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
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
4:31 pm
AJ, I think what’s happening with Teague, is what happens anytime any PG
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
4:33 pm
AJ, I think what’s happening with Teague, is what happens anytime any PG takes over a team, and there name isn’t Nash. Speaking of Nash, I would trade Kirk, Marvin, and Zaza for Nash and Lopez. And after this, I would put Teague as my two guard, with Joe playing the 3.
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
4:35 pm
O’Brien,
“The one play call that makes no sense to me is the Iso-JJ at the end of quarters. He hardly ever scores on those isos.”
Could not agree more. I cringe every time I see it. I seriously can only remember 1 time this year when he scored on that play. Joe is not Jamal. I don’t understand how many more times that play needs to fail before LD realizes to stop running it. I would much rather let Teague penetrate and kick on those end of the quarter plays.
O'Brien
February 6th, 2012
4:39 pm
From MC’s blog dated August 11, 2010. “Inside Camp Drew”.
“There was lots of motion and ball movement, yes, but what stood out was how much of the action had players cutting to the basket. It seemed there always was an option for the next man in the sequence to either accept the ball while moving to his position or reverse field and look for a cut to the basket. Not everything happens on the strong side, either, so ball-watching and inattentiveness by defenders can mean backdoor baskets.
“It’s very difficult to guard,” Conner said. “You have to be precise in your defensive schemes. You can be beat at any spot on the floor at any time. NBA teams don’t like to guard a lot of movement and screens. I’ve heard the guys [Hawks players] are all for it and are excited about it.”
For weeks L.D. has said his system would “force the ball to move” and I get that now. Things happen so fast there’s not much opportunity for holding the ball. The screens and cuts happen quickly and if the first option is not there then the ball quickly swings the other way, leading to move movement.
Not much possession time is spent on the one- or even two-man game. Each guy gets a chance to touch the ball at different spots on the floor. Decisions must be made quickly for things to flow correctly.
L.D. has some work to do with that. Woody had a lot of stuff he wanted to run too but he never could coax guys to do it consistently. Things got tough and the Hawks freelanced.
Drew is going to have to break the Hawks out of their iso offense, sometime-y defense mold. It will be interesting to see how he manages it and how the players take to it once it’s time to do the work.
Drew is going to have to break the Hawks out of their iso offense, sometime-y defense mold.”.MC.
So much for that
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
4:40 pm
Is LD, the only coach who is not committed to running pick and roll with his PG? Or why not try a pick and pop with Vlad when he’s in the game?
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
4:41 pm
Worldwide Clyde,
“Again I ask the question.
Why is Marvin Williams starting?”
That my friend, is the 10 million dollar question. I am convinced he walked in on somebody in the organization doing something that they don’t want to get out. There is no other explantion. Philly guarded Marvin with Jodie Meeks, and Jrue Holiday. That is the amount of respect they give him.
newkid
February 6th, 2012
4:41 pm
“Everybody has their opinions.” Not sure how fruitful it is for a ‘player’ (one of 13) to characterize the head coach’s position as one among many, if in fact that’s what Josh is doing.
In the NBA veteran players either allow themselves to be managed, or they don’t. When they don’t they become a cancer, and for the health of the patient, cancers need to be removed or purged. Josh, both by deeds and words, seems to have made it crystal clear over time that he will not be managed here in Atlanta, PERIOD.
If there is any hope for Josh to come close to approaching his on-court potential, he badly needs the combination of attributes offered only by the Boston Celtics. No other organization has the unique combination of organizational culture and history, no nonsense head coach, a cadre of accomplished veteran leaders who’ll put you in your place, and a demanding point guard required to force an arrogant talented youth like Josh that team goals are primary and you play the role defined by the coach or you don’t play at all. This cat has consistently shown that he’ll eat coaches like Drew for lunch, squash organizations like the Hawks, and obliterate meek captains like Joe. “Can’t win with him, can’t coach with him, can’t do it…”
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
4:44 pm
I think it is pretty scary when your starting PF can diagnose the problem with the team correctly, and the head coach is way off base. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
honest_abe
February 6th, 2012
4:49 pm
amen newkid. amen.
Astro Joe
February 6th, 2012
4:54 pm
I think who finishes the game is infinitely more important than who starts the game.
Ra’mon, I agree, there is an adjustment anytime a new PG takes over the reigns. I’m just of the opinion that Josh isn’t looking to be one of the first guys to “buy-in”. We saw some of this last year after the Hinrich trade, Kirk would stand there waiting for Josh to pass him the ball and Josh would dribble by him like he was a referee. Josh don’t need no stinkin’ PG, Josh just needs the ball. The excuse makers claimed “he only trusts a PG who can actually lead a fast break”. Those guys have been remarkably quiet as Josh ignores Teague a few times each and every game.
Hollywould
February 6th, 2012
4:56 pm
Teague should eat up Nash tonite. Let’s see if the rest of the team and the coach will let him run the show.
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
4:56 pm
newkid,
While I agree with you somewhat, Josh would thrive in a number of situations. San Antonio, LA. Pheonix, Philly come to mind. He simply needs a point guard who is a leader, and runs a offense, or a head coach who knows basketball and is well respected. A coach who tells Josh to shoot the open jumper when it is there all season, but then turns on him in the playoffs and says I’ve told him many times to not shoot it in the media, will tend to not earn respect. A head coach who takes jabs at him all the time in the media, but won’t call out Joe Johnson, Horford, or Marvin Williams will not command your respect. If Josh played with Paul, Rondo, Nash, Kobe, Derron Williams, he would be all star material. No diss to Teague, but he has not become a floor General yet. Hell, if LD put Josh on the floor with TMac more, I am convinced his shot selection would improve.
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
4:57 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
5:03 pm
How many game has Teague started in the NBA?? hard to become that floor general when your still somewhat finding your way on this team, give dude time and he will become just that, I love his play thus far despite being held back with shotty coaching from Woody & LD.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:03 pm
The only reservation I have about T-Mac starting is that if he is given starters’ minutes he is likely to get injured again.
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
5:03 pm
AJ, question, how often do you see Teague PASS on a fast break, that’s the concern, lol. That’s why Josh doesn’t pass it to him. And if you remember, before he got hurt, Al wouldn’t pass it to Teague on fast breaks either also, because he knew he wouldn’t get it back. I’m actually thinking, it wouldn’t be bad to have Teague as a two guard, and another facilitator at the point. Teague doesn’t seem interested in averaging 10 assists in his career, lol. He reminds me of Terry, but with better defense, and less of a jumper.
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
5:04 pm
“We saw some of this last year after the Hinrich trade, Kirk would stand there waiting for Josh to pass him the ball and Josh would dribble by him like he was a referee. Josh don’t need no stinkin’ PG, Josh just needs the ball. The excuse makers claimed “he only trusts a PG who can actually lead a fast break”. Those guys have been remarkably quiet as Josh ignores Teague a few times each and every game.”
Have you seen Hinrich play? I would dribble by him also, he is horrible. Not to mention he is no longer a decent point guard. Teague is not a pass first point guard, he is a scoring point guard. He surely is not a floor general yet and is only averaging 5 assists a game while playing heavy minutes. I like Teague by the way.
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
5:12 pm
Hey lets bring Bibby back, at least he’ll pass. He’ll also stand around, play zero defense, be a liability on both ends, skip down the court, avg no more assists than Teague, no on ball D, no quickness, but hey he will pass the ball!
I rather give the guy time to grow before I start making changes, we have a gem in our PG, started what, under 35 games in his career??
newkid
February 6th, 2012
5:13 pm
Rod, if a coach like Pop had the essential supporting cast, he might very well be willing to take on a cat like Josh. But Pop can’t – and won’t – attempt to integrate that kind of cancer with soft spoken Duncan, and laid back Parker. No, Josh needs a VERY strong and demanding village in which to be integrated. He needs to have cats like Russell, Hondo, Heinsohn, Cornbread, and other past greats with multiple rings coming around to consistently cajole and support the messages of the likes of KG, Paul, Doc, Ray, etc. In my opinion that village only exists in Boston. He – and others (probably including his pop) – will dispute it, but Josh needs Boston in the worst way.
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
5:16 pm
Luke Cage, its about a certain court vision where you see the entire court, or tunnel vision where you see the basket. Its not a negative, just different. Rubio, Nash, Lebron, and others they have that vision. No one is saying Teague isn’t good (although I don’t think he’s a pg). Just saying could use a facilitator on offense.
ntrigue
February 6th, 2012
5:17 pm
Key is ball movement and take care of the ball (minimize turnovers) and substitutions made in accordance of the game flow!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:20 pm
” how often do you see Teague PASS on a fast break, that’s the concern, lol. That’s why Josh doesn’t pass it to him.”
Not a good enough reason in my opinion. Teague still handles the ball better on the break than Josh, and still pushes the ball to the rim better than anyone else on this team. Josh is smart enough to realize that Teague is still a work in progress as a distributor, and to know that he’s only going to get better by getting more opportunities.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
5:21 pm
Pargo>Kirk @ the point right now…
C’mon Larry wake the freak up man….Pargo should back up Da Blur!
Kirk back up Joe…Lost two steps…..Rust I hope?
You lose your third game in a row because your offense is horrendous its time to shake it up.. Huh?
Does Josh know how to give and go? He could make a good living with that technique?
Stop standing around and watching Teague and ISO.. Motion offense please……Move!!!!!!!!!!!
Its panic time if this squad gets kicked around tonight?
Gearon’s puppet just blowing smoke in the house……..It stinks too! lol
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:22 pm
Tony Parker is a “true” point guard and he averages 5.8 assists per game for his career. To me he is the most accurate comparison for Teague, and I’m pretty sure Teague can beat 5.8 assists per game as he continues improving. He’s at 5.2 right now.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
5:23 pm
Kirk is a two guard trying to play the 1 and getting blown by on the defensive end….Looks extra slow right now…….Rust I hope?
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
5:25 pm
newkid,
I think you are a little off in your assesment. Hell, TMac has only been here for a couple of months, and has already commented on Josh’s high basketball IQ. He does not need a village, He needs a coach he repects, that knows how to design plays to take advantage of mismatches, and runs some sort of offense. If you continuously have Josh spotted up behind the 3 point line, with Joe running iso plays and a scared to shoot Marvin on the wing, then either Joe or Marvin will continue to pass to a wide open Josh Smith on the perimeter, and the jump shots will continue. Or, he needs a pass first point guard like Rondo, Kidd, Paul, Rubio. I think Teague will develop into a great pg, but now he is a shoot first pg.
ntrigue
February 6th, 2012
5:27 pm
A lot of the plays Josh makes no one else on team can make ….true sometimes Josh needs to understand that he needs to give the ball up especially after he’s had a couple of turnovers or if were fighting our way back into the game. I would never pass to Kirk either cause he doesn’t like to run he will stop at the top of the key and try to setup the offense because he knows he’s not a threat to finish that’s not his game!
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
5:28 pm
Tony Parker is a scorer more than a pure point guard. Parker has routinely been the 2nd high scorer on the Spurs. That’s why his career average is higher than Ginobili’s. For the last 7 seasons, in the playoffs, its been about stopping Parker, more than stopping Duncan (evident by his Finals’ MVP).
ntrigue
February 6th, 2012
5:30 pm
Kirk should be used as two guard against quicker guards! Not hard to see come on coach wake up!
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
5:30 pm
The guards have got to be in attack mode tonight..Layup line…Three man weave.If your tired sit down and watch….
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
5:31 pm
“Not a good enough reason in my opinion. Teague still handles the ball better on the break than Josh, and still pushes the ball to the rim better than anyone else on this team. Josh is smart enough to realize that Teague is still a work in progress as a distributor, and to know that he’s only going to get better by getting more opportunities.”
I do agree that Josh should give the ball up after defensive rebounds, but Teague, right now is not a great facilitator. McGrady is the best on the team, that is why he should be in with the starters. Teague is a one man fast break at this point.
Ray
February 6th, 2012
5:33 pm
Tick Tock Tick Tock the clock is winding down on this core group.
Next up Phoneix Suns who will look to out shoot the hawks out of their own gym lol.
Anyone got some latest news on our C search like can we please get a Benson in here?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:34 pm
” Parker has routinely been the 2nd high scorer on the Spurs. That’s why his career average is higher than Ginobili’s. For the last 7 seasons, in the playoffs, its been about stopping Parker, more than stopping Duncan (evident by his Finals’ MVP).”
All true, but it still doesn’t mean Duncan brings the ball up on fast breaks.
I don’t think Josh is an idiot or a cancer or whatever. I think he has a very good understanding of the game. He just doesn’t have a very good understanding of his own abilities and limitations. Yeah, he handles the ball better than most big men, but that still doesn’t mean he handles it well, and it certainly doesn’t mean he handles it better than Teague. He needs to give the ball up, because in the long run as Teague becomes a better passer it will only benefit him.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
5:34 pm
I cant stand Marvin’s demeanor..He always looks and play f______king scared out there!
Imagine if he had the heart of say Rudy Gay????????????
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
5:36 pm
The Core is one and done more than likely…They peaked 3 years ago……
Grandad
February 6th, 2012
5:37 pm
(1) “Everybody has their opinions,”
(2) “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”
(2b) To clarify his remarks:
“Iso … it’s pretty much self explanatory,” Smith answered.
____________________________________________
1st of all ** ** for SteveW
(1) Were Josh at a lower level [college or below] I would have *kicked his ass;
*figuratively.
Seriously, It would have been unacceptable.
As a professional, he’s a grown man,
we would have sat down in my office for a closed door mtg.
____________________________________________
(2) & (2b) or not 2b that is the question ? *(for Sautee)
____________________________________________
(2) & (2b) In all seriousness;
I was very proud of Josh, as these were mature thoughtful remarks.
[not at all directed at Teaguer, but at Joe, I think]
Joe has, in the last two game reverted to old habits,
as I stated in a previous blog.
However, TO’s have been a plague to which Josh has contributed mightily.
Had he further taken “shared responsibility” for the TO’s
it would have carried much more weight.
___________________________________________
-editors note-
My apologies for the above ^^ word-play ^^ on ‘`Hamlet’s Soliloquy`’
Ra'mon
February 6th, 2012
5:41 pm
Najeh, who would you rather have FINISHING a fast break? Josh or Teague? Who’s more likely to kick out to Joe for a wide open 3 Josh or Teague? If Teague would pass more on the break, then I’d be all for it. But as I said Al does it too. So it must be a universal feeling that Teague doesn’t routinely make the best plays on the court in the full court. If you think about it. Josh always look up court when he gets the ball to make sure nothing is there, before finally giving it to Teague. Can’t say that is wrong or right, depends on the situation.
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
5:49 pm
It took time for Parker, Paul, D. Williams, Nash, Rondo, or any other PG you guys wish we had and won’t get for them to get the level they are at, again, Teague hasn’t started many games, he will grow into his role sooner than later.
Starting T-Mac would hurt in the long run because of his age and his knees, playing him with the 2nd unit has helped us and has helped his career.
Are we packing it in on Teague already??
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:51 pm
“Who’s more likely to kick out to Joe for a wide open 3 Josh or Teague?”
Josh is much more likely to kick out to Joe for a wide open 3, which is partly why I don’t want him leading fast breaks. I am tired of fast breaks ending in jump shots. I’d much rather Teague take it coast to coast and make a layup. Over time he’ll get better at finding teammates on the break.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
5:54 pm
As for Josh finishing fast breaks, of course I’d rather see him finish them. The problem is that too often when he takes it coast to coast, he doesn’t even get himself a good look. Which shot is more likely to go in — a Josh dunk attempt set up by Teague, or the acrobatic and often contested layups that Josh often has to make when he tries to create his own attempt?
Josh needs to take his own advice. Share the ball with the point guard. If the point guard isn’t rewarding you on the break, yell at him if you want, but keep feeding him so he’ll learn. It does Teague no good to stand around watching Josh leading the break, just like it did him no good sitting on the bench watching Bibby play point guard.
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
5:58 pm
Luke Cage,
Nobody is saying that Teague won’t improve, we are talking about right now. TMac can still play the same amount of minutes, he just needs to be on the floor with the starters to handle the ball more, and keep it out of Josh’s hands. He also won’t feel like he has to defer to Josh like Teague and Marvin do. He will also take some of that pressure off of Joe, as teams will not leave him, like they do Marvin.
KevinM
February 6th, 2012
5:59 pm
The coach is in charge, should be in charge, and the PF, while a captain, needs to be a supporter of the regime. If he isn’t he shouldn’t be a captain.
Going forward, if our PF would use all his energy on his game and not getting to know the backside of a ref, we might get better results.
Again, this guy should be good for 20/10 every night, especially with Al out.
And our PG needs to be propped up, not attacked by a captain or a coach.
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
6:02 pm
I give up lol.
Jase
February 6th, 2012
6:03 pm
Let’s get a big man here!!!! Start Ivan at PF
terrell
February 6th, 2012
6:04 pm
Energy, energy, energy. So tired of that damm word.
terrell
February 6th, 2012
6:05 pm
$100 Josh takes the 1st shot??
Luke Cage
February 6th, 2012
6:10 pm
LOL@starting Ivan
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
February 6th, 2012
6:12 pm
Cosign every single Rod post.
Marvin has done jackshy7 this yar vs undersized guys like Ridnour and Korver who are awful defenders.
Hell, put any player in the league on Marvin and I guaranteehe will still fall down, get stripped, and NOT FINISH THE PLAY
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
February 6th, 2012
6:13 pm
Guarantee he
yodaddybrother
February 6th, 2012
6:14 pm
Ivan Johnson is on NBA2k12 now…..rated a 67