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
Duello
January 14th, 2011
1:46 pm
In response to MC’s midseason recap: Teague has actually shown marked improvement on the offensive end. His FG% is up to 46% from 39.6%. His 3pt% is up from 22% to 38.5%. His gross numbers are not that much higher because he doesn’t get any more minutes, and he still defers to Jamal.
Jae Evolution
January 14th, 2011
2:25 pm
Rick Kamla posted a video on Nash’s destination, he said “The Mavericks and the Hawks are the top two destinations for Nash.”
So for all of you saying that there is no chance, an NBA analyst himself said we are top 2 on the list.
Now he said the trades we could offer would be either Marvin and Mo for Nash or JC1 for Nash straight up. He also said as currently constructed we have no chance to get out of the playoffs against a Boston, Miami, Orlando, or Chicago team.
Before anyone says why don’t we just do the deal? This is all speculation Phoenix has to want to trade Nash and that may be hard for them to realize so whether Nash gets traded…who knows, but we are apparently high on the list.
Jae Evolution
January 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
Great article on NBA.com about our PG mishaps over the years.
http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/shaun_powell/01/14/atlanta-hawks-point-guards/index.html
drmaryb (*_*)
January 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
” but we are apparently high on the list.”
____________________________
The only list that matters is The Suns and THe Hawks!
If, Wajornowski isn’t saying it? It’s just a speculative rumor.
Sure, of the near Elite Teams, The Hawks are in dire need of a true PG, anybody with a pulse can see that – EXCEPT Sund. My emotions can’t get up for any Hawks Talk re: ant trades, I’ll believe it when I see it! Until then?
I’m like The Boss, “I’ll go to war with what I’ve got.”
Sautee
January 14th, 2011
3:11 pm
SteveW,
FYI, the VERY SAME Wiki article about Nash that you used to defend saying he was FROM South America begins thusly:
Stephen John “Steve” Nash, OC, OBC (born 7 February 1974) is a Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Notice that though he was born in South Africa (to English parents) he is referenced as “a Canadian professional basketball player”. And when he played in the Olympics it was for Canada, and not South Africa.
“Nique was born in France, but do we say that he is FROM France? Nope.
Neither would I say that Nash is FROM South Africa. That’s just his birthplace. Kinda like Bethlehem for Jesus. Unless maybe you think “Jesus of Nazareth” is off base because he was born in Bethlehem.
O'Brien
January 14th, 2011
3:42 pm
Thanks for the link Jae.
6 years later, we are still looking for a long term PG, but yet “it was not a bad pick” said he would still take Marvin even if Hawks got to do-over the draft. SMH.
Hawks have taken care of business against bad teams. So although the schedule gets tougher, I am looking forward to playing the better teams.
And with most of those games at home, I hope fans will go out and support the Hawks.
Rufus1
January 14th, 2011
3:46 pm
I don’t understand….
I believe the Hawks are Elite..Why do I belive this?
Last year we lost in the playoffs because we had a predictable offense….Change has occured.
Last year we could not defend D12 on the block…change has occured.
Last years our defense was predictable(switching)…change has occured.
Al is better…Marvin is better…Jamal is better…Bibby is better…Josh is better…Twin is better…In a couple of weeks, you will say Joe is better…Our Coach is better…Our Bench is better…We are a better team than last year.
The injuries and the improvement in the east doesn’t make it easy to see, but we are definately better.
We have proven we can beat the Magic(I don’t want to hear, they were sick…Because we didn’t have Joe)
We lost to the Heat in Miami, without Joe.
We have proven in the past we can beat Boston.
I have heard all the reasons why we can’t win, but I haven’t heard one legit reason.
Miami–No PG, NO Center or Bench.
Boston–Old, Rondo can’t shoot
Magic–No size
Chicago–DRose can’t shoot, and No SG
All these teams have flaws, so why are they elite and the Hawks aren’t?…I DON’T UNDERSTAND!
If we were 30-9 would we be elite?
atownhawk23 AKA LETS GO ♥JOE♥
January 14th, 2011
4:37 pm
Omg. I LOVE JOE JOHNSON. SCREW YOU GUYS. GO HAWKS. NO MORE TRADING PLEASE. BTW MIKE BIBBY DID A GREAT JOB LAST NIGHT. XOXO.
P.S.
GO HAWKS♥♥♥♥
Fundamentals
January 14th, 2011
4:47 pm
Huh? I think some question Devin Harris on the defensive end and in terms of his health. Dude is easy to bang up, he’s small and he’s not known as a great defender. With that said I like the kid…but how much do you give up to get him?
With the run we’re on it only helps ASG/Sund to stand pat and claim everything’s OK when we all know, the proof will come in the 2nd round. Even then, we can’t assume we’ll be there. Next 1/2 of the season will be tough on all teams in the EC. Every game matters from here forward.
Fundamentals
January 14th, 2011
4:49 pm
Just be glad we’re actually being named in trade rumors for once. That don’t happen often. I don’t want 1/2 the deals to come to fruition, but it’s nice to know your GM has you in the mix for opportunities. Anything can happen between now and Feb.
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2011
4:50 pm
JAE EVOLUTION-That was an awsome video. I love the fact that most of his action took place in the lane, or at least below the 3pt line. Think at how much easier it would be for him with shooters like JJ, Horford, Marvin, jamal and Bibby playing with him.
Unless the Nets intend to start he and Chauncey, which I doubt if they acquire RHamilton, he’ll be on the trading block if the Melo trade goes through. With Melo, Lopez, Rip and Chauncey, they’ll most likely be a half court oriented OFF, which would be perfect for Bibby.
I don’t know if we have anyone we’re willing to give up that they would want in a trade. I know one thing, they’ll be taking on some serious salaries if they end up with Billups, Hamilton, and Melo, who would have to sign a new and even bigger contract.
We need a PG bad, and it appears at this point we’re unwilling to commit to developing one, so the draft is out. If the Hawks got better and more consistent OFF/DEF production out of the PG position, we wouldn’t need as many heroic last min baskets like the one we had against Toronto.
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2011
5:20 pm
The Hawks have replaced Orlando at #2 in the division, and are tied with the Bulls for 3rd in the Eastern Conference. They now have a chance to prove whether they’re an elite team by how well they navigate the difficult parts of the remainder of this month’s and next month’s schedule. We have 12 gms in FEB, with only 4 at home and 7 consecutive rd gms.
I hope everyone holds up and gives us consistent production, especially Bibby.
JeJe
January 14th, 2011
5:22 pm
LOL @ Chad Ford’s East Reserves. His West reserves are very solid, but dude has RAYMOND FELTON and Rondo as reserve guards OVER Joe. Joe ONLY missed 2 weeks – that’s not that long. Joe >>>> Felton (who is in D’Antoni’s BS system) and Rondo I feel has played like 20 games all year
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
5:29 pm
“With Dwight playing so many minutes, I think Orlando will make another move before the deadline to bring in a backup center. Plus with Dwight’s technicals on the rise, he might eventually have to miss a game. ”
I think so too, but I wonder who would be available to them and who they would be willing to trade. I’ve heard some of the ESPN NBA people speculating that Jameer Nelson may be their odd man out, which would really surprise me.
Good point about Dwight and the technicals. If those carry over to the postseason, they could loom even larger.
O'Brien
January 14th, 2011
6:03 pm
Najeh,
They could trade Duhon too. What u think? Mo Evans and etan for duhon?
JeJe
January 14th, 2011
6:18 pm
Najeh,
Do the techs carry into the postseason or do players get a new set? Thought maybe they get like 6 for the playoffs?
Dwight will be screwed in a 7 game series vs. [Perkins], Shaq, and KG. They’ll mess with his head – no homo
JeJe
January 14th, 2011
6:22 pm
We just need to keep beating these weaker teams. Then when Feb 16 – March 18 strikes, we should don those Red Jerseys every single night so we get up for the better teams
LOL
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
6:27 pm
I think I mentioned Nash only lived in South Africa for 18 months. He was born in South Africa. He is from South Africa. He may have later moved to Canada. But when people ask me where I’m from, I usually reference where I’m born.
And Jesus was from Bethlehem on His mother’s side, and from Heaven on His Father’s side. Seems like just a difference in terminology to me.
But Nash is from (was born in) South Africa.
Sautee
January 14th, 2011
6:30 pm
O’Brien,
I’d do that Mo and Etan for Duhon, but we’d need to sign Damien up for the rest of the season. And send Teague to the D-league for a spell.
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
6:30 pm
O’Brien – I don’t want to do any trade in conference. I don’t want Etan helping Dwight/Bass/Anderson.
And I don’t want Mo’ guarding JJ or Jamal. Not a good trade, but I wouldn’t mind having Duhon. But I would only trade Bibby for him, and I’m not sure Duhon gives you anything that Bibby doesn’t already.
Devin Harris and Steve Nash are huge upgrades on Bibby. Chris Duhon not so much.
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
6:32 pm
We need Etan to abuse Dwight for a few minutes in the playoffs. An accidental elbow to the ribs goes a long way….
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
6:35 pm
JeJe – I would think that the East would carry 5 G’s, and JJ can play some 3 as well. I think JJ makes the All Star team, but I could be wrong. He is definitely the 2nd best SG in the Eastern Conference, behind DWade, and deserves the All Star team, no question.
And Rondo seems to have missed as many or more games that JJ. Haven’t checked, but it seems that way.
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
6:38 pm
Rondo has missed 11 games this year, JJ only 9.
Sautee
January 14th, 2011
6:46 pm
SteveW,
Fair enough, but personally, when someone asks me where I’m from, I give my answer as “The North Georgia Mountains” where I have lived for the last 29 years. I do NOT say “Cardiac Hill” (Piedmont Hospital), or even Atlanta because my parents didn’t even live in Fulton County when I was born.
So does ‘Nique know that he’s not from Washington, North Carolina?
And do you have a source for the “from Bethlehem on his mother’s side”?
I haven’t heard that one, though I’m no Biblical scholar.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
6:51 pm
“Do the techs carry into the postseason or do players get a new set? Thought maybe they get like 6 for the playoffs?”
I think they carry over, but I’m not sure. I kinda remember this being an issue with Rasheed Wallace in the playoffs either last year or the previous year.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
6:52 pm
“His West reserves are very solid, but dude has RAYMOND FELTON and Rondo as reserve guards OVER Joe. ”
I can understand Rondo, because his assist numbers have been insane and he’s probably the league’s best defensive point guard. But Felton over Joe is a joke. The Knicks get such an insane amount of media coverage for being a team with even less of a shot at a title than the Hawks.
ANT BANKS
January 14th, 2011
6:54 pm
half way thru the season, who do you guys see as the mvp? lebron, dwade? rondo has over 250 assists, avg 14/game.
jamal, to me, is on track for 6th man of year again
blake has roy locked up
bigdave
January 14th, 2011
6:55 pm
the ESPN “Image of the Black Athlete” is good programing.. tune in..
i see that the Hawks Arthur Triche is present..
ANT BANKS
January 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
i remember about two years ago everyone was lamentin’ the fact that we passed on brandon roy. well it looks like we did the right thing on that. he is out with surgury on both knees. OUCH!!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
“They could trade Duhon too. What u think? Mo Evans and etan for duhon?”
I wouldn’t be losing any sleep over losing Mo and Etan, but I’m not a huge Duhon fan either. I would hope they can get someone a little better than him if they are going to make a trade.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
6:58 pm
Duhon also has three more years left on his deal at $3.5 million per year. I don’t think he’s worth that. To me he’s only a marginal upgrade over Teague if he’s better at all.
Hoops
January 14th, 2011
7:17 pm
This is my trade proposal and I’m sticking to it:
Suns get-Teague, Evans, Powell, and Marvin
Hawks get-Nash and Dudley
Teague, Evans, and Powell all have expiring contracts. The Suns want cap space for flexibility to improve their team. Marvin just needs a change IMHO. This works for them.
The Hawks finally get their PG in Nash. Dudley gives them another 3 PT. threat.
Jae Evolution
January 14th, 2011
7:23 pm
Hoops, I personally would love to see that trade happen not because it would benefit us, but because both Marvin and Teague would be UNLEASHED in that offense and we would really see if our management is holding back players from becoming good players.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 14th, 2011
7:24 pm
Ant Banks
What happened to John Wall? What’s the knock on his game? He any good?
Sautee
You up 575 N? I lived in Blue Ridge and Ellijay and worked in Murphy, NC on Wednesdays for 2 years from 200d to 2007. I did my Internship up there, I worked with a very successful doctor up there who had 3 practice locations.
Those were some of the best years in my recent past. Great lifestyle, I miss it a lot. Are you near there? Canton? I’m jealous.
_________________________
I don’t like Duhon at all. I wish we could get Teague going, he does need some burn, his problem is he was drafted by a very good, winning team. It’s hard to develop someone who should have stayed in school to work on his body and game for another year or two. Teague chose money over his game development. Too many kids ruin their own careers by showing up not ready, that’s on them. This is a Grown Man’s Business and make no mistake about it:
The NBA is a Business!
superiorblogman
January 14th, 2011
7:47 pm
Steve Nash is extremely overrated as I have stated. I watch the guy play and he is like Bret Favre he makes mistakes at the worse times. All that considered, I would trade for him if Lopez or Gortat came along but he is not the answer alone. These are packages that would put the Hawks into contention.
Nash and Lopez or Gortat
Hinrich and McGee
Billups and Nene
Chosen
January 14th, 2011
7:50 pm
Would anyone consider trading for Rodney Stuckey 6′3 pg from (DET) and moving Bibby to the bench (Keeping him with his shoot off the bench is an asset) a move like this give you a soild pg (remeber the Mookie Blaylock trade)Teague is not a go getta his over thinking when playing. this trade also would free up your most important player (Joe) from guarding these quicker pg every nite. * Side note I Love what Josh Smith could be for this team and its simple SELF CONTROL ( Shot selection, Energy, and get back to the Defense from years past) Mr.Smith you could put this team over the hump with a lil more HEART
drmaryb (*_*)
January 14th, 2011
7:54 pm
TKO!
Najeh! The technicals absolutely carry over to the post season!
Remember last season in the Celtics -vs- Lakers series, Perkins had this issue and they were concerned he would be suspended for games 6 and 7 if he got one more. Then the League reversed one of his technicals so he had a liitle more breathing room. The next one he was done!
Then he blew out his Posterior Cruciate Ligament (behind the knee and prevents the knee from sliding off backwards) a hyper-extension injury and the medial meniscus rupture or, was it the medial collateral ligament?
Man, he blew that knee to hell and back! A very rare injury in basketball or football or baseball. Dang, that is just a very rare injury period.
Sorry, for the rant, but Perkins was the closest to being suspended. In a way, if he were suspended, it would have been better than blowing up the knee in game 6. If not for that? They had the Lakers on the ropes and prolly would have won!
rusty
January 14th, 2011
8:46 pm
How the hell do you bloggers think that jc1 isn’t worth 9 mill after what we gave jj,mb,zazza or me. Get real . We would be crazy to let him go. He is a better offensive player than jj who holds on to the ball way to much & takes to many shotsbto get his 20
rusty
January 14th, 2011
8:47 pm
I meant marvin
Sautee
January 14th, 2011
9:00 pm
Mary Ellen,
Get my number from you know who and call me sometime. I’ll catch you up on the mountains.
Ken Strickland
January 14th, 2011
9:05 pm
I don’t know how factual this is, but earlier I read a comment that said the reason the Hawks won’t resign Jamal is because they don’t feel it’s worth spending the money it would take to resign him. The Hawks feel it would be better to trade him and get a quality player or 2 in return.
If that, in fact, is their thinking, I wonder if they intend to make their move now, or wait until after the season.
Big Mo
January 14th, 2011
9:23 pm
All of this talk about trades gets me a bit disappointed, considering I doubt that the Hawks’ management will be bold enough to make any moves. Hopefully, they prove me wrong, but if any trade does happen for the Hawks before the deadline, it will most likely be a the 11th hour. That’s the way ASG operates.
KevinM
January 14th, 2011
9:44 pm
The ASG will be lucky to get anything for JC1, the way they have delayed any negotiations with him. Our 2nd leading scorer and they don’t even make an offer to try to sign him. Wait it out Sund, wait it out. You get better results when you do that.
I just don’t see JC1 returning and the Hawks creep toward the trade deadline running out of time to get a deal done. You move JC1, you lose any bench points unless Marvin takes on that role.
While the Hawks continue to fight for 2nd place in the division, I don’t see Sund making a chemistry change.
And listening to Heinsohn on Boston TV, just hilarious…the world is against the Celtics. Celtics up 9, he’s not satisfied.
KevinM
January 14th, 2011
9:47 pm
Chemistry killer Shaq has 21/5 and 5 blocks against the Bobcats. Come on Zaza, can you match that in a week?
Ra'mon
January 14th, 2011
10:20 pm
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/01/14/trade-talk-reveals-sad-state-of-bobcats-cavs/,
Guys check this out!
Hoops
January 14th, 2011
10:23 pm
Chosen,
I like Stuckey. I was for the Hawks drafting him, but it didn’t happen.
superiorblogman,
I like your trade pairs. I wish the ASG would do something to give the Hawks a real shot @ a championship! Enough of the holding pat already!!!
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
10:25 pm
Sautee – I know we don’t say the hospital and all, and there are some exceptions, but many times your “from” your place of birth (city, state, country).
But the basic point was somebody was dissing Nash by saying he didn’t win a championship,not even an Olympic Gold Medal. I was just pointing out he was from South Africa originally. Too better make my point, I should have said he played for Canada, and Canada is not winning an Olympic Gold in B’ball anytime soon. I was just making a point. Not like he missed the Dream team or something.
Micah 5:2 and Luke 1:35-43 on the other point.
Now suppose the Hawks do nothing as far as personnel goes. We let JC1 and Mo’ walk at seasons end, draft maybe a PF in the 1st round. How much worse are we next season?
Personally, I think we may be just as good. Teague and Jordan Crawford will be better. Wilkens if we re-sign him is better than Mo’. Marvin, Josh, and Al may all improve a bit more.
Alot would depend on who else we sign for the vet minimum, and if Sy somehow develops.
We coulda had TMac, Stackhouse, Shaq, and Dampier who all signed for the vet minimum. Jarvis Hayes, Flip, and Carney are all out there for the vet minimum. You can get some decent guys for the vet minimum. Look at Jason Collins and Wilkens.
Even Kwame Brown is floating around for the vet minimum…(yuck)
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
10:31 pm
Whoever said that Rose can’t shoot is looking at old news. He’s shooting 37.4% from 3 point range.
SteveW
January 14th, 2011
10:35 pm
I could be wrong, but I still think the Bulls are legit and the Knicks are not. Unless the Knicks get ‘Melo, I think they fade in the 2nd half of the season.
But a team with Noah, Boozer, Gibson, and Thomas (and maybe Asek) up front, Deng at SF, and Rose at the PG is a solid team. You’ve got 3 potential All Stars in Noah, Boozer and Rose, and a couple of solid guys in Deng and Gibson.
O'Brien
January 14th, 2011
10:37 pm
I havent confirmed the source, but from my online readings, the players start over (as far as technicals are concerned) in the playoffs.
However, they are only allowed 6 technicals in each series. After the 7th technical, they miss a game. And if they get 2 more technicals, they miss another game.
The technical counts start over in each series.