Nuggets 102, Hawks 87
Greetings, all-
Perhaps the craziest thing about this game is that the Hawks were up 12 at one point. It’s almost unbelievable given the way the second half played out. Which, as you know, probably even better than me, is how a lot of second halves seem to play out.
Al Horford: “We’ve just got to share the ball. I think at times we do it, at times we don’t.”
Jamal Crawford: “I think we have to learn to handle adversity. I think that’s our final step in becoming a great team. … We have to learn to take a team’s best shot and bounce back and withstand whatever run they have and come back and win.”
Josh Smith: “Sometimes we fight back, sometimes we lay down. I think it’s too late in the year to be inconsistent. We’ve got to know what we’re going to get from each other. We’ve got to play hard every night.”
- Team Jump Shot collapsed against Denver, which kind of plays like you’d hope the Hawks would play – moving the ball, transition game, putting pressure on opponents defensively, several players who can score (maybe this is where the Hawks are not so much like the Nuggets).
The Hawks didn’t make jumpers and failed to re-direct their focus on getting better shots. This might explain it. The Hawks took 19 shots in the paint before halftime. They were down four points and Larry Drew felt they were fortunate to do so.
“It’s plain and simple, which I told them at halftime,” Drew said. “We can’t come down and take a bunch of long shots. We have to establish an inside game.”
With that message ringing in their ears, the Hawks took 21 shots in the third quarter. Two of them were closer than 10 feet. It bears mention that they actually shot really well in this quarter – nine for 18, including three of seven from 3-point range.
It’s kind of the trap with this team. Periods or games like that serve to reinforce the notion that they can thrive as an outside-in team.
- Smith missed seven of his first eight and was pulled. I don’t know that I’ve seen that happen this season that quickly.
Drew: “Their game plan, obviously, was to give us the perimeter shot, but we have to establish ourselves more in the low post.”
I asked Smith if he was surprised when Drew took him out in the first quarter. He said no.
“When somebody comes and gets me (to take him out of the game), as a teammate, I just sit down and understand what I’m doing wrong and try to correct it when I get back in the game.”
Smith’s shot selection (4-for-16) was the most obvious thing about his game. I think it should be pointed out that he also got to the line more than any of his teammates, had nine rebounds and three blocks. And I think his knee is limiting him. All that to say, he is more than his shot selection, but his shot selection certainly is a considerable part of his game.
- Zaza Pachulia continued to earn extended minutes. He got 33 minutes and finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, both team highs. It’s the first time he has led the team in scoring all season.
“Zaza played a [heck] of game,” Smith said.
- The team made little effort to push the ball. The Hawks had 21 fast-break points against Milwaukee and 13 against Denver. In the Lakers game, the last one I covered, it seemed like the team was intentional about pushing the pace – running hard up the court – with every miss or turnover. I saw little of that effort against Denver.
Offensively, the ball just didn’t move well. When it did, getting out of double teams into rotations, the shots missed.
“We became pretty easy to defend,” Drew said.
Horford: “I think that when we play the right way, like yesterday, everything was great. Today, we get away from things we’re successful with and we struggle.”
- Defensively the Hawks gave the game away in the fourth. Shortly after getting to within three points, the Hawks allowed Denver to score on 11 of 12 possessions, a lot of them on secondary-break situations. A lot of open looks on 3-pointers. Drew called it “poor.” I imagine you all might have other words, but poor is a good start.
- Three players scored in double figures off the bench – Pachulia (19 – he was a ridiculous eight for nine), Crawford (6-for-13 for 13) and Marvin Williams (four for 10 for 10). Hawks only used nine players – Hilton Armstrong, Jason Collins and Josh Powell all received DNP-CD’s.
Regardless of how the Hawks played, the Nuggets are quite a team. They’ve got scoring options all over the floor and are on a remarkable hot streak.
“This is a team that’s playing rejuvenated,” Smith said. “You really don’t know where the offense is coming from because they have eight guys scoring in double figures and they look like they’re in sync right now and they’re definitely playing defense and helping each other out.”
Asked what would happen if the Hawks played like the Nuggets, Horford replied, “then I feel like we would be a better team and we would be playing like that.”
Miami comes to town Friday. I suppose if you are a glass half-full sort of person, then perhaps you think the best thing about the Hawks’ inconsistency is that they can win after stinking up the joint. The Hawks have beaten Orlando (twice), Chicago, New York and Portland after losses.
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259 comments Add your comment
STRETCH
March 17th, 2011
8:57 am
“It’s plain and simple, which I told them at halftime,” Drew said. “We can’t come down and take a bunch of long shots. We have to establish an inside game.”
That was Larry Drew once again. Man, Avery Johnson would have had this team fighting for atleast a 2nd seed!
Jerry West
March 17th, 2011
9:16 am
Avery Jawnnnnson woulda grated on these dudes and they’d have quit on him. And the ASG wasn’t gonna pay him.
Thibodeau on the other hand doesn’t make a whole lot more than LD, but wasn’t considered it seems. Ah well.
terrell
March 17th, 2011
9:25 am
JAMAL IS NOT A PG! Why does everyone know this except LD? Got 2 pg’s that play defense on the roster, yet he rolls with Jamal in the 2nd half. Fire his azz. And stop talking boutplayers taking jumpshots, if you’re not going to do a damn thing about it.
STRETCH
March 17th, 2011
9:27 am
Im still trying to figure out how a team with
- 2 players with back to back allstar seasons each, one that could have been an allstar, but the votes dont lie (the fans know he’s a head case).
- Reigning 6th man of the year
- A first round pick PG
- KH, a guy with a rep around the league as a solid player, tough defender
- Five guys 6-10 or taller, three of them who NEVER see the court
What gets me is that after every loss, they are still talking aobut the same reasons about why and how they lost. TIME TO BREAK THIS THING UP, THEY ARE DONE…IM DONE WITH THIS GROUP!
I MUS WRITE
March 17th, 2011
9:29 am
Enter your comments here
SteveW
March 17th, 2011
9:45 am
LD’s wife got their son kicked off his High School team recently. Google it
prison mike
March 17th, 2011
9:46 am
If I had to choose a player that lost this game, it would be JS. With that said, it’s obvious something is wrong with legs/knee.
I MUS WRITE
March 17th, 2011
9:47 am
So the team has stopped listening to ugly suit man huh? SMDH I dont think they every really listened to him -all summer he said the same garbage about Josh/Al posting up more …..Fail -they have been shooting from the perimeter all year even against smaller teams.
Joe Johnson- Im looking for this man like i used to look for waldo. WTF is up with him -he pulled a david blain just like I thought he would. its almost like he doesnt show when we play teams over 500. IMO Wilson chandler has out performed Joe and marvin this year. I really wanted him and Chandler in FA last summer.
I keep say’n this but teague is a liability 50% of the time. Denver gave him open shot after open shot and that yungn was gun shy all night . He is super quick in the open court but he doesnt convert at the rim enuff for me. In the playoffs its more of a slow down grind it out half court game and his inability to knock down the open shot will be exposed.
Maybe when the team is sold we can get that PG/C that we’ve been looking for since Mookie and Mutombo left. Al is a warrior but is helpless in the paint against guys like Bogut,Dwight,and NeNe.
JEEZUZ …………ZAZA is a Joke. he is the worst big we have IMO. I counted atleast 10 plays where he got the ball within 8 feet of the rim and couldnt score. Birdman Anderson and Ne Ne took his lunch money. this dude is an unathletic flopper who does nothing but get an occasional put back or rebound. 2 down 2 more to go. Bibby Evans gone………next up Marvi/ZAZA
Can't Watch Any More
March 17th, 2011
9:48 am
I can’t watch these Hawks any more. We have good (not great) players who refuse to simply play as a TEAM. Until the Hawks can establish an inside post game from 1 of their players NO reason for them to be in the play-offs. It looks like time to break up the core and try and at least get a MAN to play post-up basketball.
I MUS WRITE
March 17th, 2011
9:50 am
Salmon Gritz Eggs Toast Coffee good way to start the day.
SteveW
March 17th, 2011
9:50 am
We got better talent, Denver has a better Coach. That about sums it up.
And Marvin is way better off the bench than starting.
And Ld’s gotta take drastic action to get Josh’s attention. Pull him alot sooner when he’s following the game plan. Yell at him. Something
Eatin' Turnips
March 17th, 2011
9:52 am
Not too worried about last night. Anyone noticed that Denver may be the hottest team in the league right now? Playing with chips on their shoulders, they are not only beating, but manhandling a lot of good teams. Hawks should have their act together tomorrow night…
SteveW
March 17th, 2011
9:54 am
“not following the game plan” in the last post is how it should read
ShempHoward
March 17th, 2011
9:56 am
The Hawks have found the WINNING FORMULA and the SECRET WEAPON for success. The Hawks now have TWO point guards who immediately CHANGE THE INTENSITY OF BALLGAMES. When Hinrich comes in the defensive intensity goes up several notches and the Hawks give up nothing. Then when supersub Spud “Jeff Teague” Webb comes in, the Hawks play an uptempo game and they have the potential to run their opponents right out of the gym. These two subtle changes in their lineup should last all the way through the end of June and should allow the Hawks to hoist the championship trophy at the end of the season.
vava74
March 17th, 2011
9:57 am
I’ll try to be brief since the Hawks are no longer worth the hassle of too much typing and too much time off from my responsibilities (I’ll probably fail to be brief anyhow):
First and foremost culprit is LD.
LD said that he can live with Josh’s antics.
That allowed Josh to regress from his all-star play of last year to the Jekyll & Hyde 2010-11 version (with Hyde capitalizing).
Last night it took LD 7 missed jump shots from Josh in 6 minutes to bench him… what an idiot!!!
LD continues to use Jamal at the PG slot to close the 3rd quarter and start – and sometimes even finish – the 4th quarter – and lose game after game in the process.
Seeing the Nuggets run the exact same pick n’ roll play with Felton and Nene on the right block over and over with Jamal failing (not trying) to keep up and then the defense scrambling leaving shooters free, like JR Smith was PATHETIC.
LD is like a dope addict and Jamal is his dope: after the second half against POR in which Jamal played well and scored 20 and then against the MIL sleepwalkers dished 8 assists LD simply could not resist to dump the defensive backcourt experiment and go back to his dope…
Only and idiot coach would not realize what was happening last night against the Nuggets and try to stop it. A DARN IDIOT!!!
And that was not the only period of the game in which Jamal was on the floor during DEN runs:
check this:
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20110316&game=DENATL
Jamal started the second quarter on fire and help us get a 12 point lead – THAT WAS THE MOMENT TO TAKE HIM OUT AND DEFEND THE LEAD.
Later, midway the quarter, DEN made a run and Jamal was on the floor.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT BB IS A GAME OF RUNS. WINNING BB is all about making your own runs (where Jamal is useful) and then FEND OFF the opposing runs (where Jamal is useless).
LD should have gone with Wilkins immediately after we got the 12 point lead. HOLD THE FORT since DEN was bound to make a push.
It can’t be a coincidence that most, if not all, opposing game changing runs happen with Jamal on the floor.
Also:
LD says that he can live with Josh’s jumpshots and with Jamal’s extra streaky shooting and nearly absent D but then he can’t live with Teague’s offensive struggles? Even after he has proven his worth as a decent defensive PG which greatly improves the team’s overall defensive play?
Why?
Teague was not particularly good last night but he had 2 steals and 1 block in 20 minutes, which is sometimes what Josh brings – statistically – on the defensive end (reversed is more the norm with 2 blocks and 1 steal).
Teague was damn unlucky when he blocked Ty and the fumbling ball went back to him for a lay up to end the half, but YOU CANNOT IGNORE that Teague was doing his job on that play.
Surely those stats (2 steals 1 block) alone negate somehow 3 of his missed shots… this without entering into the discussion that even having trouble against Ty and Felton (who are currently giving problems to EVERYONE in the league) he was still able to keep up moderately well and contest shots.
During the first quarter, Ty and Teague matched up had the following numbers (7min 31sec):
Ty – 0/2FG 2/2FT 2 reb 1 ass
Teague – 1/3FG 1stl
Then Ty had a very good second quarter with the last 8 minutes, but Teague was on him only 5 minutes and still produced 1 stl 1 blk and 2FT.
Teague did miss his FGA, but heck, who isn’t missing them these days? JJ was 0/4 from the field during that DEN run.
At least Teague’s shots are usually in the paint and have produced a few put backs.
Teague played approx 12.30 of the possible 24 in the first half. We were down by 4, even withstanding Josh’s first quarter, JJ’s horrible shooting in the second and an unlucky layup by Ty to close the half.
Teague played 7 minutes (3 in garbage) of the possible 24 in the second half. We lost by 15 (-11 in the half).
Second line of culprits:
Players themselves:
Josh and Jamal: they are what they are and LD is responsible for managing their characteristics (miss managing is the correct status quo) and for giving them too much slack.
Nonetheless, their basketball IQ is close to ZERO.
Al: he should stop whining about touches and use his body and drive. Last night he was again intimidated by Nene on both ends of the floor. I am starting to consider him a powder puff b*tch. Does he only play as a man against his buddy Noah? Clearly he took upon himself to play like a man on that game, why doesn’t he do it all the time?
Sure, Noah is lightweight but “heart” beats “sheer mass”. Noah brings it every night (I am recanting my position on the Noah-Horford debate).
JJ: Another b+tch: I am 100% convinced now that JJ instead of manning up and imposing his will against Josh’s antics and Jamal’s lack of D and against LD’s utter lack of skill as an HC simply sulks and goes into “autistic mode”.
Last night JJ went autistic when he saw Josh trying to emulate his game against MIL jacking up stupid jump shot after jump shot.
Also, I am 100% sure that what happened in Josh’s head was:
“JJ dominated last night with his jump shots, so I need to dominate tonight and show him and everyone that I am also the man and that I can shoot”
Basically, Josh instead of using his head, uses his dick to dictate what he does on the court.
He must have an inferiority complex due to his jumper just like guys who have small dicks overcompensate with big/fast cars or any other stupid ego boosting scheme.
These guys are headed nowhere and will be humiliated again in the playoffs.
They are just like stupid little backstabbing b*tches who are envious of one another, always trying to steal each other’s boyfriends (playtime/shots/attention/recognition) on their backs and to add up to this, have a spineless idiot as an HC.
Someone around here wrote an interesting “essay” on LD using the benchmark to evaluate his character the way that he and his son treated the benching of LD Jr at North Carolina: like spineless wimps.
I don’t know the intricacies of that situation but it seems to fit the mold of what we have with the Hawks: LACK OF BACK BONE TO FACE ADVERSITY/RESISTANCE FROM OTHERS
Sautee
March 17th, 2011
10:09 am
From last night’s blog:
cp,
“Woodrow had one plan and one plan only. If that didnt work then the Hawks were in trouble because he didn’t have a plan b.”
cp, you know the answer to this one. Of course Woody had a plan B.
Plan B was to try harder at Plan A.
(Thanks, O’Brien)
Huskie
March 17th, 2011
10:15 am
Said all along, play Hilton Armstrong and Hawks win, you don’t play him and Hawks lose. Do the hawks play defense? Josh Smith needs to sit if all he wants to do is shoot 3’s.
Sautee
March 17th, 2011
10:17 am
Buddy Grizzard,
Nice post, but I have a question. And I’m not trying to defend LD here, but I have a 27 year old son. At times I needed to let him fail in order to learn.
So my question is this: What if LD was convinced that his son was better off out of the spotlight of UNC? As a dad, you do what you think is best for your child. If that was the case, and it was a done deal by the time LD spoke with Roy, then what else needed saying?
If you have “knowledge” that this was not a possibility, then let us in on it.
And, no doubt, LDII made a horrible decision to talk that way about his time at UNC. Stupid quote, just stupid.
CavilierJones
March 17th, 2011
10:33 am
Huskie: Amen brother. All Josh Smith ever does is DO THE SAME STUPID THINGS EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY BALLGAME. I WONDER WHY THE COACH (LARRY DREW) IS AFRAID TO TELL JOSH TO S-T-O-P DRIBBLING THE BALL DOWN THE COURT LIKE A GUARD, AND TO STOP LAUNCHING THREE POINT SHOTS. THIS IS WHAT HE DOES ALL GAME IN ADDITION TO TURNING THE BALL OVER. What you get from Josh Smith is 3-fold and you get it every single game. 1. Dribble the ball down court as if he is a guard (ALTHOUGH HE IS NOT); 2. Launch 3-pointers as many as possible; and of course 3. make as many turnovers as you possibly can (maybe set the record for turnovers in a game). These are josh’s three goals every game and I wish someone would sit down and talk to him about it and tell him to stop it because it is hurting his team and preventing the Hawks from being a consistent winner.
Sautee
March 17th, 2011
10:35 am
rk,
You said this: “AH has the fourth best shooting percentage in the league and gets about 5 to 6 shots a game. JS takes 16 to 18 shoots a game.”
Sorry man, but that’s incorrect. Here are some average shots per game:
Al :12.1
Josh: 15.6
Joe: 21.2
JC1: 16.5
I agree that Al should shoot more BUT he passes up opportunities over and over. It’s almost like he’d rather be a point forward. He needs to be set up as he is somewhat challenged to create his own shot. I’d like to see him post up more, but that doesn’t seem to be in the offensive plan (your complaint and mine). I also think he should drive more from the top of the key.
But he gets more than 5 or 6, and if he were more aggressive, like Josh, he’d get even more shots. I think Al has a hard time being selfish.
Rev in Tampa
March 17th, 2011
10:55 am
Although it is PAINFULLY obvious and has been stated several times today I will feel better saying it myself. By limiting Teague and Hinrich in the second half in favor of Jamal LD lost this game for the Hawks. The team all but overcome Josh’s horrible start to the game by coming within three points of the lead, but having a porous perimeter will eventually catch up with you.
andre`
March 17th, 2011
10:57 am
I’VE SEEN AND READ QUITE A FEW YOUR COMMENTS.IT IS CLEAR THAT NONE,IF ANY PERCITIPATES IN ANY SPORTS.I’M 44 YRS OLD AND HAVE LIFTED WEIGHTS FOR OVER FOR OVER 20 YRS.MY MAX ON BENCH 425LBS. SQUATTED 500LBS. DEADLIFTED 450LBS.THE LESSON THAT’S COME MY WAY IS….NO MATTER HOW WELL PREPARED ONE MAY BE,IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT THING PUTTING IT INTO ACTION…EXAMPLE..EVEN AT MY PEAK STRENGTH I FOUND IT DIFFICULT AT TIMES TO 225LBS FOR REPS. WITH ALL THE SPORTS COMBINED,YOU PROBABLY COULDN’T PRODUCE MORE THAN 100 ATHELETES THAT CAN PERFORM ON A DAY IN AND DAY OUT BASES.YOU’D BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND THAT MANY. THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY…..THE HAWKS HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT PLAYERS ON THE FLOOR AT ONE TIME,SOME PEAKING,SOME NOT UP TO PAR.ALL HAVE THE DESIRE TO WIN,BUT AT THE SAME TIME EITHER YOUR MIND OR BODY HAS OTHER IDEAS.IT DOSEN’T MATTER HOW MUCH YOU’RE GETTING PAID.THE HAWKS ARE HUMAN.IMPERFECT HUMANS AT THAT.AND SO ARE THE REST OF SPORTS WORLD.THAT WOULD INCLUDE YOU ALSO.PLEASE ENJOY THE GAMES.THAT’S ALL IT IS TO US SPECTATORS A GAME.THE HAWKS ARE DOING WELL.THEY ARE GOING TO THE PLAY OFFS,AND I HOPE THEY SUCESSED.IF NOT I’VE ENJOYED THE SEASON.THANK YOU.
tony
March 17th, 2011
11:08 am
ASG need to sell this team before they run it completely into the ground. That’s the only thing left to do because every year they make poor decisions for the team.. Here’s my reasons for saying this.
1) They traded away our 2001 draft pick to Vancouver to bring Shareef Abdur-Rahim(another forward) to Atlanta when we needed a center. Pau Gasol could of been our future center if we had the right people making the decisions for this team .
2) In 2004 they drafted 2 forwards in the 1st round when we needed a true pg. Instead of taking JS they should of draft Jameer Nelson.
3) They traded Boris Diaw and 2 1st rd draft picks for a player(JJ) who has ZERO leadership ability. If they needed a sg who has leadership ability they should of sign Manu Ginobili or Ray Allen.
4) It was super clear that we needed a true pg when they draft MW. Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Raymond Felton were there for the taken. The sad thing about drafting MW is that he was a bench player. I was furious when they call his name. I thought I was having a bad dream.
I had no idea that they were going to replace Mike Woodson with a inexperiece hc. I thought for sure they were going to hire a high profile coach who has a winning record especially since we were so close to going deeper into the playoffs. With the recent trade for Captain Kirk.might have hurt our chance of drafting a true center(Keith Benson) in this year’s draft class.
Hire Bill Laimbeer
Draft Keith Benson-c and Darius Moore-pg
Sautee
March 17th, 2011
11:53 am
Thank God March Madness is here. We get to watch players who CARE.
O'Brien
March 17th, 2011
12:00 pm
I hate to bring this up (I really do). And maybe I’m out of line. And MC/Ken Sugiura, feel free to comment.
But…LD is the head of his family, the leader of his household etc…right?
Well considering the issues his family has been dealing with, does that carry over/reflect on his leadership as a HC?
One of his sons was kicked off his high school team, and it was reported that LD’s wife had something to do with it.
Their other son quit on UNC in the middle of the season, and it’s reported that his wife had something to do with. Also, it was LD Sr who called UNC’s coach to tell him of his son’s decision, and the UNC coach and players were all caught off-guard by it.
And it’s reported the main reason for leaving is because LD’s son lost his starting job to a freshman.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/seth_davis/02/07/hoop.thoughts/index.html
/
So is it unfair to compare LD’s leadership at home to his leadership at his job?
Ken Sugiura
March 17th, 2011
12:01 pm
wow. A citation of Ohm’s Law and a psychoanalysis of Larry Drew. This is what makes the blog enjoyable.
One thought on Drew’s treatment of Smith, and it’s merely a theory on why he doesn’t take the harder stance that many of you advocate. I wonder if Drew thinks that he risks losing Smith completely if he benches him for long periods of time, chides him, etc. He’s said multiple times that he’s willing to live with Smith’s less savvy decisions so long as he’s contributing in other ways, and I know that they’ve certainly talked about his shot selection, and Josh is aware of the issue, so it’s not like Drew is completely turning a blind eye. Remember this may be Drew’s only chance at a head coaching job. Perhaps he would like to be more hard-line but this isn’t high school basketball. I’m guessing he doesn’t want to be remembered for being the guy who got in a shouting match with one of his best players during a game that precipitated the team going in the tank the rest of the season. Being a rookie head coach managing a room full of millionaires is probably trickier than we realize.
Miles D
March 17th, 2011
12:02 pm
First of all, we need to start running our offense through our bigs or should I say Al Horford! Our offensive set where we have our post guys getting the ball at the three point line is not where they need to get it! LD needs to switch up offensive sets. We are too predictable like the Falcons! Teams adjust to our set and we don’t have ANY option but to go one on one when once our options break down! He needs to tell Teague to breakdown the D, then kick! I garantee we would be better off that way! Just like Nash does for Pheonix does. Our points need to probe the D for pressure points and weaknesses like what Denver does to us! Simple and plain. LET’S GO HAWKS!
Miles D
March 17th, 2011
12:04 pm
And by the way! Sit Josh Smith if he keeps shooting jumpers because EVERYTIME we lose we lose because we lost the points in the paint war and play JJ at the 3 more!!!
Rufus1
March 17th, 2011
12:08 pm
I posted this before, I think it need to be re-posted….LD has provided no true direction for this team. I can’t tell if we are a defensive or offensive team…we build a lead playing our defensive players, we lose playing our offensive.
I blame the coaching over the past 6 1/2 years….
I blame the coaching over the past 6 1/2 years for the lack of defined roles on this team. The players on this team all think they are GREAT all-around players…THEY ARE NOT.
Woody and LD never created defined role for each player, so they could compliment each other. They have spent their careers mimicking each other instead of becoming GREAT AT ONE THING.
ALL OF OUR CORE PLAYERS ARE AVERAGE…
Al is a “A” jumpshooter but “D” low post players and has an “F” left hand.
Josh is an “A” shot blocker, “C+” Rebounder, “D” jumpshooter and a “D-” right hand.
Marvin is a “C+” jumpshooter, “C” rebounder, “B” defender and “C” low post player because he can finish with his left hand.
Joe is just a “B” all-around players, except he get an “F” for drawing fouls.
If Woody had a solid offensive Identity we would not be in this position.
Marvin should have been our defensive and 3pt specialist.
Josh should be our low post presence(7 years and can’t finish with his right hand)or he should be a shotblocking and rebounding specialist.
If Woody understood the importance of DIRECTION, we would not be complaining about all of our players and draft picks.
Popavinch, told Jefferson that he would have to play off GINO, Parker and Duncan…so he developed a 3pt shot and became an asset.
LD and Woody coached like every player is a Star(except young PG) and we have suffered for it.
We blame Marvin for not being aggressive. We blame Josh for being too aggressive. WE SHOULD BLAME THE COACHES FOR NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH DIRECTION.
PerryHenderson
March 17th, 2011
12:23 pm
If Josh Smith were to RUN RAMPANT THROUGH THE PAINT LIKE AN ANGRY BULL scoring inside baskets from the low block [THE SAME WAY THAT ANTOINE CARR AND KEVIN WILLIS USED TO DO FOR THE HAWKS DURING THE FRATELLO YEARS]. NO ONE PERSON IN THE LEAGUE CAN STOP JOSH ONE ON ONE WHEN HE IS DRIVING THROUGH THE PAINT. Why doesnt Josh realize it and utilize his skills to help us win. Instead Josh is just hoisting up 3-pointers as if he is playing in the 3-POINT SHOOTING CONTEST AT THE ALL-STAR BREAK. Josh, if you are reading this blog, NEXT YEAR PLEASE ENTER THE 3-POINT SHOOTING CONTEST AT THE ALL-STAR GAME SO THAT WE CAN ALL WATCH YOU MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF. THANK YOU.
SteveW
March 17th, 2011
12:23 pm
Vava74 – Agree mostly with your post. It is like clockwork. Bring Jamal in at Point in the 4th, and most of the time, lose the game. Only exception is if he’s hot.
Sautee – We will agree to disagree about Sund. ZaZa 19 and 10 last night, supposed to be backing up Horford. At the time, with the dearth of NBA C’s right now, his under 5m per year contract for a 26 year old big man seemed reasonable. Has he regressed? Yes. But a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You don’t know who else you could’ve gotten.
Marvin – Again, yes he’d hurt his back, but the overall consensus in the League was that the Hawks got a good deal. A 22 year old #2 pick who had shown flashes, and was at least good defensively with potential to develop, the 5 year deal seemed reasonable.
Bibby was the guy you and I didn’t want to re-sign. I wanted Andre Miller. And you make a good point about the team option for the 3rd year.
Trading Jamal in the off season was problematic. SMOY, the fans would have gone crazy. And who are we sure we could’ve gotten for him? Devin Harris? Sign and trad for Felton? And who would’ve known he would go back to being the “old” Jamal, and not the career year Jamal? I don’t fault Sund for that one.
And can LD coach his players to shoot better than 41.5%? Many times a Coach can. Call timeouts, tell the players they are forcing shots. Explain where you want them. When they so flagrantly disregard you after the half, call timeouts, pull guys in and out etc. That’s why your the Coach. I understand KS’s point in the above post, but it’s going to get LD fired I’m afraid.
But Sautee – I enjoy your posts – sometimes guys just gotta agree to disagree, and agree on we both want the Hawks to go 82-0 every year and win a Championship.
Rufus1
March 17th, 2011
12:24 pm
By not sitting Josh, LD could be losing the rest of the team. They seem tired of Josh “Jacking up” long Jumpshots. HE DOESN’T EVEN ROLE TO THE BASKET….HE POPS OUT FOR THE JUMPSHOT.
Jamal….UGH!!
The Nuggets score on 11 of 12 trips and LD takes Marvin out….Marvin was scoring and playing defense.
We may have had 2 of the DUMBEST coaches on the bench in the past 7 years.
SteveW
March 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
The blogmonster won’t let me post the Landon Drew story about he and his mother in the LA Times
mykhalc
March 17th, 2011
12:30 pm
still don’t think Woodson was a good coach but at least we NOW know part of his problem was havin’ LD to his left…gggeeeesssshhhh
it really has been a version of the SAME thing for 6+ years now. get a f’n HC and blow this team up…PERIOD!!!
i predicted 6-12 in their last 18. the BB IQ on this team will be lucky to get it!!!
Rod from College Park
March 17th, 2011
12:48 pm
Where does this Josh’s team is tired of him shooting jumpshots nonsense come from. They are the ones who keep passing him the ball. Al gets the ball in the low post, gets stuck and passes to Josh. Marvin will pass up a wide open shot to pass to Josh. Joe dribbles for 20 seconds, and then passes to Josh. Coach Larry Drew keeps designing plays with him standing on the perimeter, regardless of him playing the 4 or the 3. Obviously, the teams wants him shooting those shots. Stop believing LD when he says those thing about Josh. He is the one who came up with this magical offense, that no one else runs.
LuellaPatterson
March 17th, 2011
12:54 pm
IF JOSH IS SO GIFTED AT SHOOTING JUMPSHOTS AND HIS DUMB, IGNORANT, STUPID TEAMMATES CONTINUE TO PASS HIM THE BALL OUT ON THE PERIMETER TO SHOOT, WHY DOESNT JOSH JUST GO OVER TO THE HALF COURT LINE AND START LAUNCHING MISSILES FROM HALF-COURT. HE MIGHT AS WELL BECAUSE JOSH HAS THE SAME CHANCE OF MAKING A HALF COURT SHOT AS HE DOES A 3-POINT BOMB. NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER!
Grandad
March 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
Ken Sugiura:
“Remember this may be Drew’s only chance at a head coaching job. Perhaps he would like to be more hard-line but this isn’t high school basketball. I’m guessing he doesn’t want to be remembered for being the guy who got in a shouting match with one of his best players during a game that precipitated the team going in the tank the rest of the season.”
Valid point;
except…the remark about it isn’t HS basketball.
Leadership is leadership, period.
If you’re a Dad, an officer in the military, a Coach [HS, collegiate, or pro],
a CEO, Priest, boy / girl scout troop “leader” or any number of lots in life
which may come your way.
Leaders are natural born or leadership can be a learned trait.
However, two essentials are courage and being true to yourself.
There are many ways to lead, from rump kickin’ to huggin’ with a plethora
of methods in between.
LD clearly has not found his niche as a leader as demonstated within
his family and now seems to have permeated his decisions as Hawks HC.
I am not jumping on your statement only because I once coached HS.
It’s that in my day I never knew of HS coaches argueing with Players
on the sidelines. Most were totatally in charge and the majority a father
figure.
Final thought, being a Dad is the greatest leadership responsibility in
a lifetime for a man. Everything else is meringue.
rusty
March 17th, 2011
1:11 pm
Drmaryb. I guess you were going under the assumption that the coach knew what he was doing when mb played & jt dnp or when moe played while jc2 dnp, sure as hell should have known better
Grandad
March 17th, 2011
1:16 pm
rusty
Are you skipping school
—or—
just not paying attn in class.
O'Brien
March 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
Ken Sugiura,
Being a rookie head coach managing a room full of millionaires is probably trickier than we realize..
Especially when that head coach is on a 2 year contract and is one of the lowest paid coaches in the league.
I guess you get what you pay for…
O'Brien
March 17th, 2011
1:22 pm
Steve W,
(IMO) You don’t give a 22 year old who has missed 25% of the season 2 out of the last 3 seasons a 5 year deal. Even with his potential, you have to guard against injury. Plus did Rick think about PT, rank on the team etc. Because did Rick really think Marvin would stay healthy, and develop into more than a 4th option (since we already had JJ, an improving Josh, and our #3 pick Al)?
Plus for a team that operates under the luxury tax, don’t you give short term contract s to maintain your financial flexibility going forward, and don’t you have to find guys that can outperform their contract?
Also..you said And who would’ve known he would go back to being the “old” Jamal, and not the career year Jamal?.
Almost all of the bloggers on here said it. 1) Jamal’s talent does not fit well with the motion offense and 2) Regardless of one very good year, averages are averages for a reason.
So why wouldnt Rick assume that he would go back to his “average”.
rusty
March 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
Grandad I see grandma has finally waken you up, did she give you all of your pills
O'Brien
March 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
Steve W,
And I did not even mention supply and demand with Marvin. He was a restricted free agent, which meant the Hawks could match any contract offer, but they didnt even wait to find out. And there was no report out there (to my recollection) that suggested Marvin was in demand.
rusty
March 17th, 2011
1:32 pm
Please tell me what kind of motion defense do we have. All I see are passes on the perimeter & everybody taking jumpshots. I don’t see passes leading to easy baskets like every team in the NBA does.
Grandad
March 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
O’Brien
Either you have it or you don’t.
Pure and simple.
Kinda like Marvin as a player.
Seriously, managing millionaires is the same as anyone else.
They are just big kids.
All men are just 16 year olds who got older. [they are still 16 inside]
Any coach cannot be scared.
Scared of what?
Losing your job?
It does not matter if your a pro coach or a HS coach,
one’s job is just as important as the other.
What else is there to be scared of?
LD or Marvin;
at this late date you can’t just grow a pair.
Biological science has not come that far,
I don’t think?
mykhalc
March 17th, 2011
1:34 pm
Marvin has NO demand other than we demand his a$$ stay on the bench…
Grandad
March 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
rusty
She left ‘em out for me.
Did you mean motion offense,
—or—
motion defense???
—or—
motion sickness ?
Rufus1
March 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
“Please tell me what kind of motion Offense do we have”….Co-sign
Nobody cut to the basket.
mykhalc
March 17th, 2011
1:41 pm
seriously…what does money have to do with it??? either one can lead, be heard, and is followed or one cannot!!! if ANY of those 3 are missin’ one is NOT a leader in the situation in which they are tryin’ to lead. it’s that simple!!! if the fact that someone is a millionaire keeps one from leadin’ then it’s nothin’ more than ‘their’ reason/excuse. substitute Jerry Sloan into situation!!! what cha got then??? A LEADER…PERIOD!!!
rusty
March 17th, 2011
1:41 pm
Hey ld’s wife says on the blog they are all millionaires living the good life. What is he afraid of