Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 92, Bobcats 75 (exhibition)
- In just five days the games will count for the Hawks. It’s hard to know what conclusions can be drawn from two exhibition games against one of the worst teams in the East. So I guess most of the following analysis comes with that disclaimer.
- Fans responded to Ivan Johnson’s energetic, physical play. So did his teammates. “I was impressed,” Al Horford said. “The thing I like the most about him is he’s aggressive. He goes out there and plays hard. He’s fearless. I think he would be a nice addition to our team.”
- I never would have thought so–Johnson is an undersized, over-aged prospect at a position where the Hawks have up to five guys as options. But Johnson has produced and made the most of his chance, earning a “very close look” from Drew.
- “When we had him in the minicamp the thing that intrigued me was how hard he played,” Drew said. “He is capable of making shots but he’s like a Mack truck in there at times. If you get in his way he will run you over. If there is a loose ball he doesn’t care who’s around him, he’s going after it. We need that on our team. He brings a presence when he’s on the floor, a physicality when he’s on the floor.”
- There were times when the Hawks looked like a bona fide, hard-nosed defensive team. “We really committed to it,” Horford said.
- Atlanta’s defense improved once Jannero Pargo replaced Donald Sloan at point guard. Pargo had more success keeping D.J. Augustin and Kemba Walker out of the lane.
- The Hawks look a lot different when Jeff Teague (ankle) is in the lineup to slow dribble penetration. Teague said he would be ready to go on Tuesday.
- Sloan (three assists, no turnovers) was steadier on offense than he was Monday. “I thought he did a good job stepping in for Jeff Teague in running the club,” Drew said.
- Brad Wanamaker played six ineffective minutes in the second quarter, turning the ball over three times, and then never saw the court again. Pape Sy wasn’t as aggressive as in the first game but played just 10 minutes.
- The Bobcats were able to finish at the rim but that was in spite of Josh Smith and Al Horford challenging everything at the basket (Walker is going to be a good one). Smith and Horford also led an energetic effort when the Hawks trapped.
- Zaza Pachulia was good on D, too. He stays in good position and challenges everything (if only he could jump higher those more of those would be blocked shots). He rebounds and gets to the line. Zaza quietly had a very good camp.
- Smith got what he wanted around the basket. I’m thinking the newly-slim frame and better health means we’ll see more of that this season. He’s so quick to the hole and even more explosive when he gets there.
- Joe Johnson had a bad shooting night (3 for 11) but it looked to me like he often was just working on his one-on-one moves. He had his hesitation game working and got to the line for six free-throw attempts. Joe also had five assists against two turnovers and a couple scrappy steals.
- Tracy McGrady looked a little livelier while getting to the free-throw line early. But Corey Maggette really took it to him at the other end and McGrady had to start fouling. McGrady also didn’t make a shot in three attempts and failed to record an assist in 14 minutes.
- It wasn’t a good camp for T-Mac. The Hawks have to hope he will dial it up when they need him.
- Vladimir Radmonovic (11 points on five shots) has shown a crafty show-and-go game from the 3-point line. He will drive to the basket and then look to pass or draw a foul. A couple of his four turnovers were a result of him zigging while his teammates zagged.
- “It’s going to take some time, especially with this short preseason,” Radmanovic said. “I have to learn some things on the run. I feel pretty comfortable with the system. It’s just a matter of figuring out some spots on the floor where I’m going to be open or make my teammates open.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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200 comments Add your comment
beejayrufino
December 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
I think we will become a better defensive team this season (Kirk, Teague, Pargo at the point) (Johnson Stackhouse and Green at the 2) a better defensive backcourt rather than Bibby and Crawford
Spyro
December 23rd, 2011
10:45 am
Dude, can you stop with the Leuer/Bogut schtick? You are in every thread only talking about that damn trade. I’ve got some bad news for you: Milwaukee wouldn’t make that trade. Ever. Bogut is possibly the best defensive player not named Dwight Howard. If they wouldn’t trade him for Horford straight up, then why would they add an okay-looking prospect on top of that for a middle of the draft pick?
wut
December 23rd, 2011
10:46 am
Alright let’s cut the crap, this should be you roster:
Teague – Pargo – Green
Johnson – Hinrich – Sy
Williams – McGrady – Johnson
Smith – Radmanovic
Horford – Pachulia – Collins
Cut the rest, send benson to the D-League and bring him back next year. 40 wins.
Huh
December 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
“Alright let’s cut the crap, this should be you roster:
Teague – Pargo – Green
Johnson – Hinrich – Sy
Williams – McGrady – Johnson
Smith – Radmanovic
Horford – Pachulia – Collins
Cut the rest, send benson to the D-League and bring him back next year. 40 wins.”
Amen. Benson and Rolle cannot play.
I’d almost send Sy to the NBDL too
wut
December 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
Huh,
Only reason I won’t send Sy down yet is because Hinrich is hurt. Otherwise, I agree.
Huh
December 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
“Dude, can you stop with the Leuer/Bogut schtick? You are in every thread only talking about that damn trade.”
LOL! What everyone here was been wondering
wut
December 23rd, 2011
10:58 am
Also, anyone hating on Radmanovic is out of their mind and needs to log off. Who else on this roster can hit a three?!
Healthy Teague means the defense will improve, and even more when Kirk returns. The biggest thing is Drew has to find the right mix of starters and reserves to make sure the 2nd unit isn’t exposed.
Huh
December 23rd, 2011
11:00 am
Teague will get in the lane and set up Radman for the 3
Rufus1
December 23rd, 2011
11:01 am
@MC
How much would we have to pay Ivan?
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 23rd, 2011
11:07 am
“I’ve got some bad news for you: Milwaukee wouldn’t make that trade. Ever. Bogut is possibly the best defensive player not named Dwight Howard. If they wouldn’t trade him for Horford straight up, then why would they add an okay-looking prospect on top of that for a middle of the draft pick?”
But..But..I thought Horford was an All Star. I thought he was the top 3 offensive center in the game.
I thought Bogut was injury prone.
Leuer is an Okay-looking prospect. Lmao. A week or 2 ago, Marvin and his 7′4 wingspan was better than Leuer.
SMDH
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 23rd, 2011
11:10 am
This franchise does not deserve a championship. Period.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
December 23rd, 2011
11:14 am
Oh and if Horford and a pick can’t net you Bogut and Leuer, the #40 pick… 2 players from a team who will probably not even make the playoffs. Why in the f*#k are people still talking about Dwight for Horford?
It doesn’t make sense.
zachdahater
December 23rd, 2011
11:15 am
START IVAN JOHNSON at SF!!!!
If we do not sign IVAN JOHNSON I will lose all faith in the possible hint of intelligence I thought I sensed in the Hawks organization when they signed Jamal. If he’s not signed because of money issues, I will KIDNAP 3 signed players and throw them off of a cliff and ask, “Is there enough cap room now??” If not, I have no problem sacrificing Marvin Williams next so IVAN JOHNSON can take his spot at SF!
GO HAWKS!!!
GO IVAN JOHNSON!!
Ken Strickland
December 23rd, 2011
11:19 am
SMITH.LEUER.BOGUT-If, as you say, your eye is soley on the playoffs, SOUL-LY, then Al Horford should be the APPLE OF YOUR EYE, since our recent 4yr playoff run started immediately after he joined the team. Remember, FOREST FOR THE TREES. And by the way, if Bogat is everything you say he is, then why haven’t the Bucks done as well with him at center as the Hawks have done with Horford at center? Apparently all of his nastiness, shotblocking, and star quality hasn’t done much for the Bucks.
While he’s definitely a quality center, he apparently hasn’t been able to compliment the players around him, or make them or his team that much better. I remember how well they did, and how competitive they were without him in that tight 7gm playoff series against us. Something called COMMON SENSE and LOGIC should tell you that if he’s as much of an improvement over Horford as you seem to think, why would you be dumb enough to think that the Bucks would be dumb enough to trade more for less? STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES!
Huh
December 23rd, 2011
11:19 am
Pape Sy was cut! Wow
wut
December 23rd, 2011
11:21 am
#Hawks waive Magnum Rolle, Pape Sy and Brad Wanamaker. Roster now at 16
Cunningham just tweeted it.
KevinM
December 23rd, 2011
11:21 am
Hoopshype has their predictions out and their columnists show no faith in the Hawks….not ranked higher than 5th by anyone.
http://hoopshype.com/predictions_2012.htm
They for some reason have bought into the Knick hype If that happens, D’Antoni should be COY. I just don’t think they have enough in the backcourt.
Ready to hear what our final roster will be this year. I don’t expect going deeper than 13 despite the limited time Pargo and Green have spent here.
Huh
December 23rd, 2011
11:23 am
NYK has no backcourt
wut
December 23rd, 2011
11:23 am
You gotta think Sy was on thin ice when they signed Green and Pargo, though.
wut
December 23rd, 2011
11:24 am
If Stackhouse makes the team, it will be because of his leadership/toughen up our “captains” and they believe Hinrich will be back soon.
Slimjr
December 23rd, 2011
11:26 am
“Pape Sy was cut! Wow”
No surprise..
Dude is a guard with no jumpshot= pickup game talent….
I MUS WRITE
December 23rd, 2011
11:28 am
Wow – we are the oldest team in the league. i guess its time to stop with the “these guys are young ” talk. Dalembert and Aaron brooks would have helped alot. There are better options than grandpa stackhouse -Its ruff being a fan of this team…..heres to another second round exit CHEERS!!!!!
I MUS WRITE
December 23rd, 2011
11:30 am
WTF did we cut Pape Sy. We cut this guy who has talent and keep that dufus Marvin.
Spyro
December 23rd, 2011
11:33 am
Smith.Leuer.Bogut, you are assuming that I am most people that comment on here. I assure that I am not.
The Truth
December 23rd, 2011
11:34 am
If the Hawks don’t sign Ivan (the terror) Johnson it will kill both the spirit of the fanbase and the team. For those that watched the game and as MC previously mentioned, the team rallied around him after the game to support his effect. The hatred vendom would only increase in Hawksville and possibly in the locker room if this guy is not signed.
Truth B. Known
December 23rd, 2011
11:43 am
Ken Strickland over the last 2 years you have had your foot in your mouth so often that there are shoe strings between your teeth.
SMITH.LEUER.BOGUT- is right on point as usual. He has the courage to post what is real and not bow down to the “Horford fan club” that this blog page is.
SLB is right on point and Horford is among the worst defending centers period. We are never, going to win a championship with horford our center. And before you use this as an opportunity to go at Josh, This aint about Josh. This is about Horford’s nonchalant defense. He is a very non aggressive defender who prefers to observe than to defend.
I can guarantee that as long as Al is the center or the Power Forward we will never get out of the second round. This aint a personal attack on Al. Its my opinion base on observing his play. Nothing personal Al ( is sick that I even have to qualify this) I just think your defense sucks and your attitude about it makes that even worse.
PERIOD.
zachdahater
December 23rd, 2011
11:45 am
Wow, I would’ve kept Pape Sy definitely. Hopefully that means they are signing IVAN JOHNSON instead!!!!!!!!!!
But yeah, I can’t remember one jumpshot Pape Sy successfully completed. Or STACKHOUSE. Shoot, I could’ve made at least one of those open jumpers. I say WELCOME TO NBAtv STACK! Have fun with C-Webb
Truth B. Known
December 23rd, 2011
11:48 am
Cut Pape, Stack and Tmac.
vava74
December 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
Clyde must be ecstatic: Dallas signed Sean Williams yesterday to a 1 year deal.
doc
December 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
no surprises there, now it is between ivan, stack, benson and sloan. 1 of 4 or 3 of 4 to go?
pape sy is the start of two drafts that will prove nothing of value from these guys evals. maybe ebnson will come through
anybody else out there to really help this team?
I MUS WRITE
December 23rd, 2011
11:57 am
Tmac and Stackhouse are old and washed up.I would rather have peitrus backing ue the 2/3 with Radmo backing up 3/4.
C’mon folks it was one dam game -Ivan johnson looks like he could help but peolpe on this board hype guys to no limit then the player is just mediocre and the fan base turns on him….Se S.Stoudamire,powell,AC Law etc …..
Astro Joe
December 23rd, 2011
12:01 pm
Because of the compacted schedule, teams can carry as many as 16 this season. It seems unlikely to me that Stack and Willie both stay, I’m guessing that Stack leaves as soon as Green gets in some work and all are comfortable that he is healthy, able to learn the system and will be good to go.
vava74
December 23rd, 2011
12:01 pm
Sy is a later bloomer, who can still bloom, but we don’t have time for this type of thing. We need solid contributors.
He is clearly a physically gifted guy but he is too raw: a full year back with Gravellines and a new chance next year is what I would do for him.
I like Benson: his instincts are right in my opinion, even on the plays were Ely scored over him yesterday, his defensive stance was correct: he simply did not have the bulk to keep Ely 1 foot further away from the basket.
His putback on the offensive rebound is something that he repeatedly shows (scrimmage and the two games against CHA). That is good stuff: timing & location for the offensive boards and his blocking skills can/should be developed: keep him.
Ivan is, IMO, essential: I would use him as a power SF on the second line up but not at the same time as V-Rad and Zaza: we need to put a shotblocker in that mix, so I would look to manage Smoove’s minutes to help Ivan and Zaza when they would be doing their thing together.
Astro Joe
December 23rd, 2011
12:02 pm
I.MUS, according to some bloggers a few years ago, Garrett Siler would have been an Alll-Star by now.
ntrigue
December 23rd, 2011
12:03 pm
They will bring Sy back if stack struggles….t-mac should primarily back up Joe and I would have Ivan as Marvin’s and josh back up.
tyger
December 23rd, 2011
12:04 pm
2012 Roster/ Depth Chart Forecast:
Sloan Pargo Teague
JJohnson Green Hinrich (IR) Sy
Williams McGrady IJohnson
Smith Radmanovic Benson
Horford Pachulia Collins
Hawks creep over luxury cap initially, but find relief later.
Sund sticks w 2nd rd picks Benson, Sy but off to Dleague.
Pargo, Green upgrade depth, give boot to Stackhouse.
Ivan “Bad Boy” Johnson “takes” a job from you MF!
Wouldn’t be surprised if Hawks don’t make trade soon.
jhan
December 23rd, 2011
12:06 pm
Smith.Leuer.Bogut – nobody on your list would make the Hawks NBA champs. What’s with the man crush on Bogut? He’s a nice player but he’s hurt half the time.
STRETCH
December 23rd, 2011
12:07 pm
I still trying to grasp why is this team stocking up on guards? Steve Smith and C Webb just said on NBA.TV that they cant understand why this team doesnt go out at get some front line help to go with Josh and Al?
SteveW
December 23rd, 2011
12:07 pm
Ivan only costs $473,000.00 to keep – way cheaper than Rolle and Sy at $788,000.00 each. Good cuts. I had speculated that earlier that was an option.
So we just went from 69.7m approx. in salaries to about 68.1m. Assuming we keep Pargo and Green, we’ll be bac at 69.8 m. Yep, just enough room to sign Ivan if we want, and stay under the Luxury Tax of 70.3 m.
That’s assuming we keep Benson also.
If we cut Benson 473,000 and Ivan, we have enough to sign Stack. I wonder if we’ll do this.
If we cut Benson, we could sign Sloan and Ivan, but not Stackhouse.
Maybe we cut Pargo, that would put salaries at about 69m. Sign Stack and Johnson – Yep that fits. And if we cut Benson, you could keep Sloan also – they have equal salaries basically.
Mike is Back
December 23rd, 2011
12:08 pm
I was kind of surprised Sy got cut, but with the addition of Pargo and Green…neither of those guys really has a chance.
I like Sloan, he just needs time to develop…I can see the Hawks sending Sloan and Benson to the DLeague.
northcyde
December 23rd, 2011
12:09 pm
Unofficial numbers cruching:
** Hawks payroll with 10 players + Rolle and Sy ( which makes it 12 ): 69.9 million
** Subtract Sy and Rolle, and you have 68.325 million ( 10 PLAYERS )
** The question is: how much does adding Pargo and Green cost?
** Then you also talk about adding Ivan Johnson?
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but the main issue with the Luxury Tax is being over the tax when the season is OVER, not staying under the tax all year, right? If that is the case, does this mean that the Hawks can sign as many vet minimum guys as they need, as long as the money they paid out isn’t over the luxury tax threshhold?
I’m not quite sure how this works.
I figure that someone on this team is getting cut as soon as Hinrich comes back, so maybe that’s the plan of Sund/ASG. To sign the necessary pieces, then cut people as need be.
Hmmmm
December 23rd, 2011
12:09 pm
C’mon people, it’s obvious that TRUTH B. KNOWN and this SMITH LEUER BOGUT clown are the same person. Dude is just congratulating himself. LMFAO
SteveW
December 23rd, 2011
12:10 pm
Tyger – Sy was cut – gone, waived, goodbye, outta here etc.
Astro Joe
December 23rd, 2011
12:11 pm
Guys, come on now. You can’t really expect an NBA head coach to play more than 10 guys in a competitive game. Maybe 11, but bottom line, I wouldn’t count on Ivan getting meaningful minutes. Players 11-n are there for blowout situations, practices and injuries. With 96 minutes at the forwad slot, I find it hard to see where Ivan carves out time over guys like Josh, Marvin, Al, Joe, TMac and Vlad.
zachdahater
December 23rd, 2011
12:11 pm
START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!!
START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!! START IVAN JOHNSON!!
tyger
December 23rd, 2011
12:11 pm
Wow! Hawks cut Rolle, Sy, Wannamaker…
I thought they would stick with Sy…bought him out of Euro deal, young, athletic but raw. Good move by ASG on the public relations front. Show you mean business, open up the purse and eat a buyout. Not bad.
Let’s see if they carry 16? I doubt it, but since they’re living large, who can figure these wild and crazy guys…
jamillion
December 23rd, 2011
12:11 pm
To all my fellow bloggers, be it JeJe, Grand dad, Superior blog man whoever.
First question what makes a championship team?
In my opinion it’s coaching,defense,rebounding,and having a good option doesn’t hurt.
I know we can defend and rebound,the problem is gonna be the coaching in those tight game areas when the margin of defeat or victory is one ,or two buckets down the stretch.
The whole center thing is over blown so please get over it there is only one one top flight center in this league and that’s DH.There is no one you are gonna get that is better,can rival him,out defend,out muscle,or even close.The days of Hakeem,Patrick,David Robinson,Mutumbo,Shaq,Sabonis,Brad Daughtery,Mark Eaton,Moses,Parrish,Laimbeer,Manute Bol,Rik Smits these were all good serviceable big mean is over. So please let’s stop with all the Okafur, Kaman,Bienidris or any other alsorans ,Chandler would a been a nice pick up but we have a DH stopper and the rest of these centers are ineffective offensively.In other words if you are not gonna make a play for the best why make a play at all? It’s just change for the sake of change which is never good {look at the bibby trade,true bibby was under performing and a handicap but we had his replacement on the roster and gave away a good player and draft pick for the sake of change when all we had to do was play the guys we had. that falls back on the coaching and management}
I’m not a fan of a big name players like you guys,i’ll rather have a performer someone with heart who will compete and leave it out there. Josh plays like that when his heads in the game,i see glimpse of it in Teague and the Ivan guy is a keeper dude a stud we need to retain his services.
I know the NBA it’s a star driven league more than anything else,which is wrong to my eyes but that’s how it’s always been. But I honestly when you look at rosters and what each player can bring to the table how many rosters can you say are actually better top to bottom? Not two many maybe four or five that’s tops{Mia,Dallas,Clips,Ok maybe,everyone else has those one or two stars and a bunch of trash} especially we keep Ivan he brings toughness defense and can score.Ny great starting frontcourt,backcourt atrocious with no depth,Lakers no pg, no bench,no sf, Boston old with no depth now,look ZaZa,Rad,Ivan,Pargo, and a healthy Kirk is a very solid good bench player eff what you heard and if Tmac can give us anything along with willie green and Twin we good.
If marvin can play which he’s been doing since his surgery he even has posture now we can make noise with adequate coaching the majority of you guys just post to post
SteveW
December 23rd, 2011
12:12 pm
Northcyde – That is correct about Luxury Tax. It’s calculated after the season. But the real date is Feb. 10th. That’s when contracts like Pargo and Green become fully guaranteed. That’s why we waived Damien last season, then signed him to a couple of 10 day contracts.
northcyde
December 23rd, 2011
12:12 pm
Glad to see SteveW thinking the same thing ( even if we used slightly different payroll numbers . . . I got mine from hoopshype.com )
SteveW
December 23rd, 2011
12:12 pm
Green and Pargo will cost us $854,000.00 each