Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 93, Raptors 84
Here is a link to Chris Vivlamore’s AJC game story, in which Josh Smith explains his “different state of mind” this season and Larry Drew says Tracy McGrady’s back tightened up after he played eight first-half minutes.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
284 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
January 16th, 2012
10:15 pm
“he just has to keep playing and eventually I think he will get that respect.”
I think LD has to step up and get a couple of technicals on Teague’s behalf too.
Big Lou
January 16th, 2012
10:15 pm
You can’t say that Josh and JJ haven’t stepped it up. Look at the stats. It has nothing to do with Al being good or not — it’s just fact.
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:17 pm
If that anit enough for you to hate try this B tch
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:19 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rVIU8fJQ8w
yoursporthouse.com
January 16th, 2012
10:22 pm
Josh haters…crickets
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:22 pm
Yeah just stepped his game up this year….all that hard work in the offseason. Dude proved his determination and heart.
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:24 pm
this is for all the Hoes in the house
http://www.iamagm.com/news/2011/10/04/adidas.commercial.if.josh.smith.was.poetry
Bigman needed
January 16th, 2012
10:28 pm
Celtics traded away perkins and have not been the same. Oklahoma city are a contender with perkins.
And perkins is not all star center, not even close. And that’s ok. He knows his role
But you have got to have the big man to rebound, protect the paint, win physical battles, bang, win.
Get a quality big man hawks.
Get okafor
Or rent d12
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:28 pm
This for all the players in D house…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J3fKXA1qWA
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:32 pm
I had to ask the haters…. “hates, what make the hawks so great?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc4lK9QLwtk&feature=related
Doc
January 16th, 2012
10:34 pm
303 stone hands zaza will never catch up to to anyone’s passes I. Time for Ivan to start and finish.
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:36 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eomAsZ-evE&feature=related
Is this a Al Horford commercial?
FreshmakerGT
January 16th, 2012
10:41 pm
Good win today. Great games by Josh, JJ and Teague. Love the way Smoove is playing right now.
And SMH for those of you that want our All-Star center gone. Because clearly beating the Raps, Nets and Bobcats without him shows how much we don’t need him. There isn’t a “real center” available that’d do this team a lick of good. We beat the Bulls and Heat with Al. Clearly he ain’t an issue. If D12 becomes available to us, talk to me. Otherwise, get outta here with that crap.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 16th, 2012
10:41 pm
You can’t say that Josh and JJ haven’t stepped it up. Look at the stats. It has nothing to do with Al being good or not — it’s just fact.
———
They are good complementary pieces for a core. Like PB&Jelly. The shooter and the slasher. Both with size at the wings. But you need to play big lineups and play smith in some 1-3 Pick and Roll.
The 1 being the PG, Teague, and Smith being the aforementioned “3″. Maybe its a bad PnR combination.
But the first highlight in the Raptors vs Hawks highlight reel today is a 14 Pick and Roll with Teague and Smith. Teague turns the corner on a big. Maybe despite the quickness of SFs there is hope with Teague and Smith vs a small forward in a PnR.
SFs might disrupt it with quickness on other hand. Smith would have the power advantage to push off on picks. Now would the refs give us star calls? IDK but LD seems comfortable demanding calls and fighting for calls for his team.
Crazy_88
January 16th, 2012
10:44 pm
Nothing is structurally wrong with Tracy’s back so the problem must be in how he’s stretching perhaps ?
Maybe he should think about doing some Yoga…Its what has kept Garnett going strong all these yrs and even Lebron hs started getting into the act.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
10:44 pm
The feeling I get from the Hawks is we went from an almost elite team with Al, to a good, maybe an above average team now. Just a feeling, nothing else really.
I do hope we are at least looking at Chris Daniels on Ivan’s old team in DLeague. He’s 27 also, and looks like he could play C a little bit. Jettison Stack, unless he’s the one that has gotten in Josh’s ear and turned him into the 20+ 10+ machine he’s becoming for us.
6 out of Josh’s last 7 games have been among some of his finest ever. That Chicago playoff game last season was exceptional also for Josh.
The amazing thing about Josh is 28 and 15, and you think, wow, he could have played just a bit better. The guy has amazing potential.
And Josh, in the bigger picture really is the elephant in the living room right now. FA after next year, unrestricted. Can we re-sign him, or is his heart set on leaving? I don’t know. I’m sure ASG will not allow him to walk and get nothing, so he either gets re-signed or traded I would guess – I doubt we lose him and get nothing.
hittman jamillion
January 16th, 2012
10:45 pm
“DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC OR DO YOU SKIM THRU IT”. A Jay-Z line I dig that reminds me alot of you guys. I said that for all of you fairies who are just on Chicago nutz, saying things that are proposperous like we can’t beat Chicago without a center. What games are you watching? We don’t need a center to beat them or Miami we should be four and zero against those guys & should a blown out Chicago out twice. Now Oklahoma, Lakers,Memphis, Spurs,&Indiana that’s a different story. I’m all for a big athletic shotblocking force like the next man but some of yout guys just be throwing out nonexistent possibilities making a arse out yourself
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 16th, 2012
10:46 pm
An Al Horford commercial would consist of Al getting dunked on or more likely now getting injured and saying he’s not b**ching about being undersized.
His dad would come out behind Al sitting on a chair with a polo shirt/cardigan (Coogi) a button up or maybe Al would be in crutches.
Then people would throw a Al to PF pity party from that commercial.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
10:47 pm
KevinM – Agreed – With Teague on the floor, we rarely get blown out, especially like last season. You’d think we gotta rest Teague – another 40+ minute nite. He’s becoming like Monta Ellis.
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
10:48 pm
As much as I would like to bring in a legit Big;
right now, I do not think I would mess with chemistry.
At some point down the road;
when / if the opportunity presents itself, then our team
will need to build upon what we have before the playoffs.
Per Contra, (D.of U.I. – I could not resist) I’ll probably change my mind
tomorrow.
hittman jamillion
January 16th, 2012
10:48 pm
and i absolutely luv the way smoove has yall eating crow stew,now if jt would become more aggresive and we could get rid of marv id love it,bring me mcgee from washington
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:49 pm
So I
asked
D12
would
you
come
to
Atlanta
and
play
with
Jsmoove
?
His
answer
?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ryxASWBxA&feature=related
hittman jamillion
January 16th, 2012
10:50 pm
Ps keep sloan dude has true pg instincts and direction. He’ll get guys in position
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
10:50 pm
I hope we don’t do that Josh + Teague for Gasol trade being talked about in the blogosphere. Hope it’s just a rumor. I would hate for Gasol to be a part of two bad trades dealing with ATL, once when we traded him, and getting him back a couple or 3 years too late, and giving up some good pieces.
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:51 pm
Smith.Leuer.Bogut LMFAO!!
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
10:53 pm
Yes Joe and Josh are playing so much better together since All NBA went down..Its remarkable to see these two All Stars compete at such a high level game in and game out now……Awesome……
Zip it Sautee, I’m not biting….lol
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 16th, 2012
10:54 pm
Hawks fans bash Smith when he’s clearly outmatched and has a redundant guy in Horford. but then praise him when he gets on a good roll smashing vs low grade teams and people are worried about his extension.
Hypocrites and idiots. As a cynical Walt Frazier would say.
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
10:54 pm
Still need a big to reach the ECF!
Crickets..Crkctkets..cricket..
January 16th, 2012
10:58 pm
(gran ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSoCSLi_WZs&feature=fvwrel (dad)
sit back and enjoy a nice cold glass of hateraid. on me
Slimjr
January 16th, 2012
10:59 pm
Josh has reprogrammed himself..He’s playing from the inside out..And its helped him gather his timing when taking a midrange jumper..He’ll misfire from time to time but thats okay if he’s attacking the rim most of the time!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 16th, 2012
11:00 pm
“I hope we don’t do that Josh + Teague for Gasol trade being talked about in the blogosphere. Hope it’s just a rumor. ”
I don’t think it even deserves “rumor” status. More like “Laker fan pipe dream”.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 16th, 2012
11:03 pm
Marvin is the worst player on this team.
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
11:07 pm
For those who think that I do not like Joe;
that is false.
If Joe were paired with a SuperDuper[1] *(Gary Payton)
- and a -
SuperDuper[5] *(Hakeem Olajuwon)
he would be a terrific 3rd Muscateer.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 16th, 2012
11:08 pm
Props to Josh. His jumpshot has been Kobe-esque lately.
Just stay focused.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
11:18 pm
That Teague/Josh for Gasol rumor started on isportweb?, then repeated on Yardbarker. Who knows where it came from.
What a ghastly trade, but exactly the type trade the Hawks have made in the past. That’s the reason I don’t dismiss it out of hand.
SteveW
January 16th, 2012
11:20 pm
If we made that trade, we would then spend the next 10 years still trying to find a PG to replace Mookie on a long term basis.
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
11:20 pm
Najeh
“I hope we don’t do that Josh + Teague
for Gasol trade
being talked about in the blogosphere.
Hope it’s just a rumor. ”
I just tried trade checker on RealGM;
Gasol trade only works with; (Smith + Marv) or (Smith + Hinrich)
Gasol trade will not work with Smith + Teague
(did not check Smith + Zaza)
Grandad
January 16th, 2012
11:22 pm
Najeh;
blogosphere; where did you hear that rumor ?
Smith / Gasol
teedub
January 16th, 2012
11:24 pm
I’m with 303. Y’all get your seat-warmers down to the Highlight Factory Wednesday and make some noise!!
Rev in Tampa
January 16th, 2012
11:26 pm
Cleveland is 7th in the Eastern Conference and Miami is 6th. Oh, I’d like to see Cleveland overtake LeQueen if only for one or two days. It would be sweet justice.
atlchris77
January 16th, 2012
11:26 pm
Josh, joe, teague,ivan, and howard. I would love to watch it. Bring howard home to atlanta.
Rufus1
January 16th, 2012
11:54 pm
“Turf Toe”
Why are ppl over looking the “turf toe” injury of DRose. That injury has ended careers and at least he(DRose) won’t be as explosive.
The injury problem is going to hit more team and our bench may be the difference for the Hawks this year.
GaSouthernSmooth
January 16th, 2012
11:58 pm
I agree with everyone who believes these 3 Ws are no proof we play better w/o horford. If anyting everybody who thought we wouldn’t make playoffs sans horford should be eating there words. Does anyone get the feeling though that POR game has letdown written all over it? Blowout loss potential against jamal.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 17th, 2012
12:04 am
I agree with everyone who believes these 3 Ws are no proof we play better w/o horford. If anyting everybody who thought we wouldn’t make playoffs sans horford should be eating there words. Does anyone get the feeling though that POR game has letdown written all over it? Blowout loss potential against jamal.
—-
Yes this team has more size and skill than Minnesota whom we started slow with.I slept thru today’s game but I think Smith + Marvin is terrible.
“Najeh;
blogosphere; where did you hear that rumor ?
Smith / Gasol”
Someone spammed their own blog,
SteveW
January 17th, 2012
12:13 am
Umm, the rumor came from here, “That Teague/Josh for Gasol rumor started on isportweb?, then repeated on Yardbarker. Who knows where it came from. ” Before isportweb, who knows
Posted earlier up page 2
SteveW
January 17th, 2012
12:14 am
Grandad – Who knows, we may throw in ZaZa or Hinrich or something, after all it is just a rumor. The guy in the article says he’s been “hearing” it. Wonder from whom?
SteveW
January 17th, 2012
12:21 am
Guys, just know, we tried to trade Josh hard evidently, especially for Enes Kanter on draft day. MC has been reporting on this throughout the months, and even Josh’s reactions. It’s no secret. So if Josh has let ASG (I always want to call them Prince, the group formerly known as ASG) he’s probably not signing without a max offer or something, and ASG is not going to give Josh that offer, trust me, ASG will ditch Josh for something rather than nothing.
And if we want vets, smart players who don’t take so many ill advised shots (you know the LD routine) blah blah blah, I don’t put a trade like this past the Hawks.
Maybe ASG feels like they’ve “Odum’ed” Josh, and the Lakers feel like they’ve “Odum’ed” Gasol, and think after aggressive failed trade(s), it’s time to move these players.
Or it could be some dude stirring up trouble with no basis of reality. I do not know this Brezenski guy who wrote the article, and don’t care enough to waste any more precious seconds of my life to find out about him. At least no right now.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 17th, 2012
12:24 am
Yeah I know it started here. I mean Someone spammed their own blog, on here.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 17th, 2012
12:28 am
We are 3-0 without Horford playing. Horford’s impact is minimal because despite his talent he is an undersized center and is minimal impact but Leuer and Bogut not looking so bad now.
Ra'mon
January 17th, 2012
12:32 am
Sund may would get laughed off the phone, but if I was he, I’d offer Al, Joe, and Teague for a package of Lebron and Mike Miller. Riley would have to consider a deal like this, without a doubt. Because it gives them a point, a big they’re missing, and perimeter scoring. And for the Hawks, you instantly sell out the rest of the games, and have a superstar to build the roster around. Not to mention, you’ve cleared up enough cap space (amnestying Miller or Marvin) to make a serious run to signing D12 as a free agent. James-Josh-D12 beats any team, because on defense its a nightmare.