Atlanta Hawks: Heat 98, Hawks 90
- A lineup of Teague, Jamal, Damien, Josh Powell and Zaza played the entire fourth quarter and nearly beat a Heat crew that included LeBron for 12 minutes, D-Wade for 10 and Bosh for 6.
- That’s an aberration but it also was the kind of spirited play that’s been missing since the Hawks beat Boston. The Hawks had been searching for something good in these meaningless games and finally got it.
- Still, is the play of the bench in this game going to mean more for Atlanta’s series vs. Orlando than the play of the starters over the last three games? The guys that play the most minutes got drilled by the Heat two nights after they couldn’t put down Washington’s D-Leaguers.
- At least nobody got hurt. “The main thing is to be healthy because that’s been our Achilles’ heel the last two years,” Smoove said.
- Marvin played 19 (productive and efficient minutes) and Josh logged 24 (pretty good, especially on the offensive boards, but for a couple untimely turnovers) minutes.
- Josh said the knee came out OK. “It feels all right,” he said. “It might be a little sore tomorrow. There was a little bumping and it was physical. I will ice it and take my time with it. For the most part I felt comfortable. I had to get my timing down in that first half but when I finally got it in the second half it felt good.”
- L.D. said he never considered sending his starters back in and can’t say I blame him. The bench guys were simply better tonight.
- The fourth-quarter crew was 8 of 14 in the paint. The Hawks were 13 of 25 from that range in the other three quarters.
- Sometimes it’s better to be good than deep. The Heat’s All-Star trio outscored the Hawks 49-46 in the first half and tallied 70 for the game. That nullified Atlanta’s a 44-14 advantage in bench scoring.
- Bibby came in clearly motivated and outplayed Hinrich. It’s one thing for Hinrich to struggle to stay with Lowry and Parker, something else to let Bibby get to the rim more times in one game than he did in the previous 17 with the Heat.
- That’s not an exaggeration.
- Hinrich was no better offensively, either. By my recollection, all but one of his six missed shots were clean looks. He just doesn’t look comfortable out there and his body language was bad tonight.
- L.D. mentioned the other day that he would have liked to give Hinrich a break and he sure looks like he’s aged a lot in like three weeks. If that’s the case, then it’s just another reason for Teague to get more burn (and, yes, it’s a problem that the Hawks are still trying to figure things like this out in Game 81).
- I thought the Hawks moved the ball well in the second quarter (8 for 16 field goals, 5 assists) but the Heat turned up the D and didn’t allow anything easy. At the same time the Heat made 4 of their 5 long 2-point jumpers and scored nine points off five Hawks turnovers.
- The Heat were just 1 for 4 on long jumpers in the third quarter and 0 for 5. They scored 17 points in the third and 19 in the fourth. “Their reserves came in with a lot of energy and they went to the zone and that confused us at first,” LeBron said.
- Powell was a team-high plus-5 in 23 minutes and scored on a tip dunk and another dunk on a pass from Zaza to pull the Hawks within 86-85. He also set up a Damien basket with an offensive rebound.
- “I thought J.P. came in and gave us some muscle down low, some energy down low,” Drew said. “I thought he played with a physicality.”
- But before that good sequence Powell wiped out a Teague layup with a goaltend. Down the stretch he missed a 20-footer, had his shot blocked by D-Wade, fouled James Jones for a 4-point play on a late closeout in the zone defense and was called for charging with the Hawks down 96-90.
- The Heat’s stars got some suspect calls but the Hawks can’t complain too much when they got Miami’s bigs in foul trouble, earned 21 free-throw attempts and made just 12. Josh, Al and Zaza were 4 of 11 combined.
- Zaza ticked off yet another opponent. This time it was Big Z, whom he considers a good friend. “I am definitely going to call him,” Zaza said. “Or maybe text him, because he might not answer.”
- It didn’t appear that Zaza did anything dirty on the play that preceded Big Z chucking the ball at him but Big Z said Zaza hit him the face on an earlier possession. “That was a lot of contact between that particular player and our guys all night but that’s the way it goes sometimes,” Erik Spoelstra said.
- The flip side of the Hawks competing better with their bench guys is that the Heat had to go all out to win against that group. Is this really a team that can take the Celtics in a series?
- Joel Anthony surely must be tired of getting dunked on by Smoove.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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281 comments Add your comment
lewis
April 12th, 2011
7:01 pm
lol my brother was always telling me the switching D was underrated last year
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
7:05 pm
“the second unit did the switch and lock down on defense”
The second unit played zone for most of the 4th quarter. I guess in a sense a zone is just an elaborate switching defense, but what the reserves did yesterday would be more comparable to last year’s switching if they were doing it out of a base man to man scheme.
bigworm
April 12th, 2011
7:10 pm
hawks sign magnum rolle
Jae Evolution
April 12th, 2011
7:19 pm
Chris Webber was just on NBA TV giving respect to the Hawks…I don’t believe what I’m hearing the whole crew is giving us respect right now saying we can win the series, what is going on?
O'Brien
April 12th, 2011
7:36 pm
The problem with the Hawks wasn’t that they switched. The problem is when the switching was not working, Woody had no adjustments.
For example, the Bucks figured out the switching in game 3 of the playoffs, but Woody did not make an adjustment until game 6.
And when you’re playing the same team 7 games in a row, they will make adjustments (unless the HC is Woody).
So even if the switching worked in the regular season, LD would have had to make an adjustment in the playoffs.
superiorblogman
April 12th, 2011
7:38 pm
I said all offseason that switching was not the biggest problems. Now, I don’t think you can use it all the time but switching did dictate to the defense what to do, which was get a mismatch and try to go one on one. Essentially, the switching D turns teams into one on one players and not everyone has that. That’s why we were so good against the Celtics because the Celts aren’t built on one on one play. I am just annoyed and confused to what will really get this team to being a real contender other than a new coach, new GM, new owner, and some new BIG
Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza for Al Horford and Kirk Hinrich is the 1st trade I would make as new GM
PG Paul/Teague/
SG Joe/
SF Ariza/Marvin/Damien
PF Smith
C Waiting on Dwight/ Zaza/Collins
drmaryb (*_-)
April 12th, 2011
7:50 pm
Memorandum!
“Chris Webber was just on NBA TV giving respect to the Hawks…I don’t believe what I’m hearing the whole crew is giving us respect right now saying we can win the series, what is going on?”
_________________________
I’ll tell you what’s going on Jae Evolution. David Stern and ASKG probably sent a scathing MEMO to the NBA TV Crew and told them to lay up on beating down The Hawks. They got enough problems with the hostile home crowds cheering and chanting MVP for the opponent.
The constant berating of The Hawks is costing the NBA advertising dollars and TV Revenue. Besides, their paychecks are signed by an Atlanta based TNT Corporation. Money talks and BS walks!
_______________
That’s what’s up Jae … That’s my conspiracy theory.
Jae Evolution
April 12th, 2011
8:00 pm
There’s still a .1% chance that Chris Webber was being sincere and truthful about our franchise, I mean he did call out the ASG for being dumbasses when it comes to drafting and saluted our small frontline for going out with what we have, but who knows, right?
superiorblogman
April 12th, 2011
8:01 pm
Atlanta Hawks PER’s Ranked in Order
1. Al 20.9
2. Josh 19.3
3. Joe 16.6
4. Teague 14.7
5. Jamal 14.2
6. Marvin 13.6
7. Zaza 12.5
8. Kirk 12.4
9. Damien 11.2
For a horrible coach like LD this points to a problem that he is not capable of solving. We have 3 bigs with double digit PER’s. You need atleast 3, ALA Lakers, Bynum, Gasol, Odom. We need more than 2 WINGS in Damien and Marvin whom neither have a great PER. What we do not need is 4 GUARDS and it is hard to get PT for all 4. Teague is simply odd man out because of lack of experience which is no fault of his own. The correct way to handle this would be to move JJ to the SF position more often, making way for 3 Guards instead of 4. The only other correct way would be to limit Hinrich’s minutes who is the worse Guard and extend Teague’s minutes who is the 2nd best Guard behind JJ. Why has LD never even tried this to see if it works? Oops, sorry for asking a question that would insinuate that LD has a clue.
Gainesville#1
April 12th, 2011
8:11 pm
Charles Barkley called the hawks soft. With a capitol T
lewis
April 12th, 2011
8:13 pm
Barkley: “I can’t believe i’m sayin it, but the only tough matchup in the east is between the soft Atlanta Hawks and the Magic”
Kenny: “Soft?”
Barkley: “Yeah, they soft.”
CWebb: “You know what chuck, I actually think the Hawks can win this series. Actually, Imma say I think they will win this series. I don’t think the Hawks are soft. I think their organization put them in a position to get bullied every night without a big man. Al Horford? He’s not soft, he has to check Shaq. He’s really a 4. Smith, he’s not soft. Every night they go against goliath. I really don’t like the organization but these guys are tough, they play undermanned every night.”
lewis
April 12th, 2011
8:16 pm
yall can pay me later for the transcription
darrell starks
April 12th, 2011
8:16 pm
I HOPE LD WAS LISTING 2 TNT, THE HAWKS ARE SOFT WITH JOSH, HORFORD, IN THE PAINT, please don’t be so dumb and stubborn as a head coach and starte josh, and horford at the 4, 5 get your out of the sand before 2012 LD.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 12th, 2011
8:20 pm
Hawks are soft, and they are only because of woody and LD STUBBORNNESS ON NEVER PLAYING THERE BIG, HORFORD IS NOT A CENTER.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 12th, 2011
8:22 pm
Hilton have look horrible but size do matter, it make a different on defense and toughness.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
8:30 pm
Quite an about-face there from C-Webb, a guy who picked the Hawks to miss the playoffs this year.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
8:32 pm
Hollinger designed the PER stat so that 15 would be a league average player. There’s a lot more to basketball than just fantasy stats, which is all PER takes into account, but it’s interesting that by that measure the Hawks only have three players who are above league average.
James on Pharr Rd
April 12th, 2011
8:38 pm
The Hawks are SOFT mentally. I cant imagine a less inspirational hierarchy of leadership from LD to the GM and management. If we win 2 games in that series, I will put up the 12 stacks Nique owes for his suits…… Seriously
darrell starks
April 12th, 2011
8:42 pm
superiorblogman man i cosign that trade CP3, TREVOR FOR HORFORD, MARVIN, HINRICH
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 12th, 2011
8:47 pm
2011 STARTER CP3, JOE, TREVIOR, JOSH, COLLINS
and waiting on SUPERMAN ?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
superiorblogman
April 12th, 2011
8:50 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
8:32 pm
Hollinger designed the PER stat so that 15 would be a league average player. There’s a lot more to basketball than just fantasy stats, which is all PER takes into account, but it’s interesting that by that measure the Hawks only have three players who are above league average.
Thanks for putting me up on knowledge. I never knew that there was more to basketball than fantasy stats. Without a doubt the calculation does have some significance. We all know Joe, Josh, and Al are the best 3 players and so does the PER. I think it carries some weight, in some cases more than most would like to admit and in some cases less.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
8:53 pm
If CP3 was actually available, there isn’t a single player on this roster I wouldn’t trade for him, but I’d try to trade Joe before Smoove or Al.
superiorblogman
April 12th, 2011
9:03 pm
I am a supporter of the Hawks and not any particular player. That’s why I was so upset about that stupid Hinrich trade because it hurt any true Hawk supporter and some wanted to take up for Hinrich because of reasons I will not continue to mention. Next, the same attitude helped me come to a feasible conclusion that JJ is the last guy teams will want because of his contract, unless we are making a trade for Rashard Lewis, Arenas type. Lastly, Josh is more of a PF than Horford is a C, bottomline; I like Al’s professionalism over Josh but honestly Al is more of the problem so he needs to go unless we can some way come up with some more money to sign a legit C while keeping Joe, Josh, and Al.
lewis
April 12th, 2011
9:11 pm
I like Al over Josh for the long-term, seems less injury prone and reliant on pure athleticism.
But i agree Josh is more a 4 than al a 5
Rev in Tampa
April 12th, 2011
9:16 pm
northcyde, nortcyde, northclyde,
Great posts today. Thanks for all your effort in tracking down the numbers. It sheds light on what’s really happening. The nimbers don’t lie.
Wabe
April 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
Truth is, the Hawks are more than capable of winning that first round series against the Magic. They’re up on the Magic 3-1 this season. But, this isn’t an indication of how far the Hawks have come, it really says more about how Orlando has declined. Since their championship run a couple of seasons back, Orlando has steadily been on the decline. The addition of Vince didn’t get Orlando over the hump, it really actually hurt them. So they pull of a series of trades to revamp the roster and make it more competitive in the Eastern Conference. Although I salute the Magic management for realizing their team wasn’t good enough to compete in the rebuilt East, they still weren’t content with moving forward with a team they didn’t believe had a shot to contend. So they made the deals. Were they gauranteed to get the Magic over the hump? Nope. But did they do what we seem to do and roll out the status quo out there hoping for different results? Again, they didn’t. They took a risk, they were proactive, and they tried shaking things up. But, it hasn’t worked for them to the extent that they thought it would.
Again, if the Hawks do get past the team that whopped them in last seasons playoffs, but then go onto get whopped by another Eastern Conference powerhouse, it doesn’t mean the Hawks have vastly improved under Larry Drew. This is my biggest fear. Management assumes that because we get past Orlando, hiring Larry Drew was indeed a good move, because beating Orlando isn’t indicative of anything.
The Magic have slipped, we haven’t gotten any better.
Wabe
April 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
Truth is, the Hawks are more than capable of winning that first round series against the Magic. They’re up on the Magic 3-1 this season. But, this isn’t an indication of how far the Hawks have come, it really says more about how Orlando has declined. Since their championship run a couple of seasons back, Orlando has steadily been on the decline. The addition of Vince didn’t get Orlando over the hump, it really actually hurt them. So they pull off a series of trades to revamp the roster and make it more competitive in the Eastern Conference. Although I salute the Magic management for realizing their team wasn’t good enough to compete in the rebuilt East, they still weren’t content with moving forward with a team they didn’t believe had a shot to contend. So they made the deals. Were they gauranteed to get the Magic over the hump? Nope. But did they do what we seem to do and roll out the status quo out there hoping for different results? Again, they didn’t. They took a risk, they were proactive, and they tried shaking things up. But, it hasn’t worked for them to the extent that they thought it would.
Again, if the Hawks do get past the team that whopped them in last seasons playoffs, but then go onto get whopped by another Eastern Conference powerhouse, it doesn’t mean the Hawks have vastly improved under Larry Drew. This is my biggest fear. Management assumes that because we get past Orlando, hiring Larry Drew was indeed a good move, because beating Orlando isn’t indicative of anything.
The Magic have slipped, we haven’t gotten any better.
Wabe
April 12th, 2011
9:25 pm
My bad for the double posts. Computer acting stupid.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 12th, 2011
9:27 pm
“I like Al over Josh for the long-term, seems less injury prone and reliant on pure athleticism.”
________________
Al has more injuries than Josh – period! Josh came back about a month too soon from a MCL tear and has out-performed Al by a land slide.
Until now, I can not remember a Josh Smith injury – ever.
Wabe
April 12th, 2011
9:29 pm
At least there are people who can see that the Hawks are really plagued by a garbage owner/management.
JeJe
April 12th, 2011
9:45 pm
The Bulls are dominating the league, and Joakim Noah isn’t even healthy
So it’s basically D.Rose, Boozer (who I doubt is fully healthy) and a bunch of average players overachieving
We have a bunch of talented players who underachieve
Thibodeau >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Larry Drew
James on Pharr Rd
April 12th, 2011
9:49 pm
I am not sold on rebuilding our team with Horford. I think the reason our most valuable trading asset is Josh is the same reason I think we should keep him and start all over again. With every other player not names Smoove gone, his role can be streamlined under new coaching assistance. With Al, all you get is a durable player who lacks the talent to build on defensively and offensively.
JJ’s contract will be challenging to trade: the best scenario I foresee is a-like NY 3 years ago- trading one bad contract(s) for another until we can wither down to cap space or expiring contracts. But this takes time, and I dont see Atlanta as a destination for patient free agents like CP or Dwight in 2012
James on Pharr Rd
April 12th, 2011
9:51 pm
Josh is also more marketable and versatile. He got married recently, so am sure his maturity off the court can be reflected on the court soon
O'Brien
April 12th, 2011
10:39 pm
James,
If Josh plays to his strengths, I think he is more talented than Horford. The problem is, Josh has been in the league 7 years, and we are still taking about the same issues. Shot selection, whining to the refs, and focus.
How do we know that the right coach will control him and get him to play within himself? I think its a big risk. One thing we do know about Al, is he is more coachable (imo).
JeJe,
Boozer missed 24 games and Noah missed 35 games. But with Rose and Thibs, they have not missed a beat. Rose is the MVP, and Thibs got the players to buy in to his defense. LD could not convince the players to buy anything that he was selling. The only people who bought it were Rick and the ASG.
O'Brien
April 12th, 2011
10:43 pm
James,
As for trading JJ, one scenario Najeh discussed was trading him to New Jersey. They are under the cap, so we wouldnt have to take back equal salary, their owner is a billionaire and wont mind paying JJ, and if they dont get another big name player, they will probably lose Deron Williams in next year. Plus moving to Brooklyn, they need to be a better team.
I think if NJ strike out in the FA market, they might consider trading for JJ.
O'Brien
April 12th, 2011
10:53 pm
AJ posted this link on the other blog. Listen to Sekou and LD.
http://www.680thefan.com/audiovault/buck_and_kincade.php#/
Najeh Davenpoop
April 12th, 2011
10:56 pm
“The problem is, Josh has been in the league 7 years, and we are still taking about the same issues. ”
I think any comparison of Smoove and Al has to take into account the fact that despite having three more years of NBA experience, Smoove is only 6 months older than Al. As far as maturity and development and what not, I think that matters at least as much if not more than the years of NBA experience.
superiorblogman
April 12th, 2011
11:14 pm
Why do people equate things like marriage with maturity? Honestly, there is a situation close to me now with 2 people close to 40 married and acting like kids and this is a everyday thing. Married people can’t stay married because they disrespect there vows and can’t manage money. Marriage can not be equated to maturity.
Slimjr
April 12th, 2011
11:39 pm
Congrats to Chicago locking up home court throughout the playoffs after winning 20 of their last 22 games!!!!!! 61 wins…..impressive considering where they were at this time last year….
Jae Evolution
April 12th, 2011
11:45 pm
I find it remarkable that Dwight is so injury-resistant, look at some of the best C’s in the league, Yao, Oden (I guess?), Bynum, and Noah. All these guys have been injured a large part of their career.
I say this because it’s unfortunate that injuries have to happen and seeing Bynum go down just now could possibly hurt the Lakers chances of getting back to the Finals.
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
12:01 am
That Bynum knee injury looks terrible!!! If he done so are the LAKERS…OKC anyone???????
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
12:20 am
Yeah, if Bynum has to miss a lot of time, I feel pretty good about the Thunder’s chances to come out of the West.
Grandad
April 13th, 2011
12:26 am
superiorblogman:
Marriage: all are differrent but for some of us…
marrying the “right” person can do wonders !
In some cases a marriage will only exacerbate
the situation whatever it may be.
So, marriage is not a recommended cure;
in and of itself, for whatever ails you.
It may not sound like it but I just agrred with you.
Grandad
April 13th, 2011
1:03 am
Sekou said it:
*[the problem is in the locker-room]
“when things don’t go right the Hawks do not play for one another”
* I [myself] have said before and say again:
“The Hawks don’t like one another”
What do they constantly say:
“we need to learn to trust one another”
*translation* = they don’t trust each other.
“we need to help on defense”
*translation* = you’re on your on.
“we don’t have each other’s back”
*translation* = perfidious, undependable, unfaithful,
disloyal, unreliable, nontrustworthy, double crossers
**In other words:
Our Hawks are not a Team !
Jay Dubu
April 13th, 2011
1:04 am
The East is wide open, and if the Hawks can get focus and play the way that they are capble of, they can make the finals.
The Magic is not as good as they were last year, and the Celtics are old, and miss the presence of a Big Man in the middle.
Just think most of the Hawks’ fans wanted them to sign Shaq, whose played in less than half the Celtics’ games, and is questionable for the playoffs.
The Heat and the Bulls iwll be the Hawks’ challenge, and they are both beatable.
I think the Hawks have a cance to advance to and past the 2nd round.
northcyde
April 13th, 2011
1:12 am
Actually . . . . Hinrich’s PER overall may be 12.3
But as a member of the Hawks, it’s 9.7
Bibby’s PER as a Hawk was 11.7
Grandad
April 13th, 2011
1:55 am
**Ding**Ding**Ding**
I Have Done It…I have Come Up With:
** ” The Solution ” **
Trade Joe Johnson -&- [egregious contract]
to: NY Knicks:
for: Chauncey Billups
Grandad
April 13th, 2011
1:57 am
addendum:
straight up = works on trade machine.
* this summer !
Grandad
April 13th, 2011
1:59 am
addendum:
straight up = works on trade machine.
* for this summer !
Buddy Grizzard
April 13th, 2011
2:08 am
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks
Al Horford, All-NBA second team selection if TrueHoop network bloggers, including Hoopinion, were the actual voters for this award.
Joe Johnson does not appear on first, second or third team. Josh Smith does not appear on All-NBA defensive first or second team.