Atlanta Hawks at Bobcats: No. 82
Charlotte–The regular season ends anticlimactically for the Hawks tonight. They didn’t practice yesterday and I didn’t make this morning’s shootaround in Charlotte so no word on who will play and for how long. I will update pregame, in case anyone cares. . . .
PREGAME UPDATE: Hawks-Magic Game 1 is Saturday at 7 p.m. The rest of the schedule comes out later tonight.
Twin is out but his status is still a go for Saturday. “I think he will be fine,” L.D. said. “He got some work in yesterday. He came over today early and got some work in. He should be ready to go.”
Starters are Hinrich, Joe, Josh, Al and Zaza. Armstrong, Rolle and Twin are inactive.
Drew said he plans to play the starters “a few minutes.”
“I won’t have anybody in the 30s,” he said. “I will try to keep them in the low 20s.”
L.D. wasn’t talking as much about trying to use this game to gather momentum: “Just looking at what happened to the Lakers last night, Chicago had a couple of guys hurt–that’s always a fear in this particular situation. Hopefully we can get out of this game as injury-free as we can and move onto the playoffs.”
- The signing of Magnum Rolle is unrelated to Twin’s injury, which L.D. still say says is a “minor” sprain. Twin was walking around without a noticeable limp before the game on Monday. The Hawks, like a handful of teams, signed Rolle with an eye to the (possibly lockout-disrupted) summer.
- I predict that if Zaza helps the Hawks beat the Magic while leaving a trail of carnage in his wake he will become a beloved folk hero. I also predict that if the Zaza helps the Hawks forge a competitive series against the Bulls, and this in turn inspires the team to start talking about “continuing to grow the core,” then the feelings about Zaza would become bittersweet.
- Smoove, asked why opponents become so irritated by Zaza, said: “Have you seen that head?”
Now for some linkage . . .
- Sebastian Pruiti at NBA Playbook breaks down Hawks-Magic in a series of posts.
- Tom Ziller at SB Nation wonders if the Hawks can take advantage of Orlando’s high turnover rate.
- Bret LaGree at Hoopinion (accurately and depressingly) describes the futility of trying to drawn any analytical conclusions from these last four games, particularly since the task was not much easier over the first 78 games.
- HawkStr8Talk, true to form, predicts the Hawks “are not winning a playoff game, much less a playoff series” in a post at Peachtree Hoops. However, he did express a bit of joy following the reserves’ rally against the Heat and even managed some begrudging admiration for L.D.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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384 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
Luke,
I dont doubt that he missed a game in the playoffs. All I’m saying is he has to get 6 techs in one playoff series before he will miss a game.
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
damn impressive drive..
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
Yeah, Najeh, I actually think on the whole you’ve been a little more fair to Kirk than some people.
I guess I am just venting because I am tired of people picking on Kirk simply because he is an easy target (scape goat).
Darrel
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
That stupid piece of trash, L.D. will never learn. He continues to play the starters in a meaningless game that is going to end in a loss anyway. This guy has got to go as soon as possible. Let him experiment with his poor coaching philosophies elsewhere with a garbage team that is rebuilding. There’s no sense in him being the coach here. He’s done nothing but hurt our players and the franchise.
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
“Teague getting in trouble in that corner waiting on that double team”
Luke Cage
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
J from the A
LOL every player on this team has been called out at some point on this blog.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
Hawks need Viagra and a Magnum Rolle to get off.
terrell
April 13th, 2011
8:58 pm
Fire LD already.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
8:58 pm
Nique didnt say nothing when Teague made his layup but made sure to point out the fact he turn over the ball on the inbounds play… SMH
Booo!
April 13th, 2011
8:58 pm
That Pick n’ Roll jam is the exact reason we need to revert back to woodsons “swarming” defense. No backside help whatsoever.
BILLY KNIGHT
April 13th, 2011
8:59 pm
Im sorry guys but my homeboy is 2 relax, LD have 2 starte calling his player out and stop being so relax over there.
cp
April 13th, 2011
8:59 pm
bad play by Teague and Joe is taking some bad shots. this team looks terrible
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
Etan doin’ work…
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
Send Joe back to ATL during halftime….
JJ Sucks
April 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
All you guys sure the Hawks are a playoff team?
Luke Cage
April 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
Man just take the starters out, they have no fire (AGAIN), so lets empty the bench
terrell
April 13th, 2011
9:01 pm
Kirk isnt a scapegoat. We were told that he was brought in here for his stellar perimeter defense. After the Chicago game, his defense has been non existent. Point blank. Not to mention, what we gave up for him.(2 1st rdrs and 2 expirings.) What do you expect fans to do, just sit back and say nothing? Not going to happen.
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
9:02 pm
lol @ Dante ’s mouthpiece and Joe trying to foul out purposely..
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:03 pm
Etan has played well so far. Defensively the Hawks have been bad
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:03 pm
Being honest:
Earlier in the season, I was one of the few Teague-doubters. However, I have liked what Teague has shown (for the most part) since the All Star break, and I am now on the “get Teague solid minutes every game” band wagon.
I’ve also been one that has thought Kirk would have been a good pick up for this team (and have pushed for the Hawks to consider trading for him since this summer). (Let’s be clear, though, I never said I thought Kirk was going to solve the Hawks problems. I just thought he was an obtainable PG that would provide at least a small (but noticeable) improvement to the Hawks.) However, I, too, have been disappointed with Kirk over the past week or so. To be honest, it is not clear that Kirk is bringing any meaningful improvement to the Hawks … but the first round playoff series against the Magic will really be the judge of this.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:03 pm
Maybe I’m biased because I used to be a fan of Etan’s game when he was a Wizard. He was one of those good dirty work players that all playoff teams need. Maybe he’s not going to be as effective now as he was then, but considering how soft the rest of this team is, I find it hard to believe he can’t offer something.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:03 pm
Not mention of Teague assist by Nique….LOL
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
9:03 pm
Etan letting u know who’s to credit w/ the rebound..
terrell
April 13th, 2011
9:04 pm
LD must think JJ and Al are just going to push the magic button and start playing like they give a damn in a meaningless game. lol! Come on Uncle Larry, you’re better than that.
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
“stellar”?
He was brought here because he was a defensive improvement over Bibby.
Again, if you are mad that the Hawks gave up too much for Kirk (which I agree with), then you need to take your criticism out on those who put the deal together. It’s not Kirk’s fault that the Hawks made a bad deal.
Aaron
April 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
“Come on Uncle Larry, you’re better than that.”
No, sadly he is not.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
My goodness, down 18pts to the Bobcats at the half….
terrell
April 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
LD cant use Etan. He likes soft players.
terrell
April 13th, 2011
9:06 pm
And jumpshooters.
Anderson Black
April 13th, 2011
9:08 pm
How many people on this blog would rejoice if Larry “I love jump shots, hate Teague, and can’t afford a custom suit” Drew were fired following the playoffs?
superiorblogman
April 13th, 2011
9:09 pm
LD is the dumbest son of a bytch in the history of coaching. Why was Teague the last player off the bench? Seriously, it seems like LD is trying to do everything possible to destroy Teague. Phuck LD and Dominique
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:10 pm
Most of the players look like they rather be back in the A.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 13th, 2011
9:10 pm
Tell Me Why?
Why doesn’t Etan get ANY playing time?
Why doesn’t Teague Start every game?
Why doesn’t this team play with any rhythm?
Why doesn’t anyone know when they may possibly play?
Why doesn’t this team display energy and urgency – ever?
Why …. Oh, forget it!
Just Why?
Paradise Lost
April 13th, 2011
9:11 pm
“I actually believed Kirk was a good defender when he was acquired by trade. After the win over Chicago I was convinced he was going to be a defensive difference maker. Since then he has played poorly on defense,”
Interesting that the more familiar KH has become with Hawks’ off/def plays, the more his game seems to have deteriorated. What say you, statisticians? Correlations?
Booo!
April 13th, 2011
9:11 pm
Why even go there? Kirk kept going UNDER screens in that first chicago game. He KNEW he couldn’t hang with rose. The next game, rose adjusted and TORCHED him! I’m just Sayin’.
Anderson Black
April 13th, 2011
9:12 pm
“LD is the dumbest son of a bytch in the history of coaching.”
He’s definitely making a strong case for that prestigious award.
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:12 pm
But anyways, enough about Kirk … let’s bring on the Magic!
The optimisitc, irrational fan in me is predicting the Hawks in 7 (maybe 6)!
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:13 pm
Well at least we wont have to hear Nique during the playoffs
Booo!
April 13th, 2011
9:13 pm
Not only was kirk sagging 15+ feet off of rose (FEAR) but rose was simply justmissing jumpers in that first game.
W.R.Terrell
April 13th, 2011
9:14 pm
61 – 43 Charlotte Bobcats favor. That’s shameful and real Hawkks fans may bitch and moan but they have a right to. We are wanting to scream and shout so bad for our team but all they give us is “NOTHING”. So what if they beat Orlando (that’s a friggin pipe dream). THEY CAN’T BEAT WASHNGTON, INDIANA and catching hell right now from CHARLOTTE. So if HAWKS fans (true fans) wanna raise hell for watching this subpar product all season then DO YA’LLS THANG….I’m definitely with ya. Why would you root for a team that constantly enjoys embarassing the state of Ga.
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
9:15 pm
LD WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DRINKING DUDE???
BASKETBALL AND ALCOHOL, THE TWO SHALL NEVER MIX…………………………….SHOOT…………
Anderson Black
April 13th, 2011
9:15 pm
Tell Me Why?
Why doesn’t Etan get ANY playing time? He’s not a jumpshooter and L.D. loves jump shots.
Why doesn’t Teague Start every game? L.D. doesn’t like him. It’s a personal issue.
Why doesn’t this team play with any rhythm? There are too many ball hogs on the team to allow for rhythm.
Why doesn’t anyone know when they may possibly play? Because L.D. is a dumba$$, worthless coach.
Why doesn’t this team display energy and urgency – ever? They are fed up with the garbage that they have experienced the entire season and see no reason to play with passion. Most guys are probably just suiting up for the paycheck at this point.
Why …. Oh, forget it!
Just Why?
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:16 pm
“How many people on this blog would rejoice if Larry “I love jump shots, hate Teague, and can’t afford a custom suit” Drew were fired following the playoffs?”
I would rejoice if the guy who replaced him seemed like a notable improvement. If they fired him and promoted Lester Connor or something, I wouldn’t give a sh-t.
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:17 pm
@Booo!
I just said enough about Kirk, but I cannot stay away.
You are actually 100% right. Kirk prefers to go under screens against the more explosive, fast PGs in the league. He rather force them to make their jumpshots. In that first game, Rose wasn’t making his jumpshots, so it made Kirk’s defense look superb. In the next meeting Rose was hitting everything, making Kirk’s defense look bad. … but to be honest, I thought his defense was decent on both of those games (not great, maybe not even good, but decent), despite the disparate outcomes. That’s why I was not willing to call Kirk out after the second Chi game, but over the last two/three games Kirk has looked fairly bad.
superiorblogman
April 13th, 2011
9:17 pm
I agree I will be so happy to hear some different commentators Nique and Bob both suck and swallow the Hawks management while going after Teague and Josh way too much. While, Al and Joe show up every now and then and they get sucked off by Nique and Bob.
O'Brien
April 13th, 2011
9:18 pm
So LD plays his starters limited minutes…only to watch some of them struggle. How can that help them get ready for the playoffs?
JJ: 10 mins, 2 pts, 1-6 FG, 2 turnovers
Al: 14 mins, 2 pts, 1-4 FG, 3 rebs, 2 turnovers
Kirk: 9 mins, 1-3 FG, 2 pts, 2 turnovers
O'Brien
April 13th, 2011
9:19 pm
Wow. JJ is 5-22 from 3’s in the month of April.
Paradise Lost
April 13th, 2011
9:19 pm
Josh Powell starting this quarter. Since he’s the leading scorer for Hawks right now?
Anderson Black
April 13th, 2011
9:20 pm
“I would rejoice if the guy who replaced him seemed like a notable improvement. If they fired him and promoted Lester Connor or something, I wouldn’t give a sh-t.”
It’s hard to imagine someone being worse than Drew. Just about anyone would be an upgrade at this point, even Lester Connor. Although, I wouldn’t be very excited with Lester Connor either.
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:22 pm
As much as we may disagree about the quality of some players, perhaps we can all agree about one thing: LD needs to go!
Early in the season, I was willing to give LD the benefit of the doubt, but as the end draws near, it is becoming more and more difficult to interpret his coaching decisions with any kind of charity.