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Atlanta Hawks at Raptors: No Canada

5:50 pm January 12, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

Long and boring story short: I didn’t make it to Toronto. Neither did Etan, who apparently couldn’t get out of his ‘hood. Marvin’s sore back didn’t allow didn’t make the trip, either.

I plan to watch the game on TV and then post some analysis here. Until then, here is some Hawks-related linkage:

  • (Via TrueHoop.com): Hoopism put together a cool graphical representation of the NBA teams by average age. Rick Sund always says the Hawks are still a young team in relation to the other top teams in the East, and this chart backs him up on that: The Hawks are the fourth-oldest team among the East’s top five, slightly older than the Bulls. Hoopism also weighted age by minutes played and the Hawks rank fourth among the East’s top five by that measure as well.
  • You might recall ESPN’s John Hollinger was among the chief critics of the Hawks(Insider) following their surrender against Boston at Philips. Two months later, he’s got the Hawks No. 6 in his power rankings and includes the Hawks among six “good” teams flying under the radar (Insider).

    • Hollinger cautions: “‘good’ here is relative — none of these teams is going to win the championship, and it’s likely that none will even host a first-round playoff series. Nonetheless, there’s an interesting story brewing with several clubs that have been well off the league’s radar since early in the season, and it’s high time we revisited them” Says Hollinger:

    “Especially noticeable is that there’s far better ball movement than in the “iso-Joe” offense under Mike Woodson. But perhaps more important is that the Hawks’ formerly shambolic transition D has significantly improved now that they’re not sending the entire team to the offensive glass. . . . This team remains flawed — it’s basically four good players and a whole lot of filler — but has coped with injuries surprisingly well. . . . As a result, the Hawks are on the upswing.”

  • Jason Walker at Peachtree Hoops wishes ‘Nique happy b-day. Inspired by Nick Young going off for 45 points, Walker also looks back at the Hawks’ last 40point game and discovers that J.J. has the last six. Writes Walker:

    • “Makes sense since: A) He was the only capable scorer for many of the past 7 seasons. B) One must gobble up possessions to achieve such heights, usually, and Johnson was/is the alpha dog in terms of possession usage, so it would be difficult for another player to sneak in there unless Joe was injured and that player took his possessions.”

  • Bret Lagree at Hoopinion scouted Pape Sy’s games at the D-League Showcase and came up with these ugly numbers: “Unofficial on/off numbers, assuming Utah haven’t played much faster or slower with Sy on the court and that he’s played an equal number of offensive and defensive possessions: Utah are -10 points per 100 possessions with Sy on the floor, -0.6 points per 100 possessions with Sy off the floor over the last six games.”
  • Jonathan Givony of Draft Express has already seen enough of Sy to declare that the Hawks wasted a pick, roster spot and $600 k on him: “If Pape Sy wasn’t drafted by the Hawks and making 500k this year, you’d wonder if he’s good enough to play at the D-League level. . . . . Its moves like this (drafting Pape Sy) that make you wonder about the decisions that get made by certain NBA front offices, like the Hawks.”

    • MC

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    332 comments Add your comment

    Ramon

    January 12th, 2011
    10:46 pm

    O’Brien, I’m still not seeing an impact center who puts this team over the hump that is worth giving Josh up for. D12 is the only center in the league that I would trade Josh for. I’m a firm believer in the Hawks should attempt to get a hard nose journeyman center (Joel P) with the mid level before truly giving up one of their three best players. I actually believe the Hawks need a starting PG more than they need a starting center. If you choose to bring Jamal back, you have Joe, Al, Josh, and Jamal, and the one thing you’re still missing is the facilitator who can also put pressure on the opposing PG on the other end of the court. I would even consider a sign and trade deal for A. Brooks (I think he will end up being the ‘Felton’ of this free agent class).

    Also Jamal has to understand his salary will drop some percentage just because of the new CBA that will be in place.

    Ron

    January 12th, 2011
    10:46 pm

    By the way, a loss for the Magic would mean a three-way tie for 3rd in the East between the Bulls, Hawks, and Magic. However, that means a lot more to the Hawks and Magic than the Bulls, since the Bulls are basically guaranteed homecourt advantage in the playoffs, regardless of what their record is, due to their extremely weak division.

    Najeh Davenpoop

    January 12th, 2011
    10:47 pm

    Hornets win 92-89. Hawks are tied for third.

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    10:47 pm

    Magic lose… Hawks pickup a game tonight on the Magic and Bulls… Now can the Heat lose to the Clippers

    ATL FAN

    January 12th, 2011
    10:47 pm

    J J J JOEEEE JOHNSONN!!!!!

    Ron

    January 12th, 2011
    10:48 pm

    It’s official, Hornets defeat Magic.

    ant banks

    January 12th, 2011
    10:48 pm

    i think that we can beat chicago in a 7 game series, even if they have the home court advantage, but i don’t see us gettin’ outta the 2nd round with this roster. even if we get nash. i don’t see us beatin’ miami, orlando or boston in a 7 game series in the 2nd rd

    Ramon

    January 12th, 2011
    10:51 pm

    Ant, if Jamal and Joe play like this, I can see the Hawks beating Orlando or Miami in 6 games. Atlanta has nothing to lose in either of those series, if they win one of the first two games (which isn’t impossible) the pressure goes to Lebron (Miami) or D12/Van Gundy (Orlando). And I can’t help but not see more than a Shareef A. Rahim when I look at Bosh (not impressed).

    Najeh Davenpoop

    January 12th, 2011
    10:52 pm

    “even if we get nash. i don’t see us beatin’ miami, orlando or boston in a 7 game series in the 2nd rd”

    Maybe, maybe not, but I think the Hawks would have a realistic chance of beating those teams with Nash. Without Nash, I don’t think they do. At the very least I think this Hawks team plus Nash is better than the Suns team that Nash took to the Western Conference finals last year.

    ant banks

    January 12th, 2011
    10:53 pm

    jj is goin’ to end up costin’ atlanta 200 million in the long run!! belkin was right, we coulda got jj without givin’ up 2 1st round picks, which led to the 5 yr suit that cost millions, plus the 124million/6yr contract…jj will owe the hawks his 1st born. lol.

    ant banks

    January 12th, 2011
    10:54 pm

    lol @ melvin…he on that “good-good” lol

    Ron

    January 12th, 2011
    10:54 pm

    “…At the very least I think this Hawks team plus Nash is better than the Suns team that Nash took to the Western Conference finals last year.”

    I strongly agree with this.

    SteveW

    January 12th, 2011
    10:56 pm

    Najeh – The report on ESPN is that the Nets and Nuggets are shopping Devin Harris to try and get this trade to go down. I suggest Bibby, Mo’, and Marvin to make the cap numbers work, and get Devin Harris, TMac and maybe one of the Nets 5 first round picks they have combined for the next 2 drafts.

    Bibby would be a great backup for Ty Lawson in Denver, and he’s kinda like Billups. Marvin and Mo’ would be salary dumps to afford Devin’ contract at about 9 mill per thru 2013. And then to re-sign Jamal.

    We could actually give Jamal our mid-level for 3 seasons in the above trade, and be at about 66 mil for next season for 9 players, and fill out the roster with vet minimum guys.

    But probably not gonna happen….

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    10:59 pm

    When Baron Davis wants to play, he’s unstoppable….

    SteveW

    January 12th, 2011
    10:59 pm

    Melvin – the Heat probably won’t lose to the Clippers. But Blake Griffin may hurt Bosh. That guy is a beast. I can really see him being a 40 – 20 guy in a couple of years. With hard work, the sky’s the limit with him.

    Damien

    January 12th, 2011
    11:00 pm

    These were the most shocking stats of tonight’s game:

    Joe, Jamal, and Josh – 58 field goal attempts (combined), Al Horford – 7 field goal attempts

    Shooting Percentages: Joe, Jamal, and Josh – 43% (combined), Al Horford – 71%

    Enough said…

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    11:01 pm

    SteveW,

    I would really like Devin Harris in a Hawks uniform…

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    11:03 pm

    Damon,

    Hawks got the win and halfway back to Atlanta by now. Forget about the stats… As Sautee would say, road wins are like Gold…

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    11:05 pm

    SteveW,

    The Clippers are playing on a Heat High in front that sold out crowd. I won’t be surprise if they beat the Heat…

    ATL FAN

    January 12th, 2011
    11:05 pm

    Damien, if you take out Josh’s numbers it doesn’t look as bad. I’d very much want Joe and Jamal to take that many shots per game if they could score over 50% of them, as they did this game

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    11:10 pm

    My goodness, Clippers scored 44pts in the 1st qtr…

    Ron

    January 12th, 2011
    11:11 pm

    The Heat just gave up 44 points in the first quarter to the Clippers. Wow.

    Ken Strickland

    January 12th, 2011
    11:11 pm

    Is there anyone that still thinks this yrs version of last yrs team isn’t a better team? With far more to deal with and overcome, we’ve matched last yrs win total at this point in the season.

    Why do we make an issue of Teague’s mistakes, like the one he made tonight that led to one fastbreak basket? Yet totally ignore the one’s Bibby makes, like the 3 he made that led to 3 fastbreak baskets?

    SteveW

    January 12th, 2011
    11:12 pm

    Melvin – The Heat’s 2 weaknesses are at PG and inside. If Baron and Griffin play hard for 4 quarters, and they have some athletes to throw at DWade and LeBron, you may be right. I sure hope so. I like when the Heat lose. I root against them.

    Melvin

    January 12th, 2011
    11:16 pm

    SteveW,

    I hope the Heat lose as well…

    MsDee

    January 12th, 2011
    11:21 pm

    MANN, if the Heat lose as bad as the Cavs lost to the Lakers, I SURE HOPE ONE OF THE CAVS WRITE LEBRON RIGHT BACK ON TWITTER HOW ‘GOD DONT LIKE UGLY EITHER!!’

    drmaryb (*_*)

    January 12th, 2011
    11:24 pm

    Najeh! “Dagger in the coffin!” ROF & LOL
    ______________________

    Ramon

    I replied to YOUR words not mine! You love back peddling don’t you?
    You can’t just dismiss what you said, when convenient.

    ONE PLAY certainly can determine a Game! R U Kidding Me?

    When a game is tied and there is 2 seconds left? Every play before that moment becomes: irrelevant, negligible, impertinent, unimportant!

    ONE PLAY that determines the outcome of games is what:
    The Greatest Moments in Sports History is made of – Man!

    A walk off home run!

    A Grand Slam in the 9th when down by 3!

    A 50 yard field goal in OT in Football with 1 second left!

    Getting stopped 1″ from the Pylon on the last play in a Super Bowl!
    (see Steve McNair’s RIP Titans)

    A buzzer beater by Joe and Jamal last year!

    A slam dunk by Josh to finally beat the Magic @ Phillips Arena last year!

    As a matter of fact, Cable channels are created and run 24/7 to share Classic Football (NFL Network – Greatest Plays Ever), Basketball (NBA TV – Hardwood Classics).
    _________________________

    Ramon, I love you like a Brother, but some of the ISH that rolls out of ypur mouth sometimes is appalling and unbelievable. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I really wouldn’t believe it.

    Han

    January 12th, 2011
    11:24 pm

    I’m curious, where are you guys reading about a potential trade between the Suns and Hawks involving Steve Nash? That would be great if those rumors were true, but I, personally, haven’t heard anything about that. Where are you guys reading these rumors?

    Val

    January 12th, 2011
    11:27 pm

    Is there a bigger egomaniac in the pro basketball world today than Lebron James? Lebron James is the runaway winner of that award in my opinion.

    ATL FAN

    January 12th, 2011
    11:48 pm

    Its all fan speculation Han, no truth to the rumors as we know it

    drmaryb (*_*)

    January 12th, 2011
    11:53 pm

    “I would really like Devin Harris in a Hawks uniform…”
    __________________________

    How about any uniform at all?
    Devin Harris is to PG’s, what Greg Oden is to Centers.

    Eternally injured. He is about as dependable as:

    A missing Father.
    A Ford Escort.
    A 3XL Condom.
    A sure bet in Vegas.
    Mike Vick in a Falcons Uniform on “Fight-Night”.

    Aye Melvin baby, do you see where this convo is going?
    ___________________________

    ROF & LOL
    ______________________

    Seriously, Devin Harris and Shaun Livingston are the same player, isn’t Devin owed 9M per for 3 years to total 27M? I’ll pass on that one.
    Give me Nash? And, I will stop trippin’.

    Hoops

    January 13th, 2011
    12:34 am

    The Suns are probably getting ready to free up some cap space. The Hawks should pursue this trade:

    Suns get-Jamal Crawford, Teague, and Mo Evans (all have expiring contracts that would free up 14.7M)

    Hawks get-Nash and Dudley

    When you first look @ this trade, you might say why would the Suns do this? They free up 14.7M to go after Chris Paul.

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