Atlanta Hawks: Video: Solid victory in home opener

My CineSport recap of Atlanta’s victory over the Wizards in the home opener. (Cut me a little slack, blog people. I was sleepy.)

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat



187 comments Add your comment

Mike

December 29th, 2011
2:14 pm

@Smith.Leuer.Bogut

I am so sorry, man but Al is going to be traded for Howard and nobody else unless you think that ASG will go over the LT for Bogut.

But Al needs to realize to play for a NBA Championship is your goal, not being the best team you can be.

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
2:14 pm

Teague is about what I thought: Above average scorer, defender, Average court vision, passer. All in all, not an elite PG, but he does take care of the BB. I see him with a Devin Harris type of ceiling, not a DRose, CP3 kind of potential.

But I’ll take it.

FreshFromATL

December 29th, 2011
2:16 pm

Smith.Leuer.Bogut.

The almighty TS shut the blog down for about 2-3 weeks. He had a scary fascination with Hordford.

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
2:18 pm

In a playoff matchup, the Hawks stack up pretty good against Chicago:

Teague and Hinrich can give Rose and Watson fits.

JJ can handle Rip and Brewer and Korver for that matter

Marvin can come close to Deng, especially if this new Marvin holds up – And TMac is better than anybody Chicago has as a backup 3

Up front, Al and Josh can hang with Boozer and Noah. ZaZa and VladRad can hang with Asik and Gibson.

We are really close to them as far as matchups go. I think Teague and Hinrich being able to at least stay with Rose hurts Chicago’s attack

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
2:19 pm

And I like our matchups against the Heat also. I think the Heat are concerned about the Hawks even a little bit. They know our athleticism matches their game.

Mike

December 29th, 2011
2:21 pm

The Bulls is one thing but you have to deal wtih Heat, Knicks and I wont count out the C’s either. I think next week will tell you the story of how they can do against teams like that.

hawks_4_life

December 29th, 2011
2:29 pm

Game II of Teague starting he is being judged lol. REALLY?

Sautee

December 29th, 2011
2:36 pm

“I though Jon Leer and Bogut could have been had before but now… Probably have to wait till Bucks slide out of playoffs, because if they;re locked into playoffs no way they want to go to war with Horford.”

LOL, like they would have made that trade two weeks ago, but NOW, we have to wait because…HUH?

If they wouldn’t want him NOW for the playoffs, why would they POSSIBLY have wanted him two weeks ago?

Horford is either enough for them to trade for, or he’s not. Geeeeeeeez.

And if you think he’s NOT, then do us a favor and stop posting the same trade idea incessantly.

If you truly believe what you just posted about the Bucks, then there’s no real need for you to be posting this idea again until they are out of the playoffs.

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

December 29th, 2011
2:40 pm

Marvin cannot come close to Deng, and the rebounding advantage is Chicago’s.

The purpose is not to “hang”with a team. The purpose is to give yourself an advantage.

Lakers don’t say Pau can hang with most centers. They say Pau and Bynum lets us grab every other board and get easy layups. We control the rebound control the ball and we control the game .

Hawks give up rebounds and size and it tumbles from there. “Big lineups” wont work because they lack in outside shooting and other skills.

I will be tuned into Lebron vs Marvin. And Joe vs Wade. And Norris Cole has an easier job than Teague. MIA is a defensive unit and Bosh can shoot over our front court players. etc etc

I’ll try not to put too much stock into reg season Jan 1 game but thats a statement game Jan1

Wabe

December 29th, 2011
2:47 pm

I don’t think it’s fair to say Teague ain’t an elite PG just yet…

Dude was the 6th or 7th PG taken in that draft, not top 2-3. Gotta give him time to learn the position and work on his own game.

I don’t deny what folks are saying about him being elite right out the gate just yet, even though he looked pretty beasty against those Bulls. His numbers don’t indicate that he’s ‘elite’, but he’s the what, 4th – 5th option when he’s on the floor behind everybody else. I think he gets his looks through the flow of the offense. Some of those other PG’s have the ability to get their shots off whenever they want, because they are ‘the guy’.

At this stage in Teague’s career, I think he’s just focused on being an efficient PG that doesn’t make too many mistakes.

[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution: (First and Second) [...]

ToeKnee

December 29th, 2011
2:55 pm

why is everybody throwing pargo under the bus so quickly? hes had some good moments, yall r just copying what others r saying he’ll be productive for us this year, i like him.and green.i like all the additions.

Najeh Davenpoop

December 29th, 2011
2:59 pm

A few people mentioned this on the previous blog, but it is inexcusable for Philips Arena not to display the stats of the players on the floor on the big stat boards they have hanging from the ceiling. They usually have done this in years past, so maybe they just didn’t have them ready for the opener, but it is still inexcusable. I didn’t know who half the players on the Wizards bench were based on their jersey numbers, and nowhere in the arena did it say.

Wouldn’t be as big of a deal if I could get a signal on my phone inside the arena, though. Free Wi-fi in the arena would be nice.

Good to see Marvin’s grandma back posting on the blog. She is one of the funniest people who posts here.

ICECOLD

December 29th, 2011
3:02 pm

trade Al Horford before they expose him .. He is too mechanical , doesn’t have post moves and he should like Florida and Florida should love him because he brought them 2 national championships…. Trade Al Horford Kirk Hinrich and and A first round pick for Dwight Howard and Turkalu… Pretty even trade to me and both teams win..

I wouldnt trade Joe for him, I dont think the Hawks could replace the 2 position , and T mac is not the answer at two.. but it would be interestting to see Dwight Howard , Al Horford, and Josh Smith all get alleys by Jeff Teague… and the starting 5 would be so young.. and actually.. I think I would start Marvin at the 2.. thats a crazy line up

so now that I think about it.. If they trade Joe Johnson, it might be best for the Hawks as a strarting 5 team…

or

Jeff Joe , Turkalu, Josh and Dwight .. . pick your poison!!! lol

wordsmithtom

December 29th, 2011
3:14 pm

Only way the Hawks can afford to sign DH after the trade, and unless you have the money to sign him, renting him for one year makes no sense.
I’d do the trade with JJ and AH. Put Marvin at the 2, and use TMac and Vlad at 3 until Kirk comes back. Then Marvin reverts to 3. Weakens bench, but more than made up by strength at 5.

Sautee

December 29th, 2011
3:16 pm

“Trade Al Horford Kirk Hinrich and and A first round pick for Dwight Howard and Turkalu… Pretty even trade to me and both teams win..”

Otis Smith is not THAT dumb. It’s not CLOSE to being an even trade, IMHO. I’m not a big D12 fan, but he’s a LOT better than you obviously think. Or else it’s just another fantasy trade like so many here.

Slimjr

December 29th, 2011
3:28 pm

give em Joe and All “1950’s set shot” for D12…Yesterday!

We want a championship in the ATL…You can be the best team you can be down in Florida All whatever…..

yoursporthouse.com

December 29th, 2011
3:29 pm

ICECOLD, thank you, thank you, thank you…Al Horford is very mechanical and has no post moves. It is better to trade him while you can get something for him.

Slimjr

December 29th, 2011
3:32 pm

You cant have D12, All NBA and Josh on the floor at the same time..Not enough floor spacing and none of them are true shooters just wanna be’s..

Besides ya have to give up ALL NBA because he has the most trade value anyway.. Get it done ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

KevinM

December 29th, 2011
3:38 pm

With Jeff Teague being drafted in ‘09, it was an excellent year to pull a PG. While I give Sund credit for it, he could have easily traded up for a Jonny Flynn also. Some of the names that year:

Minny – Rubio and Flynn, 5&6
GS – Curry at 7
Sac – Tyreke Evans at 3
Mil – Brandon Jennings at 10
Phi – Jrue Holiday at 17
Minny, traded to Denver – Ty Lawson at 18
ATL – Teague at 19
OKC – Maynor at 20
NO, then Indy – Collison at 21
I gotta say this crop may be the best ever in one draft. I say Teague can hold his own with any of them. Perhaps you draft on what position is loaded as opposed to need, unlike what we did the year we chose Shellhead.

Can anyone tell me why we even have divisions in the NBA other than maybe for scheduling? Are they beneficial in a tiebreaker scenario?
The last thing I want to hear is a Gearon coming out and saying how we are fighting for the division crown instead of the LOB trophy. It just sounds like something he would put on his mantle and froth over and tell us only the Lakers and Celtics can claim the same thing…

Does anyone else like the TNT game they play each year on their first night’s coverage? The game is ‘who he play for?’ and EJ tries to get Charles to figure out which players are on which teams. Shaq takes part in this year’s festivities.

KevinM

December 29th, 2011
3:40 pm

MC, speaking of the ‘09 draft, have you considered asking Sund about one of his draft picks that year, Sergiy Gladyr?

I haven’t heard a sniff out of where we stand with him today.

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

December 29th, 2011
3:44 pm

Can anyone tell me why we even have divisions in the NBA other than maybe for scheduling? Are they beneficial in a tiebreaker scenario?

Yes. In order to break a tie for playoff positions, if one exists at the end of the regular season, the following criteria will be utilized in the order set forth:

TWO-WAY TIES
1. Results of games against each other.
2. Better winning percentage within own division (only if tied teams are in same division).
3. Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
4. Better winning percentage against playoff opponents in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
5. Better winning percentage against playoff opponents in opposite conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
6. Better point differential between offense and defense.
=======

The last thing I want to hear is a Gearon coming out and saying how we are fighting for the division crown instead of the LOB trophy. It just sounds like something he would put on his mantle and froth over and tell us only the Lakers and Celtics can claim the same thing…

So true!

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
3:44 pm

So Teague was the 8th PG drafted or did I miscount?

And no, I’m not judging Teague on 2 games. I’ve been following Teague since Wake. And if you’ll remember I’ve been pushing for him playing more since Woody’s days – and also thought drafting him was a great move.

He’s about what I’ve thought he’d be all along. Judging by his 3 ankle sprains if I’ve counted correctly, he must have weak ankles also.

I’ve said all along I could see Teague as a 15 and 6 or 7 guy on a good team by the time he’s 25. 11 and just under 5 dimes a game is what I predicted last year for him this season, if LD would have sense enough to play him.

Hope I’m wrong and the dude becomes an All Star. He’ll have All Star nights – see Portland. But an all Star season, well that’s a different story.

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

December 29th, 2011
3:45 pm

Sergiy was ijured last year iirc. Streaky shooter. with no defense. 6′5 Vlad

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
3:46 pm

And yes, next week will tell some of the tale on our Heat/Bulls challenges. And I think we’ll do enough to scare them.

And that’s without Hinrich.

SteveW

December 29th, 2011
3:48 pm

KevinM – Sund said if the NBA we’re a game of Horse, he would be here. But he needs at least one more year to develop physically.

And on another subject, I knew LD would keep Ivan when he said he liked his “physicality”. One of LD’s favorite words.

KZ

December 29th, 2011
4:02 pm

“Wait—where’d they find the room for Red? you might be asking. Room was made. 400 seats were removed and a $2 million restaurant now fills the space. The restaurant will seat 250 patrons. It seems silly for the arena to destroy seats since those are what bring in the money, but the restaurant was the idea of fans. An interest group that conducted interviews concluded that a good restaurant is just what the arena needed.”

kwooden

December 29th, 2011
4:03 pm

KevinM, don’t for Ricky Rubio, Toney Donglas and Rodrigue Beaubois. Probably the deepest PG draft of all time, if not the best. I was hoping that Ty Lawson fell into our laps that night, but I was fine with picking Jeff over Maynor, Collison or Donglas. I’ve always thought Jeff was the most athletic PG of everyone, but I forgot that Evans is a PG too. He’s a beast at the PG position, but I still see him as a SG.

GO HAWKS!!!

rash

December 29th, 2011
4:09 pm

some of yall people are idiots the hawks are 2-0 instead of 0-2 dont matter who they play they look damn good to me …it dont matter what they do some of yall r haters go to your team site idiots

Sautee

December 29th, 2011
4:10 pm

“An interest group that conducted interviews concluded that a good restaurant is just what the arena needed.”

Odd that they didn’t conclude that a viable contender on the court was more important. But this WAS the ASKG.

Just what the arena needed, eh? Wonder if the “interest group” had a vested interest in building a restaurant.

KZ

December 29th, 2011
4:21 pm

“but the restaurant was the idea of fans”

????????????????????????????????????

KZ

December 29th, 2011
4:23 pm

What’s the K stand for again in ASKG?

KevinM

December 29th, 2011
4:24 pm

kwooden, I was just thinking that perhaps the best way to draft is to go to a position with the most talent, which this ‘09 draft had. Minny for example, drafts 3 PGs, and finally ends up with one to their liking.
I too, had thought Minny would draft another position, and I thought Teague would be a reach, but the more I see, the more I like.
Douglas doesn’t shoot a good percentage and still is trying to find his way as a PG, and Beaubois is the kid that Dallas would not consider in any trade, but only averaging 5pts/2apg right now.

I would hope our PG woes would be over, but one bad ankle would change the potential of this team quickly. We need to get more help there and not wait on Kirk to be ready.

Astro Joe

December 29th, 2011
4:28 pm

After two blowout wins, the blog community still finds a few bones to pick. Y’all are a trip.

Funny how none of the pundits discussed the Spurs in terms of contenders out West. Didn’t they finish with the best record in the conference last season? Pop will rest the older players as needed and will ensure that they are ready for the playoffs. Until Westbrook proves trustworthy, I don’t believe in the Thunder like so many others.

There are countless story lines in the NBA during this short season. Not only is there a good chance that D12 and Deron are traded during the season, I think Steve Nash may also be dealt. Phoenix looks awful so far (they just added Michael Redd) and Nash is a FA next summer. Trading him could jumpstart their re-building efforts. Also, if the Jefferson-Millsap experiment doesn’t work before the trade deadline, I expect one of those guys to be dealt as well. What happens when the Nuggets try to integrate Aaron Brooks and Wilson Chandler into a team that may be the surprise of the conference by March/April?

This is as good as one of those classic TNT thrillers. The NBA, they know drama.

Sautee

December 29th, 2011
4:29 pm

Atlanta Spirit Killers Group

KZ

December 29th, 2011
4:35 pm

Legit point about Philips Arena though. Looking for scores/stats is impossible – there are none around in the overheads. There is no halftime show.

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

December 29th, 2011
4:40 pm

Atlanta Spirit Killers Group

ASKG

always reminded me of KGB. Some Europeans came to ATL to sabotage The sports scene. :D

drmaryb.[*_*].

December 29th, 2011
4:43 pm

Lay Up!

“Hey Marvin, I’m sorry I ripped into you the past 3 seasons…I had no idea you were hurt like that?

Glad to hear and see you are well and kickin some azz out there dude!! Keep up the good work Sir!!” -slimjr-
____________

Copyright that! Knowing of Marvin’s disectomy and serious low back issues? It does change my constructive criticism that I’ve levied on him. Hey, I got 3 titanium rods and 4 screws in my lower lumbar myself. The pain is unbelievably severe and relentless. The pain level goes beyond a human threshold, so God is only gonna’ allow you to feel up to a certain point, then you just pass out or go munb.

Get Well and Stay Well – Marvin!!!
This is what we’ve all been waiting for. Looks like we’re gonna’ have to grow our own Big 3 and try to re-sign them. I don’t see any Super Stars coming this-a-way anytime soon. LOL!

What I have appreciated so far this season is the attention to defense, the intensity and urgency on defensive plays. It looks like five guys playing on a string, cohesive and with a purpose in mind.

This is where great NBA coaches live. They teach philosophical ideologies, mold characters and push buttons. Championship coaches don’t really fool with scrubs and waste very little time talking to them. The NBA is not where you go to learn fundamentals, add weight, put on muscle and grow a beard. So, what I like most about our bench is that it is long in the tooth. You just can’t teach – experience.
_________________

-vava74- copyright your earlier post about “Laying Up” on Sloan a little. I’m sure he is overwhelmed by the NBA and is probably star struck too. So, give him a minute.

Ken Strickland

December 29th, 2011
4:55 pm

I recently recall how some of you determined, after only 2 preseason gms, that TMac was too far past his prime to be of any use and shouldn’t have been signed. Well, what’s you opinion of him now, after 2 regular season gms? Also, how many of you BIBBY LOVERS still feel we’d be better off with him running the OFF, along with his low turnover ratio, than Teague?

drmaryb.[*_*].

December 29th, 2011
4:59 pm

Coined!

Yeah I coined them as “Spirit Killers” a few years back because the owners were always down at the court house filing motions against one another and not paying attention to what their teams needed. We needed a PG really badly when we picked Marvin.

Even a blind squirrel can find a nut or two just on dumb luck. CP3 or Deron would have done wonders for this franchise.

So that’s why imma’ keep calling them ASKG until they get the hella on from Atlanta. Ya heard? LOL
_____________

Meanwhile, imma’ die hard Hawks fan till the end. That’s my team. I hope our identity becomes our defensive intensity (swarming).

Ken Strickland

December 29th, 2011
5:01 pm

I’m sorry CAGERS, but I’m enjoying our current Hawks, and the I TOLD YOU SO syndrome.

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

December 29th, 2011
5:05 pm

^ Rick Sund/Gearon Jr^ Will we beat that team in Miami this playoffs? Mr Gearon? …Mr. Sund?

ILL-Logical

December 29th, 2011
5:10 pm

With the health of Marvin (and McGrady)sparking early optimism, the next step for me is the transformation (hopefully) of Jeff Teague from a point guard to a floor leader.The distinction is crtical because skills such as speed,strength and shooting may define a point guard; intellegence and leadership are the hallmarks of a good floor leader. And a great floor leader can be the difference maker for a championship team

.Devin Harris is a very good point guard but his leadership skills have yet to be developed. Jason Kidd doesn’t have the physical skills he once had but his leadership helped the Mavs take home the prize. Chris Paul is a great point guard but an even better floor leader and with the right talent around him he can lead a team a long way.

Najeh Davenpoop

December 29th, 2011
5:19 pm

Whoo pig sooey.

http://twitter.com/#!/TheJoeJohnson2/status/152504597393571840/photo/1

I MUS WRITE

December 29th, 2011
5:26 pm

Marvin is looking really good – Hope he keeps it up but he has been jackyll n Hyde for most of his career so…..maybe its the fact that jamal isnt here hoggn the ball and all the shots-

Is it me or is Al horford unimpressive- still no post moves, shooting jumpers blah blah blah. I would trade that dude in a minute for a healthy brook lopez or DH12, Al is soft on top of being undersized at the 5. Thats just great. Josh goes to the bench and its a layup drill. seriously is Al that much better than Brandon Bass…….

I feel like Tmac, V Rad77, and ZAZA will be good signings and bolster a razor thin bench from last year. Powell who? Ivan johnson needs a few more minutes. He goes hard- reminds me of reggie evans……

I MUS WRITE

December 29th, 2011
5:29 pm

Ken strickland you cant always be right man Jeez : )…Lol just messing with you but yeah I thought TMac looked puffy and slow last yr and in preseason. Apparently he gets busy when the lights come on for real-i like what he is giving us so far.

richbrave

December 29th, 2011
5:29 pm

Nice win against my first team. Still no stand-up defense by the WIZZIES. And there won’t be any until first YOUNG and then BLATCHE are history. Really liking the rookies CHRIS SINGLETON and SHELVIN MACK. Lasy year’s crop of WALL, N’DIAYE, SERAPHIN, and BOOKER…….BOOK’s got the heart, but is too short to be a power forward, and doesn’t fit anywhere else on the court. WALL is WALL. Hopefully he has success before he leaves for MIAMI, NEW YORK, L.A. or CHICAGO. The other two will never develop much of a game on either end of the court IMO.

richbrave

December 29th, 2011
5:31 pm

KEN S:

I wanted to ask how you’re doing physically. Everything resolved O.K.?

I MUS WRITE

December 29th, 2011
5:34 pm

Whats up Richbrave how r things in the DMV area

JaeEvolution

December 29th, 2011
5:36 pm

Speaking of Arkansas Basketball, keep an eye on BJ Young kid has potential to be good if not this year, in a year or two for sure he will break out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfD502J0VC8