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
O'Brien
January 14th, 2011
10:42 pm
SteveW,
You may be right. Knicks lost at home to Sacramento by 10 tonight (after losing at Utah on Wednesday). The Knicks under D’Antoni might be all style, no substance.
They needed JJ to help them take the next step. I’m glad JJ stayed with the Hawks (although I wish he didnt cost 6 years max).
Najeh Davenpoop
January 14th, 2011
10:54 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.”
I agree, and even with Melo I don’t think the Knicks are legit. The difference is D. The Suns never got to the Finals because they didn’t play D, and the Knicks are going to be the same as long as D’Antoni is there. The Bulls on the other hand have one dominant defensive player (Noah) who makes everyone else on the team better defensively. Not to mention, if the Knicks trade for Melo they will have eight D-Leaguers in the rotation aside from Melo, Felton, and Amare. The Bulls’ backcourt depth isn’t all that, but they have good bench players up front.
Ra'mon
January 15th, 2011
1:20 am
In the interview after the game, Steve Nash looked like he’s wanting to leave soon.
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
January 15th, 2011
2:17 am
I just love how all these articles I keep reading seem to think it’s so “clear” that the Bulls are elite and a step ahead of the Hawks.
Clyde
January 15th, 2011
2:47 am
When the Playoffs start? *yawn*
drmaryb (*_*)
January 15th, 2011
7:12 am
Sautee
I will call you know who and get your number. Would love to meet you and the beautiful wife I keep hearing about.
I we don’t extend Jamal? Then what? Jamal just fits this team perfectly, I thought he had finally found a home, apparently so did he. There are a lot of other players on this team, not named Jamal that needs to get gone!
Ra'mon
January 15th, 2011
8:46 am
Clyde, tonight! lol
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
10:47 am
That hectic schedule that the Hawks played at the beginning of the season has spoiled me. This has been too long between games. And now, tonight, the Hawks and Falcons play at the same time.
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
10:56 am
From the ESPN Hawks-Rockets Preview:
“Their 10-game home winning streak — in which they’ve defeated opponents by an average of 11.1 points — is the second-longest active run in the league behind San Antonio’s 14 in a row.
The overall winning streak has come entirely with Marvin Williams sidelined due to a back injury. Although Williams has averaged 20.5 points in his last two games versus Houston, he’s unlikely to return for this game.”
The Hawks have quietly become the same solid team at Phillips Area (I still perfer to call it the Omni) that they were last year.
Marvin is proving himself to be outside the core.
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
11:36 am
The Hawks will be 2.5 games out of first place in the much vaunted Southeast Division after tonight.
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
11:40 am
And after taking care of business against Sacramento on Monday, the Hawks will be only 2 games back when they play Miami on Tuesday. Have any reports speculated how long LeBron will be out?
Rufus1
January 15th, 2011
11:49 am
@ ESPN Hawks-Rockets Preview
Could somebody please write something positive about the Hawks…..
The article on NBA.com talked about passing on CP3 and Dwilliams, but never mentioned those PG’s haven’t won anything. The Hawks are just as good as their teams with the route we have taken.
Some people on this blog take pleasure in those articles, because they disrespect Marvin….But the real key to this teams winS is JOE……………. Ask Dallas and Miami how hard it is to win without your best player.
People please stop acting like if we drafted CP3 we would would be the same team minus Marvin……WE WOULD JUST BE THE HORNETS…24-16
JeJe
January 15th, 2011
11:57 am
LAC wants a SF for Kaman. Any chance Kaman could get PERMANENTLY HEALTHY and we could ship Duck for him?
The Truth
January 15th, 2011
1:15 pm
Rev
“And after taking care of business against Sacramento on Monday”
Not a given
You should know better; Given the Hawks jump shooting style of play and soft defense, any likely outcome is possible in these upcoming games. It all depends on whose hot, whose not, and/or the willingness of the players to play defense the entire game. Lately, it seems the Hawks winning trend is because of “The Difference”, Jamal Crawford has decided to just play ball regardless of his uncertain future.
JeJe
January 15th, 2011
1:36 pm
Trap game tonight.
Houston coming off a b2b so we know teams always play well against us when that happens. Plus, we’ve had 3 days off (I remember we lost @ home to MIL after this above scenario occurred)
Sautee
January 15th, 2011
2:28 pm
ant banks,
about this:
mc,
“in your analysis of the players thru midseason, i see that horford’s numbers have increased since he has moved to the 4. it is funny that sund considers him and 5 and the coach and the player say that he is optimum at the 4.”
A few things, ant:
First, Horford has not “moved” to the 4. Here’s part of a post by niremetal on Big Ray’s blog:
someone posted:”Al Horford has played far more power forward this year than center,”
Actually, while Al has spent way more time at PF this year than in past years, he still has played well over twice as many minutes at C as he has at PF:
http://www.82games.com/1011/10ATL12.HTM
Well over twice the minutes at center, ant. That does NOT seem to indicate that he has “moved” to PF, does it?
And why is it that you don’t laud coach AND player for their flexibility? Horford clearly said in the off season that the Hawks have mismatches in quickness against most teams when he plays the 5 and Josh the 4. He understands that even though he has the body of a 4, that the Hawks have advantages with him playing the 5.
Yes, he admits that he is physically better suited to the 4, as does LD, but he has NOT complained about playing the 5, other than to ask for more help down low (which Collins has provided).
Ant, remember that Horford made the freakin’ All-Star game as a center last year. I can see why the hawks see him as a valid center. Even if it’s not his “optimal” position. And about his numbers being up, well I think even had he played all his minutes at center, his numbers would be up because he worked on his jumper and increased his shooting %.
Oldtimer
January 15th, 2011
2:32 pm
Time for the Hawks to do the push we have been waiting for. Up to Miami, Hawks should care of all. Tonight is the kind og game and opponent that give Hawks trouble. This is like Milwaukee of west conference. No real stars. Injuries. But play hard and well coached. As they proved against Celtics this team can hurt you. And they have one of the great young QBs in the game today. I am deathly afraid of Brooks. What Hawks could do with a point guard like him. Instead we have to watch Bibby get beat left and right tonight. Lets hope Bibby shooting is on.
Sautee
January 15th, 2011
2:33 pm
SteveW,
I looked at the biblical references you gave, and saw nothing about the origins of Mary’s family. Maybe Rev in Tampa could help.
Rev (if you read this) do you know where the Virgin Mary’s family lived?
Steve, I’m not interested in a biblical argument, so you don’t have to respond. Just letting you know that I couldn’t find the answers I wanted in those verses.
Selah
Jae Evolution
January 15th, 2011
3:38 pm
Just looked at the All-star voting for East Guards….and Joe isn’t even on the top 10 list, did I miss something?
His numbers are slightly down but Darren Collison, Brandon Jennings, John Wall, Gilbert Arenas, Raymond Felton, and Ray Allen are all ahead of him, really?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 15th, 2011
3:41 pm
“People please stop acting like if we drafted CP3 we would would be the same team minus Marvin……WE WOULD JUST BE THE HORNETS…24-16″
Uh… no. The Hawks plus CP3 minus Marvin would be at worst the 3rd best team in the conference.
Doesn’t matter, though, since if the Hawks had drafted CP3 they wouldn’t have been in the position to draft Horford, and this team would look very different at the PF and C positions.
Don’t blame CP3 for his team being mismanaged. He’s just one of the many superstars throughout the history of sports who got screwed by bad management.
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
3:51 pm
Sautee,
I posted an answer but in my exuberance to give an answer I posted two links so my “comment is awaiting moderation”. I’ll see if I can repost it if it doesn’t pass “moderation”.
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
3:54 pm
Sautee,
I don’t have a Bible in front of me at the moment, but Matthew chapter 1 traces Christ’s ancestry back to King David through HIS FATHER, and not through His mother. Joseph and Mary went back to Bethlehem to report for the census because of Joseph, not Mary.
There is a passage, however, in Luke 2 where Mary visits Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) and it is specifically stated that they are related as sisters (I can’t remember whether they are sister-in-laws off the top of my head).
I am shooting from the hip on this so I’ll check it out a little later.
However, while stating that the ancestry of Christ is traced from Joseph, the Bible is clear that Joseph was not Christ’s biological father. Jesus Christ is “the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary,…”
I think that SteveW is eager to safe-guard divinity Christ. And it very well could be SteveW is correct in his assertion about Mary. It is certainly possible that Mary and Joseph were closely related kind of like Franklin & Elanor Roosevelt. They tended to marry within their ‘clans” (for lack of better word) in the Ancient Near East.
I studiously try to keep theology off the blog, but when asked I am always eager. I love my Savior infinitely more than my beloved Hawks and would much rather talk about Him. If you are interested, I will post a couple of links to my church website that lists what I believe and a blog I started about a month ago:
http://www.wpcbrandon.org/what-we-believe-1
Rev in Tampa
January 15th, 2011
3:54 pm
http://www.wpcbrandon.org/blog
drmaryb (*_*)
January 15th, 2011
5:04 pm
Jae Evolution asked:
“Jae Evolution
Just looked at the All-star voting for East Guards….and Joe isn’t even on the top 10 list, did I miss something?”
_____________________________
Yes! Those are fans voting for their home team guys.
Hawks Fans don’t like their core and therefore do not vote.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 15th, 2011
5:10 pm
oldtimer said:
“And they have one of the great young QBs in the game today. ”
__________________________________
Aaron Brooks does not start for The Rockets this year, he has been benched in favor of Collins? (I forget their starting PG name). I like their third option who sizzled in their Summer League: Ismail Smith.
So, Houston has three fantastic PG’s right now, maybe Sund can wrestle one away. Their 2nd and 3rd PG could do wonders for The Hawks!
northcyde
January 15th, 2011
5:19 pm
How good is this blog? You can get an education about the NBA and The Bible at the same time.
As for the Hawks, people still have to keep in mind that we’ve played an extremely soft schedule over the past 3 weeks or so. We’re doing a great job in taking care of business in these games, no doubt about it. And our best win came @ Utah.
But after Monday, we’re going to get a decent look at how we stand amongst the top teams in the league for about a 2 week stretch.
Road games: Miami, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Dallas
Home games: New Orleans, New York
If we’re on the way to becoming “elie”, I’d expect us to go 4 – 2 at the minimum. Anything less, and there may stll be questions about this team vs good squads.
Charlotte and Milwaukee aren’t necessarily “good”, but those are places where we’ve had trouble winning in the recent past.
The other 4 teams are part of the hoopdata.com 12 team “NBA SUPERLEAGUE”, in which they track how the 12 best teams in the league ( back in late December ) are playing against each other.
The Hawks are 4 – 9 in the “superleague” . . good for last place.
northcyde
January 15th, 2011
5:31 pm
And I wonder how many people in ATL will be watching the Hawks on TV tonight?
Bout 7 . . 8 people?
Do ( or would ) they show the Falcons – Packers game on the outdoor big screen at the CNN Center? Or better yet, would Philips Arena show the Falcons game in between timeouts on Hawks scoreboard?
That’s going to make for an interesting situation tonight. A Saturday night Hawks game would normally draw at least 15,000. But I’m sure some Hawks season ticket owners, also have season tickets for the Falcons. So the Hawks may not even draw 10,000 tonight.
The GA Dome will definitely be sold out tonight. Parking and traffic will become a nightmare in about 30 minutes ( if it isn’t already ).
Najeh Davenpoop
January 15th, 2011
5:32 pm
“Aaron Brooks does not start for The Rockets this year, he has been benched in favor of Collins?”
Kyle Lowry. Brooks didn’t get benched for him; he got injured and Lowry took his spot. Brooks is still playing his way back into game shape.
Mike is back
January 15th, 2011
5:53 pm
Man, I love this blog…cuz of the people it represent…GETTING READY…to go to the HAWKS GAME…peace out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rufus1
January 15th, 2011
6:07 pm
Najeh
I agree with your post at 3:41pm…CP3= no Boss….that is what I ment when I said we would be the Hornets. WE ARE THE 3RD BEST IN THE EAST.
Northcyde
We will go atleast 4-2.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 15th, 2011
6:08 pm
Najeh
Thanks Baby, I read so much stuff, sometimes I get confused. Lowry was filling in for the injured starter: Brooks. Why did I read on here, someone said the Hawks should just go get Brooks? Yeah right! Houston isn’t letting the MIP (most improved player?) From last year go. Correct if I’m wrong about the MIP?
____________________________
Hey Najeh! Do you know if the Hawks will play the Falcons entire game on the jumbo-tron at Phillips! So, the Fans could see and stay to see the ending?
If NOT? What a missed opportunity by the Marketing Dept.!
Melvin
January 15th, 2011
6:37 pm
From Hoopshype…
Atlanta Hawks (26-14)
Quiet as kept, the Hawks are once again on pace for a 50-win season and their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The difference is how the club has managed to maintain their winning ways. Atlanta is under the leadership of a rookie head coach and has successfully implemented a brand new offensive scheme. The Hawks have also survived the early season injury bug. Last season the Hawks’ top six players missed a total of 14 games. Through 39 games this season those same players have combined to miss 24 contests as Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Jamal Crawford have all battled through an assortment of ailments.
The most notable trade asset for the Hawks is Crawford, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. It is a widely known fact that Crawford wants to remain in Atlanta as his career winds down but the franchise recently invested over $180 million to Johnson and Al Horford, putting his future with the squad in limbo.
The team has attempted to find a taker for Williams’ contract in the past to no avail, but losing him without receiving a serviceable small forward in return would weaken the team since there is currently no depth at the position. Veteran guard Mike Bibby is enjoying a career resurgence shooting 49 percent from three-point range this season, but is clearly past his prime so this may be the ideal time to receive some value in return.
Notable Trade Chips: Jamal Crawford (1 year, $10.1 million), Mike Bibby (2 years, $11.8 million), Marvin Williams (4 years, $30 million), Maurice Evans (1 year, $2.5 million).
Salary Cap situation: $12 million over the salary cap and $1.1 million under the luxury tax
Trade Exceptions: $3.6 million (J. Childress)
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18456#ixzz1B9NFTXVF
Najeh Davenpoop
January 15th, 2011
7:00 pm
“Hey Najeh! Do you know if the Hawks will play the Falcons entire game on the jumbo-tron at Phillips! So, the Fans could see and stay to see the ending?
If NOT? What a missed opportunity by the Marketing Dept.!”
No idea, but I doubt it. The missed opportunity was when they didn’t reschedule this game to avoid conflicting with the Falcons game. Seems like the logical thing to do. I’d be surprised if there are 5,000 fans at Philips tonight. It’s one thing if the Hawks were going up against the Braves or something, where the fan bases don’t overlap all that much. But the Falcons are the hottest ticket in town, and the percentage of Hawks fans who are not also Falcons fans is probably pretty small.
Ken Strickland
January 15th, 2011
7:00 pm
REV FROM TAMPA/SAUTEE-I don’t want to step on anyones toes, or create any controversy, but the oldest recorded Christ figure in history was the Egyptian Christ HERU, or HORUS(Greek name). He has been documented to be over 4100yrs older than JESUS. Also, their lives, deeds, and words spoken are virtually identical, including his virgin birth, and being the only begotten son(sun)of God. JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 15th, 2011
7:02 pm
I will be watching the Hawks on TV and the Falcons streaming on my computer. I doubt that most of this city is going to even bother looking up the score of the Hawks game once it’s over. Whether it’s the DASG or the NBA that’s responsible, someone dropped the ball.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 15th, 2011
7:07 pm
I’m looking on atdhe.net and it looks like the Thrashers play tonight too, although they are on the road.
So it begs the question… which number will be higher, the combined TV audience of the Hawks and Thrashers, or the crowd in the Georgia Dome?
slimjr
January 16th, 2011
1:13 am
Rick Sund=Billy Knight take a Hike..