Atlanta Hawks: Rematch with Pistons awaits
Vivlamore reporting.
Short-handed or not, Lou Williams is staying in the Hawks’ starting lineup.
Coach Larry Drew, out of necessity, used Williams as the starting shooting guard on Dec. 22 against the Bulls. The Hawks are 5-1 since the move.
At the time, Drew said he would have used Devin Harris in the starting spot. However, the guard was out with a sore left foot – an issue that will cost him a ninth straight game Friday at the Pistons. The change has also meant the DeShawn Stevenson, often a starter at small forward with Kyle Korver at shooting guard, has remained a reserve.
Drew knows a good thing and he’s sticking with it.
“A couple of games I’ve thought about going back to a bigger lineup but sometimes, as I’ve said in the past, you’ve got to roll the dice a little bit – whether you adjust to the opposition or you force the opposition to adjust to you,” Drew said. “Clearly, our last few games if there is an adjustment to be made it’s going to be on their end. I’m going to stay with what’s been working for us. He’s been good in our lineup and I’m going to keep it that way.”
It was on Dec. 26, after the Hawks enjoyed a Christmas break, a 22-point lead against the Pistons was blow at Philips Arena. The Hawks survived in double overtime despite the play of Will Bynum, from Georgia Tech. The victory was part of the five wins in six games with Williams in the starting lineup.
Williams, listed at 6-foot-1, will again draw the defensive assignment of the Pistons’ 6-8 Kyle Singler. Singler was held scoreless in 14 minutes before making way for Bynum and his 31 points off the bench in the Pistons’ comeback.
Williams has averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds as a starter after going 173 career games with stepping on the floor with the first unit.
“It’s been a lot easier,” point guard Jeff Teague said. “He can score the basketball. At that 2-guard position you need a scorer. He takes a lot of pressure off all of us with his ability to score points.”
The Hawks will also be without guard Anthony Morrow (right hip strain) and center Johan Petro (stomach illness) against the Pistons. Neither player, along with Harris, traveled to Detroit Thursday. Morrow will miss his fourth straight game with his injury.
Center Al Horford (right hip contusion) did not practice Thursday but said he fully expects to play against the Pistons.
The Pistons have won three straight since the loss to the Hawks, including a victory over the Heat.
The Hawks spent Thursday’s practice reviewing schemes and assignments that were at issue in the Pistons’ big comeback.
“Their matchups are always tough for us because they are big and they are physical,” Drew said. “… It seems like they are playing with a new sense of pride. They are a team that can hurt you in a number of ways, with their size, with their speed, particularly their guards. (6-5 guard Rodney) Stuckey has always been a tough matchup for us because he has size and he’s strong and we don’t have a clear matchup against him. We try to combat that in different ways just to keep his numbers down.”
The Hawks return home Saturday to host the Celtics. On the season, the Hawks are an NBA-best 7-1 in the second game of back-to-backs.
- Chris Vivlamore
LATEST NEWS
* Williams to remain in starting lineup
* Behind the scenes photo gallery
* Drew named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month
* Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins
* Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
* Williams wants to remain starter
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216 comments Add your comment
doc
January 4th, 2013
2:28 pm
ill say it first
aaron murray reminds me of joey harrington.
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
2:32 pm
As a 2 or 3 seed at or before the trade deadline does Danny sit tight or does he pull a trade to make the Hawks marginally better going into the stretch run and into the playoffs?
Why would D12 come here and leave money on the table?
Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
2:33 pm
“aaron murray reminds me of joey harrington.” -doc-
joey who??????????????? hehehehe
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
2:34 pm
We dont need any more tweeners thats for sure.
High-sider
January 4th, 2013
2:36 pm
“The other side of the business is that you have to be able to fill the arena’s up. In a place like Utah, where they actually go to the home games and fill up the arena nightly, having big name guys such as Jefferson and Millsap might be what gets their fans to the arena every night. Don’t know what would happen out there if they tried to do it on the cheap, because they never have. Utah is a totally different market, for obvious reasons, and you have to do what’s best for your market.” – Rod from College Park @1:14pm, 01/04/2013
In places like Utah (Salt Lake City), OKC, San Antonio, Memphis, Portland, Sacramento and Orlando where teams like the Jazz, Thunder, Spurs, Grizzlies, Blazers, Kings and Magic play (home games), (professional) basketball is pretty much “the only show in town” (in terms of major professional sports). Local sports enthusiasts will probably come out regardless in those aforementioned cities but a “great product” (or team) will more than likely make those local sports enthusiasts that much more “frenzied” and “fanatical.”
The bottom line is that in a city like Atlanta where it has multiple professional sports franchises, the Hawks have to “bring it” (e.g., win championships or at a very high level, acquire big name superstars, coaches, etc.) in order to “fill up” Phillips Arena (pun intended) whereas cities like Salt Lake (City) may not (have to “bring it”) because it (SLC) has “the only show in town.”
Grandad
January 4th, 2013
2:37 pm
All the Dwight Howard talk ?
It has been proven – he is not a team guy !
Kobe no longer wants him as a Laker.
Kobe is the consummate winner !
So Why do we think he [DH] would make us better ?
Talent. Okay, now what ?
Above it was proven;
Josh, Al, & Zaza ….. teammates for years;
-chemistry- already established,
and yawl wish to disrupt that for the unknown ?
____________________________________________
Sometimes you fellas cannot see past your own noses.
We have a really good front line. / [including Ivan]
With two needs:
*a long defensive [5] 7 ftr preferred
*a young defensive minded [3] think “Kawhi Leonard” to develop
These two could possible come through the draft.
Free Agency should bring us *’`The`’* player we so urgently need !
We cannot afford to make a mistake and in my humble estimation;
Dwight Howard would be a costly mi$take.
____________________________________________
Chris Paul would be a mucho grande wi$e investment.
doc
January 4th, 2013
2:40 pm
aka “check down joey” slimj.
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
2:43 pm
Grandad, honestly, thew first 2 free agents I would invite to Atlanta next summer are CP3 and OJ Mayo. Dwight would be third (at best) on my wish list. I don’t care an arena full of fake fans trying to be seen at a big event, I want a title contender. And I agree, Dwight isn’t Moses… he ain’t taking us to the promised land. I’d rather add Mayo as a new part of the “ensemble”.
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
2:45 pm
I’d love a true SG like Mayo, but does Dallas give him that long term deal this summer? He’s thier leading scorer, and killing it from beyond the arc. If i were them Id keep him, but if they dont the Hawks need him!
doc
January 4th, 2013
2:56 pm
check back a page gdad
agree but dont see it happinin for either d12 or cp3.
High-sider
January 4th, 2013
2:57 pm
@Rod from College Park
———————————————————
Rod from College Park
January 4th, 2013
1:17 pm
I personlly think Horford would be a star in Utah. The fans would love him. Perfect fit team for him.
—————————————————————-
Here’s a trade proposal/scenario for you. The trade proposal is as follows:
Hawks get Al Jefferson (C), Derrick Favors (PF/C) and DeMarre Carroll (SF).
Jazz get Al Horford (C/PF), Zaza Pachulia (C) and Anthony Tolliver (PF).
The Hawks get (somewhat of) a defensive-minded SF in return (Carroll) and Favors gets to come (back) to the A-T-L. I was going to use (SG/SF) Gordon Hayward in the trade (proposal) but I seriously doubt that the Jazz would trade Hayward for “obvious reasons.” (LOL)
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=adh5tbu
Rod from College Park
January 4th, 2013
3:04 pm
CP3 is not coming to Atlanta. He is in a better market, with a better team, with better players around him who compliment his strengths. I don’t even consider him. Dwight while having a down year, for whatever reason is still better than any player on our roster. Grandad, a combo of Dwight and Josh, or Dwight an Horford, is 10 times better than Josh and Horford. Defensively, Offensely, Rebounding and getting out in transition we would be a much better team, and it allows you to balance the lineup. Other than that, I see no other way to really improve this roster.
I like Mayo, but I don’t see how adding Mayo to Josh, Al, Teague, and Korver makes you any better than we were with Joe. Same difference, only thing is Korver replaces Marvin, which is a huge upgrade, but not sure if that gets you past Miami or the Knicks.
Rod from College Park
January 4th, 2013
3:07 pm
High-sider,
Would love that trade on our end. Not sure whether Utah would love it. They probably would be trigger shy on any trade with the Hawks after getting Marvin Williams.
O'Brien
January 4th, 2013
3:18 pm
Dwight has his issues offensively, but he can still block shots and rebound at a high rate (imo) when healthy. Plus if you have Dwight on your team, it is easier to convince other players to sign with the Hawks. Look at the bench players taking less money to play for the Heat.
For example, CP3 was (initially) trying to end up with Dwight on the same team (Mavericks was mentioned), but it didn’t work out (Dwight’s fault probably). Is there anyone who will sign with the Hawks because of Josh and Al?
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
3:22 pm
AJ – nah, it’s not crazy. Monta is as good or better than oj mayo, who you want. Mayo has shown me little in his time in the league, while Monta has brought it since he came in the league. And look at money as assist numbers – he does more than shoot.
So mayos your plan for a ’ship? Now that’s crazy
Grandad
January 4th, 2013
3:24 pm
’spurs way or nugget way.”
“we gotta find a better way.’
-doc-
Ab-so-dad-gum-tively !
doc;
the only reason I continue to mention CPaul;
is a counter-argument to DHoward !
Whether or not [either / or t`uther] would come here is irrelevant.
I`m always 1st and foremost about about TeamBuilding
as I ‘think’ DF is as well.
plus;
what a marvelous job, so far.
____________________________________________
Now if he could swing some sort of Teague for Rondo trade ? ? ?
High-sider
January 4th, 2013
3:25 pm
As a result (based on my post @2:57pm), the Hawks could feature the following (starting) lineups:
Big Lineup:
PG – J. Teague
SG – K. Korver
SF – J. Smith
PF – D. Favors
C – A. Jefferson
6th Man – L. Williams
Small(er) Lineup:
PG – J. Teague
SG – L. Williams
SF – K. Korver
PF – J. Smith
C – A. Jefferson
Defensive Lineup (for the defense fanatics):
PG – J. Teague
SG – D. Stevenson
SF – D. Carroll/J. Smith
PF – J. Smith/I. Johnson
C – D. Favors
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=adh5tbu
O'Brien
January 4th, 2013
3:26 pm
Rod,
I like Mayo, but I don’t see how adding Mayo to Josh, Al, Teague, and Korver makes you any better than we were with Joe..
Don’t forget we have Lou and JJ2 at SG as well.
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
3:31 pm
What i dont want is another undersized SG like Monta. Dont get me wrong, i like Monta, and he’s productive, but what position other than PG can he defend with that 6′2” frame?
Rod from College Park
January 4th, 2013
3:33 pm
“Don’t forget we have Lou and JJ2 at SG as well.”
Lou is not better than Jamal, and JJ2 has not put in enough work yet for me to judge him.
Rev in Tampa
January 4th, 2013
3:43 pm
“ill say it first
aaron murray reminds me of joey harrington.”
Sounds like something a Tech grad might say. hehe
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
3:49 pm
Guys I’m just looking at the realistic fa market, considering the salary cap, and trying to find a way to get us to a ’ship. And we need a cut throat scorer. Monta is better than Jamal, even though there real close. Real close. Monta’s a warrior with no conscience. Mayo has been close to a bust malcontent, till he led the mavs to like 10-19 while they waited for dirk to get healthy. Didn’t mayo like fight with a teammate on the plane? Wasn’t his attitude considered somewhat cousinisc (new word;bad try)?
He may turn out ok, but he’s more of a risk, while you know what your getting in Monta. A fighter who wants to win.
Look at the bucks roster. Look at their record. Monta and Jennings are playing like crazy.
Get mayo for the mid level, he may be worth it. May blow our minds.
Or he may blow up.
Grandad
January 4th, 2013
3:51 pm
We do not need a [2] guard or another [1.5] Monta.
An elite pg, an elite pg defender, a SuperStar [3]:
-okay-
now who`s out there ?
____________________________________________
Check every name in the NBA – I have – who`s available ?
Who may or may not be available ?
The list shrinks !
____________________________________________
Names of impact needs that possibly could be acquired
either through hook or crook: / *[to acquire]
*Rondo – has been mentioned in trade rumors / [Josh]
*PGeorge – / [Al or Josh plus take on bad contract or three]
*DH or CPaul – / [FA]
*Jefferson or Milsap – / [FA]
*gamble on a young unproven player with potential – / Al or Josh
*Kyle Lowry & or Bargnani – doable / [Teaguer + Al or Josh]
*Tyreke Evans – interesting / if they would go for [Teague]
_____________________________________________
Players I would love:
Jrue Holiday, Steph Curry, Mark Gasol;
just not doable !
Just like most of the above – nice to talk about – impractical.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
3:52 pm
Swing – who does Jeff, Lou and Devin defend? We usually star two of them and Monta is actually bigger than Lou and Jeff.
Again, I’m not sold on Monta as some great leader. Bit throw your realistic scenarios out there. Easy to criticize, hard to accomplish.
O'Brien
January 4th, 2013
3:54 pm
Rod,
My point is with OJ Mayo, we would have a gluttony of SG (in Lou, Mayo and JJ2).
I would like to see us upgrade the PG, Center, or SF position before signing a big name SG FA.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
3:57 pm
Gdad – tyrekes a gamble. Been going the wrong way.
No way Indy gives up george. You seen his game recently? And he’s cheap.
Lowers no upgrade on Teague, and bargnanis no upgrade on al or josh.
Rondos a head case, but I take him all day long. Proven player of a head case and reasonable contract also. Celts want Dwight, maybe they get Teague and josh and give us rondo and sullinger and another young big, idk
Grandad
January 4th, 2013
3:58 pm
What I would do
-is-
take a wild ride with
-Lou & Monta- @ twin guards / no pg.
Teaguer & Harris for Monta
Grandad
January 4th, 2013
4:07 pm
SteveW
That was my whole point.
You tell me what else is out there.
I disagree – vehemently; Lowry huge upgrade over Jeff !
Defense alone !
Leadership, inspiration, plays balls-to-the-wall every nite,
rebounds position, tough as hide strap, mean as a three legged goat,
plays for the Team, never quits, …………………………………………….
heck yeah he`s the polar opposite of Jeff.
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
4:08 pm
BIG DOG
January 4th, 2013
2:07 pm
Keith – Just be patient Hawks will have a boat load of money coming this off season.
Keep the core and ADD not SUBTRACT.
Teague, Korver, Lou, Jenkins, Josh, Horford, Zaza, Big Dog Ivan, Morrow
And Add D12 or Jefferson
Hawks will contend for title.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
—————————————————————————–
Guys,
A front line of Josh/Horford/Howard Is the best thing we can hope for. We have a shot at it. I think DF knows this as well. It’s so potentially realistic that you HAVE TO hold serve and wait until the offseason and give D12 your best pitch. If it doesn’t work out the oh well, but Ferry HAS to try and stack the deck like that. It’s the only way to overcome Miami et. al. It’s our shot at True relevancy as a franchise. We’ve gotta go for it. Josh at SF (for this team) is better than any free agent SF we could potentially bring in this summer.
Teague
Lou/JJ
Smith
Horford
Howard
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
4:19 pm
The thing about signing a non max player like Mayo is that he is easier to move later (if need be). Ferry needs to maintain flexibility beyond next summer. Let’s not sit here and think that next November, we will have a 1-14 roster that is ready to compete for the title. We may only have some of the pieces in place and hopefully will keep enough flexibility to add or make trades as needed to complete the roster. This is NOT a one time process people.
Steve, Ellis is NOT better than Mayo. He is a one-dimensional, short volume shooter who has maybe been to one postseason in 8+ years? He is best suited to be a 6th man on a contender… I’ll stick with Lou for that role.
I don’t trust Donald Sterling to do the right thing when it comes to his roster salary. I know that CP3 has it all with the Clippers but he will have to know for certain that Sterling won’t start dumping salary the moment that team has one bad season.
Oh yeah, and salary cap space could also help land someone like Bledsoe… especially if Sterling is feeling like he won’t be able to keep him, CP3, Blake, Jordan and Butler.
Every summer, a player or three is moved for pennnies on the dollar to a team with cap space. Do you really want to sit on the sideline because we wanted to acquire someone like Richard Jefferson? We’ll be sitting here next August debating Jamario Moon vs. Damion James (again).
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
4:19 pm
“Drew has taken an almost totally revamped team and made it sing around the Josh Smith–Al Horford front-line combination, even as he’s still experimenting with lineups and rotations. He’s finding the right mix of little and littler at the perimeter spots, and he’s leaned more than expected — and to great success — on ultrabig lineups featuring Smith at small forward; the Hawks have outscored opponents by a mammoth 10 points per 100 possessions over the 180-plus minutes in which Smith, Horford, and Zaza Pachulia have shared the floor, per NBA.com.”
Now Replace Zaza with Howard…..oh boy!
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/46429/the-not-quite-mid-season-awards-part-2
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
4:20 pm
SteveW- youre right, our defense from our guards have been suspect to say the least. it is hard to accomplish, and honestly I dont see how DF will make this team a contender in the short term. I’m always looking but 2 guard isnt a need this year. We need a perimeter defender at the 3 that can run the floor and hit an open jumpshot…but doesnt everyteam need that. I’m out of answer…hopefully HOU falls out of the lttery and we find a jewel with that pick
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
4:26 pm
If Howard comes, Horford leaves. In that order. Howard in. Horford out.
Swingman912
January 4th, 2013
4:29 pm
AstroJoe- you dont think they try to keep both, considering Horford prefers to play outside and D12 is an inside guy?
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
4:33 pm
Astro Joe, Swingman, They can keep both and if DF can, he will. This guy was LeBron’s GM and he knows what it takes. It’s the right decision.
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
4:34 pm
Howard on the left block, Josh on the right block, and Horford spots up from 15ft.
Money.
Rod from College Park
January 4th, 2013
4:36 pm
“If Howard comes, Horford leaves. In that order. Howard in. Horford out.”
Agreed.
“Every summer, a player or three is moved for pennnies on the dollar to a team with cap space. Do you really want to sit on the sideline because we wanted to acquire someone like Richard Jefferson? We’ll be sitting here next August debating Jamario Moon vs. Damion James (again).”
If this team stays constructed as is or even if we gain Howard and lose Horford, a 3 (Jefferson or Maggette type) will still be more of a need than Eric Bledsoe.
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
4:45 pm
No, I don’t think Ferry will have a $45M starting frontcourt.
Rod, Bledsoe was just a name. Bottom line is the Clippers won;t likely keep CP3 and Bledoe together for long. If Teague doesn’t take the next step, that could be a guy worth acquiring with upside. No doubt, the Hawks will need to add an elite wing player if Howard comes.
ATLien
January 4th, 2013
4:58 pm
I wish we could trade about 3/4 of the Hawks “fans” on this blog.
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
5:00 pm
Want to know what cap space can do if an elite free agent turns us down? Checkout this…
http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
5:03 pm
$45M starting front-court or Big Three? Tomato Tomaaato. The only way DF could possibly live up to the Hype is if he Attempts this. It’s the only way we’re getting out of the East in this Lebron James, Derick Rose era.
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
5:05 pm
If We don’t get the big FA, we simply re-up on our guys for 1yr deals and Hope we get a Gem with one of our many Draft picks.,
Honesty
January 4th, 2013
5:13 pm
Well we might make it out of the East this year….you never know
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
5:14 pm
Gdad – I know, that’s basically all that’s out there. And btw, Lowerys no big upgrade on Teague, trust me. We can agree to disagree on that one.
AJ – I said Monta was as good or better. Mayo, except for short bursts, has been a major flop.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
5:16 pm
Honesty- our major guys will sign elsewhere rather than reup for one year. And we gotta match Teagues offer, not likely to be 1 year.
Slim
January 4th, 2013
5:18 pm
I’m so tired of idiots here saying trade josh, get off the blog if its only hate, some of you need to be smacked on the hand for all this hatred.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
5:19 pm
Dominic McGuire waived, some of you guys wanted him on the wing
Astro Joe
January 4th, 2013
5:23 pm
Honesty, history suggests that the best talent needs to run across the front AND back court. That is why you can’t put all of your eggs in one part of the court.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
5:32 pm
Slim – trust me, I don’t want to trade josh. Just responding to gdads proposed trade a little earlier.
Only way I trade josh is if he cost too much, we felt he wouldn’t re-sign with us, or we got a great deal. Josh is our best player, hands down.
SteveW
January 4th, 2013
5:34 pm
I been thinking I like Bledsoe also, basically as a backup to Teague. Same with Calderon or maynor.