Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 106, Nets 101
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
Slimjr
January 11th, 2012
11:10 am
6 STRAIGHT FOR THE SIXERS! NICE
3 STRAIGHT FOR THE HAWKS. COOL!
Ken Strickland
January 11th, 2012
11:21 am
I’m still trying to figure out how anyone with any type of basketball IQ can hold Horford more accountable for our poor DEF of the past than Bibby or Jamal. Woodson and Drew didn’t feel the need to adopt the SWITCHING DEF to protect against Horford as a DEF liability, and Drew certainly didn’t abandon it this yr because of him. He abandoned it and incorporated new DEF principles, and an entirely new DEF approach, because we got rid of our 2 previous DEF problems.
We’re talking about a team with no true DEF liabilities, more OFF firepower on both our bench and starting lineup, more speed, quickness, athleticism, versatility, and depth, which will all improve as soon as we get captain Kirk(Hinrich) back.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
11:38 am
The Zone!
Josh is playing inside two zones: a player’s zone and Drew’s zone defensive scheme. Josh is flying all over the place like The Spirit Hawk and blocking everything.
He should be the player of the week. And, IFFFFF Drew starts Kirk over Teague, not only will that destroy the team’s chemistry at the point, it will also be asinine on Drew’s behalf. IDK what’s gonna’ happen, but I will just have to pull my hair out.
Does anyone think Kirk will take issue with coming off the bench? That bench with Kirk at the point will destroy any opponent. We look really good yawl.
I’m stoked.
vava74
January 11th, 2012
11:57 am
Bizarre proposal of the day (although I think it would be good for everyone).
Trade Marvin for Metta World Peace.
Yes, Metta is on the way down and having an horrible start of the season but we need a quality wing defender (we have none) AND
With Hinrich hopefully coming back good, he will need minutes not only at the PG slot (not too many so we don’t lose the Teague effect) and at the SG slot, allowing JJ to slide to SF which makes us have a bottleneck at the SF slot.
If we move Marvin, we could work with Metta, JJ, McGrady and Vlad depending on match ups and play.
I am sure that Metta would be thrilled with the prospect of going against Lebron in the playoffs.
The move is neutral from a cap point of view but Metta’s deal expires next year.
Just Joe
January 11th, 2012
11:57 am
Kirk, like any player, has an ego, and probably thinks he can start for all but maybe 5 or 6 teams in the league. I think he’s fine as long as he gets 25+ minutes a night, and he wins games. He’s going in to an offseason where he will likely earn his last multi-year contract. We’ll get roughly 30+ games to see him team with JJ & Teague. I expect things to go well, and wouldn’t mind signing him to a new contract. Maybe 3 yrs $12-15M.
Just Joe
January 11th, 2012
11:59 am
M. Williams for L. Barbosa. Toronto could use a young SF. Hawks could use the expiring contract.
Slimjr
January 11th, 2012
11:59 am
We’re streaking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah…………………
vava74
January 11th, 2012
12:23 pm
Just Joe,
I think we really need a quality wing defender to slow down Lebron a bit.
If we go into a 7 games series against the MIA, playing zone will not be the only solution. We need to be able to play Lebron, Wade and Bosh man to man for extended minutes with confidence that we will be able to at least make them work hard for their points.
JJ can check Wade and is usually quite effective.
Metta would be able to check Lebron and even Bosh in some different match ups.
Al and Josh have the ability to check Bosh in a reasonably efficient way.
On the other hand, I no longer trust Marvin to be healthy and focused to slow down Lebron.
Also, it is a psychological issue: Lebron does not respect Marvin but would respect Metta and we all know that Lebron is psychologically weak and we should exploit that.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
12:47 pm
vava, does Metta’s contract expire at the same time as Marvin’s?
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
On 680 a few minutes ago, LD said he got a copy of the TNT game with Charles Brakley, and made sure everyone of his players watched it.
He said he wanted them to hear what the perception of the ATL hawks is, and hopefully, it will have a positive effect on their play.
vava74
January 11th, 2012
1:05 pm
Metta’s Contract:
2011/12 $6,790,640 — 2012/13 $7,258,960 — 2013/14 $7,727,280
Marvin’s Contract:
2011/12 $7,500,000 — 2012/13 $8,287,500 — 2013/14 $7,500,000
Unfortunately, both contracts have the same length BUT Metta’s would give us 800 thousand and 1 million in cap space this year and next year.
It seems that Metta has a player option for the last 2 years next year:
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/la_lakers.htm
Whilst Marvin has a player option on his last year
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
1:07 pm
vava,
Maybe Metta will not exercise his option that last year to go pursue his music career. You never know what to expect with that guy.
That being said, I would pass on him. I’m not sure if the risk is worth the reward anymore.
vava74
January 11th, 2012
1:07 pm
O’Brien
January 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
First quality coaching by LD so far. Maybe Josh took it personal and will take it to the next level…
If I were LD, I use a concentration of Barkley’s remarks on the tube as the sole pre-game speech.
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
1:08 pm
Doc,
At the Falcons press conference, the GM said how the offensive line was 6th in fewest sacks allowed, which was good.
Howeva…Mr Blank intervened and said numbers are misleading (in a vacuum), because just because you are not giving up sacks doesnt mean you’re doing your job.
He said maybe your QB is forced to throw the ball away (he mentioned how Matty was only sacked twice against the Giants but was under constant pressure), maybe he is forced to take the check down instead of going deep etc.
I’m glad Arthur stepped in. That is what I want from my owner. Speak the truth. Dont feed me numbers in a vaccum (like telling me how Hawks and Boston are Lakers were the only team to make the second round 3 years in a row).
And Arthur Blank also said on at least 2 different occasions today…it is all about winning championships.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
1:15 pm
Barkley also suggested that if LD can’t find time for Ivan, that there is something wrong with the head coach. I wonder how he expects Ivan to respond to that? These gimmicks have a fairly short shelf life. He should have waited until the playoffs to use them (or during a prolonged losing streak).
vava74
January 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
blog monster ate my reply.
in a nutshell:
Metta is worth the risk since he could wake up for the playoffs (and we get 1 million cap space next year).
We can’t think seriously about the ECF without a quality wing defender and Marvin is not dependable (I think his D is worse and the MIA game proved that for me).
I would hire Metta’s psychiatrist as an assistant coach. Maybe she could work with other guys in the team too:
Light a fire in JJ;
Unleash permenantly Teague’s inner dog;
Convince Zaza that every opponent is a russian invading his beloved Georgia;
Teach Ivan enough manners to get by without killing someone until the end of the season;
Get Al back to Boss mode;
Hypnotise Josh into passing after rebounding, not shooting treys and living in the paint.
wordsmithtom
January 11th, 2012
1:19 pm
Astro Joe, LD has played Ivan, at least, more than he played either of his 8-10 seated players last year, and Ivan is 11 this year. Barkley would be a fool to suggest Ivan get more minutes than the regular rotation players, considering his NBA experience.
vava74
January 11th, 2012
1:20 pm
AJ,
Horford spent the WHOLE season hitting uncontested elbow shots last year (now they are tight on him).
It’s pretty viable to think that Ivan will remain vastly unknown until the playoffs and then… then his shortcomings would be augmented anyhow so we might be better off getting him to work as a spark off the bench on crappy effort nights.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
1:25 pm
tom, with Marvin hurt and TMac limited, has Ivan received any extended time int he past 2 games? I’m not bumping for Ivan as much as I resent LD using Barkley’s words exclusively as an indictment on the players. Because most of what Barkley discussed is a cultural problem that requires strong leadership. Taking an opponent lightly, not playing hard consistently, poor asset management, etc. Those are not exclusively issues that rest on the shoulders of the players.
If Barkley is the guy who has to get these guys motivated, that is a DAYUM shame.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
“On 680 a few minutes ago, LD said he got a copy of the TNT game with Charles Brakley, and made sure everyone of his players watched it.
He said he wanted them to hear what the perception of the ATL hawks is, and hopefully, it will have a positive effect on their play.”
Best news I have heard today. I’m sure Gearon was sitting in his room with his fingers in his ears saying “I can’t hear you la la la la la” that entire game, but props to LD for using that as a motivational tactic. Hopefully Josh Smith has reason to tell Chuck “in yo face” in June.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
1:28 pm
And no, I don’t know that those words were used “exclusively” to motivate the players. I’m hoping that LD recognizes the sentiment is borne from a place that he absolutely owns. With around 56 games to go, he can’t trot out that Barkley tirade with every return to poor form, at some point he needs to improve his own leadership skills.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
I must have missed where Charles singled out Josh. Admittedly, I missed most of the first quarter. What I heard was related to the team at large, I must have missed the personal assault on Josh.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
“Taking an opponent lightly, not playing hard consistently, poor asset management, etc. Those are not exclusively issues that rest on the shoulders of the players.”
All true, but that doesn’t mean LD can’t present it that way as a means to an end.
vava74
January 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
AJ,
There are many paths to success and humiliation sometimes is one of them.
Obviously, LD’s lack of accountability policy is one of the factors behind those Hawks’ shortcomings so using Barkley to motivate guys is not a tactic of which anyone should be proud off so… I would have used it BUT I would not have said it to the press like LD did (which means that LD is shedding responsibility and trying to take credit for the manoeuvre).
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
1:32 pm
More than anything I am just encouraged that LD is using those comments as constructive criticism, because there’s no doubt in my mind his bosses would simply dismiss them and make excuses to cover their asses. The fact that LD is at all different from his bosses is encouraging in and of itself.
Sautee
January 11th, 2012
1:33 pm
AJ,
Didn’t we beat the Heat on their homecourt BEFORE Barkley’s comments?
Wonder what motivated them to do THAT?
I see nothing wrong with Uncle Larry using Barkley’s words. In fact, it’s pretty good spin to take that criticism and make it a motivation.
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
1:47 pm
AJ,
I don’t think Barkley singled out Josh. The only comments I remember about Josh is when Reggie said Josh may not excel at one thing, but he does a lot of things well. And Barkley was quick to say that one think Josh does not do well is them jumpers.
Other than that, I think it was mostly directed at the Hawks as a team and an organization (although they take shots at JJ a couple times).
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
1:49 pm
Najeh,
How you feel about Joe Lombardi (the Saints QB coach) as the OC? I looked him up on the Saints website, and I think he is an intriguing possibility.
Slimjr
January 11th, 2012
1:56 pm
Hey Arthur spin anyway you want. Your QB is a bust!
Three embarrassing blowouts on the National stage prove he’s a strikeout!
Sunday was the worst of them all. Offense totally shut out by the 27th ranked defense is beyond horrific!
Unacceptable comes to mind. Both Coordinators were smart to jump this sinking ship….
Up next 0-4……
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
2:05 pm
I think vava said it best (first time
), LD should not have relayed the story to the media. The tactics he employs to motivate the team need to stay behind closed doors. It comes across as outsourcing a demand for consistent professionalism to an effin’ commentator (to me).
Sautee, sure, but I don’t think Barkley was suggesting the Hawks could NEVER beat a quality team, just that they often don’t fulfill their collective promise as a unit. So I’m not confused that LD has never coached the team well or the players have never played with effort. The issue is less about has it been done before and more about will it be done consistently in the future.
Michael Cunningham
January 11th, 2012
2:39 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.