Live from Hawks-Mavericks, and Big Z’s not in the house
Big game tonight. Fourth-best team in the West against the team tied for third in the East. ESPN on hand. Nice little midseason test for the Hawks. And we’ll get around to it momentarily. But first …
A few words about Big Z.
Michael Gearon Jr. admitted to Charles Odum of the Associated Press that the Hawks are “definitely interested” in Zydrunas Ilgauskas and plan to be “very competitive” in the pursuit. But Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News wrote yesterday that “almost everyone in the league expects [Big Z] to return to Cleveland.” (The Mavericks likewise have an interest.)
Having spoken with some folks in the Hawks’ locker room, there’s no question the team would welcome the Z-man. “I hope we get him,” Josh Smith said. And there’s even a thought the addition of Ilgauskas might — I said “might” — lead Mike Woodson to change his longstanding starting five to make Big Z the center, Al Horford the power forward and Smith the 3-man.
Me, I wouldn’t. Ilgauskas is basically a jump shooter, and if you move Horford farther from the goal you lessen your post presence. And if you deploy Smith on the perimeter, you halve his value. (I do think, however, that Marvin Williams would best be used as a sub. He’d get more shots with the second unit.)
The trouble with such speculation, alas, is that it’s probably moot. A Cleveland radio station reported Friday that Ilgauskas will re-up with Cleveland after he sits out his mandated 30 days. (Big Z was traded from Cleveland to Washington but bought out his contract this week.) It’s silly the NBA allows such a trade-and-return, but it does.
So, long story short, this whole Hawks’ flirtation with Big Z could wind up being just a big zzzzzzz. (Sort of like the Braves’ not-very-assertive move to land Johnny Damon.) And with that, we turn to tonight’s titanic tilt.
The Hawks have a nice starting lineup. But check out the Mavs’: Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler. (Not to mention Jason Terry as the sixth man.) I must confess that I proposed a deal — a sign-and-trade with Washington that would have sent Marvin there and brought Butler here — last summer, and I submit that with Butler at small forward the Hawks wouldn’t be tied for third in the East. They’d be second to the Cavs, and not a distant second.
But Dallas did the deal at the trade deadline — it also included Haywood, not to be confused with Jason Heyward — and many now regard the Mavs as the only real challenger to the Lakers in the West. I’m looking forward to seeing this team tonight, and I’m looking forward to your company as I watch, report and attempt to crack wise. Join me, won’t you?
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206 comments Add your comment
TheAntiMe
February 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
That zone D is killing the Hawks.
soldierman
February 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Why are we not driving the dog gone ball! geez! Watching these guys are giving me a heart attack
Dicky
February 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Typical of the hawks. Choke again at the end. 1 and done shooting. crappy defense at the end.
Mark Bradley
February 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
Mavs by four. Nowitzki with a jumper, then Barea with a scoop. But Josh steals the ball from Barea. Inside three minutes.
Season Ticket Holder
February 26th, 2010
9:32 pm
The Mavs have been in this zone long enough for the Hawks to make some adjustments… what’s up with the coaching staff of the Hawks????
soldierman
February 26th, 2010
9:32 pm
hahaha bibby is getting killed by barrera(?). Man We gotta get some fire or we are gonna blow this thing
Dicky
February 26th, 2010
9:34 pm
game was blown, as usual, in the 4th qtr. they aren’t going to win.
Ryan
February 26th, 2010
9:35 pm
It is like watching the same game over and over again, night after night. No offense or defense in the 4th, and no adjustments being made. I would like to see Teague or West in the game to play defense instead of Bibby who is just standing around.
Justin Janssen
February 26th, 2010
9:36 pm
Hawks still havent scored in OT
soldierman
February 26th, 2010
9:37 pm
That just did it. we are going to loose this one ladies and gentlemen
Mark Bradley
February 26th, 2010
9:38 pm
Hawks down seven. Haven’t scored this period. One minute left. People are leaving.
TheAntiMe
February 26th, 2010
9:39 pm
I see, the Hawks actually saved their patented 4th quarter drought for OT. At least they changed it up some but still couldn’t get it done.
todd grantham
February 26th, 2010
9:39 pm
Alas and alack
the Hawks fall back
on Woodson its blamed
and now he’s defamed
we knew he was just a hack
Ree Roe
February 26th, 2010
9:39 pm
Fire Mike Woodson
-IREE Roe!
Dicky
February 26th, 2010
9:40 pm
Tried to tell you. This team chokes. You can choke against the wolves and bobcats. But against good teams, you can’t. They lose 9/10 times against a good team. No point in buying tickets for the playoffs. It will be a 4-0 sweep again.
soldierman
February 26th, 2010
9:40 pm
FINALLY! it only took us 4 minutes to drive the ball
todd grantham
February 26th, 2010
9:41 pm
says Mark
the fans are leaving
and some are grieving
but all’s ok,
there’s still chick filet
and I’ll go by taco bell still believing
Blowout Baby
February 26th, 2010
9:42 pm
Haha. This team is a joke! But hey they can beat the crappy teams.
soldierman
February 26th, 2010
9:42 pm
Boy I tell you It hurts just a little more every game.
TheAntiMe
February 26th, 2010
9:43 pm
Effin pathetic That makes about 12 games they lost that they were ahead by 10 points or more late in the game. WTF!
falcons pick spoon
February 26th, 2010
9:44 pm
Dallas is a bunch of p#$#$#. No doubt in my mind Atlanta wins without that chump play by Jason Kidd. Jason Terry stop throwing up signs after you make a shot, you suck and we traded you away.
todd grantham
February 26th, 2010
9:44 pm
Mark will write how the Hawks did choke
you can’t win with smoke
but I dont care
its worth nary a stare
my press pass is now on revoke
tyler
February 26th, 2010
9:44 pm
Yeah, reminds me of the GS game; we can’t hold a lead to save our lives. Granted- these guys are a little better than the Warriors but still, up 13 at home in the 4th! The Hawks once again prove that they are pretenders. I’ll be shocked of the Hawks finish with anything better than a 5 seed and a 1st round exit.
Chris
February 26th, 2010
9:44 pm
Just like every team in this state. CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE!
TheAntiMe
February 26th, 2010
9:44 pm
Enjoy game 2? I didn’t enjoy game 1.
NCBravesFan
February 26th, 2010
9:45 pm
I want to be optimistic about the Hawks, but I just don’t think Woodson’s the guy to get them where they need to go. I’m probably wrong, but they just don’t seem to have a consistent offensive strategy and focus.
coreyc
February 26th, 2010
9:45 pm
So much for the Hawks being contenders. It was a lot less frustrating when they you knew night after night that they had no chance of winning. Just like the Braves used to be – one of the best in the league until it mattered. Tired of it.
Mavs
February 26th, 2010
9:46 pm
We beat your crappy overrated team. Hahahahaha
todd grantham
February 26th, 2010
9:46 pm
Mark asked Woodson named Mike
coach has your team now spiked
said Mike “what do you mean?”
we’re just a bit green
said Mark you coach like a tyke
Angus
February 26th, 2010
9:47 pm
So I’ve seen the Hawks 3 or 4 times on national TV this year and they’ve been an embarrassment every single time. Kind of like the Falcons a few years back, huh?
Cuban cigars
February 26th, 2010
9:47 pm
My team whooped your sorry hawks. I wish you were in our division. We would be 4-0 against you.
TheAntiMe
February 26th, 2010
9:48 pm
Woody seem’s to be a loser. Heck, he even lost his eyebrows.
wr29te
February 26th, 2010
9:48 pm
NEED A COACH WITH A CLUE Good players bad coaching look as it will be a one and out in the playoffs, oh yes bad or no ownership
Mike Woodson
February 26th, 2010
9:48 pm
What happen To Our Lead? Where’s Teague?
Typical
February 26th, 2010
9:50 pm
Lost another with a big late lead. That is poor coaching. What is it with this city and the pathetic coaching. Can we get one decent coach in any sport?????
Mike Woodson
February 26th, 2010
9:53 pm
Mark you put the curse on US when you said “Da Game Was Over when we had the LEAD”.
coreyc
February 26th, 2010
9:54 pm
NCBravesFan: You are not wrong.
Mike Woodson
February 26th, 2010
9:54 pm
I CAN COACH! Rec league or Middle School??
Mike Woodson
February 26th, 2010
9:55 pm
Da Braves won’t win 50 games this year!
WEBERUNO
February 26th, 2010
9:55 pm
Really! Really! Really! it’s hard being a Hawks or Jackets fan, watching all these victories slip away
Steve
February 26th, 2010
9:55 pm
Haha. Just saw M Bradley say the game was over at 8:56. Now that is funny. He’s done this to every team every year. Premarurely calling a game over and the team loses. Nice job MB! You sure know how to call them.
Phil The Cucumber
February 26th, 2010
9:56 pm
The ESPN announcers can say that Kidd play on Woodson was a smart play, but I think it was bush-league.
coreyc
February 26th, 2010
9:57 pm
And I agree with Woodson’s comment about the jinx.
Phil The Cucumber
February 26th, 2010
9:57 pm
Angus, how is losing in overtime to a very good team an embarassment?
Angus
February 26th, 2010
9:58 pm
Uh because we had a 13 point lead. Duh.
Season Ticket Holder
February 26th, 2010
9:59 pm
Out coached once again… no adjustments to the zone defense (goes back to the fact that Woody is not offensively minded) – the downfall of a Hawks team with so much talent.
TechMan
February 26th, 2010
10:00 pm
First of all Woodson was out of bounds when he was hit. How was that a technical. on Woodson. Secondly, did they review the play to determine if Woodson was on the court, I didn’t think that was a reviewable play. Should protest. I hope the NBA suspends Kidd for the rest of the season. That’s what happened to the last player(Ron Artest) that attacked someone that wasn’t a player in the game
falcons pick spoon
February 26th, 2010
10:02 pm
cuban cigars you idiot, you already lost to us earlier in the season and you would’ve lost this game if it wasn’t for Grandpa Kidd’s bush league play. Hawks fans cool down, yes we lost and had a drought in OT but the game should have been over before then.
hirsutedawg
February 26th, 2010
10:02 pm
We have officially gone as far as Woody can take us. Sunday night against Golden State was bad enough, but tonight was truly awful. FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
Phil The Cucumber
February 26th, 2010
10:03 pm
Each team had and lost a big lead, Angus. Duh. Duh.