Atlanta Hawks: Lakers 104, Hawks 80
This was just one of several mismatches for the Hawks. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles–If I know my blog people, I figure you’d rather hear about trade chatter (some hope for the future) than a recounting of this debacle (a depressing reminder of the team’s stasis).
- So, OK . . . Yes, Kirk Hinrich is a possibility and Ramon Sessions remains in play. No to Devin Harris (who is probably headed elsewhere) and Raymond Felton (whom the Nuggets apparently aren’t looking to move).
- Basically, it seems like the Hawks have called about every decent-to-good point guard who might be available. Of course it will take more than a new point guard to fix what ailed the Hawks tonight.
- The Lakers were smarter, faster and tougher than the Hawks.
- “I can go down competing, but we are not competing at our highest level it’s frustrating,” Al said.
- These beatdowns are becoming more commonplace. That’s four Ls in five, with three of them by at least 15 points. It’s also Atlanta’s fifth loss by at least 20 points this season.
- The Hawks are back to their habit of getting down big and staying there. “We didn’t play with an edge; we gave them too much respect,” J.J. said. “We didn’t have that fire, that competitive nature that we need. It’s frustrating, man. I don’t know what to do.”
- They could start by not continuing to jack up jump shots when they a) are challenged and/or b) aren’t making them. Both things happened against the Lakers, yet the Hawks kept firing away.
- Certainly it’s no easy task to score inside against all that Lakers size but it’s not as if the Hawks ever made a focused effort to try it.
- “I don’t think we went to the rim enough,” L.D. said. “I just thought we settled, which is starting to be a pattern with us. When you fall into that type of pattern when you are not making shots you’re going to struggle. We went 1-for-15 from the three, yet we settled for the three. We have to have more basketball savvy than that.”
- The Hawks got handled 54-32 on the boards. Los Angeles collected an astounding 42 of Atlanta’s 62 misses (not counting “team” rebounds) with Gasol and Bynum combining for 21 of those.
- “We didn’t play with physicality,” Drew said. “I thought they really banged us in the half court. I don’t think we responded very well to it.”
- This game showed the limitations of the big lineup. Twin is a good position defender but he can’t hang on the boards against the better big men. The Hawks actually had more success (relatively, at least) going small with Al working outside against Gasol and Bynum.
- The Lakers made 24 of 48 shots before emptying the bench in the fourth quarter. Kobe (20 points on 11 shots) didn’t even have to do anything special in his 26 minutes. Heck Shannon Brown took it to the Hawks and Joe Smith had three blocked shots.
- “They dominated on both ends,” Al said. “We really have some soul-searching to do as a team. It’s discouraging. We had a great practice yesterday, and to come out like that, it’s frustrating.”
- The Hawks botched five fast break chances by my count. Smoove threw a couple passes that smashed the backboard.
- Here was one inept fast break sequence: Mo fumbled the ball away while standing under the rim and missed a layup; Josh Powell tried to put it back only to get his shot pinned by Joe Smith, leading to an alley-oop dunk by Devin Ebanks.
- The Lakers presented Powell with his Lakers championship ring before the game.
- “I actually want to see it,” Al said. “I kind of saw it from far away. I know what it’s like to win. I did it on the college level. We are hungry for that. We are hungry to be in that position and we are not there yet.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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720 comments Add your comment
Air Zaza
February 23rd, 2011
9:18 am
Joe must have an All Star appearance bonus.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
9:21 am
SI on Larry Drew, Sept. 22nd, 2010
“Drew’s strengths and weaknesses are both related to the rapport he has with his players, who frequently had their differences with Woodson. “When anybody had any problems on the court, we used to go to him for advice,” Smith said of Drew. “He knows what everybody likes to do.” That’s great for initial motivation, but what happens when the players inevitably discover that the head man can’t please everybody all of the time?
THE RIGHT HIRE? Ultimately, no. But Drew is a reasonable and inexpensive gamble: Only two years and $2.5 million of his $5 million contract are guaranteed. The Johnson signing obligates the Hawks to soar or crash with the current personnel, who need to develop poise and a backbone. Hiring their confidante gives players more control, but it also pins the responsibility of adulthood more directly on their shoulders.”
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/britt_robson/09/20/new.coaches/index.html#ixzz1En9jTybw
Reality
February 23rd, 2011
9:22 am
How many times have the Hawks been routed this year? The ASG must go!! PLEASE Sell the Both Teams!! Sorry GM,Sorry Coeach and Sorry Players.. Im talking about both the Hawks and Thrashers. But that is what happens when you buy on the clearance rack…
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
GM 101, NEVER HIRE THE ASSISTANT COACH(HE’S A FRIEND OF THE PLAYERS). AS A COACH HE WILL LOSE THE TEAM,THEY WILL TUNE HIM OUT 9 OUT OF TEN TIMES……..NEXT 40 YRS?? SAME OLE SH$T???
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
9:23 am
LD is letting the hens run the hen house. Bad move all the way around.
Ida Ravin – Telling Josh not to look at the bench when you shoot jumpers at them, whoever “they” are was stupid advice. ASG should sue you for harming their product.
K.W.
February 23rd, 2011
9:24 am
So I guess the Hawks thought they were still on break.
Big D
February 23rd, 2011
9:26 am
To all you Hawks HOMERS, this team as constructed is 100% GARBAGE. Will never compete for division title, EC title or NBA title.
Long overdue to BLOW this team up
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:28 am
“1 in 175,711,536 are the odds for winning Mega Million.
1 in 195,249,054 are the odds for winning Powerball.
The Hawks odds of winning an EC or NBA championship
with the current roster are comparable.”
TRY ZERO CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:29 am
SOMEWHERE WOODY IS SMILING…..
Astro Joe
February 23rd, 2011
9:31 am
Najeh, then why is Josh leading the fast break? IMO, his worse shot of the night was when he went to the corner during a fast break opportunity like he was Ray Allen. He becomes the opposing team’s best friend when he takes himself out of position to finish a fast break. And it seems like that happens on about 50% of the fast breaks, he either tries to play PG or he stops just inside the 3-point ring for the open jumper. He is a top 5 finisher in the league but wants to be JJ Reddick. That has NOTHING to do with his teammates, that’s on Josh.
And no, Josh isn’t to blame for last night, I’m just discussing a specific issue that continues to plague this team… poor fast break execution due to self-inflicted decisions.
hawks poop
February 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
Question for anyone who knos the answer.
Is the trade deadline tonight at midnight or tomorrow night at midnight?
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:32 am
JOSH IS PART OF THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION…. SAD………
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:36 am
I SEE SUND AND GEARON ARE ON THE ROAD TRIP(1-3 SO FAR WITH 3 STRAIGHT BLOWOUT LOSSES).. I ‘D LOVE TO BE A FLY ON THAT WALL…..LOL
UP NEXT ANOTHER MASSACRE TONIGHT, THE PHOENIX SUNS………………..SAD……………..
Chris
February 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
Trade Trade And Trade. All we have to do is trade Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford, Zaza Pachulia, Maurice Even, Trade Exception to the Los Angeles Clippers for Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, AI Farouq Aminu. And thats all we have to do. Get it done!
Samuel
February 23rd, 2011
9:37 am
Joe,
People here don’t understand that the object of the game is putting the ball in the hoop. They seem to get easly fooled by slick “talk” of gimmick high school offenses that never work in the NBA.
LD basically just went into the interview and said anything that seemed 180 degrees from Woody and our ignorant owners fell for it, along with many of our fans. People keep trying to place all the blame on Bibby now but refuse to accept the fact that we have marginal talent. JJ was an allstar because Woody alowed him to do what he does best. Same with Jamahl. Josh Smith clashed constantly with Woody so now LD let’s him do anything he wants and Josh is going backwards. Every team in the NBA said our switching defense made us unique and hard to deal with. We abandoned that. So now we can’t score or defend. LD has lost this team already. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Knicks catch us.
jon
February 23rd, 2011
9:38 am
a joke of a franchise!
O'Brien
February 23rd, 2011
9:39 am
All Rick Sund has to do is ask himself these 2 questions.
Of the Top 8 teams in the East, and top 8 teams in the West;
1) How many of them would Jason Collins start (for) at center?
2) How many of them would Mike Bibby be the starter for at PG?
I think the answer to both questions is 0. Hawks need to make a move. They should have made it over the offseason, but better late than never.
And Although Rick Sund is travelling with the team, he is probably on vacation (I’ve heard Cali and Phoenix are great places to visit).
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:40 am
KNICKS WILL CATCH THE HAWKS OVER THE NEXT 3 WEEKS MAYBE SOONER..AND HERE COMES PHILLY TOO.I BELIEVE THE HAWKS HAVE THE TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN THE EAST FROM HERE ON OUT BECAUSE THEY HAD THE SOFTEST SCHED OVER THE 1ST 2/3…
joey
February 23rd, 2011
9:42 am
tom at 3pm
RaJaH
February 23rd, 2011
9:43 am
Teams said they had problems with the switching defense but it’s crazy how quickly they figured it out once the playoffs started.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:45 am
SUND ON THE TRIP TO FIND NEW FINISH HOLES AND GOLF COURSES. HIS CONTRACT IS JUST ABOUT UP..END OF THE SEASON.WHICH IS COMING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER….LOL
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
9:46 am
JOSH WILL NEVER GET IT…………………………………..YAWN
JETTISON THE CORE SCOTTIE!! MAKE IT SO…………………………..
JeJe
February 23rd, 2011
9:52 am
Worst starting PG in the NBA
Worst GM in the NBA
Worst ownership in the NBA
Marvin is actually a solid SF off the bench
I MUS WRITE
February 23rd, 2011
9:53 am
Pathetic effort last night. We have lost way too many games by 20 + points. This team doesnt play with heart or effort at times and its a direct reflection of our coach and star? player. LD and Joe look like they could care less at times.
I would look for a trade with Denver – Felton/Galanari/Nene for JC!/Smoove/Mo Evans/ZaZA
Im reaaly tired of all the Core group crap- the core needs to be shaken up because they are’nt built to win in the post season,I absolutely wouldnt be suprised at a first round loss this year-
Marvin straight up for Dhantay Jones…………..The expirement is over this guy sux big time
Note to the ASG make a trade asap or the attendance will continue to get worse -I for one wont be spending my money watching a team and ownership group not dedicated to winning……
I MUS WRITE
February 23rd, 2011
9:57 am
O did I mention ZAZA is HORRIBLE one of the worst big men in the league. He is D-league material all day-seriously how much worst could courtney Simms have been. I’d rather have SOLO back DAM Bibby ……………No comment.
AG
February 23rd, 2011
9:58 am
Coach Woody lite has the same exact statement after every loss. Also, so does Robin. Okay guys, you hear it from me Coach Woody Lite’s post game comments “We settled for to many jump shots, we were not physical enough, etc… Al quote for the defense “We couldn’t stop the dribble penetration and when we help we left to many jump shooters open”; Robin “We didn’t come out with fire (although he will not lead the team in scoring). Josh will have a great game tonight.
hawks poop
February 23rd, 2011
9:59 am
Thanks joey. Atleast I know when my fan hood of this team will be over. I’m an atl fan till the day I die but if the hawks don’t make a move I’m done with this team for good. This is pathetic. How can someone make millions of dollars and not put a 120% into every single second of what u do. A bunch of spoiled brats.
JeJe
February 23rd, 2011
9:59 am
LD HOLDS NO ONE ACCOUNTABLE. EVERY SINGLE GAME JOSH SMITH CHUCKS AND SCREWS US OVER. LD WILL NEVER MAKE LINEUP CHANGES. JUST LISTEN TO THE GUY TALK- HE IS A NERVOUS PERSON.
JOSH SMITH ACTUALLY THINKS HE’S A GOOD PASSER LOL. THREW A FREAKING PASS OFF THE BACKBOARD IN A 3-ON-1 FAST BREAK YESTERDAY.
HE ALSO ASKS LD WHAT IS A GOOD SHOT AND WHAT’S A BAD SHOT. WOW
Trojan
February 23rd, 2011
9:59 am
Worst starting center in the NBA, worst starting pg in the NBA, worst management and ownership in the NBA.
Marvin is not setting the world on fire but he is a very solid forward off the bench that can score.
Imagine how good our team could be if we had starting caliber (not great) players at center and pg.
PG is the leader of the team. Our team has no on court leader. Bibby is strickly a very limited role player. Should be 3rd string PG.
AG
February 23rd, 2011
10:01 am
O’Brien, Rick Sund needs to ask himself, how many teams would Bibby start for? What about Collins? I am sure plenty of D-League teams would not start these guys.
Reality
February 23rd, 2011
10:05 am
David Aldridge, NBA.com: 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.
O'Brien
February 23rd, 2011
10:07 am
With the way the season has gone (and I know its still early), LD is looking overmatched. And he is only making $1.5 mil next year, so I think he will be on the hot seast next season.
Josh Smith is shooting 19% from 3 for the month of February. What has happened to his improved jumper?
Sautee
February 23rd, 2011
10:11 am
Joe Johnson’s last 5 games:
11.2 points on .393% from the field and .231% from 3.
55 FGA with only 6 FTA.
His pay for those 5 games? $995,396.34
Which works out to $17,774.93 per point scored.
Maybe Sund should have tied Joe’s pay to Free Throws attempted.
Wow, that’s a lot of money for so little production. Joe, if you are getting big money, you need to produce.
Remember, as you said “No excuses”.
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:12 am
The SUND Dilema….
The ASG Don’t…
The Hawks don’t want to got into the Lux Tax..
They don’t want to give up youth…
They don’t want to give up draft picks…
They don’t want to trade jamal…
THE HOW DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO MAKE A TRADE, WITH A JEDI MIND TRICK!!!!!
The Hawks have to decide what is more important drfat picks or the Lux tax, because we can’t make a trade and have both in tacted.
To trade Bibby… You have to give up 2 1st rounders, because he is nolonger and NBA quality player…So you are basically asking a team to take his 6mil for next and what remains for two draft picks….
The Bulls gave up the 17th pick in the draft to get off Hinrich’s money and he can play.(Bibby should cost twice as much)
To trade Jamal… You are going to have to accept going into the lux tax next year, to get a player this year.
ASG Dilema…
Do you waste a year of you teams youth and hope for next year?
If we make it to the 2nd round or further, will we make up the cost of the lux tax?
I vote. Give up the draft Picks. You have 2 young players on your bench and you core… At the place your picking your picks have a slim chance for success.
Reality
February 23rd, 2011
10:15 am
APD needs to be on the lookout for a man wearing a number 2 hawks jersey, there is a robbery in progress..JOe Johnson is robbing the hawks for alot of money lol
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
10:15 am
Did anybody pay attention to Teague last night!?!?!
That Cat looked good.Starters minutes would really show some production from him..
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:16 am
THAT’S IT GEARON, YOUR FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
February 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
Excuse me Joe, I misspoke. You had 61 FGA with only 6 FTA.
Worse than I suspected. 1 free throw for every TEN FG attempts.
Lack of aggression?
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
STICK A FORK IN JOE………….HE HAS NOT SHOWN UP AGAINST THE WINNERS FOR A REASON HE’S JUST NOT THAT GOOD………………..
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:21 am
Hawks have no leverage….
Every Team in the NBA knows how important the PG position is and the Hawks are in GREAT NEED…They going to have to over pay.(Just like they did with Joe)
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:23 am
THANKU AFRO MAN FOR SCREWIN THIS FRANCHISE FOR YEARS TO COME..YOU BIG DUMMY………………………………ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
JoJo the Godfather
February 23rd, 2011
10:24 am
So the asking price for Hinrich sounds like Bibby/Expiring/Jordan or Jeff/Draft Pick.
And, the asking price for Sessions sounds like Teague/Evans for Sessions/Harris.
And, the asking price for Harris would be Jamal/Teague or Jordan/Draft Pick (I’m trying to make the most comparable deal to what they’re asking Dallas for: Butler/D. Jones/Pick).
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:26 am
COME ON MARVIN YOU NEED TO STEP UP TONIGHT AND SHOW THAT #2 LOTTERY PICK TALENT THAT’S BEEN BURIED IN YA FOR 6&2/3 SEASONS……COME ON DUCK STEP UP!STAND UP!……………….LOL
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
10:27 am
Man Chris Broussard says Atlanta is offering Bibby as the centerpiece to get Devin Harris, so thats why Devin want be in an Atlanta Uni..
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:28 am
DEVIN DEVIN DEVIN….COME ON DOWN!!!!! DUDE!!!!!
kjb
February 23rd, 2011
10:29 am
it’s time to blow the team up, let’s build around Al & Joe & get ready for Dwight, CP3 or DWill. in 2012, Trade everybody else!!
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:31 am
O’Brien – Even as cautious as Rick Sund and ASG are, I don’t think they wait until next season to put LD on the hot seat if this continues. I could see a realistic scenario where LD is fired by April I really do.
Play sub .500 BB, including double digit losses being the norm. Let the Knicks and Sixers start breathing down your necks. I say they start looking at an exit strategy from LD.
It would not surprise me if we lose badly tonight if Sund pulled the trigger on LD’s firing. I’m not predicting it, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
When your playing with 10’s of millions of dollars like ASG, you don’t fool around for long sometimes.
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:31 am
@JoJo
I don’t think they want and expiring contract for Hinrich…I think they want Teague/JC2 and 1st to take back Bibby.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:33 am
And I like LD as a person. He seems nice enough. But right now its obvious:
1) That the players are not listening to him
2) And he’s overmatched when it comes to rotations.
And we need a new PG, but I’m not sure that’s the answer. I’m more concerned we need a new Head Coach.
K.W.
February 23rd, 2011
10:34 am
I don’t think the Hawks understand that when the jump shots are not falling it’s time to drive to the hoop. Then those crazy lobs Josh threw WTH was that? It’s time to stop settling and make some moves. The excuses have to stop.