Bobcats at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread
The Hawks signed guard Willie Green.
“You are talking about a guy who is a combo guard that’s a scorer, tough defender,”Larry Drew said. “He’s a guy that plays hard when he’s on the floor. He’s kind of had to do it the hard way therefore he has an appreciation for what he’s earned. I think he’s kind of a throwback. Kind of an old-school style player.”
Like Jannero Pargo, Green is more of a scorer than a playmaker. Green is the better shooter but, also like Pargo, most of his attempts are long 2s and he doesn’t draw many fouls or make many 3-pointers.
However, both players are quick, high-energy guys and Drew thinks they will help the Hawks play the new, aggressive defensive style he wants.
“You can’t play a high-energy defensive scheme if you don’t have the personnel to do it,” he said. “Both guys have played that way pretty much their whole careers. Jannero, when he was down in New Orleans and had his best years, he was very effective playing that way. Willie’s style is very similar. We’ve been putting a lot of emphasis in training camp on defense and certainly helps if you have guys who are already programmed to play that way.”
Green’s Synergy defensive numbers are lackluster, especially in isolation. He had slightly positive on-court, off-court defensive numbers for New Orleans last season, according to basketballvalue.com. His opponent PER at last season was about average, according to 82games.com.
Basically it looks as if the Hawks, after watching Jamal Crawford bolt for Portland, will have to try to win another way with their second unit.
“We’ve had to replace Jamal’s minutes and we’ve got to look in some type of way getting some real productivity from that position, whether it be scoring or defensively,” Drew said. “Me personally, I welcome a trade-off a guy who maybe won’t score as much as Jamal but a guy that can score and brings some defense and some toughness to that position.”
Notes
- Jeff Teague (ankle) is out. “It’s a mild ankle sprain,” Drew said. “For precautionary reasons we won’t have him playing today.” Donald Sloan starts in Teague’s place.
- Drew said there’s “still a chance” for Sloan, Brad Wanamaker and Pape Sy to make the roster even after Pargo and Green were added. “Hopefully they will take full advantage of the opportunity,” Drew said. “A good showing tonight would be beneficial for them.”
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331 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
December 22nd, 2011
9:37 pm
Beson looks like All NBA out there…………..Sheesh!!!
Rolando
December 22nd, 2011
9:37 pm
“wow was that horoford who got blocked”
Horford is not even in the game. That was Benson.
bluesteel
December 22nd, 2011
9:38 pm
Las Vegas Larry ? LMAO
Melvin
December 22nd, 2011
9:38 pm
No need to keep Benson and Rolle, they are duplicates (Benson stays). Same thing with Pargo vs Sloan/Wannamaker. I think Ivan Johnson made case for himself to be added to the roster. Especially since he such a physically presence to the court.
Boom Dizzle
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
They are going to have to find a spot for Ivan Johnson…..
bluesteel
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Josh!
FreshFromAtl
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
I AM LOVING THIS KID IVAN JOHNSON (No homo)
Melvin
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Ivan Johnson jerseys will go on sale tomorrow morning….
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Ivan Johnson is a little too confident in his abilities, which is probably going to lead to some poor decisions against better competition, but I like his energy.
J.J.M.
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
I couldnt see who it was thats why I asked….damn what a block by smoove
Hawks2012
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Tonight: Alvin Johnson>Joe Johnson
Slimjr
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Ivan the terrific!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Who’s the best Johnson tonight?
Buddy Grizzard
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
“Zaza is not a starter in the NBA.” – superiorblogtroll
Zaza would instantly be a top-15 starting center if given the opportunity, but he won’t be. The only concern would be that he would pick up fouls too quickly.
PS sign Ivan up.
Prison Mike
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
Speaking of prison, Ivan looks like he just did a bid… I would know.
I like him, as I root for ex-cons.
Medestruit
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
Smoove says not so fast Mr. Walker.
Rev in Tampa
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
That last sequence was worth the price of admission.
Hawks2012
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
wow Ivan** how did I manage to mess that up.
Mr.E
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
Ivan is the real deal
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
Joe has to knock down those shots when Smoove kicks it out to him wide open for 3. Joe’s continued struggles from 3 are a cause for concern. Those are shots he has to knock down.
stizz
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
Ivan is a keeper folks.
vava74
December 22nd, 2011
9:40 pm
if Ivan could pass, his game could resemble Anthony Mason’s… that slow motion feint was veeeery funny!!!
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
December 22nd, 2011
9:41 pm
“Tonight: Alvin Johnson>Joe Johnson”
Ivan. He’s not a chipmunk
Rolando
December 22nd, 2011
9:41 pm
Ivan Johnson really has looked pretty good in this game. Physically, he looks like an undersized PF who would be too slow to defend wing players, but he seems to know how to use his size pretty well.
superiorblogman
December 22nd, 2011
9:41 pm
bluesteel
December 22nd, 2011
9:36 pm
Zaza is not a starter now, but he was, before Big Al.
Yes and his rebounding rate suffered because he is not a starting caliber player
Melvin
December 22nd, 2011
9:41 pm
stizz,
Peitrus is out of the Hawks price range.
Rolando
December 22nd, 2011
9:42 pm
Alvin Johnson? Are we talking about the guy who cleans pools in “Love Don’t Cost a Thing?” lol
Slimjr
December 22nd, 2011
9:42 pm
Iso shot is broke…….
Buddy Grizzard
December 22nd, 2011
9:42 pm
Smith moving super fast after losing all that weight.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
Joe and Smoove are still out there with a 14 point lead in a preseason game with 5 minutes left.
vava74
December 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:39 pm
Ivan Johnson is a little too confident in his abilities, which is probably going to lead to some poor decisions against better competition, but I like his energy.
Perfect assessment: this will not work in regular season play, but one thing I can tell you, that guy can earn major money in Euroball
Rev in Tampa
December 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
“Who’s the best Johnson tonight?”
with all streaming porno popping up all over the place you need not ask that question.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:43 pm
OK now they are gone.
Time to see if any scrubs stand out over the last 4 minutes.
Buddy Grizzard
December 22nd, 2011
9:44 pm
“Las Vegas Larry ? LMAO” – bluesteel
Bluesteel you didn’t hear? Larry Drew likes to sit All-NBA centers for entire halves of playoff games cause he’s got a little action on the side.
Slimjr
December 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
“Who’s the best Johnson tonight?”
with all streaming porno popping up all over the place you need not ask that question.”
Is this Eddie Long posting?? lol
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Nice follow by Benson.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:45 pm
Eli Porter > Melvin Ely
superiorblogman
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Sloan looks like Raymond Felton
J.J.M.
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
lmao calling them scrubs
KevinM
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Keep Ivan, drop Benson off in Reno for more development.
Keep Sloan as well.
Stack, Sy and the other rooks can go.
FreshFromAtl
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Hawks are gonna be a pretty good team this year (barring any major injuries). Once the bench develop some chemistry, these dudes are gonna be deep.
J.J.M.
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
eli porter I deed itttt
Najeh Davenpoop
December 22nd, 2011
9:46 pm
Pape Sy, our supposed backup point guard, gives Magnum Rolle the ball near the half court line on a fast break.
Slimjr
December 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
Katie better cover her eyes…That is all….lol
bluesteel
December 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
Bobcat got the look of losers on their face. Stick a fork in it.
vava74
December 22nd, 2011
9:47 pm
But he has very very good swiping instincts… 3 steals and on monday he had at least one too…
ntrigue
December 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
Liking Ivan, Sloan, and if Benson adds some weight he will be good!
Prison Mike
December 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
Ivan may be alittle too confident. Nothing wrong with that as he knows he’s better than Marv. His basketball awareness is high and he has a soft touch. Seems to be a good rebounder as well.
Medestruit
December 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
I’d like to see the Hawks play a couple games of pure quick-draw offense(up tempo, driving the ball). They have such amazing athleticism that it would make perfect sense. I understand it isn’t a system that really works in the NBA(outside of what Mike D’Antoni does with his teams on the offensive side) but man they’re fun to watch in the break.
Sautee
December 22nd, 2011
9:48 pm
LOL @ Rev