Atlanta Hawks: Suns 105, Hawks 97
Phoenix–The news of the trade shouldn’t overshadow the fact that the Hawks are suddenly reeling. That’s three straight Ls and five of six with Golden State (tough matchup), Portland (tough team) and Denver (tough building even without Melo) still to go on this trip.
- Zaza was held out as the Hawks continued trade discussions. I’m thinking any swap would be big for big but no word yet on the details of the teams/players involved.
- But first some more reaction to the trade that did go down. . . .
- L.D. said the Hawks had been calling around on point guards for the last couple weeks.
- “As everybody knows we’ve been searching for a point guard for a while, somebody who can come in and run this club,” he said. “Not saying that Mike didn’t go a good job, but there just comes a point where a change has to take place. We as an organization felt like it was that time.”
- L.D. on Hinrich: “Kirk brings such a wealth of toughness at that position. He’s a heady guy, he’s a smart guy. All the intangibles you are looking for he brings to the table.”
- Jamal: “It’s tough to tell now [how the trade will work]. Mike was the leader at point guard for a while. Jordan has a bright future. Mo is just solid, gives you defense and 3-point shooting. But I played with Kirk Hinrich [in Chicago] and I know what he’s about.”
- Bibby was a popular teammate. He has a goofy personality and saw it as his job to keep the team loose (though I think the Hawks could end up benefiting from Hinrich’s more serious approach).
- It’s a business, of course, but there was a real sense of personal loss in Atlanta’s locker room.
- “Any time you make trades, it’s always tough, especially when you grow close and attached to players,” Drew said. “But that’s just the nature of this business. It just comes with the territory.”
- Bibby, Mo and JC2 were informed they might be part of a trade and stayed behind at the team’s hotel. Word trickled through the rest of the team but players weren’t told of the pending deal until just before game time
- Al: “It’s just tough for us right before the game to get this news. It’s kind of not unexpected since we’d heard but to hear it just actually happened . . .”
- Joe: “We let three good guys go who I had become really good friends with. But at the same time we understand the business aspect and this is the profession we chose knowing that trades happen. You have to deal with it. Getting Kirk and Armstrong is definitely going to contribute to what we are trying to do. Kirk is very defensive-minded and a guy who can really knock down the open shot and penetrate and make plays for others as well. I think he is going to be beneficial for us.”
- Moving Jordan and the first-round pick is the latest indication the Hawks, when push comes to shove, are more focused on making moves they think will help now vs. player and asset development in the future. I’m sure opinions vary on that approach among my blog people but, as I always say, the Hawks will be judged on what happens this postseason.
- Al: “Jordan, as short as time he was here, we know he has a lot of potential.”
- Drew on Armstrong: “He’s a big body. He’s athletic. He bangs. I like the fact he’s a guy who plays hard. You can’t have enough type of those guys.”
- Josh on Armstrong: “I think in the paint he can block some shots and be able to add that inside presence and help us out down there a little bit. When we played against them he was a effective in a couple of games.”
- Now on to the game . . .
- The Hawks rallied from 18 down to tie it at 92-92 with five minutes left. The Suns closed them out by winning the kind of possession-by-possession sequences in which the Hawks tends to falter. Not a good idea to get into a shootout with the Suns, who made 10 of 14 shots in the fourth.
- Perhaps it would have been different at the end without the big deficit or a back-to-back but it’s an L all the same.
- “It’s tough to spot a team 18 points and having to fight back, especially a team like Phoenix,” Drew said. “They shoot the ball so well, particularly from the 3-point line (13 for 26). We exerted a lot of energy to get back and I thought our guys wore down at the end.”
- The Hawks started switching on every screen, an approach that they theoretically should be able to scrap with Hinrich on the floor.
- “We couldn’t get [stops],” Josh said. “We ended up switching. Nash is a smart point guard. He knew where the mismatches were. Tip your hat to Channing Frye, he hit some tough shots on Damien. Damien was all over him but when you are 6-10, 6-11 you get that ball in position you want it’s kind of hard to block the shot.”
- Jamal’s scoring and Damien’s defense helped the Hawks get back in it. Jamal made five straight shots but didn’t have an attempt from 6:53 of the fourth until a meaningless layup in the final seconds. “I’m getting back to being me, for sure,” he said.
- Teague got his second career start was noticeably more decisive in driving the ball. Finishing was another matter though he still was 3 for 6 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line.
- “I thought he came out aggressive in attack mode and used his speed and quickness,” Drew said. “We need that. I thought he did a tremendous job breaking the defense down and getting to the basket. That’s the way he has to play. Don’t worry about turning the basketball over, just keep the pressure on the defense.”
- After 10 nights on the road I’m officially on the injured list (shoulder) after a bench press mishap in the gym yesterday. It’s after the All-Star break so I’ve got to push through it. Hurts like hell to lug around bags but I refuse to take the L of getting on one of those old folks carts at the airport tomorrow.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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802 comments Add your comment
John
February 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Ra’mon
February 24th, 2011
11:49 am
“Jeje, you say Josh doesn’t like to be told what to do, but he’s always looking to experienced players and trainers to coach him up with his OWN money. You say trade Josh for a C. But do you realize there are only 5 centers in the league who average more rebounds per game than Josh, and three of them are Al, Dwight, and Duncan, and the other two are Jefferson and Tyson (neither are available). After Josh, the next closest center in rebounds is Hibbert, who only averages 7 rebounds a game. The Lakers are the only other team besides the Hawks who have two players in the top 13 players in the league in rebounding. So what ever it is that you think you’re getting in a center by trading Josh, you’re truly misleading yourself.
Now if you would’ve said trade Josh for D. Williams or Chris Paul, no one would be able to argue with something like that. Yet the fact still remains, that Josh is a better PF than Horford. And Horford is a better C than a PF. Horford is in the top 4-5 centers in the league. Yet, Horford wouldn’t be in the top 8 PF’s in the league because of his inability to create his own shot. What the Hawks need is someone like Dalembert or Wallace who can come off the bench and still grab 6-8 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. The starting front court has never been the problem, other than Horford crying about playing C. Do you remember just last season, when Horford and Josh DOMINATED Gasol and the Lakers’ front court? Do you remember how Josh is the only Hawk who has success against Garnett on the defensive end?
Also, the biggest problem with Horford playing the PF position, is he still rarely posts up even at the 4. On Tuesday, how many times did Horford try to post up Gasol? He still does the same thing, and that’s stay at the top of the key and wait for some one to draw his man off of him, giving him an open look. The problem with that formula is, sure it helps Horford scores, but that doesn’t help anyone else on the team. When Josh or Joe posts up, they’re both doing so, while trying to force a double team. When Josh or Joe faces up someone and attempts to drive by their opponent, the defense reacts and rotates. That creates open shots for their teammates. Horford is an excellent mid range shooter, who makes you think his offense is really better than what it is. In all of these games that Horford has had only two games two games where he had 10 free throw attempts (Minnesota and Philadelphia- as a C, no games as a PF). In the games that Horford has played PF more, he’s only averaging 1.9 free throw attempts a game (compared to Josh’s 4 per game – which is low also, but still twice as many as Al). There’s no purpose of moving Horford to PF instead of C, if he’s still not going to be physical on offense.”
This is the best post I have read in a while. We are much more effective right now with Al at the 5 and Josh at the 4. Collins brings nothing other than saying he is seven feet tall. Al needs to realize that he is an above average PF and a great C. I don’t care that he is undersized. Moving Josh from the 4 really hurts us too.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Jason (Nashville, TN)
Has Dwight Howard ever mentioned the possibility of, or do you think he would even consider, going home to Atlanta to play?
John Hollinger
(1:00 PM)
I’ve heard mutterings he might like it here, yes, but Hawks would have to do some serious lifting to create that type of cap room. Another reason the Johnson deal was an example of myopic short-term thinking.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
im sure the above is contingent upon Josh Smith, his best friend, remaining in a Hawk uni..
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
“Najeh, you sound like you are McGrady’s agent? You really like his 2011 game?”
I like it enough to get him on a minimum expiring salary for the rest of the season.
Shake Something
February 24th, 2011
1:35 pm
Emir I doubt Prince comes back,Pistons like Jerebko alot more than,so marvin might be a backup where he belongs,and Daye would not see the floor anyway..Similiar to our Jordan Crawford situation I think..T Mac isn’t coming back after his performance and age,so he wants a ring and feels like he can go to Miami and contribute possibly.Memphis could slide a 2nd to Detroit..
Daniel
February 24th, 2011
1:36 pm
Najeh- I would expect more for Crawford, but I take your point.
Mr. Phil- I like your sense of humor. I therefore have changed my mind and will join your crusade. Abandon all hope to create change. It is a stupid plan but it just might be crazy enough to work. Certainly a better idea than paying Joe Johnson max money.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
for those that think Dwight wont come here.. think again.
natives from my generation are very loyal to the city. presented w/ the opportunity to come and play here, im sure Dwight would jump on it. especially if he fills he’d be the missing link. Dwight here will give him an equal shot @ a championship as any other city.
somewhere i know Cam is wishing he could get in that Dome on Sunday’s.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
*feels
cp
February 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
I thought Evans was hurt? If he is healthy then I’m all for it if it means no more Zaza
JeJe
February 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
Package Jamal for Al Jeff and bring Smoove off the bench if you can
JeJe
February 24th, 2011
1:39 pm
WHY DOES HALF OUR ROSTER CONSIST OF BIGS WHO DON’T/CAN’T PLAY?
WHERE WAS JOSH POWELL LAST NIGHT?
Mz. Hawkdafied
February 24th, 2011
1:40 pm
On a serious note, I was surprised to find out the Hawks actually made a trade. When the game started I was wondering where was Mike Bibby. I had missed the Hawks Live pre game show and hadn’t been on the net so I was pretty shocked.
Although the Hawks lost the game last night the comeback was pretty exciting and fun to watch. I’m gonna miss enjoying Bibby and Mo play in a Hawks uni every game. But I’m looking forward to see how Kirk and Hilton will impact the team and their push to and in the playoffs.
Sorry about your shoulder MC get well soon, be careful with those weights.
Peace out, Go Hawks!
Section 303
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
So…with less than 90-minutes remaining until the trade deadline, Zaza is still a Hawk? No one seems to be posting anything close to legit.
Have serious doubts that the Hawks will win again this season.
EmirS.
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
Wade did’nt go to Chicago.
LeBron did’nt stay in Cleveland.
Bosh did’nt go to Dallas.
It’s hard for me to personally beleive that Dwight would come here just becuase Atlanta is his home. However, I could see Dwight coming here becuase we do need 1 or 2 pieces to get to next level. Or because Josh plays here.
Sadly, I could also see him going to New Jersey to team up with Deron WIlliams. I don’t see him remaining a Magic after the 2012 season.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
“natives from my generation are very loyal to the city. presented w/ the opportunity to come and play here, im sure Dwight would jump on it. especially if he fills he’d be the missing link. Dwight here will give him an equal shot @ a championship as any other city. ”
No doubt. If the Hawks can show Dwight a reasonable chance at winning a title here in the summer of 2012, I think he’d give the Hawks serious consideration.
No way that happens without Joe’s contract being unloaded at some point before then though. If the Hawks want a serious shot at Dwight, they have to get rid of Joe and Marvin somehow and go into that summer with Smoove, Horford, and expiring contracts on the payroll.
lewis
February 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
If a trade happens at this point, there aren’t going to be any rumors, its just going to happen at the deadline.
terrell
February 24th, 2011
1:45 pm
“Gonna miss Mo and Bibby in a Hawks uniform?” Just like a dog misses fleas. lol!
JeJe
February 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
MC WHERE ARE THE RUMORS
lewis
February 24th, 2011
1:48 pm
maybe we should try to trade marvin for gwallace — not that they’d ever go for it
JeJe
February 24th, 2011
1:50 pm
No way we can afford Dwight with Joe Horford and Smoove here. Smoove would be pissed if he was traded for Dwight / there’d be no cap space
Shake Something
February 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
Wade did’nt go to Chicago.
LeBron did’nt stay in Cleveland.
Bosh did’nt go to Dallas.
Melo went to New York
mykhalc
February 24th, 2011
1:53 pm
JC for GWallace!!! then move Marvin’s sorry a$$ to the bench and ’see’ if what he can do as the main bench option??!! the answer is probably nothin’ tho…
Tremaine
February 24th, 2011
1:54 pm
We can’t get Kaman for Marvin?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
1:56 pm
I still don’t see anything anywhere about Al Jefferson. Jefferson is owed $14 and $15 million the next two seasons respectively, which makes it really hard to believe for me that they would trade for him unless a) Smoove was going the other way or b) they plan (haha) to flip him again this offseason for someone like Nash.
Shake Something
February 24th, 2011
1:56 pm
one hour left everyone seems to be stopping all talks of trades..
Tremaine
February 24th, 2011
1:58 pm
Marvin for Brook Lopez or Gortat.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
“Wade did’nt go to Chicago.
LeBron did’nt stay in Cleveland.
Bosh did’nt go to Dallas.”
those guys arent from my city.
again. the operative terms here were, “(natives)from my generation”. sure.. they are from my generation, however, not from here. Atlanta will crown you.. you will be the King of the city.. if worthy. Michael Vick, was well on his way to that and still holds that truth in most circles. this is an urban culture that caters to celebrity. if you born and bred.. and bring home the hardware… you can have it all. not to mention growing up, traveling, telling people you from Atlanta.. and they have something slick or stupid to say b/c they dont know anything about it. D12.. Josh… Joe puts Atlanta basketball on the map.
not only did those guys not feel that connection w/ their respective cities, the situation wasnt right. there is a BIG GLARING HOLE for one Dwight Howard. he fits right in here. dont be surprised that in the years to come, that Shaq effect is in play. whatever conference is home to the big man.. is the conference that will prove dominant.
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:06 pm
Mark Cuban in right. How in the hell the Hornets gonna make a trade, that takes on more salary when they’re owned by the owners themselves? lol! Taking on more salary using someone else’s money. “priceless”.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
but if we were able to package Al, at that point a 3 time allstar, for Dwight. so Orl isnt left w/ nothing.
im sure that fan base will rally around their beloved Gator coming home.
they lost the greatest big of all time (having not seen Bill, Wilt, Kareem), they can do it again.
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:07 pm
Zaza still here?
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
That GM that said he would make a deal for Zaza yeasterday must’ve sobered up. lol! And LD held him out. LMFAO!
Shake Something
February 24th, 2011
2:08 pm
Sadly Zaza is still here..
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
“yesterday”
Freshfromatl
February 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
Hoopshype.com:
Tom Ziller: Via @Brian T. Smith: no Jazz players untouchable. Utah needs to shed $5M to escape tax
Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter_media.html#ixzz1EuAtWt6U
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
lol@terrell
Mr.Phil
February 24th, 2011
2:10 pm
There was never a deal involving ZaZa. Cunnigham needs to admit he was paid to give us all false hope.
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
2:11 pm
Wade did’nt go to Chicago.. i wouldnt either w/ all those problems he has there..
Melo went to New York.. same type feeling of entitlement. though he came of age in Bmore
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:11 pm
Anyone ever tried Zaza’s restaurant? I hope it’s better than his b-ball skills. lol!
bigdave
February 24th, 2011
2:13 pm
i think it closed down..
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
48 min left. Come on Sund. You’re running out of time. Zaza already has his bags packed.
SteveW
February 24th, 2011
2:14 pm
Najeh – That Flynn/Brooks trade said that one of those pieces may be moving also after the trade. I wonder if we may be in on that action?
terrell
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
Damn. It closed down? Maybe he can open up another one in Utah?
Mr.Phil
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
I never noticed how bad the Jazz roster looks without Deron Williams. There isn’t anybody on that team I would want. Jefferson included.
SteveW
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
Troy Murphy is getting bought out, and Miami and Orlando want him really bad.
Curry is also, and he’s training for the Heat also.
Shake Something
February 24th, 2011
2:15 pm
LMAO!! I would help Zaza pack his bags,drive him to the airport, and kiss him good bye
SteveW
February 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
I wonder if we’ll be after one of these guys who gets bought out?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
2:16 pm
Cavs are about to trade Anthony Parker to the Celtics for Marquis Daniels, who is out for the season.
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
Could we at least give Zaza away so it eliminates Drew from playing him?
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
February 24th, 2011
2:18 pm
Could we at least give Zaza away so it eliminates Drew from playing him?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 24th, 2011
2:19 pm
Parker is nothing special, but he knocks down 3’s at a high rate and is a good wing defender. His salary is also low enough that the Hawks could use their trade exception on him, although of course this would put the Hawks in the luxury tax.