Atlanta Hawks: Sixers 90, Hawks 76
Philadelphia–Maybe after he watches the video and sleeps on it, Larry Drew will regret the choice of words. But he was unambiguous about his feelings in the immediate aftermath of his team’s second-half collapse.
- Asked what happened in the third quarter, Drew said: “It got tough for us in the third quarter and we quit. That’s what happened.”
- Harsh words coming for any NBA coach, especially one with a veteran team. There were more.
- “I am hoping it’s out of character,” Drew said. “I saw a pattern with it last year and I thought we had turned the corner with it this year. Not the fact that we lost the game, but the fact that it got tough for us and we did not respond. You could see it in our faces and see it in our body language.”
- “Teams are going to make runs,” Drew said. “It’s how you respond to runs. You either man up or you fold the tent. Tonight we certainly folded the tent in that third quarter. What’s disappointing is we talked about when a team makes a run, you play through it. You don’t hang your heads and feel sorry for yourself, you don’t start crying to officials. You have to respond by toughening up defensively, executing your stuff even harder. I’ve seen us do it before. Tonight we didn’t do it.”
- “There are going to be more situations like this,” Drew said. “We have got to learn how to respond. More importantly, when it gets tough for us, we can’t hang our heads. I told the guys we had won four in a row and five of our last six. There was no reason to come out and put our heads down when things get tough.”
- I don’t know if I would go so far as to say the Hawks quit. To me, things came apart for some familiar reasons: stagnating offense, poor shot selection, carelessness with the ball and their struggles to score affecting their defensive sharpness.
- We’ve seen all of that lately from the Hawks; it’s just that the Sixers are good enough to seize on all those lapses and turn them into a running, dunking, ball-hawking, shot-making extravaganza.
- The Hawks were stagnant on offense and sleepy on defense. They stood around at both ends, watching Philadelphia take open jump shots and taking turns launching rushed jump shots of their own. The Sixers were off and running.
- “They picked up the intensity and we couldn’t make a shot,” Jeff Teague said. “That combination is always going to be bad. They got some easy transition baskets.”
- Josh Smith was chapped by Drew invoking the “q” word: “Everybody is entitled to their opinion. If he felt that way, that’s his opinion. I just felt we got a little careless with the basketball. In times of adversity, everybody has to stick together. Everybody. Players and everybody, and keep everything positive. The slightest thing can deter a situation or an individual.”
- Teague also rejected the characterization: “I don’t think nobody out there is trying to quit. They just made good plays. We don’t have no quitters on this team.”
- Joe Johnson looked lethargic for most of the night (though surely long-limb menace Andre Iguodala had something to do with that). Deadlines prevented me from sticking around to get Joe’s perspective.
- He tried to go Iso-Joe a few times with poor results. Then again, it was Iso-Everybody in the second half. Josh, Teague, Jannero Pargo, and Tracy McGrady also took turns trying to get it rolling on their own instead of sharing the ball like they did in the first half.
- This was Josh’s worst game in a while. He was missing jumpers and had just six rebounds on a night the Hawks got pounded 51-32 on the boards. Josh did have a good game passing the ball. All four of his assists led to layups.
- Teague was very good in the first half (five steals, nine points on six shots, four assists), not so good in the second. He could have been more aggressive when things came unraveled in the third quarter. Only once in the second half did he get into the lane to draw a foul.
- It was the same pattern for T-Mac, who just didn’t have the same spark in the second half after he abused Evan Turner in the first half. The Hawks should run that pick-and-roll with him and Zaza Pachulia all the time. It almost always results in a score or free throws for Zaza or a short shot attempt by T-Mac.
- Zaza was around the ball often when it came off the glass but frequently was beat to the spot.
- Marvin Williams missed open Js and never stopped settling for them. He’s usually reliable with getting to the line when the offense stagnates but not tonight.
- For long stretches Willie Green was the only thing working the Hawks on offense. Most nights the Hawks sort of figure out a way to get something out of the Green/Pargo combination.
- I suppose Drew has to play Jason Collins on a semi-regular basis as long as there are only two centers on the roster but 19 minutes is beyond pushing it. During that time, Collins had two rebounds, ended up in a few bad switches and was painfully ineffective on close-outs.
- Thaddeus Young ended up with 20 points and I don’t even really remember him doing anything special.
- The Sixers are good, especially when they can get the tempo to their liking. They missed a lot of open 3s in the third quarter or things could have been even uglier for the Hawks.
- “That was an incredible second half for our guys,” Doug Collins said. “The activity level defensively was off the charts. Everything we did tonight was triggered off our defense.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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194 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
January 21st, 2012
1:55 pm
I would like all of these “ONLY WHEN THE HAWKS LOSE BLOGGERS” to be post just as much when they win….Because the blog was “dead” after the Trailblazer win.
doc
January 21st, 2012
1:55 pm
josh had another “be like bosh attack” last night thinking he could mimic that guys game. sorry josh, you just arent good enough to keep doing it when you dont have it and your team is behind and needs you to do the right thing and not settle.
Rufus1
January 21st, 2012
1:57 pm
The Hawks are 11-5….Just Relax
Has the following occured ?
January 21st, 2012
2:06 pm
Has Sund been fired? should have never been hired?
Has Larry Drew been fired?
Has Al been let go or traded ? We should have a better response for the money
Then the hawks wont make it out of the second round.
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:07 pm
Joe Johnson should have been ammnestied. Maybe it will happen next season. He and Marvin lack
effort. I do not know if it is laziness or poor instincts, or combination of both.
Rusty
January 21st, 2012
2:10 pm
Does anybody on this blog not think that LD does not have a tight rope around JTs neck
Has the following occured ?
January 21st, 2012
2:10 pm
At least Josh is trying and doesnt quit. Cant win them All. Nobody does. For as many wins as we do have Id have to give Josh the MVP of the wins with JJ a distance 2nd.
Im not one to wait for a loss to pin the tail on the donkeys. No, I appreciate the winning record as it is and credit Josh with as much an emphasis on those wins as anybody
Go hawks I dont expect you to win them All Just dont quit.
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:11 pm
Hawks should bring in Francisco Elson for a tryout as well as D.J. Mbenja. both are upgrades over Jason “scrub”Collins.
Has the following occured ?
January 21st, 2012
2:12 pm
No rusty, I dont think anybody has a rope around turnover teague’s neck . Teague has had more than enough learning time. Its time for him to produce and play.
MattP
January 21st, 2012
2:13 pm
RSX,
I agree with you, we started out good the past few season but ended bad. I think the one thing that is going to change that this season is Hinrich. LD will probably eventually start him over Teague or really reduce Teagues minutes.
Has the following occured ?
January 21st, 2012
2:14 pm
Woodson> Larry (woody lite) Drew
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:14 pm
Marvin Williams salary is “Killing” the Hawks. They have to figure out a way to trade Marvin along with sacrificing Kurt heinrich. Rather have heinrich over Joe “rollercoaster” Johnson.
Donte
January 21st, 2012
2:16 pm
Big Ray you havent got a clue. You are a major hater. Where is that scrub center you brag about, Al Horford?
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:18 pm
Joe Johnson had “8″ points last night, 8 points. Joe needs to definitely visit the Wizard and find not only a HEART but some COURAGE too. He’s robbing ASG blind. Joe “Madoff” Johnson.
MattP
January 21st, 2012
2:18 pm
steven a,
You would rather have someone that you don’t even know their name? What has *Kirk Hinrich* proved over Johnson?
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:22 pm
Joe Johnson should be the Hawks starting small forward. He should be in the post all the time. Start Willie Green at the “2 Guard” until Heinrich returns. TRADE AL HORFORD FOR ANYTHING AVAILABLE, PLEASE.
crazy_88
January 21st, 2012
2:23 pm
I didn’t see the game last night but judging from the comments I read from some of the players. It seems that Josh Smith is the main culprit for what LD describes as ” quiting on the team “. Maybe all the ” Allstar” talk has gone to his head perhaps? I’ve watched enough of the Hawks that I think one of their main issues is that LD needs to create and insert some more ” fluid” offensive sets or guys need to start ” breaking plays ” because I’m sure his offensive sets doesn’t call for Josh Smith to be bringing the ball down the court and taking the first shot he thinks is open. Whatever happened to having the ball move all aorund from side to side or making sure the ball passes thru the hands of all 3 players instead of it going from Teague to Joe/Josh – to a shot ? And lets keep it real when people talk about ” veteran presence ” guys only listed to veterans who have done something in this league on a big time stage – Tracy is the only guy who the Hawks have who can chip in his 2 cents about something – nobody is listening to Willie Greeen, Pargo or Stackhouse, the latter because he hasn’t been relevan in 10 yrs. I would like to see LD run more plays for Tracy or put the ball more in his hands and let him run the offense because the team seems to work more in a flow when he’s out on the court. I’m constantly seeing Tracy point to where guys need to be on the floor and he has the highest Basketbal IQ on this team because he’s seen and played against just about every defesive scheme that a team can play. I know LD wants to keep him rested and fresh for the playoffs but at some point they need to give him a lil bit more freedom on offense and let him play his game.
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:24 pm
MattP
January 21st, 2012
2:18 pm
steven a,
You would rather have someone that you don’t even know their name? What has *Kirk Hinrich* proved over Johnson?
Kurt Hinrich is far more clutch, higher shooting % and higher FT shooting %. Better passer!!
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:28 pm
I would trade Marvin for “Metta World peace” as much as I can not stand Ron Artest,
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:31 pm
The Atlanta Hawks appear to be a far better Basketball team without Al “no post game” Horford.
doc
January 21st, 2012
2:32 pm
come on rufus losers love company though the hawks effort or lack there of brought them out. sad ld didnt say where he blew it, nor josh nor jj nor jeff just took it in stride.
okay, look for a comeback to seven games above .500. high mark maybe for the year.
so many danoni critics here the last few days fail to recognize the second worst owner blew up a very goid team to get melo and sent walsh away in one swoop. he is the most wreckless of the group and deserves a bad team though i though it might be betteruntil they jettisoned billips the real glue.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 21st, 2012
2:36 pm
LD SAID HE WANTED TO GET RID OF SLOW STARTS TO 3RD QUARTERS.
WE WERE UP 8 AT HALFTIME AND DOWN BY 7 AFTER 3 QUARTERS.
PATHETIC
PATHETIC
FIRE LD
FIRE MARVIN
FIRE MARVIN
FIRE MARVIN
Rusty
January 21st, 2012
2:37 pm
If jt scores to much ld says he’s not getting his team mates involved enough,but ld let’s Josh & Joe run the offense. When jt gets hot like the first half yesterday ld sits him. He is constantly knocking every liitle mistake ,yet he let’s josh & Joe fk up the offense constantly.
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:38 pm
Also, If HAWKS management are smart, they will draft the center from Syracuse, Fab Melo. All mock drafts have them looking at a SF.
Rusty
January 21st, 2012
2:41 pm
Nortcyde have you been enlarging it lately
steven a
January 21st, 2012
2:44 pm
I am in Orlando, and it is 73 Degrees right now boys. Think i will go out and get some BBQ. Maybe i’ll run into D. Howard and he’ll tell me why he will never play for ASG. Met Doc River in Starbucks one morning and told him to come coach the hawks. Doc said “they need players.”
kwooden
January 21st, 2012
2:51 pm
Watched last nights game again:
1) HAWKS got out coached. Not that LD did a bad job, but Collins knows his personnel better and gets more out of them on both ends of the floor.
2) Better execution by Philly. The HAWKS had a sequence that they basically turned the ball over on three straight possessions. That’s unacceptable for a good team.
3) Rebounding!! 15 to 3 on offensive boards! Needed to see more Ivan!
Clearly the execution can be corrected but it will take some time. Tonight is another opportunity to get better.
GO HAWKS!!
lewis
January 21st, 2012
3:13 pm
when elton brand is owning you like that, you put in ivan johnson, wtf
O'Brien
January 21st, 2012
3:26 pm
This is the Hawks first 11 shots in the 3rd quarter.
10:56 – Josh misses 25-foot three point jumper
10:30 – Josh misses 16 foot jumper
10:02 – JJ misses 29 foot three point jumper
9:48 – Josh Smith dunks
9:13 – Josh misses 16 foot jumper.
8:52 – Joe Johnson makes 19-foot two point shot
7:41 – Joe Johnson misses 15-foot jumper
6:54 – Josh Smith misses 8-foot jumper
6:37 – Marvin Williams misses jumper
6:13 – Jeff Teague misses 25-foot three point jumper
5:43 – Josh Smith misses 21-foot jumper
As bad as the team is, LD did not do a good job coaching. He did not take a timeout until 5:31. So he sat there and saw 11 bad shots before he takes a timeout?
And he did not sub for Marvin and Twin until the timout was called. Really? Terrible coaching in my opinion.
And the first shot after the timeout? Jeff Teague misses 26-foot three point jumper.
O'Brien
January 21st, 2012
3:30 pm
If I was LD, I would have called a timeout after Josh missed his 3rd jumper of the quarter at 9:13. And at that point, I would put Ivan, T-Mac and ZaZa in the game, and bench Josh, Twin, and Marvin.
LD did not cost us the game, but I think a good coach is able to push the right button when his team is struggling. LD did not. Terrible coaching, and terrible execution by the players.
kwooden
January 21st, 2012
3:45 pm
O’Brien, great read on the key sequence in the game. We never posted Brand or got Josh in a face-up against Vucevic. Meeks was covering Marvin for that sequence also, which should have been recognized early in the shot clock and taken advantage of. We have to be a much more consistent and smarter team. The coaches have to help also. Clearly Ivan should have been in the game for Collins to try and get some offensive boards.
GO HAWKS!!
Slimjr
January 21st, 2012
5:23 pm
February?
I keep hearing it, let me check the sched..Could this be a .500 team at the end of February?
Uh Oh!!! Reality check coming? Maybe?
I’ve got to check the schedule.. stay tuned!
Slimjr
January 21st, 2012
5:25 pm
LD had a .500 team last season,except fothe 1st 6…. Not surprised if we have the same results?
MattP
January 21st, 2012
5:27 pm
They really need to figure out what they are doing with the center position because February looks tough. Best to start working the center in now.
MattP
January 21st, 2012
5:32 pm
If I’m correct we got worse as a team after the Hinrich trade last season.
O'Brien
January 21st, 2012
5:34 pm
Slim,
Here is the Fe schedule.
Memphis, Philly, Phoenix, Pacers, @ Orlando, @ Miami, @ Lakers, @ Suns, @ Blazers, @ Bulls, @ Knicks, Orlando, Golden State.
12 of the 13 games will be tough. We need another big by then, because if we are relying on strictly ZaZa and Twin, we could be in big trouble.
steven A.
January 21st, 2012
5:40 pm
Al Horford is not walking through that door anytime soon Hawks. Get used to life without the 12million dollar man until next season.
Rusty
January 21st, 2012
5:41 pm
Josh would have a better chance of getting rebounds if we kept his butt under the basket,jj would have a much better chance of scoring if he stopped dribbling for 20 second by then having 3 men on him with 4 seconds left on the clock. Ld would have a much better chance of winning games if he had any feel for the game.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 21st, 2012
5:51 pm
Sequence!
OB, thanks for posting the sequential collapse, I just got a flashback of that visual from last night. How vivid. LOL
steven A.
January 21st, 2012
5:56 pm
Hawks usually pass on these type of players and their names are Gasol and Bynum.
Kenny Frease, Xavier, 7-0, Sr Fab Melo, Syracuse 7-0. Weight: 245. Year: So. Joshua Smith, UCLA
Height: 6-10. Weight: 305. Year: So. Robert Sacre, Gonzaga Height: 7-0. Weight: 260. Year: Sr.
Renardo Sidney Position: Power Forward Size: 6-10, 270
Slimjr
January 21st, 2012
6:22 pm
Whenever your team quits, its on you COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And your crazy enough to put it out there for the public to digest thinking it will motivate your team?
Your in for a huge surprise Coach!
Slimjr
January 21st, 2012
6:25 pm
“Teams are going to make runs,” Drew said. “It’s how you respond to runs. You either man up or you fold the tent. Tonight we certainly folded the tent in that third quarter.”
Your team folded like a wet noodle..Cant say what I really want to….The kids are up!
Slimjr
January 21st, 2012
6:31 pm
One way you improve your offense is to make sure you never start Marvin at the beginning of any quarter.
If Josh takes three jumpers in a row from 16-25 ft, bench him asap! He’s not Chris Bosh!!!!!
That’s a start Coach!
Chris Vivlamore
January 21st, 2012
6:34 pm
I will close out commenting here, as requested, since I’ve posted a new game thread blog for Saturday’s contest against Cavs.