Heat at Atlanta Hawks Game Thread
Vivlamore filling in for tonight’s game against the Heat.
Here is your report from the morning shoot-around.
Josh Smith insists he is not playing with a chip on his shoulder.
However, in the past two games the forward has put up impressive numbers – despite again being snubbed from the NBA All-Star team
In wins over the Pacers and Magic, Smith is averaging 25.5 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and 2.5 steals. They are all above his season averages, especially his 15.9 points per game.
“I’ve just been playing,” Smith said Sunday morning before taking on the Heat in a nationally televised game. “I’ve been playing like this since the season started. It’s really not a chip on my shoulder. I’ve been blessed to be able to step in in Al [Horford’s] absence and just been playing some good basketball.”
Smith is averaging 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in the 16 games since Horford was lost to a torn left pectoral muscle. The Hawks are 11-5 without Horford.
“I’ve always stated that he is a guy who can impact the game on both ends of the court, which he clearly did in our last game against Orlando,” coach Larry Drew said. Smith had 23 points and 19 rebounds in the overtime win over the Magic Friday.
* With the Heat in town, the million dollar question is how do you go about guarding LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Here is Drew’s take: “They lead the league in fast-break points so the first thing you have to do is get back on defense. How do you do that? That is going to be controlled by your shot selection and that you are not turning the basketball over. Secondly, obviously in a half-court game, you are taking about LeBron [James], you are talking about Wade, you are talking about Bosh. All three guys are very capable of having huge nights. You just set your defense where you don’t put yourself at a disadvantage. Going into a game like this, playing against a team like Miami, you have to play solid on both ends of the floor. You have to do a good job of taking away easy transition points but on the other hand you have to do a good job of moving the basketball.”
* Horford attended the team’s morning shoot-around Sunday as a spectator. The center had his left arm in a sling.
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1,002 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:08 pm
Let’s get it Hawks. For once, let’s impress the national audience.
northcyde
February 12th, 2012
7:10 pm
Vava, I would add the lottery pick in 2007 that turned into Al, as a part of that “luck”. But I agree. That type of luck just doesn’t happen to us. Even in Ivan’s case, Sund may balk on signing him this summer if Ivan commands a mid-level deal for multiple years.
Grandad
February 12th, 2012
7:11 pm
nc
Pendergraph;
I do not see how he justifies his job.
They get lucky with veterans sometimes:
T-mac, Willie, V-Rad, even Pargo.
They drive me ape-shooshoo;
with nonchalance; r e, Mullens, Ajinca (should’ve been in camp)
Their drafts speak for themselves:
they treat the draft almost as if it’s a nuisance.
Player development:
-nonexistent- ….. D-League to Teague ???
Sund is on a Pension or so it seems.
ASG or whatever / whomever they are ?
No $ No $couting !
They draft Benson then cut ‘im ?
Winning Culture = Winning Organization = Top to Bottom;
Through & Through; Front to Back; Over & Over;
All the way around; hand in hand; Side by Side;
All In; Same Page; working for the same Goal = Championship !
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:11 pm
The Hawks got lucky when they got the #2 pick in 2005 with a chance to pick a franchise-altering point guard. Sometimes you have to make your own luck.
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
7:12 pm
It’s time to show and prove
Big Lou
February 12th, 2012
7:12 pm
Here come the 5,000 heat fouls.
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
7:12 pm
Josh don’t foul out
IceColdATLien
February 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
Josh can’t get in foul trouble
Heat Fan
February 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
Chalmers is solid, but our coaching sucks
IceColdATLien
February 12th, 2012
7:13 pm
Wade just “Sprited” himself!
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:14 pm
Smith looking good from the perimeter. Teague not.
LOL @ Wade getting stuffed by the rim on the reverse.
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
7:14 pm
like how our “stars” came out aggressive
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:15 pm
The rim is playing great defense so far for the Hawks.
Grandad
February 12th, 2012
7:15 pm
for Ditch~Weed
-retired-
Scouting and Player development *[service]
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:15 pm
Joe Johnson – don’t go to Vegas. You don’t know how to gamble…
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:15 pm
Hawks are moving the ball well on offense. Get some stops and let’s make a run.
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:16 pm
There’s a trey by Teague.
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:16 pm
Smith bailing out Joe on that possession…
J.J.M.
February 12th, 2012
7:17 pm
lol@ josh being 6′10
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:17 pm
Marvin’s a$$ was out of bounds, I guess…
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:17 pm
Not his foot, just his a$$
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
7:17 pm
good post defense….Lebron can’t muscle MARVIN!
Tin Man and Scarecrow
February 12th, 2012
7:18 pm
Grandad
February 12th, 2012
6:40 pm
“Ditch~Weed
My teams ran motion offense [princeton style] for 30 yrs
my teams were running motion / princeton
while LD was still in college.”
Dear Ass Breath, I see what you are saying, you did the same thing for 30 years and it got you no where now you are jealous of LD who has come along and has a successful pro career. You wish you need more about the game but it just wasnt your cup of tea. So now you are resigned to name calling and hating.
I hope you feel better.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:19 pm
2 bad turnovers for Marvin so far.
J.J.M.
February 12th, 2012
7:19 pm
why is marvin starting
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:19 pm
Marvin the playmaker, eh? FAIL
Can’t let the Heat run like this. They kill you that way.
Tin Man and Scarecrow
February 12th, 2012
7:19 pm
*You wish you knew more about the game but it just wasnt your cup of tea.
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
7:19 pm
Josh aint want a foul…otherwise he would have tried to send that one
Melvin
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Marvin looks like he’s playing for the Heat to start the game.
Heat Fan
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Josh watched Wade lay it up, didn’t want to be on a poster lol
IceColdATLien
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Basketball 101: Stop the ball on the break.
Rev in Tampa
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Josh and teague were scared of the two foul rule so they let wade get the easy drive
Big Lou
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Good timeout by LD.
northcyde
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Ll . . .just let Wade waltz right down the lane. T-Mac and Kirk will be in when we come back from commercial.
J.J.M.
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
most smart people in that position would have thrown the ball at the player legs but not marvin he literally just toss them the ball
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
Please get Marvin out of the game. He is over-matched. Has no chance
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
Teague!
vava74
February 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
3 TOs in a row…
Marvin out of bounds,
Josh off rythmn jump shot (air ball should be credited as a TO),
Marvin going nowhere in the baseline…
This could be a crucially negative sequence.
Big Lou
February 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
Jeff Teague for threeeeee!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:22 pm
Nice play by Teague.
Miami is getting their shots a lot closer to the basket than the Hawks are. That’s not a good sign.
J.J.M.
February 12th, 2012
7:23 pm
gotta go up strong zaza
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:23 pm
Marvin has to make those shots. Wide open.
J.J.M.
February 12th, 2012
7:23 pm
marvin brick=fast break for the heat
Big Ray
February 12th, 2012
7:24 pm
Hit LeQueen again. He don’t like it.
Heat Fan
February 12th, 2012
7:24 pm
Keep going to the lane Heat, Hawks afraid to pick up 2 fouls
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:25 pm
Bob Rathbun trying to jump on the “clown LeBron’s hairline” train.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:25 pm
T-Mac mercifully in for Marvin.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:26 pm
Joe HAS to make those in this game.
SWAT Native
February 12th, 2012
7:26 pm
Yeah, we got Hubie tonight! Now for an accurate, knowledgeable, 3rd-party assessment of the Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
7:27 pm
Every Hawks shot is from 15 feet or farther. Nearly every Heat shot is from 15 feet or closer.