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

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* Harris could make debut Tuesday

Follow me on Twitter at ajchawks

93 comments Add your comment

paian

October 20th, 2012
6:04 pm

is this game a broadcast on tv tonight?

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
6:17 pm

Buddy Grizzard

October 20th, 2012
6:28 pm

Should get a good look at Devin Harris tonight. I wonder if they will give Anderson extended minutes and give him one last shot to show something.

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
6:32 pm

doc,

Thanks for the link in your post @11:09pm dated 10/19/2012. I think Jamal Crawford was “stretching the truth” a little. It’s not like he [Crawford] didn’t “touch” a basketball during the summer or offseason. After all, he [Crawford] does have a Summer [Basketball] League in Seattle, WA, that bears his name; go figure. I will admit that C-RAW-ford coming into the league [NBA] was an extreme, RAW talent [See what I did there?]. We’re talkin’ about a guy [Crawford] who was selected 8th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft after just playing 17 college basketball games at Michigan; he’s a natural [basketball player]. Do you remember Robert Redford from [the movie entitled] “The Natural”? I guess Craw-FORD and Red-FORD are both “naturals”; [again, do you] see what I did there? [LOL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-EEuWjC0j0&feature=relmfu

Macaroni Tony

October 20th, 2012
6:53 pm

Let’s Go Hawks

Chris Vivlamore

October 20th, 2012
7:07 pm

Hawks starters: Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, Anthony Tolliver, Josh Smith, Al Horford

steven a smith

October 20th, 2012
7:08 pm

We don’t have dynamic players like LeBron or DWade, but they don’t have backcourt shooters with the speed and quickness that we have. To be able to defeat us with any consistency, Miami will need a healthy Wade, Lebron and Bosh doing their thing.

Without Wade or James, they can’t match our speed, quickness and athleticism. I love the potential, speed, quickness, athleticism, versatility, shooting and penetrating ability of this team.

Office of DUH??? We will not beat the Heat if Bosh and Wade sits the entire game out you bunch of “Clown Scrubs.”!!!!

Smokey

October 20th, 2012
7:13 pm

Damn streams hate us too why can I never get an ATL game?

paian

October 20th, 2012
7:16 pm

Smokey

October 20th, 2012
7:18 pm

Cheers paian but that seems to be down as well..

Buddy Grizzard

October 20th, 2012
7:21 pm

frombar dot tv

paian

October 20th, 2012
7:22 pm

im looking at it now smokey

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
7:23 pm

I guess livin’ in the DFW [Dallas-Fort Worth] metroplex is finally paying off a little. I’m able to watch the Mavericks-Hawks [preseason] game on one of the local channels. Damn, I HATE this region of the country.

Smokey

October 20th, 2012
7:23 pm

Yeah sorry my bad link didnt work but went to menu and reselected it and all good now man ..Thanks!

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
7:28 pm

Buddy Grizzard,

Thanks for the [additional] website.

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
7:31 pm

Morrow is a “pure” shooter; he’s a pretty decent pickup.

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
7:35 pm

paian,

Thanks for the link – the more the better. l like options.

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
7:47 pm

Smokey

October 20th, 2012
7:51 pm

Buddy Grizzard,

Thanks the site you suggested is better quality imo, but you can never have enough options!

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
7:52 pm

“I love the potential, speed, quickness, athleticism, versatility, shooting and penetrating ability of this team.”

I too..

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
7:54 pm

They are still running a lot of the same plays they used to run last year for Joe, where he would come off screens and catch and shoot near the elbow or outside the 3 point line. I know they have shooters, and some of those are fine, but I’d like to see them mix it up a little with the quicker personnel by attacking more.

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
7:57 pm

Camera just panned up on the broadcast and showed the new LED screens hanging from the ceiling. Good to see that those are finally working.

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
7:58 pm

Nice to see these [Hawk] guards drawing fouls routinely…Makes it look easy..

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:00 pm

Lou and Devin= The [Dynamic] [Duo]!

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
8:03 pm

I know it is just preseason and none of this means much, but I get the sense that if Dirk has to miss a lot of time this season, this Mavs team is beyond screwed. If he has to miss more than 20 games or so, they may be better off shutting him down for an extended period of time and tanking. It’s not like they were going to go far in the playoffs even if he was healthy.

Astro Joe

October 20th, 2012
8:04 pm

6 first half assists for LouWill? Looks like he is trying to stake his claim to a role that is more than just a 6th man combo guard.

HueyFreeman

October 20th, 2012
8:05 pm

Josh with the hook shot down low

MattP

October 20th, 2012
8:15 pm

I can see Lou and Harris closing out most of the games. Knowing Drew, he will probably start Williams over Teague and play Harris at 2.

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
8:15 pm

Both Harris and Lou have been crossed up pretty easily in this game.

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:16 pm

Josh will u stop taking those 21 foot bricks please? Pass the darn ball to a “shooter”…

paian

October 20th, 2012
8:18 pm

@slimjr

ikr haha

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
8:22 pm

@Slimjr

Slimjr
October 20th, 2012
8:16 pm

Josh will u stop taking those 21 foot bricks please? Pass the darn ball to a “shooter”…
——————————————————————————————-

That’s “Brick-range Shawty” at his finest!!!! [LOL]

Alex

October 20th, 2012
8:23 pm

Mike Scott is looking good

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:23 pm

With these gifted guards, the Hawks should score a hundred on most nights….Now if they can stop their opponents from doing the same, they just might have something here to get excited about…Hmmmmm

paian

October 20th, 2012
8:24 pm

mike scott looked pretty good in the lil time that he did play

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:27 pm

“That’s “Brick-range Shawty” at his finest!!!! [LOL]” -HS-

Oh the Humanity! heh heh heh

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:29 pm

Yes paian, Scott looks comfortable out there on the floor. He’s letting the game come to him..

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:31 pm

Lets check in on Woody against those nasty Celtics…

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:34 pm

Celtics score 15 in the 1st quarter..Ouch…

Woody stressin DEFENSE! lol….

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
8:37 pm

Good to see Tolliver taking charges. Nice to know he has some NBA-level skill other than jump shooting.

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:37 pm

Mid-range shawty with an air ball. 4 missed free throws.. Josh, its broke tonight..Ya Thinks?

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

October 20th, 2012
8:40 pm

Korver is not the answer at the 2. Morrow needs to start.

High-sider

October 20th, 2012
8:41 pm

How can one justify “Brick-range Shawty” [aka Josh Smith] shooting jumpers from 20+ feet when he’s [currently] 0 of 4 from the FT line? LD [Lame Duck] don’t let the “inmates run the asylum” for the remainder of your tenure. [smh]

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
8:44 pm

Korver misses a lot of open 3s for supposedly being one of the league’s best 3 point shooters.

I just saw Josh roll to the hoop on a pick and roll with Devin Harris. That is a great sign.

Jae Evolution

October 20th, 2012
8:44 pm

Is it possible to be a shell…of a shell? Elton Brand, jeez.

Slimjr

October 20th, 2012
8:46 pm

What so sad about his jumper is he not fully committed to his jumper…

His body language is screaming out loud that I know I cant make these shots but like a blind squirrel I’ll eventually hit one…

That ish is broken. So sad….

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.

Najeh Davenpoop

October 20th, 2012
8:46 pm

I like a lot of things Harris does, and I’d be fine with him starting at the 2, but he doesn’t seem like a very good passer for a point guard.

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

October 20th, 2012
8:48 pm

On the defensive end Mike Scott is worthless.

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

October 20th, 2012
8:50 pm

Crowder just blew right past Scott. Get Benson on the phone.

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.