Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 97, Bucks 92
Milwaukee–The Hawks really didn’t solve their issues with holding second-half leads. They still had too many bad possessions, still gave up too many rebounds, and still had too many turnovers at key times.
- But they also had Joe Johnson, who took over after a rough opening half. In this league, sometimes when a lot of things aren’t going right a team just needs its best player to make plays. Joe did it tonight in spite of Stephen Jackson and Co.’s best efforts to slow him.
- “I just tried to alter my focus a little bit coming into tonight,” Joe said, “understanding that these five road games are very important and without Al [Horford] we all have to step up and do just a little more.”
- Joe said he got it going on a play call in the third quarter that got him into the lane. From there, he showed off his ball-handling skills and all-court game. “That’s why I gave him the ball every time down,” Jeff Teague said. “He was just making plays like an All-Star should. He’s almost unguardable. He can dribble, he can shoot midrange, he can get to the cup. Just get the ball in his hands and he goes.”
- “You’ve got to milk the cow until there is no milk left,” Josh Smith said. “They was beating on him all night and he showed so much resilience. He didn’t stop playing, played hard and kept adding physicality on his end. It’s just good to see when your leader is able to lead like that.”
- Joe (and Teague and Josh) played all 24 minutes after halftime. “The one thing I wanted to do in the second half was get him into a rhythm,” Larry Drew said. “I had my mind made up I was going to ride him in the second half.”
- Josh had another All-Star line: 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots, no turnovers. And, of course, that dagger 3 from the corner with four seconds on the shot clock.
- Josh said he didn’t know it was going to swing around to him: “I was ready for it, though. I just cherish moments when guys give me the opportunity and put the trust in me. I feel obligated not to let them down. ”
- Teague probably could have shot or made a play off the dribble but instead passed to Josh when Ersan Ilyasova came off of him. “I’ve got confidence in Smoove,” Teague said.
- That sequence was set up when Johnson drew a double team and passed to Teague on the weak side. “We broke down a little but but Joe puts pressure on you,” Scott Skiles said. “He’s a legitimate 6-8, he collapses the defense and he can see people. He made a nice pass out, Teague made a nice play and Josh knocked it down.”
- That play, Joe’s six free throws in the final 16.7 seconds and Marvin Williams’ deflection of Mike Dunleavy’s pass) salvaged what had been another lackluster offensive fourth quarter for the Hawks. “We had some bad stretches in the fourth quarter, but we kept fighting,” Drew said. “When they took the lead in the fourth quarter, it was a chance for us to see what we are made of. Our guys persevered and Josh came up with the three and Joe was absolutely phenomenal.”
- Atlanta defended Milwaukee well in the fourth quarter but gave up five offensive rebounds.
- The Hawks got a nice road W in a rough-and-tumble game. The Bucks tried to muck it up and Josh and Zaza Pachulia (14 rebounds, five personal fouls) were up to the task. It was pretty physical around the basket, similar to the game at Indy, and the Hawks responded better this time.
- Teague was excellent in the first half (11 points on five shots, four rebounds). He struggled after halftime: Brandon Jennings rubbed him off screens too easily and kept picking his pocket.
- Marvin never really got into the flow offensively, so he played 22 minutes to Tracy McGrady’s 26.
- T-Mac missed some clean looks but it’s kind of fun to watch him when he’s in playmaker mode (five assists, no turnovers). Sometimes it looks like he’s dribbling aimlessly into trouble but then suddenly he’s passing to a teammate for a good look. His athleticism has declined but he has plus court vision and instincts and also always seems to come up with a couple key rebounds.
- Vladimir Radmanovic reversed recent trends by making shots (2 of 3 3-pointers) and not adding much else in the box score in his eight minutes. Give Jannero Pargo credit for his ability to get his shot off when the offense is bogged down.
- Ivan Johnson got second-half burn but was quickly pulled when he took a quick J in the fourth quarter.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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279 comments Add your comment
Still Laughing at Mike Bianchi
January 24th, 2012
10:08 am
@KevinM
the Hawks have the 18th ranked SOS according to ESPN.com
but look who’s SOS is ranked below ours
Oklahoma City, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia, New York, and Indiana
Still Laughing at Mike Bianchi
January 24th, 2012
10:09 am
btw the Lakers have the #1 SOS
O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
10:18 am
The win is a good start for the road trip.
Sports is such a funny game. If Josh misses that 3 and we lose, there would be so much venom on the blog from the bad shot selection, the team’s inconsistent play etc. But he makes the shot, and is one of the heroes (along with JJ).
The good.
1) Props to JJ for a great second half, playing like the perennial AS that he is.
2) Good game by Josh. If he can continue to fill the stat sheet, and the team continues to win, he has a chance to make the all-star game (especially if Hawks keep winning, and Knicks and Celtics keep struggling). And Al being out will help the Hawks campaign, because if we keep winning, we should have 2 all-stars.
3) Should Teague be a candidate for most improved player? Prior to this year, his average (in limited and inconsistent minutes) was 4 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists per game. This season, he is at 12.5 pts, 6 assists, and 2 rebs per game, and improved defense, playing for a first place team.
The bad:
1) There were multiple possessions when JJ dribbles in the paint, and then passes to Josh for a 20+ foot jumper. I don’t like those possessions.
2) There have been instances when Teague has a good first quarter, but then disappears until the 4th. I would like to see more consistency out of him.
3) Offensive rebounding. We need to do a better job controlling the boards when the other teams miss.
4) Josh, JJ and Teague are playing a lot of minutes. We will need them fresh as the season winds down, so bench players (and LD) need to step up.
5) We still need more consistency from our offense
That being said, happy for the win. Bucks were 4-1 at home, and had just beat Miami in Miami. Hopefully we can build on it.
Rufus1
January 24th, 2012
10:25 am
This team is grinding out wins….. It’s weird!
I am the “Glass half full” guy, and I didn’t think we would would be this good without Al….I am convinced, if he comes back healthy, we are going to the ECF….Also, thise games with the Bulls and Heat, were no FLUKE!
I think his(Al) absence will help this team in the long run, becuase Joe and Josh’s game has been elevated and Al can be more of a role player(Rebounder/Defender).
PS. I see LD is starting to earn this blogs R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Big Lou
January 24th, 2012
10:28 am
Green > Pargo.
Dude has been on fire. I wish LD would get more plays made for this guy.
LT
January 24th, 2012
10:38 am
I want to see Marvin with more minutes. The start of the season, I think he played very well and did his part. Free Marvin!!! LOL
Im liking the way Ivan is growing so far, I love his defensive efforts and want to see him learn how to get his shot off without being blocked.
LT
January 24th, 2012
10:40 am
If I had to choose who gets less minutes, when Hinrich returns, out of Pargo or Willie Green I am going to go with Pargo. I think offensively Green is a better option.
Rufus1
January 24th, 2012
10:44 am
Who is making all that NOISE?(asked John Hollinger)….
Oh, it’s those BLEEEEEEEEEEPING HAWKS!!!!! Why don’t they just go away, so I can look like the basketball GENIUS I am.
SteveW
January 24th, 2012
10:55 am
JJ reminded me of John Drew last night in how he took over the game down the stretch. I hope there’s more of that to come.
I’m hoping Teague’s minutes do decrease some, to save him for the playoffs. This 40+ minutes per nite in the compressed season is not good.
And if Brad Miller’s healthy, I’m up for that Hinrich/Miller Trade AJ suggested. I like Hinrich, but we do need 1 more inside banger.
But I’m for signing Kenyon Martin also when he’s available, instead of Miller.
Astro Joe
January 24th, 2012
10:55 am
Rufus, funny. Sekou Smith wrote a column after the Horford injury that based on what he knows about the Hawks (how they never do what the pundits expect) that he thought there was a good chance that they would continue to compete for a top 6 playoff spot without Al because they are so unpredictable and maddening.
Now, I’m thrilled with what we’ve done and we can only play the schedule that the NBA puts before us, but we really need to pad the wins now because February may be ugly. The good news is that typically if one month is especially ugly, the following month tends to be a little easier. Right or wrong, Sund won’t likely panic like this blog will surely be up in arms if/when the Hawks have a 3 game losing streak.
kwooden
January 24th, 2012
10:58 am
This is going to be a rough game against the Spurs because we don’t have anyone that really match-ups up well against Duncan. They don’t have anyone that match-ups well against JJ, but I think the advantage goes to the Spurs. Josh is going to have to attack Duncan off the dribble, which I don’t think Pop is going to allow to often. It will be good to have Hinich back because that will gives us another perimeter defender against all their guards. Overall I think we’re going to have to be really efficient on offensive to be successful. No poor multi-possession sequences like in the Philly game, along with making free-throws.
GO HAWKS!!
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
10:59 am
Hawks make this trade they win the east.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7wjwg46
Rufus1
January 24th, 2012
11:03 am
Astro Joe
I just like the way they are winning….They are grinding out wins and are playing tough DEFENSE….They are playing tough minded basketball.
I don’t ever remember them playing like this….They feel different and I have more confidence in them this year(even without Al) than I have ever had.
Go Hawks!
Rufus1
January 24th, 2012
11:04 am
DRose’s “Turf Toe”
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/23/rose-admits-foot-pain-may-linger-for-rest-of-season/
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
11:06 am
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, TMAC, JOSH, GORTAT
BENCH PARGO, GREEN, VLAD, IVAN, ZAZAZ
RESERVE STACK, COLLINS, SLOAN
CUT CHILL FROM TEAM
Trading with Chill in package was the baite to get Gortat
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supreme Grand Poobah
January 24th, 2012
11:07 am
@darrell starks – so Phoenix is going to give up their starting center, team leader in scoring and rebounding for Marvin and Hinrich. I don’t think so. They don’t seem to need any guards or forwards, and then they would have no center.
I’d personally prefer we keep Hinrich.
KevinM
January 24th, 2012
11:08 am
darrell, don’t see how PHX giving up Gortat makes them better, even salary wise…he’s not that expensive as a starting C.
Chills and Marvin though is a wash; they both should be on min contracts, but they aren’t. There simply are GMs out there who outnegotiate themselves….remember Grunfeld/Arenas when Arenas was hurt? Too many examples here.
SLAMB – the Hawks are 18th toughest but you wouldn’t hear LD say that…he was woe is us…but he is the mental presence for this team, and its his job to motivate the troops….for the most part, they are buying into LD.
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
11:10 am
When Horford return check out this line up.
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, JOSH, HORFORD, GORTAT
BENCH PARGO, GREEN, TMAC, IVAN, ZAZA
RESERVE STACK, COLLINS, VLAD
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Supreme Grand Poobah
January 24th, 2012
11:12 am
@darrell starks – why would Phoenix make that trade?
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
11:18 am
Pheonix have 2 center and maybe wiling to trade Gortat who is 28 instead of 23 year old Lopez.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryeb.[*_*].
January 24th, 2012
11:20 am
Young bucks!
“I really think this team would be better by trading Marvin, starting Vlad, and using Tmac in a sixth man role” -returnof4eva-
_____________
calm down my friend, “the old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be.”
TMac does not have the legs for a permanent 6th man role, he has barely been able to suit up for 6 games total so far this season. and this season’s truncated schedule is brutal even for the young guns.
these players are not horses and are still human. the agility of the NBA has been debated and determined to be the BEST conditioned athletes of all sports in the world. this is not an easy game to play by ANY stretch of the imagination.
i tried to play basketball as a college course elective and barely passed witha D+ … i was awful, ehile at the same time the STAR of my tennis team at the College of Charleston in the eARLY ‘80′S. TENNIS is my racket! i had childhhod dreeams of being a pro player, but had to succomb to serious spinal defect … therefore, i became a chiropractor through all of the experiences. thank GOD for the three titanium rods and four pedicle screws, i can still live a dream life though.
i wouldnt push TMac too hard though he has spinal problems and knee problems and while still young at 31, he needs to be closely monitored for the post season. he is so special and important for us in the post season.
respect the game! it is a lot harder than it looks.
LT
January 24th, 2012
11:20 am
I think the Hawks schedule the first two seek of February will be a test…
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
11:22 am
Why not, Pheonix are not a contender a may need to starte a new direction with youth Marvin is only 25years of age with lots of potential.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryeb.[*_*].
January 24th, 2012
11:32 am
Benched!
“This is going to be a rough game against the Spurs because we don’t have anyone that really match-ups up well against Duncan.” -kwooden-
_______
hello kwooden, i remember seeing on NBA TV, (i think) this past weekend, where Duncan was benched, coaches decision for almost the entire game due to poor or ineffective play. not sure if the Spurs won or lost without him.
kwooden, did you see where scott skiles had on his team pre-game white board “keys to the game”, last night: MATCH ZAZA’s ENERGY! who would have ever thought that? one man’s junk sure is another man’s treasure – hugh? what do you think of putting zaza on duncan if he plays? or ivan? or twin? or maybe even josh? IDK
joewhite
January 24th, 2012
11:33 am
Well for a team that is playing well without a major starter in the lineup to me I am happy with the wins we have gotten recently. Defense wins chips and when u play good defense your offense will come soon. Keep up the good work, our bench has been playing well most of the year so far last night they didnt have it, but that is not every night.
drmaryeb.[*_*].
January 24th, 2012
11:35 am
btw, i would not be so quick to ever trade zaza. he fits. he belongs in the ATL. i just love that man’s heart so much … you cant coach heart. how many times does he dive for the loose balls and head butt people?
that man is so tuff. and so young and affordable. he earns his pay more than marvin does.
Lp
January 24th, 2012
11:37 am
Gortat would not fit, he likes to shoot, we need a defensive rebounder who doesn’t command the ball
SteveW
January 24th, 2012
11:40 am
Josh and the All Star Game:
Right or wrong, we know that barring injury 4 of the Forwards for the East are going to be Carmelo, LeBron, Amare,and Bosh. That leaves 1 spot, if we carry 5 Forwards to go between:
Josh, Deng, Iguodala, and Granger.
Now I don’t think the East will carry 3 Centers, so the backup Dwight sweepstakes is: Hibbert, Monroe, and Tyson Chandler. I don’t think the East will carry more than 1 of those guys (in other words, there is a very good chance Al would’ve made it 3 straight compared to those 3 guys, but it would’ve been close.)
So can Josh beat out:
Iguodala
Deng
Granger
and two of the 3, Tyson, Hibbert, Monroe
For that 1 spot between them.
I say he can, if he keeps playing like he did last nite, and most nites recently.
Now somebody might try to move Iggy to a 2 and have him compete against JJ as DWade’s backup, but that’s another discussion. It looks right now like JJ is a lock for 6 in a row, barring injury.
drmaryeb.[*_*].
January 24th, 2012
11:45 am
Great Post!
‘2) There have been instances when Teague has a good first quarter, but then disappears until the 4th. I would like to see more consistency out of him.’ -O’Brien-
__________
nice job OB on that entire game synopsis from ya’. i think jeff broods a little when josh doesnt give him the ball to initate plays sometimes.
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
11:51 am
LP are you serious if you bring Gortat to Hawks they win the east.
http://youtu.be/wYae8JjtQoY
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LT
January 24th, 2012
11:51 am
*weeks*
doc
January 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
well, just put ivan on duncan to see if he can frustrate him like he did love and bosh, especially if he goes off. nothing to lose at that point.
Buddy Grizzard
January 24th, 2012
12:23 pm
“Green > Pargo.” – Big Lou
/cosign. Green had some bad games early before he caught fire and I lumped him in with Pargo as a marginal NBA player. But he’s won at least one game for the Hawks with hot shooting. With Kirk back I’m guessing they cut Sloan and I hope Pargo never sees anything but garbage time again.
Lp
January 24th, 2012
12:26 pm
If it was between him and R. Lopez, give me Lopez, we don’t need offense, just defense and rebounding. Gortat is good offensively, stats look good playing with Nash, but with the hawks, he won’t fit.
Bigman needed
January 24th, 2012
12:33 pm
Phoenix is not trading gortat and we dont want him. What we need is an elite defensive center bigman- that’s not gortat. Gortat is
darrell starks
January 24th, 2012
12:34 pm
LP i agree with you i like Lopez to, but Lopez is only 23 and Pheonix might want to rebuild with youth, and with Nash in his last year Pheonix would be starting over with young players, Marvin is only 25 years of age with lots of potential may fit perfict with the Suns.
GO HAWKS!!!!!11111111
O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
12:46 pm
I think Duncan will get the benefit of all the calls against Ivan, plus Duncan is a smart veteran. However, I would put Ivan on him briefly, with the instructions that if you’re going to foul, foul him hard.
Derrick
January 24th, 2012
12:47 pm
Its Tueday 01/24/2012…..and Marvin Williams still stinks.
O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
12:47 pm
Flip Saunders has been fired according to ESPN. If the Knicks continue their losing ways, D’Antoni might not be far behind, especially since the Knicks have an established coach on the bench already (Woody).
Bigman needed
January 24th, 2012
12:48 pm
Great win last night, but the game got tough when gooden was dominating physically inside, getting every rebound. Credit to zaza for shutting down bogut, grabbing 14 boards, but we could use a defensive bigman. Gortat and bogut of this world are slow and need touches on offense. We just need a camby, chandler type. Or make a huge splash to steal an okafor and javale mcgee. Or forget it and get a hard worker from d league scrapheap. But dont get a bogut, gortat type to wreck chemstry and slow us down
O'Brien
January 24th, 2012
12:51 pm
Marc Stein’s power rankings; Hawks are 9th, up from 12th last week;
Apologies to the Hawks. They’ve mostly beaten up on patsies in this 5-1 run without Al Horford, but there’s been no dip from them yet. Larry Drew actually called them out for some surrender signs in Friday’s loss in Philly … and they responded by shredding Cleveland by 27..
Bigman needed
January 24th, 2012
12:58 pm
Flip saunders out. Given a good enough package, wizards will trade mcgee who is a restricted FA.
STRETCH
January 24th, 2012
1:00 pm
McGee would be awesome!!!
STRETCH
January 24th, 2012
1:01 pm
But they have to trade with a team looking for a G or wingman which the Hawks have plenty of.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 24th, 2012
1:03 pm
“Hawks can win on Wednesday. I think they’re better than San Antonio. Winning there is always tough, though.”
San Antonio’s last four games have all been decided by three points or less, and not against particularly good competition either. They are beatable, I agree.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 24th, 2012
1:07 pm
“Should Teague be a candidate for most improved player? Prior to this year, his average (in limited and inconsistent minutes) was 4 pts, 1 reb, 2 assists per game. This season, he is at 12.5 pts, 6 assists, and 2 rebs per game, and improved defense, playing for a first place team.”
He has increased his scoring average by a higher margin than anyone else in the league. I’d be surprised if he’s not a leading candidate.
Bigman needed
January 24th, 2012
1:07 pm
Alozo mourning was traded for glen rice, shaq traded for lamar oden and both were elite centers. Mcgee is not elite and will not command such a high price. The only question is whether mcgee will fit with what we are trying to do and whether he would fit in chemistry wise as a teammate. I have doubts
Been a Tmac Fan
January 24th, 2012
1:08 pm
Whenever Tmac is on the court with the second unit, they need to work & calls plays through him
Najeh Davenpoop
January 24th, 2012
1:09 pm
“Who is making all that NOISE?(asked John Hollinger)….
Oh, it’s those BLEEEEEEEEEEPING HAWKS!!!!! Why don’t they just go away, so I can look like the basketball GENIUS I am.”
The funny thing is, his own fully automated power rankings have shown the Hawks a ton of love this year, and he still won’t give the Hawks any credit. All he ever tweets about when he covers Hawks games (quite frequently since he lives in ATL) are the crowd and Ryan Cameron.
KevinM
January 24th, 2012
1:15 pm
JaVale McGee would fit real nice in this lineup if he wants to be coached. Apparently, it wasn’t working with Flip, but McGee is still very cheap…I doubt they move him unless they get a future unprotected #1.
I would have to ask though what it would take.