Atlanta Hawks at Blazers: Game thread
Portland–Hawks center Jason Collins (elbow) got bad news from his recent checkup: “Another two to four more weeks. They showed me the MRI on the screen and the severity of the tear and highly recommended I stay in this brace so I can get back to the court as quickly as possible.”
- Collins will wear the brace around the clock and won’t be able to do any rehab until it comes off. “We started testing how the scar tissue is, the joint is still loose and cracking so there’s no scar tissue yet,” he said. “Got to give it more time to heal.”
- Erick Dampier’s 10-day contract is up after tonight’s game. Larry Drew said the team hasn’t decided if it will sign Dampier to another 10-day, add him for the rest of the season or seek a different free agent. “Rick Sund is here and we’ll visit after the game,” Drew said.
- Joe Johnson is wearing a soft brace on his problematic left knee. Johnson, as is his nature, shrugged it off: “It’s no big deal. Tendenitis flared up on it, but we’ve got to go up with what we’ve got. I’ve got tendinitis real bad right here [around patellar tendon]. Its’ tough at times but I had a couple days of rest so I should be all right.”
- In the eight games since scoring 30 points to lift Atlanta to the W at Toronto, Johnson averaged 13.8 points and shot 38 percent from the field. He scored a season-low six points and missed eight of 10 shots at Phoenix.
- Drew: “The last game I thought he was a little tired. His shots were a little short. When that happens, usually it’s the legs. When the physical fatigue sets in, usually the mental fatigue is not far behind. Hopefully those days off will help. We didn’t do much yesterday. He was moving very well yesterday so hopefully he had a chance to get some rest.”
- Johnson is playing 36 minutes per game after averaging 35.5 last season. Both are lows for his time in Atlanta but of obviously the minutes this year are exacerbated by the busy schedule.
- Drew on Josh Smith: “It’s kind of weird because he’s one of those guys when he gets it going, I do run plays for him, but he’s come to me and said, ‘Don’t run plays for me, just get everybody else going and I will try to find my own offense.’”
- LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle) is starting for the Blazers.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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379 comments Add your comment
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 18th, 2012
11:11 pm
*YAWN*
O'Brien
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
Rod,
I didnt expect an answer. As for the starting lineup, Hawks could try JJ at SF, and put Kirk at SG. And then make Marvin the #1 scoring option off the bench.
Astro Joe
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
Hawks PGs and SFs are being dominated so far. Joe os 4-6 from inside the 3-point line, it sure would be nice if he takes another 8-10 shots from within 18 feet tonight.
bigdave
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
i think the Hawks are energy level is good this game.. Portland getting the bounces..
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
Rod from College Park
February 18th, 2012
11:08 pm
“Continue starting Marvin, we continue to get down early, and have to play from behind every game.”
Blowout has begun on National TV? WTF…..Why does this happen on for all to see?
They’re on ESPN Monday against Da Bulls! UH OH!!!
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
I am praying we don’t have a classic 3rd quarter meltdown like every other game.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
I would consider starting Teague-Joe-Josh-Ivan-Zaza in the 2nd half, putting Zaza on Aldridge, Ivan on Camby, and posting up Josh on at least the first three plays. Let’s even out this rebounding advantage the Blazers currently have and slow down the pace a little.
IceColdATLien
February 18th, 2012
11:13 pm
C’mon Slimjr, what can we possibly expect from the lowest paid, least respected head coach in the game? Never could understand how you give Joe $120 mil, but you can’t scrape together 2% of that to hire a good coach. Luv me some ASG, baby!!!!
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:14 pm
Slow 3rd out the gate with Marvin at the 3= Hawks down by 20-25 midway thru the quarter…..
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:14 pm
CAN WE PLEASE TRADE FOR A CENTER!?!?!?!
Joe
February 18th, 2012
11:16 pm
Somebody help me, when was the last time other than Detroit that iso hit a shot at the end of a quarter, half, game?. Just run run a dam play.
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:16 pm
Can we trade Larry for Woody?Hahahahah
Just Joe
February 18th, 2012
11:17 pm
Hawks win this game. Bet on it.
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
I guess Erik Dampier is out the window.
B-Dub
February 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
If T-Mac is your designated 6th Man, why not just start Green. Teague, Green, Joe to SF (I think it is the way to go), Josh and ZaZa. Have Hienrich sub at the SG position with Pargo coming into the point. What was Pargo doing wrong when he did play? Heck, I was very impressed with his play and his defending was outstanding.
I know that does not help our rebounding per say but man, the Suns game was fluke situation where guys got hot at the right time against a poor team. Any adjustments? Any?
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
Josh aint going for 30 and 17 against this squad like the Suns game cause these guys defend! Yep….
Astro Joe
February 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
Well, at least the chatter about the greatness of Jamal has been absent during this game. That is at least one good thing.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
February 18th, 2012
11:19 pm
Hawks play calling is worse than the Falcons
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:19 pm
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:18 pm
“I guess Erik Dampier is out the window.”
Its day 10 already?
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:20 pm
Larry= Coach Smith, they both stink……….
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:21 pm
Slimjr, this is the last day of the contract.
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:21 pm
“Erick Dampier’s 10-day contract is up after tonight’s game. Larry Drew said the team hasn’t decided if it will sign Dampier to another 10-day, add him for the rest of the season or seek a different free agent. “Rick Sund is here and we’ll visit after the game…”
Yep its a wrap……Can we get another 7 foot Stiff in here please?
B-Dub
February 18th, 2012
11:22 pm
Damps was a joke. Of all the players out there, I was surprised with that one. Not saying any are gems but would’nt rather go with a 24 year old in Fasenko? Yeah, Damps has experience but look at him, he can’t even move man!
bigdave
February 18th, 2012
11:22 pm
im not sure how the zone is going to help us on the glass..
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:23 pm
Damp did a decent job on Bynum for a guy who was supposedly out of shape.
northcyde
February 18th, 2012
11:23 pm
Been saying it all the time. Defense and rebounding. Tonight, it’s rebounding in a big way.
As for “1906″, I know all about that. My best friend is a part of that organization, and I’ve dated or been engaged to 3 AKAs in my lifetime.
Maybe the Hawks need some fine AKAs to energize them tonight. They better hurry up though.
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:23 pm
Thank you Marvin…
Melvin
February 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
About time Marvin do something positive
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
Grab the damn ball.
bigdave
February 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
Camby over the back..
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
#24 is back for another azz beatdown from Frenchie!
Astro Joe
February 18th, 2012
11:25 pm
Sometimes Zaza commits fouls like he is a back-up C. He has to be smarter these days.
Melvin
February 18th, 2012
11:25 pm
Hawks getting killed on the boards.
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:27 pm
Open shots not falling for us.
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:27 pm
pick and roll please?
their defense is stout tonight! Nothing easy….
Melvin
February 18th, 2012
11:27 pm
Look like it will be another 3rd qtr let down by the Hawks.
bigdave
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
how do you start running back in transition w/out the damn ball?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
Portland is paying a TON of attention to Joe on defense every time down. Other people gotta step up and take advantage.
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
We have some Butter on out hands or something I swear
O'Brien
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
I would give Dampier a chance tonight (especialy since Zaza isnt doing much)
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
Gotta knock those down Zaza. WTF
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:29 pm
up and under buy an Allstar!
Melvin
February 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
LD at like calling timeouts will cost him money…
smh
February 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
blowouttttttt
B-Dub
February 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
Adjustments?
smh
February 18th, 2012
11:30 pm
trade kirk and marvin to the lakers for gasollll
Slimjr
February 18th, 2012
11:31 pm
ZaZa and Marvin suck tonight and are killing the Hawks….
TMACfan
February 18th, 2012
11:31 pm
WHY CAN’T WE PLAY WELL WHEN IT MATTER?
O'Brien
February 18th, 2012
11:31 pm
Josh Smith has 3 rebs in 23 minutes
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2012
11:31 pm
I really, really wish the Hawks would just issue a team-wide policy that guards should never dig down and double people in the post. That time Teague did it and Felton burned him with a 3. Seems like for every time it actually works, the Hawks get burned with an open shot another 5 or 6 times.