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
phil
February 6th, 2012
10:22 pm
Fire Bob Rathbun!
Hire Brent Musburger!!
DawgNole
February 6th, 2012
10:23 pm
Hey, no problem, phil; I just think you’re giving us way too much credit–based on the team’s miserable playoff history since moving to ATL in the 60s.
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:23 pm
Throw the insults but your correct, I can take it, yeah only 1 franchise to 3, but only the Braves can stake claim to anything, Falcons & Hawks may have well not even to exsist.
doc
February 6th, 2012
10:25 pm
slimj, trap game lost.
steve nash can still ball
we couldnt out physical the suns
we are falling fast and in front of home crowds is even worse
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:25 pm
Enter your comments here
Spyro
February 6th, 2012
10:25 pm
Throw the insults but your correct, I can take it, yeah only 1 franchise to 3, but only the Braves can stake claim to anything, Falcons & Hawks may have well not even to exsist.
If the English language were to be personified, it would have just face-palmed.
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
I’m out ppl, its been fun, next time Hawks are winning I will log on just to see what is said.
FACTS
February 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
This type of stuff is why Atlanta is cursed
http://i.mediatakeout.com/photo/13284418768de5d02c9c.jpg
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
DON”T START MARVIN!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
February 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
it was not pretty at the phil tonight
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
1-4 Friday night..They should beat up the Magic but it is a road game that Larry will try and screw up with his rotations
FACTS
February 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
That’s what 3 out 5 Hawks bloggers look like and condone.
Rusty
February 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
The stinger is either real stupid or is the biggest azz kisser of all time. It was hard listening to LT talking about how good KH played Nash
Crybaby Hawk Fans
February 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
Gee, we are all scholars on this blog I take it LOL!! Man you guys are alright LOL
FACTS
February 6th, 2012
10:28 pm
Las Vegas Hawks
2014
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
10:29 pm
SInce Kirk has returned, less minutes for Willie Green, and no minutes for Pargo. Results=losses.
Spyro
February 6th, 2012
10:29 pm
@FACTS:
Fun fact:The Hawks are bonded to the city until at least 2028…
Prophet Eddie Long
February 6th, 2012
10:30 pm
For a small donation, I can lay my healing hands on this team and get them on a winning streak again, but only on the players under 30.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:30 pm
doc
February 6th, 2012
10:25 pm
“slimj, trap game lost.
steve nash can still ball
we couldnt out physical the suns
we are falling fast and in front of home crowds is even worse”
Yes doc, but you aint seen nothing yet. Wait till they meet up with the Pacers on this Wed!
Did you leave in the 3rd quarter or did you hang around till the end?
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
10:30 pm
doc,
Thanks again for the invite. Looks like I picked a good one to miss. I told Slim, that as much as I hate to say it, I hope the Hawks lose every game until Sund is forced to act.
I said 5-8 for Feb. but even that is looking dim. Oh well, at least we know that these guys always play better when we give up on them. Well, usually, not always, lol.
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
10:31 pm
FACTS just nasty bro
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
John Drew
February 6th, 2012
10:32 pm
I would love for Bobby Knight to coach the Hawks.
Al Horford
February 6th, 2012
10:32 pm
What’s the excuse now, chumps?!
FACTS
February 6th, 2012
10:33 pm
At Home With Marvin Williams SUCKS ASS
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
10:34 pm
Spyro Hawks are here until 2028, thats to late 2012 is here end times bro.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
drebaby
February 6th, 2012
10:36 pm
Facts if you want to post facts,dont use mediatakeout as a source.They are just as bogus as the elite media,Atlanta teams are cursed,because we are a predominately black city.The Elite ILLUMANATI funded NBA dont want black cities to have winning teams.Thats a fact.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:38 pm
Wow Facts ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Nasty!
BIG DOG
February 6th, 2012
10:38 pm
WOW thats deep drebaby.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
John Drew
February 6th, 2012
10:39 pm
@drebaby. Why the race card bro?
The core
February 6th, 2012
10:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Glenn Beck
February 6th, 2012
10:42 pm
drebaby,
Good job on the illuminati thing. But you need to use the word “conspiracy” in every post if you really want to stir things up. Read my book. Keep up the good work.
Add swingman depth
February 6th, 2012
10:42 pm
Josh childress KILLED us tonight! We should never have let this guy go! Chill has never lost to us
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:42 pm
NewsFlash: The pale skinned and dark skinned Elites will be in for a big surprise when they cross over and meet with their maker..They will answer for their crimes for sure……
John Drew
February 6th, 2012
10:44 pm
I thought that this was a basketball blog.
Add swingman depth
February 6th, 2012
10:45 pm
Espn reports ramon sessions is on trade block for a draft pick. Let’s get him! Go hawks!
The REAL Problem
February 6th, 2012
10:45 pm
The value of Meruelo’s original deal to buy the team was estimated by sports-business experts in August at $300 million-plus Ð an amount based largely on the debt he was to assume or pay off.
Based on prior reports or court records, those debts included the approximately $120 million the Hawks borrowed last year from the NBA’s league-wide credit facility and the $40 million-plus owed to Turner Broadcasting/Time Warner, which financed part of its 2004 sale of the Hawks and Thrashers to Atlanta Spirit.
The debt to the NBA credit facility would transfer with the franchise to a new owner, while the debt to Turner/Time Warner, backed by Levenson and Peskowitz, likely would have to be paid off or renegotiated by a new owner.
Also, the Hawks remain responsible for debt payments on bonds that paid for the construction of Philips Arena. The $124 million left on those bonds was refinanced in August 2010, with the Spirit pledging Hawks and arena revenues, up to the maximum annual lease payment, as collateral.
In addition, the $300 million-plus price included the value of the minority stake that, under terms of the August agreement, was to be retained by Atlanta Spirit.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:46 pm
“I thought that this was a basketball blog.”
Gets old talkin bout these meltdowns sorta like them Fal-con meltdowns…..Yawn…..
drebaby
February 6th, 2012
10:47 pm
I agree Slimjr and thanks Glenn Beck,are you that radio host that comes on on the morning,or am i tripping.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:48 pm
All that Debt? Shoot no wonder why the score board is broke….
John Drew
February 6th, 2012
10:48 pm
Why would the Hawks give up a draft pick for another guard? Hell we already have too many of them right now lol.
Glenn Beck
February 6th, 2012
10:49 pm
I am a morning radio host, and yes, you are tripping. But so are the Illuminati.
drebaby
February 6th, 2012
10:49 pm
@ John Drew i am a sis not a bro and i don’t play the race card,i just state facts as i see them .
David Duke
February 6th, 2012
10:52 pm
“i don’t play the race card,i just state facts as i see them .”
Excellent, just like Carl.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:52 pm
Glen Beck’s he got more sense than all of those so called radio personalities combined!
including Rush Limbug….pun intended!
Build around Hinrich
February 6th, 2012
10:53 pm
One thing is clear, the hawks need to build around kirk. Hawks never given him the supporting cast. Get rid of everyone and start over with capn kirk please
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:53 pm
NEED MORE GUARDS AND FORWARDS!!!
drebaby
February 6th, 2012
10:54 pm
Lol Glenn Beck,i like your show,keep up the good work,and f the Illuminati.I will check out your book,i am doing lots of research on that type of stuff.
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
10:54 pm
Build Around Hinrich is the funniest post of the night. ROFL.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
10:57 pm
New blog up for the Hawks fans. For the racists, you seem to be a little lost. The Falcons Blog is here.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
10:59 pm
drebaby, get this book called ” The Creature From Jekyll Island”..It will help in your research!
The rabbit hole goes real deep…….