Atlanta Hawks at Pistons: Game thread
Auburn Hills, Mich.–Hawks will use same lineup as last game with Zaza Pachulia at center. “It’s not set in stone,” Larry Drew said. “We will stay with it for right now.”
- Drew said Kirk Hinrich had no issues after his first game back from shoulder surgery. “We are going to ease him back into it,” Drew said. “He still has to get into that playing shape where he can play on a nightly basis. I don’t want to pile too many minutes on him.”
- Drew said “for right now we will keep [Hinrich] at the one. He could play off the ball some. There are a couple of things I possibly want to experiment with as we move forward: him at some two, Joe [Johnson] at some three, that type of thing.”
- ESPN.com’s Marc Stein runs down a list of teams who will compete with the Hawks for Kenyon Martin’s services and says K-Mart is looking for a major role on a contender.
- Drew on the Pistons: “They play a very physical style. That has always been a problem or us in the past. They really bang the boards. I told the guys by no means can we come in here and think these guys are going to lay down. They’ve had some close ballgames that they could have won. Looking back at their last game against Miami they were in perfect position to win.”
- Damien Wilkins is starting for the Pistons tonight. “Our effort has been a lot better, our fight has been a lot better,” he said. “To me, that’s what we had been lacking the most. We had kind of a glass jaw. Now we have a lot more effort, a lot more fight.”
- Wilkins on not getting an offer from the Hawks: “It was disappointing. They basically told me they weren’t bringing in anymore perimeter guy and I’d have to fight [for a spot] with Pape Sy and [Jerry] Stackhouse. And then I look up and here they are with Willie Green and two other wings, and I’m like, ‘Wow.’ It was fun. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me initially. But I miss the guys.”
- The rec center in northwest Detroit Willie Green came up is now called the Willie Green Center for Physical Fitness. Green attended a ceremony yesterday. “My uncle [Gary Green] was coaching a team up there,” Green said. “He used to open up the gym for us, so we were going up there every day. That’s where I first started playing basketball. It was awesome when I walked in the place. I couldn’t believe the gym was so little. I came from humble beginnings like a lot of us.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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662 comments Add your comment
yodaddybrother
January 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
Pistons in a blowout….we won’t bounce back from this….guaranteed
MattP
January 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
I think JJ is throwing this game on purpose.
Luke Cage
January 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
Its almost comical tonight
Sautee
January 27th, 2012
8:38 pm
35 points in a half. Musta been running the Magic offense from last night.
yodaddybrother
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
who the freak is Priest Lauderdale??? Hope the Hawks don’t sign that bum
J.J.M.
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
somebody message me when the playoffs start with or without this crappy team
bigdave
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
shoot yourself hot Joe..
where’s the better offensive option?
Buddy Grizzard
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
LOL Pistons get a 3 point play out of a Lawrence Frank timeout with 2.2 seconds to play in the half. Larry Drew getting punked again.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
Bigdave, I will email MC and, have him shoot you my cell# and email so we can get together at Stats to celebrate your graduation dear. Give it a couple of days, OK?
atlantadeepdirtybench
January 27th, 2012
8:39 pm
What is wrong with this stat? : JJ 1-9
JT 0-1
Buddy Grizzard
January 27th, 2012
8:40 pm
Kenyon Martin is watching this game and asking himself hmm… do I want to play on a team that doesn’t even try against bad teams? Or do I want to go to Miami where I won’t have as big a roll but I will be treated like a rock star on a team that will probably go to the finals?
Section 212
January 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
Hinrich rotation is hurting us. Has reduced Green’s and Pargo’s minutes….both of them have demonstrated they can carry the 2nd unit scoring for 2-3 minutes. I don’t think Hawks have the luxury of waiting for Hinrich to “get his game legs”
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
MSNBC The Ed Show – now. (smh)
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
The game was 33-31 Detroit. The Pistons were struggling to score and the Hawks had a golden opportunity to execute the offense, get good shots, and take the lead.
Instead, what do they do? They run 4 straight plays for Joe. Joe predictably throws up bricks on every single one of those plays. Teague spends those plays standing at the 3 point line watching Joe futilely trying to go 1 on 5. The Pistons push the ball after every rebound, get layups and trips to the foul line, and extend the lead to 10. Next thing you know, it is 43-33 Detroit.
This team already should have figured this out, but ISO-JOE DOES NOT WORK.
If they are going to isolate someone, go Iso-Teague. At least he can get in the lane and draw contact against anyone. Sh-t, run the Chicago offense, with Teague playing the role of Rose, Josh the role of Noah, and Joe the role of Kyle Korver standing in the corner waiting for the pass. I’d have more confidence in that than iso-Joe.
drebaby
January 27th, 2012
8:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Dre
January 27th, 2012
8:42 pm
Breaking News: Sekou Smith is reporting the Hawks are close to signing Priest Lauderdale.
Section 303
January 27th, 2012
8:43 pm
Holy Christ! That was the most pathetic half of basketball I have ever seen. Just horrid.
Would be nice if the Hawks would let us know ahead of time when they are not going to try. Would save us all from having to watch.
What a sack of sh#t performance by the Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2012
8:43 pm
By the way, Zaza -11, Twin +1.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 27th, 2012
8:43 pm
Uh Oh! Better get your popcorn and cherry coke ready, the 3rd quarter is comming. I wonder what they do in that locker room at half-time?
yodaddybrother
January 27th, 2012
8:43 pm
trade Hinrich
ntrigue
January 27th, 2012
8:45 pm
Joe Johnson is playing like garbage this is where Larry Drew gets me. He will ride Joe when he is having off nights and just let him continue to play. But if Teague or somebody else is hot he will pull them right in the middle of their run… Its just puzzling how you start kirk over Pargo soon as he comes back I understand over time that he will trump Pargo but Pargo was playing good. I would give Kirk mins after Pargo and more mins depending on how Pargo or Kurt is playing. Put Joe on the bench sometimes when he is out of sync and talk too him tell him what you need him to do if his shot not falling dont just keep shooting fadeaway jumpshots. Tell him to at least try and pentrate and get fouled or look for someone thats has a better shot. Tell him hey if you are going to drive don’t hold the ball dribbling for 20 sec then try to drice with 4secs left on the shot clock! Drew pull Joe out and talk too him sometime then put him back in be a coach I have never seen him pull Joe aside Never. Even Lebron coach pull him to the side from time 2 time!
O'Brien
January 27th, 2012
8:45 pm
Yodaddybrother,
Zaza has never had the chance to start.
ZaZa started in ’05-06, and averaged 12 pts, 8 rebs in 31 mins. Not bad numbers, but that Hawks team went 26-56. Obviously its not all Zaza’s fault, but if you watch the game, its not just about numbers with him.
He was a backup with the Bucks, and has been mostly a backup with the Hawks. There is a reason for that. he is very inconsistent if you have to rely on hm for 32 mpg.
drebaby
January 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
Drew is an idiot,why the hell play Twin when your team cant score.How many minutes did Vlad play.Why did he pull T mac so early when he had a good rhythm going.Joe is forcing up terrible shots.No ball movement,no pick and rolls,just terrible offense.Fire Drew,promote Nick the quick.
Dezz Nuttz
January 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
All those Drew idiots dont seem to realize that Drew is the worst coach you can find. When we win its in spite of Drew not because of Drew. He has to be the worst coach ever. This team is not as good as us personnel wise. Drew has all the pieces to win this game.
Section 212
January 27th, 2012
8:46 pm
Hey mary, will hot wings and a sam adams work?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
I really can’t get my mind around how astoundingly dumb it is to tell Teague to give the ball up after coming over the half court line and watch Joe try to create his own shot. It is such a mind-numbingly idiotic usage of personnel. Joe is not a good enough player to sacrifice the team’s offensive flow to “get him going”. If he doesn’t have it, let the other players carry the load. Joe is not Kobe. The Hawks can win with him having an off night.
So far this is LD’s worst coaching job of the season, which is saying something considering how thoroughly he got outcoached by Popovich on Wednesday.
Section 303
January 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
I’m rooting for my DirecTV to go out for the next two hours.
Dre
January 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
Guys relax, Sekou Smith is reporting the Hawks are close to signing Priest Lauderdale.
Slimjr
January 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
AH HOUSTON,WE HAVE PROBLEM..WHAT’S THE PROBLEM SLIM JR?
WE GOTTA COACH THAT IS A ROUND PEG IN A SQUARE HOLE.. ITS JUST NOT FITTING ROUND HERE…..HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I MEAN LUBGARD WONT HELP….
DSGB
January 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
LD is killing this team. He is determined to play Hinrich for some dumb azz reason. Pargo and McGrady were leading the second unit and LD has f**ked it up. Fire LD please.
drebaby
January 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
Zaza sucks.Trade him and Twin for J.Oneal,or any 7 footer with a pulse.
bigdave
January 27th, 2012
8:48 pm
drmaryb..
no need to put anyone else to work..
da.harris2@yahoo.com
Section 212
January 27th, 2012
8:49 pm
The problem is that the Hawks offense does not consistently provide opportunities for easy baskets.
Slimjr
January 27th, 2012
8:49 pm
How bout a bottle of wine?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2012
8:49 pm
Zaza Watch: no moving screens or missed layups, but he did have 2 completely avoidable turnovers where he basically handed the ball to the other team. 5 boards in 14 minutes is good, although his counterpart Greg Monroe has 8 boards. Still, he hasn’t been a major liability. About what you would expect from a typical backup center forced into a starting role.
O'Brien
January 27th, 2012
8:50 pm
northcyde,
What’s up with your boy JJ? Very little impact in the Spurs game, and no impact so far. 1-9.
Section 212
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Scott Walker really needs to do something about that growing bald spot.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Oh yeah, if Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace are putting up 14 points in a half against your big men on 7/9 shooting, it’s probably time to find some reinforcements, Rick Sund.
O'Brien
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Najeh,
LD is improved over last year. But sometimes I think the Hawks are winning in spite of him, based on the player talent.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Section 212
Oh hella yeah! Wings and Sam Adams … Mmmmm good! LOL
Section 303
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
Nejah, the iso-Joe play has only worked about 5% of the time. Yet, LD, like Woodson, continues to go to it. They should just run a play. The best teams in last second possessions just run regular plays. They don’t give the ball to one guy and just have everyone else stand and watch.
Just a horrific game tonight. Looks like a f’ing D-II college game.
drebaby
January 27th, 2012
8:52 pm
The problem is why do they pass Zaza the ball when they know he is a walking to.Do not pass him the ball beyond 5 feet,duh.
Section 303
January 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
I actually have ways wanted Maxiel on the Hawks. I think he is a good player. Would trade Zaza for him. And, I like Zaza.
anna
January 27th, 2012
8:53 pm
Who is Priest L? Info please. Thanks
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
Scott Walker gonna’ have to “walk – it -out” and, do that perp walk real soon! What a tool. This guy campaigned on one platform, got elected and flipped the Tea party script – hard! Lock his azz up now!
Sautee
January 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
O,B,
Joe is used to having a physical advantage. Both Danny Green and Damien are good defenders with size and strenth to match Joe. Plus, I’m sure that Damien guarded Joe in practice, so he knows his tendencies.
things that go bump in the night
January 27th, 2012
8:54 pm
Is some one saying that the Lakers cant win if Kobe has an off night?
Section 303
January 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Quick! Cover your eyes! The 2nd half is starting!
Section 212
January 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Najeh – Zaza just does not pass the eye test. He misses too many lay ups, he gets am o-rebound but loses the ball because he does not keep it up high, wants to dribble, does not set solid screens….but he is the best option we have at this time.
bigdave
January 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
im just hard pressed to find consistently good shots from anyone else in this starting 5. if and when Joe’s rolling the Hawks are rolling. until LD puts Josh on the block, playing off of him is still your plan A.