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
pointguardslim
February 6th, 2012
6:17 pm
“That said, the Grizzlies game would have probably been closer if Josh had been more selfish and taken advantage of his matchup instead of forcing passes.”
No you need to take advantage of movement and the defensive 3 second rule. Smith 1 on 1 over bigger players = airball. Hes not Iverson. He needs Movement.
LD’s got guys running into each other. Just run the Pick and roll. We used to run it with Horford (He would just fade) and Josh all the time (dunks). What happened? Can we get an answer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3abug9frGOY
prison mike
February 6th, 2012
6:18 pm
Should be a win, Vegas has hawks by 7.5. Joe doesn’t have a counterpart like Iggy or Allen to outplay and out hustle him.
Another thing, Josh needs the ball on LEFT block NOT the right block. He’s a fish outta water on the right.
Mr Fix-It
February 6th, 2012
6:20 pm
Share the ball? Uhh NO. How about you do whatever you can to help the team win? Everyone doesn’t HAVE to score. Plenty of guys have made careers on the defensive end. So tired of the whining out of this lockerroom, that’s why no one shows up!
W. R. Terrell
February 6th, 2012
6:24 pm
Anyone looking for a blowout over the suns tonight?…Here’s a clue, if fantasy superstar in his own mind Josh Smith becomes a launching pad and do his 2 for 11, 3 for 15 kinda thang, then, the team will fold and we will get beaten by 20.
pointguardslim
February 6th, 2012
6:26 pm
whoa. Why does Blake Griffin push the ball in transition. He has Chris Paul?
Why no one ever makes excuses when we had Horford and Josh both pushing the ball?
Smith/Blake could wait to find the PG but then halfcourt defense is set. It confuses the defense if you can rebound and not wait for the offense.
It’s called early offense. Blake Griffin did it, Magic Johnson did it, Barkley did it, Jordan did it, Lebron does it. Heck even Duncan did it when he played PF with David Robinson. And these guys have better halfcourt post games than Josh and Horford.
Its called early offense and creates mismatches. If you want Smith in transition you should play him at the wing instead of Marvin. I still remember Marvin bricked a fast break dunk.
Hes bigger, slower and a worst ball handler yet we play him as a wing because hes too soft to play inside and rebound where Smith plays (PF/C).
IN THEORY If we switched Josh to the wing for transition points then Marvin would never get rebounds, get embarassed or throw out his back.
But Marvin is 245 and he cant guard Lavoy Allen or Thaddeus Young while Josh goes HAM on Iguodala? I know Coach Collins went with Hawes at PF for a few plays but he started a rookie.
Come on Coach. come on Sund. Got to get Smith to that small forward/wing position.
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
6:31 pm
Ramon,
“Its ASG fault. Stop getting these first term coaches who the players see no credibility in, so they can command respect.”
Far be it from me to defend the ASG, but isn’t the story out there that the players ASKED for Uncle Larry, and Sund wanted Casey, but deferred to the owners who wanted to keep the players happy? To me, that’s NO reason to hire a coach, but…
vava74
February 6th, 2012
6:32 pm
Great posts in general by Rod and Ra’mon.
Don’t agree 100% but close.
Josh never had any decent coaching so he plays with fire but without discipline.
Without any good teachers you can’t expect miracles.
Also agreed that with Al, Marvin’s inability to affect the game beyond spot shooting is channeling defences towards JJ and resulting in worse shots and possessions by Josh.
Don’t necessarily agree that Hinrich is buried yet but he his getting way too many minutes given his current form. Pargo was doing fine and being aggressive on both ends. Not perfect but improving game to game IMO.
On JJ’s ISO – agree that he goes too much into that but I think he suffers from poor officiating like no other player in the league.
On Teague, he should be getting the rock always on fast breaks. Josh needs to understand that and go back to the basics: 3 lanes and a trailer is how you play a fast break.
On T-Mac starting: I would do it and on his absence I would split minutes between Green and Hinrich at the SG slot and start JJ at the SF.
Marvin could still get his 25 minutes backing up JJ and Josh and greeting his shots with the second unit.
vava74
February 6th, 2012
6:36 pm
“without Al”
yodaddybrother
February 6th, 2012
6:38 pm
@ RaMon
Teague at the 2 and Nash at the 1??? yeah that’s real smart….a 6 ft SG and a non defensive PG.
bruh…this aint 2k12
Another GM
February 6th, 2012
6:40 pm
If not looking to pick up a player to replace Collins on a 10 day is not cheap, I would shudder to wonder what is on behalf of ownership!
Sautee
February 6th, 2012
6:51 pm
Grandad,
“Brevity is the soul of wit.” Well done.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
6:54 pm
“No you need to take advantage of movement and the defensive 3 second rule. Smith 1 on 1 over bigger players = airball.”
He was being guarded by small players (Cunningham, Gay, Conley on one possession) that entire game. The only bigger player who guarded him was Speights, who is an awful defender and got burned by Josh a couple of times in the first half.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
6:57 pm
Early offensive? Interesting term, PGSlim….
BTW, all those forwards you named have better handles than Josh Smith…Hmmmmm?
His handles and his jumpshot are broke….Never learned the fundamentals 10 years ago..Too late now…Four years of college would have helped him big time.
So he can do other things to contribute like so many other guys do….Stop trying to be a hero….Shessh……
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:01 pm
Somebody should have handed Josh that Magic Johnson Basketball DVD a long time ago..
Which shows you how to practice the offensive skills to make yourself a new and improved basketball player..
His old man or High school coaches should have taught this dude how to shoot the rock for starters!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
7:03 pm
“all those forwards you named have better handles than Josh Smith”
Co-sign.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:04 pm
The Suns will throw 3 seven footers at the Hawks tonight! Wow…..
Suns by double digits……..
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
February 6th, 2012
7:06 pm
LOL this front office actually thinks Twin should be a regular rotational player
Rod from College Park
February 6th, 2012
7:07 pm
pointguardslim is right. the pick and roll has become non existent is this offense. It really makes no sense at all.
Blast
February 6th, 2012
7:09 pm
Everybody talking about offense, deffence, what about turnovers? I think this is killing Hawks more than anything else.
ryan
February 6th, 2012
7:10 pm
We passed on Chris Paul for Marvin Williams remember ASG is the Forest Gump of the NBA stupid is as stupid does .
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:12 pm
If Josh could dribble drive to his right and pullup(Stop and pop) left for that midrange jumper( 8-13 feet), he would be UN-guardable!! We left hand’ers have a huge advantage, especially scoring the ball…
Throw in the glass. Allstar for years to come….lol
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:17 pm
You will never compete in an ECF or Championship with Marvina as your featured starting #3!
That spot is reserved for STARSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Not sissies…….
MattP
February 6th, 2012
7:17 pm
I am afraid to watch this game, no telling if LD or “the core” decides to play or give up. We should have won that Sixers game but LD screwed it up.
Reached its ceiling
February 6th, 2012
7:19 pm
Bad matchup tonight. Phoenix is loaded with 7 footers.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:19 pm
12-17 point loss…It’s going to be ugly…
Gonna pull up the lakers/philly game….
Hawks Fan Down Under
February 6th, 2012
7:20 pm
The key to snapping this 2 game skid is sacking the coach.
Also I like how Josh and Joe took responsibility for their selfish and poor play over the last 2 games….oh wait ….what?
Hawks will win tonight, its a below 500 team. Next loss coming against over 500 Indy.
Isaiah Rider
February 6th, 2012
7:20 pm
The Hawks are pretenders. The have minimal talent and will fold like they always do in the playoffs.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:21 pm
Yea but they struggle against just about any Western conference team it seems…..A trap game?
steven a smith
February 6th, 2012
7:24 pm
Best scenario for the Atlanta Hawks is to go on a 10-15 game losing streak that would force them to “FIRE” Larry Drew and Trade away Josh and Marvin.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:26 pm
The Hawks in 06 passed on rondo and rudy for “SHELLHEAD”! What?
That was the worst pick of the last decade for the Hawks by far because of the talent available..
If Billy had Rick Sund’s connection he’d be somewhere else screwing up too…
MattP
February 6th, 2012
7:27 pm
Isaiah Rider,
The Hawks have the talent, just the coach does not know what to do with it. Sixer game was a good example of it, why was Ivan only out there for 25 minutes when he came out strong and continued the whole game?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
7:28 pm
Not a big fan of that Josh-Frye matchup. Josh’s weakness on D is chasing people around the perimeter.
terrell
February 6th, 2012
7:29 pm
Marvin just happy to get some dap on a missed or made free throw. lol.
Slimjr
February 6th, 2012
7:29 pm
Yea its a givin that Larry struggles knowing how to utilize his bench, rotations…
He maybe a decent x and o guy, but 3-8 against the winners says it aint working….Bottom line..
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
7:31 pm
With no Nique and no working scoreboards, how are Hawks fans supposed to get accurate info about the nimbers?
Adolf Hitler
February 6th, 2012
7:38 pm
Isaiah Rider has a lot of damn gall coming on this blog after dogging it to the max while with the Hawks.
Big Lou
February 6th, 2012
7:39 pm
“Not a big fan of that Josh-Frye matchup. Josh’s weakness on D is chasing people around the perimeter.” – Najeh
Not to mention he tries to block anyone who drives to the basket, which leads the guy to be open.
Big Lou
February 6th, 2012
7:40 pm
LOL @ Larry Drew saying their defense needs to be better? What about this crappy offense?
ntrigue
February 6th, 2012
7:41 pm
There go Drew always calling out Jeff Teague! Never says anything about Joe never!
O'Brien
February 6th, 2012
7:41 pm
One of the coaches said they need Teague to be more aggressive, and that too many times he defers to JJ.
Well, LD makes JJ out as untouchable (takes whatever shot he wants, never gets called out), so what do they expect the young PG to do?
And I’m glad we have the Stinger calling the game. We get to hear some actual analysis
Old Man Peabody
February 6th, 2012
7:41 pm
I don’t know what’s funnier, Hawks record against above .500 teams or the fans thinking it takes 7 years for Josh to reach his potential. Josh is what he is and average player that can go on 5-8 games spurts were he is a beast. Out of the 24 games played, he’s only topped 20 pts 5 times. That’s not an Allstar
steven a smith
February 6th, 2012
7:41 pm
2 “Moves” the Atlanta Hawks must make to get better. Start Kurt Hinrich at the 2/Joe 3. Find a trade partner for Josh Smith.
aldog
February 6th, 2012
7:42 pm
Bottom line is Josh needs to keep his mouth shut. If not then maybe LD should take his place and let Josh be the coach. My biggest problem with J Smooth is he thinks he’s a point guard. For crying out loud I can’t understand for the life of me why this guy can’t get a rebound, give the ball to his point guard and run the floor. I am sick and tired of him dribbling the ball up the floor. If he doesn’t want to listen to you LD sit his but down and if that doesn’t work ship him out the door with his arrogant butt.
MattP
February 6th, 2012
7:42 pm
airball is our first shot… going to be a long night.
Big Lou
February 6th, 2012
7:42 pm
First offensive possession, pass to Josh Smith for a brick J. FIRE LD!
terrell
February 6th, 2012
7:42 pm
I WANT MY $100! Josh with the airball.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
So much for better ball movement on offense and more intensity on defense. Not seeing either one so far.
O'Brien
February 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
And will people stop making excuses for Josh. Its been 7 years in the league, and we’re still making excuses.
- If only he had a respected coach
- If only his coach knew how to use him
- If only he had gone to college
- If only he played with a pass first PG.
Stop it.
Big Lou
February 6th, 2012
7:43 pm
Josh gets burned on the three. Fry is going to have a big game.
steven a smith
February 6th, 2012
7:44 pm
Marvin is untradeable. However, he should be comming off the bench PERMANENTLY; allow him to play out his horrible contract….