Atlanta Hawks: Heat 95, Hawks 89 (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
How do the Hawks measure up against the Heat?
Very well it turns out.
The Hawks went toe-to-toe with the defending NBA champions in a back-and-forth, thoroughly entertaining contest Friday night at Philips Arena. In the end, LeBron James hit a jumper with 13.7 seconds remaining as the Heat won 95-89 over the Hawks.
Al Horford missed a contested shot alley-oop dunk attempt, after a timeout, and a jumper down the stretch for the Hawks. Ray Allen hit a pair of free throws to seal the win.
The Heat played without a key piece of their Big Three as Dywane Wade missed the game due to a cold.
“We don’t want any moral victories,” said Anthony Morrow, who came off the bench with 17 points. “We know what we need to get better at. We know the things we did well tonight. We will continue to work on the things we need to work on and execute down the stretch.”
The Heat opened the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run to take a nine-point lead, 82-73. The Hawks staged another comeback, something that is becoming a trademark early in the season. They went on a 14-3 run to regain the lead that was punctuated by two straight 3-pointers from Jeff Teague. The second, with 4:02 remaining, tied the game at 85-85 and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. After a defensive stop, Horford drove past Chris Bosh for a layup and gave the Hawks’ first lead since late in the third quarter.
Kyle Korver could have extended the lead. He missed a fast-break layup and after getting his rebound appeared to be pushed out of bounds. However, the Heat were awarded the ball.
“They called out of bounds on me,” Korver said. “I missed the layup first of all. I shouldn’t have been in that situation. I’ve got to finish that. There was a scramble. I was off balance. I thought I got pushed in the back but they felt otherwise.”
Allen put the Heat up by two, 91-89, on a short jump with 1:21 remaining. They took the lead into the final minute when Josh Smith missed two free throws with 1:05 left.
“Not an excuse,” Smith said about expending energy having to guard James for much of the game. “I have to be better offensively for this ball club. As a leader I have to be more efficient. I have to be better at the free-throw line. I apologized to all my teammates because that was just a poor effort offensively by me. I mean it is a tough task to give energy on both ends of the court but I have to be more efficient. And I will be more efficient.”
Smith finished with 13 points but was 6-for-19 from the field and 1-for-5 from the free-throw line. He added eight rebounds. Teague led the Hawks (2-2) with 20 points. Korver (11) and Horford (10) were the other double-digit scorers.
Bosh finished with a game-high 24 points for the Heat (5-1), who have won four straight and four overall against the Hawks. James added 19 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was a very hard-fought game,” Drew said. “It really was. I thought my guys came out and really competed at a very high level. We played good in spurts, and again we showed some resilience, particularly when we got down by nine points in the fourth quarter. …
“But this game is about making plays down the stretch and we didn’t come up with enough plays down the stretch. They did, and they came up with the win.”
The Heat took a one-point lead, 72-71, into the decisive final quarter. They outscored the Hawks 18-2 in points in the paint – an important stat for both teams coming into the game.
The Hawks took a 46-42 lead into intermission thanks to Morrow. He scored the first seven points of the second quarter for the Hawks. Morrow had 12 points, including two 3-pointers, in the first half off the bench.
Smith had nine first-half points before leaving with a few seconds remaining before halftime after taking a charge from James. He said he suffered a bruised knee and expected to be sore Saturday when the Hawks leave on a four-game west coast road trip.
“We fought back against a great Miami team,” Smith said. We’re going to be good. We’re going to be going to be good and I’m going to be better.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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210 comments Add your comment
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
NBA refs are the worst.
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:00 pm
first btw.
terrell
November 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
When is Josh going to realize that he’s open for a freakin reason? smmfh
Najeh Davenpoop
November 9th, 2012
11:01 pm
How does Chris Vivlamore start every game recap?
With one sentence paragraphs.
(just messin with you)
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:02 pm
world class horrible officiating. some of the world’s best athletes don’t need any help. LD should have punched somebody for the Korver no call.
drmaryb.(""_*).
November 9th, 2012
11:02 pm
Sitting Bull!
”Josh is allowed to do whatever he wants. LD needs to man up and start sitting Josh” -cp-
_____________
Uncle Drew sat Josh after that “Air-Ball” Three in the 2nd.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 9th, 2012
11:03 pm
““We expect them to try to pound us in the paint,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said before the game.”
Battier’s D on Josh prevented the Hawks from doing this and took Josh out of the game offensively. Teague and Morrow kept the Hawks in it, and the defensive effort overall was pretty good, but neither Josh nor Al got it going inside like they should have.
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:06 pm
And for heaven’s sakes Josh – MAKE YOUR FREETHROWS!!!
Just Joe
November 9th, 2012
11:06 pm
Hawks didn’t shoot well enough to win. Lou and Josh both had off nights. Stevenson and Korver missed some make able 3’s too.
Old Man Peabody
November 9th, 2012
11:07 pm
Heat 22 fouls
Hawks 16 fouls
GoHawks
November 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
REFS BEAT US AND THAT IS THAT
northcyde
November 9th, 2012
11:10 pm
C-Viv must write out his end of game blog as he’s going along. He closed that other thread out quick as hell.
@ Najeh . . from what I saw, Battier exposed Josh’s lack of a handle, and forced him into some tough shots. Couldn’t go around Battier, nor post him up.
But as I was saying in that last blog, Horford can’t be happy with 9 shot attempts ( even if he missed all 4 of his shots in the 4th ). He can’t be cool with that, and Josh jack up 19 shots when he’s ice cold.
Props to Teague for almost winning the game for us. Maybe he SHOULD be given control of this team. If Horford won’t demand it . . and Josh can’t do it . . give it to Teague.
Not mad at the loss tonight, just disappointed in how we finished after taking the lead.
Reggie
November 9th, 2012
11:11 pm
Josh Smith isnt going to change…ever. Great shot
kwooden1
November 9th, 2012
11:11 pm
I hate losses, but if Jeff can play half this good ever night, we actually have a 6-7 seed Playoff team. Miami at one point looked to double team Jeff, if Josh had brought his “A” game we would have won. Great game by Morrow, clearly he should be the second guard off the bench. Lou had a poor game also, but that is expected with the way he’s played so far. Tough loss, but good growth
bigdave
November 9th, 2012
11:11 pm
I like the energy and effort the team plays with. More than anything the 2way presence, offense and defense that we lost this summer was misses. I think playmaking wont be an issue. Had Deshawn hit a few open 3’s different game. I guess Morrow too much of a liability defensively. So, you live with Deshawn having to make open shots. That being said, the lazy approach seems to be over.
Mike
November 9th, 2012
11:12 pm
Please stop whining about the refs, nothing worse than that. You had a lead, you were at home, Wade was out, oh and Josh sucked. Blame the Hawks for this loss, specifically Josh. Lou was bad but at least he had enough sense to stop shooting.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 9th, 2012
11:13 pm
“from what I saw, Battier exposed Josh’s lack of a handle, and forced him into some tough shots. Couldn’t go around Battier, nor post him up.”
I think Josh’s lack of a handle gets exposed any time he drifts outside of 15 feet, but Battier did a phenomenal job fronting the post against him and denying him the ball. I am pretty sure if Josh actually managed to catch the ball on the block against him, he would have been able to score on him, but Battier prevented that from ever happening.
northcyde
November 9th, 2012
11:13 pm
And let me re-post my poll question
What did Josh’s star-spangled headband represent?
a) Obama’s re-election
b) He loves his country
c) It would look cool with the red Unis
d) I’m a Superstarrrrrrr
Najeh Davenpoop
November 9th, 2012
11:13 pm
With 7:54 left in the 4th quarter, James Harden is 3/14 with 16 points and 5 turnovers against Tony Allen and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 9th, 2012
11:14 pm
Trade Josh while we can get something good for him in return. What a bum.
Roman P.
November 9th, 2012
11:14 pm
I didn’t get to watch the game tonight, but looking at the stat sheet, it looks like Josh played like a ball-hogging bum again. I’m convinced that he will never learn to be a team guy, unless we get have a dramatic coaching change one day. At any rate, I don’t think I’ll be fully content watching Hawks basketball again until he and any other egotistical/selfish players are traded from this team. By the way, I don’t see any other selfish players at this point. The only Hawks game that I’ve enjoyed this season was the Thunder game in which Josh was not present. Disappointing.
I hate this B.S. about “good Josh” and “bad Josh”. I’d rather have a sub-par player that is consistent than a whining wanna-be who is only good sometimes. I realize that he has the potential to be great at times, but to me, it’s not worth having to put up with the “box of chocolates” scenario each night that the team plays. You never know what you are going to get from Josh, no matter how long he is in the league. I’m tired of the double-edged sword with him. There’s a huge difference between playing below your potential and not giving the team enough on any given night and playing like a selfish fool trying to make yourself look good for more individual accolades. Not playing aggressively enough is aggravating, but, to me, nothing is more annoying on the court than watching a player do things that just about everyone knows are going to hurt the team. Making “dumb’ plays over and over again is less forgivable than playing it smart, but not giving enough effort.
I’m tired of watching this, year after year. I know that I don’t have to watch, but each year I hope that the team and certain players (or coaches) will change or be let go for the betterment of the team, but it just never seems to go right with this organization.
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
this is what i hate about the super teams in the nba is their fans
Old Man Peabody
Heat 22 fouls
Hawks 16 fouls
If you watched the game you shouldnt have even posted that
NORRIS CHUCK
November 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
Reggie,
You are right, Josh is never going to change and as he goes, the Hawks go. We all might not see or hear about it, but i know for sure that some of the other guys on the team wishes he was gone.
Josh Smith is that ABA style player that shoots and whines and misses free throws but nobody says anything to him about it cause he is the “Star” (wanna be star) of the team.
And i bet ya he will NOT be on the All-Star ballot again this year.
PLEASE TRADE HIM WHILE YOU CAN ATLANTA!!!!!!!!!!
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:16 pm
northcyde its prob b/c of veterans day b/c shane battier had on some bands on his wrists
Ken Norman
November 9th, 2012
11:17 pm
I can’t take this anymore. Josh Smith has to go. I hope that Danny Ferry is able to make a trade to get Josh out of Atlanta. Did you see the look on Teague and Stevenson face at the end of the game.
Josh Smith has to go.
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 9th, 2012
11:18 pm
Teague > Morrow > Josh Smith
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 9th, 2012
11:19 pm
Even the biggest homers’ are waking up to the cancer that is Josh Smith. I love it. Ferry will have him packing his bags soon.
cp
November 9th, 2012
11:19 pm
That was a game the hawks should have won. There were a lot of bad calls and Josh was jacking up jumper after jumper. Like I said during the OKC game, I like Josh but man dude just does not get it. I also thought Morrow should have been in there during the 4th. Tough loss but I think they will bounce back and win Sunday
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:20 pm
atlanta is full of bandwagon fans i swear smh
cp
November 9th, 2012
11:20 pm
And Ferrell should do more games Dude is a lot better than Nique.
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
devin harris didnt look good at all
Old Man Peabody
November 9th, 2012
11:23 pm
@paian
I once felt like you too until i realized what a real coach and GM looks like when we got Pat Riley. But i hate watching the Heat play against teams like the Hawks, cause it doesn’t benefit me any way. If we beat the Hawks i’m not happy cause they are suppose to. But if the Hawks win then their fans beat their chest saying we can play with the Champs only to lose the season series 3-1 and possble blown out in the Playoffs. That’s why i wish only the top 4 teams from each conference make the playoffs cause the 1st RD is always a joke 90% of the time besides the 4th and 5th seed.
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:24 pm
Mike – we can vent about what we want to. Its an open forum. And NBA refs are the most biased in all professional sports. If NBA games were officiated like NFL games – unbiased – then all would be well…. This can be taken as a learning experience though just came up short in the end.
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:25 pm
piana – TOO many Heat ‘fans’ in the building, SMDH!
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 9th, 2012
11:28 pm
“He’s going to take it to the next level and become a superstar next season”
- Josh Smith Fan Club since 5-6 years ago
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:29 pm
Josh suffers from “Starry Eyes” syndrome. He let the pro-heat crowd effect his FT shooting at crucial points of the game. He wants to be the man so bad that he will jack up his “jacked up jumper” when they give it to him. He has not be clutch si far this year.
cp
November 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
And LD’s rotations are still bad. Guys who are producing not getting enough minutes and guys who aren’t doing much getting too many minutes. LD has to do a better job of getting guys who aren’t playing well out the game.
soullrenaissance
November 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
paian
sorry I hacked up your name – I’m out PEACE!
keith
November 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
Jeff Teague is a DOW JONESER. He is up 1 game and down the next. Josh is, well, just Josh. I could see a scenario involving Josh to Utah for Al Jefferson. and send Jeff Teague as well. JEFF looks like a dear in headlights most of the time.
Reggie
November 9th, 2012
11:34 pm
I would like the Hawks to take a good long look at Pau Gasol. Josh is younger and a better athlete but i would rather have a diciplined 17 points 9 rebounds1.5 blks than a wild 18 pts 9 rebs 2.5 blks. Pau doesnt grab rebounds and charge past the point guard dribbling. Pau doesnt shoot threes. Josh is Josh and thats all he will be.
keith
November 9th, 2012
11:36 pm
If you could combine Al’s brain and Joshs’ athleticism, you would have an allstar power forward.
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 9th, 2012
11:45 pm
we can only wish@reggie
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:45 pm
keith why do you hate on teague so much? it seems to me hes the best player on this team if anything
cp
November 9th, 2012
11:48 pm
keith must be that guy who kept talking about we need to trade for Jefferson. I think the posters name was steven a smith. He was the only clown on here talking about trading for Al Jefferson.
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:49 pm
yea i thought it was prob him also considering steven a smith just vanished haha
prison mike
November 9th, 2012
11:51 pm
JS is in a deep funk. Getting away from home on this WC trip hopefully gets him focused. KK is killing this team. He messed up the rare amount of momentum the team could muster up.
Al is having trouble guarding his man. Needed to have Ivan body bosh.
O'Brien
November 9th, 2012
11:52 pm
It was obvious that Josh’s game was off from the first quarter. So I wish he would have done a better job of being a playmaker.
Instead, he takes 19 shots (misses 13 of them), and finishes the game with 0 assists. 0.
And why did LD not play Morrow in the 4th?
northcyde,
As for Josh’ headband. I vote option f).his way of honoring veterans.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 9th, 2012
11:59 pm
1) did anyone else see Smoove’s eyes wandering around as he was about to shoot a free throw (he missed it)?
2) I am starting to doubt Josh Smith will ever be an All Star in this league. besides TI’s “pep talk” and the subsequent 4 minutes or so, Smoove played like garbage, and has been garbage most of this season. He AIRBALLED a free-throw and BANKED in the next one
3) Where the hell was Anthony Morrow at the end? You could’ve put him on Ray
4) Teague is playing well so far this season – I see improvement
5) Miami is damn nasty on defense. There are very few easy baskets against that team
6) Refs were garbage
7) Did Al Horford play in this game? He got owned by Bosh and I don’t remember much of him on offense.
cp
November 10th, 2012
12:00 am
Yea paian that’s probably him,. He’s the only person who ever talks about trading for Al Jefferson
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:01 am
KK is killing this team? Korver had an okay game. i don’t see what he did wrong besides getting pushed out with a PERFECT view from anyone to Korver’s right in the arena.
Hell, TOLLIVER played better than Smoove when he was in. TOLLIVER
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:01 am
Aside of pure play of some hawk players, I am very sad to see such a “bad” calls from NBA referees. Take as an example absence of a call when Chalmers (obviously) pushed KK from behind, I do not remember anything like that in any other sports I watched before.
northcyde
November 10th, 2012
12:04 am
Najeh Davenpoop
November 9th, 2012
11:13 pm
With 7:54 left in the 4th quarter, James Harden is 3/14 with 16 points and 5 turnovers against Tony Allen and the Memphis Grizzlies.
*************************
Harden finished 4 – 18 FG in that game . . . but scored 18 points.
In fact here are his last 3 games:
8 – 24 FG . . . 24 points
5 – 15 FG . . . 15 points
4 – 18 FG . . . 18 points
Teams are treating him like Jordan now. He’s simply making the adjustment. 3 point FG% is abysmal though. ( 2 for his last 17 )
Still a superstar in the making, once Houston gets better talent around him.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:05 am
Wouldn’t mind trading Smoove, but any trade involving Pau Gasol is dreadful because he makes way too much money, whereas Smoove’s contract is respectable (although I think Smoove’s contract is pretty bad if he keeps playing like this)
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:07 am
northcyde, What is Harden’s adjustment? Trying to get to the line?
I think the Hawks do well on this West Coast trip. None of the teams we are playing scare me. 3-1 should be possible IF LD MAKES THE RIGHT SUBSTITUTIONS. PUT FREAKING ANTHONY “FLIP MURRAY” MORROW IN IF HE IS ON FIRE. SMH
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
12:10 am
LD lost this game for us .He takes JT out of the game for long portion of the third &forth quater.doesnt put morrow or Ivan back in This team has a lot to overcome having LD ad our coach.zhr had no control of Josh..it seems like he might be betting against us,just a poor excuse for a coach.Idiot bob R talking about how much we miss JJ. LD really has no feel for the game of basketball,he really needs to go.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:10 am
Unfortunately, it seems Horford is a pure defender, and Josh is a pure offensive player. KK still cannot correct his shooting. Harris is a disappointment…
prison mike
November 10th, 2012
12:10 am
KK is horrible. He leaves his man and guards the no man’s land. Compared to Morrow, I don’t what Drew was thinking. Morrow had the midas touch. KK messed up a 4 on 1 break.
We are screwed with the swingman position until a trade is completed.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:11 am
^poor
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
12:13 am
Larry dummy needs to give JT big minutes,he is the rock of the offense.he needs to stop playing his favorites.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:16 am
First of all, I do hope LD is not HC soon.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 10th, 2012
12:17 am
T.I. says (among other things) that he would be open to collaborating with the Hawks in the future although he stops short of saying he actually wants to buy a stake in the team. That dude uses more unnecessary SAT vocabulary words than anyone other than Clyde Frazier.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:17 am
Only when LD is gone, one can start building something.
northcyde
November 10th, 2012
12:19 am
Jeje . . his adjustment is shot selection, and when to take the shot.
Those are Allen Iverson type scoring lines he’s putting up right now ( low FG% but high FT% and trips to the line ).
If he had some guys who could knock down open shots, his assists would be over 7 per game.
Everyone knew that he wouldn’t keep playing at the level that he was playing at. So the opposite should be true as well. He’s not going to continue to shoot this bad either.
The only question with Harden, is if he’ll be one of those Jamal-like “hot and cold” scorers, or a consistent one.
He’ll average 25 – 26 ppg this year pretty easily on that Rocket team.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:20 am
I guess with this head coach it is hard even to see the potential different Hawks’ players might have.
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
12:28 am
This game is on LD.
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
12:32 am
If LD wasn’t.our coach I could see JT becoming our best player.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
12:38 am
Rusty, it appears JT is already Hawk’s best player
Melvin
November 10th, 2012
12:42 am
northcyde,
Smoove was wearing a Veterans Day Headband. Some players around the league are wearing the same headband
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:46 am
LD should call out the refs, but he won’t because he doesn’t make enough to afford a fine
Fire Asg
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:47 am
Marvin looking like the invisible man for Utah *Yawn*
ghost of sekou smith
November 10th, 2012
12:54 am
teague, josh & al.. then, zaza, ivan, lou.. then a-mo, deshawn and jenkins.. we are a 4 or 5 seed at worst… LD needs to stop with the devin harris-ing and anthony tolliver-ing.. keep the rotation tight and these guys will figure it out.. 4 games people and we’re 2-2.. could be 4-0 or could be 1-3, but unlike the Lakers, give these guys some time to figure it out.. the east is so weak aside from the miami lebrons.. only morrow and teague played well tonight, and we were right there.. give it a few weeks and then start tearing josh to shreads, geez.. and he’s not selfish at all, just takes bad shots because players set him up for it and no one tells him otherwise (LD) – Josh was 2nd on the hawks in assists last year, and number 1 in the league amongst PF/F’s.. again, let’s give it some time
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
1:04 am
JT 27min,Harris 20′,Ivan 5″‘,Toliver 15′,Morrow 14′ doesn’t LD even have the brains to know who s hot or who is cold.why does he Try to run the offense thru Josh. I sure hope that Ferry seeswiicly that this man is a liability.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:10 am
“Battier’s D on Josh prevented the Hawks from doing this and took Josh out of the game offensively. Teague and Morrow kept the Hawks in it, and the defensive effort overall was pretty good, but neither Josh nor Al got it going inside like they should have.”
Tough nite for ALLStar Al too.. What was his impact?
“Did Al Horford play in this game? He got owned by Bosh and I don’t remember much of him on offense”
Bosh took somebody’s Chicken dinner.. But his Fan Club is focused on the other guy..Hmmm….
MattP
November 10th, 2012
1:11 am
I hope Ferry fires Drew before the season is over. I also want to see Smith get traded, bring in pieces that actually care about winning. I hope Ferry is watching Morrow, I want to see this guy on this team after this season.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:22 am
Woody and the Knicks are 4-0? Beat another team by double digits…
Melo goes for 31….
22-6…
Jamaaliver
November 10th, 2012
1:23 am
Josh (and change) for Pau Gasol might be worth looking into. Pau makes substantially more, but his contract is only a year longer than Josh’s. Pau and Horford would be the best front court in the East.
If things went South with Pau, his expiring conotract would be an attractive trade asset, or we could just keep him for the extra season.
But we really need to start looking at alternatives for Josh Smith. 8 years is more than enough time to realize it’s just not working.
TomDawg
November 10th, 2012
1:29 am
Come on now. Did ya’ll really think Atlanta was gonna beat the Heat.
kuhndog
November 10th, 2012
1:29 am
The call with 2 min. to go was a bad one we had the momentum, we need bot refs. I can’t say the refs lost it for us but they took away the momentum from us we only scored 2 points after that. It is hard enough to play the Heat but the refs. too.
kuhndog
November 10th, 2012
1:30 am
somebody needs to change the clock on the posts it is an hour fast, I guess they are too busy eating doughnuts
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
1:31 am
Not with LD as our coach.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:33 am
Bosh gets the game ball.. He seems to be over looked most of the time, but he is an ALLSTAR!
sameba
November 10th, 2012
1:36 am
It is better to go to lottery than take Gasol’s bad contract. No more bad contracts for Hawks! Aside of that, Gasol is a poor defender, his production is not better than that of Josh. Also, 4 games sample is too small to make such a important decisions…
Jamaaliver
November 10th, 2012
1:51 am
Pau has played in 3 NBA Finals, winning two. he’s played tough against KG, Duncan and some of the top PFs and Centers in the league.
He’s a 4x NBA all star, 2x NBA Champion 2x Olympica medalist. His defense AND his offense are just fine.
Dude is a winner. And how can a contract that lasts for 1 year and a half be terrible?
Jay
November 10th, 2012
1:54 am
Trade Josh Smith.
He can’t handle being the man, he sent worth the max, and he has some serious flaws. He has the ability to shoot us out of games. We’ve looked MUCH better without him on the floor, that isn’t a coincidence. Trade Smoove for a couple good players and we can become the Nuggets East. We can’t let Smoove leave for nothing, and he isn’t worth a long term contract for the coin he is going to ask for, so trade him!
Jae Evolution
November 10th, 2012
1:55 am
Josh is better than Pau, and he is 6 years younger than him.
Pau sits around the arc just like Josh taking long two’s and the occasional three. All Pau has is size, not to mention a worse contract and it wouldn’t move us forward.
Look at Pau’s statline tonight, it is nearly identical to Josh, however Pau played 4 more minutes and grabbed 8 more boards he still shot a low %. I can’t help but think if Pau were here tonight would the blog be coming down on him as hard as Josh.
Melvin
November 10th, 2012
1:57 am
Anthony Randolph is about to play for the 1st time this season. I think he regrets signing with Denver instead of the Hawks. He could have played a lot of more mins (or possibly started) with the Hawks.
Melvin
November 10th, 2012
1:58 am
I fail to mention the Randolph is playing now b/c it’s a blowout game with 4mins left.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
2:00 am
Jamaaliver:
P.Gasol’s achievements are in the past. Just look at the NBA website.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/pau_gasol/
Do these numbers look attractive for you?
beone
November 10th, 2012
2:02 am
If Josh continues to play like this, we will find out about Ferry real soon. I will stay tuned but if Josh doesn’t learn to consistently play smarter bball and Ferry does nothing, then there is no hope. I hope I am wrong but I don’t believe Josh will change. I don’t know about Ferry. Hopefully, he will do what has to be done when the time comes. We’ll know within 2 or 3 months.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 10th, 2012
2:08 am
Aside from the on-court problems with bringing Gasol here (which I don’t feel like repeating since I already repeated them about a thousand times over the summer during the ongoing debates with northcyde) it is highly unlikely that the Hawks trade Josh for him when the whole point of moving Joe and Marvin out of here was to gain future salary cap flexibility. Gasol has won zero games in his career as the best player on his team, has peaked as a player, and most likely isn’t the type of player Ferry wants to build a team around at this point in his career. If Ferry wanted to salary dump Marvin so that his $6 million wouldn’t be on the books next year, it’s highly unlikely that he will want to play Gasol $20 million next year.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
2:16 am
Aside from getting some superstar, one should bring more younger, talented, full of energy players to Atlanta if one wants to contend in two years…
sameba
November 10th, 2012
2:21 am
And yes, one has to play them, not seat on the bench of course!
sameba
November 10th, 2012
2:23 am
^seat
CamiloAtlanta
November 10th, 2012
2:49 am
It’s going to be a long year, a long decade. Can’t wait till the next century when the Hawks finally win it all.
sameba
November 10th, 2012
3:04 am
Well, I would expect a little more than 10 points & 7 boards from a 2x AllStar in such a game. The problem with Al is that he lacks leadership skills. When you see Josh is struggling, why you would not take offence into your hands? He seems to be afraid of this. When you are a professional in sport, art, science etc you have to get rid of this shyness (I am not sure how one should say it in English better), otherwise you will not be very successful…
Hawkin' it up there randomly
November 10th, 2012
3:11 am
Why are you all so ready to bash Josh Smith???
I get it. He’s been a historically inconsistent player. He’s shown immaturity.
He’s also become more mature as he’s become one of the stalwart veterans on the team. It’s taken a long time – we all wish it had been quicker, and it’s not finished. But he’s been better, and at least he’s admitting accountability and trying to shoulder some of the burden with a little awareness.
He’s also one of the most talented players in the league. Improve his shot selection (yeah, I know) and you have one of the top forwards in the league as both an offensive and defensive threat. He’s been an elite shot-blocker since entering the league (..he isn’t a center) can play SF and PF with an advantageous overall matchup most of the time (better at PF, at Battier reminds us), and is an above average rebounder. He’s a career 46.4% shooter.
It’s a new era for the Hawks. New ownership and style have come to town, and an attitude change has followed. Smith is only now truly stepping into a new role as THE guy (Horford could be a close 2nd). Joe Johnson’s departue removed any question marks about Smith’s role as a top option and marquee player. He’s showing an interest in filling it and he’s grown up some – and just faced up to his inefficiency in this game. Not something he would have done a couple of years ago.
Calm down, enjoy the new potential and style of basketball we’re seeing, and give him more than 4 games to fill his new shoes. Go Hawks!
Grandad
November 10th, 2012
3:19 am
Late to the party:
Pau Gasol is a better basketball player than Josh Smith.
There is no comparison.
-However- and a -Big However- at that;
a trade at this time would need to be planned.
For example:
Straight up no way do we do it even due to age.
If LAL wants it;
they would have to involve a 3rd team …
one that has a really good young player or a potential high pick.
Somehow we would take home PGasol plus a young player or high pick.
LAL does not have that – could they produce that – they are LAL.
No way DFerry gives Josh away for PGasol;
even with him being the better player.
*’`age`’* !
Having said ……. more to come ……. next post.
Grandad
November 10th, 2012
3:24 am
* note;
had to remove a word prior to the word “planned”
the word was * m e t i c u l o u s l y
It makes for better syntax when inserted.
Grandad
November 10th, 2012
3:32 am
game notes:
I did not have a problem with Josh`s play;
only that he complained:
“about expending energy having to guard James for much of the game”
which he said was not an excuse.
When a wanna be Star Player … and I`m not using that term
in a derogatory fashion … has a bad nite;
he can`t blame it on defense.
The star has to bring it every nite in all phases.
LBJ does.
JJohnson did not, to which Josh evidently complained.
Once again I`m not jumping on Josh !
I`m making a pragmatic observation.
Grandad
November 10th, 2012
4:00 am
more game notes:
* Josh is killing our Hawks with his *’`awful`’* perimeter shooting.
* Along those lines LD is killing us more by allowing it.
* Furthermore – we have such very good shooters;
it`s more insufferable than a yr ago.
* Then the FT`s killed us:
The camera was on his eyes [once] as he was about to shoot a FT,
he averted his eyes to the Miami bench as he shot.
This shows his lack of concentration & I`m certain Miami knew this.
* The officials had an agenda tonite.
* The tech foul on Zaza was deplorable.
* However the total FTs were even – it was the timing.
* The officials officiated better than LD managed his player personnel.
* Ivan 5+ min stinks.
* Toliver & DHarris play while Ivan & JJenkins sit stinks more.
* Plus one does not sit Lou just for having an off nite;
otherwise … why was Josh and Al not seated.
* That brings up Zaza / can`t say match-ups /
his (+/-) was better than Harris who played 20 min to Zaza`s 14
Zaza was playing as well or better than Josh or Al ??? what gives.
I reckon LD does not like tough guys = Ivan + Zaza.
* We never spaced the floor with two shooters tonite:
Korver + Morrow allowing Josh or Al space to work inside.
* I will be the 1st to defend LD ……………….. when he deserves it.
~> 26 to go <~
Ken Norman
November 10th, 2012
4:39 am
Danny Ferry should talk to Memphis about acquiring Rudy Gay for Josh Smith, because Pau Gasol
salary is too high. For Pau the Hawks would have to give up another player to match salaries, and not to mention Pau is past his prime.
Fort Valley Wildcat
November 10th, 2012
7:01 am
Josh Smith will be gone before or at the deadline. NO QUESTION.
ag
November 10th, 2012
7:25 am
I know Josh said he wants to go to a basketball city, and he must have felt horrible hearing the “Let’s Go Heat” Chants. The way you shut them out is hit the damn free throws and BEAT THE HEAT. The only way this team is going to get respect is win.
I question why Morrow did not play in the 4th quarter. He could have checked Ray Allen.
I also wonder why Lou did not play the 4th quarter also.
ag
November 10th, 2012
7:45 am
I actually though Horford played Bosh pretty well. Bosh hit some tough shots. Take away those 10 FT’s, their stats are almost identical.
2. Without Wade playing, there was no need to start Stevenson. Stevenson should not have been in the game in the 4th – especially with a hot Anthony Morrow.
3. If Josh does not evolve his game, he will not get the big money extension or big money as a free agent. He took way to many jumpers. I don’t mind when he is hot, but when he is not- he should not shoot them. Play inside out. If he will not, we have seen what the team will do without him.
4. Horford has to take more shots. The only reason he does not take more shots is he refuses to shoot. When he gets the ball at the top of the elbow… SHOOT THE DAMN BALL!!! Don’t look for the guys who will take a three.
5. If the Hawks are going to be successful outside, they have to establish themselves inside. Ivan needs 15-20 minutes every night. We do not need Tolliver at PF taking 3’s.
6. Morrow has a career average of 12ppg. He is averaging 11 ppg. Korver has a career average of 9 ppg. He is averaging 7 ppg. WHY IS KORVER STILL STARTING?
7. Early foul trouble is still haunting JT0, but why did he only play 27 minutes. I do like Harris better than Pargo, but last night he had the team worst -10.
ag
November 10th, 2012
8:31 am
Finishing up on my morning rant (Good thing I don’t get busy until about 8am)
1. Al Jefferson is averaging 11.8 ppg 10.2 rbs. and is shooting 40%. The Jazz are 1-4 over there last 5 and are 2-5 overall. Is Ty Corbin in trouble?
2. Horford is younger. If he would commit to taking 15 shots (this would really help the team because it takes 5 misses from Josh), he would average 18 ppg 10 rbs.
3. It Ain’t A Bad Pick.. well there is someone in Utah with under the blog name, It Wasn’t a Bad Trade. This person will point out that Marvin Williams needs to shoot more and Mo Williams is hurting him. The blogger will point out that when Marvin scorers ind double figures, the Jazz win. To date Marvin is averaging 9.3 ppg with 3.7 rbs – slightly worse than last year. The disturbing fact is Williams ppg
peaked 6 years ago.
4. Joe Johnson is averaging 13.8 ppg and 2.8 rbs and 2.8 ast. Although he was so happy about his new point guard, this is is worst average in 10 years.
5. Oddly enough, three Hawks started opening night for the Nets in 2011-12, Morrow, Petro and Damon James (okay he is not a Hawk, but a lot of us wish he was).
6. Other odd facts, Willie Green starts for the Clippers, Jamal Crawford is averaging 21 ppg for the Clippers,
prison mike
November 10th, 2012
8:34 am
You are blind if you think Al played Bosh well. You might of also thought he did well on David West. If he wants to move to the 4 he can’t take plays off like he’s guarding Zaza in practice.
Josh needs to refocus and he’ll get back on track. The refs were pro Heat all night it showed.
Devndev
November 10th, 2012
8:39 am
I was at the game and it was sad to see the heat having more support in our home court, except when Teague hit those two 3s. When Josh went to the line for freethrows at the end- the heat fans made so much noice, I was sure Josh would feel wierd and miss those…
Another thing I noticed was both teams were trying to slow the pace of the game, hardly any fast break points- not sure if that was a good stratergy for teague.
Ignition
November 10th, 2012
8:43 am
Teague was attempting to carry the team to victory before Ladry took the ball out his hands what was that about??
doc
November 10th, 2012
8:48 am
i love slimj sounding off about 4 wins in 4 games for the start of a basketball season in the space of two weeks. on the flip side after two and a half months of nfl football he has still been trashing the falcons going undefeated. before he comes back with it doesnt mean anything because the falcons havent won a post season game with either its qb or hc; i would like for him to pause and look thought the same lens and tell us how many nba series have the knicks won in the post season since the falcons were last in a super bowl or this decade?
come on slimj say something relevant or significant or do we just need to scroll? heh heh
geez man love for woody is a true malady.
nice observation there gdad. especially for those detractors who only focus on others words of a similar vein.
that comment alone will come back to haunt josh. lbj has to be smiling because he now knows he has defeated josh and only needs to bring more energy on both sides of the ball the next time as i imagine he was not yet going at tournament speed.
look out josh. you have just armed the enemy to know exactly what they have to do to penetrate your thin armour. i mean josh, doesnt lbj play on both sides of the ball equally hard?
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
8:58 am
Josh will be fine. He just needs a good coach, and a good PG. Teague could become the PG, but LD will never be the coach.
Teague needs to learn how to take control at the end of games. Ferrell kept calling for it, and Teague kept passing it off on the perimeter, twice to Josh (high-low Josh to Horford on the failed oop, and then Josh’s wild dribble drive where Horford missed the jumper). At some point someone needs to recognize that Josh doesn’t need to be handling the ball out around the 3 pt line.
We’re getting what we need though. Evaluation and growth of Teague, Josh, and Al. Hopefully there are lessons being learned every game.
keith
November 10th, 2012
9:02 am
paian
November 9th, 2012
11:45 pm
keith why do you hate on teague so much? it seems to me hes the best player on this team if anything
Jeff teague was great tonight. Can he be this guy on the road? Check his stats on the road. Solid players can play anywhere, even in hostile environments.
BIG DOG
November 10th, 2012
9:05 am
LD continue to match up with other teams instead of him being a man with integrity that have some dam balls, JUST DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
ag
November 10th, 2012
9:06 am
Dude, Horford have two blocks. He contested every shot. It is not that I am blind, I watched the game. Look at the box score. Bosh was 7-13., so again take away the FT’s and Bosh scored 14 pts.
ntrigue
November 10th, 2012
9:15 am
No way Morrow should’ve sat the whole 4th qtr he had the hot hand i would be giving him all of korvers mins bad coaching and officiating lost this GM
BIG DOG
November 10th, 2012
9:17 am
The Hawks beat Pacer the other night and dominate the boards, then he go back with this same dam small lineup and Hawks lose, JUST DAM
Josh should have started at SF staying in the paint and scoring at will against Battier, LD continue try mismatch lineup every night instead of staying with big lineup, how can you develop any continuity switching your starting five every game, SMH WHAT A DAM COACH
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
ntrigue
November 10th, 2012
9:18 am
And Teague should’ve been on earlier for either Lou or Devin they were out of sync tonite Drew stayed with them too long in the 4th he always does that too Teague and others!
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
9:26 am
With all the issues and the learning curve everyone is going through, this team just isn’t shooting well.
Lou – 33% from field, 21% from 3
Harris – 37% and 25%
Tolliver – 26% and 30%
Korver – 32% and 30%
Josh – 38% and 0%, with 20% shooting from the line
ag
November 10th, 2012
9:33 am
Joe Johnson $19. 5 million 13 ppg
Morrow, Petro, Stevenson and Williams 14.7 million 31 ppg. LOVE THE TRADE.
Another thing the trade does allow is these guys to stay hungry, so the best player (theoretically) gets the most time on the floor.
ag
November 10th, 2012
9:39 am
Teague 60% fg 60 3p%
Horford 58% and n/a
Pachulia 61% and n/a
Ivan 66% and 00%
Morrow 61% and 1.000%
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
9:48 am
Hawks are 17th in the league in 3 pt % despite our surplus of “shooters”, but 4th in 3-pt attempts per game. That shot has to fall for this team to go anywhere.
ag
November 10th, 2012
10:00 am
JJ – that is a coaching issue. Benching Tolliver will reduce some of those shots. Coaching up Josh will also cut down on those shots – and raise our percentage. Lastly giving Morrow more burn will help.
NATIVE SON
November 10th, 2012
10:07 am
The NBA has Launched their 2012 – 2013 campaign to move the Miami Heat into the Finals.
Can’t we find an NBA Referee who was born in Atlanta
T.I. was better than Dominique
ag
November 10th, 2012
10:07 am
Okay, bored at work, but just another fact..
Anthony Tolliver at 3.3 ppg – shooting 26% is the worst on the team, but has played every game and has averaged 16.5 minutes. He is getting very close to the Marvin treatment. If he does not show improvement soon, he should be released.
HawkFan
November 10th, 2012
10:08 am
Lot of good points here but we need to be a little patient with all the new players and too many of them are similar. Josh will be alright and can’t fault his effort and desire to win. He is playing hurt as well. He shot the ball well last year and hopefully it will turn around. LD has to get a handle on how to use this roster but it is difficult when Harris/Lou are same player, Morrow/Korver are same player and none of them are shooting well. I think LD wanted to leave Morrow in but Lewis was scoring on him at will and he had to come out.
We played a good game, got some bad calls, missed too many shots and still almost beat the best team in NBA
ag
November 10th, 2012
10:10 am
Replace Smith for Ivan with the 5 with the highest % on the team and we have our starting 5.
I would really like to see what Jenkins will bring to the table. Lou is running a lot of backup PG, so if Harris is dealt, we still have two PG’s on the roster.
DS
November 10th, 2012
10:11 am
doc at 8:48 I don’t think LeBron needs reassurance to know that every single player in this league will have trouble defending him. I’m still very annoyed at every bandwagon heat fan and clearly all of them are locals… Freaking worthless people shouldn’t be allowed in Atlanta. I understand the ny or Chicago fans that moved from those cities, but I know those people yesterday were mostly from here.
DS
November 10th, 2012
10:13 am
I’m confident in Ferry that he’ll trade Harris by the deadline which is THE only reason he’s getting minutes at this point. Aminu? Singleton?
HawkFan
November 10th, 2012
10:19 am
All you Jenkins fans/relatives. He is at best another Morrow/Korver only inexperienced. He was drafted before the trade and would not have been our pick had we known we were going to have the other guys
ag
November 10th, 2012
10:24 am
The real loss in the FA market was Corey Brewer. He is having a real good season with Denver. If he is at best another Morrow/Korver – something I agree with, why is KK playing. Let the rookie play.
doc
November 10th, 2012
10:24 am
ds the point is by that comment lbj knows he is in josh’s head “simply” by playing hard. if josh is making excuses though denying it in the same breath then it is what it is. josh will figure it out; part of the figuring is making sure he can keep up and play hard.
NORRIS CHUCK
November 10th, 2012
10:30 am
Well its all starting to line up folks. Danny Ferry will rekindle his Cavs/Lebron/Mike Brown days within the next few weeks.
DS
November 10th, 2012
10:33 am
I agree with you doc. But I think LeBron gets in the head of most players… Kind of hard not to when you’re defending him…
keith
November 10th, 2012
10:41 am
We need a back-up Big moving forward. I can not believe that Fesenko is worse than Zsa Zsa or Petro.
tony
November 10th, 2012
10:47 am
The hawks lost the game because as usual JS took too many bad perimeter shoots and Lou Williams wasn’t aggressive enough offensively. JT is the man!
doc
November 10th, 2012
11:17 am
yeah ds, only he isnt in the heads of kobe’s, duncan’s, kg’s or other alpha’s of teams, which is where josh says he wants to be. my point. then can we say, josh soft head, al soft body? two softs?
it is a work in progress and i know this. really good competitive game. looking back, would have preferred different looks at the end of the game. though stevenson put one in late, i dont think he needed to be in the game at that point. would have said josh play hard defense on lbj where stevenson ended up it seemed, pick up scraps on offense and put in either morrow or kk in to shoot it. in my mind you had two offensive liabilities that like to shoot and mismatches against us on defense.
also, ray allen was the difference in the end. bosh and lbj got theirs to back up wades absence. allen hurt us with his 17. three guys with 73 of the 95 heat points. the heat way of course; just not expected without dwade until ray shows up.
Ken Strickland
November 10th, 2012
11:20 am
Unfortunately, all Hawk fans are now seeing why Horford is an Allstar and not Josh. Josh desperately wants to be an Allstar, he thinks he deserves to be an Allstar, or be treated like an Allstar, but he can’t seem to demonstrate the consistency, decipline, or the requirements that have been presented to him to become an Allstar.
I desperately what him to reach his goal, because the Hawks can’t move forward without him. I knew there would be a problem with him as soon as he hit his 1st 2 jumpers. He seems obsessed with following Horford’s path to Allstar success by trying to become an outside shooter rather than an inside force. Therefore, for the last 3yrs he’s been obsessed with working on and taking jumpshots despite what anyone has to say.
It seems the entire NBA, as well as everyone in the entire world who follows the NBA, knows why teams leave Josh wide open to take those illadvised jumpshots, except Josh of course. I’ve also noticed that unless he’s able to dunk, he has trouble finishing at the rim.
Let’s just hope this gm causes the light to finally come on and he finally realizes what he has to do to improve as an overall player and get the Allstar consideration he finally deserves. When he played SF in our last gm, he concentrated on becoming an inside force, and had an excellent gm. But at PF, he reverts back to his old jump shooting habits, which hurts both he and the team.
jhan
November 10th, 2012
11:26 am
All-Stars make their free throws at the end of the game. All-start don’t throw the ball away at crucial junctions of the game. This is why Josh is not an All-Star.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
11:43 am
He goes 0-4 in the 4th? Hmmmm
Romnesia[ one of His Fan Club members] equations [24-10=24],”he only scored 14 pts if you take away his FT’s.” WTFreak?
Baths Salts are illegal Sir…
He doc, thanks for the love…Hehehehe
22-6
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
11:45 am
correction [24-10=14]. His math aint that bad…lol
Mike is Back
November 10th, 2012
11:47 am
They came up short…but they kept fighting.
I like Josh and at the 4…I don’t like Josh at 3…like what’s been stated numerous of TIME…dude just doesn’t have the discipline to play the 3 for long stretches…it is what it is.
GREAT EFFORT…GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jgsbirds
November 10th, 2012
11:51 am
@old man peaboy
what a joke! you are an idiot! but at least you have the dolphins, the florida marlins and whatever hockey team down there to root for while your watching “your” world champs! i hate bandwagon fans and bandwagon officiating. a foul is a foul whether if kyle korver gets pushed out of bounds or lebron james gets pushed.
simply stating the foul total stats shows that you don’t know basketball! go back to watching your so called world champs and keep getting bored while watching them play the lowly hawks. as a TRUE fan i watch my teams no matter who they are playing. miami aint all that–the better team didn’t win last night but i’m sure that was because d-wade didn’t play.
hey good luck with the marlins, the hurricanes, the dolphins and the hurricanes as well–but you probably don’t root for the marlins. i bet you’ve ALWAYS been a yankees fan! USC too and in the NFL let me guess, this year you like the falcons! shut the freak up!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
11:56 am
LOL @ that “alleyoop” Smoove threw to Horford toward the end of the game.
That dude will never learn how to play the game.
Josh Smith is an athlete, not a basketball player.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
11:58 am
None of the free throws Josh Smith misses come close to going in. They are wide left or right, or even AIRBALLS.
Did this guy get FT instruction from Dwight Howard in the offseason? Because I know I heard from someone Smoove refused to drive to Suwanee to work on shooting with Mark Price several offseasons ago
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:00 pm
If LD had [God Forbid] put in Anthony Morrow, by far our best offensive player last night, on Ray Allen, we would’ve definitely won this game.
LD has already lost us 2 games. We should be 4-0 right now if this fool had any idea how to RECOGNIZE WHO HAS THE HOT HAND ON THE TEAM.
Anthony Morrow looked like vintage Flip Murray for us. He didn’t have to guard LeBron if Ray was in
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:02 pm
The more things change, the more they stay the same..If the Hawks guards do not step up in the 4th Quarters, the Hawks usually will lose…
Relying on these Bigs is like going to Vegas…Good luck….
Two things will happen to become an elite:
1-Danny will upgrade is coaching staff..
2-Danny will upgrades his Bigs..
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:04 pm
Horford really needs to demand the ball more and to expand his offensive repertoire beyond this swivel pivot move
Morrow has done little wrong in his minutes. He is an average defender, but does have some steals so far this season.
Refs were garbage in that 4th quarter, including Joey Crawford who had 2 moronic calls on Ivan. Same guy who ejected Tim Duncan for smiling
jgsbirds
November 10th, 2012
12:05 pm
missed ft’s by josh smith….
we started high school basketball practice last week. i haven’t shot a ball in 6 months. walked to the line to shoot ten free throws–made 8! COME ON JOSH SMITH! if you miss the first one–ADJUST!!!
utc’s lady mocs made 10 out of 13 down the stretch last night in their win over the LADY VOLS! no disrespect to the ladies out there but for crying out loud–PRACTICE YOUR FREE THROWS JOSH! those two misses late in the fourth were the ballgame. you have to make one and neither had a chance to go in. if you can’t shoot them–don’t try to get fouled so much!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:06 pm
Does Josh Smith even practice free throws? how do you miss 4 free throws in a row in a game? That’s some Nick Anderson ish right there. Smh
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:08 pm
5 on 8 just aint fair..But that former ref who got busted for abuse of power said this has been going on for a long time and so we see the results like last night..Hmmmmmm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:09 pm
*2 moronic calls on ZaZa
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:12 pm
It seemed like a 6 minute stretch where we could not score the ball, yet Morrow was on the bench. SMH.
LeBron didn’t even score in the 4th until the every end
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:13 pm
Only guy I saw play like an AllStar last night for the Hawks was the point guard Jeff Teague..
Anybody else? Hmmmmm
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:13 pm
Agreed, SlimJr.
I read that Tim Donaghy book…Worth reading. I believe Grandad first mentioned it here.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:17 pm
Thanks Grandmaster Je Je (GM) for that Ref’s name. I am going to check it out..
“Where’s there is smoke, there is usually fire”
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
12:20 pm
Grandad,
Were Smoove’s eyes wandering to the bench or to the crowd?
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:22 pm
Romnesia equation for the day:
[24-10=14], “If you take away his[Bosh] FT’s, he only scored 14 points”
Is this [Fan Club member] trying to level out the playing field for his [Guy]..Is he related to Tim Donaghy? LMAO
Ken Strickland
November 10th, 2012
12:28 pm
MIKE IS BACK-You might not like Josh at the 3, but he seems to become a more controlled player and plays near the paint much more than he does at the 4. Josh has trouble with stronger 4s. I recall one of our bloggers commenting on how Horford got punked by Bass. Well, if that was the case, couldn’t you say Josh got punked by Battier?
The problem is Josh hasn’t develop any alternative options when he can’t utilize his athleticism to do what he wants. His only options is to bail the DEF out by resorting to launching jumpers. Horford has used his BB IQ, quickness, and athleticism to back door his defender and score on several lobs to the basket. Josh has yet to do the same so far this season, although he’s done it in the past.
Several writers/observers have said Josh doesn’t deserve a max contract because when Josh loses his athleticism, he’ll basically be useless. They believe he’ll reach that point before being able to complete a long team max contract. This assessment could turn out to be as flawed as the opinion that he would be the most likely player to be a bust right after he was drafted.
There’s still time and plenty of room for Josh to take off and become a truely dominant PF. However, it’s going to require that he matures mentally and starts playing within the requirements of the system. He has to start doing what he NEEDS to do, rather than continuing to do what he WANTS to do. Despite all of this teams problems, I really love its spirit and never say die attitude, and Josh is a major contributor to all of this.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:33 pm
‘Horford really needs to demand the ball more and to expand his offensive repertoire beyond this swivel pivot move”
Agreed Grandmaster Je Je ( GM). That 8-13 second jab step is pretty easy to defend even at the NBA level..
Combined the two do not have the fire power to take it to the ECF’s..Forget Championship Finals…
Danny is going to earn his keep…
DS
November 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
I’m not one of those “trade Smoove or Big Al” proponents, but I saw on a recent philly blog that someone mentioned Smoove for Thadeus Young and Hawes. I think they’d have to include at least 1 first round pick but that’s not a bad trade I think. What do you guys think?
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:40 pm
Josh took 10 more shots than Horford.
Perhaps it Larry allowed Ivan to take say 3 of those and downtown Morrow to take 4 more:
3+4=7 shots, if they made 3 of em: 2(4pts.) ,1(3pts.)= (7pts.)= A WIN!!!!!!!! By one…I’m just saying…
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
12:46 pm
Congrats to WOODY!
He has the only undefeated team in the NBA and has won all his games by double digits! Just stomping people..Get out the folding chair and a good book…..Hehehehehehe
WOODY>WOODYLITE>WOODYLITE Jr
22-6
terrell
November 10th, 2012
12:47 pm
Does Josh want out of Atlanta? Why else would you launch jumpshots(when they werent falling)knowing good and darn well that your’re new boss(who just moved JJ and Marvin) is watching? Just doesnt make any sense. He’s either stupid, dumb as dirt, or spoiled(by Uncle Larry). I’d have to take the latter.
HawkFan
November 10th, 2012
12:59 pm
ag
I said at best another Morrow/Korver. I would assume practice shows who the coaches have most confidence in and that’s who plays. I’d like to see Jenkins play too but not at expense of a better player
I am going to just accept a real good effort by the Hawks and hope somehow our coaches figure out how to maximize this roster. Too many at some spots and not enough at others. Injuries to our thin front court would be devastating
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:06 pm
Grandad’s counter: T -26
Houston, you copy that? Ah, roger Eagle-One….
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:07 pm
[if]^^^
rellis
November 10th, 2012
1:08 pm
This is a LD lost. Y do we draft players that we do not use.. On the bench is the # 1 shooter in the SFC last year. On the bench is Morrow( 5 th rated 3 pt shooter in the NBA and they sit in the 4th quarter. Make a lot of sense, or do it.. with them on the floor, we win>>we lost, cause we can’t make shots……………….
cp
November 10th, 2012
1:09 pm
People still have hope Josh will finally get it? LOL. Josh has been in the league damn near 10 years people. He is what he is at this point. You guys are going to drive yourselves crazy hoping that after almost 10 years the light will come on for this dude. I like Josh and was happy when the Hawks drafted him but at this point if DF finds a great deal for him I wouldn’t be mad if he is traded.
Before the season started I said I hope LD gets a better feel for the game but its apparent he hasn’t. He continues to give too many minutes to guys who aren’t producing and take out the guys who are.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
I am interested to hear what people like Rod from CP, Najeh, Northcyde have to say about the Hawks Head Coaching future.
If this is really a transition year (which I do not believe – this team has great chemistry and if it wasn’t for LD’s 5h1tty subs and Smoove’s putrid performance we’d be much better), then does it matter if LD blows?
I want to see what coaches Ferry would consider bringing in here when Lame Duck’s contract expires. Who were the other candidates besides Mike Brown for the HC job in Cleveland when Ferry took over in 2005?
Unrelated: I think L.A. hires Phil and D’Antoni goes to Houston this coming offseason
i_am_soulstar
November 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
Josh is hurting this team with his random jumpers. I hate to join the bandwagon, but if he can’t make a free throw, why the hell is he shooting jump shots.
ag
November 10th, 2012
1:12 pm
Slim Jr., watching the flow of the game, I felt Horford played good defense on Bosh. I was really surprised to see him have 24 points. Then I realized he was 10-10 at the line.
I think that is one of the problems – Horford did not go to the line. That is because he did not shoot enough.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
I can see Houston offering us Patterson and a bunch of garbage for Smoove. Wonder if DF even considers that deal
keith
November 10th, 2012
1:17 pm
This team needs to become Al Horfords team. Josh Smith was not a superstar, is not a superstar, and never will be a superstar. Time has come for Danny Ferry and the Atlanta Hawks basketball organization to move forward.(Laker Style).
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:18 pm
Brian Shaw should get a shot..
This guy has Mastered the Triangle Offense which can be attributed to at least 11 Championship rings?
Danny give Mr. Shaw a call…
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
1:19 pm
Almost want Smoove coming off bench so Horford can step his game up.
Sad when you have a 2x All-Star who is still timid
keith
November 10th, 2012
1:21 pm
Right now, Lou Williams is the only Atlanta Hawk basketball player that is Fantasy Basketball worthy. He is the only Hawk i have on my team.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:21 pm
If you believe this team should become Al Horford’s team, then you believe the streak will continue. Hmmmm
T +46
ag
November 10th, 2012
1:23 pm
Also, horrible analogy to Romnesia. SlimJr 24-10 = 14. Math works out fine. So maybe I will put it another way – If Al would have gotten to the line at least 10 times, maybe he and Bosh would have had the same amount of points.
Or…. about 40% of the points Bosh scored, Al was not checking him. He scored them at the line. I really could pull all the facts and see how often Bosh scored on Al, but why bother, my eyes did not lie.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
Your opinion does count…………………………………
BTW, the word [if] is the smallest word in the dictionary but it is HUUUUUGGGGEEEE! LOL….
keith
November 10th, 2012
1:27 pm
Amare Stoudemeire Vs Al Horford
Al Horford: Nobody’s scared of Amare
Updated: February 17, 2011, 9:43 AM ET
By Ian Begley | Special to ESPNNewYork.com
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NEW YORK — Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford doesn’t know what Amare Stoudemire meant when he said Horford “don’t want to see me” on the court during Wednesday night’s Knicks-Hawks game at the Garden.
You can not punk out our center! heh heh heh heh heh
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
Idea: START Morrow tomorrow at the Clippers. They have freaking Willie Green as their starting SG. We don’t need to start DeShawn (defense) on WILLIE FREAKING GREEN
LD: MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
1:40 pm
I can use excuses too:
His ankle was sore but he did not complain and played anyway since it was a big game for his Hawks.
Those of you who have played the game know, if you only got one good ankle its going to affect your game if you rush back too soon..
It has a compounding affect if your experiencing other issues that have not been rectified, like flawed mechanics on the jumper release…
doc
November 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
nothing but slimj. heh heh
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
1:55 pm
I don’t recall us losing big home games under Woodson (who I think is a mediocre head coach) like we do now. We don’t seem to win many big home games at all anymore, and this dates back two years.
Miami, Lakers. I don’t think we’ve beaten Miami at home in 2 years.
Jamaaliver
November 10th, 2012
1:59 pm
Josh has been a bone head, bad shooting, temper tantrum throwing nightmare for 8 seasons now.
We’ve been saying the same thing about Josh for sooo long. If he gets his head on straight. If he was the main okption. If he learned to play smarter.
This is his 9th season. It ain’t happening. He is in his prime…NOW. 2 Years from now when he’s pushing thirty, he’ll be useless. No explosion, no dunks, no blocks, limited post moves, low bball IQ.
It’s been 8 freakin years and he’s only shot 50% from the floor once. Since then he’s gtten progressively worse.
8 years and we’re still waiting. It’s time to move on. He’s never even avg 20 ppg. or avg a double double.
Why are you guys so committe to a guy who has never won or accomplished anything in his entire career?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
2:10 pm
Co-sign Jamal^^^^
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
2:23 pm
I don’t think Josh gets traded, but I’d have to listen if Houston started off an offer with Donatas Montiejunas, Terrence Jones, and removing the protection from our picks.
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
2:27 pm
And as for Horford, if Orlando wanted to start a deal off with Nikola Vucevic, Andrew Nicholson, and a pick, I’d be all over that as well.
Nate ArchiBALL
November 10th, 2012
2:31 pm
“Josh took 10 more shots than Horford”
Poor shot selection is not only the shots you take but also the shots you pass up – Al Horford – poor shot selection due to the shots he passes up……….open jumpers (in his range), not driving to the basket (zero free throws taken). Al has to be more aggressive on the offense.
Rim Rocker
November 10th, 2012
2:32 pm
The Hawks play better without Josh Smith. Sad an NBA player cant even shoot free throws…
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
2:35 pm
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
2:27 pm
“And as for Horford, if Orlando wanted to start a deal off with Nikola Vucevic, Andrew Nicholson, and a pick, I’d be all over that as well.”
Make it so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aye Captain!!!!!
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
2:37 pm
Excellent Points Nate!
Why does he pass em up? Hmmmm
hot.trod.87
November 10th, 2012
2:39 pm
Josh smith did a damm good job defensively on Lebron James….Bosh had his way with Al…” Josh guarded as well as anyone could.I thought Drew should’ve came back w Morrow over Stevenson. Especially since Josh was guarding LeBron anyway. I didn’t like that they didn’t call a push off on Lebron’s last shot. Ray Allen got away w one too. Josh Smith needs to go back to his post all star break performance last year playing without Al. To be fair guarding LeBron took way from his O. His teammates have to step it up then. Teague & Morrow did. I need to see more out of Al. He’s too robotic in the post. He also lost Bosh too often on the defensive end.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
2:39 pm
Zero free throws from your power forward?
Ah Houston, I believe we have a problem.Copy that Eagle one!
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
2:45 pm
0-4 in the 4th from your power forward is far from getting it done..
Y_A_W_N
Lir(Dominican)
November 10th, 2012
2:46 pm
Josh lover are trying to distract people bashing horford cauze is horford foult for not takin the ball out of josh handz. his assigment was to find open people at the 3, maybe josh should have do what horford did pass the ball.
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
2:55 pm
Ah Houston we have a big problem here,LD
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
2:56 pm
Horford by quarters:
3 for 3
0 for 0
1 for 1
1 for 5
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
2:58 pm
I think Al is a big asset,but he needs to shoot more,on defense he doesn’t close out on bigs like Bosh,you just can’t let guys like him free to shoot uncontested jump shots.
hot.trod.87
November 10th, 2012
3:04 pm
Josh & Al are not cohesive together…Both have their best games when one is out….Saw that all last year when Al was out…Saw that one game when Josh was out…That is a serious problem…When have they gotten a double double together ? Josh & Teague held a 40-26 record with no Al, no Hinrich, a partial Joe & Marvin, & a bench that consisted of Ivan, Pargo, Green, Rad, Stackhouse, McGrady, & Collins. Al in that one OKC had a better bench than Josh. You can also look at the Dominican- US Olympics trial game to see him look lost
i_am_soulstar
November 10th, 2012
3:09 pm
On the bright side, Teague is having a great year so far. Sorry Danny Ferry, but #paydatman.
Jamaaliver
November 10th, 2012
3:23 pm
Horford is under contract three more season at $12 mill per year. best value on the team. Josh will want a raise next year.
Al is a winner, consummate professioanl, good teammate.
Josh is a blockhead. AL is a respected All Star.
AL has the best mid range jumper in the game. Josh is a terrible shooter.
AL is a better rebounder. Is younger. Shares the bal (too well).
Josh can dunk alot. For now. (His explosiveness is fading.)
Jamaaliver
November 10th, 2012
3:26 pm
Ok, Horford is 2nd best value to Louis Williams.
Slimjr
November 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
Just Joe
November 10th, 2012
2:56 pm
Horford by quarters:
3 for 3
0 for 0
1 for 1
1 for 5
Hmmmmm. Do these [nimbers] generate thoughts of [showing up] on the big stage….Now be honest…Hmmmmm
DACHEF
November 10th, 2012
3:36 pm
Ultimately DFerry has to have a MKuptchak moment whereby it doesn’t take another 5 or 10 games to realize that LDrew is WAY over his head as a HC and a change needs to be made NOW… The Josh Smith experiment requires a new approach as LDrew has proven he is either incapable or unwilling to keep Josh as close to the paint which plays to his strength then i would suggest to look inthe direction o Brian Shaw for a new direction…Then a trade option could be to look to Utah again and send Josh for DFavors and EKantor…Just a lil homestew for ya..
Rusty
November 10th, 2012
3:41 pm
By far JTis the best value on this team, DFerry needs to bring in a new coach,quick.
hawksordie
November 10th, 2012
3:49 pm
what does the guy mike mean stop blaming the refs ALL NIGHT IT WAS COMICAL THE WAY THE WHISTLE WENT…..when we were up tWo and had All the momemtum kyle korver was pushed hard onto the heat bench BUT IT AINT GET CALLED and u know it so %&#%% you and the refs u see the truth is had officiatin been correct we woulda easily beat the HEAT THATS A JOKE THO because we ALL KNOW THE HEAT GET FAVORITISM SO GET YA HEAD OUT YOUR BUTT DUMMY
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 10th, 2012
4:15 pm
Would Ferry hire a coach midseason? ASG did assure him they’d finally spend money. I would not fire LD during the season if it means one of these assistants takes over. Bob Bender? ROTFLMAOLOL
bubacar aw
November 10th, 2012
4:16 pm
Hire BROWN….FIRE DREW !!
Ken Strickland
November 10th, 2012
4:37 pm
I remember a former Allstar SF named Ken Norman that once played for the Clippers before being traded to the Hawks. As an Allstar he was known for being a slasher that frequently got to the FT line before something happened that prevented him from being able to make a FT. As a result, he tried to become a jumpshooter to avoid getting fouled and having to shoot FTs.
It got so bad that he never played again after the Hawks released him. In 1 trip to the FT line last night, Josh undershot an airball with his 1st shot and shot the 2nd 1 so hard he banked it in, which was his only make. He’s been so obsessed with working on his jumpshot over the last 3 off seasons that he seems to have forgotten that he really needs to work on his FT shooting.
As it stands now, teams either what him on the FT line or shooting jumpers. Either way, the odds heavily favor the opposition. He’s repeatedly refused to listen to his coaches, fans, and friends about reducing the number of jumpers he takes. Even TI, one of his very best friends, repeatedly made mention last night of his need to stay inside where he’s most effective.
While it’s still early, it’s beginning to look as if Josh is playing his way out of Atlanta, and Drew is coaching his way out of Atlanta. Tell me, are there any fans left who think DHarris, and not JTeague, is the best PG on the team bar none? What we’re seeing from Teague now could have been seen earlier if both Woodson and Drew weren’t so biased against rookies and younger players.
You’d certainly think Drew, at least, would have learned his lesson about that attitude after Teague’s playoff performance against the league MVP and the NBAs top DEF team. Yet, we still see him totally ignoring his rookies, and all but ignoring his less experienced players like Morrow and Ivan. Even though Ferry has stated a committment to player development, Drew has chosen to ignore that mandate.
And even though Ferry came from a Spurs organization that’s always played from the inside out, with a decided focus on having a consistent inside presence, Drew insists on coaching and utilizing his players based on the outside in approach. I think Drew knows Ferry wants someone else as his HC, so he’s decided to do like Josh, and that’s do it his way regardless of the consequences.
I don’t know why he continues to get upset at the refs for not giving him calls, some of which he deserves, when he’ll most likely miss the FTs anyway.
Positive Thinker
November 10th, 2012
4:39 pm
So dismal to see some Atlanta Fans think they know so much! Morrow is now the savior for the Hawks….he’s played part of one game and all of a suddenly he’s the man! Why is it always the guy sitting on the bench that will save the day?