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
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:35 am
SteveW-Co-sign 10:31 post.
ASG wants the Home court and to make it to the 2nd round. If they think LD is going to be worse than Woody, the 1.5mil is small change…They will fire him.
Maybe that is why rick is with the team, to evaluate LD.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:36 am
Sund shouldn’t have to remove all of LD’s options to make him play the correct personnel, but I think that’s Sund’s only choice.
He really needs to trade Bibby, Mo’ and Jamal, because if he doesn’t, LD will continue making the wrong personnel decisions. It’s obvious as an ex-player, he has an affinity to vets, and a comfort zone with the guys he’s been around for years.
LD is currently the problem, nothing else. A good coach demands they listen, or takes appropriate action.
drmaryb (*_*)
February 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
790 The Zone
Doin’ Hawks Talk with Chris Broussard. He thinks Felton stays in Denver, they don’t trust Ty Lawson “all out” he is smallish at 5′9″ and Is he durable? Looks like we’re 3rd or 4th down Jersey’s list of deals for Devin Harris. Jamal and stuff won’t get that deal done per Broussard.
Beau Bock is screaming for Josh to GO INSIDE and Marvin Williams just plain sucks! Marvin can’t shoot already! He just can’t shoot and is useless! Beau Bock saids run like crazy and get Felton in here to run these guys! Scrap all that offense stuff and play some defense.
Geemack
February 23rd, 2011
10:40 am
The Hawks are offering Bibby for Harris?
No wonder NJ is talking to Dallas.
At least offer them Jamal Crawford expiring contract. I bet they jump on that, but Bibby?
JoJo the Godfather
February 23rd, 2011
10:40 am
Rufus1…if that’s the case, then Hawks would be taking on an extra $2M in salaries. Hinrich makes $9M…Bibby $5.5M, Teague $1.5M, Jordan $1M.
Reality
February 23rd, 2011
10:42 am
COACHING COACHING COACHING!!! When we traded for bibby we knew he didnt have much left but he was still gonna enough while we groomed a young point guard but we did not groom anyone. Acie LAq and now Teeague just sat on the bench while Woody and LD have rode the Bibby horse till the end. So what do they do try to trade Bibby when he has no value to any team… You either trade teague for harris or trade jordan crawford , I mean its not like our coaching staff can coach them anyways…
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:44 am
We have been outscored by a total of 71 points in 13 games since January 21st.
We have been beaten at home by 41 and 34 in that span.
We have also lost to Milwaukee and to the Bobcats (at home) during that span.
We have also lost to the Laker by 24. And it could have been 50 if the Lakers would have needed it to be. The game wasn’t even close.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
10:46 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.”
All good points. I don’t remember that particular play, but there’s no excuse for him not running down the lane on a fast break. Of course, if the Hawks had a real point guard, Smoove may not feel so compelled to handle the ball on the break.
Trojan
February 23rd, 2011
10:46 am
SteveW: Good point, the common thread for the Hawks is poor coaching and poor player development.
What can we expect, we have the lowest cost GM, the lowest cost coach and the cheapest ownership possible.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:46 am
Acie has actually found his niche playing behind Stephen Curry. Perfect fit for him and GS.
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
I want Both Hinrich and Jamal…
I want to send Bibby/Teague and 1st to Wiz….Then Jamal to the Cavs for sessions and fillers/ or JC2 for Sessions
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
Correction…I want Both Hinrich and sessions…
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
CORRECTION SUND IS LOOKING FOR “FISHING” HOLES ON THE WEST COAST TRIP……MAN I NEED ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE!! HAWKS HAD ME UP WAY PAST MY BEDTIME….
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
If I were Gearon (which I am not since I’m not a complete idiot) I would be issuing ultimatums right now. An ultimatum to Sund to find a way to get Devin Harris or Raymond Felton (or Steve Nash for that matter) in a Hawks uniform, and an ultimatum to LD to run the ball through the post on every possession. It’s about that time for the Hawks.
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
So in the last 13 games, we have had home losses of 41 and 34 (too a sub .500 team) and a road loss of 24 points, that could have been worse.
We currently stink. We’re not losing by 2 or by 8. We’re not blowing teams out. We stink, plain and simple
SteveW
February 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
Najeh – I would be giving ultimatums to play Jeff Teague.
And I wish I was an idiot worth 300-400 million dollars.
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
@Jojo
You are probably right.
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
Bibby and Jamal are the problems..
They are not scoring and they can’t defend… how are supposed to win?
Geemack
February 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
Enter your comments here
Rev in Tampa
February 23rd, 2011
10:55 am
The worm has turned.
I am with SteveW on LD being the chief problem. LD says all the right things before a game and we get our hopes up that real change is going to happen, but nothing happens except more of the same. Then after a loss he says the same old tired stuff about the players not playing with energy and the players not sticking with the gameplan.
Everything is so inexplicably broken that we are left wondering aloud (as the Laker’s announcers were doing last night) if the Hawks are out partying all night the previous evening.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
“We have been outscored by a total of 71 points in 13 games since January 21st.
We have been beaten at home by 41 and 34 in that span.
We have also lost to Milwaukee and to the Bobcats (at home) during that span.
We have also lost to the Laker by 24. And it could have been 50 if the Lakers would have needed it to be. The game wasn’t even close.”
I TOLD YOU PEOPLE THE BEATDOWNS WERE COMIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERES @LEWIS??HE’S BEEN MIGHTY QUIET??? I THINK HE JUMPED OFF THE BUS AND BROKE HIS ANKLES???….LOL..BARKLEY WARNED US TO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU JUMP NOT TO BREAK YOUR ANKLES WAY BACK LAST SEPT……..LOL
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Rev in Tampa
February 23rd, 2011
10:58 am
Rufus1,
You are correct when you identify Bibby and Jamal as problems because of their defense, but that goes back to LD who always has one or the other on the floor, if not both at the same time.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
10:59 am
STICK A FORK IN THE HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY ARE JUST ABOUT DONE…….SUND=SAD…….
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:01 am
“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).”
Jamal/Teague/pick is equal to Caron/Jones/pick. If Sund won’t do that deal he is a certified buffoon.
twitter.com/fakericksund
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:01 am
SURGEONS GENERAL WARNING: BOOZE & BASKETBALL, THE TWO SHALL NEVER MIX……………YAWN…
GUESS THE HAWKS DID NOT GET THAT MEMO………………………LOL
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:03 am
START PACKING LD, YOU’LL BE THE FALL GUY FOR SORRY SUND…….INVEST YOUR MONEY…..SOUNDLY…
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
11:06 am
Its LD’s fault for going with JC1,Bibby,Joe,Marvin,& Jason Collins vs Blake,Shannon,Odom,Gasol,& Bynum at one point.. :/
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:06 am
“And I wish I was an idiot worth 300-400 million dollars”
I COSIGN! LOL
vava74
February 23rd, 2011
11:08 am
It’s quite funny that the Nets ended up getting a better deal than the Knicks…
Nets just snatched Deron Williams
Favors and Harris to Utah
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
11:08 am
Well there goes Devin Harris and Deron William out the window
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:09 am
PHOENIX BY 30 TONIGHT…………SORRY NIQUE….
Rufus1
February 23rd, 2011
11:09 am
Rev in Tampa
I am really saying it is LD’s FAULT.
If LD plays Teague and we lose, I think that is Sund’s fault… As long a LD plays Bibby with his production, we are losing because of him.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:10 am
‘Nets just snatched Deron Williams”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????????????????????????????????????????/JOKE RIGHT?????? A DREAM RIGHT?????????????????????????????????????????/ OH NO……….SH$T…………………..
Trojan
February 23rd, 2011
11:10 am
Great point RUFUS1. How could Teague not get more minutes in a blowout.
Big D
February 23rd, 2011
11:13 am
DERON WMS to NJ for Devin Harris and Favors….
Why couldnt the stupid Hawks offer up JSmith and some pics for Harris and Favors who is a hometown product.
A win-win for the Nets and Jazz…..
The Hawks dismal mgmt lives on
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
11:13 am
slimjr its true
just broke on espn
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:16 am
Wow, I did not see that coming.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:17 am
Let’s be honest… there’s no way the Hawks could have topped that. Deron is better than anyone the Hawks have.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:18 am
“And I wish I was an idiot worth 300-400 million dollars.”
So do I.
slimjr
February 23rd, 2011
11:19 am
THANKS AFRO MAN.WE COULD HAD DEWILL 5 FREAKING YRS AGO………………………….CAN WE SHIP MARVIN TONIGHT?
Melvin
February 23rd, 2011
11:20 am
Deron to the Nets for Devin and Favors….WOW
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:20 am
“I would be giving ultimatums to play Jeff Teague.”
In the absence of Sund making a move for a legitimate point guard, so would I.
Shake Something
February 23rd, 2011
11:23 am
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4hsb56t
this was once offered but Atlanta wouldnt throw in Teague..Could have had soe frontcourt help and got sessions
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
11:23 am
So even the Nets make a big deal….and Deron Williams was the guy to get IMO! WOW, a huge deal.
Utah is starting to rebuild.
Nice job Rick Sund; one too many movies/vacations.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
11:24 am
Najeh, Utah just gave away their franchise player.
So now Avery has his PG…..
Surprise, Larry won’t have any all-star coming here to play for him.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Nets had something else up their sleeves as well. Deron and Lopez is a good combination, but they have a lot of cap space and assets to acquire a good wing player.
KevinM
February 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
Chris Paul is next…no way he stays in New Orleans.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
twitter.com/fakericksund
Jim
February 23rd, 2011
11:27 am
Hilarious Video on Sunday Alcohol Drinking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
11:27 am
I would offer everyone but Horford for CP3. Chances are they won’t take Joe’s contract anyway. Throw in picks if necessary.