Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread
C-Viv reporting from Philips Arena.
Hawks coach Larry Drew did not use the word “quit” again to describe the Hawks’ performance Friday night at the 76ers. However, the coach did not back off his post-game comments.
Drew would not single any particular player out. He also said he has not address the team following his post-game comments.
Here are some quotes from Drew during his pre-game interview:
“I’m not going to call out any names. It got a little tough and we didn’t respond. We did not respond.”
“Yes [he stands by his post-game comments], I went back and watched it. We had a good first half. They made a run in the third quarter and, as stated, we didn’t respond to it, which is very disappointing. I’ve made statements in the past, I really thought we had turned that corner a little bit in that situation. Teams are going to make runs. Good teams are going to make runs. Philadelphia is a really good team. They played very well. We talked about it at halftime, that that team was going to make a run. We couldn’t fold the tent when they did. We had to mentally be strong and push our way through it when they did. That was not the response we got when they made the run.”
“What I said last night after the game is done. It’s time to move on.”
“Shot selection [was the reason for the poor second half]. Bad shot selection against a team as good as Philadelphia. Bad shot selection is just as good as turnovers. That’s what gets the team going… For a half we played and followed our game plan. Then we came out in the third quarter and completely lost focus of what got us the lead in the first half.”
“Certainly having a key guy like Al [Horford] that can bring some stability in a situation like that. He’s been the type of guy that would get guys to settle down and was vocal in the huddles. Those are the type of situations where you can use a guy like that because his presence along, being on the floor and being in the huddle, is definitely felt.”
“I think it’s everybody’s responsibility, mine included, when you get in those situations you have to be very aware of the flow of the game. Players on the floor have to be aware of the situation. Certainly our guys felt the momentum shift in that third quarter yesterday. And yet, we continue to be seduced into taking ill-advised shots. I just thought we had turned the corner from that. That was the disappointing part. We will bounce back from it. It’s not the end of the world. It’s not a situation where we are going to cave in. We are going to learn from last night’s game and we are going to continue to try to get better and better.”
Here are a couple comments from Jerry Stackhouse, the 16-year NBA veteran:
“Hopefully we respond positively. It’s one game. In a long NBA season you are going to have nights like that. But it was a little disappointing to see with almost four minutes left in the game, a 12-point game, we called off the dogs so to speak. But I guess from being around this group [coach Larry Drew] sensed something he’s seen before. Hopefully we can get past that. We’ve talked about growth a lot with this group. Maybe the message after the game and the fact we have a game right back today, we can come back and make amends for not finishing the game the way we should have.”
“It’s on the individual. When you are dealing with a team you’ve got to know which players to push and which players to coddle. The guys that need coddling might be affected differently. We hope not. Hopefully everybody looks at it for what it was. I think his comments were spot on. Now it’s just a matter of responding. More so than what he said last night, he’s looking for a response. Hopefully we can give the proper response tonight.”
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488 comments Add your comment
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
2:16 pm
AJ, History showed me Rasheed and Big Ben, and Duncan and David Robinson did quite well also. I know Josh isn’t a HOF like Robinson. But defensively, he’s just as good as Rasheed was, and D12 is better than Big Ben on defense. As far as offense goes, I think they both can work the block. And Josh is playing great off of the high post. Either one of them are able to work the two man game with Joe. I may would be tempted to move Marvin and Teague for some one like Nash, who is a pass first PG.
doc
January 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
joe mama, too funny. love ya man and you are on a tear. what stat class did you attend in high school and college? this is basics, you dont round down unless the decimal is less than .5; sorry, only can go up. so either say it real or do it how a mathematician does it or be wrong or accused of making it up, your choice.
but glad we agree. heh heh and not the first time.
aj we cant give up two firsts two years in a row first of all i think so we have to draft someone this year. oh boy a draft party! i hope we have got the sense to not give up more than a second if we had to since they dont amount to a hill of beans in this organization for the guy.
i wonder if there is anyone out there that wants hinrich for something we want to get something back, instead of giving away?
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
Steve, Bill Walton and MJ? First of all, Walton was playing with how many HOFers when he made his impact on the Celtics? And how many HOFers are on this Hawks roster? And has Brad Miller ever been considered a HOFer like Walton? Let’s not even begin to discuss MJ.
Yeah, you provided examples that are much, much different than the ones I provided. Miller hasn’t been relevant since he played with his brother-from-another-mother, Reggie Miller. Meanwhile, 1st round picks are far too valuable to simply hand out in hopes that we can dip him in the fountain of youth. Sign Rasheed and dip him in the same fountain without having to trade any assets if we simply want to test the hot tub time machine. Oh, and TMac? Really? Pistons fired their head coach last year. Kurt Thomas? Averaging 5/5 in 20 minutes with his last 5 games. Are we sure that Twin can’t produce a whopping 5 & 5? Not to mention that Thomas has been upright for the past few years, something that can’t be said for Brad Miller. I’m guessing we could get 5 & 5 from Hilton Armstrong.
Again, I’d try to acquire him, but unlike you, I wouldn’t offer a 1st round pick just for him. I’d want more back (like Ridnour) and still wouldn’t include a 1st rounder.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
That Goode!
Dang SteveW!
My baby said “reefer” LOL! I know every generation has their “dog whistle” on what they call weed … but “reefer”? That reminds me of my thug love boyfriend – Stanley in the 9th grade smoking with strawberry flavored papers.
Speaking of Stanley … haven’t heard that name since the LLord on that show … Three’s Company. Boy, was Stanley the best kisser I ever had, sweet minty breath and beautiful clean teeth. Aaaahhh … The good ole days. Just wow! LOL
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
2:24 pm
“Are you sure we’re playing better without Al? We got trounced by two good teams on the road without Al, and beat 3 bad, and 1 good team.
With Al we came within an eyelash of going 4-0 against the Heat and Bulls, and we lost to a mediocre team in Houston.”-SteveW
I don’t think so. Some ppl will discount what Al brings to this team, but watching Zaza try to finish and Twin do anything other than post defense, is hard. PPL need to stop reading the BOX SCORE, Al does things that don’t show on paper….LIKE DEFENSE.
This team needs balance scoring, a “BIG” who can finish at the rim, space the floor, show on the pick-n-role and rebound.
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
2:24 pm
Ramon, think you can convince either Dwight or Josh to take the same number of FGAs as Big Ben did in those championship years? Good luck. And as much as I would like to believe that D12 and Josh have the same championship and team focus as The Admiral and Duncan, for some strange reason, I can’t convince myself of that.
If you take emotion out of the equation, Howard and Horford are a far more complementary pairing than Howard and Josh. IMO, it isn’t even close.
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
2:28 pm
Hilton Armstrong….NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
Rufus, LOL. Would you prefer John Edwards? Etan Thomas? Randolph Morris? Oh, the list is endless…. sadly, endless. (But I liked Estee Batista… kind of an Ivan type, with less skill and more broken bones in his wake).
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
Loose Threads!
My man, Astro Joe! Good Job, getting a decent conversation going today, re: what to do at center with feasibility in mind. I’m loving your ideas about what to do for my Hawks!
I’ve shied away the past few days, due to the troll rolling around in the gutter with some very offensive and pornographic type comments.
Without a moderator on here, the dog leash is very long. I was hoping the extra rope would hang itself – oh well.
Get Well Soon MC! This blog thread is getting very thin, frayed and is loose! LOL! Let’s Go Hawks!
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
2:42 pm
AJ, I don’t think so when it comes to Horford and Howard compared to Josh and Howard. Horford hasn’t proven to be able to even guard the PF position yet. And to be honest, when you don’t have a 6th man on the team like Jamal, you can see there will be more than enough shots to go around. And for Joe, it would be less shots, but his scoring will go up, because his shots will be against single coverage or wide open. Not to mention when you have Dwight you’re immediately in the penalty anytime you drive the lane.
And I strongly believe Dwight is a championship minded player. Its not his fault that Otis Smith let go of the 2nd best player on their NBA Finals team (Hedo) right after they went to the Finals. Than tried to replace him with an aging Vince Carter. D12, Josh, Joe, and Teague would have something in common that D12 never had with anyone on his team besides M. Pietrus, and that’s the love of playing defense. Every night it would be hard for a team to score more than 92 points against the Hawks. Also, you say that Horford would work better than Josh with D12. But notice how opposing PGs always do pick and rolls with Horford getting the switch, not Josh. With Josh and Howard, what PG/SG really will want to switch defensive match ups without giving up the rock.
vava74
January 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
ummm… why do you lose time discussing with the Troll when he is simply trying to get on your nerves?
He actually makes sense from time to time, but most of the time he is simply getting at kick out of your reactions.
I have, however, to agree on the Joe Pa situation.
Joe Pa was still very much involved and sponsoring Sandusky’s “foundation”, so he simply chose to go ostrich on this matter…
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
2:46 pm
AJ, also, Josh creates his own shot and shots for other more than Horford, and something that Howard isn’t good at. So Josh is a better match up. Josh is the best passer out of a double team (including Joe) that the Hawks have on the team. Everything that Horford does better than Josh (which is only a few) Josh is closer to being on that level, than Horford is to being on the level of the things Josh does better. Josh is rebounding at the same clip as Horford, now that Teague is in back court and able to get back on defense.
doc
January 23rd, 2012
2:48 pm
vava, the list of names supporting that “foundation” is a who’s who. there was a lot of wiping off on that one by many who thought better. i was amazed when i checked to find some of the names involved. he was persuasive to say the least, so was hitler.
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
2:50 pm
Astro Joe
I would take the D-league Allstar with the best skill set…..
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
2:52 pm
What is Randolph Morris doing?
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
2:53 pm
AJ, also, the entire thing Atlanta has to make D12 want to play here is the fact of playing with Josh, not Al.
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
2:57 pm
Ramon, if Howard were on the team, Josh wouldn’t have the ball as much. I think it would be the guards feeding him the the post with Josh on the weakside. many of the things that Josh provide today would be reduced by the presence of any elite defensive center. He is the size of a SF who has to play PF in part because he is such an incredible shotblocker and so you want him closer to the rim. I don’t think you want both Josh and Howard cheating off their man when a guard penetrates into the lane. That potentially leaves two players open for the easy drop-off shot.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 23rd, 2012
2:57 pm
Batista!
“(But I liked Estee Batista… kind of an Ivan type, with less skill and more broken bones in his wake).” -Astro Joe-
_____________
OMG Estan was killing his teammates in practice, Didn’t he blow up somebody’s knee for the season? Lenny put a velvet rope around Smitty’s legs in practice.
John Edwards had “leg compartment syndrome” ala Garrison Hearst … and rode the bench the whole time. Alan Henderon was most improved one year and never seen again, except for “ridin’ ’round and gettin’ it!” In his drop top two toned tan and brown Bentley! Ed Gray … Adam Keefe … Grant Long “pump fake” master … Jimmy Jackson of the “Three Live J’s” was fighting Jason Kidd over some “hoe” who was that girl? Tyra Banks? Then she was stalking C-Webb ….. Man, the NBA was HIGH DRAMA back then! The good old days!
I went to a lot of Nique’s parties at the Westin and Marriott downtown … Birthday Bashes ….. High Top Fades … Kid ‘N Play shirts … Loud colored suits, Now & Later Gators … Stacey Adams … Just man oh man!
I’ve met Nique’ so many times and he was always so nice, normal and friendly! His family would goto the “Disco Kroger’s” on Pone De Leon and put groceries on his tab and no one paid. Nique would be on the west coast and his sisters would load the carts with: Lobster, Steaks, Wine and Beer without him knowing it! It would be in the AJC for all to know! Poor Nique’. Gerald said he changed his phone No. Weekly and told Nique to cut them off!
The players back then were so normal and accessible and they threw huge “V103 HOSTED” hotel parties every night of the week! Wed to Sun. We packed that toilet bowl called The Omni Arena man!
Anybody else remember that?
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
3:00 pm
Ra’mon, that is why I think folk are all about Howard and Josh. But from all reports, Howard hasn’t included the Hawks on his magic list yet josh is still playing here. Which makes me think that he doesn’t find playing with Josh in Atlanta all that appealing (relative to other options).
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
3:01 pm
“Three Live J’s” was fighting Jason Kidd over some “hoe” who was that girl? Tyra Banks”-DMB
Toni Braxton
ILL-Logical
January 23rd, 2012
3:02 pm
I wonder if being the head coach of the Hawks is like being a first grade teacher:
Joey, please share with your classmates. Marvin,How many times do I have to tell to get up off the floor; Yes,Alan, I like the apple but would you please stop complaining about your seat. And,Josh, you do know that you will get more from your classmates with honey than with vinegar?
doc
January 23rd, 2012
3:02 pm
dmb, estaban bautista put a hurt on jj causing a deep bleeding contusion so great in his calf he was done for the season and had a long recuperation. they probably followed him closely for a compartment syndrome after that one.
doc
January 23rd, 2012
3:11 pm
very funny ill
Question
January 23rd, 2012
3:13 pm
Why is Marvin Williams on an NBA roster ?
He is one of the worst basketball players I have ever seen……
SteveW
January 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
“Steve, Bill Walton and MJ? First of all, Walton was playing with how many HOFers when he made his impact on the Celtics? And how many HOFers are on this Hawks roster? And has Brad Miller ever been considered a HOFer like Walton? Let’s not even begin to discuss MJ.”
AJ – You asked the question with no qualifiers, and even mentioned John Salley if I remember correctly.
And also, Bill Walton was long gone when he was with the Celtics – played well, but certainly not his HOF type numbers.
Your argument doesn’t hold water.
Neither did your antipathy that you fail to remember that you had about Jeff Teague. But that’s another story.
And about Brad Miller, I added the caveat, “if he were healthy” – so I think I covered that base.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
3:15 pm
“I wonder if being the head coach of the Hawks is like being a first grade teacher:”
A lot of positions that require managing people are very similar to teaching elementary school children.
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
5th in defensive efficiency and 8th in offensive efficiency…… Start giving LD some R.E.S.P.E.C.T…..Just a little bit!
http://www.nba.com/2012/news/powerrankings/01/23/week4/?ls=iref:nbahpt1
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
3:18 pm
AJ, we’re just going to agree to disagree on the topic, lol. Also, for what its worth, Josh Smith was one of the three players D12 told Smith to bring in, if he wants him to re-sign in Orlando. Also, in the half court offense, Josh is still the best facilitator for others on the team, aside from TMac. And Josh is able to take just about any PF off the dribble, and even more so now that his mid range is falling more.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 23rd, 2012
3:20 pm
I can understand the argument that Horford complements Dwight better than Josh does, but I also think Josh provides more versatility (when defending teams that are strong on the wings like Miami for example), and Josh’s passing ability would allow him to be effective on offense even if Dwight was the primary low post threat. I think there are ways to make it work with Dwight and Josh.
Rufus1
January 23rd, 2012
3:21 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2012/week/4…Befuddled writers
SteveW
January 23rd, 2012
3:22 pm
AJ – So you ask how many HOF’er’s are on the Hawks roster. Hmm, that’s a good question. Maybe 0 (probable), or maybe 3 marginal ones.
Joe is about to be in his 6th consecutive All Star game, barring something crazy. He’s on course to have about 20,000 points in his career, which is usually a good sign. And he’s got a good shot a 7 All Star games in a row next season. Who backs up DWade next season. DRozan? Marsh? George? Nick Young? JJ’s got a good shot barring injury for the next two All Star games at least.
Al – If he ups his game to 18 and 10, he’s only 26 next season. He’ll probably play at a high level to about 32. That’s 7 more seasons. So he’s got a shot really.
Josh – Youngest to 1,000 blocks. If he keeps improving, he’ll be kinda high up the scoring and rebounding lists also by the time he calls it a career.
So probably no HOF’ers, maybe 1. But it could be 3, you never know.
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
3:23 pm
Steve, John Salley was a reference to the movie “Eddie”. I’m not sure how Teague plays into a discussion about Brad Miller and how to acquire a Horford replacement, you’ll have to explain how those things come together. And if Brad Miller returns and is so healthy and productive that he is worth a 1st round pick, wouldn’t the Wolves do better to try and move Darko? You’re right, sometime around 20 years ago, there were HOF players who came out of a state of relative unproductiveness to do some good things. Two decades+ ago. You’re right.
Astro Joe
January 23rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Ramon, but that just confirms that he doesn’t want to come to Atlanta, right? He also asked for Big Baby, right? Sounds like he interested in playing with friendly type guys to me.
Steve, 3 possible HOFers? Wow.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 23rd, 2012
3:30 pm
Rufus1! Ha Ha! Toni Braxton – “Love shoulda’ brought you home last night.”. LOL! She signed one of the worst modern day music contracts with Dallas Austin and kenny Edmonds – Baby Face ‘Nem! She thought she was rich till the house note bounced after them 2K hair cuts.
Hella, my dad was a big time Barber in Jamacia Queens … He had 90% female clientele … he would have tightened her fade up for “favors” she definitely over paid. LOL!
I met her whole family @ Club 112 two years back: Mom, Sisters, Aunt and Uncle. I was celebrating my B-Day and their table had a BDay Cake. Turn’s out her Mom and I were both born the same date, so they gave me a slice of cake. Never met her though. Toni B. got that Barry Gordy Motown Contract terms – SCREWED! I thought we could read now a days. Oh my!
Rufus! Not’s a throw back name too. LOL!
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
I threw out the name Dalembert on the boards for two seasons. Always saying the Hawks should’ve traded Jamal (at the time) for him and Garcia. If Dalembert was on the roster, the Hawks would still be in a good position to handle this injury. And they would still have Kirk on the roster, getting ready to come off the bench. The largest problem the Hawks have going forward is Marvin’s contract. Someone can say Joe makes too much. But when you look at the line up you do not think “Joe is the weak link here”. And if we had MORE production out of the 3 position, its safe to say Joe and Josh would both see less double teams than they do now. Could you imagine if the Hawks had someone like Gallinari instead of Marvin? Or even if the Hawks had Maggette (another name I said the Hawks should’ve acquired a while back). Now that Bibby has been gone over a year, and Al is injured. Its even more clearly to see that Marvin has been hurting this team for far too long! And why is it that, every time Marvin makes the news about being traded, he always find a way to get injured for 2-3 weeks? And then after the trading deadline he comes hobbling back in. Or if Marvin goes 5 games averaging 15 points, he ends up getting injured on the 6th game. Marvin is making twice the amount he should be making for his services (thank you Sund). I wonder if LAL would take Marvin for Artest.
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
AJ, I didn’t think he asked for Big Baby. I thought it was Josh, Monta, and someone else. The only reason he doesn’t have Atlanta listed as a top destination is A-S-G. For me, he doesn’t even have to sign an extension yet. Long as he agrees not to opt out this off season, and give the Hawks at least a full season, I say the deal is more than worth it. Because if it doesn’t work out, you still have him, Josh, and Marvin coming off of the books at the end of next year. And you’re able to amnesty Joe, then if you choose. Get to start off from scratch with a new GM. So either way, something is going to happen. And you know THIS way, you’ll make a lot of money from ticket sales and merchandising throughout the next year and a half.
Ra'mon
January 23rd, 2012
3:37 pm
AJ, Andre Iguodala was the other name, Dwight asked for.
Michael Cunningham
January 23rd, 2012
3:38 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.