Atlanta Hawks: Camp Report Day 5
The Hawks want to run more often than they did last season. It makes sense when you look at their personnel.
“They call can get up and down the floor, which gives us I think a tremendous advantage in transition if we commit to the run, which I am really trying to get these guys to do,” Larry Drew said. “Jeff [Teague] can really exchange ends. Joe [Johnson] can run. Marvin [Williams] can run. Josh Smith is a deer and Al [Horford] is probably as fast as any five man in the league.
“Running, to me, it has to be habit-forming. It can’t be just a sometimes thing. When you develop that habit it becomes a part of who you are.”
We’ve heard this before. Before last season the Hawks said they would run more often. And then, according to Synergy Sports Technology, they ended up ranking 11th among Eastern Conference teams in the percentage of their total possessions used (shot, free throw or turnover) in transition and tied for sixth in points per possession in transition (1.14).
Turnovers were the biggest reason the Hawks weren’t a more efficient running team: 13 percent of their transition possessions ended with a turnover, worst in the East. Josh Smith was the leading offender with 20.6 percent of his transition possessions used ended with a turnover. Al Horford wasn’t far behind at 18.2 percent but he only used 77 transition possessions while Josh used a team-high 223.
I looked at the video of Josh’s 44 turnovers in transition. It confirmed my subjective view that the vast majority of his turnovers in transition are by way of bad passes: 32 of the 44 by my count, with eight coming on the dribble (though I thought two of those should have been credited to others for bad passes to Josh) and four on charging fouls.
Josh is a pretty good ball-handler in the open court but he often tried to make what Larry Drew called “hero” passes that got swallowed up in traffic, sailed out of bounds or clanged off the backboard. (Frequently heard from Dominique Wilkins during those clips: “There’s where Josh needs to give the ball to a guard. I can’t say it enough.” And oft-repeated by Bob Rathbun: “Josh with the rebound. . . throws it away.”)
Josh would be better off finishing the play himself. He shot 69.8 percent in transition, induced fouls on 14.3 of possessions used and had 15 and-1s–all team highs–and his 69.8 field-goal percentage was second to Al (76.8).
Al, by the way, also led the Hawks with 1.3 points per possession used in transition, suggesting that he should be involved in the fast break more often. So should Marvin Williams, who was second on the team in the percentage of fouls drawn on transition possessions used (13.8 percent) with a low turnover percentage (5.2)
This is where Teague comes in.
“It’s perfect for me,” Teague said of the plan to run more. “That’s the big thing I tried to come in and preach to the guys when I got here is I want to start pushing the ball. We are still young. We are a young team we’ve got to use that to our advantage and use it.”
I’m thinking Al and Marvin should benefit from Teague making more of the decisions on the break. I’m thinking Josh will give it up to Teague because he knows Teague will run with him. It’s not hard to imagine that combination regularly ending with lob dunks, especially since Josh is lighter and faster.
“He looks a lot more explosive, too,” Teague said. “I see him dunking the ball every time now.”
Teague looked to run more than any other Hawks player Last season he had the highest percentage of possessions used in transition among Hawks regulars (23). He turned it over on 9.6 percent of those transition possessions used, drew fouls on 11.4 percent and scored 1.13 points per possession.
Just 10.8 percent of Mike Bibby’s possessions used were in transition, though he was efficient (1.29 points per possession) in large part because he made 16 of 33 3-point attempts on the break, and 13 percent of Jamal’s possessions used were in transition with a good foul percentage (10.7).
To run, the Hawks will have to rebound. Look at how each player’s s defensive rebounding rate ranks among NBA players at their position with more than 15 minutes per game, and it’s not hard to see who needs to pick it up (all rankings according to Hoopdata.com): Al (13th among centers), Josh (15th PFs), Teague (tied for 13th PGs but played less than 15 minutes per game) Joe (25th SGs), Marvin (23rd SFs)
The 6-7 shooting guard with the chiseled body and the 6-9, athletic small forward should not be average or slightly better at defensive rebounding for their position.
“I’m going to challenge both of those guys this year to be better rebounders than they have been in the past,” Drew said. “There is no reason those guys can’t become better rebounders. They have the size. They have the bodies. Rebounding is a dirty job. We are going to challenge them. When we can get the two or the three on glass, they can initiate a fast break effectively. They’ve got to pull more weight in that area. We’ve got to get more rebounding from those spots.”
So, to summarize how the Hawks might improve their transition offense: Run more often, let Teague makes the decisions, send Josh to the rim, get Marvin and Al more involved, and prod J.J. and Marvin to rebound more so there will be more opportunities to run.
Camp report
- Got to see more scrimmage action today. The thing that stood out was Pape Sy’s defensive aggressiveness. He made hay chasing around J.J. and didn’t back down.
- Is there a chance Pape can help the Hawks this year? “There’s a chance,” Drew said. “He really looks good thus far. It looks like playing in the D-League and playing over in Europe helped him because he’s playing at a different level from a confidence standpoint. When he came in for the first camp he might have been a little overwhelmed. But now he looks more comfortable and doesn’t have that deer in the headlight look in his eye.”
- Physically, Sy has the potential to be a good defender. “He’s got the quickness, the size, the length to be a pretty good defensive player, particularly at the top of the floor,” Drew said. “Playng against Jeff every day really helps him out a lot. He has to adjust how to defend guys with the kind of speed. You are not going to go against a guy with that speed every day so if you can keep [Teague] in front of you, then you have a pretty good chance with everyone else.”
- Drew said he still views Sy as a point guard. Teague, Sy, Donald Sloan, Brad Wanamaker and Tracy McGrady are taking turns. “We have to look at this thing realitsicaly,” Drew said. “God forbid that Jeff is out, then we are scrambling at the point guard spot. We have to make sure that we look at each guy individually and very seriously. Hopefully one of those guys will break away from the pack.”
- Kirk Hinrich shot baskets after practice. He said he asked his doctor for clearance on Monday. Hinrich still can’t move his left arm from side to side and can’t lift it very far above his head.
- It looks like the market for Jamal Crawford softened once Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Richard Hamilton and Gilbert Arenas became available. Mike Wells of the Indy Star reported Crawford turned down a two-year, $10 million offer (with opt 2012-13 opt out) from the Pacers and SI.com’s Chris Mannix says Crawford is considering similar offers from the Kings and Blazers and less money from the Knicks.
- Check my Twitter feed for comments from Chris Webber, Steve Smith and Kenny Smith about why they think none of the superstar players include the Hawks on their lists of preferred destinations. I’m writing a story on the topic for Sunday’s AJC.
- To those who asked in last blog: Posted late because I had to break down these transition stats. I also heard Hawks were trying to somehow get back in the Jamal sweepstakes and had to check it out (they’re not). But glad to hear you missed me.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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354 comments Add your comment
vava74
December 14th, 2011
2:48 am
KevinM:
“We’re gonna miss his 4th quarter heroics! Fingers crossed for T-Mac to have some Mac-magic left in him.”
Look into http://www.82games.com//1011/CSORT11.HTM
And rephrase your post.
Jamal made his impact, 7/10 times in the second quarter and then, in the 4th, he usually fizzled bad.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 14th, 2011
3:14 am
“To run, the Hawks will have to rebound.”
Getting defensive rebounds was a problem against Chicago. Now we are bringing back the same team we had last year. I wonder will we have the same problem?
FIRE SUND
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
4:14 am
Propaganda!
“Drmaryb, I think he was posting that except from the ESPN article. Are you always that emotional about ESPN articles??” – the idiot Lil-Dog-
________________
I stopped watching ESPN 10 years ago. Again, Al for Nash is dumb size wise. AL is our starting center, like it or love it. How many decent centers do you see lying around?
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
4:45 am
SSDS
Grandmaster JeJe
December 14th, 2011
4:46 am
Seriously.
SSDS
vava74
December 14th, 2011
5:21 am
Rod,
It’s obvious that Jamal had a great series against ORL but if you remove Hinrich from that line up and replace him for Bibby, we would lose 4-0 and Jamal would not have played at that level.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
6:48 am
MC,
I’m thinking Josh will give it up to Teague because he knows Teague will run with him..
Hmmm…Last season, some of us said one big reason why Josh kept it on the break is because Bibby was so slow. It sounds like you are agreeing.
O'Brien
December 14th, 2011
6:58 am
Drew said he still views Sy as a point guard. Teague, Sy, Donald Sloan, Brad Wanamaker and Tracy McGrady are taking turns..
I think the Hawks still need to get a vet PG. Can’t they get one on a non-guaranteed contract? Given the way Teague plays fast, I wont be surprised to see him get banged up. And then what?
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
7:40 am
Fan Club!
“Sorry; Ive been beating this corpse since I’ve been a blog member, though I shall continue as long as the ASG disregards our franchise in terms of building toward a championship.” -Grand-Daddy-
______________
Grand-Daddy good morning dear. Persistence is omnipotent – so, you keep beating that corpse until all the RED is gone, kill it dead! You sir, are on the right path!
Disregarding the franchise in terms of building a championship? Again, you are right here too.
The only thing ASKG are interested in building right now is a restaurant named: RED and certainly not a championship. We need a rebounder bad, and I don’t care if he is 2 feet tall. Like Barkley says, “You can not win without the ball.”
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
7:42 am
“Getting defensive rebounds was a problem against Chicago. Now we are bringing back the same team we had last year. I wonder will we have the same problem?” – Clyde
Zaza had 8 defensive rebounds and 13 rebounds total in 23 minutes in the deciding game 6, but it didn’t make a difference because the Hawks could never dig themselves out of the hole that was created by starting Jason Collins against CHI’s young, mobile, athletic front line. Collins was the difference in the ORL series but he simply can’t guard a player like Boozer, who can shoot out to 17′, or a player like Noah, who was given the ball at the three point line, probably for the first time all season, and allowed to drive around Collins for a layup.
When Zaza entered the game with 3:25 to play in the first quarter, the Hawks were down 19-11. As I’ve extensively documented elsewhere, most of that deficit can be attributed to CHI’s predictable (I predicted it before Game 5) strategy of going straight at Collins. The Hawks did commit two turnovers and Horford had a 3-second violation that led to two CHI baskets, but play after play they were attacking Collins. As soon as Horford switched to Boozer on defense, they gave the ball to Noah at the three point line and he went right around Collins. Boozer made three long jumpers in that stretch with Collins defending and Noah made the layup with Collins defending.
In each game of the series, the team that won the first quarter won the game. By starting Collins and expecting him to guard Boozer 16′ from the basket, Las Vegas Larry handed the series to CHI.
JSS
December 14th, 2011
7:43 am
They must be banking on sliding Kirk back over to the point in all events… Does that make me happy? Nope, but I see the reasoning…
Section 303
December 14th, 2011
7:46 am
No surprise that Josh struggled so much on the break last year. Just watching the games, without looking at numbers, he was atrocious handling the ball and making decisions. He has to get better. He has to go back to being the 2009-2010 Josh Smith. The one who did not force passes and take bad shots.
My only concern with pushing the running game is the schedule. The games are so sandwiched together that running 100% of the time will take its toll. Larry Drew has to use all the guys. If Sy looks like a capable defender, give him time then! We always here about player X or player Y doing well and then those players hardly ever see the floor. There has to be a deep bench this year. Simply has to! Can’t go through this season playing only 7 or 8 guys.
Ra'mon
December 14th, 2011
8:04 am
Section, you say Josh was terrible. But even when you subtract the transitions that ended in turnovers (20%), Josh still lead the next person by over 100 successful transition possessions. So if 80% of the time whatever Josh was trying to do worked, I would take that every single time. Do you realize, that means Josh still had 179 SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS? That means because of Josh’s aggressiveness, the Hawks had 179 successful transitions that ended in quick points, which also helps in momentum.
Trojan
December 14th, 2011
8:07 am
We need one true PG on the bench.
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:08 am
Unbelievable a Leopard generally have yellow fur with dark rosettes and spotts that never changes lol!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:10 am
LD has the to be the worst coach i have seen, the same old same old WOW!!!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:14 am
Marvin starting again again again again again again again.
Horford starting center again again again again again.
FIRE LD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
December 14th, 2011
8:22 am
yup to najeh at 11:53, regarding his reaction to steve smith. as i responded to northcyde among others that ask “wtf atl fans, just go”. there is NO TRUST that these owners will do the right thing when it is necessary to make the team better, even if it costs a bit more. sadly the players come to that conclusion as well as the season wears on and their bodies and psyche wear down, too.
everyone remember how folks said bibby would help these guys run when he got here? the brakes just got applied that much harder it seems? hard for josh to run a break and give up the ball if he had to pass backwards. al was a little offensive at times, too.
i wonder now that we hear jj needs to rebound the ball a little better along with marvin, his coach is going to say maybe he needs to be a little more aggressive and get to the line more often. it is fun to hear the coach sound like a blogger occasionally, but we dont know what we are talking about, rigt?
STRETCH
December 14th, 2011
8:25 am
Hey, if i were a Superstar, i would NOT want to come to Atlanta either. Its such a shame. We see how involved the NBA is in the CP3 fiascal.
Im sick of ASG! Maybe i have missed something cause ive been overseas for so long, but why doesnt the NBA step in like the FEDS do in those cop movies and take control over the local Mayberry/ASG??
doc
December 14th, 2011
8:27 am
yeah ob, pass it backwards to make it go forward faster was the motto with bibby. shoot biiby used the fast break to catch a breather. he looked like shaq used to do and watch fast breaks. way too often, bibby was the last one back on offense, not the first.
wordsmithtom
December 14th, 2011
8:28 am
Darrell Starks, you can’t blame LD for club’s failure to trade Horford for what you see as a true center. You can’t blame LD for starting Marvin until TMac proves he’s the “old TMac”. LD does have the benefit of seeing these guys in practice, and thus far, they’re the best we have. Give it a rest.
These are the guys management gave him…he’ll have no choice but to play them.
darrell starks
December 14th, 2011
8:29 am
Undersize line up, this will happen all year so be prepared.
http://youtu.be/NWqaNnmKpfE
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
STRETCH
December 14th, 2011
8:34 am
Larry Drew is nothing but talk.
This season will be just like last years. They dont respect Drew, therefore they wont listen to him. Folks, we are talking about a league full of arrogant millionaires who think that as along as they do what got them in the league, they dont need advice.
Drew is not the type of coach this team needs, but ASG and Sund operatinbg on the cheap brought him in. Look for another 4th or 5th seed.
There are just too many “what ifs” and “whys” about this team right now which the popular opinion is nobody wants to play here.
Just plain bad management.
PG – They will find a way to shove him in the closet and lock the door.
SG – Robin, not a Batman
SF – Where????
PF – His nickname should be “Big Baby”
C – Too small, what 99.9 percent of us know
Hawks Fan
December 14th, 2011
8:35 am
Oh man, if the Hawks can learn to rebound on the defensive end, it’s over.
Truth
December 14th, 2011
8:37 am
“To run, the Hawks will have to rebound. Look at how each player’s s defensive rebounding rate ranks among NBA players at their position with more than 15 minutes per game, and it’s not hard to see who needs to pick it up (all rankings according to Hoopdata.com): Al (13th among centers), Josh (15th PFs), Teague (tied for 13th PGs but played less than 15 minutes per game) Joe (25th SGs), Marvin (23rd SFs)”
It’s about time someone called out these 2 guys for rebounding. Joe is a terrible rebounder for someone who is probably the strongest SG in the league.
vava74
December 14th, 2011
8:42 am
Buddy Grizzard,
LD made atrocious decisions against CHI. The most striking miss management of a game was Game 2, in CHI, we were neck a neck – not playing well – but with some psychological advantage and with the home crowd BOOOING their team.
And what does Larry do? Takes Teague off at the 6.40 mark (tied game) and replaces him with Jamal.
At the end of the first quarter, we are down by 6.
When Teague re-enters the game, at the 3.00 mark of the SECOND QUARTER, we are still down by 6 to.
After Teague re-enters, we still make a push and get within 2, but then we get derailed completely and end the half 11 points down and with Jamal posting a ± of MINUS 11 (in spite of him scoring 8 points on 2/7 from the field).
Rose scored 12 points on the first quarter, with most of them coming AFTER Jamal got in.
http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20110504&game=ATLCHI
Geemack
December 14th, 2011
8:43 am
STRETCH
The NBA involvement in the CP3 fiasco is a travesty.
David Stern is blinded by delivering a message, not doing what’s best for the Hornets.
The last guy that was motivated by proving a point drafted Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul. We don’t need that again.
Derrick Jones
December 14th, 2011
8:56 am
MC….
How is Jeff Teague looking? Has he put on any muscle? Last I read he was 180….
MsDee
December 14th, 2011
9:10 am
MC,
How has T-Mac been looking thus far? Like a new and improved Tracy or a “play-it-safe” kindda proformance?
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:11 am
The notion that Bibby had anything to do with it is silly. The old school Boston Celtics were masters of the fastbreak with slow-footed players like DJ, Ainge and Bird (among others) leading the way. It is mostly about smart passes as opposed to speed. And anyone that thinks Bibby didn’t have good court vision is plain hating. Fast break ball is about grabbing the rebound (a problem area for the Hawks) and making smart passes (a problem area for the Hawks). LD seems to be back at it, saying one thing while you get the sense that he will allow something different to happen.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:16 am
vava, consider it rephrased….I must be remembering the ORL series last year when he came up big at the end. He did have his clunkers though. The odds of being able to close out in the 4th aren’t good anyway. I saw a stat somewhere where LeBron struggled in those situations. I know you can wrap some JC1 highlights in a tight neat package, but I think he brings more than Marvin does, and therein lies the first problem with this team.
I just think if we get little scoring from the bench we will be exposed greatly and I know we are depending on Marvin to fill a gap there. I just don’t want to do that….I don’t care how tall he is now. He still has that fadeaway jumper and he doesn’t visit the paint often.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:20 am
“God forbid that Jeff is out, then we are scrambling at the point guard spot. We have to make sure that we look at each guy individually and very seriously. Hopefully one of those guys will break away from the pack.”
OB, our head coach with the confidence he has in our roster. You think he and Sund are in agreement here or Sund is saying, well, you wanted Sy, now use him?
And yes, Ray, don’t believe any spew coming out of the ASG. This team’s play will determine if they totally alienate the entire city of Atlanta, because there are some who still believe in this model. I think we have seen the best of this model despite Jeff being inserted.
Frankly, Sund is out of easy options. He is going to ride these horses as far as he can while he takes his siestas or whatever he does when college basketball is being played.
KevinM
December 14th, 2011
9:21 am
Heading to the open practice this Friday….anyone else going to be there?
I would hope we could see a serious few minutes of scrimmage and improve my outlook on this team.
Ken Strickland
December 14th, 2011
9:29 am
When you have a team that’s built to run, and the players want to run, but your HC(s)insists on starting a PG who can’t run, then it’s up to your SG, PF, SF or C to run the fastbreak, if that’s what they want. They all knew than if the ball went to Bibby, they might as well conservate their energy, because a team could setup its DEF and deal a hand of poker by the time Bibby crossed half court.
Like I said earlier, Teague’s presence as our starting PG will add so many dimensions to both our OFF and DEF.
Astro Joe
December 14th, 2011
9:37 am
I’m sure that Hinrich must run the fast break incorrectly too (along with Bibby). Because what I saw Hinrich do last year was get the ball from the rebounder, look up court and throw a line-drive pass to the streaking wing while NOT crossing the half-court line. The pass is ALWAYS faster than dribbling, so he quickly advanced the ball without worrying about who got the assist or making the picture perfect pass inches from the rim. Fast break is all about taking advantage of fewer defenders in transition against more offensive players attacking the basket. It isn’t about the PG running to the free throw line and passing the ball, there are multiple ways to effectively take advantage of transition opportunities, including never dribbling the ball during the break (as teams in the 80s were adept at completing).
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
9:43 am
And
And, one more thing, unless Nash can guard NBA centers? You don’t trade AL for him. I mean really? Does this even need to be a conversation.
Jeff VAn Gundy said it best after the Hawks were run out of town with 108 aggregate points by the magic, “The Hawks are just too small inside to compete for a title.”
What has changed since then? Give credit to Coach Drew! He did design a Dwight stopper by utilizing Twin very effectively. But, we need more (see Chicago).
I guess with Twin ripped up this year, he’ll have more power and strength to match his brain power. Jason is noe very very intelligent young man.
cdog
December 14th, 2011
9:44 am
thats right rick sund, sit on your butt, let dwight howard get away to the another team, then you will be praising that team for being tough. you’re stealing money from the hawks because you definitely don’t earn it. you do nothing but they still keep you.what a shame
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
9:56 am
Irony?
“You can’t blame LD for starting Marvin until TMac proves he’s the “old TMac”. ” -wordsmithtom-
____________
Hello there tom, great to hear your comments today. Now would that be the “old T-Mac” or the “ole” T-Mac? I think we got the first phrase down pat. LOL
____________
“Oh man, if the Hawks can learn to rebound on the defensive end, it’s over.” -Hawks Fan-
___________
Say what we will about Mr. Woodson. But he had the Hawks amongst the league leaders in rebounding, (ranked #4 I believe?). Woodson sent the whole team to the defensive glass when he was here, conversely, Drew has the whole team running back for transition defense.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:02 am
IMO i don’t think Sund or Larry Drew or even the players the reason we can make big moves to improve its ASG they don’t want to spend money because there cheap for example they could have Avery Johnson they decided to the cheap route as long as this group owns the team nothing will change period we need a new owner like the Nets have .
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 14th, 2011
10:02 am
Star Power!
“the pass is ALWAYS faster than dribbling,” -Astro Joe-
_______________
Rodman comes to mind here. You can always count on Astro Joe for a great sound bite. Astro has star power.
ryan
December 14th, 2011
10:04 am
Meant to say can’t make big moves because of ASG .
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:07 am
Teague= THE BLUR
Run baby Run, like the wind!!!!!……………..Hawks will wrestle for the #1 seed…Got this feeling…..I hear music…………………lol
kwooden
December 14th, 2011
10:08 am
I refuse to believe that Sund can’t find a serviceable back-up PG or combo guard right now. There are so many guys out there in Europe, D-League or just waiting for calls. I assume that they see something in Sloan and Wanamaker that makes them really want to take a look at those guys. If those guys are confident in their games, I’m sure they can play for 8-10 minutes and do just fine. I just don’t want to hear any excuses if Jeff gets hurt, that we couldn’t find any serviceable backups Serviceable rebounders, yes I understand, but Guards no chance!
GO HAWKS!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:08 am
The three man weave still works! lol
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:09 am
18-4 in their 1st 22 games! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
December 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Somebody teach Josh the “three man weave” please for the LOVE OF BASKETBALL!
ICECOLD
December 14th, 2011
10:15 am
Lets Just see what happens, Jeff Teague changes the Hawks from a set team with a bunch of athletic young guys to a running team with a bunch of athletic prime ( because of age ) athletes.. AND PEOPLE FORGET THAT MARVIN WILLIAMS IS 6′9 AND MIGHT BE 6′10 NOW !!!
If his posture is adjusted and he knows it, his confidence is built up.. he should be shooting better too, because he went from tuckin his feet up under him, to shooting and hittin more threes and keepin his feet down. and if he is going to run and gun cool, start him..
he looks bad, start t mac early or ( 6 10 dead shooter name here ) .. but every starting 5, somebody has to sacrifice points.
But we got Collins, only for trully big teams knicks, lakers, orlando ( ?) its not that many .. we don’t need a starting center.. we got vets that can run in t mac , and whats his name ( shooter, his name is hard to spell ) pop sye (how ever u spell his name. they got him for a reason,
looks like this team has been building, training, creating ( Marvin Williams back surgery , teagues perfect stage opportunity and taking of the starting job but sitting back and learning before doing so, joe johnson contract and then surgery and Josh Smith getting faster quicker lighter, and Al Horford is always working on his game ‘.
If you look at it optomisticly then this team still have its upside while the rest of the league go crazy trying to get three superstars , and most of those superstars have never won a ring either, so the only team who is good enough to win was dallas, and now they lost tyson chandler. so i dought that they be as good as they was…
THE Hawks this year kept their core , and made their bench even stronger, and stayed under the luxury tax. Thats pretty good when a bunch of teams are going to struggle to make a solid bench,
( Jerry Stackhouse would be a good edition too.)
In all, I just cant wait for the season to start so I can say I told you so. We should have so many match up problems with any starting 5 because we would have a team who runs and guns and play as a team. People trying to do what Miami did and they didnt even win a ring.
Teague is a huge difference maker, especiailly if he can knock down the open jump consistently.
GO HAWKS!!!
vava74
December 14th, 2011
10:15 am
AJ,
The issue about Smoove is that he does not respect guys who are not athletic, so he would not give the rock to Bibby because Bibby could not play the fast break the way Smoove perceives it as good.
Basically, Bibby on the fast break was something that hurt his eyes to look at (frankly, it hurt mine too most of the time).
Younger bucks like Smoove – who live for the highlight reel – will, conversely, easily pass the rock to a guy like Teague who can start and finish a break with a thunder.
It’s a matter of misguided respect.
Bibby was a good transition player, but unfortunately, perception beats substance 9/10 times nowadays.
With this, I don’t mean that we are not better off with Teague, heck, Bibby had ZERO chance to do HALF of what Teague did against Rose (and Rose’s ankle is no excuse, he was playing at least at 95%).
Buddy Grizzard
December 14th, 2011
10:19 am
Vava… he played Pachulia 8 min in that game? Crawford 11 points in 34 minutes, -9 +/-
JRL
December 14th, 2011
10:21 am
The 2 year deal at 10 million I’m sure is far below what Jamal was expecting to be offered when he became a free agent. What would he have to except from the Spirit Group in order to stay in a Hawks uniform? What is the maximum number the Hawks can reach in terms of the salary cap in 2012 without having to pay the luxury tax? I still cant believe the Hawks are not even considering using the amnesty clause on Marvin Williams.