Atlanta Hawks game thread: Morrow out against Warriors (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks will continue with their normal lineup tonight against the Warriors with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, DeShawn Stevenson, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
The Hawks will be a little short-handed as guard Anthony Morrow is out with back soreness. Morrow began experiencing back pain last week against the Grizzlies and the team has been managing the issue since. Morrow missed significant time with a stress fracture in his back during his junior year at Georgia Tech in 2006.
For the Hawks (14-6), they will be looking to avenge one of their losses this season after falling to the Warriors 92-88 in Oakland on Nov. 14. The Hawks were without center Al Horford and guard Devin Harris as they suffered from a stomach illness that hit the team hard during that West coast trip.
Coach Larry Drew welcomes another chance at the Warriors (15-8) with Horford.
“He is a big part of what we do,” Drew said. “I went back and looked at that game. It was kind of a weird game for us, everything that we were going through at that point. We’ll go into with a little bit more of a defined game plan, similar to what we’ve done in the past with him. He’s a big part of what we do. We run things through him. He is an anchor defensively.”
One of the issues for the Hawks is slowing Warriors rookie forward Harrison Barnes, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds in that game. David Lee also had a double-double in that game.
“He played well,” Drew said of Barnes. “A few of their guys played well. I did not think we played well defensively against him the last time we played them. I think he’s going to be a terrific rookie. He has size. He has speed. He’s athletic. He can make shots. We have to do a better job on him defensively, without a doubt. We have to take the challenge and from a team standpoint we have to be solid defensively.”
Smith said the key will be slowing the Warriors’ perimeter players.
“We have to do a better job of containing the ball on the perimeter,” Smith said. “(Warriors coach) Mark Jackson is one that likes to milk plays if they are successful. We have to be able to do the job of sitting down and taking the challenge defensively.”
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* A share of first place on the line vs. Bobcats
* Morrow to start vs. Magic, Pachulia warned for flop
* Smith on Smith: Steve says ‘travesty’ Josh never All-Star
* Video: Hawks look to sustain winning ways
* First place on the line vs. Heat
* Josh Smith named Player of the Week
* 3-pointers may be key to defeating Heat
* Harris not settling for jumpers
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @AJCHAWKS
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
176 comments Add your comment
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:00 pm
Mike Scrub needs to RETURN to the Developmental League…Why did we bring him back anyway???
socialbandit
December 15th, 2012
9:00 pm
Are you serious, getting blown out at home , and you wonder why you people can’t get on board. Same old Hawks. Hope the Falcons can save this weekend.
SuckerFree
December 15th, 2012
9:01 pm
@Rod Tom Thibodeau had no problem with Korver’s defense. You see what you want to see. Reality is that he’s not an awful defender. As with most he does have weaknesses and his is that he isn’t physical. So guarding SFs on the block isn’t a recipe for success.
Like I’ve said…if you remember players like Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford than you would understand. Those guys provided straight lines to the basket. With Korver, the offensive player is going to have to at least make 1 move. Korver is a starter on a team who ranks 5th in the league in defense (prior to tonight) and was traded from a team that was 1st in defense for 2 years where he also started. You can’t tell me he’s that bad.
Al Horford is a very good defender. IDK what you are looking at. Look at defensive rotations, box outs, rebounding, challenged shots, active hands. He’s one of the quickest lateral moving big guys in the NBA that’s why he’s an All Star. Don’t dig yourself a hole man. A team doesn’t get to 5th in defensive efficiency without the front court doing their job and that’s Korver, Josh and Al on most nights.
ag
December 15th, 2012
9:01 pm
I don’t understand why LD did not try to make at least one run in the 4th with the starters He threw up the white flag.
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2012
9:02 pm
“I find it funny how Drew gives up to easily.”
I think LD was just disgusted and putting the bench in so early was a little bit of old fashioned discipline for the starters.
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:02 pm
We could have drafted Robert Sacre, out of Gonzaga, 6″11′ Center, who now comes off the bench for the Lakers, instead we Draft Mike Scott. Even his name is BORING!!!
Kane337
December 15th, 2012
9:02 pm
Good thing this game wasn’t on local TV. P U
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:05 pm
It’s not the LOSS that hurts. It’s that “OUR LEADERS” JOSH & AL SHOWED “NO LEADERSHIP” 2-night!!!!
Blast
December 15th, 2012
9:06 pm
Believe this is Hawks first blowout loss of the season?
Rod from College Park
December 15th, 2012
9:06 pm
Sautee,
Is being a good defender 1 year out of 5 years above average?
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 15th, 2012
9:06 pm
NBA LEAGUE PASS
It’s FREE on a HOLIDAY TRIAL this week.
AWESOME BROADBAND FEED
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:07 pm
John Jenkins should play ahead of Stevenson. Jenkins can flat out shoot the rock!!!
MattP
December 15th, 2012
9:07 pm
Rev,
It is LD giving up, not discipline. He has done this every year.
SuckerFree
December 15th, 2012
9:07 pm
@Rod
David WAS an All Star and that’s only because he played in New York. He’s not now nor has ever been better than Josh Smith. Ever. Everyone knows that Josh Smith’s “attitude” kept him from being voted an All Star by the coaches. All Star is a popularity contest. It’s known throughout the league and amongst his peers that Josh Smith is an all star caliber player.
Jamaal Magloire is/was also an all star. BJ Armstrong made an all star team. Joe Johnson made 6 all star teams….
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2012
9:09 pm
Korver gives 100% effort every time he steps on the floor. He makes some plays defensively because he keeps going when others don’t. BUT he is NOT a good defender. He is below average at best.
However, to use Rod from CP’s argument regarding Jamal, his offense helps balance out his defensive deficiencies.
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:10 pm
I have just put our WEAK A—Front Court on notice…Neither one of you are untouchable… Only Lou Will, Korver, Jenkins, and Devin, are safe. I will vote the rest of you Bums “Off the Island”
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:12 pm
Can we send Larry Drew to D-League for “Coaches”????
Rev in Tampa
December 15th, 2012
9:13 pm
two hours of my life I’ll never get back. glad I have eternal life.
kwooden1
December 15th, 2012
9:14 pm
Could not keep up and missed to many open 3’s! Time to move on to the next game!
keith
December 15th, 2012
9:14 pm
When you have “ALL-STARS” on your Basketball Team, you should be able to Stop the Bleeding. We have no All-stars on this team right now!!! No one could stop the bleeding….Coach–Al–Josh=Zero Leadership!!!
Rod from College Park
December 15th, 2012
9:15 pm
“@Rod Tom Thibodeau had no problem with Korver’s defense. You see what you want to see. Reality is that he’s not an awful defender. As with most he does have weaknesses and his is that he isn’t physical. So guarding SFs on the block isn’t a recipe for success.”
He actually did have a problem with his defense, that is the reason he came off the bench and did not start in front of guys like Brewer, and Bogan’s who were terrible offensively but above average defenders.
“Like I’ve said…if you remember players like Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford than you would understand. Those guys provided straight lines to the basket.”
Jamal Crawford plays major minutes on one of the better defensive teams in the league this year. Care to explain that? There is a huge difference between team defense and individual defense. Obviously you can’t tell the difference so need for me to keep debating with you.
” A team doesn’t get to 5th in defensive efficiency without the front court doing their job and that’s Korver, Josh and Al on most nights.”
They do when it is the first 15 games of the season, and they have played the Bobcats and the Wizards numerous times. Want to bet they won’t be there at the end of the year? LOL
kuhndog
December 15th, 2012
9:15 pm
I am glad this game is not on TV the Hawks are getting waxed. We need more games against good competition like GS to see what we are made of, and then we will se if smoove cops an attitude. I do not want to see smoove do bad, but when things start to go south he gets an attitude and not a competative kobe atitude. It is just one game move on.
Mookie Blaylock
December 15th, 2012
9:15 pm
All-Star Caliber Josh Smith 1-12 from the field lol.
But people would rather talk about how terrible the Tollivers and Korvers aka Role Players were to draw attention from Josh bumming it up.
SuckerFree
December 15th, 2012
9:16 pm
@Rev
I said Korver was ok/average. Bad defender is Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford as welll as Marshon Brooks, Ronny Turiaf, Jannero Pargo. Those guys are terrible.
Rod from College Park
December 15th, 2012
9:17 pm
“Korver gives 100% effort every time he steps on the floor. He makes some plays defensively because he keeps going when others don’t. BUT he is NOT a good defender. He is below average at best.”
Thanks Rev. Glad to know someone actually understands basketball. I agree with you about his offense.
SuckerFree
December 15th, 2012
9:17 pm
@Mookie
Josh Smith put up a stinker….probably the worst game of his career.