It appears the Hawks are in no hurry to add another veteran guard. And if Kirk Hinrich continues his quick recovery from shoulder surgery, Larry Drew said there’s a chance they may try to get by with that they have until he returns to the lineup.
“It sounds like he is healing pretty good,” Drew said today. “From my understanding, he is ahead of schedule, and that is a good thing. He wants to hurry up and get back but we have got to let this thing take its course. It’s something you can’t rush. Those type injuries they could really set you back.”
Hinrich had the procedure in early November and the Hawks said he would be out 3-4 months. He’s been shooting baskets but still doesn’t have full range of motion and hasn’t been cleared to run.
Drew said the Hawks inquired about free agent point guard Carlos Arroyo but were told he’s playing elsewhere. He said there have been internal discussions about Gilbert Arenas and other free agents but “right now we are not making decisions on any of those guys.”
So it’s possible the Hawks could start the season without adding another vet guard and patch it together while Hinrich mends.
“We’ve talked about that as a [coaching] staff and management,” Drew said. “But timetable-wise there is no guarantee when he is going to come back. It’s not like we know, ‘Exactly this date,’ and know what we are working with. We’ve got to make a decision from that point. Do we try to keep our head above water until he gets back or do we get some help? Right now we are going to go with what we have and if something falls through the cracks we will take a look.”
Right now at point guard the Hawks have Jeff Teague and Pape Sy plus camp invitees Brad Wanamaker and Donald Sloan. The shooting guards are veterans Joe Johnson and Tracy McGrady as well as camp invitees Zach Graham and Jerry Stackhouse. Sy and Wanamaker also can play there, and Drew said even Marvin Williams could spot minutes at shooting guard.
You can see that without Hinrich available to play both guard spots there’s not much depth at all, much less guys the Hawks can be certain will be productive and reliable. It spills over to small forward, too, where there is no real backup for Williams. McGrady, Johnson and Josh Smith can fill in there.
Camp report
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
350 comments Add your comment
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2011
8:43 pm
Can we watch the Falcons on the computer like we could with the Hawks? Does anybody have a link? HOOK ME UP!
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2011
8:49 pm
Everybody’s watching the Falcons game but me! I could be FIRST through TENTH. How can I get the game???
J from the A
December 15th, 2011
8:54 pm
Third … just to disrupt Rev’s 1-10.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
8:56 pm
So basically, we’ll just be waiting to see if
- Stack gets signed.
- which end of the bench hopeful gets signed.
Ok then…back to Falcons football.
I hope we add Stack, don’t care about Rolle, and I guess Wannamaker? I don’t know. Don’t have a horse in this race….
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2011
8:57 pm
Rev in Tampa, the blog filter is eating my post, but try this link:
first
row
sports
dot
tv
The Real Mandingo
December 15th, 2011
8:57 pm
fifth?
Ra'mon
December 15th, 2011
8:57 pm
myp2pforum.eu @ Rev. Its something like that.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 15th, 2011
8:57 pm
The blog monster ate my post Rev. They Hatin.
FIRE SUND
J from the A
December 15th, 2011
8:58 pm
MC,
I know you have heard a lot of times already this preseason, but I have really appreciated the wonderful job you have done covering the FA/Camp season.
Haven’t been talking much. Just enjoying your write ups and everyone else’s commentaries, but now with everyone but Rev and I watching the Falcon’s game, what am I to do?
J from the A
December 15th, 2011
8:59 pm
Ah, some of the seasoned vets have made it back … I can go back to pulling a 10-11 Marvin Williams.
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2011
9:03 pm
Thanks fellas! The link works just fine. Now I won’t have to kick the dog.
Ra'mon
December 15th, 2011
9:07 pm
Any one checking out the Miller Grove vs. Oak Hill game?
superiorblogman
December 15th, 2011
9:10 pm
Nothing here worth discussing. True ignorance coming at this point. Case and point. Everything this week has been about running then we hear of possibilities of playing a broken down T-Mac at PG in big lineup situations. McGrady has no business playing PG for a team trying to push the pace and neither does Kirk Hinrich to be honest. Let’s be honest, the Hawks management ASG, Sund, and LD are just talking out of there backends. They don’t have the personnel to do any of the things they talk of consistently.
Ra'mon
December 15th, 2011
9:11 pm
I’m doing an NBA Fantasy League on ESPN. The draft will be on Monday at 8:00 P.M. Anyone interested in joining, let me know your email, and I will send the invite. It is a 5 player keeper league!
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2011
9:13 pm
I’m a little surprised that LD seems unconcerned with the lack of depth at pg. Does he have that much faith in Sy? LD’s practice has been to bury the “rook” at the end of the bench.
Dave in ATL
December 15th, 2011
9:14 pm
MC, where do the Hawks stack up to the rest of the league in terms salary they spent last year? What’s it look like for this year? Seems like teams are dumping salary and we are pretty steady.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 15th, 2011
9:18 pm
myp2pforum is now forum dot wiziwig dot eu
A concerned fan..
December 15th, 2011
9:19 pm
After this year, we should have some cap room relief, right? Maybe more than 5 million?
Dawg
December 15th, 2011
9:33 pm
The Hawks play for a cheap butt organization. They can justify and explain but the bottom line is that are inept managers.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 15th, 2011
9:41 pm
Who going to the scrimmage 2morrow? Meet me at the Jack Daniels.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 15th, 2011
9:43 pm
Drew will have the ability to send out some very big lineups. How about McGrady, Johnson, Smith, Al Horford and Jason Collins or McGrady, Johnson, Williams, Smith, and Horford? “There are some different combinations I can use,” Drew said.
How about you stop BSing. Setting up Smith to be the scapegoat. Where’s Vlad in these lineups.
Smith + Vlad = Power 3 + Stretch 4
Keep Smith off the perimeter.
brigadierjerry
December 15th, 2011
9:46 pm
Pre-season nba games start tomorrow for anyone that cares
Chicago 7:00 pm EST
at
Indiana WGN, FSIN
Philadelphia 7:00 pm EST
at
Washington CSP, CSW
Cleveland 7:30 pm EST
at
Detroit
New Orleans 8:00 pm EST
Memphis
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 15th, 2011
9:50 pm
New Orleans playing with new acquisitions?
J from the A
December 15th, 2011
9:57 pm
The Hawks starting 5 are legit, and if the early reports are any indication, the Hawks starting 5 will be even stronger than last year, but … as MC correctly points out, the Hawks have major depth problems.
Until Kirk gets back, T-Mac is probably the Hawks’ best PG, SG, and SF coming off the bench. That is problematic. Until Kirk comes back, the Hawks do not have a legit rotational PG sitting on the bench. (Go ahead and put your hopes in Sy and Wannaker.) The Hawks barely have a legit rotational SG in McGrady. Do the Hawks even have a SF sitting on their bench? At PF, the Hawks have Vlad Rad coming off the bench. I like the pick up, but if he is the only PF coming off the bench, the Hawks are in trouble. The only position where the Hawks have depth is at the Center position.
I know. I know. The Hawks have starters who are very versatile and can play multiple positions well, but in a compressed season like this, do you really want all your starters logging 40+ minutes a game?
DSC
December 15th, 2011
9:59 pm
you guys think we should amnesty joe after his season and offer eric gordon a max?
Ra'mon
December 15th, 2011
10:05 pm
DSC, Gordon doesn’t play defense.
Ken Strickland
December 15th, 2011
10:07 pm
Some of you NEGATIVE MINDED INDIVIDUALS act like the Hawks have been a total failure as a team and organization. I don’t know about you, but our consecutive playoff appearances, and consecutive trips to the 2nd rd of the playoffs aint bad at all. And when you consider our history before Woodson was hired, it makes what we’ve managed to accomplish even more gratifying. But all of that doesn’t matter one bit if your mentality is geared exclusively towards the GLASS BEING HALF EMPTY APPROACH.
ASTRO JOE-Drew’s recent committment to running involves more than just Teague. Remember, this is the final yr of his contract, and he has to show improvement if he wants to return. He has no choice but to start Teague, after his breakout performance in the playoffs against league MVP DRose, and after management took away his 2 crutches, Bibby & Crawford.
Teague represents the best chance for the Hawks to have a breakout season and get to the next level, and save his job. And running will take full advantage of his talents, as well as the talents of his teammates.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
10:16 pm
Ken Strickland ,
I honestly feel like Teague is not the linchpin to the Hawks running more. Two things:
1) Rebounding. You don’t rebound, you don’t run. It’s that simple. Either we start team rebounding like we mean it, or all of this speed and athleticism will count for nothing.
2) The Hawks veterans have to let Teague run the break. Give him the ball after a rebound. If we look up and see Marvin, Smith, and Horford leading the break instead of finishing, then what’s the point of having Jeff Teague?
DSC
December 15th, 2011
10:19 pm
Ra’mon,
His future is as bright as any two guard in the league’s though. I’d take him over johnson any day of the week.
Ken Strickland
December 15th, 2011
10:22 pm
J FROM A-The Hawks have played the past 3yrs without a legimate and/or productive PG. Jamal definitely wasn’t a legimate PG, and Bibby wasn’t productive, since he’d regressed to the point where he became both an OFF and DEF liability. So what’s the big deal about us going without a legimate backup PG at this point?
smh
December 15th, 2011
10:23 pm
Well playesrs can’t establish themselves if they ARENT GIVEN AN OPPOURTUNITY TO PROVE THEMSELVES SMH!!!!! ALL YOU FOLKS DISSING SY SHOULD BE ASHAMED!! WERE THE ONLY TEAM THAT DOES THAT BS AND WE’VE CERTAINLY PAID FOR IT OVER THE YEARS. NOT TO MENTION LAST YEAR HALF OF YOU FOOLS WANTED TEAGUE TO STILL PLAY BEHIEND BIBBY!! FREAKIN BANDWAGONERS MAN SMH!! SOME OF Y’ALL HAV NO EYES FOR TALENT. NOW TEAGUE IS BEASIN AND Y’ALL ACT LIKE YOU CALLED IT ALL ALONG. PLZ PUT YUR FOOT IN YOU MOUTHS WHERE IT BELONGS!
PAPE IS GONNA TURN HEADS AND REMEBER WHO CALLED IT FIRST!!!
rash
December 15th, 2011
10:25 pm
heck yeah let the starters play 40+ mins. a game not bad for a days work hell i work 8+hrs 5 days a week so i think all the millions they make i would have no problem playing every minute get real dude
MattP
December 15th, 2011
10:28 pm
Ken Strickland,
Yes, we made it to playoff 4 times in a row, but we also got sweeped in the second round 2 times in a row. Look at how much the roster has change during this period, almost nothing I would say. Yes, we put up a decent fight against the Bulls but did they change what was need to be changed this of season? LD is starting Teague because he has to, if they got another vet PG more then likely LD would bench Teague.
To sum it up, Who would sit still when they get sweeped 2 times in a row in the second round? Look at the Bulls, they added RIP which is a SG they needed, and there are rumors they are looking into Howard.
MattP
December 15th, 2011
10:33 pm
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
10:16 pm
Ken Strickland ,
I honestly feel like Teague is not the linchpin to the Hawks running more. Two things:
1) Rebounding. You don’t rebound, you don’t run. It’s that simple. Either we start team rebounding like we mean it, or all of this speed and athleticism will count for nothing.
2) The Hawks veterans have to let Teague run the break. Give him the ball after a rebound. If we look up and see Marvin, Smith, and Horford leading the break instead of finishing, then what’s the point of having Jeff Teague?
_____________________________________________________________________
I agree 100% with this. That is one thing the management needed to look into changing is to get better at rebounding, but they decide to bring Collins back and not even worry about any other big men.
Also, I agree with the Vets need to let Teague run the ball, I am tired of seeing Smith try to.
ryan
December 15th, 2011
10:38 pm
Kamen does not plan to stay NO you thank Hawks might take look a look .
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
10:39 pm
MattP,
That’s what puzzles me. We bring Collins back because he can play Dhoward. I get that. But what about all the games where we don’t play him? I mean, geez…
And I’m with you on watching Smith run the break. Enough already. He can fill highlight reels much better by filling the lane and finishing.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
10:41 pm
Ryan,
No. Kaman costs money, and the Atlanta Gearons don’t want to spend any. They also don’t want to trade anybody they have that isn’t end of the bench.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
10:58 pm
Well, it looks like the Bulls may release either Lucas or Pargo. And the Rockets will probably release either Johnny Flynn or Jeremy Lin. We may get a backup PG yet. I’m sure there are others out there.
Just Joe
December 15th, 2011
10:59 pm
I think the roster is set, with the exception of Stackhouse playing on a series of short term contracts to start the season. When healthy:
Guards: Teague, Johnson, Hinrich, Sy, McGrady
Forwards: Williams, Smith, Radmanovic, Rolle
Centers: Horford, Pachulia, Collins
I’m glad to hear something positive about Rolle. He has an interesting skill set at 6′10″+, with a 7′4″ wingspan, athleticism, can handle the ball, and has a decent mid-range jumper. If he’ll give the effort, there’s no reason why he can’t contribute 5-8 high-energy minutes a night at PF.
Melvin
December 15th, 2011
11:00 pm
With the league owning the Hornets, what’s your over&under that the Hornets will get the #1 draft pick in next year draft? Better yet, whats your over&under that the Hornets will have two of the top 5 picks in next year draft?……
Remember, Stern knows where the bodies are buried….LOL…. #TheDraftIsRigged….
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:01 pm
I actually like the Clippers less now. They sent their depth to the Hornets. And that Minny pick.
Now Rick Adelman will have to perform wonders for that pick not to be high lottery.
Also a rumor Minny is looking at amnesty for Ridnour. If they pulled the trigger on that one, he’d be a very good back up to Teague.
SteveW
December 15th, 2011
11:03 pm
Rolle – I follow Indy pretty closely, and they bragged him to high heaven last year in Camp. And one of the ESPN guys said he was a real sleeper also. Also glad to hear the good report. We sure need him to turn into a 10-15 mpg guy.
Ken Strickland
December 15th, 2011
11:08 pm
BIG RAY-I don’t think rebounding will stop us from running, unless we use that as an excure not to run. Poor rebounding might limit how often you can run, but not your committment to running. You can’t tell me that the SNash led Suns, and the Magic led Lakers, 2 teams that epitimized running, were prolific rebounding teams.
They weren’t successful as running teams because of any dominant rebounding ability. Their success was due to a committment to running whenever the opportunity presented itself. LDrew has to make running and trying to score off fastbreak opportunities our #1 priority, and his beloved MOTION OFF our #2 option.
Rebounding wasn’t the reason we didn’t run in the past. We just chose to walk the ball up, rather than pushing the ball, and it was primarily because we didn’t have the PGs to successfull make it happen. In he playoffs last yr, none of our players knew Teague would even get off the bench, let alone get a chance to ball like he did. It was a last minute and unexpected occurrance.
Also, even though Bibby was traded away in Feb, there were no changes or adjustments made to our OFF or OFF approach. This is a new season, and Teague’s teammates have seen what he can do. As a result, they will have far more confidence in his ability to get it done than they had when he was unexpectedly thrown into the fire.
Rather than continuing to run their own fastbreaks, I don’t think Marvin, JJ, Josh or Horford would hesitate to give the ball to Teague and fill the lane. They know he’ll consistently push the ball up the court fast, which gives them and the team a better chance to score.
CajunStorm
December 15th, 2011
11:10 pm
Did I miss something? Where in the heck is Zaza? He should be starting at the 5 so we can exploit our size & athlethic advantage of the 2,3, & 4. Everyone talking about Josh is not a 3 is kinda goofy. What he needs to do is watch a ton of film on Shawn Marion in his prime. Shawn & Josh share the same attributes & the same handicaps….not good shooters. Josh is athletically better & would put up better #’s AND play better D. Let Al be the 4….hes starting to cry for it and let’s see what this team can do with the Teague I saw in college & last years playoffs running the show fulltime. Joe…has to have a bounce back year. Idk….feels like we might do something this tear.
Ken Strickland
December 15th, 2011
11:17 pm
MATTP-After the Magic went to the NBA finals, rather than keeping their core in place, they tried to get better by making a series of trades. Each yr they made those trades, trying to get better, they actually got worse. As a result, they are about to lose their franchise player, and they don’t have much of anything on their roster to build around.
Can anyone say that they wouldn’t have been better if they had kept their core in tact? Once they realized they had made a big mistake, they brought back the key player that was let go.
superiorblogman
December 15th, 2011
11:27 pm
Easy. Kirk, Zaza, and a 2nd for Kaman. Kaman is expiring this year just like Hinrich. Zaza has one more year next year. They can flip Hinrich again for a 1st round pick to someone like the Lakers and end up with Zaza a 2nd and a 1st for Kaman. That’s a good flip and very realistic. Want happening because management does not know how to manage there assets.
Michael Cunningham
December 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
@J from the A: thanks for the compliment.
MattP
December 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
Ken, I’m not saying make a trade every year to try and make the team better. What I was getting to is how they did almost nothing over this 4 year period. Yes, bringing in Crawford was nice but they were to stupid and gave Johnson this huge contract making it impossible to resign Crawford. What is they point in draft people in the areas you need when you don’t even try and play them. Yes, I know they need to be worked in but they don’t get worked in. The only reason Teague got time to play last year was because of Hinrich, LD was forced to play him. Imagine if that didn’t happen and we didn’t see Teague play against the Bulls. If LD worked Teague in at the beginning of this season by giving him alittle bit more minutes throughout the season we could afford to let Jamal walk and we would have Jordon with the offense coming of the bench.
And it is not just with improve their roster, they have made some bad contracts lately which keep them out of FA.
Michael Cunningham
December 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
@Davie in ATL: “MC, where do the Hawks stack up to the rest of the league in terms salary they spent last year? What’s it look like for this year? Seems like teams are dumping salary and we are pretty steady.”
they were about eighth in payroll last season. not sure yet where they come in this year.
Michael Cunningham
December 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
@A concerned fan: “After this year, we should have some cap room relief, right? Maybe more than 5 million?”
no, not next year as it stands now. will have some room under the tax line but only six guaranteed guys under contract.
Michael Cunningham
December 15th, 2011
11:39 pm
@Joe.Jeff.Smith: “How about you stop BSing. Setting up Smith to be the scapegoat. Where’s Vlad in these lineups.”
dude, it’s nothing to take personally. how am i setting up Smith? Vlad could also be part of those lineups. i was only saying for instance, not going through every possible permutation and certainly not trying to set anyone up. but that does sound kind of cool, like a movie.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
11:41 pm
Ken,
I realize you’d like to mak this about Drew and Teague, but it’s just NOT.
The Warriors committed to running. Still do. Where has it gotten them, and they have had pgs that Teague can’t be compred to….unless you want to say he’s on par with a Baron Davis or a Stephen Curry. He ain’t. At least not yet, and maybe never.
It’s not about Drew letting Teague run. It’s about rebounding the ball the way the Suns did with Marion and Stoudamire, then passing it to Nash, who led the break. You did not see the Suns letting Marion and Stoudamire run the break. Nash did.
The Hawks have been doing things a$$ backwards and you know it. Don’t tell me it’s been about Drew and Teague when you had a perfectly fast Jamal Crawford out there who could run the break. Drew has plenty of faults, but the fact is that this team has been way too undisciplined to run the break. And, they won’t commit to the defensive boards. IF they do, they can run all day. If not, they’ll be like the Warriors – committed to the run, but lacking in other phases and facets of the game.
Big Ray
December 15th, 2011
11:43 pm
And actually, I lay part of the discipline problem at Drew’s feet.
Then again, why hire somebody the players say they want to play for…that’s usually an indicator that they are just too comfortable with the coach. We saw them play just how they wanted to play when things got tough and tight. Drew has to discipline them better, or he’s doing us no good.
If Josh just up and decides to rebound the ball and run the break himself, ignoring the pg, then somebody explain to me how that is about LD not wanting to let Teague run the break. I call BS….
UGA
December 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
I’m being serious, has anyone thought about bring Flip Murray back?????
MattP
December 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
I loved Flip when he was here, one of my favorite Hawks at the time.
cp
December 16th, 2011
12:12 am
I think the Hawks pre season game Monday is on NBA TV. Rolle looked pretty solid in the Pacers summer league last year. I don’t know how much his game has improved since then. We have no depth and it doesn’t look like the front office is in no hurry to add any quality depth. Our main guys are going to log heavy minutes this season. I would take Acie Law back at this point. I don’t want T-Mac burned out from playing way too many minutes and I don’t know what we are going to get from Sy. Its some guys still available who can help but I don’t have the confidence in this front office to bring anyone in.
Rufus1
December 16th, 2011
12:12 am
The Difference…
The Nets…Have a BIG money owner, a great coach, a great PG are moving to Brooklyn AND CAN’T SIGN B-LEVEL FREE AGENTS OR EVEN THEIR OWN STAR.
The Clippers…Won 32 games last year, so they traded away 3 players from that team, to get one player…..so they could be relevant.
The Difference….THE HAWKS ARE WINNERS!!! I know that is hard for many to accept but it is true. ASG accomplished all of this while suing each other and losing 20mil a year on a hockey team. I don’t understand this much disrespect for a winning organization….Atleast 15 teams in this league wish their owners were this BAD.
Mark Cuban just proved…that if you spend your money stupidly for ten years, you get a TITLE.(840mil in salary)
ASG is trying to prove….Mark Cuban is an IDIOT and I agree.
“Some times the ends doesn’t justify the means”.
The Hawks have just as good a chance to win a title as Dallas did last year….Without paying the Lux Tax.
Go Hawk!!!
Reality Check
December 16th, 2011
12:42 am
How does the Wannamaker kid look in practice, MC?
If he’s decent with perimeter shooting, they might have to keep him.
Reality Check
December 16th, 2011
12:46 am
Also, the player they need to acquire is Emeka Okafor. He rebounds, defends, shotblocker, does need many shots, everything. New Orleans is probably looking to dump his contract pretty soon to speed up the rebuilding process, and the Hawks could use someone like him at the 5. Offer Kirk’s expiring contract plus Zaza and that should get it done.
Hawk n the Ham
December 16th, 2011
12:53 am
Hey MC, you are pretty good at crunching the numbers. Is there a way to figure out the top spending teams, what their payroll is, and how their players “per” adds up. I’d like to see where the Hawks stand with their total payroll = total PER in return.
Make sense?
PS, glad to have you for our beat. We were spoiled with Sekou, and you’ve held your own.
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
1:12 am
Michael:
“Even grandad might get spoiled
and see the diligent work you do”
-doc-
Consider myself spoiled !
G-dad
Rev in Tampa
December 16th, 2011
1:32 am
Grandad, you mentioned a guy named Paul Johnson a few weeks back. I’m curious; who is he?
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
1:50 am
Rev;
Ga Tech’s Head football Coach.
I do not know what I said,
but PJ, is a very good fb coach.
He’s not at all mild mannered.
Very blunt – like myself – outspoken, a bit conceited.
Conceited may be too strong … self assured …
once again kinda like myself.
He’s somewhat of an ass.
Dad-gummit, I’m discribing me.
I’m out !
Harry Hawk
December 16th, 2011
1:58 am
If Josh ever gets to a team with talented, established vets and a strong coach who won’t allow him to do some of the stuff he does, then I believe he’ll be the best player he can be.
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:09 am
Ken Strickland
I would rather rassle with drmaryb than disagree with you.
[check that,,,,, rasslin' with her might be fun]
Three points:
(1) A team cannot run w/o the ball = fact
a. Defensive Rebound … -or-
b. take it away [force turnovers / pressing, etc]
(2) LAL / “Showtime Lakers” / were good rebounding teams:
*1980 2nd in league def reb
*1981 5th in league def reb
*1982 6th in league def reb
*1983 11th in league def reb [worst in 80's]
*1984 4th in league def reb
*1985 4th in league def reb
*1986 3rd in league def reb
*1987 3rd in league def reb
*1988 4th in league def reb
*1999 2nd in league def reb
** reason for listing def rebounding = acquire the ball
(3) PHX – proves your point.
Team was committed to shooting in 7 seconds or less.
They would fast break off opponents made baskets.
Key word = Committed
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:12 am
PHX is the exception that proves your point.
Buddy Grizzard
December 16th, 2011
2:23 am
“We bring Collins back because he can play Dhoward. I get that. But what about all the games where we don’t play him? I mean, geez…” – Big Ray
If you mean all the games where we don’t play Dwight, there are other slow, plodding centers with no face-up game that Collins matches up against. I like that Drew played Collins a good number of minutes during the regular season and hope he does it again. It keeps him involved so it’s not like he’s coming off the shelf when we get to the payoffs and he suddenly has a pivotal role.
“And I’m with you on watching Smith run the break. Enough already. He can fill highlight reels much better by filling the lane and finishing.” – Big Ray
The issue with Josh leading the fast break is that he had Bibby, who can’t keep up, starting at point guard. Or you had JC1 who would just as soon pull up, let the defense set and then take a contested long jump shot than go to the rack and draw contact.
“Rockets will probably release either Johnny Flynn or Jeremy Lin.” – SteveW
Would love it if we got Jeremy Lin. He looked incredible two summers ago in the Vegas League going head to head with John Wall.
“I actually like the Clippers less now. They sent their depth to the Hornets. And that Minny pick.” – SteveW
/co-sign. Predicted last blog Paul’s knee will continue to flare up, NO will get #1 overall pick (second in a row Clippers have traded) and Griffin will say f this and sign elsewhere… back to same old Clips.
“If Josh just up and decides to rebound the ball and run the break himself, ignoring the pg, then somebody explain to me how that is about LD not wanting to let Teague run the break. I call BS….” – Big Ray
If Josh rebounds and puts the ball on the floor, starting the fast break, it’s up to the rest of the team to keep up with him. Bibby, Joe and JC1 either A. did not have the ability or B. did not have the inclination to run with Josh. Teague has both, so you’re going to see a different Hawks team this year.
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:31 am
Many teams at lower levels allow baskets to speed up the game.
They will press and defend ferociously up to a point;
then they will give up an easy basket because they want the ball back.
If they cannot press if they cannot score.
Teams that control tempo need to understand this or they can be lured
into a run and gun game with a more athletic team w/o realizing how it
came about.
Said team was scoring with ease, then their opponent went on a run.
It’s much harder to outrun teams in the NBA;
because everyone has talent.
Yes, some more than others, but the best players in the world
are all in the NBA, so even the bad ones are good.
Loyola Marymount used to do the 7 second thing.
Their Coach attempted to bring the pressing, running, style
to the NBA.
Westhead ?
Anyway it didn’t work, and I heard this statement made;
“They play defense on the wrong end of the floor”.
Point:
They would try to press & play def up to a point.
Then after a while, they needed the ball back
in order to maximize the tempo.
Just my thoughts on running.
As a Coach – I always preferred to control the tempo.
It was said of my teams:
If’ n you want to run they’ll slow you down;
If’ n you want to slow it down they’ll speed you up.
I kinda liked that.
“Make the other team play at an uncomfortable pace”
-Don Meyer-
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:34 am
Buddy Grizzard
My problem with Jason Collins is…..He Doesn’t Rebound ! ! ! ! !
bigeasy830
December 16th, 2011
3:00 am
I know we all want the Hawks to run more, but remember this is the Eastern Conference not the West. The Hawks must rebound well at all positions, play defense and have good shot selection. The emphasis should not be on forcing the issue of running more, it should be on having quality possessions on offense, running when it is opportune and playing good defense to get stops and rebounding after you make that stop. That is the winning formula for an Eastern Conference team.
Buddy Grizzard
December 16th, 2011
3:50 am
“My problem with Jason Collins is…..He Doesn’t Rebound ! ! ! ! !” – G-Dad
You’re right… but I don’t have a problem with Collins as a result because I know it’s not his role. If I’m the coach, I put my players in a position to succeed. I don’t hang a player out to dry like Collins by asking him to do something, such as guard Boozer 16′ from the basket, that the player is completely incapable of doing.
But I still give Collins run because of his extreme value to my team in certain situations. I know he doesn’t have the foot speed to guard an inside-out threat like Boozer. I know he doesn’t have the foot speed to get to alot of rebounds. But I keep him involved because I want him to have a prepared mindset when the time comes for him to play his singular role… keep Dwight from bulling his way to the basket.
Meanwhile Zaza is an amazing per minute rebounder. He should have played 30+ minutes per game and started every game in the Bulls series. Can you imagine if we had traded him last year? Unless we got a starting-calibre PF/C in return, that would have been a franchise-crippling mistake.
ntrigue
December 16th, 2011
3:54 am
MC,
Why aren’t the hawks going after Rodney Stuckey, Michael Redd, or Aaron Brooks?
northcyde
December 16th, 2011
4:08 am
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:09 am
Ken Strickland
I would rather rassle with drmaryb than disagree with you.
[check that,,,,, rasslin' with her might be fun]
Three points:
(1) A team cannot run w/o the ball = fact
a. Defensive Rebound … -or-
b. take it away [force turnovers / pressing, etc]
**********************************
Your instincts were right the first time on this Grandad.
Phoenix defensive rebound rank from the 04 – 05 season ( JJ’s last year with Phoenix ) through the 2010 – 11 season:
04 – 05: 1st
05 – 06: 3rd
06 – 07: 3rd
07 – 08: 4th
08 – 09: 10th
09 – 10: 7th
10 – 11: 17th
The 08 – 09 and 10 – 11 seasons are the ONLY seasons in which they missed the playoffs.
NOTE: Suns were #1 in the league in FG% in 4 of those 7 seasons
****************************
Hawks defensive rebounding rank from 05 – 06 ( JJ’s first year ) until 2010 – 11
05 – 06: 29th
06 – 07: 28th
07 – 08: 21st
08 – 09: 21st
09 – 10: 23rd
10 – 11: 20th
*****************************
Our lack of a running game in ATL is in direct correlation to our defensive rebounding. This team is notorious for not boxing out, with Josh Smith being a major culprit in this. For the Hawks to become an elite running team, Josh Smith has to essentially become our Shawn Marion. Shawn was a top 10 rebounder and top 10 defensive rebounder from 2004 – 2007.
When you look at some of the Hawks team numbers last year, you have to wonder how we even made the playoffs last year.
28th in total rebounding
29th in offensive rebounding
29th in FT attempts and FT made
29th in steals
When you look at those categories, it’s an indication of how this team can be so Jeckyl and Hyde on a nightly basis. We can look very good some nights, and like the worst team in the history of basketball the next. A solid playoff team shouldn’t have that wild of a fluctuation in the way they play.
northcyde
December 16th, 2011
4:25 am
Grandad
December 16th, 2011
2:34 am
Buddy Grizzard
My problem with Jason Collins is…..He Doesn’t Rebound ! ! ! ! !
*********************
Amen Grandad . . . that is a MAJOR PROBLEM. If he could rebound, you could actually justify him being our starting center. But he is a dreadful rebounder, and always has been.
There were 52 centers in the league that at least played in 40+ games and played 10+ minutes. Here is where Jason Collins ranked in offensive, defensive, and total rebound rate among that group.
OFF – 49th
DEF – 45th
TOT – 48th
So he doesn’t rebound . . he doesn’t block shots ( 51st in league amongst that group of centers ) . . and he can’t create his own offense in the low post.
The only thing he does well is defend low post centers when they get the ball down on the blocks. Oh . . and he sets good picks within the half court offense. This is why he had some value vs Orlando and Dwight Howard, and absolutely no value whatsoever in the Chicago series.
northcyde
December 16th, 2011
5:07 am
Might as well continue to agree while I’m on a roll.
The other part of your “team running” statement, is a team that forces a lot of turnovers. And that leads us to the Golden State Warriors. They perennially play at the fastest pace in the league, despite being a below average defensive rebounding team.
Here is where Golden State has ranked in steals, since the arrival of Monta Ellis in 2005
05 – 06: 9th
06 – 07: 1st
07 – 08: 2nd
08 – 09: 6th
09 – 10: 1st
10 – 11: 2nd
**************************
I do hope Larry Drew understands that running or playing fast doesn’t necessarily = winning.
Defense + rebounding = winning
vava74
December 16th, 2011
5:43 am
northcyde,
Good post and good points.
Against CHI, Collins should have been deployed AGAINST ASIK.
Big body against big body but LD’s ability to read miss matches and make adjustments is just one small notch above Woody’s (the worst ever on that field)…
Just Joe
December 16th, 2011
6:06 am
In that Chicago series, we have to remember that Armstrong, Thomas & Powell were ineffective as well as Collins. Horford and Josh were playing multiple positions, and ZaZa was our only backup making an impact. I’m not sure we’ve corrected that problem yet unless Rolle and Radmanovic and Benson can help out. What will make a huge difference is if Marvin, Joe, and TMac/Sy out rebound their counterparts (Hamilton, Deng, and Korver/Brewer).
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:49 am
Just Joe,
Players contribute or are ineffective depending on how you use them.
Collins should have been deployed against Asik.
Etan could have been deployed as well for short spells in order to establish some physicality down low.
Unfortunately, although hampered by past injuries, Etan was vastly underused IMO. The few times in which he played anything more than token seconds, he contributed well.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
7:00 am
Where is our rebounding going to come from if Al and Jason aren’t going to lead the way? How can we have a 2 time all-star starting at PF/C, yet we are at the bottom of the league in rebounding? I know we get zilch in rebounds from the 3, so adding T-Mac isn’t going to help that.
We know Marvin’s game; it isn’t going to change because JC1 is gone.
Joe does not rebound; Josh is supposed to be rebounding, but is too ready to lead the break.
Our guys don’t want to do the dirty work. Name our toughest player? Zaza, and he can’t stay productive when he is on the court. We simply need a guy in the starting lineup who has a nose for the ball. Our starters are getting the major minutes, and that is justified. But their games also have weaknesses that stand out in the team stats.
I really don’t want to know our FG%, our steals or our assists. That might be too hard to underdtand how we are even competitive?
Paddy
December 16th, 2011
7:11 am
MC…….do you believe the ASG will be visable at games this season?
Section 303
December 16th, 2011
7:49 am
It’s good to hear that guys like Magnum Rolle have been playing well. But, the Hawks have to use guys like that him. Every year we hear about someone who is looking good in camp. And, every year, those guys never get any time. The schedule is so compressed that they have to use all their players. Can’t get through this season playing only 7 or 8 guys. If guys like Rolle look like they can eat some minutes, give they should actually give them a shot to do so.
J from the A
December 16th, 2011
7:54 am
Hi Ken Strickland,
RE; “legit” PG remark from last night:
First let me say, I agree with much of what you say on the blog. I, too, really think the Hawks are a very good team. Consecutive second round appearances is not something that just happens to a mediocre team. These Hawks are _very_ good.
My comment was more about depth overall than any one position in particular. The Hawks do not have a bench. Until Kirk comes back T-Mac and Zaza are probably the Hawks 6th and 7th guys. But even with a healthy Kirk, it is hard to see how the Hawks’ bench can compete with some of the other elite teams. Of course, maybe I am overplaying the importance of a bench in the world of “Big 3’s.” After all Miami does not have much of a bench — though it looks to be somewhat improved this year. The Knicks are not 8/9 quality players deep. And so on.
Maybe, just maybe this is the Hawks year. But I have to admit I would be willing to sound a lot more optimistic about an ECF appearance (and maybe even a Finals appearance), if the Hawks 6-9 were a bit stronger.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
8:13 am
The Round Mound of Rebound!
“You can NOT win without the ball!” -Sir Charles-
______________
What else is there to say?
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
8:20 am
Ken S,
The Hawks have played the past 3yrs without a legitimate and/or productive PG….So what’s the big deal about us going without a legitimate backup PG at this point?.
1) This will be Teague’s first extended PT (not counting the Chi series), and he is still a young player who will be learning on the job. Therefore, I expect growing pains, and a backup vet would help provide another set of eyes to help Teague get better.
2) The schedule. 3 games in a row, 4 games in 5 nights etc. Teague will be tired, and will need rest. In the past, the schedule was not this hectic.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
8:45 am
More than anytime, this schedule this year will wear these guys down. Simply put, major minutes night after night will wear you down.
Saying that, if its a choice between signing Stack or getting us a PG, that is a no-brainer. If you are having Rolle and Benson battle for one slot, that might be a better option.
Joe/Jeff/Josh/Al/Jason
Marvin/T-Mac/Zaza/Vladimir/Sy/Kirk
Donald/Magnum/Keith/Brad
One slot available while Kirk is out.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
8:48 am
We need everyone rebounding better.
In particular:
- JJ has to step up and rebound again above 5rpg like he did no that last season in PHO.
- Smoove has to present a more consistent effort and start to actually box out.
I think that Teague will be a good rebounder and will catch a lot of loose balls, which was something we could not count on Bibby and Jamal doing.
Bibby was too slow and hardly went to the floor and Jamal is one of the worst rebounders in the league.
That’s another area where Teague will certainly have the possibility of making an impact.
How many times didn’t we see our guys standing around or looking frozen whilst opponents went for loose balls?
That’s a crucial point IMO and Teague should be a strong contributor there.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
8:53 am
The roster actually has Donald Sloan listed as a rookie, but the guy has been in the D-League for 2 years out of Texas A&M. I see his stats from year 1 (10/4 in 27mpg) to year 2 (24ppg/8apg in 40mpg). A big difference than being an ‘actual’ rook.
I like those numbers increasing and his FT and rebounding are impressive as well. Not a 3 pt shooter though, so that might be his crutch. He is 6′3″ and 205, so good size. He was cut at training camp last year in Sac, and now he might be ready to contribute.
I see so many guys getting promoted from the D-League getting team roles, so its possible we have someone who just needs some minutes to prove himself. Will LD trust in him though?
doc
December 16th, 2011
8:57 am
northcyde:
“I do hope Larry Drew understands that running or playing fast doesn’t necessarily = winning.
Defense + rebounding = winning”
sounds like an ode to woody to me. that was his strategy always, “we got to rebound the ball and defend better” was the answer to any question about performance and preparation.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:01 am
doc,
But Woody was a total disaster in:
1. Adjustments (opponent to opponent and in game);
2. Offensive strategy (worst plays out of time outs EVER).
Simply put: Woody is not HC material. He is a good assistant and that’s it.
Ridonkulous
December 16th, 2011
9:03 am
Can you explain why Heinrich waited until November to have his surgery? He is no kid and lockout or no, he should have wanted to have the operation done and begun rehab so as to be ready whenever the season began.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:04 am
He may be lurking around here, but I actually feel sorry for niremetal.
He had to endure Jamal’s no defense in the Hawks and now he will have to endure Jamal’s no defense game in Portland which is his girl’s team
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:07 am
Ridonkulous
December 16th, 2011
9:03 am
Several reasons:
1. The injury flared up during the off-season.
2. He was locked out until November: so he could not benefit from the assistance of team doctors and rehabilitation facilities.
Aggie Fan
December 16th, 2011
9:17 am
Donald Sloan won’t disappoint as long as he gets some playing time.
NUNNA!
December 16th, 2011
9:18 am
Thanks for the Rolle update MC..
Questions for you MC:
1st,Does it seems like(to you)that Drew really has confidence in Teague to be his starter or not?
2nd,What is the perception around the league on the hawks to finish this year?
And 3rd,is it fair to assume that because of the shortened nba season,older vets like mike bibby would really help a team because of the lessoned wear and tear on the body?
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:24 am
“lessoned wear and tear on the body”
Where have you been NUNNA?
They will be playing an higher average of games per week. BY FAR.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
9:29 am
OB, I agree with your earlier post. Witha condensed schedule, asking anyone to play (potentially) 38+ minutes/game in something like 5 games in 8 days is pretty crazy. But that is where we may find ourselves with Teague.
Strickland, given the injury situation and current roster, if LD wanted to play half-court ball, Teague would be the starter. If he wanted to run faster than any team in history, Teague would be the starter. If he wanted to have players cross the half-court line and shoot jumpers, Teague would be the starter. If he wanted a “no turnover” approach, Teague would be the starter. If he wanted to only use players born in the south, he would sugest that Indiana is further south than most of us realize, and Teague would be the starter. Why? A little part of the Bulls performance and a little part of “there ain’t nobody else”.
doc
December 16th, 2011
9:31 am
vava 74, it was humor. northcyde, probably sees it that way, maybe never wanting to sound like woody but quoted him exactly in saying what ld needs to do. i thought it was humorous anyway.
yes, your points are valid on woody and make my skin crawl and stomach turn. i spent a lot on “entertainment” at the phillips to watch it up close and personal. to paraphrase nire, and it was what we all agreed on and probably couldnt say it as succinctly is, woody always felt if something wasnt working all you had to do was do it harder, not come up with a new plan because the first was so flawed.
btw collins couldnt stay in games that i saw ld try to start him or use him with chicago because it created mismatches. he couldnt keep up with any of chicago’s bigs nor rose’s penetrating cuts right at him. but you see what you see and i see what i see. anyway ld had to get him out quickly; asik is not that ponderous nor is he the fulcrum around which the bulls work which discounts collins value for ALL of the reasons northcyde listed. twin can only work for teams like the magic where everything goes through the center and he can bodily slow it down by clogging up the middle pushing back at the big guy. rose made mincemeat of our defense with collins in there and it had nothing to do with asik because with the quicker guys as he disrupted our defense. sadly, with one very swollen ankle people forget he bravely played on during our series and the next with the heat.
Trojan
December 16th, 2011
9:33 am
The Hawks are the thinnest at PG of any NBA ever and they are going in to a hectic season. Surely Sund is trying to do something other than making sure that the team don’t go into luxary tax territory.
Can you believe that after last year, we lost Crawford and Hinrich and yet we add no one who can play PG? Sy is playing but he was not even average in the developmental league last year.
We left last year with all of the players saying, “we need help inside” yet we add NO ONE!
It is so hard to be a hawks fan.
doc
December 16th, 2011
9:37 am
yes vava, it is very funny the irony on jamal going to portland. i also followed them but am losing interest.
someone on one of the recent blogs, says portland did the amnesty thing on roy. i heard last weekend he had retired because to continue on his knees would mean he wouldnt be walking long much less running and jumping. sad, as he was a warrior and reminds me of gayle sayers career ending with a knee injury, i think. i loved to watch roy move, which he cant any longer.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 16th, 2011
9:49 am
What a mess. The PGs in camp aren”t good. We keep talking about Stack. Are we signing hom or not? The quality of pur bigs is putrid
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
9:58 am
Won’t it be fun to watch the development of Benson, Wanamaker & Rolle for the next 66 games? The careless pass, the incessant fouling, the missed defensive rotation, the hurried shooting, etc. Big, big FUN!!!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
10:01 am
You can’t tell me that the SNash led Suns, and the Magic led Lakers, 2 teams that epitimized running, were prolific rebounding teams.
LOL
Magic Johnson – 13% Total Rebounds by himself
Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson – combined
HoF Steve Nash > Jeff Teague
Joe Johnson is a tad slower than tweener Barbosa
Marvin Williams lol a tad slower than Jason Richardson
Josh vs marion is close
Horford vs Amare tho? Are you kidding me?
Not to mention the Suns are a losing formula because they got beat up on the boards. If you want the Suns go watch Phoenix, they are absolutely terrible.
Shawn Marion won a title with the twin towers Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler
Amare now plays with Tyson Chandler
lol at comparing Teague running a break to Nash or 14ppg Horford and HoF Amare SMDH
Geemack
December 16th, 2011
10:14 am
Starting Jeff Teague will be like getting a free agent, he brings new energy to the team.
I think the Hawks will be better because of it.
My biggest challenge with the Hawks is their stubbornness to stick with Marvin in the starting line up, when Josh is clearly the better SF.
Zaza has proven, whenever he get minutes he can rebound with the best of them, plus he adds toughness in the pivot.
Teague could be the 3rd best PG in the east behind D-will and D-Rose….and yes better than Rondo Jennings, Wall and Collison.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
10:29 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)
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.”
——————————————————————-
When we can get the two or the three on glass, they can initiate a fast break effectively.
1) Seems to me Drew is saying they can get the ball and start dribbling? I guess Joe can dribble but Marvin? Then whats the point of Teague.
2) Josh Smith is #1 amongst qualified NBA “Small Forwards” and 30th at power forward. Al Horford is 26th amongst centers and 20th @ PF. This is according to ESPNs RebRate.
3) Hawks were absolutely atrocious last year and ranked 28th in rebounding last year.
4) Instead of adding a big who can replace Marvin on the perimeter, say Radmanovic…and putting the number 1 rebounding SF at the 3 spot, the answer is role reversal…Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams crash boards….
So stupid. WELL AT LEAST WE DONT BREAK UP THE CORE.
Smith + Perimeter PF + center
TRADE HORFORD.
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
10:30 am
I can’t wait until the 1st preseason game on Monday so we can actually dissect some game performances instead of each other basketball philosophy. #only72hrsleft
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
10:32 am
Doc,
Woody definitely emphasized defense and rebounding more than LD. However, Woody’s emphasis didn’t make much of an impact. During Woody’s 5 year tenure with the Hawks, this was where they ranked in rebounding (from northcyde’s post).
05 – 06: 29th
06 – 07: 28th
07 – 08: 21st
08 – 09: 21st
09 – 10: 23rd
And even if LD doesn’t say it, every player should know defense and rebounding is what wins. The Hawks players just don’t have the mentality to make that commitment.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
10:41 am
Travis Outlaw – amnesty victim of the Nets….4 yrs, 28M
Marvin – should be amnesty victim…..3 yrs 23M
We are missing a great opportunity here….
BTW, is the amnesty deadline today for 2011-12?
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
10:42 am
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut,
1) Seems to me Drew is saying they can get the ball and start dribbling? I guess Joe can dribble but Marvin? Then whats the point of Teague..
I don’t think that’s what LD is saying. As AJ pointed out earlier, a fast break is not only initiated by dribbling.
Josh and Al are 2 of the better finishers in transition. So if JJ or Marvin can help in rebounding, that gives Al and Josh a head start down the court. And when JJ or Marvin rebound, they can make the outlet pass (to Teague for example), who can take it to the hole, or make another pass to Josh or Al close to the rim.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
10:43 am
Take Marvin and Hindrich off the books in 2012? You have finally gained some room to maneuver.
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
10:46 am
BIG RAY-”THE HAWKS HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS A$$ BACKWARDS AND YOU KNOW IT”. You had better believe that I know it, along with just about everyone eles. I did some research on the Suns and their ability to rebound, and compared them to the Hawks, and here’s what I came up with. Over the last 6yrs, the Suns have averaged 40.11RPG to the Hawks 38.45RPG, which is 1.66 more RPG than the Hawks.
I find it impossible to believe that 1.66 RPG is enough to make the difference between a team being able to run and not being able to run. I believe the ability to run, and run successfully, is the result of committment and having a PG that can make it happen. The Hawks under both Woodson and Drew chose not to embrace or utilize either.
You are correct about the Warriors, and the fact that their committment to running hasn’t gotten them anywhere. But that’s because they’ve never committmented to do anything else, especially when it comes to playing DEF. Their committment to running has certainly allowed them to put pts on the scoreboard, and provided their fans with a lot of exciting OFF basketball. However, using them as an example further proves my point that you don’t need to be a dominant rebounding team in order to run.
GRANDAD-You are a dirty old man, welcome to the club, hee hee. I believe I could honestly enjoy doing a whole host of things with DRMARYB, because I just love her spirit.
OBRIEN-Don’t forget, we’re not the only team that has to endure this schedule, and deal with the 3gms in a row and 4gms in 5nights. Those teams and players will be just as tired, if not more so. We’re still a young team, and our starting lineup just got younger, quicker, faster, and more athletic with Teague.
Imagine how greatly teams like the Celtics, who are old, and Orlando, who’s totally dependent on DHoward, will be affected when this schedule takes its toll on them. I’ll take an inexperienced Teague, even if he is inexperienced and still learning the ropes, as my starting PG anyday of the week over a broken down OFF and DEF liability like MBibby.
About the only thing Teague won’t give us that we got from Bibby is 3pt shooting. I’m not blaming Bibby, because he wasn’t responsible for the ravages of age, or the decision to play himself so many mins. Even with Bibby and his OFF/DEF limitations, the Hawks managed to accomplish quite a lot, compared to what we managed to accomplish before his arrival.
And Teague’s speed, quickness, ability to penetrate, and create for others, along with his DEF, will be more valuable to us than the ability to shoot 3s. I like the idea of having a PG that allows us the ability to attack and breakdown DEFs, rather than being limited to just shooting over it.
Look at the OFF production Bibby gave us over the last 2yrs, and his MPG. Then compare Teague’s production over that same period, and his MPG. Then see if you think Teague would have any difficulty whatsoever in equaling or exceeding Bibby’s production if given the same MPG and support.
Your concerns about Teague only tells me that he can only get better as the season progresses and he gains more experience and confidence, and so will the team. Teague’s inexperience, or whether he can duplicate his playoff performance during the regular season, isn’t that big of an issue. We know for an absolute certainty that he’ll bring his speed, quickness, athleticism, and DEF ability, which will be invaluable to the team.
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
10:49 am
KevinM,
KevinM,
Today is the amnesty deadline for this season. But because the Nets are way under the cap, the amnesty opens up even more cap space for them, so they could offer a huge contract to another player. The Hawks don’t get much relief in salary cap space even if they amnesty Marvin. Plus the ASG might need to amnesty JJ down the road.
And lets not forget, Hawks are owned by Broke ASG millionaires who are trying to sell the team, while the Nets owned by a billionaire.
Big Ray
December 16th, 2011
10:49 am
Buddy Grizzard ,
It’s not that I don’t like Jason Collins. It’s that I wanted another decent big down low. A guy with more energy. We ain’t gonna get that, I know. Fact is, our rebounding backup big is Zaza, and losing him would hurt something fierce. But a backup PF? Not sold on Benson or Rolle, and while Marvin might grow into that role, he has never been a huge rebounder despite his size, and is liable to be the starting 3 anyhow.
The issue with Josh leading the fast break is that he had Bibby, who can’t keep up, starting at point guard. Or you had JC1 who would just as soon pull up, let the defense set and then take a contested long jump shot than go to the rack and draw contact.
That’s true. But watching him lead the break took away our best finisher and carried with it the 50-50 chance of a terrible turnover or a brilliant play. I’d just as soon not have those odds anymore. And…it was still happening with Hinrich in the game…though not as much.
Big Ray
December 16th, 2011
10:50 am
Northcyde ,
Your 4:08 am post explains it all, much better than I did. THANKYOU.
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
10:55 am
Ken S,
Don’t forget, we’re not the only team that has to endure this schedule, and deal with the 3gms in a row and 4gms in 5nights..
Agreed. But how many of those teams have a first year starter at an important position (like PG) who is only entering his 3rd year? And how many of those teams will be relying on a second round draft pick entering his second season to be the backup PG?
And for the record, I am happy Teague is the starter. I think he will be better, and the team will be better.
But in my opinion, Hawks need a suitable backup PG who can play 10 – 15 minutes per game. I like Sy, and I think he has potential, but I don’t want us to rely on Teague and Sy as our primary PGs given the compressed schedule.
Big Ray
December 16th, 2011
10:58 am
Ken ,
No doubt we walked it up too much. Again, I say that had as much to do with trying to control the offense vs. wild play as it did with slow pgs. Kirk Hinrich had the speed, but we still didn’t run enough.
Playing defense leads to defensive rebounds (ideally), and that leads to fast breaks. Or, you simply get the defensive rebound and start the break.
Looking back at Phoenix, you have to look at their defensive rebounds, not their total rebounds. That’s where our problem lies. When the Suns had Stoudamire and Marion, their defensive rebound ratings were pretty darn good. Look at Northcyde’s 4:08 am post, and you’ll see what I mean. Those rebounds led to Nash-fed fast break points.
Our problem has been the number of offensive rebounds we kept giving up time after time, game after game. You can’t run the break with a bunch of speedy guys if you don’t get that defensive rebound. The Suns weren’t a very good defensive team, but they could damn sure get that defensive rebound and not give you 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances.
That’s my point. No, you don’t have to be a dominant rebounding team to run the break. But you need to be good on the defensive end when it comes to rebounds. Look at the Blazers….they were one of the slowest teams in the League, but they could rebound it. Kinda like in football, it’s about possession of the ball. Rebounding increases your time of possession of the ball, or in this case, the number of possessions you have.
So we can let Teague and the guys run like the Boston marathon if we want. But unless we defend and rebound the ball on the defensive end, we’ll be the Warriors.
Ra'mon
December 16th, 2011
11:00 am
Here’s something I just realized. Our depth sucks! But the depth here is better than what the Lakers, Miami Heat, Knicks, Magic, and a few other teams.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
11:00 am
The nets are clearing space to re-sign Humphries who will command much more than the mid-level.
He may not be much of an offensive player, but he’s a hustler who seems to know his limitations (unlike for instance Drew Gooden who tries to do much more than he is able to).
Tee
December 16th, 2011
11:06 am
We will have to brace ourselves for this season with the loss of JC. ASG remain to be not interested in anything having to do with NBA playoffs, much less a championship. Until they sell this team to an NBA type, we are doomed. It is a pure shame, no fault of the players.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
11:17 am
KevinM, the amnesty clause is a one-time chip that can be used in the next 7 years. The odds that Marvin’s contract in the next 2 years will be wrose than Joe’s in hislast two years seems pretty remote (to me). I think it would be pretty short-sided to waste a one-time chip on marvin, especially when he may be more productive after his back surgery. If you want to see this team get better, think trade and not amnesty.
jojo sunshine
December 16th, 2011
11:22 am
Blow it up in trades with the Lakers and Orlando. The Lakeshow gets Howard and Hinrich. Orlando gets Bynum, Benson, and Radmonovich. The Hawks get Gasol. Now if the money would work that would be a great trade for the Hawks because we get rid of Howard on our side and we gain a scoring big man to couple with Joe Johnson.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
11:25 am
Ra’mon,
Yep!!!! And on a condensed schedule!!!!
PointGuardWisdom
December 16th, 2011
11:26 am
Scottie Reynolds is available and he is a proven winner…could be the Tebow of basketball
Grandmaster JeJe
December 16th, 2011
11:30 am
We NEED DEPTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandmaster JeJe
December 16th, 2011
11:30 am
Enter your comments here
Grandmaster JeJe
December 16th, 2011
11:31 am
Wtf is the deal with Stack? Is he a training camp consultant or are we signing this guy?
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
11:33 am
“But in my opinion, Hawks need a suitable backup PG who can play 10 – 15 minutes per game. I like Sy, and I think he has potential, but I don’t want us to rely on Teague and Sy as our primary PGs given the compressed schedule.”
That is not an opinion, that is common sense. All this we are going to run, and Sy and McGrady can play backup point guard crap Drew is spitting is garbage. We need a backup point guard. That is obvious. No wordplay from the coach or management will change that. We also need another big who can rebound. Hinrich is not T.O. He will be out as long as expected, and probably longer. This group tries to sell us anything. LOL
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
11:34 am
O’Brien
pardon my response format but I dont know how to bold nor italix etc. Here’s my statement..
1) Seems to me Drew is saying they can get the ball and start dribbling? I guess Joe can dribble but Marvin? Then whats the point of Teague..
Here’s the context.
“The [6-8] shooting guard with the chiseled body and the [6-8], 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.”
When we can get the two or the three on glass, they can initiate a fast break effectively.
Translates to:
“When we can get Joe and Marvin on the glass they can initiate a fast break effectively.”
As opposed to
“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.”)”
If we were talking about outlets then, Smith vs Joe vs Marvin outletting, should bear little to no distinction.
We’re talking about Smith vs Joe vs Marvin handling the ball and initiating the break…
Trying to find a reason to keep Marvin on… For his ballhandling… When we have Teague… When we have Smith leading the entire NBA SF class in HoF class rebounding.
Instead of Smith crash boards as an SF outlet to Teague leading, Vlad trailing for 3 in the 4th quarter we’ll have
Marvin rebound and lead the break, Smith with no jumper trailing the perimeter, and with Marvin playing point Teague will fill the lane, go up for a dunk, get hammered. Out for significant back to back stretch and Season over.
lol Marvin in for ballhandling.
#GoHawks
SteveW
December 16th, 2011
11:34 am
I’m just glad Jamal signed on the West Coast. I would hat to see him shooting daggers from 25ft in New York, Miami, or someplace that could do us some real damage.
Best to you Jamal!!
HOF Voter
December 16th, 2011
11:37 am
Somebody on this blog said that Amare is a HOF’er.
He is not even close. And that is a fact. There goes the credibility.
Oops, it was already gone.
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
11:44 am
SMH @ Jeff.Joe.Josh.Leuer.Bogut.
This dude has literally taken his antics to every website: http://hawksbasketblog.com/2011/12/15/thursdays-training-camp-update/
Just check out the comments section, SMH.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
11:49 am
Flavor Flav:
to bold something, write “strong” in angle brackets (), then write what you want to bold, then write “/strong” in angle brackets
to italicize something, do the same, but write “em” instead of “strong”
Heisenberg
December 16th, 2011
11:49 am
Watching Jeff Van Gundy on Sports Center and he was talking about how the teams like OK City, Memphis, Indiana, & Chicago have an advantage because of little or no roster turnover and returning coaching staff. No mention of Hawks who should fit in that group. Maybe ATL should sign Kris Kardashian. Not sure how much help he would be on the court but at least the Hawks would get some attention.
However, I think it would be funny if Dallas did. Imagine Kris and former in-law Lamar Odom on same team….awkward.
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
11:56 am
BIG RAY-I firmly believe we’ll be a much better rebounding team than we’ve been in the past. Why do I feel that way?
1-SF MWilliams is finally healthy. I don’t know how much his back problems contributed to his poor rebounding and overall play, but I know for certain that it had to have an effect.
2-PF JSmith lost 30+lbs, but not the strength he developed over the past few off season. His added speed, quickness, and mobility will allow him to rebound better.
I believe our entire frontline will benefit greatly from finally having a solid perimeter DEF. It means no more dependence on the switching DEF, which far too often left them on the perimeter defending PGs and SGs. It also means our PGs and SGs won’t end up under the basket trying to rebound with Cs and PFs, after switching with our Cs and PFs.
With a solid perimeter DEF, our frontline players will be able to remain near the basket and get rebounding position, which means our DEF rebounding should definitely improve. In the past, our frontline players were forced to compensate for the DEF liabilities of Bibby and Jamal.
In addition, they were expected to drop back and try to get rebounding position under the basket and challenge for DEF rebounds. Hell, with what our frontline players were being forced to do, it’s amazing they were able to rebound as well as they did.
Teague’s speed, quickness, athleticism, and DEF, especially his DEF, will transform the Hawks into a totally different team, both offensive and defensively. There were reasons for us not being a better rebounding team(injuries, poor perimeter DEF, poor coaching decisions), and those reasons no longer exist.
SteveW
December 16th, 2011
11:57 am
Lessons on how to speak ASGese, Sundese, and Drewese:
“The Hawks are not for sale.” Translation – Would somebody pleeeeaaaase give us Cash for this Team!!??? Please? We need money!!
“I love the kid. I’ve never stopped believing in him. I’m here to develop Jeff Teague.” Translation – When my son graduates in a couple of years, I should have destroyed Jeff Teague enough where I get to Coach my son. Isn’t that right dear?
“We have never offered our 1st round pick for sale” Translation – Rats!! How did the guy from Yahoo Sports find out? Rick, do what you can to dump that 24th pick for the highest 2nd pick you can, preferably the 31st pick. You’ll get a small bonus, and if you don’t it’s your job! Do you understand me! We need money!!!
“We like our core” Translation – We’ve spent enough money and trades are too risky. And the stupid fans will keep giving us their hard earned cash while we sell Lakers jersey’s too them. No trades today!! Unless of course we can save a ton of money, and still trick our fans.
“Our goal is to be one of the top 4 seeds in the East” Translation – No way where spending the money for a championship here!!
“We will do whatever we can to re-sign Jamal. We like Jamal Crawford” Translation – Bye!! Thanks for the memories! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
“We like our Bigs” Translation – You are not to cross the luxury tax line, do you hear me! We’re waiting for that half a billion to come in. Somebody out there has it. We have agents swarming Asia right now trying to find the right fit. I don’t care if it’s Kris Humphries, Hollins, Dalembert, whoever, no luxury tax, understand!!??
“We think we can get by until Kirk get’s back with Sy, Wanamaker, Tmac or somebody backing up the Point” Translation – This is a win win for everybody. ASG saves money. Sund doesn’t have to work to find a replacement. And Larry can punish Teague night after night until he breaks down, so he can say he’s not durable, so he can start anybody but Jeff Teague. Until Larry Drew Jr. gets out of college that is. Isn’t that right dear?
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 16th, 2011
12:02 pm
As soon as Hinrich gets back Teague gonna be back on the bench. Begging for playing time like Keith Sweat. Drew = Woody Jr.
FIRE SUND
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
12:03 pm
Astro, we’re going to sit on this amnesty card like we do every time we get a trade exception. I am trying to figure out what Sund does good here. Other than the JC1 trade and drafting Teague, Sund’s success average is below .500.
Same thing with doing any trades on draft day; we haven’t made a splash in the draft since what Dominique? That is truly sad.
I understand that it is not solely his decision. I find it unthinkable that Joe will ever be amnestied by us after annointing him our leader.
It would have to come from another ownership group and GM.
For the production we will get from Marvin (10/5) in 30 mpg, I think we can do better like Dallas did with Lamar Odom. I’ll take that money and go get me a better backup PG and C than what we have. We have plenty of PFs, so that is an area not needed here.
So many options, so little decision making that Sund applies for improving a roster.
We’re dealing with average results here.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
12:12 pm
SteveW
December 16th, 2011
11:57 am
CLASSIC STUFF
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
12:13 pm
Ken S,
-SF MWilliams is finally healthy. I don’t know how much his back problems contributed to his poor rebounding and overall play, but I know for certain that it had to have an effect..
Good Point. But one of the reasons he was hurt was because he stumbled and bumbled a lot (how many times did we see him hit the floor? A lot). Will his surgery heal his clumsiness? Time will tell. Because what if he starts falling down again? How long before his back acts up again?
JSmith lost 30+lbs, but not the strength he developed over the past few off season. His added speed, quickness, and mobility will allow him to rebound better..
Josh’s biggest problem when it came to rebounding was not a lack of speed, quickness, or mobility. It was a lack of technique. More often than not, Josh tried to get a rebound by outjumping the person, instead of using his position to box them out. I think his technique and commitment to rebounding is what he needs to work on.
Overall, the biggest issues with the Hawks (imo) is their mentality and commitment to doing what it takes to win. Hopefully Teague being the PG will provide a spark to the team.
Ra'mon
December 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
Big Ray, it wasn’t a 50-50 chance Josh would lead to a turnover. It was a 80-20 percent chance the play would end up in a great play for the Hawks. I’d take those chances any given time.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
12:15 pm
Kevin, there are 4 teams who advance to the second round of each conference. 4 of 15. I don’t view that as “average” result.
If there are 15 girls in the room and you leave with one of the 4 finest girls there, did you take home an average chick?
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:15 pm
MC I saw your post at 11:39 and I came off rude. I apologize.
But Smith clearly needs a stretch 4 and thats what Vlad is for. A defensive center? We have Collins and Zaza.
How can you construct an offense with Smith, Horford and Collins. Smith is not a “perimeter” player. You shoot the ball he rebounds at the TOP of the NBA SF class, he sets screens, he gets steals and transition dunks. Hes not an All Star if you move him outside in a halfcourt.
And the only reason to move him outside would be to accomodate Horford. Horford who does nothing excellent as a PF except try to score and wind up passing… to the perimeter. We had Crawford there in the past.
Why are we moving Horford to PF instead of just trading him for upgrades? His defense at PF is not superstar level and his lack of offense mitigates his impact even further.
Smith inside
perimeter player
center
Smith outside
Horford “inside” (defense improves, offense declines)
center inside
Smith and Horford are redundant. Add Marvin if you want but hes undersized and not boxing out any PFs. Vlad is underwhelming.
22yo Leuer/ 22yo Motiejunas should be in this training camp. Not Radmanovic and Marvin and a bevy of over-the-hill perimeter players. That makes us knowingly undersized. For the FIFTH year in a row.
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
12:17 pm
From hoopshype;
In fact, Stoudemire said he has worked a lot on his ever-improving perimeter game and could play the role of the “stretch” forward to leave the pick-and-rolls for Chandler.
“I’ve been working on my three-point shot,” Stoudemire said. Would D’Antoni mind seeing his 6-11 All-Star power forward pulling up for threes? “As long as he makes ‘em,” D’Antoni said, “I don’t care.”.
What is it with big men wanting to take 3’s?
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
12:18 pm
OB, yeah. Hawks biggest issues are the neck up and I don’t see how Teague and his athleticsim change that. It may help hide it but eventually, athleticism can’t hide poor decision-making.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
12:19 pm
may mask it (poor decision-making) but it won’t fix it. UGH.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:21 pm
Kevin, there are 4 teams who advance to the second round of each conference. 4 of 15. I don’t view that as “average” result.
If there are 15 girls in the room and you leave with one of the 4 finest girls there, did you take home an average chick?
———————————–
7 of those girls are underage/not ready (missed playoffs) but when they’re mature (lotto picks), and only 2 of 15 get to home base (ECF) and 1 gets married (NBA Finals) and you keep coming back to the same girl who wont take you all the way…Why you end up looking like a simp, a doofus, a moron.
She probably is hiding something…disease, transgendered. Well you can keep going with her/him but me, and I hope the majority of us, would say no hard feelings, dump the broad and upgrade to erase the memory.
#goHawks
i_am_soulstar
December 16th, 2011
12:23 pm
Well stated Astro
Ra'mon
December 16th, 2011
12:23 pm
O’brien, Josh’s biggest problem with rebounding wasn’t technique, it was the scheming by both Woody and LD. Horford only averaged 1 rebound more than Josh. Even though, Josh was instructed to not hit the offensive glass, but to get back on defense to deter any fast break opportunity of the opposition. So with a better defensive back court, Josh rebounding numbers will go up (and quite realistically pass Al’s) just based on more opportunities for him to crash the glass. Notice how you’ve never heard LD say that Josh needed to hit the offensive glass more, out of all of the critiques he gave to Josh. Combined, Josh and Al are ranked in the top 8 of PF/C duos in rebounding in the league. To be ‘undersized’ that is a great stat.
baby girl
December 16th, 2011
12:26 pm
my team should get agent zero. I just love the way he plays the game. he can score from anywhere and would do well in iso offense. I love the hawks. 2012 champs baby
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
OBRIEN-I’m certain everyone but JTeague himself had the same concerns when he was thrust into the starting PG role against the NBAs top DEF team and MVP, and during the playoff semifinals no less. Wasn’t he younger, and even more inexperienced then than he is now? After his successful playoff experience, do you think he has more or less confidence in himself than he had then?
You’re embracing the same type of fear, apprehension, and negative thinking that influenced both Woodson and Drew to limit Teagues mins, opportunities, growth, and chance to develop. He won’t be running a team with a lot of young inexperienced players. He’ll get plenty of help and encouragement both on and off the court, which is a drastic change from his past experiences.
Teague’s youth and stamina should help him endure the rigors of the upcoming schedule better than top PGs like RRhondo, JNelson, DWilliams, and SNash, and CPaul. In addition to dealing with the rigors of the upcoming schedule, they have to deal with a combination of age, and for some, physical issues, such as bad knees.
We’ve seen too many young talented PGs emerge over the last decade to have as much doubt as some of you seem to be having in Teagues ability to become one of them. I can’t remember when I’ve been as excited about a Hawks team as I am about this yrs team.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
“Good Point. But one of the reasons he was hurt was because he stumbled and bumbled a lot (how many times did we see him hit the floor? A lot). Will his surgery heal his clumsiness? Time will tell. Because what if he starts falling down again? How long before his back acts up again?”
Exactly!!! He needed back surgery, because he stays on the ground. So now, all of the sudden, his back surgery is going to keep him upright. LOL
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:30 pm
What is it with big men wanting to take 3’s?
They can just watch and let the game come to them. Amar’e has the wingspan and reach to attempt and make those amazing hook shots from every angle but he is injury prone and Horford just does not have what Amare has.
Amare can score inside but it hurts. Horford cant score inside and it hurts watching him. Josh was fat last year but even before that he struggled to score over taller players at times.
He is no Shawn Kemp.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:32 pm
^in regards to Kemp’s superior height and length of course.
reese
December 16th, 2011
12:34 pm
It’s funny when I keep reading or hearing that we have to get the ball to the pg in order to run the fast break. If that were the case, as the opponent, I would just make sure that I kept someone next to the pg in order to slow down the fast break.
For those of you who played basketball, I’m sure that you ran 4 on 3, 3 on 2 and 2 on 1 fast breaks in practice. The ball was not always in the hand of the point guard with these fast break drills.
Plus, teague is a better finisher than both joe, marvin, zaza and collins. With the 4 on 3 and 3 on 2 fast break, you keep the ball in the middle. With the 2 on 1 fast break you keep the ball on the side. At this level, anyone should be able to fill the approriate position on the break.
Additionally, if a player has demonstrated that he can rebound and beat dribble down court faster than other players, then those players are also displaying another fast break method.
Until I see the hawks consistently display multiple basic fast break methodologies, I don’t see them being a consistent successful fast break team.
STRETCH
December 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
“It sounds like he is healing pretty good,” Drew said today. “From my understanding, he is ahead of schedule, and that is a good thing.”
Folks, that is what a man in denial sounds like.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
Combined, Josh and Al are ranked in the top 8 of PF/C duos in rebounding in the league. To be ‘undersized’ that is a great stat.
———————-
top 8? Where were Nowitzki and Chandler? Cuz you know, they won the title. Ar we better than the Miami Cheat? The Chi Bulls?
Marion vs Smith
Horford vs Chandler
Nowitzki vs Marvin
#goHawks
STRETCH
December 16th, 2011
12:37 pm
So basically what MC said. They are going to go with what they got.
Translation: “We will cover these bullet wounds with band aids.”
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:40 pm
@reese
When the coach wants Marvin Williams initiating the fast break… Joe Johnson rebounding… don’t even bother. It’s rhetoric.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
12:40 pm
Teague can help us be more effective on the fast break due to 2 factors:
1. He is quicker to loose balls than any other PG we had in the past couple of years (Bibby is slow and Jamal does not rebound).
2. Teague can finish fast breaks on his own (Bibby would be overtaken by everyone).
Where Teague may only have some/limited influence is in gaining the trust from guys like Josh that they can give the rock to Teague without risking the play becoming an half court set because Teague will always avoid that, whilst Bibby had a much higher personal inclination to stop transition plays now that he was getting slower and slower.
People give the example of Nash, which is not a fast guy but is a master on the fast break BUT they were comparing a guy who is slow but nimble with a guy who was stuck on reverse.
THERE WAS (IS) NO OTHER BACK COURT PLAYER REMOTELY AS SLOW AND LESS ATHLETIC THAN BIBBY. Not even Baron and his huge belly.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
12:41 pm
McGrady sits out with a sore arm… So it begins.
#Hawks
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
12:42 pm
Caution!
Grand-Daddy, you wanna rassle with me? Ha Ha!
____________
Never rassle with drmaryb, you’ll get all muddy – besides, she likes it. LOL, now where have I heard that before? (insert a hog for drmaryb).
Happy Holidays – cohorts! Be safe, drink responsibly and most importantly – have fun!
reese
December 16th, 2011
12:43 pm
Also, please quit asking for Zaza to be the starter. We were a losing team when Zaza was the starter. I can’t even believe that Rolle or Benson are decent players until I see that they are outplaying zaza. Which in my opinion should not be hard to do. Examples, zaza has poor offensive skills. They should be able to outscore him in practice. They should be able to out jump him on the post and shoot over him. In drills, they should be able to use their foot speed to go around zaza.
On defense, they should be able to stop him from scoring in practice. They should be able to beat him to loose balls. They should be able to play help defense and then get back to their man.
Too make it simple for the coaches to prove that they are better, they should embarrass him. Not in a malicious way, but in I’m just better than you way and I deserve to play more than you to help this team win.
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
12:46 pm
OBRIEN-How many times did you see Horford, Josh, Zaza and Marvin out on the perimeter trying to defend PGs and SGs? Do you think it was easier for them to rebound when they’re near the basket, or out on the perimeter? When you are routinely put in a position where you can’t fight for rebounding position under the basket, you utilize your athleticism to try and out jump them.
Again, instead of trying to find fault with individual players for not doing a better job of rebounding, we should applaud their ability to do as well as they did under the circumstances they were frequently forced to operate under.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
12:49 pm
reese
December 16th, 2011
12:43 pm
reese, check Zaza’s video interview on the Hawks’ site: after just a couple of days, zaza had bruises in his face and scratches on his shoulders/harms.
it’s not only about jumping and running, its about battling and hustling and zaza battles and hustles, even in practice, whilst until I see it with my eyes, I bet that Benson and Rolle don’t.
Benson was sent back home by Dinamo Sassari and the fans there were MISSING OTHELLO HUNTER who was a god for them.
Ra'mon
December 16th, 2011
12:49 pm
Joe. Jeff, its 8 days straight of practice and sprints. How does it begin?Not many veterans can go 9-10 days straight.
Do you guys remember when we lost Childress, and we thought it would be a great loss? For pennies on the dollar, Sund brought in Flip and Mo to take Childress’ place. And the Hawks ended up winning their first playoff series that season. This year its McGrady, Sy, Vlad, and Stack taking the place of Crawford. I think I like the chances!
cdog
December 16th, 2011
12:50 pm
like the temptations song said, get ready, get ready hawks fans for the losing and the disapointments to began.anything rick sund is associated with, will end up losing as he has always done.someone remind him that you can’t take a mule to the kentucky derby and win.thats what kind of team he has assembled, a group of mules. good luck hawks fans, sund is your man.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
12:52 pm
Loose Balls!
“They should be able to beat him to loose balls. ” – reese -
____________
ZaZa and Josh are the ONLY two Hawks I have EVER, EVER, EVER seen belly up for loose balls. What Hawks team have you been watching?
Please tread carefully with your words of trepidation.
reese
December 16th, 2011
12:57 pm
I second the comment questioning why Marvin is the starter. In fact, the signing of Marvin is why we do not have Jamal. His 7 mil is too much for the role he plays. His position is probably the most available player position in the league. There are so many 6′5 to 6′10 players who can play the 3 spot. Josh, Joe and McGrady can all play that position better than Marvin. Drew states that he can play Marvin at the 2 spot. Marvin does not play the 2 spot better than Jamal, Joe or McGrady. So why do we have our fourth best player for a position starting in the small forward position and being considered for the backup shooting guard position.
Plus, Marvin is afraid to initiate fast breaks, afraid to dribble in the middle position during fast breaks, does not fade out enough to fill lanes properly during fast breaks and does not consistently finish strong on fast breaks.
He is more suited for a team that does not fast break and that has multiple players who penetrate and kick out to open shooters.
I understand the teams mantra of no excuses we will fight with what we have. Yet, it is going to be up to Sund to make what we have better (i.e. trade marvin, zaza, kirk)
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
1:02 pm
The Huddle!
“we should applaud their ability to do as well as they did under the circumstances they were frequently forced to operate under.” -Ken Strickland-
________________
Copyright that! Doc Rivers is The Master in the Huddle. Coach Drew was spectacular in last season’s, round 1 huddle – he was Doc-Esque when, miked-up! But, this is where Drew did not step up to make any adjustments with his rotations, personnel time management and adjustments in game 2. That’s where we lost momentum and didn’t put our foot on the Bulls neck.
But Ken is right, Drew did not answer the bell and put his guys in their roles. Especially with Jamal, the players were without direction and were free lancing.
Thibbs would have won that series with our team.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
1:08 pm
790 The Zone!
Yesterday @ 1PM, Ryan Stewart flip-flopped. He picked the Jaguars to defeat the Falcons in Prime Time at The Dome! Then, he saw where the Jaguars had 27 players on the Injury Report and unavailable for the game.
So, Ryan reversed his pick to the Falcons! Smart pick th take the Falcons and the point spread of +9.5. Falcons win 41-14. Our Dirty Birds finally played all 60 minutes.
65 unanswered points in the 2nd halves of their last two games. Let’s Go Birds!
steve brown
December 16th, 2011
1:11 pm
Why do I bother-we can’t, won’t, don’t sign arguably our most clutch performer who signs elsewhere for $5mm (peanuts in the NBA). This front office continues to embarrass the city and fans. Please go away.
reese
December 16th, 2011
1:25 pm
Vava74, too bad othello hunter was an undersized big man and he was competing against Josh and Al for playing time. The problem with Childress is that he wanted too much money for being the hustle guy. He was looking for the type of money that Marvin made and was offered the type of money that zaza makes.
drmaryb.[*_*], I’m watching the same games as you. Zaza is an arena favorite. He makes nice videos portraying rocky. He is a big body who is not afraid to knock players to the floor. He even loves to fall on the floor a lot. He does not back down to the other teams bullies. He bruises well and is not afraid to bleed.
It would be nice if he could make an open 5 footer. It would be nice if he could make a layup. It would be nice if he would take an offensive rebound back up and try to score. It would be nice if he would rotate over and challenge a shot from a guard without fouling them.
Whats not nice is that it doesn’t sound like neither Rolle or Benson are capable of being the big bodied bruiser who can make movies, looked banged up, foul other players, dive for loose balls or be the enforcer.
I guess, I’ll just have to wait to see if they can play basketball.
reese
December 16th, 2011
1:35 pm
I do like the Mcgrady and vlad acquisitions. I don’t mind teague playing the point guard position. I’m just hoping that we acquire a backup point guard like Arenas if he is healthy.
I’m hoping that we acquire a starting center who is capable of making defensive plays without fouling all the time. Is a capable of rebounding on the defensive end and quickly kicking the ball out to a player for the fast break. Capable of getting offensive rebound and taking it backup.
A center who makes an offensive player think twice about going into the lane because they are afraid of getting the shot legitimately blocked. Not knowing that they can go into the lane and get fouled so that they can go to the free throw line.
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
2:12 pm
Our season starts in about 2 weeks, so we’ll soon see what this yrs Hawks are made of. However, after a string of winning seasons, and playoff berths, by the same core of players, I think it would be downright stupid for anyone to predict a losing season for this yrs Hawks. We’ll definitely be a much improved team defensively, and quite possibly offensively as well.
After adjusting to an entirely new and different OFF system, while still walking the ball up and relying on our halfcourt OFF, we managed to gain the 5th seed and advance to the 2nd rd once again. This yr, we’ll have another scoring option, the fastbreak. We’ll also have a solid perimeter DEF, which has been completely nonexistent the last 5+yrs.
This team is far too talented, young, and experienced to collapse. Because of his scoring prowess and flash, a lot of fans have over estimated the impact JCrawford had on our team. They also felt the same way about the Nuggets. Let’s face it, all of you felt they would fall apart after getting rid MCamby and AIverson, and definitely felt that way after getting rid of CAnthony.
Oh how wrong you were, and it will be the same with Jamal.
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
2:14 pm
From hoopsworld: check out the footnote about Marvin…LOL
Josh Smith: To say Josh Smith is tired of taking the blame for all of the Hawks problems as a team is an understatement. But rather than come into camp and complain, Josh dropped some 20 pounds and has been killing it in training camp. The Hawks have marveled at Josh’s drive and motivation and have moved him to the small forward spot to better utilize his athleticism. The Hawks seem pretty happy with where they are in the grand scheme in the Eastern Conference and are reluctant to break that up, which is why the team has turned away overtures on Josh. Like Golden State, it would take a serious player to get the Hawks off the dime on Smith, and as long as the Hawks are in the hunt for home court in the East and Josh continues to lead by example, Hawks sources said recently that moving Josh just didn’t make sense for what’s possible in return. If the Hawks struggle, or implode as a team that could change, but after a full week of camp no one in Atlanta is talking trade, they are talking playoffs and as long as the direction of the team stays that way Josh will stay with the Hawks.
Marvin Williams is another story.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
2:15 pm
Astro Joe, average is this:
Draft Jeff Teague one year, then the latest trade:
The Hawks draft JC2, then give him away…..along with a #1, which ends up being Chris Singleton.
Atlanta Hawks: 2010-11 record: 44-38 (vs Southeast: 9-7)
They started the year 6-0, then finished 38-38…..
Playoff record: 6-6
Why doesn’t that constitute average?
Now, evaluate our head coach, Larry Drew…Do you consider him better than average? I don’t and like Steve W, I hope we relieve him of his duties before his son is eligible for the NBA.
And where are you getting the 15 girls? Depends on the pool.
I will wait before I reevaluate what we have here. I hope I am 100% wrong….there wouldn’t be much better, because we are limited to do anything.
Heading to the open scrimmage tonight despite my opinion. I want to see Marvin and who might be able to help us off the bench.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
2:20 pm
Yes, you can’t move Josh like you couldn’t move Bibby because Sund sees them as more valuable than what you get in return…Bibby in his prime…what a bunch of…….
Letting JC1 go I guess told you how much Sund valued his contribution without so much as an offer….the guys he liked always got an offer in plenty of time to refute other teams.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
2:29 pm
Rocky VII!
reese! OK then re: ZaZa. LOL! Good Stuff keep it coming tough guy.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
2:32 pm
“Combined, Josh and Al are ranked in the top 8 of PF/C duos in rebounding in the league. To be ‘undersized’ that is a great stat.”
———————-
“top 8? Where were Nowitzki and Chandler? Cuz you know, they won the title. Ar we better than the Miami Cheat? The Chi Bulls?”
Combined rebounds for starting C and PF:
CHI: 20.0
LAL: 18.9 (that was with Odum as PF and gasol C)
ATL: 17.8
DAL: 16.4
MIA: 15.8
hmmmm……..Looks to me like our starters held their own.
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
2:33 pm
Ken,
You’re missing my point. I agree with giving Teague the keys, and let him drive.
My issue is not with Teague being the starter. My issue is with Sy being the backup. All I am saying is we need a suitable backup PG, so we don’t have to rely on Teague playing 40 minutes every game.
Let’s keep him fresh and energized. And to do that, I think we need to keep his minutes down to no more than 35. I’m just not comfortable with Sy being the backup PG. But I think Teague will do just fine as the starter.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
2:35 pm
I hope that some of you who are able to attend the open scrimmage will be sending reports to us poor homebound bloggers. Thanks.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
2:37 pm
reese,
“Plus, Marvin is afraid to initiate fast breaks, afraid to dribble in the middle position during fast breaks, does not fade out enough to fill lanes properly during fast breaks and does not consistently finish strong on fast breaks.”
Add that he can’t run straight without falling, brings the ball down under his waist when he is trying to finish, can’t dribble more than 3 times without picking up his dribble, misses way to many WIDE open jump shots, rebounds poorly for his size, can”t post up and hold his position in the post against smaller players, does not hustle……… But remember his back surgery will improve all of those things. LOL. You are making some great points, keep it up.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
2:42 pm
kevin, 15 teams in the EAstern Conference and we have finished better than 11 of them for the past 3 seasons. Sorry, that is not average. Even in a down year of 44 games, we were the 5th ranked team in the conference and beat the 4th ranked team in the playoffs. If you were the fan of the Raptors, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Wizards, Bucks, Bobcats, etc., you would have been loking up at the hawks for so long that you neck would be hurting. Come on man, just because a team doesn’t meet your expectations, it doesn’t mean that it is average.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
2:44 pm
OB, I think some of teague’s biggest fans seem content with having him play close to 48 minutes/game. or maybe they are fine with having Sy as his back-up for no good reason other than it will ensure that Teague is the defacto PG. Me, I’m a Hawks fan and anyone with common sense who supports the TEAM knows that we need an adequate replacement for Hinrich.
Mr. Mojo
December 16th, 2011
2:47 pm
Once again ASG will do nothing to help this team get over the hump. They are whats holding this team back. Basically another year with the same squad and no major improvements. They can’t even sell the team the right way. what a joke
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
2:50 pm
Wasn’t it reported that Mavin was a standout this week in camp? I guess you guys will confirm tonight?
A bulging disk is a very big deal for a professional athlete and for us for that matter…It was probably bothering him(chronic) for a very long time? He finally felt it was time to get it resolved..
Ladies and Gents may Sund/Drew present the new and improved Marvin Williams, the #2 lottery pick!
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
2:54 pm
While some of you are convinced that we will easily be able to replace Jamal’s scoring ability, I am very interested to see what happens this year, especially in the playoffs with no real scorer. While I understand that we could not afford Jamal, and had to let him go, I think many of you are underestimating what having a guy who can get his own shot, take his man off the dribble, and commands a double team means in the NBA, especially on this team with no pure scorer’s, and especially in the playoffs. Unless Horford ups his scoring average tremendously, TMac reverts back to 5 or 6 years ago, and Joe learns how to take over a game, we will not be able to score enough to win in the playoffs. Time will tell.
tremaine
December 16th, 2011
2:56 pm
Ok fellow hawks fans, I have 5 opening spots in my fantasy basketball CBS sportsline gold league that I have to fill. If you are interested sign up for the gold league and search for Albany Fantasty Basketball League. The password is marines. The draft is Sunday at 830pm et.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
2:57 pm
Sautee, I plan to be there tonight with my boys. No, not my boyz, but my boys, as in sons.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
3:01 pm
Astro, the Hawks are a good team….they are not an elite nor a bad team. Just because there are more bad teams than elite doesn’t make them much more than they are.
How were the Hawks vs. teams above .500?
Hollinger has the Hawks ending last year at 22…22nd place out of 30.
Wanna look at odds to contend?
2.9% to win the division in 2010
0.3% to be the #1 seed
1.9% to make the Finals
0.5% to win the LOB trophy
A ranking of 10th last year heading into the playoffs. I guess they overachieved to beat Orlando.
I don’t have to go beyond 2010 to compute what we are seeing here. Good is average in this league; they are not a contender as built.
I wish they were. Were we better in the playoffs last year? Yes, we won 2 2nd round games. That’s an improvement.
Lets just call them a .500 team that needs significant improvement to contend.
bigdave
December 16th, 2011
3:13 pm
have any of you been to the scrimmage before? is it a good way of assessing the team/individual improvements or will guys just be playing around etc.. ?
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
3:15 pm
This is an ‘AI’ kind of season huh? Not a lot of ‘practice’ time to worry about………..
O'Brien
December 16th, 2011
3:15 pm
Rod,
Jamal scored a lot of points, but how many points did he give up?
In the regular season, I don’t think the Hawks can replace his scoring with one or 2 people. Their best bet (imo) is to get more points in transition, rebound the ball better (therefore limiting the other team’s possessions), play better defense overall, and hope the offense maximizes their possessions.
For example, last season, Marvin, JJ and Josh took and missed a bunch of 3’s. Hopefully, Marvin and JJ will make more (open) shots, and Josh will take better shots.
That being said, you bring up a very good point. What will they do in the playoffs? When the Bulls went up against a good defensive team in Miami, they needed someone outside of Rose to create their own shot, but nobody else could.
When that happens, the Hawks best hope is probably for Teague to duplicate his Chicago performance, for JJ to get hot like he did in game 4 against Boston, and the other guys to live up to their season averages.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
3:16 pm
bigdave, there is a blip of last years on Hawks.com…
I think its a good way to see the guys in action and get an ideal on what we have as far as backups, because we basically know about the returning ‘core’.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
3:17 pm
Stats and Facts!
“hmmmm……..Looks to me like our starters held their own.” -Sautee-
_______________
Thanks for the info Sautee. This is Too Much Good Stuff. I had no idea our boys were ranked so high and ahead of Tyson and Dirk is unfathomable to me.
So what we need now is some rebounding help from the bullpen of relievers. A bonafide closer and a designated hitter, a big bopper to help Mr. Johnson in the 4th quarter to replace Jamal.
Do we have that?
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
3:32 pm
JUST Like I thought.
Combined rebounds for starting C and PF:
CHI: 20.0
LAL: 18.9 (that was with Odum as PF and gasol C)
ATL: 17.8
DAL: 16.4
MIA: 15.8
Whats not advertised here is rebound %. These are totals. As in Josh and Horford play a combined 70mpg.
If we used percentages.
Boozer + Noah – 36% of rebounds
Smith + Horford – 31% of rebounds
Marion + Chandler – 31% of rebounds
36%> 31%
Thats only one side of the ball anyways. You can get away with that level of average rebounding if you have above average scoring.
IE Marion + Chandler have Nowitzki’s offense to bolster them and his ~12% rebounding. Hawks have Marvin Williams offense and his 10% rebounding.
lol
#Hawks
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
Repost!
From hoopsworld: check out the footnote about Marvin…LOL
Josh Smith: To say Josh Smith is tired of taking the blame for all of the Hawks problems as a team is an understatement. But rather than come into camp and complain, Josh dropped some 20 pounds and has been killing it in training camp. The Hawks have marveled at Josh’s drive and motivation and have moved him to the small forward spot to better utilize his athleticism. The Hawks seem pretty happy with where they are in the grand scheme in the Eastern Conference and are reluctant to break that up, which is why the team has turned away overtures on Josh. Like Golden State, it would take a serious player to get the Hawks off the dime on Smith, and as long as the Hawks are in the hunt for home court in the East and Josh continues to lead by example, Hawks sources said recently that moving Josh just didn’t make sense for what’s possible in return. If the Hawks struggle, or implode as a team that could change, but after a full week of camp no one in Atlanta is talking trade, they are talking playoffs and as long as the direction of the team stays that way Josh will stay with the Hawks.
Marvin Williams is another story
________________
WOW! Melvin, O’Brien, Ken Strickland, Grand-Daddy, Sautee, KevinM, SteveW – et.al.
Does this mean, Josh is being moved permanently to the SF spot? If this is true, then who will play the PF permanently and subsequently, the Center? Are we creating new holes on our roster?
This is mind numbing to me.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
3:44 pm
O’Brien,
Yes Jamal was not a great defender, but his scoring ability more than makes up for his defense. With Bibby that really was a problem because he was not a dependable scorer any more. Majortiy of the time, Jamal socres more points than he gives up. We might score more points in transition during the regular season, but that won’t be the case in the playoffs. Let me let you in on a little secret. Josh and Al will not become better rebounders. Someone already posted that Josh’s rebounding #’s make him the #1 rebounding small forward in the league, and him losing 25 pounds let me know that he will be playing SF. He won’t rebound better from the SF position. Horford won’t get much better than he is rebounding at the 4 or the 5. If the team stays constucted as is, in the playoffs, teams will focus on shutting down Joe, leave Josh open on the perimeter, close out on Al, and make Teague, Marvin …. beat them. If TMac can revert back to the scoring TMac then we might be ok, but other than him, nobody else on our team is a pure scorer.
drmaryb.[*_*].
December 16th, 2011
3:55 pm
Rod from CP!
Nice post. Keep it coming!
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
4:00 pm
bigdave, i went a few years ago. It is average (to use Kevin’s favorite term
). It is definitely a great family event, especially if you have kids who play ball. They get to see the big shots running some of the same drills. The year I went, it was more practice… drills, learning new plays, etc. and less of a scrimmage. And of course, the sales folk are there to hit you up about buying tickets.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
4:03 pm
“Marvin Williams is another story”
DAYUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Shoot……………..@#$%^
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
4:05 pm
Mary, I think that Hoopsworld is written by bloggers, folk with an opinion but not necessarily insight into whatthe coaches are saying. I could be wrong and maybe that was just the portion of the website that I read previously… but I don’t recall it being hard news, just opinion.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
4:08 pm
“Whats not advertised here is rebound %. These are totals. As in Josh and Horford play a combined 70mpg”
Well, DUH! Of COURSE they had to play that many minutes. We don’t have adequate depth on the front line. And IF we had a deep frontcourt bench like CHI, then Al’s and Josh’s totals would be UP in % because they would be fresher and play more efficient minutes. Ask Noah and Boozer how valuable Gibson and Asik were to them.
Geez. you were the one ASKING for that data, and then you try to tear it down and make it a criticism. What an amazing fanhood you display.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
4:18 pm
Rod,
“Yes Jamal was not a great defender, but his scoring ability more than makes up for his defense”
OK Rod, if his scoring “more than made up for his defense” than why were his + / – numbers always so bad? Two years ago, you could say it was because he played more often with second teamers, but last year, due to him too often playing the point, that was less the case.
I realize that + /- numbers can deceive, but when it’s as egregious as JC1 was OFTEN, then it gets to be a touchstone. Do you know any other way to measure whether or not he gave more than he got? Other than your opinion?
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
4:20 pm
Astro Joe, I will lose the average moniker going forward, haha.
I will let the season determine how good these guys are. I hope for new and unseen skills we haven’t seen up to this point.
Enjoy the scrimmage tonight….need to track down MC and thank him for his daily blogs and keeping us in the loop as much as the Hawks will allow.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
4:21 pm
Sautee
Tyson Chandler has averaged 35mpg and 12.4 rpg and 11.7 rpg. He is 7′1 and dunks everything in sight.
We’ve seen Josh and Al in action. They are not on that level. You can argue about Taj Gibson and Asik but then why does Boozer average 18ppg in less minutes?
Hes a better scorer and rebounder.
Josh and Horford are undersized compared to championship frontcourts. Not Nowitzki-level skill to overcome it. And btw Marvin, the SF, is part of the frontcourt.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
4:22 pm
Where can we watch the scrimmage?
bigdave
December 16th, 2011
4:25 pm
Kevin M .. StroJoe,
appreciate it.. was going to go but from the looks of it, more of a family fun feel.. fortunately, im not in that market yet, lol..
guess ill just wait for preseason action to get a taste of what im surprisingly optimistic about.. meanwhile, ill look for tidbits from you guys that do attend..
be safe..
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
Sautee,
I ask one question. In your great basketball opinion, would we have won the Orlando series without Jamal Crawford?
I realize that + /- numbers can deceive, but when it’s as egregious as JC1 was OFTEN, then it gets to be a touchstone. Do you know any other way to measure whether or not he gave more than he got? Other than your opinion?
Yes, his ppg average. Especially in the playoffs. He averaged 15.4 ppg during last years playoffs, and I thing we averaged about 86 ppg in the playoffs last year. Jamal basically accounted for about 18% of our total scoring in the playoffs. I very seriously doubt that he was soley responsible for that high a percentage points on the other end. Could be wrong though, but I doubt it.
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
4:40 pm
Did we get Kaman for Kirk,Zaza, and that 2nd rounder yet?
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
4:45 pm
Flavor Flav,
about this:
“Tyson Chandler has averaged 35mpg and 12.4 rpg and 11.7 rpg”
Yes, 5 FREAKIN’ YEARS AGO. LOL!
Anyone willing to conflate old stats as if they are relevant today (without any mention of it) is not worth anymore of my time.
Your use of stats is abominable. Go root for the Bucks.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
4:59 pm
Rod,
“I ask one question. In your great basketball opinion, would we have won the Orlando series without Jamal Crawford?”
Why my “great basketball opinion”? Have I said something to make you think I elevate myself above others here? I would hope that if anything, I have encouraged a variety of opinions. I can assure you that, while I defend my positions, I never think that my opinion is better than another, just differing.
And in my opinion (just like everyone elses’s) Jamal was great against ORL. But his points came with a LOT of attempts (as well as he played, he shot less than 40% for the series).
But if you look at the bigger picture,over the entire year he gave up a LOT of points. That’s my opinion. If it’s great, great.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
5:02 pm
Sautee,
Still did not answer the question. In your opinion, do we beat Orlando without Jamal. YES or NO.
ArtMan
December 16th, 2011
5:16 pm
My question is:
Would Atlanta have won the playoff series against Chicago if the Hawks had Tom Thibodeau as coach and the Bulls had Larry Drew as coach?
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
5:17 pm
Rod,
I thought I was clear. We needed Jamal to win that series. Particularly with Horford so off his feed. We’ll likely need him in the postseason this year. Thank you ASG. But there are many games between now and then, and we’ll see how (or if) the Hawks fill that need out of their roster.
But I will NOT miss his lack of defense and his untimely turnovers. That’s my opinion.
I’ll point out that neither did you answer my question.
EmirS.
December 16th, 2011
5:20 pm
Do the Bulls beat the Hawks without Jamal?
I like this game.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
5:25 pm
Sautee,
“I realize that + /- numbers can deceive”
You actually answered your own question.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 16th, 2011
5:25 pm
Marvin Williams got a new contract for doing nothing but we let Jamal go after all he has done for the team. That’s Sund for ya.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 16th, 2011
5:27 pm
Bibby and Marvin did not deserve new contracts 2 years ago. They should have locked down Jamal and let them walk.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
5:27 pm
Do the Bulls beat the Hawks without Jamal?
Worse than last year. Yes.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 16th, 2011
5:28 pm
Sund rewards those that do nothing and lets the ones that contribute walk.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
5:34 pm
” I think many of you are underestimating what having a guy who can get his own shot, take his man off the dribble, and commands a double team means in the NBA, especially on this team with no pure scorer’s, and especially in the playoffs. ”
This is a valid point, but the loss of Jamal from the bench can be mitigated if the team actually runs the offense. Easier said than done, obviously, but the better LD does at making the players execute his offensive scheme, the less a one-on-one player like Jamal is going to be missed. Good teams have gotten by in the playoffs without great one-on-one bench scorers, but generally those teams execute better on offense.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
5:34 pm
By the way, if you want to see some idiotic, delusional comments, check out Gearon’s comments on MC’s twitter feed.
JaeEvolution
December 16th, 2011
5:39 pm
I know bigs are more important, but Chicago recently waived Keith Bogans he can no doubt be gotten for the minimum and will fill in for Joe nicely off the bench as a defensive stopper, and maybe instill a little bit that mindset into the whole team. We lack a lot of depth for the guards with Kirk out and no real back up for Joe yet, I’ll take Bogans > Stackhouse…
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
5:39 pm
Rod,
Why my “great basketball opinion”?
And you cut off my entire quote, which gave the “deceive” mention context. Did you MISS the context, or are you just jabbing at me?
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
5:43 pm
Keith Bogans got waived. He would be better than Stackhouse and McGrady as a defender and he definitely has more in the tank than either.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
5:43 pm
Releasing Bogans was a bad roster move for the Bulls. He was their Bruce Bowen
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
5:43 pm
Sautee,
Just jabbing..
vava74
December 16th, 2011
5:47 pm
Najeh Davenpoop December 16th, 2011
5:34 pm
Perfectly said. Even Jordan had to submit his mighty game to a team oriented system.
What fraking better evidence people need to lean that this is a team sport???
Hawk Billed
December 16th, 2011
5:49 pm
Ask Gearon why they selected Marvin Williams over Chris Paul when they needed a point guard then ? I’d love to hear that reason.
Trojan
December 16th, 2011
5:53 pm
Jamal was a net negative with the Hawks. We will be better as a team.
northcyde
December 16th, 2011
5:56 pm
(( Gearon Jr. says #Hawks willing to add $, pay tax at trade deadline to get “missing piece we think will take us over the top.” ))
LOL . . pay tax at trade deadline? Get missing piece? You mean like last year, when you basically traded 2 draft picks for Kirk Hinrich? Was he the missing piece last year?
*********************************
(( Told some fans think owners aren’t cheap but make poor $ decisions, Gearon Jr. sed: “I love that. I want a buzz. I’m thick-skinned.” ))
LOL @ he want a buzz. How do the fans thinking that you guys are idiots with your money give you a “buzz”? You’re not “cheap”, you’re just “scared”.
You’re like a spades player that holds onto a Big Joker to the very last play of a spades hand, but still got “set” because you probably should’ve played the Big Joker 4 hands earlier.
You let a possible “cut” go by, just because you didn’t want to play the Big Joker right then and leave you with no spades. Instead, you hold onto that Joker, and expect your partner to get the book. He/she didn’t, and that ends up costing you the game, because you and your partner held onto the Big and Little Jokers until the final play of the hand.
That’s the ASG . . . holding onto Jokers, instead of using them early to make their bid, and possibly setting the other spades team.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
5:57 pm
Sautee, Still did not answer the question. In your opinion, do we beat Orlando without
Jamal. YES or NO.
Let answer that for you Rod:
If, as we were exactly at that time, Jamal had not played. No, we would not have won that series.
BUT, if we had started Teague months earlier and he was our starting PG with Hinrich backing him and JJ, I have little doubt that we would win the series too.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:01 pm
And, we could have easily replaced Jamal for Jordan C. I have little doubt that he will a much more complete player that Jamal and if he had been given good minutes he would have reached the playoffs playing at a level close to Jamal on offence and already better on all other fronts.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:03 pm
Sorry for the omissions and typos.
northcyde
December 16th, 2011
6:03 pm
(( Gearon Jr. : “We haven’t seen enough to say this team is not capable of competing [for a title].” #Hawks ))
So you want to see this squad first, before making a determination that we can win a NBA title? So our vet minimum guys and 2nd round picks are all we needed to put us over the top?
28th in rebounding, but never fear, guys named Magnum and Kito will save us.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:31 pm
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7357471/the-tenth-day-nba-christmas
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:42 pm
Bill Simmons:
“The only thing that stops LeBron better than DeShawn Stevenson is the fourth quarter.”
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
6:44 pm
“Tyson Chandler has averaged 35mpg and 12.4 rpg and 11.7 rpg”
Yes, 5 FREAKIN’ YEARS AGO. LOL!
Anyone willing to conflate old stats as if they are relevant today (without any mention of it) is not worth anymore of my time.
Your use of stats is abominable. Go root for the Bucks.
How ignorant are you? You put up Josh and Al’s totals. Then you say if they play less minutes they would rebound more.
Would it be to Tyson CHandler’s elite level? Five months ago Chandler won a championship. You think Smith could play center for DAL or Horford could go head to head with Bynum and dunk everything in sight?
Chandler and a lot of other 7 footers are better rebounders and defenders than what we have. I didn;t hear Tyson Chandler or his dad saying his natural position is the 4. Just stop it.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
6:46 pm
Might start rooting for LAC
• Yes, I’m fully aware that Vinny Del Negro is prominently involved in the 2011-12 Clippers season. Elephant, meet room.
As for Chris Paul, do you think he feels like he won the lottery? The Clippers are trotting out the league’s most entertaining team, two franchise players (only Miami and Oklahoma City can say the same), a potential “Stockton/Malone 2.0″ brewing with Paul and Griffin, the Lob City gimmick (let the record show that Griffin and DeAndre Jordan finished second and third in dunks last year cbssports/nba/dunk-o-meter/yearly, and that Jordan’s “2008 Tyson Chandler” potential was the most underrated thing about this trade
vava74
December 16th, 2011
6:54 pm
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7360397/the-eleventh-day-nba-christmas
JaeEvolution
December 16th, 2011
7:05 pm
For all who didn’t or can’t go to the Hawks practice they are streaming it live on NBA.com.
Ken Strickland
December 16th, 2011
7:10 pm
Once the season starts, what will all of you TRADE and FANTASY BASKETBALL FANATICS do? Can you get your delusional heads out of your YOU KNOW WHAT long enough to realize the Hawks will start the season with the players on the roster, not the players all of you keep wishing for.
OBRIEN-I apologize for misunderstanding your point, and as far as Pape Sy is concerned, I understand your point. However, do we have anyone on the current roster who can do any better? Before we write him and his abilities off, we need to give him a chance to prove himself. We can’t afford to make the same senseless mistake and poor judgement that was made with Teague.
Also, with Hinrich’s expected return sometime this season, it’s not like he’ll be our backup PG the entire season. If he receives quality time and experience, with his size, versatility and DEF, he could end up being a very valuable asset come playoff time. Besides, as a PG, I don’t see how he can be any worse than Jamal, especially on DEF.
If he can run a fastbreak he should be alright, since Drews motion OFF isn’t necessarily PG driven. Since Pape Sy is a combo guard and plays solid DEF, he and Teague can play together. Playing Bibby and Jamal together was the same as committing DEF suicide.
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
7:14 pm
Ken Strickland,
AMEN bro!
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
7:22 pm
“How ignorant are you? You put up Josh and Al’s totals. Then you say if they play less minutes they would rebound more.”
Actually that’s NOT what I said. I said their rebound % would be higher if they were fresher. As should any NBA starter. I guess, for you, my “ignorance” hid what I actually said.
You seem to like twisting things around. But this is it for commenting on your foolishness. I’m done hog-rasslin’. Except to point out your pathetic fanhood. I’ll reserve that, as it’s maddening when so-called ‘fans” can’t find anything positive unless it’s their own vision of what the team “should be”.
I’ll take comfort that this season will be more satisfying for me. You, however will have a miserable time watching something less than your “vision”. I hope that nine tenths empty glass is not too bitter.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:24 pm
firstrowsports dot tv
is streaming all of the NBA presason games live!! Enjoy em….
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:25 pm
preseason^^^
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:28 pm
Pacers up 10 in the 1st over da BULLS!
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2011
7:32 pm
lol hawks looking so confused practicing
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
7:35 pm
Live stream for the Hawks scrimmage:
http://www.nba.com/live3/
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
7:40 pm
Damien Wilkinson is a starter for the Pistons tonight. Good for him…
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:43 pm
Split your screen and Watch both streams at the same time…
Bulls game on the left and the Hawks scrimmage on the right!! Awesome baby!
I’m running windows 7! Awesome baby!
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:45 pm
Marvin looks like somebody else.. He is upright!!!!! lol
doc
December 16th, 2011
7:46 pm
joe,jeff, etal
Might start rooting for LAC
• Yes, I’m fully aware that Vinny Del Negro is prominently involved in the 2011-12 Clippers season.
Elephant, meet room.
very funny but it used to be white elephant because their isnt one and that is glaring to overlook it and not being descriminatory. vinny may be over his head and paul might just out him.
i dont like the idea of suppoting anything sterling has his hands on ubfortunately as it might be a pretty good club.
is vava still talking about jc1? let him go!
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:47 pm
Josh just hit a 22 footer! looked easy and smooth.
Joe looks great!!!
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
7:49 pm
All jumpsots. Same Hawks. At least they all falling
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
7:49 pm
Either there is something wrong with my video feed or these guys (Hawks) are shooting lights out for about 2 mins straight…
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
7:51 pm
Am I the only one who can’t hear anything????
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
7:52 pm
Let the record show Sautee and Ken Strickland think the glass is half or 9/10s full with the current roster.
So don’t complain when Marvin doesnt step up and neither does Horford. Lets see if Josh can carry the pitiful Hawks frontline to the NBA Finals or East Finals.
And everyone will laugh at Hawks fans when Smith goes and wins elsewhere. For years, who will come to a Hawks team that chased away its own homegrown products.
=========
Live stream…. Teague with the throwaway. Joe Johnson with the post up fadeaway. Nuttin but net.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:52 pm
HAHAHA..just a scrimmage Melvin..lol
18-4 1st 22 games.. This Hawks team is gonna be pretty good..
Going to surprise a few people out there!
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2011
7:53 pm
Marvin’s still invisible and Josh still thinks he is Larry Bird. Nothing new here. Stackhouse looks good.
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2011
7:54 pm
lmao t-mac you not athletic anymore!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
7:55 pm
Poor T-Mac shouldve just shot the 3 or pulled up. airball reverse layup.
Horford at center hits fadeaway over slower Zaza.
Marvin bricks… Long.
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
7:55 pm
So im the only one with volume issues on the feed?
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:56 pm
I can hardly hear the sound and its turned all the way up..NBA.com problem? Its not your computer Sir..
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
7:56 pm
LMAO @ T-Mac trying to throw it off the backboard…
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2011
7:56 pm
yea its super low my speakers are all the way up
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
7:57 pm
@Slimjr its not how you begin its how you finish.
Josh looking like Skinny Z-Bo. Horford invisible. TRADE HORFORD.
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
7:57 pm
Josh jumper looks much smoother. He got rid of that hitch in his jumpshot.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
7:57 pm
Bulls game is coming in loud and clear though on the left side of my screen..
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
7:57 pm
ok i thought it was just my pc
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
7:57 pm
Josh jumpers are wet..#12 Donald Sloan doesn’t look bad…
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
7:58 pm
Starvin Marvin with the floater in the paint. 6th man of the year?
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
7:58 pm
Big AL with the crossover. That’s a new move for him….
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
7:59 pm
Safe to say Joe is back…dude is hitting from everywhere…
Hawks knocking down free throws as well…
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:01 pm
C’mon Marvin eat up those little pip squeaks this year DUDE!!!!! 6th man! lol
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:01 pm
Horford at the FT line? What happened Magnum Wrapper?
Guard/Josh turnover in a weak post entry.
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
8:01 pm
Damn they just had to mess up the hawks broadcast with volume issues smh
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:01 pm
Joe is looking GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEat
doc
December 16th, 2011
8:02 pm
slim seriously?
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:02 pm
#24 look like a new player? lol
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:03 pm
Pape Sy looks like shi.. Wannamaker looks better
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:03 pm
ISO is ready!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:04 pm
Josh should have taken T-Mac to LA with him for conditioning… Or maybe T-Mac would have been a negative influence…
vava74
December 16th, 2011
8:05 pm
T-Mac is done, kaput, wrap him up and put him on a sarcophagus…
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:05 pm
Dayum! Who is the RED-BONE???? Ah carumba!
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
8:06 pm
I have a feeling this will be Marvin’s break out year
I mean I seriously think it was a back problem that slowed his production. Becuz just look at his Jumpshot. Its almost perfect form. The only reason he was so off b4 was obviously becuz of his back.
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
8:06 pm
Flavor Flav,
“Let the record show Sautee and Ken Strickland think the glass is half or 9/10s full with the current roster.”
Let the record show that just because I think YOUR glass is 9/10ths empty that it doesn’t necessarily mean the opposite is true. I’m about 50/50 and wait and see on this bunch. But still, I’ll praise ‘em when they excel, and trash them when they suck.
Faulty logic, Flavor Flav. Not surprising though. You are excellent at that.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:06 pm
put some #’s on them girls backs….
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:08 pm
-Stackhouse can still contribute…
-Hawks are not really pushing the tempo…which may be by design since they play on Monday and this is just a scrimmage…
-The team as a whole are hitting their free throws…
-The team as a whole is hitting their shots…
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:08 pm
Slimjr chill out thats my sister bruh… Just kidding.
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:08 pm
Teague seams to be coming off the picks slower which is really good. The game has slowed for him, time for beast mode from the Teaguer
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:09 pm
Nice drive Teague…
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:10 pm
More like Chuck D.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:10 pm
hahah^^^
Sautee
December 16th, 2011
8:10 pm
“@Slimjr its not how you begin its how you finish”
Which tells you just why Flavor Flav is commenting negatively on a pre-season scrimmage.
LMFAO
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:10 pm
Teague is starting to push the tempo now…dude is quick as hell…
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:10 pm
Teague make everyone else look as if they are moving in slow motion….
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:11 pm
Man if Teague had CP3’s jumpshot!!!
Keep shooting Jeff!
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
8:13 pm
Tmac out there looking like Larry Holmes when he fought Tyson
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:14 pm
MMM look at Teague run against that Radmanovic defense.
Horford are you kidding me with that hook shot.
Teague not forcing the double and giving the ball on the break to Magnum Rolle in the middle?
With his size Horford sometimes runs the break better than Teague. If Horford were an inch or two shorter he could have been a great forward.
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:15 pm
Why doesnt Horford want to guard Pachulia…
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:15 pm
T-mac, conserving his energy for 12-28!
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:16 pm
Al tried to use his left hand for a change
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:17 pm
ZaZa what are you doing? Please don’t foul Marvin that hard in a scrimmage. He’s liable to miss the next month due to back spams…LOL
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:17 pm
Marvin’s signature rebound brick and putback.
marvin Williams
6′8.25″; 7′3.5″ wingspan
Chris Webber
6′10″; 7′3.5″ wingspan
All that wingspan…If only Marvin were an inch or two taller.
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:17 pm
Marvin looks about 6′10″ out there!!! Also looks smoother and more fluid! Good for him!
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Who’s your Pape….
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Pape with the hops
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Damn Pape got up lol…
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Pop!!!
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Nice entry from Jsmoove for a dunk for Marv!
Joe.Jeff.Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 16th, 2011
8:19 pm
Smith with the hero thread pass.
Smith with turnover then athletic dive on the floor, leads to alley oop. Trade Horford hes bumming it up against backups.
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:21 pm
T-Mac is out there trying to do circus plays and ish….
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:21 pm
I’m getting dizzy watching AIR-HARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Slimjr
December 16th, 2011
8:23 pm
C’mon AIR HARRY PULL YOUR PANTS UP DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:24 pm
The Wizards uniforms are terrible. They hurt my eyes…
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:25 pm
SMH @ the video presentation, lol
vava74
December 16th, 2011
8:25 pm
WTF are these guys doing. we want to see the product, not these freaking announcements!
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:26 pm
Did anyone else loose their feed?
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:29 pm
Scrimmage is just sloppy now…
Can’t take much from this imo…
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:30 pm
Team has a long way to go. No-one playing like they are ready for the season to start.
BoneKollector
December 16th, 2011
8:31 pm
The presentation is terrible lol
ads flashing up low volume just weird lol
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
8:35 pm
The best part about this scrimmage is that someone else is wearing #12, which is a constant reminder that Josh Powell is no longer an Atlanta Hawk.
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:37 pm
Cut/Waive #44 right now for setting a hard pick on Teague…
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
8:38 pm
The only people playing hard are the unknown camp invites. #12 and #44 in particular. Everyone else is just chillin as they should be.
I see Kirk’s shoulder doesn’t hurt so bad that he can’t suit up.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
8:40 pm
#44 seems like the type who would love popping that mid range jumper regardless of game situation and regardless of whether he is 0/10 already in the game. Kinda like Josh Powell, come to think of it.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2011
8:44 pm
I see they are still going with the goddamn organ instead of paying the royalty money to play actual songs.
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:46 pm
LMAO @ Najeh. ASG are cheap as sh!t
vava74
December 16th, 2011
8:47 pm
Teague is in mid-season form missing lay ups and tear drops!
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:48 pm
Wannamaker looks pretty good…
Macaroni Tony
December 16th, 2011
8:51 pm
JT0 is looking good out there besides that floater
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
8:52 pm
Teague move so quick, I think I’m going to sprain my ankle just watching him
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
8:55 pm
Teague gets anywhere anytime he wants, but he needs to finish consistently.
FreshFromATL
December 16th, 2011
8:55 pm
This was nothing more than a relaxed, glorified “pick-up” game. Can’t really take nothing from this except for no one got hurt…
Dueces
Melvin
December 16th, 2011
9:10 pm
Here’s a backup PG we can sign until Hinrich gets healthy…
Chuck Swirsky: Bull waive Jannero Pargo Twitter
Prison Mike
December 16th, 2011
9:18 pm
I wonder if LA is open to trading Kobe for Joe and filler most likely Marvin. Rumors of Kobe wanting out and divorce papers…
superiorblogman
December 16th, 2011
9:19 pm
What I took from this. I think Wannamaker will stick around longer than Sloan and is a better option than Pape at backup PG. I prefer Benson over Rolle. I will take Stack over McGrady. The starters did not impress. Teague can get anywhere anytime but needs to stop turning ball over and finish. This is just camp and preseason never know what happens when it’s showtime.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:28 pm
Liked Benson. He seems to be fond of rebounding. Good hands around the basket.
Rolle looks Solo mk.2 – good midrange nothing around the rim.
vava74
December 16th, 2011
9:29 pm
Watching the Nuggets scrimmage – as a reference – :
Faried is Fa-riel
rudy
December 16th, 2011
10:09 pm
wait! wait! wait!….the hawks signed jerry stackhouse, nothing against jerry or tracy but we are trying to get pass the 2nd round in the playoffs and now it seem we will not even sniff the playoffs…the hawks did what?!!!! dam dam dam…………….
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
10:12 pm
I just came back from the scrimmage but it looks like you all may have been able to check it out. A few first hand observations (mostly the new guys):
#44 Ivan Johnson knows how to set a screen and is THICK. He has decent skills and is clearly a tough guy. They have him listed at 6′8″ but that seemed way generous to me. He won’t make the team but I loved the toughness he brought to the court.
#25 Magnum Rolle appears to have passed by #13 Keith Benson. Neither struck me as being particularly athletic. Benson is longer and probably is a little more athletic. Rolle is much better. They are listed at 6″11 but Benson seemed taller than Rolle. Rolle was listed as being 5 pounds heavier but appeared closer to 20 pounds heavier to me. Rolle looks like a poor man’s Jason Thompson. I think he could be a keeper. Benson clearly has some skills but was being moved around like a toy.
Pape Sy is as much of a legit back-up NBA PG as I am. He is crazy athletic but please, let’s end the nonsense that he is a PG.
Wanamaker and Sloan looked pretty good. Wanamaker specifically deflected a few passes, seemed willing to attack the rim, help on the boards and knocked down some open jumpers. Hinrich-like IMO. Sloan probably has a more explosive offensive game.
TMac still has tremendous court vision but looked a little gimpy to me. I could see a scenario where we could skate by with TMac and Wanamaker sharing the back-up PG role. But if Teague gets hurt, we’re doomed as neither should play more than 18-20 minutes combined there (from my observation).
Stack is done. He may be a nice leader at the end of the bench but he looked like a guy who should be directing practice drills and not practicing.
None of the other wing players really struck me. Neither did Garcia.
Starters: Marvin looked a little more spry but still was more than ready to defer. Josh took a lot of jumpers and made quite a few early. Joe may not have much personality but he is so stupid talented that he made most others look like me on the court. Al didn’t appear to be in bad shape but seemed a little disinterested (or maybe tired). Teague is clearly a blur but still seems unsure what to do when he penetrates into tall traffic.
Others: Vlad appears better than I expected. He seems like a complete offensive player with a decent handle and court awareness. Zaza appeared to be ready for the season.
I think that covers it. The one strange thing was that Stack greeted the fans at the start of the scrimmage. Kind of strange that someone without a signed contract would be repping the franchise in that setting. And there were no signs of Jason Collins (at least I didn’t see him on the bench and he certainly didn’t play).
That’s my eyewitness report.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
10:28 pm
Justin_Stangel Justin Stangel
Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa files for divorce. Apparently whatever he did wrong, they didn’t make a big enough ring
The Truth
December 16th, 2011
10:31 pm
AJ
your assessment seems to be contrary to LD. What give is?
doc
December 16th, 2011
10:35 pm
astro, nothing at all about your whipping boy josh or is he not on the team anymore?
interestimg oversight.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
10:39 pm
The Truth, I saw about 2 hours of a scrimmage so I HAVE to defer to the head coach who has watched these guys play more than just the two hours.
doc, you missed it, I made a comment about his jumpers in the “Starters” section. I covered just about everyone by name except 2-3 wing players who made no impression whatsoever.
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2011
10:46 pm
Oh and there was a surprising number of fans down there. A long line had formed before the doors opened. If I were the ASG, I would have been thrilled with the interest in my product tonight.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 16th, 2011
10:59 pm
EVERYONE TALKS LIKE STACK MADENE TEAM. HE TALKS LIKE IT. THEN WE SEE SUND SAY WE PROB WONT SIGN AN SG
THIS IS SO F’ING ANNOYING. IS STACK A CONSULTANT OR IS HE GONNA MAKE THE DAMN ROSTER?
AND DONALD SLOAN SOUNDS LIKE A 70 YEAR OLDS’ NAME
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
11:00 pm
Also went to scrimmage and I agree with Astro Joe’s review. I went to see 2 things: do we have a backup PG and has Marvin improved at all? I say we might get a few minutes out of Sloan,wearing jersey 12 providing Larry shows any trust.
Marvin looks about the same to me. He seems to be a bit more aggressive, but really wasn’t involved for much of the 1st 2 quarters.
Jason Collins was on the Blue bench and was inactive the entire time. I thought Rolle has the edge on Benson, but neither will see much time.
No real surprises, but the points were very low in each quarter. I hope that changes fast.
Finally, i can’t see Pape getting many minutes. He’s not comfortable with the ball and to me he s neither a SG nor a PG….just an energy guy who might get you a steal.
Finally, if this is a running team, it won’t be with T-Mac on the court. He definitely likes to pace himself.
A good event to introduce he new guys, and I don’t see Stack making the roster. He is vocal though.
KevinM
December 16th, 2011
11:03 pm
Eager to hear what MC has to say about what he saw…..
Michael Cunningham
December 16th, 2011
11:10 pm
new blog is posted. shutting down this thread.