Timberwolves at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread
- I’m not at the game tonight. The AJC’s Chris Viviamore is on the scene.
- At shootaround today Marvin Williams (ankle) told C-Viv he plans to play tonight. Tracy McGrady (back) is out and is shooting for a Monday return.
- Larry Drew said the Hawks are in no hurry to make a roster move in the wake of Al Horford’s injury.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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641 comments Add your comment
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
Jeff 17th in Points by PG’s
17th in assists by PG’s
And 5th overall in steals regardless of position.
And behind him is Pargo and Sloan – in a PG league. Nope – keep Jeff healthy, and hope he doesn’t roll an ankle.
Rufus1
January 16th, 2012
12:14 pm
vava74
Sheridan, Hollinger and the national writers continue to be embarassed by their Hawks PREDICTIONS being WRONG.
Rufus1
January 16th, 2012
12:21 pm
To get the 4th seed, we need….
Teague to average 16pts and 8ast, Josh to average 18pts and 9.5rebs and Joe to average 20pts, 5rebs and 5ast per game. The starting 5 has to average between 70-75 points and the bench need to average 25-30pts a game…….And the defense must stay in the top 10!
doc
January 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
steve w there is a huge fall off between 8 and 9 right now to my eyes. ithink a sub .500 team could make it into the playoffs and it might be us. there are few gimmes when we go west and i like the sixers and pacers over us. not sure where the celts fall. magic, heat and bulls still formidable and knicks a huge disapiontment. our schedule has been a god send for a change thus far but it will change soon where we go out if town in an unbalanced way to leave six home games at the end was it?
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
12:45 pm
Hey vava74, that height lengthening surgery sounds extremely painful? I’ll stick to the shoe inserts! LOL!
Grandmaster JeJe
January 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
Ivan doesn’t watch basketball but is fearless
Marvin doesn’t watch basketball and sucks.
STOP STARTING MARVIN WILLIAMS. HE IS A BUST AND IS NOT GOOD
O'Brien
January 16th, 2012
1:15 pm
Vava,
To be perfectly frank, I believe that we have the personnel to get the playoffs as we are right now, so if Al is able to come back to close the season, on time to get in shape for the playoffs, then I would not make a move..
I agree that we have the personnel to make the playoffs right now. But that does not mean we should stand pat. What happens when ZaZa gets in foul trouble? Do we give Twin major minutes?
And when we play Orlando, Twin will probably get in foul trouble, and ZaZa will need help. I think Ivan will have his ups and downs, so Hawks should have reinforcement in the front court ready to go just in case.
ZaZa has been pretty durable for us, but with the compressed schedule, I will not be surprised if one of our centers (ZaZa or Twin) end up missing time for nicks and bruises.
I’m not saying make a trade. I am merely saying bring some guys in for a workout (D-League, Dampier, whoever). That way, when the need arises, we already know who we want to sign. And just because we sign them does not mean LD has to give them consistent minutes either.
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
Rufus1,
about this:
“Al was the difference this year between contender or pretender….Zaza and Ivan can replace some of the things he did, but neither can protect the RIM. ”
Now Rufus, I’m sure you’ve seen me defend Horford on this blog, mostly from false statements, and incorrect stats, BUT…
By no means can Al Horford be considered a “rim defender”. Yeah, he gives effort, but he always jumps too late. He has to gather himself before jumping, which puts him at a disadvantage, particularly against quicker, driving opponents.
He not nearly as bad as a few on the blog would have you believe, but he’s NOT the difference in our rim being protected or not. That would be Josh, by a long margin.
That’s my opinion. Just trying to keep it real.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 16th, 2012
1:38 pm
No News Is …
“That being said, maybe Rick has his scouts checking out D-League players that we don’t know about. Or maybe Rick is making phonecalls behind the scenes.” -OB-
_________
Unfortunately, the fan base will always be the last to know. These ASKG & Sund are like the “secret service” and the CIA! Everything is always a covert operation and the moves never make a splash. WTH
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
1:49 pm
Alex Ajinca – Strasbourg IG – hgt,7-2; wgt,248 – *2012 stats::
-admittedly only 3 games-
19.0 pts; 3.6 blks; 1.0 assts; 8.0 rebs; 91% FT %;
30% 3pt fg%; 60% 2pt fg %; 30 min per game
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
An interesting stat;
Jeff Teague is 15th in the entire league in (+/-)
while leading the Hawks in this category.
Rufus1
January 16th, 2012
2:08 pm
Sautee
Just because he isn’t Josh, doesn’t mean he isn’t a GOOD SHOT BLOCKER/ RIM DEFENDER. I agree that Josh is our BEST “rim protector”, but Al isn’t Zaza. Al blocks his share of shots and he and Josh work well together as a RIM PROTECTING DUO. That duo this year was very good….
Astro Joe
January 16th, 2012
2:10 pm
I think the Hawks are smart not to overreact to Horford’s injury and jump at the first trade or FA available. The longer they wait (and continue to stay afloat), the better the chances that they get a better deal. If the used car dealer knows that that your girl has dumped you because you’re riding the bus, there is NO way thatyou are going to get a good deal on the car, because you are desparate. But if you drive up to the lot in a working car, and you simply want to upgrade, then you’re likely to get a better deal.
In a few more weeks 9again, assuming they can stay afloat), teams that are doomed to the lottery maybe more willing to trade for Hinrich’s expiring deal or simply off-load someone who isn’t part of their long-term planning. but teams aren’t willing to make that declaration less then 4 weeks into the season.
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
2:12 pm
Rufus,
We can disagree. I’ll stand by my statement, which I clearly said was my opinion.
I WILL agree that the overall defense is looking better this year. So far.
Bigman needed
January 16th, 2012
2:12 pm
It’s like barkley said, ivan brings toughness we lack, even when the ball’s out of bounds he’s bumping into like three people on the floor
Who cares if he watches tape? His job is to play hard every game, every minute
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
2:14 pm
AJ,
So are we back to doc’s Granny, limping down the shoulder in a beat up Pinto?
O'Brien
January 16th, 2012
2:17 pm
AJ,
I’m not saying the Hawks should make a trade. My thinking is bring in a couple guys to work out.
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
2:20 pm
“Who cares if he watches tape? His job is to play hard every game, every minute”
Well, I do, for one. Let’s just say that he watches film and his coaches point out that X has a hard time when you force him left. Ivan then takes that knowledge and uses his big body to keep X from going to his strong side. Isn’t that worth some time in the film room?
Yeah, let’s have him play hard (I don’t think he knows any other way), but play smart as well. Watching tape can help.
Astro Joe
January 16th, 2012
2:22 pm
Sautee, I don’t think so. I can’t envision breaking up the sacred core when one of the captains is hurt. If the Hawks want to get better, they need to acquire a player better than their 3 captains and I don’t think that is possible by NOT trading one of their 3 captains. So (IMO) all of this anxiety about making an immediate trade is essentially about giving the team a chance to “lose better’ than they would without Al. Hard for me to get excited about a trade that may result in losing the first round in 7 games vs. 5 games. I’d rather see them try to stay afloat and see if there is a chance to make a more impactful trade closer to the trade deadline.
Astro Joe
January 16th, 2012
2:28 pm
OB, and they maybe doing that. Just because it isn’t reported doesn’t mean that it isn’t happenng. Seems folk are partly concerned because Sund isn’t publicly disclosing his strategy. Why should he, ticket sales?
Bigman needed
January 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
Memphis is killing chicago without drose. Killing them. Bulls have quit playing.
The east is up for grabs, but we have to make a move!
Ken Strickland
January 16th, 2012
2:34 pm
GRANDAD-While I don’t have a candidate in mind, I do think we need another Big at this point with Horford out. With the support we now have off the bench, a Big that’s more mobile and less one dimensional than Twin would be a big boost. The time betwen now and when Horford returns would be sufficient for a player to learn our OFF/DEF systems. Also, having an additional function Big, along with the return of Hinrich and Horford, would gives us an even more solid, versatile and deeper bench.
I’d love to go into the playoffs with a bench of Zaza, Johnson, VRad, TMac, Hinrich, Twin, extra Big, and Green.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 16th, 2012
2:40 pm
DIrty Birds!
I’ve mauled over it and I just LOVE that Falcons OC hire. Dimitroff realizes “0″ Points need a personal coach who is also the OC. They can now and together, write their own play book. And, game plan each week to maximize the QB position.
Forget what Matt can’t do, (his weaknesses) and accentuate Matty – “ZERO” points – strengths. From there? Get a damned offensive line! FIRE everybody on that line:
Blow the Whistle
Blow it Up
Throw in The Towel
It’s a wrap
Be Bold and FIRE them all! Except maybe, Todd McClure. And, while you’re at it, drive: Sam Baker, Perrie’ Jerry, Dunta & Ray-Ray ‘Nem, to the airport in Atlanta that has 25 names.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
2:46 pm
Been trying to find Magnum’s whereabout’s, can’t find it
Dampier is waiting by the phone – just honored at MSU this weekend (or the previous, can’t remember).
Bring in Chris Daniels for a look/see. Can’t hurt to watch him work out and see if he could help as a 3rd big.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
Call Pryzbilla for that matter. Robin Lopez is basically barely playing behind Gortat and Frye – see what a few 2nd picks will get you if we could do it under the new cap rules.
Bigman needed
January 16th, 2012
2:52 pm
Bulls making a run of course with gibson and asik
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
2:59 pm
“Robin Lopez is basically barely playing behind Gortat and Frye – see what a few 2nd picks will get you if we could do it under the new cap rules.”
Now Steve, do you REALLY think that the ASG will go into the luxury tax for Robin Freakin’ Lopez?
He makes $2.66M.
Try again. But keep trying.
vava74
January 16th, 2012
3:01 pm
I know that I am going to get killed for this but Collins was fundamental against Minny.
Don’t rule out his usefulness besides playing ORL.
Ok, he is a situational player but a heck of a situational defender.
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
3:07 pm
Blank shooting more Blanks again?
“That said, the Falcons’ hiring of Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator isn’t going to spark any block parties.
Koetter has been working for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who this season finished 32nd in total offense, 32nd in passing and 28th in scoring – which wouldn’t be so bad if the NFL had, say, 100 teams and not 32″
Hey Arthur, sounds like you out did yourself again? Congrats!!!!
Now lets say this all together, 1,2,3, 0 and 4!!!!!!!!!!!
Some things apparently never change in these parts…….
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
3:14 pm
GMO’s, (genetically enhanced food) a death nail?
vava74
January 16th, 2012
3:19 pm
RT @HawksPRGuy: Larry Drew says Jason Collins will start and @zaza27 will come off the bench. #ATLTOR 38 mins ago
??? why ???
To chase Bargnani in the perimeter??
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
3:28 pm
Its a Family affair….Its a Family affair..
Coach Smith is one slick dude..He’s going to be hired by his buddy Mularkey after another disastrous season..Going back home to Jacksonville.. Nice…..
Arthur being played like fiddle……
Sautee
January 16th, 2012
3:29 pm
vava,
Collins will likely guard Emir, and that puts Josh, or Vlad chasing Bargnani. I’d choose Vlad and keep Josh closer to the basket.
JaeEvolution
January 16th, 2012
3:31 pm
Barg is going to kill us, even if Josh is on him Josh slacks when guarding big men who can shoot it from the perimeter. Barbosa is also going to kill us he had about 30 against us last year, all he needs is a pick and roll to get anything he wants, watch out.
Dukester
January 16th, 2012
3:31 pm
@vava74 I respect 99 percent of your opinions about whatever your talking about. But the hawks situation as far as Center really sickens me. To see Zaza and Collins run up and down the court with no athleticism what so ever makes me want to puke. Basically they hold their arms up and hopes the defender miss the shot. Guess what im 6′4″ and I told my 5′7″ 11 yr old daughter that saturday night on her girls basketball team.
Sund should be fired for resigning Collins twice and Zaza to a 20 million dollar deal. This organization is still going on the philosphy Mike Woodson had 5 players that are 6′8″ and athletic. Please change it. I want the Mutombo days back!! We have watch several centers fly by in trades and free agency since Woodson has been gone. Let it go guys if you think we are winning anything with no center your sadly mistaken. By the way I love horford but he is not a center.
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
3:33 pm
Coach Smith already has some bags packed and Greyhound will be ready ta go!!!!
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
3:34 pm
4pm game.. C’mon Hawks lets get it done today!
Astro Joe
January 16th, 2012
3:35 pm
Pretty sure that Bargnai is banged up and will miss today’s game.
Astro Joe
January 16th, 2012
3:38 pm
…Bargnani is banged up…
#Let'sGoHawks!
January 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
Bargnani is out.
Michael Cunningham
January 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.