Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson to return to lineup as Hawks look for ‘mental edge’ over Magic
J.J. practiced today and said he “definitely” will play against the Magic after missing a game with a sprained right thumb.
“A little sore but it will be all right,” he said. “I have had a couple days to rest so I am sure it will be ready to go.”
Joe said he would probably wear some kind of protective device on the thumb. He said he was able to shoot the ball without problems while participating in the full session.
“He was actually pretty good,” L.D. said. “I asked him how the thumb was and he said it was much better than a couple days ago. That’s good to hear. I thought he shot the ball pretty good today.”
Smoove missed the final portion of practice to get treatment on his sore right knee. He’s not listed on the injury report.
If Joe returns to the lineup and if Jameer Nelson (knee) is able to play, it would be the first Hawks-Magic this season in which both teams had all their regular starters available.
Nelson sat out the Magic’s 93-89 victory on Nov. 8 at Amway Center. J.J. and Nelson sat out the Dec. 6 rematch in Orlando won 80-74 by the Hawks (a game in which several Orlando players were getting over a virus). The Magic had just added Turkoglu and J-Rich to the lineup when they lost 91-81 on Dec. 20 at Philips.
As Chicago, Boston, Miami fight it out for the top three spots in the East and Philly and New York meander at six and seven, it looks like the Hawks and Magic will tangle in the first round of the playoffs. John Hollinger’s latest playoff odds projections have it that way.
“It’s highly probable they will be our first-round opponents in the playoffs and I am sure they are looking at it the same way,” L.D. said. “They’ve always been a tough team for us to play, going back to what they did to us last year. So the energy is going to be there, the energy and the intensity. I think there will be a sense of urgency on both team’s parts to establish themselves.”
L.D. said he probably would again use the Twin lineup again Orlando. With Gortat gone the Magic now are forced to play small with Brandon Bass or Ryan Anderson at center when Dwight goes to the bench. That lack of front court size, in addition to Hinrich now checking Jameer instead of Bibby, theoretically makes Orlando a more favorable matchup for the Hawks.
Of course the Hawks can’t think about match ups when they have yet to prove their worth against the league’s best. Getting a W tomorrow would be a good start.
“We feel confident going up against any team,” J.J. said. “But I think we understand the significance of this game and the psychology of it, as far as this is more than likely be our first-round opponent. This is definitely a statement game, a game that we really need to come out and take seriously. We can go up 3-1 and have the mental edge on them as well. It’s definitely important.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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175 comments Add your comment
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
2:36 pm
Flip Side!
Mike is Back! And, you guessed it:
“He Got Jokes!”
Flip-Side! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny!
That is just wronge – Mike. Is that like my blind Stepfather’s, (no joke, dude was blind), he loved making those flap jacks (he was from NY), down South? We called them pancakes!
Funny thing is, one side would be black as tar, the other side light.
All, I had to do was flip it over and cover with syrup, depending on my mood that day. You now, some days seem brighter than others.
Holler back, and Let’s Go Hawks! We can win this game, just keep the score close and try to win it in the 4th!
sam'l
March 30th, 2011
2:37 pm
Comeback player of the year……MIke Bibby.
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
2:41 pm
Even in a sign and trade scenario, all Chicago would’ve given us, was a huge trade exception. They wouldn’t have to give up a single player in order to get JJ. Maybe they give us a 1st round pick. Oooooooo . . a pick in the high 20s is really going to help us.
That would’ve not been a scenario that played out like in Denver. It would’ve played out more like what happened in Phoenix with Amare.
Personally, I’d rather the Hawks go back to what they were throughout the 1990s ( a perennial 5 – 8 seeded playoff team ) . . than to not make the playoffs at all for multiple years, like what we saw throughout the 2000s.
Unless you win that lottery, or get a top 2 pick in a real good draft, you’re not getting that all important impact player through the draft. And if your organization isn’t willing to really open up the pocketbook to bring in the RIGHT star, we’re in the same situation.
But I guess Marvin would blossom into the star without JJ here. I guess that would be the hope. Or Teague turning into a 16 ppg – 8 asst type PG.
Keep it real folks.
The Truth
March 30th, 2011
2:56 pm
northcyde
Nice work!
Blue
March 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Jordan Crawford …….. 24 points last night
Blue
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Enter your comments here
Rod from College Park
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
“But I guess Marvin would blossom into the star without JJ here. I guess that would be the hope. Or Teague turning into a 16 ppg – 8 asst type PG.”
Could you imagine Marvin drawing a double team. LOL
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
People should still be pizzed at the fact that we could’ve added a coach like Avery Johnson and a big man like Shaq to the team. Even if Shaq played in as many games as he had for Boston, the fact that you’d have him in the middle during the playoffs, would do nothing but bolster the potential of this frontline overall.
The dude still managed to average 9 ppg and 5 rebs in 20 minutes of playing time, while shooting 66% from the field. That would’ve instantly made him our best TRUE center. That shows you just how bad our backup centers are.
And if the price to add that on this team, was to give up Marvin and overpay Shaq for a year or two, that would’ve been the type of “hope” to pay for.
Instead, people want to blow the entire team up . . win 20 games . . boycott Philips Arena ( because none of you are going to watch a 20 win Hawks team ) . . and hope we get lucky enough to get an impact player in a good draft.
Yeah . . that’s a plan alright.
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
northcyde,
agreed with your 2:40pm post
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
northcyde,
a question for you.Who would you say since watching the Hawks have been their best coach in your mind?
drmaryb I pose the same question to you and others who do you think was the best hawks coach and why?
Booo!
March 30th, 2011
3:04 pm
LD II transferring to UCLA
http://www.carolinamarch.com/2011/3/29/2078006/larry-drew-ucla-transfer
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
GREAT POST! If JJ played with the Bulls, they could have reached 65 wins and be serious title contender for the next 5 years.
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:11 pm
Dwayne Casey..
We have a defensive roster, so we needed a defensive coach. I think LD has cost the games, because of his love for Jamal and Bibby. I don’t think a defensive coach would have played Jamal or Bibby so many minutes.
A True Hawks Fan
March 30th, 2011
3:12 pm
This game is important for several reasons. One is that this will be our first round match up in the playoffs. Another interesting thing to keep an eye on is who in our line would create mismatches for the Magic. The magic have gotten weaker in perimeter defense since last year by losing Matt Barnes and Mikel Peitrus. Also we dont have to worry about Nelson beating Bibby on dribble penetration since we have Hinrich now. Since Marvin doesn’t create mismatches for the other team, JJ and JC will need to have good games to be successful in this game and in the first round. I believe we have a better chance in the series than we did in last years series.
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:13 pm
LOL @ Rod . . I mean damn. Imagine if teams started gameplanning to actually STOP a Marvin, or a Josh Smith, or a Horford. Are any of those guys versatile enough offensive players to actually counter that and keep playing at a decent level?
Could Smith elevate his offensive game to a LaMarcus Aldridge level, if JJ wasn’t here? How about Horford? Especially without a high assist type PG?
On this team, even a mediocre playing JJ takes pressure off of the other guys. Not because JJ is that good, but because teams gameplan to stop JJ like he’s that good. This is what MC alluded to last week, and asked the question why are teams still doing this, but leaving Horford open>
It’s because they don’t want JJ being that dual scoring and passing threat. They can live with Horford taking and making jumpers, if it’s keeping JJ’s scoring numbers down. What they don’t want, is for JJ to kill the opposing guard in a one on one situation, then getting his assists once they decide to double.
Teams would rather live with other guys making plays, and taking the ball out of JJ’s hands, than to have him keep the ball and make plays.
That’s why I think the tweak that JJ has to make offensively, is for him to simply look for his shot early on. Don’t play that passive role right off the bat, look to score first and foremost. Then when the heat turns up, pass out of the double team and see if the others can convert.
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
New Blog
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:25 pm
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
northcyde,
a question for you.Who would you say since watching the Hawks have been their best coach in your mind?
drmaryb I pose the same question to you and others who do you think was the best hawks coach and why?
**************************
My Hawks watching experience goes back to 1984.
In that time, the best coach was Lenny, because he emphasized defense and team play. And he would not hesitate to give his better defensive players playing time. His only flaw was that he couldn’t stand Nique’s “I gotta get mine” type mentality.
In a lot of ways, Lenny wanted everyone on the floor to be a threat, much like Drew does. The difference is that Lenny would always reward his defensive players before his offensive ones. But in the NBA, sometimes you simply have to ride your star player and let him carry you.
I think that’s why Lenny was all for the Danny Manning trade. Manning had put up incredible numbers before the All-Star break with the Clippers. But the thing he was missing was that “it” factor. You have to have that “it” guy to go deep in the playoffs.
And that’s what the current Hawks are missing . . that “it” guy.
But my vote would be for Lenny. I mean, Lenny tried his best to develop Dikembe into a low post scoring threat, when he was mainly known as a defensive player. I wish Drew would do that more for Smith and Horford.
K-Dogg
March 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
I got a sure fire bet for Floyd Mayweather!!!! Put 50k on the Hawks getting beat by 10plus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K-Dogg
March 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
Teams dont have to game plan to stop otehr guys b/c they stop them selves Joe is the only one with a high basketball IQ and if you let him he can get 30 on you!!! Josh is self check b/c he will jack up jumpers and not go to work and use his footwork and speed on the block and Big Al is self check b/c one he refuses to work on going to his left in the summer on the block!!!! Thats wahts so said about Josh b/c all he has to do is make up his mind he is going to work out on the block a full game and he would really put up aldrige like numbers and if Big Al works on going to his left!!! Anybody that really watches other NBA teams will see that Aldridge use to shoot 80% jumpers and now he is one the block 80% of the time and only shooting 20% jumpers!!!!!
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:38 pm
northclyde,
Yes Lenny was a very good coach for the Hawks.Hated the Manning trade. Manning was always hurt and underachieved that is why when Nique came back he killed Manning.What did you think of Mike Fratello as coach?
When you think about it with the right coach there isnt any reason why the Hawks ceiling cant be what the Mavericks are. The Hawks are equal to the sum of their parts. I would love to see Josh Smith play the same way Zach Randolph plays with the boards but the problem is and I think will have to be addressed is that Smith and Horford play the same position and it is my belief that one of them will have to be moved for the Hawks to get further
Rusty
March 30th, 2011
5:04 pm
I liked mike fratello. He always had the hawks playing good basketball as a team,they never would roll over & quit like they do now. He had a super star in nique who would play his heart out & the rest of the team was on the same page with him. I think even now he would be a tremendous improvement over Larry drew.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
5:23 pm
North-Cyyyde!
And to add to that stellar post, Mr. Johnson picked The Hawks – The Hawks did not pick him! How flattering was that to an 11 win team coached by
Lon “Freddie” Kreuger and Terry Stotts?
Then Eric Daimpeer and Kenyon Martin only came to be recruited by
The original Afro – Billy Knight. They only came for the steak dinner at Bones and to see the girls at “Magic City”. We were spurned by B-Level FA’s.
Joe came here to build his own team and be the man! We haven’t had anything close to getting that Super-Star! We just are not that attractive as an organization. We don’t need a team filled with B-Level talent, we need a block buster player now, a HOFer player now.
Maybe we can get Dwight under a new owner? If he would come, I honestly believe ASKG would go into the Luxury Tax to keep the main core. It’s our only hope now.
hbcuclassics
March 30th, 2011
7:04 pm
HBCU Classic Sports Draft Board 2011 (11-21)
11. Jason House 5′11,185 FS Southn 10 ints 2009
12. Chris Adingupu 6’0, 189 FS PView All-SWAC
13. Phillip Sylvester 5’9, 185 RB FAMU All-MEAC, 4.39/40
14. Ray Webber 6′2, 218 WR UAPB FCS All-American
15. David Mims 6’8, 348 OT VA Union 3x All-CIAA
16. Josh Harrison 6’4, 285 OG SC State All-MEAC, 3x MEAC Champ
17. Dejuan Fulghum 6’0, 220 OLB Tx South 2010 SWAC Defensive POY
18. DeAngelo Branche 6′0 220 RB Norfolk FCS All-American
19. Andre Carroll 6’4, 280 DT Del St. FCS All-American
20. Frank Kearse 6′4, 302 DE Ala AM 2x All-SWAC
21. Marshall McFadden 6’1, 230 LB SC State All-MEAC,3xMEAC Champ
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
jlewis
March 31st, 2011
12:45 pm
Northclyde, drmaryb, k-dogg…Finally some basketball knowledge and logic displayed on this site.
ShempHoward
March 31st, 2011
5:11 pm
Najeh Davenpoop: I know many fans are negative about Atlanta sports ineptitude and their almost certain collapse whenever they are in position to do something great. Over my 20-30 years as a sports fan in atlanta, I look at the titles that the atlanta teams, could and should won had it not been for “AWEFUL”, “INEPT” coaches who ruined the teams chances:
Braves: could have won 4 titles in 45 years
Hawks: could have won 1 title in 43 years
Falcons: could have won 3 titles in 45 years
Thrashers: could have won 2 titles in 12 years
This makes me feel much better because my atlanta teams have been in position to win 10 titles across the four major sports. Unfortunately they were only able to pull out 1 title, with the Braves winning the city’s lone title in 1995. Knowing that the Thrashers could have won 2, the Braves should have won 4, the Falcons should have won 3, and the Hawks should have won at least 1 MAKES ME FEEL MUCH BETTER AND IN MY MIND CHOKES OFF THE EMPTINESS, THE RESULT OF ME LIVING IN AN IMAGINARY WORLD.