Atlanta Hawks: Knicks 113, Hawks 112
- The Hawks had what might have been their best offensive game of the season against a top 5 defense. At the very least, it was their best offensive game since Dec. 31 at Philadelphia. They lost both games because of lackluster defense and shaky late-game execution.
- Depending on your view, it could either a good sign that the Hawks showed the ability to score against good defensive opponents or a bad sign they squandered those efforts when they finally got them. Or maybe another way to look at is the Hawks have shown they can play consistently effective defense so maybe not doing it this game was a fluke and their offense is finally ready for the playoffs.
- Josh Smith didn’t sound too worried. “It wasn’t like we got blown out of the game,” he said. “If we didn’t compete at all, then I would be concerned.”
- But there is a worrisome disconnect with the Hawks when it comes to their offense. It’s been that way since I’ve been around and it was brought into sharp relief while listening to Larry Drew and Joe Johnson talk about the offense after this game.
- Drew: “We had enough stuff that I knew we wouldn’t be predictable offensively in what we did. We run things where we put things in Joe’s hands but, for the most part, we had good ball movement, we share the basketball and we get things moving from one side to the other.”
- Joe: “Down the stretch, I just figure you have got to put the ball in the hands of your playmakers. Point blank. The Knicks did it all game. [Carmelo Anthony] shot 32 times, man. They made sure they got the ball to the right man.”
- The Hawks didn’t do that? “Naw,” Joe said. “Not when we needed buckets.” So that means he should have gotten the ball more? “Of course. I always want the ball down the stretch.” But weren’t the Knicks forcing the ball out of your hands? “Naw. It was probably more just play-calling.”
- There are obvious holes in what both Drew and Joe said. Drew’s offense often devolves from what’s working–whether it be the share-the-ball philosophy or post-ups for Josh–into Iso-Joe. And Joe, for all his talents, just isn’t as effective as Anthony in that situation.
- Witness Joe’s forced, missed fadeaway 20-footer with the Hawks down 113-112. Or look at the next possession, when Joe dribbled out the shot clock in isolation before passing out to Josh for an airballed 3-point try.
- Joe took three shots in seven fourth-quarter minutes and made three. Marvin Williams, who was hot all game, took five shots and made three in 11 minutes. Josh took three shots and missed them all in 11 minutes. Jeff Teague missed both of his field-goal attempts in seven minutes.
- I just don’t see Joe’s gripe here. But I do see that this disconnect could be Atlanta’s undoing in the playoffs, and not energy or effort or defense or any of the other things the Hawks tend to attribute to their losses.
- That’s not to say nothing good came out of this from the Hawks. Aside from 19 turnovers and seven missed free throws, the Hawks were about as good as they could be offensively: 54 percent shooting, 26 fast-break points, 15 of 23 on 3-pointers. The Hawks engaged the Knicks in a high-possession game and nearly matched their output.
- “We knew they were going to get up-and-down, especially with ‘Melo’ playing the four,” Joe said. “They’ve got so many shooters to spread the floor. We didn’t put no force behind it when we was guarding him. You have got to make it tough. He’s a scorer in this league.”
- “We was getting [offense] from all different angles,” Josh said. “I loved what I saw from Marvin, especially the outside jump shots.”
- Marvin was nearly flawless: 29 points on 14 shots, 11 rebounds, three blocks, one steal and just one turnover. He did a really good job with spacing, catching, and shooting with confidence when the Knicks doubled Joe and Josh.
- His final dunk attempt missed but it came too late, anyway. The Hawks ran a play similar to the one they used to beat the Clippers last season, when Al Horford was decked by Blake Griffin and recovered to make two free throws.
- “Similar play,” Drew said. “Marvin made the right play. Probably didn’t get there quick enough, but he got to the rim and we got the look we wanted.”
- Marvin thought Amar’e Stoudemire fouled him. It looked like a clean challenge to me. “I don’t think anyone should complain that there was any contact on that last play,” Amare said.
- The Hawks didn’t immediately call timeout after Joe rebounded Anthony’s miss, with Joe instead passing to Kirk Hinrich. That cost them 1.5 seconds, which ended up being costly. There didn’t seem to be much situational awareness from the bench or the players on the floor.
- Marvin did what he could to slow Anthony but it’s tough when Anthony is making those pull-up Js with very little air space. “He’s a tough cover when he’s not making that,” Marvin said. “In my mind he’s top five, top three best scorers in this league. The things he is able to do is unbelievable.”
- Joe had 23 points on 14 shots but couldn’t consistently take advantage of Iman Sumpert’s tight defense (even if Shumpert got away with a lot of reaching). Joe tried to get around him with his hesitation dribble move but it was ineffective. So Joe often had to resort to making challenge Js, which he can do, but it wrecks the offensive flow when he misses.
- Josh took some good turns on Melo but never found his offensive flow. In games like this he has to earn more than three free-throw attempts. But it’s hard to do that when he’s so slow to make his move that he allows the Knicks to poke away the ball.
- Baron Davis should not be able to slip past Teague so easily to get to the basket. Teague should be able to score 23 points on 14 shots, and he did.
- Hinrich’s line (three points on four shots, four assists in 28 minutes) sticks out on a boxscore where so many others did much more.
- Jannero Pargo led the charge in the second quarter with nine points on five shots. He’s been pretty consistent with those outbursts. Pargo’s defense has been good this season but not today.
- Tracy McGrady is having a career-worst season on long 2s. That’s not so costly when he’s playmaking and rebounding but he didn’t do much of either today.
- I thought Ivan Johnson would make more of an impact in a smallball game like this.
- “He took 32 [shots] to get them,” Drew said. “I’m happy about that. I told our guys before the game, when you play guys who are high-volume scorers and big-time scorers you make a decision what you want to do against them and we carry the same approach against all scorers. Similar to how we play Dwight Howard, we try to defend him as best we can one-on-one and try to lock in on the other guys. Our problem is we didn’t lock in on the other guys.”
Melo’s 39 points on 32 shots weren’t so bad for the Hawks. Basically New York’s offense was Melo in isolation, Amar’e rolling to the basket (until the Knicks forgot about him late) and Landry Fields catching-and-shooting.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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194 comments Add your comment
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 22nd, 2012
10:57 pm
No point bringing Kirk back.
Biggest concerns are what to do with Teague and Smoove. Smoove won’t resign here unless he gets a freaking fortune (he will EASILY ask for 17M or get it on the open market). Everyone’s salary is going up next year and Teague will want an extension soon. He will be at least 6 mill a year.
ASG better sell this team soon
Slimjr
April 22nd, 2012
11:00 pm
Even more impressive was the fact that Woody rested his RIM PROTECTOR/ BEST DEFENDER and still got a win on the road against his rival….Huh?
16-6 overall, 8-4 against the winners….
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2012
11:01 pm
In the last four years the Hawks have drafted exactly one player who is on the team and contributing. The 2008, 2010, and 2011 first round picks were traded to try to fill the position that the 2009 first round pick is filling.
Four straight years worth of draft picks to address one position. That’s the Hawks.
Slimjr
April 22nd, 2012
11:04 pm
“Four straight years worth of draft picks to address one position. That’s the Hawks.”
No, thats incompetence from your 32 year GM and his lackluster NBA career….
Retire!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 22nd, 2012
11:05 pm
LD needs to spend these last 2 games getting our key bench guys minutes. Need Willie and Pargo to step up huge. I’d also extend Kirk’s minutes. Need more from him
Slimjr
April 22nd, 2012
11:06 pm
IF Woody coached the entire Knick season, his team is the #1 seed…I’m just saying…
Rufus1
April 22nd, 2012
11:16 pm
What do you NEGATIVE bloggers WANT?
Do you want us to be HOPELESS fans like you?
Are you trying to convince us that a team that could go 40-26 SUCKS?
Are you saying that you don’t want the Hawks to make it to the playoffs?
Am I WRONG for cheering for my team?
What is the VALUE in repeating the same NEGATIVE statement…what is the END GAME?
———————————————————————————————————————————–
How many wins are enough against good teams?
If we make to the ECF for 3 straight years, will you change you complaint to 47yrs of not making it to the finals?…If the finals for 3 straight years will it 50yrs of no titles?….WHEN YOU CAN CHANGE THE QUESTION, IT IS HARD TO GET THE ANSWER RIGHT!
What was the question before we made it to the 2nd rd?
Most teams lose to GOOD teams…Most teams feast on BAD teams.
“If you look hard enough, you can always find a flaw”- That Guy with the dirty t-shirt
Good night my friends
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2012
11:26 pm
“Am I WRONG for cheering for my team?”
If the so-called negative minded bloggers weren’t cheering their team, they probably wouldn’t be on here every day talking about them. People who don’t like or don’t care about the Hawks don’t waste their time posting on MC’s blog. You are not wrong for cheering your team, but they are not wrong for being realistic either.
Grandad
April 22nd, 2012
11:27 pm
I wish to comment on the game;
but 1st, I need to set things straight with a few characters
who frequent this blog and think they have taken over !
For everyone else:
No, you do not have to join their Gay Pride agenda to
post your opinions on this here blog.
No, you do not have to kiss their ass to express your opinion.
Yes, you can be a Hawks fan,
regardless of how many years since a Championship.
The Red Sox & the Cubs fans are some of the best in the world.
Do not let their smarmy little comments
and smooching with each other cause you to shy away.
Also, to dissent does not mean that you are attacking anyone.
Dissent is purely American.
However, if you wish to be in Club Kiss-Ass;
that is well and good.
That is your privelege as well.
Lastly, the plum puckers have the same rights and priveleges
as we old farts and Jack-Asses on the blog.
So they should be respected as such.
avec tout le respect dû
G-dad
SteveW
April 22nd, 2012
11:34 pm
No team has won the Title in 30 years since Pat Riley said no rebounds, no rings, being less than 19th in the League in rebounding.
The Hawks were about 23rd last I checked.
It’s not looking good.
The only chance I see vs. the Celtics is ZaZa coming in doing his best Buford Pusser imitation, and it spooking the C’s just a little bit.
We shot 15-23 from 3 point land. 54% for the game from the field. At Home. And we lost. I’m supposed to feel good?
At least Orlando is mathmetically eliminated from the 5 seed now. So I guess it’s def. us vs the Celts in Rd. 1. Tough go to get Homecourt however. Today, a win would have helped alot.
SteveW
April 22nd, 2012
11:39 pm
Slim – But they had the worst Coach in the history of any sport in LD last season. He has improved in the playoffs, and this season.
But he was a disaster – This season with Al, we were actually playing pretty decent.
Slimjr
April 22nd, 2012
11:54 pm
I believe if the Hawks had won today, they would have cliched the Home court..That’ s how huge this loss was today! HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Clippers and Dallas are coming! They wont be resting and laying down either…
TMACfan
April 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
We need to win 1 game to clinch home court advantage. Miami will beat Boston for sure this time.
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
LD lucked out SteveW…Orlando was missing Pietrus, Matt Barnes, Vince Carter and Gortat! These guys were match up nightmares for our Hawks and owned them…Had won 7 of the previous 8..
Larry would have been swept too..He should have sent the Orlando GM some of his playoff winnings! Hehehehe
Melvin
April 23rd, 2012
12:05 am
“Kings executives will entertain trade offers for Tyreke Evans this summer, and they should. Evans remains a major asset. His team remains in a major funk. ”
I would trade AL to the Kings for Tyreke Evans & Jason Thompson. The Kings are under the cap so the salaries do not have to match. Hawks could play Tyreke at SG and Joe at SF. He would be another consistent scorer the Hawks desperately needs along side Joe, Josh and Teague. Thompson would be another big coming off the bench with Ivan.Hawks would also save money depending on how much they could sign Thompson for since he would be a restricted free agent. Kings could pair Horford alongside Cousins.
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2012
12:06 am
Orlando also did not have Rashad Lewis who used to be a Hawk killer too…
Larry gets way too much credit, but so be it.
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2012
12:10 am
Clippers on a 20-4 run last 6:35 in the 4th!
9-4! Train wreck coming I sense?
Slimjr
April 23rd, 2012
12:26 am
CP3= 33 and 18! Incredible!
Still had a better night than Marvin! lol!
Big Lou
April 23rd, 2012
12:45 am
LOL
You guys don’t get what Joe’s saying.
He’s talking about the predictable play-calling from LD.
Remember the three Joe made? How did he get open for that? Oh, I know… THEY RAN A F!CKING SCREEN TO GET HIM OPEN. As for the other possessions, they have him try to make a play by himself. That’s stupid basketball. ISO Joe is the real issue, not Joe taking the last shot.
Let me ask you this… WHY THE F!CK was Joe in-bounding the last play anyways? Why didn’t they set up screens for him to get free?
Yeah, Joe missed shots in the fourth quarters, but so did Carmelo. That didn’t stop Woody from going to him. Joe had a better efficiency than Melo, as well.
Josh didn’t do sh!t today and it shows. Don’t try to protect that idiot. The guy turned over the ball FIVE times, had horrible offensive efficiency, and allowed Amare to punk him. Heck, even Teague stepped up to that fool more than Josh. He tackled that bum to the ground!
Anyways, still an entertaining game. I can’t wait for the playoffs.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
12:49 am
Marvin awakened his inner dog tonite!!!
It was a poodle.
I couldn’t resist, sorry – he played his obligatory 2 or 3 20+ pt. games per season tonite.
Now if he could keep it up…
I’m not holding my breath .
TMACfan
April 23rd, 2012
12:54 am
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/18773030/video-clippers-f-reggie-evans-executes-flop-of-the-year-against-hornets
If anyone wants a laugh…
Dave
April 23rd, 2012
2:59 am
“Get the first round over with losers so we can move on. Get a real coach and breakup this group of underachievers finally during offseason.”
PASS THE COLLECTION PLATE, THERES A PREACHER IN THE BUILDING. GRANNY PASSED OUT UP FRONT LOL
Lil Mikey
April 23rd, 2012
3:01 am
“…IF Woody coached the entire Knick season, his team is the #1 seed…I’m just saying…” – Slimjr
Drugs.
Lil Mikey
April 23rd, 2012
3:04 am
“…I would trade AL to the Kings for Tyreke Evans & Jason Thompson…”
Definitely drugs. For a lockerroom headache and career underachiever? lol Sund-esque type move
vava74
April 23rd, 2012
3:23 am
Annoying loss, but not much more than that.
Lack of coaching and a series of bad calls and non-calls derailed us.
Also, Josh reverts back to his old self for TWO matches and everyone is ready to dismiss him, forgetting that he has been carrying this team throughout the year??
Calm down people. If continues to go astray from what he did well during the season, you can criticize him, but not after two games (you cannot also forget that bad calls usually make him lose his focus and there were plenty of those yesterday).
These guys already know that they are locked up with the Celtics and its normal that their effort on D would be suspect.
On JJ:
JJ should be called into LD’s office – if LD had a brain – to tell him that he will be the man for the last shot, BUT ONLY AFTER BALL MOVEMENT.
JJ can’t be serious after those last two possessions and needs a reality check.
It’s not that his ISO play is completely ineffective, but it is simply NOT GOOD enough to be the scheme to close games every single possession.
This is on LD (again).
Also, how can an ISO play feature Josh at the three point line?
We have the tools, but we do not have the coach to make it work.
Yesterday was the battle of the perennial assistants and won the team with the better ISO scorer and the refs assistance.
That’s it.
Finally: poor Marvin, he does not have any basketball awareness in his bones. If had popped, we would have won easily because from 10 feet he would have not missed the shot.
Lil Mikey
April 23rd, 2012
4:32 am
You Josh apologist are ALWAYS blaming the coach! When are you going to stop babying him? He’s a CAPTAIN, makes 13 MILLION and whines about ALL STARS SNUBS more than PLAYOFFS BLOWOUTS.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 23rd, 2012
7:46 am
LD and Joe need to have a chat.
But they won’t, because LD never holds Joe accountable
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 23rd, 2012
7:49 am
Steve
Finally: poor Marvin, he does not have any basketball awareness in his bones. If had popped, we would have won easily because from 10 feet he would have not missed the shot.
*****
did the guy not even look at clock as he was driving to hoop?????? He was DIRECTLY in front of it
Eric T
April 23rd, 2012
8:02 am
Ok If Josh attacks the rim quickly and on a regular basis the hawks can win an NBA title!
E43
April 23rd, 2012
8:32 am
How is it that some are crying about Joe Johnson. Joe has the most complete game in every phase. The problem is his teammates get into trouble and then all of a sudden don’t want anything to do with the ball.
Example was against the celtics. Hinrich passes the ball to Teague with the shot clock running down. Teague makes no attempt to even dribble, he then passes the rock right back to hinrich? Perfect opportunity to drive or attempt to get something. That way he can say the clock ran out. He passed it to hinrich who dribbled for a few steps and clanked a mid range shot. He essentially forces hinrich whoi gives Teague the ball because hes the fastest to get to the rim into forcing a long shot.
Another example is that same game when Josh is running a break on his weak side. Nothing was going to happen out of the play but he dumps the ball off to hinrich and the defense is already set. He dumps the ball off early and you just might’ve had a 3 pointer somewhere.
Alternative to both situations is to start pargo instead of hinrich because pargo can make a bucket with inches and he is quicker than Kirk.
If your going to complain about ISO joe bogging down the offense then Smith and Teague should be held accountable for things when they break down the offense. Pargo and Green find their way onto the court in crunch time because they can be held accountable for their possessions in the clutch.
It takes 5 to take the court. I’ll take ISO joe and his issues because he makes the right decisions and doesnt just dump the ball off when he gets in trouble. It’s the other 4 guys that need to be studied more before the playoffs. If anything, Joe needs to be benched the next two games. Maybe even bench Willie Green as well because he knows his role and has been consistent.
Let Teague-hinrich-smith*-Ivan*-Zaza* try to figure things out in the 2 upcoming games. This way we can bring horford off the bench at PF if he is ready vs Dallas. We would also have time to get both mcgrady and stack some warm up minutes without loosing competitiveness. I think they will gain more by resting joe and Willie. Besides, home court in Atlanta is not saying much.
rollow lawson
April 23rd, 2012
9:30 am
E43 at 8:32am and Big Lou at 12:45 am:
HAMMER MEET NAIL!!!!
You are exactly right in your summation on the situation regarding this coaching staff and Joe Johnson. Run plays in crunchtime to get Joe the ball to make a play. And I’m not talking about Iso-Joe. That is not a play!!
When Joe got good looks, he was knocking down shots. When he was double teamed he consistently found the open man. I get where Joe is coming from. Larry Drew gets out-coached constantly. He is afraid to call Josh out when he is playing out of control. But he goes out of his way to scold Teague when he makes a mistake. This team has know direction and that is Larry Drew’s fault.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2012
10:09 am
“If your going to complain about ISO joe bogging down the offense then Smith and Teague should be held accountable for things when they break down the offense. Pargo and Green find their way onto the court in crunch time because they can be held accountable for their possessions in the clutch.”
It is important to make a distinction between Joe and iso-Joe. Joe is a person, iso-Joe is a play. I don’t think there’s anyone here who doesn’t want Joe taking shots in crunch time. The problem is that on a consistent basis, he makes those shots at a higher rate when someone else creates the shot for him than when he has to create it himself in an isolation situation.
As for Teague, I will always hold a 10 year veteran more responsible for a breakdown than a guy who hasn’t even started for a full season.
KevinM
April 23rd, 2012
10:31 am
LD and Marvin have something in common: both think he is better than Marvin really is….again I ask…has Marvin EVER had the ball in his hands the last possession of a game? Everyone here should have known the results. There was no foul, and of all the possessions in the game, Marvin decides to penetrate on the final possession. His IQ is not in question by me.
The game was back and forth, and we all know, we make some teams look better than they are. The Knicks are no better than last year’s group that got swept by the Celtics.
Give me Josh on Melo all day and move Marvin to Baron Davis. Melo knew he could deliver on Marvin, and that folks is coaching strategy, nothing more.
As I said earlier, we need Zaza against Boston, or it will be a fast exit. It may be anyway, because what has Zaza exerted since his injury?
Going into this week, we should just enjoy the last 2 games and keep everyone involved, even if that includes Collins and Dampier.
vava74
April 23rd, 2012
10:35 am
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2012
10:09 am
Co-sign.
The bottom line is simple: we have been competitive in most of our losses.
Came up short over and over due to poor coaching.
That gives me SOME comfort going forward since it’s not impossible that we manage to play well and win games in the playoffs against the same teams against who we lost.
Difficult, but not impossible with that fool on the bench, since he is not devoid of some play calling.
That final play was a good play, which worked last year and almost worked yesterday.
Unfortunately, Marvin has not been placed on that situation before last night and his lack of court/shot clock awareness was exposed.
He should have popped and shot that damn ball from the free throw line.
Also, is it me (who hasn’t been watching whole games recently) or LD has shut down the zone D to close the season?
I think he may be keeping some of his cards close to the chest for the playoffs (an imbecile move, if you ask me).
KevinM
April 23rd, 2012
10:49 am
Is it me or is LD not trying to win EVERY game? Is he still experimenting the last week of the season?
That’s what I love about LD. He tries to win when he doesn’t give it his all. He tries to ‘keep’ some of his special go-to strategies for the playoffs.
We have a chance against Boston if we have HC and if we can close them out in 7.
DawgNole
April 23rd, 2012
10:51 am
RA
April 22nd, 2012
10:38 pm
For my money, I’d take today’s loss over Friday’s win any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
______________________
No wonder we’re called “Losersville.”
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
10:53 am
Jeff Teague has more Steals and Blocks this season than Joe Johnson ever has, and that after only 64 games.
Not to minimize JJ, whom I like – just sayin’ – trying to keep it real.
Teague’s played every game also. He’s still trying to be a PG on this team, with two alpha dogs above him on the pecking order. That’s why he defers. It’s in his nature to take over games if you’ve ever seen him when he played at Wake. Here, he gets called out for it by JJ and Josh. Then when he doesn’t take over games, he gets called out by some bloggers for being scared, no confidence etc.
Nope, he’s just trying to adjust to his role as facilitator and not alpha male.
And after watching Teague this year, I’m mad we ever traded Jason Terry. I was mad when we traded him. I knew it was the wrong move, but I kept trying to convince myself Hawks brass knew more than me. Same with the Gasol trade. I liked Shareef. But something told me that was the wrong move.
Teague is a slightly lesser version of Jason Terry to me. Games aren’t identical, but they’re similar.
Let’s not make the same mistake and let JT2 out of here. He’ll be a decent player in this League. Already is really, but seems to want to keep improving based on his obvious offseason work ethic.
I’d take his brother on this team as well if he’s available. They are 5 years apart in age. So when Jeff’s 29, he can turn the reins over to little bro’ at 24, and become the backup. Marquis would be pretty good in a Jamal/Flip/JC2 role.
DawgNole
April 23rd, 2012
10:55 am
SteveW
April 22nd, 2012
10:52 pm
All I got out of today is that we can’t beat the #7 seed who was playing without Chandler and Lin, and we were at Home.
I’m supposed to be pleased by this?
_________________________
Nope, and it’s good to see that you’re not. Too many around here dimishing the importance of a win vs a loss.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:00 am
Tyreke Evans is a good BB player. I just don’t know if he’s got that drive to improve and stay in shape the way JJ, Josh, Teague and Al have.
That’s what I like about those 4 guys BTW, despite all the negatives we can lard on them. They improve and train like crazy in the off season, and that culture is fantastic for a team. It breeds it on the other guys.
So if we thought Tyreke could buy into that, I’d take him in a heartbeat. Dudes got game. But he does make Josh look like Reggie Miller from the 3point line.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2012
11:03 am
“Also, is it me (who hasn’t been watching whole games recently) or LD has shut down the zone D to close the season?
I think he may be keeping some of his cards close to the chest for the playoffs (an imbecile move, if you ask me).”
Yeah, I haven’t seen much zone recently. I don’t mind him playing it close to the vest, though, because you know that Doc is going to be prepared for anything LD throws at him. The more tricks LD has up his sleeve, the more time the Hawks can buy before the Celtics start figuring out what they are doing.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
I like the idea of trading Al for a small forward, but I don’t know if Evans is a great fit on this team. He seems to be the type that needs to dominate the ball to have success. With the emergence of Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, and DeMarcus Cousins this season, if Evans was able to play off the ball, we would have seen his numbers stay the same and his efficiency increase. He hasn’t been as consistent or efficient as he should have been.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
Our guys came into camp in good shape, except MC said Al was a little overweight marrying Ms. Universe and all I guess.
That’s why our winning % is .594 this season and it was .536 last season, even though we lost Al. That, and Teague giving us an athletic PG.
I like our core because of that. Now if it would ever rub off on Marvin…
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:12 am
I just don’t look at Tyreke as a 3. And I wouldn’t trade Al for him straight up either. Now Al and our 1st pick for Tyeke and their lottery pick, I may take a look at.
I’d play Tyreke as 3rd G. Or start him, and bring Teague off the bench as the 3rd G.
Rusty
April 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
One major problem the hawks have besides LD is JJ. Down the stretch he plays iso basketball ,as shown before the hawks might win 2 games out of 10. He just takes the team out of rhythm wenth he is dribbling the ball with the cloak running down. This team will never win as long as we keep going into iso Joe mode with 5 minutes left in the game. I guess we ca. Also blame that on LD as he always let’s that happen.
DawgNole
April 23rd, 2012
11:16 am
KevinM
April 23rd, 2012
10:31 am
Going into this week, we should just enjoy the last 2 games and keep everyone involved, even if that includes Collins and Dampier.
____________________________
We SHOULD enjoy the last 2 games, yes; hopefully the team will make that possible by winning them.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:19 am
Another thing I like about Tyreke, he’s only 22 so he’s got a long career ahead of him if he’ll “get it”.
cp
April 23rd, 2012
11:21 am
Yea Tyreke has to dominate the ball to be successful plus he cant shoot. He doesnt look like the same guy from his rookie season. They say he is a locker room cancer too. Dude has talent but he hasnt turned into the player many thought he would be so far. Im also not a fan of Jason Thompsons game. I still think the Hawks will try and move Josh or Al during the draft. I dont know how high of a pick they would get for either but I think they will try and move one of them. Maybe a team like the Nets would be willing to give up their pick for say Josh so they could convince DWill to stay. Hard to say what will happen with this front office I wouldnt be surprised if they brought everyone back and talk about how injuries kept them from being as good as they could have been.
DawgNole
April 23rd, 2012
11:24 am
Najeh Davenpoop
April 22nd, 2012
11:26 pm
“Am I WRONG for cheering for my team?”
If the so-called negative minded bloggers weren’t cheering their team, they probably wouldn’t be on here every day talking about them. People who don’t like or don’t care about the Hawks don’t waste their time posting on MC’s blog. You are not wrong for cheering your team, but they are not wrong for being realistic either.
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Rock-solid response to yet another SCREAMER.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:26 am
Boston’s off season:
Sign Asik as a FA. Can’t see Chicago matching a decent offer. The Bulls payroll is shot.
Start:
Asik
Bass
Peirce
Bradley
Rondo
Bench: Green at F (if he comes back), and they have picks #23 and 24 in this years draft.
And they will be a tough team with Doc coaching. And have a ton of cap space moving forward.
SteveW
April 23rd, 2012
11:30 am
I keep thinking Detroit is going to try and give up their lottery pick for Josh, so they can pair Josh and Monroe together in the Frontcourt.
But who knows, we may try to build around Josh (if he’ll stay) Al, and JJ, with ZaZa and Teague as pieces around them.
After this injury, I think Al’s full time C days are over. Spot minutes yes, But full time, no.