Hawks 103, Bobcats 87
CHARLOTTE – Greeting, all. A pretty satisfying win for all you Hawks fans, I imagine. One night after a complete flop, the Hawks win without Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Josh Powell, on the back end of a back-to-back against a team that is starting to show some life.
– Joe Johnson continues to roll. After a nine-point effort against New Orleans, he goes 12 for 18 for 32 points. While it looked like they did a little more isolation than normal, a lot of it appeared kind easy for him tonight, with the exception of the bump he took near the end of the second half. He says it might be a bruise. He had a leg-length compression sock on the leg after the game. He was glad the team won’t have to play again till Wednesday to let him heal up.
– You all probably know better, but that’s the best I’ve seen Zaza Pachulia play this season, particularly in the second half. He went to the basket better than usual and showed some touch. I must confess, I was dubious when Larry Drew said he was putting Zaza in the lineup to give the team some offensive punch, but he came through.
– Charlotte fell right in the trap when the Hawks went zone in the middle of the third quarter. They went 2-for-9 in the midst of a Hawks’ 17-4 run that put the game away. There were misses from 23 feet, 26, 16, 20 and 17 feet by Gerald Wallace (6-7), Boris Diaw (6-8), Stephen Jackson (6-8) and Gerald Henderson (6-5). They were makeable shots, but I’m going to presume they could have gotten better had they worked at it a little more.
“For the most part our energy was there, but once our shots stopped falling and they started making shots, the energy level and the spirits just kind of dropped a little bit,” Wallace said. “I think that was the turning point of the game and they took over from there.”
– I’ll say this – Charlotte missed a lot of open jump shots. Maybe that’s just what the Bobcats do, but I think the Hawks dodged a bit of a bullet.
– A DNP for Jeff Teague. The team was shorthanded – albeit more with the bigs than with guards – and he didn’t get in. I don’t know if it was a message, but it was a little peculiar that Jordan Crawford got squeezed into the game at the end and Teague did not. Didn’t get a chance to talk to Drew. In January, Teague’’s gotten four DNP’s.
“If you get in there, you’d better do what you can do,” he said. “If he doesn’t put me in, I’ll cheer for my teammates and hopefully they’ll do well.”
– Good night for Mike Bibby. He was 5-for-10 from the floor and showed some spark driving to the basket a few times.
“I’ve been in the league long enough to know that there’s going to be some good nights and there’s going to be some bad nights,” he said. “Last night was a bad night all the way around. It happens, not to that extreme as it did, but it does happen. We followed it up with a good win and now everybody’s back.”
– Hawks are 4-0 in the red uniforms this year. Seventh different starting lineup this year. Despite Johnson missing nine games, Crawford missing six, Horford missing two, Williams missing 15 and Mo Evans missing eight, the Hawks are one game behind their pace from last year, when they had near perfect health.
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200 comments Add your comment
SteveW
January 23rd, 2011
11:51 pm
Jordan Crawford shot 39.1% on 3’s his last season in college.
Jeff Teague shot 44.1% on 3’s his last year in college
Who’s a better jumpshooter? What games have ya’ll been watching?
And just because somebody’s a ball hog doesn’t mean he’s better. Jordan’s aggressiveness is also his weakness, a failure to look for teammates, and to force shots. And I’m a big Jordan Crawford fan.
Face it, we have a Larry Brown clone who kills PG’s who aren’t vets, plain and simple.
SteveW
January 23rd, 2011
11:53 pm
Northcyde – I was just referring to the fact that Felton had the “bust” label applied when on the FA circuit by some. I didn’t think he was either, he was just on a PG killer of a team coached by a PG killer, Larry Brown.
And Teague spent the offseason working on his defense, if you read the above article.
SteveW
January 23rd, 2011
11:58 pm
Northcyde – i just think the stats are skewed at this point. They throw Teague in against many times the starting PG on the opposing team, and before he can even measure up the guy, he’s made a mistake and yanked by LD.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:00 am
And you do have to admit Teague is keeping a good attitude about it all.
northcyde
January 24th, 2011
12:08 am
Steve . . Jordan is the better jumpshooter, because unlike Teague, he can rise up over people and shoot over them. He doesn’t need to be wide open, like Teague, to make a jumpshot.
But Jordan is going to have to become a more consistent shooter. Otherwise, he becomes the new Salim Stoudaire ( a guy who shot 50% FG and 50% 3FG in his Senior year in college . . but struggled to consitently make shots in the pros ).
It’s guys like Jordan, who can create their own shot, that usually make it in this league. A guy like Teague would have to either become a great finisher at the rim, or develop the floater ( which he has shot better this year ).
If you saw the Xavier vs Kansas St game in last year’s NCAA Tournament, there’s no way Teague could carry a team with the type of jumpshots that Jordan was making in that game. Go to youtube and watch highlights of that game, and tell me if Teague could do that.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:12 am
I mean if you don’t think Larry Brown held back Felton (look at the stats
Look at DJ Augustin. He was averaging 12.5 ppg and 6 apg before Larry Brown left. The next 2 games he goes for 27 and 28 points respectively, and then averages 18 ppg and 7.5 apg for 11 games in January. Kinda like Felton. And now everybody is in love with Augustin, but again, he had the dreaded “bust” label being bandied about being a lottery pick in ‘08 while Brown was there.
Rufus1
January 24th, 2011
12:13 am
Teague..
I am not asking for Teague to start, but he has got to worth 15min a night….if not, then trade him and admit you made another mistake by drafting him.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:19 am
Northcyde – I do agree that Jordan is more of a pure scorer, and that was why he was drafted. But if Teague did that, he would be slapped with the Josh label. Teague is trying to be developed as a 1, Jordan as a 2. So the need is different. We need Jordan to score at this level, especially if he’s destined to take Jamal’s spot next year. We need Teague to be a PG if he’s eventually to be the PG on a very good team.
And don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we’re holding Micheal Jordan hostage on the bench. Teague was a raw #19 pick. I’m not even saying Teague is better than Bibby. I’m just saying we are not developing Teague at all. And Jeff has shown initiative to improve by working hard in the offseason. I just have complaints about the Larry Brown school for young PG’s, of which Woody and LD are followers.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:39 am
I’ve been watching NBA basketball for 40 years or so. All of it as a Hawks fan, from the days of Lou Hudson and Walt Bellamy, Pistol Pete on down. I’ve had the privilege of playing alot of hoops, and head coaching on a small college level for a few years (3).
All I know is is that Jeff Teague is the best PG since Mookie potentially for the Hawks. He will not be better than Bibby was in his prime I don’t think, but the Hawks never had Bibby in his prime. If Bibby went down today, I would see Teague averaging:
9 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg, 1 bpg, and 1.5 spg in 30 mpg or so, with 3 to’s per game, or maybe slightly less on the to’s
With hard work, next season I could see 11.5, 5 apg, 4.5 rpg, a block and a steal and a 1/2, with maybe 2.5 to’s per game.
I could then see him becoming a 14, 15 ppg and 7 apg guy in the League for a few years, with above average defense. In other words, the best PG ATL has had since Mookie.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:49 am
Jeff Teague is a raw product. And every non-top 5 pick almost has to be developed. Even some top 5 picks. I mean look at LaMarcus Aldridge. A #2 pick in ‘06, who then averages 9 and 5 his 1st season. This is his first season in the All Star conversation. And he’s a #2 pick, not a #19 pick. You gotta develop these guys.
Look at the #1 pick in ‘05 Andrew Bogut – 9.4 and 7 his 1st season. Average .8 blocks per game his 1st season, .5 his second season, 2.7 this season. You gotta develop talent in this League with rare excetions!
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
12:55 am
Oops – “exceptions” not “exetions” as in the last post
Ra'mon
January 24th, 2011
1:03 am
I’m loving what I’m reading. Everyone is having so much educated and logical things to say today/tonight that I really don’t have much to say. On both sides of the argument regarding Teague, everyone is presenting their opinions and facts with them. This is why I love days after the Hawks win. Because you always get back to the true basketball lovers, not just the casual espn.com watcher who see “Hawks lose” and come try to say (under 5 screen names) whatever they heard a commentator say.
I will say Bibby is obviously better than Teague is. There’s nothing LD can do about it. The responsibility falls back on Sund. While Bibby is a better PG than Teague. Bibby does not provide the ability to facilitate, break down a defense with dribble penetration, or apply pressure on the defensive end. Those three things are more important than shooting 50% from beyond the arc, or not turning the ball over. Because while you’re not turning the ball over, you’re also not getting any assists. Bibby is the best PG on this team this millennium (never saw JT as a pg). But he’s still not the PG you need when trying to be competitive in the ECF. Penetration and Defense is the main two things in the playoffs that is needed.
Ken Strickland
January 24th, 2011
1:14 am
I think it’s asking a lot to expect a 2nd yr player, who’s HC doesn’t seem to have any faith in him, to take charge of players that MWoodson couldn’t, and to date, LDrew can’t seem to control to a large extent. LDrew’s words and approach to dealing with Teague is conflicting.
First, he says he wants him to use his speed and quickness to attack the basket with wreckless abandon, but he wants him to know when to attack. Then he turns around and uses his jumpshooting as an excuse for keeping him from doing what he says he wants him to do. He certainly doesn’t seem bothered that Bibby doesn’t attack anything with wreckless abandon.
Secondly, everyone says they want him to be more aggressive and take control of the OFF and ball. Well, can anyone truthfully say that Bibby takes control of the OFF and the ball? I mean, giving the ball to JJ or Jamal whenever he decides to bring the ball across half court isn’t my idea of taking control of anything.
Thirdly, how can LDrew justify a need for Bibby’s shooting to the point of playing him 30+MPG and going to such extremes to compensate for his poor pick and roll DEF, which he admits teams exploit, and all we’re getting out of the deal is inconsistency and only 10PPG?
Just like last yr under Woodson, lame excuse after lame excuse is being offered to justify playing Bibby and not playing Teague. Bibby does one thing well, and his numerous liabilities are either overlooked or efforts are made to compensate. Teague does several things well, but the one thing he doesn’t do as well at this point is being used against him.
You’d think if OFF is an issue with one, and DEF is an issue with the other, you’d play them both and take advantage of what each player does best. But that’s not what’s being done, which is why I say something else is behind LDrew’s dealings with Teague.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
1:21 am
KenS – It is the Larry Brown, Woody, LD way. Kill young players who are not elite, especially PG’s. It’s a history.
So someone is saying that Jordan is a better jumpshooter than Bibby because he can create his own shot? I don’t think so. If both Bibby and Teague average better significantly better than Jordan from 3 pt land (Teague in college and Bibby this season), Jordan must still be a better jumpshooter than both because he can create a shot.
Worldwide Clyde
January 24th, 2011
1:36 am
Dam another jump shooter we folks that can take it to the hole.
rusty
January 24th, 2011
1:46 am
Woody sucked & ld comes from the same school. He will not give jc2 or jt a chance while he gives mo big minutes,come on what up with the man
Ken Strickland
January 24th, 2011
2:08 am
During training camp Teague out performed Bibby, and it continued over into the 1st preseason, then Teague got hurt. Here are the preseason stats for Teague and Bibby.
Teague MINS-31, FGA/M-13/8, REB-1, AST-6, STLS-1, PTS-20
Bibby MINS-22, FGA/M- 2/1, REB-1, AST-1, STLS-1, PTS-2
Teague was injured and missed the next 5 preseason gms. Here are Bibby’s 6gm preseason totals.
MINS-22, 29, 25, 25, 15, 29
FGA/M-2-1, 4-1, 7-2, 6-2, 2-1, 8-5
REB-1, 2, 2, 0, 1, 0
AST-1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 5
STL-1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1
PTS-2, 3, 6, 5, 3, 13
Teague scored more pts in one preseason gm than Bibby managed to score in his next 5. It took Bibby 6 gms to get more than 3 assists. Teague got 2 steals in his one gm, while Bibby got 3 in 6gms. So don’t keep making up this BS about Bibby doing anything during training camp and preseason to keep Teague from taking his starting position. Except for an untimely injury and LDrew, Teague outperformed Bibby.
Ra'mon
January 24th, 2011
2:18 am
Guys, here is a question I have. This off season, would it be foolish of the Hawks to pursue K. Perkins? Would offering Perkins a deal of 4 years-$32 mil be a terrible idea? Boston window past this season is basically closed, especially with Rivers up in the air. While Perkins is coming off a knee injury, he was a player who used his head and his size more so than athleticism to do what he does. By all accounts, K. Perkins is the best defensive C in the league not name Dwight. Would a starting line up that features Joe, Josh, Al, Perkins, not be one of the best defensive lineups in the league? Josh is allowed to go into the off season and come into training camp knowing he will be the starting SF. There for he’s able to work more on his handle this off season and less on bulking up.
Ra'mon
January 24th, 2011
2:20 am
KenS, most 2 year players outperform 30 year old veterans in training camp and pre-season. I can’t imagine Sam Cassell, Gary Payton and others not being out performed in pre season and training camp by young guys.
Ra'mon
January 24th, 2011
2:21 am
KenS, also keep in mind the competition that it was against also. Once again, I’m not saying Bibby is the answer. But I’m not convinced that Teague is even a possibility of the answer.
drmaryb (*_*)
January 24th, 2011
7:14 am
Aaaah! Jordan Crawford is NOT a jump shooter, he is a scorer! Period.
O'Brien
January 24th, 2011
7:22 am
Although Bibby only averages 10 ppg, he does hit some big shots at key moments. Team down by 2 late in the fourth, Bibby will make a clutch 3 to give them the lead (although if Bibby’s defense was better, maybe the Hawks wouldn’t be down by 2 in the first place).
I dont know if Teague is the answer or not, but I hope LD and Rick knows.
Because assuming Jamal and Mo are allowed to leave next season, who will be our backup PG? Unless they believe Teague will make a huge improvement in his third year, I hope they are looking at other options.
Big Ray
January 24th, 2011
7:23 am
Northcyde is right about Jeff Teague (so is Drmaryb ). Take that from a guy who was supporting Teague for a while, hoping he’d develop into a capable pg.
No leadership qualities, or at least not enough of them.
Having said that, I won’t stop with blaming the player. Can’t. I have a few things to say on that subject, and the last thing I’ll say is something I said in preseason.
(1) Jordan Crawford is the most talented guard the Hawks have picked since Jason Terry. Jamaal Tinsley doesn’t count, as he was traded on draft night.
(2)The Hawks do not know how to pick pgs in the draft. They’ve proven this over several years. 2005 haunts us and the organization’s best hope of escaping that self-imposed curse may lie with our 2010 first round draft pick, whom we traded for.
(3) Larry Drew’s offensive system doesn’t require a pure pg. It doesn’t even require a real pg. It requires an aggressive, offense initiating lead guard. It’s why Jamal comes off the bench in place of Bibby. Larry might have said that Jordan Crawford is a 2 instead of a 1, but those words are in direct contrast with how he uses Jamal. Therefore, if Jordan can (and probably will) improve his ball-handling and decision-making, he can play a role similar to that of Jamal. I can see him alongside Joe if/when Jamal is gone and Bibby can no longer give starter’s minutes on a consistent basis. Seriously.
Big Ray
January 24th, 2011
7:30 am
Having said that, maybe it takes Teague 3+ years to develop into a capable pg. I’ve said before that it took nearly 4 years for Grizzlies lottery pick Mike Conley to come into his own. Maybe he needs to be on another team, I don’t know.
This team needs a pg who makes shots. This offense involves a lot of passing and moving, so no traditional pg is needed. And so, if JC2 makes strides on defense and with his ball-handling, I say it’s on. Give the minutes to the guard who produces the most for you. Who cares if JC2 is a 2. So is Jamal. But he’s THE guard off the bench for 30 min a game, is he not?
Teague MUST improve his perimeter shot, or he’s not going to break into this rotation.
Big Ray
January 24th, 2011
7:43 am
Ken ,
Hate to disagree with you, but preseason is preseason. You know this already. Teague did do well during the preseason, I’ll agree. Bibby didn’t need to. It’s not just about the stats, it’s about how both your team and the opposing team responds to you.
Bibby didn’t perform great in the preseason. But what’s he doing in the regular season? Who is top 3 in the League in 3 point shooting? Who keeps hitting big shot after big shot for the Hawks? Bibby on both counts, Teague on neither.
As for taking control of the ball and being aggressive, Bibby has him beat there, too. Tell me you haven’t paid attention to Larry Drew’s offense, man. That’s the only way you could come up with the explanation that Bibby doesn’t “take control.” Drew’s offense isn’t about one guard coming up and dominating the ball, facilitating and distributing in a traditional sense.
If this were the case, then there’s no way our starting PF/C and PF/SF would be averaging about 4 apg each. Neither would our starting SG/SF. Bibby brings the ball up. He does hand it off a lot. So does Jamal. It’s part of the offense. But what they do is stay involved after they’ve handed the ball off. They also set the play as they are bring the ball up the court. They can get the ball back and score. This is where Teague struggles so mightily. He may call and set the offense as he’s coming up, but when he hands the ball off, he isn’t likely to get it back.
One reason is because he sometimes does not get himself in a good position to receive the ball where he can score. Another reason is because he does not score from the perimeter, meaning that when he gets the ball, he needs to drive it. Well, how often is there a driving lane available when teams KNOW he’s quick and can’t shoot well from the outside? Exactly….there usually isn’t one, or he’s running into traffic and either misses a floater or gets blocked all too often.
The truth of it is that Jeff likely hasn’t even converted shots at the rim as often as Bibby has (which hasn’t been all that often, but a lot more this season than in the past two seasons). How do you explain that?
You have to admit it, man. You put Bibby in the game off the bench in any given game. He’s going to come in, call and set plays, and if he has a shot, he’ll take it. He’ll likely make it. From anywhere on the floor. You are guaranteed of this.
Put Jeff in. What’s he going to do? You are guaranteed nothing
Dunkus Colossus
January 24th, 2011
7:48 am
Why even have Teague on the team if you aren’t going to play him ?
The Hawks are the same as last year, they beat up the have nots and get beat by the good teams. So whether its Boston,Orlando,or Miami we all know the Hawks won’t beat them in the playoffs.
Dunkus Colossus
January 24th, 2011
7:51 am
I guess everybody forgets the Hawks took Starvin’ Marvin Williams over Chrs Paul in the draft ? look at CP & the Hornets drilling everybody.
Trojan
January 24th, 2011
8:35 am
My point about Teague is he has the raw ability. His potential is one missing ingredient for the Hawks to improve. As we are now constructed with Bibby, we will have difficulties in the playoffs again due to Bibby’s lack of defensive ABILITY and his lack of ability to break down defense in anyway. Bibby’s lack of athletic ability also makes us not utilize our athletic wing players in transition.
We need Teague to be developed in order to advance past our current state.
ken
January 24th, 2011
9:21 am
My problem with the Hawks organization is their unwilliness to address obvious needs. The center and point guard backups will not cut it in the playoffs against elite teams. This has been known for a few years and yet we continue to close our eyes and hope or we are just satisfied with being mediocre and making the playoffs. What is the true goal of this organization for its team?
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
10:09 am
There’s no reason why Teague can’t get 10min/game to improve.
-Sitting watching Bibby isn’t taking him forward. 4 DNPs then LD plays him 2 min? Come on, that’s a mental game LD is playing at that point.
LD still looks a lot like Woody, and the only true difference I see is that there is possbily more offensive movement. What’s funny is if LD was such a good assistant, there should have been no reason why that offensive scheme couldn’t have been used the 1st 6 years LD was here.
Call it confusing or whatever, but this organization is taking a safe approach across the board, whether its playing the guys who have done it over and over or refusing to develop the young players and show confidence in them.
You see mistakes by some, they get yanked. Others who make mistakes just are allowed to keep their minutes.
I understand you handle each player individually, but the Teague/LD relationship is not moving forward. It doesn’t sound like the Powell/LD thoughtwaves are at the same level either.
So you have 2 young guns who aren’t getting minutes to improve or help this team because LD has shortened the rotation. He is going to live and die with the regulars.
You play JC2 ahead of Teague…that ought to tell Teague where he stands with LD.
I can understand why Eric Maynor can’t get major minutes being behind Russell Westbrook, but LD has no excuse for not giving Teague regular stints. That also tells you that Scott Brooks is a much better coach then LD. Throw Thibs in there as well. He handles his roster better and the Bulls are above the Hawks in 1/2 season.
It probably has something to do with both OKC and CHI having all-star PGs where we have no clue what an all-star PG is. That one crutch in the roster is what will kill this team going forward.
I personally think Teague is a battler and will do what is asked of him.
But you can only keep knocking a player so much before they start losing their confidence watching in their warmups and not even getting a whiff. I was listening to Holman on radio during the Charlotte game and at one point, Holman stated that Teague is getting up getting ready to get in the game, then he says, woops, LD tells him to sit down again.
If you were Teague, where would your head be when you can’t even get in games? This shouldn’t be happening.
Its the core or bust, the standard ASG corporate motto.
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
10:13 am
At this stage, I hope Teague can get out of here and get another shot at succeeding elsewhere. You might as well have Ty Lue or Anthony Johnson in an emergency.
How pissed will everyone around here be if Teague fins success elsewhere? He sure will have enough motivation.
ag
January 24th, 2011
10:28 am
On 12/1, Powell helped Atlanta defeat Memphis 112-109, shooting 8-9. He played 23 minutes. Two nights later he played 7 minutes, scoring 6 points on 3-3 shooting. He has played 20 minutes only twice since that date, both coming in blowout losses on Miami and Boston. He has not played over 10 minutes since 12/19 in the loss against NJ. In January, he is 1-10, has scored 4 points and played 39 minutes (Hawks are 8-2.)
Teague has played at least 20 minutes only twice this season, each time scoring double figures. (although both were losses. Dispite the limited playing time he has 3 games were he has at least 5 rebounds and 8 games when he dished out at least 4 assist.
ag
January 24th, 2011
10:36 am
What I saw against Boston this year and Cleveland last year is the kid can play. He just needs time on the court to be successful. If he plays with the starters and drives to the hole, how many open shots will Joe, Al and Marvin have? Bibby off the bench with Crawford will give us an advantage off the bench because Teague is looking to assist and rebound more than score.
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
10:37 am
Ray, just reread your comments…while you may say that Bibby is the reason Teague isn’t getting minutes or LD doesn’t have the typical PG type of offense, that is only telling me one thing:
The Hawks are not moving forward, and what upsets so many people here, is that we can see the train wreck ahead before it happens.
You know what you are getting with Bibby; I truly don’t care how many shots he is hitting now. You aren’t building any depth when Bibby stops hitting his set shot jumpers, and we all know its going to happen.
We need the depth to move forward in the playoffs. LD can’t wait for the playoffs to start playing Teague and say, see how Teague didn’t contribute? It disgusts me that you can’t get your ‘backup’ PG in on a regular rotation and build him up for the playoff run.
We still don’t know which Hawks team is coming out; their best effort is always in question.
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
10:43 am
You know what would be nice? To have David Aldridge of TNT/NBA.com to do a story about one of our bench players. A great writeup today about the Celtics: get ready, the return of Perkins, and the learning of Luke Harangody.
This team doesn’t have any of those such stories to share..why? I think the coaching staff/management has no interest in promoting their players and letting them get to a mic and tell them how hard this team works and pushes each other. Like Sund, you just simply hear nothing that makes you want to follow this team closer. The Celtics aren’t doing something so out of the box that other teams can’t follow.
I just don’t like hearing ‘nothing’ about whether the leaders on this team push the younger guys. Give us a nugget other than Jamal hasn’t gotten a contract offer so far.
And, as the standard, the Hawks are 10th this week on the DA power rankings….yawn.
Rufus1
January 24th, 2011
10:49 am
Enter your comments here
Rufus1
January 24th, 2011
10:51 am
It can’t be the PG’s….it’s the coaches
ag
January 24th, 2011
10:54 am
Someone projected Teague’s numbers as a starter. With 35 minutes, he would average around 10ppg, but he would get you 6 reb and 9 assists. On this team that requires a lot of movement, he would drive and dish. That is not as effective with the second unit, but deadly with our starters. He would improve our defense. Rondo cannot shoot, but look how he effects the game. Teague will do the same. Watching the game, Bibby dribbles to half court and hands the ball to JJ. Teague ususally does the same with JC… but when JC was hurt, Teague took the second unit on his back.
ag
January 24th, 2011
10:57 am
I agree with Kevin M, we see the train wreck coming. Have a good regular season beating up on the weak teams, but in the playoffs were we need great defense, we are going to get exposed. What happens when those jumpers stop falling? Put me a point guard in the game who will dunk on you with attitude!
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
11:24 am
Enter your comments here
Rufus1
January 24th, 2011
11:28 am
Josh Childress….Lol
Josh Childress, Phoenix Suns – 4 years, $27.7 million: The full Mid-Level Exception should get you a player who puts up more than 5.3 points a game. He also hasn’t hit a three-pointer all season long and his free throw percentage is a pathetic 56%. This from a player who was never under 77% from the line in his previous four years in the NBA. It has to get better, right?
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18537#ixzz1ByFyoRvd
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
11:31 am
Big Ray – I hate to disagree with you, but Teague is a better jumpshooter than JC2, but not as aggressive.
KevinM said “personally think Teague is a battler and will do what is asked of him.
But you can only keep knocking a player so much before they start losing their confidence watching in their warmups and not even getting a whiff.”
Cosign that.
If you wanted to develop Teague, all you do is this: Jeff, tonite you are playing Chris Paul. I am going to put you in the game for 5-6 minutes in the 1st half, and 3 in the 2sn half. During that time I want you to eat Chris Paul’s lunch. He shouldn’t be able to breathe without you 2 inches from his face. I want you to attack him, make him have nightmares about you at night. If that put Jack in, double your efforts. Be feared.” Do that every night. He knows his role. He gains confidence and the respect of his teammates, and gradually becomes a better player and leader.
Not, “I haven’t spoken to Coach Drew in a while”. LD is a Larry Brown/Woody disciple, and this is standard operating procedure for them.
Look at Felton people! Look at Augustin now that Brown is gone! These former PG’s (Brown and LD) kill PG’s!
Fundamentals
January 24th, 2011
11:32 am
Folks are missing the point. If Bibby runs out of gas…again, like the last 2 years we’ll fail miserably when it counts. If Teague can’t go we need someone RIGHT NOW to mesh with this team to become prepared for that stretch run. It’s obvious Drew won’t use him.
Same applies for Powell, Etan and essentially ZaZa. They don’t fit the system or aren’t plugging into their role this season. Why keep them? Yeah, Teague might develop into a great PG elsewhere, but we need help NOW. Are you willing to take that risk? Who can you get for these unuseable players?
To win the title we need effective role players at each of our 15 slots. Right now Sy and JC2 seem to be our projects. With a normal 8 man rotation that leaves 5 role players who need to be effective, efficient and ready when called to fill in WHEN injuries hit us in the playoffs.
Right now as it stands if Bibby goes down to whatever reason and Jamal or Marvin bump their backs we’re done. It’s over. Another 2nd round failure and thus no improvement.
LD coaches for right now. For regular season wins so Ken can tell us how good we are. It’s not about babying scrubs. It’s about making sure you have pieces you can use when it counts. Seems we have none outside our 8 man rotation.
Players – Committ to playing your role or find a new home.
LD – use them or get someone else in to fill the roles.
End results as it stands are inevitable without development or change. 1 and done or 2nd round blowout.
Fundamentals
January 24th, 2011
11:36 am
Amen Steve W. Know your role, play it well or get off the team.
Hawks/LD don’t define roles, don’t move unuseable players, don’t coach for the postseason.
It’s all about winning now to satisfy the “experts” on this blog.
Trojan
January 24th, 2011
11:40 am
When LD gives his canned answers to the Teague situation, I would like for a reporter to ask him about Bibby’s shortcomings and why Teague is not being developed. He should be asked about the Hawks being just a jump shooting team. He should be asked about his inattention to defensive pressure from the point guard position.
SteveW
January 24th, 2011
11:46 am
If I were Teague, I would go to my agent and request a trade. Long after we’ve fired LD, Teague will be making us pay. Teams around the League are salivating to obtain Jeff Teague.
Big Ray – I hate to disagree with you again, but Jeff Teague is the most talented Guard we have drafted in 10 years, not Jordan Crawford. But Jordan is the most aggressive. And I’m a big JC2 fan, and have defended him on these blogs when others where attacking him for various reasons.
But both Teague and Jordan are incredible athletes who fit in with the Hawks young, athletic theme. Worst case scenario, Jamal walks, then Bibby leaves next season, and we have Teague, Jordan, and JJ as a good 3-some in the backcourt.
And we own Teague’s rights thru the ‘12-’13 season.
JeJe
January 24th, 2011
11:50 am
LOL @ people who think Jordan Crawford is actually good.
People here think he’s a great shooter/scorer too…Really? When does he actually make shots when he’s in the game? I count his alleyoop the other night as his only good play for us in about 2 months
SmDH
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
12:02 pm
Fundamentals….you said it like it needs to be said. Sund needs to be called out until he addresses the issue with JC1, or even provide something that defends his position as being in the correct mindset.
Faith in Rick Sund? I have none!
And again, Teague was brought in here between Ty Lawson and Eric Maynor draft picks. If either of those guys were here, we would be seeing the same approach IMO.
LD has flaws like his predecessor. Has he improved our offense? Not based on the stats, but in execution with involving more moving pieces?
Perhaps.
Has the defense improved this year? Hmmmm, that one is in question. I saw Sacramento carve us up, saw Houston run right by us, and the Hornets stomp on us. I don’t bring up the Miami game only because the Heatles settled for those 25 foot jumpers instead of challenging. And please, no one tell me the core is intimidated the Heatles. I saw LBJ and Wade as lethargic and was not interested in a full blown effort, despite losing 3 in a row. I give the Hawks credit for surviving and getting the W, but you can’t boast about their defense they played in that one.
So many see it happening, and we have to accept it, but nothing the Hawks say or do ignite me to get on the phone and take that Bob Rathburn Hawks salespitch and get that Chik-Fil-A family night package. I’ll just go directly to Chik-Fil-A and save my funds for a future GM who might bring us an attitude of championship or bust.
I see Boston, Chicago and Orlando getting better going forward this year….why not us?
Rufus1
January 24th, 2011
12:06 pm
This isn’t about Teague, it is about LD….AFTER THE BOSTON GAME, THAT HE SHOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED HIM IN THE REGULAR ROTATION. This is exact same thing that happened to AC LAW, and the same people are giving the same excuses.
This isn’t about the players because we see the talent, it is about the coaches. This is the exact same way it happened to LAW(Good game, no real playing time, the next 4 games)….WE ALL WATCHED IT HAPPEN.
So please stop making excuses, for coaches that want Vet PG’s only or one more shooter on the floor.
KevinM
January 24th, 2011
12:07 pm
Hey MC/Ken, any trade winds blowing around the league that you have heard that ties to Nash or Billups?
Can Billups be considered before the Melo drama ends? When you see Nene, (not the Housewives Nene!!) picking cities he wants to be in, you know the powder keg is about to be lit in Denver. That rookie GM won’t be able to right that organization and talk about a pressure cooker he came into?