Archive for April, 2012

• This is what the Hawks can look like when they give Jeff Teague the ball and let him go. Or, maybe more accurately, this is what it can look look like when give him the ball and he decides to go. “We were just trying to push the ball, get to the basket, and force the issue in the paint,” Teague said. “It worked out for us.”
• After settling for a couple jump shots early, Teague relentlessly attacked the basket the rest of the night for 24 points on 16 shots and five free throws. He had 11 assists and didn’t have a turnover until the third quarter. The Pistons didn’t have an answer for him, and it’s not like they don’t have fleet-footed guards.
• “He was a load to handle all night,” Lawrence Frank said.
• “Once he got aggressive off the dribble, it started opening up everything,” Larry Drew said. “We got our transition game going, he got to the basket. I thought he made some nice plays off the dribble. When he’s in tha attack mode like that and he’s aggressive, we’re a different …

Continue reading Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 101, Pistons 96 »

• Vladimir Radmanovic (back) is still out. He will not travel to Charlotte for tomorrow’s game.
• The Hawks would pull within a half game of Indiana for third in the East with a victory and a Pacers loss to the Thunder.
• Larry Drew doesn’t have to do much convincing for his players to believe the Pistons are a threat. They’ve posted a 17-13 record since a 4-20 start with Ws vs. the Celtics (twice), Lakers, Hawks and Magic. Detroit won the last meeting and the Hawks needed a hero 3 from Joe Johnson to win the first matchup.
• “They’ve been very competitive,” Drew said. “I’ve always thought they were better than what their record indicanted. They’ve got guys who can score the ball. The rookie, [Brandon] Knight, I really like him. Both [Greg] Monroe and [Jason] Maxiell are as good as there is around that basket; they are very rugged, play a physical style. Tayshaun [Prince] is a pro, very steady. They’ve got guys that know how to play. When you are a new coach and come in and put …

Continue reading Pistons at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread »

• Sure, it was just the Bobcats, whose minimal chances to win evaporated when Corey Maggette didn’t suit up and D.J. Augustin left the game after just 11 minutes. Then again, the Hawks beat them down with none of their starters playing more than 30 minutes, Joe Johnson scoring 16 points on 13 shots and a so-so effort on the boards.
• Aside from another lax defensive effort in the first quarter, there wasn’t much not to like. The Hawks attacked the basket, shared the ball (and took care of it), played with pace and got to the free-throw line while opening up the big lead in the first half. They even avoided a typical sluggish start to the third quarter and then the starters got to watch the reserves finish things off.
• “I was really happy that we were able to rest those guys in the fourth quarter,” Larry Drew said. “It was a good game all around. I thought from start to finish we executed our game plan.”
• Well, maybe not the start. Why is it the Hawks always seem OK with a …

Continue reading Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 120, Bobcats 93 »

• Vladimir Radmanovic (back) is out. Jannero Pargo (appendectomy) and Jerry Stackhouse (personal) are available. Corey Maggette is out and Tyrus Thomas (jaw) is questionable for the Bobcats.
• Larry Drew on how he plans to manage Pargo’s minutes: “I’ve got to get him back acclimated. I can tell he’s anxious to play. We’ll see how he does with his wind. I will keep a close eye on him.”
• Drew on managing minutes for Josh Smith and Joe Johnson over the final 12 games: “I don’t want to necessarily rest those guys but I do want to cut down on their minutes. Just as long as we can stay efficient with what we are doing. With 12 games left it’s important to try to win every game but at same time don’t want to pile minutes on guys.”
• Al Horford said he’s “sore” a day after his first practice: “I expected it. At least it’s a step in the right direction. Still no contact but I felt good out there.” He said he’s next scheduled to see his doctor a week before the playoffs begin and still …

Continue reading Bobcats at Atlanta Hawks: Game thread »

The Hawks’ spirits were noticeably high at practice today, and that was true even before rookie Ivan Johnson (belatedly) sang “Happy Birthday” (badly) to Larry Drew.

Jannero Pargo was back at practice 17 days after his appendectomy. Al Horford participated in non-contact team drills for the first time since his Jan. 17 pectoral surgery. Everyone seemed refreshed and rejuvenated after two days off–even Tracy McGrady was laughing, joking and engaged.

Maybe it was the convergence of rest, better health and the easing of the schedule that had the Hawks (mostly) ditching the “one game at a time” mantra and actually casting an eye on the East standings to contemplate where they might finish.

“Everybody is right there,” Drew said. “As I told the coaches, this thing is going to jump around from now until the end the way we are all bunched up. Some schedules are favorable, some guys are out on the road quite a bit. Some are home. Some are half and half. It’s going to be interesting how …

Continue reading Atlanta Hawks: Better health, easier schedule to finish season »

After looking at the numbers back on March 13, I concluded that the best outcome for the Hawks would be to draw Orlando in the first round and avoid Miami in the second. I updated the numbers for the Hawks today to reflect their rematches vs. Chicago and Philadelphia. I also added New York and Boston to the chart since it’s still conceivable the Hawks could face either of those foes in the first round.

Of the teams leading the Hawks in the East standings, the Magic still appear to be the best matchup, followed closely by Indiana. Every other matchup with the top 5 looks to be problematic.

The Sixers, currently seventh in the East but just a game behind Boston in their division, remain a terrible matchup for the Hawks. The Hawks have struggled to defend the Sixers even though they’ve managed to engage them in the low-possession games they prefer. Scoring against Philly hasn’t been easy for the Hawks, either, but at least they finally showed they could do it Saturday.

The one …

Continue reading Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. potential playoff foes »