Game thread: Lou Williams stays in starting lineup (updated)
Vivlamore reporting.
Lou Williams remains in the starting lineup for a second straight game as the Hawks take on the Pistons tonight. Williams got the start at shooting guard in Saturday’s win over the Bulls and coach Larry Drew elected to go with the hot hand.
“Being smaller, it has its advantages and disadvantages,” Drew said of a backcourt that features 6-foot-2 Jeff Teague and 6-1 Williams. “The way we feel we need to play we want to go a little smaller with the quickness. He had a really good game our last game. With he and Jeff in there it makes us a lot quicker, a lot faster and it puts us in a more up-tempo style. We had success with it our last game and we are going to go with it again.”
Drew was pushed in the direction to start Williams against the Bulls, his first in 173 games, with Devin Harris (sore left foot) unavailable and DeShawn Stevenson needing rest on the second of back-to-back games.
Drew said he spoke to Williams about his role with the Hawks after he was signed this summer as a free agent.
“We had the conversation and I think he was happy to hear that,” Drew said. “He’s been a guy who pretty much came off the bench his whole career and, at least I can tell, he understands his role but he embraces the fact he won’t be pigeon-holed as a guy just coming off the bench.”
Williams will be joined in the same starting lineup used against the Bulls with Teague, Kyle Kover, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
* Harris is doubtful for the game. He spent some time on the court prior to this morning’s shoot-around but left before it really got started.
This would be the fourth straight game Harris has missed due to the injury. He also missed two games earlier this season with turf toe and a stomach illness.
* Drew said before tonight’s game he will show his team clips of Saturday’s dominant 92-75 victory over the Bulls to reinforce what they did so well.
* Drew said the key to victory over the Bulls was the early play of point guard Teague. Although Williams started in the back-court and scored 14 first-half points, Teague set the tone.
“It all starts with Jeff Teague,” Drew said. “He got us going against Chicago. His defense was really good. He was active. He was pushing the basketball and he got everyone else going. That is something that we will continue to emphasis and point out with Jeff the importance of his aggressive play early in the game to get us going.”
* The victory over the Bulls was especially key as the Hawks wouldn’t play for three days after that game and had lost three of their previous four.
“I thought it was important to get a win, particularly because of the way we played against Philly,” Drew said. “You go into the Christmas break with a better taste in your mouth after a win than a loss, I’ll tell you that. I was really proud of the way our guys came out and how they sustained for all four quarters of high energy and high intensity.”
* Finally, I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. I will update this blog with any new lineup information following my pre-game interview with Drew.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Hawks have lost two of past three
* Williams ready for return to Philadelphia
* Morrow out, Stevenson questionable vs. Wizards
* A look at the Hawks at the season’s quarter mark
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361 comments Add your comment
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
vava74,
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/teaguje01/gamelog/2011/
Blast
December 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
How many assists does Lou have? Most to Josh, too.
MattP
December 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
Why can’t Smith score like this every night.
Buddy Grizzard
December 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
“Question: What would Danny have to give up to acquire one the most talented Bigs in the game today.”
Answer: Nothing, the Hawks organization does not take risks like that.
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
9:05 pm
Rev that Motor!
The Motor City Boys have always had The Hawks “nimber”. So, I am really pleased with my beloved Hawks energy, athleticism and play this evening. Is it just me, or does Lou Will in the starting line up change the Hawks dynamics this much?
Has Lou been the missing link all season? How soon can we get Harris off our books? Will anyone defend the three point line tonight, [because Prince is killing us out there]?
Great game cohorts. All Star Josh!!!
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:05 pm
Obviously Cousins is onl a god get if he makes us better. Big men who are lacking in defense would not be my peference. Throw in a bad attitude and you can count me out. If you take him you take the risk that he will not grow up.
I any case they would only accept Al or osh in a trade of any kind and both of them are beter than he is.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:05 pm
Josh has zero turnovers tonight. Partly that’s because the back court has been creating a lot more shots for teammates than usual (14 dimes for the starting back court, only 1 for Josh) but still that’s pretty impressive for this stage in the game.
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2012
9:07 pm
drmary,
I was expecting an inside scoop on Andruw Jones arrest.
Blast
December 26th, 2012
9:09 pm
Fill up the stat sheets, Josh. Make them coaches vote you in for the all star game. And I do like your recent demeanor to calls, or non calls.
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:09 pm
I too like Lou in starting lineup He just makes the starting lineup better and I think he was struggling with the backups
Samurai Squirrel
December 26th, 2012
9:10 pm
Why on Earth does the organ player help the other team out by speeding up the rhythm on the song at the end of the shot clock? Let’s get a home court advantage and do that with like 10 seconds left instead of 4. Don’t warm them!!
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
9:12 pm
Morrow!
Today … Tomorrow & Forever! That man is a keeper!
bigdave
December 26th, 2012
9:12 pm
That last dime from Josh took amazing touch..
Melvin
December 26th, 2012
9:13 pm
Hawks got on a rolled in that 3rd qtr…
Rev in Tampa
December 26th, 2012
9:13 pm
Ivan ran the break like a point guard.
Melvin
December 26th, 2012
9:14 pm
Seem like Josh has more than 3ast and 2blks..
kwooden1
December 26th, 2012
9:14 pm
Hawks playing great! Looks like a great crowd tonight also!
Jay Dubu
December 26th, 2012
9:15 pm
These are the types of games that Josh have to have in order to get into the All-Star game. Not just the number of points, but the shooting %.
Enough o the 8 for 20+ games. Must shoot a much better percentage to get the recognition that he and the Hawks’ fans want him to have.
keith
December 26th, 2012
9:15 pm
New starting 5 going forward!!!!!!!!!
PG-LouWill
SG-A Morrow
SF-Korver
PF-Josh
C-Horford
drmaryb.(""_*).
December 26th, 2012
9:15 pm
The “Nimbers”
____________
K. KORVER #26 F 25:16 1-8 1-6 0-0 +10 0 3 3 3 0 1 0 1 0 3
J. SMITH #5 F 29:59 13-18 1-1 3-4 +20 1 6 7 3 2 2 0 2 1 30
A. HORFORD #15 C 24:02 6-11 0-0 2-2 +7 1 2 3 2 4 1 0 0 0 14
L. WILLIAMS #3 G 30:54 4-8 0-2 0-0 +11 0 7 7 5 2 2 3 1 1 8
J. TEAGUE #0 G 21:10 2-4 0-1 2-2 +15 0 3 3 9 3 1 3 1 0 6
keith
December 26th, 2012
9:17 pm
Teague is just too stagnant….He needs to be more agressive…
Jay Dubu
December 26th, 2012
9:18 pm
No reason the Jenkins can’t get 5 – 6 minutes of burn tonight. Put him in with some of the regulars/ 2nd unit guys, so that he can get in the flow of real competition, and not just mop-up time.
keith
December 26th, 2012
9:18 pm
A. Morrow should be starting….Even if we have to bench Horford….
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:20 pm
@Duh
“Basically It’s either Jamal or Al Horford? That’s what it came down to. The next season we used Jamals money to field a serviceable bench. Instead of just having one great bench player we had five solid players off the bench (even though they were useless in the playoffs).” – Duh @7:00pm, 12/26/2012
You (Duh) just destroyed (contradicted) yourself with your own words. What good is it for the Hawks to have a “serviceable bench” if it (the bench) is going to be “useless in the playoffs”?
The two postseasons of Jamal and the Hawks equaled ten postseason victories and two EC Semifinals appearances.
The very next postseason for the Hawks without Jamal equaled two postseason victories and a first round playoff exit.
You do the math and, now, you book it.
kwooden1
December 26th, 2012
9:21 pm
Will Bynum having a great time just knocking down 3s! We need about 5 more minutes of good defensive to end this game!
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:22 pm
Somebody get me some of what keith’s drinking. He is feeling no pain
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:22 pm
Josh Smith – 30pts, 7rebs and 3asts so far.
He (Josh) really wants to be an All-Star in Feb. 2013.
Melvin
December 26th, 2012
9:24 pm
LD seems to have more confidence in Lou at PG than Teague… SMDH
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
9:24 pm
Morrow can play as well as Korver if given regular minutes.
Blast
December 26th, 2012
9:24 pm
Lou still ain’t in tune with Josh and Al yet!
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:26 pm
Duh, you are appropriately named (see my post @9:20pm, 12/26/2012).
Sautee
December 26th, 2012
9:27 pm
LD’s time out was two trips too late.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:28 pm
Bynum wasn’t doing sh-t when Teague was guarding him (had 2 of his jump shots blocked) and now he can’t miss with Teague on the bench.
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:29 pm
Give em credit. They have had every opportunity to quit Get couple of good shots at the rim ad finish them off
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:30 pm
Well executed play by the Hawks after the timeout.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:30 pm
Detroit driving down the lane for layups and Al doesn’t contest.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:32 pm
Hawks haven’t had a hand up on the Pistons’ last 4 made baskets.
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
9:33 pm
To show you how stupid the All Star voting and Pro Bowl voting is Julio Jones made the pro bowl roster over Roddy White. Never mind the fact that Roddy has more catches, and more yards, and is no doubt the go to receiver on the Falcons. Plus the fact that Julio has problems staying healthy. I guess if you speak up, and voice your opinions, certain people have a problem with that.
J.J.M.
December 26th, 2012
9:33 pm
Hawks guards getting rapeddd
Rod from College Park
December 26th, 2012
9:34 pm
“Detroit driving down the lane for layups and Al doesn’t contest”
That’s normal.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:35 pm
I was thinking the exact same thing about Julio and Roddy. Not to mention, somehow the 2-14 Chiefs got 5 Pro Bowlers while the Falcons got 3.
High-sider
December 26th, 2012
9:35 pm
Morrow should be closing this game out instead of Korver.
“Ride the hot hand.”
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:35 pm
Pistons have scored every time down for awhile. We score every time we go to the rim Time to D up
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:38 pm
Then again, maybe Roddy missing the Pro Bowl is just karma for him pulling for the Celtics against the Hawks in the playoffs.
J.J.M.
December 26th, 2012
9:38 pm
Choke?
Leedsatlanta
December 26th, 2012
9:38 pm
LD trying his best to lose this by keep Teague on the bench
Melvin
December 26th, 2012
9:39 pm
24mins for Teague. By the way, he was +11 for the game… SMDH, LD is killing his growth….
HawksFan
December 26th, 2012
9:41 pm
This would be a crushing loss. No problem, we got this
J.J.M.
December 26th, 2012
9:41 pm
Uh oh
Najeh Davenpoop
December 26th, 2012
9:42 pm
Lou playing Bibby-like at PG. No attempt to drive inside whatsoever. Thanks Villanueva for bailing out what was sure to be an empty possession.