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Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 106, Nets 101

11:45 pm January 9, 2012, by Michael Cunningham

Newark, N.J.–Larry Drew has been pretty conservative with his starters’ minutes this season. Until tonight, when he suddenly decided to ride them and go all out to beat the Nets. The absence of Marvin Williams explains some of that but I thought the bench guys had OK stints in the first half, only to never be seen again (except for Zaza Pachulia).

  • “Going into halftime, I was going to come out and see what happened and go off feel,” Drew said. “Once New Jersey made that run, I made a decision to ride the starters. I didn’t want to lose momentum. I went with feel. I kind of went with my gut.”
  • “I understand in this short season, every game is important for us,” Joe Johnson said. “I’m willing to do whatever L.D. wants. We talked, and he understands my mindset. He knows what I’m willing to do what I have to as a player to help this team get better.”
  • “He took me out in the fourth for about 20 seconds at the start of the fourth quarter and then put me right back in, and I was like, ‘OK,’” Al Horford said. “It was an important win. It’s the fist 10 games, and [at] 7-3 we are in a good position.”
  • Neither Jeff Teague nor Johnson came off the floor in the second half and Josh Smith sat for just 52 seconds. “I didn’t even notice it,” Teague said. “I was just playing.”
  • The Nets are not going to be mistaken for a good defensive team, but this game showed how many offensive threats the Hawks present when they share the ball.
  • The Nets had to worry about Joe’s runners, Al’s pick-and-pop (even if he didn’t square up on a couple of them), Josh’s athletic drives, and Teague’s dribble penetration. And then there was Vladmir Radmanovic waiting in the corner ready to make a 3 when the Nets reacted to all of that.
  • “I was wide open,” Vlad Rad said. “Not like [just] open. I was by myself and looking to see if somebody was coming. It was amazing. I think me knocking down shots is going to help [teammates] be more open and not have the double teams coming. That’s the kind of relationship we are trying to build. We depend on each other. I’m glad they found me today. Some nights I am going to have a lot of shots, some nights probably not. As long as we are winning, I’m OK. ”
  • Smith (26 points on 14 shots, six rebounds, three steals) filled up the box score again. He also took (and made) jump shots. But he also attacked the rim and earned 11 free-throw attempts. “I’m starting off aggressive, setting the tempo early and getting into the flow of the offense,” Josh said.
  • “He’s taking open shots and not worrying about what people say,”Teague said. “He’s driving to the basket and being aggressive. When he’s like that, we are at our best.”
  • “He’s doing a better job mixing up his shots and not just settling,” Drew said of Josh. “He’s driving, he’s taking the mid-range shots. He’s making really good decisions off the dribble.”
  • Another strong game from Teague, who got to the basket and finished, was 3 for 3 on 3-pointers, and distributed the ball well. Teague also was able to use the threat of doing all of those things to shake free and score in the 5-10 foot range. If his 3-point shooting holds up over the long term, it would provide yet another scoring threat for the Hawks.
  • Joe turned back the Nets with some of those familiar fadeaway Js against tight D. Each one deflated the Nets, who saw their best efforts negated by Joe’s size advantage and scoring talent. “It was nice to see Joe get in that groove late in the fourth quarter and knock down some big jump shots to stop the bleeding,” Josh said.
  • Apparently the Nets didn’t pay attention to their scouting report. There were a few times when they seemed to be very concerned about Jannero Pargo shooting but not so worried about Vlad Rad.
  • “I don’t understand how he’s the best shooter on the floor and he always seems to get wide open,” Joe said. “I don’t know what the defense is thinking. Leave me wide open sometimes. I don’t undestand how he gets wide open looks, especially with last game the way he shot it.”
  • Again, I think part of the reason for that is because the Hawks have so many scoring options when they have good player and ball movement (and, in those cases like tonight when Joe is feeling it, even when they don’t). Better defensive teams will be able to do a better job solving that puzzle in the playoffs but, as you saw with the Bulls the other night, even elite defensive teams can have their hands full with the Hawks (especially if the Hawks also get transition scores).
  • The Hawks got lax on their closeouts when the Nets came back (tired legs?), but New Jersey does have an elite point guard to set up a bunch of shooters.
  • “To be perfectly honest, I expected it to be a close ball game,” Drew said. “This New Jersey team is a very scrappy team. Avery has done a magnificent job, particularly because they are depleted with injuries. They are still playing hard, still competing. They have always played us well. They have guys who can hit shots. They are physical on the glass.”
  • After playing their sixth game in eight days, and with the starters putting in work tonight, the Hawks play a tough game at Indy Wednesday before playing host to Charlotte the next night.
  • “We’ll take advantage of tomorrow, get a little time off, rest our legs,” Joe said.
  • “We should be all right if everybody takes care of their body,” Josh said. “The bench guys are definitely going to come and help.”
  • Told that he should be fine because he’s a young guy, Teague smiled: “I guess. I’m still human.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

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281 comments Add your comment

vava74

January 10th, 2012
5:26 pm

An Orthodox Christ! Remember, V-Rad’s 5 three pointers came on Christmas Day in the orthodox calendar…

Ra'mon

January 10th, 2012
5:31 pm

I wonder if the Lakers would take Marvin and a 2nd for Troy Murphy and the $9 million trade exception they got for Lamar Odom. I think a move like this would open up so many possibilities for the Hawks, for future trades, and flexible roster.

Starters – Teague, Joe, Vlad, Josh, Al (for now)

Bench – Kirk, Green, TMac, Troy Murphy, Zaza

reserves- J. Pargo, I. Johnson, Stackhouse, Collins.

Rod from College Park

January 10th, 2012
5:31 pm

Grandad,

“Marv can be a # 1 option with 2nd group.”

I agree with your analysis, but Marvin will never be a #1 guy. Even if he played with the second unit, he would defer to Willie Green, TMac, or even Ivan Johnson. He just does not have that shooters mentality. He does not want that pressure or spotlight. The only reason he scores to 10 to 14 points he gets with the first unit, is because he is left unguarded most of the time. If there is ever a time where the defense actually focuses on him, he does not stand a chance.

O’Brien,

Marvin is shooting well this year, and playing much better, but it’s not so much the shots he takes that bothers me, as it is the shots he passes up. I have seen him numerous times this year pass up a wide open jumper, and pass to Josh for a wide open jumper. That is where BB IQ comes into the picture for me. No reason Marv should ever pass up an open jumpshot, to pass to Josh for a jumpshot. Joe does the same thing as well. Sometimes I think they purposely do it to make Josh look bad, because they know he is not afraid to take the shot.

Rod from College Park

January 10th, 2012
5:36 pm

Please don’t mistake my post for me thinking that Vlad is the greatest thing since sliced bread. He is ok, but when put in the right system, he can be above average. As long as he makes those open shots, and is not afraid to take them, he provides the Hawks with the same thing or better than Marvin does, for a hell of a lot less.

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
5:36 pm

Rod from College Park

check and mate on the Barkley comments.

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
5:45 pm

Rod from College Park and others;

about being in the right system.

LD’s motion Offense / a thing of beauty when run to perfection.
*They have brought in some guys who thrive in LD’s off. [V-Rad]
*T-Mac @ this point in his career fits perfectly in LD’s “mo”.
*Bargnani (I Know, I know) would be terrific moving in LD’s system.
-disclaimer- { I am not as Big a Bargnani fan as yawl might think }
*Joe seems, -seems-, Seems, SEEMS, to have bought in.
_____________________________________________

We Still Need A Big !

Dept. Of Unintended Irony

January 10th, 2012
5:49 pm

Which brings to mind…

Why don’t those who believe in “life beginning at conception” celebrate Christmas in March?

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
5:55 pm

Ra’mon

LAL will not give up that [ T E ] as long as there is any chance
they can get their hands on D.Howard.

tyger

January 10th, 2012
5:56 pm

Falcon Fans Rise Up!!!

- If Mgt. can’t make the tough decisions, rise up!
- If Mgt. stands behind a scoreless QB, rise up!
- If Mgt. bypasses another Heisman QB, rise up!
- If Mgt. produces an inferior product, rise up!
- If Mgt. sells an inferior/defective product, rise up!
- If you were humiliated Sunday, rise up!
- If you value your hard earned $, rise up!
- If you cant take it anymore, rise up!
- If your’e tired of being sick and tired, rise up!
- Why support their half-a$$ efforts???

Ken Strickland

January 10th, 2012
6:01 pm

With all of our guards having enough quickness, speed, athleticism, and willingness to play DEF, angles and passing lanes, we are now able to use traps and double teams, which is something we couldn’t even consider doing with our 2 former backcourt DEF liabilities. We now have a team that can win with OFF or DEF, and when both are clicking, we are as good as anyone.

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
6:29 pm

tyger

Yes;;; Rise Up I Say;;; Get Those Republicans Out Of Office ! ! !

” Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why, then, ’tis time to do’it ”
William Shakespeare / Macbeth Act V scene 1

Lithonia Up in Here!

January 10th, 2012
6:34 pm

“It does not matter if they were out of love or out of hate. They were the truth.”

SOME OF BARKLEY STATEMENTS WERE LIES!

Here’s one of many lies: “The Hawks peaked 3 years ago”

Playoff record:
2010-11 44-38 (Beat Orlando 4-2 rd1), Lost East Conf Semis Bulls win series 4-2
2009-10 53-29 Lost East Conf Semis Orlando win series 4-0
2008-09 47-35 Lost East Conf Semis Miami win series 4-0
2007-08 37-45 Lost East Conf 1st Rd 2008 — Boston win series 4-3, first round

Barkley Lied, they are NOT in decline yet

Another Barkley Lie:

“Marvin, Josh and Al Hortford are all the same player, they are redundant”

They are not. Each player is different with different skill set

Countless more lies, too many to mention

HAWK FANS, STANDUP MAKE SOME NOISES!

drmaryb.[*_*].

January 10th, 2012
6:44 pm

Q & A!

“Is Marvin’s injury a blessing in disguise like KH was last season?” -ag-
_________

I think so. Like all coaches say, “a player will not lose his starter’s role due to injury, but this an opportunity for someone else to step up.”
_________

“I wonder if DWills regrets going to NJ.” -ag-
________

Regrets? Uggh he was traded. Angry he was traded there – might be a better choice of words.

Grandmaster JeJe

January 10th, 2012
6:47 pm

FIRE LD

Grandmaster JeJe

January 10th, 2012
6:48 pm

NJN gave up a former all star, talented rookie, and 2 1sts for Deron. Team barely has 1 win. Smgdh

Rod from College Park

January 10th, 2012
6:51 pm

Lithonia up in here,

If you are not smart enough to understand what he meant, there is no reason for me to try to explain. You are right, he lied. LOL

drmaryb.[*_*].

January 10th, 2012
7:00 pm

Where is Travis Outlaw? Was he amnestied by NJN? He was severely overpaid like Marvin was.

KevinM

January 10th, 2012
7:21 pm

Lithonia, Cleveland swept the Hawks in 08 4-0. We had beaten a Wade led Heat team 4-3 to earn our right to be swept by Cleveland. This may be the year we have to deal with Miami in the playoffs.

DMB, Travis Outlaw is now in Sac-town, getting 12mpg and 2ppg…..still looking for a role there. He was being paid 4M for 4 years, so not as bad as Marvelous.

RickSundGM

January 10th, 2012
7:23 pm

Grandad, I am having so much trouble finding a C. This league is light in that area you know….not enough of them to go around.
Would Robert Swift work for you in the interim?
I hear Ostertag wants another crack at it at age 38…he fits my budget.

KevinM

January 10th, 2012
7:30 pm

Jeje, I still would have done that deal…..Lopez is still banged up and I have an up-and-comer in Brooks.

He’s gotta ink DWill though before he has 2nd thoughts or else its really back to the drawing board.

Astro Joe

January 10th, 2012
8:03 pm

Kevin, I’m not sure that you understand the difference between the luxury line and the salary cap line and the influence of amnesty. The following numbers are illustrative. Let’s say the Hawks actual salary expense is $69.8M and the luxury tax line is $70M. They basically can’t do anything or they will cross the luxury line meaning they will have to pay a tax AND they will miss out on the extra check teams that are under the luxury line receive at the end of the season. So it is a double hit, more money out on the tax with nothing in return.

The salary cap is around $60M (again, illustrative). The Hawks are OVER the salary cap. If they amnesty Marvin, they will remain over the cap. They would not have ~$8M to spend on a free agent. They could only use some sort of mid-level exemption to sign a FA and I think that with the new CBA, they would only have access to a small MLE (not the full one) because they are over the salary cap. So you amnesty Marvin for the ability to spend maybe $3M on a vet.

Meanwhile, in about 3 years (hopefully not sooner), Joe’s contract will be a HUGE anchor on the team. And because he will be making more than twice what Marvin makes now (or ever), there is a good chance that by using amnesty on Joe, you could truly affect your ability to get below the salary cap line.

Maybe it is smart to use amnesty on Marvin this summer, when Hinrich comes off the books. Or mayebe the following summer, if they choose not to resign Josh (I know, a crazy thought in his current string of games). Bottom line, without another $8M+ salary leaving with him, using amnesty on Marvin is just a gross misuse of a one-time asset and would be about as dumb as the Knicks picking up the one-year extension on Billups’ contract in July only to use amnesty on him in November.

Grandmaster JeJe

January 10th, 2012
8:06 pm

JOE HAS MULTIPLE 1 REBOUND GAMES THIS SEASON

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
8:07 pm

Lithonia Up in Here!

When one opines that belongs to him. *[Barkley]
Therefore, it cannot be a lie. *[Barkley's statement]
A lie is intentionally rearranging the facts.
Accordingly, he did not rearrange anything as what he stated
was his opinion to begin with.
-G-dad the Barrister-

ag

January 10th, 2012
8:08 pm

Reading through the post I see a lot of you all thinking the way I may be thinking. For years I have been Marvin’s #1critic (although I think he is a really good kid), but maybe it is time to shake up the core to go further. You can’t keep doing the same think and expecting a different result. As Rod from CP said, Marvin should easily avg 14 ppg because he is always open. That is pretty much what VladRad was saying.

Grandmaster JeJe

January 10th, 2012
8:09 pm

FIRE SUND

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:15 pm

Is there any body in our solar system that thinks Al is as good as Dwight Howard?

No.

So orlando asked for Al Horford and role players for Dwight. Why have we not work out a deal. D12 will be traded before the March deadline and we WERE right in the lead position after the request for Al.

Why did we not close the deal?

O'Brien

January 10th, 2012
8:17 pm

Agreed with AJ. Although Marvin is overpaid, there is not enough of a cash savings to upgrade the team (not right now anyway).

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:17 pm

Yahoo! Contributor Network

This article was created on the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where users like you are published on Yahoo! every day. Learn more »
Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dwight Howard Trade Rumor and Report Round-up
Charles Joel

By Charles Joel, Yahoo! Contributor Network Jan 9, 11:56 pm EST

At the start of training camp, the Magic gave Dwight Howard’s agent permission to talk to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets. Back then, it was believed that Howard’s ideal landing sport was the Nets, where he would team with Deron Williams and compete with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire for a share of New York’s enormous basketball market when the Nets moved to Brooklyn.

Now, the Nets have lost the centerpiece of their potential trade package for D12, Brook Lopez, to injury and an Orlando-NJ deal seems highly unlikely. Additionally, various sources are reporting that the Golden States Warriors would be willing trade for Howard without long-term assurances and that New York Knicks are prepared to part with Amare.

O'Brien

January 10th, 2012
8:18 pm

From Foxsports NBA ranking; Hawks are 6th.

Just as soon as you start to believe, the Hawks go and make Charles Barkley call them too nice. If they ever play with a sense of urgency, they’ll be dangerous. But we’ve been waiting for that for years..

Grandad

January 10th, 2012
8:20 pm

RickSundGM

Okay … what about “you” letting Byron Mullens get away to Charlotte ?

his numbers are lookin’ pretty good with PT.
_____________________________________________

Heck-fire;
I’m with Mary Ellen, go get Brian Zoubek.
The Big Lug Rebounds (or at least he used to)

Just find a diamond in the rough – like V-Rad.
A Ajinca; although signed in France / don’t know if available.

How about Marv & Kirk for Kaman & Vasquez ?

Now, go to work after you read HoopsHype in the morning.

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:20 pm

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2012-01-10/amare-stoudemire-contract-injury-knicks-dwight-howard-trade

OK the Knick are falling out of the D12 hunt

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:23 pm

Now the Lakers are losing Interest.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1017474-nba-trade-rumors-andrew-bynums-play-complicates-dwight-howard-trade-for-lakers

ag

January 10th, 2012
8:23 pm

Because D12 will not resign with Atlanta is why we are not going to make that trade (remember trading for Danny Manning and he walked after the season). I realize DWill was traded to NJ, but he forced Utah to trade him since he was not going to resign. It is pretty much the same way D12 is doing. Again, if I were Orlando, I would take the best offer for him and hopefully send him to Sac or Minn.

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:31 pm

Barkley only said what weve been saying for years. We have the worlds softest center who escorts to the rim for dunks and mild mannered JJ.

We have 2 good players (jj and Josh) and a lot of bit role players. Why get upset at the truth? Hawk fans have been saying that for years. As it is today this team gets to the second round and folds. We dont have the center to get past the second round. Ignoring that fact wont make it go away.

Fact is Hawks are soft and dont have the TALENT level to get past the 2nd round. Only JJ and Josh are capable of taking over a game. Every body else is along for the ride.

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:34 pm

You cant prove that D12 wont resign. In fact, he has more of a reason to resign here than anywhere else.

That said Id rather have lost at love that not to have loved at all.

Its better to try than make idiotic excuses about why its better to continue as an also ran gone fishing.

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:41 pm

Looks like ebay seems to think Atlanta is still in the hunt, posting a D12 Atlanta hawks jersey

http://compare.ebay.com/like/110653777374?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Admiral Ackbar

January 10th, 2012
8:42 pm

It’s a TRAP!

Brutus

January 10th, 2012
8:47 pm

Barkley and Harlan clowning the Hawks.

“I can’t stand watching this Atlanta Hawks team play,” Barkley said.

“This game is terrible,” added Harlan. “Look at this team–31% [shooting], God almighty!”

Miller was the only one of the three that didn’t have anything bad to say about the Hawks, but Barkley kept going.

“The Hawks aint got nothing but a bunch of nice guys,” Barkley continued. “If I were the Hawks, they’re the team to me I’d try to anything to get Dwight Howard. Say ‘you can have anybody on our team.’”

Unfortunately you are right Sir Charles. But we dont want to be any thing but a team who is good. Great is not in our mantra

Lithonia Up in Here!

January 10th, 2012
9:10 pm

I know you guys are thinking me and ag ,Jump Shooter X,Trojan,Jody,Trent,PEDRO EL GITANO ,joe white are trolls.

And?

Your point?

So what?

Some of us know

January 10th, 2012
9:23 pm

Brutus = LimeLight = Wind Sailing = Inya Hass =

This is your brain on drugs…= Billy Preston =

Ernest T Baggs = Blasting = Justin Case =

Mo Money = D Board = Exclusive = ?

How many can you name?

Lithonia Up in Here!

January 10th, 2012
9:33 pm

Some of us know
ag
Jump Shooter X,
This is your brain on drugs
Bluee Steel
AL Horford
Jody,
Trent
,PEDRO EL GITANO
,joe white

Lithonia Up in Here!

January 10th, 2012
9:35 pm

And me

Lithonia Up in Here!
BIG DOG IN D HOUSE

In reality, theres only 4 people on this site.

ag

January 10th, 2012
9:44 pm

Brutus, D12 said he will not resign and that is why he gave the magic a list. Man I am glad you are not the gm because when D12 walks, we will be starting from scratch. I do think this team is more talented the Chicago and will be able to compete with Miami. I honestly think when this team plays the way they suppose to, they can finish #2 in the East

LOL

January 10th, 2012
9:50 pm

Puff, Puff, puff, puff, Inhale, hold, pass back to ag…..

LOL

January 10th, 2012
9:52 pm

exhale

ag

January 10th, 2012
9:55 pm

Looking at the power rankings and we are 5th. Funny, the 76′ers are first. Now we played NJ 3 times and wins over scrub Bobcats and Wiz we have quality wins over Bulls (should be twice) and Heat (again, should be twice).

76′ers have only one win against a team with a winning record (pacers). THey have fattened their record on the Warriors, Hornets, Raptors, and Kings.

Tomorrow will be another good game against a quality opponent for our Hawks

ag

January 10th, 2012
10:01 pm

LOL… we have really put it on the Bulls this season. My top 8 are
1. Heat: They actually have a good bench with some good point guards.
2. Hawks Stay away from ISO Joe and pass the D*** ball!
3. Bulls MVP is great. What is wrong the the heart of the team Noah?
4. Knicks The other Big 3 Carmelo, Amare and Chandler
5. 76′ers (very athletic young team that will give Hawks fits )
6. Magic (if D12 hangs around)
7. Pacers ( young team wth a lot of shooters – no playoff experience)
8. Celtics (too old, no bench)

LOL

January 10th, 2012
10:09 pm

“A lie is intentionally rearranging the facts.”

That’s a lie!!

rearranging facts is an interpretation.

A lie is an untruth or falsification presented as truth or fact.

Like saying Al Horford.is a defensive specialist.

brigadierjerry

January 10th, 2012
10:10 pm

It is interesting cause it seems like this year with the teams in the Eastern Conference, it looks like flashback of the 90’s as far as playoff teams:

Hawks
Heat
Celtics although after Bird retired they werent good anymore
Knicks
Bulls
Pacers
76ers
Magic this depends on if Howard stays on the team for the year

I like the balance of this Hawks team. 7-3 after 10 games I will take it. Big test tomorrow against Pacers. Playoffs will be interesting

LOL

January 10th, 2012
10:19 pm

Co-sign

Smith.Leuer.Bogut

-
“”You can say what you want, but every since Josh called Al out and got in his face in the locker room Al has shut up with All that talk about playing power forward. Al should just shut up and play. He should be doing what he can to help the team not trying to disrupt it.

Im glad Josh got in his Azz”‘

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