TheTruth

As I said in the chat, the Hawks don't make it easy, nor does it always look pretty, and even though things get tight, they usually win in the end. So either they are like the Falcons...or my girlfriend.

Need to send him back down once Korver comes back.

Here is how they did in their first game in the D League: Mike Scott: 23:58 minutes, 7 Points, 3/8 FG, 1/2 FT, 2 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 3 Fouls, 2 Steals, 3 TO, 0 Blocks John Jenkins: 29:01 minutes, 22 Points, 8/13 FG, 1/2 3FG, 5/5 FT, 3 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 0 Fouls, 2 Steals, 2 TO, 0 Blocks The team won 102-95. Jenkins led all scorers with his 22 points. He also played the second-most minutes on the team...second only to Kendall Marshall's 31:19.

I fell asleep around 7 pm and didn't wake up til 11 pm. So I missed the entire game. So if anyone deserves blame for the loss, it was me. I'm sorry guys, I have failed you all. I'm almost glad I missed it judging from what I hear in how the game went down...I woulda been so pissed! And after watching the NBA highlights, I became even more angry. The ending wasn't short on entertainment, big shots, and nonexistent defense, but it was long on disappointment. In the grand scheme of things, it was merely a loss, and although I am not nearly as upset about it as I normally would be, maybe some good will come of it--maybe it will force Drew into realizing guys like Stevenson have to play less (despite his good game offensively), our backup bigs (Zaza and especially IVAN) have to play more, and our small lineup will routinely get us torched from a rebounding perspective. Hopefully Korver gets well soon--his presence changes the dynamic of this team...plus it usually keeps one or both of Harris or Stevenson out of the starting lineup--which is an added benefit. I'd harp on us not boxing out, but Smith has been here what 8 years now and still won't do it. Nothing will convince me that he, along with some others, are going to miraculously start doing it now.

I just gained a bit of respect for Drew. Drew is right: When Teague is aggressive and smart with the basketball, he is at his best. Devin Harris isn't going to take his starting PG spot, nor is Harris. However, if Drew is really going to make good on the assurances he made to Teague during his offseason trip, Drew must not have anymore games where he inexplicably sits Teague for extended times (especially when he's hot) or refuse to play him at the end of late and close games. To his credit, Drew hasn't had any of that in the last few games. Keep that up, and if Teague keeps his recent play going, we could have something really cooking.

For a casual fan, you look at this team and figure there is no way we can play anything resembling defense. Tiny guards, lack of true big men, and a bunch of guys who have a reputation of "defensively challenged." However, so far this year, many players (like Smoove and Korver) are putting together amazing defensive efforts thus far this year. We keep this up, and Smoove continues to play like he did in the last game, and we could turn ourselves into a team that offers more than traditional playoff fodder this year.

I want to call attention to something that hasn't been mentioned as much. The key in the game for me happened at the start of the 3rd quarter. Josh played all of about five minutes in the first half once he recorded two quick fouls. We built a 10 point lead without him and his zeroes in the stat column. I said in the chat that it was going to be interesting to see how the Hawks played with Josh logging normal minutes in the second half.As we know, Josh can totally destroy his team's offense by freelancing on his own, pouting, and otherwise effing up the way an offense should flow. To my surprise, instead of the 10 point halftime lead shrinking or holding steady, we greatly extended it with Josh. It should come as no surprise that we built on that lead in large part because Josh--who was absent for all but a handful of minutes in the first half--played within himself and the flow of the offense. He was, dare I say, Good Josh and earned his "Smoove" moniker tonight. Yeah, he racked up 17 points, but he did it on efficient shooting (for once!) at 7/9 from the field, with an array of hook shots and shots in the paint, and he even converted two of his three FTs. He had just ONE turnover in his 24 mins and managed two blocks. The only gripe you could have with Josh was his poor rebounding (and it was poor). In fact, he had more assists (3) than rebounds (2). Aside from the rebounding, if he played like that most nights, he could be my starting SF every night.I said all that to say, Kudos Josh Smith. You played a pivotal role in our win tonight. And although you are a frustratingly talented player that draws the ire of many a Hawks fan (thanks to performances like tonight that show just how talented you are--yet refuse to play like this on the regular), you are still a Hawk. And as long as you are, we will support you as our own. But don't get it twisted, we might be tempted to boo you if you decide to revert back to Bad Josh and hoist long jumpers. My advice: Find Bad Josh, lock him away, and throw away the key because the version you showed tonight is welcomed long term here by even the most heated Josh Smith detractors.Signed,Quite Possibly Every Hawks Fan

6 of 14 FTs from the team tonight. *Sigh*

Plus, you get assesses a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Ridiculous!

Yep, Happy Thanksgiving All! Not doing turkey today, doing a roasted whole chicken instead. I love turkey, just wanted to do something different for me and my girl.

Pics or it didn't happen...preferably of that cheerleader Horford's brother was looking at. Naked.

Teague notched the most minutes of anyone who played from either team by a full minute (he played a whopping 45:41). Number of turnovers: 0Awesome to see out of him as the starting PG--especially since he finally played in a late and close situation from the 4th Q into OT.

I would like some of THAT candy...

Is Drew fired yet?These Hawks are maddening, but we all figured they would be...especially with Jekyll and Hyde Josh and that clown Larry "I Dress for my Funeral" Drew.I said before the season that we'd have to probably score 100 points per game if we were going to do anything better than tread water this year (.500+), ya know, with this "defense" and all. And we aren't. Would you be surprised if I told you that, from a team ranking standpoint, our defensive efficiency is outperforming our offensive efficiency (points scored or points allowed per 100 possessions)? Yep, our offensive efficiency ranks 21st in the league at 98.1, while our defensive deficiency ranks 14th at 98.6.If we are going to win more games than we lose, our overall rebounding rate (21st), defensive rebounding rank (25th), and offensive efficiency are going to have to quickly improve.Of course, it wouldn't hurt if Josh played to his strengths and Drew--oh I don't know--had a clue. But a man can dream, right?

Wonder why Morrow didn't play against the Clippers? I was too. Let's hear what our esteemed head coach ha to say about Morrow after the Clipper game. Excerpts taken from the official Hawks blog: I about threw up after reading that. The dude scored 17 points in 15 minutes and you mean to tell me you couldn't find even ONE minute for the guy...yet you throw out unproven guys who hadn't logged minutes all year in Jenkins (another guard) and Scott? What a joke. Where is the reward for playing well? I know the dude plays nonexistent defense and that he won't play 10-20 MPG...or even play every game, but to say "he wasn't in our plans" due to a "set rotation" you concocted before the game? It's expected to have a gameplan set before the game, but to totally not use a player when the game of basketball, heck any game, is fluid and can throw wrenches into preparation made beforehand is not only stupid, but it is bordering on insane. Thoughts? EDIT: Link: http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/11/12/atlanta-hawks-game-thread-smith-williams-ill-and-may-not-play-vs-blazers/

I've said it once, and I will say it again:Woody was no goody, Drew has no clue, and Brown is a clown.

IVAN should definitely be starting if the two choices are him and Tolliver. This team needs rebounding to play the style of offensive ball they want. Tolliver won't give you that. LD can still play his precious boy toy Tolliver 15-20 mins because IVAN isn't a 30-35 min. player.

Harbaugh definitely proves that good coaching can make a big difference. Thing is, in order for good coaching to take full effect, the player has to be receptive to it (i.e. coachable). I'm not convinced that Josh is coachable, and I am even more convinced that LD isn't a strong coach like Harbaugh. LD has done nothing to reign Josh in from himself. In fact, he has even encouraged and accepted it.If we had a strong respected coach that would discipline Josh when he gets out of control, Josh could possibly get the message and start to play more to his strengths. But as I said, we have seen the last couple years that LD is NOT that coach.

On the Falcons board we say, "Dimitroff'd" as in GM Thomas Dimitroff. We say it when something (usually good) happens with one of his personnel moves.We should start saying "Drew'd" but in reverse...for LD's constant head-scratching decisions.As I say, Woody no Goody, Drew has no clue, and Brown is a clown.

Well, looks like it is official: Hawks will start Teague, Korver, Stevenson, Smith and Horford vs. Heat. #ATLHawks

Hey Teague! Pics or it didn't happen!

Of course even LBJ Has a weaknesses. It is called the Swamp Monster.

With those suits of his, he's already dressed for it.

I gotta think LD slides Horford to the 4 and starts Zaza at C.It really doesn't matter though, because with or without Smith, we were likely going to get crushed anyway.

Couldn't have said it better. Unfortunately, I feel that this will be par for the course for the Hawks this year. LD can only play the players he has, but why Devin Harris barely played in the second half, why IVAN got ZERO burn, and why LD can't seem to coach Josh up and convince him to stop taking 3s and long 2s just pisses me off to no end. We all knew this team was going to have trouble defending and rebounding, but wow. We really are GS South, without the good coaching. I figured before the season started that we would have to score 100 in order to win most games thanks to our weaknesses in rebounding and defense. Then again, we scored 102 today, and except for the first quarter and a spurt in the 4th quarter, we never really threatened. It may be just one game, but things aren't looking bright. Our lack of size, rebounding, and coaching; a Josh Smith who still refuses to play to his strengths; and a timid Horford will be our undoing. Heck, we may not even crack .500 if we keep this up.