Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew’s dilemma
Washington–I honestly don’t know the right answer to this health vs. momentum dilemma faced by L.D. There is some inherent contradiction in his declaration that health is most important and his desire to finish the season with momentum but, in my view at least, both have merit.
Several Hawks players are banged up and could probably use some rest but don’t they also have to stay in tune? The team hasn’t played well since February but, at this point, aren’t the Hawks as good as they are going to get and so the “fine tuning” L.D. is looking for is too little, too late?
You can sense that players also aren’t quite sure how to feel about the situation.
J.J. says health is the main concern but in the next breath he says he wants to get his game in gear. “My main concern right now is getting into some kind of rhythm going into the playoffs,” he said.
Al says it’s important for the Hawks to “get better as a team and keep up our shape” but then comes out of the equation favoring time off.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to that, just being honest,” he said. “But I think [L.D.] would rather have us play.”
Drew said he still doesn’t plan to sit any of his regulars. Instead, he’d like for the Hawks’ reserves to play well enough that the starters wouldn’t be required to play extended minutes.
“If I’ve got bench guys out there and they are in a real good rhythm I will leave the starters on the bench as long as I can,” he said. “If it’s not getting anywhere and we’re not playing well or we are not in a good rhythm, I don’t want to finish the season like that. I want to finish feeling good about how we play.”
Notes
- Al on the ankle: “It’s good. It’s as good as it’s been, so that’s good news. I am pretty much back to normal.”
- Joe on the thumb: “It’s all right. It’s never going to be 100 percent until the season is over but it’s nothing that is going to stop me from doing anything. I’ve just got to play through it.”
- Joe on the elbow: “It’s good as it’s going to get.” How good is that? “It’s pretty much 100 percent. It feels a little weak every now and then but it’s good.”
- Marvin on his back: “I feel pretty good. It gets sore at times.”
- JC2 and Mo visited with Hawks players and team personnel after they got up shots prior to the game.
- “It was good seeing them again,” Jordan said. “I was real close friends with them. It became like a family in the little time I was there. I expect to spend more time with them through the years. I talk to them all the time. They always congratulate me after every game.”
- Jordan on his feelings at the time of the trade: “I knew it was a business coming in. They wanted to try to make a playoff push. Now I am getting playing time. It was good for both of us.”
- With the Wizards, JC2 is averaging 33.2 minutes, 17.2 points and 16.6 shots. “You have got to play to get better,” he said. “Hopefully next year we win more games. That’s my goal.”
- Drew on JC2: “We are going to treat him like any other scorer. We have to be with him on the catch. We have to affect the pick-and-roll but more importantly keep him contained and not let him get it going.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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318 comments Add your comment
myrak43
April 9th, 2011
8:09 pm
did you see Moe Evans get a rebound over Horford?
superiorblogman
April 9th, 2011
8:10 pm
This is all on the Bigs. 13 to 26 rebounds. The referees have been bad as usual the Hawks get no calls because they don’t have anyone that is constantly in mainstream commercials. The Hawks need a superstar coach since they will only get a true superstar player through the draft in which they suck.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:10 pm
“These last few games are incredibly boring.”
It would be a little more interesting if Teague got extensive playing time, which is what I was hoping for when I tuned in to watch tonight. Teague is already the main reason I even watch meaningful Hawks games — the last thing I want to see is Teague riding the bench against a lottery team in a game that means nothing.
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:10 pm
“Is LD telling Al to take his game outside?”
I’m pretty sure that that is the case. Al has always been the type of guy to do what the coach instructs him to do without complaining, and we know Al isn’t afraid of contact, so there aren’t many other excuses. Also, L.D. has eluded to the idea that he wants Horford to stretch the defense with his jumper. He has never said directly that he wants Al to take his game outside, but I’ve seen comments that seem to suggest that he would prefer Al taking the jump shot rather than playing in the post primarily. Maybe other people interpret L.D.’s comments differently, but that’s what I notice when I analyze his comments regarding Al.
myrak43
April 9th, 2011
8:11 pm
Sautee
April 9th, 2011
8:09 pm
Awful job blocking out by Joe on that last shot of the half. Mo went right around him for the tip.
that was Horford not Joe
Rusty
April 9th, 2011
8:12 pm
Nortcyde that is the biggest crap I’ve ever heard,why would any one want to wait until the double team comes while eating the cloak up. We all know he wants to shoot the ball & also how well can any one pass while being smothered by 2 or 3 people. Get real,stop preaching nonsense.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:12 pm
Also, LD needs to make up his mind. Right now he’s playing both sides of the “start ‘em/sit ‘em” fence. On the one hand he lets players like Etan Thomas and Hilton Armstrong play for stretches when the game is still in doubt; on the other hand, he has four starters on pace for 30+ minutes and one on pace for 40+. Either you are trying to win or you are playing out the string. Make up your mind.
Darnell
April 9th, 2011
8:12 pm
“did you see Moe Evans get a rebound over Horford?”
I think Horford actually, inadvertently, tipped in that last Wizards basket. They just credited Mo with the basket since he was the closest one to Al. I could be wrong, but that’s what it looked like to me when I watched it again.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:15 pm
Al averaged 8.4 boards in March and so far is averaging 8 boards in April. In every previous month, he was at 9.4 or higher.
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:16 pm
“Sautee
April 9th, 2011
8:09 pm
Awful job blocking out by Joe on that last shot of the half. Mo went right around him for the tip.
that was Horford not Joe”
Actually, Sautee was correct. That was Joe’s man who came around and got the tip in. Horford had his man (McGee) boxed out, but Mo Evans just went right around Joe and slipped in next to Horford to get that tip.
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:17 pm
Crusty . . if he wanted to shoot the ball, why wouldn’t he just do like Jamal Crawford, and shoot right away? He doesn’t shoot right away because he keeps the pass/shoot option open.
Now if you want to criticize him for holding the ball so long, that’s one thing. But the guy isn’t just holding the ball so that he can shoot it. JJ has been a very willing passer out of the double team since he’s been in Atlanta.
You talk like he takes 20 shots a game.
No.
What people don’t like, is the fact that he doesn’t make up his mind quick enough to score . . even if the shot is successful. They hate ISO, whether it is successful or not . . because it’s too deliberate and boring.
Rusty
April 9th, 2011
8:19 pm
Is dumb ass saving jt for the playoffs or will he keep him on the bench as usual. What the hell did jt do to ld, that’s got to be the question of the year,maybe jc2 was also involved.
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:19 pm
“Al averaged 8.4 boards in March and so far is averaging 8 boards in April. In every previous month, he was at 9.4 or higher.”
This is disturbing. I hope this is because he was hurt/injured, and not just because he wasn’t putting in the effort. It has appeared to me that Horford hasn’t been as interested in games lately. His post-game comments, his demeanor on the court, etc. all seem uncharacteristic. I don’t know what’s going on with him. Maybe he is just annoyed with the way the team has been playing, but that doesn’t sound like Horford either. I just hope he steps it up in the playoffs and plays like the 17 and 10 guy that we saw for most of the season.
Sautee
April 9th, 2011
8:20 pm
myrak43,
Actually I thought it was Horford too, but I’m taping that game and played it back to see. I was all ready to dis Big Al for being lazy. Horford DID jump late, but Evans was definitely JJ’s man. And with a good blockout, Horford easily secures the rebound and they have 2 fewer points.
Rusty
April 9th, 2011
8:20 pm
Nortcyde stop talking stupid.
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:21 pm
OMG . . he hit a long jumper. Don’t shoot no more JJ. Save those 3 pointers
cp
April 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
Teague played well last night but has barely played in this game
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
No he wasn’t Nique . . Wall was there easily.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:23 pm
“They hate ISO, whether it is successful or not . . because it’s too deliberate and boring.”
Or, because Joe is not good enough to make it work.
The Hawks were ranked high in offensive efficiency running iso-Joe mainly because they were able to collect the offensive rebound when he threw up contested bricks out of isolation. Expecting that to happen against bigger teams is an exercise in futility.
Now, if Joe was the kind of player who was explosive enough to get to the free throw line when his shot isn’t falling, iso-Joe would be much more effective. This is, for example, why isolating Wade or Kobe or LeBron is effective. But Joe is not that player, and it’s not his fault that he’s not that player. He is what he is, and it’s the coaching staff’s job to put him in a position where his benefit to the team is maximized.
It’s not the number of shots he gets that’s the problem. If he got 20 good shots per game within the flow of the offense, I’d have no problem with it.
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:23 pm
Now there’s a quick shot.
He thought and shot quickly. Is that what people like?
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:23 pm
“What people don’t like, is the fact that he doesn’t make up his mind quick enough to score . . even if the shot is successful. They hate ISO, whether it is successful or not . . because it’s too deliberate and boring.”
Personally, I don’t dislike isolation because it’s deliberate or boring. I dislike it because it’s predictable (for opposing defenses), and as a result, typically, highly inefficient.
O'Brien
April 9th, 2011
8:25 pm
is it just me, or does Hinrich commit a lot of fouls?
O'Brien
April 9th, 2011
8:25 pm
JJ with the offensive rebound, and quick pass to Al
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
Two opportunities Al has had to dunk the ball — one on that lay in and one on the fast break in the 2nd quarter — and he laid it up both times. Maybe his injury is also affecting hiM?
cp
April 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
Hinrich doesnt do much other than fouling
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
Worse coach going into the playoffs. Team playing crappy what do you do nothing. Teague playing great what do you do put him on the bench.
Rusty
April 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
The hawks for years have had the lousiest looking offense in the league. Other teams penetrate & get easy baskets. We don’t have an offense,just a bunch of jump shooters.jj is the worse offender as he eats the cloak up while being double & triple teamed. The only good thing that comes out of it is if he makes the basket, other wise all ball movement comes to a stop. As for jc1 at least he don’t eat the cloak up, maybe we will get another shot.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:27 pm
Mo driving right past Marvin for the dunk. No help defense. Damn Smoove and his low basketball IQ not helping out in the paint.l
bigdave
April 9th, 2011
8:27 pm
EFFORT EFFORT EFFORT.
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:27 pm
Blown out to a lottery team. LARRY I *^%&$^$ HATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE OUR COACH.
bigdave
April 9th, 2011
8:28 pm
this link is incredibly telling..
http://nbaplaybook.com/2011/04/08/round-1-preview-orlando-vs-atlanta-defensive-breakdown/
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:28 pm
Wrong again Najeh. JJ was one of the better ISO scorers in the league last year, and has been for some time now. The dude had one of his best seasons last year and made 3rd team All-NBA.
This year, he’s playing nowhere near that level. But JJ took and made tough shots all the time last year ( so did Jamal ). And he consistently did it against every team with the exception of Orlando in the playoffs.
The difference last year is that Jamal and JJ were the ones taking the majority of the shots, while our bigs would get some of their shots via offensive rebounds.
SMOY and 3rd team All-NBA you’re talking about there.
With the change in the offense this year, the bigs are on the outside more, getting less offensive rebounds, while taking shots away from our best shotmakers.
That’s why we’re in the situation we’re in now/
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:28 pm
HOW BOUT YOU GROW A PAIR AND BENCH SOMEONE……YOU FREAKING SUCK
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:28 pm
THIS IS EMBARRASSING….REALLY?
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:28 pm
Al stands around watching as Andray Blatche gets the offensive board and the dunk. Maybe he also has a low basketball IQ.
northcyde
April 9th, 2011
8:29 pm
LOL . . another offensive rebound.
That’s 11
cp
April 9th, 2011
8:29 pm
Lazy effort on defense by Marvin. Al not blocking out. These cats have mailed it in. Just empty the bench
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:30 pm
You know why, thats because the coach allows it. How bout you light a fire under their #$$. Bench someone do something.
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:31 pm
“Al stands around watching as Andray Blatche gets the offensive board and the dunk. Maybe he also has a low basketball IQ.”
Actually, he was doing what you are instructed to do in that situation. He boxed out the man closest to him (McGee), but since he left blatche and no one else covered for him, it led to an offensive rebound. That’s why the Hawks are so bad with their transition defense. I’m not saying Al didn’t make a mistake by losing blatche in the first place, but our team defense really isn’t very good when it comes to covering for others.
Art Vandelay
April 9th, 2011
8:31 pm
The announcers said that Flip acknowledged that this team is a group of D-League Allstars.
And the Hawks are getting hammered by them.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 9th, 2011
8:32 pm
Rehab is For Quitters!
NagoyaHawk
April 9th, 2011
8:32 pm
Comical.
Ole Hawks Fan
April 9th, 2011
8:32 pm
Which TEAM is The Worst? HAWKS OR Wizard? Right now it is Da HAWKS!
Aaron
April 9th, 2011
8:33 pm
Horford had no problem dunking that last one, Najeh. So, I’m guessing an injury wasn’t the motivation for those last layups that you brought up.
Art Vandelay
April 9th, 2011
8:33 pm
Someone on here the other night was talking about how “Blatche takes so many shots per game and that it doesn’t matter cause the Wiz are a crap team” (JC2 argument pretty much).
I would kill a man if the Hawks could get Blatche.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:33 pm
Teague Party!
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:34 pm
THIS GAME IS SOOO AWESOME (SARCASM).
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2011
8:35 pm
“Horford had no problem dunking that last one, Najeh. So, I’m guessing an injury wasn’t the motivation for those last layups that you brought up.”
Good. I hope he’s not injured.
On the previous post regarding basketball IQ, I think you missed the sarcasm.
Ole Hawks Fan
April 9th, 2011
8:35 pm
80 To 59 Wizard. TOO MANY TURNOVERS(Hawks). Play Teague MORE ………………..Woody LITE
hawks_4_life
April 9th, 2011
8:35 pm
Teagues deserves way more playing time, its a different team with him on the floor.