Nets at Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith’s knee still ailing
Smoove says he has a new plan for his knee pain and his game.
The right knee is still sore. He sprained it against the Nuggets on Feb. 28 after he’d tweaked it earlier in the season.
“It gets sore as I play on it,” Smith said. “That day off after that back-to-back was big for me. I needed the rest. It’s probably not going to be 100 percent at this point. I will just get it treated as much as I can and rest it when I can.”
Smith said his father, Pete, told him a few games back to try running on his toes. He resisted at first because he’s more comfortable running heel-toe but finally relented at Philly and said it helped alleviate some of the pain.
Even with the bum knee, Smoove said he plans to continue to play closer to the basket like he did at Philly.
“I’m trying to drive the ball a little bit more,” he said. “I think it’s a positive for the team and a positive for my game. I can’t think about [the knee]. It makes me play worse. I’ve got to go out there and try to play the way I’m capable.”
Notes
- “Regular” lineup tonight: Hinrich, J.J., Marvin, Josh and Al.
- Deron Williams (wrist) shot baskets before the game but is out for the Nets.
- L.D. said the seven-man rotation he used at Philly won’t be the norm: “I was looking at matchups, looking at the rhythm of the game. As we wind down these last 10 a lot of it will depend on the matchups and how the game is going. If I feel we need to kind of speed the game up, I’ll be playing Jeff Teague more. I am definitely going to get him in tonight playing against Farmar and [Uzoh]. But a lot depends on matchups.”
- Al on the increased minutes for the starters: “We have to do it as a team. We can’t do it with five, six guys. We have to rely on our other guys. They have to be ready to come in and play.”
- Hawks players were a very loose group in the locker room before the game tonight. Same thing at practice yesterday. “You have got to give a lot of credit to coach,” Marvin said. “Coach is not a big downer. I think when you are a head coach that comes in with an upbeat, positive attitude and things are kind of shaky it really does help your confidence as a player. He has come in with a great attitude and it is really rubbing off on us players.”
- Marvin on his increased production lately: “My shot has been so up-and-down all year. I guess I am going through a stretch where I am making shots, thankfully. I have just got to continue to stay aggressive, get to the free-throw line and I guess that has helped me stay in a little rhythm lately. “
- The Nets are awful on offense but not half bad on defense. They are an average offensive rebounding team which is good enough to give the Hawks problems.
- “New Jersey is going to be a brutal game,” L.D. said. “That team has not thrown the towel in. They are playing hard. They’ve got big guys who play physical, they have got guys who can shoot it. It’s going to be a war. We have to bring our hardhat and our tool box. We have to roll our sleeves up. That’s just the kind of game it’s going to be.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
133 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
8:26 pm
“I really hate how Nique is quick to talk about another team’s shortcomings, yet says nothing about the awful coaching and decision making on the Hawks side.”
Nique still gets paid by the Hawks.
Section 303
March 26th, 2011
8:28 pm
Watched most of the first half (gave my tickets away for tonight). Unreal. This changes nothing, though. This team still gets swept right out of the playoffs by whoever they play.
Josh just now realizes that it’s better for the team if he attacks the rim? Not buying it…he’ll be back jacking up sh#tty shots by tomorrow night. I continue to pray at night that he gets traded.
Section 303
March 26th, 2011
8:29 pm
Najeh, from what I hear, ‘Nique needs the money. Sounds like he blew a lot of his jack from his playing days. He can’t afford to get fired, I guess.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
8:31 pm
Najeh!
In da house … Yeah!
All is right in the blog world.
____________
Joe sprained his right thumb (shooting hand). Yikes! I hope it’s very mild.
He should be shut down for tonight. When do we play next.
The thumb is what separates humans from all other species.
It’s a big deal, real big deal, fellas!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
8:33 pm
Anthony Morrow is a very nice player. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? Is he a SF!
Jae Evolution
March 26th, 2011
8:37 pm
That last post up, was there really a need for Jamal to double team on Anthony Morrow, lol? Let him take a fadeaway over Kirk…
bama52
March 26th, 2011
8:38 pm
When Josh Smith is healthy or if he play,have him take notes from his homeboy in Orlando, Dwight Howard move game closer to the basket ,finish on all layups and follow his short jump shot. Josh will not make a living shooting jump shots. Teams know if he hit a couple of jump shots he’ll keep shooting, he will never pump and drive or drop the ball into another big (Al Horford) or whoever is playing in the post. Joe Johnson needs to shoot when he’s open, not when he has 3 people on him. Screens are set for him inside the 3 point area and he will not shoot the ball or drive until 2 or more people defend him. He needs the leader and have a killer instinct.Joe’s a good NBA player,but he needs to be a D.Wade, Kobe, Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant or L James.
tremaine
March 26th, 2011
8:38 pm
Najeh and drmaryb (*_-)
KISS CAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stizz
March 26th, 2011
8:45 pm
“Nique still gets paid by the Hawks.”
True, yet other home team announcers still can critique when needed. I see Joe Simpson and others get on Nate McClouth’s case in baseball, same with Chip Caray who dogged out the Cubs a few years back which resulted in his firing. Section 303 I believe you are correct.
Rev in Tampa
March 26th, 2011
8:46 pm
Through 36 minutes of play LD’s 7 man rotation has played all the minutes except Teagues 4 minutes and less than a minutes for Damien.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
8:46 pm
Peek-A-Boo!
Jeff can’t get a crack at PT to save his life! Peek-A-Boo!
At least Damien got in. We up dang near 30 pts, put the entire bench in and rest the starters.
This game is a wrap.
James on Pharr Rd
March 26th, 2011
8:46 pm
Smoking mirrors people.
Does anyone have trouble with LD for coaching the score? Ample opportunities to coach on defensive lapses and broken offensive play by MW,JC and a couple on Al, but nothing from LD as usual. I dont blame him for taking the job, but our next coach has to be a major teacher of the game.
Boy, if you just read stat sheets after the game, you would have co-sign Jamal to a 3 year extension.
James on Pharr Rd
March 26th, 2011
8:47 pm
I think Steve Smith would make for a better Hawk Ambassador than Nique!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
8:49 pm
Yeah, but Chip Caray was a complete imbecile azz jerk.
Rev in Tampa
March 26th, 2011
8:51 pm
Teague seemed frustrated with the moving screen call on horford
cp
March 26th, 2011
8:52 pm
lol@ Bob and Nique..When Teague has played well he hasnt recieved consistent p.t. so how is this game any different? Bring Steve Smith back
Casual Observer
March 26th, 2011
8:56 pm
Morrow is playing like there’s no to-morrow LOL. Corny, I know…
Stizz
March 26th, 2011
8:57 pm
Something like that drmaryb, but his father sure was a joy to listen to.
cp
March 26th, 2011
8:58 pm
having a hard time puttin the Nets away
Rev in Tampa
March 26th, 2011
8:58 pm
Teague had a turn over so he is back on the bench
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
8:59 pm
Even in this bullsh-t game the Hawks can’t close out a blowout victory. Pretty terrible.
tremaine
March 26th, 2011
8:59 pm
lmao!
Rev in Tampa
March 26th, 2011
9:00 pm
Nice blockout Josh. NOT!
cp
March 26th, 2011
9:00 pm
this team isn’t very good and terrible shots by Jamal
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
9:01 pm
Bench Play!
Our bench play has let them back into this game from 30 down.
It all started when Najeh log onto this website.
______________
-wink- LOL!
Sleepy
March 26th, 2011
9:02 pm
Cmon we gotta move when Crawford breaks down his man no one is moving everyone is standing way out at the three point line. Someone has got to be making a hard cut to the basket with him for the dump off . We really are way too jumpshot happy as a team.
soldierman
March 26th, 2011
9:02 pm
Good lord how in the world do we yet again allow another team to come back on us.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
9:04 pm
Yeah, but Steve Smith is boring.
Nique is very entertaining and has Barkley-Esque comments.
_________________
For all the bench lovers? This is why they sit and warm the seats.
soldierman
March 26th, 2011
9:04 pm
here comes the jumpshots! man this team really has no clue. i am really starting to believe that i am addicted to pain or get off on it because i constantly watch these bums. geez.
soldierman
March 26th, 2011
9:06 pm
man al horford bailing our butts out tonight but i still cant understand for the life of me why if they were so effective in the first half banging down low would they go back to the jump shot?
Jerome
March 26th, 2011
9:06 pm
It’s a beautiful thing to watch when the offense goes through Al. It should really happen more often…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:06 pm
Yeah, I noticed that the Nets started playing with more energy when I started watching.
nwilborn19 tweets that the Hawks fans shouldn’t boo because every team makes a run. Every team… except the Hawks.
Sleepy
March 26th, 2011
9:07 pm
Its just nice to get another road win …..
James On Pharr Rd
March 26th, 2011
9:12 pm
Major Qn for my Atliens:how many games(reg season) do we win if Joe gets hurt for an entire season?
The reason I ask is not because I wish demise on JJ, but to ponder on how our team would adjust next season and after if he were traded or hurt. I think we win at most 32 games and end up picking in the draft- top 10.And we get to develop AH and JS assuming we keep our core team minus JC.
If AH and JS got 18 shots a game a season and were well coached, who knows what we could do in 2013 going forward
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:12 pm
Well, looks like the Hawks will come away with a win. Unfortunately that means one more victory when Teague plays under 20 minutes, which skews my Teague Watch data, but to be honest after they allowed the Nets to cut a 30 point lead to 10 in the 4th quarter, I kinda want to score this one as a loss too.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
9:17 pm
Philips Arena was EMPTY!
The TV camera angle was low and wide. Real low and real wide.
You get my rift … I mean draft .. Uggh, I mean drift? -winkie wink-
cp
March 26th, 2011
9:17 pm
so beating a terrible Nets team is a big win Bob ? Its been so bad lately I guess you have to take whatever you can get
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:17 pm
“how many games(reg season) do we win if Joe gets hurt for an entire season?”
That’s a really good question. It would really depend on whether or not the Hawks adjusted the scheme to reflect Joe’s absence. Would LD allow Kirk and Teague to run the show, get in the lane, and set up Al and Smoove with looks inside, or would he just plug Jamal into the Joe role and continue to go perimeter? I think in the first scenario the Hawks could break 40 wins and make the playoffs, but in the second scenario they would be a definite lottery team.
Paradise Lost
March 26th, 2011
9:21 pm
@soldierman –
banging in paint = hard, effort
jumpshots = easy, less effort
@drmaryb -
I logged on late, but the blog seems kinda empty, too. Only two pages of comments for an entire game. Wow, we are a disenchanted, frustrated bunch after all.
tremaine
March 26th, 2011
9:22 pm
Yawn!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:22 pm
Since the Bibby trade, the Hawks are:
3-2 when Teague gets 20+ minutes, 4-8 when he doesn’t.
2-1 with the Teague/Kirk starting back court, 5-9 without it.
4-3 when Teague starts, 3-7 when he doesn’t.
Free Jeff Teague
soldierman
March 26th, 2011
9:23 pm
1800 tommorrow ladies and gents. see you there.
JSS_blog monster version
March 26th, 2011
9:26 pm
@ Najeh…
On your Teague Watch…
Use an asterisk because of no Deron Williams… Farmar and Uzoh a combined -9 (well that mostly Jordan)…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:27 pm
New York is losing again. Amazing that the Hawks are not even the most disappointing team in the Eastern Conference right now. The Knicks will be 6 games back of the Hawks with 9 to play once Charlotte gets done beating them, pretty much assuring that the Sixers are the Hawks’ only viable competition for the 5 seed.
Rev in Tampa
March 26th, 2011
9:34 pm
It is stunning to see the Hawks +/-
Joe +23
Kirk +11
Al +6
Josh +17
Marvin +11
Jamal -6
Section 303
March 26th, 2011
9:39 pm
I’m not exactly ready to plan the Championship Parade down Peachtree after this win. Can’t wait to read quotes from these clowns talking about how “we needed this” or “this has to carry over…” or “This might get us back on track..”.
They’ll probably lose tomorrow night in Cleveland.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
9:39 pm
Stizz
That was Don Sutton and Chip Caray who did the TV games for Braves on TBS: I believe Chip Caray left on negative terms, an arrogant SOB.
______________
“CHIP CARAY: He was recently dumped by TBS as the Braves announcer but picked up for 105 games by Fox Sports South. He has the “national” profile that the Angels front office craves for their public profile. After the ignomious dumping by TBS, is he hungry to be the voice of a perennial playoff contender even if it means a move to the suburbs of LaLaLand?”
- halo haven.com -
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2011
9:44 pm
I don’t know whether or not Chip Caray is an arrogant ass hole, but I do know that he is an awful, awful commentator who unfortunately is living proof that the ability to broadcast games well doesn’t always run in the family.
JSS_blog monster version
March 26th, 2011
9:45 pm
If Drew panics and does what he did when Joe went down and Bibby is still here? Hmmmmm…It could have been truly ugly…
If he plays Teague and Crawford and does not panic when they hit those rough spots? About .425 pace…
If he turned team over to Jamal? Free fall…
drmaryb (*_-)
March 26th, 2011
9:47 pm
Knicks lose to The Cats! That trade made them terrible defensively,
They may not be able to make the play offs now.
I guess Carmelo is not that type of player? – see Amare -