Atlanta Hawks: Williams the go-to guy down the stretch
Vivlamore back from Oklahoma and reporting from Hawks practice.
Right now, the fourth quarter belongs to Lou Williams.
That could change. Hawks coach Larry Drew insists playing time down the stretch of games, particularly among the depth of guards, will be determined by who has the hot hand that night.
Guard Lou Williams signed with the Hawks as a free agent in July after seven seasons with the 76ers. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Williams has been the team’s go-to guy late in the first two games for the Hawks (1-1). He has played every fourth-quarter minute and scored 27 of his 41 points (66 percent) in the final stanzas. In those two periods he is a combined 7-for-17 from the field and 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.
“I just want to be in the rotation,” Williams said. “That’s my main thing. As long as I’m on the court, I just try to maximize the minutes I get and make everything happen that I can.”
He may not start, but Williams has certainly been on the court when it mattered most.
Williams scored a team-high 22 points in the season opening loss the Rockets, with 13 points coming in the final quarter. His 22 points were the second-highest total for a player coming off the bench in his Hawks debut since the team moved to Atlanta in 1968, trailing only Tom Van Arsdale’s 23-point effort versus Portland in 1974.
In Sunday’s victory over the Thunder, Williams scored 19 points, scoring 14 of the Hawks’ final 23 points.
“We decided to ride Lou’s hot hand,” Drew said following Sunday’s game. “He made some really good baskets.”
In the win over the Thunder, Drew said he considered re-inserting starters Jeff Teague, who finished with 16 points, and Kyle Korver back in the game. Williams’ hot hand made Drew reconsider.
“From a coaching standpoint, you are going to ride the hot hand,” Drew said. “I don’t care who it is. In a situation where somebody is playing well, somebody is in a rhythm, somebody is having a good quarter you ride that. I don’t think there is any coach who would not do that. The last thing you want to do is disrupt flow.”
Williams, the runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man award last season, leads the Hawks is many statistical categories. He is first in scoring average (20.5), points (41), field goals attempted (31), free throws made (14), free throws attempted (16) and steals (five, tied with Teague). He is second in assists (nine). Despite coming off the bench, Williams is third in minutes played (58), behind Al Horford (71) and DeShawn Stevenson (63) and in field goals made (12).
“That is fine,” Teague said of Williams’ playing time late. “We are all here to win. Whatever we have to do to get a win, we are all with that. Lou had is going (Sunday) and we were all rooting for him. We were all excited to get a win. There are going to be nights like that. I might have it going. Lou. Devin (Harris). It doesn’t matter. We all want to win. We are all Hawks. It doesn’t matter who is playing.”
Practice report
*Josh Smith, who missed Sunday’s game with a sprained right ankle, did not practice Monday but worked on the side with the team’s training staff. Drew said Smith did some shooting. Drew did not know whether Smith could return for Wednesday’s home game against the Pacers, calling the forward day-to-day.
* Backup center Johan Petro (back) also did not practice.
* Drew said he did not feel that Korver, who is 1-for-8 from the field in his first two games, is pressing. “I just think he is trying to find his rhythm,” Drew said. “We are only two games into the season. … One thing about shooters, they know they can have two bad games but they know they can come back and have five good games in a row.”
* Stevenson, Teague and Williams finally allowed rookie John Jenkins to compete in their post-practice 3-point shooting competition. Stevenson won the first game but Jenkins was a clear winner in the second.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
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* Five things we learned from the preseason
* Teague, Pachulia return to full-contact practice, ready for opener
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207 comments Add your comment
GoHawks
November 5th, 2012
6:16 pm
The Hawks are a offense power house. I like it. GOOOOO HAWKSSSSS. You have a lot of fans that support you Coach D. Believe that!!!!!!! Go Hawks
Rod from College Park
November 5th, 2012
6:17 pm
“HOW DARE U PUT JOSH NAME NEXT TO THE GREATEST BALL PLAYER OF HIS TIME???”
So the greatest ball player of Josh’s time was Michael Jordan? Josh was in middle school when Mike was playing. LOL
Rod from College Park
November 5th, 2012
6:19 pm
“lol..im out, it was fun, Mr Rod but I must head home to be with the fam..might get back on later 2nite..peace & luv my Blog PEEPS!!”
All good MsDee. Enjoy the fam. All fun and games here.
vava74
November 5th, 2012
6:25 pm
AJ,
Josh always takes some shots where he hesitates.
A large chunk his mid/long range missed have an element of hesitation.
And if you remember, he even had a shrink advising him and tell him not to second guess himself AND he started that season shooting really well and then slowly things went down hill. Was it last year or two years ago?
My argument is : guys with irrational confidence don’t hire shrinks.
Ken Strickland
November 5th, 2012
7:02 pm
MSDEE-Allow me to try and get through to ROD FROM CP. ROD, it’s obvious that you have been affected by the vapors coming off Josh’s jockstrap, so here’s some statistical facts that might help clear the air, so to speak.
JOSH/HORFORD(INCLUDING 2ND GM)-MINS 42/37(33), PTS 19/14(23), FGA-M 21-9/10-6(19-11). REBS 10/5(12), AST 2/3(3), STL 0/1(1), BKKS 3/0(1).
As you can see, Horford is a much more efficient shooter and scorer. HORFORD HATERS were out in full force after our 1st gm complaining about his lack of scoring and rebounding. However, Josh outscored Horford by only 4 pts(18-14), but he needed 11 additional shots(21-10FGA) to score those 4 extra pts.
Bottomline, we need to run our OFF through Horford rather than Josh, because he’s a far more efficient scorer, creates fewer turnovers, and is more versatile offensively, due to his excellent high percentage jumpshooting ability. What really exposes these HORFORD HATERS, and their low basketball IQs, it their complaints about Horford relying too much on his jumpshot even though he’s one of the NBAs most effective. Yet, these same HORFORD HATING whiners praise JSmith’s OFF ability, and continues to ignore the fact that he’s one of the NBAs worst 2pt shooters, but continues to launch them.
Sautee
November 5th, 2012
7:24 pm
Ken S,
That’s a little over the top. Josh is not a great 2 pt shooter, but he’s nowhere near the worst in the league. You lose credibility if you over-exaggerate.
ntrigue
November 5th, 2012
7:31 pm
Offense doesnt need to run through Horford nor Josh its needs to rotate and whoever is hotter needs to get majority of the touches down the strecth! This can change game to game but in order to be our best we need both playing at a high level along with everybody else!
Grandad
November 5th, 2012
7:36 pm
Sautee
Don`t you think K S meant 3 pt shooting ?
Now the worst or near the worst “3″ pt shooter in the league is …
JordanCrawford ……. and that`s a fact !
cp
November 5th, 2012
7:36 pm
To be fair he said one of the worst which if you look at the numbers might be true. I think northcyde posted them on here a few times and it was not pretty.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:43 pm
“Lou is a Tony Parker-esque pg.
By that I mean:
He most likely will never lead the league in assists; He just Leads !”
The only reason Parker doesn’t rack up assists is because Popovich’s system isn’t conducive to PGs racking up assists. If he played for D’Antoni he’d be among the league leaders.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:44 pm
Rod’s 4:30 post is on point.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:45 pm
“his ability to recognize those who are around him.”
Josh gets more assists per game than Al and routinely ranks among the league leaders in dimes among front court players. Seems like he recognizes those who are around him fairly well.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:47 pm
I wonder who administers the IQ test for basketball players, anyway. Mensa? The MacArthur Foundation? “Basketball IQ” is the most overrated phrase in basketball.
Grandad
November 5th, 2012
7:54 pm
* ftpb – darrell starks suggested josh should play the [3]
and post up smaller players; to which I agree.
Playing the [3] has zero meaning for schematic floor spacing.
The Coach / Off-coordinator can place Zaza on the wing if they choose.
With player movement and spacing, plus screening a plyr can be
wherever the coach draws him up to be.
-Therefore-
Josh can play the [3] and post up – case closed – where he should be.
As for his Jump / Set shot;
when Josh shoots [facing] he needs / must shoot in rhythm.
Someone said above [MsDee ? perhaps] occasionally Josh hesitates.
It matters not whether he hesitates or just if he waits;
I think sometimes he looks to make a pass 1st before shooting.
It`s still too late, as he must catch & shoot whether a two or a three.
* -In Rhythm- *
His mid-range (12 to 16 ft) rhythm jumper should be unstoppable.
I also said ” jumper ” – not a set shot.
With his lift, I repeat = unstoppable.
Yes … I`m an expert [instructor] in & of the art & science of shooting.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:54 pm
“JOSH/HORFORD(INCLUDING 2ND GM)-MINS 42/37(33), PTS 19/14(23), FGA-M 21-9/10-6(19-11). REBS 10/5(12), AST 2/3(3), STL 0/1(1), BKKS 3/0(1).
As you can see, Horford is a much more efficient shooter and scorer. ”
More conclusions from the Ken Strickland Small Sample Size Think Tank:
Lakers: 1-3
Magic: 2-0
As you can see, the Magic are better than the Lakers.
James Harden this season: 35.3 ppg on 52.7% shooting
Michael Jordan for his career: 30.1 ppg on 49.7% shooting
As you can see, James Harden is a better and more efficient scorer than Michael Jordan.
Matt Ryan: 206/299, 68.9% completion percentage
Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu: 1/1, 100% completion percentage
As you can see, Mohamed Sanu is a better quarterback than Matt Ryan.
High-sider
November 5th, 2012
7:58 pm
@Rod from College Park
“… I like Lou Williams game alot, just like I liked Jamal’s game alot and even Flip’s. Reallistically though, you will not win in the playoffs in the NBA depending on Lou Williams, or Jamal Crawford or Flip Murray to be the go-to guy, because they can easily be taken out of the game…” – Rod from College Park @4:30pm dated 11/5/2012
Why do feel J. Crawford, L. Williams and “Flip” Murray can’t be “go-to” guys in the playoffs? Are they easily taken out of games with/through double teams or do they lack the strength/power, size, stamina or durability or is it both? BTW, I read your post about Jamal Crawford averaging 25.7ppg through the first three games and I agree with you about Hawks management’s player personnel decisions.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
7:59 pm
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have higher shooting percentages for their careers than LeBron, so clearly the Heat should be running the offense through them.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 5th, 2012
8:01 pm
In keeping with the season, George W. Bush got 50.7% of the popular vote in 2004. Abraham Lincoln got 39.8% of the popular vote in 1860. As you can see, Bush was a better president than Lincoln.
Grandad
November 5th, 2012
8:03 pm
Najeh
” The only reason Parker doesn’t rack up assists is because
Popovich’s system isn’t conducive to PGs racking up assists.
If he played for D’Antoni he’d be among the league leaders.”
I agree wholeheartedly !
Therefore;
with DFerry being “the man” I do believe we will be running
a similar system.
I do believe LD has begun to put in the rudiments of Pop`s system already.
keith
November 5th, 2012
8:04 pm
A couple of days ago this is what i envisoned for our basketball team. Big men attacking the basket. This is good stuff, beating The Thunder in OKC. Go Hawks!!!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
8:04 pm
The exaggeration of Josh’s game or lack there of is astonishing by some.
Houston, we seem to have a problem..
Rod from College Park
November 5th, 2012
8:13 pm
I wonder who administers the IQ test for basketball players, anyway. Mensa? The MacArthur Foundation? “Basketball IQ” is the most overrated phrase in basketball.
Really. Remember Kirk Hinrich had the highest basketball IQ of any of the Hawks, yet in 2 years I can remember of maybe 2 or 3 games that he really helped us win.
keith
November 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
I am on board with those who suggest Horford should get about 20 shots per game. He should be our 1st scoring option followed by Lou Williams. I am losing confidence in Josh Smith.
keith
November 5th, 2012
8:23 pm
I am on board with those who suggest Horford should get about 20 shots per game. He should be our 1st scoring option followed by Lou Williams. I am losing confidence in Josh Smith.
High-sider
November 5th, 2012
8:26 pm
Slimjr,
Your Knicks [team] is [currently] playing the Sixers in Philly.
Rod from College Park
November 5th, 2012
8:26 pm
“Why do feel J. Crawford, L. Williams and “Flip” Murray can’t be “go-to” guys in the playoffs? Are they easily taken out of games with/through double teams or do they lack the strength/power, size, stamina or durability or is it both? BTW, I read your post about Jamal Crawford averaging 25.7ppg through the first three games and I agree with you about Hawks management’s player personnel decisions.”
Specifically on this team it is easier because we really have no other real threats. Then everyone stands around and watches one guy try to beat his man off the dribble with no motion or cutters. Even when we had Jamal and Joe, Coach Thibs said after the series that their first priority became stopping Jamal because he was a more explosive scorer than Joe. Joe rarely posted, or drove to the hole, so his game was really totally perimeter, and he never got to the line. You wont be able to stop Jamal come playoff time with the Clippers because you have to focus on CP3 first. I am predicting it early in the year. Jamal will have his best playoff performance this year, because he is playing with CP3 if everyone stays healthy.
Rod from College Park
November 5th, 2012
8:29 pm
“Bottomline, we need to run our OFF through Horford rather than Josh, because he’s a far more efficient scorer, creates fewer turnovers, and is more versatile offensively, due to his excellent high percentage jumpshooting ability.”
That statement was a joke correct?
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
8:47 pm
Hs, thanks for that update..I’m going to check in on the stream and take a peak shortly..
Boy oh boy does Woody have shooters? whew!
Wish Bynum was playing…
High-sider
November 5th, 2012
8:47 pm
@Rod from College Park
I foresee a potential dilemma with the Clippers’ backcourt. If, and when, Chaucey Billups returns, who closes out the “tight” games at the 2-guard position – “The Difference” or “Mr. Big Shot”? Does the Clippers [team] go with a three-guard lineup featuring CP3 [C. Paul], Mr. Big Shot [C. Billups] and “The Difference” [J. Crawford] late in close games? I do see Willie Green being the “odd-man out” when Billups returns [from injury]. How many minutes will or does Eric Bledsoe get when Billups returns? How will Caron Butler feel if he is not in the game late during “crunch time”? Coach Del Negro’s “deep bench” may become more of a liability than an asset. I know this is a Hawks blog but I digress. My apologies [go out to you Hawks blog] folks.
Luke Cage
November 5th, 2012
9:08 pm
SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
Can’t we just enjoy the thunder victory without any Hawk bashing
“Can’t we all just, (hesitate for a few seconds) get along” LOL!!
Luke Cage
November 5th, 2012
9:13 pm
Got an Idea, if Josh if is in a groove then run the O thru him, if Al is in a groove go thru him or whoever is in a groove, just go with the hot hand but I would always start the 1st possession with Josh on the low block, jus sayin.
57 states
November 5th, 2012
9:16 pm
where 0 said he’d been to.
Ken Strickland
November 5th, 2012
9:18 pm
SAUTEE-Please reread my post and you will see I didn’t say Josh was the worst, but one of the worst.
DAVENPOOP-You’re right, I did use a small sample, but as you and everyone else knows, there’s a very big sample out there for anyone to utilize when it comes to an OFF efficiency comparison between Josh and Horford. Anyone who’s objective and knowledgeable also knows Josh is a better help defender and shotblocker than Horford, but Horford is the better one on one defender.
If you look at the career shooting percentages of both players, you’ll see Horford is the far more efficient scorer of the 2. Horford needs far fewer shot attempts to score the same amount of pts, and has fewer turnovers as well. The small sample I used represents what should be obvious to anyone who’s done a little research.
This either or BS that some fans focus on when it comes to Josh and Horford is just that, PURE BS. We need both players if we expect to have a successful season. I’m sick and tired of reading all of this trade Horford or Josh BS without once mentioning who we can get in return. It’s just downright STUPIDITY at its best.
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:37 pm
Melo, with 20mins left has 19 and 7!
Knicks up 13!
7 for 13 behind the arc..Knicks are on cruise control with these shooters! Plus Melo balling!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:40 pm
15 and pulling away…..
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:41 pm
18 on a Jason kid three!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:43 pm
20: 14-0 run..
terrell
November 5th, 2012
9:44 pm
Larry Drew justneeds to stop talking. PERIOD!
MsDee
November 5th, 2012
9:47 pm
Hi Rod and Najeh, my 2 favorite guys..only here for a lil bit, but just HAD to comment on Najeh sarcastic posts.
Well, not much really to comment on cause Im sure u knew EXACTLY what KenS was talking about when he compared the 2 together. It just proves that u see the facts in what was stated, u are just as in denial as Josh is to really believe he should be respected higher than he is being credited for. Josh THINKS he should be an AllStar, Najeh THINKS he should be an AllStar, Mr. Rod from CP THINKS he should be an AllStar, steven a smith THINKS he should be an AllStar, might as well throw in vava74, he might THINK he should be an AllStar..
I must admit, Josh has accomplished some great things. He broke the 500-block mark, making him the youngest player to do so in NBA history and also became the youngest player (at 24 years old) to block 1000 shots. Lead the Hawks with a career high 32 points and 19 rebounds in Joe Johnson’s absence last season. Other achievements including making the All Defensive second team, All rookie second team, and on TOP of THAT, was the SLAM DUNK CHAMP!! So I GET IT, Josh as some serious talent, so PLEASE tell me guys, be COMPLETELY HONEST WITH ME WITHOUT ANY ‘SMART’ REMARKS. I just really want to know from your heart,, after all these accomplishments, WHY HAVEN’T JOSHUA JSMOOVE SMITH BEEN CALLED AN ALLSTAR AFTER 8 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE?? And please dont say cause there are ‘better players who play his position’ nonsense cause no way and I mean NO WAY Iggy nor Deug makes it b4 him. This question is actually OPEN for anyone who could give me a reasonable answer!!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:55 pm
10 for 23 beyond the arc..Hey Woody can go read a book! Man they make it look easy out there…
These 3’s are being takin in rhythm. Nothing forced..Beautiful too watch!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
9:58 pm
MV7 is getting KILLED OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Saints got three guys unblocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
FIRE THE WHOLE COACHING STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
10:02 pm
Rasheed Wallace comes off the bench cold near the end of the 3rd quarter and drains 2 three’s?
Are you kidding?
11-26 for 33 pts.. Too easy!
MsDee
November 5th, 2012
10:09 pm
Oh and this will be the last time I debate about Josh and Horford cause YES, they both represent the Atlanta Hawk who I LOVE to cheer for. And seeing that we have some really GREAT pieces, I only want them to PLAY as such..
Sautee
November 5th, 2012
10:19 pm
KenS,
I’ll stick by my statement. To say that Josh is “one of the worst” 2 pt shooters in the league is STILL hyperbole well beyond reality. Perception is NOT reality.
HawkEye
November 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Couple of thoughts from yesterday’s victory.
*As many have said, Tolliver needs to play less and Ivan more. Although I fear that when Josh comes back that Tolliver will play back-up PF and take mins from Ivan (as what happened in the Rockets Game). Also, is he supposed to be a stretch 4? If so we do not need another PF that shoots jumpshots.
*Morrow deserves some more pt. He did a decent job on Durant and even forced 2 turns. KD should’ve posted up more against Stevenson.
*Al responded well after that Rockets game, but will he continue to be that aggressive when Josh returns?
*If John Jenkins and Mike Scott are not going to play, send em to the DLeague so they can get some playing experience.
*Korver’s shot will fall soon enough. I think he should come off the bench however and compliment Lou.
*Lou knows how to draw contact and get to the line. Something I relish seeing and seldom saw when Joe was here.
*Zaza should start at center against certain teams.
*Redundant but Teague is lightning quick. He left Westbrook behind him on most of those drives to the basket.
*Rebounding was much better.
*Starters should be:
PG:Teague
SG:Stevenson
SF:Morrow or Tolliver (Smith when Horford is at PF)
PF:Smith (Horford when Zaza is at Center)
C:Horford (Zaza against more physical centers)
*One game but was impressed with what I saw. And as always, A WIN IS A WIN!
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
10:31 pm
Knicks win another blowout! 3-0 now.
Woody is destroying the opposition! Melo sat out most of the second half. His services not required…
They shot 41% from the arc..Whew…..
doc
November 5th, 2012
10:58 pm
saints are putting a hurt on the eagles now. it could get very ugly.
the perfect storm for slimj and trifecta, romo doesnt throw an interception, ryan gets off the mat after a vicious hit to lead his team to victory with no to’s himself and 7 not be able to keep chase with his team and suffers an ugly loss.
durn, you better check and make sure the locks on the weapons are tight and keys thrown away there slimj.
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
11:03 pm
Hahahah @ doc..
Fire sale comin up Philly…Jumbo jet coming for the Coach…
lewis
November 5th, 2012
11:03 pm
we got some prolific haters on this blog
Slimjr
November 5th, 2012
11:12 pm
Yea doc, that was probably the worst hit Ryan took ever from DeAndre Ware!! Whew…
He is one tough dude!
We have got to see Ryan finally get over the hump! They must keep him upright!