tremor

Playing alongside Zaza Pachulia who, after a couple of good games, came back to his mediocrity, would make Mutombo look bad. Al's not great help defender but he's not that bad either. His defensive strength is one on one D (sans defending Dwight).

Josh being big time douche to his teammate

I really had liked Josh despite all his flaws until his infamous incident with Hinrich. What he did was beyond immature.

I don't know about that but Joe's D in last two games was serious let down. Martin and Ginobili were going by him at will without any resistance.

That's the serious issue for Hawks. They won baords vs Magic and Celtics and won both games. Outrebounded by Rockets and Spurs and we know the outcome.

SA is another undersized team with exceptional ball movement and ton of perimeter sharpshooters, and with Blair playing similar role to Hayes. That's winnable game, Hawks just need to pound them inside and slow down the tempo.

I think it should've been Hinrich, but game is never decided by one possession. Two things went wrong: someone else should've guard KMart who was blowing time after time by JJ and Smoove should've continue posting up Scola as soon as he got back on the court. Of course rebounding wouldn't hurt either. And Zaza is not well suited for face paced basketball game. And I loved Teague's play in this game, sans last action I mean.

Because it's ranking driven ... ranking. Hawks are bad offensive and average defensive team.

With Al Horford haters club officially on the board HS is complete. Hayes scored against 1 or 2 baskets against Al playing 1 on 1. His first three that got him rolling were against Smoove. Majority of the rest was scored after Rockets penetrations forcing help defense. I don't have problem with the Boss jumpshooting - he has no post game whatsoever so has to shoot outside or drive and he does both things well, he has right to have an off game, at least he got a lot of touches everyone and his grandma was demanding from coach. Rebounding is what worries me the most. Yes, he grabbed 15 or 16 boards vs Boston, but it took him 47 mins to do so. Josh's rebounding numbers are better lately and I really hope ATlien's right and Al is not giving an effort he used to because of health issues. If that's the case I hope he gets well soon and he should get much less minutes that he's been recording last month.

My guess is that Teague didn't follow the plan, he was probably supposed to pass the ball after advancing it. Hinrich would have more chance to make the shot in case no one's open anyway.

Here's the deal: Rockets have no length but they always play hard. Playing them is very good test for heart and will of the team. Gameplan has to start from going inside early and often.

Nice photos brotha, you and Lisa look good together.

TBH there was some home cooking going on last night. That Jamal's charge on PP could've kill a momentum.

Joe was forcing things and when he does that, as a good passer as he is, he doesn't see his teammates being wide open. That's worrisome.

4-0 or one loss in overtime.

The funny thing is Zaza didn't play that much considering how well he played.

A month ago LD was criticized for not changing the line ups. You can't please everyone. I liked starting line up for Heat game, but didn't like the rotation. Kirk was making the shots early on and was replaced with Crawford who didn't do anything right in the first half and was benched quickly which was good move from the coach but the Hawks were down in double digits already. Drew has to realize that putting Jamal in is a gamble. Teague should have get some playing time in first half. Hawks are in transition pretty much since Bibby for Hinrich trade and I agree that coach should settle for a starting line up and adjust it with only one player (small lineup or big lineup) as he did most of the season.

Initial defensive gameplan was OK, but when LeBron got hot from outside, Drew should have put Damien in him much earlier. Again, too much jumpers from Josh. He did what he was supposed to do on James but those two quick fouls on Bosh was the beginning of problems. And Josh is beast inside. Heat run started when Jamal came in. He was supposed to bring in offense, but actually it happens once in 5 games. In most cases he's liability on offense and low percentage scorer on offense and this game wasn't any different. Hinrich made a couple of shots early but since then missed all jumpers. Dished some nice passes that was wasted. Free throw shooting was pathetic. Al and Joe didn't show up in the second half on offense. Rebounding - Al and Josh grabbed 3 boards each. Drew has to do something about it. Rebounding is not only effort and skill - it's also question of spacing.

What Al is hurting the team in recent games with is poor rebounding. I can't recall him getting double digits on boards since Bulls game.

We have the tools to beat the Heat: good defenders for both James (Marvin and Damien) and Dwayne (Kirk and Joe). They don't have inside presence and can be outrebounded and outscored in the paint. They are one of the best teams in terms of playing the passing lanes and turnovers are serious issue for the post trade Hawks. LD needs to address this in his game plan.

Put that bottle away.

I'd prefer slip down to the 6th and play Miami than Orlando even though referees will be helping the former significantly. Hawks vs Magic means jumpshooters vs jumpshooters + Dwight and their jumpshooters are better than ours.

We're going to play Magic in first round. With Dwight playing like he does lately Twin won't stop him. He'll dominate and Hawks will lose.

Smoove lost more in my eyes than he lost because of all his ill-advised shots this season.

Hawks rebounded all Blazers' misses in 3rd quarter.