Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 104, Raptors 101
Raps couldn't stop Jamal. (AP Photo)
- If you are going to play no defense and get into an freewheeling shootout like the Hawks did in the first half, it’s good to have Jamal on your side. I thought he was going to provide the answer to Jason Walker’s poll at Peachtree Hoops after just one day.
- “I was a little concerned going into this game after what we’ve gone through in the last couple days in Atlanta with the snow and the ice of not being able to get the players on the floor and get some time in and get some shots up,” L.D. told reporters. “I was a little concerned that we would be a little rusty. Jamal, he came in that first half and really did a great job of getting us going and keeping us in it. Our defense I thought was really as low-energy as it’s been all year. But we were able to stay in it offensively because he made some shots.”
- If you need a big shot, Jamal and Bibby are good choices. If you need to get stops in a possession-by-possession game like this one became in the second half, neither guard is ideal. That’s why you saw L.D. make offense-defense substitutions with those two and Wilkins and Mo.
- Amir Johnson had gotten an and-1 on a pick-and-roll with Calderon vs. Bibby and Al for a 101-99 lead. But Johnson fouled things up when the Raps tried the same play again and he seemed less concerned with rolling to the basket and (for some reason) more worried about taking out Jamal.
- He inexplicably committed an obvious moving screen against Jamal (who sold it well to officials) with 10.5 seconds to go. That left the door open for the Hawks, and Bibby busted through it. He curled around a double screen from Al and Josh to make a 3. I think it was the same play the Hawks used for a key bucket late in their W at Orlando.
- Calderon thought he had a mismatch when Al switched off on him but really he would have been better off trying to swing the ball around and isolate one of Atlanta’s guards. Al played excellent D to get a piece of Calderon’s shot without fouling, then pulled back as the ball went off Calderon’s shoulder and out of bounds.
- Officials originally awarded the ball to the Hawks Raps but overturned it after looking at the replay. “I was not sure [of the call]; that’s why I called my guys in,” L.D. said. “My players were indicating the ball went off them. I was actually preparing myself to defend on that end because I didn’t see what happened.”
- After Joe made two free throws, the Hawks survived a pretty good 3-point look for Bargnani. The Hawks didn’t handle the Raps like the better teams have lately but they got out of Toronto with their fifth straight W and ninth in their last 11.
- They can thank Jamal for that. He was most of Atlanta’s offense in the first half. When he stopped scoring in the third, the Raps came back. In the fourth Jamal made a 30-foot 3-pointer, found Al for a key fastbreak layup and craftily drew a foul from DeRozan on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws to give the Hawks a99-98 lead.
- Jamal had 36 points on 23 shots with no turnovers. “He’s every coach’s dream when you talk about a guy who can come off the bench and get you going,” L.D. said. “He knows what I expect from him. When the team is not going well and we need productivity off the bench, he comes in there and I run plays for him to get us going and tonight he kept us around that first half and then we found a way at the end.”
- About Jamal’s only real mishap late in the game was picking up a rare technical foul. He thought Barbosa hooked him on an and-1, and he had a point, but that’s a bad spot for a tech.
- J.J. (26 points on 20 shots) was nearly as efficient as Jamal. He had five turnovers and missed some spot-ups but he’s got his floater working and really is showing a knack for finding space in the offense. He also suckered DeRozan into fouling him on a 3.
- Josh was nonexistent offensively for much of the game while floating around the perimeter but then took Johnson to the post for a key basket in the fourth. He missed a 3-pointer with the Hawks down 93-91 but it was off good ball movement, in rhythm, he was open and he’s still the second-most accurate from there so hard to fault him too much.
- Bargnani did a good job of challenging Al’s face-ups. His defense (and the two-foul rule) took Al out of his game as he too often held the ball while trying to size Bargnani up. Al and Zaza struggled to stay with Bargnani on defense but both guys rebounded.
- Al and Smoove both tweaked their ankles but returned to the game.
- Mo lately is making more of his spot-up jumpers. He’ll get opportunities so if he keeps that up it adds yet another offensive threat for the Hawks.
- Wilkins has a knack for getting to the free-throw line, especially for a guy who isn’t much of a threat to score. He always goes hard to the basket.
- Teague got some early run and was minus-7 in seven minutes. Sometimes he beats the first line of defense and then backs it out instead of trying to get to the rim for his floater or setting up a drive-and-kick.
MC
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337 comments Add your comment
Worldwide Clyde
January 13th, 2011
6:55 pm
Shout out to the AJC. Everytime I get on this site at home it kicks me off. And I have a mac. I guess some folks don’t like the truth.
This winning streak is good but will this sytle of play work in the playoffs? No
Jump shooting teams can get hot and a series or 2 but they won’t win championships.
KevinM
January 13th, 2011
6:56 pm
How does everyone like the scoring balance this is showing?
18.8 – Joe
16.6 – JC1
16.1/9.7 – Al
15.8/8.7 – Smoove -improved his FT% to 72%….solid improvement.
11.0 – Marvin
10.0 – Bibby – that’s 88.3 of the 97.9 game average….
If we move Marvin/JC1, can we really make up for their scoring? Not sure I see Bibby as a benefit coming off the bench here….to move him would be a huge bonus!
There’s your core!
The Celts top 6? 84.8….wow, Rondo is shooing 43.5FT%..really? worse than Shaq!
The Magic’s new lineup? 88.5
Ken Strickland
January 13th, 2011
7:02 pm
DRMARYB-We don’t need an elite or superstar PG to get to the next level. All we need is a PG that gives us 15-16PPG, 6-7APG, 1+SPG, plays DEF, and isn’t a DEF liability and/or matchup liability the moment he steps on the floor.
Think about what you’re saying about me blaming Bibby for our DEF problems, and then consider how you’re doing the same by blaming Smoove and Horford for all of our DEF problems. And you’re correct about JaCrawford poor DEF, but he is at least able to produce enough offensively to neutralize his counterpart, while Bibby can’t.
In last nights gm, Barbosa went wild, but Jamal matched his output and them some. Name a Toronto guard who’s production Bibby matched? My issue with Bibby is with him being a consistent DEF liability, his OFF inconsistently, and his inability to produce enough OFF to compensate. He puts a lot of pressure, and forces a lot of fouls, on Horford and Smoove.
Worldwide Clyde
January 13th, 2011
7:04 pm
My starting lineup when Mavin gets back.
PG – Bibby
SG – Jamal
SF – Joe
PF – Jsmoove
C – Horford
Bench – Marvin, Teague, Mo Evans, Zaza, Collins, Jordan Crawford, Powell
Ken Strickland
January 13th, 2011
7:07 pm
The 2nd paragraph was directed to THE TRUTH, not DRMARYB, sorry.
The Truth
January 13th, 2011
7:09 pm
Ken
As much as I have criticized Bibby for his sub-par defense over the years, I would be a hypocrite to defend him now so you are preaching to the choir when you call him out. But to repeatedly suggest that Bibby is the one straw that’s breaking the Hawks back is unfair. Bibby is averaging 30 min per game this season. He is not the only Hawk PG that is yielding points to the opposition. Our overall poor defense is to the credit of the entire team. I saw lapses from Al, Josh Crawford and JJ (just to name a few). Even LD publicly stated during press conference that his team may have played their worse defense so far this season in that game. During the game, I thought LD was reprimanding Al giving Zaza expanded minutes trying to guard Bargnani who also was unstoppable at times. As previously mention, Barbosa took no prisoners slicing and dicing every Hawk player that tried to guard him. Sure we could use an upgrade at the PG position but you and I both know that is unlikely to happen at least this season despite all these crazy trade ideas being offered on this blog. Every team has strengths and weaknesses and yes Bibby defense has routinely been a punching bag in Hawksville. But playing defense has more to do with effort however and to Bibby’s credit; he has improved defensively over previously years as a Hawk. Any defense improvement we get from Bibby should be praised since it rarely happens. However, what about the other problems with this team? I also see more chemistry issue equally troubling for the Hawks from a playoff prospective as those observations must be made as well. There is a reason why LD is constantly tinkering with his lineup and it is not just because of injuries. LD is searching and trying to get the most out of the hand that has been dealt to him.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 13th, 2011
7:42 pm
KenS
Thanks, I was scratching my head there in re: to the defensive comments. LOL!
Yeah, I am sure Devin Harris would help this team. I really never knew of Devin Harris until I did a little research this morning. Didn’t really know he existed.
I thought his numbers were solid. My only question is how do we get him here? and what will he cost us? Based on what we have to give up, will that help/hurt the team? That’s why I said earlier, I don’t envy the GM job. It’s a lot harder than I think most fans realize. But, hey! That’s why they make the big bucks – right?
Same for Nash, how do we get him here?
I definitely know who he is: B2B MVP! I’ll upgrade my season tickets overnight to see Nash play in person. So, will most fans and The City as well.
Nash, would sell tickets – right?
Dept. of Unintended Irony
January 13th, 2011
7:51 pm
“Steve Nash is the most overrated player in the history of basketball. They guy has more MVP’s than Kobe and has never won anything worth noting not even in the Olympics. We already have Bibby and Crawford who are bad defenders, Nash is not the answer you morons”
No, the moron is the one who thinks that MVP is for the “best player”. Nash was arguably the most valuable to the Suns those two years than any other single player in the league was to their team. Obviously so, according to those who voted.
MVP doesn’t mean “most skilled”.
And I’m not one pushing for a trade for Nash, but I greatly respect what the cat has done without major skills other than his cleverness.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 13th, 2011
7:52 pm
Brilliant!
That’s what KevinM was when he posted his comments re: Balanced Scoring!
Fantastic read all the way around. Great contribution to the blog and worth some rebuttal and further discussions.
_____________________________
The Hawks balanced scoring shows a very unselfish team strategy and a fantastic sales job by Coach Drew. He sold it to the fellas and they bought it: hook, line and sinker! Now, all we have to do is get better within the system.
The great sacrifice is individual accolades and All-Star votes, due to a lack of gaudy numbers by one player. The huge upside is a chance to contend for a Championship perennially.
____________________
KevinM keep it coming!
________________________
Grand-Daddy!
How are you doing baby? Where are you? I’ll call you tomorrow!
Love you and feel better soon! Mmmmmwah!!!!
Hoops
January 13th, 2011
8:12 pm
The Hawks have a really good team this season. Are they good enough to win it all? I don’t think so. Could they trade for one or two players that would make them championship contenders? I think they are that close. Who are those players and who do we trade that will make the trades happen without hurting the Hawks chemistry?
I think we have to keep these players-JJ, JC1, Horford, & Josh. Everyone else could be traded for the right player IMHO. The key to any trade that the Hawks might make is getting players that can contribute while adding to the team chemistry. Steve Nash and Tyson Chandler or E. Okafor are possible players that could put the Hawks over the top.
Da Vinci Code
January 13th, 2011
8:28 pm
“And I’m not one pushing for a trade for Nash, but I greatly respect what the cat has done without major skills other than his cleverness.”
The only blogger that uses the word “cat” to descibe people is Sekou Smith, therefore
Dept. of Unintended Irony = Sekou Smith
GOTCHA!!!
Blast
January 13th, 2011
8:50 pm
Joe should play more like Durant. An inch of daylight, and you shoot the ball. No holding or pounding the ball. Trust your jumper when you get open.
How old is Durant again? He is going bald already! Soon he is gonna shave his head bald like MJ.
Even though Hawks won a tough one last night, some fans still complaining. Wow! Only in Atlanta. Bibby had a bad game, but still hit the game winner. Yet folks still rip him up, forgetting so quickly that Hawks didn’t start to win until Mike came aboard. Such short memories.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
January 13th, 2011
9:47 pm
Unless I’m someone else and that’s precisely what I would LIKE you to think.
Gotcha back.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
10:06 pm
“With DHarris, he would be the one required to make major adjustments or changes. With SNash, we’d have to ditch our entire OFF system, since he hasn’t functioned in a structured OFF system in yrs. That means everyone would have to adjust to him. ”
What makes you think so? The Hawks supposedly run a motion offense. Nash is, if not the most unselfish player in the league, at least near the top of that list, so it’s not hard to imagine he would fit in just fine in an offense that emphasizes ball movement and sharing. I also take issue with the idea that Phoenix’s offense isn’t structured — they have always been about running the high pick and roll and kicking out to perimeter shooters. An unstructured offense is what Woody ran last year, where everyone stands around doing random sh-t. That’s exactly the opposite of what Phoenix does. “Uptempo” and “unstructured” are two entirely different things.
If anything, a PG like Harris whose strength is getting to the foul line is likely to need the ball in his hands more, which would be a problem on a team that already has a high usage player like Joe Johnson. Nash is posting a career high usage rate this year, mostly because the rest of his team is horrendous, but even his usage rate this year is less than Harris’ usage rate for any of the past three seasons.
“I noticed you didn’t mention the big advantage DHarris has over SNash when it comes to DEF. Which one do you think would have a greater impact on our greatest problem, PERIMETER DEF? ”
It’s worth noting that at least according to basketball-reference’s Defensive Rating stat, which attempts to estimate how many points a player gives up per possession, Harris is actually a slightly worse defender than Bibby, and has been for the last three years. I’ve expressed my skepticism about this stat before, so take it with a grain of salt if you want, but I have noticed that this stat generally matches up with what I see when I try to compare players to each other. I’m a little surprised that Harris is rated so poorly, but I don’t get to watch him play other teams, so there you go. Of course, both Bibby and Harris have better ratings than Nash, but the fact that Harris probably wouldn’t have any positive effect on the Hawks’ perimeter D makes him a much less attractive trade option.
“Why totally ignore the teams future, it’s DEF, and it’s salary limitations, just to potentially pickup an additional 3.7APG, .6PPG, .9RPG, and a PG you’re obviously a big fan of? If Nash conforms to our OFF system, you can expect most of his numbers to decrease.”
Of course Nash’s numbers will go down on a team where he is surrounded with better teammates and is required to score less. But I’m not drafting Nash in fantasy — I’m talking about trading for him in real life. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are both putting up lower numbers this year than last year, but clearly they have not become worse players, and clearly the Heat are playing well. The same thing would happen with Nash in a Hawks uniform. Nash’s numbers would go down, but his track record clearly indicates that his presence would cause the Hawks to become a better — and in my opinion, an elite — offensive team.
As far as the Hawks’ future: we are not in rebuilding mode anymore. The minute the Hawks signed Joe to a max deal, knowing very well that Joe was likely to decline over the last two or three seasons of that deal, the Hawks exited rebuilding mode and went into win-now mode. Joe realistically has probably three or four more seasons left at this level of production before he starts to decline. The Hawks need to do everything they can to maximize that opportunity. Nash has an expiring contract this year at $11 million per year (which is very reasonable for his production), and at his age if the Hawks extended him for one more year with a team option for a second year I doubt he would find many better offers on the open market. Keeping him at that salary for three years is perfectly reasonable from a salary cap perspective.
I understand your questions about perimeter D, but the PGs out there who would be significant improvements over Bibby in that area are generally going to be downgrades offensively. It’s not like Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo, players who would help in both areas, are available via trade. In light of that fact, if the Hawks can’t make a trade to turn a weakness into a strength, a trade like this to turn a strength into an area of dominance is an equally good option.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
10:09 pm
As far as Nash becoming “another Bibby”, I would argue that Bibby at his peak wasn’t as good as Nash this year, let alone Nash at his peak. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where Nash is still producing at a high level, if not a Hall of Fame level, in two or three years. As many others have pointed out, it’s not like he relies a whole lot on his athleticism.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
10:18 pm
Between Devin Harris, Mike Bibby, and Steve Nash this season, Harris has the highest usage rate, worst true shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage, and worst offensive rating of the three. Bibby has the best defensive rating of the three. Take offensive and defensive rating with a grain of salt, but still, you could make a solid case that Harris not only would have no effect on the Hawks’ defense but would actually make the Hawks’ offense worse, whereas Nash would almost certainly make the Hawks’ offense better even if the Hawks’ perimeter D continues to suffer with him.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:19 pm
I doubt Steve Nash will ever win anything in the Olympics considering he’s from South Africa!
In the Devin Harris/’Melo mega trade I would guess that Bibby would be most desired by Denver to back up and tutor Ty Lawson, Marvin to the Pistons to give them a nice young piece, and Mo’ probably to Denver also if the guys would bite.
Nuggets/Detroit/Nets are looking for another team to take Devin, since the Pistons have Stuckey and the Nuggets have Lawson. The Nets want Billups to team with Rip in the BC, so they have to move Devin (and the Nuggets want to jettison Billups salary once they go into rebuild mode).
IMO the Nets are stupid to trade Derrick Favors, unless he’s got a work ethic problem or something I don’t know about. He’s going to be an 18 and 10 guy for a long time in this league, and I think he and Lopez could be a fearsome combo in a couple of years.
The only way we can afford Devin and re-sign Jamal realistically is to dump Bibby and Marvin (Mo’s gone after the season anyway). We could then sign Jamal for 3 years 18 mil using our Mid-Level if he would take it, have 66+ mil comitted to 9 players next season, and fill out the roster with DLeague/Vet minimum types.
And for all of you that thought discussing players 10-13 on this roster during the offseason was a waste, look at Wilkens, Collins starting etc. It is important, especially when you have injuries, and a coach that will change lineups based on the other team.
Even Etan was brought in to bruise Dwight a few minutes each Orlando game….. .
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
10:22 pm
Anyway, none of this matters, since we like our core. Right Rick Sund?
Ra'mon
January 13th, 2011
10:26 pm
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/23648/details-of-allen-vs-mayo-emerge
Hold the Mayo!!! No way should we entertain any thoughts of adding Mayo to this team.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
No trade, of course, is going to take place unless the Hawks are willing to deal Jamal. Nobody is going to trade for the overpaid duo of Marvin and Zaza, especially not a team like Detroit which is entering the Melo talks solely for the purpose of unloading their own bad contracts.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:34 pm
Najeh – I’m not to sure about Bibby at his peak not playing as well as Nash this year. Bibby was really good his first 6-7 years in the League. I mean Bibby did have seasons of 21.1, 19.6, and 18.4 ppg for the Kings, and average 6.8 assists per game one of those years, and 1.6 steals per game another season. Bibby was a clutch player for those Kings teams that challenged the Lakers. But I do get your point, but it may be a stretch to say Bibby at his best was not a good as a 36 year old Steve Nash.
And if you follow Nash’s dietary and workout regiment, the guy is a total health freak. I think he can easily be another Grant Hill, playing very good basketball at 38 years of age. Grant’s PER is like 17.2 and Nash’s at 24. To put that in perspective, Derrick Rose’s PER is 22.6.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:39 pm
And if I’m the Nuggets, I’m not sure I don’t take Chandler, Gallineri, and Landry with some picks for ‘Melo. Put them on the floor with Lawson and Nene, that’s not a terrible young starting 5. And surely somebody will be desperate enough for J R Smith and Harrington to take them off your hands.
Not bad if ‘Melo won’t sign with the Nets.
The Knicks are back in the ‘Melo picture BTW, with Mayo in the mix also.
And OKC is beating the Magic late….go Thunder!!!!!!
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:41 pm
Thunder up by 7 late, we’re on the verge of sole possession of 3rd place. And go Nuggets!
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:41 pm
3rd seed I should say…
Ra'mon
January 13th, 2011
10:42 pm
Nash is still my pick for the upgrade on this team. I’d take Harris over Bibby any day. But I’d take Nash over all three.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:42 pm
Westbrook with another triple double, and 32 points.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:44 pm
Devin is young and athletic, like our team (for the most part), but Nash is quality. I actually think Nash sells an extra 1-2,000 tickets per game if he comes here. People would be that buzzed to see him.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:45 pm
Oh no! Thunder can’t close the game out!
Ra'mon
January 13th, 2011
10:45 pm
SteveW, not only in ticket sales will Nash add value to the team. But imagine how many Nash jerseys will sell in the country of Canada for their ‘glory’ boy,
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
The only reason the Magic are in the game is because Dwight has made 15-18 FT’s. Unheard of for Dwight.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:52 pm
If we just wanted a safe PG pick, no mistakes kind of guy, I’m not sure we shouldn’t have picked Maynor with that 19th pick in ‘09. I bet OKC would be using Teague in a massive way right now! Could you imagine him backing up Westbrook? That’s alot of athleticism right there.
O'Brien
January 13th, 2011
10:52 pm
Orlando down by 3 with 3 seconds left. I think Orlando will lose, which means the hawks will jump over them in the East.
Durant is a beast already, and he is so young too. Wow. With Portland’s luck, he’s pronanly glad that the Blazers did not take him. otherwise, he might have been injured.
Mike is back
January 13th, 2011
10:53 pm
Najeh, get some sleep folk…You are one of the TOP DAWGS on the blog…however you just said Nash defense is better than DHarris…CMON MAN…I like Nash too …But Dang…that one is kind of hard to swallow.
Nevertheless, U a BIG DAWG on the blog…so you get a pass on that one dawg…get some sleep folk.
I’ll take Nash or Harris…who ever cost us the lease…CUZ clearly Bibby is evolving into to the next phase of career…which will be a quality vet back-up PG…save for Athletic Big Defenders like Josh and Al…we would not be able to hide Bibby.
In addition, I would be remised…If I did mention that Nash is probably worst than Bibby…when it comes to defense. lol
O'Brien
January 13th, 2011
10:54 pm
*probably glad the Blazers didnt take him.
SteveW,
I wonder if the thought process is Teague has a higher ceiling (in terms of potential) than Maynor.
Da Vinci Code
January 13th, 2011
10:56 pm
Is this Nash trade idea replacing Crawford or Bibby or both? Nash is set to make $10,310,938 this season and $11,689,062 in 2011 season.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
10:57 pm
Thunder hangs on by 1 – way to go Thunder!!!
Dwight made 17 of 20 FT’s, or it’s not that close…
Melvin
January 13th, 2011
10:57 pm
Magic lose and no Lebron for the Heat tonight. Time for the Hawks to makeup some ground in the standings…
Da Vinci Code
January 13th, 2011
10:59 pm
Based on the money, this Nash trade idea stinks on too many levels
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
11:02 pm
“however you just said Nash defense is better than DHarris…CMON MAN…I like Nash too …But Dang…that one is kind of hard to swallow.”
Nah, I said Harris has a worse defensive rating than Bibby. Nash has a worse defensive rating than both. The broader point is that one of the main reasons Ken Strickland gives for trading for Harris, which is that Harris would upgrade perimeter D, doesn’t seem to hold up.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
11:02 pm
O’Brien – No doubt that Teague has a higher upside, but it seems we prefer safe at that position (Bibby, Maynor) rather than pizzaz (Teague). I don’t though. I think one day we’ll look back and say Teague was a steal at #19, I’m just not sure LD sees it that way.
Just guessing, but I think the only reason Teague saw daylight with the Raptors is because Sund told LD that Gearon Jr. was not happy with Teague’s lack of playing time. But again, that’s just a guess on my part.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
11:04 pm
“Is this Nash trade idea replacing Crawford or Bibby or both? Nash is set to make $10,310,938 this season and $11,689,062 in 2011 season.”
It would have to be Jamal. Bibby not only doesn’t make enough to be traded for Nash straight up, but nobody is going to trade for him knowing that he’s due $6.2 million next year. Jamal on the other hand can be traded for Nash straight up.
Melvin
January 13th, 2011
11:06 pm
If the Hawks could acquire a PG, my first choice would be Hinrich and then Harris. Hinrich is a better defender, passer and shooter than Harris however Harris is the better athlete and penetrator. Either one would suit me and would be a upgrade over the current Hawks PG…. Calderon would be my third choice.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
11:07 pm
Da Vinci – We would have to move Bibby and Marvin with a 1st pick to acquire Nash. I’ve heard the Suns are trying to dump Childress’ contract also in any Nash deal however. That would free up 3 mill to keep Jamal however…
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
11:10 pm
If I were the Hawks, I would just say Teague is the starter the next 10 games, and rest Bibby a little bit, and see what happens. If he bombs in a game, we just bring Jamal or Bibby off the bench, and Teague is still getting experience starting.
And the next time we go big, start ZaZa instead of Collins (the next 3 times) and see what happens…
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
11:12 pm
Tonight marks the 5th time in the last 6 games that Dwight Howard played over 40 minutes, and unless they bring in a backup center, that’s likely to continue. I could easily see the Magic being more beatable in the playoffs this year than they were last year, despite their big trade. Dwight is still the key to that team, and a worn down or injured Dwight will cancel out any advantage they get from that trade.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
“I’ve heard the Suns are trying to dump Childress’ contract also in any Nash deal however. That would free up 3 mill to keep Jamal however…”
NBA rules prevent a team from acquiring a player for one year after they trade them, which means the Hawks can’t trade for Childress until July.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
I would not trade Jamal for Nash, and we wouldn’t either (I don’t think) with Nash being owed 11+ mill next season. Marvin, Bibby, ZaZa are the potential pieces to trade salary wise for ASG, in some combination, along with draft picks.
Mike is back
January 13th, 2011
11:14 pm
Glad to hear Josh is a huge Birds fan…I JUST REALIZED…I want be able to see the Birds either.
TOO BAD…Ernie Johnson Jr…doesn’t have the Back Bone to speak up for Hawks.
During Ernie Johnson Jr illustrious career AT TNT…You would never know he had any ties to the ATL…save for the BRAVE…YET HE HAS WON ALL THESE AWARDS COVERING BASKETBALL…Go figure.
I say Dude pedigree suspect…Cuz if he loves basketball as much as he proclaim…How TF…can he disown his home team…I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THAT DUDE.
SteveW
January 13th, 2011
11:15 pm
Najeh – I did not clarify that post, sorry. Getting Nash alone would clear off the 3 mill or so, I don’t think we want or need Childress’ contract.
Ken Strickland
January 13th, 2011
11:19 pm
NAJEH-you’re right on both accounts. SNash is definitely one of the most unselfish players in NBA history, but his unselfishness has been the result of him constantly dominating the ball and the OFF. And it really doesn’t matter, since neither is likely to end up here. We’re still a young team, and we don’t need to place our present or future in the hands of a 37yr old PG that plays absolutely not DEF whatsoever, even if he is a future HOFer.
When it comes to PPG, APG, SPG, TOPG and overall DEF, can you honestly say that SNash is head and shoulders better than DHarris. DHarris has room for improvement, but we’re seeing the best of SNash at this point. The Hawks have proven to be a very good outside scoring team, which we relied on the last 2yrs. What we’ve lacked offensively is a PG that can penetrate and dish, finish, and/or draw fouls. There’s no doubt SNash can do those things well, but he doesn’t draw fouls as well as DHarris.
DHarris does everything SNash does, and one very important thing he Nash doesn’t do, which you refuse to even address, and that’s PLAY DEFENSE. Before the season began, I recall you making an issue of Teague’s turnover rate, compared to Bibby’s, as well as the importance of DEF. But now you’re willing to throw all of that out of the window for the sake of having a 37yr old SNash, whose TO rate is close to Bibby’s and Teague’s combined, and whose DEF is actually worse than Bibby’s.