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
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
10:31 am
“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. ”
___________________
This statement is irrefutable!
******************
“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…”
_______________
For some reason, Jamal feels no love from The ASKG and whether he has allowed this to affect his play this season? We will never know.
If this is the case, however, how can a player accept a 10.8M and not render a professional effort? That would be unacceptable on all levels.
I would have no interest in re-signing such a man.
Double Zero Eight
April 1st, 2011
10:36 am
I am convinced Drew flips a coin to determine the line up.
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
10:38 am
@Woody, your a certifiable dumbazz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Game Has Changed
April 1st, 2011
10:40 am
@O’Brien-I dont think we should consider it a shake up if we make it to the second round. We just need to add a bonafide center and go from there. Only 8 teams make it to the second round. The Celtics are on the decline as well as Orlando. So I put the Hawks right up there with Miami and Chicago for the years to come. Jamal will have it together come playoffs. Trust me
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
10:42 am
prediction: don’t worry yourselves,the Hawks don’t have the talent or coaching staff to reach the finals. Put down the smokes if you believe they will……………..
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
10:44 am
Orlando in 6………………Yawn………………..
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
10:45 am
LD, Run do not walk…….
Sund, kick rocks…….
Did I miss anybody?????
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
10:50 am
How many times have the Hawks been blown out this year by 20+??? Did they not set an NBA record for the most blowouts on the losing end with a winning record??????????????BlahBlahBlah……….Yawn…Can a leopard change his spots????
Thunder Cats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rufus1
April 1st, 2011
11:25 am
Effort..
The defensive effort the Hawks show tonight is more important than a win. I would rather lose 85 to 84, than win 108 to 107. The playoffs will be played in the 80 point range and that is the Identity we need to show. Scoring a hundred points against Boston is an aberration and could be easily dismissed.
lewis
April 1st, 2011
11:28 am
Josh Smith has averaged 23.5 points and 10.0 rebounds the past four games, a boost of confidence he’ll need against Boston. He’s missed all 11 shots he’s taken in the two meetings with the Celtics, totaling three points – his two worst individual performances in the past four seasons.
lewis
April 1st, 2011
11:35 am
He’s not a good commentator. He also probably does owe the guy $13,000 for the suits, and, its really just a damn shame
lewis
April 1st, 2011
11:46 am
I did have Atlanta going 49-33 and Chicago winning the East. Did think Boozer would have more of an impact though.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
11:58 am
If somebody owed you 13K for some home made suits?
Why wouldn’t you get a 50% deposit up front and the balance upon delivery? If you are not that smart and this passes for years without resolution? Then file a civil suit – that’s where ignorant people go who can’t resolve issues in a CIVILIZED manner!
Like Doug and Ryan said on their talk show yesterday. This Rashan character gave them 2 shirt samples each in hopes of future orders and referrals. When, Ryan took the samples and didn’t order any thing, this man became aggressive and demanded Ryan pay him for the unsolicited samples!
So, we don’t know anything about this alleged money owed.
Why not stay out of that aspect and refrain from baseless opinions and statements. I don’t see any of this is lewis’s business.
Even if he does owe the money, there is no justification for a physical assault ending in a self induced butt whuppin’ and cry for sympathy.
Take him to court, not court-side.
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
12:18 pm
“Even if he does owe the money, there is no justification for a physical assault ending in a self induced butt whuppin’ and cry for sympathy.
Take him to court, not court-side.”
I co-sign drmaryb.. This NBA ref. obviously has issues…..but to make baseless claims against Nique is just plain weak…….
Harpie
April 1st, 2011
12:35 pm
If the Hawks happen to do decently in the playoffs ( which is highly unlikely ), it will be in spite of Larry Drew, not because of him. This guy has proven over the course of this season that he hasn’t a clue! He needs to be GONE after this season.
jhfd
April 1st, 2011
12:48 pm
j smith standing aound 3 point land on offense = howard’s dream
Geemack
April 1st, 2011
12:49 pm
Isiah Thomas, Don Nelson, Brian Shaw, Kurt Rambis, and Chuck Person are all available if the Hawks need a coach. Bill Lambier would be better than what the Hawks have.
terrell
April 1st, 2011
12:56 pm
Mess with Nique, you might get your wig split. Believe that. lol
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
1:04 pm
The Game has changed,
I dont think we should consider it a shake up if we make it to the second round. We just need to add a bonafide center and go from there..
That’s a possibility, but Hawks are already over the cap, so unless they are willing to spend the MLE to go over the luxury tax, that bonafide center will have to come via trade. And I think Josh and Al are their only good trade chips.
IMO, even if we make the second round, there have been too many home blowouts to not make a trade (especially if we keep LD).
The Game Has Changed
April 1st, 2011
1:40 pm
@O’Brien-The Hawks have money. ASG is just stingy. Phillips Arena was paid for by the Phillips company so money is available. Going over the luxury cap is only a big deal to teams who dont want to win. The Lakers payout is almost 92 million this year. Do you think they care about the luxury cap. The Hawks payout is 70 million and next year that will drop to 64 million so they have they have the money to put some butts in the stands and win win win baby.
terrell
April 1st, 2011
1:45 pm
LD and JJ always say he shot well at practice. “Practice? Practice? We’re not talking bout in a game when it matters. We talkin bout practice.” AI told the truth. lol
terrell
April 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
“I am convinced Drew flips a coin to determine the lineup”. LMAO!
Booo!
April 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
Ummm, I told you so?
ESPN’s Haberstroh: Mike Bibby Stinks Defensively
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2011/4/1/2084808/miami-heat-mike-bibby-stinks-defensively-espn-haberstroh
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
1:53 pm
“Phillips Arena was paid for by the Phillips company so money is available.”
________________
ASKG has a 99 year lease of the arena to display their two professional teams. There is no FREE rent in America, definitely not in downtown Atlanta. The recent court battle won allowed them to separate all three entities so that they may be negotiated for sale independently.
Are you saying the building is paid for, so it’s free to play there?
Worldwide Clyde
April 1st, 2011
1:53 pm
Nique still hanging around wit shady cats. He should have learned his lesson messing around with Fred Tokars.
I get my suits custom made from Thailand.
FIRE LD
The Game Has Changed
April 1st, 2011
1:55 pm
@AG-You are right we have the same team from last year. But sometimes you have to take a step back before you move forward. The team may not be a rebuilding team but we are dealing with a first year coach. He is learning on the fly. You can be an assistant coach for a hundred years but once you become the head coach its a different ball game. Look how long it took Phil Jackson to implement his system. 4 yrs. This is chess not checkers. Give the brother some time. Rev from Tampa is saying he should get fired even if he reach the conference finals. Thats insane. What do you think is good enough for him to keep his job?
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
2:08 pm
Worldwide Clyde!
What’s up maane? I tried to order 10K Tee’s after Drew put Al on Dwight in the 4th of that Orlando game, but the bloginator ate that up! LOL!
Josh had to tell Drew to put Twin in. That’s when I had seen enough of this crap! So, I need a price on them FIRE FRI, APR 1, 2011 Tee’s.
Don’t get it twisted and try to send me them Woody shirts.
-wink wink- (And, no! I’m not drinking – yet.)
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
2:13 pm
* FIRE DREW Tee’s.
Rufus1
April 1st, 2011
2:16 pm
“But sometimes you have to take a step back before you move forward.”
The step back would have been to start Teague.
O'Brien
April 1st, 2011
2:25 pm
Booo!
In this case, the numbers dont lie.
When point guard Mike Bibby has been on the floor for the Heat, Miami’s defense has surrendered 15 points per 100 possessions more than when he has sat on the bench. (We use per 100 possessions as the standard to control for potential tempo effects).
That sounds bad, but how damaging is that? Consider this: the difference between the league’s top defense (Chicago) and the league’s worst defense (Cleveland) is 12.5 points per 100 possessions. Do the math, and you find that Bibby’s defensive impact has been about three points wider than that.
In fact, according to Synergy Sports, opponents have shot 51.2 percent on spot-ups when guarded by Bibby, but it’s effectively 66.3 percent shooting once you account for the fact that many of those spot-up shots come from beyond the arc. You don’t need a leaderboard to gauge how atrocious that is. .
drmaryb (*_-)
April 1st, 2011
2:35 pm
” You don’t need a leaderboard to gauge how atrocious that is. .”
_________________
Dang! O’Brien, you killing this man. Don’t hurt him too bad, he might look like a Nique induced mug-shot. Why does this guy keep running into your “truth- knuckles”?
ROF – LOL
Slimjr
April 1st, 2011
2:59 pm
“But sometimes you have to take a step back before you move forward.”
News Flash!!!! Hawks are in free fall!!!!!!! Duh……….8-21, last 29?????????????????Major blowouts!!!!
New Ownership will be the first step forward for this dysfunctional franchise…………
Josh for HC!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL…………
LD(Lame Duck) run do not walk……….