Atlanta Hawks: Drew still says sitting Horford was right move
L.D. slept on it and came to the same conclusion as he did after he game: Sitting his best all-around best player for the final 21:50 of the first half in an attempt to avoid foul trouble was the right move.
Asked today after practice if he had any second thoughts on the decision, Drew provided a similar explanation as last night:
“When he picked up the early two fouls it put it us in a bit of a bind. You don’t anticipate your starters picking up two early fouls like that. When he went to the bench, had we hit a bad stretch at the start of the second quarter to the middle of the second quarter, I would have put him back in. We actually had a really good stretch in the middle of second quarter. With three minutes left we hit a bump in the road and I didn’t want to jeopardize him picking up his third when we were going good.”
By the middle of the second quarter, Atlanta’s 32-22 lead was down to 34-33 because Marvin, Jamal, Hinrich and Joe all missed jumpers; Hinrich lost the ball on a careless turnover; and Dwight went to work against Powell and then Armstrong.
After Al went to the bench, the Hawks gave up 15 offensive rebounds in the rest of the first half. They missed 26 of 41 shots and scored just 38 points on 49 possessions. If L.D. thought the Hawks were having a really good stretch then playing Horford, their best rebounder and most efficient scorer, might have made for an even better stretch.
Also note that Al averaged just 2.6 fouls per 36 minutes this season, the lowest rate of his career. I guess that number would be perhaps three if he were allowed to play regularly with two first-half fouls. Al has fouled out of four of his 335 career games, including playoffs. Among centers who played at least 1,000 minutes this season, Al has the fewest fouls per 36 minutes.
So it’s not like Al is prone to picking up fouls or has to check any Magic players who are particularly good at drawing them. Al doesn’t play a physical defensive style, instead relying on his quick feet to get good position. In other words, he’s not like Zaza, whom L.D. also left on the bench with two fouls. That made more sense because Zaza fouls a lot and is the last decent line of defense against Dwight.
Speaking of which . . .
The Magic were -21.3 points per 48 minutes with Twin on the court during the regular season. After two playoff games, they are . . . . -21.3 per 48 minutes with Twin on the court.
With Zaza on the court, the Magic were +9.8 per 48 minutes during the regular season and are +8.6 in the playoffs. The numbers vs. Etan are +31.1 and +27.4, vs. Powell -4.4 and +9.0. Armstrong didn’t play against Orlando during the regular season with the Hawks; the Magic were +61.7 per 48 vs. him in Game 2.
(All numbers are from NBA.com’s dope new StatsCube feature.)
The Hawks don’t really have anyone other than Twin who can provide much resistance against Dwight but the numbers suggest Zaza should be first in line (though he wasn’t last night). After those two the Hawks are simply hoping that any of the other bigs can somehow hang on.
“It’s always been like that,” L.D. said. “That’s nothing different. We go with Twin and Zaza and then we start using other big bodies and their jobs are to try to make him earn everything. They are battling him; there is a lot of banging going on. We are getting what we want out of those guys in those cases. We have to buy Twin and Zaza time.
“I’m not discouraged by that not one bit. In putting together this team one thing we knew we had to do was get big bodies in here in the event of playing Orlando in the playoffs. Hilton, Etan, Josh Powell–they are big bodies and their jobs are to force Dwight to work for everything. They are going to create fouls and force the issue. I am not discouraged by that.”
Notes
- Al said he has a bone bruise on his right knee. “It’s swollen but it’s good. I plan on playing.”
- Smoove reported no problems with the elbow.
- L.D., Al and J.J. all were in agreement that J.J. needs to pass the ball quicker if the Magic send aggressive double teams at him again in Game 2. Dwight chased Joe out to the perimeter at times, which (theoretically) should leave space on the weak side if the ball swings around quickly and the Hawks attack before Dwight can get back to the rim.
- “Move the ball,” Drew said. “I thought we got a little stagnant. We reverted back to a little too much one-on-one. But looking at the video, we gave up 20 offensive rebounds, they were plus-18 free-throw wise, yet with two minutes to go it was a two-point ballgame. We need to clean up a couple areas. The guys watched guys and saw some things we could have done differently.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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222 comments Add your comment
RealSquawk
April 20th, 2011
4:29 pm
First
Brett
April 20th, 2011
4:30 pm
Two fouls thing makes no sense to me. Benching him guarantees he misses 2 quarters of action. Last I checked, the points count the same in the 2nd quarter as they do in 4th quarter.
RealSquawk
April 20th, 2011
4:34 pm
Now that all of that is out of my system. Some good things are being said from the locker room now lets see if they translate to the court.
Compared to last season this is improvement, this is also a different magic team, changes still need to be made.
Al Horford also needs to play more, but that did not need to be said.
Waiting for the Hawks to play on Espn again cause I don’t have TNT.
You know the heat would be unstoppable if they traded LEbron or Dwade. Think about the pieces you could get in return. You talk about a full roster sheesh.
Sleepy
April 20th, 2011
4:36 pm
20 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
By not rebounding we limited our offensive touches where as in the first game we rebounded well enough to punish them for every missed shot .
Swingman912
April 20th, 2011
4:37 pm
first?
Hawk n the Ham
April 20th, 2011
4:43 pm
smDh
Hawk Str8Talk
April 20th, 2011
4:45 pm
thanks MC for highlighting without openly smacking Drew upside the head with the absurdity of that, which he speaks. Not only that he sent Powell into the game BEFORE Zaza, so at this point – there’s no way to trust what he says because he’s simply trying to justify BAD COACHING DECISIONS. They aren’t winning because of you LD – it’s in spite of you. Reminds me of his Teague ‘I always believed in him’ speech after the Portland game….
Najeh Davenpoop
April 20th, 2011
4:46 pm
Benching him with 2 fouls for a while is OK. Even keeping him there into the 2nd because the players on the floor are playing well is OK with me. But continuing to keep him there after the Magic decisively shift momentum in their favor (the Redick steal and transition layup) is not OK. LD is too slow to react.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 20th, 2011
4:48 pm
And with Joe, it’s not just that he should pass the ball quicker but also that he should make his move quicker so that the double team doesn’t have a chance to push him out to the perimeter.
Buddy Grizzard
April 20th, 2011
4:48 pm
“Another coach might choose to count his blessings and get his best player back on the floor. Larry Drew decided to keep Al Horford on the bench for the entire second quarter and maximize Orlando’s chances of winning.” – Bret Lagree, Hoopinionblog.com
I bet Las Vegas Larry made a killing last night.
GOOD GAME LAS VEGAS LARRY!
Gainesville#1
April 20th, 2011
4:49 pm
I think it was a big mistake. Yeah he had two fouls but to sit him out the rest of the half the way they were getting killed on the boards just didnt make any since to me. But at the same time the refs were on some straight b/s last night. Howard was traveling, setting moving screens, he threw his elbows up at Collins which should have gotten him a tec.
K.W.
April 20th, 2011
4:49 pm
I tried, but I really don’t get LD.
Buddy Grizzard
April 20th, 2011
4:51 pm
“so at this point – there’s no way to trust what he says” – Hawk Str8talk
We reached that point a long, long time ago.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
4:54 pm
LD YOU LOST THIS GAME IN THE SECOND QUARTER???????????????????? I WOULD NOT ARGUE YOUR POINT IF YOUR TEAM HAD WON,PUT THEY LOST GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU SAT ALLSTAR AL FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE 1ST HALF!!!!!
THATS LIKE PHIL SITTING SCOTTIE PIPPIN FOR THE 1ST HALF OF A PLAYOFF GAME….UNBELIEVABLE………….
…YOUR LIKE BOBBY COX. YOUR TEAMS WIN IN SPITE OF YOU..BUT YOU COMPOUND THE LOSSES……
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
4:57 pm
LD MUST HAVE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE godfather, the chief gangsta himself the one and only Mr. Stern!
Game over……………..
It was not a bad pick
April 20th, 2011
4:57 pm
marvin will bounce back..it was not his fault the hawks lost…but what about the guy who signed the biggest contract over the summer in the NBA?..Melo had over 40, Dirk willed his team to victory, Howard had a monster game..where was Joe?…
Booo!
April 20th, 2011
4:58 pm
If you ask me, this is just further proof that collins should start full time at the center position until we get someone better in here (that means in the 2nd round against noah as well). I know most won’t agree but him starting balances out the roster and he is actually a better detriment at the rim than Zaza.
Booo!
April 20th, 2011
4:59 pm
“Reminds me of his Teague ‘I always believed in him’ speech after the Portland game….”
Smh….don’t remind me. If I was rick, I’d be on the Phone with Rick adleman Pronto!
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
5:00 pm
@Booo, I do hope the Hawks win in 5 or 6 and move on.. They got no shot against Chicago..Now that would be a sweep!!!!!!!!
mountain_jim
April 20th, 2011
5:02 pm
MC, way to say it without really saying it. As Najeh said above, it was obvious when the game and momentum turned with that steal and that was the time to get Al back in.
Hawks replaced one stubborn fool with a different stubborn fool at head coach. And still Teague gets not chance to develop or show anything. Kurt killed us with his turnovers and when he lost hit shot – that was the time to give Teague some burn.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
5:06 pm
LD you and your Allstar AL are definitely not on the same page…You know what he said after the game Genius????????
Allstar Al said his timing was off in the 3rd quarter because he sat for so darn long genius…Thats why your team was 1-12 in the 1st 8 mins of the 3rd you genius………………Unbelievable……
Sund and LD need to run not walk…………pronto…………….
hbcuclassics
April 20th, 2011
5:08 pm
2011 Falcons Easy Button 3.0
1.27 Jimmy Smith, CB, 6′2, 211, Colorado – “elite” corner fills need; sophomoric behavior non-cancerous, Owens questionable, Williams out. Secondary suspect.
2.59 Bruce Carter, OLB, 6′2, 243, UNC – “elite” linebacker is Top 10 talent but for ACL. Like Moore/Jerry put on IR/rehab for a year; and reap Pro Bowl reward later.
3.91 Greg Little, WR, 6′3, 231, UNC – stud receiver with hands, strength, speed, agility. Makes big plays and acrobatic catches, bench pressed 225/27x; NCAA suspension irrelevant.
4.124 Jordan Cameron, TE, 6′5, 254, USC – long, athletic former WR and hoopster.
5.158 Johnny Culbreath, OT, 6′5, 285, SC State – AP/FCS All-American, 3xMEAC Champ; best lineman in HBCU football – think Larry Little.
6.192 Frank Warren, RB, 5′11, 195, Grambling – AP/FCS All American, “Sweet Feet” broke Walter Payton’s All-time SWAC rushing record w 1,592 yds in 2010; 3rd in NCAA rushing.
7.209 Raymond Webber, WR, 6′2, 215, UAPB – AP/FCS All-American, led NCAA w/ 101 rec. 1,429 yds.; 10TDS, 130 ypg avg. think Jerry Rice. Coach: Monte Coleman.
7.228 Ricardo Lockette, WR/KR, 6′3, 199, FVSU – 2009 DII 200M Champ, 4.39/40
7.229 Matthew Johnson, QB, 5′11, 185 Bethune – 2010 HBCU POY, 2010 MEAC POY
hbcuclassics.com
Wabe
April 20th, 2011
5:10 pm
To chime in on the Jeff Teague debate.
Do you guys see what Jameer’s doing for the Magic? Dribble – penetrate – kick?
Do you not think Jeff Teague could open up some looks for other guys with his dribble penetration? The same few who are whining about the Hawks jumpshooting ways are the same one’s bashing Jeff Teague? At least with Jeff Teague you know he’s thinking attack first – jumper if necessary.
Also, the same few who bash everything about LD are the same one’s who seem to think he knows what he’s doing with Jeff Teague.
But whatever. Teague won’t see the floor this series barring any injuries to the regulars.
Wabe
April 20th, 2011
5:11 pm
By the way, thanks for those draft prospects. Haven’t caught up with anything football related in a minute, but the draft is right around the corner. Gotta get caught up with my dirty birds.
Booo!
April 20th, 2011
5:15 pm
Slimjr,
Maybe, I think we can take a game or two at home but I definetly wouldnt bet on us taking the series’.
Booo!
April 20th, 2011
5:16 pm
Wabe, Exactly!
RealSquawk
April 20th, 2011
5:19 pm
SlimJr- I don’t think the godfather would trust LD with that task.
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
5:20 pm
previous post..
“This is why Teague must play: CREATE HAVOC FOR THE DEFENSE….PUSH THE ROCK!!!
THE HAWKS ARE 29TH IN STEALS???????????????WHAT???????????????
THE HAWKS ARE 29TH IN FOUL SHOT ATTEMPTS?????WHAT????????????
THE HAWKS ARE 29TH IN FORCED TO’S???????????WHAT???????????????
THE HAWKS ARE 28TH IN BLOCKS?????????????????WHAT??????????????
THE HAWKS ARE 29TH IN OFFENSIVE REBOUNDING????WHAT??????????????
THE HAWKS ARE 25TH IN REBOUNDING PERIOD?????????WHAT??????????
THE STATS DONT LIE.. THIS IS A SORRY FRANCHISE AND A LOTTERY TEAM IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE……THIS TEAM REALLY DOES SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NEW OWNERSHIP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THIS TOWN ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
* Link
* Report this comment
ILL-Logical
April 20th, 2011
5:21 pm
” Sitting his best all-around best player for the final 21:50 of the first half in attempt to avoid foul trouble was the right move”
I’ve said once and I’m going to say it again: ASA ain’t that kind of player.
The characterization of ASA as the Hawk’s best player is at best an opinion held by some who have either 1) not been watching the team or ) 2 have some sort of a ” fascination” with the guy.At worst, it is a statement that places an unfair burden on the kid who is a GOOD player who can and will improve but lacks upper body strength, low post moves and is starting to act as if the hype is factual.
The team has enough drama ,with iso Joe reverting to playing for the name on the back of his jersey, without the media adding to it by venting their frustrations with other team members by proclaiming ASA the messiah.
Management was forced to play him at the 4 and how has that worked out/ Look at the free throw stats-no going to the hole there. What about the newly minted jump shot-the bane of this team’s success according to some- how is it working when he isn’t wide open-not 57% anymore is it?
every team has its strengths and weaknesses; the better ones learn to deal with them and win; champions work together and overcome all obstacles. Let’s not make our guava tinted Gasol an obstacle to the Hawk’s succcess. Look what’s happening in Laker land.
James on Pharr Rd
April 20th, 2011
5:27 pm
Mike,
If LD wins this series, does this hurt Woodson’s chances of getting a coaching job in either Houston or Minn? Or affect his salary potential….
Grandad
April 20th, 2011
5:27 pm
LD needs to quit trying to explain everything;
he just comes across as…..
a bad politician;
trying to spin stuff.
In his head, I think he honestly thinks it through,
after the fact, in order to justify his cause.
He lacks savvy amongst other things.
A TO when the Hawks were confused on offense,
& a chance to cut it to “2″, would have been nice.
Instead, letting the players fend for themselves &…
allowing Al to take a bad shot…..
is another example of his indecisiveness.
[saving his TO's I guess] -Kinda like ASG- (saving their money)
Slimjr
April 20th, 2011
5:32 pm
“I’ve said once and I’m going to say it again: ASA ain’t that kind of player.
The characterization of ASA as the Hawk’s best player is at best an opinion held by some who have either 1) not been watching the team or ) 2 have some sort of a ” fascination” with the guy.At worst, it is a statement that places an unfair burden on the kid who is a GOOD player who can and will improve but lacks upper body strength, low post moves and is starting to act as if the hype is factual.”
@ILL-Logical , WELL PUT STATEMENT IN REGARDS TO ALLSTAR AL…..HE AINT THE ONE..
NENE WILL PROVE THAT ONCE AGAIN TONIGHT ON TNT!!!!!!!!NOW HE’S THE REAL DEAL!!!!
THIS STAT IS AMAZING COMING FROM THE #3 PICK IN THE DRAFT, CP3 IS THE ONLY MAN IN NBA HISTORY TO AVERAGE 20+ POINTS AND 10+ ASSIST PER GAME IN THE PLAYOFFS???
AND BK THE SELF PROCLAIMED CALLED “BASKETBALL EXPERT” TOOK LE BUSTOR MARVINA WILLIAMS WITH THE #2 OVERALL PICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE……..
James on Pharr Rd
April 20th, 2011
5:33 pm
I still think AH was hurt, that is the only justification LD can come up with…. Speaking of getting hurt-isn’t the Brandon Roy story tragic? He was a much better shooter and almost on par with Rose with dribble penetration, and now he’s a thing of yesterday. At least he got paid his max contract before going down…
James on Pharr Rd
April 20th, 2011
5:36 pm
In fairness to Marvin: according to either Bradley or Shultz, he put in the best work out(s) in the history of pro sports….
JeJe
April 20th, 2011
5:36 pm
COLLINS ONLY GOT 3 FOULS LAST NIGHT. WHY DID HE NOT PLAY MORE?
IF DWIGHT IS IN, COLLINS SHOULD BE IN. THE GUY ACTUALLY DRAWS FOULS ON DWIGHT TOO
ASG IS HAPPY BECAUSE OUR GUYS ARE BANGED UP, SO THEY CAN USE THAT EXCUSE AS TO WHY WE WON’T GO DEEP IN THE PLAYOFFS AND KEEP THE CORE NEXT YEAR
LD YOU ARE A SORRY HEAD COACH
Rusty
April 20th, 2011
5:37 pm
Just watch the celts & rondo,how he gets to the hoop & creates easy baskets for his team mates,then watch the hawks stand around on the perimeter shooting jumpshots,no player movement,no ball movement. When JT plays the hawks play different,can’t that dumbass see that.
Grandad
April 20th, 2011
5:38 pm
I am not computer literate [enough] myself.
Could someone start a:
” Hire Rick Adelman ”
*[for the Hawks]* ! —-WebSite— !
Or…..@ least a campaign on this blog !
superiorblogman
April 20th, 2011
5:41 pm
So ready for this tranwreck to come to a stop.
Marvin Williams and Zaza for Gortac and Josh Childress. We save them $14 Million bucks.
Neki Ecko
April 20th, 2011
5:42 pm
Its looks like that will be the start of the end of Drew coaching career, seriously. This is the playoff, you ride the hot hand until they foul out, and dont sit them unless you really need too.
tanker
April 20th, 2011
5:54 pm
@JeJe – you are a SORRY SOB! It takes one to know one.
@ Neki Ecko – how do you know? Are you Miss Cleo? Are you looking in a crystal ball? Coach D is doing good considering the Hawks from last years playoff. So all you haters know where you can go…….
Rusty
April 20th, 2011
6:01 pm
Watch Boston & rondo get easy baskets for himself & his team mates with his penetration then watch the hawks stand around on the perimeter shooting jump shots. The crappy thing about this is that we have jt whom the idiot refuses to play that can give us that, kh & jc1 don’t give us that.
Rufus1
April 20th, 2011
6:02 pm
I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY!!!!! LORD HAVE MERCY ON THIS COACH AND DECISIONS.
steve
April 20th, 2011
6:06 pm
Why can’t he admit his mistake. If Horford picks up 2 quick fouls and goes to the bench again for the whole half I think I will break my TV
Grandad
April 20th, 2011
6:10 pm
Rufus1
Amen brother
Rusty
April 20th, 2011
6:14 pm
The coach is a simpleton.
michael m.
April 20th, 2011
6:36 pm
its a shame we cant fire drew tonight and activate adelman for the rest of the series. at least he wouldnt justify dumb decisions which just shows he will keep making the same mistakes. what a joke of a coach. hawks need mgmt / ownership/ coach like the falcons and braves. in lieu of such a dream, can drew sund and asg at least pretend they are competent. sheesh. thx mc for at least subtly calling drew out on the carpet. he needs to be forced to face the error of his ways.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 20th, 2011
6:37 pm
2011 Falcons Easy Button
Trade Matt Ryan for Michael Vick
Najeh Davenpoop
April 20th, 2011
6:39 pm
“The characterization of ASA as the Hawk’s best player is at best an opinion held by some who have either 1) not been watching the team or ) 2 have some sort of a ” fascination” with the guy.”
It’s an opinion that is strongly promoted by people who use advanced stats, which universally say Al is the Hawks’ best player. But there is more to the game than just stats, and Al’s eye-popping advanced stats don’t show his limitations in creating his own shot.
ag
April 20th, 2011
6:45 pm
GREAT UPDATE MC! You asked him some tough questions. Again, you know we want you to ask about Jeff, but I guess you are tired of him lying to you – and likewise I am to. Hilton is turrible so I don’t understand why Etan was not activated. If Woody-lite is not going to play Jeff, at least activate Etan.
ag
April 20th, 2011
6:47 pm
Vick coming to dome week II…