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
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2011
9:22 pm
Some of you dudes are some stupid MF’ers. Who do we have to trade for a lottery pick that they are willing to trade? You idiots fall right into Sund and the ASG hands thinking something is free. That’s why they have no problem giving you free tickets instead of filling up the place because of a great product. Stupid freeloading idiots.
Jamal Crawford has an expiring contract and we all know the Nets and T’Wolves would love to trade for free agents after the season. Its not dumb trading for a pick that could lead for a future superstar. I guess you are the stupid one for not looking at the past drafts when we did not pick deron williams and chris paul.
Hawk n the Ham
February 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm
From Yahoo Sports:
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
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm
w/ the blazers rebuilding im not sure why they want a 28 yr old Devin Harris..
Caron just tweeted to Mark Stien that he isnt going anywhere..
aight Caron..
Melvin
February 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm
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.
Yahoo Sports
??
February 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm
There is a team interested in Mo Evans,but the hawks didn’t like what they were being offered for him.
And the team was his former,the Miami Heat.
Pat Riley lovest his slash and play style and he thinks that Mo Evans is not being used by the hawks to their advantage.
But,its the personal that is not a fit for mo evans to play with.Mo Evans is a runner,the hawks are no longer a running team,and thats why he looks so out of place.
Another runner who will flourish for your team is none other than Al Horford.
You have a fast team in personnel but they are slow at moving the ball around and creating their offense.
When you have a Jeff Teague who is fast as heck giving the ball up to Jamaal Crawford then that takes Crawford out of the mix as well.Crawford needs to be in postion to look for his shot,not walk up the floor with the ball.
Sund originally wanted Drew to make this team run the offense that Drew said he would with ball movement but do it at a faster pace and run,run,run,run!
Thats why he does not know if Teague is the man or not. He once said,that some players will digress when they see there is no hope or way for them to play the minutes and be the starter. And that Teague has the smarts and skills to do so but,he is one who only plays his game when there is no pressure on him.
And he feels that if Teague leaves and a team says “you are the starter and do what you do”,then he will do what he does and the hawks will look like the fools of the NBA.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm
I wonder if Rick Sund didn’t get Manny Harris and Devin Harris confused. Maybe he thinks the Nets already traded Devin to the Cavs and he didn’t find out because he doesn’t use that newfangled Internet.
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm
MC,
If the Hawks don’t make a move,
is there anyway we could scratch the print article in favor of large bold words –
DESPITE GLARING WEAKNESSES AT POINT GUARD, CENTER and BENCH POSITIONS – HAWKS STAND PAT – AGAIN.
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm
MC so are you saying Teague is not suited up tonight?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm
@hoopinion is on fire right now.
The inherent humor of the Hawks’ reluctance to include a 1st-round pick should not be ignored. 8 minutes ago via web
JeJe
February 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm
Why are we reluctant to send Washington a draft pick?
ATLANTA DRAFT PICKS ARE WORTHLESS. ANY PLAYER NOT TAKEN IN THE LOTTERY + JOSH SMITH HAS BEEN STRAIGHT GARBAGE FOR THIS TEAM. GIVE WASHINGTON ANY PICKS THEY WANT
ryan
February 22nd, 2011
10:01 pm
Felton and Hinrich are good Andre Miller is not bad PG the Hawks have to something to get rid of Marvin Williams contract and get under the cap for 2012 .
Ramon
February 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
I know some of you guys will LOVE to read this…
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2011/02/22/trade-rumors-by-da-vol-i/
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.
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
did EJ just say the Hawks havn’t even been a fly on the wall in east playoff discussion? lol
??
February 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm
I have to go,but the earlier post i made about Jeff Teague and he playing well when he has not pressure i was referring to him playing without looking over his shoulder at someone coming in if he screws up and he playing night in and night out for a team that looks to run.
He is one who,”HAS TO BE THE MAN”.
He can’t play anything else.He played ok when he was the backup to Chris Paul,but when he was “the man” and was the everyday starter you saw something else.
Thats what sund repeats among his convo with the ASG.
Goodnight,i have a plane to catch in the morning.
Gotta do some scouting..
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:03 pm
ryan
February 22nd, 2011
10:01 pm
Felton and Hinrich are good Andre Miller is not bad PG the Hawks have to something to get rid of Marvin Williams contract and get under the cap for 2012 .
Kyrie Irving will be better than all 3 of those point guards
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:04 pm
this is officialy the stupidest organization in the history of sports, i’m flabbergasted
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:04 pm
lol @ the fox sports south crew spinning us not making trades as our leaders Joe and Al “not wanting the team broken up, wanting to stay together and get it done”
riiiight.. to a man, i bet they want help.
Samuel
February 22nd, 2011
10:04 pm
Rick Sund yawning. I guess that just about sums up our trade prospects.
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:06 pm
The Truth
“Being Honest I would rather have Kyrie Irving from Duke over any point guard we can trade for. Forget all those other guards and trade for a lottery pick.”
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 pm
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:06 pm
The Truth
“Being Honest I would rather have Kyrie Irving from Duke over any point guard we can trade for. Forget all those other guards and trade for a lottery pick.”
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery
Childish Bloggers, isn’t it past your bedtime while you are taking my blog name
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 pm
Kevin Mchale is talking about Nene + Horford being a beautiful combination
SPUD WEBB
February 22nd, 2011
10:09 pm
the hawks should also look at jerryd bayless, his contract is a little easier to fit under the cap.
Jae Evolution
February 22nd, 2011
10:10 pm
Jeff Teague and Mo Evans for Manny Harris and Ramon Sessions.
Mike Bibby and a 1st round pick for Kirk Hinrich.
PG problem solved.
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:12 pm
chris webber to josh smith – “ESTABLISH YOUR IDENTITY – DEFENDER, POST PLAYER, DO SOMETHING AND STICK WITH IT”
Kevin mchale – josh smith is a microcosm of the hawks – who are they? define your game.
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:13 pm
And nene said he wants Horford type money.
Trade Josh and extend NeNe. for 10.5 mil a year
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
10:19 pm
If I’m the Hawks, I would offer Bibby, Mo Evans and a pick for Hinrich. With Mo Evans, expiring, and Bibby’s cheaper contract, they would save $2.5 mil next year. and they would get a pick as well.
Hinrich is 31, but his expiring will be very valuable next year, and he will have more trade value than Bibby (imo).
Wow. Looking at Jamal’s horrible numbers the last 5 games, he still played 28 mpg. What game is LD watching?
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:21 pm
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:13 pm
And nene said he wants Horford type money.
Trade Josh and extend NeNe. for 10.5 mil a year
The Nuggets are playing great tonight and you actually think they will give up NeNe. He will get an extension from denver
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
10:21 pm
lewis,
I suggested a similar trade a few days ago. josh and filler for nene and filler. That way Al plays PF full time, and we get a decent center.
More importantly, that would change the dynamics of the team. And i think Josh would benefit playing for George Karl.
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
10:22 pm
The truth,
Nene loves it in Denver too, and they have family there, plus his wife is expecting, so I agree. I doubt if he goes anywhere.
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2011
10:22 pm
Hawks suck. Joe and Al about to get there asses kicked all over the court by superior opponents. This is just the start of what we will see all second half including the postseason. We could have Devin Harris and we drop down to Kirk Hinrich who makes more than Harris or Felton. This is the dumbest shi+ I ever did see. Finally, Bibby would be great coming off the bench. How can they justify paying $9 million for Hinrich?
northcyde
February 22nd, 2011
10:23 pm
Class . . let’s review:
1) We are committed to almost 64 million in contracts next year . . amongst 8 players.
2) This means that to fill out the roster, we would have to spend ( at minimum ) 3 – 5 million dollars ( depending on how much minimum contracts will be worth in the new CBA, along with draft pick costs )
3) Your 2011 – 12 payroll is now at 67 – 68 million . . at the minimum
4) No one knows what the Salary Cap and Luxury Tax will be next season, but most everyone assumes it will be lower
5) This means that if there is a L. Tax, the Hawks may have to pay it next season anyway ( if payroll is at 68 million )
6) To prevent the payroll from exceeding 70 million, you must try to trade a player already under contract for next year.
7) Multiple teams would want JJ or Al or Josh . . but probably not Bibby or Zaza or Teague or Jordan.
9) Trading Jamal and his expiring deal means that the payroll would definitely go over 70 mill next season.
10) This will make Sund and the ASG gunshy about doing a major trade, unless they do a complete 180 degree turn from how they’ve operated in the past.
11) This means NOTHING will be done . . or something very minor will be done.
12) My guess? TPE for Will Bynum ( since people in ATL know who he is ) . . or TPE for Johnny Flynn ( if Minnesota wants to shed his salary and get more cap room ).
EmirS.
February 22nd, 2011
10:24 pm
Yea I gotta agree, why are they dropping down to Kirk Hinrich….
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:25 pm
Landry to the Hornets for Marcus Thorton and David Anderson..
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:27 pm
*Thornton
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
10:29 pm
northcyde,
Would Orlando trade Chris Duhon for the TPE?
Keep in mind that if the Hawks use the TPE, we will have to cut a player because we are at 15 spots. Who would you cut? Etan, I guess?
lewis
February 22nd, 2011
10:30 pm
I’d love to get W. Bynum but I don’t see them giving him up
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:30 pm
lol @ the “broke” hornets making moves.. i see you New Orleans..
AG
February 22nd, 2011
10:32 pm
Again,a running team with a slow point guard and now a slow starting center. START JEFF TEAGUE!!!!
superiorblogman
February 22nd, 2011
10:32 pm
northcyde
February 22nd, 2011
10:23 pm
Class . . let’s review:
1) We are committed to almost 64 million in contracts next year . . amongst 8 players.
2) This means that to fill out the roster, we would have to spend ( at minimum ) 3 – 5 million dollars ( depending on how much minimum contracts will be worth in the new CBA, along with draft pick costs )
3) Your 2011 – 12 payroll is now at 67 – 68 million . . at the minimum
4) No one knows what the Salary Cap and Luxury Tax will be next season, but most everyone assumes it will be lower
5) This means that if there is a L. Tax, the Hawks may have to pay it next season anyway ( if payroll is at 68 million )
6) To prevent the payroll from exceeding 70 million, you must try to trade a player already under contract for next year.
7) Multiple teams would want JJ or Al or Josh . . but probably not Bibby or Zaza or Teague or Jordan.
9) Trading Jamal and his expiring deal means that the payroll would definitely go over 70 mill next season.
10) This will make Sund and the ASG gunshy about doing a major trade, unless they do a complete 180 degree turn from how they’ve operated in the past.
11) This means NOTHING will be done . . or something very minor will be done.
12) My guess? TPE for Will Bynum ( since people in ATL know who he is ) . . or TPE for Johnny Flynn ( if Minnesota wants to shed his salary and get more cap room ).
You could have kept that shi+ in your a.. A bunch of speculation and excuses.
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:34 pm
i thought coach George Karl should be in consideration for coach of the year before the trade amidst all the drama .. but if he keeps the troops in the playoff hunt, he’s more than deserving..
O'Brien
February 22nd, 2011
10:34 pm
Bibby needs to make shots tonight. Also, Fisher and Blake have been struggling recently, so maybe they wont burn us as bad.
Al and Josh will have their hands full with Lamar and Gasol and Bynum, so I hope they are up to the challenge.
I hope Josh stays out of foul trouble, and I wont be surprised to see him taking alot of jump shots. I also think Ron Ron will check JJ sometimes.
ryan
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 pm
Hawks wont make a trade till last minute and usually a minor deal that is what will happen .
bigdave
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 pm
Landry might be an expiring though..
Nique's Revenge
February 22nd, 2011
10:37 pm
124-93 Lakers
Najeh Davenpoop
February 22nd, 2011
10:40 pm
In the middle of all this, there’s an actual game to watch.
Considering how the Hawks have played lately, I just hope they can keep it respectable.
ATL Fan
February 22nd, 2011
10:40 pm
The Truth
February 22nd, 2011
10:06 pm
The Truth
“Being Honest I would rather have Kyrie Irving from Duke over any point guard we can trade for. Forget all those other guards and trade for a lottery pick.”
That guy may have the best upside than anyone the hawks are trying to trade for. I agree with you, why not trade for the future rather than trade for a player that has proved that he will not be a great point guard
cp
February 22nd, 2011
10:40 pm
Its absolutely frustrating being a fan of this team smdh
tjhook
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 pm
I am a devin Harris fan but I would support a Marvin Williams for mo Williams move- heck, we could talk about J.J. Hickson as a throw-in and I’d offer Jamal to the Cavs as well as Teague. At the least I think we should push for Mo.
J.J.M
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 pm
mao hes just getting his ring…and probaby wont play tonight
J.J.M
February 22nd, 2011
10:43 pm
hawks players “aww man thats how a championship ring looks huh”