Sixers 105, Hawks 100
Greetings, all-
Hang another L on the tree. If you’re still counting, the Hawks have lost four of five, eight of 11 and 14 of 21. I’d say it’s looking more and more like Philadelphia will catch the Hawks, which would likely put them in a first-round matchup with the Miami Heat. Yikes. The other possibility is Boston.
- I know you’re wondering, so I’ll bring you Larry Drew’s comments on why Jeff Teague got his 12th DNP-CD, particularly with a little guy like Lou Williams making hay (17 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 20 minutes).
“That wasn’t the problem,” Drew said of the defense of Williams. “I thought we did a really good job on Louis. A couple times we played him a little too soft and he just jumped right up and shot it. We actually fouled him twice at the 3-point line to send him to the free-throw line. That wasn’t the problem. We had the game under control. We just let it get away.”
I’m not sure what to say. Maybe it didn’t come out quite like the way he intended.
- Another symbol of the Hawks’ status as a rising power bit the dust, a few days after the five consecutive years with an improved record. With the loss, the Hawks will not finish at or above .500 in this brutal month, ending their string of 15 consecutive months with a record of .500 or better. (If memory serves, the stat the Hawks touted was consecutive winning months, and then they went .500 in February, so it was consecutive months of .500 ball or better, and now it’s kaput.)
- Interesting quote, in some ways, from Al Horford: “I think we played well. We just kind of ran out of gas at the end.” Perhaps it was because this was a game the Hawks might have lost even when they were playing well — against a surging team in its building on the back end of a back-t0-back – but it doesn’t sound like the Horford I’m used to hearing after losses.
- Joe Johnson was pretty downcast, more than anyone in the locker room I saw. The highlights:
“Down the stretch, I just think we don’t understand who should get the ball. Throughout the game, everyone’s free-flow playing, taking shots, making plays. … (But in the last five minutes), we don’t understand or we don’t know who that person is. If you notice the last four or five minutes, (expletive), I don’t think we know who should take the (expletive) shot.
On if it’s because plays aren’t being called: “I don’t know. It’s frustrating to me. You’ve got to go with the flow.”
More Johnson: “That’s why we look a little stagnant and lost the last three or four to five minutes, because nobody knows and everybody’s out there just jacking up shots.”
Finally: “I’m just frustrated. Like I said, we do a lot of talking but at the same time, we get out there on the court and we do nothing right, even though we know what to do.”
I’ll say this. Johnson is the one who seems most bothered by the way the team’s playing.
- A very strong game by Josh Smith – 33 points and 12 rebounds. Played closer to the basket.
“I was just trying to play off the guys that were getting plays called for them. I know they were trapping Joe heavily and I was just trying to put the onus on myself not to settle.”
- Kirk Hinrich sprained his right thumb in the second quarter. He still ended up playing 38 minutes, but he only scored three points after that. He said he’d be fine.
- Drew played seven guys – off the bench, Jamal Crawford and Zaza Pachulia were the only ones who got in. Both contributed well, I thought. Crawford had some pop in the rather free-flowing first half.
Horford said the minutes, particularly on the second night of a back to back, was a factor.
“I think it was,” he said. “I thought we were solid, but they just kind of kept bringing it. We had a good effort tonight, we just couldn’t get it done.”
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230 comments Add your comment
vava74
March 24th, 2011
5:52 am
Jamal to close the 3rd and play the 4th – apparently at PG.
Against Lou Williams.
Ummm… If I was told that this would happen, with the Hawks up by 11 and was asked if was interested in betting $5,000.00 that the hawks would lose, I would have not doubt it for a second and go for it.
Honestly. No second thoughts. Easiest money around.
Dale in Newnan
March 24th, 2011
6:46 am
I have to agree with Najeh.
FREE JEFF TEAGUE!
Before some other team does.
joe
March 24th, 2011
6:52 am
why do people still pay to go to Philips? I did it over Christmas with my son home from college. It was an awful display( Hawks beat Cavs ) and we both agreed we would never waste our time again. They are heartless with no redeeming qualities.
rk
March 24th, 2011
7:01 am
Next year when this team is broken up, we will here how some of these players don’t like each other. They won’t say it now but just wait. Pay close attention to how often ZAZA passes the ball to JS. Listen to the comments JJ and AH make after losses. Besides bad coaching this not a happy team.
Roundfield on Roundball
March 24th, 2011
7:25 am
Fire LD now … give the team to Bender or Tyrone Hill. It may earn us the few wins we need to hold 5th – as if that matters. BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE. LD has been a dumpster fire mistake.
O'Brien
March 24th, 2011
7:25 am
Horford said the minutes, particularly on the second night of a back to back, was a factor. “We just kind of ran out of gas there at the end,” center Al Horford said.
I wonder if anybody told that to LD.
“That wasn’t the problem,” Drew said of the defense of Williams. “I thought we did a really good job on Louis.”
Really? 17 points in 20 minutes, 5-8 shooting. And he considers that a really good job? Kirk was hurting, Jamal is horrible on defense, but once again, no minutes for Teague.
On 790 the zone yesterday, Sekou Smith said something happened to this team right about the all star break (but he doesnt know it was).
I agree with northcyde. Something happened between LD and Teague that we dont know about. Because given the results on the court, how does he not even give Teague any minutes on the second of a back to back, with the starting PG hurt, and Jamal ineffective at PG?
I wont be surprised if we fall to 6th and play Miami.
I guess Rick can no longer brag about improving our record every season, or about consecutive months with winning records, or top 4 team with home court.
J from the A
March 24th, 2011
7:31 am
This loss was 100% coaching.
I know Al was having an off-night as was Joe … but anyone who watched the game could tell you the Hawks did not so much get out played as they got out coached.
J from the A
March 24th, 2011
7:34 am
7-man rotations while running a motion offense and having to chase around the opposing team’s players who are fresh … of course, there are going to be a few extra lapses and of course you are going to be out of gas.
Jimmy Jam
March 24th, 2011
7:40 am
Let’s go Philly, catch em so I can get more for my tickets if Miami or Boston come to town for two playoffs games. What’s the difference with finishing 5 vs 6 for the Hawks, about $100 more per ticket for me. Let’s go Sixers!!!
Jamillion
March 24th, 2011
7:48 am
Do u guys realised we’ve been blown out more since our 13 win season & the last two years wit woody combined. so it can’t be the players. woody was stuborn but he was winning. THIS GUY STUBBORN & IS A LOSER
Section 303
March 24th, 2011
8:01 am
Larry Drew is a disaster of a hire. A flat out disaster. Good man, but so far over his head that it is starting not to be funny anymore.
Joe Johnson…..wondering where all those people are from this past summer that were saying the Hawks could not live without Joe. Anyone want to make that debate now? Anyone? Anyone? Didn’t think so….
Good game by Josh Smith, but…..who wants to bet he goes right back to jacking jumpers on Saturday night? He played well last night because he actually played hard. He had good movement and attacked the basket. When he does that, he’s good. The problem is that he won’t do that on Saturday. He’ll go right back to being the waste of talent that he is.
It’s almost over, guys….10 more games and then the first round sweep. We’re almost out of this misery.
Trojan
March 24th, 2011
8:15 am
MC: The whole Teague thing makes no sense.
Trojan
March 24th, 2011
8:16 am
ASG: Make changes or lose a ton of fans.
Trojan
March 24th, 2011
8:18 am
Why was there a 7 man rotation on the 2nd night of a back to back? Larry Drew is either the worst coach of all time or he is hiding something from us.
Big Al
March 24th, 2011
8:18 am
Hey guys… I totally love this Hawks Blog community. You guys keep me locked into what is really going on with the team beyond the box scores. I’m from Atlanta and love all the Atlanta sports teams. But it’s been a tough year for us. A lot of potential and no payoff in baseball and football. Unfortunately, this Hawks team has run out of gas already during the regular season. It has been painful to watch – beyond frustrating really. On any given night, this team could have no chance to compete with the other team (no matter who they are playing). Usually fans like to say that the other way around. In the mind of the fan, there is always hope that our brightest stars will truly shine. We can beat anybody, right? Wrong. This team’s stars are burned out. The effort required to be a success in the NBA is more than any one (or few) players can create on their own, with the exception of only a handful of truly exceptional superstars. And we don’t have one of them. We shouldn’t need one of them to be successful. There is a broad enough swath of talent on this team to be a success in the right system, circumstances and under the right management.
Honestly, though – I think I’m done. Done caring about this team. It’s just not fun anymore. This team has a couple good games in them – Tops. But there is no way they can consistently get it done. They cannot even COMPETE every night. Time and time again, I get my hopes up because the team is playing well with each other and building momentum, and then they fall onm their face. And it’s right back to square one.
It pains me to admit it, but the Hawks are going nowhere. It starts right at the top. Ownership/management has squeezed the life out of this team. The coach and their “star” max-contract player just do not have what it takes to lead. They have pieces (Horford, Smith, Teague) that remain are really intriguing – these guys are or could be really good players. But most of their players are teases. Joe has lost a few steps and a shot. Marvin never could pull it all together. Crawford is back to being the sloppy player that he has been his entire career. Hinrich – while I love the energy he brings – has made me think maybe there is a good reason he has not been starting at point guard on other teams (namely his handle). The team collectively is to blame for their current woes. All the players are not working together and getting it done. But the owners, GM, and coach are tasked with the job of putting their players in the best position to be successful. And they have engineered an entirely uninspiring lot. We Atlantans deserve better than this. And I, for one, am at the point where – I almost don’t care anymore.
There clearly needs to be a change at the top. Get rid of the GM and coach. Hire people with vision and management/motivational skills. And then lower ticket prices and spend money on your marketing campaign. Atlanta is full of sports fans. Show us that you can provide a good product and we will show you the Love.
Section 303
March 24th, 2011
8:22 am
Big Al, great point. This is not fun anymore. No fun watching a bunch of a$$holes wilt/fold everytime the going gets tough late in games, if they bother to show up at all.
Big Al, don’t walk away from this team. Run away from this team! Don’t look back! Save yourself!
Diego
March 24th, 2011
8:25 am
We need to send a message to ASG. Stop going to Phillips Arena!!! Fire LD!!!!!! Hire anyone else…seriously, just pick anyone from the crowd.
Matt
March 24th, 2011
8:31 am
LD must just be nervous that Pape Sy is being groomed as the next coach right before his very eyes.
bigeasy830
March 24th, 2011
8:35 am
I stated when the Hawks first made the trade for Hinrich that it would be a bad trade only if Jordan Crawford becomes a very good young player. Well he scored 25 and had 10 assist last night in a losing effort for the Wizards, this was his 4th straight 20 point game for the Wizards. I had a brief exchange with a couple of other bloggers, my point was if the Hawks were going to trade a good young player they should have tried to get a good young player in exchange, offer a little more and tried to get that McGhee kid from the Wizards. One blogger stated that would never happen because the Wizards know what they had in McGhee. I agree, but my point was the Hawks should have known what the had in Jordan Crawford. You make a trade in midseason for two reasons, to win it all now or build for the future. No way Hinrich was going to put the Hawks over the top to win now, and they just threw away a big part of the futre by giving away Jordan Crawford. Jamal Crawford is gone after this season Jordan could have took his place. The Wizards have a brighter future than the Hawks right now, they have a nice young core in a budding superstar in Wall, Javale McGhee, and yes Jordan Crawford. I am a Hawks fan but I am also a realist, the Hawks will lose in the first round in 5 games or maybe even get swept.
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
8:38 am
303, you’re dead on! This is becoming comical. I didn’t even see the first 3 quarters because I knew it was going to be determined in the 4th.
Najeh, how many 4th quarter leads have we lost this year? We are at best a 3 quarter team.
Our coach (FormerAssistantToWoody) is lost; you tell me you can’t find minutes for your best PG…..your tenure is over. Why doesn’t Larry just send Teague to the D-League and truly humiliate him? He has taken any life out of a team that has limitations before heading into this season, yet Sund couldn’t come up with anything to build a championship contender.
Sund and Larry has mailed it in. The Bibby deal is not going so well right now, and all it takes to improve our side is to play Teague.
How bad is it that the ENTIRE blog is begging for Teague to play and Larry can’t see it. No more excuses because Larry isn’t trying to win ball games. He is trying to prove who is in charge. His ego is beyond reproach now. To let Captain Josh continue to shoot jumpers is on you! Woody had finally gotten to him. He thinks he’s Kobe Bryant now.
Bye Larry, you are who we thought you were!
doc
March 24th, 2011
8:40 am
reality check on jordan crawford guys:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4758
his percentages are awful. you look stupid to bring his name up because his game is worse than jamal’s.
CONFEDERATE BOB
March 24th, 2011
8:43 am
WHAT?!?!?!? We have a NBA team in Atlanta? Really?
bigeasy830
March 24th, 2011
8:48 am
@Doc
Jordan Crawford is a rookie who will only get better given the opportunity for minutes. he was getting no minutes in Atlanta but now he is getting better. He is developing. You look stupid for not understanding that fact. After the Hawks lose Jamal in the off-season who will you have to replace him. A more developed Jordan Crawford would have been very nice.
STRETCH
March 24th, 2011
8:49 am
More Johnson: “That’s why we look a little stagnant and lost the last three or four to five minutes, because nobody knows and everybody’s out there just jacking up shots.” This coming from a guy who supposed to be a team captain???
And J to the A,
good point about the 7 man rotation. You cant be this late in the regular season only playing that amount of guys, you must keep a flow of atleast 8 or 9. Guys are banged up more this time of season and you need all the fire power you can get but “Woody Lite” appears to not get it. Thats why they continue to “jack up shots” cause they are tired.
ATL will not do anything until management issues are addressed. Then give the GM some money to work with. And blow this core, cut ties and take there losses with Marvin, Jamal or JS(as much as i hate to say it).
Double Zero Eight
March 24th, 2011
8:54 am
Larry Drew is stubborn. He is showing everyone
that no one can make him play Teague.
You can look at Drew’s eyes and see the confusion and
terror they are depicting. He is in “over his head”. The team
is in disarray. LD is clueless.
Ex-Fan
March 24th, 2011
9:11 am
When is someone going to address the real problem with this organization? It starts with the front office and rolls downward. The Hawks have become content with mediocrity. Year in and year out they aspire to be the Eastern conferences’ 4,5, or 6 seed. Only to be ousted in the first round of the playoffs. The contract they gave Joe Johnson was a travesty in itself. I’m not hating, but no way in hell is JJ worth the franchise tag placed on him. He’s not even one of the top 15 players in the league. This team will never be amongst the leagues best. It’s not in it’s DNA, period. The front office is the main problem. They simply don’t know how to put together a winning team. Nor do they care to. We’d all do better putting our enthusiasm behind the Falcons. At least Blank and his front office care about winning.
MJC
March 24th, 2011
9:12 am
I am tired of people talking about Jordan Crawford. “HE SCORED 25 POINTS!!” Well, guess what? HE TOOK 28 SHOTS!!! 28!! That is a two followed by an 8. He could still become a good player, but I could go out and get 25 points on 28 shots.
O'Brien
March 24th, 2011
9:22 am
Jamal’s rookie year;
61 games played, 8 starts: 35% FG, 35% from 3, 5 ppg, 2 assists in 17 mpg.
Jordan’s rookie year:
With ATL; 16 games played, 0 starts; 35% FG, 33% from 3, 4 ppg, 2 rebs, in 10 mpg
With Washington; 14 games played, 6 starts; 39% FG, 17% from 3, 14 ppg, 3 apg, 2 steals and 3 turnovers.
He needs to work on his shot selection and his defense, but for a rookie, he is showing a lot of potential.
Section 303,
That’s the problem with Josh. If he stays focused and plays within himself, he is a very good player. But when he doesn’t, he is furstrating to watch.
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
9:35 am
OB, no one is reigning Josh in….why does he stand at the 3 point line when the shot clock is winding down? Way too many possessions in this situation.
The ego of Larry is beyond reeling back in now.
Our 40-32 record is looking really pedestrian at this point. We aren’t going to just start winning again. Our team after the break has not been good. It is probably as simple as just playing better teams, so that tells us we aren’t even as good as we thought we were. And yes, I know, even Minnesota players have huge egos.
Man Man
March 24th, 2011
9:37 am
If Horford would play defense
JeJe
March 24th, 2011
9:51 am
JOE ISNT A LEADER LOL. FAKE ALL STAR
Rev in Tampa
March 24th, 2011
9:57 am
It is sweet justice that Drew’s stubborness and his unwillingness to develop teague or JC2 is leading to his downfall and Sund’s.
I know Drew said he is pulling for Teague and is in his corner. But Drew has said a lot of other things too that don’t match his actions.
bigeasy830
March 24th, 2011
10:00 am
@ O’Brien
“He needs to work on his shot selection and his defense, but for a rookie, he is showing a lot of potential.”
I agree with you totally and that is my point when talking about Jordan Crawford. The Hawks gave this kid away and he have shown alot of potential. Atlanta fans grip and moan and wish for players like Dwight Howard and othe future free agents that they will never get but don’t raise heck about good players they had and the sorry organization lets go. Atlanta fans must demand better judgement from their teams ownership and management and giving away a talented kid like Jordan Crawford is a good example. If the ownership don’t sell the team then Larry Drew will be back as coach and this team will lose a couple of players and they will be worse than they are this year. The writing is on the wall.
Rufus1
March 24th, 2011
10:03 am
The “Cooler” AKA Jamal Crawford.
doc
March 24th, 2011
10:09 am
jordan 35% from the field and 17% from three. when was he going to get better on a team that needs it now?
o’b, i have had enough with the potential. sorry, you either deliver or you dont, there is crying in basketball but potential means nothing.
folks, when jordan gets there, then i will show appropriate regret. there is none now. it only shows even though folks were saying he should have been given more time the reality is, he wasnt ready for it now, truth. the other thing is, no one knows if he ever will. i will wait for the coronation.
JeJe
March 24th, 2011
10:11 am
How is LD’s stubbornness leading his downfall and Sund’s? We know ASG won’t do anything. They’re not firing a coach and paying him
FIRE LD
Nate ArchiBALL
March 24th, 2011
10:19 am
Great post at 10:00 am Doc – Can you imagine the posts if he was putting up those numbers for the Hawks? Bloggers would not be talking about Josh and his shot selection but JC2’s
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
10:27 am
I don’t see Larry being fired either, no matter how bad they finish.
They will go through another blah blah offseason and if you know the ASG, they don’t make bold moves.
Sund will probably be back as well….but Sund sure can’t sell the improved core each and every year.
Why is it that everyone except Hawks’ management saw this coming?
Does anyone miss Mike Bibby? 22MPG 6PPG 3.4APG ….I don’t. He really is lucky to be with the Heat and will be a non-factor for them going forward.
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
10:32 am
Truth being, I liked the idea of JC1 starting and JC2 coming off the bench had we not signed JJ. That would have been a much better result based on where we are today….we are stuck in cap sludge and won’t get out unless we purge the roster.
We have had a few opportunities to build for the future, but instead we stuck with our core and are now looking to stay above .500.
Folks, the 2011-12 season does not look promising at this stage unless we throw out the regime that sells opponents’ jerseys for the Philips experience.
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
10:37 am
One fix for next year because we really don’t have a lot to look forward to this year…Hindrich takes Jamal’s role and we purge some of our salary.
slimjr
March 24th, 2011
10:41 am
Larry, you are off your rocker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
slimjr
March 24th, 2011
10:45 am
a very small minority feel you should build around Marvin? You must be smoking some powerful stuff..This buster is not even in professional basketball shape six years and counting..About the only thing he lifts is twinkie…………..There a reason why we could not give him away??????????????
Waive his azzz as soon as the season is over……………………..
Rev in Tampa
March 24th, 2011
10:46 am
JeJe,
Mark my words. The ASG know that keeping Drew next season (unless there is a lockout) will cost them far more than his measly salary because the eyes of the fanbase are wide open to what this team’s REAL problems lie – with LARRY DREW. It is not the players lack of effort. It lies with Larry Drew’s X’s and O’s,etc.
I ask you, who would pay good money to buy season tickets to watch this hot mess??? Yea, I know Section 303 would, but he has an unhealthy co-dependent relationship with this team.
Also the ASG knows that if they keep Larry Drew for another season they will lose another year of Teague’s development. If he won’t play him now, what’s there to make us think he will play him next year?
In summary, it will cost the ASG far more to keep Larry Drew than to fire his butt.
KevinM
March 24th, 2011
10:49 am
2 good articles covering the Hunter/David Stern upcoming battle and the fledging Hawks…http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2011/03/nba_high-5_11.html
Now why is it a big deal that he losing team steals the ball from a team way out in front? The other way around I get…this is just overblown. I am guessing Larry won’t bring Hilton off the bench anytime soon after that incident.
slimjr
March 24th, 2011
10:52 am
The Hawks schedule has finally caught up to these busters. I had warned you people months back this was going to happen because of their lack of talent and mental toughness….The players had delusions of grandeur with the 4th easiest schedule for first 2/3 of this season.. Now the ish has hit the FAN IN A BIG WAY……………………………sigh…………………..Don’t get mad at me, the truth always hurts……..Duh………………….. You had warnings of this coming meltdown after last season prolific massive historic major BEATDOWN in the Playoffs?? PLAYOFFS??????????Really????????
SteveW
March 24th, 2011
10:56 am
J from the A – Co-Sign about being out coached
Buddy – I know the reason LD went 7 deep on the 2nd night of a back to back in a different city, with a later than normal 1st night because of the the national tv.
I just think it is sadly, comically dumb.
We bloggers could see here and laughingly and absurdly come up with scenarios no rational coach from pee wee level to this level would ever do, and LD will do them. I’ve joked about things that LD then says he will incorporate.
We should blow out NJ Saturday night at home, but if DeRon is playing, or even if he’s not, you never know with this guy as Coach.
slimjr
March 24th, 2011
10:56 am
free JC2 Larry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What he got traded????????????????????????? SHOOT…………………………………….LOL
slimjr
March 24th, 2011
10:57 am
if Deron is playing Hawks lose by 7….
SteveW
March 24th, 2011
10:59 am
I would like to hear a statement from Sund about now. Maybe he’s busy getting Casey or somebody locked up with a contract and scheduling the news conference.
But I doubt it.
Geemack
March 24th, 2011
11:02 am
Rev in Tampa
March 23rd, 2011
11:45 pm
Drew is pulling so much for Teague to succeed that he is afraid he might get hurt if he puts him into the game.
CLASSIC! Lol