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Atlanta Hawks: Thunder 111, Hawks 104

11:32 pm March 4, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

  • After this one, there seemed to be a disconnect between what L.D. and the players were saying.
  • The coach thought the Hawks didn’t push back against the Thunder’s physical play: “Take nothing from Oklahoma City; they are a good team. The disappointing thing is the physicality in which they played with, we didn’t match it. We didn’t get after loose balls. We didn’t get on the floor. Yeah, they were coming over our backs on some plays but you have got to box out, you have got to get your body into them. They fought screens. They played with a physicality that we did not match.”
  • The players seemed to think they gave what they had but just couldn’t get it done.
  • “That was a tough one, man,” J.J. said. “I thought we came out with the right energy and effort in how we wanted the game to be dictated. But we just didn’t get stops when we needed them down the stretch like we wanted to.”
  • “I like the way that our team came out and showed up,” Al said. “Yeah, we could have probably picked up the intensity more. But I felt like we played hard. We were one or two plays away but we couldn’t get it done.”
  • Under the circumstances, I’ve got to side with the players.
  • The Hawks ran into a very talented offensive team with a top 5 player in Durant playing at a high level (despite a supposedly sore ankle). Westrbook is a tough cover, too, and he was playing with a swagger. The Thunder made some shots and were 20 of 21 on free throws.
  • “The Hawks are a great team and they bring the best out of us,” Durant said. “We shot well against them from three, and me and Russell and James all were hitting from outside.”
  • “They are a very talented team,” Drew said. “They can beat you in a lot of different areas. They are big, they are physical, they are strong in the backcourt. Obviously Durant is one of the top 10 players in this league. You can have to bring a physicality when you play this team. If you don’t they beat you up.”
  • Sure, but the Hawks had Josh in a suit and Al saddled by foul trouble. So of course they struggled to protect the paint and box out. Who else on this team is going to do those things against OKC’s solid front line (that will be scary deep when Perkins returns)?
  • “I don’t think we did well as far as protecting the paint,” Al said. “It had something to do with me being in foul trouble and not wanting to be as aggressive helping out. They took advantage of that in the first half. After that, they seemed to have the shooting and the scoring in the paint going.”
  • Perhaps more Zaza (six minutes) might have helped. And after praising Armstrong before the game L.D. gave him a DNP-CD and played Etan (who did have a productive seven minutes).
  • I thought the only thing the Hawks were horrible with was protecting the ball. They had 16 turnovers for 27 Thunder points and a decent amount of those were unforced errors.
  • Hinrich struggled to stay with Westbrook (and jawed with him throughout the fourth quarter). Eventually Hinrich started going under screens, which opened everything up for Westbrook.
  • Teague didn’t have much better results vs. Westrbook and Maynor gave him a little trouble, too. But Teague was making his floater (he’s 4 for 4 in the official boxscore but I remember him missing a free-throw line jumper).
  • James Harden got to the rim, too. “When he’s playing aggressive and takes the ball to the hole, he’s hard to guard,” OKC coach Scott Brooks said.
  • Jamal had 19 points on 13 shots. He twice drew fouls on 3-point tries.
  • The Hawks had success with Joe posting up Sefolosha early in the game. Then Joe left with a cut lip courtesy of an Ibaka elbow to the face. In the second half his attempted post-ups never really materialized and the offense stagnated as he dribbled.
  • After the Hawks got within 102-100 on Marvin’s putback, they failed to score on their next three possessions. Al missed from 20 feet, Jamal missed a forced 3 and Al missed a turnaround J. Al got five shots in the fourth, second to Jamal’s 6, but couldn’t get in a rhythm.
  • Westbrook made the dagger.
  • “I thought Kirk played great defense,” Joe said. “He took a tough shot and made it.”
  • “That’s a shot that we would live with,” Drew said. “The only thing is we didn’t contest it. He knocked down a big shot.”
  • The Knicks are next. Then the Lakers, Bulls and Blazers.
  • “They are going to keep coming,” Al said. “We have to move on. We have to learn from this.”
  • “We are all right, man,” J.J. said. “We are in a good position right now. We control our own destiny with these last 20 games left. Somewhere along the line we have to string together five, six, seven eight good wins.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

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79 comments Add your comment

Rufus1

March 5th, 2011
11:32 am

We need all our players healthy…

Contrary too popular belief, we need all our players Healthy to win in the playoffs. We don’t have a “Super Star” or the bench dept that can elivate this team above it weaknesses. Each player plays an important role in the winning process for the Hawks.

The last two games were a perfect example of how team needs change from game to game. The Bulls only have one who can get to the rack consistantly, while OKC had 3. Without Josh, they consistanly exploited that weakness.

My hope is that we are healthy when the playoffs start….If not we have no hope.

Rufus1

March 5th, 2011
11:36 am

I don’t agree

Double Zero Eight

March 5th, 2011
11:37 am

Iso JoJo returned last night during the second half.
If the Hawks are to stand a chance making it past
the first round in the playoffs, Marvin will have to
average 14 points a game. Based on his inconsistency,
that would be wishful thinking. Looks like Slimjr. is correct
in his one and done assessment.

The “number two” pick in a draft that is in his prime, should
easily be able to average 14 points per game, especially with
his size. He should be shooting at least 6 to 8 free throws each
night.,

Dukester

March 5th, 2011
11:51 am

Mighty funny people are saying we are missing Josh when the other day Al scored 31 pts the question was lets trade Josh we dont need him.

I will say it one more time if you look at the sports that have goals and rims they always have a assigned defender to protect them. See- Hockey and Soccer.

Over the last 3 years the hawks had chances to get legit centers that could fill that role. Tyson Chandler was traded for a bag of basketballs twice. If you cannot defend inside out (high precentage shots) you cannot sustain a strong defensive game. I love Josh for what he brings and I love Al for what he brings. I want to keep them both at the salaries they deserve and ar getting.

This team was set back when we resigned Bibby,Zaza and Marvin. Powell, Twin, Armstrong are all weak attempts to address this issue. Sund should be fired for signing all of them. I am sure Woody asked to have his “core” of Bibby Zaza an Marvin back and thats why he was fired but as a GM you have to trump the coach and say no.

Ryan

March 5th, 2011
12:04 pm

Did you just say al wont play d? Lol moron.

doc

March 5th, 2011
12:05 pm

DING!

Freshfromatl

March 5th, 2011
12:43 pm

slimjr, dude how many aliases do you post under?

W.R.Terrell

March 5th, 2011
12:57 pm

We lost last eve against the Thunder, who shot the lights out. The good news is that without that “smoove” fella the ball moved pretty good around the horn, besides the somewhat POUNDING of ISO Joe but the ball did move much better. When that “smoove” person comes back we will have to deal with his simple minded play of being the “STAR” which means ball break down. No ALLSTAR game for him until he realizes his niche and it ain’t being a guard for rally screw ups. I’m not that high on the guy. The Hawks scored the Thunder just scored more and our ball movement was pretty darn good. Let that “smoove” person stay out a lil longer and we may actually see a diff in the team, that kid is a bog down with trying to be something he’s not

W.R.Terrell

March 5th, 2011
12:57 pm

We lost last eve against the Thunder, who shot the lights out. The good news is that without that “smoove” fella the ball moved pretty good around the horn, besides the somewhat POUNDING of ISO Joe but the ball did move much better. When that “smoove” person comes back we will have to deal with his simple minded play of being the “STAR” which means ball break down. No ALLSTAR game for him until he realizes his niche and it ain’t being a guard for rally screw ups. I’m not that high on the guy. The Hawks scored the Thunder just scored more and our ball movement was pretty darn good. Let that “smoove” person stay out a lil longer and we may actually see a diff in the team, that kid is a bog down with trying to be something he’s not

Rufus1

March 5th, 2011
1:03 pm

Did anyone see the “ELITE” Miami Heat last night….

The National Media said when the Hawks lost to the Hornets, “Good teams done lose like that”……NOW WHAT..LOl!!

or

How about the improved Knicks about to fall to the 7th seed in the east…LOl!!!

darrell starks

March 5th, 2011
1:08 pm

ARMSTRONG HAVE 2 PLAY, THE HAWKS IN THE PAINT ARE RANK 23 IN REBOUNDING.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

March 5th, 2011
1:10 pm

ROTATE COLLINS, ZAZA, ARMSTRONG AT CENTER AND STAY BIG.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!

darrell starks

March 5th, 2011
1:16 pm

BALLER AL IS NOT A LIABILTY ON DEFENSE, it’s just he playing out of position, the guy is not a center but LD continue 2 play him at the 5 instead of the 4.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!

Little Fawkers

March 5th, 2011
1:45 pm

I respect Larry Drew but at some point dude you have to stop calling out your players and make them play to level you expect from them. You are the coach right? Some of his comments seem to be coming from a fans viewpoint when he is the one in “control” of these losers.

I predict we finish ten games behind Miami and get ousted first round of playoffs. Am I the only one that realizes this group has peaked? Time to rebuild AGAIN. Poor franchise.

tom

March 5th, 2011
1:55 pm

while every win or loss is important here on out for positioning in the standings, i can stomach this loss because they played decent enough to keep it close. a few lucky bounces the hawks could have won. Also we will not see OKC in the playoffs, my only concern is how the hawks fare against Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Orlando.

Ms. Jones

March 5th, 2011
2:07 pm

Iso JoJo returned last night during the second half.

When that “smoove” person comes back we will have to deal with his simple minded play of being the “STAR” which means ball break down. No ALLSTAR game for him until he realizes his niche and it ain’t being a guard for rally screw ups.

I agree. JJ netted 6 points in the second half when he started the Iso Jo plays. JS low basketball IQ coupled with his big ego makes him a liability at times. He should just play the game and not focus on trying to be a Super Star.

brigadierjerry

March 5th, 2011
4:21 pm

I have a question for what you guys think is the best way to build a team. Multiple superstars or very good players with depth? i think it can only win if u have muliple superstars with different games. Much like Boston has an enforcer in KG, in n out wing player in Pierce and a shooter in Ray. That model works. Now the Heat big 3 is the wrong combination of players. All of them r basically wing players. They lack an enforcer. LeBum n Wade have the potential to be a poor mans version of Jordan/Pippen but what those Bulls team had was 1. enforcer(rodman,grant) 2. a coach that knew how to manage a game. I think the Hawks with a move here and there can really have a chance to compete to get to the finals.

tom

March 5th, 2011
7:08 pm

a quote from Prokhorov, owner of the nets

“If you have the most money, you can compete. In the NBA, money is important, but it is not enough. You have got to be very smart. In the process of selecting players in the NBA, as soon as you make one mistake, you are out [of title contention] for five or six years because of the salaries.”

Dukester

March 5th, 2011
7:37 pm

Its amazing how some people on this blog say things like “Josh Smith’s low basketball IQ” as if he is a 6′ 9″ mentally challenged short bus front seat rider. Yes Josh has a big ego and it leads him to do things outside of a team concept that when he is not successful in shooting jumpers it hurts the team. Yes when he dribbles and makes bad passes it hurts the team. I hate to see him do those things too. But I will say this check out Josh’s steal to turnover ration and his shooting percentage and see where it is in comparison to other power forwards in this league. I mean if any player go 5 for 20 in a night it hurts the team. Why is it that when Josh does he has “Low basketball IQ”. There is not a player in any sport that does not have flaws in a team concept that hurts the team. Quarterbacks think they can make throws they cant make (hurts the team) Defensive backs jump routes(hurts the team) Coaches go for it on 4th down and fail(hurts the team).
Pick a game every night in any sport and I can show you bad decisions by players and coaches. Why is that Josh Smith has a low basketball IQ?

slimjr

March 5th, 2011
8:33 pm

slimjr=slimjr….The one and only……

Thank you…

slimjr

March 5th, 2011
8:34 pm

Josh never took basketball 101…………Enough said……….

slimjr

March 5th, 2011
8:37 pm

When was the last time the Hawks beat the Thunder??? 1995???? Joke.. Laugh…..

Ken Strickland

March 5th, 2011
9:05 pm

I’m seeing too much of MWoodson in some of the decisions being made by LDrew. After complimenting a young(HArmstrong) player for having a good gm, Drew follows it up with a DNP CD, even when he can do exactly what’s needed.

They were killing us penetrating and finishing at the rim, especially James Harding, and Drew decided Zaza, JPowell and EThomas were the answer? HArmstrong is as tall(6′11″)as either, and is certainly quicker, faster, more athletic, and/or mobile then either player. He definitely would have been a better option on DEF, and certainly did enough against the Bulls to warrant more than a DNP CD.

EThomas had a good gm, considering how long he’s gone without playing, but he couldn’t provide what we needed on the defensive end. Drew has got to start doing a better job of utilizing his resources, and matching what is needed with what we have. We needed a DEF presence in the middle last night, and HArmstrong would have been a far better option than JPowell, EThomas or ZPachulia, especially with JSmoove out and AHorford in foul trouble.

We can’t go into the playoffs with the kind of STUBBORN STUPIDITY LDrew exhibited last night. He’s got to start using what is needed to solve a problem, rather than what he wants.

Samuel

March 6th, 2011
12:36 pm

That’s funny. I noticed many of you laughed at the little piece where Drew dissed Woody but not listing him as a mentor. Funny stuff Ken, keep it coming.

Samuel

March 6th, 2011
1:27 pm

LD=Woody²

JeJe

March 6th, 2011
1:51 pm

WTF was Hinrich doing on that play where Russell hit the dagger?

well be better when?

March 7th, 2011
9:13 am

We get rid of

Sund
Cunningham
Drew
Horford

Time to rebuild baby. The idiots that run this team are clueless. Hawks need a center. Al will be a weak defender whether he plays powerforward or center. Josh is much better

CP3
JJ
Duck
Smoove
Superman (dwight Howard)

Championship team.

well be better when?

March 7th, 2011
9:16 am

LD is Woody Lite. Of course you defense has to be scripted to over come the weak defender under the basket named AL Horford.

Woodson was the right coach for the team.

Sund is the wrong GM
Cunningham is the wrong Beat writer
Drew is the wrong coach
Al is the Wrong center.

well be better when?

March 7th, 2011
9:18 am

5th seed this year, 1st round loss to Knicks.
8th seed the next year
Lottery candidates from then on.

We miss you Mike Woodson!

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