Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Game 2: Celtics 87, Hawks 80
- Larry Drew was asked if he had any regrets about not coming back with his starters earlier when the game got away from the Hawks in the fourth quarter. But his answer reveals he thought he was being scrutinized for bringing them back too soon.
- “I would have done the exact same thing,” he said. “I thought it was important to hold onto momentum and not allow them to get it. I tried to rest my guys as long as I could to give them a blow but I didn’t want the game to get away from us from a momentum standpoint. So I made the decision to try to bring them back and try to regain momentum. I will stick with that decision.”
- It turned out Josh Smith’s injury overshadowed Drew’s curious decision to not always have Joe Johnson and Josh on the floor with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Smith suffered what the team said is a sprained left knee, apparently when he landed after a missed layup attempt with 5:14 to play, and appeared to later aggravate it while trying to block out Garnett for a rebound.
- Josh walked to the locker room under his own power and a team spokesman said he left the arena the same way. The Hawks said Josh will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
- Without Josh, Atlanta’s stagnating offense lost one of its best options at a critical time. Josh had scored 16 points on 21 shots up until that point while favoring jump shots and failing to get to the free-throw line. But the Hawks could have used some of his post-ups. He had a nice driving score and missed a clean look on a hook shot just before his injury.
- “He’s a guy we go to down the stretch from a post-up standpoint,” Drew said. “His energy going down to the end of a game and all the things he brings to the table, we were minus it. It certainly did have an impact on the last four minutes of the game. We tried to play small to match up and try to open up the floor a little bit but we didn’t have that low-post presence.”
- While Drew focused on resting his starters, Doc Rivers rode Pierce for the entire second half. Pierce made him look smart by delivering 20 points on 12 shots and nine rebounds after halftime (offsetting five ragged turnovers). “I wanted to give Paul a rest early in the fourth quarter but I just couldn’t with the way the game was going,” Rivers said.
- The weird thing about Drew’s approach is that he tried to manage his starters’ minutes late in the regular season. I thought that was because he could ride them in the playoffs.
- Watching Pierce and Joe Johnson in the second half reminded me of the story I wrote during last year’s Finals about nearly all NBA contenders have had first- or second-team All-NBA talent :” [J]ust 15 of 122 teams to make the finals — 12 percent — did so without a player considered among the league’s 10 best. That trend will continue this postseason: Miami’s LeBron James was named first-team All-NBA and teammate Dwyane Wade and Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki were voted to the second team.”
- And so there was Pierce outscoring the Hawks 16-10 as Boston turned a 65-54 deficit to am 81-75 lead. And there was Joe missing 7 of 10 shots after halftime, throwing the ball away twice at winning time (bailed out by a Pierce double dribble once), clanking a free throw with the Hawks down 81-77 and getting his driving shot blocked by KG.
- Joe stayed away from the iso’s for the most part and made some spot-up Js but he looked pretty passive for much of the night. Now I wonder if his response to the poor finish will be to try to take over in Game 3. The Hawks should hope not because Boston’s defense is just too good for him to still get his when he plays that way.
- The Celtics crowd Joe, bump him, swipe at the ball, clog the lane when he makes his move and generally don’t allow him to get comfortable. Joe just hasn’t shown he can overcome that kind of pressure to score at winning time in the playoffs.
- In the fourth quarter the Hawks scored 14 points on 19 shots, had five turnovers and recorded one assist on four field goals. All but four of those 14 attempts were in the paint with Jeff Teague’s missed 3-pointer the only desperation attempt.
- “In the fourth quarter they pushed us out of our sweet spots,” Drew said. “We couldn’t even initiate our offense the way we were supposed to. We just didn’t handle the pressure very well.”
- “I think it’s a combination of us allowing those guys to take us out of our offense by denying, pressing up and being physical,” Willie Green said. “That and then us not getting us into our plays quicker. I think we’ve got to put pressure on those guys when we get the rebound to get into our plays right away.”
- Kirk Hinrich was very good offensively in the first half (eight points on four shots), not so much after halftime–but who was for the Hawks? He worked hard on defense, where he has a knack for using his strength, positioning and relentlessness to be effective. He’s showed up in the playoffs.
- Teague had some big moments until he was 0 for 4 in 10 fourth-quarter minutes.
- Jason Collins played 22 minutes. He was plus-three but managed just two points and three rebounds and had two turnovers. The Celtics got him on the move more often this time.
- Ivan Johnson had a brutal offensive game (six points on seven shots, two turnovers in 20 minutes). It’s not the best idea for him to shoot jumpers or try to attack KG but give Ivan some credit for trying to make something happen as Atlanta’s offense halted.
- Marvin Williams was a team-worst -13 in 21 minutes and this was one of those times when that stat wasn’t misleading. Marvin wasn’t good defensively, couldn’t shake free to score. His six rebounds were the only highlight.
- Apparently all it took to make Tracy McGrady sour again was a quick hook in the second quarter. He didn’t look pleased while slowly walking to the bench. He had three points on zero shots, a turnover and a nifty blocked shot of Garnett at the time but can’t blame Drew for bringing Joe back in once Rivers summoned Pierce off the bench.
- Give the Celtics credit for winning this game, especially Pierce. If there was any doubt after Game 1, it’s clear now the Hawks are going to have to take this series from Boston. “This is a tough-minded basketball team and having a lot of veterans on your team helps with that,” Rivers said. “The only way we were going to win a game like that without Ray [Allen] and Rondo was if Paul had a game like this.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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152 comments Add your comment
Pick and Miss
May 2nd, 2012
7:45 am
Im so sick of watching these losers. Drew got totally outcoached. Does he have any plays at all? The best plays (actually the only play) we have coming out of time out is a pick and miss play with Joe and Ivan Johnson? What can Ivan do coming off a pick? And then Slow Joe never looks for the other guy anyways. Unfortunately, this is going to be the team in Atlanta until we get new owners/GM/coach. There was no excuse last night to lose to a team without two of their best players. They had no point guard but we never once pressured them. Just terrible game plan/coaching/playing. It is so frustrating to watch these losers!!!
Section 303
May 2nd, 2012
7:45 am
northcyde, if you drove from Tennessee for last night’s game, I’m sorry. Really. I can only imagine what a sh#t ride back that was for you. My ride back to Smyrna was hard enough.
Section 303
May 2nd, 2012
7:49 am
I hate Marvin Williams. I hate Larry Drew even more for giving him minutes he does not deserve. Reading Michael’s quotes for last night (I was to angry to watch the NBA TV presser), LD says he would do the samething again. Really? First, we had the ‘10 playoffs where Mike Woodson refused to double Dwight Howard. Now, we have LD refusing to limit the minutes of the bench that is producing nothing in this series. Can’t bring LD back next season.
I am so p#ssed off at the Hawks for losing last night. More angry than a rational person should be. I am so glad I have tickets to the Counting Crows on Friday night. Will not have to sit home and watch this team of a$$clowns play.
Contract the Hawks.
terrell
May 2nd, 2012
7:59 am
The Marvin Williams curse continues. Been going on since 2005. Get rid of this clown for crying out loud.
northcyde
May 2nd, 2012
8:08 am
303 . . I didn’t go to the game. But even if I did, yeah, that was a tough loss . . . but not the end of the world.
I hope you guys realize that this was a MUST WIN for Boston. If they go down 2 – 0 in this series, they’d have to beat us 4 out of the next 5 games. They played desperate, we kinda choked, and they won.
It’s playoff basketball.
Now it becomes a best of 5 series, and Boston has home court. So we simply have to go up there and win a game.
But now the tables are turned. Those arrogant mo-fos think they have the series wrapped up, and every talking head in the NBA will tell them that. Hopefully they’ll start thinking that they’re the “Big Bad Celtics” again, and the Hawks will punch them in the mouth to make sure that this will be a war.
So it’s up to the Hawks to go up there and get a game.
LOL . . as much of a beating as JJ is taking, he scored 13 points despite missing 7 of 10 shots ( as MC stated ) mainly because he went 5 – 6 FT and hit 2 threes.
MC won’t mention that JJ scored 22 points on 17 shots, and actually the most efficient scorer the Hawks had last night . . . but I understand. He couldn’t make the superstar plays to close the game. He’s paid like a superstar, so he will get superstar criticism when he doesn’t get it done.
Hopefully he understands that, and simply needs to play better down the stretch. He only took 3 shots in the quarter, but it was the 2 turnovers that was the killer. I’d rather for him to take off balance 22 footers, than to turn the ball over.
northcyde
May 2nd, 2012
8:10 am
LOL . . as much of a beating as JJ is taking, he scored 13 points in the 2nd half despite missing 7 of 10 shots ( as MC stated ), mainly because he went 5 – 6 FT and hit 2 threes.
ToeKnee
May 2nd, 2012
8:12 am
can we amnesty Joe Johnson during the playoffs? or do we have to wait until next season?
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
8:15 am
More Observations:
* T-Mac can get to the line 4 FTs in 6 min.
* So can Ivan
* Teague is a [2] guard / not a natural [1]
* I`m with Buddy G / sign Nash in the off-season
* I cannot imagine our offense stagnating with Nash
* Amnesty Joe or trade him to knicks for Amare / re-unite Nash & Amare
* Plus Josh; Al; & Zaza-[Gortat], Teaguer-[Barbosa]
* Jerry Sloan … heck-fire get `em all a ring
* [Sloan was either (Ra`mon or Emir`s) idea not mine]
* Never,,, ever,,, play Marvin again,,, ever,,, for any reason,,, whatsoever !
* LD has had a nice apprenticeship
* Now – he can go coach the Clippers or Sac-town or …
* … some other team with sucky owners ………………..
* Play V-Rad / T-Mac / & / Ivan
* In no particular order
* Just don`t play Collins or Marvin
MsDee
May 2nd, 2012
8:24 am
OK, we are now tied in this series..going into Beantown, we might be w/o Josh. The player that MUST step up and play as if HE can BE that STAR is non other than Jeff Teague!! Just how Pierce took it upon himself to get the first 9 points in this game, Teague needs to do the same. Teague is the ONLY player who can get to the rim at will. His 1st 5 possessions should be to attack the rim and draw some quick fouls on Boston. In every game played against Boston, the ref’s has giving Boston the right foul calls so that shouldnt be a problem. If Josh is indeed out for game 3, no excuse for Teague to have a problem getting the ball up the court after a rebound cause he wont have to worry about Josh keeping it just to make an illevised pass for a turn over. My point is, this SHOULD be Teagues’ game come Friday. Not Joe, tho I still expect Joe to have atleast 18-22pts. And like northcyde said, COULD SOMEBODY, ANYBODY PLEASE TELL DREW TO PLAY TMAC LONGER THAT MARVIN IN GAME 3..PLEASE!!!!!!!!! (I wont even put a minimum on min for Tmac, as long as it more than Marvin’s!)
Robbie
May 2nd, 2012
8:28 am
No they don’t miss Jamal Crawford, another ISO player who pounds the bball.
They miss Lenny Wilkens. A good coach who actually brings an identity and holds players accountable.
Former Hawks fan
May 2nd, 2012
8:32 am
Watching the first two games illustrates what idiots the Atlanta Spirit are for making Joe Johnson their franchise player and giving up the farm, the barn and the horses to get him. He’s a very good player but not someone that can dominate a game or even make a difference in the game. Last night when the Celtics came back and the Hawks needed to respond Joe Johnson was hanging out at the edge of the 3 point line watching. He didn’t even try to get into the offense, let alone dominate it. Again, no doubt he’s a very good player but not great.
Daily Noontime – May 2, 2012 | Noontime Sports
May 2nd, 2012
8:34 am
[...] According to the Atlantic Journal Constitution – Josh Smith sustained a sprained left knee with 5:14 remaining in regulation. Smith, who remained in the game until the whistle sounded, aggravated it when attempting to deny [...]
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
8:36 am
ToeKnee … … plaudits
‘`can we amnesty Joe Johnson during the playoffs?
or do we have to wait until next season? `’
____________________________________________
Such an effervescent idea.
O'brien
May 2nd, 2012
8:40 am
What’s up Big Ray,
Josh does not get enough credit, but part of that is because he is so frustrating to watch at times. After a really good game 1, he goes 1-8 on jumpers in game 2, including some terrible shots/decision making.
O'brien
May 2nd, 2012
8:40 am
Another one of LD’s mistakes is to have Collins and Marvin on the floor at the same time. When that happens, the Hawks are playing 3 on 5 on offense.
Speaking of which, Dampier should have gotten minutes down the stretch in the regular season, because he deserves a chance to see if he could do better than Collins (especially on offense). And to think, Dampier is the one who pushed us into luxury tax.
O'brien
May 2nd, 2012
8:43 am
LD said the plan was to get out and run. But yet in the 4th, we constantly walked the ball up. Is that a coaching decision, or were the players ignoring LD’s wishes.
In 2 games, Marvin is 2-11 from the field. And last night, despite going 1-6, he still played 20 minutes, but T-Mac only played 6. I don’t get it.
cp
May 2nd, 2012
8:57 am
Other than adding the 3 point shot to his game, Marvin is pretty much the same player he was coming out of NC. He still cant handle the ball, create his own shot, or finish at the rim. How many more years is left on his contract? There has to be a sf available this year when the Hawks pick that can replace what he does.
Peter
May 2nd, 2012
9:11 am
OK….. so Joe Johnson willed the team to Victory as he typically does in Kobe or Paul Pierce fashion. you know a leader with intensity !
Wake up the dream is over !
doc
May 2nd, 2012
9:18 am
ld flat lost control of the game from 3 minutes left in the third quarter and the first 4 minutes of the fourth as he rested his young studs and pierce and kg stayed on the court. they had starters we had total second stringers in totally overmatched. even my czech girlfriend is saying we need 2 and 5 on the court as she doesn’t know the names. LD sometimes gets a little guy syndrome and just does stupid things when coaching against the likes of rivers who probably was loving that move.
not too many calls went our way on contact as pierce literally falls into Ivan for a call and jj rounds off and gets contact and where there is no way a defender couldnt get set gets the call against him.
no ball movement at all in the end which helps old people.
Tough game to sit through.
MsDee
May 2nd, 2012
9:22 am
Also, I know that most on here is blaming Drew, but ‘our’ bench let us down once again. Pargo, Willie Green, & Marvin has YET to do anything against Boston all season. Not sure if its Boston defense against them or what but they MUST GET IT TOGETHER! Our starters were tired after that 11pt lead. What killed us, tho were Dooling’s (Jamal-like) 3’s in the corner. Tmac should have come in ONLY from the bench at that time to post up to draw attention to himself to give Joe rest/relief on the offensive end. Teague should start cutting to the basket when Tmac post’s up for a quick pass from Tmac or fake pass to Teague for a skip pass to Joe on the other side for a catch and shoot, NO DRIBBLING! Josh and Ivan to get into position for the rebound. Its not that hard, Drew, not at all!!
ejh
May 2nd, 2012
9:35 am
Before this series started I had the Hawks winning in 6. I still think they will win the series, but it may have to be in 7 now. Probably would have won the series in 5 if they wiould have won last night, but they did not so let’s move on to game 3. I thought the Hawks gave the game away last night. The 3 point basket that Keyon Dooling hit out of the corner gave Boston there first three of the series and that helped get them some momentmum. But I blame LD and the Hawks for not continuing to get in transition in the later part of the third quarter and continuing to push the pace of the game. Against the Celtics you have to make this a helter-skelter game. you can not hold the ball until the end of the shot clock, because once you allow their defense to get set, they are very good in their rotations. The hawks have to push the ball up the court after made shots or missed shots, make two or three passes side to side and either drive or kick back out to an open shooter, and his has to be done within the first 12 to 15 seconds on the shot clock, this is how you speed the game up. It does not allow the celtics to set there defense.
Also the worst substitution in my opinion was when collins fouled out was not substituting Dampier for collins. It is eveident that Garnett is having a problem with 7 foot guys pushing him away from the basket. He backs Josh down and shoots over the top, but against bigger guys he stands on the perimeter and shoots jumpers, that is where I would prefer he be. give Dampier minutes when collins gets in foul trouble and keep Josh and Ivan and Vlad at the 4 position.
kreedham
May 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
If Zaza could just play….he’d at least make Garnett sore the next morning.
MsDee
May 2nd, 2012
9:44 am
Hey, just came up with a game us fans & bloggers can play just to kill some time. Its called, “LET’S PLAY COACH”
Those of us who are HUGE Hawks fans and have kelp up with the Hawks should know their personals by now. If you were coach Drew in the last 5 min of the game, (or whenever Josh left), WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?? Play-by-play if ya can..thx!
kreedham
May 2nd, 2012
9:47 am
MC….to follow up on my last comment….Do the Hawks have any idea when Zaza might be ready?
kreedham
May 2nd, 2012
9:49 am
The media (ESPN) is saying that Stoudemare has to go, after the incident, cause he just can’t work it out with Melo. Trade Amare for Joe, get a HC, let LD stay as an assistant if he wants, get rid of Marvin and beg Josh to stay!
Big Lou
May 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
I wasted my money last night.
The Economy is tuff right now. I’m not going to spend my money as long as LD is coach. Period.
You know what even sadder? The crowd was good, better than Sunday. That’s why people don’t like the Hawks.
I had fans agreeing with me the whole time. Why did LD have all the subs out at once? Why isn’t he riding the starters? Why the heck wasn’t Teague out there when Bradley was at the point? Pargo can’t gaurd him.
Green and Marvin got more minutes than TMAC, yet at least that old man was driving to the basket!
Fire LD and maybe I’ll go to a game. Until then, I rather save up for a team that wins games.
single white dove
May 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
this team wins as a team and lose as a team. what is Larry supposed to do. I dont know why everyone is getting so mad? the hawks showed up, didnt they?
yoursporthousedotcom
May 2nd, 2012
10:35 am
Zero…on the strength
shake & break
May 2nd, 2012
10:37 am
Some of the comments are typical of those who just complain and are never satisfied. You are always looking for the next solution, but it is always misguided.
First, why would you want JC 1 or 2? The Hawks have been there and done that. Plus, how did it work with JC 1 & 2 in Portland & Washington? So now after two playoffs games you want to bring back the same guy (JC1) who was on the team when they were eliminated last year. Also, if JC 1 & JC 2 were still on the team the Hawks likely would have been playing the Heat or Bulls
Second, why would you want Amare? This guy just punched a fire extinguisher and hurt his hand and can’t even play to help his team. And by the way, this is the same guy whose led New York to what? Didn’t the Knicks lose last year and are down 2-0 this year with Amare. Also, how many championships did he win in Phoenix with Steve Nash. Plus, you have Josh, All-NBA Al, ZaZa and Ivan. Why would you want Amare? But again, there goes that usual group of Atlanta Hawks fans who come up with a off the wall or should I say off the extinguisher trade scenario every time a game is lost. This team may need a upgrade at the coaching slot, but what this team is really missing right now is a center that can make any contributions to the game. At least Bass and Bradley are solid players who would play regardless while Twin is a third team bench sitter only to be utilized in certain match-ups. Twin now serves as a starter. That is your issue.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
cp
Marv is not the same player as he was coming out of UNC.
He has gotten worse.
He was a projected [4] *Kevin Garnett; coming out of college.
Turns out he was nowhwre near as tall nor as athletic as advertised.
*[Hawks Scouting Dept] saw him up-close / no excuse !
The problem as far as development:
They have tried to turn him into *Scottie Pippen ?
Which he is not even a reasonable facsimile.
Marv a ‘`slasher`’ … It hurts my eyes to watch.
yoursporthousedotcom
May 2nd, 2012
10:45 am
shake & break,
No what this team needs is a good 2 or 3 because Zero is the worst player in NBA history.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
0`B
How can the Hawks run ?
Collins ?;; Marv ?;; Joe [willfully walks] ?;;
Josh refuses to let Teague have the ball ?;;
Run … this bunch … may as well have Bibby out there.
The only runners are Teague & Josh with Teague trailing ?
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
10:56 am
The Hawks are no longer a young bunch of runnin`, jumpin` athletes !
Our Hawks are Older but none the wiser; grumpy ol` misfits.
Those young upstart athletes now reside in Oklahoma.
yoursporthousedotcom
May 2nd, 2012
10:58 am
WE DO NOT WANT AMARE STOUDAMIRE!! I think Joe would be better with a decent 2 or 3 to play with instead of Zero. This Zero guy is awful and nobody wants him.
kwooden
May 2nd, 2012
11:10 am
LD made a mistake not playing TMAC a lot more. Marvin just didn’t have it on the offensive end and his defense was just OK. LD has to figure out a better rotations to get Pargo, Green and TMAC in the game with more of the starters. I know he needs to find more bigs, especially a PF to backup Josh but Marvin just isn’t producing. LD has to try Vlad at PF because he really can’t produce any worse than Marvin. Overall though we can’t keep losing bigs and expect to win this series. Hopefully Josh and Zaza can be ready for Friday. We need those guys real BAD!
GO HAWKS!!
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
11:17 am
shake & break
I fully agree that Jordan Crawford II is not what we need.
Never liked him to begin with.
On the other hand;
you wasted a lot of typing anal yzing my:
satirical Amare scenario which actually was preceded by
the suggestion to amnesty Joe.
Followed by a Nash:
Josh, Zaza, Al, Teague, unit.
However, if trading one bad contract … Amare
-for-
Joe; gets a Big to replace an aging, non play-off producing,
overpaid, slow, volume shooting [2] guard … then ………….
Yes Amare is / was Stupid !
-I get that-
No; I do not always complain.
Yes, I am always looking for the next solution.
Always misguided … yes, no
Yes, I would like Nash
You, yourself mentioned an up-grade in Coaching;
so, is that your next solution ?
If so, I have already mentioned Sloan.
Although Ra`mon or Emir did so 1st.
I think an upgrade @ the GM position is in order.
More so than coaching.
Head of Scouting – definetly needs re-organization
with a new Director of Player personel.
These suggestions:
i dare you to say they are misguided.
`nuff
kwooden
May 2nd, 2012
11:18 am
ejh, I total agree not sure why LD isn’t using Damp on KG, because Kevin has never liked big guys leaning on him.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
11:21 am
* I not [i] a misguided attempt to capitalize
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:22 am
Larry Drew is by far the worst coach in these playoffs…Bar none….
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:26 am
His coaching meltdown in the 4th quarter has most likely cost the Hawks this series….
Boston should go up 3-1 coming back to Atlanta to close this ish out…
And thats with or without Josh…
Waive Marvina yesterday!
Grandad
May 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
For anyone who cares:
No I would not trade Joe for Amare.
Amare inj prone.
Amare`s contract expires one yr prior to Joe.
However, Amnesty clause can be used on Joe. (if need be)
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
Larry Drew=Norv Turner=Wade Phillips, assistant coaches who stepped outside their gifts [and became Head Coaches]. Strong smart leaders they are not.. Stick to assisting…..Please…
Also add Fal-cons head coach Mike Smith to that list above.[1-6] against the winners in 2011 means he should not lead either..
It will probably take Mr Blank another 2-3 years to figure out he needs a new head coach and QB…sigh…
Walt Frazier
May 2nd, 2012
11:36 am
The Hawks have been down this road before: Now every Hawks (Atlanta) fan can see-that this team needs to be broken up-coach fired, GM fired, and get new owners for this franchise. The Hawks have a mode that they’re in -where their self esteem is high and they play team basketball. On the other hand-when teams such as Boston, who is mentally tough-resists them and overtake them, the Hawks lose their composure and fall again to self doubt, inferiority, and just give up. The coach is the “head” of the team. What do I mean? I emphasized “head” because although any good “head” has to keep its cool, good or great NBA coaches cannot be a “figure head” such as Larry Drew. The media records his many blunders-such as when he pulled Ivan Johnson-for being too aggressive in an aggressive series. Then he probably loses Ivan’s respect with that “give me a hug”, thug- gesture as they walked to the locker room. That’s some weak s*#t as far as I’m concerned. As they say: so goes the coach, so goes his individual (team) players. The Hawks can play like a team, but they are not a team. No one knows their roles, and that’s where their downfall will be. There’s no “I” in team. This team has too many “I”’s It starts with Larry Drew-who has, always to a point of unfairness to the rest of his team, clung to Josh Smith’s jock-ever since he became coach. Atlanta’s former coach, Mike Woodson gave Josh what little maturation Josh has in this present time-but Josh is still not fully mature on his own; he needs discipline from a great coach to succeed. When I looked at the game last night-I was shouting at the television saying “Josh, get the damn ball out of your hands. Even Dominique said to Bob Rathman, “If Josh would give up the ball, he will get the ball right back”. Josh Smith is passionate, I’ll give him that-but sometimes and in the most crucial parts of the game last night, he just shut ALL his teammates out and tried to win the game himself. Josh got hurt and will be out for the season, as a result of his regression in becoming a mature basketball player. Joe Johnson is another “I” that is not in “team”. Joe is a very good basketball player, but he also has a tendency to rely on his “iso-Joe” to get the job done, but the difference between Joe and Josh is that Joe is coachable; Josh isn’t. That’s not to say they Josh can’t be coached, but he can’t be coached by a coach that is at his level of knowledge and expertise and that lets him do anything he wants to do-as he’s still in “awe” of “J-Smooth’s” athletic ability. There’s no way in the world that Doc Rivers, Tom Thib, Popovich, Phil Jackson, or any good/great coach would stand silent on the sidelines and not pull J-Smooth as Josh chooses to dribble the ball up the court disregarding his coach and point guards and drives coast to coast to the hoop on every occasion-and gets rewarded for bad behavior-only because he made the shot. That is unfair to the other Hawk players. What kind of message does that send? I’m not worried that the Hawks will auto-fold right now, because maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Larry Drew will now have depend on his “other” players, instead of swinging on Josh nuts and then the Hawk will start playing “team” ball. We’ll talk about “Mr. Kibbles & Bits” Marvin Williams later; that’s for another chapter in another book.
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
Paul will get his piece of humble pie real soon..I would love to see the 76′ers match up with the Celts..I believe Philly will beat those men in green down!
Its been said he not a nice guy buy a long shot..
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
[by] ^^^^^^
msc
May 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
its sad when the crowd knows more then our coach. The whole time people around me were saying “why the F is tmac not in? Stop letting joe dribble sooo much! Get the bench out of here! call time out! Run and push the tempo” Finally “Laryy Drew Get The F outta Atlanta!” lol
but seriously joe needs to pass and get open for a catch n shoot. not dribble n turn it over with a second left on the clock.
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2012
11:45 am
Josh Smith= SUPER HEAD CASE..
HIS SET SHOT IS NOT PLAYOFF READY AND NEVER WILL BE..Give me Rudy Gay’s jumper all day over Osh’s set shot everyday…
Walt Frazier
May 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
GM: Please push for Steve Nash immediately ASAP.
praim Persaud
May 2nd, 2012
1:40 pm
Is it me or is it hapenning for real LD does not like TMAC – all year – you can see this nonsence for a Coah and his double standards – EVRYTIME TMAc playes over 13 mins – HE DID WELL and the TEAM was winning and the bench was awesome. The last 4 game going in – he got minutes and in all he played well. game One (13 mins) and last night 5 – wow – and when we are getting our ASSES blown off – where is teh COMMONSENSE. He was playing terrific defense (listen to the commentators) and WHAM he is gone – 4th and we are in disarray – in 1 MIN and wham – he is gone.
And this idiot is saying that Tracey is SOUR – DAMN RIGHt he is and has all the rights to be.
The MAN IS a TERRIFIC Basket Ball player who the HAWKS can do with – especially last nigh – how can he get a RYTHM – when he is played in a SEE-SAW Manner – WAKEUP Larry Drew – YOU STINK as a COACH when the pressure is on – you appear lost at SEA and has NO CLUE how to coach and use your talents. YOUR BENCH has proven repeatedly they can win you games – NOW is the TIME tu CAPATLIZE on this fact and assets.
YOU WERE ONCE again OUT COACHED and OUT FOXED by the other coach.
Lets see what MORE DUMB stuff you continue to do.
Tim
May 2nd, 2012
1:42 pm
@slimjr
You really need to shut up with all that nonsense that you be saying,everytime i look you always saying something thats really stupid and negative about somebody.Its pretty clear that you dont have much knowledge about the game of basketball.So how about you go somewhere and stuff some grass and your foot in your mouth you cheap ass sucker.