Atlanta Hawks: Practice report
Pausing during a ‘Nique-heavy day for some late afternoon notes . . .
- The Hawks had a light practice session today.
- J.J. on the thumb: “A little sore but for the most part it feels OK. I shot well [today], actually. It’s going to be one of those things that pretty much lingers. I am never going to have enough time to rest it for it to heal up.”
- Smoove on the knee: “It feels good. I just need to rest it whenever I can and try to keep taking care of it.”
- Al says the hamstring isn’t an issue. He said he gets “maintenance” treatment for the ankle: “The ankle is the one that is still real sore, especially last night [after] I played a lot of minutes. Besides the ankle, I feel fine.”
- L.D. said Twin got treatment for some swelling in his knee.
- After three consecutive solid outings, do the Hawks think they’ve turned the corner and can keep this roll going?
- Drew: “I still want some more. I’m not ready to say that yet. I see signs but I am waiting on us to put together a series of wins against teams like the Orlandos, the Bostons, and the San Antonios. See if we can play with that consistency.”
- Smoove: “I think so. There’s really no turning back now for this ball club. We’ve been playing hard for the past three games and there is no excuse as to why we can’t do that for every game here on out and through the postseason.”
- Al: “I think we are getting there. I don’t think we are there yet. I feel like we have had better outings. We are starting to stick together more out there. It is encouraging to see.”
- J.J.: “Our defense has been the difference. That’s been it. Defensively we have been hitting on all cylinders regardless of what our offense is doing. We’ve brought it defensively and we need to continue to get better and carry that over to the playoffs.”
- Much of the chatter about the Nique incident among players centered on the police mugshot of the accused assailant posted at ajc.com. “The results wasn’t pretty,” J.J. said.
- Al: “It’s unfortunate that something would go down here [at the arena]. We just have to be aware of things like that, I guess. It’s a good thing we have team security, I know that much.”
- TMZ.com posted a (shaky, low-quality) video of the incident.
- The Hawks have told ‘Nique not to comment.
- Josh on lobbying L.D. to send Twin back in vs. Dwight in the fourth quarter: “Al does a pretty good job on bigs in this league but we really wasn’t double teaming because we didn’t want to give up the open jump shot. The way [Dwight] was scoring down and the play [Twin] was giving us the whole game we needed him in the lineup to give us a little bit more resistance”
- Dwight thought Twin should have been called for a flagrant when he wrapped him around the shoulders.
- Twin disagreed: “I’ve committed plenty of flagrant fouls in my career but I don’t think any of those were flagrant. I think a couple of them definitely were hard fouls. The one where I wrapped his shoulders, he’s so strong you just don’t want to give up an and-1. On that one, he hadn’t even jumped yet so it’s not like I snatched him out of the air.”
- SI.com’s Rob Mahoney, filling in for Zach Lowe, warns against getting too carried away by Hawks’ success vs. Magic with big lineup.
- But John Hollinger, writing for ESPN.com’s Daily Dime, calls Twin the “Superman Stopper” and thinks his work against Dwight means “we’re looking at a genuinely competitive series” between the Hawks and Magic.
- Shaq won’t play tomorrow and may not be back until the playoffs.
- L.D. said he most likely would go back to the “regular” lineup vs. the C’s: “At the five spot, Krstic is good but I think we can match up pretty good with him with our regular lineup. I haven’t made a decision yet but I’m leaning that way.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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132 comments Add your comment
Sleepy
March 31st, 2011
8:42 pm
Some of these fans wish we would blow up the team just so Jordan Crawford can score 39 points on our way to 10 win seasons .
The wizards arent trying to win games they are trying to see what there young players can do thats why they traded Hinrich to begin with.
Sleepy
March 31st, 2011
8:43 pm
Doc should hold Rondo accountable and sit him
lewis
March 31st, 2011
8:45 pm
hawks have league’s 3rd Lowest true shooting percentage allowed vs. top post players
Booo!
March 31st, 2011
9:05 pm
Watching TNT
We’re gonna need Teage for both San Antonio and Boston
Somebody send Larry Drew the memo
Booo!
March 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
LOL! JC2 with the bad pass. If he did this in a gam LD would never thet him see the court again! Oh wait…
Booo!
March 31st, 2011
9:17 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNNIUbsvIL8
Booo!
March 31st, 2011
9:19 pm
Then again…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjyL_MT7wqA&feature=related
Ken Strickland
March 31st, 2011
9:36 pm
REV IN TAMPA-Please don’t mention your previous support of LDrew, unless you what an ANAL MINDED MORON posting broken comments under your name.
For those who felt Sund and the ASG made a BIG mistake by refusing to overpay to sign Snaq, do you still feel that way? Shaq hasn’t been healthy enough, or played in enough gms, to qualify for anything but medical treatment.
Shaq frequently missing extended time while nursing questionable injuries is what turned Kobe and DWade against him. Both of these players are well known for their toughness and willingness to play through pain and serious injuries.
We all know Shaq would never even think of coming back from surgery as soon as JJ did. Shaq is the REAL BIG BABY ON THE CELTICS.
EmirS.
March 31st, 2011
9:54 pm
Lol I dont care how ‘Nique speaks anymore. I am not messing with that senior citizen! My God, he took off his blazer and tie and wanted to go back for some more.
Props ‘Nique!
Harpie
March 31st, 2011
9:56 pm
It’s a shame that the Hawks are being “coached” by the biggest idiot in the history of coaching. When they play smart, they’re very good; unfortunately, several of them lack the good sense to continue to do what works, and they have no coach to guide them. They’re going to get killed in the playoffs, thanks to nitwit Larry Drew.,,
superiorblogman
March 31st, 2011
10:06 pm
Big Krit is not original at all. He sounds just like Pimp C. Krit gives you the old skool southern rap style but his lack of originality will hold him back from ever being anything more than a southern success. Plus, his name is a dig at T.I.(King Remembered in Time), which is lame to name yourself in direct reference to someone else. Lastly, when KRIT tries to step up to the throne T.I. will murder his career like the other wanna-be competitors and he will use the name to show that KRIT was just another mini me.
On to the Hawks, Larry Drew and Rick Sund both have to go along with Kirk Hinrich, along with moving Al in a trade or move him to his correct position of PF. What I mean is all the stopgap (getting one until you can get the one) stuff must end here.
Kirk Hinrich should be traded so there is no way he can be your starting PG day 1 of next year.
Zaza, Marvin, or Joe must be traded along with Kirk Hinrich to rid the team of 1 of there bad term longer contracts.
You must get a C and a SF or a C and a PG in the trade that moves Kirk Hinrich and Zaza or Kirk and Marvin or Kirk and Joe.
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 31st, 2011
10:06 pm
Who Twin ? I don’t see anybody named Twin on Hawks roster. Smoove either for the record.
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 31st, 2011
10:10 pm
Why isn’t Marvin Williams called MW ? Why isn’t Kirk Hinrich called KH ? Why isn’t Zaza called Z ?
Oh, I guess just some players get nicknames ???
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2011
10:12 pm
“If your an OutKast, UGK, or 8Ball & MJG fan.
Google or youtube: Big K.R.I.T. – The Return of 4eva
Dude just dropped a classic album. It’s getting rave reviews all over the net.”
Co-sign. I’ve had that on repeat for the past 72 hours or however long it’s been out.
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 31st, 2011
10:15 pm
I thought those rappers were in jail ?
jeremiah
March 31st, 2011
10:35 pm
trade Joe he cant shoot 3pointers or 2pointers
J from the A
March 31st, 2011
10:36 pm
Are we really comparing BIG K.R.I.T to the classic Eightball and MJG, UGK, and Outkast? I’m talking Coming out Hard, on the Outside Looking in, Too Hard to Swallow, Supertight, and Souternplayisticcadillcamuzik. Big K.R.I.T. isn’t even in the same league as classic Eightball and MJG, UGK, and Outkast.
Or are we comparing Big K.R.I.T. to the more recent Eightball and MJG, UGK, and Outkast? If so, who cares?
Nunna!!
March 31st, 2011
10:46 pm
Go Nique!!!!
Nique whipped some ref a#$ last nite,lol..
It seems da ref picked on da wrong wilkins.
He shoulda jumped on Damien instead.
He is a good on defense but,he don’t look like he gonna whip nobody’s a#$!!
Plus,i think nique took his aggression out on ref for all of da bad calls he got in his career..
Nique,next time.Get yo money up!! Count them nimbers of dollars and take yo behind to da mens wearhouse.
U will find what u are looking for..
“I guarantee it”.
Brutal B!!
March 31st, 2011
10:58 pm
Yo Najeh,
http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/13537/big_krit_returnof4eva.html
Dats what he talking bout
doc
March 31st, 2011
11:21 pm
after seeing nique on that tape he looks ready to rumble in the playoffs.
lol, it was a super heavy weight against a flyweight it seemed. it will be interesting to see if surveillance tapes support his accusation of only protecting himself. could look real bad for him if he threw the first of many straight jabs to the guys face.
dev er rev … glad you took it well, heh heh.
Ken Strickland
March 31st, 2011
11:23 pm
I just thought about my earlier blog where I answered the question about exactly how stupid I am. Its a good question that merits a lot of research, for those of you who may be interest.
I dont know why you guys dont really care for Drew’s Princeton offense. This motion offense has got us where were at…think about where wed be with out Drew? I shutter to think! Lets just keep it going.
Now, back to what I was talking about. A lot of you think Im an idiot. well Youre not the only ones who feel that way. Perhaps the reverend Dmaryb will sprinkle some vinegar on me or something. The bottom line is I have a lot of chit in my mouth.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2011
11:26 pm
“Are we really comparing BIG K.R.I.T to the classic Eightball and MJG, UGK, and Outkast? I’m talking Coming out Hard, on the Outside Looking in, Too Hard to Swallow, Supertight, and Souternplayisticcadillcamuzik. Big K.R.I.T. isn’t even in the same league as classic Eightball and MJG, UGK, and Outkast.”
Comparing him to them and saying he’s as good as them are two different things. Nobody is putting KRIT in that category based off one album, but it’s a similar style and dude has a lot of potential.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2011
11:27 pm
Nenad Krstic is out for Friday vs. Hawks and possibly longer. With Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal also slated to miss that game, it looks like we’ll be seeing Big Baby Davis starting at center.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 31st, 2011
11:28 pm
I stand corrected — apparently they dug JO out of his grave in time to play tonight, so I guess he’ll be active tomorrow.
Get Real
March 31st, 2011
11:52 pm
Here’s a word on the so-called “coming back early from injuries” nonsense.
The Predicament– Hawks have an offseason $120 million signeee with very poor statistics and a history of making derogatory comments aimed at his own fans.
The Trick/Bait — They (in this case the Hawks) must get the public to buy into in some initial (and ongoing) press release that states some arbitrary period of time that is “expected” before the player returns. This *may* involve exagerating an injury or some alleged procedure in order to serve their purpose.
(Note: Once the public has fallen for this hook, line and sinker — everyone with the agenda has got the public right where they want them)
The Objective — If an entity with access to the press (in this case the Hawks) desires a positive reaction (from the public) surrounding a player — they wax a longer period of absence than is actually expected for the player’s return from injury.
The final spin —The player *appears* (to the public) in a positive light (almost heroic) when they “return early” from injury.
Bingo!
(Now wasn’t that easy?)
The press is the enemy of anyone who does not have access to it for the purpose of brainwashing people in order to enhance their own agenda.
Believe ONLY what you know to be fact — based on your own observation.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 31st, 2011
11:56 pm
Word on The Street!
doc, allegedly this Rashan guy swung on the security people first, made contact there, then swung on Nique in his chest area. Then Nique gave him a lovely facial, he will need cucumbers to reduce the puffy eye lids I guess. LOL!
That ref looked like a defeated boxer after 15 rounds, he’ll need a
“cut-man” heh? Seems like he was looking for trouble and he found it!.
I was listening to The 2-Live Stews today on 790 The Zone and,
Doug and Ryan said this Rashan was a friend of theirs. Apparently, when they met this “crotch – sniffer”?
He gave them each, two samples of his custom made shirts to try out, in hopes they would place orders in the future and recommend his services to their family, friends and contacts. Ryan said he took the shirts but never ordered anything. Doug may have placed an order or two.
Ryan said Rashan got a little aggressive with him and intimated that since he didn’t show him any love, perhaps he should pay him for those samples. Ryan checked him and put him in his place, but remained friendly. They saw the mug shot and was like – damn! wow! Why did he come at Nique at work, in the arena with that ISH. This guy has some serious personality disorders and created a discrepancy for himself.
_________________
Between Tim Donoughey (sic) and this guy, are these ref’s certifiable or what. Can you say egotistical? – all comments are alleged.
doc, BTW … I haven’t seen the TMZ video yet, so.
I’ll be in Section 314 tomorrow with my Grand-Daddy, so if you are there, I would love to meet with and introduce myself.
Just Sayin’.
Ken Strickland
March 31st, 2011
11:59 pm
A lot of what I say makes sense, if you dont think about it.
Slimjr
March 31st, 2011
11:59 pm
Keep the JC2 UPDATES COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL………………………
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
12:04 am
B-Balla-Val-Halla..Sound like you just got out?????????????????????
doc
April 1st, 2011
12:19 am
dmb, i think i will be there tomorrow night. i am usually in 111 but may have slid to 110 for that night.
check back later
yes, i saw the film and was as impressed at nique as were the guys running the video. some of their comments in the background were classic. no sissy punches there, old style nba basketball if you ask me. heh heh
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
12:24 am
Hey Doc, If Monique Minor shows up in section 110,I am there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL
Grandad
April 1st, 2011
1:26 am
Isaiah Thomas [Washington] announced he will be in the draft.
Not returning to school “no matter what” !
If he slides to 2nd round [Hawks] he will be a steal.
(only 5-8 / one can hope)
bigdave
April 1st, 2011
1:33 am
Grandad..
if he slides consider it a gift from God.. he’s a stud.
jj20
April 1st, 2011
3:52 am
I wish people would get over this Jordan Crawford thing.He is really playing minor league ball with a big league team.Iffhe was with a team that was playing for a playoff position he would be on the bench.He is learning to play because The Wizards have nothing to lose.We see the point total,but we don’t see the missed assignments and the turnovers.He is getting killed on defense and if you saw how Wade and the other top players were using him,people would not be so jacked up.He is in a good place to learn,but if he was playing for a upper ranked team he would be in the D League.
Katie
April 1st, 2011
4:03 am
Like I said, Jordan Crawford is the second coming of Jamal Crawford.
Mac-Town #maconchevyrider
April 1st, 2011
5:04 am
Big K.R.I.T goes hard, He’s from Meridian, Mississippi…I had a roommate from there back at Alabama A&M back in like 05
He put me on him way back…this is the first song I heard by him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H_MPpD77g
people didnt know him when that dropped.
Mac-Town #maconchevyrider
April 1st, 2011
5:25 am
dude from Birmingham named K.D. got an UGK, Eightball style too….and so does dude featured on the track named Freddie Gibbs he from Indiana though…they both got some nice mixtapes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVaaA4QVIyQ
…..but back to bball…
“Dwight thought Twin should have been called for a flagrant when he wrapped him around the shoulders.” <<<<<D12 always b****ing
Buddy Grizzard
April 1st, 2011
6:03 am
“I have one question for all the BLOGGERS. If we beat Orlando and advance to the second round and then get swept in the second round, will yall still be asking for his termination?”
Yes. If the Hawks make it to the second round this year, it will be in spite of Larry Drew, not because of him.
Marcus
April 1st, 2011
6:40 am
My guess during the playoffs is that there will be a ‘Etan Thomas’ sighting, just to dish out fouls on D-Howard.
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
7:27 am
From the previous blog;
Rod,
Defensively, from what I see, he can not stay in front of the quicker guards in the league, which was the problem when Bibby was here..
If Bibby only had trouble staying in front of the quicker guards, then the Hawks would have only switched against quicker guards. But the reality was the Hawks switched every game all the time, because (imo) Bibby could not stay in front of anybody.
Woody said the switching was to cover up certain guys weaknesses, and I think it all started with Bibby.
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
7:32 am
I’m with Najeh and LD. I can’t get carried away just because we’ve beat 2 bottom feeders (Nets and Cavs), and won a close gmae against Orlando. I need to see it more consistently against good teams before I buy in.
•L.D. said he most likely would go back to the “regular” lineup vs. the C’s: “At the five spot, Krstic is good but I think we can match up pretty good with him with our regular lineup. I haven’t made a decision yet but I’m leaning that way.”.
In the Celtics-Spurs game last night, Krstic left with a knee injury and is going to get an MRI, so its very unlikely that he plays tonight. Maybe they will go with JO, who just returned from injury.
Rondo went off against Tony Parker last night. 22 pts, 14 assists, 0 turnovers. Wow.
With the Celtics playing last night, and no Shaq, no Krstic, I would like to see the Hawks win tonight. Maybe LD will find minutes for Teague
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
7:41 am
Rod,
Also, to be thorough, not all of Rose’s points came with Hinrich guarding him. And I am willing to bet that not all of Nelson’s points came with Hinrich guarding him, so despite scoring above their season average, I dont think you should put it all on Kirk.
And just because a guy is a good defender does not mean he is a defensive stopper. Sometimes all the good defender can do is make his opponent work harder for his shot, and still get a hand up.
Woody
April 1st, 2011
7:44 am
somebody tell Dominique to pay his debts.
no wonder nobody wants to go to Hawks games with thugs running the Hawks.
The rest of the story
April 1st, 2011
7:59 am
No, Woodsons switching was designed to cover up Al Horford’s frail defense in the paint. He was and is getting abuse regardless of who the point guard is. There was an argument that once bibby man beat him there was little to be done. We changed Bibby and that did not work. It only works when we put some one under the basket not named Al horford. Of course there are more Big bodies around than during Woodsons tenure. Woodson had little choice but to rotate and switch to help Horford. It doesnt matter if Gary Payton was the point. Opposing Coaches will still pick and isolate Horford under the basket and abuse him.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
8:11 am
I Double Dare You!
“somebody tell Dominique to pay his debts.”
____________________
You don’t know anything about Nique’s debts, perhaps you want to stay out of that aspect. Second thought, I dare you to go tell him
Yourself. Just go get all up in his face. Go ahead … He’ll be court side tonight, he ain’t hard to find.
Mike is back
April 1st, 2011
8:24 am
MC, you got to be scratching your head AT some of the comments LD makes…that was a rhetorical question…I know you can’t respond.
Just when you want have a good feel about this dude…he keep talking about going back to THE regular line-up. When is he going to understand that old model is broken…he’s a HC now…he got to come up with something new.
Thanks to the Hawks recent upswing…I was able enjoying watching the feature NBA game on TNT.
It was interesting watching the Lakers and Celtics preparing for the playoff…Both coaches was focus on getting their reserves prepared for the playoff…because they know it’s a war of attrition.
Doc, said the reserves are going to look bad because they haven’t been getting much PT…that why some time you have to leave them out there…even if cost you a few games…my point is…he was more concern with his reserves being able up to perform up to his team’s standard…even if it cost him a couple games.
The great coaches know half court execution is paramount in the playoff…and all know that has been the Hawks undoing.
I’m thinking to myself…would it behoove LD to adopt a similar…or at the very lease consider some aspect of that approach…we have starters that need rest…and reserves that need PT…shouldn’t Twin start the rest of the season…so the Hawks can fine tune their half court execution…hmmmmmm…just saying…again purely rhetorical.lol
Ken Strick, now that’s the Ken I know…still bashing Shaq…even though he would have provided the ASG an athlete with star power and KA GILLONS dollars in free marketing…keep bashing away…glad you are feeling a little better.lol
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike is back
April 1st, 2011
8:28 am
Dang MC…I kind of beat that last post TF up.lol
The Game Has Changed
April 1st, 2011
8:50 am
@Rev In Tampa-Why are you even on this blog. Why dont you keep your comments in Miami or Orlando. You are so out of touch with reality. If Larry Drew should be fired even if he reached the Conference Finals is crazy. There are only going to be 4 coaches remaning at that point. Even if you like it or not, he will be around for some years. So get use to it or stick with your Florida teams. And @AJ-any players stats go up when they go to a losing team. I like Jordan but he was not going to be doing that in the playoffs against Orlando. Jamal can but not Jordan.
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
10:04 am
The Game has changed,
I think if LD makes it to the second round, they should bring him back next year. But if he loses in the first round, he should be fired.
However, regardless of whether the team makes it to the second round or not, there needs to be a trade to shake up the roster, because its not all the coach’s fault. Players need to accept some of the blame.
I like Jordan but he was not going to be doing that in the playoffs against Orlando. Jamal can but not Jordan..
They key words are Jamal CAN. But with the way he has struggled the last couple months, I dont expect much from Jamal in the playoffs…
51WTGW50
April 1st, 2011
10:30 am
I hope the Playoff tickets are 1/2 priced because the HAWKS will just give a Half effort no matter how much they ask for the seats.