Suns at Atlanta Hawks Game Thread
Vivlamore filling in for Cunningham. Here is your report from this morning’s shootaround in preparation for tonight’s game against the Suns.
The key to snapping a two-game losing streak is the Hawks’ defensive energy, according to coach Larry Drew.
As the Hawks host the Suns tonight, Drew emphasized defense to his team during the morning shootaround and with the media following the session.
“We can’t be a team with low energy,” Drew said. “If you are going to be small [with injuries to centers Al Horford and Jason Collins] you have to be a team that plays with a lot of energy. You have to be quick. Because you are a little smaller you have to do some things differently, particularly with us. Not having Al or Twin it limits us in a certain area as far as what our defensive schemes have been. Offensively nothing much changes there. It’s more on the defensive end. We’ll have to make some adjustments.”
Drew did say the Hawks needed to share the ball offensively, but his efforts were concentrated on the defensive side of the ball Monday.
While Josh Smith agrees that defense is a priority he is clearly more concerned with the offensive issues during the past two games.
“Everybody has their opinions,” said Smith when told of Drew’s comments about the defensive energy. “I think that defense is definitely the key to winning basketball games but if we don’t have any continuity on the offensive end it really definitely hurts us. When the ball sticks on one floor we get baited into playing one-on-one basketball. That’s what hurts this basketball team because when we are sharing the basketball, moving it from side to side, everybody is benefitting off goods shots, I think we help each other that much more on the defensive end.”
To clarify his remarks, I asked Smith if he was referring to ‘the notion of one person trying to do it all?’
“Iso … it’s pretty much self explanatory,” Smith answered.
Iso-Joe? Perhaps. The Hawks have had issues the past two games with several players trying to do too much in losses to the Grizzlies and 76ers.
“Definitely,” Joe Johnson said when asked if he agreed with Smith’s assessment. “I think we do get a little selfish at times out there. It’s part of it. You have a lot of guys that come out and try to do it on their own that hurts you even more. We have to get some ball movement, get everybody involved, get back to playing loose and having some fun.”
* Monday was the first day NBA teams were able to sign players to 10-day contracts. However, the Hawks had no immediate plans to do so in light of being without Collins for the next two weeks.
“Not a whole lot of news,” Drew said of the team’s pursuit of a big man. “Right now we are going as we are. We are a little small but we’ll just have to play the hand that’s dealt to us.”
* With the Suns in town, it marks the return of former Hawks draft pick Josh Childress. The former No. 6 overall pick is averaging 3.5 points per game for the Suns in 11 games, all off the bench.
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757 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
9:52 pm
“I don’t really see that bright future here, Najeh….i wish i did but…”
Only said it was brighter than the Magic’s future.
O'Brien
February 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
As somebody else pointed out, Kirk came back when the schedule got tough (beginning with the Spurs game).
But he is not head and shoulders above Pargo right now. And we need a big. Seems obvious to me. However, is there a good trade out there for Kirk?
O'Brien
February 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
I think once again, LD will put this loss squarely on the players
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
Meanwhile, LMAO @ JaVale McGee (may take a minute to load)
Rusty
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Kurt hasn’t played on the first team in years, never will again but if he stays with LD he has a chance.
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Yeah you guys beat us last yr in the playoffs, no doubt, but OWNAGE is still on our side, whats the record for the most points beat down is a series??? Thinkin that was dem lil birdies that got embarrassed.
Al Horford
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
This guy is bragging about a first round series. The Magic have been to the Finals recently! Stay in your place LOL
DawgNole
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Add swingman depth says “Good effort tonight!” This after the team loses by double digits at home to a team with a losing record.
Good effort?! Are you stupid?
ATL fans are absolutely astounding in their acceptance of mediocrity. Their attitudes of being satisfied with less than a championship for nearly a half-century have played a significant role in earning the city its label of “Losersville.”
Crazy_88
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
I think its time for LD to shake things up…..I think they should start Tracy at the 3 and let him play a ” point forward ” type of a role. The ball moves better when Tracy is involved in the offense, he’s the Hawks best playmaker but LD is playing him totally wrong. Jeff Teague is not a passer..neither is Joe & josh…
The Hawks need more easy buckets early on instead of tough jumpshots..
phil
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Being an Atlanta fan really is an exercise in futility….
If not for Tom Glavine and Wohlers, thank the lord, having those great Game 6 efforts, I shudder to think how much worse it would feel.
It’s embarassing, sad and pathetic and yet, we keep coming back for more and more!
tb hawk fan i think
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
see yall at our next loss
Rusty
February 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Larry don’t have a fling clue.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 6th, 2012
9:55 pm
Who’s accountable for tonight’s loss? Who will man up and take responsibility? I know it won’t be Joe Johnson or Josh Smith.
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
9:55 pm
Magic have been to ECF in the brief history, HATL have been to how many, not counting in STL?
Sammy Davis Jr.
February 6th, 2012
9:55 pm
How do you analyze it when your ball hoggin point guard has 1 assist and 1 rebound ? What the fck is that ?
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
Hawks have a bright future??? WHERE, HOW and most importantly WHO????
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
LD says Runs RUNS RUNS?
Run away……………..
phil
February 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
9:52 pm
“I don’t really see that bright future here, Najeh….i wish i did but…”
Only said it was brighter than the Magic’s future.
********
true.
How is it a team like the 76ers, as awful as they’ve been, can suddenly be so good while we can never seem to pull it together like that in any sport?
Same with packers last year and giants this year. Cardinals in baseball.
It’s just maddening.
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
MARVIN AND CAPTAIN KIRK WHOM EVERYBODY LOVE ARE SORRY.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Spyro
February 6th, 2012
9:58 pm
Yeah, either LD is dumb or just doesn’t want to publicly acknowledge his own short-comings.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 6th, 2012
9:58 pm
“Kurt hasn’t played on the first team in years, never will again but if he stays with LD he has a chance.”
Ironically Kurt doesn’t play for the Hawks.
Kirk however, does, but sometimes he plays like he’s retarted (sic).
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
9:58 pm
PACERS BY 30 WED…BE THERE!
Michael Vick
February 6th, 2012
9:58 pm
I like men even more now!
phil
February 6th, 2012
9:58 pm
Tonight’s loss is on Tree Rollins….
The bum.
Carl
February 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
Look at England, look at Haiti
Look at Finland, look at The Congo
Look at the Lakers with Phil, look at them with Brown
Look at the Bulls with less talent and Coach Thibodeau and look at the Hawks with Drew.
Lets face it, they cant lead anything, always fail. Low IQ.
The Hawks need a white coach.
Hollywould
February 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
Crybaby, keep reaching/nobody cares about your team/ Pacers will destroy the Hawks;/listenin to LD now/ Basically saying that “We quit playing when they made a run” NO kiddin sherlock/ this team has NO HEART Bunch of atheletes who do not know how to play. Anybody can shoot/ not everybody can play… Candy Asses
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
LD is on KIRK’S JOCK!!
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
phil You wonder about the sports in Atlanta well continue to watch for another 20years.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
“Magic have been to ECF in the brief history”
Must make it hurt just that much more that Superman is leaving. LMFAO.
phil
February 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
Fire FG!!
Carl
February 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
Steve Nash, smartest player on the court tonight. Shocker?
Jase
February 6th, 2012
10:01 pm
Ld is clueless you get out rebound by 10 and say size is not a factor. Lol.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 6th, 2012
10:01 pm
Its hard out here for a Hawks fan. Get our hopes up with a good road trip them come home and get ya a** whipped. Can blame the fans for tonights performance.
phil
February 6th, 2012
10:01 pm
Carl – racist by chance?
Spyro
February 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
@Carl: Actually, it might be Grant Hill, but please continue being a racist ass.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
Hawks= 0-46 ECF’s visits .0000%
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
Reaching, just stating facts, and funny part about it is all I have to do is read these blogs, man they are the most comical of most teams in all sports.
John Drew
February 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
The Hawks need to hire someone in their front office with a championship pedigree. This team and organization needs a general manager who can build a championship contender. We need to draft skill over athleticism. We need tough physical players with high basketball IQ. I would entertain trading Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Joe Johnson and Al Horford at least two of the four. I absolutely hate this team chemistry, toughness and IQ.
Carl
February 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
Just a realist phil. Sometimes the truth isnt PC. Truth Hurts.
phil
February 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
NEVER get your hopes up in Atlanta!!
NEVER!
Melvin
February 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
at least the Magic lost tonight
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
Sautee, it will take the Hawks going0-13 in Feb for Gearon to make a move…..Pathetic!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 6th, 2012
10:04 pm
LD needs to send a message and shake up the starting lineup. If you ain’t playing hard you don’t deserve to start.
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:04 pm
Yeah it hurts to see Dwight leave but “It Is What It Is”, at least I got some moments to cheer and appreciate him in a Magic Uni, what moments do you guys have, beating us last year, is that it, oh yeah back in the 80’s with Bird vs Nique, so far in between.
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
10:04 pm
“all I have to do is read these blogs, man they are the most comical of most teams in all sports.”
Funnier than the Magic losing not one, but TWO superstar big men? Believe me that’s a lot funnier than these blogs. LMFAO
Harpie
February 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
Hey, Carl – aren’t you late for your KKK meeting?
Spyro
February 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
Crybaby has never been to a Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, or Knicks blog if he thinks ours is comical.
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
Folks in Georgia still talking about Herschel Walkers after 32 years SMH.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
High-Tech Lynching
February 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
With no Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony playing only 5:49 and tallying only 2pts., 1reb. and 1ast., the Knicks tune up the Jazz 99-88. Jeremy Lin has his first career start and scores 28pts. and dishes out 8asts.
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
“Sautee, it will take the Hawks going0-13 in Feb for Gearon to make a move…..Pathetic!”
Whatever it takes, Slim.