Atlanta Hawks: Rockets 95, Hawks 84
Houston–The Hawks say they expected the Rockets to come out firing even though they were playing their third game in as many nights and despite the travel headaches upon their return to Houston. “That always happens, when a team is wall and you find out what they are about,” Al Horford said. “This team came out right off the bat they jumped quick on us and were never really able to recover from the fist quarter.”
- So if the Hawks weren’t caught flat-footed, it means their first game against an opponent with a variety of talented offensive players and good execution showed their defense still has a ways to go. Or maybe it’s also that they don’t match up well with a team that can spread the floor, dribble penetrate, share the ball and make shots–and do all of that with speed.
- “They pushed the tempo on us and we didn’t seem to have any defensive energy,” Tracy McGrady said. “We let Kyle Lowry push the ball up and find shooters. [Luis] Scola was playing well. You’ve got Kevin Martin hitting threes from all over the place. Chase Budinger is there in the corner. I thought they would have tired legs, but they came in and played well. You’ve got to give them credit.”
- The Rockets immediately took it to the Hawks. Only foul trouble for Scola, Larry Drew’s zone defense and their inevitable weary legs late slowed them down. It certainly wasn’t Atlanta’s D.
- “They played their third game in three nights and came out and played at a higher level than we did,” Drew said. “I told the guys that is totally unacceptable.”
- In the first period Houston scored 22 points in the paint and recorded assists on eight of its 13-field goals. Atlanta offered little resistance at the basket and struggled to create anything but jump shots. By the time they did more of both the Rockets were on their way to the W.
- There was some of the same “they just made shots” refrain from the Hawks but the energy, rotations and close-outs looked lackluster to me. There has been a gradual deterioration in all those areas since the first game, and the Hawks ran up against an opponent good enough to exploit them.
- “We didn’t fly around and contest like we did the first couple games, particularly the first game,” Drew said. “We reverted back to short closeouts and not getting out there with a sense of urgency. With our theory as far as closeouts you have got to make them put the ball on the floor. We did not do that.”
- The contrast between Lowry and Jeff Teague was clear tonight. Both players are surrounded by offensive talent but only one of them got his teammates going. “I hope my young guy can take a look at that and see how you can impact the game and not score points,” Drew said. “Sometimes scoring can be overrrated. Good point guards still find a way to impact the game irregardless if they score.”
- Of course, it helps that Lowry’s teammates know their strengths and weaknesses and play to them. Luis Scola took it to Horford, who was cross-matched, with nifty moves around the basket and fired up Js within his range and only when open. Martin, who was off to a slow start this season, came off screens for clean looks or spotted up and waited Lowry’s kick-outs. Budinger spotted up for 3s or used his athleticism to clean up around the basket. Houston’s spacing and crispness were superb.
- Josh Smith had another erratic offensive night. There were missed Js, wayward drives to the basket, strong scores at the rim and eight-free throw attempts (but he only made four). For the second night in a row Josh and Al saw an opposing big dominate the boards–carer-high 15 rebounds for Jordan Hill, who ain’t exactly Kris Humphries.
- I thought Marvin Williams was solid again but he played just 21 minutes (McGrady’s strong night had something to do with that, too). He started 3 for 3 while his teammates were 0 for 5.
- Joe Johnson never consistently bullied Martin on the block the way you would expect. There’s no way he shouldn’t get to the free-throw line in that matchup. A night after Joe seemed to relish schooling MarShon Brooks he let K-Mart get the best of him.
- Jason Collins’ debut didn’t go well. This wasn’t the kind of game where he could be effective. Houston ratcheted up its assault on the rim during his time on the floor. Zaza Pachulia also found it difficult to do his thing with the furious pace. Vladimir Radmanovic (0 for 5) looked a bit out of sorts again.
- Interesting, though, that the plus-minus numbers show that the bench guys held their own while the starters got drilled.
- McGrady, back in Houston for just the second time since he left, helped lead Atlanta’s brief rally in the fourth quarter. The boos grew louder as he played better. “It is what it is,” he said. “I don’t give a [bleep] about that. I am used to it. It was [also] Toronto and then Orlando. Who cares.”
- McGrady’s rebounding adds a valuable dimension to the Hawks. He’s going to get some against opposing second units.
- The Hawks are at Miami on Monday and at Chicago on Tuesday. A three-game losing streak after the 3-0 start is a real possibility.
- “It’s a challenge for our team to see how we care going to compete,” T-Mac said. “Are we going to crawl back and be pouting about this loss? Or are we going to come out and compete against the Eastern Conference champs on Monday? If we want to go and be mentioned in the same breath as Miami or Chicago, we have got to go do something.”
- Happy New Year, blog people. Peace and prosperity to you and yours.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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284 comments Add your comment
rk
January 1st, 2012
9:05 am
For all you Teague lovers, he does nothing to make his teammates better. He is not the point guard we need.
justahawkfan
January 1st, 2012
9:12 am
Here go the complaints, the blaming and finger pointing portion of the week. So did you think we was gonna be undefeated?
kwooden
January 1st, 2012
9:13 am
Happy New Year everyone! Losing Sucks!!
KevinM
January 1st, 2012
9:15 am
Tough game to accept…..I wonder why drew disrupted the rythum the reserves had in the 4th? i understand its a rotational, but we should be past grade school rules.
Drew has to trust his bench more in the end. Zaza and T-Mac are jelling together….I have seen some improvement over last year, but when Josh is’nt playing well or within the constraints of the system, sit him and instruct him. After all, he never had college coaching and I have yet to see him being taught during a game.
I personally think this team has to have Josh”s defense, but I wish he were the 4th or 5th option on offense. His skills are not for a disciplined offense; he needs to pick up the leftovers and clean the glass.
KevinM
January 1st, 2012
9:17 am
Typos are your friend on a tablet.
Tremaine
January 1st, 2012
9:30 am
The Hawks are at Miami on Monday and at Chicago on Tuesday. A three-game losing streak after the 3-0 start is a real possibility.
THE SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!
tony
January 1st, 2012
9:32 am
Send JS to the Wizards for JaVale McGee. This trade will eliminate ill advise jump shots, ill advise passing, ill advise dribbling, arguring with referrees and insubordination toward hc.
terrell
January 1st, 2012
9:36 am
Why is everyone trying to trade Josh to Wash???? THEY DONE NEED JOSH SMITH!
terrell
January 1st, 2012
9:37 am
“DONT”
terrell
January 1st, 2012
9:41 am
Better think of another trade Tony.
Will
January 1st, 2012
9:49 am
I would not be surprised if the hawks losted their next 5 gms in a row.
I am now convinced that this starting 5 players needs to broken up
or traded.
They do have the talent to win a championship, but it will never happen
with this group, their problem is they don’t have the right stuff between
the ears, they have no heart, guts, or pride at all. But one thing they do
have, is a lot of excuses!!!
J from the A
January 1st, 2012
9:52 am
rk said best what I think I have been trying to say for the last couple of seasons :
Teague’s major shortcoming is that he does not make his teammates better.
I like Teague’s quickness. I like his defense. And so far this year, I am liking his shot. When he is aggressive, he makes the Hawks a better team, but he does not make his teammates better. Good NBA point guards don’t just make their team better because they can play D or shoot the ball, they make their _teammates_ better because of leadership, vision, decision-making, etc.
J from the A
January 1st, 2012
9:55 am
But let’s not get too carried away with all the gloom and doom. This was JUST ONE LOSS. This Hawks team is still a very good team. No question about that. We will know soon enough as to whether this Hawks team deserves to be “mentioned in the same breath” as Miami or Chicago.
tony
January 1st, 2012
9:56 am
I know terrell but it makes me feel good just to say it. JS is a street player not an nba player. The hawks need professional players. I’m Sorry JS but that’s the way it is.
Mike is Back
January 1st, 2012
10:05 am
Doc, what’s been going on bro…you have been low keyed of late. I guess ole HB had it right a couple of years back…you going to have to trade either Josh or Al…because they both need to play the same position.
First off to my fellow bloggers…the sky has not fallen on this season YET…THE HAWKS have only played four games…can we get a WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHA.LOL
Yeah, Houston play three games in three nights…BUT the Hawks also played 4 games and five nights…get use it…you want just see the Hawks lay an egg…every team in the league will have nights like these.
And the litmus test will be for LD not the players. Like I stated on the previous blog…like always Josh was an lightning rod because of hi s erratic SHOTS…what most are overlooking is that JJ was being guarded by friggin Kevin Martin…we talking Kevin Martin people…ain’t no in the TF KMartin should have been able to shut JJ down.
However, if you have a coach that holds his leaders to the same accountability as the rest of team…THAT PROBLEM can be controlled…at least to minimize the effect on the team.
I wouldn’t write the team off after four games. We complain about players doing the same thing every season…AND we blog people are just as guilty as anyone…look at the posting now.
If the Hawks loose to Miami and Chicago they will be 3-3…it’s a 66 game season… get over yourself…and please don ‘t pound us with foolish trades…that salary and talent wise makes no Fing sense.
LD was spot on, his team reverted back to it’s ole self…THE 64 KA ZILLION DOLLAR QUESTION IS…what is he going to do about it…we heard the same SONG AND DANCE all last season…time to put up or shut up!!!!!!
LET’S GO HAWKS…DON’T LET ONE GAME KNOCK YOU OFF YOUR STRIDE…PLAY THAT DEFENSE…LET’S GO…LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tony
January 1st, 2012
10:17 am
I will suggest any trade idea I think will make this team better……if you don’t like it I suggest that you grow up and learn the principles of life. Galatian 6:7,8/James 1
Grandmaster JeJe
January 1st, 2012
10:21 am
LD needs to STOP with that bench lineup. Need a starter in at all times. Did Marvin do anything after the 8 minute mark n the first?
Josh pissed me off the entire game. I’m ready to ship his azz outta here. Who cares if he lost all that weight?
Problem is we assumed Houston would have no energy tonite
Grandmaster JeJe
January 1st, 2012
10:25 am
This team is so predictable. Whenever we win Fri night at home, we always lose by 10ish Sat night on road. I predicted entire game last night. I would take McGee for Smoove in heartbeat but they already have a tweener in Shard.
We might as well forfeit any game we play where our mentality is that opponent has tired legs
Freemason Smith
January 1st, 2012
10:29 am
McGee is just as maddening as Josh at times. The only difference is that McGee is taller and doesn’t love to shoot jumpshots the way Josh does. They both make a lot of poor decisions though.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 1st, 2012
10:30 am
Last night’s game just showed these are the same ol Hawks.
T-Mac was the only guy to show up
Rollo Lawson
January 1st, 2012
10:30 am
Enter your comments here
doc
January 1st, 2012
10:32 am
mike heee every day when i am within reach of computer. just so ,any good bloggers and MC giving us new blogs it is hard to keep up and comment on every one. nice to read folks that have similar ideas and just sit back and say ditto that.
be well my friend. had my girls with me some this week and took in a hawks game against the wiz; good christmas and quietly brought in the new year. i tend to lie low on amateur alcohol night.
Rollo Lawson
January 1st, 2012
10:34 am
Joe Johnson should have taken it upon himself to put the team in his shoulders in the fourth quarter and pull out a win. Instead, he was his usual nonchalant self. Heck, Mac should more of a sense of urgency than him. Does he even get it? This is what frustrates the fans.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 1st, 2012
10:36 am
Gearon is going to wait the whole yr to break things up. Will not make one move involving Duck Smoove or Al
FIRE SUND
Grandmaster JeJe
January 1st, 2012
10:38 am
We coulda f’ing signed Yi. Instead we signed a bunch of average guards who are ineffective.
SIGN GADZURIC
Chase Bud's Dinger
January 1st, 2012
10:39 am
I was burning y’all with my cuts to the hoop last night. J-Brick’s got nothing on this Dinger. He couldn’t block any of my shots. White Chocolate, baby! That’s how I roll!
Bet you wish Josh was slashing to the hoop like me instead of building a condo during the game. But you know, J-Brick can do it like me. ATL, “how my a$$ taste?” LOL.
Take ‘em to the trailer park, son! Vanilla Ice out!
Chase Bud's Dinger
January 1st, 2012
10:40 am
*can’t* do it like me!
Nascar Boi!
Smith.Leuer.Bogut aka Other Options?
January 1st, 2012
10:40 am
I’m Afro-Americana baby. And let me just say if Marvin Williams were white, we would not call him athletic.
For all his wingspan all it does it hurts his game, yeah he can get a put back slam every now and again but goddamn Budinger is locking you up and making you gunshy?
Open your eyes guys, Marvin is a tweener. So is Al. and so is Josh. But you know what?
Josh Smith gets the ball because of FTA. The Fouls stop the bleeding. The problem is there is only one guy getting FTA at that level!
No complaining about Marvin who is scared of the ball. No complaining about Al can’t demand the ball because of his ugly post game.
AH had 4 FTA but only 2 trips to the free throw line Spaced so wide apart…geez. There were 2x that Horford did score and then there was a 3 scored!
Yes, Smith did kill the team. But he is the only one who can ATTEMPT to control the other team’s pace via Free throws and foul calls.
If you guys are so knowledgeable ask yourself this. :
QUESTION: Why does Smith keep getting the BALL FROM his TEAMMATES? WHY DO SMITH’s TEAMMATES not FREEZE HIM OUT.
ANSWER: A) 8 FTA. and B) Look at the alternatives. C) No that’s not a fluke every year Smith leads the team in FTA.
This team is a team incapable of anything that gets them to the line. Look at Lebron, look at Wade, look at Rose.
Smith was terrible, but goddamn. He played 31 minutes and got 8 FTA. Thats the scary part. Per 36 minutes Wilt Chamberlain’s best FTA was 12.6
How many Free throw attempts was Josh supposed to get?
10? 12?
Granted Wilt shot better FT% that year than Josh last night but I digress. If the teammates felt the same way as some fans do then give the ball to Marvin or AL or injury prone Teague or Joe Johnson or injury prone FT anemic McGrady.
Where are the Free Throws supposed to come from?
His teammates scapegoat him but damn even JJ said they are a team full of jumpshooters top to bottom. So on a jumpshooting team Where are the Free Throws supposed to be coming from?
Or are you saying give Marvin and Al more jumpshots? What is Smith supposed to do?
Rufus1
January 1st, 2012
10:42 am
This issue is and will always be….
JOSH IS THE LEADER OF THIS TEAM…..This team is ERRATIC because their LEADER is ERRATIC.
We lost that game because JOSH SUCKED the LIFE out of his team with his PLAY and LD wouldn’t sit him.
____________________________________________________________________
Marvin scored the 1st 7pts, but LD doesn’t RIDE HIM?
Lacsh
January 1st, 2012
10:44 am
Happy New Years!!!
1. I told my wife in the first quarter Josh was all over the place, and LD (learning disability) needs to bench Josh.
2. It seemed like Teague let Josh take him out of his game. Teague needs to grab his nuts and let Josh and have it!!! He needs to put Josh in his spots, and he should try to prevent Josh from bringing the ball up the court. Josh lost wait, but he’s still immature. My man Teague needs to man up. I’d trade Josh and Kirk for a legit big. Josh can’t get any rebounds, since he’s always out of place on the offensive side of the court.
3. LD, LD, LD horrible coaching decisions.
4. Who’s the leader of this team?
5. It seems like LD is sabotaging Marvin. I don’t know why he can’t get any burn in the 4th. I would’ve played Tmac and Marvin together, and I would’ve benched Josh. TMac is smart and savvy enough to play 1-4.
6. Come on JJ (that’s all I got to say)
7. As always, the Hawks seem to ride and die with Josh. He’s an emotional roller-coaster that still cries about every call. Josh should give the ball up on the break and run straight for the rim. A per example watch the Clippers big men, however; I will digress. The clippers respect their PG (and he demands that respect), while Josh doesn’t respect any one, nor does Teague demand his respect.
Peace to the Old heads on the blog,
SHO
Lacsh
January 1st, 2012
10:46 am
**Correction** perfect example
Chase Bud's Dinger
January 1st, 2012
10:54 am
Leuer and Bogut ain’t gon’ help you out, son! Leuer couldn’t hold my Dinger. I’d be dunkin’ all over that front line. I’d be gettin’ to the hoop all night while you sit on Bogut’s lap and J-Brick builds our new arena. I’ll slash, dunk, and swat Leuer’s trash out of H-Town. Like a single mother, homeboy, I wash and dry! Believe that, son!
These scubs can’t do it like me! “…yeah, they can’t do it like me..” From the trailer to the hall-of-fame, baby! First ballot, boi!
Aesop Rock, baby!
Mike is Back
January 1st, 2012
10:55 am
Doc, thanks bro…yeah, my sweet pea is home for Christmas break…and the grandson can’t wait to see another Hawks game. She got one year left at Wake after this semester…can’t wait…me tokens are getting sparse.lol
Chase Bud's Dinger
January 1st, 2012
10:57 am
y’all feel me?
darrell starks
January 1st, 2012
10:59 am
Josh has to keep his head in the game and stop arguing with Refs.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike is Back
January 1st, 2012
10:59 am
tony, that message…was mainly for the trolls…that like to high jack the blogs…no pun intended bro.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut aka Other Options?
January 1st, 2012
11:01 am
“Chase Bud’s Dinger”, you do know the likelihood we see Houston in the Playoffs is likely 0 to none. And that unlike Marvin Williams Jon Leuer is 7′0 can play some center and stand outside and shoot over “Chase Bud” make dribble jumpers.
Chase Budinger is only 6′7 with a matching wingspan. Embarassing with all that size Marvin is slow and big for nothing.
To Rufus1: “riding Marvin” means “riding Joe/Teague/Josh” to create shots for Marvin. Marvin, the former #2 pick, can’t create scoring opportunities for himself. How Surreal.
darrell starks
January 1st, 2012
11:02 am
Why Josh not getting the ball in the post ? that’s a coaching problem, Josh to be successful must play in the post and stop hanging around 3point line.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Chase Bud's Dinger
January 1st, 2012
11:05 am
Why y’all complaining about your coach taking out your homeboy, Marvin? He don’t want to see me! He don’t want to dosey doe with this Dinger! Y’all feel me!? Believe that, son! I would have ran laps around him like a trailer on my way to school, son! Marvin can’t handle the Dinger. It don’t matter who you put on me, my Dinger is taking ‘em straight to the rack and servin’ up that facial. Ya heard!?
I play for keeps, baby. I play for keeps. Keep it gangsta! Beastie Boys, homeboy!
Smith.Leuer.Bogut aka Other Options?
January 1st, 2012
11:07 am
“I was burning y’all with my cuts to the hoop last night. J-Brick’s got nothing on this Dinger. He couldn’t block any of my shots. White Chocolate, baby! That’s how I roll!”
You do know he was back cutting the slower Marvin Gaye. Smith was the guy charged with blocking his shot after the fact.
It would have been different if we had the quicker Smith defending Budinger and 2 7 footers roaming the paint and Smith trailing Budinger?
Smith lost weight to play the SF. Too bad Marvin and Radmanovic can’t play perimeter PF.
Trade someone+ a pick for Leuer yesterday. Give him some burn.
F%ck it. Vlad is useless.
Smith, Leuer, Horford. Then Smith.Leuer.Dwight >:D
af6
January 1st, 2012
11:10 am
McGrady sounds like the leader the Hawks need to get guys interested in being champions and not celebs. This is the same ole Hawks. A below average team regardless of their record and minuscule playoff success. Cunningham, I like reading your work and the truth in which you so eloquently express the lack luster play of the highest paid player in Atlanta sports history. I must agree with the bloggers like Dawg and the others; the way this team plays is boring and Drew is no different than Woodson by bullying the young point guards and making them out to be the fall guys. Although he is young and lacks experience , Teague is the best and most exciting player on this squad. He has upside, potential and toughness with the attitude to compete.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut aka Other Options?
January 1st, 2012
11:10 am
Budinger is a rich/middle class kid from out in San Diego, Cali. He’s a Beach boy. He used to play high ranked volleyball.
Smh Talking about Trailers . idiot
darrell starks
January 1st, 2012
11:10 am
Bring Dwight home.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d69f6g7
Jerome
January 1st, 2012
11:20 am
darrell starks,
It’s pretty interesting to me that the trade you posted above predicts the Hawks to win less games with Dwight Howard, while the Magic win more games with Horford.
Jerome
January 1st, 2012
11:21 am
lol, I can’t believe someone is responding to the Dinger guy. LMAO. He can’t be serious with those posts. Someone is apparently bored.
Mike is Back
January 1st, 2012
11:21 am
Please don’t make excuses for Josh bring up race…dude is a head case…once he loses his focus in the game…he shot. Zebo was the same way earlier in his career. Maybe, once Josh gets with the right team or the right Coach…he will learn how to play under control, and respect the game more. Both Josh and Al have become more reliant on jump shooting under LD tenure.
If LD has a two foul rule for players…why can’t he have a two out of control rule for Josh?????????
Just saying.
STRETCH
January 1st, 2012
11:23 am
Rufus,
JS is NOT a leader. PERIOD. He’s one reason they will NEVER get past the second round.
They need to drop one of their “Core” pieces if they want to compete. Their front line was out rebounded once again, Joe Johnson is still too timid for my liking. And back to JS, a leader doesnt make 50 percent of his free throws.
Rufus1
January 1st, 2012
11:29 am
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
Being the #2 pick has nothing to do with the fact that Marvin had the HOT hand. So what he isn’t the best player “Off the Dribble”, he still can score and as a coach you find ways for him.
Your HATE for Marvin evident, because Chase scored 8pts of his 17pts while Marvin was on the bench….
The fact that he ended the game with only 7 shots and 20min is an LD problem and the #2 picks problem.
Basketball 101: When a player has the HOT HAND, you RIDE HIM.
Rolando
January 1st, 2012
11:32 am
I’m curious, what is the fascination with Leuer? He’s close to 7″ with shoes, but he doesn’t exactly have any striking physical characteristics. His standing reach is less than Horford’s and his wingspan is also slightly less than Horford’s. Heck, Leuer’s standing reach is even less than Josh’s and Josh is only 6′9″ with shoes. Leuer is also not very big for a near 7-footer. He’s listed at 228 based upon training camp. He’s in good shape, but strength-wise he wasn’t exactly at the top of his class either.
Leuer just looks like he might end up being an average big man right now. He’s never been a great rebounder, and at this point, it doesn’t look like he has the strength to be a physical player in the post against NBA Big men at his position or at the 5. He can definitely shoot the ball and handle it pretty well for a big guy, but is that all you really want? He sounds like a watered down version of Andrea Bargnani but with the ability to maybe play better defense.
I just don’t understand the fascination. Don’t you think that if he was so special, he would have at least been taken in the first round?
Rufus1
January 1st, 2012
11:34 am
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
Hill had 15rebs, I guess Josh can’t play PF EITHER….And Humphries had 13rebs…Maybe they should SWITCH.