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
northcyde
February 23rd, 2011
1:52 am
Horford only gets “killed” vs big centers who can score down on the block. The aerage center does not “kill” Horford.
If he’s the leader and MVP that people think he is, he just needs to play a little harder at center.
When your alternatives are Zaza and Collins, and you start them ( which also takes Smith away from the rim to rebound and block shots ), you simply have to play to your strengths.
pinoy hawk
February 23rd, 2011
1:52 am
Maybe they’re trading some of the “core” that’s why the team’s body language.. I see jamal and smith being moved for a pg, a center and fillers before the deadline… that is if the ownership really cares..
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
1:54 am
No the ONLY option is to MAKE a SIGNIFICANT TRADE, not move around the pieces we have now. We will be lucky to make it out of the 1st round. Everyone else has improved but the Hawks have stayed where they were except they have gotten slower…have to pick the pace back up running again with a PG who CAN run with the team and can drive the lane….. and have to get a big man. I say put some speed at PG, Bibby comes off the bench and get the BEST center we can get in a trade. Because if we get a really good PG in a trade, we still will SUCK at center in the playoffs….
pinoy hawk
February 23rd, 2011
1:57 am
What about jamal and smith for felton, nene and a 1st round pick? Would this work?
Harpie
February 23rd, 2011
2:00 am
Larry Drew is an idiot!!!!
Grandad
February 23rd, 2011
2:06 am
northcyde
BS is not an idiot.
He is * NOT * a Hawks fan however.
What does it matter, 3 of our last 4 we have
had our behinds spanked.
Or is it 3 in a row, I seemed to have lost count ?
rusty
February 23rd, 2011
2:06 am
Nortcyde you are an idiot ,downgrading jt again,saying to start jc2 at point guard ,the guy you always hated while you kissed jj’ s azz & then to say play the ball thru jj more. This team needs to play with .the ball in a pg’s hands,not jj’ s who is always stopping all ball movement with his dribbling the shot cloak down.
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:13 am
Eddy Curry will soon be cut, Miami’s interested in him, he can’t be worse than Collins, Za Za, & Etan right? I’m just saying
rusty
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 am
Why is jc2 not in uniform,Etan never plays
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
2:19 am
Hawks shopping Bibby, eye Hinrich
The Atlanta Hawks are working hard to move point guard Mike Bibby(notes), and Washington’s Kirk Hinrich(notes) has emerged as a real target for them. Denver’s Raymond Felton(notes) and Portland’s Andre Miller(notes) also are looming large on the Hawks’ radar, sources say. The Hawks have inquired about the Nets’ Harris, but there are no deal possibilities there, sources said.
The Hawks are trying hard to rid themselves of the three years and $23.2 million left on Marvin Williams’(notes) contract after this season. “For what he makes, it’s a tough sell,” said one NBA coach whose team desires a forward who can score the ball.
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
2:21 am
The Hawks also have explored trying to trade guard Jeff Teague(notes) and swingman Maurice Evans(notes) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guards Ramon Sessions(notes) and Manny Harris(notes), one source said.
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:30 am
is it me or do hawk coaches not trust young guys…you have teague and JC2 on the bench. Why aren’t these guys getting playing time. This doesn’t make sense….Teague should be the startng pg…you don’t know what he can give u unless you put him out there….with the starters, that is…not when the game is out of hand and he’s running with the 3rd string….i’m close to giving up on this team.
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:32 am
Bibby shouldn’t even be our back up, Marvin working out in the offseason with his dad worked in highs and NC but it has worked none in the Pros GET HIM A REAL TRAINER, The big line up doesn’t work people, you wanna know why Because we weren’t built like that and definitely not with the centers we have we were built to run, with Dwight or Amare the Hawks would be explosive going Big but with Twin and them we stink because they’re slow, Marvin falls a lot have y’all noticed that maybe he should hire a Ballet instructor aswell, Why draft and pay for 1st round draft picks, if you NEVER intend on playing them, Why even draft in the 2nd round?, Who does our scouting?, Why play Mo over JC2 if Mo only has 5 good games out of 82 and by good game I meant 12points 7rebs 5fouls? If I were born in LA, Boston, or San Antonio id know how being a winner feels, taje away the Braves 1 year I have no idea how it feels to be a winner, at least I wasn’t born in Cleveland, but this is Atlanta, we’re supposed to be Better
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:33 am
As a matter of fact, i’m willing to bet that we aren’t going to get anyone….Sund wants to just through the tem out there and act as if he really “pursued” someone….and the ATL spirit isn’t much better. I’m going to put in a petition for Arthur Blank to buy the team and maybe get Dimitroff to manage…this is BS…as a fan of ATL sports, we shouldn’t have to suffer like this.
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:36 am
@MJ49….i feel your pain!!!! i asked the same thing…why draft players if you aren’t going to play them…give up the pick for decent players…i wouldn’t get mad, or trade the low picks for higher 1st rounders the next year…
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:36 am
Remind Me Why We Hired Nick Van Exel Again….
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:40 am
Where is Gladyr and Sy, now where is Neal and Fields, now I ask where is Teague and Crawford, Cmon Son
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:43 am
@Ray the only ones that feel my pain are real Hawks fans(not saying you’re not), The Atlanta Falcons, The Cleveland Teams, and The Clippers
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:44 am
@MJ49….since horford, why haven’t we drafted a big man? They say we were in the Shaq sweepstakes, but i wouldn’t mind overpaying him…he’s proven….Marvin’s contract isn’t….i’m even pissed that i feel we overpaid for Joe…
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
2:44 am
Hawks shopping Bibby, eye Hinrich
The Atlanta Hawks are working hard to move point guard Mike Bibby(notes), and Washington’s Kirk Hinrich(notes) has emerged as a real target for them. Denver’s Raymond Felton(notes) and Portland’s Andre Miller(notes) also are looming large on the Hawks’ radar, sources say. The Hawks have inquired about the Nets’ Harris, but there are no deal possibilities there, sources said.
The Hawks are trying hard to rid themselves of the three years and $23.2 million left on Marvin Williams’(notes) contract after this season. “For what he makes, it’s a tough sell,” said one NBA coach whose team desires a forward who can score the ball.
The Hawks also have explored trying to trade guard Jeff Teague(notes) and swingman Maurice Evans(notes) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guards Ramon Sessions(notes) and Manny Harris(notes), one source said.
– Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, 7:10 p.m. ET, Feb. 22
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:46 am
I’m all the way out in San diego…actually debated about going to the game until i realized i had duty tomorrow…i’m originally from eatonton (I-20 W for about an 1hr 15min)….but i feel you….i’ve been so excited since the boston series 4 yrs ago, that i actually thought we would be a serious threat to the title….we’ve had the same starters since then…it’s time to really make some noise.
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:49 am
The Bulls get Boozer, The Celtics get the Oneals, The Heat get the Trio, Orlando gets Turk, Gil, & Jrich, NY gets Melo, and The Hawks are targeting Sessions, like we were already better than the teams mentioned before us, maybe Chi minus Booz or Miami with just Wade, but both of those might go 7 games, so now umm, so Sessions could play like a man posessed, but in my opion he’s not the answer, and LD is gradually losing the fans, I wonder is he losing his team as well, I hope not cause so many people are going to talk ish to me
Raybud
February 23rd, 2011
2:56 am
@MJ49….i’m getting those questions too….after tonights blowout, one can only wonder
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
2:58 am
Hinrich is not the answer either otherwise he’d still be in Chicago, he’s balling in DC though, sike, next… Felton isn’t the answer either otherwise Denver would be talking about moving Lawson, Harris is nice, Brooks is nice, Andre Miller is not nice he might be fools gold like Bibby and immediately start slowing down next year, DWil, CP3, & Seth are just a wet dream no homo
MJ49
February 23rd, 2011
3:01 am
I meant Stephon, but y’all know who I meant… But maybe the Superstars are not a reach, we got Bibby for Lue and Sheldon, we got Crawford for Law and Paralyzed Claxton, so who knows
Columbus
February 23rd, 2011
3:15 am
Maybe someone wants to dump a contract to go after a FA and will take Bibby off our hands and we can improve the team in either PG or center. We still NEED a true center who can get the job done against big men badly and then Horford can play his natural forward position which will help the team in 2 positions. So a center and a good PG and this team can be contenders like they are supposed to be this year…
JSS
February 23rd, 2011
7:05 am
I’m no Sund defender, but it is obvious that no one wants what we have to offer. Not talented free agent players, not talented administrators, nor talented coaches… This especially holds true of teams, no one wants to deal with them. Getting that trade exemption was such a waste of effort…
This team has lied to itself so long it is not seeing its own flaws… You are about to lose the town again like 2000. No one wants to see that again… Get serious and start fixing this team…
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:12 am
ITS A WRAP……………………………..
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
9:17 am
We have peaked as a core, that’s obvious. How can you not have high energy after a 5 day break and you’re in LA!
A total embarrassment to the city of Atlanta. The players and Larry should apologize for their efforts.
Whoever is content on standing pat and believing in this core/team….you should pack your bags…
Yes, its only one game, but how many of those ‘only one game’ games are we going to have to have before someone does something?
A new voice is needed in less than a year in Larry’s regime.
As Chuck would say, that was ‘TURRIBLE’.
W.R.Terrell
February 23rd, 2011
9:21 am
At this very moment I am watching the recording of the SOFT’S game last night. I must tell you watching the “smoove” and ISO is hilarious. After 50 plus games the “smoove” still thinks he is one helluva point guard and great outside shooter, he’s becoming to laughable. Anyway, ISO Joe is 123.7 mill ZERO and can someone please tell me, why is Mo Evans even on the floor. Al was burning up in the first quarter but did anyone decide to FEED him the ball? Play the young kids cause we are not going to the playoffs and that’s a fact, this team has no heart or desire and no basketball sense at all. Just watch the 6′9 point guard knock all the timing off for everyone and then take a peak at the million dollar joe blow. We play Phoenix tonight and they are even scary as an opponent. Maybe a light bulb will click on but I seriousy doubt it but if Josh gives the ball up and realize he is truly not a superstar but why should I wish. You have to be a thinking player to realize that.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
JSS, obviously, we overvalue our roster….see the Childress deal.
And every rumor, with the exception of the Clippers offer, sounds like we are the ones hesitant to do a deal.
What’s strange to me is that if NJ is determined to ‘dump’ Devin Harris, why can’t Sund come up with some kind of offer? Both teams need a new voice…is Marvin really that much of a loss as the rumor goes? 9pts 3 reb on 4-13 in 27 min…..that doesn’t sound irreplaceable.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
9:27 am
As I said earlier, the value of each member of this team just went down a notch. We could have had on Cleveland unis last night, that’s how bad our offense looks!
So Woody was the problem here huh, ASG?
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Hey, kudos to Zaza, 4M for 13min, 5pts(all FTs, haha), 2 reb..
Someone is holding up his end of his contract. His uniform might as well say GADZURIC.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
Grandad, I can find ’some’ respect for Bill Simmons, but why are you going to listen to a guy who has given Donald Sterling season ticket money for over 20 years? Does that sound like a sane person?
Monta Ellis is not the fix for this team in place of Smoove.
Based on last night’s results, the shakeup of the lineup/rotations should happen immediately. If you have any power left Larry, do it tonight at Phoenix and fix the attitudes on this team.
My new starting lineup:
Joe/Al/Collins/Teague/Wilkins – you gotta have someone who is willing to play some defense….Collins and Wilkins will attempt to play more than Marvin.
DudleyDoright
February 23rd, 2011
12:34 pm
I thoroughly agree with the blogger who said that Mike Bibby refuses to lose weight during the off-season. MIKE BIBBY is about as fat as PORKY PIG. When is Bibby going to get replaced in the starting lineup by Jeff Teague. Hopefully it wont be after the Hawks are eliminated from the playoffs. That will be too late. Put the kid in now (TEAGUE) and let him get his NBA experience. Bibby is a fat tub of lard and needs to sit down and observe the action from the bench.
NUNNA!!!
February 23rd, 2011
7:48 pm
Hawks get Kirk Hinrich ,and Hilton Armstrong for Bibby,Mo Evans,a draft pick and JC2!!