Atlanta Hawks game thread: Teague out vs. Mavs
Vivlamore reporting from Philips Arena.
A couple of news items before tonight’s exhibition against the Mavs.
* Jeff Teague (sprained left ankle), Zaza Pachulia (sprained left ankle) and John Jenkins (left hand contusion) will not play tonight. Coach Larry Drew said he did not have a timetable for Teague’s return, calling the point guard day-to-day. Teague said he thought he might be out “a couple of days.” Teague and Pachulia were injured against the Hornets on Thursday. Pachulia returned to the game
“We’ll keep him out for precautionary reasons,” Drew said of Pachulia. “No need to rush him back. There are some other guys I want to get a look at.”
With only one exhibition game remaining following Saturday night, Drew hopes to get a regular lineup in place. However, a lot of that may depend on injuries.
“I really, really hope so but that will depend on how well the guys who are injured come along,” Drew said of putting that lineup together. “Hopefully we can get everybody back so we can start putting this thing together and getting a good rotation. We really won’t know until we get everybody back. The last thing I want to do, hopefully knock on wood, I don’t want to limp into the regular season. I want to be healthy.”
* Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman are not with the Mavs.
* Drew was still undecided about his starting lineup, waiting to base his decision on matchups. A likely lineup, based on practice, will be Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
* Drew said he is undecided on the size of his roster to start the season. The Hawks must trim one more player, down to the NBA-mandated maximum of 15, by Oct. 29. However, there are indications that the team may keep less than 15.
One thing is sure, the 13 players with guaranteed contracts (12 fully, one partial) will be on the team.
“For me, and I’ve done it both ways, where we’ve had 13 and we’ve kept two spots open,” Drew said. “I’ve had 14 and we’ve kept one. Or we’ve kept 15 guys. It’s a matter of looking at what we feel is going to be the best for our club. We’ve got some guys in here who are fighting for a roster spot. Guys I really like. After this is all said and done we’ll sit down with management and make a decision.”
* Drew said he will sit down with each player next week to discuss what their role on the team will be for the upcoming season.
“I want everybody to know exactly what it is that we are doing,” Drew said. “From a role standpoint, I will be setting up a meeting next week to sit each guy down individually and tell them what I’m expected from them. So everybody will be clear. So there won’t be any guess work about ‘What am I supposed to do? What do you want me to do?’ We’ll eliminate that.”
Drew said such meetings are not new and he has had them each year.
Let’s get this posted before the game actually starts.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Hawks overcome slow start to beat Hornets
* Preseason more about evaluation
* Practice report: Time for regular rotation to take shape
* Hawks drop to 1-3 in preseason
* Return of Harris gives Hawks more flexibility at guard
* Harris could make debut Tuesday
Follow me on Twitter at ajchawks
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
93 comments Add your comment
Smokey
October 20th, 2012
8:50 pm
Korver is not the answer to any question one might pose..
Alex
October 20th, 2012
8:51 pm
I’m a bit confused with the lack of pt James has gotten the last two games (including tonights). I felt pretty sure he was going to make the team, but now with C-Viv talking the Hawks may not even carry 15, and Tolliver starting, I’m not so confident. Would be a shame
Melvin
October 20th, 2012
8:52 pm
LD may have to fine some playing time for Mike Scott.
paian
October 20th, 2012
8:53 pm
crowder is a small forward hawks blog legend, scott is a power forward, what do u expect?
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
8:53 pm
Damion James looking good in his limited minutes. Skies for a rebound, makes a good entry pass on offense, and then comes back on D to contest a shot.
Based on what I have seen, Teague-Harris-James-Josh-Al is my preferred starting lineup.
Oh yeah, and Mike Scott has had a couple of nice finishes in the paint. He looks like more than just some soft jump-shooting tweener PF, although he isn’t good on D.
Alex
October 20th, 2012
8:54 pm
As soon as I post that, in comes James.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
8:58 pm
@Astro Joe
Astro Joe
October 20th, 2012
8:46 pm
High-sider, Josh is only missing those jumpers because Joe Johnson keeps pounding the dribble and waits until there are only a few ticks left on the possession clock. Josh is being forced to hoist up bad shots because of Joe’s selfishness.
——————————————————————————————————————
Joe Johnson is not playing for the Hawks anymore. So what’s Josh’s [Brick-range Shawty's] excuse tonight? Did you see the airball jumper and the four missed free throws. Oh, wait a minute, maybe the airball jumper was [actually] a pass [or an assist] to Tolliver. Let’s keep it real. Josh does have 13rebs though.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
8:58 pm
James continues to be impressive. He knows where to be on the floor. Perfect role player mentality. Don’t know how well he shoots, but if he can even keep defenses honest with his jumper, he should be the no-brainer pick for the starting SF spot.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
8:59 pm
^Correction: “…Did you see the airball jumper and the four missed free throws?*…”
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
8:59 pm
C’mon Scott, you can play this game!
Play a little D too!
Melvin
October 20th, 2012
9:00 pm
I’m not sure if this Hawks team is better than last year team but I think this team will be more exciting.
paian
October 20th, 2012
9:02 pm
scott has 15 points in 13mins
HueyFreeman
October 20th, 2012
9:04 pm
Clearly we need more size on this team…and a better coach. Mike Scott looking good out there tonight though, glad to see he’s got more than one dimension. But there’s too many of the same players…how many 6′8 and 6′9 forwards do we need? Not to mention Korver/Morrow do pretty much the same thing…silly fouls, little-no defense, and shoot.
Might as well drop Tolliver, Petro, Anderson, and either Morrow or Korver so we can get some legit bigs. Since EB fouled out and with Kaman and Dirk out its not an issue tonight. With LDs rotation management I’m just not too optimistic anymore. That Benson cut starting to look even more foolish…
Melvin
October 20th, 2012
9:05 pm
Najeh,
Damion James does not have a good jumper…..
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:06 pm
Hawks may score 120 tonight!
Jae Evolution
October 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
If James doesn’t make the team I’ll be genuinely upset.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
The Clippers-Jazz game [is] coming on NBA TV.
Melvin
October 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
Hawks should keep both Tolliver and James. They should try to trade Krover or Morrow during the season for an asset.
HueyFreeman
October 20th, 2012
9:09 pm
If Damion James does not make this roster somebody needs to be fired.
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:11 pm
Wow the #2 pick is gonna check the Human Highlight film 2.0 tonight on NBA TV!
Get your pop-corn ready! Marvin will get the poster of his life…
Oh the Humanity!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
9:11 pm
If James really is that bad of a shooter, I wouldn’t mind Teague-Morrow-James-Josh-Al either, although I don’t think Lou and Harris coming off the bench together would be ideal, since they are pretty much the same kind of player.
Blast
October 20th, 2012
9:12 pm
Marvin Williams making a 3 for the Jazz!
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:12 pm
On a switch of course..Marvin does not defend the 4.. Matter a fact what does he defend? Hmmm
Blast
October 20th, 2012
9:14 pm
Check out Jazz announcers making a big deal out of Marvin Williams.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
9:22 pm
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
8:59 pm
^Correction: “…Did you see the airball jumper and the four missed free throws?*…”
——————————————————————————–
Now, that’s some ANAL-MINDED MORON, NERD ALERT sh-t right there for ya. [LOL]
Melvin
October 20th, 2012
9:23 pm
My gosh Petro is awful
Buddy Grizzard
October 20th, 2012
9:24 pm
Petro with the hands-of-stone throw away then no hustle on defense.
paian
October 20th, 2012
9:26 pm
petro is the best 7 footer of all time, what u guys talking about
Buddy Grizzard
October 20th, 2012
9:28 pm
That was a rough looking shot by Anderson.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
9:28 pm
Petro makes Zaza look smooth and coordinated.
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:31 pm
Petro just nervous thats all! He plays better by himself….Hehehehe
Roy Kittles
October 20th, 2012
9:31 pm
I pray that they keep damion James and let petro go but sadly I know this team will do the opposite.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
9:32 pm
Damion James is quickly becoming my favorite Hawk.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
9:34 pm
How about we keep the Statue of Liberty and send Johan Petro back?
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/johan_petro/career_stats.html
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:37 pm
So the #2 pick is wearing #2? Nice….
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
October 20th, 2012
9:37 pm
Sean Williams > Petro
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:38 pm
Jamal just entered the game HS!
Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
Slimjr> Petro
Marvin just hit another 3?
HueyFreeman
October 20th, 2012
9:41 pm
Marvin for 3?? Again?? When we needed it all we got was *clank*.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
October 20th, 2012
9:44 pm
New LED screens in the arena but not enough money to pay for a backup center better than Petro.
High-sider
October 20th, 2012
9:46 pm
New blog up.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 20th, 2012
9:48 pm
If the opening day roster was the top 11 in minutes played from tonight’s game + Teague, Zaza, and Jenkins, that would be fine with me.
Ken Strickland
October 20th, 2012
10:06 pm
WORLDWIDE CLYDE-Petro at least has enough value to keep getting traded while your beloved SWilliams keeps getting cut. In fact, he just got cut again.