Game thread: Drew, Smith talk after ‘poor shot selection’ late vs. Pistons (updated)
UPDATES: Ivan Johnson is definitely out tonight. He remained at the team hotel. … Hawks will start Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, Kyle Korver, Josh Smith and Al Horford. “In the last couple of games we’ve played in going with this lineup it’s been good for us,” coach Larry Drew said. “I think with both Teague and Williams in the lineup it gives us speed, it gives us the ability to play a little faster. … I think it’s important on the road to dictate the tempo of the game and when it’s time to run we have to get out and fly.” … Drew said there is a “probability” he will save DeShawn Stevenson for tomorrow night’s game against the Pacers.
Vivlamore reporting.
Hawks coach Larry Drew acknowledged Josh Smith’s late-game shooting issues against the Pistons Wednesday as “poor shot selection” and said the two have spoken and are ready to move on.
Despite finishing with 31 points, Smith combined to score only one point in the fourth quarter and both overtimes. He was 13-of-18 shooting through three quarters but 0-of-7 in the final 22 minutes.
“It was just poor shot selection,” Drew said. “He knows it. We’ve already talked about it. That was a game where I thought he probably settled a little too much on the perimeter. He acknowledged it. We look at tape and we talk about it and we just move on.”
* Tonight the Hawks’ main focus will be on stopping the Cavaliers’ dribble penetration. The Cavs scored 46 points in the paint in their victory over the Hawks on Nov. 30 at Philips Arena. Now, they have point guard Kyrie Irving back.
“After looking at our last game, that is what really killed us,” Drew said.
Drew said the Hawks have added a few wrinkles for this game against the Cavs based on the last game. However, the focus will be on better execution both offensively and defensively.
“From an execution standpoint we have enough stuff where I think we can keep them off balance offensively,” Drew said. “It’s just a matter of us getting out there and executing the play and making sure we explore the option off the play, especially on the road. This is where it’s most important because we want to try to control the tempo on the road.”
The Hawks had trouble defending dribble penetration late in Wednesday’s game against the Pistons. Will Bynum scored 26 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods. When Bynum and the Pistons weren’t scoring on layups, they were dishing to Andre Drummond for dunks.
“It is something we saw the last game when Bynum was penetrating, a big man was helping and then Drummond had the wide-open dunks,” Zaza Pachulia said of the Hawks defensive breakdowns. “Other guys have to help the big guy. It’s like a chain. Everybody needs to help each other and be on the same page. That is the key. If you do that we’ll make it easier on ourselves.
“I’ve seen this team doing it the right way and helping each other so I know we are capable of doing it. We just didn’t execute it the right way.”
* The Hawks will get a break in the rebounding battle as the Cavs will be without Anderson Varejao. The center has missed four games with a bruised right knee and he will miss the next two more, including tonight against the Hawks.
Varejao had 18 boards as the Cavs out-rebounded the Hawks 49-28 in their last meeting.
Varejao is the NBA’s leading rebounder at 14.4 boards per game.
Drew warned it’s not only Varejao the Hawks must be concerned about stopping.
“They have guys who really go and attack the glass,” Drew said. “We’ll have to be good in our box outs, not only our big guys but our perimeters as well. They are going to have to get in there and chase some loose balls down. Their size is certainly something we are going to have to deal with tonight but, again, we might try to combat that with our speed and quickness.”
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Johnson doubtful vs. Cavs with stomach illness
* Drew speaks to Teague about energy level
* Hawks 126, Pistons 119 (2OT)
* Williams remains in starting lineup
* Hawks have lost two of past three
* Williams ready for return to Philadelphia
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396 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
6:08 pm
The way I interpret that Zaza quote in context of what happened on Wednesday night is that Al may have seen that his teammates weren’t rotating onto Drummond and then decided to stay back on Drummond instead of helping on Bynum. Even if that’s the case I still think it’s Al’s job to contest the guy with the ball and make him pass rather than giving him an open layup.
I agree. But I also generally like to see a CB stay with a receiver all the way down the field and not release him to the safety. Bottom line, a player is supposed to execute the strategy defined by the head coach. If we don’t see a quote from LD knocking Al’s defensive decisions, it is likely because Al executed the strategy while his teammates did not. In this case, blame the safety and not the CB.
vava74
December 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
Rod
You’re right, the stupidity and delusion of the Mayweather analogy really struck me
You’re the most disingenuous blogger around. It’s pitiful how to contradict yourself on the same page depend to whom you are addressing and then try to make up for it with yet another load of bull.
What Zaza said directly excused part of the buckets that happened on situations in which Horford was defending.
If the helper is not helped he will not react as timely to dribble penetration ax we would if he KNEW ghat when he helps he is also being help.
That happens in spite of defensive principles call for stopping the dibble penetration.
Zaza said: defense is teamwork and ROTATIONS are essential.
I not excusing Horford, only framing the criticism within fair boundaries.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
December 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
It was a dirty play but when Faried drove to the basket Dwight Howard put him on his back. When was the last time a big from the Hawks put someone on they back for driving to the basket?
I remember when Solomon Jones put Dwayne Wade on his back during the playoffs a couple of years back. He sent a message to the Heat that night.
SteveW
December 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
Didn’t Teague have like 5 fouls, and with Devin Harris out, we’re literally playing w/o a backup PG? If Teague would have fouled out your down to Lou and that’s it.
Glad Teague rescued us in that last OT. What a display!
vava74
December 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
Damn iPhone typos
vava74
December 28th, 2012
6:19 pm
Teague went into overtime with 4 fouls.
Committed the 5th in the first OT.
Rod from College Park
December 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
“You’re the most disingenuous blogger around. It’s pitiful how to contradict yourself on the same page depend to whom you are addressing and then try to make up for it with yet another load of bull.”
Thanks. That means a lot coming from you, the guy who still continously bashes Jamal Crawford after he has been proven wrong time and time again.
“If the helper is not helped he will not react as timely to dribble penetration ax we would if he KNEW ghat when he helps he is also being help.”
This statement here lets me know you have no concept of help defense. You don’t have a choice. You always stop dribble penetration, unless you have a shot blocker in the paint, like Dikembe, or Josh Smith. Al’s Job is not to decide and worry about his man scoring. If you are playing a help defense concept then your job is to help and depend on your team mate to help you. I’m interested to know where I contridicted myself.
Buddy Grizzard
December 28th, 2012
6:26 pm
“Play Petro. He’s making too much money to sit on the bench.”
Still laughing…
I believe the Hawks are paying Petro to stay as far away from a basketball court as possible, and getting good value for their dollars.
Buddy Grizzard
December 28th, 2012
6:27 pm
Also hilarious… Drew reacting to fan reaction to his criticism of Teague.
Swingman912
December 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
vava74,
Doesnt matter what he knew. His job is to stop penetration. its the wings job to defend Drummond rolling to the basket. if he wouldve contest EVERY Bynum shot and Bynum kicked to Drummond every time thn Al did his job, that wasnt the case tho. which is why Rod feels he should be called out.
welikebaseball2
December 28th, 2012
6:31 pm
I know it makes some of you guys feel like you have the answers when you blame our inability to stop penetrating guards solely on Josh or Al. Here’s a thought though…what if, just what if, the guards actually stayed in front of their men…instead of playing matador defense?
Swingman912
December 28th, 2012
6:33 pm
@welikebaseball2,
Very true statement. Teague gambles on the steal and plays defense with his hands toooooo much. Watch the waist and move your feet. He’s quick enough…
Rod from College Park
December 28th, 2012
6:36 pm
Swingman912,
Dude is punch drunk. I have knocked him out so many times on this blog he continues to try to jump at anything to get his name back. Then he continuously makes comments like he is some great baskeball mind, and admits in the same paragraph that he did not watch the game. Dude is really suffering from concussions. I will leave him alone from now on.
Rod from College Park
December 28th, 2012
6:37 pm
“Also hilarious… Drew reacting to fan reaction to his criticism of Teague.”
What is he saying?
Swingman912
December 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
lol @ Rod
Billy Baddass
December 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
Did anyone speak to Al horford about his piss poor defence, lack of courage and selfishness?
Buddy Grizzard
December 28th, 2012
6:45 pm
“the two have spoken and are ready to move on.”
How bout we see some actual improved shot selection and THEN we can move on?
“letting point guards waltz down te lane all game”
No mention here of the point guard who continuously gets beat off the dribble.
Buddy Grizzard
December 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
He’s saying that Josh needs to improve his shot selection, which he wouldn’t have copped to if not for the uproar over his criticism of Teague after a game in which Teague saved the day while Josh went 0-for-7 over the final three periods.
Rod from College Park
December 28th, 2012
6:54 pm
“No mention here of the point guard who continuously gets beat off the dribble.”
No need to. To be honest with you, I never see any of the top point guards have people stay in fromt of them. Watched Chris Paul get by Rondo all night long last night. No one guy will ever stop the top point guards (Paul, Rondo, Rose, T. Parker, DWill…) from getting in the lane. It goes back to the help defense coversation. You can either play help defense and the bigs have to contest, or you can try to trap the PG, to get the ball out of his hands. Although Will Bynum is a backup, I have never seen any guard stay in front of him since college. Remember the OK state game, and that was on Tony Allen.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
7:05 pm
“He’s saying that Josh needs to improve his shot selection, which he wouldn’t have copped to if not for the uproar over his criticism of Teague after a game in which Teague saved the day while Josh went 0-for-7 over the final three periods.”
I think you are way overrating the extent to which LD cares about what the fans think, and even the extent to which Hawks fans are capable of “uproaring”. This isn’t Philly.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
7:20 pm
“No mention here of the point guard who continuously gets beat off the dribble.”
Teague wasn’t blameless in that game but Bynum and company had already heated up and shaved 7 points off the Hawks’ lead in the 4th quarter by the time Teague came in to check him. And like Rod points out, perimeter defense is a lot more dependent on interior defense than the other way around.
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
Ditto!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
4:41 pm
Cousins is something special [his game]..
His offensive skills are more advanced than any Big the Hawks feature for sure..
Once he matures, look out..
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
HOPE THAT DANNY ALLOWS JOSH SMITH TO WALK
We have to make some changes with our “Bigs” going forward!!! Addition by subtraction is LIKELY the way to go.
nostradamus
December 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
Predictions for tonight.
1. keith will come up with some dumb trade
2. keith will talk about how Teague and Al are scrubs
3. keith will talk about how such and such should be fired
4. Josh will take at lest two bad shots
5. there will be at least two instances where Al wont attempt to block a lay up
6. J.J.M. will criticize Teague if he plays poorly but will disappear if he has a good game
7. the Hawks will have a lead but LD will put Lou in as point and the lead will quickly disappear
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
7:40 pm
No Varejao; good deal (for the Hawks).
Astro Joe
December 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
I wish I could find the video of Lionel Hollins talking about his team the other day. He talked about how during several key possessions, 2-3 players were in the wrong spot on the floor based on the play they were running. It was proof-positive that fans have a very limited idea of the actual play that the team is supposed to be running. Hollins was mad that the team wasn’t on ‘the same page”. I suspect that the vast majority of fans could not sit there and ask themselves, “why is Tony Allen standing in the right corner when he is supposed to be at the right elbow?” And one must assume that executing a play as designed may also influence playing time. It isn’t solely about individual stats, especially if your dumb butt is in the wrong place and that results in a bad possession for the team.
The NBA game is much different than pick-up ball. It isn’t 5 guys ad-libbing until someone scors 21 points.
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:42 pm
The center match-up is the key to this game…Josh Smith already looking Dumb!!!
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
Hawks fans, you might as well accept it; it appears Josh will continue to shoot jumpers as long as he’s a Hawks player.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
7:47 pm
Allstar AL has to become an enforcer again!
Does he ever take a charge? When was the last time we’ve seen him in foul trouble trying to defend the paint at the 5 position? hmmmmmmmmm
Hey bloggers, I’ll take you down to the local GYM and show you guards that would blow by you in your prime…lol!
NOTE: Because there is no more hand checking allowed in the NBA to enhance scoring and fill the seats, it is almost impossible to keep an average [NBA PT. Guard] in front of you unless he wants to be..
Roger that Houston..
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:49 pm
24 second violation should never happen coming out of a time-out!!!
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
Josh Smith is a HORRIBLE shooter…Just plain Horrible!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
Cavs seem to have come into the game with a focus on denying Korver any open looks. At least a couple of Hawks possessions have been thwarted by the Cavs denying Korver.
Blast
December 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
Josh bombing and clanging away again. Thought Drew had a talk with him about his shot selection?
terrell
December 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
Why the hell they keep throwing Josh the ball on the perimeter?
nostradamus
December 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
Nice to see that talk with Josh helped. And yes im being very sarcastic
Admiral SnAckbar
December 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
trade osh for anybody.
JaeEvolution
December 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
Al is back on D, doesn’t even contest Dion Waiters dunk, no foul, nothing.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
7:53 pm
After starting the game with a couple of nice assists Josh forcing it too much on the offensive end has let the Cavs catch up.
I’d like to see more of that Teague-Al pick and pop that worked earlier in the quarter.
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
Energy looks bad tonight…Body language looks poor by 4 out of 5 players. Kyle Korver looks like the only Hawk who came to play….
J.J.M.
December 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
des al ever give a hard foul or attempt a block shot…weak
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:55 pm
Can we send Josh Smith down to the D-League?????
Blast
December 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
At least Josh is assisting.
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
Josh with 4 to’s
terrell
December 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
Josh slow the fu.. down. Stop playing pg. omg!!
2 FOR JOHN DREW
December 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
WOW … LD says ” We ( Josh & I ) talked about it, and we’ve moved on ….. ??? ….. You’ve got to be kinding me ….. Josh first 3 shots were long jumpers
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2012
7:57 pm
I can excuse Al not contesting that fast break dunk because he already had 1 foul.
2 FOR JOHN DREW
December 28th, 2012
7:57 pm
** KIDDING ME **
keith
December 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
Neither SOFT AL or Josh should ever shoot outside of the paint…..
Slimjr
December 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
Layup line
High-sider
December 28th, 2012
7:58 pm
It seems like for every “good play” Josh makes, he follows that “good play” (up) with a “bad play.” [smh]