Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 88, Celtics 83
- The Hawks were down 60-49. They couldn’t score. J.J. dribbled out a possession and missed a forced 3-pointer over Rondo.
- This is where you figured the Hawks would fold. That’s been there M.O. for over a month now. You could sense Hawks fans at Philips bracing for the inevitable.
- Instead, the Hawks kept competing. They got stops. They rebounded. They earned free throws. They came back to beat a tough team with a tough effort.
- “Third quarter it could have gone either way,” Al said. “Guys really stayed together, we took it a play at a time and we didn’t get discouraged. Instead of hanging our heads we focused more on defense. That’s a good sign. We are starting to figure it out.”
- That’s two games in a row where the Hawks found it tough to score against opponents who play good D but managed to stick it out for a W. For all the fretting about the offense, could it be that the Hawks are finally developing a defensive identity that will allow them to win even when it’s not pretty?
- That’s what Al has been looking for all year: “I’m actually happy. In the past I haven’t felt like that. Guys are really buying into defense. Even though struggled defensively, we found a way.”
- “We had to grind it out,” Smoove said. “Boston is a hell of a defensive team and they made us work hard for every shot we took. We answered the bell and guys really stepped up and I’m just really proud of my teammates. Even thought shots were not falling we are playing stingy on the defensive end. We are not scoring, they are not scoring. That’s what we need to do with get consistent wins.”
- Where has that been?
- “We learned,” Zaza said. “Maybe it was late, but it always good to figure out something.”
- L.D. might have discovered that Zaza needs to play big minutes when the Hawks need the physical presence he’s always talking about and regulars can take a seat when they aren’t getting it done.
- “Zaza was playing super, super well,” L.D. said. “I was not going to take him out of the game. He was doing a great job. He was a presence in there, he was rebounding, he was going after loose balls. He was doing a lot of big man things. We got into a rhythm when he came into a game and I did not want to break that rhythm.”
- Zaza thrashed the C’s on the boards, D’d up old nemesis KG and got to the free-throw line by way of aggression. The Hawks can use all of that.
- “I thought Zaza Pachulia was the toughest dude on the floor and changed the whole game,” Doc Rivers said. “He was banging everybody, getting offensive rebounds, and I thought that was a great move by them.”
- Smoove was offering little beyond missed jump shots and lax D so he sat while Zaza played.
- “We was rolling,” Josh said. “Zaza was playing his ass off. You have got to reward a man by putting your trust in him so that’s what I did. I was one of the biggest cheerleaders over there. Individual accolades don’t mean anything as long as we win as a team and play consistently that’s all that matters.”
- There’s something about the Celtics at Philips that turns Zaza into a wrecking machine.
- “Maybe he needs to visualize everybody in a Celtics uniform,” Smoove said. “Like ‘Waterboy,’ make an illusion like he ses KG and Paul Pierce.”
- “They can be very arrogant sometimes,” Al said. “I think they have come at ‘Z’ the wrong way and it’s fired him up. ‘Z’ is not going to back down from anyone. For some reason they think they can come at him. ‘Z’ is a good player and I am very proud that he came out and showed what he can do.”
- “I don’t hate them,” Zaza said. “I just like to play them. It goes back to playoffs, not only for me, but also for the fans.”
- They went crazy when Zaza did damage, finally drowning out all the Celtics supporters.
- “He plays with so much fire,” Jamal said. “He’s one of the few players who gets the fans into it. They love him.”
- They loved Jamal tonight, too. He was the only consistent thing the Hawks had going offensively and the only guy attacking the basket for long stretches. He scored 12 straight points to keep the Hawks afloat in the second quarter.
- “We set some screens for him and he was exploding off the screens,” L.D. said. “He’s Jamal he’s going to dance with it a little bit for the most part I thought he came off the screen-and-rolls and really came off and separated from the screens. That’s how he has to be.”
- Jamal also helped spark the rally in the second half with his rebounding and playmaking. He did both on one key play, rebounding a miss and quickly finding Zaza for a layup that gave the Hawks a 71-69 lead.
- The Celtics scored 16 points in the third quarter and 15 in the fourth.
- “Clearly our defense was the staple tonight,” L.D. said. “When you stay within striking distance at home, all you are looking for is to get on a little of a roll, a little run and gain some momentum. We did that when and Jamal came in the game and energized us when we were flat.”
- The jump shots weren’t falling so the Hawks found other ways to score when things got tight (or at least they did after a few unfortunate renditions of Iso-Joe). In the fourth quarter, they got to the free-throw line and made 11 of 13 attempts and hit the offensive glass for 10 second-chance points.
- “If you are a great defensive team, you can never allow that many points in the fourth quarter,” Doc said.
- Joe was in foul trouble early and then missed 13 shots in a row at one point. He kept pressing for a while but then started darting to the rim and drawing fouls. He made 5 of 5 free-throw attempts in the fourth.
- “I made a conscience effort in second half to put the ball in Joe’s hand as much as we could,” Drew said. “I thought the guys responded to that.”
- Maybe, but I saw the ball stop with Joe and the offense stangante. Playing that way makes it too easy for a great defensive team like the Celtics.
- The Celtics can be taken on the boards. The Hawks did it, collecting 38 of their 41 misses, including 11 of 12 in the fourth quarter.
- The Celtics made it tough for Al to get position and challenged his jump shots early. He got loose for 10 points on eight shots after halftime and also had seven of his 12 defensive boards.
- L.D. still wasn’t ready to say the Hawks have figured things out.
- “Not yet. I like what I am seeing, especially getting two quality wins against two quality opponents. I’ve been waiting for this type of effort. I see signs but I’m not going to go out on a limb right now and say we are there. There are six games left and try to get as many wins as we can and, more importantly, get a rhythm and some momentum going into the playoffs.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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247 comments Add your comment
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:40 am
It was a good win. A grind it out win, which is how this team has to play from now on. When the shots don’t fall, play some defense and win the game that way.
ag
April 2nd, 2011
12:50 am
second
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
12:52 am
Good for the Hawks to get this win over a quality opponent, since their fragile mentality needs this type of thing to keep their confidence up. It certainly beats getting blown out by 20+ points, that’s for sure.
That being said, this was about as unimpressive a win over a quality opponent as there can possibly be. It’s hard for me to chalk this up to a “grind it out defensive mentality” when the Celtics were bailing the Hawks out by clanking jump shot after jump shot in the 2nd half. The Celtics went into jump shot mode — inefficiently at that, since they didn’t feed Ray Allen — and let the Hawks back in the game. Credit the Hawks for staying with it and seizing the opportunity, but the real reasons the Hawks won were the Celtics’ inability to hit shots they usually make and unwillingness to put a body on Zaza, who was the best player on the floor for the Hawks.
That 2nd half was Woody-ball reincarnated. Tons of switching, tons of ineffective isos for Joe, tons of contested jumpers. Without Zaza (and to a lesser extent Al) there to clean up the misses, this strategy would have ended in failure. Tough for me to see anything from this game strategy-wise that the Hawks can carry over going forward.
Good to see Smoove taking his (warranted) 4th quarter benching like a man.
tom
April 2nd, 2011
12:52 am
hopefully the hawks can keep relying on defense and being aggressive by taking the ball to the basket when the jumpshots are not falling
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:53 am
(( Maybe, but I saw the ball stop with Joe and the offense stangante. Playing that way makes it too easy for a great defensive team like the Celtics. ))
MC .. keep in mind that we beat this team 4 straight times last year, basically by letting Jamal and JJ do their thing via iso. They don’t have anyone that can guard those guys, so it basically comes down to both of them making plays offensively. JJ isn’t going to shoot 4 – 20 every night, so that’ll force the C’s to double him. They’ll pay dearly more times than not, if they decide to single cover him, if we meet in the playoffs.
The Hawks can’t win in the playoffs with JJ playing passive basketball and only taking 14 shots a game. At some point, people are going to have to let JJ be JJ, and attempt to carry the team offensively ( if he can ). When he misses, it’s up to our bigs to gobble up some of those bricks, which Zaza did very well tonight.
The one thing JJ has to understand though, is that when he’s ice cold like that, try his damndest to get to the FT line. Only 2 shots in the paint in the 4th quarter. One he got fouled on.
Despite the bricks, the Hawks had the personnel on the floor to still score 24 points in that quarter, mainly because they had offensive rebounders in the game.
He was straight gunning though. Looked like Jordan Crawford tonight. I doubt he takes that many shots, if Josh was in the game alongside him.
ag
April 2nd, 2011
12:53 am
It is very hard to me to cheer for this team. I do love the Hawks but I equally do not like LD. I will give him credit for playing ZaZa. Josh decided to shoot those jumpers and like Hubie said, ZaZa will hang around the paint. If you play with a jump shooting team, you should focus on offensive rebounding (Josh Smith).
Also, for all those who say JCII is putting up numbers on a bad team. The kid started at point and finished with a triple double!!!! The kid STARTED AT POINT AND HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE!!!
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:54 am
Najeh . . but it worked.
You hate on something ( especially the switching ), but it all worked. Just like it worked 4 times last season.
K.W.
April 2nd, 2011
12:55 am
Nice win for the Hawks. Glad to see they fought back.
ag
April 2nd, 2011
12:58 am
Iso Jamal and Joe was in full effect. The organization including the announcers seem to be down on Teague. Was listening to Holman on the radio and West scored on Teague, then Teague had his shot blocked was EXTREMELY critical – and Home Team chimed in as well. KH did not impress me either because Rondo just missed a lot of layups he normally makes. He made a living in the paint. West kept the onslaught going when KH checked him.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
12:59 am
damn it has taken them a long time to figure it out. i think capt kirk helps in this as he is like the ever ready rabbit. it may not be pretty but he keeps on pressing. he made an impact even though his shot wasnt there.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
1:00 am
Nortcyde. Let JJ take a lot of shots,he will shoot us right out of ballgames. He has to make shots. I don’t want to see him ball hogging .
drew s.
April 2nd, 2011
1:02 am
I was watching this game and a reporter noted on a interview with L.D. after the 3 quater that team has bad body english. this is so easy for every one to see. why as pro ball players that are being payed so much to play that this is a issue .
Good teams play together depend on each other.
also noted that Al getting some of the same bab habits that josh has had for years. we dont need our Center bringing the ball up the court . instead he should be positioning him self to receive the ball.
this team has a great deal of raw talent but will never display with out leadership. J J,s lack of confidence is killing this team. and lack of confidence they have in him will finish the job.” WHAT A WASTE”
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:03 am
CONGRATS TO JC2 FOR PUTTING UP HIS FIRST OF MANY TRIPLE DOUBLES TONIGHT AGAINST THE CAVS NO LESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUND RUN DO NOT WALK…………………………………..SHOOT……………………..
Ellen
April 2nd, 2011
1:04 am
I worry that the ghost of Iso-Joe is going to keep coming back to haunt us. 4-20, 1-4 is not grownup numbers against an important rival much less those of a star.
It just makes me sad to see him fold up like that when we had put so much hope into him. Maybe he finds himself in all this if he even cares about his game and how bad he shows up. If not he’ll keep being a depressing site for YEARS to come.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:05 am
JC2 DID AND INCREDIBLE JOB PLAYING PG AND PUTTIN UP A FREAKING TRIPLE DOUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WTF SUND?????????????????????????????????????????
Sleepy
April 2nd, 2011
1:05 am
Wow the Wizards trolls are back in full effect . How can fans of a team with such a bad record troll a playoff teams blog.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:07 am
“You hate on something ( especially the switching ), but it all worked. Just like it worked 4 times last season.”
So? It’s one regular season game. I want to see improvement in the playoffs. The whole reason the iso offense had to go is because it is incredibly easy for good teams to adjust to it. You really think Zaza is going to play out of his mind every game cleaning up Joe’s masonry, especially in a playoff series?
Iso failed spectacularly in the playoffs last year and the previous year because good teams find a way to counteract it.
As for the switching, that was actually the Woodyism I disliked the least. The Hawks are athletic enough to where the switching is not a bad idea against a lot of teams. The bigger problem I had with it was that Woody had no backup plan when other teams (like the Bucks in Round 1) figured it out.
Also, KG missed two of the Hawks’ four wins over the Celtics last year.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:07 am
ISO SHOOTING 5-20 AT HOME MEANS WHEN THEY GO ON THE ROAD IN THE PLAYOFFS ITS GOING TO GET REAL UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOOKING AT 25 POINT LOSSES ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ag
April 2nd, 2011
1:07 am
How can a playoff team’s coachnot dress a guy who has a triple double playing PG…
Ellen
April 2nd, 2011
1:07 am
Also, LD never gets control of this team if he doesn’t sit Joe down when he’s killing us. Joe’s a hot car that doesn’t run left sitting out in the driveway because it cost us too much to just stick it in the garage.
Jae Evolution
April 2nd, 2011
1:08 am
We are a defensive C and a new coach away from being a serious threat in the East…
ag
April 2nd, 2011
1:08 am
The Celtics in the playoffs and the Magic will be different teams as their injured players return.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:10 am
8 PLAYERS AWAY FROM BEING A CONTENDER…..lol
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:11 am
The Hawks won the rebounding battle against the Celtics in all of those games last year — just like they did today — which was a big reason for those wins. But unless the Hawks can rack up double digit offensive boards against every team, relying on Joe to hit contested jumpers in isolation against everyone is a terrible strategy.
Rashod
April 2nd, 2011
1:12 am
Joe johnson Sucks & Jordan Crawford is The Man.WTF
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:13 am
HAWKS ARE GOING TO GET DISMANTLED, SAME TEAM MUCH WORSE COACH SPELLS DISASTER……………….
Art Vandelay
April 2nd, 2011
1:13 am
Ahaha, once again Sleepy calling people trolls.
You just don’t understand, or you don’t read any posts before responding.
But you rant on about draft picks? 26 teams passed on JC2, whoopie. Like a quality player has never been picked outside of the lottery before.
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
1:13 am
im not going to throw salt on the win.. reminds me of when we beat Orlando and some were crediting the win to poor 3pt % from Orlando as if they were wide open looks being missed, taking away from a solid defensive effort. too many positives out there.. of late its as if ZaZa and Marvin of all people have kind of found an identity. Za Za, to just be as disruptive as possible, play w/ a motor. Marvin, though w/ varying results, he’s made an effort to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop. others need to follow suit.
kudos to Al for bringing his hard hat today. Big Baby did a job on him, keeping him uncomfortable. however, Al found other ways to be effective. including bringing his game closer to the basket; put backs, drives, etc. he figured since he wasnt going to find his rhythm tonight due to less wide open looks why just totally take yourself out the game. Hawks needed to bang tonight. glad ZaZa and Al got the message.
Wabe
April 2nd, 2011
1:13 am
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:53 am
“The Hawks can’t win in the playoffs with JJ playing passive basketball and only taking 14 shots a game. At some point, people are going to have to let JJ be JJ, and attempt to carry the team offensively ( if he can ).”
No disrespect intended here, but haven’t we been letting JJ be JJ?
It hasn’t worked thus far in terms of postseason success, and continuing to hope that it does work will just mean more frustration come playoff time. Letting JJ be JJ means he dominates the ball and goes one on one exclusively. I wouldn’t say taking bad shots means being aggressive.
He did get to the line, so if that’s what you mean by him being aggressive, I understand, and I’d love to see that more out of him.
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
1:14 am
As much as people hate Smoove’s shot selection, JJ’s is even worse. At least Smoove usually has an open look instead of attempting a fallaway 20 footer with a defender in his face.
Sleepy
April 2nd, 2011
1:14 am
Drew – The bad body language imo comes from Josh .He simply just does whatever he wants and no seems to say anything to him …until tonight . he got the ball about 18 feet from the basket and the Celts dared him to shoot and Jamal was wideopen in the corner. The next time down we turned it over but i swear that turnover was one in which everyone was so mad that Josh didnt pass it to the hottest guy on the team that it was almost out of frustration Drew was forced to call timeout and take him out
Josh is extremely talented but imo he is extremely jealous of the accolades that Joe and Al have received and he is trying to prove hes just as good but trying to do it offensively instead of defensively . Pretty much everyone in the NBA now knows he should be shooting jumpers so when he does he makes himself look real bad . Look at how last season when he didnt shoot those long threes how everyone praised him for it and really highlighted his play some even thought he should be an all star.
He needs to get back to that type of play
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:15 am
Rusty . . the alternative is to let other people take shots, and not have our big people in the paint to rebound the misses. WE lose like that too.
I’m not advocating JJ taking 9 shots in the 4th quarter, like he did tonight. But we didn’t pay this guy 15 million this year to be 3rd in shot attempts. He’s paid to make plays and to score. So people shouldn’t trip when he tries to do that.
We’re not winning anything with JJ attempting 14 shots a game.
I know you hate that, but it’s the truth.
Najeh . . . the switching defense worked the vast majority of the time. It’s one of the reasons why we won 53 games. We do not have great one on one defensive players here, so we have to resort to “gimmicks” at times.
As for ISO failing in the playoffs . . ISO never took enough shots in the playoffs for it to work. He’s normally playing that passive game in the 1st half, watching the team slowly fade away, before he tries to play Captain America in the 2nd half.
He actually did just that this game.
I know he was in foul trouble, but still, he can’t have 3 shots in the 1st half . . even if he only played 12 minutes. The team needs him to score, so that’s what he has to look to do.
If any of you think the Hawks can win in the playoffs with JJ taking 14 shots and averaging 16 ppg, you’re out of your minds. He’s the one guy who has to blow up in the playoffs. And the only way he can do that, is to be ultra aggressive offensively.
If he goes 4 – 20 this game, maybe he goes 12 – 20 in another game. Regardless, he needs to be getting up shots, while our bigs need to be playing like bigs. Teams that play like that, usually have things balance out.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:15 am
WE SHOULD OF PASSED ON MARVIN AND TOOK DWILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DARN IT!!!!!!!!
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:17 am
Wabe . . . JJ is averaging almost 2 shots less per game than last year.
So no . . we haven’t been letting JJ be JJ. We’re telling JJ to share the ball with others, and try to get ALL of his points in the 4th quarter via ISO. That ish isn’t going to work. We are not Boston, in the sense that we can count on 4 or 5 of our players to get us 14 ppg+. On this team, whomever has the hot hand needs to be shooting the ball. And if no one has the hot hand, our main shot creators ( JJ and Jamal ) need to be shooting the ball, and the bigs need to be rebounding.
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
1:19 am
“while our bigs need to be playing like bigs. ”
PREACH
im sick running 5 guards on the floor every night.
Sleepy
April 2nd, 2011
1:19 am
You are a troll after a big come from behind win against the Celts at home you run into the Hawks blog and constantly talk about a former hawk .
You arent here to talk Hawks but to talk about Jordan Crawford who plays for the wizards who have there own blog somewhere Im sure of it .
You may not like the label but thats what you are when you cant adjust to the fact that you arent talking about a hawks player but a wizards player
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:19 am
HAWKS ARE 29TH IN STEALS, 29 IN FORCED TO’S, 24 IN REBOUNDING,27TH IN BLOCKED SHOTS=THEY ARE GOING TO GET THEIR AZZES HANDED TO THEM IN THE PLAYOFF’S,PLAYOFFS????????????YEP……..
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:20 am
I mean . . I would love for the ball to go to Horford more. But he has to be set up for just about every shot he takes. What are we going to do? Run Al off of screens to get him 20 shots?
No . . he needs to do exactly what Zaza did tonight ( and what Al did in the Chicago game ) and gobble up some offensive boards. This team stays playing out of balance because of all of the jumpshots that everybody takes.
So if only our guards are taking the jumpers, maybe our bigs can get rebounds, get fouled, or put the ball back in the hole.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:21 am
“The organization including the announcers seem to be down on Teague. Was listening to Holman on the radio and West scored on Teague, then Teague had his shot blocked was EXTREMELY critical – and Home Team chimed in as well.”
Teague did not look good in his 3 minutes in this game. Considering that he has looked good on at least one end of the floor in nearly every game he’s played since the Bibby trade, though, that is not a valid reason for him to fall out of the rotation.
For that matter, Zaza looked pretty bad in the first half against Orlando, but in the second half he rebounded and gave the Hawks quality minutes. This happens with bench players all the damn time. Abandoning a young bench player because he plays three lackluster first half minutes is a foolish idea.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:22 am
I mean damn.
The Celtics score 52 points in the 1st half . . . but only 31 points in the 2nd . . and people want to diss the switching defense we went to in the 2nd half?
Something does not compute.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:23 am
JC2.JC2JC A STAR IN THE MAKING?????????
SUND RUN DO NOT WALK……………………………
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:24 am
And Najeh . . a game like this is why I’m still an advocate of Zaza and Teague starting. Start Zaza to do exactly what he did tonight, and start Teague for those opportunities in which we can get quick transition baskets.
Rely on JJ, Josh, and Al to provide the bulk of the offense, while Teague and Zaza play their specialty roles.
That’s what I want to see.
Section 212
April 2nd, 2011
1:24 am
I was at game, held our own cheering for the Hawks…a lot of green in certain sections.
Like it or not, though ISO shot a poor percentage, the ISO is what freed Zaza up for the O-rebs. JJ made more decisive moves with the double team coming, he just needs to understand he cannot dribble through it all the time. The other player have to recognize when their defender leaves then, go to the front of the rim. This is what KH told Smoove, and Smoove took exception to it. What I liked best was the deliberate effort to go thru JJ. Horford had some poor moments tonight. He does not need to bring the ball up the floor.
Good win tonight Hawks, keep it up against a beatable Spurs team.
Booo!
April 2nd, 2011
1:24 am
Rick Makes me Sick!
Free The Teague!
P.S. I don’t like Delonte West (or his GF Gloria)
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
1:24 am
b/c the bottom line is too many guys are shooting the rock. i dont know why the powers that be feel this roster is made up of great offensive talents. Al got dirty tonight and got 16 and 15. he looked bad in isolation; but he had sense enough to go into throwback mode. more of those Al.
Wabe
April 2nd, 2011
1:25 am
But that’s the thing. JJ taking more shots means more ISO ball…
Comparing his shot attempts this year to last year is really pointless, because we didn’t get anywhere last season with him going one on one exclusively.
If this team takes a step forward, it’ll be because Al and Josh step up offensively. Our bigs have to be more involved, and more consistent.
JJ’s been “the man” since his been here, and he’s helped this team get to where it’s at. But, more shots for JJ doesn’t mean we get over the top. If this team wants to get over the top, we’ve gotta see others step up. The problem though is, since JJ’s arrival, he’s been the guy that dominates the ball and the offense in general. Everybody on this team defers to him, and guys have grown older knowing how to play one way: JJ’s way. The $120 million contract doesn’t do anything to help the situation. We need guys like Horford and J.Smith to assume some control of the offense. When we get too gaurd dominated, they need to demand looks. We’re not gonna get any further in the postseason with JJ seeing more looks unless they’re through the flow of the offense. But, more times than not, JJ getting more shots means JJ’s going one on one more, and that’s not a formula for success (IMO).
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:26 am
“Josh is extremely talented but imo he is extremely jealous of the accolades that Joe and Al have received and he is trying to prove hes just as good but trying to do it offensively instead of defensively . ”
If that is true, he hides it really well.
I don’t think the bad body language is isolated to any single player.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:26 am
KEEP THOSE JC2 UPDATES COMING….THX…..
Booo!
April 2nd, 2011
1:26 am
Northcyde,
Co-Sign @1:24am
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:26 am
And the Hawks will regret trading Jordan Crawford . . maybe as soon as next week, when we go to Washington.
I’ve always seen that “it” factor in Jordan. He’s either going to become the next Rex Chapman . . or the next Steve Francis. God forbid if he becomes as close to good as Steve. It’ll just be another black mark on the resume of Sund, who doesn’t know how to run a damn team.
The two highlights he had tonight were absolutely sick. Don’t be surprised if he’s in the top 3 on Sportscenter top 10.
Let me get out of here and hit this bar right quick. Good win tonight.
Section 212
April 2nd, 2011
1:29 am
JT just looks lost out there at times. Also he needs to develop an NBA shot. His release point is low and prevents him from shooting over defenders.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:30 am
“The two highlights he had tonight were absolutely sick. Don’t be surprised if he’s in the top 3 on Sportscenter top 10.”
JC2 HAS GOD GIVEN STUFF AND AS USUAL THE HAWKS BLEW IT BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOOT!!!!!!!
Rufus1
April 2nd, 2011
1:31 am
I would rather ahve Joe shooting…
If we are going to lose, I want joe taking the 20 shots. He got to the line 1 times and made 10….I will take it. Joe needs to act like the STAR, because he is our STAR…..Even if he is only a B level STAR.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:33 am
“But we didn’t pay this guy 15 million this year to be 3rd in shot attempts. He’s paid to make plays and to score. So people shouldn’t trip when he tries to do that.”
The last thing this franchise needs is to start budgeting their shot attempts based on salary. I think we have all established beyond a shadow of a doubt that plenty of players on this team are overpaid.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:36 am
“If any of you think the Hawks can win in the playoffs with JJ taking 14 shots and averaging 16 ppg, you’re out of your minds.”
I guess I’m out of my mind then. The Hawks’ best chance to win is to run the ball through Smoove and Al in the post and on pick and rolls (with both) and pick and pops (with Al). If Joe decides to play like he did in the first half against the Magic, where he is decisively making moves with the ball instead of holding the ball until the shot clock gets into single digits, THEN they can run the offense through him. I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for him to start playing like that on a consistent basis.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 am
“I would love for the ball to go to Horford more. But he has to be set up for just about every shot he takes. What are we going to do? Run Al off of screens to get him 20 shots?”
Then the Hawks need to set him up with shots. The Hawks have two point guards who are capable of doing this. The coach refuses to play one of them and the other one was doing his best Bibby impression on offense in this game (minus actually making his shots). Put the ball in their hands and let them run pick and pops/pick and rolls with Al, watch him drop 20 at a much more efficient rate than Joe ever would, and the Hawks will be just fine.
It’s about time a point guard other than Doc Rivers or Mookie Blaylock actually played like a point guard for this franchise.
Worldwide Clyde
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 am
We will see if the Hawks are serious in the playoffs.
Wabe
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 am
Co-sign that 1:24 and 1:26 comment though northcyde.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:41 am
“The Celtics score 52 points in the 1st half . . . but only 31 points in the 2nd . . and people want to diss the switching defense we went to in the 2nd half?”
I just pointed it out. I wasn’t dissing it.
Regardless, I think the Celtics’ offense played a much bigger role than the Hawks’ defense in the Celtics’ poor offensive showing in the 2nd half. There was a stretch in the late 3rd quarter where the Celtics missed four or five consecutive very makeable, not very tightly contested shots which would have stretched the lead to 20 and possibly stuck the knife in the heart of our mentally fragile team.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:41 am
JT WILL BE A SOLID NBA PLAYER ONCE HE GET OUT OF ATLANTA
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:43 am
“And Najeh . . a game like this is why I’m still an advocate of Zaza and Teague starting. Start Zaza to do exactly what he did tonight, and start Teague for those opportunities in which we can get quick transition baskets.”
What Zaza does is an energy role, which is ideally suited to the bench, the same way what Jamal does is an instant offense role which is also ideally suited to the bench. If Zaza wasn’t a horrible off the ball defender, I’d be fine with starting him. Zaza is not going to do this every game, and expecting him to do so is neither realistic nor fair to him.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
1:45 am
FYI AL YOUR HELP DEFENSE IS NON EXISTING..I HOPE THE STAFF WATCH THE FILM TO SEE YOU STANDING THERE IN THE PAINT GIVING UP LAYUPS AFTER YOUR TEAMMATES SWITCH OFF!! I DOUBT IT THOUGH…YOUR 6′10.5″, BLOCK THE DARN SHOT DUDE..INTIMIDATE SOMEBODY..DO NOT BECOME MARVIN OUT THERE………………..SHOOT…….
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
1:46 am
“The Hawks’ best chance to win is to run the ball through Smoove and Al in the post and on pick and rolls (with both) and pick and pops (with Al).”
yea, which is exactly what we do against sub par teams. good defensive teams arent going to run extra defenders at Josh in the post opening everything else up. Josh will have to continuously score from post ups for that to become the norm. im not so sure he wants to play from the block against stellar defense.
and the pick and pop game w/ Al.. hell, we saw big baby smother him on the catch. he’s not going to let it fly contested. so inevitably that turns into an iso Al, and he takes longer than Joe to make a move..
going forward Joe has to play aggressive and look for his offense.. im comfortable w/ him doing that b/c he is a willing passer, and we arent selfish by design like years past. if he doesnt consistently demand a cover, everyone else job just got a whole lot tougher.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:51 am
“going forward Joe has to play aggressive and look for his offense”
Sure, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks need to run isos for him. He needs to be aggressive and look for his offense within the flow of the offense as a whole. Him looking for his offense shouldn’t come at the expense of the team moving the ball and other players getting touches in places where they can score.
Bottom line is the Hawks are not going to win a lot of games against quality teams letting Joe throw up contested iso jumpers, hoping Zaza gets the offensive rebound, and hoping the other teams misses shots they normally make, which is what happened in this game.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
1:52 am
Nortcyde what ya doing,goin to meet your buddy Joe J ha ha
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
2:00 am
“Sure, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks need to run isos for him. He needs to be aggressive and look for his offense within the flow of the offense as a whole.”
i agree.. exception being on the block working the post. i have no idea as to why instead of shooting, attacking, or passing he turns it into an iso by pulling the ball out. the only thing i can conclude is that some guys are just more comfortable working in space. considering he hardly ever shoots a straight jumper, usually some sort of drifting action.
i wouldnt mind seeing Joe get 6-8 post ups a game w/ Al feeding it to him from his elbow spot.
bigdave
April 2nd, 2011
2:02 am
Smoove opposite side block looking to board, or opening up for a possible pass if opposite big helps on Joe posting smaller guard.
superiorblogman
April 2nd, 2011
2:10 am
That Jordan Crawford trade is looking worse and worse by the moment. Good to see Zaza and Jamal play well. This game just shows how much the Hawks need better depth and that’s why they should have kept Jordan. I said it the day they made the trade that it would go down as one of the worse in Hawks history and I am now sure of that. On the other hand, what this game showed the Hawks is they need another impact big for when Zaza is not good enough and when Josh just chooses jumpshots over every thing else. They also need a combo guard like Jamal but who plays D so when his shot is not falling he is not such a liability. Once again that could have been Jordan. Management sucks and if we can beat the Magic who are obviously worse than last year and win a game or two against the Bulls who are one of the worse and most vulnerable #1 seeds in recent history our sorry management will tout that as more steady improvement and stay pat. These wins mean nothing in the big scheme of things if management is not taking notes of the obvious improvements needed.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
2:26 am
Najeh
Grand-Daddy and I were at the game tonight. I just rolled up in Roswell, but G-Daddy went Nique tonight up in Section 314. He wound up a right hook and was gonna’ take down the young fella. The policeman had to break them up, I grabbed him buy the seat of his pants and the guy behind us wrapped up up around his chest.
Don’t mess with G-Daddy, he is a THUG!
_________________
What we saw tonight was 60% Celtics Crowd, but ZaZa sat them down!
Our style of play tonight was totally different from the way we played The Magic. Two opposite game plans and the coaches were huddled a lot in the middle of the floor making adjustments. They decided to sit Josh down for some reason and play ZaZa down the stretch. (Bold and Wise move). They also sat Marvin and rolled with Jamal and Kirk (who played great defense) it was ugly but effective. Hawks patrolled and controlled the rim and Chinese Water- Boarded the Celtic bigs. We drove the paint and stayed aggressive. It was as ugly a game as you will see, but gritty and highly effective. ZaZa almost decapitated Paul as he flew in from the wing, classic. You had to be there to appreciate the ugliness.
______________
The Spurs lost their 6th straight game tonight and are next right?
The workers are few, but the field is ripe for the harvest!
________________
L
Let’s Go Big! Start Twin against The Spurs. Looks like coach is figuring out how and who to play when, based on the style of the opponent and individual match ups! Looks like Nellie Ball now!
_____________
Game Balls to:
Coach
ZaZa
Jamal
Joe
A great team win!
Worldwide Clyde
April 2nd, 2011
2:31 am
Jordan Crawford
FIRE SUND
FIRE LD
dz
April 2nd, 2011
2:36 am
GO HAWKS!
Can we just be happy that we got a W instead of a L tonight?
And that the Hawks are FINALLY starting to play with some heart and find an identity?
Were comming together as a team, and that KH trade is probably the facilitator. I know it sucks to lose JC2, but atleast our team knows that people can get traded, even when they think they are safe.
Josh sitting was awesome move by LD. For everyone hating on him, please remember that THIS IS HIS 1st YEAR AS A HEAD COACH. He WILL make mistakes. As long as he learns from then, then its all good!
Wait for the playoffs to judge him, he can’t possibly coach worse than Woody did last year.
GO HAWKS
Paradise Lost
April 2nd, 2011
2:36 am
At the 6 minute mark of the 4th quarter, ESPN ran a 5 second summary clip of Hawks’ plays that brought them back into the game: driving into the paint, posting up, making hard plays. LD needs to load that clip on his phone and play it at every time out for the rest of the season. Play it 3 times during timeouts when we’ve lost a lead.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
2:39 am
Worldwide Clyde!
I’ll take two of those ^^ in a size SMEDIUM! LOL!
Paradise Lost
April 2nd, 2011
2:41 am
“ZaZa almost decapitated Paul as he flew in from the wing, classic. You had to be there to appreciate the ugliness.”
@drmaryb – the ESPN announcer said “That was a 1970s foul!!”
Glad you got to see it in person!
Scoop
April 2nd, 2011
2:51 am
Hearing the obvious bias from the ESPN broadcast for the Celtics and seeing a sea of green in the stands, it was very, very satisfying to see the Hawks triumph and get a W tonight. Points from the game:
-Zaza should start, or at least get more then the 15 minutes hes avg all year
-Smoove is a liability on both ends. He needs lessons from Al on how to defend the pick & roll. It’s like he sets a double pick for the opposing offensive player. Secondly, where are the blocks and steals? All he does is run away from the basket to guys at the three point line and fall for their shot fake.
Offensively, he has zero low post game-he’ll dance with the basketball then shoot a deep, contested, fade-away jump shot that has no chance of going in. Dont get me started on his jump shot. The energy and athleticism of years past has not been here all season. It’s as if he’s content to sit on the perimeter and take jump shots.
-The Hawks can play with anybody. While the regular season has been inconsistent for the Hawks, nobody will want us if we can get hot.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
3:00 am
Paradise Lost!
It was beautiful to see Paul get beat up tonight. First Nique’, now Joe and ZaZa! We’re gonna’ have to upgrade our name to:
The Beat-Down Factory! I can smell the play off is in the air.
Do you think the Hawks feeding off the Mug-Shot? Eyes Swollen and every thang! Have we shredded the soft-tag? I hope so.
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
3:10 am
@Scoop
Nearly everything you just said in that post is incorrect. Start watching the games more. (or better)
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
4:01 am
Rewatching the game, I noticed a couple of small things that others may have missed:
-Either Al isn’t 6′10 or Zaza is taller than 7′0″. When they stood next to each other I noticed Zaza was easily 4 inches taller.
-Jamal actually played decently on the defensive side of the ball.
-Joe had Ray in the post a couple of times and then he backed out to shoot a J. This is not a smart idea.
Also, I think LD may have actually outcoached Doc in this game. LD made adjustments and made good lineup decisions. Doc’s lineups were questionable, especially in the 4th.
Paradise Lost
April 2nd, 2011
4:05 am
The Beat-Down Factory…if only we can keep it going! We replayed the JJ/PP tangle several times ’cause that’s just something you don’t see every day…season…ever…
Mike W
April 2nd, 2011
4:06 am
am i the only one who notice,J smoove almost cost us the whole game till LD did something smart for onnce and took j smoove out the game cause he wasnt playdd with effort or hustling he was just walking through the motion.Once LD took him out everybody picked up there energy and start playng Defense,Good win hawks.let keep it rolling aginst san antino
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
4:16 am
I should also point out that Jamal only played a few possessions at the point. This is also good.
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
4:18 am
@Mike W
Actually, that is incorrect. The reason we got down in this game was because we went iso at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd. The reason we won is because we decided to go inside with the ball.
Buddy Grizzard
April 2nd, 2011
6:24 am
The kid started at point and finished with a triple double!!!! – ag
…against the worst team in the NBA.Would you trade Smoove for Kevin Love? I wouldn’t. Huge numbers on a terrible team. Not an impact player on a playoff team. Sorry.
HAWKS ARE 29TH IN STEALS, 29 IN FORCED TO’S, 24 IN REBOUNDING,27TH IN BLOCKED SHOTS – Slimjr
All down from last year, all related to effort and coaching.
Abandoning a young bench player because he plays three lackluster first half minutes is a foolish idea. – Poop
I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes with JT, but it’s inexcusable to me how LD has destroyed his confidence and ability to make an impact.
JT just looks lost out there at times. Also he needs to develop an NBA shot. – Section 212
Inconsistent minutes can do that. And you’re right, his shot is terrible. But so is Rondo’s, and he can be an impact player for the same reason Rondo is. He needs to become a better passer to have the full Rondo impact moreso than he needs to develop his shot. If the latter comes in time, so much the better. One thing he does at an NBA level right now is baseline-to-baseline defense, something the Hawks sorely lack while they let it sit and languish on the bench.
if we can beat the Magic who are obviously worse than last year and win a game or two against the Bulls who are one of the worse and most vulnerable #1 seeds in recent history our sorry management will tout that as more steady improvement and stay pat. – superiorblogman
True, but what is staying pat? The Hawks are on the books next year for almost $65m, and that’s with only 7 players under contract. How can they re-sign JC1? He’s auditioning for his last NBA contract, and it won’t be with the Hawks. Looks like he’s catching fire at the right time, which is great for us. If he shoots us into the conference finals, he will have earned his $10m this season and be well deserving of whatever contract he can find this offseason.
That means Teague will be in a 3-guard rotation next year with JJ and Captain Kirk. That’s not standing pat, that’s Sund forcing LD’s hand by giving him no other option. We don’t have a first-round draft pick so any guard we sign in the offseason will be for the veteran’s minimum. I agree that KH is disappointing and we gave up too much to get him, but did we really need another inefficient shooter who can’t guard anybody (meaning JC2 taking JC1’s role next season if we hadn’t traded him)? The trade was addition by subtraction, getting rid of Bibby, who was our achilles heel.
Can we just be happy that we got a W instead of a L tonight? Wait for the playoffs to judge him, he can’t possibly coach worse than Woody did last year. – dz
No, because one regular season win is meaningless. It’s nice the Hawks are getting on a bit of a roll going into the playoffs, but this game is ultimately meaningless. And you are absolutely right, I will judge LD on what happens in the playoffs. I’ve praised him all year for his play calling. If he gets it right I will man up and say so on this blog. If he gets obviously out-coached and bounced in the first round by SVG, you will hear all about it from me right here on this blog.
-Smoove is a liability on both ends. While the regular season has been inconsistent for the Hawks, nobody will want us if we can get hot. – Scoop
And isn’t it amazing to say that about a player who was supposed to be a candidate again this year for defensive player of the year? If sitting him in the fourth quarter tonight finally gets through to him and Smoove starts playing at an all star level going into the playoffs, my opinion about LD is going to change. I agree 100%. We have the talent that if these guys will just play with some pride we can not only knock out a very vulnerable Orlando team, but give Chicago problems as well. The Bulls don’t have alot of playoff experience, and we match up well with them talent wise. If we make it that far, it will be LD versus the obviously best coach in the sport of basketball.
Big Daddy
April 2nd, 2011
6:42 am
First let me say it was awesome that we have had two wins over quaility teams and in both cases we had times when we were down and fought back to take the lead. I also want to congratulate Zaza and Twin, especially Zaza on games well played. We would not have won without you.
That said, I will not pile on to the comments previously made about our shortcomings. What I did notice and have not seen addressed is that even when Boston was behind they remained a disciplined team. They came down and ran plays. The shots did not alway fall, but they ran a play with screens, ball movement and cuts to the basket. We went through a period where it seemed the person who brought the ball up court was the one who took the shot and it was not an attempted layup. Fade away jumpers from 20 feet out. 3’s early in the shot clock (even Kirk) and a lack of discipline.
In my humble opinion, this is what will undo us in the playoffs. The team has to remain discipline and when they don’t LD has to call a timeout and remind them of it and the next person who doesn’t follow the play gets yanked.
Samuel
April 2nd, 2011
7:35 am
I see we went back to what works: Woody Ball.
no justice
April 2nd, 2011
8:11 am
tough loss last night, we’ll get them next time.
Trojan
April 2nd, 2011
8:18 am
Great effort by the Hawks. The management for the Hawks still suck and piss on the fans in the stands that cheered for green jerseys.
Trojan
April 2nd, 2011
8:24 am
And I don’t care if we won or not, I still say that LD and Woody are the worst developers of talents ever.
RB
April 2nd, 2011
8:40 am
The Hawks just can’t get it right. Jordan Crawford showed potential in the preseason. The Hawks gave him little play in the reg. season. Getting rid of him will go down as a major mistake. This guy has superstar potential. He had a triple-double last night. The Hawks just can’t get it right!!!!
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
8:42 am
Dammit, the Hawks f*****g win last night against the Celtics and we still have people b*tching about Jordan Crawford this morning. How about you get over it and support the team!
RB
April 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
MJC , You support the team! I’ll b&tch all I want.Let me say it again, This team can’t get it right and they won’t last long in the playoffs. Remember I said It!!!!
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
8:57 am
RB, I’ll remember that when JC2 is still bricking 61% of his shots.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
9:08 am
best zaza play of the night was a pick that d west found himself running into. it was a huge take down that left delonte woozy and getting up slow from the floor fortunately at a boston timeout to collect himself. i would love to see it again.
for every open shot they missed, we were missing them, too. just a terrible night to watch both teams misfire. or was it a good game to watch both teams play gritty defense? which one was it?
we have to play like this every night if we are going to be successful against the better teams. it isnt pretty but it is the formula to success in the nba. lakers arent pretty when they are doing it right, spurs never have been as they collected championships. two wins ove quality teams holding them to less than 90 points.
it was also the formula that won some games shortly after capt kirk got here. he was very active defensively last night helping out underneath and taking a few good hard fouls himself. again it was what we saw early after his move here and it seemed the guys tried to go the other way and fell flat wanting showtime instead.
also like the comment by al that they have to play each possession. that has been a downfall for this team not respecting each possession. if they can keep it up then they can play a few more playoff game than first round than a four and out. discipline is what we need to see more of. will josh get it?
dmb, so you made it to the game?
cj
April 2nd, 2011
9:14 am
RB & MJC – I have to agree with both of you to some extent. MJC, support the team more than while they are winning. RB – once again the owners, managers, and coaches showed their lack of insight and knowledge by letting JC2 go. I believe he will blossom into a superstar, he has already had a 39 point game and a triple double since leaving the hawks. LD did not give him playing time and it will cost the hawks for years to come.
The hawks look like they are trying to come together and gel at the right time, just before the playoffs. Strong D for the last few games but the offense still stinks, not enough ball movement leading to too many iso’s and quick shots showing that the team is still not playing team basketball on the offensive end. This will cost them in the playoffs if they cannot become more consistent on that end of the floor.
Section 303
April 2nd, 2011
9:38 am
Great win! Two in a row….I’m now backing off the ledge.
Also, great job by Larry Drew to bench Josh Smith. Josh was back to playing lazy and Drew made him sit for it. Good for him! I still do not know what some of you see in Josh Smith. I just don’t. He gives halfa$$ed efforts more often than not. Last night was more of the same: Watching the Celtics secure loose balls. Not helping on D. Taking terrible shots…I could go on and on.
Drew sitting Josh Smith down was the key to the win. And, yes, Josh didn’t seem to pout, but big deal. He’s expected to give max effort. That’s not asking a lot. Big props to Coach Drew for sitting him down.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
9:47 am
You Can’t Stop This!
“If any of you think the Hawks can win in the playoffs with JJ taking 14 shots and averaging 16 ppg, you’re out of your minds. He’s the one guy who has to blow up in the playoffs. And the only way he can do that, is to be ultra aggressive offensively.”
-northcyde-
____________________________
Enthusiastic Co-Sign!
Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers were quoted last season and the play off series of 2008 saying verbatum what northcyde is saying. They were asked why does the Hawks give your team so much trouble?
“They said, the Hawks have unbelievable ISO-Players in Joe and now Jamal. Their play is indefensible and in the 4th they take over games.
We can not stop them when they run their ISO-Plays.
We don’t have anyone who can stop them. That’s what great players like Joe Johnson does, they take over games! Once they get a true big and a penetrating PG, they will be a tough team for everyone.”
- para-phrased -
ISO-Play is a game plan people, embrace it when the game is on the line.
You don’t want the Josh Powell’s of the world taking those shots – trust me.
Once the Heat figured out that DWade needs to take the game over this season, they went on a 13 game win streak after all their “crying” last month. See Kobe in the 4th, these teams know how to play to their strengths. Like northcyde said, even if Joe misses the floaters, ZaZa and Al get opportunities the clean the offensive glass and stick it back or get another 2nd chance shot. It works!
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
9:54 am
@CJ
Are you telling me to support the team more than when they were just winning? Really? I can remember the 13 win season VERY CLEARLY because I watched it.
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
10:03 am
@maryb
The Heat went on so such win streak. I don’t think they have even played 13 games since the whole crying thing. And they reason they started winning again is because all 3 of the Big 3 started playing effectively AND efficiently.
Last 10 Games
James: 29/7/6
Wade: 28/6/5
Bosh: 22/10
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
10:07 am
TKO – Take Down!
“@drmaryb – the ESPN announcer said “That was a 1970s foul!!”
- paradise lost -
__________________
Yeah maane … I saw the hit! Paul’s head snapped back like a whip-lash in a rear end collision. Of course, he cried for a flagrant, but the hard foul was Laimbeer-Esque! And, this was after they had just laid Joe Johnson out with a low-blow while he was in the air! No flagrant?
Hmmmm … At one point, Grand-Daddy and I saw the three ref’s huddled at mid-court holding a joint summitt during a T.O. Before the 4th Qrtr.
It looked like collusion to us and we thought the “fix was in” to cover their own betting spread (see Donoughy?). I said, “G-Daddy, they are about to call some lop-sided fouls on the Hawks this 4th qrtr!”
But, ZaZa and Al had other plans.
sam'l
April 2nd, 2011
10:10 am
Hey. I’m a Hawks fan and I’m impressed with Jordan Crawford and I wish we still had him.
I think the Celtics just ran out of last night. They were still playing hard, but didn’t have the oomph to finish the game.
Once again, I lost control of the TV and was forced to watch the Dennis Rodman tribute……….so remember things could always be worse……
sam'l
April 2nd, 2011
10:11 am
ran out of gas….corrects typo
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
10:37 am
Yea iso joe really worked great last night.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
10:48 am
How can we complain they won even they seemed to play horribly & the coaching seemed pretty bad.
Not Sund
April 2nd, 2011
10:49 am
Dang a couple posters wrote their own column.
We all know that in the playfoffs the games are not pretty.
I’d rather see J.J. take a bunch of shots even if he misses, he draws defenders and creates opportunites for the rebounders better positioning.
Thanks L.D. for doing something right when you put Josh on the bench.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
10:50 am
I guess the celtics played worse.
darrell starks
April 2nd, 2011
10:54 am
Boston look like the hawks last night with all jumshots, thats why bost lost to much perimeter.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 2nd, 2011
10:58 am
If LD can’t tell that horford do not want play center with his body language at center, then LD must be blind, it’s very clear that horford and the hawks are a better team when he plays powerforward.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Double Zero Eight
April 2nd, 2011
11:04 am
Zaza played a good game. He was the difference.
JJ struggled. If the Hawks are to stand a chance,
of winning the playoff series against Orlando, JJ
will have to average 20 points. .
darrell starks
April 2nd, 2011
11:07 am
Let’s keep it real, the hawks look bad last night even with a win, coach continue 2 make bad decision with his horrible 7man rotation and not having a solid rotation 2 get them ready for the playoffs this guy will not succeed as a head coach.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
phil
April 2nd, 2011
11:44 am
•Smoove was offering little beyond missed jump shots and lax D so he sat while Zaza played…
What a shocker….Smith playing like crap….get rid of this guy!
Proud of the team for finally winning a few games THANKS TO SOME DEFENSIVE INTENSITY…
Will they keep it up? Not a chance….
Prove me wrong….that means you, marvin! Earn your damn money for once…..and you too, smith!
Play for crying out loud or get lost….
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
11:53 am
I like how people conveniently forgot about Smoove’s game against Orlando when they are trashing him here.
Worldwide Clyde
April 2nd, 2011
11:59 am
Jordan Crawford will go for 30 against the Hawks
Katie
April 2nd, 2011
12:04 pm
“Jordan Crawford will go for 30 against the Hawks”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA yeah RIGHT. With Wall being in that game he won’t get nearly as many touches.
MsDee
April 2nd, 2011
12:23 pm
Jordan Crawford is either going to look really really good or really really bad against us next Saturday cause he will try to do too much to prove we should have played him more..either way, I proud of the guy!!
brigadierjerry
April 2nd, 2011
12:37 pm
Kind of off topic but congrats to Dennis Rodman looks like he is going tomake the Hof. Tremendous rebounder and defender and was able to guard Magic, Bird Jordan and even Shaq. Unfortunately those type of players/rebounders bangers are few and far between in todays NBA
doc
April 2nd, 2011
12:43 pm
since our winning and scorers slump began about february 5th after the sixers smoked us and the cats took one away from us and after blowing up huge numbers by jj and jamal in january we have won 11 games. in ten of those wins we have kept the opposition to less than 90 points. only one game did we lose against charlotte in keeping the other team below 90.
does anyone see a trend here? in only one win did the other team go above 90 and that was against detroit. we also had a win in early feb against the wiz where they went above 90. yes to win, we will have to win this way and it is not pretty. it was how the young hawks established themselves a few years ago and forgot by thinking they could outscore folks. i dont think jamal or jj is suddenly going to come back to life like the run they had in january and even if they do this is still the style they are going to have to play.
after reading the blogs recently it seems this way is bad. as far as is it bad, i dont think winning is bad. i would take every one of those lousy wins and trophies home that the spurs had over the years in a second. it is time folks quit complaining in how it looks and open your eyes to the big picture. it was a hard fought win against a very tenacious team that has a lot of pride and wanted very bad to intimidate us. zaza just wouldnt let them and the rest of the team picked up the pace. boston had no quit in them and neither did zaza. good game.
as far as jordan going for 30? i hope he does as long as we win the game. we dont need any more guys willing to jack it up at will and not either know how or want to play playoff style basketball.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:43 pm
Rusty . . you still don’t get it ( as usual ).
It’s not that ISO worked. It’s that other people were in proper position to get rebounds, when it didn’t work.
JJ went a dismal 1 – 9 FG in the 4th quarter. He helped himself by going 5 – 5 FT, which softened the blow a bit from the dismal FG performance. But what really helped us out tonight, was the fact that we got 4 offensive rebounds off of JJ’s misses, and scored 8 points off of those misses.
So in a game in which he was shooting horribly, we STILL scored 17 points either by him scoring, or by other people gobbling up his misses.
It’s playing with balance and being in position to get the rebounds. With Smith in the game, neither he nor Al would’ve been on the inside, because they would’ve been waiting for JJ to pass the ball out to them on the perimeter.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
12:44 pm
16 points . . . not 17 points.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
12:45 pm
yeah, we forget somewhere hidden inside of rodman’s haze of roids and stimulants and other drugs was a very dedicated and hard working basketball player. good for him for the hof nod though it surprised me in a way.
tony
April 2nd, 2011
1:20 pm
For the 1st time LD showed that he has GUTS by benching BONEHEAD(js). Now show some guts and let CAPTAIN KIRK run the offense the way a pg suppose to so that trade will look more meaningful.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 pm
Nortcyde according to you we will be successful if he takes a lot of shots & misses them, we will get the rebounds & make points all them,that makes a lot of sense to me. Just think it’s okay if the 124 million man misses his shots. I say don’t shoot them if your not going to make a good % of them.
Sam'l
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 pm
I see bloggers who want to believe but don’t want to get hurt again. I see bloggers who have strayed now using the Hawks minor success stories to justify all their bonehead theories. I see bloggers who want to forget Jordan Crawford and they will after about 10 years of watching him tear up the league.
I’m just happy they won.
Scoop
April 2nd, 2011
1:40 pm
@MJC
You forget that in the Orlando game Smoove made 3 three’s!!!!!!
How many times has he done that this season?????? When Josh takes 4 3-pointers in a game 9/10 we will lose.
That is his problem-he does not know his role. He thinks he is Jordan taking long jump shots and deep, contested fade away jump shots, BUT HES NOT!!!!!!!!!!
He helps this team win with his defense and activity, but sadly that has been missing this whole year. I’ll say it again-he is horrible in defending the pick and roll, and he’s lazy 1-1 defensively. Before, he got his blocks on help side defense but even that is missing this year. Physically, if you just look at Josh, he doesnt even look like hes in as good of shape this year as years past. He seems content to just brick jumpshots and if notice there is a trickle effect-the offense stalls because Josh is camping out on the perimeter, instead of being inside, and so the offense gets stagnant.
Its not just Josh though, Marvin’s effort has been questionable as well. Little noticed last night was Marvin was on the bench during our stretch run as well(usually the norm). THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE HAWKS WOES!!!!!!
Lack of production from their forwards-we play small to take advantage of our athleticism but when your getting zero production from your wings consistently, its hard to win.
Logically, a more traditional lineup would be the adjustment-Hinrich, J J, Smoove/Marvin(doesnt matter), Al, ZaZa
drmaryb (*_-) AKA Matt "CHOKE" Ryan #1 Fan
April 2nd, 2011
1:45 pm
I think we will beat the magic in the 1st round..However, I still feel like we are a couples pieces away from contending from a championship…D12??? We get him and we’re there!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
2:01 pm
“I like how people conveniently forgot about Smoove’s game against Orlando when they are trashing him here.”
Co-sign.
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
2:07 pm
God we are not letting jj be him self,poor guy getting 2 shots less per game ( as per nortcyde)
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
2:08 pm
Nortcyde we should have gave jj player of the game award.
MJC
April 2nd, 2011
2:22 pm
@scoop:
Any rant that talks about Smoove’s shot selection needs to have the phrase, “It doesn’t help that JJ hangs him out to dry with 2 seconds left on the shot clock at least 3 times a game” somewhere in it.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
3:26 pm
From Hoopinion:
One wonders how good the Hawks could be if they committed to anything that worked well with the same fervor with which they commit to Joe Johnson. Marvin Williams was no great shakes himself last night but, had Larry Drew swapped Williams for Johnson as he did Pachulia for Smith, perhaps the Hawks cruise to victory against the Celtics. Jamal Crawford (20 points on 14 shots, 4 assists against just 2 turnovers) might could have handled an even greater scoring load and the ball moved so much better in the first half when Al Horford got enough touches in the middle of the floor to attempt six shots and earn four assists.
Johnson needed 20 field goal and 11 free throw attempts to score 19 points. He earned two assists. Offense was the strong part of his performance in the game. Saddled with two fouls early in the first half from his unsuccessful efforts to defend Paul Pierce (to be fair, Williams wasn’t much more effective against Pierce), Johnson took just three shots and four free throws in the first half. In the second half, when Johnson wasn’t splitting his ineffective defensive play between Pierce and Ray Allen and forcing his teammates to switch with him on every screen Boston set, the Hawks were forcing the ball to Johnson–in the post, in isolation on the wing, and at the top of a 1-4 set. The results: 3-17 from the floor, 7-7 from the line, an assist, and a turnover. Were it not for the 10 second half points that Pachulia, Williams, and Al Horford scored by following Joe Johnson misses (nor the lone three-pointer that Johnson made, which put the Hawks up 82-75, a shot created completely by Kirk Hinrich), the Hawks likely lose this game the way they’ve lost so many others.
The bad news: No matter how much this organization wants it to be or acts as if it is true, Joe Johnson cannot beat good teams by himself.
The good news: No matter how much this organization tries to limit the amount of talent surrounding Johnson, there remains sufficient talent available to help him win games against good teams. At least some of the time.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
3:31 pm
Rusty
April 2nd, 2011
1:39 pm
Nortcyde according to you we will be successful if he takes a lot of shots & misses them, we will get the rebounds & make points all them,that makes a lot of sense to me. Just think it’s okay if the 124 million man misses his shots. I say don’t shoot them if your not going to make a good % of them.
******************
The Hawks are 6 – 1 this year when JJ takes 20+ shots, but shoots less than 40%.
Is that an anomaly, or is there something to this? Could it be because other people are in the right place at the right time, despite his dismal shooting.
Even in that Milwaukee series, JJ went 8 – 24 FG in one of those games vs Milwaukee ( Game 6 ). Jamal had a big game . . and HOrford had 15 points and 15 rebounds ( 6 offensive ).
WE win the game.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this?
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
3:32 pm
That was also the game in which we played stellar defense in that 3rd quarter.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
3:33 pm
The whole “let’s make everybody a threat offensively” concept was only good in theory. The fact is that people need to start playing their role. If they played their role, we’ll win more games.
drmaryb (*_-) AKA Matt "CHOKE" Ryan #1 Fan
April 2nd, 2011
3:40 pm
Jordan Crawford dropped a triple double last night…LOL SMH atlanta hawks at its finest!!
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
4:16 pm
Celtics off in Zaza land
Pachulia, Hawks put hurtin’ on Green late
By Mark Murphy
Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Updated 14 hours ago
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ATLANTA — The Celtics [team stats] couldn’t complain about the atmosphere. Though Hawks crowds have improved since these two went to seven games in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, the turncoats were cheering as much for the Celts as their own team last night.
But the C’s were unable to parlay Thursday night’s success in San Antonio into a two-game swing.
Signs of slippage were everywhere, but especially in that area that has dogged this veteran team to such a curious degree — stretch execution.
They were again outworked late in last night’s 88-83 loss to Atlanta. The result dropped their record in the second night of back-to-back games, when the second is played on the road, to 3-10. It also dropped them three games behind first-place Chicago and a half-game behind second-place Miami in the East. Both the Bulls and Heat won last night.
But talk of playoff seeding isn’t a good subject in this locker room right now.
The Celtics, 5-6 in their last 11 games, will settle for something just as elusive — consistency.
That’s tough for a team that led by 12 points (60-48) in the third quarter last night before surrendering a 16-3 run that covered the last 1:22 of the third and the first 2:18 of the fourth.
Rajon Rondo responded with a pair of drives, and the Hawks pushed back again, this time with a 10-2 burst that caught the Celtics shooting 1-for-6 with two turnovers in a horrid 5:36 stretch.
“There was a point in the third where I thought we had a chance to stretch things out, but I thought we started settling for jumpers,” said Pierce, who had a game-high 25 points. “We were getting stops all night, but things changed in the fourth quarter.
“We also weren’t getting rebounds. A lot of our shots were good shots, but maybe we could have gotten better looks closer to the basket. At the end of the day, when I see them shooting 36 percent and we get outrebounded, that has to be the reason we lost.”
Indeed, the Celtics were outboarded 52-38, and were not only beated to the glass all night by players like Al Horford (16 points, 15 boards) but also by one of their favorite antagonists, Zaza Pachulia (15 points, 10 rebounds).
The Celts also were pushed around.
Exhibit A was Pachulia’s ability to tear a rebound out of Kevin Garnett’s hands, draw a retaliatory foul from Pierce, and hit two free throws to put Atlanta ahead 79-75 with 4:15 remaining.
The 7-footer made this play in the midst of the aforementioned 10-2 run, which Joe Johnson capped with a 3-pointer.
Though Pierce, who had the only Celtics basket during that 5:36 stretch, stopped the burst by driving for a three-point play, the Celts already had lost hold.
Glen Davis missed two free throws with 36 seconds left that would have tied the game at 83
_______________________
Here’s an interesting quote, para-phrased from Doc Rivers in regards to Al Horford:
“He was hands down my favorite All Star player this year. He came to me and said, you really only have to play me just one stint. This is all about the stars.”. I told him, “You are one of those guys.”
He is the most unassuming All-Stars in this league and is genuine.”
________________
That was the gist of what Doc was saying. I read a blogger’s post from last night’s game, intimating that Al Horford has always been one of his favorite players, since his days at Florida. This blogger continued to say, “Al would look really good in Celtic green uniform.
Another blogger, took a dig at Zaza, calling him ZaZa “Gabor”. LOL! saying, he man handled them in the paint with his effective play.
Their blog has got nothing on ours though, as far as intellect and high level communication skills, not ‘nam thing. We truly are the best and more insightful and deep.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
4:21 pm
it’s funny though.
As great as Bret LeGree can be at times, he simply doesn’t pay attention to trends on other occasions.
The Hawks are 11 – 6 when JJ attempts 20+ shots. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Extrapolate that to 82 games . . and you get 53 wins.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this?
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
4:22 pm
HAWKS ARE 9-21 IN THEIR LAST 30!!!!!!!!!!!
SUND GIVES AWAY A FLAT OUT BALLER BETTER THAN THE #2 PICK IN O5 AND A 1ST FOR a B- PLAYER WHO’s GONNA GET LIT UP NEXT WEEK BY JC2..A FUTURE STAR IN THIS LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1.
LD HAD TO BENCH HIS STARTING #3 AND #4 TO GET A WIN??????? WTF?????????????
WHATS TO CELEBRATE???????????? ANOTHER PLAYOFF MELTDOWN COMING??????
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
4:24 pm
I see the trolle is off his meds again, jacking partial I’d’s today. LOL!
He typically runs out before the end of the month and the Medicaid Pharmacists are closed till Monday.
Oh well, should be a hilarious day on the blog.
If he just get laid? That would tie him up at least 2 or 3 seconds, but no such luck.
ROF-LMAO!
_____________
On that note, I’m outa’ here for today. I need to go wash the car and do laundry anyways now.
Great Team Win! Let’s Go Hawks! Get The Spurs next.
A
mykhalc
April 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
it took how many games into the season for LD to do somethin’ that a HC should do nite-in, nite-out…bench the f’n players that ain’t gettin’ it done…WHOMEVER they might be!!! Zaza showed heart, no doubt!!! even in victory this team exhibits no BB smarts, no BB cohesion…PERIOD!!! ok…maybe in small spurts…ONLY!!! but most get what i’m sayin’. anyway, LD still sucks as a HC…PERIOD!!!
Scoop
April 2nd, 2011
4:34 pm
@MJC
Any rant that talks about Smoove’s shot selection needs to have the phrase, “It doesn’t help that JJ hangs him out to dry with 2 seconds left on the shot clock at least 3 times a game” somewhere in it.
-It would help if you(and Smoove) would realize that the reason Joe dishes it to Smoove on the perimeter low in the shot clock is because teams double Joe off Smoove’s man!!!!!!
What is Joe supposed to do with two guys in front of him and a lazy teammate standing on the perimeter. This is what I was talking about when Smoove is content to stand around on the 3-point line. If he’d get down on the box things would open up for everybody.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
4:37 pm
Al your help defense is one word ATROCIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant believe how many times this year you let guards come into the paint and since your out of position because your mentally not paying attention to whats going on around you, and letting these guys get uncontested layups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your are f__ing 6″10.5″!!. You are supposed to playing handball with some of those layups…I should know better since I play ball, that just like scoring is a gift you either have or dont, so is shot blocking!!!!!!! You definitely dont have it but your coaches should be pointing that out to you because you and your squad are going to be destroyed again in the playoffs if dramatic changes dont come on the deffensive side of the ball! PLAYOFFS????? Yep……………..
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
4:38 pm
More trends:
- The Hawks are 24 – 8 when Josh Smith grabs 10 or more total rebounds . . . 16 – 8 when he scores 20 or more points
- The Hawks are 8 – 2 when Al Horford grabs 5 or more offensive rebounds . . . 13 – 5 when he scores 20 points or more
drmaryb (*_-) AKA Matt "CHOKE" Ryan #1 Fan
April 2nd, 2011
4:44 pm
Good try dr maryb
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
4:46 pm
This team is going into the playoff’s with no Home court advantage like the 07 squad and what happened?? They were eliminated in the 1st Rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what they took BC 7 games.. and were flat out killed on the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.This 2011 team has no home court advantage throughout the playoffs= History tends to repeat itself??????
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
4:49 pm
Is JC2 playing tonight??????
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
4:56 pm
Scoop
April 2nd, 2011
4:34 pm
-It would help if you(and Smoove) would realize that the reason Joe dishes it to Smoove on the perimeter low in the shot clock is because teams double Joe off Smoove’s man!!!!!!
What is Joe supposed to do with two guys in front of him and a lazy teammate standing on the perimeter. This is what I was talking about when Smoove is content to stand around on the 3-point line. If he’d get down on the box things would open up for everybody.
****************
And that means that he’d be around the rim more to either gobble up and offensive rebound and put it back in ( like Zaza does ), or he’d get fouled on the put back, or he’d grab a rebound and find another open shooter ( like he’s very capable of doing ). He might even receive an interior pass from JJ, and get a hoop going to the basket.
Instead, when the ball his kicked to him, he shoots the ball ( sometimes because he has to ). The problem, is that when our PF is taking 21 foot jumpers, who is in the paint to rebound the miss? Normally, it’s only Horford, seeing that JJ will be on one wing, Marvin will be stuck in the corner, and whomever is playing the point is out on the perimeter as well.
To me, it’s all about playing balanced basketball. If Smith and Horford are going to continue to play out on the perimeter, we need somebody on the interior to gobble up rebounds. That’s why I’d rather play Zaza with the starters, than off the bench. It’s actually the same premise that people have for playing Teague with the starters.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
5:01 pm
“lol im not even a hawks fan and i feel sorry for them ”
quote from youtube ref Hawks trading away JC2 for peanuts…………………………….Shoot…….
Jae Evolution
April 2nd, 2011
5:04 pm
If we can draft Marshon Brooks this year we can let Jamal walk and either sign and trade or free up space for FA’s.
Damien From Port Arthur Texas
April 2nd, 2011
5:13 pm
this is my third post and i started off saying we had to get tougher and what do you know. we are scrapping now. we are winning. Hard fouls, pushin shovin. hell if i didnt know better i’d say a team with some pride was out there. being a former athlete i cant understand how this (my) team would bend over and take it up the a** and not fight back. Every since our great leaDER Mr Dominique Wilkens pieced up ol buddy we have followed suit. Go Mutha F’n Hardcore Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
“The Hawks are 11 – 6 when JJ attempts 20+ shots. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Extrapolate that to 82 games . . and you get 53 wins.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this?”
They are also 6-4 without Joe Johnson. Stats only mean whatever you want them to mean.
We have plenty of evidence to suggest this team cannot win in the playoffs if they run the offense through Joe. That was the whole reason for opening up the offense in the first place. Running the offense through Smoove and Al doesn’t mean they have to take perimeter shots.
Don V
April 2nd, 2011
5:56 pm
Some of you overrate the offense skills of Josh Smith and Horford. They are at their best when we play good hard defense and then run the ball…but when we run a set offense, like it or not it has to run through Johnson/Crawford, and hope Al and Josh rebound missed shots.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
6:04 pm
most important trend right now is keeping teams below 90 points with 12 wins in 14 since feb 1 using that criteria. only one own loss when keeping a team below that number when they blew the lead against the cats. the hawks are NOT going to outscore anyone on a consistent basis. the offense is not as important as the defensive effort. keep talking all you guys want it will ultimately be how they defend and rebound. oops,isnt that woody ball and what other teams preach?
as an example the heat still havent gotten it as they have potential to be great on defense but their collective egos wont allow it. it might be their donfall. they also are limited by a lack of size to the point they are considering eddie curry, that is desperation. well maybe they ought to place a call in to rand mo as well.
najeh responded several times on your comments on mb blog. gist is someone will have to crash and do it, if it has to be zaza because josh wont give that kind of effort and stop throwing up ill timed bombs unlike the ones where he gets the hot potato from a guard at the last minute then zaza will have to get us offensive rebounds. it is truly what has been lacking in the offense that ld established that put the emphasis on having three to four guys at the arc as someone shoots. no chance at getting a miss and we have done it poorly as a team by ill design of personnel. at least if and when jj actually drives to the basket and doesnt get fouled if he goes hard at it then we at least have bodies moving towards the basket.
nice game last night and one executed differently than the previous night which also is a positive.
Grandad
April 2nd, 2011
6:05 pm
Observations from a different perspective;
Negatives:
(1) so called motion;
*lacks proper spacing
*at least one *player is lost at all times
**[Marvin,Josh, Joe, in particular]
*players colliding with one another
*lacks cohesion
note:: when motion starts and ball comes to Joe,
all movement stops.
(2) Zero and I really mean zero offensive rebounding,
other than Zaza.
(literally nobody goes to the off glass)
Positives:
(1) Zaza Pachulia:: tough, hard nosed, rugged, hustles, enforcer !!!!!
(2) Cap’n Kirk:: does alot of little “dirty work” that doesn’t show up in box-score.
(3) Al:: *needs to increase his shot attempts by at least 50%.
**[I believe this to be a coaching decision]
(4) Defense is not too shabby.
*** side-note:::Hinrich was in Josh’s face all night.
Josh was talkin’ back, Hinrich was not backin down.
Once during a TO teammates stepped in between.
Cap’n Kirk has the nuggets to lead.
[now I'm ready for some ass biscuit to come on here and play the race card]
mykhalc
April 2nd, 2011
6:08 pm
as Dimitroff would say…’we need explosive players’!!! we really have none except JC. and in the case of the Hawks, we need explosive and SMART players. another blogger posted that Al was as slow as Joe with his offense. and that ain’t nothin’ but the truth. watchin’ any of these cats with the ball in their hands is painful…PERIOD!!! watchin’ this team tryin’ to run an offensive set is even WORSE!!!
doc
April 2nd, 2011
6:20 pm
bibby colluded the, “oh well, some games you dont have it” attitude that josh mirroed and echoed. the way kirk works he will not accept it. i didnt see the action on the bench as my seats are at the other end but it seems josh didnt get it and sat it out. again as soon as he becomes j smash then he becomes and all star force.
gd agree there is no effective player movement in the ld offense yet. maybe it grinds down to nothing with isojoe when he has it but what i hate worst is the passes around the perimeter between five guys that then settle for an outside “open” shot without any effective personnel near the basket to rebound. i would rather see iso-joe if it means he goes to the basket hard like a kobe to draw fouls otherwise it is a dead stalemate to ultimately mean a loss.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
6:20 pm
bibby colluded the, “oh well, some games you dont have it” attitude that josh mirroed and echoed. the way kirk works he will not accept it. i didnt see the action on the bench as my seats are at the other end but it seems josh didnt get it and sat it out. again as soon as he becomes j smash then he becomes and all star force.
gd agree there is no effective player movement in the ld offense yet. maybe it grinds down to nothing with isojoe when he has it but what i hate worst is the passes around the perimeter between five guys that then settle for an outside “open” shot without any effective personnel near the basket to rebound. i would rather see iso-joe if it means he goes to the basket hard like a kobe to draw fouls otherwise it is a dead stalemate to ultimately mean a loss.
O'Brien
April 2nd, 2011
6:42 pm
Northcyde,
The Hawks are 11 – 6 when JJ attempts 20+ shots. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Extrapolate that to 82 games . . and you get 53 wins.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this? .
Look closer. The 11 wins are:
Wizards, Cleveland, Clippers (twice), Toronto (twice), Sacramento, Miami, Knicks, Chicago, and Boston.
The 6 losses: Phoenix , OKC (twice), Houston, Dallas, Denver.
Against teams under .500, we are 7-1 when JJ takes 20 or more shots. If the opponent is .500 or better, and JJ takes 20 shots or more, our record is 4-5. That is a 44% win percentage against good teams. Extrapolate that to 82 games (if every team was over .500), and you get 36 wins.
So how successful will it be in the playoffs against a team thats above .500?
doc
April 2nd, 2011
6:44 pm
interesting at least three posts refused on bradley blog and a repeat goes up here.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
6:56 pm
“the hawks are NOT going to outscore anyone on a consistent basis. the offense is not as important as the defensive effort. keep talking all you guys want it will ultimately be how they defend and rebound. oops,isnt that woody ball and what other teams preach? ”
Why can’t both be equally important? Why can’t the Hawks come with a grind it out defensive effort AND share the ball and get good shots on every possession? This is after all what good teams do…
“i would rather see iso-joe if it means he goes to the basket hard like a kobe to draw fouls otherwise it is a dead stalemate to ultimately mean a loss.”
Asking Joe to go to the basket hard is like asking Smoove to stop taking jumpers, as far as I’m concerned. Both are about equally likely to happen on a consistent basis.
clancy
April 2nd, 2011
7:38 pm
So it seems rather as if some of the folks on here are hoping Jordan lights the Hawks up so they can be right? How odd -
doc
April 2nd, 2011
7:50 pm
najeh, by now i have given up on the concept of sharing the ball because to this team that means passing it around the horn/arc and taking an open shot with ten seconds left on the shot clock because they are open which lately means it goes in less than 40% of the time. we also see no bodies underneath to try and recollect it because they are having so much fun singing kumbaya on the perimeter “sharing”. what i dont see is movement of bodies as they share the ball.
the only way they seem to get bodies moving into rebounding position is when jamal or jj begin to penetrate. if they continue to share like that without movement we are going to see more blow out games because the one and done possessions when the team goes collectively cold is destroying this team. i am sure you have had the same sinking feeling of uh oh this is going to be a long night as they continue to pump away and run back to defend against transition baskets.
sorry, we cant win “sharing” the ball as we dont have sharp shooters to nail it night in and night out. not many teams do either and we arent going to move and change that this late in the season. yes. i would like to think we could i just dont see it happening so smash mouth it will have to be.
doc
April 2nd, 2011
7:59 pm
better get him some stilts then.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 2nd, 2011
8:04 pm
Suited and Booted!
“Dominique Wilkens pieced up ol buddy we have followed suit.”
- unknown blogger -
_____________
Did he say, “SUIT”?
(Sorry NO refunds or returns without receipt)
____________________
-wink wink-
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
8:48 pm
The Hawks are undefeated when Dominique Wilkins beats the sh-t out of someone after the game.
ant banks
April 2nd, 2011
8:52 pm
NAJEH,
you were spot on with your 12:52 a.m. post. this was a very unimpressive win. the hawks won cause the celts were not their regular selves.
ant banks
April 2nd, 2011
8:52 pm
NAJEH,
you were spot on with your 12:52 a.m. post. this was a very unimpressive win. the hawks won cause the celts were not their regular selves.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
8:57 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
“The Hawks are 11 – 6 when JJ attempts 20+ shots. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Extrapolate that to 82 games . . and you get 53 wins.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this?”
They are also 6-4 without Joe Johnson. Stats only mean whatever you want them to mean.
We have plenty of evidence to suggest this team cannot win in the playoffs if they run the offense through Joe. That was the whole reason for opening up the offense in the first place. Running the offense through Smoove and Al doesn’t mean they have to take perimeter shots.
******************
So would that discount the truth you post about Teague playing 20 minutes a game, and how the team has played when he gets those minutes? I mean, even that stat you post about Teague, isn’t somewhere brought out of the blue.
Running the offense through Smoove or Al means that eventually, those guys are going to have to create their own shot, when teams play everybody else straight up. I actually have more confidence in Smith to score in that situation, than Horford.
I would have no problem running the offense through them if one of them had a decent low post game. That would be the ideal scenario for this team, seeing that we don’t have ( or let ) the PG run the show.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
9:03 pm
“So would that discount the truth you post about Teague playing 20 minutes a game, and how the team has played when he gets those minutes? I mean, even that stat you post about Teague, isn’t somewhere brought out of the blue.”
Like I was telling Astro Joe a few days ago, the point of the Teague updates is not to make him out to be some sort of secret weapon who is a catalyst behind the Hawks winning (although I am not ruling out that possibility). The point of that post is to disprove the notion that Teague is some developmental project who cannot be given a steady role and meaningful minutes without sacrificing wins.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
9:15 pm
“Running the offense through Smoove or Al means that eventually, those guys are going to have to create their own shot, when teams play everybody else straight up. I actually have more confidence in Smith to score in that situation, than Horford.”
I agree that Smoove is more likely to create his own shot than Al. Smoove has a decent low post game, and Al actually has a better face up game, but Al’s passiveness means that setting him up with face up opportunities is less likely to result in success than setting Smoove up with low post opportunities. But I have more confidence in Smoove’s ability to score in the low post than I do in the Hawks’ ability to consistently dominate the offensive boards against Orlando in the first round when Joe starts throwing up contested bricks out of isolation.
“I would have no problem running the offense through them if one of them had a decent low post game. That would be the ideal scenario for this team, seeing that we don’t have ( or let ) the PG run the show.”
I would have no problem running the offense through Joe if he could make even 40% of the contested jumpers he invariably settles for every time the Hawks decide to run iso-Joe. The reason isolations work with players like Kobe and LeBron is because a) they make a higher percentage of those contested jumpers, and b) they are capable of driving inside and getting fouled and/or finishing when the shots are not falling. Joe is both incapable of and unwilling to drive inside and finish and/or get fouled consistently. With a player who is not capable of hitting contested jumpers or driving inside and getting fouled at a high enough rate, running isolations is a recipe for failure against good defensive teams.
And anyway, why shouldn’t the Hawks start letting the point guards run the show? Kirk was acquired to do that. Teague has shown that he can at least set up Al with buckets, if nothing else. Why should Kirk stand around and play Bibby’s role when clearly he has skills that allow him to be more dynamic?
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
9:20 pm
Also, even if Smoove’s ability to create his own shot in the low post isn’t up to the level that would allow the Hawks to run the offense through him full time, why can’t the Hawks run it through him until teams adjust and start playing straight up and subsequently adjust to another strategy (like posting Joe or running pick and rolls with Al for example) if Smoove can’t score on whoever is defending him?
northcydehttp://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2011/04/02/atlanta-hawks-hawks-88-celtics-83/?cp=4#comment-193034
April 2nd, 2011
9:46 pm
O’Brien
April 2nd, 2011
6:42 pm
Northcyde,
The Hawks are 11 – 6 when JJ attempts 20+ shots. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Extrapolate that to 82 games . . and you get 53 wins.
So like I said . . is this an anomaly, or is there something to this? .
****************************
Look closer. The 11 wins are:
Wizards, Cleveland, Clippers (twice), Toronto (twice), Sacramento, Miami, Knicks, Chicago, and Boston.
The 6 losses: Phoenix , OKC (twice), Houston, Dallas, Denver.
Against teams under .500, we are 7-1 when JJ takes 20 or more shots. If the opponent is .500 or better, and JJ takes 20 shots or more, our record is 4-5. That is a 44% win percentage against good teams. Extrapolate that to 82 games (if every team was over .500), and you get 36 wins.
So how successful will it be in the playoffs against a team thats above .500?
************************
I don’t know O’Brien.
Seeing that we’re currently 12 – 21 vs .500 teams . . ( which means the Hawks are 8 – 16 in games in which JJ didn’t take 20+ shots . . . a .333 winning percentage ) . . the current method was definitely not working.
Even in those losses, here were JJ’s numbers:
- Phoenix: 34 pts ( 15 – 27 FG ) . . lost by 4 . . ( trailed by 2 @ start of 4th )
- Oklahoma City: 16 pts ( 6 – 20 FG ) . . lost by 9 . . ( trailed by 4 @ start of 4th )
- Houston: 30 pts ( 11 – 24 FG ) . . lost by 6 . . ( led by 5 @ start of 4th )
- Dallas: 27 pts ( 13 – 27 FG ) . . lost by 11 . . ( led by 12 @ start of 4th )
- Denver: 22 pts ( 10 – 23 FG ) . . lost by 10 . . ( led by 9 @ start of 4th )
- Oklahoma City: 24 pts ( 11 – 24 FG ) . . lost by 7 . . ( trailed by 4 @ start of 4th )
- averages: 25.5 ppg . . ( 66 – 145 . . 45.5% FG )
. . every game we played in was a winnable game, and we were in striking distance and/or winning going into the 4th. All of those games were winnable. And we weren’t getting the mess beat out of us.
I know it may be “boring basketball” and even predictable. But sometimes, you simply have to play to your strengths. :Last year, that meant letting JJ and Jamal go ISO, while our big guys crashed the offensive boards.
Trying to get everyone involved in the offense has resulted in us being a far less effective offensive rebounding team, and a team that turns it over more. Either let the guy play ISO and tell others to hit the board or be ready for a pass . . or set up better plays for him to get his shot off within the rhythm of the offense.
In either case, he needs to be putting up more shots, not trying to set up every player on the team.
*********************
Here’s a number for you concerning the playoffs the last 3 years:
We’re 4 – 3 in games in which JJ takes 20+ shots. ( wins vs Boston ( ‘08 ) – Miami ( ‘09 ) – Milwaukee twice ( ‘10 )
We’re 6 – 16 in games in which JJ takes less than 20 shots . . ( in all eight 2nd round losses, he has attempted less than 20 shots )
*************************
So like I said . . . is this an anomaly, or is there some truth to all of this? And it’s not like he shot well in those wins either.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
9:50 pm
Not sure how all of that other crap got in my name, but I’ll post this again:
*********************
from O’Brien:
Look closer. The 11 wins are:
Wizards, Cleveland, Clippers (twice), Toronto (twice), Sacramento, Miami, Knicks, Chicago, and Boston.
The 6 losses: Phoenix , OKC (twice), Houston, Dallas, Denver.
Against teams under .500, we are 7-1 when JJ takes 20 or more shots. If the opponent is .500 or better, and JJ takes 20 shots or more, our record is 4-5. That is a 44% win percentage against good teams. Extrapolate that to 82 games (if every team was over .500), and you get 36 wins.
So how successful will it be in the playoffs against a team thats above .500?
************************
I don’t know O’Brien.
Seeing that we’re currently 12 – 21 vs .500 teams . . ( which means the Hawks are 8 – 16 in games in which JJ didn’t take 20+ shots . . . a .333 winning percentage ) . . the current method was definitely not working.
Even in those losses, here were JJ’s numbers:
- Phoenix: 34 pts ( 15 – 27 FG ) . . lost by 4 . . ( trailed by 2 @ start of 4th )
- Oklahoma City: 16 pts ( 6 – 20 FG ) . . lost by 9 . . ( trailed by 4 @ start of 4th )
- Houston: 30 pts ( 11 – 24 FG ) . . lost by 6 . . ( led by 5 @ start of 4th )
- Dallas: 27 pts ( 13 – 27 FG ) . . lost by 11 . . ( led by 12 @ start of 4th )
- Denver: 22 pts ( 10 – 23 FG ) . . lost by 10 . . ( led by 9 @ start of 4th )
- Oklahoma City: 24 pts ( 11 – 24 FG ) . . lost by 7 . . ( trailed by 4 @ start of 4th )
- averages: 25.5 ppg . . ( 66 – 145 . . 45.5% FG )
. . every game we played in was a winnable game, and we were in striking distance and/or winning going into the 4th. All of those games were winnable. And we weren’t getting the mess beat out of us.
I know it may be “boring basketball” and even predictable. But sometimes, you simply have to play to your strengths. :Last year, that meant letting JJ and Jamal go ISO, while our big guys crashed the offensive boards.
Trying to get everyone involved in the offense has resulted in us being a far less effective offensive rebounding team, a team that turns it over more, and a far less efficient offensive team overall.
Either let the guy play ISO and tell others to hit the board or be ready for a pass . . or set up better plays for him to get his shot off within the rhythm of the offense. In either case, he needs to be putting up more shots, not trying to set up every player on the team. We still need his playmaking ability. But he should be more of a scorer than he is a facilitator. My only suggestion would be for him to look to drive more and draw fouls when he’s cold.
*********************
Here’s a number for you concerning the playoffs the last 3 years:
We’re 4 – 3 in games in which JJ takes 20+ shots. ( wins vs Boston ( ‘08 ) – Miami ( ‘09 ) – Milwaukee twice ( ‘10 )
We’re 6 – 16 in games in which JJ takes less than 20 shots . . ( in all eight 2nd round losses, he has attempted less than 20 shots )
*************************
So like I said . . . is this an anomaly, or is there some truth to all of this? And it’s not like he shot well in those wins either.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
9:51 pm
“We’re 4 – 3 in games in which JJ takes 20+ shots. ( wins vs Boston ( ‘08 ) – Miami ( ‘09 ) – Milwaukee twice ( ‘10 )
We’re 6 – 16 in games in which JJ takes less than 20 shots . . ( in all eight 2nd round losses, he has attempted less than 20 shots )”
How many of those were games in which the Hawks were getting blown out so badly that Joe got pulled before he could put up 20 shots? I would imagine most if not all of the 2nd round losses would fall under that category.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
9:56 pm
In fact, forget “2nd round losses”… all but two of the Hawks playoff losses, period, in the Joe Johnson era have been by double digits.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
9:57 pm
25 – 20 vs .500 or better teams in 09 – 10
17 – 23 vs .500 or better teams in 08 – 09
12 – 29 vs .500 or better teams in 07 – 08
And to think that we had to recently beat two +.500 teams just to get to those 12 wins this year, it shows you just how dismal we’ve been vs good teams this year.
O'Brien
April 2nd, 2011
10:14 pm
northcyde,
Last year against Orlando in the playoffs, these were JJ’s numbers;
Game 1: 4-11 in 30 minutes, Game 2: 5-16 in 30 minutes
Game 3: 3-15 in 36 minutes, Game 4: 5-15 in 44 minutes
So would it really have helped if he took 5 more shots each game?
What’s interesting is he struggled from behind the arc against Orlando in the playoffs too. For the series, he was 3-17 from 3. But he still insists on taking three pointers as if he is making them at a good %. And it has carried over to the regular season.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
10:21 pm
Najeh . . that’s true for some of those games, no doubt. But part of the problem was that he wasn’t getting up enough shots to begin with. I mean, all of this stuff is easily researchable.
I’ll do just the 1st half of those games, and list how many shots JJ took in each of those games in the 1st half.
vs Cleveland
Game 1: 2 – 4 FG . . down 5 @ halftime
Game 2: 3 – 8 FG . . down 14 @ halftime
Game 3: 5 – 11 FG . . down 1 @ halftime
Game 4: 4 – 7 FG . . down 2 @ halftime
vs Orlando
Game 1: 2 – 5 FG . . down 20 @ halftime
Game 2: 4 – 9 FG . . up 8 @ halftime
Game 3: 1 – 9 FG . . down 19 @ halftime
Game 4: 3 – 7 FG . . down 9@ halftime
The playoffs are known for guys who attempt to take over games. In that instance, it’s JJ’s fault that he didn’t look to shoot more in those games in which he had it going a little. But because he’s always been the defacto PG for this team, he has to try to set everyone else up as well.
He and Crawford are the only guys on the team who can create something out of nothing. That’s why they took the most shots last year. If we had a high assist pass first type PG that could completely control the game ( Nash, Paul, possibly Andre Miller, etc ), that type of PG could make the game easier on everybody, and get the scorers the ball.
But because the way we are constructed, our main guys can’t afford to play passive basketball. Our complimentary players like Marvin aren’t dependable enough to shoot a high percentage, when the main guys are covered.
So like I said. It’s not like the current way of playing is working. And our defense in the 2nd round has arguably been worse than our offense in the 2nd round.
The Hawks simply need to play to their strengths, not play to what they think will work. If that means more ISO and more switching, so be it.
northcyde
April 2nd, 2011
10:30 pm
O’Brien . . it may have helped if he stayed ultra aggressive throughout those games. Only 2 of those games were out of reach by halftime.
In the playoffs, the shotmakers are usually the ones who tend to take over the game, while the complimentary players make timely plays. If he even starts out remotely hot in the 1st quarter, he needs to look to put up a huge number in the playoffs.
We’re 7 – 4 when that dude scores 20 or more in the playoffs. And two of those losses came at Milwaukee, in which he played great, but the others sucked.
When it comes to the playoffs, we can’t depend on the balanced scoring to carry us. We have to defend first and foremost. Then we need to get and keep the ball in the hands of our most capable scorers. If a complimentary guy steps up and provides timely offense, that’ll be great.
But in the playoffs, only JJ, Smith, Horford, and Jamal ( if hot ) should be taking more than 10 shots in a game. And if JJ leads us in shots, maybe Smith and Horford can gather up some of his misses and put the ball back in the hole.
We’re dead in the water though, if JJ doesn’t play aggressive offensively, and Smith and Horford live out on the perimeter 60% of the time.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
10:33 pm
Robin needs BATMAN,He’s gone now(JC2)……..LOL
As long as the Hawks feature the 3 stooges(AL=I dont want to break a finger nail blocking shots at the rim,Josh=I am as good as Magic was, and Marvin=I miss mommy) as starters and closer in games, this franchise is going to continue to get their beat downs in the playoffs..Real simple they are over rated as bigs! Other blogger’s are pointing out the obvious against the +.500 teams the Hawks have a dismal record and these three are not getting it done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! iso cant do it all by himself out there..Poor Guy……………………….LOL
Scottie jettison the core asap!!!!!!! AYE Captain!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
10:39 pm
“The playoffs are known for guys who attempt to take over games. ”
Those “guys” are almost without exception much better than Joe. It’s not that Joe isn’t taking over games; it is that he can’t, at least against good defenses.
Just because what the Hawks have been doing this year hasn’t been working as well as expected doesn’t mean the old way is better. At least from a playoff standpoint, there is ample proof that it is not. What the Hawks need is to continue sharing the ball but in a way that will generate shots inside as opposed to jump shots from outside.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
10:43 pm
I mean for crying out loud, it has only been three days since the Hawks faced another quality opponent, built up an 8 point lead by sharing the ball and running the offense through Smoove, and then nearly gave the lead back by going to iso-Joe in the 4th quarter. Just because the “old way” worked once doesn’t mean it is better.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
10:48 pm
Another problem with looking at Joe’s production over the past few years and using them to decide what to do now is the simple fact that Joe is a much less efficient player now than he used to be.
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
10:51 pm
Al and Josh have no go to post up shot on the block! Real simple they will not get you to an ECF…………………….Keep Jacking up those Jump shots the 2011 season for you guys will be over real soon…………………………..
AL for NENE
Josh for RUDY GAY
Marvin for a bag of dounuts….LOL
O'Brien
April 2nd, 2011
10:55 pm
Regardless of how many shots JJ takes, I think JJ needs to be decisive with the ball. He can’t pound the ball for as long as he does and expect guys to stand around and wait for him to shoot
Slimjr
April 2nd, 2011
10:56 pm
iso appears to have lost a step or two???????????? guess his pockets are weighed down at 200k per night…………..LOL
Get Real
April 2nd, 2011
11:41 pm
Josh Smith once did one thing better than almost anyone else in the NBA. Block shots. He was a game- changer in this respect. Teams had to change their strategy because he was so proficient at this one skill.
Now…. Nothing. Absolutely nothing in this department.
It’s all been abandoned in favor of the one thing in which he was most inept. Shooting jumpers. This is almost an unbelievable turn of events.
And yet, “stat nerds” keep pointing to their meaningless bulllS%$% statatistics in order to justify what has actually become of this guy this season.
It seems that very few people here are capable of carrying on a debate without attempting to quote individual statistics. Basketball is a team game!
Anyone, any coach or any team with an IQ above a rock would double with Josh’s man and allow him to destroy his own team!
Questions:
1. If you were coaching against the Hawks, how many of you would not induce Josh to shoot jumpers?
2. And how may of you would prefer him out on the perimeter as opposed to inside the paint?
3, How many of you would not want Josh guarding the 3 — so that you could instruct your 3 to stay out of the paint?
And if it were me, I would allow Al to shoot his mid-range jumpers as well. It would keep the misguided “Al Horford Love-Fest” intact amongst bloggers and induce Josh to continue to try to achieve the love that Horford has (somehow) attacted from the fans.
I don’t like either Smith or Horford. The former doesn’t have “it” upstairs and the latter doesn’t have “it” downstairs.
superiorblogman
April 3rd, 2011
12:00 am
Kirk “Lateral Move” Hinrich has done absolutely nothing to help the Hawks. As for Grandad you can try to sell Kirk being in Josh face all you want but until Kirk can produce on the floor his talking will get him no respect, that is just the way life goes. Trading Jordan Crawford and a 1st rd pick while adding more salary has done more harm than help. Kirk was and is the wrong move. I can’t wait to see him gone.
northcyde
April 3rd, 2011
12:01 am
Najeh Davenpoop
April 2nd, 2011
10:43 pm
I mean for crying out loud, it has only been three days since the Hawks faced another quality opponent, built up an 8 point lead by sharing the ball and running the offense through Smoove, and then nearly gave the lead back by going to iso-Joe in the 4th quarter. Just because the “old way” worked once doesn’t mean it is better.
**********************
LOL . . so I guess that was the reason why Smith was crying to LD to get Collins back into the game. Because the offense was so bad?
JJ had taken a total of 2 shots in the 4th quarter, until the final 2 minutes of the game, in which he took 3 more shots down the stretch. That lead didn’t disappear because of ISO. That lead disappeared because Horford couldn’t guard Howard.
It is what it is, when it comes to the Hawks.
We have don’t have a great PG, nor a great low post presence to throw the ball to down low. So our star players simply have to do what they have to do in order to win games. Whether it be Smith, or Horford, or God forbid . . JJ . . they simply do what they have to do.
The Hawks aren’t winning anything in the playoffs trying to get 6 or 7 people into double figure scoring.
Rusty
April 3rd, 2011
12:06 am
It’s quite obvious that Joe wasn’t good enough to take over our offense in the past & now he is playing poorly,probably due to the tremendous pressure he’s put on himself with that superstar contract. I have always thought that the only chance to win that this team had was to play uptempo basketball & the only chance they had doing that was thru teague, but due to ld’s stupidness that time has passed.
Rusty
April 3rd, 2011
12:09 am
You can’t play every one max minutes leading up to the playoffs & max minutes in the playoffs & expect to win anything, this is just poor coaching.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
12:19 am
“LOL . . so I guess that was the reason why Smith was crying to LD to get Collins back into the game. Because the offense was so bad?”
The Hawks only scored 16 points in that quarter. Their offense might not have been the most obvious problem, but it was a major problem.
Teams without go to scorers need to play like the Nuggets and Sixers to maximize their chances of success. Joe is not a go to scorer, at least not against good defenses.
northcyde
April 3rd, 2011
12:28 am
That means we’re dead then.
Because Denver and Philly aren’t doing anything this year in the playoffs. Teams without a guy capable of taking over the game during the playoffs don’t win jack.
Season over.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
12:34 am
“That means we’re dead then.
Because Denver and Philly aren’t doing anything this year in the playoffs. Teams without a guy capable of taking over the game during the playoffs don’t win jack.
Season over.”
Yeah, this city already knows that. That’s why the Hawks are near dead last in attendance.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
12:39 am
I stand corrected. The Hawks’ average home attendance has actually climbed to 22nd now.
The broader point, that ATL fans have tuned out this team because they see that this team doesn’t have a guy who can take over a game and know this team isn’t going to “win jack”, still stands.
brigadierjerry
April 3rd, 2011
1:09 am
I think the thing with Joe Johnson is when the game grinds down and you need his points, I am not sure he can deliver it.Johnson is really not that type of player never has been that is going to be given you 35-45 points on a regular basis. Joe Johnson game has peaked to be honest a few years ago. The problem for the Hawks is that other players such as Horford and Smith and Williams to a lesser extent have to pick up the slack and they cant do it on a consistent basis. It is really a catch 22 because Joe really cannot carry the team like he used to. Joe will put up good numbers from a point standpoint because his game is going down at a glaciers pace rather than a rapid drop
I look at Johnson’s game a lot like Paul Pierce’s game. One thing with Pierce and even Kobe altough less so and more so Melo and Durant, when their games are off they get to the line to makeup the difference and Johnson needs to do that more but that isnt really his game. I think Johnson needs to pattern his game like Pierce look for contact to draw fouls and work inside out
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 3rd, 2011
1:15 am
What’s in the water up there in the A around Phillips? Joe Johnson, ZaZa, Nique and according to Drnaryb, Grandad – are all roughin’ up punks in the arena! I’d be remiss if I did not through Marvin in mix from back in the last Knick game in ATL. I do feel they are attempting to shed that soft rep.
Just like LD thinks the Hawks aren’t there yet, I still say LD stands for Lame Duck before he enters his last year of his contract.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
1:20 am
“I look at Johnson’s game a lot like Paul Pierce’s game. One thing with Pierce and even Kobe altough less so and more so Melo and Durant, when their games are off they get to the line to makeup the difference and Johnson needs to do that more but that isnt really his game. I think Johnson needs to pattern his game like Pierce look for contact to draw fouls and work inside out”
I was thinking the exact same thing watching that Hawks-Celtics game. It also helps that Pierce is damn near automatic from mid range and is able to create space for his jump shots by using his little step back move better than Joe.
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
1:30 am
Do these Hawks players even study film??? A: no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats why they are going to get their azzes handed to them………………………………….
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 3rd, 2011
1:36 am
Kirk “Lateral Move” Hinrich
good one Superiorblogman – I totally agree with your post.
EmirS.
April 3rd, 2011
4:49 am
NBA.com is advertising Hawks playoff tickets. Starting at ONLY $11.
Anyways, I was watching highlights of Jordan Crawford on youtube…in a Wizards jersey. Now he may be going 8-18 or 9-20 , but this guy….can play. I think its great we acquired Kirk. He’s helped the team alot. But this Crawford kid….is making me eat my words up.
I gotta agree with northcyde, we will regret giving this kid away.
doc
April 3rd, 2011
7:17 am
najeh agreed and i have often compared the two, pierce and jj. it is more that than kobe or s wade at this point to compare like games to jj. not bad company but he falls a bit short of all three. jj doesnt have the killer instinct nor ability to pull it off like pierce does when it counts. pierce also plays the position that i for years have thought jj should be playing.
to this point:
Teams without go to scorers need to play like the Nuggets and Sixers to maximize their chances of success. Joe is not a go to scorer, at least not against good defenses.
we have woody lite not karl nor collis as our coach.
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
7:46 am
Bulls have won 15 out of 17!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man thats impressive..
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
7:49 am
up next 7pm tonight in Houston. Houston by 10………..
doc
April 3rd, 2011
8:18 am
slimjr, wake me when one of your predictions is right.
lakers 16 of 17 more impressive.
bulls lakers could be fun.
okc 12-2 in march.
not so fast, eh?
40 games in forty nights, nba playoffs > march madness.
doc
April 3rd, 2011
8:28 am
okc lost 2 straight
denver 16-4 since trade of melo
play lakers today then okc
too bad okc and denver prob start off on each other, hope that changes.
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
9:21 am
Hey Doc, like Josh jump shot, I am going to keep trying…..LOL
OKC/Denver would be an interesting series…Very talented athletic young teams…Okc will have home court so they should pull it out..
Man Melo is overrated????? Another on trick pony…Denver ballin since that joker left??? We think iso has issues??
doc
April 3rd, 2011
9:41 am
slimjr you have heard of the blind squirrel syndrome? just keep your money in your pocket from what i can tell.
okc/denver and hawks/magic may be the compelling first series. the difference is the okc/denver winner has a chance; magic/hawks winner has no chance to take it all. remember, okc made the lakers work last year. i like their length, speed and superstars to compete with the lakers. the addition of kp if healthy could seal the deal. my jaw dropped at that one, got to wonder how, why and who made the deal. i cant believe six mil over 3 years made the deal not work. anyway, it might have shifted the power to the west from the east long term. okc, feeds on the east anyway.
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
10:10 am
“okc/denver winner has a chance; magic/hawks winner has no chance to take it all”!
Doc, I totally agree with you.Lakers were supposed to sweep OKC last year.I really like OKC and now they have Perkins???? Still cant believe Boston gave up on him????? Yep..OKC owns the Hawks as well as others in the EAST…. I cant remember the last time we beat them? Its got to be at least 4 years ago??? Wow.. Best time of year to be an NBA FAN!!!!The PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS????Yep…………….
Just for the record, I hate casinos……LOL
As you all know
April 3rd, 2011
10:14 am
“The broader point, that ATL fans have tuned out ”
BECAUSE MANAGEMENT WONT MAKE THE RIGHT MOVES TO GET THE RIGHT TALENT HERE! YOU WONT WIN WITH AN IDIOT FOR A GM OR COACH.
we miss you already M. Woodson
YOU WONT WIN WITH THE TALENT LEVEL THE HAWKS HAVE AT THE KEY POSITONS i.e. CENTER!
thats why the fans have apathy, this team has regressed since woodson was let go. 3 years from now we will see Woodsons era as the “good ol days”
LOTTERY IN 3 YEARS
Idiot watch
April 3rd, 2011
10:19 am
Only an idiot would quote a blogger who is quoting a blogger who is quoting another blogger who says he has translated this paraphrase from coach rivers and then say it is evidence…
Where do they get these people from?
Idiot watch
April 3rd, 2011
10:21 am
and speaking of idiots, why does Sund still have a job? Drew?
Princeton Offensive
April 3rd, 2011
10:26 am
Actually M. Woodson got us to the second round and 53 wins. Sund said he let Woodson go, to a) take us in another direction and b) take us to another level.
He has done both. We are certainly going in another direction with 9 wins in our last 30 games and we are now on another level 2 seeds down…
Kind of reminds me of republican strategics… go figure.
Princeton Offensive
April 3rd, 2011
10:30 am
Ok 11 wins in the last 30
drmaryb (*_-)
April 3rd, 2011
10:40 am
“Ray just has to relax, really,” coach Doc Rivers said after Friday night’s loss in Atlanta. “I just think Ray, like Rondo was, is struggling right now, and when you struggle you press. Ray is dribbling far more than he ever has. “To me, if it’s open, take the shot, and if not move it and see if we can get you another shot. But he’ll be fine. I have no concern about Ray Allen. None at all.” Boston Herald
Boston Celtics, Ray Allen, Doc Rivers | share
________________________
Interesting insight from a really good coach, lends some fodder to the
Northcyde and Najeh debate re: Joe Johnson. The difference is Joe doesn’t have 4 future HOF’ers on his team if you count Rondo @ some point.
____________________________
I other hoopshype rumor, the #1 rumor is that Jerry Sloan would like to coach again for another team. I posted this when he resigned, that a man like him should and would ultimately like to leave the game on HIS
own terms. The rumor stated that unlike all other NBA coaches, Sloan has no Agent. Allegedly Sloan will not pursue any team, but will to any/all offers and if the situation is right? He will listen.
doc
April 3rd, 2011
11:17 am
slimjr, just for the record, i too hate casinos and add horror flicks, high ladders or sloping roofs and electricity to the list, uh, not necessarily in that order. heh heh
i think sloan would find the weather perfect here, problem is salary.
p o cant count if he is counting victories for the hawks …. 15-15 last 30 games.
Ken Strickland
April 3rd, 2011
1:22 pm
DOC-Boston traded KPerkins because he refused to sign their contract offer.
What’s so encouraging about our 4gms winning streak, especially our last 2 victories, is how we managed to win. Before the trade, we would have lost at least 3 of those gms, because wouldn’t have had the overall DEF to overcome our OFF futility.
Our DEF against the Celtics was so good, that we were able to turn them into a jump shooting team for an entire half. Without the ability to consistently play this kind of DEF, there’s no way we could have over come our poor and inconsistent shooting. Before the trade, let’s face it, Drew would have played Bibby major mins no matter what, and we would have lost.
JeJe
April 3rd, 2011
1:38 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE WOODY
FIRE JOE
FIRE SUND
JeJe
April 3rd, 2011
1:42 pm
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Andrew Bynum
Danny Granger
Brandon Roy
Rudy Gay
Monta Ellis
FIRE SUND AND BK
JeJe
April 3rd, 2011
2:00 pm
The Hawks have to play their best basketball (top defense, make all jumpshots) to beat the best teams.
The best teams don’t have to play their best basketball to beat us.
We lost at home to Boston when they were without Rondo
LOL
darrell starks
April 3rd, 2011
2:10 pm
FIRE WOODY
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 3rd, 2011
2:11 pm
FIRE HIGHLIGHT FACTORY
FIRE HAWKS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 3rd, 2011
2:14 pm
I wonder how good would george hill be if drafted by hawks, might be in the D LEAGUE by now, LOL!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
3:25 pm
“The Hawks have to play their best basketball (top defense, make all jumpshots) to beat the best teams.
The best teams don’t have to play their best basketball to beat us.”
This is exactly why teams with superstars win titles and teams without superstars don’t. In the playoffs everyone (except the Hawks) brings their A game, including the teams with superstars. And when they do, teams without superstars can’t compete, no matter how well they play.
Worldwide Clyde
April 3rd, 2011
3:42 pm
*yawn*
FIRE LD
FREE TEAGUE
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
5:44 pm
You guys left out one more major piece of the puzzle to FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE RETARDED OWNERSHIP!!!! GEARON AND THE OTHER not so famous seven ASKGeeMen………FIRE THOSE IDIOTS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This dysfunctional Franchise has no shot at winning anything until these bums don’t walk but run outta here ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I get it Mr. Stern, there will never be a Championship in Atlanta….Not an accident that this franchise has been in operation in this great City for 43 years and never won nam nothin???
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
5:48 pm
JC2 JC2 JC2 JC2 JC2..Hey he’s the guy that posterized(new word? LOL) Lebron in a summer camp???? Yep……
Sund run dont walk…………………
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
5:59 pm
Those ball-sharing Nuggets with no go-to scorer are looking pretty good against the Lakers right now. A lot better than the Hawks did, that’s for sure.
doc
April 3rd, 2011
6:11 pm
yup najeh, a different coach out of ld’s league who develops players and schemes during games and a lot of depth and length. go nuggets. they also play the thunder next. could be a sleeper.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
6:14 pm
It kinda sucks that the Nuggets and Thunder are meeting in the first round. I’d like to see both of those teams go deep in the playoffs.
Worldwide Clyde
April 3rd, 2011
6:14 pm
FIRE SKY HAWK
FIRE SUND
FIRE DREW
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
6:16 pm
Al for NENE yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nugguts play much smarter than the HAWKS………………………………….
Worldwide Clyde
April 3rd, 2011
6:17 pm
Denver uses their length Drew keeps his on the bench.
Worldwide Clyde
April 3rd, 2011
6:19 pm
Hilton Armstrong – bench
Jason Collins – bench
Etan Thomas – bench
FIRE DREW
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
6:20 pm
The Nuggets have guys who can get to the Rim in Blink of an eye…Hawks are stuck in quick sand…Wanna be jumpshooters for ever and cant even stop an pop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(AL and Josh)????????
Sautee
April 3rd, 2011
6:28 pm
Clyde,
LOL @ Skyhawk.
uh
April 3rd, 2011
6:35 pm
anybody got a link to watch the game?
uh
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
6:39 pm
atdhe.fm
doc
April 3rd, 2011
6:47 pm
najeh right after the trade i saw a karl interview. he had a hard time concealing his cat ate canary look. looking deep you could see relief and a very smug smile. he couldnt wait to let the horses loose. he says they are hard to scheme on because even he doesnt know where the points ar gonn come from. 17-4 sijce the trade, retooling on the fly.
uh
April 3rd, 2011
6:47 pm
Najeh,
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Uh
Larry Drew
April 3rd, 2011
6:50 pm
JC2 on his way to another triple double!
9 points
5 rebounds
2 assists.
Not even half way through second quarter yet!
doc
April 3rd, 2011
6:56 pm
najeh they share and move is the difference.
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
6:59 pm
JC2=Triple Double!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A STAR in the MAKING????????????????????
slimjr
April 3rd, 2011
7:00 pm
JC2 had Cat like reflexes!!! Its crazy…………..
drmaryb (*_-)
April 3rd, 2011
7:00 pm
4:16 pm
Here’s an interesting quote, para-phrased from Doc Rivers in regards to Al Horford:
“He was hands down my favorite All Star player this year. He came to me and said, you really only have to play me just one stint. This is all about the stars.”. I told him, “You are one of those guys.”
He is the most unassuming All-Stars in this league and is genuine.”
________________
That was the gist of what Doc was saying. I read a blogger’s post from last night’s game, intimating that Al Horford has always been one of his favorite players, since his days at Florida. This blogger continued to say, “Al would look really good in Celtic green uniform.”
********************
Here is what a Self – Proclaimed Idiot would say:_
Idiot watch
April 3rd, 2011
10:19 am
Only an idiot would quote a blogger who is quoting a blogger who is quoting another blogger who says he has translated this paraphrase from coach rivers and then say it is evidence…
Where do they get these people from?
_________________________________
The Boston Herald
Back-to-back flack
Another poor showing on 2nd night
By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook
Saturday, April 2, 2011 – Updated 2 days ago

Horford has Green fans
Hawks center Al Horford hasn’t needed much time to become one of Rivers’ favorite players — anywhere.
“Of all the guys on the All-Star team it wasn’t even close, he was my favorite guy,” said Rivers. “He made a comment to me, ‘Coach, don’t worry about playing me, I just want to play one stint because this is about the stars,’ and I said, ‘You know, you’re one of those guys.’
“Man, he’s so unassuming, I was like, wow, but you know he’s for real.”
- An Excerpt taken from the Boston Herald Article / Beat Writer –
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I would say my paraphrase is pretty accurate for someone who was commenting from pure memory … Hugh.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
7:00 pm
No new blog for this game?
I’m watching Wizards-Bobcats right now. Jordan looks good, but neither team is even trying to play defense.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
7:03 pm
“right after the trade i saw a karl interview. he had a hard time concealing his cat ate canary look. looking deep you could see relief and a very smug smile. he couldnt wait to let the horses loose. ”
I think I either saw that interview or read about it somewhere.
If only the Hawks would share and move. I came away from watching that Nuggets/Lakers game thinking if the Hawks did exactly what the Nuggets do — and for the most part they have the personnel to do it — they would look like a real threat in the East.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 3rd, 2011
7:04 pm
Never mind, new blog up.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 3rd, 2011
7:05 pm
Najeh
Thanks! I didn’t even know The Hawks were playing tonight.
I would have totally missed this game. (*_*)