Atlanta Hawks: J.J.: ‘We all are jump shooters. That’s pretty much what it is.’
J.J. may have gotten to the crux of the matter when asked today if the way for the Hawks to get their offense back on track is to attack the basket.
“Maybe,” he said. “But you look at a jump-shooting team–we are a jump-shooting team. If shots are falling then, great, we are rolling. But one through five, we all are jump shooters. That’s pretty much what it is. Like I said, if we are making shots then we are probably unstoppable. But when we are not making shots those are the games we have to grind out.”
With the notable exceptions of the recent games against Portland and Chicago, the Hawks haven’t been able to “grind out” against better opponents. They remain, essentially, a group that wins by outscoring opponents, and one that generally must do so by making a high percentage of their long jump shots.
They still do so at an above-average rate for the season but not well enough to counteract their lack of scoring on free throws, their below-average 3-point shooting and their conversion of 2.4 full less baskets at the rim per game than the average NBA team. Atlanta’s effective field-goal percentage has nearly dipped to the league average.
Go figure: The Hawks now have a below-average NBA offense and an above-average defense. The Hawks had a much more efficient offense last season because they were much better at offensive rebounding and taking care of the ball.
I figured all along Atlanta wouldn’t be as efficient scoring this season, with a potential trade off that they wouldn’t be as predictable to defend in the playoffs. I didn’t know the offense would end up falling off this much. And now they are predictable in another way. It used to be that the ball stayed on one side of the floor as Joe did his thing so the defense had it easy. Now the proper plan vs. the Hawks is to induce them into taking long jump shots, collect the rebounds and beat them in transition as they scramble.
Back to J.J.’s point: Since the Hawks are clearly best at regularly creating open jump shots (no small thing in the NBA) and making them, why shouldn’t they just keep jacking jumpers until they fall and try to grind when they don’t? Their rate of making them is going to fluctuate but at least we know they can do it. Eventually. I mean, right?
What are the other options with this roster? They have no post game to speak of, unless L.D. can suddenly convince Smoove that he’s better off in the paint (unlikely since both men see this as a viable option). Joe, Jamal and Al can attack off the dribble but Joe isn’t making his floater now, Jamal’s iso game seems stymied by the offense and Al is more pick-and-pop than pick-and-roll or drives.
The Hawks can try to run more but that means defending, rebounding and/or forcing turnovers (which the Hawks do at a below-average rate). Running also means more turnovers, unless Kirk Hinrich (who is off to a high-turnover start with Atlanta) can organize the break.
And, anyway, the design of L.D.’s offense, at least as recently executed, seems to lend itself to creating open jump shots. Notice that when he talked about a Plan B yesterday, it involved feigning jump shots and driving to the basket past closing defenders. In other words, the main impetus is getting an open jumper and then using that threat to create a better shot, not getting that better shot through the execution of the offense in the first place.
What happened to all the post-ups and cuts we saw in the preseason and early in the year? Dare I say more Iso-Joe and Iso-Jamal going at the basket is a better plan than swinging the ball around only to jack up long jump shots anyway?
“I just think we have to continue to know where we are trying to get to and know who we are trying to get to score that play, whatever it is,” Jamal said. “If we point the ball in a certain direction I think we will be more efficient offensively.”
“We have to be more aggressive going to the basket,” Al said. “I think we can get baited into taking a lot of jump shots. Even though we are good jump shooters, at the end of the day you have to have a balance. We have to be able to do both to be successful.”
If he’s right about that but the Hawks just can’t do it because, as J.J says, the are a jump-shooting team at heart, then they are capable of looking really good in the playoffs because those shots are falling or really bad because they are not. Taking into account the nature of the playoffs, Atlanta’s poor ability to stick to a plan, and the fragile psyche as exposed by Orlando last spring, do you think the jump-shooting Hawks can carry the day as an underdog in a seven-game series?
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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376 comments Add your comment
Samuel
March 9th, 2011
7:37 pm
LD: “We’re in disarray”. What more needs to be said?
ag
March 9th, 2011
7:40 pm
I agree with MistaGamer that the plays designed have he and Al on the outside. If he is open, he should shoot. I just think we are all hard on Josh because we know with better decisions, he will be a better player. We are just upset with Marvin because he is not a point guard, nor is he a good SF. I think we deserved a 6′9″ scorer and impact player with the number two pick… and don’t say it doesn’t happened because it happened with Kevin Durant. The only difference was Durant was a NCAA star at Texas and Marvin was the 6th man at NC
darrell starks
March 9th, 2011
7:43 pm
Horford is not a center the hawks need size in the paint point blank period, untill then this team will always be the same or worst, LD HAVE 3 BIG NOW COLLINS, ARMSTRONG, ZAZA to bang and 2 make it physical down low these guys do not have 2 score not 1point, but if they defend down low that translate into easy basket, and will stop alot of this half court stuff with jumpshots.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
ag
March 9th, 2011
7:47 pm
DS
If you have an opponent that is bigger or has a strength, then as a coach you have to exploit their weaknesses. Gasol and Bynum can dominate in a half court game, but make them run, run and run. The one thing that the Lakers have is an identity i.e Kobe= superstar; Gasol= down low post player; Bynum +down low post player/rebounder; Artest = defensive specialist; Fisher+ 3pt assassin. ,
The Hawks… Joe (actually Robin); Josh ????? Marvin = (okay is identity is garbage boy); etc… If our players accept their roles, then the team will come together.
ag
March 9th, 2011
7:55 pm
DS
The only talent that those guys have is they are tall! I really wish Hilton was a great rebounder or Twin was a good defender and low post scorer. You didn’t mention Etan, who I remember from his days with the Wiz was a very talented player. ZaZa is not complete, but when he has his heart in the game would be the best option.
darrell starks
March 9th, 2011
8:00 pm
AG im give you a prime example, remember the year hawks was swept by orlando in playoffs because of superman in the post, 95percent of his points was dunks and layups because the hawks had no size in the paint, but when collins guard him this year howard scored but his points was tough basket away from the rim, thats the point when team score easy on the inside that mean your team is soft and have no toughness and what it does it destroy the confidence on defense and make easier for your opponent.
GO HAKWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JeJe
March 9th, 2011
8:05 pm
Since everyone on the team is on the wing trying to get up jumnpshots, we have no post game and NO offensive rebounds
LOL
What a joke
RaJaH
March 9th, 2011
8:09 pm
I saw my first billboard of one of ATL’s franchise basketball players while driving up 85 this morning. That’s right… ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY! The Dream will hang a banner in Phillips before the Hawks make it to the conference finals. But it’s all good though cause I’m still a Hawks fan!
Mac-Town, Georgia (urban-macon.blogspot.com)
March 9th, 2011
8:09 pm
Starting 5:
SG – Kirk Hinrich
SG – Joe Johnson
SG – Marvin Williams
PG/SG – Josh Smith
SG – Al Horford
RealSquawk
March 9th, 2011
8:12 pm
How about that draft?
Sautee
March 9th, 2011
8:13 pm
Ron,
Blog monster got my last post to you. Needless to say it’s my view that if you paraphrase, then you should indicate that you did. It’s that simple.
In your comeback post to me here’s what you said: “It’s not in the exact words that I mentioned, but I definitely see an indication from Drew that he wants Horford to play away from the basket more to utilize “his advantage”.”
If you had said THAT originally, the only thing I would have said is “nice post”. I can agree with that somewhat, though I’d argue that there’s nothing that definitively shows that LD would RATHER have Horford outside, as you suggested.
Anyway, I think you understand my point. If it’s nitpicking to ask that we all not attribute words that weren’t said, then I’m guilty of nitpicking.
But the idea behind it is blog integrity.
Sautee
March 9th, 2011
8:16 pm
LOL@ mac-town
prison mike
March 9th, 2011
8:19 pm
It’s funny johnson would say this when he is the main culprit. Josh while taking too many jumpshots does take it to the cup more than anyone else but gets easily frustrated by the lack of foul calls that is getting under his skin.
Johnson has no go to move. He does the same dribble routine that stymies the offense into what ends up as a semi desperate jumpshot for him and others nearing a shot clock violation.
O'Brien
March 9th, 2011
8:25 pm
The problems with this team all starts at the top. The ASG, and Rick Sund.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
darrell
Calm down young fella. Since you like size without talent, then go find Eddie Curry and the 10.3M the Knicks paid him to stay away from MSG while they desperately needed a Center. Also, see if you can recover the other 22M he stole for the 38 mins he has played for them the last 3 years. (correct my numbers if wrong, but they’re close.)
Then go to Memphis and look for Thabeet, see if you can shake him down too. Maybe a rebound or blocked shot will fall out of his wallet.
I mean, darrell, we can do this all day, but with a few brain cells you can multiply these two by over 100 other 7 footers who were a waste of human tissue in the NBA.
Look no farther than Atlanta. We got Collins who has ankles set in concrete. His jump shot is flat footed and nailed to the floor. He can not move to a rebound, offensively nor defensively. If his arms weren’t so heavy? Maybe he could raise them up and block one shot thin two seasons. He does stand there and can take a charge pretty well, but that’s because he can’t move to get out of the way.
If anyone with size could play center, then every team in need of one would have three. But, as we know in the real world. Centers are like azz-holes! Everybody needs one. Unfortunately, there is only ONE dominant center in the NBA: Dwight Howard! Bynum (often injured) is a close second. After that, who do you see dominating? I’m not talking about scrubs and losers. See Celtics and Lakers (last 5 champions) as a reference to make your argument please.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 9th, 2011
8:35 pm
Barber Shop Talk!
To the wise guy … (ellipsis). Hey man, we all misspell words on here, consistently.
But, we can all tell typos from ignorance. Sometimes, we say THERE when we really mean THEIR, or TO when we mean TOO, and that’s “kewl” too. The older I get, the worse I spell. LOL
But, that “consistant” was really messing with my vibe. Sorry. I was starting to think I had it wrong. I just had to call that one out, before I had a nervous breakdown.
But, at the end of the day? It’s just a casual and fun conversation.
Ok, I’m done for the day. I gotta’ go. Thanks for all the banter, it helps ease some of the pain from my Hawks losing.
Mmmmmmwah!
drmaryb (*_*)
March 9th, 2011
8:42 pm
“The problems with this team all starts at the top. The ASG, and Rick Sund”
_______________________
O’B! Brother, you ain’t never lied. Amen!
O'Brien
March 9th, 2011
8:43 pm
From Hoopinionblog.com;
Joe Johnson: “[W]e are a jump-shooting team. If shots are falling then, great, we are rolling. But one through five, we all are jump shooters. That’s pretty much what it is.”
As Josh Smith approaches taking half of his shots from outside of 16 feet, Al Horford adds the corner 3 and the step-back 18-footer to his arsenal, and Johnson is on pace for another career low Free Throw Rate this must surely be the apex of one-dimensional inefficiency if not also self-awareness, at least in Johnson’s case.
ESPN’s new director of analytics, Dean Oliver, in essay about the Miami Heat addresses two topics relevant to the sputtering Atlanta offense: over-dribbling and the absence of the -roll part of the pick-and-roll..
Paradise Lost
March 9th, 2011
8:45 pm
@RaJaH – Maybe the Dream would be amenable to mentoring the Hawks on how to play with heart and passion. Just a thought.
@drmaryb – Many thanks for your diligent work in demanding a modicum of English grammar standards (basic 4th grade spelling words, Blog People! Come on!!) that contribute to the integrity of this blog. It is my genuine concern that this and future generations of Tweeters and bloggers who are limited to expressing life-changing existential ideas in 140 characters will forget what real English words look like.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging…
JeJe
March 9th, 2011
8:45 pm
JOE CAME BACK EARLY FROM INJURY SO HE COULD MAKE THE ALL STAR TEAM. HE HAS SINCE THEN TANKED FOR THE SEASON
HE ALSO INEXPLICABLY PLAYED TOUGH D ON KOBE IN THE ALL STAR GAME WHICH MADE KOBE GO OFF ON US
GOOD JOB JOE
Ron
March 9th, 2011
8:48 pm
Sautee, drmaryb, and whomever it may concern,
I was away from the blog for a while, but I just looked at the recent comments and it seems like things with the whole “misquote” issue have gotten way out of hand. As I said before, what I did with the “misquote” (for the record, I never actually quoted L.D. in the original post) was an honest mistake. I think I’ve made that very clear by this point. I didn’t say that it was alright or that it was my intention. I even mentioned that I should have used another word or phrase rather than “said”. Not only did I clarify myself in my last post, but I stated that my intention was not malicious at all, and I think that was very clear from the start.
I’m well aware that you should not misquote anyone (although the media does this very often), but for the record, if I have to clarify myself again, I was typing a long post, and at the time when I mentioned Drew’s comments on Horford, “said” was the first word that came to mind, although something like “Drew’s comments seem to suggest…” would have been more accurate. I’m well aware of that, and I do not need a lecture on this matter to be further aware of it.
My blog posts are purely recreational, and forgive me if I don’t analyze every detail to determine whether I’ve made a mistake like that each time. However, don’t get me started on blog integrity. If you want to preserve that, there’s a ton of work to be done here. People not only misquote, but attempt to impersonate, harass and even slander the names of those in the Hawks organization on a regular basis. This is nothing new or unexpected on an informal blog, but the integrity of most statements on blogs such as these are far from genuine, and while I appreciate the fact that you want to preserve the truthful nature and integrity of what is said, I’m not sure if that goal will ever be accomplished.
At any rate, I think you made your point in the first post, and I’ve made mine. I made a small mistake unintentionally and should have corrected it sooner, but there was no malicious intent, and the erroneous remark has been clarified. End of story. To me, this is water under the bridge at this point.
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
8:54 pm
Hey DEPT? This is what I think of . …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………LOL
drmaryb (*_*)
March 9th, 2011
8:55 pm
This is Nice!
Because, ag said it best when he purported,
“We are just upset with Marvin because he is not a point guard, nor is he a good SF. I think we deserved a 6′9″ scorer and impact player with the number two pick… and don’t say it doesn’t happened because it happened with Kevin Durant. The only difference was Durant was a NCAA star at Texas and Marvin was the 6th man at NC”
Paradise Lost
March 9th, 2011
8:55 pm
“Centers are like azz-holes! Everybody needs one.”
@drmaryb: I must respectfully disagree. Clearly the Hawks have chosen to go with an ostomy pouching system thus negating the need for a real azz-hole…er, I mean Center.
Paradise Lost
March 9th, 2011
8:56 pm
@Slimjr – Good one. roflmbo
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
8:57 pm
“To the wise guy … (ellipsis)”
What an azzhole………………………………………………………………………………………..
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:00 pm
“@drmaryb: I must respectfully disagree. Clearly the Hawks have chosen to go with an ostomy pouching system thus negating the need for a real azz-hole…er, I mean Center.” wtf? LOL…
GT Alum
March 9th, 2011
9:02 pm
Ugh, looks like it’s possible ASG can sell the Thrashers while holding on to the Hawks and Philips Arena, which seems to be their preference. Really depressing news to me since I have no interest in hockey. If that happens, watch the Thrashers start to soar while the Hawks continue to just glide at the same level. http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-thrashers/three-entities-in-discussions-866892.html
Harper Smith
March 9th, 2011
9:02 pm
No wonder so many people don’t waste their time with blogging. I came on here to read about thoughts and opinions about the Hawks, but more than half of the discussion is people complaining about mispelling, having the wrong word in a quote, using the wrong grammar, etc. And then, the people getting harrassed about those mistakes retaliate with their own silly comebacks, and then we have 3-4 pages of nonsense that most people don’t even care about. By the time I scroll passed all of the nonsense, I’m at the end of the blog.
Some of you people need to get a life. If you have nothing better to do than look for reasons to call out others on this blog for stupid mistakes, then you must have very depressing lives. I thought we were here to talk about basketball, but instead it just turns into a bunch of mini-wars of nonsense. I guess some people just need to make themselves feel good by pointing out what’s wrong with everything someone else types.
I don’t give a flying Hawk about people using the wrong number of dots in an ellipsis, or spelling consistently wrong, or paraphrasing statements incorrectly. I can’t even believe that I wasted my time looking at those idiotic posts. Now, I feel like I’ve wasted time form my day on stupidity. Anyway, how about instead of people policing posts, they just share their basketball thoughts and ignore the nuances and little mispellings. It’s such a waste of time.
I don’t want to hear another word about a damn ellipsis!
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:03 pm
ISO JOE= whats a pick and roll???????????? We be Jumpshooters B?
shaad
March 9th, 2011
9:03 pm
the hawks nxt year should try and get love like send josh packing and probably sumbody off the bench and a second round pick and the line up should like dis
hinich
joe
marvin
horford
love
what u think huh
Harper Smith
March 9th, 2011
9:06 pm
Before some idiot starts nitpicking at my post too, I meant to say “wasted time FROM my day…”, not “…form my day…”. I think I put the right number of dots into those ellipses too.
rusty
March 9th, 2011
9:08 pm
First of all jj shut your dumb azz mouth.you don’t use your head before you speak too bad we can’t fine you 1 mill every time you say something stupid & non productive we might get some of our money back. This team will never be good with Joe here, his selfish style of play monopolizing the ball & time cloak. God how I hate the way he plays. There are a lot of players in the league who make a lot less than he makes & gives a lot more to his team than he does. We should be willing to give him up to the nets for some high draft picks. We would be a lot better off if we did. Ld has to go he seems to get more stubborn & stupid every day. This man is incapable of coaching a NBA team.
We can blame him for much of what has going wrong this year. The funny think is if he had done what he said he would do this team would have been a successful. Watching the thunder game I seen a center who could really help us & there is a good chance he will become expendable when Perkins comes back. Oh I seem to think we seen him before here how stupid this team is
Rashod
March 9th, 2011
9:09 pm
Joe Johnson is Garbage,look how tall he is & he’s scared to drive.Why did he get that big deal !!! Five more years of this crap.He supposed to be the leader,he should be saying i have to drive more & not shot bricks all night,but he’s let us know he’s going to bricking.Fire everybody that thought it was a good idea to give him the Mega Deal.He a rich man,with no pride.I know he could care less about anything i have to see,because his Paid/Made for the rest of his life.PUNK
James
March 9th, 2011
9:10 pm
So, since I can’t conduct a poll on here (officially), I was wondering if some of you would be so kind as to share your opinions with me on a certain matter. I’d like to know what the general perception of L.D., as a head coach, is at this point. Are you impressed with his coaching? Do you feel like he’s doing an adequate job? Are you disappointed in his coaching? Do you feel like he’s a coaching genius (that’s probably a stretch), or do you feel like he’s totally incompetent (that’s another big stretch)?
I’m just curious what all of you think. I’ve already shared my opinions on him, now I’m wondering what some of you diehard Hawks fans think. Please, share your thoughts if you have the time.
terrell
March 9th, 2011
9:16 pm
Knicks are ballin, Hawks are fallin. Sad.
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:19 pm
and Philly is red hot!
Row 109
March 9th, 2011
9:28 pm
FIRE LD, he has no control of this team, just listen to him talk. The players do not listen. We have alot of talent, a stronger Coach would get so much more out of these guys. FIRE LD
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:31 pm
Uh OH! Knicks up 15 in the 3rd. Here they come! Man those two Knick announcers on NBA TV make Bob and Nique sound like amateurs….Wow , Night and day difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RealSquawk
March 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
nba drafte anyone? It’s just hard too be a Hawks fan right now. Hawks fan squabbling over petty things while the Hawks remain lose and get ready for the post seasen. We will all be celebrating because clearly the hawks are just positioning themselfs for a favorable first round match up. The team is fine they are just tired and who wouldn’t be. Plus like really it isn’t like their is much we can do? Unless Rick Sun is here looking for advice or if one the owners is here looking for advice there is nothing we can do. I know it feels good to get out your opinions, but really it isn’t healthy. Action is healthy very healthy. Try doing something for the team like showing up for games or protesting games. Even though that will not work because there will always be the other fans.
We could do something together and make it a publicly owned team like a company, but I think they already tried that.
Worldwide Clyde
March 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
We all know what needs to happen but will it happen?
We need a center. Will it happen?
We need to stop shooting jump shots. Will it happen?
We need to run more. Will it happen?
For 6 years now we have been on this blog going back and forth about what the Hawks need but nothing seems to get done.
We need more results. If we don’t get them we’re going to get swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Sautee
March 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
One final thought on “policing” posts. There is a HUGE difference between calling one out over grammatical or spelling errors and pointing out a mistake of fact. Ron inadvertently attributed something to LD that he never said. That’s quite different from a spelling error or the number of dots, etc.
Ron, it’s to your credit that you accepted what you did and stepped up without rancor to explain your thinking. I’ve enjoyed your posts and look forward to more.
I have no problem with you. Thanks for your explanations.
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:40 pm
Read my virtual LIPS! 18 brutal games left and the Hawks are playing at a 3-7 pace per 10 games, Simon says they will go 4-14 and end the season as a 7th seed..Which means they will get swept by Chicago in the 1st rd………..Thank you Simon says………………Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Clyde.
Jae Evolution
March 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
Holy Sh*t the Spurs are shooting 80% from the FIELD against the Pistons at halftime, that is UNBELIEVABLE.
EmirS.
March 9th, 2011
9:43 pm
Larry Drew
Once again Mr.Drew is an offensive minded coach. I believe he sees offense leading into defense which is clearly the opposite. From day one his rotations have been all about offense and scoring. (Ex. Jamal & Bibby at the end of games). Thus again leading to the opinion of “offense to defense”. Im unhappy that he continues to have people who are cold as ice on the floor. When we have leads (due to defense), he sticks in an offensive minded player (Jamal) while we have a 6 or 7 point lead. He seems to want to take the lead further up….by sticking in offense WHILE taking out defense. So again “Offense to Defense”.
I continue to be baffled by his roations at given times. I beileve he needs to actually expirement and not just talk the talk. At times when we have a lead, I dont understand why we dont use a backcourt of Teague and Kirk to sustain leads. While having Joe and Al in for scoring. And to top if all of have, Smith in for an even greater boost of defense.
I don’t think he’s a bad coach. I think his mindset needs to change dramatically tho. We have pieces to be like a better Chicago Bulls team, but with greater offense. I know I get PISSED of as well when we lose games that we should have won. Good or Bad teams. Most of the times it dose’nt fall on the players. The player’s do what they do best everytime on the floor (Ex. Jamal Scoring or Zaza scrapping). It’s on LD to put the right personnel on the floor at the right times. And so far he is still unable to do so.
Jae Evolution
March 9th, 2011
9:43 pm
Also Boozer was injured on a flagrant foul at the end of the Bulls game and was said to be unable to return, so look out for that, might catch a break against the Bulls.
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:45 pm
okc beat philly in overtime by 5 110-105! Whew…………………
Jae Evolution
March 9th, 2011
9:46 pm
^ Knicks are still looking like they will get the W.
Slimjr
March 9th, 2011
9:47 pm
Hawks get blown out by 17 tomorrow..Remember they are jumpshooters on the road??? ISO JOE ISO JOE ISO JOE……….Marvin just sit down…………….
RealSquawk
March 9th, 2011
9:50 pm
Emir S.
I am not saying that you are wrong about Larry Drew being a good coach, that just needs to change his mentality, but I will say that I remeber saying the exact samething about Mike Woodson. That is all.