hawks21

If Teague isn't in foul trouble, he needs to play 40 minutes or more in EVERY PLAYOFF GAME. The Hawks did have a lead before halftime, but Teague and some of the other starters such as Milsap and Carroll stayed on the bench too long as well. Past players such as John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, or even Mookie Blaylock usually played the whole game...why is Teague sitting for extended minutes, especially after HALFTIME? This isn't the regular season and the playoff schedule provide two or three days off, so they should be able to play extended minutes. Teague is our best player and for better or worse, he needs to be out on the floor if he isn't in foul trouble or injured.

Kyle has had some moments in which he made a good play or two, but against the Pacers defense (in a 48 minute, 4 quarter game) if Kyle is hesitant to shoot or is bothered by the Pacers defense, then other options need to be explored.

Even though there has been media attention about Jeff Teague vs. Paul George in recent days, but George is also defending Korver as well and George slowly gained momentum/confidence and with Korver's one-dimensional game, it impacts the Hawks' offense. In the first half Lou Williams was shooting threes, but was still attacking the basket. Bud has to make a tough personnel decision, but Lou, despite his 6'1 size, bring more to the table and maybe should be paired with Teague. Our guards have to be able to beat George or Stephenson or Hill off the dribble more often. Kyle is an overachiever and has excelled at certain parts of the regular season, but this is the playoffs. And Kyle may need to sit-- for this Pacers series...

Kyle has great size at 6'7, but it seems like he is hesitant to shoot the ball and this happened LAST YEAR vs. Indiana. The Pacers defense has definitely bothered Kyle. Teague has the ability to beat defenders, but Kyle does not. Lou can shoot the three, but he can drive the basketball and go around defenders. This is an intangible that is needed against this Pacers team. Kyle is a spot-up shooter and if he is stays one-dimensional his impact is minimal against the Pacers. Playoffs are about adjustments and even though Kyle is popular, but Lou getting more minutes in this series may put the Hawks in a better position to take this series.

This game is going to have to get DIRTY and Kyle Korver isn't going to stop Gerald Green or Paul George == period... Dahntay Jones style of play defensively vs. Kobe a few weeks ago is what this team needs NOW. Paul George is too comfortable and if Kyle is left on the floor guarding WHOEVER for 30 minutes a game, it is not going to bode well even in a home game in ATLANTA.

The Hawks are giving up way too many points, and it isn't ALL Kyle Korver's fault, but his matchup against Paul George or Gerald Green is a terrible matchup. Dahntay is not a great shooter, but we need a more physical defender on the court AT ALL TIMES. Tolliver is a better shooter, and would be anohther option who should be getting more minutes. Several weeks ago Drew said after a game at postgame conference, this team isn't going to outscore most teams, and defense will have to be a priority. Hawks are giving up mearly 60 points by halftime and over 100...something has to change and it begins with BENCHING KYLE KORVER.

Both DeShawn Stevenson and Dahntay Jones are past their prime, but who is the better defensive player? Coach Drew said there were breakdowns defensively vs. Portland, and even though Stevenson is known to be a better shooter, but Dahntay may be a better option because he is the Hawks 'Kobe stopper' and shown top be a better overall defender At the press conference, Drew addressed how the defensive effort is his biggest concern and that this team isn't able to outscore other teams on a night to night basis. Korver is a great shooter when everything is clicking, but defensively he is more of a liability. I am happy to see Korver have his three-point streak, but when he is off with his shot, then Drew has to see if Jenkins, Mike Scott or Anthony Tolliver or even Mack can get the job done, especially against perimeter-oriented teams Stevenson played 29 mintes, Korver played 32 minutes and the Hawks three-point defense suffered.

OKC Memphis Los Angeles It just seems the Hawks are able to overcome adversity when Josh is not on the court. The Hawks could have folded up the tent when Kobe got 20+ in the third quarter, but Al Horford, Devin, Petro and others stayed focused and found a way to win.

It appears Kobe was wiping away tears during an ESPN interview after saying he want revenge against Dahntay Jones and can't wait to see Atlanta the next time they play.

I would like to see more pick and rolling to the basket plays, but Josh may not be cooperative and rather settle for the low percentage jumper. Teague could be better and make his teammates better, but if you have a teammate who is on the floor--40+ minutes a game--who is unpredictable then it does make things more difficult. Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook would probably cuss out Josh for not doing what he says out there on the floor. And Jeff may have to have that on-court altercation moment of showing Josh who is 'point guard' and floor leader.

Josh does remind me of a less-talented Chris Webber. Webber used to act like he was a point guard at times when he played with Sacremento, but Webber was significantly stronger offensive player than Josh. However, at crunch time, Webber appeared to tighten up and he had missed his share free throws late in games.

Losing Josh Smith and gaining a so-called lesser talented player via trade would have still benefited Atlanta. Addition by subtraction. I am not a big Kris Humphries fan, but he has a modicum of talent, more of a post-up player, and is more of a team player. Additionally, it would have allowed Teague along with Horford to have a big distraction in Josh Smith removed.

Josh Smith is very capable of being a difference maker, but his streak of selfishness on the court that results in turnovers, disruption of team offense and ultimately losses such as this loss on the road in Boston is the main reason that it is better for the Hawks and Josh to part ways. Smith had a great night, but when he began ignoring Jeff Teague (not even looking at him when bringing the ball up the court) and acting like he is Magic Johnson is one of the main reasons he hasn't been selected to an All-Star team. Smith cries about getting fouled, but misses half his free throws..and this benefits the other team. There are just TOO MANY NEGATIVES with Josh Smith.

Josh Smith is not the sole reason why the Hawks are struggling, but his well-chronicled on-court stubbornness has run its course and it is time to move him. Drew's 'soft' remarks speaks to how our frontcourt is constructed and statistically this team is among the worst in regard to getting to the free throw line. A pep talk or team meeting won't fix this... Josh wants to be more of a point guard than play under the basket and he is going to continue to do what he wants when he wants until the coach or the GM do something about it. San Antonio's Popovich wouldn't tolerate Josh's antics, why should the Hawks? Josh shouldn't be bring the ball up ten times a game nor leading the team in shots attempted--especially from the perimeter. Horford brings more to the table, but he needs to be held accountable to, but let's give him the chance to prove it with Josh being traded--now. It is not a coincidence that the Hawks has been a playoff team every year since Horford was drafted. This would put more pressure on Al Horford to step up with Josh out of the way, and for Jeff Teague to be more aggressive. Even though there is a a relative small sample, the Hawks have performed well when Josh is out of the lineup and play more like a team (ex. Oklahoma City victory this year, the Chicago win w/Derrick Rose back in early 2011, etc.) However, Larry Drew may need to go and that may mean Danny Ferry is likely to keep Josh Smith for the long-term..even though that would be a mistake.

If the Hawks sign him to a long-term contract, will Josh Smith start getting those nagging injuries like Chipper Jones had? It is possible, but the Hawks should look for the best trade available.

Walter, I agree there is a "risk" with every player, but Derrick Williams brings more to the table offensively, especially in half-court situations. Derrick Williams is in the middle of his second season in the NBA and is 21 years old, and he wants out. Josh Smith is not on the same level as LeBron, Carmelo, and tonight against OKC, Durant took his game to another level--offensively and displayed a varied skillset on the fast break and in half-court situations. Josh is a hometown guy, and plays hard , but nine seasons is enough. There is a reason why he isn't an All-Star and there are certain intangibles in Josh's game that keeps him from gaining All-Star status and getting the respect as one of the best players in the league. The Hawks are not likely to win a conference title much less a world championship if Josh is taking the MOST shots on the team. Russell Westbook, an All-Star point guard, gets similar criticism, but his overall skillset is significantly better. Josh Smith is still a Top 5 shot blocker and is a solid defender at age 27, but this Hawks team has a void at the small forward position, and of course we lack a true center as well. The Hawks haven't had a true scoring small forward since Shareef Abdur Rahim and that was ten years ago. Josh Smith has a limited offensive skiilset, but takes the most shots on the team and does Josh taking the most shots hurt the development of Jeff Teague and take away opportunities for Al Horford? The Hawks made a difficult decision in parting ways with Joe Johnson and to a lesser extent Marvin Williams. The Hawks have managed to do well without Marvin and Joe, and is likely to do so if Josh is traded. So far, the Hawks have over-achieved at 15-8, but haven't played Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn, New York, the Lakers, San Antonio and even Philadelphia --who the Hawks struggled against last season.

Derrick Williams is apparently unhappy in Minnesota. He is 21 years old with a lot of potential. The Lakers have shown some interest, and local radio in Minneapolis reported Williams' agent has said Williams wants OUT of Minnesota. Gasol is unhappy with the new Lakers' coach and may want out as well. And Atlanta may be poised for a deal to move Josh Smith on his way. Derrick Williams is 6'8, 240, but his offensive skillset is better than Josh. Williams' ability to put the ball on the floor is an asset. Josh had a good run in Atlanta, but Williams provides a true small forward who can create offense more easily and provide more explosive plays in either the full court or half-court offense. Someone floated a three-way trade scenario: Minnesota gets Gasol and Ebanks Atlanta gets Derrick Williams, Pekovic, and Barea Lakers get Josh Smith and Kyle Korver

Winning on the road is tough, even at Golden State. However, this is a game that I expect a player such as Jeff Teague to "raise his level" of play especially in front of the home crowd and show flashes of carrying a team when other players such as Josh have an off-night. Losing this home game to a good, but not necessarily great Golden State team by twenty does bother me as a fan. The Hawks haven't played the Knicks, Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Sixers, San Antonio or even the Lakers yet. Teague was silent against Miami when they made their second-half run in a recent home game. I am not blaming the game on him, but the growth of the Hawks is predicated on Teague's development , ability and willingness to take over games. Teague is this team's most explosive player and I wish he would be more aggressive and occasionally finish with a dunk--he had done that a few times this year and during his college days at Wake Forest.

In years past, Monte Ellis gave the Hawks some problems, now David Lee, Carl Landry and a rookie small forward --Harrison Barnes have one of their best nights of the season on the hawks' homecourt. Did the Hawks take the Warriors lightly? It is just one game and the Warriors are playing much better under Mark Jackson, but it would be nice to see Jeff Teague have a monster night against Golden State when Josh Smith and Devin Harris are off their game.

For Al to have this that type of performance from the FT line, it is either one of two things:1. He has an injury.2. A major personal situation off-the-court happened that has occupied his thoughtsAl isn't a rookie, and is a five-year veteran, missing 9 shots from the FT is more than just an off night...

This is the type of game in which a coach gets fired, losing a double-digit lead in the second half of a PLAYOFF GAME at home... Coach Drew has to 'live or die' with Jeff Teague running the team along with Kirk Hinrich . Joe Johnson is not a true point guard and shouldn't be taking the ball up the court, and that goes for Josh Smith. This happens WAY TOO MANY TIMES. Joe should be coming off screens and shoot the basketball, just like Marvin. We don't see Brandon Bass or Garnett walking the ball up the court multiple times a game, but here in Atlanta, this has become way too common. I believe this has contributed to the Hawks erratic play. The Hawks had a double-digit lead with three minutes to go after Jeff Teague made those free throws in the third quarter...and Joe started holding the ball, turning it over ...THIS PLAYED RIGHT INTO BOSTON'S HANDS. Boston felt confident in Atlanta, because they know the Hawks' don't trust their point guards and rather have their small forwards bring the ball up, and that is recipe for disaster...

Sometimes Jeff Teague gets a little apprehensive out there, but if he is able to stay confident and stay ready to make plays, the Hawks should beat the Celtics.I hope as Hawks fans we see Jeff step up and knock those shots down on a regular basis in late game situations in the 4th quarter...because if he does, it definitely changes the profile of this team moving forward...The Hawks were able to overcome Joe Johnson's quiet night and Boston not being able to hit a three-point shot was helpfulIf Stern suspends Rondo, Teague needs to come out attacking the basket even more in front of the home-crowd on Tuesday night.

For years, people talked about Atlanta being known for its youth and athleticism, but I don't believe we have that distinction anymore. This is not a blip, but a trend... Philly is significantly better than the Hawks and may be a worse matchup than Miami. Miami was able to handle Philly, but Atlanta matches up better against Miami. When I look at Memphis, Philly, Indiana and even the Clippers, this Hawks' team has lost something. Philly has absolutely killed the Hawks and they seem to be getting better despite their youth. The Hawks have lost four games in a row to the Sixers, and even though Atlanta has some injuries, there has been a disturbing trend in which Philly has OWNED the Hawks on the road and at Phillips Arena. Last year the Hawks lost by 34 points at Phillips to Philly which was one of the most embarrasing losses of the season. Josh Smith isn't the same player against a team such as the Sixers. Smith looked a little lost offensively against Memphis. Smith had a lot of blocks tonight, but he and Marvin and others just couldn't compete offensively and Iggy has always played Joe Johnson tough. Smith is uncomfortable in the halfcourt and is prone to turnovers, and others such as Joe is guilty of this as well holding onto the basketball too long and the Philly defense captializes. Teague is really the only player with the speed that can blow by people, but he plays tentative and even though Jeff had 21 points (most of it late in the game), he was non-existent during a stretch during the second quarter in which Philly ran past the Hawks. This happened against Memphis as well when the Grizzlies had a strong second quarter and took the heart out of the Hawks.

I concur that Hinrich won't change Josh and can these guys really co-exist when they are on the floor at the same time?

Let me explain this as plainly as I can. Both Marvin and Josh are one dimensional, finesse players who can't carry a team on a consistent basis or win championships with. You can keep debating about whether they play small forward or power forward, but Marvin is expendable and there is a strong likelihood that Josh will NOT be re-signed moving forward because his attitude and poor on-court decisions (regardless of what position he plays or attempts to play) has always come back to haunt the Hawks. Marvin's playing time should be reduced significantly and Ivan should receive more minutes. And MaceCase I don't have to 'waist'-- or is it waste time writing ten paragraphs either...