Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks Game Thread
C-Viv reporting from Philips Arena.
Here is a quick blog from this morning’s shoot-around to keep you busy before game time. In case you missed it, read my earlier posting on the Hawks meeting with representative of Kenyon Martin earlier today.
Coach Larry Drew is very aware of the potential for a letdown against the Grizzlies coming off a 4-1 road trip. He called for the Hawks to play tonight’s game like it was a playoff game.
“You have to guard against mental letdown,” Drew said. “I told the guys, history says this is one of those games where you come out very methodical, very lethargic, given the road trip, given gone 10 days, the travel. That first game back after a road trip like that, we have to defy history tonight. We have to come out and play very inspired basketball right out of the gate. We can’t come out and be satisfied with what we just accomplished on the road.”
Another interesting note, the Hawks have three players in the top-10 in the NBA in 3-point percentage in Marvin Williams, Willie Green and Jeff Teague. Joe Johnson is not among the leaders in percentage but his 44 makes is eighth in the league.
“When you shoot the ball that well from the 3-point line, it just opens up so many other things,” Drew said. “The thing I don’t want to happen is we rely on the 3-ball but thus far we have guys that are getting really good looks at the basket from the 3-point line and fortunately they are knocking shots down.”
Have at it folks and check back after the game for a recap.
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
523 comments Add your comment
Hmmm
February 2nd, 2012
5:53 pm
“Another interesting note, the Hawks have three players in the top-10 in the NBA in 3-point percentage in Marvin Williams, Willie Green and Jeff Teague. Joe Johnson is not among the leaders in percentage but his 44 makes is eighth in the league.”
FLOCKA! LOL
Tmabry
February 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
LETS GO HAWKS!!
wish i was at the game tonight but im going on sat night and monday next week.
Keep the momentum going!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
5:59 pm
Teague and Green’s percentages are probably going to come down since a lot of those made 3s have come off the dribble. But most of Marvin’s 3s have been catch and shoot 3s in rhythm, so if he stays healthy I could see him continuing to maintain that percentage. As long as Marvin can knock down open shots, keep rebounding, and play decent-to-good defense, he is helping this team.
I marked down tonight’s game as one of the Hawks’ five losses for this month, but hopefully they prove me wrong.
Big Lou
February 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
Najeh
Well, I put them as a win, since we were only different on the win-loss by this game, but it will be up to Josh Smith stepping up. I like our chances with him having a big game at home with the crowd. They have the ability to win; let’s just hope they stay focused tonight.
Rod from College Park
February 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
“As long as Marvin can knock down open shots, keep rebounding, and play decent-to-good defense, he is helping this team.”
Is this not what we have been asking him to do since he has been here? He probably gets some of the best looks of anybody in the NBA. MC don’t put that info out there. If teams realize that and start guarding him, he will become useless. These are things teams will focus on in the playoffs, the question is if we will be able to adjust.
Patrick
February 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
Let’s go Thrashers!
Astro Joe
February 2nd, 2012
6:20 pm
I have no delusions that K-Mart is a true and dominant center. But, we recently saw Elton Brand grab 12+ boards against this team. Anyone believe that K-Mart couldn’t compete with Brand? Miami likes to play small with either Anthony or Haslem at center, either one of those guys going to scare K-Mart? The way I see it is that we need a big who can do the things Ivan might do after 2-3 years of experience. Someone who can defend in space, provide good (not great) rim protection and bring a toughness to the team that doesn’t result in 4 fouls in 10 minutes. Lastly, K-Mart is far more likely to be able to stay on the floor with Teague than someone like Pryzbilla. We recently saw the Hawks have to play 4 on 5 on the offensive end when Collins got a little more playing time (after Zaza took an elbow smash off the top rope). By himself, K-Mart may not appear like much but in the context of the players on the squad, I think that he would fit like a glove. Yes, a healthy and fit Rasheed seems like it would be better, but we don’t know if he is healthy or fit.
morehouse man
February 2nd, 2012
6:22 pm
rod from college; marvin is a team first player.he does what the coach ask him to do. blame mike dumb ass woodson for what he did to marvin and jeff teague.
Rod from College Park
February 2nd, 2012
6:27 pm
morehouse man,
“rod from college; marvin is a team first player.he does what the coach ask him to do. blame mike dumb ass woodson for what he did to marvin and jeff teague.”
Please explain? What do Mike Woodson do to Marvin? Marvin has been starting, and playing major minutes since he got here.
Rod from College Park
February 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
“did”
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
6:38 pm
Earp,
Joel Anthony started for the Miami Heat last year, and the Heat made it to the NBA finals. His average? 2 pts, 4 rebs in 20 mins. When he didn’t start Big Z did. His average? 7 pts, 6 rebs in 21 mins. So in 41 mins, Heat got 9 pts, 10 rebs in 41 minutes from those 2 guys. That didn’t stop them from almost winning an NBA championship.
Noah (from the Bulls) averaged 12 pts and 10 rebs last season. And the Bulls made it to the NBA finals. So why are we complaining about Al and his 13 pts, 9.5 rebs 1 block career average?
KevinM
February 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
Rick Sund on 680 tonight with Chuck/Chernoff….6:45
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
6:42 pm
Marvin is finally doing what he is paid to do. Knock down open shots, help out with rebounding, and play good defense. Nobody expects him to lead the team in scoring. Just do those 3 things, and do it consistently. That’s it.
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
6:46 pm
@O’Brien
Sadly thats what most Hawks fans do on here lol, I’m enjoying the ride myself, I will point out when a guy makes bad plays/decisions but will also give them props when its deserved.
Jcard120
February 2nd, 2012
6:47 pm
Our bench seems to be one of the best in the league. Willie Greene has come in and played great defense and made big shots. T-Mac has been an excellent second team leader with his assists and scoring. I see the hawks flying under the radar to the number 3 spot in the eastern conference behind the heat and the bulls.
Smith.Leur.Bogut
February 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
I hate Al Horford. I hate myself. I’m going to cry now.
The Donald
February 2nd, 2012
6:56 pm
Any chance we could get shaq out of retirement to play half a season?
Jack's Links
February 2nd, 2012
6:59 pm
What a great quote by LD. I’ve been nervous about this game because of the reasons he just said….but it’s nice to see that LD realizes the same thing and has called out his team to play with a playoff type of energy tonight.
mountain_jim
February 2nd, 2012
7:01 pm
So is MC on strike? Renegotiating?
Buddy Grizzard
February 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
“So why are we complaining about Al and his 13 pts, 9.5 rebs 1 block career average?” – O’Brien
O’Brien I certainly agree that Horford doesn’t get enough credit for his production. But you also can’t deny that he has faded badly in the playoffs. The criticism may be out of proportion, but it’s not unwarranted.
hawkfan
February 2nd, 2012
7:11 pm
at least charles barkley even said now that josh smith should be in the all star game more than carmelo anthony, hint hint coaches vote wisely
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
7:31 pm
Buddy,
I agree that Al should be criticized. but Earp’s comment was that Al is the reason we cant get out of the second round.
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
Seems to me the entire team folds in the playoffs trying to get to the ECF??
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
The Rick Sund interview on 680 was ok. I just hate the fact that (once again), he brought up the fact that the Hawks, Lakers and Celtics are the only teams to make it to the second round the last 3 years.
He always omits the fact that of the 3, the Hawks are the only one who did NOT win an NBA championship (or even get to the conference finals). .
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Damn, TNT unanimously has Joe and Josh in the All Star Game.
Restecp.
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
Maybe MC has been Amnestied LOL
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
Wow. All 4 TNT guys (Barkley, Webber, Kenny Smith and Shaq) said Josh and JJ should both be All star reserves.
Buddy Grizzard
February 2nd, 2012
7:35 pm
Well, certainly not the only reason… but it wouldn’t hurt if Al played like a BOSS in the playoffs.
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
7:39 pm
Webber said Josh Smith should START the AS game. So the Hawks are finally getting some respect.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
I like Shaq on Inside the NBA because he is funny, but damn, he’s gotta be one of the worst analysts ever. I don’t know what’s worse, people like him who are just straight up wrong, or people like Magic Johnson who just spit cliches without saying anything meaningful.
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
let’s get it!
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Tony Allen is too small to guard Mighty Joe Johnson
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
oops already
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:43 pm
Give me some more of that! That better be on Sportscenter.
O'Brien
February 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
Marvin with a block, steal, and a dunk.
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:44 pm
yessir…they better call a timeout because this one can get out of hand
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
AAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
Three straight good plays by Marvin, against a good team.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2012
7:45 pm
Marrrr-vinnnnnnn
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
If Josh keeps taking the ball inside, he is going to abuse whoever guards him in this game. Speights is a bad defender, and Gay is too small.
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:46 pm
Grizzlies overrated….I see the future
Big Lou
February 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
Josh looking like he’s gonna have a big game.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
Hawks look great so far tonight. Defense is on point.
Luke Cage
February 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
good thing I have NBA League Pass Broadband here at work lol
Najeh Davenpoop
February 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
MC’s long lost relative Dante Cunningham is too small to guard Josh too.
I like how the Hawks are continuing to go to him in the post. Smart basketball. See the mismatch and exploit it.
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:48 pm
Dante Cunningham….no way pal….Coach Hollins better find someone to try to guard Josh
J.J.M.
February 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
wooo teague got them ankles broken
yodaddybrother
February 2nd, 2012
7:49 pm
gee whiz TEague….lmao….that’s alright though…everyone gets shook every now and then
northcyde
February 2nd, 2012
7:50 pm
Don’t see Teague get shook like that often. Hell of a move from Conley