Atlanta Hawks: Celtics 89, Hawks 81 (updated)
The Hawks got off to a fast start, but fell apart and lost to the Celtics on Saturday night, 89-81. Josh Smith finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The AJC’s Chris Vivlamore reports.
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks had a chance.
They could have served notice to the nemesis Celtics that they are that team anymore. The team the Celtics have owned in recent years.
However, the Hawks let a 19-point second-quarter lead evaporate – in less than 12 minutes – in a 89-81 loss to the Celtics Saturday night at Philips Arena.
The Celtics got physical with the Hawks and they did not respond – a fact that had coach Larry Drew ‘concerned’ following the game.
“This is a very, very disappointing loss,” Drew said. “Probably, for me, the most disappointing loss of the season for the mere fact of playing against a team we have battled in the past and we’ve seen this type of scenario before where we have played well and then when it starts to get a little bit physical, when they start playing a little bit rougher, when they start make things a little more difficult for us, we don’t respond. That was clearly what happened tonight.
“I’m concerned because this is the NBA and you have to expect that. When you play against teams that do smack you, you have to respond. It’s just the way it is. Everybody has to do it. Every team in this league has to do it. When you don’t’ do it you get labeled. You get a tag on you. That’s the last thing I want to happen to my ball club.”
The Hawks lost six of nine game games against the Celtics last season, including a first-round playoff defeat (4-2). The only regular-season game the Hawks won came when the Celtics played without Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. The Celtics also won the memorable seven-game playoff series in 2008 when much of the history between the teams began.
The Celtics entered the third quarter trailing by 15 points. They came out of the period leading by nine points, 71-62. They used a 33-9 third quarter run to erase the deficit as the Hawks shot a meager 14.3 percent (2 of 9) coming out of halftime.
“You can’t compound things,” Drew said. “You can’t keep turning the ball over. You can’t have bad shot selection. You can’t have defensive breakdowns. That just adds more and more problems to the equation. And then you sense the body language. And I sensed it, honestly, at the end of the second quarter because they were playing us a little bit physical. I’m sure they went into halftime and said ‘Guys, all we have to do is keep climbing, keep pushing up in them, and we’ll get back in the game.’ That’s exactly what happened.”
The Hawks (20-12) have lost two straight and three of their past four games. After managing to cut their deficit to five points, 79-74, in the fourth quarter the Celtics scored six straight points to regain a comfortable margin.
Lou Williams led the Hawks with a season-high 28 points, 21 coming in the first half. Jeff Teague added 17 points and Josh Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“Defensively, I think they did a great job of making it tough for us to catch,” Williams said. “They were pressuring everything. They made it tough for Jeff to get us into plays. They made it tough for us on our in-bounds plays. That’s been their makeup for a number of years. They’ve always been known as a defensive team and tonight we got the worst of it.”
The Celtics (16-17) have won two straight after a four-game losing skid.
Rondo had his 25th career triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds. Pierce had 26 points and Garnett added 14 points.
Rondo escaped a possible ejection and fine when he made contact with official Rodney Mott while arguing a called for a charge with 3:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The Hawks led by as many as 13 points in the first quarter and 19 points in the second quarter. They took a 53-38 lead into halftime.
Williams’ 21 first-half points tied the team record for most points in a half this season. Smith also had 21 in a Dec. 26 game against the Pistons. Williams scored 17 of the Hawks’ first 23 points, all in the opening quarter, as the team shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from the field. They ended the half shooting 52.5 percent, including 7 of 15 3-point attempts.
The big lead was for naught – gone in minutes. The Hawks are left licking their wounds it what could have been a statement game.
Drew canceled a planned day off Sunday and called a team practice.
“I don’t really get it how an opponent can get (us) out of the game for 48 minutes,” Zaza Pachulia said. “I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s all about us. We should all look in the mirror, all of us, the whole team.”
- Chris Vivlamore
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* Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins
* Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition
* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston
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192 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:28 pm
1st?
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:28 pm
2nd?
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
JaeEvolution
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
Lou Williams is a great starter, it’s just too bad the bench becomes nothing if he does start.
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
High-sider
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
2nd?
High-sider
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
2nd?
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
Sorry Azz Bigs! Call them out!
DANNY YOU HAVE NO POST PLAYERS! Nada.Zilch! Zero…..
Go get Cousins asap!
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
Huh?
January 5th, 2013
9:31 pm
SOFT
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:32 pm
ATROCIOUS BASKETBALL IN THE 2ND HALF
We had absolutely no leadership on the floor in the 2nd half…Bigs played worse than smalls….
Sameba
January 5th, 2013
9:32 pm
I am not watching any more games while LD is the HC.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 5th, 2013
9:32 pm
The Hawks are, for lack of a better word, the Celtics’ bitches.
High-sider
January 5th, 2013
9:34 pm
“Osh” (Smith), keep playing to your weaknesses by shooting 3s and long 2s; that should help you make the All-Star team (sarcasm). Oh yeah, don’t practice FT shooting. (smh)
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:34 pm
The schedule and the NBA as caught the high flying Hawks..
Their BIGS are being De-winged on a nightly basis!
Not the guards fault that these BIGS are have not post game! To go to..
KG had somebody on lockdown! Hmmmmm
And the other one was shooting blanks…
Najeh Davenpoop
January 5th, 2013
9:35 pm
In their last 12 games, the Hawks are 6-6. They are 3-3 at home and 3-3 on the road in that span. They have one double digit win (92-75 over Chicago) and three double digit losses (to Houston, Philadelphia, and Golden State).
During that streak, they are scoring an average of 96.5 points per game and giving up an average of 98.3 points per game.
In other words, their average game in the last three weeks has seen them outscored by 2 points.
The carriage has turned back into a pumpkin. This is an average team until further notice.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:35 pm
no post^^^^^
JaeEvolution
January 5th, 2013
9:36 pm
As long as the Rockets keep winning and the Hawks finish no lower than 6th, I can’t bother getting upset about the team.
NORRIS CHUCK
January 5th, 2013
9:37 pm
Just by looking at the Hawks schedule that last ten games, the only victory of any value they got was against the Derrick Rose-less Bulls.
Danny Ferry needs to get on the phone and shed Josh as soon as possible, the guy is a cancer on this team. Larry Drew has got to be hanging by a thread too!
Once again we see a team shooting too many jumpers and not rebounding and a coach and player that continues to do the same things every night and nobody is calling them out!
This team is finally showing its true colors folks, and they might be out of the playoffs by seasons end. Once the schedule gets tougher the real Hawks will show up.
FIRE DREW and CUT TIES WITH SMOOVE!
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:38 pm
“AL Horford Not quite ready for PRIMETIME!”
I truly did not expect much from Josh. But AL., he absolutely was a “Non-factor” on offense or defense tonight…I SAW NOTHING FROM THESE 2 GUYS THAT GAVE ME HOPE THAT THEY WILL EVER COMPETE WITH ELITE TEAMS…
We have all been “DUPED” by the PLETHORA of ESPN dunking highlights with Josh and AL…
Tired of the getting urinated on and being told that it is raining!!!
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:39 pm
“Bigs played worse than smalls….”
Most nights they do!
Dismantle this front line and bring two post players in here…
This is on Danny to fix..Or the wheels may come off..
6-6 last 12? Hmmm, means they are coming off already…
W.R. Terrell
January 5th, 2013
9:39 pm
The “Smoove” went 4-17, 6 TO’s, 10 rebounds 12 pts nuff said. DF is getting a good look as far as who to keep and LD and Josh are out the door. Forget a draft pick for him or a decent player at the trade deadline, if that occurs consider the HAWKS lucky for getting a 2nd round pick. The good news is that the HAWKS will have draft picks and plenty of dollars to spend and a decent nucleus of complimentary players as in Al, ZaZa, Ivan, Kyle, Lou, JJ, Anthony Morrow, Petro and Mike Scott and 44 mil to spend. The good times are coming but not this year and forget the playoffs that ain’t happening but a good placing in the lottery is. All the Josh fans keep on believing, and dreaming because he is truly a nightmare.
northcyde
January 5th, 2013
9:41 pm
LOL @ Hawks Live . . . why even talk about Rondo’s bump? Focus on why Larry Drew keeps jerking around with Ivan Johnson’s minutes?
beone
January 5th, 2013
9:42 pm
Josh is Josh. After 9 years, he is what he is. I was high on Teague but he doesn’t appear to have enough heart to make a good PG. Stevenson is a waste of a roster spot. Their great run is over IMO.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:43 pm
COUSINS WOULD HAVE PUT UP 28 AND 15 ON THE CELTICS TONIGHT!
lanorris39
January 5th, 2013
9:43 pm
The game was lost when Kyle was checking p.p
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:44 pm
I am getting ready to watch a real competent BIG, Al Jefferson, destroy the Denver Nuggets…A Corey Brewer sighting already…”2 future Hawks, Maybe????
BIG K IN DA HOUSE(6″1″ 243)
TBhawkfan
January 5th, 2013
9:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Najeh Davenpoop
January 5th, 2013
9:45 pm
Sorry about your Bengals northcyde. Another team full of Georgia natives getting stomped when it matters. Something about this state is allergic to the playoffs and crunch time.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:45 pm
LARRY MUST BE LOONEY TO BRING IVAN IN FOR TOKEN MINUTES IN THE 4TH QTR?
LOONEY……..
NORRIS CHUCK
January 5th, 2013
9:45 pm
I dont even know why im getting all worked up over this
“Replacement” squad, i am however gonna be worked up with the money they are going to have for the upcoming season. So, i keep telling myself not to get worked up, but man im sick of Larry Drew and Josh Smith and Al Horford shooting jumpers all night every game.
Teams win championships when players know their roles and assignments and actually perform them. These guys play well when the pass the ball but as soon as one person (im not calling any names) starts jacking up shots, everybody else follows suit.
And dude wants to be an All-Star? LOL!!!
northcyde
January 5th, 2013
9:46 pm
Larry Drew . . . . . basically calling the team “soft” in his post-game conference. Saying that they didn’t “respond” when things got a little “tougher”.
Well, stop putting SOFT lineups out on the floor Larry.
Haha . . there’s his favorite word: “energy”. Energy wasn’t up at the start of the 3rd quarter.
No day off for the Hawks tomorrow because of the loss. He was planning on giving them the day off.
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:47 pm
Nuggets have some nice cheerleaders…I saw why Kobe went “Nuts” in Colorado…..
TBhawkfan
January 5th, 2013
9:48 pm
no problem ld said we will learn from this. what will they learn from this?
northcyde
January 5th, 2013
9:48 pm
Just a horrible 5 hours of sports watching for me Najeh.
The Bengals offense looked like the Hawks offense in the 2nd half. Having an overrated young QB who can’t make plays when it counts doesn’t help either.
At least as the Bengals game was winding down, the Hawks were killing the Celtics. But the more I watched, the worse the Hawks played.
If I were an alcoholic, I’d definitely get drunk tonight.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 5th, 2013
9:48 pm
There are plenty of places to spread the blame for this team — LD taking way too long to adjust to Pierce posting up Korver in the 3rd quarter, LD not playing Ivan, Teague not setting up his teammates in the 3rd quarter, Josh and Al getting murdered on the boards — but it boils down to the fact that this team, top to bottom, is scared of the Celtics. As soon as the Celtics start putting together a run they sh-t their pants and start crying for Mommy.
vava74 coined the term “Diaper Al”… well, against the Celtics, these are the Diaper Hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 5th, 2013
9:49 pm
If I was Vivlamore I’d be asking Josh and Teague why they sh-t their pants every time they see KG, Pierce, and Rondo, which is why I am not a beat writer.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
9:50 pm
The Hawks Bigs migh as well put on skirts and stilettos when they play the Celtics..
No POST GAME= No shot…
northcyde
January 5th, 2013
9:51 pm
Just say the word Stinger
Larry Drew was calling his team ( namely his star players ) . . . SOFT
They’ve been a soft team for years now, which is why teams like Boston can bytch slap us.
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:51 pm
Jazz look pretty good right now…Not sure their starters are the right group…Marvin Williams just jacked up a 3 and bricked it…LMAO….
NUNNA!!
January 5th, 2013
9:56 pm
U got this post up might quick Mr.V. lol..U must have left the game early lol..
Hey,i agree with Najeh that its mostly coaching.
But i also think that Teague(although not the main culprit)has a big part in this..He played with more aggression and attitude with Wake Forest. Did the NBA wake him up and B—- slap him into reality?
Or was woody doing the slapping that has made this guy seem to lose confidence quick and is not really a floor general..
Now,he was more of a scoring PG in college..He did not have any consistent 9 to 15 apg at all,but you would think he has learned his teamates by now that he would know who can shoot 3’s and who can’t..
When and where his mates range is and to get them the ball in those situations..
When to demand the ball in his hands and direct the team,especially when we get a defensive rebound and my PF is bringing the ball up the floor..
And,I really do think that Ferry is looking hard at LD now. Looking at how he handles the play of his team and if he thnks a change is needed now..
A good GM always has an ace up his sleeve and i believe Ferry hand is up his sleeve waiting on the time he see’s fit to pull it out..
keith
January 5th, 2013
9:56 pm
UTAH JAZZ MANAGEMENT ARE SUCKAS……
Maybe we can make a move with the Jazz again…They were dumb enough to take Marvin, maybe they would take Josh as well????? I mean “The artist formerly known as Smoove”
BIG K IN DA HOUSE….
ATMAN
January 5th, 2013
9:59 pm
I’m feeling sick……..nice 3rd quarter!
TBhawkfan
January 5th, 2013
10:00 pm
9 points the 3rd qtr. wow.
Rev in Tampa
January 5th, 2013
10:01 pm
The Celtics will be checking Paul Pierce out of the nursing home 50 years from now to come play against the Hawks and he will be scoring 25+
keith
January 5th, 2013
10:04 pm
Ashton Kutcher was in Phillips Arena tonight….
Cause Al and Josh collectively “Got Punked” by the Boston Celtics AGAIN…. Our Starting Bigs are so scared of the Celtics, i would not start the starters next time out against the Cs just to make a point. I would start:
PG-Lou Will
SG-Kyle Korver
SF-Stevenson or Morrow
PF-Ivan
C-zaza
Big K in Da House!!!!!
keith
January 5th, 2013
10:09 pm
Big Al Jefferson on Pace for a 20/10 night….Danny..can you give this Brotha a call? Please?
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
10:11 pm
I believe its mostly the Bigs who cant score in the low post..Guards can’t win them all from the perimeter..
The Bigs have to carry the team at times and close out games at times..
Frankly these Bigs do not have the talent to do such..Not enough fire power..As the season progresses we will see the Guards tire and the Bigs will do what they do..Get beat down..
Danny will dismantle this front line to become elite..
As presently constructed not even close…
But c’mon Larry you got play Ivan at least 22-29 mins a night to assist these SOFT BIGS!
ATMAN
January 5th, 2013
10:14 pm
DF, please make a trade before deadline.
Please Amswer This
January 5th, 2013
10:16 pm
Question:
Why did we bring in “all these new shooters” this season?
Answer:
So they could watch Josh and Al jack-up outside shots.
The entire NBA game would be much better-off if the 3-point shot was eliminated.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
10:19 pm
AL and Josh would dominate the D-league..hehehehe
They played like Alena and Josephine tonight…LOL!
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:23 pm
Bigs showed up on the glass…but got spanked on offense. NO game whatsoever.
Horford a weak 2 for 8. Josh a disgustingly ineffective 4 for 18….with 6 turnovers. Yuck.
Nice game by Lou. Teague scored decently.
Zaza had a bad game due to foul trouble.
Ivan puts up 4 points and 4 boards in 6 and a half minutes….LD doesn’t play him more than that. Idiot.
Yep.
Can’t wait for this offseason.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
10:24 pm
Vikings getting stomped like the Falcons in last years playoffs..
They have one more point at 3..The Falcons scored 2 points on a safety..
Please Answer This
January 5th, 2013
10:25 pm
Tonights game was just another good reason for Atlantan’s to……
Not support this franchise.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
10:26 pm
LARRY FIRE YOURSELF
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:31 pm
Big Al Jefferson has post game. If we want scoring in the post, he’s a guy you could go with. That said, here are some facts to digest:
Al Jefferson for the season – 16.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 47.7 FG%
Al Horford for the season – 16.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 54.1 FG%
The question isn’t production, it’s “FIT”. If Jefferson fits this team better, then he’s the guy you want. But if he doesn’t…then you see the stats above. He shoots a lower percentage and averages less than a point per game more than a guy who has no real post game to speak of.
Gotta think this through.
I think there are better options on the horizon if a little patience is exercised.
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:35 pm
I have to say that O’Brien has come up with the most interesting and credible trade proposals.
And though I recognize Demarcus Cousins as a head case, that would be a guy you could roll the dice on as far as talent goes. Dude can ball.
He needs a situation with better team cohesion, better coaching, better locker room, etc.
F@ck it. Make that trade. You could do worse.
Only thing is, you better get a good head coach in here. I can see Cousins and Ivan the Terrible getting into a fight in practice, LOL. LD would flee the scene in abject terror…and so would some of the team .
Peter
January 5th, 2013
10:35 pm
Josh Smith trying to lead the league in 3 pointers. 1-5 tonight.he has the basketball intelligence of a five year old.
keith
January 5th, 2013
10:35 pm
“NED THE WINE-O ” DREW must have had a little sauce tonight before the game.
2nd half was a failure in all 3 phases…Offense..Defense..and …Coaching…
BIG K in DA HOUSE
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:36 pm
Lester Connor and the rest would be right on LD’s heels trying to get the hell out of there…
keith
January 5th, 2013
10:38 pm
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:35 pm
DITTO….Zaza and Ivan are the only ones who would stick around….
Peter
January 5th, 2013
10:39 pm
Our bigs don’t have a post game…… Then again we don’t have a legit center.
Is Tim Duncan a center ? He is bigger then Al.
Huggies
January 5th, 2013
10:42 pm
Then Josh starts hugging those Ba$tards after the game? That’s why you can’t hang around with Boston F@ggots in the summertime!!!!
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:42 pm
Yeah but you won’t hear Mid-range Shawty’s “boys” call him out for all this three point shooting on this blog, no sir….
Well…oh wait…he’s hitting 37% from beyond the arc, which means he’s a bonafide 3 point shooter of course…don’t explain all the 21 footers that are BRICKS, hence that blazing hot 44.8% shooting from the field overall…
But it’s all good because he blocks shots and assists on every single one of Horford’s baskets, ya know….
Speaking of which, Horford going 2 for 8 made Josh look really bad. Josh could have had 8 assists if not for Al.
Man, Al…what you doin’ out there, trying to keep my man from making the all-star team? You made him have 6 turnovers you lousy bastid!
Charmin Ultra-Soft Tissue Paper
January 5th, 2013
10:44 pm
Huggies
January 5th, 2013
10:42 pm
Then Josh starts hugging those Ba$tards after the game? That’s why you can’t hang around with Boston F@ggots in the summertime!!!!
—————————————–
^TRUE!
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:45 pm
Keith ,
I’m tired of this up and down shiz with Josh and Al. Get punked way too often. If it isn’t one thing it’s another, I swear. If it’s not rebounding, it’s scoring, or vice versa, or the usual:
1) Al not defending
2) Josh not rebounding
3) Both not scoring
4) But at least they don’t fight and say cryptic stuff after the game like JOOOOEEEEEEEE
Peter
January 5th, 2013
10:46 pm
By the way can Al Horford jump ?
He has the funnest looking shot as well…… why does his legs always go out ?
Big Ray
January 5th, 2013
10:46 pm
And I’m out…
Pampers Supreme
January 5th, 2013
10:48 pm
They really wet their pants in the second half!
Bunch of sissies!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 5th, 2013
11:11 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE JOSH
Josh will never grow up. He threw his obligatory fast break alleyoop pass off the backboard to no one tonight. Can’t finish in post
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 5th, 2013
11:12 pm
We all understand Teague suffers from Marvinitis, but can LD please call out Smoove too? That dude is so damn aggravating
JaeEvolution
January 5th, 2013
11:17 pm
Dwight Howard publicly ripping his Laker teammates and questioning Kobe’s leadership?
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8817247/dwight-howard-says-los-angeles-lakers-play-each-other
Rusty
January 5th, 2013
11:18 pm
I wrote a long post that would not go through.I will say it again which I have said for 2 years LD is a horrible coach & we have won games inspite of him,this team will never be a contender no matter who we would add with him as our coach.
BiggieT
January 5th, 2013
11:21 pm
Someone in the organiz. needs to grow some ’stones’ & tell Mr. BrainFreeze aka ‘Smooth’ : You are NEITHER a guard nor an O/S shooter, PERIOD ! He has the habit at times of getting the opponent back into the game… OK, BigAl had a bad game as well, but he understands what he can & can’t do.
kuhndog
January 5th, 2013
11:23 pm
I was concearned with our schedule, and hoped we would respond better. This is one game but becoming a trend, when Boston clamped doen and started to play aggressive FOULING defense the Hawks started complaining Josh for one. When you allow a good team to play aggressive D and not get enough calls they continue this and momuntum sets in. No adj. by LD on the PP KK matchup and it cost us. This team gets no respect for getting fouled, and LD is going to have to show some emotion and get thrown out of a few. I will reserve my opinion until I see if the Hawks can respond to adversity.
Rusty
January 5th, 2013
11:24 pm
LD always blames everybody but him self.
Rusty
January 5th, 2013
11:33 pm
Listeten to LD & tell me he is not an idiot. The stinger is also a suck azz idiot.
Duluth Joe
January 5th, 2013
11:43 pm
Are Celtics to Larry Drew, what Orlando was to Woody?
Would Celtics be the reason Larry Drew gets fired?
If the coach of the team is going to call the team’s play soft, the Northcyde’s point is fair and valid. Why not play Zaza and Ivan? Why should Tolliver have more minutes than Ivan? How can you expect a team to be tough if Korver is your small forward? Did Larry Drew not learn that Pierce can score, even at this late stage)from last year’s playoffs), if not defended. Korver is specialist in this league. Not a starting Small Forward. At least play him at shooting guard along with Teague.
As for Josh, let’s remember, he can’t get his inside shots against the length of the likes of KG or Bosh. We have this before. And Al vs. Bass, I just don’t get how Al is not better than Bass.
To not go with the big lineup, to lose the rebounding edge to a Celtics team that is horrible at rebounding when Zaza who may be the best pure rebounder on the team and Ivan the toughest guy on the team are getting a total of 21 minutes, leaves Larry Drew open to second guessing by all.
To not replace Korver when Pierce is attacking him and getting him in foul trouble with Ivan and not putting Josh on Pierce is a joke, when we all know Zaza can defend KG.
And to hear their fans again get loud in Atlanta, absolutely sucks. ABSOLUTELY SUCKS
Ferry, at least get a small forward that can defend if you can’t find a center and your coach insists on playing Al as a center.
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
11:43 pm
Danny should go after Cousins before the trade deadline in February then in the off season go after D12..
Sell him that Cousins and Josh along with himself makes them Elite in the East! They would be young enough to start a legit run at the Finals for several years.
The Hawks are the young guns..The Lakers are the has been…
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
11:57 pm
“And Al vs. Bass, I just don’t get how Al is not better than Bass.”
Bass moves his feet well. Is he not a 4? Hmmm.
KG and Brandon Bass are Allstar Al’s worst nightmare…
He is on lockdown against those two and the other the one shooting blanks?
Its a freaking disaster…. Yea we are calling out the BIGS!
I
Slimjr
January 5th, 2013
11:59 pm
Josh you are costing yourself a boat load of dough if you do not get a shooting coach to help you with that shot of yours..
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:01 am
first of all larry drew is a great coach.
he has total coach killer in Josh.
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:02 am
another night of him thowing up 17 shots.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
12:03 am
In a vacuum Al is much better than Bass. His problem, like the rest of this team, is mental. Al is scared (like the rest of his teammates); Bass is confident (like the rest of his teammates).
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:03 am
Enter your comments here
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:05 am
please get rid of josh. build this team around aL and teague.
Duluth Joe
January 6th, 2013
12:08 am
Najeh you may have a point. I was thinking the breakdown in the third was mental. I can’t remember such a reversal of fortunes in a quarter.
Leading by 15 and then being down 10 or so by end of thrid. As a Hawks fan not getting a chance to shout for anything positive is a total downer. I think the only time I had a chance to scream at the game in that quarter was when Teague got fouled by Pierce in the third, and I wanted Pierce thrown out. Such was the absolute and total collapse we saw in the third. Unreal.
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:09 am
what eight years in the league and he still cant go right. he cant post up. trade him.
he has zero post up game.
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:15 am
keep shooting josh.
High-sider
January 6th, 2013
12:16 am
Hawks need to watch the Clippers to see how to put a team away after gaining a big lead in the first half.
http://www.nba.com/games/20130105/GSWLAC/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpgt0021200498
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:20 am
what that jackarse countunues to shoot.
Nate ArchiBALL
January 6th, 2013
12:21 am
Tales of two halves…..
Al played 19:53 minutes in the first half and was 2 of 6 from the field for 4 points. Al played 20 plus minutes in the second half and was 0 for 2 from the field and 2 of 2 from the FT line for 2 points
Lou played 20 minutes in the first half and was 8 of 9 from the field and 1 of 2 from the FT line for 21 points
Lou played 20 minutes in the second half and was 1 of 3 from the field and 4 of 4 from the FT line for 7 points
Jeff played 20 minutes in the first half and shot 6 of 11 from the field with 0 FT’s for 13 points
Jeff played 20 minutes in the second half and shot 1 of 3 from the field and 2 of 2 from the FT line for 4 points
Question – did they pass up shots or was the Celts defense that good?
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:29 am
4-18 keep shooting josh.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed amid the chaos of a fire drill amidst a horde 0` nekkid
fat girls wearin` high heels on egg shells fightin` over a hawg trough full 0f
pork & beans.
Rusty
January 6th, 2013
12:41 am
Josh actually believes he is a shooter & Larry encourages him.
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
12:48 am
I am no basketball expert, but (imo) the Hawks 3 biggest problems are (in no particular order);
1) We need a SF who can defend. How many games have we struggled trying to guard an opposing wing? Korver, Stevenson (who can’t play back to back games and is undersized for a SF, and Morrow cannot get it done defensively).
2) We are too dependent on 3 point shooting. 10-29 from 3 today (35%, but missed 19 of them – which is exactly what we shot against the Pistons last night). When we make 3’s, we win. When we don’t, we lose, especially since we still shoot a lot of 3’s regardless of whether we are making it or not.
3) Rebounding. Celtics are 30th in the league in rebounding, but yet they were +12 tonight. Josh and Al are inconsistent on the glass, and except for Zaza (and Ivan when he gets minutes), noone else rebounds.
uga-brave
January 6th, 2013
12:55 am
josh is a shooter. just ask him.
Sameba
January 6th, 2013
12:58 am
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed…
———————————————————————————————–
And when this thing usually happens? Right, when there is NO coaching, as well as no leadership on the floor (in smaller part). Am I right??
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
12:59 am
Buddy,
Your article was a good read. But I am not giving up a 1st round pick for D-Will2. He is a tweener forward, and I don’t want any tweeners. We need a legit SF.
Slim,
28 and 11 for Cousins tonight. Dude is balling, and has been doing better keeping his head in the game. In his last 10 games, he is averaging 17 and 12.
Ken S,
What do you think of the trade I proposed yesterday? Al and a first round pick for Tyreke Evans (whose $5+ mil contract is expiring), Travis Outlaw (2 years, $6 mil remaining after this year), and Cousins (22 years old, cheap, and has potential to be a top 5 center?
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
1:01 am
And LD can say what we wants, but this Hawks team is soft (except for Ivan, Zaza and Stevenson) imo. Maybe LD needs to show them the tape of the game Sir Charles called last year
O'Brien
January 6th, 2013
1:07 am
And as Najeh mentioned, since Lou was inserted into the starting lineup, there is a negative trend. Our bench scoring has been inconsistent (and downright terrible at times).
I think LD needs to move him back to the bench. I also think that will help Teague’s game
bbfan
January 6th, 2013
1:24 am
Yall can whine, moan, fire LD all you want……I predicted the Hawks would struggle to win 30 games this year, hell !! I’m playing with house money
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
1:35 am
Sameba
You are correct sir.
No leadership on the floor:
going backwards;
whomever the team leader is suppoed to be = no one.
pg = ain`t got one
HC = dandy asst coach, sittin` in the 1st chair
Danny Ferry = The Right Man ! [in my humble opinion]
-&-
He`ll get it right … in due time.
_____________________________________________
Tonight shows us all – we are closer to a disaster
-than-
to a Championship.
Tonite was not a mirage – I fear that [was / is] who we really are !
____________________________________________
We have some guys who are capable of playing
-Championship Basketball-
as pieces of the bigger puzzle.
Then we have others who may or may not be an all-star
but are not cut from Championship timber.
There is a difference in an all-star and a Champion.
_____________________________________________
How dare Dwight call out Kobe ?
Even if he`s right he hasn`t earned the right.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
1:40 am
I really like Jeff teague – the person.
I, however, do not think JTeague will ever be a Championship pg.
A nice player and a good kid with some skills. period.
And then – ther`s Josh ?
W.R. Terrell
January 6th, 2013
1:57 am
The truth is the light and we got blinded tonight. I would ask that folks give Al a break, he’s a PF playing against longer, stronger and taller bigs on a nightly basis and fairs decently. Marvin Williams game was ruined because he yielded to ISO Joe and Launch pad Josh and JT’s game is suffering from yielding to Josh. DF is smart and the HAWKS have monies and draft picks, next year will be better but forget the playoffs for this year. I think we will wind up in the lotto. Josh will be leaving and the end to dead weight will be finalized. There is no reason for DF to make a sudden move. Patience folks and please forget the head case D. Cousins, the HAWKS do not need that kind of distraction. Dwight Howard will be in Atlanta because the HAWKS have the funds and a solid nucleus of players and enough monies to add a few extra talented pieces. We will not make the playoffs and that’s a good thing, I see lotto pick in the horizon. Josh and LD will be gone soon and that will be the end of dead weight.
Sr
January 6th, 2013
2:02 am
Enter your comments here
Sr
January 6th, 2013
2:06 am
Oh come on, the Hawks???!! Do they even field a team anymore?? The same ol cupcakes who have always been cupcakes and still are. Can’t board, can’t shoot and can’t beat anybody of consequence. As irrelevant as ever and still don’t even have a real coach. Who would spend real money to watch this boring group???
DawgNole
January 6th, 2013
2:16 am
Vivlamore: “They could have served notice to the nemesis Celtics that they are that team anymore. The team the Celtics have owned in recent years.”
“. . . that they ARE that team anymore”??? What?!
C’mon, CV, you can do better.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
January 6th, 2013
3:13 am
*Yawn*
You can’t expect energy when your playing folks 40 minutes a game.
Johnny
January 6th, 2013
5:04 am
When we lost Kyle, we lost this game. Absolutly no off ball movement without him. Poor shot selection.
Btw. How about a solid SF?! Tired of seeing our guards trying to defend opposite strong SF.
vava74
January 6th, 2013
5:23 am
Didn’t watch the game, but the wheels on LD’s little go-kart are coming off, as I had mentioned a few weeks ago, just when this 6 win – 6 losses period started.
LD has ZERO ability to plan and adjust match ups.
The other night, in HOU, when we got within 5 and HOU brought in the starters, he kept the reserves and the game went out of hand again.
He is under-utilizing Zaza and Ivan in games where we NEED TO GO BIG.
Zaza loves playing Garnett and LD pulls his rug and plays him 12 minutes, an amount which typically can’t get him going.
On Ivan, I simply do not have to say nothing. It’s there to any blind man to see.
Rookie of the month in April 2012, starting and going against All-Star players AND getting it done.
Don’t question LD’s X’s and O’s and the ability to use them out of time outs but he is consistently and easily out coached during games.
Ken Norman
January 6th, 2013
6:02 am
I’m sick of people making excuses for Al Horford, about how he gives up size every night. Al Horford is listed as 6′10 250 pounds. I don’t here Golden State fans saying that about David Lee who is listed as 6′9 240. Alonzo Mourning was listed as 6′10 260 and I never heard him complaining about playing in the post against bigger and better centers. It’s all about playing with a mentality that you can get it done in the post, and Al and Josh don’t have that mentality.
Ken Norman
January 6th, 2013
6:03 am
Correction hear
Brian
January 6th, 2013
6:44 am
Josh Smith has taken 70 more shots than anyone else on the roster…really…that’s our offensive strategy to literally run the offense through JS…he also shares the lead in turnovers with his boy protege Teague…make no mistake this is not Larry Drew’s team…it’s Josh Smith’s team…just observe the flow of the game…it runs through Josh “freakin’ moody I’ll play when I feel like it” Smith!!!
CamiloAtlanta
January 6th, 2013
7:38 am
This Hawks team stinks recently. It’s true, that we’re too small and a lot of people said we’d start to break down as the season wears on. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks sank to below .500 and out of the playoffs. Might be a good thing to get to the lottery and rebuild rather than try to compete this year.
Just Joe
January 6th, 2013
7:42 am
Didn’t watch the game, but it appears that the Celtics completely dictated the pace of the game. Hawks got off 68 FGA’s compared to a season avg of 81 shots a game (and right on their avg of 19 free throws per game). Hawks only had 14 fast break points. Hawks had 18 turnovers compared to 18 assists. The 16 offensive rebounds to Boston is a complete embarrassment.
This kind of offensive output is what worries me about LD’s offense in the playoffs. When teams pick up their defense, maybe calls don’t go our way, or whatever, this offense has a tendency to slow down. Guys don’t set their picks as clean. Guys don’t cut to the basket as hard or as often. All you get is the ball passed around the perimeter until someone takes a long jumper or turns the ball over (which is more likely with more touches).
I think this team is missing 3 pieces: a coach with different offensive/defensive philosophies, a low post player to dump the ball in to 20 times per game, and a leader at the PG position that can execute the game plan. LD, Teague, and one of Al/Josh needs to go IMO for us to take the next step.
steve brown
January 6th, 2013
7:58 am
Where did the Josh Smith fan club go? Where are the excuses you make for the man child? As I predicted and feared his trade value will continue to decline with each game. My greater fear is signing Josh to a long term deal for big money and have to watch this garbage for 4 or 5 more years.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
8:25 am
Nique said in first half that we are no longer scared of the Celtics.
SMGMFHFFSROTFLMAOLOL
W.R. Terrell
January 6th, 2013
8:27 am
DF will not resign the “Smoove” he has good common sense. Your fear of his trade value is probably correct. Al the man-child will get better when the “Smoove” is gone, fans who dislike him now will love him next year. No one is making excuses for Al but double/doubles on a fairly consistent basis is pretty damn good along with point production at a decent percentage. A good coach will enhance Al’s game.
ignition
January 6th, 2013
8:32 am
I’ve never been more EMBARRASSED & ANGRY as an Atlanta sports fan at our own fanbase. What happened in Phillips Arena is a Shame and Disgusting. Completely Embarrassed !!!!!
Your own stadium sounds like a road game Disgusting..
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
8:41 am
“Tonight shows us all – we are closer to a disaster
-than-
to a Championship.
Tonite was not a mirage – I fear that [was / is] who we really are !” Gdad
So true Grandad.. Al,Josh, and Teague are decent players. Closers not even close..
“This kind of offensive output is what worries me about LD’s offense in the playoffs. When teams pick up their defense, maybe calls don’t go our way, or whatever, this offense has a tendency to slow down. Guys don’t set their picks as clean. Guys don’t cut to the basket as hard or as often. All you get is the ball passed around the perimeter until someone takes a long jumper or turns the ball over (which is more likely with more touches).” JustJoe
JustJoe, I’m calling out the these Lazy Bigs who are overrated..That was a playoff type of game last night and our Bigs were carried by the guards in the 1st half. 2nd half it was time for the Bigs to step up and carry the team and on que they failed miserably..
The reason why they failed is for lack of championship caliber skills..These overrated Bigs have no post game to go to in the crunch..They are essentially useless if their jumpers aren’t falling..
For the fans to call them out for being intimidated by the opposition is beyond embarrassing to this organization..Danny, last night your franchise showed why they cant fill up Phillips Arena on a nightly basis.. Your team is nothing but a pretender…Not going to waste money to watch that garbage you put on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep scratching your head why you cant pack the house..Your lousy Bigs will make sure it stays that way…
OB, your trade proposal: Al Horford for DeMarcus Cousins looks better and better everyday..
O'brien
January 6th, 2013
8:44 am
big Ray in and out with some heavy hits.
G’dad,
I don’t remember who said it some time ago (AJ maybe), but Teague may be suited for the role of scoring PG off the bench. That way, he doesn’t have to be a leader (the starting PG will be), and should be able to run the second unit, while getting his shots off (going up against bench players). He doesn’t seem to have the personality needed to effectively lead/run a team of veteran starters.
He is still young though, so there is time to turn him around.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
8:45 am
Josh[improved shot],DeMarcus Cousins,D12= Championship caliber run for the next several years..
They would obliterate the Knicks and Miami..
LET-THE-NERDS-H8
January 6th, 2013
8:52 am
i dont want to hear about Al not being tall enough at 6′10 or whatever his height is.. How tall was Barkley how tall was Ben Wallace???? f*ch it Rondo had 11 rebounds… its about hustle and balls!!!! height just makes it easier sometimes!!! Al doesnt have balls
Jody
January 6th, 2013
8:59 am
After 9 years, Josh’s shot is not going to improve and he and Cousins together are not a championship caliber front court.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
9:07 am
With LD its obvious that Josh and Demarcus would not be championship caliber players..
Bring in a Brian Shaw and that triangle offense? Now your talking….
Mookie Blaylock
January 6th, 2013
10:04 am
Missed the game…looks like what I ALWAYS say held true again. Al and Josh exposed for the frauds they are.
Positive Thinker
January 6th, 2013
10:14 am
I’m obviously not the only one wondering why adjustments were not made by the time Korver had his 4th foul…..Korver worked his butt off trying to contain Pierce but being Pierce…he knows how to draw the fouls….the lack of rotating defense took Korver out of the game …..another glaring observation…..Lou starting keeps Teague from being aggressive and Korver never gets his shots off cus Lou does all the shooting….seems smarter to get the others going first then bring Lou in to spark the offense later in the lst quarter or 2nd quarter.
Ken Strickland
January 6th, 2013
10:33 am
Teams are starting to take advantage of our lack of rebounding and our issues at SF. Drew gave Boston an even bigger advantage by refusing to play one of our best rebounders, defenders, and physical players, IJohnson, more than token mins.
kojak
January 6th, 2013
10:39 am
Trade Josh Now.
I did not see game but let me guess—Josh loafs down court, Josh hangs out on perimeter, Josh jacks up a 3, Josh does well in post but never goes back, Josh whines to official because HE sucks
"E" from Riverdale
January 6th, 2013
11:02 am
Higher-slider you are so right I hate t admit it but the Hwaksmight be better off without Josh Smith. Josh seems to get further and further away from the game of basketball each season instead of getting better. The bad part is the head coach allows him to keep doing the same dumb A$$ thing and that is keeping shooting 3 ponters and jump shots. Al is starting to trend towards that too. The Hawks are never in the bonus because they never attack the opposing teas bigs in the paint. This team has zero low post presence and other head coaches in the league have started to use this against the Hawks with no correction from Drew.
The Hawks either have a lead and then Josh will throw up 3 to five bad shots back to back and Drew ets him stay in the game and continue this stupidity. But in the mean time the oppossing team is either building a lead or cutting in to the Hwaks lead.
prison mike
January 6th, 2013
11:08 am
That was a rough 2nd half. I had to take the Celts +5 this game…
They were full strength and we are not. We need to make a moderate sized trade involving Korver or Morrow for more rebounding and/or defense. We get healthy and make a smart trade and we beat these dudes in the playoffs. I hated the Pierce – Korver, we lose this matchup by wide margins every time.
Rusty
January 6th, 2013
11:11 am
JT wii never play up to his capability under LD. This team will fail with his scheme of play & with his erratic substitution employments.
kwooden
January 6th, 2013
11:23 am
What I say in this game is the same things that we’ve talked about all season, we’re a team that can’t get stops when we need to and we depend on the 3 to win games! Hopefully this is a wake-up call to LD, Josh and Al. LD needs to find a better defensive 5 man group in his rotation, that he can use when we need to get stops. Josh and Al need to attack the basketball and MAKE their FREE-THROWS! We have enough shooters to win against anybody if we’re shooting around 40%, but once we go below that we’re in trouble because we can’t really stop anybody. (I don’t care what the #s say!) I think it is good though, that LD is calling out the guys because they can up weak last night. It might help them attack the basket more and concentrate more at the line. But its not going to make up for their defensive weakness at SF, even though Korver is playing better defensive than I thought he could.
GO HAWKS!!
keith
January 6th, 2013
11:30 am
Monumental Massive Meltdown in the “Highlight Factory”
After watching the “Meltdown” from start to finish last night, I am more convince now than ever, we have to go in a different direction. The nice guy approach is fine, HOWEVER, you have to have leaders on your Basketball team who are not “Afraid” of the moment…
Combined, we have $25 million dollars tied up in Josh Smith and Al Horford. If I am the Ownership Group, I know that I should be getting more form my investment, more from my players, and more from my organization…
Problem Solving 101 fellow Bloggers.. (1)You define the Problem (2) You analyze the problem (3) You select possible Solutions (4) You choose the Best Solution.
Moving Forward, after watching this same act from our “leadership”, I have to painfully admit that the time has come for a (1) New Head Coach (2) New Starting Center (3) New Starting Power Forward.
Finally, i am more in favor of bringing in youth via the draft and free agency..No more quick fixes with “Over the hill” veterans. SEE THE OKC Thunder Template to success!!! GO HAWKS!!!
Atlhawksfan
January 6th, 2013
11:44 am
I have been reading a lot of the posts here and many of you guys have very valid points. I have been to every home game this season and I have never heard the philipsnarena get so load this season, only problem is the cheers were for the Celtics. This game was like a road game for the hawks!!! The whole arena was full of celtics fans wearing green chanting lets go celtics. True the hawks didn’t play with energy were soft etc. but where are the fans? Where is home field advantage? We also as fans got b**ch slapped by the celtics fans.
2 FOR JOHN DREW
January 6th, 2013
11:57 am
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
12:32 am
That was the most total mish mash of an assinine (sp) squid on ice
garbage dump fire with rats chasin` cats chasin` dawgs runnin rabbits
while some come a runnin` and some run a comin` unglued at the seams
of anarchy unleashed amid the chaos of a fire drill amidst a horde 0` nekkid
fat girls wearin` high heels on egg shells fightin` over a hawg trough full 0f
pork & beans ———————————————————————————————————————————————–Stay tuned for the next ….. ” GRANDAD’S GONE WILD ” ….. lol
cp
January 6th, 2013
12:01 pm
Where are all these championship quality pg’s that you guys keep bringing up? Out of all the elite pg’s, none are available, wont come here if they were, or havent even won a championship themselves. Out of all the elite pg’s Rondo might be the only one with a ring. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong on Rondo being the only elite pg with a ring so far. Our bigs wet the bed last night yet we are talking about trading or moving the starting pg to the bench. Pg is the least of the Hawks worries.
This team has no balance just like it hasn’t in the past 5 years plus. We dont have a sf, a coach who continues to let certain players do whatever they want to do on the court, a coach who still cant find ways to give Zaza and Ivan consistent minutes even when its clear we need their toughness and rebounding. You cats can keep bringing up all these ‘championship quality pg” that wont be available while others can see more pressing issues.
cp
January 6th, 2013
12:03 pm
And for the record if we can get an upgrade at pg I’m all for it but I don’t see anyway we can. Cp3 is not leaving the Clippers. Rondo is not available and the other elite guys are locked into contracts and I dont see them being moved anytime soon.
jo
January 6th, 2013
12:18 pm
sorry but the refs did have something to do with this game. everytime the hawks started to stop the celtics momentum there were bad calls, 99% in favor of the Celtics. Yes the Hawks could have should have played better. However without all of dozens of questionable calls, the Hawks still would have won this game. Having said that we need Korver on the floor as this is when the Hawks are scoring and feeding off each other. I do wish Josh was consistent….but dont see that hapening.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:22 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND (HE IS STILL AFFILIATED WITH THE FRANCHISE)
FIRE WOODY
REHIRE WEISS
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:26 pm
KG SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR TRYING TO KICK ZAZA ON THAT LOOSE BALL FALL BY THE CELTICS BENCH. HE INTENTIONALLY TRIED TO KICK ZAZA. HOW IS THIS ANY BETTER THAN ELBOWING SOMEONE/ATTEMPTING TO ELBOW/KICKING SOMEONE IN THE NUTS
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:26 pm
AL HORFORD LOOKED WEAK AND INEFFECTIVE LAST NIGHT….JOSH SMITH WAS, WELL, JUST PLAIN JOSH….JEFF TEAGUE, WAS A DEAR IN HEADLIGHTS…
(1) Heart
(2) Brain
(3) Courage
Characteristics that are needed most by these 3 STOOGES…..
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:27 pm
*FOUL
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
12:28 pm
“Moving Forward, after watching this same act from our “leadership”, I have to painfully admit that the time has come for a (1) New Head Coach (2) New Starting Center (3) New Starting Power Forward.”
These three amigos will keep the streak alive for this Franchise..
46 years and counting…
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
12:30 pm
Talent is #1 problem
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:31 pm
Package D. Harris and Morrow for a freaking SF.
We have no wings on this team. Kyle korver is what we got, and DeShawn can’t guard anyone anymore. No, he is not good defensively ANYMORE, despite people who claim he is a great defender.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 6th, 2013
12:35 pm
LD, CAN YOU CALL OUT JOSH SMITH PLEASE?
OR WILL EVERY CALL-OUT BE ON JEFF TEAGUE
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
January 6th, 2013
12:47 pm
“JEFF TEAGUE, WAS A DEAR IN HEADLIGHTS…”
Who knew that Teague was so “dear” to keith?
brigadierjerry
January 6th, 2013
12:48 pm
Grandad and others may be right about Teague. I like Teague. I am not sure if he is a leader. I think he fears Josh. It would be interesting if Josh wasnt on the team how Teague would play. I think if LD doenst get to second round or have a strong showing getting to a 6th or 7th game in second round, LD will not be back
LD not really playing Ivan or Zaza is baffling. Hawks are in a tough spot going forward.They will have a lot of cap space but I definetely do not see Cp3 coming here. The Clippers are playing really well. Also I would like to see Dwight Howard come to atlanta and take a pay cut I dont see it. He can get one less year here then he would if he resigns in LA. It is similar to Deron Williams would been out of 20 million if he left for Dallas and not resign in Brooklyn.
I do think at the end of the year if none of the major free agents come I kind of would like the team to become somewhat of a balanced team attack and build the team similar to how Denver is.
I understand that DF wants to build the team similar to San Antonio is built but the problem is the Hawks do not have Tim Duncan and their isnt one in the draft.
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:49 pm
The Boston Celtics, currently 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, came into this game with a record of 15-17. The average age of the Celtic’s starters, are over 30 years of age.
Who’s closer to the 3 seed and who’s closer to being an 8th seed???
Going forward, who will advance farther or deeper in the playoffs???
What’s the problem with records and numbers???
keith
January 6th, 2013
12:56 pm
Maybe, Once Ray Lewis, AKA, Ray-Ray, is done, he can come here to Atlanta and light a fire under some of our “Soft A_ _ Bigs.” Lord knows they need someone to fire them up!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
1:15 pm
Some good news: apparently the Hawks have the right to swap 2014 and 2015 first round picks with Brooklyn as a result of the Joe Johnson trade. Don’t know if that was previously reported or not, but I don’t remember hearing about it.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:16 pm
These Bigs do not possess ECF/Champioship NBA skills…
D-Legaue? Yes…
Dismantle this front line yesterday….
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
1:17 pm
In other news, Zaza’s free agent stock is rising according to Hoopsworld.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:18 pm
Championship*
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:22 pm
Hawk Fans let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in watching “good” basketball, then believe also in “The Truth”
Give Doc and the Celtics some credit, their defense against the Hawks was a masterpiece. After being thoroughly beaten in the first-half, Doc sized-up the Hawks and made “military-like” defensive adjustments. He targeted the biggest threats on the Hawks team and neutralized them or took them out.
Jeff Teague – Dribble Penetration threat was neutralized by corralling him with a “roving wall” and daring him to shoot perimeter jumpers which he had loss confidence after applying amped-up “aggressive” pressure (Celtic style)
Lou William – The biggest scoring threat was neutralized by crowding him with “long” multiple defenders who cheated on defense. The cheating defender was often guarding Josh.
Kyle Korver – The biggest “3-ball” threat was removed by getting him in foul trouble as Paul Pierce (as always) worked the refs.
Al Horford – A big internal threat was neutralized by physically and mentally roughing him up and allowing him no space to “pop” or maneuver inside.
Josh Smith – Another internal threat was neutralized by simply “baiting” him (by leaving him wide open from the perimeter) to shoot jumpers. They would give him space from the perimeter but crowd him in the paint. Josh may be concerned an athletic sensation but his not clutch and the Doc knows it. The more the Hawks decline in desperate, the more Josh makes it worse with his “me-ball” one-on-one plays.
As usual LD preached a good “post-game sermon” about the Hawks being soft as if he was fully aware of the situation in “real-time” but his actions in “real-time” suggested he was clueless with his rotation. He should know “by now” who his “tough guys” are on the roster (that being Ivan and Zaza) and they were not in the lineup when it mattered in the 2nd half.
So as usual, LD says one thing but does the opposite; throwing his team under the bus in public may backfire on him if his team does not respond.
Slimjr
January 6th, 2013
1:29 pm
“As usual LD preached a good “post-game sermon” about the Hawks being soft as if he was fully aware of the situation in “real-time” but his actions in “real-time” suggested he was clueless with his rotation. He should know “by now” who his “tough guys” are on the roster (that being Ivan and Zaza) and they were not in the lineup when it mattered in the 2nd half.” The Truth
So Larry is part of the problem and not [The Solution]…
The Playoffs will expose him again.. Or should I say Doc will expose him again..
Brian Shaw Brian Shaw Brian Shaw Brian Shaw
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:31 pm
“Josh may be considered an athletic sensation but his not clutch and the Doc knows it. The more the Hawks decline in desperation, the more Josh makes it worse with his “me-ball” one-on-one plays.”
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
1:37 pm
“So Larry is part of the problem and not [The Solution]…” – slimjr
Yes Slimjr that is “The Truth” as it is coming to light. The PR spin to actually fire him will be made easier if we tank rapidly.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
1:47 pm
First off I am very disappointed in the Hawks lost. As fans we would like for our team to go undefeated in the regualar season at 82-0;and undefeated in the playoffs 16-0 and be crowned champions at the end. Not realistic and will never happen even to the best of teams. So with that being said the hawks are 20-12, and 3rd in the east. People expectations around this blog is way off the charts for this team. You act as if this is a constructed championship team, it is not. Stop expecting the hawks to win every game, because they are going to lose at least 20 more. And if they do lose 20 more their record at the end of the season will be 50-32, and probably still a 3rd seed. what an accomplishment for a team slated not to make the playoffs. You guys need to temper your expectations of this team and be more realistic about what they can accomplish.
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
2:02 pm
I see the media is pouncing after that Celtics loss:
“Atlanta? I’m not buying Atlanta. Dwight didn’t want anything to do with his hometown when he was looking for a door out of Orlando. The Hawks were not on his list of preferred big-market destinations. To recap: Howard’s original list was topped by the Brooklyn Nets and then Dallas and L.A , or L.A. and Dallas.” – Orlando Sentinel
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:05 pm
Now a couple of things as far as the lost to the celtics last night. LD is correct this team is a bit soft. You do not build a 19 point cushion and then at the sign of some adversity fall apart. To me that showed not heart and a willingness not to fight but give up. A good analogy is when the bully on the playground hits you, you etiher run the other way when you see him coming, or tell the teacher, but the bully does not stop bulling until a group of people get together and stand up to him, that is when he backs down. The Hawks did not rally around each other and stand up to the bullying celtics. If they had the celtics would have backed down. When you set a screen you set a harder screen to make them feel it. when you cut off a screen you cut harder and sharper. When you drive the basketball go hard, you are going to get file but do not be afraid of the contact because you are going to get it, and it is going to be hard, accept it and go to the foul line and knock down your foul shots. This is how you shed the label of being soft. It is just having more heart and being more physical and not afraid of putting your body on the line. This is what these hawks need to learn to be a better team. And when you have a 19 point lead you have to have the mentality to want to push to 30 not to relax and say if they make a couple of baskets we still got a 10 point lead, becaause if you are not making shots to maintain the lead the momentum swithches and you start to get tight and feel pressure. These hawks have a lot to learn about the mental aspect of the game, it is not the physical tools that they do not have, it is the mental aspect.
The Truth
January 6th, 2013
2:09 pm
“And if they do lose 20 more their record at the end of the season will be 50-32, and probably still a 3rd seed.” – ejh
Based on the way they were constructed, it is better for them not to be 3rd seed. It is likely better for them to be a 6-8 seed and come into the playoff as the underdog with low expectation.
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
2:11 pm
ejh
” You guys need to temper your expectations of this team
and be more realistic about what they can accomplish ”
I try very hard to do as much. … G`Dad
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
ejh
January 6th, 2013
2:23 pm
Given the hawks personell situation with so many injuries; Larry Drew who I think is a top ten coach in this league, needs to look at changing the lineup with the injuries and now maybe even more with a declining Stephenson. Last night you got hardly any bench scoring. Lou needs to go back to the bench, to help that, and maybe even kyle Korver needs to help off the bench. Moving Jenkins into the starting lineup will help his confindence and Teague does not have to defer to lou so much on the offensive end. Plus we do not have a backup point guard at this moment and these guys are now having to log heavy minutes. Lou can help at point coming off the bench at PG and Korver at SG. The projected starting lineup should be: Teague, Jenkins, Smith, Horford, ZsaZsa. If you do not want to use ZsaZsa in the starting lineup because there is not Center off the bench that you can depend on then either put Ivan or Tolliver in the starting lineup; Then go with; teague PG; Jenkins SG, Tolliver SF, Josh at PF Al at Center. Then go with Lou at PG Stephenson at SG Korver at SF and Ivan at PF and ZsaZsa at center. This would then keep the starters fresh and would keep scoring up coming off the bench. These adjustments should be made going forward until enough healthy bodies in Harris and Morrow are back.
Ignition
January 6th, 2013
2:25 pm
Teams Lose Games
I’m not upset with the Team as much as am ANGER at an apathetic fan base that allowed the Celtics to have a home game in Atlanta. It completely tapped TE energy away from the Hawks last night it was Horrible and EMBARRASING .. With all the flaws the Hawks were still on contention to win that game except they didnt have home court advantage last night .. Disgusting
Grandad
January 6th, 2013
2:26 pm
Slim the jr
Trust me on this:::
We want No part of the ” TriangleOffense ” !
Brian Shaw may very well be an excellent coach;
but it he is tied to thr [Tri Off] then No, I repeat No.
The Triangle is predicated on having at least “1″ SuperDuperStar
on the perimeter that can score [get his own shot] in isolation.
*think MJ, Kobe, [of course] or even Melo.
Also his SDS needs a *2nd superstar or a:
“Robin to play off the # 1`s Batman” preferrably a scoring post.
Triangle is a mis-nomer;
in that all the triangle means is the geometry of spacing
within the offense.
It really has nothing to do with “triple post” as some think.
I think BShaw has had difficulty landing a job for this reason:
the perception, real or non, that he is a Triangle advocate.
The Triangle works really well with really Great players !
SteveW
January 6th, 2013
2:41 pm
Najeh – buddy and I went on about the 1st pick swaps with the nets a couple of days ago.
bfatt
January 6th, 2013
2:54 pm
Josh and teague too dallas for dirk
keith
January 6th, 2013
2:59 pm
I like the potential of this kid Anthony Bennett. He may be available when we pick…He is a taller version of Charles Barkley….same skill-set.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 6th, 2013
3:02 pm
“I’m not upset with the Team as much as am ANGER at an apathetic fan base that allowed the Celtics to have a home game in Atlanta. It completely tapped TE energy away from the Hawks last night it was Horrible and EMBARRASING”
What is this fan base supposed to be excited about? The Celtics have 27 championships. The Hawks have never been to an Eastern Conference Finals. Maybe if the Hawks had done more over their history to get fans on their side, more ATLiens would care about the Hawks and more carpetbaggers would have abandoned their old team.
Big Ray
January 6th, 2013
3:10 pm
O’Brien,
I can see Teague in that role. He just isn’t a leader right now, maybe he never will be.
Your trade proposals make some sense. …
Big Ray
January 6th, 2013
3:14 pm
We have a guy on the sidelines that is lacking.
We have no real floor leaders, just some guys named as team captains.
Our most talented players are mentally soft (Al) or mentally unfocused (Josh). Ready for a trade. There is no one on this roster that you can “build around.”
Chris Vivlamore
January 6th, 2013
3:20 pm
Fair warning. New blog to be posted soon.
SteveW
January 6th, 2013
3:32 pm
Rondo and pp killed us, Bottomline. Basically no answer for pp.
Play Ivan more!
January 6th, 2013
3:39 pm
Horford basically is a choirboy out there. Celtics kicked sand in the face of the Hawks. Solution: Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! Play Ivan more! And also play Zaza! Zaza! Zaza! Those 2 guys are Hawks’ only physcal guys. They don’t play; Hawks beat no physical teams. Drew is to blame for this game!!
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