Atlanta Hawks: Practice report
The Hawks practiced today at Philips. I was there. I talked to them and wrote down the things they said. Here are some examples:
- Al sat out because of the sprained right ankle. He said it’s possible he could play tomorrow against the Hornets. “It is still kind of up in the air,” he said. “I’m just going to get a lot of treatment and see how it feels tomorrow at shootaround. Kind of taking it day-by-day.”
- Marvin participated in the (non-contact) practice. “That is the first time I’ve ran around with the team in a while,” he said. “It felt pretty good.”
- Marvin plans to test the back again tomorrow. L.D. sounded as if the Hawks still want to give him more time. “With the back, it may still be a little weak,” Drew said. “I don’t think there is any pain or discomfort, but it’s something we want to take our time with. We want to make sure he is as close to 100 percent as possible. We will see how he is tomorrow.”
- Hawks PR Guy Arthur Triche later tweeted that Al and Marvin would probably miss at least the next two games.
- Bibby didn’t get an assist for his sweet, sweet pass to Smoove on the game-changing dunk at Miami. “Can you believe that?” Bibby said.
- Triche said the Hawks inquired with the league about crediting Bibby for what clearly was an assist but were told errors of omission can’t be retroactively fixed. In other words, the powers-that-be will take away an assist that shouldn’t be, for example, but won’t credit an assist that should be. OK, then. . . .
- L.D., Jamal and J.J. all said it’s still too early to pay the East standings much mind.
“Everybody is bunched up,” Jamal said. “That can change daily. You can drive yourself crazy.” He added that the real jockeying doesn’t start until after the All-Star game, when the serious teams lock in and the also-rans fade out.
Drew said he doesn’t even look at the standings: “Just tell me when our next game is and we get prepared for it.” But at some point the Hawks will have to start thinking about positioning.
“When do I look at it? I don’t know,” L.D. said. “This is my first time being in this position. After the All-Star break and after that long trip, I know we have a favorable home schedule in March. I am sure at some point I will start looking at it.”
Joe said the Hawks “just have to try to maintain and stay up there near the top.” As long as the Hawks finish in the top four and get homecourt advantage in the first round, the exact order may not matter so much.
“If we are trying to do anything, we have to deal with Miami and Boston and Chicago and Orlando,” J.J. said. “Those are the teams that are right there at the top. You are going to have to go through those guys one way or the other.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks blog
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
133 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
January 20th, 2011
9:40 pm
Ramon,
Al might be a better scorer, and maybe a tougher player, but I think Marvin has the better contract. Marvin is younger, a better defender, and not known for taking too many shots (or bad shots). And Marvin can still improve. Al Harrington will probably only get worse.
Rod from CP,
Jamal’s situation is the reason why we need Marvin to step up more consistently. because although Marvin is a much better defender than Jamal, he is more inconsistent on offense.
If Marvin is able to score more consistently, then when Jamal is 4-13 with 4 turnovers, Marvin could get some of jamal’s minutes.
Slimjr
January 20th, 2011
9:43 pm
Marvin is not built Ford Tough inside or out! Trade is butt while he still has good value….
Major de`Coverly
January 20th, 2011
9:44 pm
Mister or misses dept untended irony great minds think a lot specially at one minute after six o’clock at night. i saw your cach 22 post yesterday and told my friend clevinger about it.
yoursporthouse.com
January 20th, 2011
9:46 pm
Slimjr, that’s the problem, he has no value. No other team in the union wants Marvin!!
Slimjr
January 20th, 2011
9:48 pm
“Slimjr, that’s the problem, he has no value. No other team in the union wants Marvin!!”
ON point Sir….
DawgBoi
January 20th, 2011
9:54 pm
this trade makes more sense: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6fxo7nl
yoursporthouse.com
January 20th, 2011
10:01 pm
Dawgboi, it looks good for the Hawks but why would Utah want Pachulia? Why would Phoenix want to give away Nash for Bibby and Marvin? That trade won’t happen, good wishful thinking though.
DawgBoi
January 20th, 2011
10:03 pm
New starting 5: Nash, Johnson, Smith, Horford, Collins
New Bench: Crawford, Okur, Evans, Teague, Wilkins, Powell, Thomas
Ramon
January 20th, 2011
10:05 pm
That would be a nice deal for the Hawks. And would cut cap space for the Jazz. But don’t see why the Suns would take that without at least a draft pick coming their way.
DawgBoi
January 20th, 2011
10:07 pm
it is wishful thinking but Pachulia is cheaper than Okur and can give Utah good minutes and the rumors about Nash will continue bc the Suns are out of it and Marvin would be an upgrade over any of their forwards and Bibby can still run a team a shoot.
Grandad
January 20th, 2011
10:17 pm
Trade chips:
*Marv
*Zaza
*Teague
*JC2
*Mo
Some sort of pkg of these players plus a draft pick is what we have to offer. -Now- We Must find a rebounder. Regardless of anything else…
we absolutely -MUST- find a rebounder. We saw it in Miami! We are 24th
out of 30 teams in rebounding.
**We are tied for -4th- in assisted baskets.
***Therefore, we don’t need a pg as much as we need a -BEBOUNDER-!
Use a pkg of the aforementioned players and find one [Mr. Sund].
Rev in Tampa
January 20th, 2011
10:20 pm
For all those who were speculating on Howard coming to Atlanta next year:
http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110114-16/howard-qa
He is certainly motivated by the desire to win a championship and nationwide recognition. Most people think he wants to team up with Kobe.
Grandad
January 20th, 2011
10:24 pm
Bebounder…I guess if one is gonna use all caps then he should at least spell the word correctly. What the heck is a Bebounder anyway.
What a BORK!
Rev in Tampa
January 20th, 2011
10:25 pm
Grandad,
I think the Hawks need a point guard more if they are not going to develop Teague. I think the Hawks low rebounding totals are more a result of strategy than ability. Drew is so intent on not giving up transition points that he is not asking his bigs to stay under the basket and fight for offensive rebounds. I am surprised how many times the Hawks shoot the ball, but when the rebound comes off the rim, there is no one Hawks player visible on the screen because they have already headed downcourt.
yoursporthouse.com
January 20th, 2011
10:30 pm
Dawgboi, Marvin is the worst small forward in the NBA. He’s not an upgrade on anybody’s team.
DawgBoi
January 20th, 2011
10:46 pm
yoursporthouse, we are talking about the same team that took Josh Childress and pays him $6.5 million a year.
Da Vinci Code
January 20th, 2011
11:05 pm
Enough of the Marvin bashing; how many ways can you say “YOU HATE MARVIN”?
LOL, this hidden “Man Crush” thing for him is beginning to show through the obsession. You know you have an addiction for him if every single blog entry is a direct or indirect suggestion of contempt for him. If these emotions continue and are uncontrollable, then perhaps you need to seek professional help. Just saying …
dsee
January 20th, 2011
11:16 pm
yoursporthouse.com
Joe is tradeable & N.J. is a great fit. The big Russian has bank. He can ISO/shoot 20 times per game. Lopez/Harris/Joe/Humphries/Outlaw is a big start.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 20th, 2011
11:31 pm
“You mean the goofy Eastern European big man that just got his sh#t swatted 3 times?”
Well, that’s why I called him goofy. Unlike Zaza, though, Asik is solid on the defensive end and has the length and athleticism to alter shots.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 20th, 2011
11:32 pm
There is no way in hell anyone is going to trade for Zaza unless Rick Sund takes them out to a bar and slips a roofie into their drink. It’s not going to happen. Y’all might as well stop including him in potential trades.
Grandad
January 20th, 2011
11:35 pm
Rev;
Several points of which I hope some are lucid.
(1) Bibby is our #2 player in terms of (+/-)
[the value of that stat is debatable]
*(it held great value to me as a Coach)
Therefore Bibby’s great season lessons the need for a pg.
Jamal’s improved defense as a back-up is an asset,
even though Joe occasionally guards the pg and Jamal defends the [2].
(2) When Al and Josh are not on the foor together, we are often left with one rebounder. Zaza is an inconsistent rbndr. Collins is a great
defender (and a good boxer outer) but a poor rebounder.
Therefore, if Al or Josh is out of the game [re Miami game] we only have one rebounder in the game.
Conclusion = we don’t have a complete player at the [5]!
(3) Our *[defensive rebound %]* is below our four main competitors
in the East: Orl, Miami, Boston and Chicago…in that order.
**[Chi will raise their % when Noah returns]
*Defensive Rebound Percentage*
In my opinion…We Need Another Rebounder! – More than a pg.
Humbly spoken my good friend,
G-dad
Da Vinci Code
January 20th, 2011
11:47 pm
************ ATTENTION TO ALL THE MARVIN HATERS*************
Here’s a song to finally get this “Man Crush” thing out of the closet. I hope this help in your therapy of denial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4A9xZlDhtM
Ra'mon
January 21st, 2011
1:04 am
Grandad, the funny part about the rebounding is no team in the top 5 Eastern teams have two players ranked in the top 15 of rebounders, except for the Hawks (Al and Josh). And the only team in the league that has two players in the top 15 besides the Hawks are the LAL (Portland has Camby and Aldridge, but Camby is out).
Because we’re not looking for a starter but someone who can be a role player, I immediately looked at the per48 rebound averages. Out of the centers you would assume that would be available (not superstars, or not on a rivals team, and not on SAS), the names that come up are : Dalembert, Thompson (surprised to see his name there, but he’s a pf), Shelden Williams, Ben Wallace and Haywood. So it seems as if it would pretty much be a choice of those players to come in off the bench. I probably could see a deal of Josh Powell for Shelden Williams, and could see Denver being for that deal. Gortat is a dream, but he would have to be in a straight up deal. And I couldn’t see Phoenix taking Marvin for Gortat.
B'Red
January 21st, 2011
1:18 am
I got he Hawks finishing 6 in the conference. All the serious teams are making moves and jocking for position. I got the Hawks making an early exit in the playoff in the first round.
KevinM
January 21st, 2011
3:49 am
Remember all the unsurety when the Cavs wanted Marvin for Shaq? Who saw these stat lines coming? Shaq has more games under his belt than our starting SF:
Shaq – 32 Games / 10.5 ppg / 5.1 rb in 21 mpg
Marvin – 30 Games / 11 ppg/4.8 rb in 30 mpg
Oh, and the numbers for our 3 headed C: (Zaza/Cheeseburger/Etan)
6.0 ppg / 6.2 rb in 25.8 mpg – I didn’t even put Etan’s numbers in there…close enough to 0 to round them.
So Marvin at 6.7M, Zaza at 4.2M, Cheeseburger and Etan at 2.5M =13.4M
Shaq makes 1.3M
Yep, I believe in Rick Sund.
Double Zero Eight
January 21st, 2011
7:15 am
Many bloggers have posed some excellent trade options.
It “ain’t gonna happen”. There will not be a trade of any
significance this year. Sund was on the “Buck and Kincaid”
show yesterday. He gave no indication whatsoever that he
was considering a trade of any magnitude. In addition, he
appeared complacent with the current roster.
We are not an elite team, and it will take a trade to make
us one. I do not think we can beat Boston and win the
eastern conference title.
slimjr
January 21st, 2011
9:40 am
Sund=complacent=early exit playoff beat down again…..
Grandad
January 21st, 2011
9:46 am
Ra’mon
I saw the same stats [per 40 min adjusted].
Nene is reportedly available???
Grandad
January 21st, 2011
10:02 am
Sund goes on the B & K show for their Hawks min.
Buck or K-caid know as much about basketball as I know about lettuce.
I reckon Rick Sund has resigned himself to suckin’ hind tit.
KevinM
January 21st, 2011
10:44 am
Well, the Sund gospel is spreading across the league. Golden State now has annointed Monte Elis as the ‘core’ to their team.
Ugh….Hawks and Hornets tonight at Philips…who you got w/Al & Marvin out? Give me the Paul treatment!
KevinM
January 21st, 2011
10:47 am
I was watching TNT last night and Paul was in person on the show. Let me tell you, this guy knows the league and he knows who skipped over him in the draft. He will have a lil extra mustard for the ASG tonight.
It will be nice when we get a real basketball GM in here, if we can ever attract a legit talent.
Rick Sund in an interview: what a waste of time to listen to. He gives you nothing of substance.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:02 am
As weird as it seems:
People in the know tell me ZaZa is highly desired as a back up big around the league. And we saw what he did to Gortat in the Summer Basketball Championships.
Many teams salivate for Marvin. A young, athletic F, with big upside potential, and a modest contract by NBA standards.
Many, many teams want Jeff Teague, and will give up decent players and/or a 1st pick to get him. They also think he has great upside potential.
I research alot of blogs and opinions around the league, and that’s the word amongst folks who quote League GM’s etc.
These same guys seem to say Al is a lock for the All Star team, replacing Noah, and barely beating out Bogut.
And they also say JJ and Ray Allen are locked in the battle for the last G spot on the roster, now that Felton has swooned.
Interesting stuff to me….
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:14 am
The Motion Offense is probably the perfect storm against Jeff Teague. The guys measurables’ are off the charts. Against anybody in the league, he’ll usually be the best athlete on the court when he’s in the game. But the reason LD keeps emphasizing Teague’s ability to break down a D, is because in a half court O, that’s what he needs. Unfortunately, Jeff’s giftedness is his athletic ability. He does not have a good basketball IQ, which is needed to run the Motion O. Bibby does, so Bibby starts and plays, regardless of his physical limitations.
Put Teague on the Knicks or Suns, and he rocks. Hopefully, he’ll learn the 1/2 court game, break down defenses like LD wants, and become a force in the League. He did spend his summer honing his defense, so with his athleticism, I think his D in a couple of years will be fine.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:17 am
“People in the know tell me” I phrased that wrong in my 1st post. It is supposedly people in the know that I read, that did not tell me personally! Sorry! Didn’t want to leave the wrong impression. But I have read this stuff from enough sources that have proven reliable to me over the course of time, that I think there is truth in it.
DawgBoi
January 21st, 2011
11:18 am
KevinM, Shaq was not going to play in Atlanta for less than the mid-level exception which would be in the neighborhood of $5-$7 million. Maybe ownership did not want to pay a luxury tax this season but I think Shaq would have helped ticket sales and given the fans a sign that they were serious about winning a championship. Larry Drew will take this team farther than Woodson ever could so I still have a lot of hope for this season. Josh Smith should make his first all star team to join Al Horford. Johnson and Crawford a two spectacular scorers. Bibby will make any big shot in the fourth quarter. Drew draws up some of the best sets to get open & easy to make shots. The key is how well the defense plays which is why I am glad Josh Smith is a captain this year. If we continue to improve on defense then maybe Smith can win that Defensive award to go along with the Championship Trophy! This could be a fun ride..
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:18 am
KevinM said, “Rick Sund in an interview: what a waste of time to listen to. He gives you nothing of substance.” That is true. He is as even keeled as any guy I ever seen.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:21 am
Unless the Knicks get Carmelo, I don’t see them moving up. And whoever said they would take Shelden Williams over JP, I 2nd that motion.
And have you seen Kwame Brown lately? Guys gettin’s solid, like 10.2ppg and 9.2rbg over his last 5 games. Probably still turning the ball over too much. Talk about a low BB IQ!
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:25 am
Josh probably ain’t goin’ to the All Star game as a player, no matter how deserving. Stoudamire, Bosh, Garnett have that PF spot locked up. And as a SF, I think LeBron and Peirce are locked in there. You can definitely make a case for him, but I don’t think it’s happening.
And with Doc picking the team (doesn’t he? Can’t remember), and Josh going for 2 and 1 pts against the Celts this season, I don’t think he’s on the team.
JJ and Al should be though.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:29 am
I hope Josh is not like Mike Bibby, and becomes one of the best players to never make an All Star team. The All Star game would be more exciting if Josh was there. Blocks, dunks etc. But it may never happen.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
11:32 am
Grandad – I heard Nene was available earlier in the year, but now the Nuggets are saying that he’s one of the pieces they are going to build around.
But Kaman is available, and I think we have pieces the Clips would like. Could you imagine Teague and Gordon in the same BC? The Clips want a young replacement for Baron Davis.
Ra'mon
January 21st, 2011
11:39 am
SteveW, I don’t know if I would take Teague over Bledsoe.
yodaddy
January 21st, 2011
11:52 am
you people come up with the most bogus trade deals….the more this team plays…the more you should realize that a trade is not needed.
We have a very good team here and once they start to believe (like in the Miami game) we have a chance to be a great team.
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
12:06 pm
Ra’mon – I don’t know if I would either, but Teague/Bledsoe would be a very good, young start to that team, with Gordon and “The Big Man” Blake Griffin.
I still say, if Blake improves, he can be a 40/20 guy in the League.
Ramon
January 21st, 2011
1:44 pm
Steve, 40/20? You have to be kidding me right now.
KevinM
January 21st, 2011
2:16 pm
SteveW, when Sund talks, you think you might get some nugget of good information. It sounds to me like he is not even watching the games or listening to insiders or the public…a total disconnect. Nice gig if you can get it. It’s worked for him for 30 years…amazing.
And Steve, Zaza just doesn’t do much for me…..he seems very replaceable at a fraction of the cost…..I give those minutes to Powell to try and make him a more influential piece.
DawgBoi, I brought all that up to show how much we get for what we have, and yes, I would have paid Shaq that MLE. He is very much worth that $5M number.
There is still a profit compared to what exists on our roster instead. And I see you didn’t promote Marvin in your comments…Shaq has played more games than Marvin….really?
Shaq is a huge billboard for any franchise , add up the $$, you would see jersey sales rise, heck the city might even take a liking to Joe again. But as the story goes, when the opportunity arises….come 2nd round, Mookie is probably watching to see if his legacy stays intact.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 21st, 2011
2:18 pm
Who will be the X-Factor tonight with Al and Marvin injured and out?
____________________
Maurice Evans or Josh Powell? Who will score and Who will rebound?
Grandad
January 21st, 2011
2:57 pm
Mary Ellen…prediction;
JC2 shows up with a big game tonight [out of nowhere].
Small line-up:
Collins and Zaza @ the [5]
Josh @ the [4]
Joe @ [3]
LD may even do something unconventional & starts JC2.
“LD pulls the rabbit oughta the hat”
Now thats the kind of maneuver this wiley ol’ vet would pull???
As Munson would say:
“Run the shoes right off their feet”
MsDee
January 21st, 2011
3:08 pm
Will be heading to the game tonight..section 117!! I sure hope Horford plays tonight. Not only cause he is averaging around a double double but that I FINALLY bought his jersey for the game tonight about a month ago, AND I REALLY WANTED TO WEAR IT FOR MY CUTIE BALL PLAYER!!
Freshfromatl
January 21st, 2011
3:15 pm
Atlanta Spirit is involved in another lawsuit lol!
http://www.ajc.com/sports/lawsuit-thrashers-owners-have-811606.html
SteveW
January 21st, 2011
3:16 pm
Ramon – Blake did a 47/13 the other night, the guys a beast. He’s a special talent, if he stays healthy, and continues to improve.
As a 21 year old rookie this year – 27 straight double doubles.
22.6 ppg 12.8 rbg shooting % of 51.9.
At 21.
Dwight at 21
20.7 and 14.2 playing slightly longer minutes per game, and shot 59.9%
I think Blake in a couple of years, with Gordon on the outside, can be absolutely dominant at the 4. If he keeps working, if he averaged 30 – 15 in a couple of years it wouldn’t surprise me. But he may be a 40 – 20 talent. A generational talent, if he stays healthy and works hard, and develops his game.
BTW the Clips are 11-5 in their last 16 games, including wins @ Chicago and against the Lakers.
DrMary B – I would hope ZaZa, Etan, JP, and Collins gets some work tonight. I doubt JT will, but one can hope.
KevinM – I’m not a big ZaZa fan (not like I was a few years ago), but the League is so desperate for Bigs right now, people would take a chance on him. Look what the Nets gave Petro, the ‘Wolves gave Darko, and the Mavs gave Haywood.
ZaZa is actually 23rd in the league in scoring for C’s. Only 11 C’s in the League are averaging in double figures.
ZaZa is 24th among C’s in rpg, tied with Joel Anthony, who plays 5.5 mpg more than ZaZa.
There is a dearth of quality bigs in this league.