Atlanta Hawks game thread: Tolliver will start for Smith vs. OKC
Vivlamore reporting from Oklahoma City following the Hawks’ shoot-around prior to tonight’s game against the Thunder.
* As we reported yesterday, Josh Smith is not on the trip with a sprained right ankle. Coach Larry Drew said he noticed Smith limping during Friday’s season-opener against the Rockets. The forward did play all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.
“It was a little sore (Saturday),” Drew said. “I know he got it treated. We made the decision to leave him back and get it treated. Our focus was to get him ready for Wednesday’s game.”
Drew said he is “hoping” Smith will be ready for the game against the Pacers but his status will depend on how he feels and the doctor’s report.
* Anthony Tolliver will start in Smith’s place. The rest of the starting lineup will be Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson and Al Horford. Stevenson will draw the early assignment of Thunder star Kevin Durant, although Tolliver will match up against him as well.
“Like we’ve always done when we played him, we’ll give him different looks,” Drew said of the matchup against Durant. “We don’t just lock into him with one guy. Chances are we’ll give him some different looks. Tolliver can be matched on him some. DeShawn (Stevenson) can be matched on him some. Kyle (Korver) can be matched on him some. We’ll just have to see what is working good for us but we have to give him some different looks.”
* Tolliver said he is up for the challenge, a position he will find himself in from time to time with his ability to play both forward positions.
Tolliver said the Hawks learned a valuable lesson following their season-opening loss to the Rockets, a game in which they were outrebounded 58-36.
“I think we proved to ourselves that when we really focus in we can be really good. And when we don’t focus in we can be really bad. As much bad went down in that game, we still were right there and had chances to win. Take away a few of the bonehead plays and we have a chance to win that game if not win it.”
* Al Horford said the Hawks watched a lot of film from the loss to the Rockets.
“Being the first game, and a new team, we really weren’t on the same page,” Horford said. “It’s going to take us a few games to get going but I hope today we do a much better job of that.”
As the 0-3 Lakers can attest, it can take time for teams to gel after an offseason of multiple moves. Horford said the difference will come on the defensive end.
* After doing film work of Friday’s loss, Drew said the rebounding issue was not a scheme issue.
“It was just not a good job of rebounding,” Drew said. “That shot went up and we did not seek bodies to box out. The perimeters did not do a good job of chasing down the long rebounds. We went through that whole thing to see where the rebounds were coming from. It had nothing to do with rotations. It had nothing to do with our defensive schemes. We did not do a good job of boxing out and pursuing the ball.”
* Anthony Morrow and Ivan Johnson, along with rookies John Jenkins and Mike Scott, did not play in the season opener. Drew said it was due to a combination of matchups and rotation.
“First of all we can’t play everybody,” Drew said. “That particular game, being the first game, I wanted to look at some specific matchups. We’ll see how it goes. I can’t play 11 or 12 guys. I just can’t do it. I’ve got to really look and play the guys who are going to be in the rotation. The other guys, as I’ve told them, are going to have to stay ready.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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529 comments Add your comment
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 4th, 2012
6:42 pm
Ferry said at town hall meeting we can contend within 2 yrs. outside of getting CP3 and Dwight, I just don’t see how this is possible
Northcyde, great post on PeachtreeHoops about Ferry a day or two ago. I reposted it on here on the Smoove Ankle blog. Ferry really does have his work cut out for him
vava74
November 4th, 2012
6:54 pm
I don’t mind losing when it happens after a good effort top to bottom.
This is freaking joke. Tolliver starting is a pathetic move by LD.
The guy is clueless.
vava74
November 4th, 2012
6:57 pm
I am REALLY missing Woody, which already very telling how bad LD is.
Woody has zero Xs ‘n Os in him but he would never start Tolliver over Ivan, nor cut James.
He is stubborn but he rewards hard workers (Mario).
paian
November 4th, 2012
6:59 pm
perkins is playing tonight btw
Dwight,CP3,J-Smoove next year
November 4th, 2012
7:02 pm
we need to bring john jenkins in the game, he can actually shoot and make it.
sameba
November 4th, 2012
7:06 pm
vava74:
I would not keep Tolliver on the roster at all. And I doubt LD would even play him on a consistent basis if he had not given some instructions from DF. It seems some “politics” is involved here. And LD is too weak to protest. However, this is only my opinion, although not unfounded.
I do not know how it works in America, but there should be some way to show DF that fans are deeply dissatisfied with his last decision to keep Tolliver and cut James, e.g. is it ethical to bring some posters to the games?
lewis
November 4th, 2012
7:06 pm
i’d rather see jenkins / james than stevenson and tolliver wtf
Dwight,CP3,J-Smoove next year
November 4th, 2012
7:13 pm
stevenson, did pretty good. on the other hand, tolliver cannot hit a shot or box out like half of the team.
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
7:16 pm
Tolliver starting at PF after has putrid display in the opener is typical Lame Duck think (I coined the moniker “Lame Duck” on this blogs many moons ago lol.) I would like t say I’m shocked but I’m really not. Lame Duck loves to play loser scrubs like they are bonafide ballers.
BasketballTopFan(c)
November 4th, 2012
7:19 pm
Basketball Top Fan and basketball fans worldwide would like to wish all the teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) the best of luck and success in the 2012/2013 season.
We Love Basketball !!!
BasketballTopFan@Yahoo.com
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:20 pm
There appears to be a connect Larry Drew or the intent is to sink it? Hmmmmm
Najeh: you forgot to insert the word [Anal] before [Moron]! LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:21 pm
“It’s skill and strategy, not luck” -unknown-
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:24 pm
Or in the case of Hawk fans: 45 years of Hope….
One can only [Hope] that Tolliver will find his [Stroke] tonight?
paian
November 4th, 2012
7:29 pm
i hope tolliver picks up 2 quick fouls
Rusty
November 4th, 2012
7:30 pm
Grandad well I guess you finally are getting smart about LD or maybe you just
Liked to argue with me last year when you would try to tell me that he was doing a good job.
Runner-
November 4th, 2012
7:34 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….
LD, what the hell is going through his mind?? Did he watch the game on Friday?? Tolliver was absolute sh*t!! We, of course, have Ivan and can start him ahead of Tolliver, or, you can move Al to the 4 and start Zaza, or, you can start Deshawn at the 3 and have Al and Zaza at the 4 and 5, or you could have even kept Damion James and started him at the 3. Starting Tolliver is a joke, this guy should get no more than 5 minutes MAX per game.
Who knows, maybe Ferry wants us to get a lottery pick or something, that’s the only way I can believe this start…
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
7:37 pm
LOL Paian! the 2 foul rule – that’s the ticket
ntrigue
November 4th, 2012
7:39 pm
I would start Morrow and Ivan over korver and tolliver! Drew constantly overthinks he makes things more complicated then they should be! I was giving Drew an earfull and I will do the same on Weds until we get this clown out of town! The players dont even listen to him in the huddle. Fire coach drew!
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:39 pm
insert[disconnect] ^^^^
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:40 pm
Larry, your too smart for your own good Sir!
Rusty
November 4th, 2012
7:41 pm
How can he over think when he doesn’t have any brains?
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:44 pm
Woody took Maimi to the Woodshed Friday night!!!!
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
7:45 pm
He beat Miami like a drumstick!!!!!!
Woody> WoodyLite
Runner-
November 4th, 2012
7:47 pm
On a serious note, the team we saw on Friday is the one that we expected, and the one we will see many more times this season. This team is FULL of shooters and we will live and die by our shooting night in night out. Friday was a bad day shooting wise for us, but who knows, if we can have more good nights than bad, we might just be able to make some noise this season.
tyger
November 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
Teague Airball Line
vs. OK = 2
MattP
November 4th, 2012
7:52 pm
Runner-,
Didn’t look at it that way but that is probably why Ferry keep Drew around, to get a lottery pick. lol
tyger
November 4th, 2012
7:53 pm
Teague Brick Line
vs. OK = 3
ECF or Bust!
November 4th, 2012
7:59 pm
is it true Ferry suspended osh for behavior detrimental to the team? and is covering it up with the ankle excuse. It’s about time somebody brought some discipline to this team. there is no I in team, osh.
somedawg
November 4th, 2012
8:03 pm
Your link to the game: http://nutjob.eu/njtv9.html
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
8:09 pm
Horford must have a HUGE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Joe
November 4th, 2012
8:10 pm
This should be good. Tolliver blocking out against Ibaka.
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
8:10 pm
Here we go!
Rusty
November 4th, 2012
8:11 pm
Tuber get a life
Smokey
November 4th, 2012
8:11 pm
Man that starting lineup is UGLY uggh this is gonna be nasty..
Rusty
November 4th, 2012
8:12 pm
Tyger get off JTs back
MattP
November 4th, 2012
8:15 pm
Well looks like Horford is stepping it up this game.
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
8:18 pm
Horford has started out ballin’ but Tolliver is sorry.
sameba
November 4th, 2012
8:18 pm
And Tolliver is a complete waste.
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Mark@ 6:23, 1st Qtr lead lost. Its a wrap….
ntrigue
November 4th, 2012
8:19 pm
Tolliver sucks he should be coming off the bench! Free Ivan!
Slimjr
November 4th, 2012
8:20 pm
Teague coming off a screen is shooting one ugly shot!
MsDee
November 4th, 2012
8:20 pm
Hello Horford Haters!!!!
tank
November 4th, 2012
8:21 pm
I think us Atlanta fans are just waiting for Falcons on Sunday night
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
8:22 pm
Stevenson is a BUM – Boiling Unadulterated Mess.
hawksordie
November 4th, 2012
8:22 pm
why the f…k is tolliver in the …he hit three n middle me typin lol
don't
November 4th, 2012
8:22 pm
don’t matterr how many points they score if they don’t play no defense
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
Sweet move by JT0!!
Just Joe
November 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
Pretty move by Teague. Flying around on defense too.
Runner-
November 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
JT
soullrenaissance
November 4th, 2012
8:23 pm
Perkins is no KAREEM with that hook.