Atlanta Hawks: Cavaliers 99, Hawks 83 (updated)

Vivlamore reporting.

CLEVELAND — Once again the Hawks dug themselves too deep a hole.

This is becoming a bad trend – a very bad trend.

After falling behind by 19 points, the Hawks staggered home on a four-game losing streak following Wednesday’s 99-83 loss to the injury-riddled Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Hawks (20-14) have lost five of their past six. Their latest defeat came one day after the fell behind by 17 points at the Timberwolves before a furious comeback fell short. Their third-place standing in the Eastern Conference is gone. They have lost two games since having a team meeting aimed at resolving their issues of late.

Coach Larry Drew adjusted his lineup, starting Zaza Pachulia at center, but perhaps more changes are in store for the struggling Hawks.

“I’m a little concerned,” Drew said. “Anytime you go through a little bump in the road you have to look at your team, look at what you are doing and try to find some answers. We go home now and (Thursday) is a day where we are going to have to look for some answers. Maybe I need to shake up the lineup a little more. Maybe I need to do some things differently. I’ve got to do something to get this team jump started again and I will.”

The Cavaliers (9-28) won the season series against the Hawks (2-1) despite missing four players – Anderson Varejao (knee surgery), C.J. Miles (back), Daniel Gibson (concussion) and Luke Walton (personal). The margin of victory was easily the biggest of the season.

Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 33 points, 18 in the third quarter, to lead the Cavaliers. Cleveland now has just one home victory in each month of the season. Their last home victory came Dec. 11 against the Lakers.

“It’s just bad that on the streak we are going he had to have a game like that against us,” Josh Smith said of Irving.

Smith had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks. He missed two free throws with five minutes remaining, one an air ball, that punctuated the loss for the Hawks. Jeff Teague finished with 15 points.

“Right now things are going too well for us,” Smith said. “We understand that. … It’s a marathon not a sprint. You are going to have stretches like this during the season. I’m just hope it’s earlier rather than later.”

The Hawks erased a nine-point halftime deficit by starting the third quarter on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 51-51. Teague scored seven of the points in the run. Up to that point, Teague had seven points and seven fouls in the past one and a half games. The rally was short-lived as the Cavaliers answered with an 11-2 run of their own.

By the end of the quarter the Cavaliers held a 14-point advantage thanks to Irving, who scored his team’s last 12.

The Cavaliers took a 49-40 into halftime as the Hawks struggled from the field in the second quarter. The Hawks shot just 22.7 percent (5 of 22) and scored just 12 points in the period. Smith and Al Horford were each 1 of 6.

“It’s hard to fall behind like that,” Horford said. “I think that for some reason or another we have really low energy as a team. I think we spend too much time trying to fight back. I don’t think it has anything to do with anything that we are doing wrong. I just think the energy is not all there. It has to be all there. All of us have to be doing it together and that’s not the case.”

The Hawks shot 68.4 percent (13 of 19) in the opening quarter. They still trailed by a point, 29-28, as seven of the Cavaliers’ 11 field goals were 3-pointers. The final long-range shot from Irving came at the first-quarter buzzer.

The Hawks attempted just five free throws in the game, making two. Drew said once again his team settled for too many jump shots.

- Chris Vivlamore

LATEST NEWS

* Drew shakes things up with bigger lineup

* Timberwolves 108, Hawks 103

* Morrow out vs. T’Wolves with back stiffness

* Ferry fined $15,000 by NBA

* Stevenson weighs in on back-to-backs situation

* Celtics 89, Hawks 81

* Stevenson needs medical clearance to play back-t0-back

* Pistons 85, Hawks 84

* Hawks wary of Pistons’ bench

* Rematch with Pistons awaits

* Williams to remain in starting lineup

* Behind the scenes photo gallery

* Drew named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @AJCHAWKS

134 comments Add your comment

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
9:04 pm

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:04 pm

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
9:04 pm

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:05 pm

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:05 pm

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:05 pm

DAMN, the game is still being played!

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
9:06 pm

At least I was “first” tonight. That’s about the only thing positive I can come up with.

cp

January 9th, 2013
9:06 pm

Our all star big only had 4 boards, no production from the bench, only 5 free throw attempts but Im sure most of the comments will be to trade Josh and Teague. These two get more criticism than any other players on the team it seems. And as much as people get on Teague about his defense, Lou got destroyed out there tonight and it didnt matter who he was guarding.

Mookie Blaylock

January 9th, 2013
9:07 pm

illuminati sh*t right here…..This was posted before the game ended.

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:07 pm

Blowout by the Cavs?

INEXCUSABLE!!!!!

6-8 LAST 14..

YES THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF..FOR SURE!

IT ONLY GETS WORSE…

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:09 pm

Soft Al with 1 foul..

keith

January 9th, 2013
9:09 pm

TIME TO BREAK UP THE REST OF THE REMAINING CORE SCRUBS….

Big Al Jefferson…Paul Milsap…..and Derrick Favors will be in the Highlight factory Friday night to “CRUSH” our Soft A$$ Bigs!!!!

CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nate ArchiBALL

January 9th, 2013
9:10 pm

Cav guards 55 Hawks guards 37

cp

January 9th, 2013
9:10 pm

It needs to be a practice devoted to boxing out and passing the pg the ball on the break.

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:10 pm

cp, I think Al tweeked something after the 1st quarter. If not, then he deserves all the criticism that will surely come his way. But if you wacthed him closely, he wasn’t moving very well during the 2nd half.

Good to see Teague play well. LD showed him some love by keeping him as a starter tonight.

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:11 pm

Their guards were superior

Their Bigs were superior

Game, set, and match..

But it was a MORAL VICTORY right ALLSTAR? zzzzzzzzzzz

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:12 pm

The Hawks are 6-8 in their last 14 games, dating back to December 15.

During that streak, they have scored 96 ppg and have given up 99.1 ppg. They have been outscored on average by 3.1 ppg during that streak.

8 of those 14 games have come against teams that are currently out of the playoffs. They are 4-4 in those games, and 2-4 against teams that are currently in the playoffs.

This is worse than just average. This is lottery-caliber right now.

Rev in Tampa

January 9th, 2013
9:13 pm

Its ludicrous to talk about firing Larry Drew only days after being named coach of the month, but it will make me feel better to contemplate it anyway.

Which will get the louder cheer for Danny Ferry from Hawks’ fans:
1. Trading Joe Johnson
2. Trading Marvin Williams
3. Firing Larry Drew

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:13 pm

They don’t count seconds…Technically its tied…

time stamp says 9:04pm

Hehehehehe

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:14 pm

The Hawks’ -3.1 margin over the last 14 games would rank 22nd in the league if it was their season margin, right between the Raptors and the Magic.

Rod from College Park

January 9th, 2013
9:14 pm

“Soft Al with 1 foul..”

LOL. And no free throw attempts.

cp

January 9th, 2013
9:15 pm

Astro maybe he was hurt but he did not do a good job of boxing out at all.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:15 pm

Hawks are the 6th best team in the league at making 3s, and the 3rd worst team at defending the 3. Tonight: Hawks 7/22 (31.8%); Cavs 12/23 (52.2%).

Mookie Blaylock

January 9th, 2013
9:15 pm

4. Getting rid of Josh and Al

keith

January 9th, 2013
9:16 pm

Right Now….as bad as we are playing, the Los Angeles Lakers are probably the only team we could beat…and that’s even iffy…

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:16 pm

I wonder if fans of the Cavs who may have listened to our announcer team were annoyed with ‘Nique’s commentary while the Cavs were dismantling the Hawks?

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:18 pm

The Jazz are on their way to a double digit win over the Bobcats. That will be their first win of the season without Marvin. They are 1-4 without Marvin and will face the Hawks on Friday without him in the lineup.

vic

January 9th, 2013
9:19 pm

Atlanta has the worst coach in the league, and has for the last few years. Nothing will get any better until LD and Josh are out of Atlanta.

Dfan

January 9th, 2013
9:19 pm

Duck Butt gonna drop 30 on the Hawks, then Joe gonna drop 40 on em.

Knicks_Fan_In_Gwinnett

January 9th, 2013
9:19 pm

Talent of Atlanta Rappers > Hawks Basketball

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:19 pm

Not only did Al’s subpar performance not help the Hawks today, but it is also putting a serious damper on my effort to upset Astro Joe’s fantasy team.

Rod from College Park

January 9th, 2013
9:20 pm

“cp, I think Al tweeked something after the 1st quarter. If not, then he deserves all the criticism that will surely come his way. But if you wacthed him closely, he wasn’t moving very well during the 2nd half.”

Interesting. Did not know you worked for the Hawks training staff. LOL.

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:21 pm

cp, yeah, he needs to test to see if LD will still bench him if he gets 2 fouls in the first half (like LD did in Al’s last healthy season).

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
9:21 pm

Talent of Atlanta rappers > all basketball as long as Andre 3000 and Big Boi are still alive.

vava74

January 9th, 2013
9:21 pm

Teague did not play particularly well but he was half decent.

Lou played like crap on both ends and was abused by Irving.

Josh started well when he was playing SF and was working in the post (with some outside shots too) and his block did matter since we got possession on at least 3 of them.

The problem was when he stopped playing to his strengths and got wild.

That happened with Zaza on the bench when LD went small in the second quarter.

Also, if are going to give minutes to JJ2. – which I am all for it – you need to do it with a PG which passes him the ball.

I don’t think Lou has passed the rock to JJ2 more than 3 or 4 times in total…

Al was horrible. Unbearable to watch. Horrible body language, not an ounce of spunk on him.

LouWill83

January 9th, 2013
9:22 pm

Who thinks there might be a chance we wont make the playoffs this year?

vava74

January 9th, 2013
9:22 pm

Good night everyone. 2.22 am over here. Need to get on my feet at 7.30.

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:23 pm

So how come Josh’s air ball FT gets so little mention? Is it because he “tried” to make it? If that was Al, the blog would have erupted, and said LD needs to call Al out on missing FTs.

keith

January 9th, 2013
9:24 pm

http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/6200750

Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow to Denver for Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, and Anthony Randolph……..

Win-win for both Organizations going forward…..

bamaboy

January 9th, 2013
9:25 pm

I seen Al reach and touch a player instead of fouling , look like fighting Irish against bama .Al is soft Jeff is scared Josh is dumb Larry is stupid Al is soft and the hawks is done

LouWill83

January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm

Josh Smtih and Al Horford for Robert Sacre

keith

January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm

GET YOUR POPCORN READY………………

Big Al Jefferson…Paul Milsap…..and Derrick Favors will be in the Highlight factory Friday night to “CRUSH” our Soft A$$ Bigs!!!!

CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm

LOL at Rev!

The Jazz are going to have a tough game against the Hawks at Phillips..

These Hawks are going to make them wish they had called in sick..

I can dream can’t I?

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:26 pm

MsDee,

Not sure if you saw the game, but if you did, you would see Al refuse to step up and challenge shots in the paint, (and he wouldn’t even foul them). Al is playing soft.

vava74

January 9th, 2013
9:27 pm

Still had time to check it:

http://popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20130109&game=ATLCLE

JJ2 only played about 1 minute with Teague. Another great move by LD: pair the defensively challenged rookie with the shoot first and defensively challenged PG (Lou).

Yeah!

Rod from College Park

January 9th, 2013
9:29 pm

“So how come Josh’s air ball FT gets so little mention? Is it because he “tried” to make it? If that was Al, the blog would have erupted, and said LD needs to call Al out on missing FTs.”

Maybe because Al never got to the line.

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:30 pm

Horford had 35 rebounds in the 3 games prior to this one, where he produced 5. And he shot a couple of air balls, which does not happen very often. Again, if he didn’t tweak something and he was just tired, soft or weak… then have at it. i just find it strange that he would go from a ~12 rebound/game average in his last 3 games to suddenly disappearing if it wasn’t a physical issue.

cp

January 9th, 2013
9:31 pm

Yea it seems no matter how much evidence LD has that Lou is better as a scoring guard rather than playing point he still goes with it even with Harris back tonight. Lou’s defense tonight brought back memories of Bibby.

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:33 pm

When woody was here, his plan B was to try harder at plan A. LD’s plan A and and plan B is to play with more energy.

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:33 pm

So the Hawks have fallen to a 5th seed? Chicago and Indiana have past them by.

The Nets are only a half game behind…They are now 6-1 with a 4 game winning streak after jettisoning their Coach[Danny are you paying attention]! Oh Boy!

The Bucks are only 2.5 games behind the Hawks and closing..Just Brutal….

bamaboy

January 9th, 2013
9:35 pm

LD whether hold grudges against players instead of playing them for a win, let them know I’m the man , I’m the man . Please fire him please

cp

January 9th, 2013
9:35 pm

I doubt LD gets fired. I think Ferry will wait until the summer to bring in his guy. Lets just hope it aint Mike Brown

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:35 pm

If LD wants to turn around the team’s fortunes, he needs to shave his eyebrows :smile:

Grandmaster JeJe (GM)

January 9th, 2013
9:36 pm

Its ludicrous to talk about firing Larry Drew only days after being named coach of the month, but it will make me feel better to contemplate it anyway.
*****

Who gives a F about COM?

Avery was just fired
Sam Mitchell was fired after winning COTY
same with Carlisle in Indy I believe

I am so sick and tired of LD

THE ONLY positive thing u can say about him is his plays out of timeouts. There is no motion offense

Al and Smoove can both leave for all I care. Smoove is just as bad as Al

LouWill83

January 9th, 2013
9:38 pm

BRANDONNNNNNNNNN JENNINNNNNNNNNNNNGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS HAHAHAHAHAH MILWAUKEE COMPLETES THE COMEBACKKKK… I JUST CANT STAND THE BULLS THEY WILL STAY AT 19 WINS THIS SEASON THEY WILL NOT CATCH US HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…LISTEN WHAT AM I GONNA DO I GOTTA FIND SOMETHING POSITIVE AFTER THAT STINKER WE PUT UP…BRANDONNNNNNNNN JENINGS THANK U

Astro Joe

January 9th, 2013
9:39 pm

cp, co-sign your 9:35 post.

ejh

January 9th, 2013
9:40 pm

Disapponting loss. As I watched the game this team is just gassed. They are running on fumes right now. This is the third week in a row or in the last 3 1/2 weeks where the hawks have played 4 games in 5 nights. Off tomorrow, but play Friday, Saturday, and Monday, after just playing tuesday and wednesday. The schedule has just caught up to them right now. Other teams will experience the same. Hawks just have to work real hard to find a way to push through it mentally. Do not be suprised if they lose 2 out of the next 3, before maybe winning four or five in a row.

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:40 pm

With Bucks playing the Bulls, one of them will gain a game on the Hawks. I said 6-6 for the last 12 games was a possibility, but I was counting on a win tonight. SMH

At this rate, we could be in 6th place a week from now.

keith

January 9th, 2013
9:41 pm

Will the real Derrick Williams please stand up???

Tonight, “all world” Derrick Williams is 1-7………….2 points…lol

So many Bloggers want to trade for this SCRUB.

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
9:43 pm

With the cheerleader special on, it reminds me of another benefit of Marvin beig gone. We don’t have to watch “at home with Marvin Williams”.

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
9:43 pm

@Slimjr
———————————-
Slimjr
January 9th, 2013
9:13 pm

They don’t count seconds…Technically its tied…

time stamp says 9:04pm

Hehehehehe
——————————————

I don’t care what you say; I’m sorry but I “won” that “photo finish.” [LOL]

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:44 pm

Hawks could fall to a 7th seed by the Allstar break..

Boston is going to catch Atlanta as well as the Nets.

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:45 pm

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:46 pm

Boston is only 3.5 games back..

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
9:47 pm

They will win tonight and cut the Hawks lead to 3 games

Grandmaster JeJe (GM)

January 9th, 2013
9:52 pm

“So how come Josh’s air ball FT gets so little mention? Is it because he “tried” to make it? If that was Al, the blog would have erupted, and said LD needs to call Al out on missing FTs.”

Maybe because Al never got to the line.

***

Maybe you’re forgetting the gazillion free throws Smoove misses in the 4th quarter when they matter down the stretch. Keep hating on Al though. He and Smoove are flawed non-leaders who should be traded

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
9:54 pm

@Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
———————————————————
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
January 9th, 2013
9:36 pm

Its ludicrous to talk about firing Larry Drew only days after being named coach of the month, but it will make me feel better to contemplate it anyway.
*****

Who gives a F about COM?

Avery was just fired
Sam Mitchell was fired after winning COTY
same with Carlisle in Indy I believe

I am so sick and tired of LD

THE ONLY positive thing u can say about him is his plays out of timeouts. There is no motion offense

Al and Smoove can both leave for all I care. Smoove is just as bad as Al
———————————————————————————————-

Winning Coach of the Year (COY) could be a sign of “impending doom.” Check out the link provided below and see/observe which coaches have been fired after winning COY. That’s why Woody didn’t want to talk about winning COY in his last season with the Hawks after being inquired/questioned by a journalist on the (subject) matter.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/coy.html

keith

January 9th, 2013
10:01 pm

If Andrew Bynum returns to Philly soon, boys, we are looking at fighting for an 8th seed, AT BEST!

HELLO NBA LOTTERY…HERE WE COME!!!

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
10:02 pm

AJ,

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of Al’s weak rebounding games occur when he plays most of his minutes at PF.

Vava, 17 and 10 so far for Minny’s Pekovich (against OKC).

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
10:03 pm

Slim,

Doctors told Woody he needs to play Amare less minutes. What’s going on in NY?

Please Answer This

January 9th, 2013
10:10 pm

Al tweaked something ? I’ll tell you what Al tweaked………..

Al tweaked his wallet to the tune of $146,000+ for just showing up via a free ride on a private jet.

This is, was and always will be Al’s sole intention. Absolutely nauseating when you really stop to think about it, isn’t it ?

W.R.Terrell

January 9th, 2013
10:10 pm

Do not expect anything different against the Jazz, the HAWKS could lose by 40. LD has lost all credibility with this team. The reason folks blame the “Smoove” a lot including me is because LD will not put him in check. The “Smoove” will block some shots otherwise his defense is porous. He will not play to his strengths and this is nothing new. How many years have you heard the “Smoove” say he will not shoot a lot of 3’s, how many years has he lied and still shoot a very poor percentage? LD has a prob putting his starters in their place and it carries over with the rest of the players. Al does things on the court that was not part of his game, bad habits are catching and it is slowly oozing into each and every players game. The “Smoove” needs to go because he is not good for the team, his bad habits are making other players not care and that is LD’s fault. The “Smoove” shoots more then any player on the team yet his production is limited. The guy has great athleticism and could be one helluva force if he had a B. Ball IQ but he does not. Things will not get better, they will only get worse as the season continues and the hopes for getting something for the “Smoove” is fading fast. GM’s are not going to spend those kind of dollars for a player who cannot play to his strengths.

W.R.Terrell

January 9th, 2013
10:10 pm

Do not expect anything different against the Jazz, the HAWKS could lose by 40. LD has lost all credibility with this team. The reason folks blame the “Smoove” a lot including me is because LD will not put him in check. The “Smoove” will block some shots otherwise his defense is porous. He will not play to his strengths and this is nothing new. How many years have you heard the “Smoove” say he will not shoot a lot of 3’s, how many years has he lied and still shoot a very poor percentage? LD has a prob putting his starters in their place and it carries over with the rest of the players. Al does things on the court that was not part of his game, bad habits are catching and it is slowly oozing into each and every players game. The “Smoove” needs to go because he is not good for the team, his bad habits are making other players not care and that is LD’s fault. The “Smoove” shoots more then any player on the team yet his production is limited. The guy has great athleticism and could be one helluva force if he had a B. Ball IQ but he does not. Things will not get better, they will only get worse as the season continues and the hopes for getting something for the “Smoove” is fading fast. GM’s are not going to spend those kind of dollars for a player who cannot play to his strengths.

High-sider

January 9th, 2013
10:11 pm

FIRE D’ANTONI!

I know – wrong blog again.

W.R.Terrell

January 9th, 2013
10:15 pm

There is one big difference between Al and the “Smoove”. Al is still coachable, the “Smoove” never was and never will be.

Duluth Joe

January 9th, 2013
10:20 pm

Another disappointing loss. No question.

I don’t understand why Larry Drew insists on playing Scott ahead of Ivan.
I feel like these last two games our rotations have impacted our play.

I rather lose with Ivan and Zaza getting minutes, than lose with three guards trying to shoot from outside.

To lose to Cavs, does it mean we are getting close to lottery land?

And please don’t give up on Teague. Not yet.

Duluth Joe

January 9th, 2013
10:22 pm

“There is one big difference between Al and the “Smoove”.

Josh can have 6 blocks a game.

Al never can.

Buddy Grizzard

January 9th, 2013
10:30 pm

“Which will get the louder cheer for Danny Ferry from Hawks’ fans:
1. Trading Joe Johnson
2. Trading Marvin Williams
3. Firing Larry Drew”

*starts planning the parade*

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
10:31 pm

OB, we got bigger problems in Atlanta..

It looks like Larry has lost this team..They are not responding..

The Nets are responding to their new coach…[6-1]

FASCINATING

Mookie Blaylock

January 9th, 2013
10:32 pm

J-Airball and Al wh0refart must go

Buddy Grizzard

January 9th, 2013
10:33 pm

If JJ2 can’t get his shot off against the Cavs, he’s no more an NBA player than Mike Scott.

O'brien

January 9th, 2013
10:41 pm

Doc,

Being the basketball prophet that you are, what do you think the hawks record will be at the end of January? They play 11 more games, And are currently 20-14.

Grandad

January 9th, 2013
10:41 pm

W.R.Terrell

Be careful for mentioning Josh and basketball IQ
in the same breath;
because the blog PC are watching
and they know what you really mean ?

I suppose saying a player has a low B-ball IQ
somehow infers pigmentation, culture, or Jewish heritage maybe,
I do not know ?

But from now on Josh is intellectually challenged
while playing the game of basketball due to his AAU
background and probably he had a white coach once;
or something of that nature.
But, rest assured it has nothing to do with Josh at`all.

Sarcasm – You Bet !

harpie

January 9th, 2013
10:45 pm

Larry Drew is the problem! Get rid of that know -nothing coach -imitator! He knows not what he’s doing…

KevinM

January 9th, 2013
10:45 pm

Wanted: a coach that will not just tel us what he needs to do…..he will actually follow through.

How much Phil?

If the Sac Kings are worth $500M to get out of CA, how much are the high flying and Highlight factory Hawks worth?

I do like the idea we are committed to only 3 contracts next year.

Good Luck Josh, JT, Zaza, Ivan, Kyle, Devin with your new teams.

KevinM

January 9th, 2013
10:47 pm

OB, you stopped me in my trax with the old ‘eyebrow shaving’ motivator!

Post of the day!

Buddy Grizzard

January 9th, 2013
10:50 pm

Al (-2) Josh (-13)

Yep this one’s on Al.

JustSayinB

January 9th, 2013
10:50 pm

Just fire LD!!

Rev in Tampa

January 9th, 2013
10:51 pm

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
10:53 pm

guards cant stop dribble penetration

Help cant rotate quick enough to help the helper.

Getting destroyed by the pick and roll.

Bigs cant make layups so settling for jumpers.

Bigs are giving up layups and impressive Dunks!

Everybody looks discombobulated.

Everybody playing to their weaknesses.

Scrub teams look like playoff teams.

Utah by 15 Friday..

Oh I almost forgot. THis coach is out coaching himself.

JustSayinB

January 9th, 2013
10:56 pm

Josh never played college ball-to the best of my knowledge; way different than Kobe or Mose Malone. Josh is an “old” young man that’s been in this league a long time. I think Josh is 27, but seems like he’s much older than that. LD looks like a 75 year old dude that may be in his 40’s. Why are we keeping “AL Horrible-ford”? I’m telling you: there will be some wholesale changes come summer of 2013. After the trading last year, the Hawk got Danny Ferry on board to make major changes-which I believe he will. Yep-just keep on losing….

Slimjr

January 9th, 2013
10:58 pm

When Coach uses the word Soft, it means he has run out of rope…

JustSayinB

January 9th, 2013
10:59 pm

The Hawks are looking more and more like the Lakers. Oh my bad, sorry Magic-didn’t mean to say that: The Lakers are looking like the Hawks.

KevinM

January 9th, 2013
11:17 pm

Why has DF allowed us to go 1/3 of the way this season with Josh camped out on the 3 pt line?

3 years of LD, and the same scheme.

JT will tell you Kyrie is an all-star.

kevkat

January 9th, 2013
11:18 pm

maybe they are trying to get L.D fired

Grandad

January 9th, 2013
11:19 pm

Valid points:

* Al played a wonderful 1st Qtr then disappeared.
* Ivan played after C-Viv (ahem) brought it to LD`s attn – [nice]
* C-Viv is the Man
* KKorv & JJenkins in the game / 3 min `til halftime:
Josh launches three jumpers … two 3`s and a medium range two
Perfect instance of Josh B-ball IQ to recognize that situation !
* Why do MScott & IJohnson take so many long 2`s ;;;;
I reckon because that`s where Josh shoots when he`s in the game.
* JeffTeaguer played poorly even though he stats say otherwise.
* JTeague plays no, 0, zero, defense / Head 0` the Snake, my butt
* Why does LD run [no] plays for JJenkins ?
* When Korv & Jenkins are in; why not feed the Post ?
* This team has had zero defensive aggression in ? 10 ? games ?
* It`s not that we don`t block shots;
it`s that there are so many to block.
The ball is constantly at our rim.
* Rebounding …
especially Defensive Rebounding has completely
-DISAPPEARED-
and this has nothing to do with Al playing the [4] or the [5]
on defense either you are in position, box out, rebound …
Or You Don`t. – it has nothing to do with the position one plays.
* Our Hawks have gone from being fun to watch;
to being hard to watch
______________________________________________

Coaching basketball or coaching anything for that matter
ain`t easy.
If it was anybody could do it.
There are problems that arise with every team.
LD is a middling coach who would be a 1st rate asst coach.
Coaching Josh Smith would be difficult for Doc or Pop.
I`m not so sure either would like to try.
Maybe Doc, due to a deficiency in talent right now.

But LD is trying to coach at the highest level.
I say trying.

DFerry is giving him every opportunity in this audition.

I do not expect this assemblage of players to be together
for very long.
If you enjoy any or all, then enjoy them quickly,
they`ll be gone soon. [more probably than less]
____________________________________________

LD`s biggest shortcoming as a coach:
He does not Demand Perfection !
G`Dad

heat check

January 9th, 2013
11:30 pm

Typical Chicken Little BS posts. Pretty sure a lot of these are copy/pastes from games/years past. Gets old.

Guess we should just dump Josh, Al, JT, Lou, JJ2, Zaza, Van Exel, Bob Weiss, Wally Blase, Ryan Cameron, etc etc etc for whatever we can get and send 90% of you into Trade Machine bliss.

This all comes down to LD. Based on the sudden bump in minutes for JJ2 and Scott, I’m assuming Ferry is starting to put some pressure on him. These are unprecedented minutes for a rookie in the Woody/Drew era since Al was drafted. Can’t imagine LD just decided to give them some burn. He’s on a short leash, COM be damned. Hope Ferry takes him behind the shed soon before this gets ugly.

KevinM

January 9th, 2013
11:39 pm

Kevin McHale, I hear you’re looking to upgrade at the 4.

Which one do you want, Al or Josh?

Najeh Davenpoop

January 9th, 2013
11:49 pm

“Al (-2) Josh (-13)

Yep this one’s on Al.”

Nearly that entire difference comes from the end of the 3rd quarter, when the Cavs went on a run after LD took Al out in favor of Jenkins (who didn’t play well today). Plus/minus numbers can say a lot of things if you take them out of context (kind of like every other stat).

Rusty

January 9th, 2013
11:52 pm

So funny now al is saying the team has low energy.well I see Ivan played 7 minutes. LD said I will have to do something to get this team going,what will get it going is him leaving.

Mr Sarcastic

January 9th, 2013
11:52 pm

Irvin absolutely had his way with Lou tonight but that does not matter because it is Teague’s fault. Lou was playing stellar defense tonight but was trumped by better O. When Lou didn’t put his hands up on those jumpers it was because he was playing mind games with Irving daring him to shoot and score all those buckets. I’m with Grandad on this one. Let Lou start at pg because the offense flows so much better with Lou at the point and lets not forget his Gary Payton type defense he brings……Grandad I can tell by your player assessments that you were once a great coach. Dare I say a Dean Smith Jr?

Danny Ferry stop playing game and get rid of Teague and Josh Smith. Clearly they are the reason the Hawks are so bad this year. Al would be unstoppable at the 4 with his great team defense and vast array of post moves. And this team would definitely be in the ECF with Lou or Devin Harris at the point. They run the offense better and play the type of lockdown defense we need at the position.

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
12:01 am

Hey JT haters at least Harris showed signs of greatness ,HA HA. With about 2 minutes in the game one of the Hawks took a 3 pointer which he missed the rest of his teamates were at least 15 feet away from the basket,this is a funny account of LD ‘ offense.

HueyFreeman

January 10th, 2013
12:02 am

This was a pathetic effort. Hawks shot themselves out of this game and gave up alot of 3’s. C-Viv, what’s LD’s excuse tonight? Effort? Energy? Execution? Rebounding intensity and defense need to be improved and consistent for the whole game.

Also I would love to see Lou pass to Jenkins for 3, I always see him calling for the ball wide open and Lou forces up a contested shot. Others do this but nobody as much as Lou.

The only player LD ever tries to put in check is Teague. Hmmm…

joe

January 10th, 2013
12:03 am

I would trade Josh Smith for DeMarcus Cousins,and put Horford at the power forward spot and start Ivan Johnson to complete the frontcourt. That would improve our rebounding and scoring in the paint tremendously,instead of a guy who thinks he can shoot the 3ball and cant rebound. Plus I hope Ferry will bring in a coach like Jerry Sloan,who would instill a sense of discipline and is a proven winner.

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
12:15 am

Al is not moving right,he looks like he is injured.

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
12:19 am

There is many times that JT penetrates & kicks the ball out to Al at the free throw line for an easy jumper,how come we can’t do this to get easy shots for JJ or LW.

The Truth

January 10th, 2013
12:26 am

As I predicted, the losing streak will continue. In the meantime, let’s talk winning fundamentals:

When they score, the Hawks must score. When they miss, the Hawks must be aggressive and go for the higher percentage shots preferably in the paint instead of settling for the home-run long 3-ball. That’s the wrong time to have a “heat-check”. If they must shoot on the perimeter, at least get the ball in the hands of your best outside shooters.

The last thing the Hawks need that will surely spoil a comeback is to attempt low percentage shots from the 3-point line by the must inconsistent perimeter shooters. That’s exactly what happened in this game.

Because of the idiotic way the Hawks played on offense, they spent most of the game swimming upstream failing to take advantage of the Cavs offensive slumps. Untimely long misses from Al from pop plays, kick-out passes to Josh at the 3-line when the passer was in the paint for an easy lay-up really explained why they loss.

LD publicly throwing this team under the bus by calling them “soft” has been mentally damaging to them, as it has manifested itself in these losses. Their body language shows that the frustration is mounting. He could have chosen other words to describe their setback instead of embarrassing them in front of their family calling them “soft”. Call them “laid-back” or call them “non-aggressive” or even call them “lackadaisical” but Larry you shouldn’t use the “S” word.

As the Phillip announcer would say “THAT PLAY WAS OFFENSIVE, LARRY DREW!!!!!!!”

2 FOR JOHN DREW

January 10th, 2013
12:31 am

BILL LAIMBEER FOR COACH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter

January 10th, 2013
12:41 am

Josh is not coach-able…. how many power forwards in the leagues hang out at the 3 point line and shoot 3 to 5 a game ?

Center is way too small………. Al is a power forward playing the center spot………. we are getting killed on the glass, he is a jump shooter, who is our go to post up guy ?

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
12:46 am

Yea LD you have to demand perfection,don’t you know that,HA,HA.

2 FOR JOHN DREW

January 10th, 2013
12:48 am

Coach Laimbeer 2 Time NBA Champ …. 4 Time NBA All-Star …. 3 Time WNBA Champ (coach) 6′11 Tough, Smart …. He’ll look Josh right in his face & coach him up….. Phil Jackson had to get his opportunity ….. Just Sayin’

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
12:58 am

Ld brings nothing to the game but stupidity fire his dumb azz.

Peter

January 10th, 2013
1:00 am

Al at 6′ 9″ is too small …… not a center…… in the words of Hubie Brown…. he is a guy with the body of a power forward playing center.

Too bad Josh can’t be consistent at the free throw line, or get there consistently……too mush jump shooting as of late…… 1-5 tonight at the 3 point line is useless.

Nate ArchiBALL

January 10th, 2013
1:06 am

Watching Chris Paul against the Mavericks – such a huge difference between any of the Hawks PG’s and Chris – 17 points 16 assists and 5 turnovers – complete control of his team.

Peter

January 10th, 2013
1:09 am

Buddy………. perhaps Hubie Brown doesn’t know what he is talking about ?

Peter

January 10th, 2013
1:14 am

Buddy…… Al can barely jump……

Peter

January 10th, 2013
1:15 am

6 10 in sneakers maybe……

Nate ArchiBALL

January 10th, 2013
1:17 am

2 for John Drew – Bill Laimbeer is now the GM and Head Coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty.

Rusty

January 10th, 2013
1:18 am

Ha,I would love to see cp3 trying to take complete control of the hawks,would never happen.

bbfan

January 10th, 2013
1:23 am

So if P Jackson came out of retirement to coach this team with the exact players, the Hawks would be______________________? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Until this year, you had a second round playoff team at best and you ship out the best player but you replace him with a less talented player. You don’t see anything wrong with that picture??

Jay Dubu

January 10th, 2013
1:32 am

The Hawks are 2.5 games out of 8th place in the east.

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

January 10th, 2013
1:56 am

I see a lot of Fire LD’s on the blog tonight. Guess the meeting didn’t work.

Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde

January 10th, 2013
1:57 am

We live and die by the three.

2 FOR JOHN DREW

January 10th, 2013
2:14 am

Thanks Nate ArchiBALL ….. didn’t know that ….. well we can’t just say FIRE LD ….. w/o having an upgrade of a coach in mind !!!!!

EmirS.

January 10th, 2013
2:36 am

Buddy Grizzard

January 10th, 2013
3:44 am

You’ve got to give it to LD. It takes balls to entrust his future as an NBA head coach to Mike Scott.

vava74

January 10th, 2013
3:59 am

Najeh Davenpoop
January 9th, 2013
11:49 pm

““Al (-2) Josh (-13)

Yep this one’s on Al.”

Nearly that entire difference comes from the end of the 3rd quarter, when the Cavs went on a run after LD took Al out in favor of Jenkins (who didn’t play well today). Plus/minus numbers can say a lot of things if you take them out of context (kind of like every other stat).”

Co-sign. ± stats are useful in certain situations but you need to watch the games to know what they say.

And in this occasion, it says that LD had Josh on the floor during a period in which the Hawks were -10 with Irving burning Lou for 12 consecutive points to close the quarter.

By the way, the ± stat is also not an indictment of JJ2 since those -10 occurred ALL with Irving scoring on Lou on the defensive end and on the offensive end with Lou NOT PASSING a freaking ball to the kid.

Only a profoundly idiotic coach places a shooter, or 2 shooters as he did precisely during that period when JJ2 and KK were on the floor at the same time with a “PG” (loosely designated) who HAS NIGHTS, LIKE YESTERDAY IN WHICH HE DOES NOT MAKE A SINGLE PASS TO AN OPEN SHOOTER.

Before that -10 period, JJ2 was -3.

How can LD expect to win a game when he has Lou (defensively challenged), JJ2 (defensively challenged) and Korver (defensively challenged) on the floor at the same time if the two shooters are not getting any shots???

Was he expecting that the presence of JJ2 and KK would provide a decoy for Lou to operate?

The guy is an IDIOT.

Grandmaster JeJe (GM)

January 10th, 2013
4:33 am

Grandmaster JeJe (GM)

January 10th, 2013
4:43 am

I guarantee you if you asked Levenson right now about this team’s struggles, he’d immediately bring up the Lakers’ struggles and act like we’re fine

Ray

January 10th, 2013
5:52 am

I told you guys back when the season began we’re on track to where I feel like we were going to finish only winning minimum of 40-44 games no more than 48 games max.

I’m not the least bit surprised we’ve lost some of these games. Here is the thing though at 20-14 this team currently contrusted did you expect any more when you only have 2 centers 1 that is a true center?

Ray

January 10th, 2013
5:54 am

Typo Constructed my bad

Still I’m going to say this need to make up your mind what you’d do with Devin Harris or Lou Williams one must go and one must stay for something better if you know what I mean.

Plus looking at the way things are now as in the Big Picture people like Petro are all but gone, and if you find an upgrade people like Morrow might be gone.

myrak43

January 10th, 2013
6:59 am

O’brien @ 9:35 pm

“If LD wants to turn around the team’s fortunes, he needs to shave his eyebrows ”

this post had me crying I was laughing so hard.

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