Jazz at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread
- All Hawks except Jannero Pargo and Al Horford are available. Raja Bell (adductor) is a game-time decision for the Jazz.
- In case you didn’t notice, Joe Johnson has been good since he sat out those six games with knee tendinitis. He says he first started to think something was wrong at the beginning of February: “Some games it was OK, some games not. I could feel myself laboring.”
- You can see that this timeline matches up with his production so, generally, he’s been good when he’s been feeling good. “Getting your legs back under you, there is not a better feeling,” Joe said.
- Joe on lately barking more often at officials: “It’s tough at times. I try to stay away off them because we’ve got so many other guys on the team who are talking to them. But there comes a point in time where I have to say something.”
- Larry Drew:“That’s not typical Joe. He’s usually quiet, doesn’t say much to officials. He’s getting a little more fire. I love seeing that. If there is one guy you want to see get fired up, it’s Joe Johnson. He seems to really be into the game. When he gets more fired up, he’s more aggressive. Some guys go the other way.”
- Drew on Jeff Teague: “He’s stepping his game up. Teague goes through patches where he disappears but when he turns it up, he turns it up.”
- Drew on the Jazz, who have won six straight: “They’ve got a lot of good pieces and it looks like those pieces are starting to come together. They are athletic, strong, they really play an aggressive style. You have to be mentally ready. Playing our third game in three nights against a team like Utah should be a huge challenge.”
- The Biggest Game in the History of the Universe is going down Saturday, and I don’t mean Hawks-Sixers.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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657 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
March 25th, 2012
7:05 pm
DawgNole, sniffin jocks for 45 years will make you delirious…lol
Thats a very long time…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:05 pm
Teague is 1 for his last 9 on 3s dating back to that airball at the end of the Boston game. Still my favorite Hawk, but he needs to get mentally tougher.
He played well this half, though, despite the missed shots. 5 dimes, 3 boards, and a few hustle plays.
doc
March 25th, 2012
7:07 pm
also probably a gold admiral in sheen’s winner only club.
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:07 pm
Kansas beats UNC, 80-67.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:08 pm
Agreed Najeh.
Also, Marvin has played well, too. I’m liking his defense.
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
7:09 pm
If one good thing came out of all these injuries, it is that LD was forced to move Marvin to the bench where he is better suited. Starting Kirk at SG and Joe at SF is paying off at the moment and off the bench, Marvin is a possible 2nd or 3rd option on offense.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:11 pm
“If one good thing came out of all these injuries, it is that LD was forced to move Marvin to the bench where he is better suited.”
This seems to be a recurring pattern for this team, doesn’t it?
Kirk gets injured in the playoffs -> Teague emerges as the starter
Al gets injured early in the season -> Zaza reestablishes himself in the rotation
Joe gets injured -> Josh establishes himself as the #1 option
Marvin gets injured -> LD goes to the small back court and moves Marvin to the bench where he belongs
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
7:13 pm
Hawks need this game tonight. Boston is up on the Wiz by 19 at halftime.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:14 pm
GM: “A lot of people here think we should feel fortunate we have win 5 out of the last 6 (or whatever the figure is) against CUPCAKE teams.”
___________________
I might agree with them, GM–IF the Hawks didn’t have a 45-year history of futility, excuses, what-ifs, second-round failures, azz-kickings on national TV and against decent teams, blah blah blah blah blah. This team’s WAY, WAY past time for excuses. I don’t wanna hear about tough schedules and injuries anymore; EVERY team is dealing with them. After nearly a half-century of failure, there are no more excuses. And that goes for the Braves (except in ‘95) and Falcons, too. More than 150 seasons of pro sports competition in the ATL, with only ONE championship to show for it.The epitome of mediocrity. And some of the imbeciles on here have the nerve to blame the fans. Give me a break.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:14 pm
Joe Johnson
18 points 4 rebounds first half. Nice.
jamesbiden
March 25th, 2012
7:15 pm
We need to waive tmac sign benson or rasul butler and be done with it.LD has no interest in playing tmac and atleast butler is a scorer.
dawkins
March 25th, 2012
7:18 pm
Drew is still butt hurt that tmac exposed him in public for the dumbass that he is.
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:19 pm
@phil
Kevin Love goes off for 30pts., 21rebs, and 4asts. T-wolves [wolf]pack Nuggets, 117-110. Your “Hope” is doing it once again. LOL
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
7:21 pm
Najeh, “Kirk gets injured in the playoffs -> Teague emerges as the starter
Al gets injured early in the season -> Zaza reestablishes himself in the rotation
Joe gets injured -> Josh establishes himself as the #1 option
Marvin gets injured -> LD goes to the small back court and moves Marvin to the bench where he belongs”
It’s vexing because LD has clearly said last year that bringing Marvin off the bench has worked. Why does it always take a injury for him to try something new?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:21 pm
Can’t blame LD. These 3rd quarter blues need to stop.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:22 pm
Kirk was resting most of the first half. Guard your man, Kirk!
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:22 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:01 pm
Teague hasn’t been hitting shots but he has made some nice passes and hustle plays. Got a trip to the line by running down his miss.
_______________________
Good observation about “running down his miss,” Najeh. I don’t know about you guys, but when I played (probably before most of you were born), we were always taught to “follow your shot” (for the potential offensive board and putback). I don’t believe they teach that anymore. Today’s players seem more interested in admiring their shots than following them.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 25th, 2012
7:22 pm
Great start to the 2nd half!
You are doing a great job, LD!
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:24 pm
uh oh…
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:24 pm
What the heck is Kirk doing on D? Wtf?
doc
March 25th, 2012
7:25 pm
lol at osh doing the body sake to get it to the basket.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 25th, 2012
7:25 pm
Gregg Popovich would bench the entire starting lineup here.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:25 pm
why is josh complaining thats clearly a foul
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:26 pm
When Hayward is playing aggressive, he is too tall and too long for Kirk to guard. That guy is a legit 6′8″ with a big wingspan. Hawks might have to bring in Marvin and go bigger.
doc
March 25th, 2012
7:26 pm
shake
yup need to see him at least try for a rebound when he misses.
HawkEye
March 25th, 2012
7:26 pm
Josh with 4 fouls. Yikes. Hope Utah doesn’t start pounding the ball inside.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:27 pm
can anybody drive the ball on this team
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:28 pm
Amazing that this team cannot stand prosperity. Just once I’d like to see them build a lead and HOLD it. Just once.
Just Joe
March 25th, 2012
7:29 pm
Hawks need to waive somebody and sign Malcolm Thomas from the d league. 13 pts, 9 Rebs, and 2 blocks per game on 63%+ shooting. Nice combo-forward off the bench.
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:29 pm
This is what I hate about the Hawks. Instead of stepping on their opponents’ throats and absolutely crushing them after getting a big lead, the Hawks let their opponents back in the game!
doc
March 25th, 2012
7:30 pm
ivan still hasnt found his nbdl stroke yet has he?
doc
March 25th, 2012
7:30 pm
pretty
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:31 pm
Damn SportSouth won’t show us Al and Zaza yelling at each other…
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:31 pm
I realized every time josh is on track for a triple double something always happen to spoil it
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:33 pm
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:29 pm
This is what I hate about the Hawks. Instead of stepping on their opponents’ throats and absolutely crushing them after getting a big lead, the Hawks let their opponents back in the game!
___________________
Forty-five years and counting, High-sider. Forty-five years and counting.
ntrigue
March 25th, 2012
7:33 pm
Jie trys to dribble too much against double teams pass the ball joe!
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:33 pm
Kirk finally out.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:33 pm
LD replaces Kirk with Marvin about five possessions too late. Hayward is a bad matchup for Kirk when he’s aggressive.
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:34 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
March 25th, 2012
7:31 pm
Damn SportSouth won’t show us Al and Zaza yelling at each other….
_______________________
Poor coverage. Kinda like our poor announcers.
4evaNaDay
March 25th, 2012
7:34 pm
Pick that head up Teague.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:34 pm
teague can only drive the ball during a fastbreak…fact
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:35 pm
I hear ya, DawgNole.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
March 25th, 2012
7:36 pm
this is wh I HATE teague he will never be a starting pg on any other team
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 25th, 2012
7:36 pm
These Jazz announcers are serious homers
4evaNaDay
March 25th, 2012
7:37 pm
I have a feeling Mr. Wilkens feels the same way alot of us fans do. He’s just paid to say otherwise
High-sider
March 25th, 2012
7:37 pm
The Hawks[' players] are who we thought they were! smh
DawgNole
March 25th, 2012
7:38 pm
And here comes Rathbun with the “fatigue” excuses. It’s always something with that boot-licker.
hawks_4_life
March 25th, 2012
7:38 pm
I cant believe LD didnt make any adjustments, maybe I was wrong. Maybe there is no hope in the playoffs. Ill just have to rely on hope that my team will get it together. Until then DO SOMETHING LD.
Big Lou
March 25th, 2012
7:39 pm
Why did LD put Kirk back in? Just because Teague made one mistake? What a moron.
TMACfan
March 25th, 2012
7:39 pm
Typical LD 3rd quarter meltdown. How many have we had this year????