Atlanta Hawks: Hawks look to put season-worst loss behind
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks took a day off Sunday to lick their collective wounds after the worst loss of the season. The Warriors manhandled the Hawks on the way to a 115-93 victory Saturday night at Philips Arena.
“When they punched us in the mouth we did not respond,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “That was very disappointing. That was very disheartening.”
The Hawks (14-7) were all but out of the game by the second quarter. They trailed by as many as 27 points in the third quarter. Josh Smith was held to three points on 1-of-12 shooting. The defeat was far worse than the 13-point loss at the Clippers in the fifth game of the season, the previous highest margin of defeat.
“I told the guys after the game, this is one game,” Drew said. “We’ll look at it and see what happened. We are not going to let the snowball effect to take place. We are going to move on from this game as fast as we can.”
The Hawks struggled in nearly all phases of the game, Drew said. They shot 36.9 percent (31 of 84), were just 19.2 percent (5 of 26) from 3-point range, allowed the Warriors to shoot 49.5 percent (49 of 99), were outrebounded (54-45) and had fewer assists (32-21).
“I would like to say there will be nights like this but I think it has to do that it was self-inflicted tonight,” center Al Horford said. “We took a lot of bad shots and that affected the way we defended and the way we played as a team. … It was the type of shots. There were a lot of bad shots. It’s something we are going to address as a team.”
Settling for jumpers
Once the Hawks fell behind against the Warriors they began to settle for long-range jump shots. They took 26 3-point attempts and were 3 of 13 from behind the arc in each half.
“That is not acceptable, particularly when we are struggling and we need baskets,” Drew said. “There was a lot of basketball to be played, particularly in the third quarter. You’ve got to make things happen in the paint. You can’t just settle for jump shots and look for the home run. You have to learn how to chip away.”
Free-throw woes
The Hawks again struggled at the free-throw line, making just 26 of 36 attempts. The Hawks have the 28th worst free-throw percentage in the NBA at 70 percent. Only the Lakers and Nuggets are worse.
Tough schedule
Drew said his team will put the Warriors loss behind them – quickly. They must. The Hawks begin a stretch of four games in five days Tuesday with two sets of road-home back-to-backs separated by a day. They play at Washington (3-18) Tuesday, host Oklahoma City (19-4, division leader) Wednesday, play at Philadelphia (12-11) Friday and host Chicago (13-9, division leader) Saturday.
- Chris Vivlamore
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89 comments Add your comment
BravesFan79
December 16th, 2012
7:37 pm
While i think Drew is doing a good coaching job, BOTH of these games against Golden State he REFUSED to match offensive firepower with GS. Both times allowing Stevenson and Smith to brick shot after shot instead of bringing in Harris/ Lou/ Morrow sooner.
Rod from College Park
December 16th, 2012
8:04 pm
Big Ray,
“If you ask me, it only proves that neither guy is a star in the playoffs….”
No one asked you. Whether either guy has been a star in the playoffs was never the debate. Your explanation or whatever it was was truly one of the dumbest post I have ever read on this blog. Anyone who has ever played or coached in the NBA will tell you that players make their bones in the playoffs. So based on your logic, Horford is AVERAGING only about 4 less points per game than Josh in the playoffs for his career, which means not much as you say. Josh is averaging about 4 less points per game in the playoffs for his career than first ballot hall of famer Kevin Garnett. Josh must be right there with Kevin Garnett then, huh? LOL
Astro Joe
December 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
Sounds like shades of losing.
Felix
December 16th, 2012
9:35 pm
Hawks get blown out at home and the dogs can’t even beat little Iona.
jhan
December 16th, 2012
9:36 pm
Yeah Ray – nobody asked you what you thought!!
O'Brien
December 16th, 2012
9:37 pm
I think Josh is a better player than Al (hence the better career numbers – regular season and playoffs), but neither of them is good enough to be a #1 option on a title contending team.
I dont understand why some fans feel the need to belittle one of them, at the expense of trying to lift the other up. Are you a Hawks fan? Or are you a Josh or Al fan?
We should be Hawks fans first and foremost, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2012
10:15 pm
Every team can and does have one game like this. It is a problem if it becomes a pattern. Unless/until that happens, it’s foolish to overreact.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 16th, 2012
10:22 pm
I find it hard to believe that the Hawks ever showed interest in a Josh-for-Pau swap after the Joe trade was made. I certainly haven’t heard anything to that effect from anyone covering the Hawks — on the contrary all I have heard is that Ferry committed to keeping Josh after the Joe trade was done. That LA Times article sounds like a lot of BS.
Rusty
December 16th, 2012
10:38 pm
What about LD not playing Ivan in the Boston playoffs.
BIG DOG
December 16th, 2012
10:54 pm
Paul Gasol have disentranced in LA so in what way will he have any desire in ATLANTA, HA
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:02 pm
Before the game, if somebody would have said Stephen Curry is going to shoot 30%, have 4 turnovers, but have 11 dimes in 36+ minutes, while Teague would have 10 pts, 8 dimes, and 0 turnovers in 24+ minutes, I’d have said that’s ok – a #19 pick in Teague going against a #7 pick or so in Curry.
That’s what happened. Teagues not great, but he is the best PG we’ve had all around since Mookie.
But I had predicted 13 and 6 from him this season, with somewhere around top 10 in steals for him again. And that’s about where he’s at.
15 and 7 maybe next season, and that’s about his max. Not elite, but not bad for the 8th PG taken in the draft either.
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:06 pm
Only way I trade Josh to anybody is if he said he wouldn’t sign with us. Other than that keep him and build around him. Talent like that is hard to come by. Hometown kid besides. Got Josh, Al, Lou as the ATL connection, and I’m hoping they bring Dwight home also!
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:07 pm
Loved LD finally trying to get Teague some calls in the lane. Bought time.
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:08 pm
Meant Morrow not Al as a ATL guy. And Bout not bought. Tired
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:10 pm
Horfords usually going to play hard when going against his UF boys Lee or Noah.
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:12 pm
CViv – Are the Hawks playing some kind of record amount of back to backs in different cities this season? Was looking at the schedule, and we play a ton this season.
You’d think it’s a shortened season or something
SteveW
December 16th, 2012
11:14 pm
Gasol looks like he’s falling off a physical cliff. No thanks
Jae Evolution
December 16th, 2012
11:37 pm
I really hope Danny Ferry tries to re-connect with his boy JJ Hickson (Ferry drafted Hickson in 08′) whether through trade or sign him as a FA. He just grabbed 16 rebounds in 30 minutes against the Hornets and to compare that Aldridge grabbed only 3 in 37 minutes, damn.
Jae Evolution
December 16th, 2012
11:38 pm
Forgot to mention he also had 24 points on 10-14 shooting, even further he is also a Georgia boy and I’m sure Ferry has Hickson high on his list when the time comes.
Jae Evolution
December 16th, 2012
11:46 pm
Despite playing the 2nd fewest minutes among top 20 rebounders in the league, JJ Hickson ranks 10th with 10.2 RPG in 28.1 MPG. The 1st in fewest MPG among the top 20? Reggie Evans grabs 8.7 RPG in 21.8 MPG, I don’t know that guy has some Dennis Rodman in him.
Buddy Grizzard
December 17th, 2012
1:07 am
“What about LD not playing Ivan in the Boston playoffs.”
This and other retarded personnel decisions are what make me question if Vegas is fixing games. Man’s gotta get paid.
Rusty
December 17th, 2012
1:29 am
Buddy I’ve alluded this on this blog before in jest but who really knows.
Buddy Grizzard
December 17th, 2012
1:31 am
JaeEvolution for GM. Imagine if we get Mozgov and Hickson, re-sign Josh, Teague and Korver and find a small forward?
Buddy Grizzard
December 17th, 2012
1:59 am
Oh and re-sign Ivan of course.
W.R. Terrell
December 17th, 2012
6:23 am
The “Smoove” is no All Star and he has never made players better. He has talent and a ton of it but he’s like a cold soda on a hot day with no fizz. Too much credit is given to him and it’s undeserved. Before the year is out everyone will understand why there are no takers for this super talented young SF. Philly took an old Elton Brand who was injury prone and skill set fading over a young “Smoove”. How can anyone say the “Smoove” is a great defender when most of the players he guards have good shooting nights as in the case the other night at Golden state. I use to be a big fan of the “Smoove” but that was years ago. The HAWKS will be better off without him and as far as Al is concerned I can deal with his failings moreso then the “Smooves”. Woody was right in a lot of ways where Josh was concerned, especially about defense. I’m not a “Smoove” hater, I’m just tired of watching the same movie that he continues to show. He’s been Mr. “PO” for years and has not even come close to “TENTIAL”. That’s just a fact. Danny wants to showcase him for a trade which is failing and as far as Howard is concerned, yes, he played with Josh but he will not come to Atlanta as long as Josh is there or he would have this season when the opportunity presented itself.
vava74
December 17th, 2012
6:51 am
W.R. Terrell
December 17th, 2012
6:23 am
Go to your closest farmacist and grab some memory pills.
Josh has been playing really well during the period the Hawks won a ton of games since a not so good start.
Were there many “easy” games in the middle of that streak? Sure, but we also had good wins against some quality opponents with Smoove bringing it.
I think that last Saturday was a little flare up of a nagging Hawks’ typical condition: complacency.
Rome was not built in just one day.
Also, LD fumbled it:
The game got out of hand when Harrison Barnes lit us up in the second quarter, whilst being checked by Korver and Stephenson.
The same Harrison Barnes who lit us up against exactly the same SF opposition when they play at their turf.
LD should have gone big and let Smoove check Barnes.
Mind something, I WAS NOT A FAN of the big line up and of Josh at the SF slot and Horford at the PF slot BUT, it was working, so why go away from it?
Buddy Grizzard
December 17th, 2012
7:31 am
““Smoove” is no All Star and he has never made players better.”
Oh come on now… he increases Horford’s PPG by at least 4 with his assists. He has at least two nice entry passes that lead to layups or dunks for Horford per game. The chemistry between these two has been the most enjoyable aspect about the new-look Hawks.
vava74
December 17th, 2012
7:42 am
I don’t know if anyone read this. It’s not bball related but it’s a good read and an incredible story:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/highschool/news/20121212/ishemping/?sct=obinsite
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 17th, 2012
7:56 am
I missed the game I was in Rio. Heard it was bad. Warriors might be for real this year.
Jordan Rules
December 17th, 2012
8:37 am
Josh was 1 for 12 shooting. If he was 10 for 12 then that’s 20 more points to the team score. Josh is too inconsistent to be paid Kobe & LeBron money. Let him walk.
Astro Joe
December 17th, 2012
9:51 am
Buddy, that works the other way, too. Horford makes very nice passes to Josh for those 4 times/game that he finds himself lost in the lane.
Najeh, I suspect that call to the Lakers was made by Sund BEFORE he was replaced and obviously before the Joe trade. As I understand it, GMs start discussing trades months in advance and Ferry was hired sometime around June 24th or so. I think it is very plausible that Ferry called Kupchak a week or so after the Lakers were eliminated and looked desperate to add more athleticism and speed to their roster.
O'Brien
December 17th, 2012
10:10 am
Next off-season, I think the Hawks will be in a similar position as the Braves were this offseason. Money to spend, but guys being overpriced.
Because short of Dwight and CP3, who else is available worthy of our max space?
Astro Joe
December 17th, 2012
10:32 am
OB, hopefully, Ferry won’t feel compelled to give just anyone a max deal just because he has the cash. If you have $1,000, no one says you have to spend it on one item. Likewise, the Hawks could use upgrades across their entire roster, especially when you consider that 10 players can find contracts elsewhere. Also, Ferry could use that cap space to make a trade… like trading a 2nd round pick for a $4M salaried rotation-type player. I think we get caught up in the ONE guy… but we may have to look at a salary distribution that has 4-5 players earning a combined $45-50M as opposed to 2-3 guys.
Mike is Back
December 17th, 2012
10:35 am
The way this team is built…anytime we struggle with the 3 ball…it’s gonna be a loooong nite. I missed the game…so I can’t say much…but the word was GS had been playing good of late…and flying under the radar…just like the Hawks!
The way GS had been playing…I thought it was going to be tough game…I didn’t expect a beat down.lol
Josh is still going to have games where he struggles mightily…so will the rest of the team…It’s a loooooong season…one lost…shouldn’t over shadow…all the hard work…these guys have put in.
TIME TO GET BACK ON THE WINNING TRACK…GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
December 17th, 2012
10:39 am
So the Hawks passed up Mark Jackson for Larry Drew?
It figures…..
12-2. Good win..Greenbay is lurking look out..
Slimjr
December 17th, 2012
10:40 am
Josh feeds Al better than any guard on this team..
Al owes him some money…lol
Slimjr
December 17th, 2012
10:43 am
Rev, a lot of Hawk basketball this week..
Josh will recover this week and kick some tail..
Melvin
December 17th, 2012
10:51 am
The Warrior are just a bad matchup for the Hawks. They have active big men and good perimeter players with length. The Hawks couldn’t matchup defensively…
Slimjr
December 17th, 2012
10:53 am
So Orlando has swept the Warriors this year? Wow…