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
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
374 comments Add your comment
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
6:33 pm
link to sessions to atlanta trade rumor
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Cavaliers-to-trade-Jamison-Sessions-;_ylt=AhzJOlKqpE1BYgy98jua2Um3PaB4?urn=nba-322665
lewis
February 17th, 2011
6:43 pm
a 2nd round pick? give me a break
ag
February 17th, 2011
6:47 pm
myrak43, you say Sessions averaged 8 ppg 7.5 ast in his rookie year. You also pointed out his stats against the Lakers. Well, in the last game of the year, Teague scored 24 and dropped 15 dimes. By the way, every game that he has played at least 20 minutes, he has scored at least 10 points
superiorblogman
February 17th, 2011
6:51 pm
KevinM
February 17th, 2011
4:58 pm
superior, I can safely say that Sund is the only GM who doesn’t use a computer these days. Billy King has probably seen the ESPN trade doctor and wouldn’t be obliged to give us 2 favorable salaries so we can get Harris and an expiring Humphries.
I wouldn’t think an extra #1 would do it either even if they could add it to entice Denver with it.
See that’s my major problem with you people on this board, you think only one way. The Nets would save money in the long run. They would save between $6 and $7 million over the life of the trade. They would pick up a 1st round pick or a player that was taken in the 1st round also.
Slimjr
February 17th, 2011
6:52 pm
I’ll take Monique Minor over Kim K. any day of the week!!!!!! Yaza Yaza…Growl…….Bark!!!!! Look her up….LOL……
lewis
February 17th, 2011
6:53 pm
Hawks Players Don’t Want Trades?
Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions could find his way to the Atlanta Hawks, according to a report by Ken Berger of CBSsports.com. The biggest revelation of the report isn’t Atlanta’s need for backcourt depth (reserve point guard Jeff Teague only averages 11.6 MPG). Rather, Berger writes that the Hawks are willing to spend up to, or perhaps even exceed the luxury tax threshold.
It’s one thing if GM Rick Sund wants to dig deep to get over the playoff hump against Boston, Orlando and Miami; but it’s worth noting that the team is currently 34-21 and the players aren’t pushing anyone to increase spending.
“We’re here and this is the team,” forward Josh Smith told HOOPSWORLD. “I think everybody has to stay focused and not really worry about the outside distractions—whether you’re going to get traded. We just got to go out and play with a clear mind and be ready. That’s when teams are at their best: when we’re just worrying about having fun instead of worrying about the negativity.”
Obviously the core group of Smith, Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams haven’t propelled the team past the conference semifinals. Even last season’s addition of Jamal Crawford wasn’t enough to get to the conference finals—a level the franchise has yet to reach in Atlanta.
But while some see a stagnant team, the Hawks see themselves as a close-knit, battle-tested group.
“I think you can look at it both ways,” Crawford told HOOPSWORLD. “Hopefully we can go out there and prove our fans right—that we did the right thing sticking together. The one thing I know for sure is that we have continuity. We’ve stayed together so guys know each other and there’s no surprises. Hopefully that plays to our advantage.”
So rather than a group of new faces, first-year coach Larry Drew is teaching the same old Hawks some new tricks. Specifically, he made a focused effort to wean Atlanta away from isolation plays and push the team towards a motion offense.
“I just think it’s benefitted us as a whole, throughout the whole season,” Smith said. “We’ve been doing a good job of sharing the basketball. You really can’t zero in on one or two players if you play that way.”
By abstaining from isolation plays, the team has become less reliant on Johnson and Crawford. The pair have seen a dip in their field goal attempts and scoring averages, but Horford, Smith and Williams are all shooting and scoring more than last year.
“I think it’s new opportunities for guys who are confident, and now they feel like they have the freedom to shoot,” Crawford said. “I think guys play harder when they have that.”
The problem is, the Hawks old system may have worked better. Last season under Mike Woodson Atlanta ranked third in offensive efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions). This year, under Drew, the team has slipped to 15th.
The Atlanta Hawks players may feel comfortable with each other, but the team may have to make a move or suffer another early postseason exit.
For more on the subject, check out HOOPSWORLD’s Lang Greene and his take on the Hawks’ trade situation.
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18809#ixzz1EGOjGuvu
superiorblogman
February 17th, 2011
6:55 pm
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
6:33 pm
link to sessions to atlanta trade rumor
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Cavaliers-to-trade-Jamison-Sessions-;_ylt=AhzJOlKqpE1BYgy98jua2Um3PaB4?urn=nba-322665
I’m sorry but that is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. I would not trade Jordan Crawford for Sessions. Also no way I go a penny over the luxury for Sessions we are less than $300,000 from the luxury, it would have to be a trade that keeps under the luxury because he is not worth going into luxury for. You can get guys much better and stay under the luxury.
jfreak13713
February 17th, 2011
6:55 pm
Larry Drew is fine. I haven’t seen anything “yet” that would make me think he is the problem. Although other coaches in the league may be better and produce better results with same team I still look at the players as being the problem with this team. Give Larry Drew a TRUE leader on the court like Kobe Bryant and this team would be fine! In my humble opinion its time to break this core up. These guys can’t play together because there is no leader on this team (Al Horford excluded) that can demand the respect of the other players.
I would trade Josh Smith not because he a terrible cry baby who takes too many outside shots but because he would have the most potential to get something in return. Whether that be talent in return in the form of a PG or C and or possible draft pick for next year? Marvin and Joe Johson aren’t going anywhere because they are paid too much for their talent level. No offense Joe you are a great player but just not worth your salary.
I think the Hawks will look around during allstar break and hope they will take bold steps to improve this team. Its not about wining regular season games its about being able to compete in the playoffs. The Hawks are a good team and I do enjoy watching them play but they are not a Championship team. Not yet anyway.
O'Brien
February 17th, 2011
6:56 pm
Thanks Lewis.
“I think you can look at it both ways,” Crawford told HOOPSWORLD. “Hopefully we can go out there and prove our fans right—that we did the right thing sticking together. The one thing I know for sure is that we have continuity. We’ve stayed together so guys know each other and there’s no surprises. Hopefully that plays to our advantage.”.
Doesnt Jamal realize this is a bad thing? It’s like players, coaches and Rick are in denial.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18809
lewis
February 17th, 2011
6:59 pm
Hawks Need To Trade Marvin Williams
By: Lang Greene Last Updated: 2/17/11 12:04 PM ET | 990 times read
Increase Font Size
Decrease Font Size
Adjust font size:
Despite the nonchalant nature in which the media and fans treat the Hawks, the fact of the matter is Atlanta remains one of the top ten teams in the league today.
This fact isn’t up for debate.
The franchise has a legitimate shot at recording their sixth consecutive campaign with an improved regular season record and barring an unforeseen collapse after the All-Star break will also clinch their fourth straight trip to the postseason.
So why exactly has the team failed to receive mainstream recognition despite possessing two All-Stars, a surefire All-Defensive team selection and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year?
Simple.
While the Hawks win a high percentage of their contests they don’t overwhelm anyone. The team rarely enjoys enough of a cushion to rest their starters in the fourth quarter during victories.
Winning big is a trademark of elite teams who routinely are able to run roughshod over lesser opposition and make it look extremely easy in the process.
The current iteration of the Hawks lacks a true killer instinct. They’re a team free flowing with excellent chemistry and great guys on and off the court. Unfortunately, the squad lacks the nastiness of a squad such as the Boston Celtics and as a result of the nonchalant following the team isn’t driven by the constant desire to prove skeptics wrong like the Miami HEAT.
Confidence isn’t the problem. Hawks shooting guard Jamal Crawford recently told HOOPSWORLD the team has their eyes firmly set on the Eastern Conference Finals – at the very least.
Money or the desire of ownership to stay out of the luxury tax isn’t a problem either. While Atlanta’s front office doesn’t ever intend on crossing into dollar-for-dollar penalty territory, the club has invested heavily into retaining key members of the squad’s core group (see Joe Johnson and Al Horford).
There are multiple problems plaguing the Hawks.
For starters, Al Horford continues to play out of position at center and although he just earned his second consecutive All-Star nod at the position, he’s undersized and the pounding down low continues to wear down his frame.
Secondly, the team has been searching for a point guard of the future for years. Veteran point guard Mike Bibby has been solid thus far this season, but struggling as of late. Second year guard Jeff Teague was supposed to contend for a starting role but has been planted on the bench due to inconsistent and unconfident play.
The point guard issue has been a sour point in Atlanta since the team selected small forward Marvin Williams with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2005 draft over Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Of course players don’t select themselves so the criticism has been unwarranted. Williams is a solid player, but will never pan out to be a franchise player like Paul and Williams
It’s clear to all parties who watch the Hawks over an extended period of time that the franchise needs one more piece to successfully jump into the top five discussion and become legitimate championship contenders.
MORE BY LANG GREENE
Chris Paul Gives Monty Williams An A-Plus: It may be time to put those Chris Paul unhappy with Hornets rumors to bed. …
Greene: Some Players Getting By On Potential: Some players are making a good living off of their potential, but their…
NBA Chat With Lang Greene: Join HOOPSWORLD rookie Lang Greene for his weekly NBA chat Thursday at 8…
View Lang Greene Archive
And this is why the club needs to take a hard look at packaging Williams (with picks and younger players) for the missing roster piece.
Now this is in no way a knock against Williams’ ability. The former University of North Carolina standout is an underrated glue guy on the team. On a roster with Joe Johnson, Horford, Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford who all need their fair share of field goal attempts, Williams continues to be the player who does the dirty work, rarely has his number called in the offense and yet doesn’t complain.
Plus there isn’t a player in the Hawks’ locker room who doesn’t like Williams off the court or his effort on the hardwood. Every championship caliber team has a player like Williams who handles the grunt work and connects the dots through their versatility.
But the problem for Atlanta is they’re one impact player away from making serious noise, however trying to acquire the missing puzzle piece often leads down the road of having to break up their big three of Johnson, Horford and Smith.
The Hawks absolutely cannot afford to package one of their top three players. It would be a case of addition by subtraction – or spinning the tires.
What the Hawks need to do is work the phones before next week’s annual trade deadline to see if there are any takers for the roughly three-years and $24 million still owed to Williams.
Throughout his tenure in the league Williams has demonstrated a strong ability to defend the wing and has averaged double-digit scoring (career-high 14.8 in 2008) in every season except his rookie year. Surely, as Williams’ contract becomes smaller his stock will rise around the league.
The Hawks’ best chance for sustained success down the road is acquiring a true center (not necessarily elite) allowing Horford to inherit the starting power forward position. Smith was originally drafted by Atlanta to hold down the small forward position so a move back to the wing would seemingly be free of many growing pains.
If a trade cannot be made, Atlanta has big bodies currently on the roster capable of making the above lineup shift a reality regardless. It’s very obvious the team plays extremely well when Horford’s able to log more time at power forward and with the way Smith is shooting the ball from the perimeter this season a full-time switch wouldn’t cause too much of a hiccup.
Unfortunately, Williams told HOOPSWORLD earlier this season he didn’t appreciate head coach Larry Drew’s decision to replace him in the starting lineup.
While Williams was professional in voicing his frustration, everyone sees an eventual bench role for him in order to appease Horford’s demands if he remains in Atlanta.
So instead of having a guy sulking on the bench in the future, it’s the time for the Hawks to make a bold move albeit an unpopular one in the locker room and finally push the team over the hump.
We’ve witnessed teams absorb much worse contracts than Williams and with so many franchises rebuilding it’s hard to fathom one of them wouldn’t take a flyer on a double-digit scoring, solid defensive and great character guy in the locker room.
Read more NBA news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18799#ixzz1EGQ8Zshn
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
7:03 pm
ag, I can see Teague has talent. but that was one game he scored 20 plus games and that was the last game of the year against the Cavs when they were resting all their starters and mainly playing their scrubs. moreover it Teague had to play 48 minutes to score 24 with 15 dimes, although that is still nice. go look at Sessions stats, I can bet he has more that one game where he scored in the 20’s and had double digit ast. and not the last game of the year against scrubs. he put up 20 points and 24 ast his rookie year agianst the Bulls starters.
honest_abe
February 17th, 2011
7:13 pm
on the bright side teague hit a 3!! who cares if it was during garbage time. heh
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
7:16 pm
superiorblogman, I didn’t now if the Hawks go into the lux tax it would come out of you pocket. we need a point guard in the worst way. Session would be a serious up grade of what is currently on our roster.
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
7:20 pm
come on Honest_abe….. lest be honest for a second…. Teague is not that good. I watch almost ever Hawks game. and when he does get in the game he seems lost and scared. yea sure he is fast and can get to the basket but he doesn’t do it on a regular basis. sessions does and gets to the foul line. and that is something no one else on this team does. the more I think about he would be perfect for this team. because he attacks kind of like flip used to do, but he is more of a point than flip is.
Slimjr
February 17th, 2011
7:31 pm
Hey genius “Lang Greene”, the Hawks are a yawn because of one glaring problem you failed to mention. They are 9-12 against winning teams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lousy……………………
Lousy……………………….
How can anyone get excited about that dude?????……………Oh and one more thing, 33-21 against .460 opponents winning %= fools paradise= major beat down coming….Just hang in there. Lets see if you’ll still be calling this storied franchise a top ten, after another playoff meltdown….PLAYOFFS??????
Slimjr
February 17th, 2011
7:33 pm
Duck Williams was the worst EVER #2 lottery draft pick in Atlanta Hawks history……..enough said…………
O'Brien
February 17th, 2011
7:40 pm
From Chris mannix on twitter;
Every contender (Boston/LA/Orlando/Miami) would like to get Kirk Hinrich. But Hinrich’s $9 million salary makes him very tough to deal..
If the Hawks are willing, I think they could trade Jamal for him. And that would be a good shakeup. Kirk becomes our starter and a better defender, while Bibby stabilizes the bench offense.
But that would require the Hawks to add Hinrich’s salary for next season ($8.5 mil).
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
7:49 pm
Slimjr, yes Marvin was not a good choice at the number two over all pick, but he was not the hawks worst lotter draft pick. not even close. here a a few that where worst DeMarr Johnson 6th pick 2000, Shelden Williams 5th pick 2005 and AC Law 2007 with the 11th pick. just to name a few. Marvin is at least a rotational player if he was drafted around pick number 10 or lower he would have been a good draft pick. the others I named shouldn’t have never even been draft in the 2nd round.
ag
February 17th, 2011
7:55 pm
myrak43, the guy scored 24 pts 15 dimes IN A NBA GAME! Look at that roster they put on the court…IT IS ALMOST THE EXACT SAME THEY TROT OUT EVERY NIGHT NOW!!!! If you don’t beleive me, Hickson, etc were the one’s playing. I say give Teague an opportunity to prove himself. The last minute of the game against the Knicks, he blew past the defense without much effort and even added a trey. Out of his last 4 treys attempted, he hit three. Looking at the scouting report on Sessions, he appears to be a Jeff Teague with playing time.. i.e. poor jump shooter, quick penetrator, etc.
honest_abe
February 17th, 2011
8:01 pm
it’s called “sarcasm” silly rabbit.
ag
February 17th, 2011
8:02 pm
I do agree, if Marvin was a 15th pick, most of us would get off his back
brigadierjerry
February 17th, 2011
8:07 pm
Problem with WIlliams is that he was chosen #2. If he was chosen 10th or a lower pick no one would complain about him. He is not as bust however as some have mentioned.
drmaryb (*_*)
February 17th, 2011
8:08 pm
IF my Aunt were a Man?
She would be my uncle.
________________________
If Sund can package Marvin and filler for Nash and Grant? Then do it now. If this race horse had a little Jockey with a Big Stick, we could guide this thing to the finish line and make some noise.
The 4th Qrtr scoring issues would become a thing of the past.
Nash would amass 15 assists per night with our wings of:
Josh
Al
Joe
Jamal
We could run teams off the floor and play some defense with Joe, Josh, Al and Damien + Teague. In not ready to let Jordan go yet, but would throw Teague at phoenix with Marvin.
If we look at Sessions, I wouldn’t give up much more than Marvin and filler, but Sessions may really flourish with this team and them with him in a myriad of ways as well!
_______________________
With those two scenariosn any GM worth a Lap-Top and some Salt, should be able to get something done! Aye Sund! You Sir, got needs.
Fix your damned team’s roster. For the love of Basketball!
brigadierjerry
February 17th, 2011
8:09 pm
correction higher pick
brigadierjerry
February 17th, 2011
8:11 pm
drmary b do you feel the hawks are a solid point guard away from becoming elite?How would you feel about Andre Miller?Also if Hawks get home court advantage against the Magic do you like their chances because I do especially this year?
ag
February 17th, 2011
8:17 pm
they have to make a change. I really think Teague will be the player we need. He needs reps with the first team and he will develop. This is why I am starting to dislike LD, he says he is making major changes, starts Twin and gives Teague a big fat DNP…. Most fans really thought that was the change.
ag
February 17th, 2011
8:17 pm
This stage of his career Miller=Bibby.
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
8:20 pm
ag, teague had his shot. JJ Hickson is playing well now but he wasn’t a starter then. and the rest of that line up that night for the cavs Parker, Moon, Jawad Williams come on dude you are not serious and yes it is almost the same roster that they play now. and that is why they have the worst record in the NBA. Teague is just another Law or Salim. get over it. we just don’t know how to draft point guards. I remember Salim Stoudamire scored 37 points against Portland his second year in the league with there starters playing hell he almost one the game for us…… Where is he now. what I am trying to say is one game does not make a good player.
drmaryb (*_*)
February 17th, 2011
8:22 pm
I don’t really care if Marvin goes somewhere else and blow up!
We just don’t need him here – we never did. He is holding up our PG needs and always has, (regardless of who’s to blame).
Use Marvin now to get that serviceable TRUE PG! Hell, I would take
Earl Boykins or Rafer “Thug” Alston off his couch right now for Marvin and move the Jump- shooter Josh Smith to the SF permanently.
Insert Twin at Center and just roll with that. MJ won without any dominant Center for 13 years. Unless, you’d call Luc Longley and Bill Cartwright dominant. Michael did have Rodman, Kerr, Paxon and Tony Kukoc though. We would still need a rebounder and another sniper though.
Najeh purported a Ben Wallace and Tayshun Prince … Rip Hamilton is also out there and we may just have to nibble on the Luxury Tax a little.
But, these pieces would be worthwhile and sell some tickets to balance the books! We need to make some moves and try to win now!
This team like any other has a closing window of opportunity.
Being elite cost money.
It does cost to be The Boss! (pun intended for Al).
Rufus1
February 17th, 2011
8:38 pm
This article says the Hawks are 1.1 million under the cap
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/chris_mannix/02/16/trade.outlook.east/index.html
drmaryb (*_*)
February 17th, 2011
8:40 pm
Getting the Point!
brigadierjerry! What’s up Baby?
Absolutely, this team is and has been for 17 years in need of a PG. Since Mookie we hadn’t been to the playoffs for 13 straight years.
The PG is identical to a Football team’s QB. How can you run any type of offense w/o a facilitator on offense.
The Hawks are like a Bentley w/o a driver. Someone has to take care of the steering wheel. We don’t need rims and curb finders, but we do need a Big-Body, Transmission, Motor and a Gear-Shift. Right now, we got the base model with vinyl floor matts.
drmaryb (*_*)
February 17th, 2011
8:49 pm
Driver Wanted!
brigadierjerry,
Right now, if we put Teague behind the wheel of that Bentley, he would
need a stack of Yellow Pages to see over the hood, a drivers license and some defensive driving classes or, he will put that thing in a ditch.
Sometimes, Jeff looks sleepy. Hell, he might fall asleep behind the wheel and break his neck! (See DeMarr Johnson). Yall remember him?
He played for Lenny Wilkens, drove his own Mercedes into a ditch, hit a tree and broke his neck after falling asleep coming from a late night party. He wore a Halo on his neck not because he was an Angel, but because he was a dumb azz! Got waived here and played a few years for Toronto, The End of that story. He was in that horrible draft class with Brevin Knight. Can’t these guys afford a Limo Service when out on the town? Didn’t mean to go off on a tangent, but this team is all talked up.
Jae Evolution
February 17th, 2011
8:51 pm
Am I the only one who is 100% in agreeance that we should acquire Sessions, and give ourselves a backcourt player who could possible take Bibby’s starting spot or actually come off the bench and let Jamal play the 2 guard like he is supposed to?
I mean we truthfully have nothing to lose, we have a bunch of players at the end of our bench who are expendable and either don’t see any minutes or don’t deserve any. If we could give Mo Evans and a second round pick for Sessions (Who is only 24 years old…) That would be a huge steal for us. More backcourt depth, and also it frees up a lot of time for Wilkens, Marvin, and at times Josh Smith.
I say we try to get that trade ASAP.
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:08 pm
GSW is trying to deal Stephen Curry. I haven’t given up on that deal yet.
But what if we get Sessions or Curry, or Hinrich for that matter, and LD still goes with Bibby? What if the problem really is in LD’s aging PG DNA?
I like LD for going big on occasion, and for stressing the motion O. But with young G’s, he sure looks like Woody.
And Acie or Salim never looked as good as Teague looks on the court. Teague has potential. He’s a potential 15 and 7 guy with good D. Not elite, but better than anything we’ve had since Mookie. And a great fit for this team.
brigadierjerry
February 17th, 2011
9:10 pm
drmaryb
Good point.you know who would be a decent pickup who I hear is available is Jarret Jack or even Jose Calderon for the Hawks. Nash would be ideal and I think he would want to come. I actually feel Marvin probably would be better off somewhere else. I think he will flourish on another team. Also although I think it would happen would be great for the Hawks would be Billups. Even though he is past prime he can post up and hit big shots. Also if Pistons buy out Rip Hamilton that would give the Hawks great chance if they can get him and a decent point guard.
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
9:10 pm
Jae Evolution…. I am 100% in agreeance as well. I don’t think a 2nd and Evans would get it done though. more like a 2nd and Jordan Crawford
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:13 pm
Collins really does look ok out on the court. Not a rebounder, scorer, or shot blocker, but he does look like he’s in position on offense usually, and can defend most C’s in the League 1 on 1.
In a League with not a lot of C’s right now, I think you could win with him. Do I wish he was better? Sure, but he’s not a bad big body out there. Look how he fares against Bogut. He even makes Dwight work for his stuff.
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:16 pm
ZaZa looks like he gives more effort than Collins, but he looks like his BB IQ is about 1/10th of Collins. If we could combine ZaZa’s energy, and Collins Stanford fed brain, we would have a middle of the road NBA C on our hands. But it doesn’t work that way.
If we could put Bibby’s BB IQ and former fearlessness into Jeff Teague’s body, you would have Derrick Rose also. Just sayin’
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
JC2=Flip Murray. And that’s not bad
K-Dogg
February 17th, 2011
9:27 pm
Man life sucks right now for me being a Hawks fan!!! he sad part about it is we still have alot of players that some of these teams in the NBA want and (knock on wood) soon enough someone will get hurt while others lose value and we stuck with this team being a 45-50 win team for the next 6 years not getting out of the 2nd round!! I think our owners expect us to still come out and see them play even though we know they stand no chance to win a chip!! I guess the Braves model of doing this and fans slowly going away has not taught us anyhting!!! You have to keep the fans 2nd guessing your product and the possible sucess you can have if not like all of us on here we only go to games to either A say he have been to this year or B. Go see otehr NBA superstars and its sad to write this b/c im a die hard Hawks fan!!!!!!!!!
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:30 pm
I’m not against getting Sessions, but can he stop the pick and roll problems we’ve got? I know he’s more aggressive going to the basket, has a good mid-range J, and can’t shoot a 3. But can he fight thru screens and defend his guy? Just wondering. I don’t think he can, but I haven’t seen enough of him to know for sure.
I have like him since he got in the League however, just never paid that much attention to that aspect of his game. I know he’s not a quick steal kinda guy, but don’t know how he is in half court D.
myrak43
February 17th, 2011
9:36 pm
SteveW…. he can’t be any worst at defending the pick and roll than bibby or JC1 or even teague.
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:38 pm
Not signing Shaq = No Buzz
Being beat like a dog by the Magic = No Buzz
Hiring Woody’s assistant = No Buzz
Getting slaughtered by mediocre teams on a regular basis = No Buzz
Not playing your past 2 First Picks = No Buzz
Having LD admit he can’t control his team = No Buzz
Watching Mike Bibby cost you games night after night with no hope in sight = No Buzz
ZaZa regressing = No Buzz
Signing Etan and Josh Powell in the off season instead of TMac, Stackhouse, Shaq, Dampier etc. = No Buzz
Continuing to play Mo’ over Wilkens = No Buzz
Josh jacking up jumpers, no fast break, and no spectacular shot blocking at the Highlight Factory = No Buzz
JJ being inconsistent = No Buzz
And ASG wonders why attendance is down 2,000 fans a game? Man, give us a reason to come out and support the team. Get some Buzz going!
SteveW
February 17th, 2011
9:41 pm
Myrak – I think if you put Teague out there 30mpg for 5 games straight, the kid would defend the pick and roll. Gotta get him some court time. If no trade happens, maybe he’ll get some mid to late March, because Bibby will be spent by then.
And it’s affecting Jamal playing the Point in a bad way also. If a 10 year vet doesn’t know if he’s to shoot or pass, how’s Teague supposed to know?
Rev in Tampa
February 17th, 2011
9:43 pm
February 24: Trade deadline, 3 p.m. ET
“A date that will live in infamy”
Rev in Tampa
February 17th, 2011
9:46 pm
The Hawks just aren’t going to make any trades. If we have not seen any urgency from the front office after the previous blowouts, last night’s loss is not going to make any difference to them. They sat on their hands when Shaq
Samuel
February 17th, 2011
9:49 pm
I’m much more upset that LD is not playing JC2 than JTeague. JC2 will be a player in this league cause he can shoot the rock.
superiorblogman
February 17th, 2011
9:53 pm
People on these boards come up with the dumbest shi+, where is your proof that Golden State is trying to trade Curry? Furthermore, if they do trade either of there guards it will be for a bigger guard and I doubt they want JJ’s contract, plus that would put us with 2 weak defenders at guard and 2 small backcourt players, we would be what they are now and are currently trying to correct. GSW would be better going after JR Smith, Afflalo, or someone like that in free agency this summer. It’s okay to hope but some of these dumb ass trades make no sense and are frustrating.
Rev in Tampa
February 17th, 2011
9:53 pm
Samuel,
I think Teague needs the priority in time because of Bibby’s issues, but I wholeheartedly agree that Jordan needs playing time too.
brigadierjerry
February 17th, 2011
9:53 pm
LD playing Jamal Crawford at the point doesnt make sense. That isnt his game. He is a volume shooter when he is on he looks great but he is the little girl with the curl can look real good or real bad. Crawford in a lot of ways is a bigger version of Nate Robinson can get hot but he is the type of player you want to play in limited minutes cause he will shoot you out of games and I have seen enough of him living in the NY area when he was on the Knicks.