Atlanta Hawks: Ten deep thoughts
Ten random off-day thoughts, which means my rotation is deeper than the Hawks’ . . .
- It’s dang near April and I still can’t tell you who’s in or out of L.D.’s rotation. He played seven guys last night on a back-to-back against an energetic opponent a few days after he lamented his team’s nagging injuries. Two guys who didn’t play, Teague and Damien, are healthy and energetic. They can defend, too, which the post–trade Hawks now don’t do well at all. I don’t understand why they didn’t play.
- I don’t know for certain if Teague is a bona fide NBA rotation player. But I think he’s shown enough to get a chance to prove it on this team. And I know for certain he’s one of only two point guards on this roster and the other guy is more of a combo guard. I don’t understand why Teague doesn’t have a regular role. Sorry, there’s nothing else to explain it but coach’s decision.
- I watched Smoove score on a nice right-handed spin move against the 76ers. It was so impressive. Josh is a smart player (yes, he is) when focused and engaged. He could be a load to deal with on the block for most fours if he put his mind to it. I don’t understand why he doesn’t. Or hasn’t.
- The Sixers were the latest opponent to send aggressive double teams at J.J. Opponents did the same even during his awful start to the season. And yet they sometimes seem almost OK with Al stepping out for mid range Js (at least when he’s not being ignored by his teammates). I don’t understand any of this.
- Accountability can be a tricky thing for L.D. His options are limited. His five-time All-Star and Sixth Man Ward winner are inefficient and unproductive. Drew can direct some of their shots to Al (or at least try to and good luck with that) but then who else? If Joe and Jamal continue to struggle, does he give their minutes to Damien and Teague? If Josh keeps bad shooting jumpers, does L.D. yank him and play Al alongside Zaza or Twin?
- Those last two moves would mean increasing the roles of inferior players. Then again, if Drew were to take such bold action it might finally send that elusive message of accountability to the team. And then if the team struggles because L.D. was forced to take such drastic steps, he could credibly go to Rick Sund and Co. and say: “I tried everything I could with this roster. It’s broken. Fix it.”
- All of that assumes that Sund and Co. would have L.D.’s back even if he did take such drastic action. They backed L.D. when they sent out Bibby for Hinrich. They didn’t when they gave him a two-year contract that pays relatively little. Woody had a similar problem when he had to coach this bunch in the final year of his deal. They knew he’d probably be gone before they would if things went badly and that’s how it went down.
- The Hawks’ average scoring margin for the first quarter is -0.3. It’s +0.3 for the second quarter, +1.0 for the third quarter and -1.4 for the fourth quarter. Only the third-quarter margin surprised me.
- I want to say the Nets offer the Hawks a respite from a tough schedule. But, hell, it might actually be a good chance for the Nets to win the season series.
- Will we ever get to actually see Pape Sy? At this point I want him to get in and suddenly go off for 20 just so my blog people will have some kind of hope.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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349 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
March 24th, 2011
11:38 pm
Derrick Williams is an animal. Damn. Not just because of those last two monster dunks either.
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:39 pm
Ha ha, it’s going to bust my finals; but seeing Duke get its hat handed to them is just delicious!
Grandad
March 24th, 2011
11:41 pm
brigadierjerry
Southern by birth, Georgian by the grace of God.
Born and raised in the back valley at the end of a dirt road
at the foot of a mtn. on a farm in the great state of Georgia.
In 1968 (if I’m remembering correctly) the Hawks moved to Atl.
from StL. [Zelmo Beaty] became my 1st favorite Hawk.
My loyalties were immediately with the ” Home ” team.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 24th, 2011
11:43 pm
The national media is taking note of the Hawks’ struggles.
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:44 pm
@ Najeh…
Where are get those two bigs to draw those doubles like Webber and Vlade use too?
Grandad
March 24th, 2011
11:46 pm
It’s fun to be a Butler fan also.
Up 18 with 12 min to go.
Announcer just said:
“these kid share the ball”.
then:
“sharing is caring”
Sounds kinda like our Hawks……………………; opponents.
N.D.T.K.A.
March 24th, 2011
11:47 pm
It really doesn’t matter what type of coach is best for this team because as long as ASG owns this team the coach will probably be based on economics (follow the money).
There were a number of well-qualified coaches available this summer who would have garnered the players respect and probably could have taken this team as far as Woody did, if not farther. But cash is king with the ASG and thus you have a underachieving team and an assistant coach in LD who doesn’t or is too stubborn to have a clue….
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:48 pm
Coach K ain’t Lebron, Kobe, and Dwight to shut that lane down and make him look like a genius tonight!
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:50 pm
@ Granddad…
LMAO!!!
Sleepy
March 24th, 2011
11:51 pm
We got them right where we want them .
Najeh Davenpoop
March 24th, 2011
11:51 pm
Yahoo Sports has a report up today about the coaching carousel this summer. Among the more interesting names mentioned are Doc Rivers and Brian Shaw.
mykhalc
March 24th, 2011
11:52 pm
as bad as i thought Woodson was as an offensive mind, this LD fiasco does give insight to MW’s command on this team…at least for 4 of the 6 years. LD has been a clueless failure for much of the season…PERIOD!!! and if clueless isn’t THE word, then pick one…
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:53 pm
Man, I wouldn’t want to be on that CBS dais with Charles Barkley after this game ends!
Sleepy
March 24th, 2011
11:54 pm
Al and Josh are nowhere near the talent level of Cwebb good god who comes up with these types of comparisons
JSS
March 24th, 2011
11:57 pm
@ Granddad…
Bo Ryan’s worst nightmare, a veteran team with discipline (Butler)…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2011
12:00 am
“Al and Josh are nowhere near the talent level of Cwebb good god who comes up with these types of comparisons”
Try working on your reading comprehension.
JSS
March 25th, 2011
12:03 am
Nobody compared Al or Josh to Webber! People want that kind of production and want to know where you can find those multi-dimensional players (along with Vlade)?
JSS
March 25th, 2011
12:07 am
Dang, Barkley was magnanimous! That was kind of anti-climatic!
mykhalc
March 25th, 2011
12:09 am
they’re lucky it all happened on CBS and not TNT!!!
JSS
March 25th, 2011
12:12 am
@ Najeh…
“Atlanta has been blown out at home more often than any team with a winning record in NBA history.”
It looks even more painful in print!
Grandad
March 25th, 2011
12:17 am
Wisc chippin’ away, yikes !
Section 303
March 25th, 2011
12:17 am
Guys,
Just gave away my tickets for Saturday night. I need a break from this team. Will not be at the Nets game and do not plan on watching. I get to look forward to attending two blowouts next week (Magic and Celtics) I deserve Saturday night off.
Looking forward to not watching the Hawks this weekend.
Section 303
March 25th, 2011
12:18 am
Even though I’m a Big Ten guy (Go Spartans!), I want Butler to win. Do not like Wisconsin at all.
Grandad
March 25th, 2011
12:18 am
Badgers cut it to 5 under two min.
JSS
March 25th, 2011
12:26 am
Bo Ryan = Woodson stubborn when it comes to his system… He’s got the horses to let those kids loose!
ntrigue
March 25th, 2011
12:38 am
We all need to go to the game and chant “we want Teague until he puts him in the game”. There is no reason on earth Teague hasn’t been given the opportunity to run with the first unit. Damian should be starting in at sf. Bring Hinrich, Jamal, Marvin, Hilton and Zaza off the bench as the second unit. I just don’t understand how ld has not even tried using this lineup the only reason I can possibly see is that he just is a poor coach! I’m going to the next hm gm and I’m seating right behind the bench and I’m going to help him out with his coaching all game!
Sleepy
March 25th, 2011
12:43 am
You only get Webber and Divac type of production from players who understand there positions which is something Al and Josh do not .
Some of you actually believe that if you simply change coaches AGAIN that Al and Josh will suddenly morph into a Divac and Webber type tandem ?
I comprehend very well and i can tell when someone is peddling more BS
Divac was a star in europe and played with Kukoc,Dino Radja, Petro and joined the nba and got tutored by Magic and Kareem when he arrived in the league at 20 he was 30 years old when he joined Kings
Cwebb played on the fab five and a one of the best passing bigs and most talented bigs ever when he was drafted . The guy put up monster numbers for the BULLETS
That offense of Adelmans didnt suddenly make them talented and good passers. You either understand as a bigman how to work as a unit consistently or you dont .
Now you can probably pair each of our bigs with a another big and get better results but these guys are basically done here . This is the time when you move and and do it smartly .
Jae Evolution
March 25th, 2011
12:53 am
That dude Derrick Williams makes me wish we had a top 5 pick, that guy is going to be a PROBLEM. I don’t know if he’ll play SF/PF, I see him more as a hybrid, but he’s real good.
Booo!
March 25th, 2011
1:01 am
Derrick Williams just makes me SMH because marvin has been our starting SF for the last five years -_-
JSS
March 25th, 2011
1:24 am
Once again Sleepy does not get it…
You bring players into the equation that we are not even comparing to Divac and Webber…
We are trying to get an idea what player available that might fit the system to “get it to work!”
And that it took you seven paragraphs to tell us stuff that had already people already know about the old Yugoslav squad and the Webber.
Oh I saw every Detroit Country Day team play in the MHSA tourney between 1983 to 1988. You want to tell me again about his formative years? Who are you Sekou Smith? Man please…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2011
2:17 am
“You only get Webber and Divac type of production from players who understand there positions which is something Al and Josh do not . ”
Again you are failing reading comprehension. Nowhere did I say Smoove and Al are going to produce like them. What I did imply is that Adelman’s system is the kind of structured, post oriented system that would keep those two in positions of strength and allow them to use their versatility, athleticism, and passing ability to their advantage.
Honestly, after the way this season has gone, if you really think giving Joe and Jamal the ball more is the solution to the Hawks’ problems, I don’t know what to tell you. Joe is already on the decline and Jamal never met a bad shot he didn’t like. If anything the ball needs to get out of their hands even more than it has already.
Harry Hawk
March 25th, 2011
2:33 am
We do not possess a roster capable of greatness. That is the problem. Next season will be even worse for this team. You have to think the Knicks will get their stuff straightened out. We may be looking at a sixth seed at best in 2011-12. We’re stagnant as hell and, of course, because of the money we’ve shelled out to non-superstar players, we’re going to be stagnant as hell for the foreseeable future.
Alan Hochbaum
March 25th, 2011
3:37 am
Born in ATL and been here 49 years. Have tried to stick it out with the Hawks, but it’s getting harder and harder to take. Here’s my synopsis:
Joe Johnson – Overpaid for him, and more importantly, he requires too much “ball in hand time”….never going to be able to move the ball side to side with lots of cuts as long as he’s here. Even on a fastbreak that’s not a breakaway, watch Joe. He prefers to find a defender to “work”, rather than have an easy move to the goal.
Al Horford – GREAT acquisition. Understands the game, and if we ever run, one of the few players that actually understands how to get out and go.
Josh Smith – It’s been said everywhere. Huge talent, but still too emotional and too many poor choices. He lost me when in a tight game (with about a minute left), he turned to talk to the bench and was of no help as a guard went right by him for an easy layup.
Marvin Williams – No confidence, as illustrated by what happens in crunch time. He’s sporadic, but especially unsure when it’s time to “take care of business”. He also has no fast-twitch fibers. Watch him try to dunk or make a strong move at the goal. It takes him forever to get there. When we were in our “drafting long” phase, we should have been paying attention to that skill.
Kirk Hinrich – Good acquisition. Plays good defense, and actually understands the game. Also understands how to look up the court, which is relatively useless in our slow down, stand around system.
Jamal Crawford – Good acquisition. No, he doesn’t play great defense, but for a 6th man, you’re getting good bang for your buck.
Jeff Teague – Why are we not playing him? Yes, he makes LOTS of mistakes. Yes, he’s sporadic. But here’s a hint, we’re not going anywhere this year. We need to find out if he can play long term. And not to belabor a point, but his greatest skill is SPEED. When is a Hawks coach going to insist on that as first option, transition buckets as second, and the halfcourt set as third?
Zaza Pachulia – Serviceable big man, who seems to know his role. Ditto for Josh Powell, Damien Wilkins and Jason Collins.
Management and Ownership – No plan and no identity. It’s wonderful to say “we want to push the ball” or “we want to play great defense”, but you must put the players in place that will execute your plan, and you must make it priority to play. More often than not, we look like we rolled a ball out on a blacktop and said “Just let us know when you’re finished”.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.
Big Boi Bert
March 25th, 2011
3:48 am
This Hawks team is the most gutless bunch in Atlanta sports history. Lebron should have been getting helped up from the floor after that behind the back trick. I’m done, season is over.
MsDee
March 25th, 2011
4:12 am
Looks like the Cavs will be licking their chops for the next LeBron in Derrick Williams!!
MsDee
March 25th, 2011
4:33 am
Some teams just gets ALL THE LUCK!! How can a team possibly could have another TOP BALLER in less than 3 years???
MsDee
March 25th, 2011
4:35 am
We had our chance and we chose Marvin Gaye Williams..wOw, what a bALLeR!?!?
lp
March 25th, 2011
5:24 am
comment from yahoo sports
The hawks tried to treat Horford like he was Amare and Smith like he was Boozer and run the offense through them and they just arent that good offensively . They were better when they ran the offense through Joe Johnson at least they had some direction .
There failure was overrating there bigs …its like if the Bulls decided to try and get Noah 10+ shots a game through one on one postups and jupshots it would be painful and take the entire team out of sync simply because thats not his game
Willie Coyote
March 25th, 2011
7:08 am
LD yanks Zaza for a “bad shot” and thinks that is accountability. Really? You yank Zaza for ONE bad shot when your starting 4 takes at least 5 per game.
All LD has proved is that there are different rules for different players. Jamaal can get away with no effort on defense. Joe and Jamaal can get away with dominating the ball too much. Josh can get away with not moving without the ball and actually working for a good shot.
Teague and Zaza get pulled if they blink too many times. Damien evidently isn’t allowed to be our most effective defender and energy guy b/c that seems to get him a DNP. Al can barely play with 2 fouls in the 2nd quarter.
Does anyone really wonder why LD has lost this team?
LawdHamercy
March 25th, 2011
7:10 am
How to improve the Hawks
1. ASG sells the Hawks to an owner that cares about winning
2. Fire LD immediately, don’t let him finish the season
3. Trade J.Schmuck and JJ, I’ll take $0 for them at this point
4. Start Teague and anyone who uses their brain and not ego to play basketball
5. Hire a coach that is a leader and actually knows basketball
6. Draft players that know basketball and play hard
7. Stop torchering the fans
I stopped watching the Hawks after they gave up in the playoffs last year. I tried watching a couple games, but it’s like the end result will be failure. They provide NO HOPE for any success as a professional basketball team. It’s like watching a bunch of grown babies run around the court. Where’s the leadership?
bjrufino
March 25th, 2011
7:15 am
problems:
1. Smith settling for jumpers
2. Less touches for Al
3.Coach DNP- Teague, Powell and Collins
4.Jamal slump
5.Joe slumps big time
DJK
March 25th, 2011
7:27 am
The only question is why not play Teague and Wilkins with the average starter on the team has six or seven years in the league on a second night of a back to back with Jamal and Joe struggling? Now I understand that they did not play much on Tuesday so that should have been fresh but hell no player in the NBA should play that many minutes on the second nite of back-to-backs. I was patient with the coach all this season but that move the other night is what lost the game. J. Smith, F 42 12 0 2 33
M. Williams, F 31 4 2 4 16
K. Hinrich, G 38 2 8 1 16
J. Johnson, G 44 2 4 5 13
A. Horford, C 37 9 4 3 8
Bench
Name Min Reb Asst PF Pts
J. Crawford 31 3 4 1 10 , six players over 30 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back that J Teague just scored 20 points in. If nothing else causes LD to get fired this year unless there is some magical turn around then this act alone should get him fired.
Rev in Tampa
March 25th, 2011
7:50 am
@ – LawdHamercy,
“7. Stop torchering the fans”
Dept. of Unintended Irony where are you?
Mike is back
March 25th, 2011
7:59 am
Hey, I like Brown too…he is one of POP’s guys…he would definitely be an upgrade…and a coach with playoff experience…that’s where the ASG went wrong to start with…You say to want to move farther in the playoff…than go hire a coach with no playoff experience…go figure.
Everyone respected LD and wanted him to succeed…but this aint’t six years ago…how can you continue shell out cash…to watch an assistant coach repeat his predecessor past…that’s asking a lot in this economy…hmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did I mention hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, if this blog gets through…if you missed that Arizona/Duke game…you can blame it on the blog monster…I tried blog on that Dunk the Kid Williams did in the first half…That Dunk was off the chainnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!
Watching the NCAA has reinvigorated my soul…I can endure this merciless season to the end…Thanks March Madness…you’re the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Double Zero Eight
March 25th, 2011
8:06 am
LD appears to be a nice guy, but that does not win games.
As James Brown said in one of his songs, Larry Drew is
“talking loud and saying nothing”.
It’s the same excuses night after night when we lose.
Trojan
March 25th, 2011
8:07 am
Jerry Sloan?
Jimmy Crack
March 25th, 2011
8:12 am
For the love of God…
Double Zero Eight
March 25th, 2011
8:20 am
This roster needs a coach like Larry Brown.
I know ASG won’t pay him the money, and he
will never come here if ASG owns the team.
Based on the salary limitations for the players, our
best option may be to hire a superstar coach.
Co Sign
March 25th, 2011
8:42 am
Thank You Ethan! Nothing more needs to be said.
julius
March 25th, 2011
8:47 am
fire the coach trade marvin, zaza, joe, and get a point guard and a center, an nba coach