Atlanta Hawks at Magic: Game thread
Orlando–Larry Drew says Erick Dampier will be dressed tonight so look for Dampier to get a shot at checking Dwight Howard. “We need a big body,” Drew said. Hawks coaches went over plays with Dampier last night.
- Josh Smith on being left off the All-Star team: “I felt I deserved it for two years in a row. You’ve got to factor in there is a lot of politics involved in the All-Star selection. Once you get that it’s really about politics, then nothing really surprises you. I call it ‘Nothing But Associates,’ NBA. It’s all who you know. I guess I don’t know the right people or kiss enough ass. All I can do is play my game. The whole world knows I deserve to be in an All-Star. I can’t be salty about not making it I’ve just got to keep doling the things I’ve been doing on the court and that’s playing at a high level.”
- Josh on media and fellow players saying he got snubbed: “I watched TNT. I thank those guys for having me as an All-Star. I think that Louis Williams deserves to be on there. He’s been the most surprising player and the most efficient player for [the Sixers]. Rudy Gay should have made it. But it is what it is. I can’t really point a finger and blame anybody because, at the end of the day, when you leave it up to certain people that still have ties to their agents [and] players in this game today probably [are] just putting in a bid over the phone or however they do it. You have to factor that in.”
- Some Tweeps ask me if Josh was taking a shot at Joe Johnson with his comments. He wasn’t. As you can see, he’s just mad at the politics involved in how the team is picked.
- A Magic media guy asked Josh if he thought Ryan Anderson also was snubbed: “He’s played good but he also plays my position. So I felt I deserve it over him, too. Maybe he deserves to be in the three-point contest. I’ve been playing at a high level for two years now. I guess you have got to get snubbed two or three times before [you make it].”
- Josh on whether the snub will motivate him: “I can’t play no better than what I’m playing, you know what I’m saying? Just keep playing the same way I’ve been playing since Al [Horford] went down and that’s at a high level [like] even before the injury to Al.”
- Drew: “It’s really unfortunate. I just think he’s definitely an All-Star. The way he impacts both ends of the floor, he deserves to be on that team.”
- Joe: “He’s been playing great and he has the numbers to show it. It just didn’t happen. It’s unfortunate. I think we all feel he should have been an All-Star but it happens. For him, he just has to move on and continue playing. I feel like he’s an All-Star in everybody’s eyes here.”
- Stan Van Gundy: “The guys who make the team are really good players but there are always guys who are left off that can make a case. Smith is one of them.”
- Joe on his selection: “It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of it. It never gets old. I’m looking forward to coming back to Orlando in a couple weeks with my family and enjoying everything Orlando has to offer.”
- After coming here like 57 times during my Heat beat days, I’m still trying to figure out what Orlando has to offer. February days like this are an attraction, of course, but weather wasn’t really a factor when I lived in Miami and it still isn’t enough to make me like it here.
- Van Gundy on the Hawks: “They are different without Horford. They’ve moved Josh Smith back to the four spot and now they’ve got a little more 3-point shooting in the floor and they shoot it very well.”
- More Van Gundy: “They are a huge post-up and isolation team. There’s not a lot of movement. They do a great job passing out of double teams. So we either have to dig down and play them one-on-one or double and rotate out of it.”
- Van Gundy on last year’s playoff series: “Their defense was good against us and it affected us. We missed some shots that were presented to us but their defense was outstanding. That certainly was the biggest factor in our struggles.”
- Glen Davis: “Me and Dwight are physical guys. We bang down there. But at the same time that doesn’t matter if we don’t match their intensity. They are physical, too, like with Ivan Johnson.”
Following shootaround the Hawks made Ivan sing “Happy Birthday” to Zaza Pachulia, who turned 28 today. Ivan enthusiastically fulfilled his rookie duty with a smile.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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680 comments Add your comment
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
5:25 pm
SO obviously a pretender. If you are going to steal my handle, at least stick to the format.
Hint: There should be irony involved.
MattP
February 10th, 2012
5:28 pm
Does anyone know if Sund picked the East Roster? There are way too many Guards and Small forward, very little bigs.
vava74
February 10th, 2012
5:33 pm
He was using a “Departed of…” desguise on sale on Canal Street
…it was missing the instruction manual.
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
5:34 pm
LOL @ SVG’s analysis of the Hawks:
“You’ve gotta still deal with Joe Johnson. They’re a huge post up and isolation team… you’re not dealing with alot of movement or anything.”
Dept. of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
5:36 pm
It is not “your” handle, plenty of people use this to point out irony. Quit being a sore loser and live with it
Roger
February 10th, 2012
5:39 pm
Does it worry anyone else that Dampier was on the Heat roster last season and couldn’t find minutes at center on a team that featured Joel Anthony (6′9″) and Dexter Pittman as the other options?
I’m not trying to take anything away from Dampier. He was a solid starting-caliber center back in the day, but I really don’t know why the Hawks would try to sign him after his recent struggles in the NBA.
prison mike
February 10th, 2012
5:41 pm
I knew my ninja JS was going to be salty but he has to move on. On other news I’m saying Damp plays 10 minutes. He SHOULD be able to hold his ground against Dwhite.
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
5:42 pm
On Jan. 20, Dwight Howard dominated Andrew Bynum with jump hooks, layups off glass and finger rolls with either hand. Jason Collins’ continued existence in the NBA was predicated on the idea that Howard had no face-the-basket game, that he could only attack the basket by bulling his way through weaker opponents. The reality is that Howard’s offensive skills have made a quantum leap since least season, rendering Collins’ singular NBA skill an historical artifact.
If Dampier sees the floor, expect him to instantly supplant Collins as the slowest player in the NBA. A better idea would be to continue having Ivan Johnson serve as the primary backup to Zaza, with Dampier seeing spot minutes in the event of foul trouble. I previously compared Johnson to Perkins:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/02/initial-feedback-teams-with-winning.html
To elaborate on the comparison, Ivan Johnson would be an inch-shorter, less defensively-polished Kendrick Perkins if Perkins could shoot, dribble or run. Some will no doubt chuckle at this assertion, but let me state emphatically that Ivan Johnson is the best-equipped Hawk other than Pachulia to get in Howard’s way.
The NBA’s continued enabling of Howard via superstar treatment means you’ll doubtless continue to see events such as Dwight’s karate chop to LeBron James’ throat last night. I certainly hope the Hawks coaching staff is showing Ivan footage of Howard’s previous man-handling of Pachulia and instructing him not to retaliate. If Ivan and Dwight get into a scuffle, it could make the Brawl at the Palace look like a pillow fight.
Roger
February 10th, 2012
5:43 pm
“LOL @ SVG’s analysis of the Hawks:
“You’ve gotta still deal with Joe Johnson. They’re a huge post up and isolation team… you’re not dealing with alot of movement or anything.””
I love how Stan Van Gundy likes to quietly take shots at the Hawks. The interesting thing is that he’s been saying the same thing about the Hawks for years now. Is it true? Somewhat. The Hawks are definitely not a huge post-up team, but they do still isolate a reasonable amount of the team. However, there is considerably more movement than there was 2 years ago. A lot of that has to do with personnel changes.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
5:44 pm
Maybe plenty ARE using it, but not on this blog until I did. But use away, I’m sure knowing readers can discern the difference. Can’t be a sore loser unless you’ve lost something, can you?
Eric
February 10th, 2012
5:48 pm
” If Ivan and Dwight get into a scuffle, it could make the Brawl at the Palace look like a pillow fight.”
I really can’t see Dwight getting into a brawl. I just don’t think he’s that type of guy. I’m not saying he’s soft or that he’s not tough, but I just don’t think that he wants to hurt anyone, even though he could probably be the most intimidating guy in the NBA if he wanted to be. Most likely, the fight you mention would never happen. Ivan would be suspended if something like that was initiated and Dwight would simply be held back by his teammates. Even though Dwight could probably win a brawl against just about anyone in the NBA, I don’t think he would be silly enough to commit career suicide by getting in a physical fight and letting his emotions get the best of him. Dwight is nothing like Ron Artest and Ben Wallace.
Also, the level of security in NBA games today and consequences of an event like what happened back at the Palace all those years ago make it seem very unlikely that we’ll ever see something like that happen again in the NBA.
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
5:51 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
You the man Josh!!!
February 10th, 2012
5:51 pm
“I guess I don’t know the right people or kiss enough ass.”
Well Josh Just turn around and tell them to Kiss your ass. There was times Dominick (who you modeled parts of your game from) was left off the top 50 active nba players list 3 or 4 times during the best of his years and wasn’t a lock for the Hall.
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
5:52 pm
1st off, Josh Got ROBBED!!
2nd, Dampier may not be what we want but he is a BIG, it was slim pickins’ out there folks unless a trade was made.
Hawks need a center
February 10th, 2012
5:53 pm
Teague is 7th in total steals, 11th in SPG and 1st in idiocy!
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
5:54 pm
Jameer Nelson is a shell of his former self. In one of the losses to the Celtics, he was begging Avery Bradley not to pick him up full court. If LD doesn’t have Teague applying full court pressure to Nelson, it’s a firing offense.
prison mike
February 10th, 2012
5:56 pm
Damn man I wanted to see Josh play with Dwight while one is still a Hawk, sighs. I wonder if eastern conf. coaches had this in consideration.
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
5:57 pm
Hedo is the match up problem, he handles the ball just as much as Jameer and sets up Dwight better.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
5:58 pm
“Can’t be a sore loser unless you’ve lost something, can you?”
You must think you’re so clever Najeh, lol, get a life
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
6:02 pm
Glad Josh spoke the way he spoke, just like at my job or anybody at theirs you want to be recognized for hard work, not saying he’s the best player in the league but he deserved it over Deng.
Dirk & Nash in the west, now thats straight politics!! Would have put Monta in over there.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:04 pm
Whats up to my MILLION & MILLION of HAWK FANS!!!
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:05 pm
Do you SMEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLALALALALLA, What ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON IS COOKIN!!!
doc
February 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
slim that organization doesnt have anything up now to view.
STRETCH
February 10th, 2012
6:08 pm
The expectation persists that the Hornets will deal center Chris Kaman sooner rather than later even though they’ve brought him back to the team and let him play 31 minutes in Wednesday’s heavy loss to Chicago after initially sending him home to wait for a trade and announcing that playing young players would be the coaching staff’s priority. ESPN.com
SHOULD HAVE WENT AFTER THAT GUY.
yodaddybrother
February 10th, 2012
6:09 pm
Josh Smith is an all star period
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
6:10 pm
Interesting. I wondered at your attack on Najeh’s post. No I’m not Najeh, as you would know if you’ve paid attention. That is to say I’ve caught Najeh at times, like I have many on the blog. He’s always good-natured about it, though. Nice try. Keep guessing.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:11 pm
We should go after Serge Ibaka or JaValle McGee in the off season, would love to play with those guys to help me become an ALL STAR again next season.
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
6:11 pm
Actually Dept. is Sautee.
Section 303
February 10th, 2012
6:11 pm
Josh should have made the team. There’s no question about it. I think he has played terrific this season, minus 3 or 4 games. Had to laugh when he talked about not “kissing ass”. Love Josh or hate Josh, I don’t think anyone could ever picture him being an ass kisser. I do like that about him.
Taking a road trip to Charlotte tomorrow night to catch the Clippers/Bobcats game. Then, back to Atlanta for Hawks/Heat on Sunday. Gearon speaks to season ticket holders before the game, too. Going to be a good NBA weekend!
Dawg
February 10th, 2012
6:11 pm
Josh plays good enough to be on a championship team. The problem is no player if perfect. The biggest issues with our team is it is so poorly constructed. We need a big. We needed a defensive center (Collins does not count) from the very start of the season.
Sund is not putting together a whole team.
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
And yes, we can tell the difference.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
My boy JSMOOVE shoulda been an ALL STAR too, thats cool tho, my man gonna take it out on the league, trust me.
yodaddybrother
February 10th, 2012
6:12 pm
@STRETCH
you fail to realize….NO ONE WANTS CHRIS KAMAN
STRETCH
February 10th, 2012
6:15 pm
I see your point but, he is an offensive threat. can you imagine all five players on the court with the ability to score, then the 2nd string with that same ability?
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
6:18 pm
Hornets want too much for that guy STRETCH.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
Buddy, if you look back, you’ll see just how many times I busted Sautee for mistyping, etc.
Besides, I don’t think he has much of a sense of humor, the way he gets all self righteous and stuff. I’d like to think I’m a lot funnier than Sautee could ever be.
J.J.M.
February 10th, 2012
6:23 pm
yall sure we need javale mcgee?
http://youtu.be/w8ZtEXuP0Y0
The Truth
February 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
A case can be made that had the Hawks won their recent 3 home losses, they would have been ahead of Miami in the division and Josh would’ve been an All-star. They basically loss those games because of ill-planning by Sund that created a depleted front-line from unfortunate injuries.
Josh should be just as pissed at Sund for his misfortune.
Sherewshevsky
February 10th, 2012
6:27 pm
My bad, Mark. I meant all players have weaknesses (plural). Geez, such poor writing on blogs.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
JaVale McGee has crazy upside man, long athletic that will get better, he’s getting a raw deal media wise but the guy can play.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
You’re right, you’re way to clever to be Najeh, who only points out the most obvious stuff from the game. I don’t know anyone else so I’m done guessing, good luck trolling!
Grandmaster JeJe
February 10th, 2012
6:29 pm
To be selected a reserve, you must be one of the following:
1) Elite on bad team
2) very very good on a 5-8 seeded team
3) very good on an elite team
Josh is none of the above.
He criticized the voters (coaches) and said he can’t play better than he’s playing.
With that mentality and the fact he is burning bridges, he will never make an All Star team.
ASG is probably happy too because there’s probably some incentive tied to making an All Star team and they don’t want to pay extra. Another reason we won’t contend for a title. They told LD we cannot go past 2nd round, otherwise they’ll have to pay more incentives
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:29 pm
Don’t forget about Air Congo Serge Ibaka, Thunder can’t pay everyone, going to come down to Ibaka or The Beard off the bench. Go hard at Ibaka!
J.J.M.
February 10th, 2012
6:30 pm
but kenny smith said javale is a retard
Luke Cage
February 10th, 2012
6:31 pm
“Nothing But Associates”, (I’m going to use that at my job lol) Nuff said on the All Star selections.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:32 pm
Retard based on what?
J.J.M.
February 10th, 2012
6:33 pm
based on this http://youtu.be/w8ZtEXuP0Y0
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
February 10th, 2012
6:34 pm
“You’re right, you’re way to clever to be Najeh, who only points out the most obvious stuff from the game.”
Whatever else one may say about Najeh, he knows the difference between to and too, which far two many on this blog do not.
ALL STAR JOE JOHNSON
February 10th, 2012
6:36 pm
Well ok, bet if he were a HAWK you would think differently, watch the guy’s game some nights
Buddy Grizzard
February 10th, 2012
6:37 pm
I’d say it’s more than two too few.