Atlanta Hawks at Pistons: Game thread

Auburn Hills, Mich.Joe Johnson returns to the starting lineup after missing six of the last seven games with left knee tendinitis. Joe had been working out daily. He got the go-ahead to play after a workout during today’s shootaround. “It feels great,” he said. “I don’t have any pain it so that’s the main thing. As the game goes on, that’s the only concern. We’ve got to test it.”

  • As for the strength in the knee, Joe said: “Not to where I want it to be but from the last time I tried to play, 10 times better than that.”
  • Willie Green will miss his fifth consecutive game. In addition to a sore back, Green said he tweaked a hamstring while working out today.
  • Ivan Johnson is to leave the team after the game because of a death in the family. He’s expected to return for the game at Sacramento Sunday.
  • After an intense game against the Heat, the Hawks face a Pistons team that’s still last in the Central Division behind Cleveland in spite of showing signs of life since the start of February. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks are as spirited against a struggling opponent as they were at Miami.
  • Larry Drew: “You say struggling but this team has won 9 of its last 15. They’ve got some healthy bodies back, they have been playing well. They are coming off a big win against the Lakers, which they have to be feeling good about. It’s always a physical game when we play this team. That’s one thing we have emphasized with our players. This may be the most physical games of this road trip and that’s the mindset you have to have going into this game.”
  • Pistons forward Charlie Villaneuva (ankle) is expected to play for the first time since Jan. 4.

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

600 comments Add your comment

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
8:47 pm

Todays Hip Hop artists = religious Men, all though you’d be surprised which side they chose..Ah maybe not…..

northcyde

March 9th, 2012
8:49 pm

Great half by Marvin and Mr Smith. JJ doing his thing as expected.

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
8:49 pm

Nice game by Marv thus far, but even a broke clock is right twice a day.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
8:49 pm

northcyde

I know you have a love interest with Marvin, but one good game every full moon isn’t going to get much props.

Najee

Agreed. His newer music tries to Appel to the ‘brighter’ part of the population.

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
8:50 pm

“. Can’t even give Marvin his props. 12 pts. 3 – 3 from deep,”

Who is he playing against?????/

YAWN……. Better yet, Crickets……lol

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
8:50 pm

stacks
pac
big
jay
busta/snoop

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
8:51 pm

Slimjr

Yes. We all know they are illuminati, devil worshipers. Yet, I’m not worried about that while driving down 85 with the speakers blasting, or enjoying a young chica grinding on me at the club.

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
8:52 pm

Here we are all giving props to various rappers and in the middle northcyde is giving props to Marvin.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
8:52 pm

Appeal*
Najeh*

Stupid iPhone.

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
8:53 pm

Marvin sucks. he’s playing well today.

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
8:54 pm

Marvin is playing??

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
8:54 pm

So Nique points out how Marvin’s first quarter jumpers were all wide open, and now Marvin gets his first shot contested and bricks it. Hmm…

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
8:54 pm

there you go…Not just them its much larger..

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
8:55 pm

Why didn’t Marv just drive to the basket, must be scared

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
8:56 pm

Josh with a weak contest on Maxiell on one end, and throws up a jumper on the other end even though he had the baseline wide open. Come on Josh, get your head in the game.

Rod from College Park

March 9th, 2012
8:56 pm

Trade for Maxiell.

bigdave

March 9th, 2012
8:56 pm

and playing well for him means, shooting the ball well. really brings nothing else to the table.

terrell

March 9th, 2012
8:56 pm

Time to start hearing the word “energy” or lacktherof again. Welcome back Joe.

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
8:56 pm

Uh Oh, its the 3rd qtr

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
8:57 pm

How bout Marvin for Maxiell?

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
8:57 pm

Got to get rid of Marvin

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
8:58 pm

Horrible defense. Good timeout by LD.

Slimjr

Yes. I know about the whole: NWO, population reduction, false 911 operation, ect.
I just don’t care. I rather just get mine. ;)

Rod from College Park

March 9th, 2012
8:58 pm

northcyde,

Most fans expect professional basketball players to be able to knock down wide open jumpers. Kids in high school can do that. Hell, I can do that. When Marv does it consistently, and against above average competition, I’ll be glad to give him some credit.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
9:00 pm

Kirk hating on Josh hard on the bench. Lol

DawgNole

March 9th, 2012
9:00 pm

Nice to see some others on here taking Rathbun the Insufferable and Nique the Nincompoop to task. Good fellows, I’m sure, but bush league announcers. The ATL can do better than them–but won’t.

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
9:01 pm

Big Lou remember those Germans Citizens of the 1920’s did not care either and you saw in about a decade what happen to them? I’m sure they thought never in a lifetime? I’m just saying…

But good you up on it!

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
9:01 pm

Take Zaza out. He doesn’t have it tonight.

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
9:02 pm

Trade Marvin the “Tin Man”….

City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman

March 9th, 2012
9:02 pm

josh doesnt want to play tonight

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
9:02 pm

4 fouls on Josh. Not good.

Teague got his cornbread taken.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
9:03 pm

Slimjr

Well, when crap hits the fan, I already got a buddy that will get me out of the country. Every man for himself, I say.

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
9:04 pm

Let Josh foul out..They might as well get used to him not being on the Court soon…

terrell

March 9th, 2012
9:04 pm

What happened to the 2 foul rule LD? Josh has 4.

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
9:05 pm

Why is Josh still in?

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
9:05 pm

That should have been a goaltend, but nice block anyway Marvin.

High-sider

March 9th, 2012
9:06 pm

1. Tela
2. Eightball & MJG
3. E-40
4. Too Short
5. UGK (Bun-B and Pimp-C)

Honorable Mention

1. Scarface
2. EPMD
3. Eric B. & Rakim
4. Pastor Troy
5. Mystikal
6. Snoop Dog

Some of the Most Underrated and Slept on R&B, Soul, Neo-Soul and/or (Rap) Hip-Hop Artists:

Mr. Mike
Christion
Van Hunt
Crime Boss
Dru Down

City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman

March 9th, 2012
9:06 pm

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
9:06 pm

“Why is Josh still in?”

Coach getting used to him not being here? LOL!

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
9:07 pm

5 fouls on Josh.

City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman

March 9th, 2012
9:08 pm

didnt even argue the call…he doesnt want to play for atlanta anymore

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
9:08 pm

Man another 3rd qtr meltdown along with shoddy coaching

Big Lou

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

LD is a moron.

Najeh Davenpoop

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

Zaza is not playing well either.

High-sider

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

Fire Nate McMillan!

Portland is getting crushed.

DawgNole

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

Najeh Davenpoop
March 9th, 2012
9:05 pm

That should have been a goaltend, but nice block anyway Marvin.
_____________________

You got that right, Najeh. And did you notice how Nique said the ball was “still going up” when Marvin got it. A boldface lie. That’s why I have a problem with these homer announcers. No pretense whatsoever at any semblance of objectivity. It’s sickening to me.

O'Brien

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

Nique is such a homer. The ball was on the way down, but Nique emphasizes it was a clean block lol

O'Brien

March 9th, 2012
9:09 pm

Najeh,

You guys are way of.

“Who are the 5 best rappers of all time? Think about it.

Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. Because I spit hot fire.”

Slimjr

March 9th, 2012
9:10 pm

Josh should have kept his mouth shut! LD is gonna let him flounder…..

ntrigue

March 9th, 2012
9:10 pm

Hinrich does not need to play pt!

Luke Cage

March 9th, 2012
9:10 pm

LOL@O’Brien