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
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:49 pm
“It’s possible, but centers tend to get paid more than their net impact on the game would lead you to believe they are worth. I could see a below-the-cap team paying him something approaching what Kendrick Perkins got.”
That’s is what I am worried about. Well, that and the fact that other elite or near-elite teams will probably be willing to offer DeAndre MLE money. If DeAndre ends up being offered the same dollars from Atlanta and, say, Boston, Orlando, or Miami, then it is difficult to see him passing up the same money from more “prestigious” organizations. (I am not sure if ‘prestigious’ is the right word here, but you get the point.)
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:49 pm
“It’s fine to be a cheerleader for your team, but if you want to cheer for one guy who is mediocre, then you should be cheering for the mediocre teammates as well. Be consistent.”
And for that matter, if you’re going to criticize one guy, criticize all of them. Honestly, I would love it if Nique criticized all the Hawks’ players — and LD for that matter — to the extent that he criticizes Teague.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:49 pm
Yeah. Pape Sy is in the game….
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:50 pm
Pape Sy sighting!
Trent
April 13th, 2011
9:50 pm
“To be completely honest, I don’t care who the coach is next year — if they don’t play Teague or make a commitment to develop some other long term solution at the point guard position, I’m just about done with this franchise.”
That Thunder bandwagon has a spot ready for you whenever you are ready to make the jump. Could you really stand to not watch Josh anymore though? I mean, after all, he is the love of your life. After all of the hours you wasted defending him and trying to convince others that he did nothing wrong when he was playing terrible, how could you not have some sort of deep connection to him. Now, if only he could get traded to to Thunder, that would probably be a dream come true for you.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 13th, 2011
9:50 pm
Donatello!
If Jeff Teague had a back-pack, couldn’t he pass for a:
Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtle? I’m just saying.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:51 pm
Now that Jamal is out of the game, Teague can play the point….
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:52 pm
Damn Teague is fast… Nique is about to cream on himself watching Damien tonight
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:52 pm
“If DeAndre ends up being offered the same dollars from Atlanta and, say, Boston, Orlando, or Miami, then it is difficult to see him passing up the same money from more “prestigious” organizations. (I am not sure if ‘prestigious’ is the right word here, but you get the point.)”
I think one thing to consider is that DeAndre being a young player is probably going to prioritize playing time over joining an elite team. I would think Orlando, in particular, would be off his list, seeing as how he won’t be able to start there. I could definitely see how Miami would be a good fit for both him and the team though. The thought of a shot blocking presence like him playing center for them, to be honest, is a little scary.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 13th, 2011
9:53 pm
The Black Ninja!
I think we should call Teague: The Black Ninja! The way he knifes through defenses, warrior – like.
Rusty
April 13th, 2011
9:53 pm
J from the A is an idiot, I think he is just trying to pull our train.
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
9:54 pm
big TON!
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
9:54 pm
ETAN YOU’VE BEEN PROMOTED!!!
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:54 pm
why didnt Damien drive to the goal?
dacheesecakeman
April 13th, 2011
9:54 pm
Etan had a nice little spin move there!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:55 pm
Pape Sy drawing the charge on the 3 on 1 break. Nice play rookie.
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:55 pm
Pape Sy taking the charge!
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:55 pm
Sy just caught that poster but good job drawing the charge
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
9:56 pm
WHERES MARVIN?
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:56 pm
@Rusty:
Don’t you know I only get riled up if criticize my boyfriend Kirk? Criticizing me doesn’t phase me.
Say something bad about Kirk, and, boy, will I get worked up, though.
Anderson Black
April 13th, 2011
9:56 pm
So, assuming we lose this game, we will finish the season only 6 wins above .500. I’m curious, how many of you really expected the Hawks to be this bad when you were making your predictions prior to the season?
I didn’t think the Hawks would win 53 games the way they did last year, but I didn’t expect the regression to be this significant. It just seems like this entire season has been a failure across the board. I can’t think of one positive thing that has come out of this season, other than maybe Joe and Al making the all-star team, but to be perfectly honest, I don’t even think Joe deserved to make that team. Other than that, there haven’t been any team or individual accomplishments of any basketball significance.
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:56 pm
Game over
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
9:56 pm
Game over
Rusty
April 13th, 2011
9:58 pm
KH sucks,what a stupid trade.
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
9:58 pm
IN THE 2013 LOTTERY
J from the A
April 13th, 2011
9:59 pm
pre-season, if I recall correctly, I was predicting that the Hawks would win 50/51 games.
I also predicted the Heat wouldn’t break 60 wins, back when the media types were predicting the possibility of a 70 win season.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
9:59 pm
“That Thunder bandwagon has a spot ready for you whenever you are ready to make the jump. Could you really stand to not watch Josh anymore though? I mean, after all, he is the love of your life. After all of the hours you wasted defending him and trying to convince others that he did nothing wrong when he was playing terrible, how could you not have some sort of deep connection to him. Now, if only he could get traded to to Thunder, that would probably be a dream come true for you.”
How long have you been silently reading my posts, seething with anger that someone would dare to point out a positive contribution by Smoove — who, judging from the tone of your post, has clearly raped your mother and impregnated your girlfriend? It’s one thing to get called out by someone who regularly posts here, but for some dude who is otherwise never heard from to come here and sob and whine that I give props to Smoove on occasion is quite amusing.
For the record, I already have my Thunder bandwagon spot reserved. Seeing as how they are in different conferences, I am fully capable of pulling for both teams unless they somehow manage to both make it to the finals. And if they do, I’ll buy you a new house.
cp
April 13th, 2011
9:59 pm
Teague has to learn how to stop and pull up for a jumper. That floater cant be his only weapon
J.J.M
April 13th, 2011
9:59 pm
man this team is complete garabage
cp
April 13th, 2011
10:02 pm
good block and finish by Teague
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
10:03 pm
SHUT… UP… NIQUE…
NO SH-T HE HAS TO PERFECT HIS FLOATER, MAYBE IF HE PLAYED MORE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO PERFECT BY NOW
10 YEARS AS A HAWK AND YOU NEVER PERFECTED YOUR DEFENSE
ASS HOLE
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
10:06 pm
NIQUE= NEVER BLOCK A SHOT OR PLAY DEFENSE
BILLY KNIGHT
April 13th, 2011
10:06 pm
Im apologize for the last time 4 drafting marvin so don’t ask me that ? when im at the grocery store.
Trent
April 13th, 2011
10:07 pm
LOL, Najeh. I can tell by your reaction that the truth hurts.
“… judging from the tone of your post, has clearly raped your mother and impregnated your girlfriend”
No, Josh has no connection to me. By the way, I never thought of Josh to be a rapist, but I guess you would know. Besides, how could Josh have time to do those things anyway, when he was busy giving you the business after every game while you consoled him?
At any rate, don’t get so riled up. Chill out, take a Midol. Maybe Josh can give you one after the game while you are “nursing” his injuries. Have fun, bro.
KevinM
April 13th, 2011
10:08 pm
Hope the guys enjoy all the fast breaks because they won’t be there come Saturday.
Did Marvin have a flight to catch?
From the box score, it looks like only Zaza the starter came to play tonight.
Nothing like getting the starts ready for the Magic.
Hawks easing into the playoffs not having won in a week.
Bob Rathburn giving us the home game dates for the playoffs here shortly.
Anyone going to Game 3?
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
10:09 pm
lol.. shot clock running down and Nique on Teague for going to rack. smh.
cp
April 13th, 2011
10:09 pm
Im so glad this is the last game listening to Nique
terrell
April 13th, 2011
10:10 pm
Pape Sy looks more athletic than #2 overall.
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
10:10 pm
Frenchie has a nice drive and kick game..
Slimjr
April 13th, 2011
10:10 pm
NIQUE RETIRE ,,,FROM THE MIC…..
bigdave
April 13th, 2011
10:10 pm
and he plays fast yet in control..
terrell
April 13th, 2011
10:11 pm
Stfu Nique!
Melvin
April 13th, 2011
10:11 pm
Hawks will go into the playoffs on a 6 games losing streak….
Aaron
April 13th, 2011
10:11 pm
“SHUT… UP… NIQUE…
NO SH-T HE HAS TO PERFECT HIS FLOATER, MAYBE IF HE PLAYED MORE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO PERFECT BY NOW
10 YEARS AS A HAWK AND YOU NEVER PERFECTED YOUR DEFENSE
ASS HOLE”
Damn, Najeh. You are starting to post in all caps now too? You must be really fired up at ‘Nique. Either that or you’ve been hanging out with JeJe and Slimjr. LOL. I’m just kidding, bud.
terrell
April 13th, 2011
10:12 pm
Pape will end up getting traded, cause he actually looks like he has some talent.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
10:12 pm
“So, assuming we lose this game, we will finish the season only 6 wins above .500. I’m curious, how many of you really expected the Hawks to be this bad when you were making your predictions prior to the season? ”
Regardless of the record — one could make an argument they may have won two or three more of these final few games if their seeding hadn’t been clinched with 4 games remaining — I definitely didn’t expect them to play as bad as they did. By some measures, the Hawks haven’t even been as good as the 44 wins they ended up accumulating.
Aaron
April 13th, 2011
10:13 pm
Well, I’m glad that the regular season beatdowns are over with now. See you in the playoffs, Hawks!
KevinM
April 13th, 2011
10:14 pm
Hawks Game 3 next Friday 4/22….
Booo!
April 13th, 2011
10:14 pm
Yes Nique has gone too far with this.
Your Nephew is trash and I havent liked him since he dropped 42pts on us in seattle. He’s absolute garbage he’s never scored like that in his life before and he wont ever again.
Free Jeff Teague
Nique get off the Air
Najeh Davenpoop
April 13th, 2011
10:15 pm
Haha… it just p-sses me off that this guy is going to consistently take shots at Teague when he never makes any relevant observations when the starters play like sh-t. I don’t mind the Teague criticism if everyone else gets the same, but singling out the young dude just makes Nique look like a bully.