Atlanta Hawks: Warriors 92, Hawks 88
Vivlamore reporting from Oakland.
The Hawks, minus Al Horford, had little inside presence against the Warriors. It showed – on the scoreboard and in the stat sheet.
The Warriors handed the Hawks a 92-88 defeat Wednesday night at the Oracle Arena. Horford, the Hawks starting center, leading scorer and rebounder, was unable to play due to a stomach illness that has swept through the team on their West coast trip. Also unable to play was guard Devin Harris. Two days earlier, against the Trail Blazers, Josh Smith and Lou Williams played despite suffering from the ailment.
A look inside the numbers showed where Wednesday’s game went wrong for the Hawks. They were bettered in these key areas thanks, in large part, to the Warriors’ dribble penetration:
* Total rebounds: 44-29
* Defensive rebounds: 34-24
* Points in the paint: 46-20
* Second-chance points: 14-4
“We definitely could have used Al, without a doubt,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “He’s a big piece to what we do. We certainly could have used him tonight. As you know, this league is about guys not being able to play, whether its illness or injury, and you have to step up.”
The Hawks (3-4) are now 1-2 on the road trip which ends Friday against the Kings. Despite trailing by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, after a miserable third quarter, the Hawks made the game interesting with a late run. Williams hit three straight 3-pointers, the last with 11.2 seconds remaining, to make it 90-88. However, Jarrett Jack sank a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
After the deficit reached 13 points, the Hawks went on an 11-4 run to close within four points. Ivan Johnson came off the bench to score 15 points, eight in the final quarter, in Horford’s absence. The Hawks could never make up the entire deficit.
“We’ve got to get this bug away from our team,” said Kyle Kover, who had 14 points, all in the first half. “It’s holding everybody down right now. I thought Ivan had a really great night. Obviously, his minutes have been up and down. He’s been working hard on his game. Tonight he got his opportunity and he took advantage of it.”
The Warriors (4-4) snapped a two-game losing streak. While Drew was concerned with Stephen Curry (12 points) and Klay Thomspon (seven), the Hawks got beat by another tandem. Harrison Barnes had 19 points and 13 rebounds and David Lee had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Barnes’ dunk of a missed shot in the third quarter, with three Hawks standing underneath the basket, typified the evening.
Williams led the Hawks with 18 points. Smith added 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Despite the poor shooting in the decisive quarter, several Hawks players, notably Smith and Williams, were clearly frustrated with the issues on defense. The main problem was stopping the Warriors’ attack, according to Smith.
“Dribble penetration,” Smith said of the source of frustration. “We have to do a better job of playing on the perimeter. When people get into our paint, bigs are forced to help and contest shots. Normally when we take the challenge defensively on the perimeter and play with a chip on our shoulders I think that we are a good basketball team. We have to do that on a consistent basis.
“We have to focus more. We’ve been having some third-quarter letdowns. We wanted to do some policing and get guys focused on the task. We have a lot of guys who can score the ball offensively extremely well but we have to be able to sit down on the defensive end and take that challenge.”
The Warriors took a lead they wouldn’t relinquish with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter, 22-21. Their advantage ballooned in the third when the Hawks shot a miserable 31.6 percent (6 of 19), 71-60.
Zaza Pachulia, who started in place of Horford, missed time in the first half after receiving a laceration above his right eye that required five stitches.
“It was a combination of things,” Drew said of the frustrations. “They recognized the breakdown. I like the fact that they showed some concern about that. A breakdown from dribble penetration, where bigs have to help. The ball goes up on the glass now there is nobody to block their bigs out. Not getting into our stuff quick enough. Not setting screens. Not getting a body on rebounding. I like it when they can keep it among themselves and talk about it. Frustration is going to set in. It’s an emotional game. We came out of that (fourth-quarter) timeout and we got back to playing our brand of basketball.”
It was just a little too late.
- Chris Vivlamore
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220 comments Add your comment
I MUS WRITE
November 15th, 2012
4:38 pm
MsDee- I hear u he is always complaining and whining. I just wish he would play and ball and shut up. Josh wont be on an all Star team until he straightens his attitude -So he’ll probably retire without ever making an ALL STAR Team. Thats why i like Ivan-No homo…Dude is all about bussiness, every team needs an IVAN…an I dont give a Funk type player
kuhndog
November 15th, 2012
4:39 pm
I miss Woddy I thought he was a really good coach and if he would have been able to return last year we would have been a lot better. Defense wins championships. Last night well the Hawks are still trying to gel. Tolliver is not what they thought he would be. Ivan needs to play, his energy and toughness changed the game last night.I thought Ivan gets a bad rap on charging calls cause he is labeld as a bad attitude, so he isnt getting the calls. Flash from Ca. was right on the game with his calls, that was our game last night. Play the rookies…. Petro sux… Korver is playing too much and getting wore down+ he is the only one moving without the ball.
Ra'mon
November 15th, 2012
4:40 pm
AJ, true, you don’t want to make decisions based off of what the media says. However, you do want to make decisions keeping in mind how potential free agents will feel playing for that coach. As you said ‘Cassell’. I don’t see a veteran with a good bit left (for instance Allen, or Lewis) signing to play for a pay cut for ‘Cassell’. However, if you have a high regarded coach (or assistant as in Thibodaeu) then you have excitement to sell to the free agents. This is even the case with your own free agents. I don’t believe Lebron would’ve left Cleveland if they hired Phil Jackson or Doc Rivers for instance.
Just Joe, I feel the top 5 defensive PGs are: CP3, Shumpert (when healthy), Rondo, DWill, Westbrook, and Billups/Kidd still exceed at the ‘old man’ defense now.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
4:44 pm
Scored 88 points on the freaking Warriors
MsDee
November 15th, 2012
4:47 pm
Im not making that up that Josh just loves to be out there on the court..isnt that what Drew says all the time when reporters ask if Josh will play tonight?? That’s the problem with Josh, people like yall have been babying Josh to the point that he can do no wrong..Its now in his head that when he doesnt get a call to go his way, he pouts and stomps like a kid on the court and instead of making a better decision during the next possession, he goes RIGHT BACK DOWN THE COURT to force up yet another bad jumper. Look, Josh has all the skills IN THE WORLD, but whats the use of it if he uses them incorrectly????
Grandad
November 15th, 2012
5:04 pm
23 and counting; give or take.
However:
30 was not a hard # … as with any algorithm;
there is a (+/-) between 2 and or 7.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
Smoove is very similar to Marvin in that every offseason you think “this is it. This is their breakout season. They’ll come back better than ever” but it NEVER happens. It’s the same BS every year with these guys
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
5:12 pm
I thought for several years Marvin may have a breakout year, and then especially with the back operation, but it wasn’t meant to be. Smoove will never change his ways and will always be immature and petulant
O'Brien
November 15th, 2012
5:31 pm
Ra’mon,
Just Joe, I feel the top 5 defensive PGs are: CP3, Shumpert (when healthy), Rondo, DWill, Westbrook, and Billups/Kidd still exceed at the ‘old man’ defense now..
I think Shumpert is more of a SG. As for CP3, his man to man defense is not that great (imo). His biggest asset is getting steals.
As for Teague and his defense, I agree that he makes mistakes and needs to be more consistent. But I think he will get there (just not with LD coaching). I know the coach shouldn’t matter, but in this case, I think it does.
O'Brien
November 15th, 2012
5:34 pm
As for Ferry and letting LD go, we have seen it where GM’s like to bring in their guy, who shares their vision for the team. DF may want to scrap this motion offense that LD preaches (which doesnt work), and bring in a different coach.
Also, Which big FA would sign with the Hawks to play for LD?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
5:59 pm
There is a zero percent chance LD is back next year. Ferry is used to WINNING franchises over his last 13 years. He didn’t leave a grea organization to see Lame Duck coach here. I don’t think LD gets fired unless we really start to suck though. As AJ said, it’ll be an average season with many winnable losses against teams like GSW. Thankfully we won’t be dreadful
As of now, the only role players I want returning next year are Ivan and Korver
Grandad
November 15th, 2012
6:59 pm
I fear we have waited tooo long `fore tradin` Josh.
*reasoning:
SteveKyler … Hoops World … tweets;
” Larry Drew has ZERO control over Josh smith ”
That in itself does not diminish Josh`s trade value;
but, Josh`s season [so far] is not `all that ‘ ..
Josh for whatever reason is losing mkt value as well.
My overall point – LD will be gone sooner than later.
-&-
Josh will be traded – before the deadline.
___________________________________________
Continuing my assessment of our team:
1. We have a very deep and versatile team.
2. We only need two pieces:
* a long rangy defensive minded Big who rebounds
* an all-star caliber wing [3]
notes:
* moving Josh may or may not accomplish one of the two above needs
* our needs are not small;
we only have pieces & parts, our needs though only two in my estimation,
are central to being good for any team.
`tis debatable whether are not our pg is a Champion;
what is not debatable – an Legit All-Star and a True Center.
_____________________________________________
When our Hawks play it`s as if an old woman
is driving her car with the brakes on.
*(nothing against old women – I sleep with one nightly)
Two reasons:
1. As long as stubborn Josh is on our team;
” we will have a hitch in our giddy-up ”
he just destroys smoothness of operation.
[J-Smoove ... what an oxymoron]
2. LD is the other
He does not expect nor demand excellence.
* nuff ‘ said on that.
____________________________________________
0`B
*motion offense is not the culprit.
** see above (does not demand perfection in practice or games)
*** also our team is running much more pick and rolls
plus set plays this yr, DFerry influence.
Astro Joe
November 15th, 2012
7:05 pm
JeJe, should have lost to the Pacers (down by like 1 with 7 minutes left). So it all balances out in the end. Combination of talent, size and head coach is simply not enough to form some type of magic carpet ride season.
Ra’mon, sure, I don’t think Ferry will hire just any old head coach. Mike Brown had an outstanding resume when Ferry hired him in Cleveland. If Ferry goes the assistant route, I would expect him to find another guy with a tremendous resume. I he hires someone like Mike Budenholzer, most free agents may not know enough about him to make a decision one way or another.
Grandad
November 15th, 2012
7:06 pm
Slim the jr and Rod f C P
My previous post was not in any way an attack on Josh.
Read carefully.
I am arrogant enough to think;
If I were coaching Josh – he would be different.
I`m certain 29 NBA coaches have had the same thought,
along with several unemployed NBA coaches.
Jae Evolution
November 15th, 2012
7:13 pm
So Grandad, what would be your ideal return in a trade for Josh Smith?
Astro Joe
November 15th, 2012
7:22 pm
IMO, Josh will be wearing a Hawks uniform at the end of this season and again next November when the 2013-14 season starts.
Grandad
November 15th, 2012
7:40 pm
Jae Evolution
difference makers
1. Pau Gasol – too old
(if Lakers had any draft picks left to add-on then maybe)
2. Stephen Curry – sal don`t match
3. Marc Gasol
4. Thomas Robinson + perhaps even Tyreke Evans pkg
These are the types of names to which I`m referring.
Deals of the caliber I`ve just suggested would be entangled
involve draft picks and become mega trades most probably.
***** NOTE *****
My above List was Not in any semblance of order, entirely ramdom.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
7:42 pm
Would anyone here want SVG as head coach?
Mr. Ferry,
Please DONT hire an assistant. Hire someone with CREDIBILITY
Najeh Davenpoop
November 15th, 2012
7:48 pm
“SteveKyler … Hoops World … tweets;
” Larry Drew has ZERO control over Josh smith ””
No, actually he was replying to said that while asking him about LD’s status.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 15th, 2012
7:49 pm
^replying to someone who said that while asking him about LD’s status
doc
November 15th, 2012
8:37 pm
Nets should kill us with size underneath on both ends.
doc
November 15th, 2012
8:38 pm
Watching celts/nets.
sameba
November 15th, 2012
9:01 pm
Hawks should try and get Blatche, he was ready to play for a vet minimum…
O'Brien
November 15th, 2012
9:24 pm
Speaking of Nets, JJ is averaging 15.5 pts, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebs, in 37mpg.
northcyde,
Is that what $20 mil annually buys you?
keith
November 15th, 2012
9:29 pm
Missed opportunity!!!
Andray Blatche is playing great Basketball in Brooklyn. We missed on him. He would have been an excellent starter at the 5 position for us.
Jae Evolution
November 15th, 2012
9:31 pm
Would prefer a Center in any proposed deal for Smith, but two all-star caliber wings that should interest Ferry in Batum in Portland and George in Indiana.
Both long, lengthy, play awesome D on 1-4, and can stretch the defense out with their 3 pt shooting abilities. Both young and promising Batum 23, and George 22. Also both have shown they can play within a system.
Portland deal would look something like Josh for Batum and (pick?).
Indiana deal would look like Josh + filler for West and George.
Just some options Ferry should consider.
keith
November 15th, 2012
9:34 pm
Blatche nimbers for the season( Pts. Rebounds. Blocks/min 7.5 6.0 1.0 15.42)
doc
November 15th, 2012
9:36 pm
keith prob right there. he would or at least the reformed one if he is. we needed to take a chance this year and give him a ride as the number 4 big and not even look anthony’s way as damien could have taken that space and been applied at the 3.
sameba
November 15th, 2012
9:42 pm
I know, just wanted to point out that missed possibility (among few others) by DF. But possibly he has something else in his mind…
keith
November 15th, 2012
10:07 pm
Maybe there is something to that rumored trade of Josh to the Lakers for Pau Gasol. Josh Smith and Devin for Gasol is well worth the risk. Pau has 3-4 productive years left.
Melvin
November 15th, 2012
10:13 pm
Yall are late on Blatche. I was calling for the Hawks to sign him right after he was amnesty. I would’ve rather see him coming off the bench instead of Tolliver, Ivan and ZaZa. He could have started when Josh and AL missed games. At the vet min, he would’ve been a low risk and high reward type player. The Hawks desperately need to upgrade the talent on this team. They don’t have a low post presence nor a guy who can create his own shot at will. Lou is probably the best shot creator but even he’s limited at times.
keith
November 15th, 2012
10:23 pm
Josh Smith is not worthy of a max deal imo. Closer to an 8-9 mil/per player at best.
MattP
November 15th, 2012
10:31 pm
keith,
From what I heard in rumors is the Lakers wanted another decent/good piece.
sameba
November 15th, 2012
10:37 pm
And for that reason alone one should never deal with the Lakers…
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
November 15th, 2012
10:43 pm
The Clippers’ backup guards are better than our starting guards
SMGDMFHFFSROTFLMAOLOL
Slimjr
November 15th, 2012
10:51 pm
Ball-so-Hard, did what???????????????????????
Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
November 15th, 2012
11:05 pm
Knicks down 10pts. with 7 mins left in the 4th @ the Spurs, go on a ferocious 25-11 run to seal the VICTORY!!!!!!
Say it aint so: 6-0!
GO WOODY!!!!!!
Ball-so-Hard!
Slimjr
November 15th, 2012
11:08 pm
Raymond Felton goes for 25 and 7 dimes..He’s good..#5 Lottery Pick behind it was a brutal pick[#2] in 2004…
Slimjr
November 15th, 2012
11:09 pm
Nets are a very quite 5-2 after that solid win tonight against the men in green…Hmmmmm
Grandad
November 16th, 2012
12:06 am
Najeh
Thanks for correcting my oversight.
The fact remains, Uncle Larry cannot Coach Josh.
I`ve never liked the terms handle or control even though
I fully understand their meaning.
Going with the simple term “coach” …
and the complexity of the task;
handling and controlling:
would fall under the purview of; teaching, motivation and discipline,
none of which Uncle Larry has had success in reaching Josh.
*(nor did Wdsn p r e v i o u s l y)
jlewis
November 16th, 2012
12:07 am
I guess Woody and JJ are no good, its all their fault.
Grandad
November 16th, 2012
12:09 am
none of which has Uncle Larry had success in reaching Josh.
-somewhat better syntax-
Slimjr
November 16th, 2012
12:12 am
Grandad would reach Josh! For sure! Yes..
T-23
Grandad
November 16th, 2012
12:32 am
Has any coach Ever put Josh on the bench.
I`m not talking about for 5 min or for a qtr
but two or three games, as am attn getter.
Then, if that did not stick, up the ante.
No, `cause weak coaches love their paycheck,
more than doing a quality job;
which in itself is a self fulfilling prophesy of failure.
Ken Norman
November 16th, 2012
12:34 am
Danny Ferry should trade Josh Smith and Devin Harris to the Lakers for Pau Gasol and then trade Gasol to Houston for Omer Asik, Terrance Jones and Greg Smith. I know this sound crazy but the Hawks need to use Josh Smith as a trade asset to make the team better.
Grandad
November 16th, 2012
12:36 am
Jae Evolution
I like Paul George as well
doc
November 16th, 2012
12:53 am
12-22
0-8
slmj, we had a habit of running off to good starts with woody, then holding on to pay 500 the rest of the way. we also didnt have tyson, kidd, felton, melo, etc.
meanwhile the nuggets are making a comeback. love to watch george karl teams play.
Buddy Grizzard
November 16th, 2012
1:50 am
“trade Gasol to Houston for Omer Asik, Terrance Jones…”
Are you high?
Man in Black
November 16th, 2012
2:00 am
The whole team is sick – WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
northcyde
November 16th, 2012
2:58 am
O’Brien
November 15th, 2012
9:24 pm
Speaking of Nets, JJ is averaging 15.5 pts, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebs, in 37mpg.
northcyde,
Is that what $20 mil annually buys you?
***********************
No.
But that 20 million is much easier to swallow, when he comes through in the clutch in the 4th quarter.
9 points in the quarter . . and hit back to back clutch jumpers to give the Nets a 4 point cushion. A cushion they would hang onto to win the game.
Having the ability to close out games and make very difficult shots in the process = 20 million?