need help to guard these guys,because they are always attacking you, believe or not our best defenders are JJ-JS-MW just watch a game you will see.But dont say you didnt see the game then go berserk on the blog.Damn

James

January 2nd, 2011
2:12 am

L-QUE,

Did you watch the last game? Green was the “real killer”? Were you intoxicated during the game? Outside of the first quarter, Green was a total non-factor. His only field goals were a run out dunk and a few perimeter jumpers that he made early on when Al was giving him room to prevent him from driving. Those are the types of shots you want Green taking if you’re the opposing defense. As far as Durant is concerned, no one kept him in check, and the guy is almost impossible to stop in 1 vs. 1 situations as it is, so you can’t fully blame that issue on the team. Good team defense goes a long way, but as most people have already realized your defense can only be as effective as your weakest link. No matter how good our team defense is, there will always be holes in it as long as Bibby is on the floor. However, without Bibby on the floor, the offense becomes even more chaotic. It’s a two-headed snake that L.D. is struggling to deal with, and the problem can’t be corrected without a personnel change. At any rate, guys like Westbrook will continue to get into the seems of our defense as long as our perimeter defense remains porous.

Mike Honcho

January 2nd, 2011
2:18 am

Rufus1,

I agree. Those are very good points. I would really like to see Josh consistently play under control and stop trying to make hero plays or do everything himself. After six full seasons in the league, you would expect this guy to be responsible enough to know his own limitations, but it seems like he’s reverting back to his old ways more and more this season. Some say we need to “take the good with the bad” when Josh is on the floor, but a lot of coaches would “take the bad” right to the bench, until it turns into something good. Unfortuantely, L.D. enforces no accountability. That’s the reason why Joe Johnson can continually dominate offensive posessions and consume the majority of the team’s shot attempts, even when he is shooting in the mid-30% range. That’s the same reason why Josh is free to pretend he is either Magic Johnson or Ray Allen on any given night without any consequences. It’s like the inmates are running the asylum in the Hawks case, while the “enforcer” just stands by and watches. Or, maybe it’s just a matter of favoritism, as some guys continually see less minutes, while other undeserving players see more.

JeJe

January 2nd, 2011
2:49 am

Is it too much to ask for Joe Johnson to score 25 or 30 points and lead us to a win over a good team?

It seems he is allowed to have these lame 16 pt games because he can just claim he’s not fully recovered yet

And I’m tired of LD saying how encouraged he is we are in games til the end. WTF? Maybe 4 years ago it’s encouraging – not now

AND GIVE DAMIEN MORE MINUTES. HE SHUT DOWN DURANT ON SOME PLAYS, ONE I CAN REMEMBER QUITE WELL

HE NEEDS MINUTES

Jae Evolution

January 2nd, 2011
3:32 am

RUN MORE OFFENSE FOR JOE!

slimjr

January 2nd, 2011
8:34 am

As of now if the playoffs where to begin, the Hawks are the 5 seed matched up against the Bulls who are the 4 seed. Your highlight factory Hawks would not win that series in a million years as presently configured! The Bulls owned the Hawks in last year series head to head and they made significant improvements.The Hawks did not.. This does not bode well for Sund and his gang of stooges..

Sund=Billy Knight(probably the worst GM in Hawks history)
Larry Drew=Mike Woodson… Yawn…

slimjr

January 2nd, 2011
8:38 am

Big head Josh will never learn his place in basketball. His ego fills the arena.. Trade his butt for Rudy Gay and a draft pick yesterday!!…. This team will not advance with this chemistry killer……….

{MAC-Town Georgia 478}

January 2nd, 2011
8:56 am

The Hawks are a soft jump shooting team and are subject to many defensive collapses a game, allowing shooters and the lane to be wide open far too often.

Some serious changes have to be made from a strategic and/or personnel standpoint.

What we’re doing now isnt going to get the job done. These guys blow games like this, then when we go out and beat some sub .500 team and Josh Smith or Bibby has a big game all is forgiven. It seems some fans suffer from Rick Sunditis even if they are unaware. As long as the core is looking good against the Pacers, Wizards and Timberwolves everything is cool. HIGH STANDARDS THERE!!!

{MAC-Town Georgia 478}

January 2nd, 2011
9:04 am

and the excuses for Joe are starting to pile up. Superstars draw extra attention, if you FAIL because of that extra attention you draw when the ball is in your hands, then I guess that makes you not as as good as said to be,

darrell starks

January 2nd, 2011
9:20 am

I have been screaming for monta ellis since summer, are the warriors willing 2 trade monta, there chemistry is all mess up with monta, curry starting. There record now is 13 and 20, have rick sund reach out 2 warriors and what player would it take.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

January 2nd, 2011
9:25 am

Marvin would fit perfect with the warriors, and now with dorell wright avg 26 points a game in his last 7 games he have merge in 2 a prolific ball player.
WARRIORS STARTER CURRY, WRIGHT, MARVIN, LEE, BIEDRINS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

January 2nd, 2011
9:27 am

MARVIN, BIBBY, AND 2 FIRST ROUND FOR MONTA.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

January 2nd, 2011
9:31 am

The hawks have the slowest starting point guard in the nba, when was the last time bibby penetrate for and easy basket.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

O'Brien

January 2nd, 2011
9:39 am

Ken,

The hawks will not have the salary cap space to go after Nene in the offseason. All they will have is the mid-level exception, the bi-annual exception, and the traded player exception from chills (assuming they don’t make a deal at the deadline ).

brigadierjerry

January 2nd, 2011
9:50 am

I think the situation is obvious what Larry Drew wants to do. He i looking to get wins not develop players. He is trying to win games to make the playoffs not develop players that is why the Teque Jordan Crawford of those types arent getting much playing time. Hawks should look to make a move by the trading deadline to get an expiring contract back otherwise they will be standing pat. It is hard to get a read on this hawks team because joe johnson due to injury this year isnt as good as last year Marvin seems better this year Jamal not as good Hoford better and Smith maybe a bit better although he is much more perimter oriented this year. I think how you see the Eastern conference right now for the playoffs teams is what you are going to see at the end of the season and the Hawks bulls play one another

terrell

January 2nd, 2011
9:54 am

Had a dream last night that the Hawks made a trade for Battier and Brooks. Dont know who we traded though. A deal in the works perhaps? lol!

Sautee

January 2nd, 2011
10:28 am

Samuel,

about these two things you said about Jeff Teague:

“If you have 8 assist and 6 turnovers, what do you really have?”

Samuel, you are being unfair to young Jeff. His assist to turnover ratio is 2.32

That is higher than Devin Harris, Brandon Jennings, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, and just a hair behind Derrick Rose.

and then you say this: “Do you play a guy who is your smartest player, your most consistent outside shooter and the guy the team trusts or the guy who can’t hit the blind side of a barn, turns the ball over constantly, shows no leadership ability but looks good in spurts?”

Can’t hit the blind side of a barn? The kid is shooting .445% from the field and .385 from 3. JJ would absolutely KILL to have those nimbers. That’s a higher % than Manu Ginobili and Jamal Crawford are shooting.

Maybe to YOU, Teague “turns the ball over constantly”, and “can’t hit the blind side of a barn”, but the FACTS show something different.

Samuel, I’m not arguing at all about his playing time, (and you know that I’m an long time Bibby defender), but against your unfair attitude regarding his turnovers and shooting %. You are just flat wrong about those things.

Perception is NOT reality, Sam.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
10:33 am

Sure Sautee,
Teague is a better shooter than Manu Ginolili and jamal Crawford. proof that numbers can lie.
Again Sautee, you tell me why Teague isn’t playing?

brigadierjerry

January 2nd, 2011
10:37 am

Correction to my last post hawks would be playing the orlando magic if the playoffs ended today and I think that is what you are going to see the hawks play orlando in the first round and that would be an interesting playoff matchup

Sautee

January 2nd, 2011
10:46 am

Like I said, Samuel, my argument is NOT about his playing time, and ALL about your unfair attitude towards him. Are you out there posting that Jamal “can’t hit the blind side of a barn”? Or even Joe Johnson? No you are not. For whatever reason, you don’t seem to give the kid a fair shake.

I’m not arguing for more time for him. I’m arguing for you to not dismiss him with untrue statements, which you have been doing.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
10:48 am

Sautee,
You know Dam well that the bulk of Teague’s numbers come in garbage time and 90% of his made field goals are layups, 5ft floaters or dunks. The problem comes when he can’t get either of those three. Anything outside of 10 feet and he’s lost. That don’t cut it in the NBA. When he’s put in the game when it actually counts, he lays an egg.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
10:50 am

What have I said that’s unfair? Everybody who has watched games this year know that Teague can’t shoot. Is that even an argument?

honest_abe

January 2nd, 2011
10:53 am

teagues shooting pct is higher because he takes the majority of his shots 3 feet from the basket with floaters, layups and dunks. his outside shot is an insult to jumpshots around the world.

he does turn the ball over. i’m amazed at how many of his most basic passes are tipped.

having said both these things teague has the talent. he just doesn’t have the fire or edge that is needed to lead a team. the coaching staff has already pointed that out as his liability. i’ve seen the guy do dances and jigs on the sidelines. he really has to grow up. but when two of your captains are josh smith and joe johnson i’m not sure who becomes your mentor. rondo had to grow up because his captains were pierce, garnett and allen. they demanded big things from him and he grew up quickly. with the hawks there is no sense of professionalism only a sense of me me and some more ME!

Will

January 2nd, 2011
10:53 am

The hawks, historical loser franchise, their arena virtually empty each hm gm, no superstar player. Their players do not play with any intensity and effort each gm. Been together for 6 or 7 seasons.

An ownership and management group, clueless. LOOK WHAT MR. BLANKS DID WITH A LOSER FRANCHISE THE ATL FALCONS, 7 PLAYERS ELECTED TO THE PRO BOWL MOST IN NFL. ALL HM GMS SOLDOUT CAN’T GET A TICKET. FALCONS HAS GAIN NATIONAL RESPECT, DID I MENTION THEY “WERE” AN HISTORICAL LOSER FRANCHISE!!!!!!

Sautee

January 2nd, 2011
11:01 am

Samuel,

I see what you see with his outside shot. Yes it needs improving, we all know that. But your contention that Teague gets all his nimbers at garbage time is erroneous.

As is your claim of his “turning the ball over constantly”. Really, Samuel, you don’t think that’s an unfair statement? If he actually “turned the ball over constantly” how the F could he have a 2.32 assist to turnover ratio? Not possible, my friend, not possible.

And to say that is UNFAIR. And erroneous.

Understand, Samuel, that if you say “he SEEMS to turn the ball over constantly”, then I could accept that as your opinion. But when you say it as a statement of fact, I’ll take issue when the facts show something different from your claim.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
11:04 am

Abe,
I agree that Teague has talent. He may develop into a good player but the Hawks don’t have time to develop him. All these guys saying we should sacrifice wins to develop players are just kidding themselves. We sacrifice a few wins and we’re out of the playoffs or in 7th or 8th place.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
11:07 am

OK Sautee,
How about, he turns the ball over at key moments of the game. Again, what’s your explination as to why he doesn’t play more. LD basically said the same thing i’m saying. Do you think it’s some kind of conspiracy too?

honest_abe

January 2nd, 2011
11:15 am

i usually disagree with everything you say but i think we’re on the same page with teague. the guy hasn’t shown a single reason as to why he deserves more playing time other than his intriguing potential.

to be fair, teague has played better over the past several weeks but his playing time has gotten more sporadic. the only reason i could come up with is that ld is trying to show teague that nba minutes aren’t given their earned. he became more assertive a few weeks ago against boston and that was after a couple of dnp’s i believe or his pt had become reduced to almost nothing. hell if playing teague less makes him a little more hungry, more decisive and more mature then i think it’s the right thing to do in his development process.

honest_abe

January 2nd, 2011
11:15 am

i usually disagree with everything you say but i think we’re on the same page with teague. the guy hasn’t shown a single reason as to why he deserves more playing time other than his intriguing potential.

to be fair, teague has played better over the past several weeks but his playing time has gotten more sporadic. the only reason i could come up with is that ld is trying to show teague that nba minutes aren’t given their earned. he became more assertive a few weeks ago against boston and that was after a couple of dnp’s i believe or his pt had become reduced to almost nothing. hell if playing teague less makes him a little more hungry, more decisive and more mature then i think it’s the right thing to do in his development process.

Sautee

January 2nd, 2011
11:15 am

OK Samuel, I’ll take that correction. Yes, he has turned the ball over in crucial times. So has every other player on the team. EVERY ONE.

And for some reason, you think I’m arguing against you regarding his playing time. I am not. I only took issue with your erroneous statements. I have no idea what conspiracy theories you mean, nor do I care. Teague is the 9th or 10th player on the team. It is what it is. I wish he were ready, but with some players it takes years for the light to come on. Ces’t la vie.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
11:27 am

I think if Teague were in a situation where a team was rebuilding he might develop better. maybe we can trade him to the Kings for Cousins or package he, Marvin and a pick for Ellis.

Sautee

January 2nd, 2011
11:37 am

Samuel,

I don’t see a trade happening (Gearon loves our core), but if one DID, we’d need another PG by next year, as Jamal will likely be gone and Bibby on the wane. So any trade would need to consider a future PG.

I said before the season that if by January, Teague wasn’t ready (and he’s clearly NOT) then we should look to trade Jamal for a starting PG, preferably one who could play perimeter defense.

Wally Walker

January 2nd, 2011
11:40 am

L-Que, Samuel, and the Hawknation, Sund & ASG can not sit by and DO NOTHING! I agree that Nash, Billups, and Miller are all in the twilight of their careers, but none are on teams with any hope of competing for a NBA championship. So now the ball is in their court, do they play out string or at least move to teams who may be a player or so away. The current corp of good young point guards season has arrived, but there is a light that shines for old guard, so let it be!!!
I will repeat again and again that JJ is not the problem with a facilitor he along with other core will flourish. None of the above mentioned PGs are available without at minimiun Jamal and # 1 pick and probably Teague. Let’s examine: Jamal is gone after this year, # 1 pick will be in the mid 20’s, and Teague for all his potential is NOT A PG, so keeping these pieces for the remainder of the year and knowing with them there’s NO or very little chance of competing on the highest level- IS PLAYING NOT TO LOSE. Unfortunately, this attitude is very common in Atlanta sports history as we just witnessed last Monday Night. Remember both in 1979 and 1980, the Falcons had big leads on Dallas and sit on the ball and lost. New England stomps its opponents when it has the lead.
Sund & ASG either choice to WIN or accept being an afterthought.

MsDee

January 2nd, 2011
12:13 pm

I have been reading the mini debate with Sautee & Samuel, and I have to agree with Sautee.

Samuel,
you say, “You know Dam well that the bulk of Teague’s numbers come in garbage time and 90% of his made field goals are layups, 5ft floaters or dunks. The problem comes when he can’t get either of those three. Anything outside of 10 feet and he’s lost. That don’t cut it in the NBA. When he’s put in the game when it actually counts, he lays an egg.”

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, but I also like what Sautee said in his statement, “The kid is shooting .445% from the field and .385 from 3. Joe Johnson WOULD ABSOLUTELY KILL TO HAVE THOSE NUMBERS!”

So since your statement is factual about the ‘close range’ shots Teague gets, THEN WHY IN HEAVENS JJ NOT SMART ENOUGH TO DO THE SAME?!?!?!? JJ is owns about 5 Bank of Americas and about 1 Suntrust but he isnt smart enough to recognize HIS OUTSIDE JUMPER IS OFF???? Dude could hit his rainbow floaters ALL DAY LONG WITH HIS EYES CLOSE, BUT INSTEAD, HE CHOOSES TO JACK UP THREE’S??? This is another thing I agree with Northcyde about, JJ needs to come in for points instead of jumpers right now!!

JeJe

January 2nd, 2011
12:15 pm

“It may be a little tough at times because defensively, I am normally guarding their main guy,” Johnson said. “Then offensively, I’m coming down and fighting against two or three other guys. So it’s tough and frustrating at times.”

LOL God Forbid our maximum player has to take the brunt of the burden.

We are NOT short on perimeter defenders. We have a guy named Damien Wilkins who Drew pretty much refuses to use. This guy has shut down every bigtime player he has guarded

MsDee

January 2nd, 2011
12:25 pm

Also Samuel, there is one thing I would have to disagree with Sautee about and that’s more playing time. When Teague IS in the game, the game becomes faster. Teague is NOT the only player who makes the STUPID TURNOVERS AT THE WRONG TIME!! Josh Smith leads the way in that category. The ONLY player who may make casual turnovers is Horford. He very seldom make the STUPID ones. So to just center Teague out like that is just plain LUDACRIS (LOL, I know that’s the rappers’ name, did that on purpose). Teague’s play does not determine our wins or losses, its our BIG TIME MONEY MAKER player, JJ, who isnt uses his strengths with his floaters in the lane to draw fouls and a 3point play!! He is TOO busy increasing his assists and not his points.

KevinM

January 2nd, 2011
12:28 pm

WallyWalker, be prepared for the ‘as-is’ approach with this group. They aren’t convinced they have seen the potential of the core played out.

Sund is doing what he said in the summer: have Joe lead us to a championship level.

We will be fortunate if Jamal is able to come back here. Anyone think he gets as sweet a deal as Marvin?

Today’s a great game to have Teague play..the Clips will be looking to dump salaries very soon.

MsDee

January 2nd, 2011
12:31 pm

Teague needs to know his role and Jamal needs to know his role. When both are in the game, Teague NEEDS to have the ball in HIS hand while Jamal comes off some screens for a quick pass and shoot. BOTH would be getting what they need; Teague with an assist as a PG and Jamal with a shot as the SG. AGAIN, KNOW YOUR ROLE!!

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm

That’s why I believe JJ would be better at the 3. His post up game is almost unstoppable. I was looking at he and Al standing next to each other and he’s just as tall as Al and has a big upper body. Most players shoot outside shots because they are somewhat lazy on offense and they get caught up in the crowd noise associated with making the three opposed to the shot on the block.

In Teague’s case, I have no problem with him shooting layups and floaters but he can’t rely exclusively on that because good defenders will just lay off him and pick his passes off and dare him to shoot.

On the last Blog I pretented to be Joe Johnson

January 2nd, 2011
12:35 pm

just to be funny, and i think some of you guys actually believed it, this is what i wrote

“Guys I’m really sorry my game isn’t what it use to be, I promise I will play better against the Clippers and Hopefully for the rest of the season, and maybe even the playoffs. It really hurts to Know I’m disappointing the people that once were my fans, but you guys have to realize I am not the only one hurting this team, I will not give out names cause i don’t want to throw any one under the bus. But please guys, have faith in this team, we will get our act together.

And one more thing I’d like to say, please don’t hate me for the contract I received this Off-season. You guys have to understand the NBA is a business, and I had to do what was best for me.

Sincerely: Yours truly Joe Johnson”

On the last Blog I pretented to be Joe Johnson

January 2nd, 2011
12:39 pm

C’mon guys, you know Joe Johnson doesn’t have time to be reading our comments, he’s too busy spending money on hoes.

True Story i saw Joe Johnson at a strip club.

superiorblogman

January 2nd, 2011
12:39 pm

Not JJ’s fault. Drew is really bad. Why keep running plays for JJ when he isn’t making shots? Run those plays for Bibby and Jamal. JJ is averaging 5.8 Ast to 1.8 TO’s. Just let JJ run more pick and rolls and post ups so he can set guys up and leave the coming off screens to Jamal and Bibby. Leave the little backdoor baseline cut that JJ does well to him and you will be fine. Drew is really bad. He can’t see the simple things that he should be doing to make this team better.

Samuel

January 2nd, 2011
12:40 pm

Ms Dee,
Sure, turnovers are a part of the game and everybody makes them, however, when they are coming from your PG it’s a different story. The PG is the QB and the team and the coach has to trust him. No coach on any level will tolerate a PG who constantly makes turnovers in crucial situations especially when you are trying to convince that coach you need more PT.

I actually wouldn’t have a problem starting Teague, Jamal, JJ, Josh and Al and see what happens.

On the last Blog I pretented to be Joe Johnson

January 2nd, 2011
12:45 pm

I wouldn’t have a problem starting Jordan Crawford instead of JJ. JJ’s time is up, dude needs to come off the bench.

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next » Show All