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
phil
February 12th, 2012
8:13 pm
This game wqs over before it started.
Get real, peopple.
We’re a second round and out team as usual.
If we get that far. It gets so old.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:13 pm
Playoffs? HAHAHAHAH…….
Tootsi
February 12th, 2012
8:14 pm
Not even the Kings or Wizards would be getting killed like this in a national TV game. Pathetic.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:14 pm
Prediction: Hawks transmute into an ECF participant in the year 2063…
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
8:14 pm
“Losing is one thing. Laying down is something entirely different.”
7 of the Hawks’ 9 losses have been by 9 points or more. This is the Hawks’ MO. There are few hard-fought losses with this team. Either they show up and win, or they lay down and get blown out.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:15 pm
50 years or so..
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
8:15 pm
Hawks suck
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2012
8:16 pm
“Now Marvin starts making shots. Thanks for waiting until getting down by 20.”
Northcyde will talk about him hitting those shots not realizing that he is responsible for us getting down early.
vava74
February 12th, 2012
8:16 pm
Rod,
Stop being an idiot. We are not missing Jamal tonight.
That would be bringing a fire hose into a thunderstorm.
We are missing better preparation.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:16 pm
Chris Brown up next transforming into MJ2!
Hawks Fan Down Under
February 12th, 2012
8:17 pm
The Tinmen will not come back from this. Game will, at best, be a 20 point loss.
I cant see 1 thing they are doing well. What a joke. It takes zero talent to get back on D, zero ability to at least try to box out your man, and no skills to get in front of a them on a fast break.
And are they even running ANY sort of offense out there?
Just terrible……
Hawkfan
February 12th, 2012
8:17 pm
Done, embarrassed, etc. No reason not to give up the remote to my wife and watch the Grammy’s. Hawks make me feel less of a man.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:17 pm
Rod’s transforming obsession with JC1 is remarkable….
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
8:18 pm
Wilbon calling out the Hawks’ effort, kind of like we all do every day.
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
February 12th, 2012
8:18 pm
ATLANTA YOU CAN WATCH A REAL TEAM PLAY TOMMOROW WE ARE AT CHARLOTTE WHO HAVE LOST 14 IN A ROW GOING ON 15 TOMMOROW NITE
heartofdarkness
February 12th, 2012
8:19 pm
Maybe Hawks don’t like playing in Atlanta. Bad vibe, or something.
northcyde
February 12th, 2012
8:19 pm
Lol@ Rod’s 8:03 post. He hates Marvin so much that even when I stated that Drew should’ve subbed JJ for T-Mac instead of putting Marvin in the game, he reads it the opposite way
kevkat
February 12th, 2012
8:20 pm
Thanks fellow…I can’t stomach watching the game and decided to check in with the blog occassionally which tells me all I need to know.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
8:20 pm
“We are not missing Jamal tonight.”
Jamal wouldn’t have the Hawks winning this game — they are losing mainly because they are getting outrebounded, and Jamal would only hurt in that regard — but with him around, they wouldn’t be struggling this badly to score.
Of course, they also wouldn’t be struggling this badly to score if they would just share the ball better and be more aggressive driving the ball inside. The advantage of having extra scorers is for those situations when your team isn’t executing well.
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:20 pm
These chumps mailed it in tonight..
Hey Coach you have got to ban these dudes from attending the shoe modeling contest on Saturday Night’s @ The Infamous Magic City Club and Entertainments!
kevkat
February 12th, 2012
8:20 pm
can’t stomach watching the game..checking in with the blog tells me all I need to know
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2012
8:21 pm
“Stop being an idiot. We are not missing Jamal tonight.
That would be bringing a fire hose into a thunderstorm.
We are missing better preparation.”
Yeah, I’m sure Jamal would come out and play scared against Wade like the 20 million dollar man. You’re right.
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
8:21 pm
@Hawkfan
I’m surprised you weren’t already watching the Grammy’s. I was. The Hawks are literally a terrible home team. They defy all logic.
kevkat
February 12th, 2012
8:21 pm
oops..so disgusted I said the same thing twice…
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
@Slimjr
funny I told my pops they were at Magic City last night after the 1st quarter
Najeh Davenpoop
February 12th, 2012
8:22 pm
Zaza has 5 boards, Josh 4. The rest of the team combined has 4.
northcyde
February 12th, 2012
8:23 pm
Rod, the end of the night game flow will show that the Hawks were only down by 3 when Marvin exited the game in the 1st quarter. While Marvin’s play may have prevented us from having the lead, the Hawks were still well in the game when he went to the bench.
DawgNole
February 12th, 2012
8:23 pm
Something’s eating my posts. Like Miami’s eating the Hawks’ lunch.
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2012
8:23 pm
“Lol@ Rod’s 8:03 post. He hates Marvin so much that even when I stated that Drew should’ve subbed JJ for T-Mac instead of putting Marvin in the game, he reads it the opposite way”
Why does that shock you so much. You are the only clown he can’t see how terrible he is.
Heat Fan
February 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
Hawks messed up by letting us wear our white uni’s
Slimjr
February 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
LADY GAGA looks like the Lizard Lady tonight!!! OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIG DOG
February 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
Somebody still tell me why stand in the corner Marvin William is starting ?
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
February 12th, 2012
8:24 pm
Gotta stop drives to the bucket…it’s a layup drill.
High-sider
February 12th, 2012
8:25 pm
I know I make [spelling, grammar, etc.] mistakes on this blog but “Magic” Johnson is just killing the English language and is just outright butchering some of these [NBA] players’ names.
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
February 12th, 2012
8:26 pm
IM ASHAMED TO HAVE PLAYED AT GEORGIA TECH, I SHOULD HAVE PLAYED AT TEMPLE OR VILLANOVA
Rod from College Park
February 12th, 2012
8:26 pm
“Rod, the end of the night game flow will show that the Hawks were only down by 3 when Marvin exited the game in the 1st quarter. While Marvin’s play may have prevented us from having the lead, the Hawks were still well in the game when he went to the bench.”
Marvin, Josh or Teague are mot the reason we are getting blown out. The fact that your favorite player, the 20 million dollar man decided to sit this one out is part of the man reason.
KevinM
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
31-13 rebounds…looks like we need Al tonight.
vava74
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
Rod,
I prefer your normal fixation.
Marvin had 2 TO in a span of 1 minute – stepped out of bounds and as usual drive baseline into nowhere when we were last up.
And Josh air balled. That was the deciding swing in the first half.
Later he got stuffed another 2 times. That’s 4 TOs before he drained the two 3 pointers.
Marvin shoul concentrate in doing the two thing on offense that he manages to do: shoot and cut for short range Js on the move.
Every single time he tries to drive or post up its a lost possession.
And as you correctly said, that’s not enough without Al on the floor.
Geemack
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
Another embarrassing loss on national TV in front of the home crowd.
They wonder why the local folks want come out and support this mess.
Take a look at the product on the floor.
If they want better support, put a better product on the floor.
You can’t allow every good team come in your house a blow you off the floor.
DawgNole
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
“Jamal wouldn’t have the Hawks winning this game — they are losing mainly because they are getting outrebounded.”
No, they are losing because that’s what ATL pro teams do on the national stage.
BIG DOG
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
Every body keep and eye on Marvin and just watch him, this guy never fight for rebounds or create easy shots for other, he just stand in the corner waiting to shot the 3.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
northcyde
February 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
Jamal would be 1 – 7 for 2 points right now, with Wade still having a field day. People all on that dude like he showed up in games like this. His clutch stats last year were HORRIBLE.
I want to see JJ coming out this half firing the basketball. Get your shots up JJ and let’s see if we can quickly cut down this lead.
LakeDawg
February 12th, 2012
8:28 pm
Hawks are getting beat because they have no heart. Never have, never will. Sure they can rise up and play well when there is no pressure. As soon as going gets tough in a game that could mean taking the next step, they lay down. JJ is the worst offender.
Melvin
February 12th, 2012
8:28 pm
The Hawks clearly need another scorer. Sign JR Smith or make a trade….
hawkfan
February 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
haha did larry drew just say “our heads between our legs” that was just really random
tyger
February 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
Hawks mentally weak…
- Hawks beat Pacers, Magic…
- They are more than satisfied…
- They’ll come up w/ some lame excuse…
- Energy, weather, whatever…
- Oh! Teague sucks…
KevinM
February 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
Who’s got a shot chart? Majority in the paint and a bunch of FTs.
KevinM
February 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
I am now officially on the 76ers band wagon
Grandad
February 12th, 2012
8:29 pm
The only thang I blame the Hawks for is they lack the maturity
to play through adversity.
I’m not even gonna watch the 2nd half.
Set Up !
Non-Competition Stern shshooie stinks to high heaven !!!!!
I cannot stand LeBron / Wade / Stern…………………………
-ain’t fair-
Heat plays defense like a bunck o’ banshees:
grabbin’, bitin’, scratchin’, knockin’, clawin’, bowin’,
whinin’, free throw shootin’, titty suckin’, pettifoggers !!!
Then like Rathbun said:
LeFraud lifts his eyebrow and gets a shooting foul.
Then;
Ivan waves in the direction of AssClown;
AssClown goes to the line.
It’s infathomable.
Gotta go puke !
yodaddybrother
February 12th, 2012
8:30 pm
bullshhh foul when the guy just falls down