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.”

331 comments Add your comment

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm

You always go to the middle as early as possible on a fast break to maximize the options…

KevinM

December 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm

“Prison Mike

December 22nd, 2011
9:19 pm
Stacks jump shot makes me appreciate Josh’s”

Add Sy to that list….

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm

Hawks 18-4 1st 22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get Teague healed up quick!

Rev in Tampa

December 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm

Slim Jr.

I’m just acknowleding Sautee’s brilliant use of double-entendre.

Najeh Davenpoop

December 22nd, 2011
9:49 pm

The floater I dropped in the toilet this morning > Magnum Rolle’s floater

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:50 pm

Does Sy have a jumper? Haven’t seen it?

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
9:50 pm

Still laughing Buddy!

Najeh Davenpoop

December 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm

Granted I have only seen 3/4 of this game and none of the previous game, but of all the players the Hawks have on the roster bubble, Magnum Rolle looks like the worst.

doc

December 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm

rev the devils got you again … roflolcs

KevinM

December 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm

The Nets are reloading with Lopez out……….

Nets trade for Mehmet Okur to fill in for injured Lopez

Buddy Grizzard

December 22nd, 2011
9:51 pm

I like the Anthony Mason comparison… not quite on that level of a ball handler but definitely solid and skilled. Magnum needs to roll on out of town. Sloan, Wannamaker, Pargo and Sy can all catch a ride. Keep Benson as a project if there’s a roster spot for him.

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm

Like this Griffin dude!

Prison Mike

December 22nd, 2011
9:52 pm

Sloan passes up an open 26 foot 3 pointer for a contested 25 footer, this guy.

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm

Cant cut Ivan!!!

Buddy Grizzard

December 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm

Ivan with the hustle out of bounds to save that possession.

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm

Bang! IVAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

FreshFromAtl

December 22nd, 2011
9:53 pm

Where can I purchase an Ivan Johnson jersey?

Melvin

December 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm

I’m pre-ordering my Ivan Johnson jersey to night….

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm

Johnson should get the job.Looks pretty good

IVAN JOHNSON BABY!!

December 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm

IVAN JOHNSON!! CMON NOW IF HE GETS CUT, THIS HAWKS TEAM WILL GO NOWHERE

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:54 pm

Hey Ivan would you show those guards how to shoot the rock?

KevinM

December 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm

Ivan the terrible…..he and Zaza would make a physical pair.

Pape Sy is not bench worthy. He needs to go to Reno too!

Prison Mike

December 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm

Ivan is that ninja. Sund do the right thing.

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
9:55 pm

If Ivan gets cut, I may have to pull a GDAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Medestruit

December 22nd, 2011
9:56 pm

Blake Griffin’s brother is even uglier than Blake is…that’s scary. It’s like the Lopez’ brothers.

Mr.E

December 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm

Ivan looked good in both games, good stuff

Najeh Davenpoop

December 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm

“Who’s the better Johnson tonight?”

Well, I am at about 3.5 inches.

MattP

December 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm

Ivan and Smith on same team is amazing, both are great on both ends of the court.

IVAN JOHNSON BABY!!

December 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm

ivan johnson had 15 points and 6 rebounds… where can i get his jersey?

Prison Mike

December 22nd, 2011
9:58 pm

What could be more depressing than “Bobcats Live” lmaooo.

drmaryb.[*_*].

December 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm

The Game!

Just saw the final 7:35 minutes of the game and, I saw some good things and some not so good things.

Ivan Johnson has played his way onto this team. Sign him up now. Josh was flying around looking good too.

Katie

December 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm

” 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. ”

LMAO

vava74

December 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm

Ivan Johnson is the son of Antony Mason and Reggie Evans (for the looks)

A little bit of both, but not nearly as good as any of the two.

KevinM

December 22nd, 2011
9:59 pm

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
10:00 pm

Najeh Davenpoop

December 22nd, 2011
9:57 pm

“Who’s the better Johnson tonight?”

“Well, I am at about 3.5 inches.”

Dayum…..Thats about the size of the average vava…….lmao

IVAN JOHNSON BABY!!

December 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm

mickael peitrus just got waived by the suns…. RICK SUND SIGN HIM!!

superiorblogman

December 22nd, 2011
10:02 pm

Pape Sy is so worthless right now as a NBA player. D-League or straight cut is fair.
Wanamaker- Liked him until I saw that he is not NBA ready. Cut
Sloan- Really not impressed but he will probably be on the team for lack of better options for the time being.
Pargo-Not impressed but will be on the team for time being.
Stack- I mean as far as on the court, he should get the axe but I don’t know what he actually does in the locker room. So, whatever.
Benson- Benson looks good until there is contact. He is not ready to make a steady contribution. I would send him to the D-League but spare him the cut.
Rolle- I will pass on Rolle, have not seen anything to be encouraged about, cut would be fair.
Ivan Johnson- a pleasant surprise but he can keep the jump shots, when they are not falling he would get torn apart around here. For now he should be spared the cut but he has to know that energy is his thing. Has to bring it every night.

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
10:04 pm

agree Sy aint the one..Keep Sloan

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
10:05 pm

Yo boy Al played the 2nd most minutes to produce 6 points. Actually he missed playing the most minutes by less than a minute. Al hasnt shown me Ch!t this summer.

IVAN JOHNSON BABY!!

December 22nd, 2011
10:05 pm

neither sloan or wannamaker are NBA material..

IVAN JOHNSON BABY!!

December 22nd, 2011
10:06 pm

@bluesteel u mean winter?

kwooden

December 22nd, 2011
10:07 pm

Quick assessment:

1) Ivan looks good at PF, but like the size of Benson. Put Benson in the D-League and keep Ivan
2) JJ shot looks bad, time for him to shoot a 100/day so the misses go away!
3) Josh was very active, looks ready to go
4) Horford with alot of effort but not much to show for it
5) Pargo looks fine
6) Pape to the D-League

GO HAWKS!!

PS: Would like Peitrus but can’t afford him. ASG BABY!!

Slimjr

December 22nd, 2011
10:08 pm


bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
10:05 pm

“Yo boy Al played the 2nd most minutes to produce 6 points. Actually he missed playing the most minutes by less than a minute. Al hasnt shown me Ch!t this summer.”

He’s out of position at the 5 remember?
His natural position is the 4?…….Dont gag….lol

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
10:09 pm

Slimjr. LMAO,

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
10:11 pm

My bad Ivan, check that , Winter

vava74

December 22nd, 2011
10:11 pm

Al played against smallish Cs, so he did not have the speed advantage.

Basically he was working like a PF, trying to make plays but he did not get the space. The result was garbage.

Fortunately he worked on the boards and on D.

Big Ray

December 22nd, 2011
10:12 pm

1) Josh Smith looked damn good. Still shoots errant 20 footers, but looked good.

2) Horford got rebounds. Yay!

3) Joe looks like he can keep up with this season’s rigors. Other than J-Smoove, I’m not sure about anybody else.

4) David Sloan > Brad Wannamaker

5) Ivan Johnson wants a job. And because he was the best hustler down low – he’ll be cut. Hawks management is beyond stupid.

6) Pape Sy – it don’t look good. Better hope Gearon likes you.

bluesteel

December 22nd, 2011
10:12 pm

superiorblogman

December 22nd, 2011
10:16 pm

I think Rolle and Wanamaker get cut. I don’t see how we keep Stack.

Pape and Benson get a D League assignment.

13 on opening night

Jeff/Sloan/Pargo
Joe/Willie Green/
Marvin/T-Mac/Rad
Josh/Ivan
Horford/Zaza/Collins

kwooden

December 22nd, 2011
10:17 pm

The Pressing from the 2nd unit is an interesting move by LD, I wonder if he’s going to consistently employ it. It worked really well this game, but partly because the Bobcats are a terrible team. But our 2nd unit doesn’t look that great either and they played good defensive. The press seems to make them work a little harder in terms of getting out to shooters and being aggressive on screen and rolls.