Atlanta Hawks: Slow start, fast finish in win over Hornets (updated)
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
It didn’t exactly start with defense – but it got better. A whole lot better.
Hawks coach Larry Drew has preached his team must stop the opposition before starting the new up-tempo offense this exhibition season.
After a tough beginning, the Hawks erased a nine-point deficit en route to a convincing 97-68 victory over the Hornets Thursday night at Philips Arena. The Hawks (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak.
Josh Smith led the Hawks with 16 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Morrow added 15 points. Devin Harris (14 points), Al Horford (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Lou Williams (10 points) were the other double-digit scorers. No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony Davis scored a game-high 19 points with seven rebounds for the Hornets (3-2).
“Clearly it was a tale of two halves,” Drew said. “The first half we were a little stagnant. The second half we came out and put our foot on the gas and didn’t look back.”
The Hornets were shooting 60 percent from the field (9 of 15) with their first basket of the second quarter. It was part of an 8-2 run that turned into a nine-point lead. The Hawks turned up the defensive effort and by the end of the first half the Hornets were shooting 38.9 percent (14 of 36).
“We were causing havoc and turning it up on the defensive end,” Harris said. “When we are doing that, obviously, offensively we’ll find ways to score.”
The Hawks were beaten badly on the boards early. The Hornets held a 14-6 rebound advantage after the first quarter and a 29-17 edge at the half. At game’s end, the Hornets held just a 45-44 advantage.
Drew might want to record his halftime speech and save it for when the games count. The Hawks opened the third quarter on a 21-1 run to pull away for good. They took a 61-41 lead with 5:15 remaining in the period. At one point, the fast-breaking Hawks scored a basket plus a foul on four of five possessions.
The Hornets, by stark contrast missed their first 13 shots of the third quarter. They were held to just three field goals while being outscored 26-7 in the decisive quarter. By the end of the period their total shooting percentage was down to a measly 29.1 percent (16 of 55).
“We turned it up defensively,” Smith said. “We picked up full court. We didn’t gamble. We were able to get some deflections. We were able to get out on some fast breaks. When we got the rebounds I think me and Al did a good job at pushing it and finding the open man for easy transition points.”
The Hawks led by as many as 32 points. Coach and player insist the early-game issues were a matter of defensive energy.
“That second half, the third quarter, we were defensively a different team,” Morrow said. “That’s all it was. We had energy. We had effort. We contested shots. That’s what we have to do every single game. … Offensively, we are going to be fine. We just have to make sure that defensively we bring that same effort we brought in the second half.”
Notes
* Jeff Teague left the game in the third quarter with a left ankle sprain and did not return. Drew said following the game he did not have an update on Teague’s condition.
* The Hawks used their fifth different starting lineup of the preseason. Thursday was closer to what the team could use during the regular season with Teague, Harris, DeShawn Stevenson, Smith and Horford.
* Rookie John Jenkins did not dress out for the game with a hand contusion suffered during a recent practice. Kyle Korver was also inactive. Damion James, Ivan Johnson and Johan Petro did not play as coach’s decisions..
* Recording stars Ludacris and Ne-Yo were in attendance. Both were featured on the arena’s Kiss Cam.
* The Hawks will not practice Friday. They host the Mavericks Saturday night.
- Chris Vivlamore
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91 comments Add your comment
EmirS.
October 19th, 2012
3:05 am
It’s that time again!!!
Fantasy Basketball!!
Come join last years winner (courtsideshawty), third place finisher (yours truly), Astro (commish), and last years Charlotte Bobcats (northcyde) in another great season of AJC Hawks Fantasy Basketball!
Follow the link to join. 3 spots open:
http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/72440
Just Joe
October 19th, 2012
5:58 am
Let’s not get too excited. We were out rebounded on our own court by a front line of R. Lopez, A. Davis, H. Warrick, and R. Anderson. We shot 41% from the field. That’s LD’s lofty defensive goal. I guess he would have given NO a gold star. I’m glad we won, but I’m still saying, as is, we will probably miss the playoffs. We’re not deep enough up front, and have too many one dimensional players on the roster.
ag
October 19th, 2012
6:37 am
Tyger, JT0 left with the score 20-20. Hornets go on a run to take 9 point lead. JT0 returns, Hawks tie the game at 40. JT0 first sub in the third quarter. When he left the court, the Hawks were up 20. JT0 was +20!
For my buddy stephen a smith or the others who want ZaZa to start. He was the only negative starter -7. Watching that guy made me wish that I could see Benson. Petro was so bad, he missed consistantly in the layup lines!
ag
October 19th, 2012
6:40 am
Just Joe – the Hornets are going to win at least 40 games this year. Anthony Davis is a lot better than I thought. He is very long and athletic. He gave Josh fits – as he scored 15 in the first half. He has a good ooutside game and reminds you of a much more athletic Noah on the inside. When Eric Gordon returns, this team will make some noise.
ag
October 19th, 2012
7:29 am
The Good
I really like Harris and JT0 starting. This was a very quick lineup. This speed will cause a lot of problems. Although there are some who will not like this starting lineup, this quickness will cause problems. I also think Al looked really good, and LD actually switched Al to check Davis. Also, section 301 very good in chanting Unibrow when Davis shot his freethrows. Lastly, with Harris and Teague starting – I think Tolliver or James will have to start to give the team size.
The Bad
Why is Stevenson still on this team. His defense is certainly overrated at this point, and he struggles with his jumper. Josh said he is a ‘mid range shory’- but shot two threy’s. He was very good against a very athletic Davis on the inside, but most plays NOBODY tried to post up. Clearly, did not see our offense – if there is one. On the defense end, we still struggled with the pick- n- roll as Brooks Lopez and a couple of easy dunks.
The Ugly
ZaZa consistantly missing easy layups and fumbling the ball. The box score does not tell how bad he played. Also, for a guy on the verge of getting cut, James Anderson did nothing at all.
Just Joe
October 19th, 2012
7:36 am
I think the Hornets are still a lower level lottery team. A Vasquez/Rivers rotation at the point won’t get it done. Their SF position is weak, and a Lopez/Davis/Smith/Anderson front line is too slow and weak to defend any kind of movement or size.
ag
October 19th, 2012
7:43 am
Not impressed with Rivers at all. Remember, they will be getting Eric Gordon back. Okay, they will win 25-30. Davis did look real good. I see the roster is down to 16. I guess sqeaky is gone.
I really think Tolliver in the second half made a difference. I wonder would the same result happen if Ivan would have played?
ag
October 19th, 2012
7:43 am
Not impressed with Rivers at all. Remember, they will be getting Eric Gordon back. Okay, they will win 25-30. Davis did look real good. I see the roster is down to 16. I guess sqeaky is gone.
I really think Tolliver in the second half made a difference. I wonder would the same result happen if Ivan would have played?
Hawks point guard Teague leaves game with sprained ankle | ProBasketballTalk
October 19th, 2012
7:48 am
[...] Teague left the Hawks game in the third quarter with a sprained ankle and did not return. After the game coach Larry Drew said he did not yet have an update on Teague, who needed to be evaluated, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. [...]
The Truth
October 19th, 2012
8:41 am
“Spoke with Jeff Teague on his way out of Philips Arena. Said ankle is fine. Just a sprain. Says he seems to tweak it every preseason” – LangGreene (hoopshype.com)
I MUS WRITE
October 19th, 2012
8:46 am
Teague
Deshawn Stevenson
Josh
AL
Zaza
Bench: Devin,Lou,Korver,Morow,Ivan,Petro……..Mike Scot,JJekins,James= Splinters=DNP CD
We should have kept Benson, I prefer him to Petro – Petro is way over payed
Teague and Stevenso are good defenders and could cause alot of turnovers.I put Zaza in my starting line up becuz I know he will bang do the dirty work and isnt afraid to mix it up like #15. We have to have that type of guy starting. I dont need my C on the perimeter shooting jumpers. LD has to go ….Ill bet money that both Al and josh take way more shots with JJ gone….even though we have alot more shooters …go figure
glw
October 19th, 2012
9:00 am
Still seems like a lot of ifs to go about the starting lineup.
I do think small forward will be by committee.
If we need defense, then we will see Stevenson or defense with size-James.
If we need offense, it will Korver, Morrow, or offense with size Tolliver.
The guards look like it will be a rotation of Teague/Harris/Williams maybe with a splash of of Stevenson or Morrow when a little backcourt size is needed. LD still might decide to start Stevenson/Morrow at SG, but how Devin played and knowing LD’s tendencies, he is probably leaning toward starting Devin.
I MUS WRITE
October 19th, 2012
9:07 am
AG its preseason bro….ZAZA and Stevenson will be okay, I dont need either of them taking a bunch of shots. I expect hard nosed Defense and hustle.
ag
October 19th, 2012
9:12 am
Although it was only one game – Stevenson looked bad. Over the course of his career he is in a decline. I really liked the Harris/Teague backcourt. It will cause a lot of problems. In what I said I noticed, this small backcourt worked with a bigger frontcourt.
The Truth
October 19th, 2012
9:12 am
“Larry Drew says Hawks’ starting small forward spot is still up for grabs as preseason winds down. Still needs time to evaluate a couple guys” – – LangGreene (hoopshype.com)
Here LD is suggesting he’s only keeping one player for the final SF opening and not two. So the notion that both James and Tolliver are making the final cut goes out the window. Since LD loves shooters more so than rebounders and defenders (even though he preaches otherwise) I would bet Tolliver will be LD’s pick.
If this pans-out to be the case along with the way Benson was handled, it will expose LD for the kind of coach he really is, a tunnel vision coach that can’t see beyond his offense. He’s completely foreign to the pick-and-roll plays despite this being common throughout the league. He doesn’t run it on offense and can’t stop it on defense. This may explain why his frontline often times look weak stopping the opposition in the paint. They haven’t been properly coached-up on defense.
Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/tag/atlanta_hawks#ixzz29kSacvOd
smittyderf
October 19th, 2012
9:25 am
Enter your comments here
Don’t tell me the Hawks are going to be any different than they have been. Last night with their first “projected”regular season lineup Josh Smith had as many turnovers as Teague and Harris together(3) and put up 2 Three pt. shots. Until somebody has the courage to tell him what he can and cannot do and enforce it ,it will be the same old Hawks even with new emphasis on defense and pushing the ball.
The Truth
October 19th, 2012
9:42 am
And Zaza (bless his heart): Some have suggested that Zaza should start over Al Horford.
Comparing Zaza to Al Horford is equivalent to comparing a mule to a stallion. Really with the upgrades in the back-court with Lou and Devin, Zaza will be exposed as a terrible finisher. Though he always been suspect in the paint as a finisher during ISO-Joe; these sharp guards are setting him up and Zaza is letting us down.
Enough Said
Sonny
October 19th, 2012
9:47 am
Now if we can just get a starting center
ag
October 19th, 2012
9:50 am
I mus write – ZaZa is an assist killa!!! He did that consistantly last season. I don’t understand the uproar from a couple of people on Al, when he DUNKS THAT ISH! ZaZa misses the layup!
O'Brien
October 19th, 2012
10:05 am
Looking at the box score, I think James Anderson is the odd man out, and I think James will start at SF. I agree with Ken S, in that the big question will be who starts at SG.
And it’s funny how some bloggers were already trying to get on Al’s case at the start of a preseason game. Dude finished with 10 pts, 11 rebs, and 3 assists, while Lopez finished with 7 pts, 4 rebs.
And of course, steven a is disappointed because Al didn’t finish with 10 blocks SMH.
Just Joe.
Our 3 best rebounders (Al, Josh and Zaza) only played 25, 23, and 17 minutes respectively, so I am not surprised we got outrebounded.
Melvin
October 19th, 2012
10:21 am
I think the Hawks will start the season with 15 players this would include at least 1 or 2 partial guarantee contracts. They probably will make a move to waive or trade a player prior to when all partial contracts become guarantee contracts.
Melvin
October 19th, 2012
10:23 am
I think James, Tolliver and Anderson all have partial contracts.
Astro Joe
October 19th, 2012
10:25 am
I think LD has decided to start Devin at SG. Lou likely comes in for one of the guards around the 3″00 mark of the first quarter. James is the starting SF but likely won’t play more than 20 minutes/game. Tolliver and Anderson both get cut and Hawks go with 14 players. Scott goes to D-League and Jenkins & Petro take turns wearing suits on the bench (but expect Stevenson and Devin to be there fairly often due to injury issues). And if the hawks do go with 15 players, don’t be shocked if Ferry finds a 3rd PG to add to this roster.
vava74
October 19th, 2012
10:25 am
Zaza will never be a scorer and will always manage to mess up a few points here and there BUT:
a. His play will improve when it will matter.
b. He is a very good rebounder and a rugged defender who brings toughness.
To judge Zaza’s worth based on last night’s game is simply idiotic. If he had played the Celtics’ series we would have won.
Astro Joe
October 19th, 2012
10:26 am
3:00 minute mark.
glw
October 19th, 2012
10:40 am
@ Astro Joe
Dont get me wrong, I like James and hopes he makes it, but if LD saw him as a potential starter, why didnt he play him at all last night? Even if LD was leaning that way seems as though he would have gave him a look with the regulars.
Astro Joe
October 19th, 2012
10:57 am
glw, I think LD is auditioning a few guys at SF. Stevenson got his shot last night. James has probably received more overall playing time than any other candidate. I think there are 2 more pre-season games, I think James will get a shot during one of them and maybe Tolliver in one. But my guess is James gets the nod when the season starts because it is hard to use the Teague/Devin/Lou speed without defense and rebounding.
glw
October 19th, 2012
11:18 am
The issue with starting James/Stevenson at sf with Teague/Devin is like what someone else mentioned, you dont really have a shooter on the floor. Knowing LD, I just feel he will eventually go with offense and start Tolliver or more likely Korver. But then again, maybe its Stevenson/Korver as the starting sg,sf. I must admit, I dont really have a clue. LD isnt really showing any tendency toward guys yet.
Just Joe
October 19th, 2012
11:19 am
Damion James through 4 games is averaging 7 pts and 7 boards in 20 minutes per game. 40% shooting. 2.3 assists to 2.0 turnovers.
You hope the shooting % improves and the turnovers drop, but he’s definitely earned a spot in my opinion.
MsDee
October 19th, 2012
11:45 am
The starting lineup will be: Teague, Harris, James, Josh, & Horford. This is a very balanced crew to start the game.
1st subs would be Lou in for Harris, Korver in for James, Zaza in for Horford. Looks like this: Teague, Lou, Korver,Josh, & Zaza.
2nd subs would be Lou replaces Teague at PG, Morrow in at SG, Ivan in for Korver, Toliver in for Josh and Horford back in for Zaza. Looks like this: Lou, Morrow, Ivan, Toliver, & Horford. The 5 in b4 halftime looks like this: Teague, Lou, Josh, Toliver, Zaza (Drew saving Horford due to 2 foul rule)
The closing crew to end games will look like this: Harris, Lou, Josh, Horford, Zaza (if zaza is stinking it up, James in there instead) And yes, I know I left Teague out. He will be a toss up depending on who is doing better in THAT game between Teague and Harris. But I will say this, Teague HAS managed to average more assists these past pre-season games than Harris!!
So what do u guys think?? Did I leave someone out? Would like to see Jenkins but base on his performance thus far, just dont see him seeing much floor time unless during garbage time. Him and Scott for that matter.
Ken Strickland
October 19th, 2012
11:51 am
We fans are often very quick to accept rumors and pass judgement on a players ability or willingness to play solid DEF without looking at the circumstances. DEF was definitely a problem with the Nets despite having a DEF minded HC. It must have been hard for backcourt players to go all out on DEF when their Bigs treated DEF like it was a plague(Lopez, Petro, Williams, Humphries).
This could very well be part of the reason DStevenson, who’s known primarily for his DEF, recently lashed out at certain players on that team. LWilliams played starters mins in Philly, and their DEF finished in the top 10. Therefore, he obviously didn’t hurt their DEF as much as some have claimed.
There are some that are prone to believe that a player can’t play solid NBA DEF if he’s below a certain height or weight. Actually, the last 2 All NBA 1st team defensive PGs were KLowery and CP3, and both are in the same category size and height wise with Harris, Williams and Teague. There are also many who believe that blocked shots is the only way of measuring a Bigs DEF abilities.
JSmith is an excellent shot blocker, but he’s most often referred to as a premier HELP DEFENDER. That usually means he’s at his best when blocking or challenging the shot of a player that’s beaten one of his teammates, rather than the player he’s actually defending. Horford, on the other hand, isn’t nearly as good as Josh as a shot blocker or HELP DEFENDER, but he is superior to Josh as a ONE ON ONE DEFENDER.
ag
October 19th, 2012
12:01 pm
vava74 .. I certainly was not stating my opinion on last night… this is over three seasons worth of data. He is a solid defender, but he is not very good on the offensive end.
Buddy Grizzard
October 19th, 2012
12:02 pm
“Have Teague and Harris in the game together in the 4th.”
Just gonna give ya’ll a heads up, Lou will be closing a lot of games this year. He takes care of the ball better than Teague or Harris and he is the best perimeter scorer on the roster.
ag
October 19th, 2012
12:02 pm
I meant to say he is a solid rebounder.
Ken Strickland
October 19th, 2012
12:03 pm
JUST JOE-Didn’t we make the playoffs last yr without our starting center, our primary backup as our starter, and 6′8″ IJohnson as our primary backup? Do you really feel that Dampier and Collins, who were both limited stamina, skill and ability wise, provided depth rather than being little more than warm bodies?
I would consider a center rotation of Horford, Zaza, Ivan and Petro one that provides far more depth, stamina, athleticism, and youth than one consisting of Zaza, Ivan, Collins, and Dampier.
Ken Strickland
October 19th, 2012
12:18 pm
ASTRO JOE-Good analysis. I agree with you on DHarris and DJames starting at SG and SF respectively. I believe James’ mins will be determined by how well he scores. If he struggles offensive fails to average double figures, we’ll likely see a lot more of Korver and Morrow at SF. We know we’ll see a lot of Ivan, Zaza, Williams and Korver or Morrow in our bench rotation.
I’m also with you on us keeping Scott over Tolliver. Tolliver is a vet that hasn’t shown very much so far. Keeping and developing Scott for the longterm would be a much better investment, especially since they are so simular in their gms as far as outside shooting and rebounding.
The Truth
October 19th, 2012
12:28 pm
Not to take anything anyway from Tolliver, he played well. LD must’ve thought so too since he did the post interview. Really as a starting lineup, he might fit better as a SF with Teague and Devin in the backcourt. In this LD offense with Tolliver size and ability to knock down jumpers from long range, might make for better balance and chemistry with Al and Josh in the paint.
However, Tolliver is not as good of a rebounder or defender as James but then again, LD prefers offense first.
Ken Strickland
October 19th, 2012
12:44 pm
Since we’ve been routinely getting posts that suggest we’d be better off at center with Zaza than Horford, I decided to checkout why they feel that way. I compared Zaza’s highest production in any yr in each category to Horford’s career averages in each category, and here are the results.
ZAZA/HORFORD-PPG 12.2/12.8, RPG 7.9/9.5, APG 1.7/2.4, FG% 49.9/53.7, BPG .5/1.1, SPG 1.1/.8.
According to these finding, it appears that those who continue to insist we’re better off with Zaza as our starting center than Horford believe the Hawks would be much better off with less speed, quickness, athleticism, and overall OFF and DEF production at center. Somehow, that seems to make prefect sense to them, but to me it indicates that STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. heh, heh.
MsDee
October 19th, 2012
12:58 pm
Not understanding how on nba.com, after the huge loss for the Hornets, they can show the video clip of the Hornets in not 1, not 2, but 3 freakin missed shot possessions??? We have 3 losses but do they show 3 missed possessions for us??? Oh NOOOOO, of course not!! I could half way understand it when we played the Heat cause, well, they are the Heat, BUT TO THE FREAKIN HORNETS????? Im too confused right now!!
MsDee
October 19th, 2012
1:00 pm
WHY OH WHY CANT WE GET ANY LOVE?? Im sure we had much much more highlights in our blow out win then to show the Hornets MISSED hightlights!!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
October 19th, 2012
1:03 pm
Yall need to be real cautious when it comes to Devin Harris. He hasn’t played a full season in a while.