Hawks 99, Cavs 83
Greetings, all-
Hope you all enjoyed the game. Cleveland isn’t the true test we’re waiting for, but the Hawks won, won convincingly, won without Joe Johnson and won with strong individual performances, so that’s about all you can ask for tonight.
- Marvin Williams had one of the best games of his career – 31 points on just 14 shots, 10-for-11 from the free-throw line, seven rebounds. He had 13 in the fourth quarter. Larry Drew got him a lot of touches. He posted up a good bit and got his shots from the corner. Drew said prior to the game that he thought he was responding to coming off the bench because he got more touches that way and wanted to keep the rhythm going.
“I got going early and [Drew] kept coming to me, my teammates kept coming to me,” Williams said. “I had a big night, our team had a big night.”
He had two fairly significant baskets in the fourth – the Cavs were trying to rally and Williams hit a pair of 3-pointers from the corner in about a minute’s span that helped them maintain the lead. Perhaps not memorable in the aftermath, but noteworthy I thought how things got messy Saturday night against New Jersey.
Drew saw a similarity with the game against Philadelphia.
“We were in an identical situation, but this time we finished it off,” he said.
- Drew used eight players until less than two minutes remained, the five starters and Jeff Teague, Zaza Pachulia and Jamal Crawford. Drew said he “wanted to maintain the rhythm with the short rotation.” He also said he wanted Josh Smith or Al Horford on the floor at all times. They played a combined 79 minutes and will undoubtedly enjoy the day off they’re getting Monday before returning to practice Tuesday to prep for Orlando.
- Cleveland missed its first eight shots, fell behind 8-0 and it never felt like to me that they were going to be competitive. Coach Byron Scott said the team didn’t start with energy and intensity. They played in spurts, and they got 11 offensive rebounds, but it seemed pretty clear that they just don’t have the horses.
- The Hawks pushed the pace a good bit, more than the 12 fast-break points would indicate. “They got a lot of fast-break and easy points in transition and that kind of was the ballgame for us,” Cavaliers forward J.J. Hickson said.
- A strong all-around game for Smith. The shot selection wasn’t very selective, but you can’t argue with 18 rebounds (season high), eight assists and 13 points. He passed well out of the double team and ran the floor well, I thought. Williams at the 2 and Smith at the 3 poses some unusual matchup challenges.
- No real update on Johnson. Drew said he didn’t know when he’d be back. Sprains, obviously, can vary. Kirk Hinrich sprained his right thumb against Philadelphia and kept playing while Johnson’s knocked him out of the game.
“He’s a fast healer,” Williams said. “I don’t know what he does. I’ve got to figure out the trick. He’ll be back soon, I’m confident of that.”
- From the stats: Hawks shot 50.0 percent from the floor. Of their 74 shots, 30 were taken in the paint, compared to 45 out of 87 shots for Cleveland. Hawks had two offensive rebounds and four second-chance points, compared to 11 and 14 for Cleveland. Hawks had 29 assists on 37 baskets, their highest assist total in the past seven games.
- I spoke at length with Crawford before the game, some of which will find its way into a story for Tuesday’s paper about his season. He said some interesting things. He said he’s at times played passively this season, which I think has something to do with being a point guard in this offense. Whereas last season he was the guy coming off the bench to light it up, now he’s sometimes that guy, sometimes a facilitator and that, I think, has had an effect on his play. One thing you’ll find interesting. He reads the blog all the time and knows he’s getting killed.
“I can’t wait till your blog people read this,” he said.
- Some of you noted the crowd in the game thread. It was announced at 20,226, but there were a lot of empty seats. It was kind of dead, although the fact that Cleveland was never really into the game had something to do with it. But, as you noted, give the fans credit for sticking around. They deserve better than what they’re getting.
- You’ll be pleased to know that your coach doesn’t think all problems are solved.
“When teams get us down, we haven’t responded well,” he said. “That, to me, will be the ultimate test for us, when we withstand a run by teams of those caliber (like Orlando) and are able to push our way through it.”
- The last word from Horford: “I think we still have a ways (to go). At least we’re going in the right direction and it’s good to get a couple wins under our belt. We’ve been struggling but we just need to keep building off of this.”
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180 comments Add your comment
Geemack
March 28th, 2011
5:11 pm
besides not “desides”
Sautee
March 28th, 2011
5:14 pm
Rod from CP,
Way to go buddy. You stepped up and gave a mea culpa on your earlier criticism of Marvin’s performance.
That’s keepin’ it real, big time, Rod.
Sautee
March 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
smitty derf,
Yes Josh makes too many turnovers. That said, he’s not only 4th on the team in assists, but he’s 4th in assists in the LEAGUE among PFs behind only Gasol, Diaw, and B. Griffin.
http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Assists.jsp?league=00&season=22010&conf=OVERALL&position=2&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=Y&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=
That OBVIOUSLY shows that he has a talent for passing the ball. The Hawks would be foolish to ask him not to pass, wouldn’t they? I mean why waste an asset that is 4th in the league at his position??
As far as the turnovers go, the three players who lead the Hawks in turnovers are the three who handle the ball most. JJ, Jamal and Josh. Why wouldn’t you expect those three to have a higher TO total?
The best answer is for Josh to curb his worst impulses on the court. That means better shot selection, and better judgement on passes. And less yapping to the refs.
Sautee
March 28th, 2011
5:37 pm
Jamal Crawford,
If you read this, please take it to heart. We need you to move more without the ball. You are by far our best “catch and shoot” perimeter player, but you seem to stand and wait for the ball to be given to you far too often. In this offense (assuming you guys actually run it, lol) you could be like Rip Hamilton running curls into the lane ALL DAY AND NIGHT.
You are perfect for that role, if you’ll just MOVE without the ball. And when you cut, CUT HARD, so it moves the defense.
Why LD hasn’t used you this way is a total mystery to me. And probably to him as well, LOL.
doc
March 28th, 2011
5:53 pm
sautee, i dont dislike his passing but his dribbling up the court too much with the basketball. that too is not a judgment thing as much as he needs to just stop doing for the most part. if he did the to’s would drop.
Sautee
March 28th, 2011
6:00 pm
doc,
Yes indeed!
But how did you like that length of the court pass to Horford right in stride for a layup? You gotta admit it was effective, if ill-advised.
Josh is our ultimate risk vs. reward player. We all tend to b!tch when the risk is outrunning the reward. But when it works we say wow.
Astro Joe
March 28th, 2011
6:18 pm
Najeh, so is the point that playing Teague makes no difference in the team’s success/failure? Isn’t that a double-edged sword?
Sautee
March 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
AJ,
LOL, we have an entire TEAM full of double-edged swords.
doc
March 28th, 2011
6:55 pm
i dont think he had to dribble on that one sautee. that is when i get frustrated with him. hinrich and teague if he grows up should get the ball more than bibby who got disinterested in running shortly after he got here. cant remember him tossing too many ally oops lately
drmaryb (*_-)
March 28th, 2011
7:10 pm
The Firing Squad!
This post is for:
Worldwide Clyde
JeJe
And, all the other non-basketball players who know so much about
Mr. Naismith’s lovely game, but has never played, dunked nor coached one game in their lives.
To the blogger who has only one purpose in blogging: to increase the unemployment percentages in America, because the all time high of 10% isn’t nearly high enough.
_________________________
“Fisher is president of the NBA players association, but Jackson doesn’t see him becoming a head coach one day. “I don’t think Fish is stupid enough to do it,” he said dryly. “He’s probably smarter than that.”
- Los Angeles Times -
_____________________
Great Coaches don’t take bad jobs. I don’t know what coach you two guys want to come here? Chances are they won’t do it unless they get the GM job too, but telling a millionaire to do something is the equivalent of telling your 16 year old daughter she can’t have a boyfriend, because she is too young. Good luck with that. By this time next week, she’ll not only have an unemployed boyfriend, she’ll probably be knocked up too.
__________________
Next to being a parent, coaching an NBA team is probably the next most difficult job there is.
I’m just saying.

J from the A
March 28th, 2011
7:11 pm
From the nba.com Power rankings:
Plus-minus Stud: Luol Deng (CHIA) was a plus-76 in four games last week.
Plus-minus Dud: Jordan Crawford (WAS) was a minus-72 in four games last week.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2011
7:11 pm
“it was reported that LD shortend the bench to 7players the other night. said he wanted to send a message when the bench comes out lethargic. ”
LD you done lost your marbles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josh will never get it!!!!!!!!!!! Bye Josh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvin will turn into Mr Marshmellow again this week..Here come the playoffs teams to be up on the Atlanta Hawks………………..Yawn……………
Slimjr
March 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Say it drmaryb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Its a shootout at the okay phillips(coral) people…………LOL
Phil would never work for these dysfunctional Hawks. 43 years of futility,Garbage………………………..
Slimjr
March 28th, 2011
7:19 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
{beat up}. I should refrain from drinking a cold beverage while typing….LOL……
Slimjr
March 28th, 2011
7:21 pm
Wow the playoffs start in Two WEEKS!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 28th, 2011
7:25 pm
J from the A
With th risk of sounding ignorant. I’m embarrassed to say that IDK what
that +/- stat means. What does that tell us about a player.
I assume + is good and – is bad, beyond that, I’m lost.
I’ll wait for any response whatsoever, thanks.
The Game Has Changed
March 28th, 2011
7:39 pm
Lets go Hawks. Lets get it together before the playoffs. Im behind you guys 100%.
Get Real
March 28th, 2011
7:44 pm
When there is such of a thing as a “Max” contract as we have in the NBA — it is foolish to think that all players at this particular level of pay are (or should be) comparable players.
The only thing comparable is their level of pay. It’s an artificial level.
How much would Kareem, Magic, Bird or MJ be worth (in their prime) today? You guessed it, much more than any player in today’s NBA with a max contract. But they would only be allowed under the rules to receive the same “max” contract.
Having a salary cap skews real value and incorrectly insinuates that players at the “max” level are all of comparable value.
If Forbes capped everyone’s net worth (for the purpose of comprising their list of the world’s wealthiest people) at $10 billion — it would artificially appear that there were 20-30 people at the top with comparable net. But we all know that Bill Gates is worth many times more than this. So the guy sitting at only $10 billion could never be expected to match Gates dollar for dollar in a spending contest.
Hopefully this clears up some of the misunderstanding as it related to the constant criticism surrounding Joe’s contract.
Slimjr
March 28th, 2011
7:46 pm
“The +/- stat is tied to team performance during the time that that particular player is on the court. The games official scorer records the differential in terms of gain (plus) or loss (minus).
By way of example, if David Lee enters the game with the score tied at 80 to 80, and leaves with his team ahead by 3, he gets a plus 3. Conversely, if he enters with his team ahead by 13, and leaves with a 3 point lead, he gets a minus-10.
There you have it drmaryb……smiles…………..
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2011
8:02 pm
“so is the point that playing Teague makes no difference in the team’s success/failure?”
The point is that playing him definitely doesn’t hurt the team in the short term (in my opinion it helps but I can see why someone might argue otherwise), so there is no excuse not to play him, seeing as how those minutes are likely going to help him develop, which in turn helps this team in the long term.
Astro Joe
March 28th, 2011
8:28 pm
Sautee, I think we have a few double-edged swords and several plastic sporks.
Najeh, I agree that he doesn’t hurt (against certain teams). But I also think that any head coach has the right to prioritize playing time for those guys who help (more than are just breakeven).
Mike is back
March 28th, 2011
8:30 pm
Ken Surg, your recent article on Jamal and Marvin is just another example where LD’s pitfall is he is always focus on offense…nothing could be further wrong…for the success of the Hawks going to the playoff.
It’s a lack of consistence effort on defense…and it always will be…you can keep talking about getting one or two players going all you want…unless this team makes a concerted effort on defense on a nightly bases despite the opponent…they will continue their mediocre play…apparently that has become acceptable.
How TF can you expect your reserves to contribute when they never get to play any extended minutes…these guys don’t even appear to have define roles…then you become alarmed when they can’t hold leads…That’s Cool …go ahead and run your starters in the ground heading into the playoff…geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez LD.
It’s encouraging to hear Marvin and Jamal talking about stepping their game up…and it’s great to see the Hawks string together some wins…cuz I still say a win is win…however once LD gets JJ back…he will go back to those same dysfunctional rotations…and rely to heavily on the same guys.
Some guys will be rewarded for mediocrity and some guys will be punished for mediocrity…again geeeeeeeeeeeeeeez LD.
I know I talked some crap…BUT LD just don’t get it…kind of like his predecessor…but on the flip side.
Did I mention how much I love the Hawks.lol
The Truth
March 28th, 2011
8:41 pm
Geemack
“The way these guys have taken off all season, resting them should be the last thing on LD’s mind”
Al is ranked 36 out of 445 players in the entire NBA in minutes played. Of the 35 players ahead of him, only two players, Dwight Howard (6) and Paul Gasol (15), are centers in this group. Of these 3 centers, Al is the most undersize and the most effected by wear and tear. As I watched the Hawks game at Phillips against NJ, they blew a 30 point lead and brought NJ within 9 points of beating them in the 4th. Though Al Horford had an impressive stat line, the numbers don’t reveal his fatigue and him losing focus with missed bunnies, missed rebounding going up against his shadow that was partially responsible for NJ come-back. Even LD tried to apologize for the extended minutes he played Al by rationalizing and associating it with the NJ comeback. But what LD didn’t explain was why he didn’t rest AL in the 3rd quarter when Hawks had a 30 point lead. Then after playing 42 minutes within less than 24 hours later, AL plays almost 40 minutes when Zaza could have played more against the Cavs considering our lead in the 4th.
Since LD can’t beat last year’s record (at this point), he needs to let it go and concentrate on a better playoff showing. Wearing his horses out will not serve him well come playoff time. He can start with minute reduction to his starters and increase PT to key role players.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 28th, 2011
8:43 pm
SlimJr
That was a beautiful explanation and simple too. I am such an analyzer that I would have never figured that out on my own.
I’m rhat kid when taking a test, will talk myself out of the easy, simple answer. Too smart for my own good is what my Mamma used to say.
LOL!
I see now, now I can stop scratching my head!
I LOVE me some SlimJr … I’m gonna’ put my stripper pole in the car and head on over to your house now. I hope my Grand-Daddy don’t get too mad. LOL! But seriously, thanks!
Rev in Tampa
March 28th, 2011
8:44 pm
Teague’s defense makes him more than non-factor. He positively helps the team NOW. By keeping pressure off Al and Josh he improves the whole team’s defense. This is still questioned by several on the blog, understandably so, since he gets to play so little with the first team. He will only grow to become more effective with more experience.
Jae Evolution
March 28th, 2011
9:02 pm
What the hell is going on in the Knicks vs Magic game, Dwight Howard has only two FG attempts and it’s halftime, they are missing Jameer Nelson, and apparently JJ Reddick will be out longer than expected.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 28th, 2011
9:03 pm
Get Real!
Like Astro Joe eluded to earlier today, you give the average blogger way too much credit for understanding what a Max Contract really stipulates and how it compares to the value of other Max Contract Players.
You throw in a Bill Gates analogy and you’re really pushing the envelope now. Hell, I’m a doctor and I can barely navigate Windows 2007 or
defragment my computer’s hard drive! LOL !!!!!!!!!!
Great post and comments however, I gleamed a lot of understanding myself from that. Get Real! And, keep it coming, Sir.
O'Brien
March 28th, 2011
9:16 pm
AJ,
But I also think that any head coach has the right to prioritize playing time for those guys who help (more than are just breakeven)..
Fair enough. but how do you explain LD’s insistence on consistently playing Mo Evans at SF over Damien?
And can we really say Bibby was helping (after January)?
EmirS.
March 28th, 2011
9:22 pm
This Sixers team is very impressive. I never really watched them close up when playing the Hawks. But I’m watching some of the Bulls/Sixers games right now. They might be small upfront…but they are FAST!
I think they are one All-Star away from being quality contenders in the years to come.
Astro Joe
March 28th, 2011
10:07 pm
OB, I don’t think too many coaches throw out players like the daily newspaper (like fans). I mean, if Derek Fisher has 2-3 bad months, would you really expect Phil to leave him on he end of the bench? Part of hiring LD was that he has extended history with Bibby. Not to mention (as I often do) coaches see things in practice that we don’t see. So there are so many other variables that likely weigh into who gets PT. If LD is teaching a new set and player A demonstrates his ability to execute and player B doesn’t, chances are that may weigh into PT (and we would never have insight into that variable). For all all the Teague love, he appears like someone who plays strictly from the neck down. I’m sure that LD would love to find some guys who offer an alternative.
Melvin
March 28th, 2011
10:08 pm
Watching the Knicks/Magic game and Shelden Williams is playing well. Although his impact may not show up in the stat book. He’s really defended Dwight well…
Melvin
March 28th, 2011
10:27 pm
Look like the Hawks got lucky. Dwight just pickup his 17 tech and I think he will be suspended for Wednesday game…
Melvin
March 28th, 2011
10:31 pm
If the Magic lose to the Knicks and Hawks beat Magic on Wednesday they will pickup 2 full games on them.
Melvin
March 28th, 2011
10:35 pm
Ok I jump the gun. Dwight will not be suspended for the Hawks game b/c has 17 techs now. It’s an automatic one game suspension on the 18th tech.
Jae Evolution
March 28th, 2011
10:39 pm
Melvin don’t get your hopes up even if we win on Wednesday, the Magic have a cupcake schedule for the rest of the year. We have Houston, Spurs, Miami, Celtics
Jae Evolution
March 28th, 2011
10:44 pm
Looking at the Wizards vs. Jazz, Jordan Crawford must really be Jamal 2.0, he takes about 30 shots a game seems like and makes 10 of them.
But the potential is definitely there.
doc
March 28th, 2011
11:26 pm
for a ticket holder, not good on tech for howard, melvin.
northcyde
March 28th, 2011
11:32 pm
My only question for Jamal would be this . . actually 2 questions.
1) Why is your shot selection so bad?
and
2) Why when it is obvious that you’re not hitting from long range, you continue to jack up shots from long range?
LOL . . actually, that would refer to the bad shot selection. Oh well.
The 18 foot jumper is your friend Jamal. Going for the home run ball on 40% of your shots, doesn’t do anybody any good . . especially when you’re a 35% shooter from long range.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2011
11:43 pm
“I agree that he doesn’t hurt (against certain teams). But I also think that any head coach has the right to prioritize playing time for those guys who help”
How many players on this team consistently fall into that category? Certainly not Jamal, who is Teague’s only competition for back court minutes off the bench.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 28th, 2011
11:57 pm
And I don’t think he hurts against any teams. Maybe he hasn’t come in and provided a tangible lift in every game he has played, but I can’t think of any game since the trade in which he has come in and made it worse for the Hawks.
Buddy Grizzard
March 29th, 2011
12:24 am
Jae Evolution, I think you missed this from J from the A:
Plus-minus Stud: Luol Deng (CHIA) was a plus-76 in four games last week.
Plus-minus Dud: Jordan Crawford (WAS) was a minus-72 in four games last week.
I’ve mentioned repeatedly that getting high points per game off lots of shot attempts for a team that is losing is no way to judge the value of a player. It doesn’t matter if Jordan Crawford averaged 20 ppg for the week if his team was outscored by 20 ppg while he was on the floor. This is why advanced stats can tell you more about the value of players than traditional, per-game stats.
Slimjr
March 29th, 2011
12:38 am
I believe the Sixers are like 35-22 since that miserable 3-13 start. Doug Collins has them buying into his system you think? Imagine what he could do with the Hawks? 57-58 wins as a 4th seed? Yes,YES,YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
March 29th, 2011
12:44 am
Jamal’s game will kill you in the playoffs because he plays no defense and he does not set up his teammates on offense.He goes 1 on 2 and shoots difficult jump shots under pressure. Like Vince Carter becomes invisible in the playoffs..Just not tough enough and that goes for Marvin too….
Slimjr
March 29th, 2011
12:47 am
“the Magic have a cupcake schedule for the rest of the year. We have Houston, Spurs, Miami, Celtics”
oh well spell it out: 0-4 against those 4 playoff bound teams…………………………….
next up Orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony
March 29th, 2011
1:04 am
Another sign the Atlanta spirit group doesn’t know what they are doing. Jamal Crawford and Mo Evans score a combined 37 points tonight against the Jazz. LarryDrew wouldn’t even give Crawford a chance to get on thefloor. Terrible.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
2:10 am
Boston’s Kendrick Perkins trade might end up going down as one of the worst trades of the decade.
Worldwide Clyde
March 29th, 2011
2:12 am
*yawn*
My girlfriend is waiting on me down there in Rio.
Worldwide Clyde
March 29th, 2011
2:16 am
This is the same squad that got blown out 4 straight games against Orlando last year. What make you think this year is going to be any different.
Drmaryb stick to medicine
SHAKING MY GOT DAM HEAD
Worldwide Clyde
March 29th, 2011
2:25 am
FIRE LD
Buddy Grizzard
March 29th, 2011
2:26 am
Anthony at lease the Wizards got the win, so you can go ahead and say good things about Jordan Crawford. However, DrMaryB, please not both JC2 and Mo Evans were -3 in +/-, meaning during the minutes they were on the floor, the Wizards were outscored by the Jazz by 3 points. They achieved the winning margin while reserves were on the floor.
Najeh, we will have to see how far Perk can take the Thunder to test your theory. Jeff Green sure doesn’t seem to have much of a role now, but they can keep him long term for cheaper. They obviously didn’t want to pay Perk or let him go and get nothing in return.