Atlanta Hawks: Knicks 102, Hawks 90
Felton isn't the only one who does this to the Hawks. (Christopher Pasatieri / Newsday)
New York–After all the hype surrounding this game, it came down to some basic, boring (and familiar) truths about the Hawks.
- A team like New York, which has penetrating point guards, threats to roll to the rim and 3-point shooters, can slice up the Hawks because the first thing leads to the other two. And the Hawks can easily be induced to take long jump shots, either because opponents force them to do so or, like tonight, the Hawks abandon the game plan after a few misses in close.
- Both things happened against the Knicks, and so the Hawks were subpar both on offense (aside from making 11 of 22 3-point attempts) and defense (48 percent shooting allowed, 18 fastbreak points).
- Defense was the real problem for the Hawks, who never could put together any kind of sustained run because New York would easily get an open shot and make it.
- “Every time we tried to [rally], they made a big three or a big basket,” Al said. “It was a little demoralizing. We stayed with it, but we just didn’t have enough tonight.”
- The issues, like most times, started on the ball.
- “They run a ton of pick-and-rolls and we were trying to figure out the best coverages for it,” L.D. said. “They do a great job in the pick-and-roll with Felton and then they have a guy who is a forceful roller with Stoudemire. You have to defend the guard, you have to defend the big guy on the roll and then they spread out with shooters. It makes it tough for us. “
- Sounds like he pretty much just described the Celtics. Or the Bulls. Or the Magic. Shoot, take away the roll man but add two of the best screen-roll ball-handlers in the league and it’s the Heat.
- “We just had more individual breakdowns on a lot of simple things [like] transition defense, closeouts,” Drew said.
- “It’s kind of hard to really help, especially when they are knocking down the jump shot like tonight,” Smoove said. “We gave up too much dribble penetration and then we helped and were scrambling from that point on.”
- I’m thinking I can save time by putting the above three quotes in a macro file.
- At one point, a New York hack sitting next to me asked: “So, basically, whomever Bibby is guarding scores?” Me: “Not always. Sometimes his man passes to open shooters when everything breaks down, and they score.”
- Later from the hack: “If this team had a different point guard they could be so good.” I told him it was supposed to be Teague, and he asked: “Is he hurt or something?”
- I couldn’t decide if my blog people would have laughed or cried if you had heard that conversation.
- Al never really could get on track, though he dismissed his beef with Stoudemire as a factor: “I thought it was something small to begin with that he tried to blow it up and run with it. I think it was just a lot of talk. He didn’t say anything out there on the court. I went out there and played my game and he played his.”
- For the first time I can remember, Al complained about his touches. That’s odd since there have been plenty of other games when the Hawks did forget about him for long stretches but tonight he was involved.
- “I started to get touches a little later in the game as opposed to early or the start of the second half,” he said. “I didn’t get touches in the post like that so I could really get established.”
- I thought the Hawks might have been able to keep up if they had stuck with the post-ups. Joe and Marvin got into good position by backing down their men. Smoove got some drives at the basket and Bibby some good spot-up looks when passes came out of the post.
- The Hawks had trouble finishing at the basket, though, and instead of keeping at it, they went to their favored jump shots. That approach also quickened the pace.
- “We want to think inside out,” L.D. said. “Once you show you can attack inside they have got to collapse, they have got to double team. We missed some easy ones and then we started settling for outside shots, jump shots. On the road, it can be your demise. When they pressured us and sped us up some, we didn’t handle it well.”
- “We was rushing and they were giving us the jump shot,”Smoove said. “We weren’t able to knock them down tonight.”
- Especially not Josh (6 of 16) or Jamal (3 of 11). The latter forced things at times, as he tends to do when back in New York (usually with better results). He jacked a jumper on the baseline while double-teamed after the Hawks got within 74-65. They never recovered.
- The Hawks enter the All-Star break in fifth place in the East, a full game behind Orlando
- “I think we will come back re-focused and ready to go,” Al said. “I don’t think we are playing our best basketball yet. We are starting to be a little more consistent, we just have lapses like we did tonight. I hope we can get there.”
- I’m off to L.A. tomorrow, blog people. I’ll get back to blogging when I get out there.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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374 comments Add your comment
Tremaine
February 17th, 2011
7:48 am
LD say the same thing after every loss. “We got away from our gameplan.” He is the head coach and he can’t do or don’t do anything about it. Worthless! Bibby, hit a couple of shots tonight but I’m sure he probably gave up twice as many. The first game after the all-star break is a great time for TEAGUE to takeover. But I got a feeling the hawks are going to end up trading him without giving him a chance.
Trojan
February 17th, 2011
7:58 am
Great work MC. Bibby is killing the Hawks. Larry Drew is losing all credibility by playing him. Bibby’s defense is demoralizing the whole team. Bibby simply is not a pg. Teague with all his faughts would out produce him every day. I would rather see Wilkens play the point.
The Hawks are spiraling down fast with Bibby as the PG.
Hoops
February 17th, 2011
8:07 am
Here’s the trade that is realistic and would improve the Hawks:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4qawrz3
leo
February 17th, 2011
8:22 am
We need more than just a point guard. We really need a Center. I know some of guys love Josh, but he has to go. He cannot be coached. It rubs off on the team. We need to move Al to power forward. I was talking to my dad who made a good point about Larry Drew. It seems that he is saying all the right things about in-game coaching, but they are not listening. EITHER MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE PLAYERS ABOUT RESPECTING LARRY’S WISHES OR FIND A COACH THAT WILL STAND UP TO THESE JUMP SHOOTERS.
terrell
February 17th, 2011
8:33 am
Boo said, “there is no reason “Zaza” shouldnt be playing”. Are you serious?
terrell
February 17th, 2011
8:35 am
This is Earth, calling Jamal and JJ. You copy?
RL
February 17th, 2011
8:39 am
Note:Jeff Teague should be starting,and he not getting enough playing coming off the bench either, also Josh Powell should be getting more min.
Mike is back
February 17th, 2011
8:39 am
MsDee , Grandad, and vava74, I hear ya on LD…dude is really starting to baffle me with this love triangle of JJ, Bibby, and Crawford…and these mind boggling rotations…we have seen this movie before…it ended bad the last time…and it’s going to end bad again…Unfortunately.
I had such high hopes for LD…I think Sloan coaching days is probably behind him at this point in his career…LD is picking up right where Woody left off with this entitlement BS…hold your starter accountable…the same way you do your reserves.
Yeah, Bibby hit some big 3s…problem is…he’s is giving up 4s…I want speak of Jamal and JJ…my point is this love triangle is specifically design for offense…so why does LD waste everybody time even mentioning word defense…the guys know it’s just lip service.
Only one guy in that group can play any defense and he has been MIA of late…However, this is your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd option on the team…hmmm…you think that might have something to do with the dysfunctional inconsistent performance of the your team…again hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
terrell
February 17th, 2011
8:40 am
Too many ME, ME, ME’s on this team.
terrell
February 17th, 2011
8:44 am
Marvin, as goofy and clumsy as he is, has actually been playing some good TEAM ball lately. Horford always does. Joe, Josh, and Jamal need to learn from em. If we play TOGETHER,we’re a pretty good basketball team. And btw, Zaza = the BIG stiff. Pays to be tall I guess.
ntrigue
February 17th, 2011
8:53 am
John Blucorn spoke the truth! I don’t understand how LD continues to make the same mistakes. Not playing Teague, Damien, or Josh P I just don’t understand. Let Teague run with the first team put Damien and Josh p in before you put in Mo. Bibby is a liability on defense he makes everybody work 3 times harder because of his deficiencys!
terrell
February 17th, 2011
8:59 am
LD startin to piss me off too. How in the hell is Zaza still gettin min? I’d play Pape Sy before I’d play that bum. And playing Jamal at point is killin his game. Can LD not see that? And give Teague some burn with the good players we have. Playing with Mo, and Zaza would make Magic Johnson look like a bust.
Tremaine
February 17th, 2011
9:08 am
terrell, Za Za was terrible last night. I guess he thought we was an offensive force. Lol! Am I the only one that think this team is worse than last year.
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:16 am
Last night’s game showed us what we already know
1) This is a severely flawed team with no center, no point guard, and a bunch of tweener SGs and PFs
2) LD is a horrific defensive coach WHO MAKES NO ADJUSTMENTS AND PUTS IN FLAWED DEFENSIVE LINEUPS THEN BLAMES OUR DEFENSE.
How do you put in Bibby Jamal Mo Smoove and ZaZa and expect to stop a team? Smoove doesn’t even block many shots anymore
THis team HAS NO POINT GUARD. Bibby is old as hell and is playing WAY too many minutes. Teague gets no minutes at all, but at least hit a 3. Just start Teague already or make this Ramon Sessions trade.
Trade Smoove for any serviceable center (hopefully) and trade garbage for any serviceable PG (Sessions, who had 30+ last night with 8 assists)
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND . are you GOING TO MAKE ANY MORE ROSTER MOVES BESIDES SIGNING GARBAGE BENCH PLAYERS WHO SHOULDN’T BE IN THIS LEAGUE?
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:22 am
LOL @ Josh taking jumpshots (even when he is playing at the 4 liek last night) and then still not knowing whether they’re good shots or not (he ASKED LD LOL)
What a joke
LOL @ you people who thought Smoove for K.Love was a bad deal. The guy has 50+ double doubles this year
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:24 am
ZaZa’s first half performance last night was some of the worst basketball I’ve ever seen. The guy airballed a 1 foot shot at the hoop.
Our bench is just plain awful. We should’ve started Collins so Marvin could’ve come off the bench
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:25 am
I guess Joe and Jamal have mailed it in for the year
Tremaine
February 17th, 2011
9:26 am
“GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE” or “FIRE LARRY DREW”
Hoops
February 17th, 2011
9:29 am
The ASG need to make some moves before the trade deadline or this season is going to be a wash!!!
This core is not working!!!
Trojan
February 17th, 2011
9:30 am
Come on Sund.
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:31 am
Seeing that RealGM rumor of us going after a guard was some of the best news in Hawktown this season.
even if it’s BS
MAKE A TRADE
THIS CORE HAS BEEN TOGETHER WAY TOO LONG. IT HASN’T WON JACK AND ISN’T GOING TO WIN JACK
FIRE SUND
slimjr
February 17th, 2011
9:37 am
Gearon= must go
Sund= must go
LD= must go
Marsh mellow(Mike Bibby) must go
anyone else????…………………………….4.5 decades and no finals visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will it be another 50 years??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
David Stern= There will be no Championships in Atlanta….Never……….I get it now Mr. Stern, The Fix is in……………..
STRETCH
February 17th, 2011
9:39 am
The Nets and Blazers have exchanged trade proposals and still are discussing a deal. Harris and veteran point guard Andre Miller are the main pieces, but more players are involved, multiple NBA sources said. It’s doubtful the Nets will trade Harris, who turns 28 in two weeks, straight up for Miller, who turns 35 next month.
Portland’s backup shooting guard Rudy Fernandez has been discussed, a source said. The Nets have talked about adding another big man so Joel Przybilla and his expiring contract also may be involved. If the Nets’ talks with Denver turn serious, Harris may be needed for that deal. Everything is up in the air.
A Western Conference source said that the Portland Trail Blazers are said to be looking at Sixers forward/center Marreese Speights. Philadelphia Inquirer
Tayshaun Prince has worn only one uniform as a professional, but he said he’s open to being moved — to the right situation. “It would be something I’d definitely look at,” Prince said after the Pistons’ 115-109 overtime win against Indiana on Wednesday at The Palace. “Who wouldn’t want be in that situation, to have an opportunity to play for another championship?” Detroit News
With the trade deadline a week away, there is still every indication that the Rockets will be very active in talks. They still seem very willing to take on contracts, still hoping their expiring contracts and young talent can bring help. They won’t do something just to bolster this season, but that was never the plan, anyway. Daryl Morey has always been trying to find long-term help. And it could come at any position. Houston Chronicle
All around the league teams are looking to “make” moves. But Sund is looking at “options.” I swear this guy has NO clue.
Im not a GM, but atleast i know this team is flawed and the possiblity now lingers that they dont even make it out of the 1st round this year. Folks…that is a real possibility now with Chicago playing the way they are.
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
9:40 am
LD is a SOFT head coach. He is TOO SCARED to call out players. He threatens making roster changes but never will, besides starting washed up Jason Collins every few games.
Teague will never start because he can’t even outwork MIKE BIBBY (the WORST starting PG in the NBA) in practice
LOL
This team is a mess
Then you have Josh Smith who thinks he has Paul Pierce’s shooting ability
slimjr
February 17th, 2011
9:42 am
lousy ownership=BEATDOWNS on National TV…”THE HAWKS ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!” Playoffs??PLAYOFFS??????
Hawks=Write off times 8 (ASGEEMen)
Gearon=GOT NO CLUE………………………………………………He can’t even buy a clue???????????????
Gdot
February 17th, 2011
9:43 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=62xzonf
Now here is a trade that makes sense for all parties involved. Of course Denver would need a pick but love this trade.
JayD
February 17th, 2011
9:52 am
As Jamal Crawford goes….. So go the Hawks.
Rufus1
February 17th, 2011
9:53 am
Developing Jamal at the PG….
This will be the proof that JC2 is LD’s PG of the future and that he has no intention of developing Teague.
LD is trying to turn Jamal into a PG and he is struggling. SG guard is low level fractions, PG is is calculus. If a vet SG is having great trouble learning how to be a PG in this league, what kind of struggles would a 2nd year players have.
I don’t know what you should expect from Teague when Jamal(a scorer) can’t score while at the PG position.
I will tell you what I would expect from Teague… Better dribble PEN defense, more attacking the basket and whole lot more fastbreaks pts.
The main problem between LD and Teague…
LD doesn’t value his skills and how they could effect the game. He only values players with very good jumpshots.
I do agree that if Jamal can learn the PG position and become a solid floor leader and still score, it will help the Hawks greatly in the playoffs.
What LD has done right….MARVIN
slimjr
February 17th, 2011
9:55 am
Gearon Loves his core..There will be no trades before the deadline..He is going to ride out this a flawed machine and watch it be destroyed in the PLAYOFFS????????????????????
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:00 am
Exactly, Rufus.
I’m so tired of these coaches and owners acting like Bibby is still a relevant player. ALL he is good for is contested jumpshots. I don’t care if his shots have fallen the last 2 games. MOST of his shots are contested and will suffer vs. better teams like the Bulls or Celtics
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:03 am
Sad thing is I don’t think anyone in the East is THAT good besides Boston (which has been hurt all year).
Get Sessions or Udrih here already damnit
Stephen Curry
Freshfromatl
February 17th, 2011
10:09 am
Man, sometimes I really just want to smack the living sh*t out of LD SMH. That dude is looking more and more like Woodrow, just standing on the sidelines with his arms folded.
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:10 am
LD says we are in a comfort zone at home
WE ARE IN A COMFORT ZONE IN GENERAL. WE’VE HAD THE SAME DAMN CORE FOR 6 YEARS
MAKE A TRADE
SUND WAKE UP. YOU ARE AN AWFUL GM. I HOPE YOU SEE THIS
Chris E
February 17th, 2011
10:15 am
LD needs to start the Big Lineup!!! Start Collins and play Teague at pg with the 2nd unit. With Collins in it helps clog up the middle so penetrating guards aren’t as effective. Plus Josh and Al keep can more easily help Bibby without gettting burned as much on pick and rolls.
It also frees up Al offensively and defensively at the 4 and causes mismatch problems for the opposing team for a change. This is the best lineup for the Hawks and has proven in my opinion to be successful. Why?
Because now you have Marvin coming in off the bench to help JC1 with the scoring load. But both would be more effective with Teague runnin the point for the 2nd unit. You might as well play Teague now because the rotation that is being used has not worked. The 2nd unit is not giving the Hawks nothin and JJ & Bibby are playing too many minutes.
Teague can breakdown the defense and would serve as a change of pace. He can’t show his ability if he does not play enough. We still don’t know what he can do? The 2nd unit has to be Teague, JC1, Damien or Mo, Marvin and Zaza.
The starters need more help and less minutes. That will keep them fresh and eliminate their tendency to go jumper crazy. There are not many great Centers in the league so Collins can work. Look at who NY played with last night at C. Marvin is playing better but has not justified himself as a starter and is better suited coming off the bench.
In order for the Hawks to be competitive in the 2nd half LD will have to make adjustments and those aforementioned I believe are what needs to be done. If the 2nd unit learns how to run the motion offense as effectively as the 1st unit does it would make for more intense practices which will result in better gametime results by the 2nd unit.
Tremaine
February 17th, 2011
10:17 am
“FIRE LARRY DREW!”
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:17 am
Sund said we will not make a trade this season and will make a trade in the offseason if we don’t improve.
Wait for an average 2nd half of the season. The team is hardly more talented than the 7 or 8 seeds in the East- we just play our starters more minutes and inflate our record. We will probably suffer in April
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:20 am
If we had any coach besides LD or Woody and maybe Larry Brown, Bibby would no longer be a starter and players would be held accountable. Smoove wouldn’t be taking jumpshots and Joe would be benched if he played like this garbage.
11 points? Are you serious?
lewis
February 17th, 2011
10:22 am
Yeah, I expected Bibby’s regression, but didn’t realize our bench consisted of D-leaguers
Anyone else think JJ’s lost his legs?
lewis
February 17th, 2011
10:28 am
But i’m with Grandad on this one,
If you can get rid of Joe, you’ve got to. The best this team looked all year was in his absence. Joe’s contract will never allow for any type of bench depth unless we go into Ltax
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:28 am
How can JJ have lost his legs? The guy sat for 2 weeks earlier this year. If he has lost his legs, it’s his fault for working out all offseason and not getting rest.
This team is a mess. WIthout a trade this season will be over very soon
If ASG sells Thrashers, would they have more money to spend on this team since they can focus solely on it?
Hawks73
February 17th, 2011
10:28 am
The biggest problem with this team is a complete lack of heart and or desire to play at anything to championship level. I believe a lot of this is attributed to the long term contracts signed by “the core” of this team (Johnson, Smith, Bibby, Horford, Williams). All of these guys are under contract, overpaid, and highly unmotivated to do anything (other than show up occasionally for a “big game” and sleep walk through others).
This team has no fight what-so-ever, and other teams know this. If opponents come out strong against our weak fowl, they tuck their collective tails between their legs and pack it in. It’s truly excruciating to watch/support this team when the overall apathy is apparent (at all levels of this organization). Can’t wait for spring training!!!!
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:29 am
How can you get rid of JJ this early? You have to wait a few years. You have to also realize his annual pay increases EVERY year of this ridiculous contract.
At this point I’d take John Salmons for his contract over Joe’s. I’d probably take Salmons for $14M over Joe for 16M
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:30 am
Joe’s last 4 games in points:
11 14 11 6
wow
JeJe
February 17th, 2011
10:31 am
Lol @ People interested in spring training
Baseball sucks
EmirS.
February 17th, 2011
10:35 am
Gotta have a bench.
You can bring in Ramon Sessions or Devin Harris. But fact remains your still left with a weak bench. Your giving up 3 Hawks to get one player. Does’nt work that way givem our situation.
lewis
February 17th, 2011
10:39 am
JeJe,
it’s another hidden injury that could have stood in the way of JJ and $125 mill.
lewis
February 17th, 2011
10:40 am
EmirS,
You bring in Sessions, he and Twin start, Bibby, Damien, Jamal and Marvin come off the bench.
Chris E
February 17th, 2011
10:40 am
I think JJ may be hurt. But I don’t think Bibby is the biggest problem, its the rotation or lack therof. You can hid Bibby with the right personnel but if the 2nd unit loses leads or brings no energy when they come in its demoralizing over the course of a season for the starters. Look at the Lakers right now, they are experiencing the same thing. Poor bench play makes the starters press and gets them out of their game. Its a confidence and trust factor to me.
slimjr
February 17th, 2011
10:41 am
Enter your comments here
slimjr
February 17th, 2011
10:42 am
up next: Lakers than Phoenix……Double massacre…………………..