Atlanta Hawks: Nuggets 118, Hawks 117 (OT)
Denver–There were series of gaffes, miscalculations and questionable strategy by the Hawks and an incredible 3-pointer from Danilo Gallinari, and yet the Hawks still had a chance to win with a play that was executed perfectly . . . right up until the point where Zaza Pachulia’s layup attempt bounced harmlessly off the rim.
- “Just missed it,” Zaza said. “It was a great opportunity for me.”
- He can get in line with Joe Johnson’s turnovers and forced iso Js, Jannero Pargo’s fumble, Kirk Hinrich’s missed free throws and shot-clock violation, Vladimir Radmanovic’s 0-for-4 on 3s. . . . and don’t forget those 11 dunks and layups the Hawks allowed in the first half.
- Larry Drew said the final play was designed to free Zaza near the basket: “The execution was perfect. We executed. That was probably the best play we executed all night. ‘Z’ just missed a point-blank layup. But I told the guys it didn’t come down to that. That game was lost in the first half when we didn’t make a stand defensively and they basically had their way with us.”
- Joe took the heat off Zaza and Kirk and put it on himself: “We don’t put this game on Zaza missing a layup or Kirk not making a free throw. I look at the stat sheet and I had five turnovers and probably three of those were at crucial times.”
- Kirk: “It’s tough. I had a chance to win it. I made the hard one, the first one, and I missed the second. I’m very disappointed.”
- Zaza: “We had so many opportunities, you know. I don’t think we were lucky today. Of course it’s not an excuse. I have to finish that. But if you think about it, the turnover we had over there off Pargo’s leg, Gallinari’s three, Kirk’s free throw and my layup. That’s four big things. We just weren’t lucky today. Again, that’s not an excuse and personally, me, I have to finish when I have that kind of opportunity. I take that blame on my shoulders.”
- On the 3, Gallinari wasn’t even squared up when he received the pass. Joe and Josh Smith were all over him when he let it go. “I don’t know how he made it,” Joe said. “It was definitely a tough shot. He caught it kind of fading. But before that we couldn’t get big stops. They were either scoring or we were fouling.”
- Drew: “He hit a tough shot. You couldn’t have defended it any better than that.”
- Kirk: From my vantage point, I was boxing out under the basket. When he let it go, I thought, ‘There’s no way he will make that.’ And then the ball fell through the net into my hands.”
- Another beastly line for Josh: 33 points on 23 shots, 13 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and just one turnover. His tendency to try to set ballhandlers up for blocks when they drove contributed to some of those 11 dunks and layups but the perimeter D was atrocious.
- Josh put the Hawks ahead with a sweet spin move after Drew went away from Iso-Joe. The Hawks missed him once he fouled out 2:46 into OT because he was setting up Joe and Kirk for open Js.
- Joe put the Hawks ahead 117-1112 with a crafty move, keeping his dribble alive to thwart a double team and making a fadeaway J. But he missed on a forced iso J that led to two free throws for Nene and got bailed out on a forced drive when, after a long review, the refs decided the replay was inconclusive and the Hawks kept the ball.
- Drew: “When we lost Josh, and then I couldn’t bring Marvin [Williams] back because he took the bang on the hip, I was going to ride Joe. I just tried to put him in a position where he could operate and we just surrounded him with shooters.”
- The last play wasn’t Iso-Joe, though. “Going down the stretch we had opportunities that we just kind of let slip away,” Drew said.
- Both Joe (34 points on 26 shots, 6/10 3FG) and Kirk (22 points on eight shots, 3/4 3FG, 5/6 FT) had great games that were marred by bad moments.
- Marvin once again was aggressive early coming off the bench. It’s a role that seems to suit him.
- Marvin came back in the game briefly late in the fourth quarter after he suffered the hip injury. It was his pass that Pargo bobbled off his knee. “He couldn’t move,” Drew said of Marvin. “I only used him at the end there just to be a passer on the out of bounds. I wanted to put him back in down the stretch and overtime but he couldn’t go. I had to use what I had.”
- The Hawks said both Marvin and Willie Green (back, hamstring) will miss the game tomorrow at the Clippers. Tracy McGrady is expected to play after being held out on the first night of a back-to-back, to the Hawks will have 10 healthy bodies available.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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362 comments Add your comment
vava74
March 14th, 2012
7:14 am
ahahahahahahahah…
you are so freaking delusional!!!!
ahahahahahahahah…
the Jamal conspiracy!!!!!
Grandad
March 14th, 2012
7:18 am
High-sider
I get it, subtle humor, ‘`nobody can find it`’ ?
vava74
March 14th, 2012
7:23 am
Listen man, Jamal is a very very talented dude, but the game is played with 4 other teammates AND is also played on the defensive end.
Jamal never developed a complete game, so his value has been bloated by ball clubs that went for the offensive punch thinking that it would solve their problems.
Look again: it didn’t.
Jamal should be used very limitedly, for shot spurts of no conscience offense, in and out of the game and always depending on gameflow and match ups.
I would have absolutely no trouble in having Jamal in my roster but he would get as many DNP-CD as games in which he would play 30 minutes.
Knowing when and how to use it is where wining and losing resides.
McMillan has been an absolute idiot because he has been using Jamal as backup PG in many circumstances which in my book would be enough to get him fired.
McMillan should have been developing Nolan Smith instead of falling on the same trap as LD did last year.
Dawg
March 14th, 2012
7:38 am
Sund has no credibility. That was the most lame interview. Who believes one word he says? If everyone is healthy, we still are a poorly constructed team. We are still not balanced. He is a horrible GM and I wish someone actually asked him hard questions and called him out on the rehearsed answers.
Cee
March 14th, 2012
7:38 am
We better not trade josh I know that much
Section 303
March 14th, 2012
7:46 am
Did anyone really think these guys would win down the stretch last night? I was just sitting there waiting for the bottom to drop out, and it did.
We have the worst coach in this league. He sits on his hands and says nothing for weeks while the team gets hosed by officials. Suddenly, last night, he has an outburst and gets a T. Makes no sense. Where was that in Miami last week?
Zaza…..total dud. His moment to shine and he bricks a layup. I don’t even think the ball hit the rim.
What a shock that iso-Joe didn’t work last night. LD will continue to call it at the worst possible times, though.
And, why would you bring in Marvin (who “couldn’t move”, per our dipsh#t coach) to throw the inbounds pass to Pargo? Why?
F this team if they come out and win tonight. Will be just another one of their bullsh#t wins that they always have when the chips are down. Will mean nothing. I hope they lose by 100pts tonight.
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
7:48 am
I agree with what was posted last night, both teams are mediocre at best..So keep your cool..Dont expect the Hawks to play like contenders cause just like the Falcons if you believe other wise your in for a huge letdown..That being said:
Sund, Larry, Marvin, and Al got ta go…
Also Gearon and his boys need to kick rocks..I wont spend a dime on these busters product till they are fully committed to winning a Championship..
The ASG are not fully committed…
Larry’s coaching cost them another win. That’s at least 3-5 wins now?
This guy only won 44 games last year cause just like Woody he and his players under achieved….
vava74
March 14th, 2012
7:51 am
It’s kind of funny that Leuer’s Mom has been clamoring that that Horford’s numbers are cr*appy when…
Bogut’s career numbers are:
“In 408 career games, he is averaging 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots.”
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
7:56 am
Doug Collins would have coached a win last night..
Doug would have coached 4-5 more wins at this point already…This team has more talent than 24 wins….
ZaZa is not a closer so we should have expected a botched layup at the end.. I put that on Larry!
He put a player in position to do something he does not do or have the talent to execute and finish…
This guy looks to get bailed out by fouls because he not talented enough to get it done…That’s on coach Drew…
Know your personnel! Apparently this coach doesn’t…
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:01 am
Somebody said last night something I never heard before!
Quote ” he has the most unclutch Gene”! That is one for the ages!
It was a description of “it was a terrible pick”… LMAO!
O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
8:04 am
High-sider,
Did I mention that MCM aka “Sarge” [Nate McMillan] is a worse coach than LD?.
Ironically, Rick Sund said LD reminds him of a young Nate McMillan (which I’m pretty sure Rick meant as a compliment).
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:05 am
If Gearon Jr and his boys were car builders within 6 years they’d be in bankruptcy….
Section 303
March 14th, 2012
8:09 am
We (season ticket holders) get to meet with Rick Sund before the Celtics game on Monday. I signed up to attend the meeting, but don’t think I’m going anymore. I am in no mood to listen to their bullsh#t propoganda about how this team is so good and it’s the best group of players they’ve ever had. Plus, it will be right after the trade deadline. A deadline where the Hawks will do nothing to get better. So, don’t see any reason to trouble myself getting to Philips by 5:45pm when the meeting starts.
Last time Sund met with us, by the way, was his first year. He was almost 20 minutes late, claiming he was “stuck in an elevator”. Gotta love it. An organization with few fans, gives bullsh#t excuses to the people who are dumb enough (me) to continue to support this sh#t team.
Double Zero Eight
March 14th, 2012
8:11 am
The Atlanta Hawks are the epitome of mediocrity.
Some things never change.
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:11 am
Expect this coach to put them in position to fail again tonight…
Clippers by 15…
Section 303
March 14th, 2012
8:13 am
Slimjr, I could not disagree with you more on Zaza. The guy had a point blank layup. He totally choked (an overused term, but it applies here). We all come on here and b#tch about LD using iso-Joe, when the play never works. He finally just calls a play in a crucial situation, instead of having everyone stand around and watch Joe take some stupid jump shot that has no chance of going in. The play worked. Zaza just wilted.
I think LD is the worst coach in the league. But, no way you can get on him for calling a play that resulted in a layup that was butchered by an a$$clown like Zaza.
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:18 am
Repeat know your personnel..ZaZa, nine times out of ten will botch that layup! He’s done it many times before. Why do you think he’s always looking for the refs. to bail him out down in the post? Put T-Mac, or Ivan in that position and guess what we get a made layup or get fouled….
Larry is f______________king clueless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
8:22 am
Najeh,
I think the reason why Pargo was in the game at the end of regulation is because LD had more confidence in him knocking down FT than Teague. But why was Marvin making the inbounds pass? He was sitting on the bench, injured, but yet LD brings him in. And going Iso-Joe is never a good idea.
It was our 9th straight defeat in one point games on the road, which tied an NBA record. That is a clear indication of how LD and the players (especially JJ) tighten up when the game gets close. Mentally, we just don’t have what it takes (imo).
Up 102-98 down the stretch, we end up going to OT. Up 117-112, we end up losing. Props to JJ and Zaza for stepping up and taking responsibility, but LD shares the bigger part of the blame (imo).
And where is T-Mac? Is he hurt? His last 6 games in terms of minutes played; 2, 20, 0, 16, 0, 0. Has it gotten personal?
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:23 am
Double Zero Eight
March 14th, 2012
8:11 am
“The Atlanta Hawks are the epitome of mediocrity.
Some things never change.”
HOW BOUT GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS IS THE EPITOME OF MEDIOCRITY?
150 COMBINED SEASONS AND 1 LONELY CHAMPIONSHIP(95 BRAVES) AND BOBBY COX TRIED TO LOSE THAT ONE TOO…….
THERE IS SOME DEEP ISH GOING ON IN THIS STATE..THERES A BOOK TO BE WRITTEN ABOUT IT???????
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
O'Brien
March 14th, 2012
8:23 am
I wonder if Al would have made that layup (or dunk) that Zaza missed
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:25 am
If All NBA played last night the Hawks lose by 12…
High-sider
March 14th, 2012
8:26 am
vava74,
As I’ve stated previously, in Jamal’s first year with the Hawks, the Hawks won 53 games. The Hawks had not won 50+ games in 12 years. In ‘09-’10, Jamal had his best year in terms of individual success/accomplishment while the Hawks as a franchise had its best team success/accomplishment in 13 years. (In the ‘96-’97 regular season, the Hawks went 56-26 and in the ‘97-’98 regular season, the Hawks went 50-32.) That shows you Jamal helped make the Hawks a better team.
“McMillan has been an absolute idiot because he has been using Jamal as backup PG in many circumstances which in my book would be enough to get him fired.
McMillan should have been developing Nolan Smith instead of falling on the same trap as LD did last year.” – vava74
No. McMillan is an idiot because he was partially responsible for trading Andre Miller for Raymond Felton [or Fatton or Fat ton or Fatone or Fat one]. You know he’s [Raymond "Fat one"] the other UNC [alum] bust of the 2005 NBA Draft. Raymond “Fat one” [5th pick overall] was one of four UNC busts of the 2005 NBA Draft with the other three [busts] being Marvin Williams [2nd pick overall], Sean May [13th overall] and Rashad McCants [14th overall]. McM was also instrumental in acquiring Craig “The Clumsy Rhino” Smith who needs to be poached. Now, I see why rhinos are on the endangered species list.
I have been watching Nolan Smith and he is flat out sucking as a rookie this year which is typical of many Duke players who fail to live up to their hype such as J.J. Redick, Christian Laettner, Danny Ferry, Bobby Hurley, Jay Williams, Shane Battier, Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie, Dahntay Jones, Mike Dunleavy, Jr., and, yes, Grant Hill, William Avery, Elton Brand, Trajan Langdon, Shelden Williams. (Check out the link below for other Duke busts under Coach K’s regime/tenure that I may have overlooked.) I will admit that Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Corey Maggette are having or have had decent careers in the league.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/colleges.cgi?college=duke
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:27 am
Larry Drew= Wade Phillips, round peg/square hole
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:32 am
Remember All NBA played last year in record breaking blowouts on the receiving end.. Plus last year we sucked on the road against teams out West with Al playing..He’s not a difference maker by a long shot…
Trade his azz…
vava74
March 14th, 2012
8:34 am
Guys, lay off Zaza.
He has never been placed in a situation like that so he froze.
Next time he will dunk it. Let him learn from this negative experience.
What’s the big difference between missing a lay up or a runner on the lane or a long jumper?
It’s a miss.
We should be happy with the fact that AT LEAST WE DID NOT WENT ISO for that play.
Next time it will go in with either Zaza or Ivan on that same position.
Nonetheless, it’s inexcusable that LD did not put McGrady in when Josh fouled out whilst having Marvin also out with an injury*
Inexcusable. What the f__k is his excuse? T-Mac did not have any shorts under his pants??
Good grief, only an idiot sticks with a plan of not playing T-Mac last night after going into OT shorthanded and missing another player to fouls.
* funny that every single time that Marvin seems to become slightly more aggressive and producing more he goes down with an injury
High-sider
March 14th, 2012
8:39 am
O’Brien,
“Did I mention that MCM aka “Sarge” [Nate McMillan] is a worse coach than LD?.
Ironically, Rick Sund said LD reminds him of a young Nate McMillan (which I’m pretty sure Rick meant as a compliment).” – O’Brien
Rick Sund is stupid. Larry Drew, 53 [born April 2, 1958], is older than Nate McMillan, 47 [born August 3, 1964]. That makes him [Rick Sund] and the league look bad since it took too long for Larry Drew to get a[n] head coach job/opportunity in the NBA.
vava74
March 14th, 2012
8:41 am
High-sider,
You are delusional. De-lu-si-o-nal
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
8:49 am
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 14th, 2012
1:24 am
“SUND FUND!
The Bank of Intelligence & Creativity is bankrupt! Go ahead and file Chapter 13 first thing in the morning!
Go visit my Grandma, she could take $5 to Food Lion and come home and cook a Thanks Giving miracle. And, do it every year. Everybody eats and Everybody goes home satisfied.
Why is it when a millionaire is broke – he jumps out a closed window. When poor people are broke – they find a way to keep the lights on?
Get out from under your desk, move some money around and FIX this damned roster. Stop with these silly quirps about being healthy! Your Bosses are wealthy – When are they gonna’ get healthy! Stop blaming the players and get up off your couch and get to work!”
Yes drmaryb this guy Rick Sund is the epitome of 32 years of mediocrity! How does he continue to get these GM jobs over the years? Pictures? Lodge affiliations? What does he bring to the table?
joeygt1
March 14th, 2012
8:54 am
no way josh score 34 and 13 and joe scoring 34..we should have lost the defense down the stretch when josh smityh got in foul trouble was horrible…without josh we look terrible on defense…why people think we should trade josh is beyound me…if we trade josh our team would turn into the knicks..
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 14th, 2012
9:06 am
The Walking Dead!
SlimJr honey cakes, that fool knows where the bodies are buried. I just can’t stand his arrogance, much like The Black Knight, “I am THE basketball expert?”
As, IF he could! They talk to the fans like we are blind idiots with disposable income. I would rather flush a $100 bill down my TOILET before giving it to these SOB’s!
Clearly, these low post players have asked for some help and SIZE in the paint! What do we get? Collins and reluctantly Daimp … While “Kayman Island” sits on his couch which is 3miles wide!
Last year Josh said we need a “dead eye” bomber and we get a sorry butt BRICK layer!
I’m done with this Lower Management Team, “boonked” over a minnow stocked fish barrel, who one by one jumps up and says, “Whoope Gearon, JR … This is Just too much good stuff!”
Welcome to Loserville, GA “Where we operate on the cheap!”
High-sider
March 14th, 2012
9:09 am
vava74,
“What’s the big difference between missing a lay up or a runner on the lane or a long jumper?
It’s a miss.” – vava74
The “big difference” would be in the percentages. I expect an NBA player to make/convert a [wide open] layup 95%-99% of the time. On long-distance jump shots [depending on distance, the shooter, time and situation], I expect an NBA player to make/convert long-distance jump shots at rate of 35%-42% with that distance being 20′ to 24′ [from the basket]. That’s the “difference.”
thebiz
March 14th, 2012
9:18 am
Where was Teague in crunchtime? Heiny lost his effectiveness during the last two minutes. Failure to execute at the end with Smith. Yes, I think its his team these days.
Will be interesting/fun to see us healthy + Horford for the playoffs.
joeygt1
March 14th, 2012
9:19 am
even with all the effort..that loss was disheartening
vava74
March 14th, 2012
9:23 am
High-sider
March 14th, 2012
9:09 am
No you fool. A miss is a miss.
But at least the play was a better play than ISO-Joe or a long jumper.
It’s unquestionable that Zaza should have finished that play with a bucket, but the most important fact is that the play was good. Much better than in DET.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 14th, 2012
9:24 am
“He was almost 20 minutes late, claiming he was “stuck in an elevator”. ”
LMAO That is priceless. Forget championships, they can’t even go all out thinking of excuses.
TMACfan
March 14th, 2012
9:24 am
#FreeTMAC
TMACfan
March 14th, 2012
9:25 am
#FreeKaman
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 14th, 2012
9:25 am
Obicularis Rectitis!
Sund has this medical diagnosis … In short:
Diarrhea of the MOUTH. Just shut up man! Your breath smells like azz. When you speak, we can’t tell if you are coming or going.
Dre Bulls fan
March 14th, 2012
9:29 am
The Hawks need to get rid of Pachulia quickly he the worst player. No way he should have miss that basket last nite. Pachulia play like in highschool. I cant wait until Bulls come to ATL March 28, 2012 so I can laugh at Pachulia missing all the basket. Hawks have some great players but it some goofy one’s on the time who cant shoot.
Derrick Rose MVP #####111111111 Go Chicago Bulls
kwooden
March 14th, 2012
9:32 am
Really tough loss last night! Nice play to get Zaza open, he just missed the layup. If they can run plays like that consistently, they will actually be a good team. I think Josh is really getting it, in terms of his offense. The spin move he did on Nene is the exact counter move he needs for his left-hand jump hook. If he keeps this going, teams will have to double team whenever he’s in the post and then we can finally start playing inside out! Overall I liked LD’s defensive choices and some of his play calls. Clearly to much Iso Joe late, but without Josh in the overtime, LD didn’t have to many choices.
GO HAWKS!
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
9:35 am
Sund is THE EPITOME OF A BULLcHIT ARTIST…We’ve seen him operate for the past 4 and half years now……
TJ Dekalb
March 14th, 2012
9:36 am
Hurry up and get rid of ZaZa quickly. ZaZa to nervous playing on a NBA team.
High-sider
March 14th, 2012
9:37 am
vava74,
“It’s unquestionable that Zaza should have finished that play with a bucket, but the most important fact is that the play was good. Much better than in DET.” – vava74
You are the fool because you just proved my point as opposed to rebutting my point in my post @9:09am. You just stated “Zaza should have finished” [at the rim] and he [Zaza] didn’t. Zaza is a scrub when it comes to low post scoring and finishing at the rim.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 14th, 2012
9:38 am
Bust a Move!
Even IF it’s a buster move … Just do something to show the fans you are at least trying to help your team win a title. Even if you’re not, at least TRY to trick us.
We need to get healthy? Really Sund? Well, this city, this town, this state and these fans NEED a champion!!!
You sir NEED a healthy dose of reality. If I were a nut job, I would be at your door kicking it down right about now.
But, naw man … I got better things to do. And, I’m outa’ here, gotta go see some people and pay some bills.
Later Cohorts! NLOB (not laughing one bit)
joeygt1
March 14th, 2012
9:40 am
hawks need a bigman really bad..zaza is doing a great job.. but he cannot carry the load all the time…if we could trade k hinrich for chris kaman…our team would be so much better..as currently constructed we might be able to reach the 2nd round again.. but with a decent center we could make it to the eastern conference finals
TJ Dekalb
March 14th, 2012
9:41 am
I always watch the game and ZaZa never trying to help the team. ZaZa always standing around waiting for the balls come his way. He never trying to hustle and get the ball.
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
9:43 am
ZaZa along with Marvin are some of the most uncoordinated Athletes I have ever watch play the game of basketball… Two stiffs, who just cant judge speed, angles,height, rotations…..et Al..Two people whose motor skills are on par with teenagers in the High school..
It’s up to a GM to figure out and acquire people who do have the motor skills to function at a high level in a game that requires world class physical skills..
kwooden
March 14th, 2012
9:47 am
I meant to post this message on the last Blog, but its still true after last nights game. The HAWKS aren’t going to beat either Chicago or Miami in the 2nd round of the Playoffs without an ALLSTAR level Horford, Josh beasting in the post (like last night) and Joe making 3s! PERIOD
Josh is playing like a true AllStar, but with an ALLSTAR level Horford playing also, we would have won by 20 last night. I will be the first to say that the HAWKS should pay Josh what he wants and ride the Josh, JJ, Horford trio until the wheels fall off. I don’t see any trade that will bring back a better set of players that can beat Chicago or Miami in a 7 games series. I’m not certain this trio can do it either, but I think they have a chance.
GO HAWKS!!
TJ Dekalb
March 14th, 2012
9:48 am
Slimjr I am with you 100% because ZaZa and Marvin seem so scare and nervous on the court.
Hawks owner need to put some money into this team or ATL will never go to championship.
Dear owner do like the Bulls owner and pay good money for the best player. Get rid of these lazy player.
Slimjr
March 14th, 2012
9:49 am
The Hawks have the talent to have won 6-7 out of 9 1pt losses.(NBA Record)
Those should have have been 6-7 wins! Larry Cost this team 6-7 additional losses.Along with Sund not acquiring the help needed on the front line
The Hawks should be at around 30-12 or 31-11 right about now…