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
kaminari
February 23rd, 2011
1:06 am
I won’t take the Hawks seriously until they get rid of everyone (including their coach) except for Al and build around him. The Hawks are an absolute joke at this point. It’s embarrassing to be an Atlanta fan. Thank Gawd baseball is almost here.
EmirS.
February 23rd, 2011
1:06 am
So all in favor of that petition…say ‘I”.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
February 23rd, 2011
1:06 am
LD has to grow a pair and do what must be done – start Teague or Sund must trade for for a legit pg accordingly.
NUNNA!!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:07 am
NUNNA SAID,
Teague is Teague.
He’ll show a flash,then look lost on defense,then pass up open shots,then get a steal here a dunk there,then he’ll look lost on defense,then u will see other players on the hawks telling him where to be and stand when we’re playing defense,then jamaal brings the ball up and teague stands in the corner,and..
Need i say more??
He’ll get 5 points,a steal,3 assists and a rebound or 2 and 3 fouls”
Teague: 5pts,2 steals,2 rebounds,2 assists,and 2 fouls..
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
1:08 am
The Lakers could have beat us by 50 if they would have needed to. They put Luke Walton in the game in the 1st half! Total blowout, and LD is defenseless.
They quit listening to Woody after 6 years in the 2nd round of the playoffs. They quit listening to LD about 15 games ago, if they ever did listen.
kaminari
February 23rd, 2011
1:08 am
Also, I heard some of the team was out in LA partying over the break which would explain the lackadaisical play. This team that Woody build is out of control. I’m sure he’s grinning somewhere.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:09 am
1-15 FROM 3PT LAND WILL GET YOU SWEPT IN THE1ST ROUND………
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:09 am
I
Worldwide Clyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
Can we please cut Zaza and sign Sean Williams
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
i SAY i….
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
I said a couple of weeks ago that we were very close to being a bad team. Almost there, and i like the Hawks
Is DeWayne Casey still available?
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
we are 1-2 on this trip so far.
Loserville USA
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 am
Partying? Really?
What gave anyone THAT idea. Maybe Josh Smith’s 2 passes off the backboard.
Smith is the biggest cancer on the team and if Sund has any balls he’ll deal that overrated playground knucklehead to anyone who will take him.
But he won’t because he still puts pathetic misguided asses in seats.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:11 am
Teague trade value went up tonight. Mo Evans and Bibby down. Marvin value stayed the same.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 am
Conner – “Best conditioned team in the League”!
Yea, we keep getting run out of buildings
NUNNA!!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 am
One thing about Teagues play tonite.
He looked in charge.
He was pointing players in position and he was in control.Well,after Jamaal left he was.
He was timid because he knew he was not coming out of the game.
Period.
You see how he plays with confidence?
Just imagine how he would have been if he’d play with starters
Ramon
February 23rd, 2011
1:13 am
Do people really think Horford is a franchise player? Yes he’s a good player, but he’s not a franchise player! He’s not even close. Actually if you replaced Horford with M. Gasol or Lopez, do you think the Hawks record wouldn’t be comparable?
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
1:13 am
Sund – Do yourself a favor and put LD on the hot seat, please!!!!
NUNNA!!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:14 am
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:11 am
Teague trade value went up tonight.
Ditto Brother!!
Im wit’ cha’ on dat
cp
February 23rd, 2011
1:14 am
LD will complain about taking too many jumpers and no defense but will come with the same group of guys against the Suns
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:14 am
Stay tune for LD, “We got away from our gameplan.”
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
1:15 am
Aight people… someone had to do it, might as well be me.
http://twitter.com/#!/fakericksund
If you want to contribute, let me know and I’ll give you the password. If the fake Rick Sund from this blog wants to update this I’d be glad to turn it over to him.
bigdave
February 23rd, 2011
1:16 am
Stinger hinting that moves will be made..
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:16 am
NUNNA!!!, we need to keep Teague and pick up a center like Nene or Gortat but of course they will trade him for Sessions.
NUNNA!!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:19 am
Is Jamaal really going thru a slump or is he just tired of his situation here?
I like Jamaal,but i think he may want out now what he see’s what NY has done and the hawks look like they may do something but something small..
What do u all think?
And,what scenerio would best fit a trade involving J-Smoove?
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:19 am
Najeh Davenpoop, send it.
Tremaine
February 23rd, 2011
1:20 am
Glad to here Horford is pissed, true leader.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:22 am
LD HAS THE LOCKER RM DOOR LOCKED UP..HE MAYBE LAYING INTO THE PLAYERS NOW. NEWSFLASH LD YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST THIS TEAM WEEKS AGO…….BUT NICE TRY SINCE YOUR BOSSES ARE ON THE RD TRIP WITH YA…UGLY…………
Worldwide Clyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:25 am
Here is what I don’t get.
We got swept in the second round for the second straight year last year. At the end of the year everybody and they momma said we needed to make changes. We had problems at point guard and at center but no changes were made.
Now this year rolls around with the same squad and management thinks our problems are suppose to just disappear.
Why does it take so long for Hawks management to make changes?
northcyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:25 am
It’s hilarious how people try to look at every possible positive out of Teague. The bottom line is that he’s not a leader on the court. That’s why he doesn’t play.
The move Drew needs to make, is to start Jamal.
If we’re only going to go 8 deep anyway, just play to your strengths right from the tip. Just reverse the rotation, and have Bibby come into the game at the 6 minute mark for Jamal. Then let Jamal start the 2nd quarter ( with Bibby, if need be ).
If this team isn’t going to defend, they need to be as efficient as possible on offense. Jamal will just have to play a traditional PG role while with the starters ( or just play off of JJ, while being more aggressive pushing the ball upcourt when he has the chance to )
As constructed, that’s really the only option we can go with.
Baldwin
February 23rd, 2011
1:26 am
Please trade Al to a real team. He doesn’t deserve this garbage. He goes out there each and every night and works his tail off trying to cover up the mistakes of his garbage teammates, and no matter what he does, he continues to be underutilized, underappreciated, and treated like the team janitor. Al is by far the best player on this team. He’s the MVP of this team, and the stats fully back that up. I’m tired of this garbage coach and these stupid teammates. Trade Al to a place where he doesn’t have to put up with this stupidity. He’s too good of a player to have to waste valuable years of his career with a garbage franchise.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
1:27 am
“It’s hilarious how people try to look at every possible positive out of Teague. The bottom line is that he’s not a leader on the court. That’s why he doesn’t play. ”
Bibby just “led” the Hawks to a 24 point loss. Maybe Teague sucks, but he can’t possibly be much worse.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
1:29 am
“Najeh Davenpoop, send it.”
Send an email to fakericksund@gmail.com and you’ll get the password.
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
1:29 am
BOYCOTT. TIt’ NOT SUND, it’s the OWNERS. This team has been improving the last 5 years WITHOUT a CENTER but due to the progress, it has been TOLERABLE. Well progress has now ENDED and everyone sees it. This team has SLOWED down and needs to RUN again. Still need a center desperatly. If the OWNERS do not INSIST that APPROPRIATE AND MAJOR MOVES are made to KEEP this team on TRACK, WE MUST BOYCOTT ATTENDING GAMES AND RUN these CHEAP OWNERS out of town NOW. NOW. Sund will make moves BUT will the OWNERS let him make MAJOR MOVES and WILL THEY open up the POCKETBOOK? The time is NOW. If not they are slapping the TEAM and the FANS. This team has been on track to make the NBA finals and at a minimum the Conference finals THIS YEAR! It’s time to PAY or you will start losing attendance, money, and the progress MADE the last 5 YEARS. The progress has STOPPED. If you dont PAY and get MAJOR HELP NOW, you slap the TEAM, the FANS, the CITY in the face and tell us that this is as far as you are going to LET this train go! The FANS MUST run you out of ATLANTA FAST by BOYCOTTING! I hope we get a BIG man and a fast PG who can drive and play D somehow some way. Gotta PAY to PLAY to keep it going….what are you going to do owners in the next 48 hours?
EmirS.
February 23rd, 2011
1:31 am
@Columbus
So I’m guessing you fall under the “I”?
Grandad
February 23rd, 2011
1:31 am
Josh for Monta Ellis straight up;
Bill Simmons suggested this one.
EmirS.
February 23rd, 2011
1:32 am
Arthur Blank will more then likely be getting a new stadium in 2017.
I vote we start a petition to get Mr.Blank to buy the Hawks!
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:35 am
ellis for josh?? tell me where to sign?
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:36 am
LD=JIM MORA, REMEMBER HIM MR. BLANK?????
darrell starks
February 23rd, 2011
1:37 am
EVERY GAME SAME BS
LAKERS 54 REBOUNDS HAWKS 32 REBOUNDS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:38 am
“Josh for Monta Ellis straight up;”
MAKE IT SO SCOTTIE. JETTISON THE CORE………………..YESTERDAY,LAST SUMMER…..
Worldwide Clyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:38 am
Free Jeje
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
1:39 am
JEJE IS STUDYING FOR HIS TEST……LOL
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
1:39 am
Sure miss the running in the early days, especially when Josh Childress was coming off the bench. Didnt have a center then, still don’t!(shaking my head in disgust)Need an effective PG(who can move quick, get steals, drive the lane) and a CENTER. Bibby goes to backup or is traded. GOT to have a CENTER who can play with Howard and most playoff teams. Have to RUN and have to have a force inside who can contain the other teams big men…. MUST HAVE
Grandad
February 23rd, 2011
1:39 am
Troy Murphy available / why not ?
He has always been a rebounder.
darrell starks
February 23rd, 2011
1:40 am
COLLINS 15 MIN ZAZA 12
LD YOUR EXCUSES IS RUNNING SHORT
every game the hawks get out rebound everybody wants 2 shoot jumper.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandad
February 23rd, 2011
1:43 am
It seems to me a;
JC1 + Marv + ?
-for-
D.Harris + Troy Murphy
must…just…make too much sense.
northcyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:44 am
And Bill Simmons is an idiot @ Grandad
This team lacks talent on the frontline, and he wants us to trade arguably our most talented frontline player?
That means that Collins or Zaza starts at center? Or Marvin moves to the 4, if you keep Horford at center?
A gunner like Ellis solves nothing, if you lose Josh Smith.
@ Najeh . . that still doesn’t mean that Teague should play. It only means that Bibby’s minutes should probably be reduced even more. Bibby has to make shots to justify his place on the floor. If he’s not making shots, he shouldn’t be on the floor.
As for Teague’s performane tonight, once again, he doesn’t play horrible in a non-pressure situation. Oooooo . . let’s give him 20 minutes a game.
Drew should just start Jamal and be done with it. Let Bibby and Teague battle it out for the backup PG spot. and Marvin needs to be back in the starting lineup.
darrell starks
February 23rd, 2011
1:47 am
When horford play center the hawks get killed in the paint, and horford told LD don’t put him at center, but LD who is beginning 2 think like old coach woody do it regardless.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
February 23rd, 2011
1:51 am
WOW Bibby had his best game of the year against piston, and come back and stink up the court tonight.
BIBBY O ASST 0 POINTS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!