Atlanta Hawks: Finding a good fit for Lou Williams
New team, good fit? (Photo: Scott Cunningham, NBAE/Getty Images)
The Hawks will have to work out the Jeff Teague-Devin Harris backcourt (assuming it stays that way if/when Danny Ferry is done making trades). They need a true wing player, too.
But I’m most intrigued to see how Lou Williams fits. He’s a very effective scorer but, if he’s going to remain in a role similar to the one he filled in Philly, he may need to play alongside either Harris or Teague.
“I was off the ball [in Philadelphia], I would prefer to be off the ball, and I think both of those guys [Teague and Harris] are on the ball,” Williams said. “So I don’t think it will be an issue as much as people think it is. Once we open up camp I’m sure Coach [Larry] Drew will do a good job in figuring out where everyone is going to go.”
I can’t see any reason why the Hawks would want Williams to change up his game. What’s not to like?
For three seasons Williams was the best kind of bench scorer for the Sixers: high usage, high production and good-to-reasonable efficiency while playing just 26.3 minutes per game. He did all of that while helping the Sixers defensively.
Williams is aggressive and quick, which should help the Hawks play faster. He’s tough and fearless. Heck, Williams even has pretty good flow on the mic.
But he’s better making something happen off the dribble.
“More attacking than catch-and-shoot,” Williams said. “Actually catch-and-shoot is one of the things I’ve been able to work on this whole summer. Coming down in transition and catching the ball and shooting, instead of catching and trying to create so much off the dribble.”
Williams may prefer to play off the ball but it’s not as if he can’t play the point.
According to Synergy Sports Technology, Williams used 30 percent of his possessions in 2011-12 as the screen-roll ballhandler and scored .94 points per possession (19th in the league) while drawing fouls 11 percent of the time on those plays. Last season, screen-roll ballhandler was Williams’ most-frequent play type used and second-most efficient behind spot-ups (12 percent of possessions used, .96 points per possession). Williams posted similar numbers in 2010-11 and 2009-10.
Williams’ career assist rate is low (though higher than Joe Johnson’s) but his turnover rate is ridiculously low. That’s particularly impressive because of Williams’ willingness to create contact; not many guards get to the free-throw line as effectively as Williams, and he’s made free throws at better than 81 percent for three consecutive seasons.
Williams said he patterned his game after former Sixers teammate Allen Iverson.
“The whole time you are in the game be aggressive and don’t take plays off,” Williams said. “I think that’s one of the things I learned from A.I. Watching him, he didn’t take plays off. He always took contact, initiated it and he didn’t shy away from it being a small guard.”
Williams also attributes his foul magnetism to a nifty ball fake: “I got that from Andre Miller. He’s got one of the best pump fakes in the world.”
Perhaps Williams can run the point for the second unit and just focus on scoring. As mentioned, he’s very effective playing off screens and he’s also a very good isolation player: his Synergy efficiency league ranks on those plays the past three seasons were 61st, 49th, and 30th. Williams’ isolations aren’t the ball-stopping kind.
If Williams plays more minutes for the Hawks than he did for the Sixers, it will be interesting to see if he can remain an efficient, impact scorer even with a lower usage rate (probable if he plays a lot of minutes with the starters).
“In the past, in Philadelphia my role was to come in the game and just light it up and score as many points as I possibly could,” Williams said. “Talking to Coach Drew and talking to Danny I think my role will be similar, if not increased. Obviously you have Devin [and] you have Jeff, who are very talented guards, and then you add myself into that mode.
“I have always been a team player, a team guy. I don’t plan on coming in here competing with these guys negatively. I think we all can contribute.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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256 comments Add your comment
brigadierjerry
August 22nd, 2012
7:03 pm
stephen a,
u think lou is a better pg than teague or harris?dont see it and why would u want him over an established pg like harris or teague?
comparing him to iverson?he cant carry offensive load like iverson did. u want lou to start so u can bench horford. if u so down on horford, u think jefferson that much better?how?
KevinM
August 22nd, 2012
7:31 pm
Lou can start without a doubt. Are you going to let Korver get minutes like Hinrich? I think you put your best contributors out there immediately.
Lou is the best 2G we have….Harris can fight with Teague…Korver, Morrow and Jenkins can fight for whatever Lou leaves in minutes.
I’m treating Lou like AI at this point. He gets to the line, can handle contact, and his defense is fine.
If you’re afraid of a small backcourt, let Harris start with Lou. He can prove he’s worthy of another contract this year.
And Ivan isn’t even on the team yet…….you can’t pencil him in. Perhaps Danny has a better option and Ivan comes into camp to earn his slot. We know he and LD have had differences.
KevinM
August 22nd, 2012
7:32 pm
Oh yeah, throw Stevenson in the mix at SF and some spot 2G minutes.
steven a smith
August 22nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Lou Williams may become a 20pt per game guy as a starter. Must develop a “real” starting Center.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 22nd, 2012
7:45 pm
Leave the team like it is.
Teague
Harris
Stephenson
Smoove
Horford
Lou Williams
Morrow
Korver
Big Ivan
Zaza
Petro
Jenkins
Maybe Al Thornton (if he hadn’t signed already or Benson)
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:09 pm
No, Lou was not the PG in Philly but the ball was in his hands the majority of the time when he was on the court there. He can play the position just fine as long as he has release valves (Dead Eye Shooters) on the wings to bail him out when he makes bad decisions with the basketball…. like getting to deep into the teeth of the defense with nowhere to go (B/C he doesn’t keep his dribble when he gets to the launching pad (restricted area of the lane) because he’s NOT a PG). Yes he can spot up, but he needs the ball in his hands to be effective, which is why it’s better for him to run with Jenkins and Korver in the second unit.
Teague needs a capable ball-handler and decision-maker to take pressure off him against elite top-level defenses like Boston and Miami. Having Teague and Kirk made Joe’s life so much easier since he didn’t have to bring the ball up all the time like he had to with Mike Bibby (and wasn’t the only one who could maneuver around against their pressure in the half-court) This is why a Teague/Harris back-court makes the most sense…not to mention they are both very explosive and speedy guards. think Rondo-Bradley form last season with better (explosive) offensive potential.
pointguardslim
August 22nd, 2012
8:14 pm
so… Lebron James vs Ivan Johnson,,, lateral quickness isn’t an issue there but with Josh it is?
Ivan Johnson really? Because of his muscle? Why not get Ben Wallace to guard Lebron
Detox
August 22nd, 2012
8:14 pm
Guys sorry I did not make it back to the last Blog after posting what appears to some as controversial, others interesting and finally one (1) as just downright abusive. I grab about four (4) or five (5) to responded to. I will republish the blog following this one if MC doesn’t do his “cultist” duty to sensor as he frequently does whenever the blogger as for a Al Horford trade.
Here we go.
vava74
August 22nd, 2012
7:09 am
T-S,
Just a quick query in order to see if you are still in touch with reality:
Who and how should the Hawks sign to fill the C slot instead of Al?
Who and how?
Vava, that’s a fair question. My first thoughts are in line with yours a small number of guys who can play the center role well enough to take us higher by defending the rack. My criterion is as your follow up post to the one above stated is a matter of economics as well as need based.
1) We don’t need our center to be a 20+ point scorer as much as we need one who embraces the position as his only position and will sacrifice his body for the protection of the rim. He doesn’t need to lead the league in block shots, but he also doesn’t need to be down around numbers 15-30 like Al Horford. He needs to be big enough and athletic enough to:
ALTER SHOTS, DENY THE LANE AND CAUSE RESPECT BY KNOCK PEOPLE ON THEIR BUTTS WHEN THEY INVADE HIS DOMAIN.
No one respect Al when he’s protecting (if that’s what you call what he does). Al actually runs an escort service for guys to show case their dunks.
That said S.A.S has a few guys he’s throw out there two (2) of which would be a clear upgrade over Al defensively and one offensively.
Al Jefferson – 3 best centers in the NBA and not far off the pack. Has size, strength and loves the role and position. He’s also respected by the opposition and will knock you on your butt.
How do we get him?
The same way we pursued D12, offer Al and Teague. The salaries offset.
D Harris
Williams
Jenkins
JSmoove
A Jefferson
Ken Strickland
August 22nd, 2012
7:22 am
No matter how many different names he goes by, T-S still has the same narrow minded thought process, assuming there’s any thought involved in anything he says. And we have one delusional jackass that thinks he knows more about basketball than any player, coach, GM, fan, or owner alive.
Ken…. well at least you did not call me an “ANAL MINDED MORON” like you do all the other bloggers who realize we will never get past average with Al as a starter or part of your core. In your cultist world anybody who is calling for Al to be replaced is an “Anal Minded Moron”
This is about as good as it gets with Al which is why he was refused in 4 trades this summer. Consider Orlando took what appeared to be less than what we were waving “Al, Teague and draft pick(s). They apparently weren’t interested in rebuilding with Al as a major piece. Can you blame them?
ag
August 22nd, 2012
7:39 am
What center should we try to get? I have asked these questions so much in these blogs with NO response!
ag I still think we can get Al Jefferson, without to great a loss. But when you stop to think about it Al is not really that hard to match (see Zaza/Ivan 2012) for less money. Al’s career average is 12 pts 9rbs. I can get very similar numbers for 7 million less. We were a better team without Al. So let’s not act as if Al is all that and a bag of chips.
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
T-s,
That was your most cogent post in quite awhile at 6:34 am. I disagree with parts of it, but it was well written.
Here’s what I disagree with:
“Funny thing, It was published that the hawks tried 4 times this past summer to trade Al and got no takers, yet the few but loud Horford cultist on this site act as if he is the second coming of Christ.”
This is a flat out lie. What was published was conjecture and speculation, which is what every off season brings. There were ZERO reports of Horford being offered in trade, and the other team turning it down. ZERO.
Go ahead and show us the “published” reports that say this. You cannot, because they don’t exist. All that DOES exist is trade rumors and speculation.
Why lie about this?
You have a way with words Sautee and you misapply them with the best of them.
1) None of us can actually sit in the trade discussion and confirm what the offer was and what the turning point of the negotiations was.
2) I find your denial is motivated by your cultist worship of Al rather than the reality.
a) While I wasn’t there, most of the sources (including MC) reported the hawks were offering Al and Teague for Dwight Howard.
b) While I wasn’t there many of the sources were reporting AL was offered to NJ.
c) While I wasn’t there many of the sources were reporting Al was offered to the Bobcat
d) While I wasn’t there many of the sources were reporting Al was offered for Danny Grainger
e) While I wasn’t there many of the sources were reporting Al was offered for Tony Parker.
All of these reports between June and the end of July 2012
If I put more than one link on this post it will get flagged so I say anyone, Google all or any of the above and you will see, that it is accurate that these trades were being reported, not by bloggers, but by major publications, including M. Cunningham of the AJC
Now we can play games with words and say “you can’t prove it,” while living in denial or we can come to the acknowledgement that Al has been on the trade market this summer with no takers.
Then you can ask why no takers.
The only lie Sautee is the one you are telling yourself.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
Ag – Al Jefferson is who I get. He probably is the 3rd best C in the League right now. And he’s still young.
If Derrick Favors were available, I’d get him as well.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:03 am
I like T Chandler as a Center as well.
I’m down with Jefferson will accept Chandler, and give Favors a chance
pointguardslim
August 22nd, 2012
8:15 pm
Lou Williams was guarding PGs but playing off the ball. Jrue Holiday was guarding SGs but playing on ball.
Not hard to understand.
Slimjr
August 22nd, 2012
8:19 pm
Enter your comments here
Slimjr
August 22nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Detox, you just turned his smile [President of Al's Fan Club] into a frown..Poor guy…..
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Jenkins (Potentially our best SHOOTER) doesn’t get any minutes if Lou doesn’t guard the position that most closely matches him size-wise.
…and for those who don’t know, Jenkins has a desire to START from day one, and at the VERY LEAS play A TON of minutes:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120804/SPORTS0602/308040021/Former-Vanderbilt-standout-John-Jenkins-shines-NBA-summer-league?nclick_check=1
I say, Why not? Team is in transition and everyone around the league knows what Lou can do. The Rook needs some burn and Ferry has Stated that PLAYER DEVELOPMENT is a focus of his.
Detox
August 22nd, 2012
8:26 pm
*I grabbed about four (4) or five (5) to respondto
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:26 pm
*Least
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:29 pm
It also seems like the Vanderbilt faithful feel it’s the right move as well. I personally don’t (Not over former All-Star Devin Harris anyway) but significant minutes next to Lou off the bench? Yes.
http://www.anchorofgold.com/2012/7/30/3201784/john-jenkins-starting-in-atlanta-from-day-one
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:37 pm
Also, you guys should visit some Utah Jazz blogs lol. Al Jefferson is Devin Harris’s Kryptonite. Harris had to slow his pace WAY DOWN in order to get the big man (or big Anchor) his touches. Harris is a team guy so he changed his game for the sake of the team, but his strength (Speed) was rarely used in Utah. Ty Corbin likes to feed the post (not a lot of pick n’ rolls) So Harris naturally had better spot-up shooting percentages. This is the reason the Move for Mo Williams was made by Utah. While I can confidently say that Mo is NOT a better PG that All-star Harris, he does better cater to Utah’s needs.
And Al Jefferson? Here!? Did you see this guy in the playoffs? His game got Shut Down! Not tall enough to play center (gets bothered by longer post players) and not quick enough to guard or get by PF’s (or centers for that matter) lol. Leave the big anchor in Utah, Please…
Detox
August 22nd, 2012
8:43 pm
RePost
Detox
August 22nd, 2012
6:34 am
Dont you idiots have a life?
SAS got 1 thing. You will never ever ever win a NBA championship With Al Horford starting on your team. Al Just doesn’t play on that level nor have the talent too.
Hawks this year?
7th or 8th seed in the conference at best. Look for Josh to get frustrated at being forced to play with Al and demand a trade to the Lakers. Josh is now coming of age and wants a championship ring. Al really doesn’t care whether he gets a ring or not. He just wants a paycheck.
While the Atlanta Back court has changed personnel there is not a lot of confidence in Teague and DHarris is instantly the best POINT guard on the team. He is a much better thinker orchestrator than Teague.
Teague’s claim to fame is he is young.and fast, which could also qualify him to join the Army, but out side of physical qualifications nothing about Teague resembles a point guard.
The 2 most skilled positions on the court, Center and Point guard, have been the weakest for the hawks. While bringing over Harris to play point the Hawks did nothing to address the Center role.
Look for opposing teams to continue to assault and exploit the hawks in the paint, show casing Dunks over Al horford who will find his way out on a wing or perimeter rather than defend the rack.
Look for Josh, the hawks best talent, to get frustrated with the lack of championship desire on this team and demand a trade (oh Ive said that already)
Look for the hawks to fight for the 7th or 8th seed and have a legitimate chance to not make the playoffs altogether as they continue their backwards slide post Woodson.
The number one problem facing the hawks has been the hawks problem for the last 7 years.
THE HAWKS NEED A CENTER.
Funny thing, Its was published that the hawks tried 4 times this past summer to trade Al and got no takers, yet the few but loud Horford cultist on this site act as if he is the second coming of Christ.
LOL
We cant get rid of Al and we cant raise our level of play with Al so we are hopelessly stuck in an average season where at the very very best, we make it to the second round and lose. This year there is a good chance we will be fighting to make the playoffs.Hawks will win 37-44 games marginally making the playoffs (ss the roster stands now).
The better case would be to miss the playoffs, hit the lottery top 5 and have tons of cap room and spending money. That would be the best case for the hawks.
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Detox
August 22nd, 2012
6:38 am
* as the roster stands now
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:44 pm
*What I mean is, Not a lot of transition buckets happened for Harris because They had to wait for Jefferson and set up. That’s the way Ty Corbin likes it…..
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
8:47 pm
T-s,
You are deluding yourself if you equate a sportswriter musing about possible trade offerings, with an actual offer from one GM to another.
I DID Google all of the “trade offerings” you listed. NONE of them were any more than rumor. Not a fact to be found.
“I find your denial is motivated by your cultist worship of Al rather than the reality.”
Yeah right. Surely ALL cultists must say that the object of their cult “sucked in the 2011 playoffs”
LMFAO. If I were a cultist I’d be thrown out for being real. Here’s what I think:
Horford is a solid big man who makes good decisions. He has a decent contract compared to other centers of similar production.
If you think THAT makes me a cultist, then you certainly would belong to the Josh Smith cult. And so would I.
T-s, you have for a while now, KNOWN that my defense of Horford is less out of any kind of fanhood, and more about keeping the blog real. Yet you insist on attempting to paint me as something I am not. Keep on trying, my friend. Hey, it worked for Dick Cheney and WMDs.
What I am defending is your misinformation. If you notice, my responses to you are mostly when you have been factually in error, and NOT when you were merely opining your dislike for Horford. You have a right to say what you want, but I equally have the right to challenge the veracity of your views.
So here’s your challenge: Find just one link (so you don’t have to worry) where a team “turned down” a trade for Horford because “they didn’t want him” as you have repeatedly said.
Just one. If he was truly offered and turned down 4 or 5 times as you say, this should be easy.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:49 pm
Here is the SLC Dunk SBNation blog post about it for those who want to know what i’m talking about:
http://www.slcdunk.com/2012/7/14/3158962/saying-goodbye-to-devin-harris
Weed is the Key
August 22nd, 2012
8:55 pm
” And Al Jefferson? Not tall enough to play center (gets bothered by longer post players) and not quick enough to guard or get by PF’s (or centers for that matter) lol. Leave the big anchor in Utah” – Pot head
You gonna pass the s hit back Balance Is Key or you gonna smoke it all up?
Weed is the Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:03 pm
Hey pot head, do you know you are posting another blogger as your fact base evidence?
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
9:03 pm
“None of us can actually sit in the trade discussion and confirm what the offer was and what the turning point of the negotiations was.” – T-s
And from the same post:
“This is about as good as it gets with Al which is why he was refused in 4 trades this summer.” – T-s
Do you hear yourself? The contradiction is obvious. You’ll throw sh_t out there that you cannot confirm, as if it were fact. And turn around and say neither of us was there so we can’t confirm it.
If it’s a fact, then link us up.
But you cannot. That’s why I said it’s a flat out lie.
If I’m wrong, prove it. I’ll be glad to apologize to you and the blog. Would you do the same?
I smoke pot too
August 22nd, 2012
9:05 pm
I think we should just keep Al horford
1. were not going any where
2. we dont want to get better
3. see rules 1 and 2
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Someone obviously didn’t watch old man Tim Duncan give Al Jefferson the business in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs. Didn’t need a blog for that, watched it on my television.
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
9:20 pm
OH, those rumors… they don’t count, my cultist crew will discredit those in a few minutes.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:20 pm
If Micheal Cunningham (Who has Hawks media access and “sources”) tells you that something is legit and a FACT, are you going to deny it’s credibility because he informed you of it on his blog? Which makes him a “blogger”? Just wondering.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:24 pm
….I’m also pretty sure the evidence on that Jazz blog was in the numbers. And the fact that that guy probably attends every Jazz home game.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:29 pm
Here what I heard about Al being shopped this summer Sautee. Just these 3 times. and they dont count.
Did you find a virgin for the sacrifice yet?
• Should The Nuggets Get Involved In The Dwight Howard Drama …
nugglove.com/…/should-the-nuggets-get-involved-in-the-dwight-ho…
Jul 3, 2012 – May 8, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) … Brooklyn could obviously swing a deal involving a sign-and-trade with …
• Al Horford for Superman: Should the Hawks make that offer? | Mark …
blogs.ajc.com/…/al-horford-for-superman-should-the-hawks-make-th…
Jun 21, 2011 – Mark Bradley of the AJC wonders if the Atlanta Hawks are daring enough to make a serious trade offer — Al Horford and Kirk Hinrich, say — for …
NBA Trade Rumor – RealGM
basketball.realgm.com/news/wiretap/tags/18/NBA_Trade_Rumor
Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. …. area and Ferry
articles.boston.com/keyword/al-horford
Find breaking news, commentary, and archival information about Al Horford From … The four-team trade that sent Howard to the Lakers from Orlando basically …
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
9:29 pm
T-s,
You don’t have to post as me (like you just did at 9:20). Just find ONE factual link that backs up your claim that 4 different teams turned down trading for him.
Just one. That’s not too difficult is it?
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
9:32 pm
BIK, as you noted, those are all rumors. And ZERO mention of any team “not wanting” Horford.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:34 pm
Damn what happened to all those Al horford trade links that was just posted. Did Cunningham’s Horford cultist take them down so that can say they do exist? This is one thought controlling blog.
Sautee lets go some where else and smoke our weed.
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:35 pm
That 9:29 pm post isn’t mine. I personally love Al Horford.
Horford > BLopez
Horford > JNoah
Horford > RHibbert
Horford > Al Jefferson
Horford > ABynum
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Horford > KLove
Nice try @ 9:34 pm though
LOL
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
9:41 pm
Everyone knows that Horford is going to make his Third All-Star appearance this season. Mark it down.
Bulwinkle
August 22nd, 2012
9:42 pm
Im with you sautee, Im glad you took T S links down, Any way he wasnt there how does he no why Al was rejected. maybe the hawks were asking too much for Al….like another player, who was breathing.
Randy
August 22nd, 2012
9:45 pm
I’d like to co-sign
I smoke pot too
August 22nd, 2012
9:05 pm
That is about the most intelligent post Ive read on this site.
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
9:54 pm
T-s, I’ll be waiting and watching for you to prove me wrong.
If it is as you say, it should be easy.
Randy
August 22nd, 2012
10:09 pm
Horford>Jefferson
Sautee He Already proved you wrong bro and you took down all of those links he posted. I saw what you did .
Mediator
August 22nd, 2012
10:11 pm
hes right sautee there was 3 or for deals being shot around this summer featuring Al, why you are denying that. ?
Balance Is Key
August 22nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Now you tell me who is better Al or Jefferson
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jeffeal01.html#per_game::24
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
10:15 pm
I don’t deny that there were talks. T-s, you are claiming that 4 teams “turned down” a trade with Horford. That is a flat out lie.
Prove me wrong.
AG
August 22nd, 2012
10:16 pm
Detox – so you are saying trade Al & Jeff for the expiring contract of Jefferson that is already at $15 mil and I guess resign D. Harris at $8mill ….. I love this 12/9 career stuff, but EVERY SEASON prior to last year his scoring and rebounding IMPROVED!!! Without JJ – one could expect Al to easily avg 16 ppg. I would pass all day on that trade.
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
10:21 pm
Removed links? Sounds like distraction from the lack of proof to me.
LOL, like a blogger could reach through the internet and suddenly have administrative powers.
C’mon, T-s, if what you say is true, it should be very easy to find a link. Don’t start hiding.
AG
August 22nd, 2012
10:33 pm
I guess since Josh is the face of the franchise – Al is the new whipping boy! I think Jefferson is better than Al – but why acquire all the speed – then trade for an anchor? This team is going to be real fun to watch. I just hope LD doesn’t mess it up!
I would like Jenkins to get some PT – but just don’t know were to put him.
Sautee
August 22nd, 2012
10:41 pm
T-s,
I’m hanging it up for the evening. Have a nice night, and I hope to see a link from you that proves me wrong in the morning. I just don’t anticipate that to be the case.
Like I said earlier, I’ll be glad to apologize to you and the blog if you can prove me wrong.
Will you do the same in the face of a lack of proof?
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:22 pm
Jenkins get PT if we play small ball. Start:
Al
Josh
Morrow
Lou
Teague
Bench:
Zaza
Ivan
Korver/Stevenson
Jenkins
Harris
If and when we play big,which we will almost surely do against teams with a dominate or big C, and maybe all the time, Jenkins may not get much PT.
LD has done the big/small thing before. Nothing wrong with it if it helps us win.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:47 pm
KenS – I think on the Hawks D, at least my concern is mostly the Hawks ability to deny the post ups. No amount of team D can help when you give up alot of size and/or speed at multiple positions.
You can hide 1 guy, but unless you have Javale McGee in the middle, you can’t hide multiple mismatches.
PG – I have no doubt that Teague/Harris can handle most PG’s in the League defensively. None.
SG – Here’s where the trouble starts. Lou is 6-1 175, and an unbelievably freakish athlete for that size. Tomahawk slams, catch slams, follow slams etc.
But put JJ at 6-7 240 on him, and he gets posted everytime (if JJ would for example).
Morrow is 6-5 215 – and according to the article you posted, he is at best an average defender. At best. That means he’s really a below average defender. Lacking in to many areas like speed, quickness, athleticism.
Jenkins has already been diagnosed as not a good defender. I think Danny said he could develop into an “adequate” team defender.
Then at SF, if you don’t play Josh there, you have Korver, who is a below average NBA player, especially on D, and Stevenson, who all he has is D, and is probably at this stage of his career still above average on D, but small for the 3.
If you play Morrow at the 3, he’s really too small at 6-5 215.
So I think that’s what’s meant about the D, at least from my perspective. Size mostly.
If somebody’s been trying to diss Devin, Josh, Teague, or Al on D – or even ZaZa for that matter in many machups, they are barking up the wrong tree.
But Devin Harris can’t guard the average 2 guard in the NBA – he’s too small. He just can’t handle Kobe, DWade, JJ and those guys.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:53 pm
As far as playing Josh at the 3, I think he made that quantum leap into another level of player last season. I think Josh Smith can play either the 4 or the 3, and be really good at it. Hey, he even excelled when he played the 5 last season if ya’ll remember that.
Josh Smith is an excellent NBA basketball player. And he’s versatile enough at 6-8 225 to play either the 4 or the 3. And yes, he’s like LeBron in his ability to do that. If only Josh’s jumper wasn’t broke, he’d be a Superstar, no questions asked.
SteveW
August 22nd, 2012
11:57 pm
In other words, Josh Smith playing either the 3 or the 4 is the least of my worries with this Hawks team. We have much bigger issues than that.
With that said, I think we have enough O to be a 46-36 team, and surprise some people.