Atlanta Hawks Game Thread: Rockets vs. Hawks
Vivlamore reporting following the Hawks’ morning shootaround. Here is an early start on your game thread.
The Hawks will be challenged defensively on the perimeter right off the bat. For here comes the Rockets and newly acquired guard James Harden for tonight’s season opener.
Harden lit up the Pistons for a game-high 37 points, on 14 of 25 shooting, in the Rockets’ 105-96 season-opening victory Wednesday at Detroit. He also had 12 assists making him the first-ever NBA player to score 37 or more points and have double-digit assists in his team debut. The 6-foot-5 Harden could present problems for 6-3 Devin Harris and 6-5 DeShawn Stevenson, two who figure to draw much of the defensive assignment.
“I did,” Harris said with a slight smile when asked if he watched the Rockets-Pistons game. “He’s a good player. He’s a max (contract) player for a reason. He’s tough. We’ll throw a lot of different guys at him. The main thing is to try to keep him off the free-throw line and keep him out of the paint.”
Harden was acquired by the Rockets from the Thunder earlier this week. He also signed a contract worth a reported five years and $80 million. Stevenson said Harden will be brimming with confidence after signing such a deal.
Hawks coach Larry Drew said the challenge will be stopping the Rockets’ predominately pick-and-roll offense with Jeremy Lin and Harden.
“The best we can,” Drew said when I asked how he will defend Harden. “He is really good. We have to do a good job collectively. As I told the guys today, he won’t be just one man’s responsibility. We have to make sure that we zero in and just be solid. We’ve worked on a lot of different things over the preseason, particularly playing against guys like him. We have to stick with our concepts and stick with our principles.
“It will give us a good chance, as a measuring stick, to see where we stand, particularly defensively. You won’t play against as many guys as good and as aggressive as James Harden. It will be a good test for us.”
The Hawks will be without back-up center Johan Petro, who is out with a sore back. Drew said Petro is “getting better and better” but held him out for precautionary reasons.
That leaves the task of stopping the Rockets’ 7-foot center Omer Asik to Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia.
“With Asik, he’s a load,” Drew said. “He takes up a lot of space in the middle. We are just going to have to do a good job on him. When he was in Chicago, he did really well for them and he seems to have found on home with (the Rockets). We may not be able to match size right off the bat, but we have to be able to match physicality. We really focus on what we need to do and if we do that, we should be OK.”
Drew, once again, declined to announce his starting lineup saying it was a “game-time decision.”
Check back before the game for updates.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Smith on verge of statistical milestone
* Smith, Horford are interim captains
* Five things we learned from the preseason
* Teague, Pachulia return to full-contact practice, ready for opener
* Failure not an option for Tolliver
* Hawks ownership ‘extremely’ fortunate to keep stake in team
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702 comments Add your comment
keith
November 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
I hope we can get Fesenko signed. He is much better than Zsa Zsa.
Sautee
November 2nd, 2012
5:28 pm
Ramon,
Great post at 3:21. Nice analysis.
Boy, it’s gonna be great to see games that actually man something. Two more hours.
Sautee
November 2nd, 2012
5:29 pm
Insert an e in there. You know where.
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Big Ray#
I recalled the injury sustained by Al like it happened yesterday. Watched it several times on HD..
Yes Al time and again out quicked Hibbert for several seasons and got the best of him..
But finally the stars lined up and as Horford made his baseline move toward the basket and running out of realstate Hibbert reacted properly by anticipating Al’s move and had the proper angle to defend Al. Since Al does have a pull up jumper in his limited repertoire offensively he initiated contact with his left shoulder to try and create space to no avail due to Hibbert’s length and his shot was rejected. Al tried to reset and go up again quickly but was rejected a second time while the devastating injury occurred..
Protect Al Larry!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh#
So what your saying is the Football coaches have also evolved and gone through a learning curve the past 10 some odd years to adapt their coaching styles to their QB’s talents…
Dan Reeves would have been the perfect coach for MV7..To bad Mr Blank did not agree…
Najeh Davenpoop
November 2nd, 2012
5:43 pm
They are giving out free T-shirts to everyone at tonight’s game and are expecting a sellout. They gave out free T-shirts at the last two home openers, too, but not to everyone, and I don’t think either game sold out.
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
5:44 pm
[IJ Rosenburg] a legend in his own mind is covering HS football for 92.9FM The Game..
Congrats bone head! LOL!
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
He and I have had some engagements on the Falcon blogs in the past… hehehehe
Najeh Davenpoop
November 2nd, 2012
5:47 pm
“So what your saying is the Football coaches have also evolved and gone through a learning curve the past 10 some odd years to adapt their coaching styles to their QB’s talents…”
Exactly. QBs became more athletic and it took coaches nearly two full decades to adjust, but they finally have.
I don’t think firing Dan Reeves was a bad move, though. He was an average coach. The mistake was replacing him with the worst coach the Falcons have had in my lifetime.
falCans
November 2nd, 2012
5:57 pm
If tour advocating trading Josh you obviously dont understand Basketball. Je does AND ALWAYS HAS done sooo much for this team in all phases of the Game. Ps. Im glad hes.not afraid to shoot the big shot.
Anyway cableo out…comcast sending somebody over tommoro so Im begging you all too be extremely descriptive with your game post, especially on Smoove and teague
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
5:57 pm
On paper he does not look like the worst HC the Falcons have hired. But watching him handle his business, yea some of us could see he was in way over his head..
Why is Norv Turner still a head coach? Does he have pictures or something? Sheeeh!
Astro Joe
November 2nd, 2012
6:05 pm
Big Ray, of course, Ferry won;t have to trade Josh Smith if he opts to go in a different direction. I suspect that Ferry is far more interested in building a title contender than a collection of above averge players (e.g., the NYC Knicks). The roles guys play this season may not be the role he envisions them playing in the future. Can players adopt to a new role?
Chris Vivlamore
November 2nd, 2012
6:34 pm
As I’ve been saying, starting lineup is Teague, Harris, Korver, Smith and Horford. LD did say he might, at the last minute, put a bigger body at the shooting guard spot. That would likely be DeShawn Stevenson (although he didn’t say).
captain obvious
November 2nd, 2012
6:37 pm
Why not take a chance on Greg Oden…bring him in and work him out, maybe give him a 10 day contract?
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
6:51 pm
Finally, I have something to do between Sundays!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
6:52 pm
This is the first season that Im excited about in a while. Even though we might suck real bad. Its nice to see some new faces.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
6:53 pm
What happened to Cunningham?
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:01 pm
Haven’t visited the Hawks blogs much since last season’s disappointing finsh. Mostly been poking around the Dawgs and Falcons blogs. Many more nut cases over there than here.
Nice to scroll through here today and see some familiar handles (Grandad, Najeh, Big Ray, Slimjr, Sautee, et al). But where’s Grandmaster JeJe, one of my few supporters last season as I railed against our Hawks for their seemingly inevitable postseason failures?
Here’s hoping these Hawks finally take that next step this season that so many of have hoped for (for so many years); specifically, GET PAST ROUND 2 IN THE PLAYOFFS! And hey, Hawks, if you wanna go even beyond that, fantastic! I’m sure very few on here would object.
And as we approach this season of Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the privilege of exchanging opinions with each of you. Just try to remember this post when I start whining about Losersville, a half-century with no championships (excluding ‘95), blah blah blah. I’ll try to remember it, too.
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:03 pm
Sautee
November 2nd, 2012
5:29 pm
Insert an e in there. You know where.
________________________
Thanks for catching that. I was beginning to think you’d lost a step. You know, being a year older and all.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 2nd, 2012
7:05 pm
It just occurred to me — with all the shooters the Hawks now have, there is a ton of Heat Check potential from Nique this season. He is on track to shatter all his previous records in that area.
terrell
November 2nd, 2012
7:06 pm
Can Mike Glenn and Mr.Heatcheck switch positions? Hawks shouldve traded Nique and Ryan Cameron with JJ.
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Exactly. QBs became more athletic and it took coaches nearly two full decades to adjust, but they finally have.
I don’t think firing Dan Reeves was a bad move, though. He was an average coach. The mistake was replacing him with the worst coach the Falcons have had in my lifetime.
—–
That’s strongly debatable.
I think the worse Coach came after Mora,Jr.
Do you remember the one whistling for pigs?
Vick was a better QB under Reeves than any other Falcons Coach.
The GB playoff win came under Reeves.
What killed Reeves here was Vick tearing his Achilles the following pre-season.
Reeves coached Elway for years, he knew how to handle a QB with mobility.
Go Hawks.
I think this team needs too many factors to go in their favor to match the last few years in terms of win totals.
However, a playoff spot in the east is still attainable.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:11 pm
Im glad Joe is gone.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:12 pm
Danny Ferry is the man. He traded all but one of the Hawks problems.
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
Dawgnole on the Hawks thread!!
I like it!!
I don’t think I’ve ever hated an athlete more than Danny Ferry.
He was actually more hate-able than Laetthner!!
At least Christain won titles(the real ones).
Now, I’m forced to root for the guy!!
Mays2010
November 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
The goal this year is to simply make the playoffs. The Heat, Celts, Nets, Knicks, 76ers, and Pacers are sure fire seeds. We’ll be scrapping with the Wizards, Bulls, and possibly Cavs since Kyrie has emerged. Being optimistic if we shoot well like we plan to we should be fine.
Tonight Im wondering who will be guarding Harden. I hope not Harris, if so he might explode for another 30 pts.
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Its Harris vs. Harden unless Larry is going to imitate Miami and deploy the position-less system with Josh playing as Lebron James! LMAO!!!!
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:18 pm
Rufus1
November 2nd, 2012
4:29 pm
Is Comcast having the NBA league pass free preview this year?
____________________
DirecTV is, but I don’t know how long the free sample lasts.
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
November 2nd, 2012
4:35 pm
The learning curve for Vick, McNabb, McNair, Culpepper, and even dating back to Steve Young was a lot steeper than the learning curve for scrambling QBs today, and it shows in how quickly RG3 and Cam have had success as passers compared to how long it took those QBs from the previous era to develop their passing skills.
_______________________
Although Cam’s success last year certainly hasn’t carried over to this season so far. A major sophomore slump.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:21 pm
Teams not named Miami or Lakers have no chance at the championship this year. This why the NBA isnt as exciting as the NFL or NBA cause you already know who will make the finals months before the season starts.
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
Welcome back DawgNole! Yea this blog has really quieted down the past several weeks minus a couple of outburst… LOL!
Although that may change in about 20mins..Hold on!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:22 pm
I meant MLB in my previous post
Timeout
November 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
As we start a new season, and after losing Pascual Perez, a favorite Brave, I would like to call a timeout to remember Dan Roundfield, my favorite Hawk as a kid, who drowned saving his wife earlier this year.
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
Lakers are 0-10.. More losses are coming and fast!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Lakers are losing now. But they will get their act together come playoff time. And then we will hear the story about how they over came their early problems and still made the finals.
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Teams not named Miami or Lakers have no chance at the championship this year.
—–
That’s true to a point.
No one in the east has anything for Miami, unless King gets hurt.
San Antonio & OKC are capable of beating the Lakers.
BIG DOG
November 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
LD nose running during the interview.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:08 pm
Exactly. QBs became more athletic and it took coaches nearly two full decades to adjust, but they finally have . . . What killed Reeves here was Vick tearing his Achilles the following pre-season.
Reeves coached Elway for years, he knew how to handle a QB with mobility.
____________________
I think Vick’s injury was a broken ankle, rather than an Achilles tear. In any event, the irony (w/respect to your post) was that it came on a scramble.
Old Man Peabody
November 2nd, 2012
7:27 pm
With Joe now gone, who takes the game winning shot now, I hope it’s not Josh.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
@ crimson
No way, have you seen LA’s lineup? They will have their early chemistry problems for a couple months and then its game over for the West. They got a bunch a starts trying to learn how to play together. It takes time to gel, but once it does, game over, thanks for playing.
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:29 pm
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:14 pm
Dawgnole on the Hawks thread!!
I like it!!
___________________
Thanks, Big C. Probably limited participation during football season, but wanted to stop by for the season opener at least.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
The game winning shot comes down to the hot hand at that point. No more iso-joe! im so excited for this Hawks season, even though we arent going anywhere.
RaJaH
November 2nd, 2012
7:30 pm
Hope the atmospere at Phillips will be different this year…No more organ or drumlines lol.
bigdave
November 2nd, 2012
7:31 pm
Let’s get it…
Luke Cage
November 2nd, 2012
7:31 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
Luke Cage
November 2nd, 2012
7:32 pm
Time for Hawk basketball, wonder how the “NIMBERS” will look tonight
Old Man Peabody
November 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
Can’t wait to see how this backcourt match up with HOU’s.
Big Crimson 75
November 2nd, 2012
7:33 pm
0125 — ill give you Kobe over Manu.
Ill take Parker over Nash.
Ill take SA’s coach.
The role players are basically even.
If it comes down to Dwight & Duncan, it’s no slam-dunk Dwight wins that battle.
mountain_jim
November 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Glad to have the free preview, sorry the Hawks have so few games during the freebie period this first week.
terrell
November 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Win or lose, it sure is a breathe of fresh air, not seeing Marvin and Joe out there.
DawgNole
November 2nd, 2012
7:34 pm
Slimjr
November 2nd, 2012
7:23 pm
Lakers are 0-10.. More losses are coming and fast!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 2nd, 2012
7:26 pm
Lakers are losing now. But they will get their act together come playoff time. And then we will hear the story about how they over came their early problems and still made the finals.
_______________________
What a start for the Lakers. Whodathunkit?
But I tend to agree with 0125 that they eventually will right the ship–and brag about it.