Atlanta Hawks: Camp Report Day 4
Media Day (David Tulis/AJC Special)
Notes and quotes gathered at Hawks media day while realizing I won’t see 70 percent of these people for the rest of the season. . . .
- I haven’t been in the locker room yet but Larry Drew said he’s put up a new sign that reads: “No excuses.” “I told them there are no more excuses at this point of our careers,” Drew said. “It’s time to take the next step.
- That’s a good point. Hawks players and coaches can wish they had more pieces–nearly every team in the league does–but if this is the team they are going to have, then this is who is going to have to get it done. It’s not as if they don’t have players or experience.
- “In order for us to become champs in this league we are all going to have to step our game up at some point,” Joe Johnson said. “We can’t blame it on ‘what we need.’ We can get it done with this group that we’ve got. We just have to believe it.”
- Drew said Tracy McGrady and Jerry Stackhouse can provide the kind of leadership the Hawks have lacked: “Both guys have been at this long enough, they are not afraid to step on toes. That is one of the most important ingredients for veteran leadership. Irregardless of being here a short time, they are not afraid to voice their opinion, step on toes and call guys out. We haven’t had that in the past.”
- Drew said J.J. needs to do more, too: “He knows the rest of the guys look up to him. He’s always been a leader by example, now we really need him to step up and really be more vocal. Don’t hold it in. We are a team that has been together for a while now and it’s time to turn the corner. To do that, we need him to step up and be more vocal.”
- The biggest drop-off in J.J.’s numbers last season came at the 3-point line. I asked him if his injured elbow contributed to that: “I’m a guy who never makes excuses. I had a down year last year and I’m look forward to bouncing back. I don’t blame my elbow or none of that. I am just going to play the game the way I know how and contribute the best way I can.”
- Tracy McGrady was pretty upfront about where he’s at in his career: “I had some injuries that set me back for two years but I was fortunate to bounce back from those. I’m not a 30-point scorer anymore but I can still play the game.”
- Josh Smith told AJC wise guy Jeff Schultz that he’s worked on his mid-range game but wouldn’t be taking as many 3-pointers: “You’re going to see less of that from me.”
- The stat geek inside of me immediately opened his smart mouth: “But better to take 3s when you have a 49.7 effective field-goal percentage, and make long 2s at a 39-percent clip.” Sometimes that stat geek is no fun.
- Vladimir Radmanovich put on his Hawks jersey for the first time. “Everybody knows I am a 3-point shooter and I am a guy that stretches the offense,” he said. “I am going to try to do that and help guys get more space down in the paint to operate.”
- I told him I noticed he had pretty good blocks and steals rates last season. He attributed it to dropping weight last season: “Not having so much weight gives me the opportunity to be quicker and lighter and I think that helped me last year in terms of steals and blocks. There are some advantages to it and some disadvantages to it. You have to pick your poison.
- Everyone wanted to know if the Jeff Teague we saw against the Bulls is the same one we are going to see this season. The consensus was the Teague is playing as if he intends to back that up.
- Drew: “Looks like he’s had a really good offseason. Judging by the first practices he’s really playing at a high level. His speed and quickness just makes us a totally different team. I expect him to take the bull by the horns. I don’t want him to have to wait on anybody. Let’s force the other guys to keep up with him. He’s the type of player that can impact the game with his speed and quickness.”
- Joe: “I see him picking up right where he left out. I told Jeff coming in to this year he has to be that leader on the court where guys really can trust him. I’ve seen the work he put in over the summer, working on his jump shot and penetrating and making plays for guys. We are going to need him to do it. He’s a great defender, a guy who loves to get in the passing lanes. When he turns that corner, the Atlanta Hawks are going to turn that corner as well.”
- J.J. has noticed what I’ve noticed: Teague is carrying himself differently now. “You can see how he communicates, his body language, knowing that he is going to have the rock in his hand making decisions.”
- There also were some questions about how the Hawks would replace Jamal Crawford’s scoring. “I’m going to step my game up,” J.J. said. “Josh is going to step his up, Al his going to step his up. I think [we do it] collectively as a team. It’s not just going to be one guy. I think we are going to have to do something to pick up the slack.”
- “We are going to have to depend on me and Marvin and Al and Teague to fill that void that Jamal left,” Josh said.
- Kirk Hinrich said he hasn’t been cleared to run yet so he’s trying to stay in shape by getting on the bike and elliptical machine. “It’s just frustrating not to be able to play,” he said.
- The Clippers claimed Chauncey Billups.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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289 comments Add your comment
ArtMan
December 13th, 2011
7:23 pm
Is it safe to assume Big Dog and Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut is the same troll? I almost miss his man-love for Thabeet. He was supposed to be the savior center for the Hawks.
Big Dog
December 13th, 2011
7:29 pm
Grandad – Im just republishing what the other bloggers are saying that I agree with. Sorry if that bothers you.
Big Dog
December 13th, 2011
7:35 pm
Grandad, or ArtMan, Im not Joe Jeff smith Leuer Bogut. Is that what you do to people who have a different view? Lump them all into 1 so you can say only 1 person disagrees with your foolishness?
OK, whatever? Al still sucks.
Slimjr
December 13th, 2011
7:53 pm
Teague will be an Allstar this year or next . He is that good.. Once he gets that mid jumper down pact!
And his super quick hands and feet the pt. of attack fits…Kind of like what the GREAT MOOKIE BLAYLOCKE used to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Teague= FLASH T
Glad to hear Marvin is Standing straight up almost touching 6′9.5′(shoes)!
He will hit the knock down shot this year and “posterize” some folk!
Hope Sy gotta jumpshot too?
Big Al, rebound the darn ball… 12 rebounds a night should be your goal. Top 5 in rebounding will put theis team in the ECF for the very first time!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1st 22 games= 18-4! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
December 13th, 2011
7:55 pm
^^will give
A concerned fan..
December 13th, 2011
8:08 pm
16-6 through the first 22. Unlike some teams, Hawks’ players kept themselves in-shape and weren’t to far from B-ball.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
AOL/Time Warner > Spirit Group
First the sell the Thrashers to some fools that moved them out of town, then they put together a half a**ed and expect people to come out and support them. That’s just like me having Precious as a wife and expecting me to be faithful to her. The product is ugly so I ain’t supporting crap.
FIRE EVERYBODY IN THE HAWKS FRONT OFFICE (except Nique)
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
Lol at “man-love” for Thabeet.
Motiejunas sets defensive rebounding record
Donatas Motiejunas – Asseco ProkomDonatas Motiejunas etched his name in the Euroleague record book on Wednesday by hauling in 18 defensive rebounds in Asseco Prokom Gdynia’s 67-52 victory over Union Olimpija Ljubljana.
@ Undisputed Champs
Horford should garner Bogut (low potential because of arm) and Leuer with his 35mpg and jumpshooting and IQ he can provide much leadership to a rebuilding team like Milwaukee.
The key however is a perimeter player who can help shooting AND our defense.
Imagine Jamal Crawford who can defend box out PFs and rebound and trail as a PF. We need that size and offensive skill to make the offense of inside players work.
Hawks upgrade Perimeter size and let Smith play inside
Leuer > Vlad > Marvin > Jamal
“He’s a four that can really stretch the defense,” Drew said. “I did a lot of homework on him. With Joe’s ability to force double teams, having that four that can go out there and stretch it, it gives you an added weapon. Tracy is a really good passer and you put him with the ball in position where he can operate, teams have to collapse their defenses on him [too]. With [STRETCH 4], he’s a guy that lives at the 3-point line.”
Notice he doesnt say Smith Dalembert or Thabeet or Horford lives at the 3 point line. Horford makes no 3 point plays, Smith can drive for crucial high-profile 3 point plays hoop and harm but not if you play (Smith, Horford, and another center). No perimeter plaer there forces coach to play Smith outside.
Smith + Vlad + Horford is treading water. We know the formula is Smith inside + PF shooter + defensive center. Smith dropping 30 lbs, stop treading water. Defensive anchor is there. Get Bogut Lets be leaders in the East.
Melvin
December 13th, 2011
8:31 pm
I would have preferred that the Hawks signed TMac to a 2yr contract with a team option for the 2nd yr. If he plays well this season then the Hawks would have to bid on his services next season along with other teams and we already know the Hawks are financially challenge….
Grandmaster JeJe
December 13th, 2011
8:45 pm
THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS
FOR ALL YOU HATERS WHO THINK I’M AN IDIOT, THIS IS TRANSLATED TO: “WHY DO WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME CORE OF PLAYERS EVERY SINGLE YEAR? WHY DO THE PLAYERS SAY THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS? WHY IS JOE ALWAYS CONTENT WITH OUR ROSTER?”
GOD BLESS.
Big Ray
December 13th, 2011
8:48 pm
Thabeet….somebody give him a loincloth and a spear so he can go join Manute Bol where he belongs….’cause it sure ain’t on a basketball court…
Big Ray
December 13th, 2011
8:49 pm
Melvin…..one year contracts….remember, these guys are still trying to sell the team, no matter what they told us. They’ll keep on trying…
O'Brien
December 13th, 2011
8:52 pm
AJ,
There is a disturbing pattern with Josh in the playoffs too (from behind the arc).
In the ’07-’08 playoffs, Josh went 3-18, .17%.
In the ’08-’09 playoffs, Josh went 2-15, 13%
In the ’09-’10 playoffs, Josh went 2-6, 33%.
In the ’10-’11 playoffs, Josh went 3-24, for 13%.
So for his playoff career, Josh is 10-63 from 3, 16%. Why he insists on shooting them in the playoffs, I dont know.
UGA Hawks
December 13th, 2011
8:55 pm
MC
Do u hear any rumor that hawks are reaching to NO or Orlando for paul or howard trades?
Undisputed Champ!
December 13th, 2011
8:56 pm
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
I’m tracking you, I see the logic and the cohesion. The in/out game is not as effective as the triangle in my opinion. Josh dropping 25 lbs while welcome, will also take away from his muscle ability down low, I look for more finesse and intensity out of Smith who will certainly play well with T mac.
I’m not so optimistic about Big 6′10″ Al. I don’t see his attitude for the post and he doesn’t have the tools to be an impact offensively, hes too mechanical and predictable. He did nothing in the off season to change my view.
This “core” peaked under Woody who use the young guys running theme to get about as far as you can get, but has no where to go in an half court defensive struggle of the advance rounds of the playoffs. It shored up the hawks need for a center. More than any thing the hawks realized they would not get any further with out a legit 5. In fact every body realized that the year before Woody’s 53 win season.
Drew is not the brightest bulb in the room. Wed lose even if we had all the right pieces because Drew just does not have what it take to advance in the play offs. Hes not an X/O type and has a hard time making adjustments plus he doesn’t know how to get the most out of his players. If he keeps bowing down Al instead of getting in his face we will be out in the first round.
Its time to break up this “core”
Build around Josh and JJ use the others to build a strong front court to compete in the late rounds and add the role pieces. With JJ and Josh you will be in the playoffs, for sure. How far you get is up to the coach and the front line.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 13th, 2011
9:05 pm
IT IS PATHETIC WE ARE NOT EVEN TRYING TO USE THE TRADE EXCEPTION
FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, WE HAVE A TRADE EXCEPTION FROM THE CHILDRESS TRADE. WE CAN USE IT AND NOT GO INTO THE LUXURY TAX
OUR OWNERS DON’T REALIZE THAT BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING
AMNESTY ASG
Undisputed Champ!
December 13th, 2011
9:10 pm
JeJe they know, but just dont care.
STRETCH
December 13th, 2011
9:14 pm
Jamal Crawford: wanna send s/o to all my true Atl fans, u guys really supported me and made me feel like family over the last 2 yrs…thank u!!!!!!!!!!
Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/atlanta_hawks#ixzz1gTGX8s3N
STRETCH
December 13th, 2011
9:16 pm
I think JC is saying goodbye. He is probably headed to Portland or Chicago.
STRETCH
December 13th, 2011
9:17 pm
Marc J. Spears: Hawks free agent guard Jamal Crawford will likely decide on either Portland, Sacramento or New York on Wednesday, source tells Y! Sports. Twitter
Big Dog
December 13th, 2011
9:18 pm
“Another option now available to the Suns would be trading Nash to the Atlanta Hawks for Al Horford (the deal would have to wait until after Jan. 15). Any team could use an All-Star big man like Horford. And how about Nash joining the perpetually point guard-deficient Hawks to throw alley-oops to Josh Smith? (And, um Smith swatting away any opponents who get past Nash and into the paint?) Or Nash driving and kicking to Joe Johnson the way he used to in Phoenix? It could happen, with only Nash and Horford having to change jerseys. It wouldn’t be so easy under the old rules. Because Horford’s salary jumped more than 20 percent (to $12 million) this season and he would have been considered a base-year compensation player and his value for trade purposes would have been only 50 percent of his salary, or $6 million, not nearly enough to compensate for Nash. Now that rule has been wiped out, so this deal could be done.”
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/trades-111129/let-wheeling-dealing-begin
Diezel
December 13th, 2011
9:27 pm
Who will start the small foward postion for the Hawks? Any guess or clue?
Neki
December 13th, 2011
9:29 pm
Probably Marvin but not too sure of it.
Diezel
December 13th, 2011
9:33 pm
You dont believe they will go with the more experience player in tracy Mcgrady. And if not, why? If yes, still why? lol!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 13th, 2011
9:36 pm
Nashs window is what? 1 and 1/2 years.
^no go for Defense and shooting.
Diezel
December 13th, 2011
9:43 pm
Wats the news on Jerry Stackhouse?
TROTTINGHOME
December 13th, 2011
9:46 pm
What happened to day 5
Big Dog
December 13th, 2011
10:00 pm
Id agree the nash review. but get this. We can not trade Horford straight up for a center. He will have to be packaged or traded for a player who will then be added to another hawks player and traded. I still believe we can make the Howard Josh teammate dream come true.
Ryan
December 13th, 2011
10:19 pm
Anyone see the deal the Mavs just made? Fernadez and Brewer for a 2nd round pick….smh
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 13th, 2011
10:25 pm
Tell ‘Em!
A Real GM NEVER trades a BIG for a small. SMH
Grandmaster JeJe
December 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
NO CHANGES TO OUR CORE WTF
FIRE SUND
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
You BIG Dummie!
Let’s see trade a 25 year old for a 38 year old with spondylolisthesis …. Ugggh hella No! (see AL for Nash)
____________
Where do these dumb azz trolls come from? Return to Sender! We don’t want none.
ryan
December 13th, 2011
10:37 pm
All i can say is suck it ASG i am done with this ownership so all they did was let Crawford go for nothing what a pathetic waste time .
Wow
December 13th, 2011
10:38 pm
Drmaryb, I think he was posting that except from the ESPN article. Are you always that emotional about ESPN articles??
Blackula
December 13th, 2011
10:52 pm
I tired of the do nothings of life.
Fire congress
Fire Rick Sund
Fire Dmaryb
To hell with all of them!
northcyde
December 13th, 2011
10:58 pm
I hope Day 5 wasn’t a disaster. Either that, or MC just said ((( bleep it ))), I’ll post Day 5 tomorrow morning.
Ryan
December 13th, 2011
11:03 pm
MC wouldnt do that to us….would he!?!?!?! lol
Rev in Tampa
December 13th, 2011
11:07 pm
northcyde, I was just checking in myself and wondering if mc was going to give us a report or wait until tomorrow. BTW, I agree with your views toward Al. We need an athletic center rather than a mediocre power forward.
Michael Cunningham
December 13th, 2011
11:36 pm
new blog is posted. shutting this thread down.