Atlanta Hawks at Lakers: Point presence desperately needed
Los Angeles–The following question was put to Al over All-Star weekend: How can the Hawks be a better defensive team when they so obviously struggle to contain the perimeter and opponents relentlessly attack that weakness?
“Our guards have got to do a better job of that,” Al said. “Obviously we [bigs] have to be there on the help side, but we need to have that presence to try and keep the ball out of the paint as much as we can.”
The answer to that has been “not much at all” with the current group and as long as that’s the case it’s going to be too difficult for the Hawks to get consistent stops in the playoffs. L.D. has tricked things up with zones and switches but that’s just smoke and mirrors that teams like Boston, Orlando, Chicago and Miami will exploit.
This fundamental issue explains why they are so desperate to add a point guard like Devin Harris. The advanced stats say Harris has declined defensively–perhaps because of a poor attitude in New Jersey, as reported by the Bergen Record’s Al Iannazzone.
Perhaps a change of scenery would rejuvenate Harris, who has been a good defender in the past. Even if it didn’t, Harris would be an upgrade defensively over what the Hawks have now. He’s also an excellent playmaker who would push the pace in the open floor and allow Josh and Al to run and fill the lanes instead of handling the ball.
Jamal needs a jolt
Jamal is slumping. Perhaps more troublesome than the shots not going in are the long stretches when he’s stopped shooting—six shots against Toronto, two against Detroit–because if he’s not trying to score where is the bench going to find points?
Jamal is in some kind of funk. It happens occasionally and said he’s not sure why.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Once or twice a year I do that for whatever reason.”
L.D. had a talk with Jamal after practice Monday, like he has the other times when it seems like Jamal isn’t into it.
“I’ve got to get him going,” Drew said. “All great scorers go through periods where they go through a little slump. It’s nothing unusual. He just has to work his way out of it and I have to help him out of it. We will try to get him on the right course tonight.”
Status quo
Drew said he will use the “big” lineup against the Lakers but hasn’t made up his mind about a permanent change to the normal lineup:
“I spent these four days looking at some of the possibilities as far as changes within the lineup. Nothing concrete yet. I will keep tinkering with it as we move forward, see how we do [tonight] and at Phoenix on the back-to-back. It won’t be anything [different], I think, on this road trip. I will just decide whether to go with big lineup or traditional lineup [each game] and see what happens.”
High expectations
The Lakers have lost three straight, including an ugly L to the Cavs, to drop to 8.5 games behind San Antonio in the West. These developments qualify as a crisis in these parts, though Kobe was upbeat yesterday after Lakers practice:
“It’s a marathon. You see the finish line, you tend to pick up the speed a little bit.”
Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times offers a four-point plan to fix the Lakers.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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836 comments Add your comment
slimjr
February 22nd, 2011
11:56 pm
BEN AFFLICK HAS TO BE THE WORST ACTOR IN HOLLYWEIRD…JUST BRUTAL LIKE THE HAWKS ON THE RD AGAINST THE WINNERS…
9-13 AFTER TONIGHTS BLOWOUT…..34-21 IS JUST PLAIN FOOLS GOLD PEOPLE
Aaron
February 22nd, 2011
11:56 pm
You know what really pisses me off about L.D. even outside of his coaching? The fact that he acts like he’s doing everything right. L.D. actually has the nerve to act like his gameplans and adjustments are flawless. Not once has he said that he shouldn’t have done something or that he would do it differently next time after a bad loss. He always blames the players and makes empty threats, while showering his favorites with heavy minutes regardless of their production.
Ramon Sessions
February 22nd, 2011
11:56 pm
Check out my stats Vs. the Lakers and my team won. Plus I look more human than any of your other PG choices.
Bibby = Mini Me
Teague = “Mr. Dink” from Nickelodeon’s “Doug”
Brad
February 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
Josh joking around with Steve Blake during warm-up before the start of the second half. Do you think love would ever be caught dead doing that when down 20 at the half????
Nique's Revenge
February 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
Tre u know LD got that ‘lil book of excuses from woodrow, pages worn, cover torn
northcyde
February 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
It’s a shame that we’re down 21, with Kobe not even breaking a sweat. Of course, the “lack of energy” will be the excuse.
Last season, the Hawks played almost a perfect 1st half, going toe to toe with LA until the 3rd quarter, when they blew the door open.
Maybe the reverse will happen tonight.
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
Teague = “Mr. Dink” from Nickelodeon’s “Doug”
lol!
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
11:57 pm
If teague was in the game, he would have been the reason we are down by 21.
Does LD start the same lineup?
F@#KSUND&THEASG&THEHAWKS.org
February 22nd, 2011
11:58 pm
I’m Done
Brad
February 22nd, 2011
11:58 pm
Kobe, not love
slimjr
February 22nd, 2011
11:58 pm
“I wonder what Rick is thinking watching this live”
He’s thinking he can’t wait to go fishing……………………YAWN……………………………..
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 22nd, 2011
11:58 pm
LOL
Melvin
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – As the trade deadline gets closer and closer, the rumors start flying faster and faster. We don’t know anyone as well-connected as our very own David Aldridge of TNT, who will share the fruits of his exhaustive labor with us periodically between now and Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline:
HAWKS INTERESTED IN HINRICH
9:45 pm.
The Atlanta Hawks are interested in Washington Wizards veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich, according to league sources, but the Hawks are not willing to give Washington both a young player and a first-round pick for Hinrich, the Wizards’ current asking price.
Atlanta is trying to convince Washington take back veteran Mike Bibby for Hinrich, pointing out the potential cap savings for the Wizards. Hinrich is scheduled to make $8 million next season, while Bibby only will make $6.2 million. Both would be entering the final year of their respective contracts next season. The Wizards, though, want to continue their youth movement–though Washington isn’t interested in taking on the two years and $15.7 million that will be left on swingman Marvin Williams‘s contract after this season.
The Hawks are reluctant to put a first-round pick in the deal, especially considering the Wizards already got a first from Chicago last year when the Bulls traded Hinrich to Washington to clear salary cap space. The Wizards used that pick to select French big man Kevin Seraphin, who has played sporadically this season for Flip Saunders.
cp
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
smdh@LD. Comes out with the same group smdh
Tremaine
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
Wow, Orlando is about to get Zach Randolph.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
Someone needs to start a Rick Sund Twitter account.
Nique's Revenge
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
superstar joeeeeee to bring us back in the 2nd half
slimjr
February 22nd, 2011
11:59 pm
Josh will never get it……SAD=Sund…
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
Strong post up to start the half. At this point I fully expect the commitment to the post game to last about two possessions.
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
Joe Johnson not worried about any of this, not with all that bling they said he got from the jewelry store and didnt even pay those folks. Chains, Grill, etc.
….bet he look just like Juicy J from 3 6 Mafia with that grill.
LMFAO
F@#KTHEHAWKS.org
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
This organization is pitiful and I’m done supporting this team unless they make a significant trade. They wonde why we don’t come to the game, and it is clearly because we feel this team is not striving to be a contender. BOTTOMLINE! I’m divorcing the Hawks, until either a) we make a significant trade by thursday, or b) Until ASG and Rick Sund No Longer Runs This Organization. Until Then… I’M DONE!!!! F@#K THE HAWKS!!
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
wtf josh 3
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
“Wow, Orlando is about to get Zach Randolph” Oh know its a wrap……………
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
12:01 am
Correction: the commitment to the post lasted one possession.
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
josh 3 attempts a comeback from 20 down does not make
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
0-10 from 3pt. land…
bigdave
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
boy they running the whole team @ Joe when he gets the ball..
too bad he has to run the point facilitate and score..
AG
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
No Nique working against Bibby makes him seem quicker. Hey Josh, you score down low. Stay down there
TIRED HAWKS FAN
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
Seriously, Keep AL & Joe, everyone else can go, this team will not get any farther than the 2nd rd year after year.
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 23rd, 2011
12:02 am
dont tell me the highlight of our season is going to be Marvin Williams’ fight
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
Dominique-”It’s amazing how much quickness Derrick Fisher still has.”
Are you kidding me. Maybe that is the problem, Rick Sund is listening to the SportsSouth broadcast.
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
lady ref > bibby
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
The refs were so shocked that Al Horford made such a bad pass that they gave the Hawks a jump ball
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
LD= in over his head like his boss Sund
TIRED HAWKS FAN
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
Magic bout to land Zach and we keep Marvin, the Basketball Gods hate the hawks
F@#KTHEHAWKS.org
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
I don’t want Kirk Hinrich. He is middle of the road at best and will not make us better. Gimme Ray Felton Or Devin Harris. Anything Less Than That… F@#K THE HAWKS!!
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 23rd, 2011
12:03 am
if that@TIRED HAWKS FAN
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
12:04 am
Finally Josh works around the painted area.Thats where his bread and butter is..
Lionhearted
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
Mr. Brick Josh
F@#KTHEHAWKS.org
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
JOSH SUCKS A$$ AS Well… To Inconsistant.
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
nice bricks there.
bigdave
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
Mike Bibby.
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
We have 36 points.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
josh will never get it…. Sad=Sund
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
cant wait for the post game comments
Timmy
February 23rd, 2011
12:05 am
The Hawks will have to start over once Joe plays out his contract and Horford bails. The only chance they have is if Josh were to become an elite player, but that isn’t going to happen. That means it will be at least 10-12 years before the Hawks could possibly be a serious contender … and that is only if by some miracle: 1) the Hawks get a high lottery pick; 2) there is an elite player available; 3) the Hawks actually draft said elite player, and 4) the Hawks have committed ownership and a GM savvy enough to build a winning team around said elite player. Good luck!!!
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:06 am
I hereby retract my 124-93 prediction.
Well, the Hawks with 93 points part of it.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
12:06 am
Whatever happened to follow your shot?
Nique's Revenge
February 23rd, 2011
12:07 am
heh they are trying to sell tickets.
cp
February 23rd, 2011
12:07 am
Gotta love the accountability LD has instilled in this team this year smdh