TheTruth

Yeah, northcyde. I didnt think he would have any trouble asserting himself on offense. That just goes to show you that he is really trying hard to be the pass-first guy that Woodson wants in the PG. However, Acie will and should assert himself more as the season goes on. It should probably get to a point where he is taking at lease 10 FGs a game.

Yeah, my best guess is that Lorenzen starts but gets about half the minutes Shelden will get at the Center position. I hate to see Horford suspended, but thankfully it is just one game. If we can play physical basketball, rebound, and shoot a lot better than we have been recently, it will be a close game.

The easy answer to this is "Hell yes, it definitely has something to do with it." They both play no Defense, T Lue pounds the ball wayyy too much, and Zaza, for as big and heavy as he is, can't play defense to save his life, and doesnt rebound that well. The guys we have are easily outperforming those jokers.

Quote: I can't believe that Shelden played so well in the first half and then was not used in the second half. That's crazy. He needs the minutes to boost his confidence after playing that way. I'm guessing that he really, really hurt his elbow badly enough to not be able to come back in. And as for Lo Wright, I doubt it, but he, like many others have said, can come in and play a specific role for us down low.

Quote: The team has about 20 assist, which is good any night. So they are sharing the ball and guys are producing. Joe doesn't need to carry the team anymore, everybody contributing this year, and shooting 38% he can't even if wanted to. But the Joshes and Marvin won't ever see double teams as long as Joe is on floor. So it works and hopefully his shooting percentage will go up. You are totally right on all accounts. However, Joe needs to play less minutes. We can't run him into the ground...we wont even need to this year as you can see by the rest of the team stepping up.

You couldnt be more right...

Quote: This has been one of the more impressive outings of the year SO FAR. Still alot of time left in the game though. They HAVE to keep the offensive and defensive pressure on them the ENTIRE game! The Magic are NOT hitting their FTs and we are doing everything else right except piling up lame fouls. That is why we are up 15. Plus, we arent turning the rock over.

LOL, she sure is sexy...But yeah, he played like a man possessed in the first half.

And his substitutions are actually making sense for a change today. I'll be damned.

Quote: So, does Horford get no minutes now because of Shelly's fluke game? He will get some...but right now, Horfy has 2 fouls already.

Anybody got a link? I'm here at Emory and we dont get the TV channel the Hawks come on. Unfortunately, they aren't on the radio tonight either. *sigh*

Despite the egregious spelling errors, I agree jsmith. Solomon Jones needs to play--if anything to spell Josh Smith and Horford at times. We need his defense...period. You pegged it right: He has tremendous athleticism and a very long wingspan (I remember several games last year where he had 6 blocked shots in one game--in limited playing time!) that would provide very useful in the paint. People say he is a foul machine...maybe. But, we are not talking about playing him 20-25 MPG. We are talking more like around 10, 15 at the most. He can rebound and block shots, no denying that. He may not be the strongest guy out there, but he gives you the rebounding and shot-blocking that we need when we need to give J Smith or Horford a break.

Although very sad, it is true that so many were calling for us and supporting us to pick him. What Defense? The dude is more of a SF than a PF...period. He better learn how to play defense if he ever is going to be a consistent starter.

Quote: Lue and Zaza being out certainly helps. Exactly. Neither plays Defense at all.

Shelden, and it isnt even close. With their positions, they are SUPPOSED to play interior Defense. Although undersized, at least Shelden does. Yeah, he isnt great on the offensive end, but at least he plays defense--unlike the very turnover prone and defensively-challenged Zaza. However, we still need a backup Center who provides strong interior D that can clog the middle.

Quote: Quote: seems like nobody gives a damn about zaza. He has been out a few days and no thread on his condition. We are mean. Is this supposed to be sarcastic? We are such a better team without him it's not even funny. He is a 13 win starter. Smoove/Horford is a playoff front court. I'd rather have Shelden and Solomon over Zaza because of what they can bring defensively Bingo! Zaza, who is supposed to be a Center, can't play Defense to save his damn life. And, he is so turnover prone. I hate that he got the injury, but we are frankly better without him.

Lorenzen Wright. It appears as though he has returned from injury...

Quote: Did you guys see where Horford is number ten in rebounds in the league as a rookie!!!!! Unbelievable and he's getting better every night,. did a good job on Gasol defensively. Yeah, Horford is really doing his thing. Already has NINE rebounds at the half. Josh Smith also has 5. So tonight, rebounding has not been he problem so far. On a somewhat related note, do my eyes deceive me? I am looking at the stat sheet and it shows that Lo Wright actually played 24 seconds tonight. He must be back...not like he is all that good anyway.

Quote: Quote: If Horford ends up being one of the better centers in the league will we continue to say that we need a center just because he's not prototypical? No matter how good horford becomes at C we will still need someone to split time with him there. Do you think Zaza or Shelden fit the bill? I don't since neither can play D against bigger post players or deter players from driving on us. ideally i would like to see us get a center with size who can play d so we can have a rotation at the 4/5 of New Guy Smith Horford I don't see what is so controversial about that. Lebron, Wade and Howard all like to score by attacking the rim. Therefore interior D is a huge key to our playoff hopes. Zaza and Shelden really don't fit. Although I totally agree with DocHawk, I also agree with this concerning Horford. Horford will only get better, and if he averages one more point a game, he wiil be averaging a double-double. Did you hear that, a DOUBLE-DOUBLE! It looks to me that he will be able to be our long-term solution at Center, but we DESPERATELY need someone who can come in for him and play great Interior D. Period. That has alwayss been a problem for us, and will continue to be until we get that guy. He doesn't need to be an All-Star, he just needs to be good who can come in for 10-15 MPG and hold down the Paint. Zaza doesnt count, even if he wasnt injured. For a big man, he has to be one of the softest players EVER. Shelden is too undersized, Solomon doesnt get enough chances, so who is left? Lorenzen Wright is straight garbage. Our PG situation will be fine once Law comes into his own, but until we get that guy who can come off the bench and clog the middle, we will continue to struggle with our Interior Defense.

You are right about Favre--you dont hear nearly as much about him and his ordeals with Atlanta as you do Chris Paul. I dont think people will ever live the Chris Paul thing down. Favre was a stupid drunk who stayed out at clubs and stuff late into the morning when he was with ATL. No one knew at that point that he would eventually turn into a HOF Quarterback. But the Chris Paul thing is legit. Even though it is, and would have done ATL a lot of good, even I get tired of hearing about it now.

Quote: The Hawks at 8-10 are within 1 game in the eastern standings of 6 teams. That is 1 game for 5th place in the conference. 1 Game. Based on most of the post on this board, it means nothing. With every loss and most wins it is "fire Woody", "Josh shoots to much", "JJ is average" and the such. The major problem is maturity. Better said the lack of maturity. This team will grow up and get better, better than the "1" game needed to get over the hump. I'm not sure about the board. Yeah, it may just be one game. But here is the REAL crux of the issue that you are overlooking: Even if we were to make the playoffs, it would surely, surely be an early exit with the way we are consistently (or lack thereof) playing. Simple as that. Yes, some things have changed (J Smoove's shot selection, Acie is now back, Marvin is playing better), but we still have a stooge of a coach that makes questionable substitutions and plays, no veteran presence on the team, we have been thoroughly outrebounded past couple games or so, no ready PG--Acie is definitely our future and will be good, just needs time, and a stagnant offense. These are just some of the many reasons why people are calling for Woody's head and aren't all that thrilled over just one game back.

They run the plays to him because Woody says so. And JJ was never regarded as a great defender. Hes average, maybe slightly above average.

Quote: Dang you guys were laughing your arses off in the first half and saying Minny looked like the Hawks 13 win team. How is Minny looking now?????? Minny is looking like who we thought they weren't. Looks like Horford, Smoove, and Marvin have really stepped up in the 4th.

One bright spot though, Josh Smith is having a great game offensively. No 3 pointers attempted, and although I am not watching the game, at 8-13 from the field, I would bet my college tuition that he is making better shot selections. Also, Horford has 10 rebounds and a block. Love it.

What the hell is going on? Im watching the box score update and am like WTF? They straight up owned these fools in the first half, and NOW they are being outscored 27-8!!!! in the 3rd? Who is at fault here? Why are they all of a sudden losing like this?