sillent

Seriously every team has it's oop games (Lakers had theirs against the Mavs). These are the wake up calls for players and coaches alike. In situations like this you got to trust your bench(if you have one which we do) and/or let the guys that came to play play. We have so many different combination's we can use and Woody is very hesitant to figure them out. Not to take away the incompetence of our players (at least tonight) but this is the time where you call time outs to slow down runs, switch up game plans, or let your bench create the fire/intensity that will light a spark in your starters. This is a game where Teague could have used a lot more minutes rookie or not. We have a problem with controlling the ball put your most efficient ball handlers or low turn over ratio players in. It is/was a game that had a lot more to be seen and the Lakers didn't necessarily beat us, we Beat ourselves with carelessness . Again another reason to put people who are hungry to play in the game. We played like we were still enjoying Halloween and ready to go to sleep. No need to press the panic button though it is one game against the defending champs and we beat us more than they did. Always good to have wake up calls early during the season and any time we are just cruising instead of going to work. It's hard to choose a better team to slack against early on the road (meaning it would have been a difficult game either way win or lose). The Lakers were going to try everything in the book to get this game so although I don't approve of giving away a game if we were in need of a wake up call game this was a good one against a good team to snap out our sleep walking mode. This is actually a good lesson for our players that think we are so deep they don't have to bring their A game. Against the Elite( Or any team for that matter) you have to be prepared to bring your A game. If that means just adding your two cents like Marvin did in the Washington game or taking control like Horford did in the Pacers game. This Portland game will now be the real test since we got our wake up call early during our road trip and like the Lakers you would think that we would have to perform better.

Yes we could have definitely used some better ball movement. Also Woody please let Crawford feel out the game for his self . A shooter/scorer doesn't need to be told that he needs to shoot or score. That is a gimme. Please let him feel out the game the way he feel he needs to and let him impact the game the best way possible whether it's scoring, passing or just a big play. A player of Jamal's caliber knows what he needs to do in order to win and forcing him to take shots is not a plus. Again we all know he can/will take shots but let's let him feel out the game for himself.

Agreed!! With this post and every post above. Away games, free throws and consistency/confidence has been our biggest woes and if we correct them we will be hard to stop/defeat.

The funny thing is they do not have to make major strides. Just like last year when Marvin's main claim to fame was the added 3 point shot if each of them improved a little it will improve our team a lot.

People bet on everything!!

Watching the Lakers play (lose) tonight scares me because I know they won't have a repeat of the same performance. It also intrigues me because I know the Lakers will bring their A game to not be defeated on their home court 2 times in a row. This will give us a preview of where we stand with our first real test against a hungry World Championship team. Of course not hungry in a sense of absolutely needing a win but hungry in the sense of not showing weaknesses. Despite the loss the Lakers are the team to beat and will be looking to show that against an up and coming Hawks team that kind of embarrassed them their last game they played against each other. The Lakers will definitely be looking to prove something and so will we so hopefully it will be a good overall showing(at least for us) .

Yes we do want Crawford to be aggressive but his best games will come within the flow of the game. He has a high IQ and knows when and what plays to make in order to take advantage of a situation and forcing him to force up shots is not the best advice. I think Crawford is at a level in his career now where he knows what the best move would be for the team and I think for a player like him you should let him feel out the game for his self. I am pretty sure he will still have a 50 point(or close to it) game with us but he needs to continue to play within the flow of the game.

I think the Hawks understand that this is a necessity this year for this team to become a step closer to being elite. Next step, WIN on the road and this test will come as early as Sunday (A big test might I add).

Smoove has been doing this from his beginning years!! It's just now he is doing this with a little more poise. He is actually affecting the game correctly with his decision making which will get him a step closer to the great player some/most of us expect him to be.

Agreed!! As far as the ISO Joe it should be more situational than the game plan. There should always be openings to take advantage of a situation( at times) but we are too talented for ISO Joe to be our main game plan. I think Woody and Joe know that as well and as soon as Joe (Crawford and Teague as well) get accustomed to the new role the deadlier we'll be.

It's like pro wrestling you know things maybe fake/fixed but to completely expose this would destroy the excitement of the game. Luckily games involving excess factors such as balls are harder to fix because you can't make the ball go in and out the hole or stop it from soaring for a potential big play.

Refs have always been puppet masters not only in the NBA. I can almost bet that we will see a whole different scene this time because refs are definitely going to be scrutinized. As for Donaghy nobody likes a tattle tell but I think it is needed to get the NBA one step closer in the right direction. Think about how many teams that would have almost winless seasons because their was know one to dictate the game outcome and the team was just not that good. Games would be less competitive depending on the competition and therefore ticket sells, team expectations, league stars, and more importantly the Commissioners money and impact will be affected. For someone trying to go global that will be a hard pill to swallow so he is taking the necessary steps to keep it under the table. Stern may not have complete control over he refs but he knew/knows what they are doing in order to keep his ratings up and so do most of the players so they do what they can to take advantage of their situations.

Not saying that the competition that will be there is a bad thing.

If the season goes how I think it will for Teague he will be starting after the allstar break. Bibby may try to make sure that Teague will have to wait till next year.

Our offense didn't change much but I believe our players got better on offensive. We can push the tempo and believe Woody knows that in order to be competitive some nights we'll have to do just that. We just have to wait till our season starts to see how it all comes together.

The Hawks can make an excuse that they were tired from a back to back or they are still learning to win on the road but I won't because they weren't even competitive out there. Which brings me to the things I liked..... We all know we can compete with anybody at times when we hustle and stay competitive (We just kinda forget that sometimes with losses like this). But!! You shouldn't ever pull out all your guns when it does not count(and we haven't). Seems like alot of us forgot that we have been experimenting with lineups and using summer camp invitees/reserves the whole preseason(even against the Wizards and the Heat) and it goes both ways because other teams done the same"Hence Preseason" but we still came out 5-2 and were undefeated at Home!! This is not the rotation we will use in the regular season. Yes we could have still competed but Orlando is an Elite team and what we showed is not our game plan against them (At least it definitely should not be especially after that game). Ryan Anderson is what made letting Turkolu go such an easy choice. Anderson has always been a good shooter especially from behind the arc and barely (if any) differ in size. Getting him and Vince allowed them to shade the loss of Lee. Vince is Vince and has always been a threat to us. They are "Elite" and if we are going to put up an effort like the Orlando game we are going to get beat accordingly. But!! The "Elite" teams are exactly why we brought in guys like Joe Smith and Jason Collins(Don't underestimate their presence). The "Elite's" all have dominant Big Men (Howard, Garnett/Rasheed, Shaq, Tim Duncan, Bynum/Gasol). Since not too many others are available we grabbed players that are serviceable against these big men. Siler isn't ready yet and don't forget next years draft are/should be filled with good big men. Like Teague, we may be able to find a diamond in the ruff at the Center position ( I'll touch on this subject later down the road though). Collins, Joe Smith and Zaza are tough guys that can bother the Elite Bigs at times(18 fouls at the very least). For the BK haters at least thank him for our versatilty. I still give Sund credit for keeping this crew together and adding great pieces thus far. Horford can play C/PF. Smith can play PF/SF in situations and no that doesn't mean that he has to shoot 3's(although I personally don't mind as long as it was the best shot available against the defense).This will be where him having/using good decision making will be tested. Marvin is a true SF but can play the PF/SG in situations(Note: A shooting guard is a player who's main responsibility is to be able to catch and shoot). Paul Pierce has played shooting guard(scoring guard) so it is not impossible in certain situations as long as Marvin's lateral speed and ball handling have improved. Joe Johnson/Jamal Crawford can both get the ball up the court and score/pass(Although both may have times where they don't show it). But!! If Woody learns how to do what BK always wanted him to do which was put the 5 best players on the court. Well in the case for us this year go with a big lineup using Zaza/Joe Smith/Collins at time at center dropping our 3 forwards down one spot(Horford PF/Smoove SF/Marvin SG/ and a big guard like Crawford/ maybe Joe). I know about the Joe PG experiment but that was only his first year here and I am only talking about playing him like this in certain situations(like against some of the Elite's). The Lakers can play Bynum, Gasol, Odom, Artest, and Kobe if they choose (which is ridiculous if you think about it but hopefully the ball doesn't get chance to go around). Their real starting lineup excludes Odom and includes Fischer. All of our guards can handle Fischer but Joe and Jamal can demolish him if they are hot. Smoove can even fully commit to guarding a wing player if he knows he has Marvin , Horford and another big to have his back in other areas. We have the same type of ability to prevent mismatches against teams like Boston with(Perkins/Davis/Wallace/Garnett/Pierce/Allen/Rondo). The Magic with players like (Dwight/Gortat/Bass/Anderson/Lewis/Barnes/Pietrus/Carter/Nelson) I won't continue on that subject but I will say IF WE HUSTLE, PLAY HARD EVERY GAME(OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY), MAKE GOOD DECISIONS, GOOD BALL MOVEMENT AND MAKE GOOD ROTATIONS we should take a step closer to being considered Elite. Sounds like alot for a little but it's not if you look at the talent of the Elite. Once this season starts we have all the motivation needed with JOE AND WOODY'S MONEY ON THE LINE (if you get my drift).Our team would also like to keep our core and do something special together.Next year if we get a good 7 footer this team could turn around full circle and become elite and contend. We are still an up and coming team and whenever it all clicks and we play like we want to win and have that hunger to grow mentally and chemistry/development every game. That Orlando game tape will be a good lesson on what not to do(in most cases). I liked Teague's hustle for the block( had a post about something like this before training camp started). I saw a new offensive play for Joe(Kind of like a pick and roll pop where Joe passes the ball and breaks to get an open look in a good spot. Smoove's shot is all around the mid range and has a high arch that was going in when he played (took shots) in rhythm (he looked like a tall SG). :lol6: Seriously though the practice with Steve Smith and Mark Price looks like it's going to pay off. :thumbsupsmileyanim: Crawford showed a glimpse of having the fire that Flip Murray brought to this team last year. It's hard to remember any more because there wasn't too many bright spots. BUT!! All in All can't wait for the season to start!!

By the end of this season, yes!! We should be able to beat at least one of the elite(specially if that team is Boston). We are talented enough to make it happen and should definitely be able to show that by the end of the regular season.

Agreed!! What goes up must come down and vice versa and we are still a team on the rise. Jamal and Joe are at there prime. Our older vets are still serviceable. Our up and coming stars (Josh,Marvin,Al,Teague) are all 23 and younger. The Celtics and Spurs both have stars past their prime and on the decline besides Rondo and Jefferson(who is in his prime). Lakers, Cavaliers and Magics have a team composed of most who are at their prime or close to the decline with the exeception of each one of their main centers(Having the past, present and maybe future dominant bigs of the league). Of course with Lebron the sky is the limit but Kobe has pretty much shown all he can do and may peak in a couple of years because of age. Hard to say that we have peaked at such a young age when it takes most players to get to the age of 26-28 before they even get into their prime.Sad we can't put the past behind but seeing is believing so our job is to keep improving.

Horford may have not agreed to the bet but Peirce definitely made that statement.

Thank You!!

It's very true!! Pierce said "bet 10 stacks we sweep y'all *ss" and yeah he should pay!!

I think your right!! I would still like to hold on to Sims but I wouldn't mind getting Othello back.

If you seen our("Hawks")conditioning during training camp you will realize they were preparing to be a fast break team that's versatile enough to play half court if needed. The way they blew pass the Wizards reminded me of all that running they did in training camp and how it's paid off. They must have been doing this for at least the past three years because in training camp interviews(Jamal's and maybe others) it was said that the core players(and returnees)already knew what to expect and what was pretty much coming next. Maybe that means they are starting to put it altogether and will be attacking teams at full force this up and coming season (we can be deadly in so many different ways). Elite!! I would say yes when you have an atheletic explosive team that can beat you from so many different angles offensively and defensively. I had an earlier topic where I breifly broke down every team and could not find a rational reason why there is any body we could not compete with. We may have a lapse here and there depending on how much we come out playing to our potential every night but all and all their is no team we can't beat.

And then theirs the Blazers. Almost like looking at a mirror in a sense with their length and athleticism. Their strengths and weaknesses are either matches or counter actions of ours. This will continue to be a good match up where the most resiliant team provails. Crawford and Johnson against Roy are going to be good match ups. Roy and Crawford are both from Seattle and are very familiar with each others games. Crawford maybe able to give Joe some pointers on how to defend and go against Roy. Andre Miller and Mike Bibby oldies but still good eeenough's. Oden, Aldridge and Outlaw have similar potential to what Horford, Smith and Marvin have. At least one should be an all star this year, one should have a breakout season and atleast one should be a very consistent contributer for their team. Oden and Smith may be the two with the greatest potential while Marvin and Oden are looked at as bust(for now) because they were drafted so high and before other great young player like(Paul/Deron and Durant/Hoford). Smith and Aldridge can become solid second options and the second All stars for their teams respectively. You can mix and match the three players on each team and come up with similar scenarios. It's hard to disagree that Joe and Roy are not very similar as well and I think the winner of these two will be determined by who wants it more. While our backup guards are our X factor their depth in the front court is theirs. They do have a promising guard in Bayless like we have in Teague so that will also be interesting. If it is not weird enough we all know the East Big Three in Cleveland, Boston and Orlando but the West have a Big three too with the Lakers, Spurs and Nuggets. With teams like Dallas/Pheonix being their Toronto/Washington. Hornets/Jazz being our Heat/76ers. The Thunder/Grizzilies will be like our Bulls/Pacers/Bobcats(Pacers may fit more with Wolves). Thinking about all of this makes me realize just how exciting the up and coming season should be with the Hav's showing why they are the Hav's and the Havenot's doing the same and the teams in between battling it out trying to make a name for themselves.

Elite!! I would say yes when you have an atheletic explosive team that can beat you from so many different angles offensively and defensively. I had an earlier topic where I breifly broke down every team and could not find a rational reason why there is any body we could not compete with. We may have a lapse here and there depending on how much we come out playing to our potential every night but all and all their is no team we can't beat. The Lakers had a dynasty end against coach Larry Brown and his defensive coach Mike Woodson, who we got the year after. Bibby always saves a little something something for the Lakers. Although Smith and Horford are undersized they fair pretty well against them. If you look at some of our recent games against the Lakers we fair pretty well against them despite their size advantage(Our athleticism and good shooting helps). Artest is a big X factor which could be good or bad depending on which team you are on and maybe which night. I say we start with throwing Crawford at him and just make him chase the hot hand (Marvin, Joe, Moe and others )all night. Lakers are going to be pretty tough and their at their prime old So they'll still be able to hang pretty well with us but I would not count Woodson "The Evil Genious" out. The Celtics can go with a line up of Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. Even though they have a fab five(Our five are pretty good as well) four of the five are old(basketball years). It's hard to believe that they want be missing a step or two with their production and playing at a high pace/intensity without injuries occuring. We on the other hand can defend them pretty well and should be able to run them out the gym(or at least get them a little winded). As they fall we should be able to rise. The Cavs with Lebron and Shaq are going to be dominant. Scouts can say all they want but Lebron is the type of player knows how to play with almost anyone. Shaq knows he's aging(which will play a factor) so he also will be more willing to do what it takes. Will his body and Lebron's hold up for the 82 game season is the question? Without Lebron the Cavs maybe able to still win some games but will not be considered elite. Without Shaq the Cavs can still be elite of course but may still be dominated by bigs and attacked by angles from taller shooters. Crawford, playing our 6'5 pg at times with Joe being our 6'7 shooting guard is going to be a hard cover for Mo Williams and Delonte West. If they switched in defense it will be hard for Anthony Parker and Jamerio Moon to stick with Joe and Jamal on offense. This and our relentlessness will be our X factors along with the improvement of our youth 23 and younger and the cohesion of our vets(Johnson,Bibby,Crawford). The Magic are deep dominate inside and out and can defend. Or is their defensive scheme last year going to be affected by having a more traditional lineup. The length of a powerful athletic 6'11 player is great but to have two 6'10 guys with him that are long and can stretch the floor is a big commodity. They can still stretch the floor and may have gotten even tougher on the inside but may not be as mobile to get to the outside man. This could change the dynamic of their defense(which alot of people sleep on) which could also change the outcome of their success. The Spurs are monsters but are struggling to stay healthy and their big three and company are getting up in age as well. They are a smart team so they know how to compensate for their age but it's hard to compensate for injuries. It's hard to see them being at full strength for the whole season and when it really counts which will affect their chances. Heat/Sixers maybe Bulls not the Raptors/Washington/Pistons are the teams that may be of concerned. Until Raptors and Washington can show some toughness and defense they will not be Elite and since that's what we're gunning for they should not be our competition. Pistons look to be turning from the pistons to a slower paced suns(all offense). Can the Pistons handle an identity change. The Bulls are a tough scrappy athletic team like us but we may have more/better guns in our arsenal. Has everyone forgotten about Brand? Unless he is injury prone he will still be a forced to be reckoned with. With back up in the front court two explosive wings and a guard that may play better as a off guard any way the 76ers are ones you shouldn't sleep on. Our chemistry and tactics is what should help us overcome this team(We definitetly have to come out and play though). The Heat may surprise some people when they come back better. It's a motivational year for basically the whole team who have all been together for a year now and have more of a sense of what it takes. Wade still has doubters which is all the motivation he needs. Beasley has his career on the line. JOneal understands that his time is limited in more ways than one. Spoeltra did pretty good as a rookie coach(easy when you have Wade) and will look to improve. Quentin Richardson will add another shooter/hungry motivated player to prove something to his doubters(which may be many). Still don't think they have quite enough but don't be surprised if the 4th and 5th positions don't change. ThePacers and Bobcats may challenge for 8th seed but that's about it(In my opinion).