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Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 98, Nets 87

11:32 pm March 26, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

  • The Hawks are in the playoffs.
  • “It’s special,” Al said. “It’s something I don’t take or granted. A lot of guys play in this league and don’t get this chance. I’m very excited about it. Now it’s about us building on this and keep getting better.”
  • The Hawks immediately set out to do all the things well offensively that they usually struggle with. “Guys just came out with a different attitude tonight,” Josh said.
  • It was all on display during that 19-0 run that allowed the Hawks to take control until they suddenly weren’t in the fourth.
  • J.J. earned an and-1 by challenging Humphries at the rim (the Hawks aren’t good at drawing fouls). . . .
  • Hinrich bird-dogged the inbound pass, stole it and made a jump shot (the Hawks are nearly last in opponent turnover percentage). . . .
  • Josh passed up a jump shot and scored on a spinning baseline hook from 11 feet (you know). . . .
  • Joe got doubled and immediately dumped it off to Al for a short jump hook (quick decision by J.J.) . . .
  • J.J. curled off a screen and shot an in-rhythm jump shot (ditto). . . .
  • Josh scored on a drive (again, you know) . . .
  • Marvin put back his own miss (the Hawks are not a good offensive rebounding team). . . .
  • And, finally Smoove dunked on a transition pass from Al after Atlanta easily broke New Jersey’s pressure (the Hawks usually play at a plodding pace).
  • That made it 19-2. When the Nets got it back to 19-7 Hinrich caught New Jersey flat-footed in transition and pushedfor a layup, Smoove got a steal and dunk and Hinrich scored on a nice crossover move to make it 25-7.
  • The Hawks made all these plays at the same time they harassed New Jersey’s anemic offense with good ball pressure, sharp rotations, aggressive play in the passing lanes and solid defensive rebounding from all positions.
  • “We really played our game that first half,” L.D. said. “We were pushing the ball, we were moving the ball. Guys were making plays, Joe was making plays out of the post. We were swigning the ball well. It just seemed like everything was going right. I thought we played as well of a first half as we could offensively and defensively we did a really good job.”
  • And now–say it with me, blog people–the Hawks have to prove they can do all of that against better competition than the Nets. Not to mention the lapses by the bench guys that prompted L.D. to send the starters back in with the lead down to 16.
  • “I think our mindset was great for three quarters or so,” Hinrich said. “We just have to feel when we are starting to go the other way and get a little bit of slippage and come together and not allow that to happen.”
  • Perhaps L.D. was too cautious in bringing back the starters but he wasn’t taking anything for granted. “I only wanted to play Al two more minutes and let the reserves play the rest of the game,” L.D. said. “When it got to 16 I thought I had to get our guys back in there and try to regroup a little bit and get the game back under control. I certainly didn’t want to play the starters in the fourth quarter.”
  • None of this is meant to downgrade a desperately needed W for the Hawks. This is especially true since they started off playing so well. They hadn’t looked that good lately no matter the opponent.
  • “I don’t care how you get it as long as you get it,” Drew said. “We made it a little interesting down the stretch there but that New Jersey team has no quit in them. They are still playing hard.”
  • Smoove vowed to focus on playing closer to the basket and mostly kept his word early. Four of his 12 shot attempts from beyond 11 feet came in the second half, including a meaningless 3-point attempt in the final minute. His aggressiveness led to eight free-throw attempts.
  • For the second consecutive game Hinrich looked relaxed and confident with the ball. Lost in all the talk about Atlanta’s slumping offense is that Hinrich is capable of creating shots and making them, too. “I have a better feel for how I have to play to help us,” he said.
  • Hinrich was aggressive defensively, too. He had Farmar so unsettled early that Avery Johnson quickly went to Uzoh.
  • Joe got his right thumb bent back during a scramble for a loose ball: “I didn’t know if it was still attached when it happened. It hurt that much.”
  • He said the pain subsided for a bit and he returned to the bench with ice on the thumb. But then the pain returned and he was done for the night. L.D. initially said Joe would make the trip to Cleveland but he ended up staying behind.
  • Joe will get at least three days off to rest the thumb: “Maybe if it was my left hand it would be a lot different. But we have got to look at the bigger picture. We have got to be healthy as possible going into the playoffs.”
  • Jamal was an efficient scorer and playmaker early with five assists, zero turnovers, 10 points and 5 of 9 shooting in the first half. His 3-pointer made it 85-66. Then he was 0 for 3 with a turnover as the Nets trimmed that lead to 88-78.
  • “He came off the bench very aggressive and that’s how I want to see him play,” Drew said. “He was in the attack mode, he was making really good plays getting the ball to his teammates. He lost that aggression particularly when he show the airball. I told him I don’t care if he shoots five airballs I want him being in that attack mode the whole time he’s on the floor.”
  • The Hawks needed everyone to pitch in rebounding against New Jersey’s rugged front line. They collected 31 of New Jersey’s 41 misses (not included team rebounds). Zaza (seven rebounds in 18 minutes) and Hinrich (seven rebounds) were pluses.
  • The Nets hung in despite missing Deron Williams (wrist) and subpar production from Brook Lopez (six points, zero rebounds in 31 minutes while playing with a sore arm).
  • “You knew they would come out and try to knock us out early but if you watch how we play we come back and battle,” Avery said. “To get this game as close again after the way the first half went shows the heart of this team. There are no moral victories but we played well after the weak start.”
  • As bad as things have been for the Hawks lately at least they aren’t like the Nets anymore. “It makes it that much sweeter when you have experienced being on a losing team and not having a shot to make [the playoffs],” Josh said.

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

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108 comments Add your comment

Samuel

March 27th, 2011
12:49 pm

in this case i think game preparation and attention to detail would be the last thing to take a shot at Drew about. it’s actually much improved from last season.

I thought wins and losses determined whether your game preparation was successful or not.

Samuel

March 27th, 2011
12:52 pm

You guys have constantly complained about the Hawks not getting National Media exposure. We sure are getting it now. Unfortunately it’s on how bad we have gone backwards.

lewis

March 27th, 2011
12:56 pm

As for Josh and Al scoring in the low post, there are really only 4 moves. For “bigs” everything in the post is a variation of those 4 moves (See Zach Randolph). 2 spin moves on each side, one for the layup and one for the fadeaway off the glass. If they can master these moves, continue practice keeping the ball up high and finishing with both hands, and play in an offense that works to get them the ball down low, they will be successful NBA post players. If they need help learning to finish with both hands, talk to captain Kirk. Smoove shows flashes of brilliance when he executes extremely difficult moves in the post without hesitation, jumping, spinning, using the glass, etc. Al has further to go in the post imo but his “jump shot” and little baby hook are superior.

If they could be trusted to post up and make the right pass quickly when nothing is there, we would be far more successful. If the Bulls can make it to the ECF with Noah as their center and Boozer as their PF, Horford and Josh should be able to lead us there as well.

That said,individually, Taj Gibson, Omer Asik, and Kurt Thomas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Zaza, Collins, Thomas, Hilton combined.

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
1:16 pm

Oops!

Doc! BrigadierJerry, JSS and O’B:

I replied to some posts on the last blog this morning. I didn’t realize, I was on a previous blog though. FYI.

loy

March 27th, 2011
1:24 pm

So Larry Drew thank Jeff Teague can’t start or play more minutes because of his size. Why did you draift him . Jim Daily did not sit Isiah Thomas , Jerry Sloan did not sit Stockton. Very bad comment from his coach. Marvin steal can’t figure out how to finish around the rim or what to do in the lane. We need a good coach an someone in management who knows basketball. You should have gotton one of those injured guard sitting on the other teams bench

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
1:43 pm

Dukester

If your solution for the Hawks is to sign Tyson and Samuel to topple Dwight Howard – The Beast of The East? How do those two guys get it done?

We already have a 2 time All-Star at Center. His name is Horford. Those guys you mention can’t even beat out our guy! There is NO Center alive in the NBA that can stop Dwight. They don’t lie around as UFA nor do they grow on trees.

We have a greater chance of getting a star PG than Center.
So, why not do that and roll with what we got at Center.
Boston really dropped the ball by trading Perkins to save 5M, he out played Dwight and then blew out his knee, or they would have won.

We should have tried to get Perkins if Sund wasn’t always closed for business. Shaq would have helped us in the play offs, but we did nothing.

That ship has sailed! We get nothing, there is no center to go get!
If Tyson was so great, why doesn’t Cuban re-sign him then?
Dalembert doesn’t even deserve any conversation whatsoever.

Might as well get a PG! Felton wants out, he would help us tremendously.

Loserville USA

March 27th, 2011
1:47 pm

AL?

When MAKING the NBA playoffs is SPECIAL it shows how low the bar has been set.

Big deal — 3 extra games.

Hawks are rotten to THE CORE!

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
1:49 pm

Great Post!

Lewis @ 12:56 PM

prison mike

March 27th, 2011
2:23 pm

1. Woodson wasn’t fired simply told his contract wouldn’t be renewed, former GM Knight tried to fire him numerous times but I guess the asg didn’t want to find a replacement mid season.

2. Feb. 07, Knight traded away pick 34 for Anthony Johnson to make a last ditch effort for the 8th seed. June 07, the team ended up with the 3rd overall pick in the draft and of course no playoffs.

Lastly, why not rest Smith for 10-14 days to fully heal. It’s not an injury that will require surgery and we are stuck at seed 5. Seed 4 is a pipe dream mainly because of the Magics easy schedule.

X

March 27th, 2011
2:26 pm

@Game… the hawks are like a dog chasing it’s tail, they won’t EVER get anywhere! I told you there is plenty of room on the CHAMPIONS bus! Come have a seat! THREEPEAT! LOL!

Go Lakers!

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
2:35 pm

The Lakers literally won w/o a Center (Bynum was in-effective w/bum knee), the won with defense (Artest), Size (Pau and Odom) in the post.
And of course KOBE!

MJ and the Bulls did it with Luc Longley and Bill Cartwright (neither were dominant) but, more importantly, the had specialists:

Kukoc
Paxon
Kerr
Rodman
Pippen
Coach Phil

And of course MJ “the greatest of our era”
___________________

The Hawks have a better chance of finding specialists than a dominant Center. This league of 32 teams only has ONE dominant Center: his name is Dwight! As dominant as Shaq was in his prime, his teams were all quite beat-able when he played w/o: Kobe and DWade. And Kobe will prove this by winning 6 Titles to tie MJ.

Here’s my point: get over getting a dominant BIG, get a PG and some Super-Star skilled players which typically come in average sized body frames: 6′8″ to 6′9″ … The size of your PG is irrelevant if he can penetrate, dish and ball.

doc

March 27th, 2011
2:44 pm

heh jeh, look at dr mary b saying size doesnt matter.

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
2:52 pm

Motion of the Ocean!

Doc, sometimes its the motion of the ocean. LOL!
__________

Look here: THE CHAMPIONSHIP is The Lakers to Lose!

They have all the necessary ingredients to win, esp. With a healthy Bynum. They have a perfect combination of Size and Skill!

Boston, has self imploded by trading Perkins.
Orlando has self imploded by trading bigs for smalls.

All the Lakers have to do is show up and Kobe will do the rest, will his team to victory. He wants it more. It doesn’t matter who comes out of the east, they will only be a sparring partner for Kobe and his boys.

lewis

March 27th, 2011
3:21 pm

Boston has self imploded by relying on Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal to actually get healthy, lol!

JeJe

March 27th, 2011
3:25 pm

No one involved with this franchise gets a pass

This core is a joke, The Coach is a joke, the GM is a joke, and the Ownership is an embarrassment. I’m willing to sacrifice the next 3 years of making the Playoffs in order to see this entire franchise swept clean and a new team assembled with an actual management that cares and has money

FIRE LD

Mike Cunningham

March 27th, 2011
3:33 pm

Just in case none of you have noticed. Im Gay. Shoot me an email if you want to chats. Yes, I talk with my butt.

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
3:51 pm

MC

Come get your boy, TS ran out of meds again.

Grandad

March 27th, 2011
4:02 pm

Michael Cunningham @ 12:22 pm: Kudos !

O'Brien

March 27th, 2011
4:04 pm

doc, dmb,

As a GT fan, I dont remember watching Morrow in college and thinking “this guy can be a good role player in the NBA”. But a big part of that is because Paul Hewitt was never able to get the most out of his players talents.

But I am not a scout. So it would have been nice if the hawks and their scouts had seen something in Morrow.

In recent memory, has there ever been a Hawks player (drafted or signed) who other teams look at and say “he was a diamond in the rough”? A player who is outperforming his contract?

Grandad

March 27th, 2011
4:05 pm

Hatter;
I hope all is well.

The ultimate

March 27th, 2011
4:08 pm

There are quite a few bigs who are having an impact for their teams. As long as Horford is in the paint there will be a toll free expressway to the cup. We will not be able to stop the other team from scoring. Youve already blamed horfords lack of defense on the point guard and trade Bibby for Hinrich. Although Hinrich is a much better defender than Bibby the truth is Bibbly wasnt the reason teams scorched us in the paint. You cant win if you cant stop the other team. Howard is not the only center who can play defense and Orlando is not the only team that will shut us down in the play offs. To try and reduce horfords lack of defense to Howard only is foolish and a losing argument. Defensively there are about 9-12 centers that are capable of defending the paint. Lets go get one of them even if it means trading horford.

Dezz Nuttz

March 27th, 2011
4:09 pm

Miss you Grandad. AKA Mr. Wit.

Dezz Nuttz

March 27th, 2011
4:11 pm

Drmaryb you may suppress,for a short period of time, but you will never stop the Truth

Najeh Davenpoop

March 27th, 2011
4:23 pm

MC @12:22, great post. Keep keeping it real. I’m no fan of LD, but no single individual is responsible for losing multiple home games by embarrassing margins.

tremaine

March 27th, 2011
4:25 pm

Is Teague going to start or what?

Grandad

March 27th, 2011
4:30 pm

* Hatter:

” The dude abides “

northcyde

March 27th, 2011
4:43 pm

Michael Cunningham

March 27th, 2011
12:30 pm

@lewis: not my intention to attack you. i just think these players have gotten too much of a pass the past two seasons. the hawks can’t keep firing coaches and keeping players who haven’t shown they can get it done.

***********************

I’m glad you said this MC. For years, on other Hawks sites, I’ve said that fans act like these coaches have X-Box controllers in their hands, controlling the actions of every player.

But the consensus amongst most Hawks fans were that it was the PLAYERS that won games, but the COACHES who lost them. How can that be? If we lose, don’t the players take the blame for that as well, if they were the main reason why we won?

Guys like Joe Johnson have to play at a high level every game
Guys like Josh Smith have to play smarter
Guys like Al Horford have to play tougher
Guys like Marvin Williams have to play more consistent
Guys like Jamal Crawford have to play more under control

Yet, when these players don’t do this, the coach is to blame? Nah . . put that on the players.

Coaches should be to blame for strategy and adjustments. But not for the actual play and effort of the players. That’s why I wasn’t all gung-ho for Teague playing. At some point, the kid had to consistently perform on the court, even if it meant giving it his all and making an impact for 5 minutes at a time. Now him not playing when the team needs help at PG, is on the coach. But performance is all on the player.

Drew isn’t the reason why JJ doesn’t go hard to the hole and draw fouls
Drew isn’t the reason why Smith thinks he’s Magic Johnson at times
Drew isn’t the reason why Horford tends to get punked by bigger centers
Drew isn’t the reason why Marvin can’t consistently make wide open jumpers
Drew isn’t the reason why Jamal takes all of those wild azz shots

But Drew can get blame for a lot of things, as far as the offense not playing to players strengths, or in-game adjustments, or player rotations. But don’t blame him for things that are obviously under a player’s control.

The ASG got what they wanted to see. Simply changing coaches didn’t do the trick. So they either have to add pieces to this team that can BALL, or they have to change out some of our core guys to change the makeup of the team.

*********************

As for the player who might offer up a comment dissing Drew’s preparation . . . that’s easy.

Josh Powell.

Coming from a system like L.A., in which he got to saw Phil Jackson work . . plus probably feeling that he should be playing a lot more here in ATL ( despite his no defense and rebound playing self ) . . and considering the run-in he and Drew had earlier in the year in which Drew suspended him . . he’s probably the most likely Hawk to say something bad about Drew.

Najeh Davenpoop

March 27th, 2011
4:56 pm

It could have been Zaza too, prior to his recent increase in playing time. Or maybe a departed player like Mo Evans.

tremaine

March 27th, 2011
5:05 pm

LD is still garbage no matter who you want to blame.

Worldwide Clyde

March 27th, 2011
5:21 pm

The Hawks are so sorry even Doc, Ando, and Astro Joe even gave up on them.

Worldwide Clyde

March 27th, 2011
5:23 pm

If Drew can’t even come up with plays to deal with a double teams then why should he keep his job.

FIRE LD

drmaryb (*_-)

March 27th, 2011
5:33 pm

The Truth!

“Drmaryb you may suppress,for a short period of time, but you will never stop the Truth”
________________

Calling a man gay, whom you have never met? How is that Truth?
It’s easy to be brave, jack I’d’s and type “fighting” words from behind a
QWERTY keyboard!

Oh! That would be very brave and impressive – if you were not such a prick and a coward. Maybe if your DCK was as big as your keyboard, you would march down to Philip’s Arena and tell MC he is GAY to his face.

Last time I checked, unlike yourself, MC is NOT hard to find!
He sit’s court side at all Home and Away games!
______________

Truth? LOL! More like COWARD! A toothless B!TCH!_

tremaine

March 27th, 2011
5:39 pm

dumbest lineup ever

Worldwide Clyde

March 27th, 2011
5:54 pm

“Truth? LOL! More like COWARD! A toothless B!TCH!_”

I thought drmaryb was a church lady.

FIRE LD

Najeh Davenpoop

March 27th, 2011
5:59 pm

The Teague/Kirk lineup is 2-1, and this moron would rather roll with the big lineup against a team whose only true center is injured. WTF

cp

March 27th, 2011
6:00 pm

I dont see the need for the big lineup. Hollins is terrible and is no threat offensively

mykhalc

March 27th, 2011
6:00 pm

@MC…PREACH!!! KA BOOM!!!

cp

March 27th, 2011
6:01 pm

LD being LD

JeJe

March 27th, 2011
6:02 pm

“i think game preparation and attention to detail would be the last thing to take a shot at Drew about.”

Well if we haven’t figured out after 6 years how to facilitate Joe passing out of the double team, I’m sure both Hawks coaches for those years have been a colossal failure
FIRE LD

The Game Has Changed

March 27th, 2011
6:05 pm

@X-I wouldnt go as far as saying we are chasing our tails.I think we are out of touch with reality. We continue to do the same thing and hope for a different outcome. We may not have the rings that the Lakers have but we have dreams. Go Hawks

Dukester

March 27th, 2011
11:01 pm

@drmaryb go and read “the ultimates” post it says it all. If you feel Al Horford is the center we need thats where we agree to disagree. We agree that Dwight is the best but check out his numbers against Horford. I hate to tell you Horford is not a defensive center. I love the kid for what he brings but with 3 minutes to go in a game I dont want Horford defending the paint.

Dukester

March 27th, 2011
11:05 pm

@drmaryb what makes it so funny is Horford even said he is better suited at PF so he’s telling you man get me off these 6′11″ centers im a finesse guy. LOL

U KNOW WHO THIS IS

March 28th, 2011
9:23 am

yall have to excuse Mike Cunningham. He has a obsession with mediocrity. Josh is a tremendous asset! He is a 5 tool player who should have the ball going through him all the time. Unlike horford, Josh plays defense and plays it better than any other power forward in the game. He is unselfish because with out arguing he moves to the 3 position to accommodate the whining Horford who laments” i dont wanna play center, its too hard for me, move me to the 4 spot”.

Speaking of getting a free pass, Horford , Cunningham’s favorite player, out side of putting up mediocre numbers is one of the Worst defensive starting centers in the NBA. Teams love to Isolate him under the basket and run tiny guards and quick 3’s to dunk on him. He is a liability defensively. Such a liability that Woodson has to run a switch defense to compensate his ineptness. Further Now that Sund and Cunninghams favorite Coach Larry Drew has taken over he tries to deal with Horfords defensive weakness by starting 2nd 3rd and 4th string big bodies in place of horford when ever we play a real center. Horford then forces Josh to the 3 to shoot bombs from the perimeter. It certainly takes the hawks out of their game.

No longer can we whine and blame Horford’s lack of defense on the Bibby point guards position. Hinrich plays good defense, yet Horford is still a liability, yet because he is Cunningham favorite play he gets a free pass.If you take not when ever the hawks win Cunningham puts up a picture of Horford but when the Hawks lose there is a picture of Josh….Hmmmmm

Keep your head up Jsmoove. You are a true Baller. Handle your business!

Cunningham Sucks!! Horford plays no recognizable defense. Sund continues his dance with mediocrity, and Drew is threw!

FIRE
SUND
CUNNINGHAM
DREW

THE NEW BUBBA CREW!

U KNOW WHO THIS IS

March 28th, 2011
9:25 am

*If you take note whenever the hawks win Cunningham puts up a picture of Horford but when the Hawks lose there is a picture of Josh….Hmmmmm

U KNOW WHO THIS IS

March 28th, 2011
9:29 am

Truth? LOL! More like COWARD! A toothless B!TCH!_ ?

I did not demean you. Just respectfully gave you my perspective with out the abuse…..I guess thats some more of your preaching.

God, its you we trust, its your people we are worried about.

Preach on preacher lady!

U KNOW WHO THIS IS

March 28th, 2011
9:31 am

Mary, Im at Phillips often enough. Theres nothing between us but air and opportunity…..

Think about that…..

U KNOW WHO THIS IS

March 28th, 2011
9:35 am

Shout out to The Grandad. Handle yo business player.

on que

March 28th, 2011
9:43 am

Calling Horford an allstar is like calling an illegal alien a house guess. The fans clearly dont see horford as anything near an allstar. The coaches add him as a reserve. Gee. Thats not my impression of an all star. What? He scored 2 pts in the last allstar game…. Thats an All Star?

on que

March 28th, 2011
9:44 am

*house guest

The Rock

March 28th, 2011
9:55 am

Finally, The Hawks have teams on their schedule that they can beat!!!

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