Atlanta Hawks: Lakers 86, Hawks 78

Los Angeles–The Hawks held the Lakers to 86 points on 84 shots, had 11 turnovers to L.A’s 13, shot 14 free throws (.16 rate) to the Lakers’ nine (.11 rate) and collected 17 of the Lakers’ 47 misses. They lost because they shot 34.4 percent while missing 12 of 20 shots at the rim and botching at least six transition chances; couldn’t stop Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in the paint early, and saw the Lakers scored 15 points off those 11 turnovers.

  • “I don’t know how many layups we missed,” Larry Drew said. “We missed a ton of point-blank shots. We turned the ball over at crucial times, too. Defensively I thought we were pretty much right there on the money but we just couldn’t buy a shot.”
  • The Hawks scored just 10 points in the second quarter but it wasn’t just because they were settling for Js. Yes, they missed all seven 3-point attempts in the period but they also missed seven consecutive layup attempts. “We got to the rim,” Jeff Teague said. “That’s what we wanted to do. But we couldn’t finish.”
  • No doubt the Lakers’ length had something to do with Atlanta missing so many at close range. The Hawks had seven shots blocked, including two of the layup attempts, and you could see them peeking for defenders when they drove to the basket. “We just have to have more focus when we are going to the rim,” Drew said. “You can’t be concerned about them blocking the shots or changing them.”
  • I said the Hawks should shoot more 3s and of course they go out and miss 20 of 27 attempts, including 13 of 16 tries after the first quarter. Still, that’s an effective field-goal percentage of 38.3 compared to 38 percent on 2s (40 percent at the rim) and 64 percent on free throws. The Hawks couldn’t make anything.
  • “It wasn’t a great shooting night,” Joe Johnson said. “But you can make up for that with effort and defense. I think our defense was pretty good tonight but we missed a lot of easy shots.”
  • The Hawks trailed just 59-51 entering the fourth. The Lakers got some separation behind Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Andrew Goudelock. Drew waited until the official timeout at 8:04 to put Johnson and Josh Smith back in with Atlanta down 69-57.
  • “I was thinking about the back-to-back,” Drew said. “I wanted to go back with the starters and still make a push but I can’t drive them into the ground when we have a back-to-back. I thought the bench guys gave us some good minutes.”
  • Vladimir Radmanovic’s 3 got the Hawks within 69-60 but Smith threw the ball away. After the Lakers scored on a second chance, Joe made a J but Blake shook free from Teague for a 3, Joe carried the ball for a turnover, and Gasol made a J. That was the last gasp for the Hawks.
  • After Zaza Pachulia couldn’t keep Bynum from deep post position, Drew went to Erick Dampier. Except Drew said that’s not why he did it. “I was told [Zaza] had two fouls,” Drew said. “But they gave the foul to Joe. They said they changed it.”
  • As it turned out, Dampier was pretty effective at making forcing Bynum to catch the ball away from the basket. Considering his lack of conditioning and mobility, he did well to play 16 minutes and get four rebounds. But his teammates should know that they can’t whip passes to those hands. “He did pretty good,” Josh said. “He played pretty good defense on Bynum. He missed a couple of chip tip ins. We was in a drought.”
  • Zaza said he knew he only had one foul but it ended up working out for him, too. “I watched what [Dampier] did to [Bynun] and so in the second half I went out and did the same,” he said. Bynum overpowered Zaza a couple times but Zaza effectively pushed, cajoled and harassed him after halftime.
  • In 15 second-half minutes, Josh was 1 for 7 with four rebounds and three assists. In the first half, he was 6 for 11 with five rebounds in 17 minutes. The problems were familiar: missed jumpers (3 of 9 outside of the paint) and untimely turnovers. There came a point where it looked as if he was no longer interested in venturing inside against the Lakers’ timber.
  • Josh did a pretty good job bothering Gasol’s attempts around the basket. It’s no coincidence that the Lakers’ perimeter players started attacking the paint after he went to the bench in the third quarter.
  • Joe never did assert himself as a scorer when the Hawks needed it. This wasn’t Milwaukee or Detroit. He did have five of the team’s 14 assists against two turnovers. “I got to where I wanted to get on the floor,” Joe said. “I missed a lot of easy shots for myself. I feel I could have made a lot more plays getting guys wide open shots.”
  • Joe became the seventh player in Hawks franchise history to score at least 10,000 points. “It is what it is,” he said. “Maybe if we could have got a win it would feel a lot better. My main focus right now is for us to try to get the rest of these games on the road.”
  • Zaza and Josh (nine rebounds each) got some help on the boards: Marvin Williams, Tracy McGrady and Vlad Rad had six each.
  • Vlad Rad, back in his old building, made three 3-pointers for the first time since Jan. 9, which also is the last time he had as many as six attempts. T-Mac was driving to score, missing and looking for calls. Marvin missed a few good looks.
  • With Dampier getting minutes at center and Vlad Rad at the four, Ivan Johnson got a DNP-CD.
  • Teague’s 6-for-16 shooting included five misses at the rim and also a couple botched runners. He never got out of scoring mode and finished with two assists. The Hawks’ starting point guard wasn’t leading them on a night the offense was often aimless.
  • Kobe Bryant scored 10 points on 18 shots with Joe plus help keeping him in check save for a burst in the third quarter.

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

360 comments Add your comment

KevinM

February 15th, 2012
1:34 pm

Just for looking at our future, NBAdraft.net has us picking….yes a PF….Patric Young – Florida.

That’s exactly the one piece we are missing this year…and a move that would just ignite this fan base to Occupy Philips.

Astro Joe

February 15th, 2012
1:40 pm

OB, I hope that LD is not basing his strategy on any of his veteran players changing their historical habits. Like thinking that Josh needs to stay closer to the basket, Marvin needs to be more aggressive or Joe needs to create more FTAs. That is no way to build a business plan, asking for the unusual to suddenly become the norm.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
1:46 pm

What do all those Championship teams have in common ? They had legit centers. Bill Russell/Boston,Kareem/Lakers,Duncan/Spurs,Hakeem/Rockets,Shaq/Magic/Lakers,Bosh/Heat,etc.
The Atlanta Hawks have NEVER (Ok they had Moses Malone when he was 50 years old) had a power scoring center. Look back at their history. How does any team go for 50+ years without drafting/signing a power scoring center ? Infruckingcredible !

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
1:48 pm

If the Hawks draft another PF I will get an oozie and shoot down Phillips Arena into rubble at 3:00am on an off night. Ok, I won’t but if these duarsses draft yet a 14th PF they need to be put into an insane asylum.

Melvin

February 15th, 2012
1:50 pm

If you’re an opposing head coach and you see a stat like “Hawks are 16-1 when Joe scores more than 20″, what do you and your coaching staff do with that data point?-

Astro,

I’m willing to assume that you can apply that logic to most top scorers on their team. You dont think opposing teams don’t scheme to stop/slow down Rose, Durant, Dirk and many others?

Astro Joe

February 15th, 2012
1:50 pm

Wow, a team that hasn’t gotten out of the first round in the past 3-4 years lost at home to the Wizards. I wonder if they have started liquidating their players and are talking to Carlesimo about taking over the head coaching role?

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

The same reason the Hawks didn’t win in the 70’s with Roundfield,the 80’s & 90’s with Dominique,and now with JJ is they NEVER had a dominant center ! They’ve had good point guards thru the years.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

Astro, since JJ is the highest percentage shooter on the team I’d rather lose with him shooting 25 to 30 shots a night than with J.Smith,Marvin,Pachulia hoisting up bricks…

Section 303

February 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

KevinM, why are you even bothering with those draft sites right now? They have no idea where teams will be picking or who will even declare for the draft between now and then. Who those sites say we will or won’t pick just does not matter.

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

Lol do you know what Kobe would’ve done to Teague at SG. Stop it. Small ball must die.

Leuer and Gooden for Kirk Hinrich is the only trade you need to look at. Then start Dampier followed by Zaza then Ivan.

If you’re the ATL head coach and you see a stat like “Hawks are 16-1 when Joe scores more than 20″, what do you and your coaching staff do with that data point? I think you spend time developing a scheme (clearout 2 man game pick and rolls) to use Josh and Jeff as decoys and spot Joe weakside rotating up for 3s and giving him space to create all day.

If push comes to shove Smith can post up a switch and draw doubles for Joe. He is still the go to option at the end of plays but you dont run him off 100 screens and make him the main focus of the offense.

Thats as bad as Carmelo playing point. You make Josh and Jeff do a PG-SF PnR the other forward and center crash and screen weakside and Joe Johnson is weakside option to knock down jumpers or penetrate.

Simple pnr basketball offense. You don’t have Josh Smith play center and set middle picks and roll into a bevy of 7 footers. You know you cant find his small but in the trees.

The 2 man game side PnR and 3 players on the other side of key is all you need to run.

The video I will post is Teague running it with Marvin, who trips over his own feet. The defense collapses and we have a wide open Damien Wilkins who does not drive past Ray Allens front foot for an open lane where he could pull up. Instead he drives middle, into traffic.

That is the play we must run with Jeff and Josh to decoy for Joe Johnson. 20ppg is 5 points per quarter.

What LD’s coaching staff has come up with is a system that if you overplay Joe Johnson he wont score but Marvin Williams is open for a jumper off a curl.

Or Josh/Zaza is at the top of the key for a jumper.

Stupid.

Need to run an open PnR offense like the rest of the league. Teague has the tools to be a monster PnR pg. I’ll post the video soon enough.

B'Red

February 15th, 2012
1:57 pm

start Ivan in Marvin’s spot, you will get more aggressiveness and possibly some post up points in the paint. The is nobody on this them thats will to take the ball to the rack. They are all jump shooters and some of the worst I’ve seen in the NBA. Some of the shots they are missing, H– I can make those.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

Pick n roll would be better with Teague & Horford (when he returns). Kinda like Stockton & Malone.

Astro Joe

February 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

Melvin, you named 3 future HOFers. Is there anyone here who believes that Joe is a future HOF? Each of those guys have a top 5 “talent” rather it is speed, shooting or some combination of shooting & size. Joe does not. Does that mean that Joe isn’t a max player? I think he is much better than Deng or Iggy and they both make around $14M (I think). So yes, those guys are targeted but they are harder to stop than Joe. Are you suggesting that Joe doesn’t work hard enough? Exactly what are you asking him to do, take more shots rather he hits them or not? Become a volume shooter in case he gets hot late in the game? Turn into Carmelo and score but do little else to help his team win games?

Oh, and none of those guys have or will enjoy team success without players who can pick up the slack when the opposing team succeeds in suppressing them. Right? KD and Rose have the stats but have the same number of Finals appearances as Teague and Pape Sy.

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

February 15th, 2012
2:01 pm

People talking about the draft already. Lord Have Mercy. You know good and well the Spirit Group don’t know how to draft.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:02 pm

If teams played Kobe,Wade,or CP3 like they play the Hawks those guys would drive to the basket and hit layups & dunks. Why can’t JJ,Teague,etc. drive and score when teams double team ?

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:04 pm

Rose played in a Finals and lost to Mavs. Teague & Sy ain’t done sheet.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:05 pm

Lay down the liquor Astro Joe.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:06 pm

Forget the draft. Just trade Zaza,Hinrich,and the draft pick to Hornets for Chris Kaman.

Astro Joe

February 15th, 2012
2:07 pm

Dunker, Mavs beat the HEAT in last year’s Finals. Rose was watching in a sports bar with Pape Sy. And Josh Smith complains when the “ball doesn’t move or isn’t shared”, what happens if Joe takes on the personality of Melo, Kobe or “old school TMac”?

Melvin

February 15th, 2012
2:08 pm

Astro,

I would like to see him be more aggressive and attack just like when he plays the sub .500 teams. It’s on him to show up against the above .500 teams as well. He’s the all-star on this team, so step it up.

Grandaddy Dunker

February 15th, 2012
2:09 pm

Exactly. Marvin was a 6th man for Carolina and is a 6th man for Hawks. All while CP3 & Deron have become stars.

B'Red

February 15th, 2012
2:10 pm

I say make a coaching change and lets go for a lottery pick this year. JJ is not a HOF. His defense if ok. He is a catch and spot up shooter. He is not a play maker and he does not make the playes around him better. He is suppose to be your superstar and getting up 12 and 15 pts a game. Come on Man!!!

Melvin

February 15th, 2012
2:11 pm

Astro,

After that game Joe scored like 30pts (i think against the Bucks), Josh also said it’s great to see our leader, lead like that (or something smiliar) as well.

KevinM

February 15th, 2012
2:13 pm

“Section 303

February 15th, 2012
1:54 pm
KevinM, why are you even bothering with those draft sites right now? They have no idea where teams will be picking or who will even declare for the draft between now and then. Who those sites say we will or won’t pick just does not matter.”

Point well taken, but I go there to just see if there is a shot, an inkling of an opportunity to see the Hawks connected to Marquis Teague, who leads my team right now. While I know under the current regime it would not happen, I wonder if a team had ever considered a family tandem as PG in the NBA? I know about the Barry brothers, but both Teagues have similar games, and Marquis is really getting better as the season progresses.

UK has on open practice on today at 3pm on ESPNU if anyone is interested in watching potentially 5 guys who will be drafted in the 1st round in the next draft: Davis/Jones/Kidd-Gilchrist/Teague/Lamb

303, I’m only trying to look ahead because it is so painful to look in the past with this franchise. Being where we are could have been avoidable by just making more sound choices. I also have very little faith in our staff improving players while they are here.

Porage Eater

February 15th, 2012
2:14 pm

I mus degree wiff ya. Hawks needs da Big Man !

High-sider

February 15th, 2012
2:15 pm

O’Brien,

“And it’s bad enough that BK drafted Marvin #2. But for Rick Sund to turn around and give him 5 years, $38 mil (5th year PLAYER option), without even letting him test the market…Marvin’s agent deserves a pay raise.” – O’Brien

No, Rick Sund deserves a pink slip.

Astro Joe

February 15th, 2012
2:16 pm

Melvin, sorry, still don’t know what that means. When he shoots against any opponent, it either goes in or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, then what do you want him to do? And at what point should he pass to the open teammate?

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
2:17 pm

Pick and roll not pick and survey the floor for before taking a step back for a low reward jump shot.
Karl Malone was a muscular PF with quick feet strength and length going to the rim.

ROLL means you run to the basket. clown feet Horford aka Mr. Roboto isnt as coordinated as Karl Malone. Josh Smith is quicker as hes a “small” forward and can roll to the rim. On those side PnRs.

Here’s Marvin doing a PnR. Dude tries to duck in and turn to the basket but ends up Tripping over his big feet. trips over himself and ends up doing a drop step. No switch happens.

But at least the weakside guy came from the baseline to top of the key and is wide open. We can run that with Teague and Josh (Marvin get out of here) and JJ instead of Wilkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_omi04meqA4

Porage Eater

February 15th, 2012
2:17 pm

Marv he suck. He a waste a times. Why dey plays him ?

drmaryb.[*_*].

February 15th, 2012
2:18 pm

Bench Riders!

IF, Jeremy Lin were drafted by the Hawks … He would be firmly planted on the bench right now.

Porage Eater

February 15th, 2012
2:19 pm

I alway pick a roll.

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
2:20 pm

I did not know until a few weeks ago Coach Gattison is Marvin’s uncle. How many people knew that?

Jammin Da Hoop

February 15th, 2012
2:21 pm

I’m with you guys. JJ has to be a consistent scorer. Sund needs to be tarred for resigning Marvin. Drew doesn’t know how to rotate his players. Next ?

Jammin Da Hoop

February 15th, 2012
2:24 pm

Early this season we saw JJ scoring 25 points a game,Teague dishing out 15 assists,Marvin scoring 15 points with 10 rebounds,J.Smith scoring 20 points with 10 rebounds. Where did this play go to ? I wanna know.

Ra'mon

February 15th, 2012
2:31 pm

Either way guys, what’s hurting the franchise now isn’t the drafting of Marvin Williams or Childress. What is hurting the franchises is the CONTRACTS they gave to MARVIN AND BIBBY (I used to think Zaza too, but when I saw what Kwame got, I shut up. Zaza is a bargain!).You could never blame someone for drafting a prospect like Marvin (Rod, when KG came in the draft he didn’t have a post up game, and neither did Jermaine O’neal. And Marvin was the same age as KG when he was drafted). It wasn’t until the genius Rick Sund tied up more salaries for 3-5 years a piece in Bibby and Marvin, just after he MADE Josh go find an offer on the market. The deal for Bibby ended up costing flexibility and 2 draft picks (last year’s, and Crawford-2). And the contract of Marvin ended up stopping the team from being able to afford a veteran SF (compare Marvin’s salary to Artest’s, Caron’s, Marion’s, Lamar Odom’s). So I don’t blame BK for drafting Marvin. I blame Rick Sund for RE-SIGNING Marvin AFTER Marvin had proven nothing over the first 4 seasons.

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:36 pm

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
1:11 pm

“Rod from College Park
“Offensively, Marvin has only shown that he can score in one of four ways: open stand still jumpshots, lay-ups / dunks on fast breaks, put-backs and free throws. Marvin hasn’t shown he has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot consistently, whether it’s driving around a defender to get all the way to the rim or merely shooting off the dribble. If Marvin is going to be a great small forward in the NBA he will need to develop this part of his game. Also, Marvin has shown no post moves outside of trying to overpower his opponents with a drop-step toward the basket. When surrounded by defenders in the paint Marvin often gets his shot blocked because he has yet to show a jump hook, a fadeaway or an up-and-under move. In fact, Marvin’s best offensive move in the paint is trying to get to the free throw line. He will not be able to draw fouls easily against more experienced defenders. If Marvin is going to be a great power forward in the NBA he will need to develop this part of his game.

Defensively, Marvin still needs to improve his footwork to be able to guard quicker players on the perimeter and he needs to add some strength to guard some of the stronger players in the post. He also needs to improve his defensive communication, especially on pick and roll situations. While Marvin has the tools to be a good shotblocker we have yet to see it from him. Per minutes played, he was only equal to Jawad Williams and slightly behind Rashad McCants in this aspect of the game.

Here might lay the biggest question mark with Marvin. While his versatility can viewed as a strength, the fact he is still a bit of a tweener can not. Is he going to primarily play small forward or power forward in the NBA? Can he become great at one of the forward spots or will he merely be good at both? That’s the tough part about Marvin. At this point in his career it’s almost impossible to project just what kind of player he is going to be or what position he will end up playing the most.”

Any scout worth a grain of salt should have really questioned a guy his size, with his wingspan who had no postgame, and also could not handle the ball. The scouting report was dead on, as Marvin is the exact same player today, as he was then. He can hit a jumpshot, make a dunk (if he does not fall first), get to the line, or get a put back. That’s it. He has not become strong enough to play the 4, and he can’t defend either. IT WAS A TERRIBLE PICK.
———-

My jaw literally dropped. That scouting reports dead-on. How could they be so accurate and we ended up looking like fools? Reading that report was like looking into the past present and future all at once.

Useless”

See that what happens when your an arrogant azzhole like Billy “GTFO” Knight was as the GM!

You think your smarter than everyone else so tend to make bone headed moves!!

Lesson for today.. Stop being an azzhole if the shoe fits! Hahahahahah

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
2:37 pm

High-sider

February 15th, 2012
2:39 pm

pointguardslim,

“…ROLL means you run to the basket. clown feet Horford aka Mr. Roboto isnt as coordinated as Karl Malone. Josh Smith is quicker as hes a “small” forward and can roll to the rim. On those side PnRs…” – pointguardslim

Al Horford described as “Mr. Roboto” was hilarious as hell. Now, I got that [Mr. Roboto] song in my head. LMAO

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:40 pm

Point Guard Slim should be coach this team..This dude is amazing!

Ra'mon

February 15th, 2012
2:41 pm

I believe what Joe needs more than anything is his Ray Allen. If Joe reminds me of anyone, its of Paul Pierce. And Josh is very similar to KG where he can be the most important player on the court while only averaging 15-16 points. But when Pierce and Ray are both scoring and shooting, they’re unstoppable as a unit. Pierce normally averages 18-21 ppg with Ray as a teammate. The problem is, to get that Joe will have to move to the SF position. And the reason why is, there are many more true scorers at the SG position than the SF position. So find you an SG, because you’re not going to find any available SF’s out there who are better than Joe is at the SF position. And to be honest, Joe is better than Pierce, because he’s a better defender by far.

Many don’t like this, but I would trade Al for the best SG that I could get and a draft pick, or back up big in the deal coming to the Hawks. IF Teague would commit to playing a Rondo role in hustling for rebounds, and getting his points through attacking at the right moments, but playing facilitator when the offense is working, then you have yourself the new version of the Celtics! From all comparable that I’ve seen, Zaza is just about as effective as Perkins was.

Probably the best player who comes to mind is Kevin Martin or someone similar. Would Houston take Horford for Martin and a backup?

ryan

February 15th, 2012
2:43 pm

JR Smith appears to be headed to Orlando that may not be good news for the Hawks just knowing the Hawks i bet they will not make a move this team is just pathetic its hard to cheer or support it anymore .

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:43 pm

Joe needs help Gearon JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

READ MY LIPS: HE NEEDs ANOTHER SCORER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!18PPG-21PPG PER NIGHT….

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:48 pm

I SAW MARVIN MAKE A BEAUTIFUL MOVE COMING OFF A BASELINE SCREEN AND CURL BOUT 13 FT. FROM THE BASKET. HE RECEIVES THE BALL ELEVATES, LEANS TO HIS LEFT CAUSE HE NERVOUS LIKE A MO-FO OUT THERE AND THROWS UP AN AIR BALL!

THATS MARVIN. THE WORST #2 LOTTERY PICK IN HAWKS DRAFTING HISTORY! BAR NONE!

MattP

February 15th, 2012
2:48 pm

ryan,

I think this team will make a move before deadline but not the right move.

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:49 pm

THE SUNS BY 25…..

Slimjr

February 15th, 2012
2:51 pm

wish we had Adrian Dantley instead of Marvin! Would solve and offensive problem immediately!Hahahahahah

Ra'mon

February 15th, 2012
3:00 pm

The best deal I could think of in that scenario would be with the Warriors.

Hawks get:
Monta Ellis
David Lee

Warriors get:
Al Horford
Kirk Hinrich
Marvin Williams

The Warriors would do this because they get an expiring contract, And Marvin’s contract is significant lower than David Lee’s, who movable now with the acquisition of Horford. And they get to find their replacement to Ellis with the contract of Kirk (maybe Deron -moving Curry to the 2).

The Hawks do this deal because they get a great scorer who takes pressure off of Joe against the double teams. And they get a new 6th man for the next 4-5 seasons in Lee who can come behind Josh and Zaza to give you rebounding and scoring in 20-25 minutes per game. Lee is cheaper than Kirk and Marvin combined, while Ellis makes the same amount as Horford. The only Hawk who is up for a contract extension, will be Teague next season. So fill out the rest of the roster with Vet Minimum players and Mid Level.

Teague – Ellis – Joe – Josh – Zaza

Bench – David Lee, Ivan, McGrady, Pargo, Green, Dampier, Collins

That’s a winning roster, and you get other players through the draft this off season.

pointguardslim

February 15th, 2012
3:04 pm

Wish, I could find the interview but Sund just assumed Marvin would get better and rewarded him for being on a team that made playoffs. $38 big ones.

The funny thing about shooting 3s, Marvin is terrible at shooting open 2 pointers we get him. He does nothing to protect the paint. Leuer still has size.
Does anyone doubt Leuer would fit better? Does anyone doubt Marvin Williams is the Hasheem Thabeet of wings?

Chit who wouldn’t trade Marvin’s contract for Thabeet’s expiring RIGHT NOW?

Ra'mon

February 15th, 2012
3:08 pm

Are you Jon Leuer’s father?

pointguardslim – “Leuer, I am your father…..”

O'Brien

February 15th, 2012
3:09 pm

Ra’mon,

I wish JJ knew how to draw fouls like Paul Pierce. But as AJ points out, that is wishful thinking on my part, because that has never been JJ’s game.

Melvin,

To be fair, the problem is not all JJ. The bigger problem is the ASG. They paid him like a superstar, but he isn’t. He never was, and he never claimed to be (remember his “I don’t get all the credit when we win, so why should I get all the blame when we lose” comments). Even LD (when he was hired), said he would deemphasize JJ’s role in the offense.

It just sucks for us the ASG backed themselves into a corner, and had to give JJ superstar money, when he can’t even be counted on to score 20 points against good teams. As a result, JJ (and Marvin) are the most overpaid guys on our team (imo).