hawks21

If Maggette comes to a playoff-bound Hawks team, I believe he will fit in and do whatever it takes. If Joe disappears or Josh is in foul trouble, then he can generate offense himself and take it to the basket and get to the free throw line. Maggette is approaching 30 years old, but still runs the floor really well and plays adequate defense.

Right now the Hawks have a big-time void at the small forward spot and the Golden State Warriors are looking for ways to trade Maggette. Send Marvin out west near his home-state of Washington where he can be close to home and retire within five years... Maggette is an aggressive scorer who doesn't settle for the outside shot and consistently drives to the basket forcing the defender to foul him or he will score.

Jeff Teague should not have had an DNP-CD tonight. At home, Teague should have received considerable minutes.

The Hawks right now are looking like pretenders against the "elite" teams. Orlando embarrassed the Hawks on Thanksgiving, Denver thumped us on the road and Cleveland beat the Hawks in their own backyard. Marvin Williams should lose his starting spot as a small forward, and GM Sund has to start finding ways to replace him right now before the February trade deadline....if the Hawks truly want to contend against the Big 3 in the East. Joe Smith said the following: "We've got some of the top teams in the East, home and on the road coming up," Joe Smith said. "In order for us to prove we're one of those top teams, we're going to have to go out and win these games." Bibby said this in the AJC about playing against Cleveland and other top teams: "We're going to be able to tell where we stand." Joe Johnson was terrible last night, and reaffirmed he is not worth 18 million a year...14 OK, but mega-millions? No. GM Sund has to shake this roster up somehow, because this year is looking a whole lot like last season in which the Hawks teased for awhile against mediocre teams and start showing the deficiencies against the best teams in the NBA.

Teague needs to get some playing time. We are at home, behind a supportive crowd, and Teague's ability to push the ball can help the Hawks against the Cavs' suffocating half-court defense. This is where Woody has to show faith in his rookie, and it may be the difference.

Please don't be sarcastic. ok Nobody said Teague was a savior.

Horford has had many summers to get more comfortable in shooing short jumpers and apparently he has hit a ceiling. In an actual game against most teams, he is AFRAID TO HIT 15 foot JUMPERS and use his athleticism to his advantage. This makes Horford EVEN MORE EASIER TO DEFEND. Dwight Howard, usually foul-prone didn't have to worry about any of the Hawks challenging him. Horford's lack of confidence and ability to score in the post in a half-court setting HURT THE HAWKS. Having Jeff Teague out there plays to Horford's strenghs of running the floor in transition. Bibby generally walks the ball up and did that last night vs. Orlando and Horford attempted THREE SHOTS. Marvin is more capable of hitting open jumpers, but he is constantly left open to hit threes and he rarely shoots it. When the lane is open for Marvin to attack the basket, Marvin generally gets stripped or called for an offensive foul. Marvin has opportunities, but he can't produce consistently on most nights and he limits himself and become more tentative. This makes Marvin EVEN MORE EASIER TO DEFEND. Josh Smith has been told to refrain from shooting outside jumpers and he consistenly resists the urge to take bad shots. The coaching staff wants him to be a traditional frontcourt player and develop a low-post game similar to David West or a Carlos Boozer, but Josh doesn't feel comfortable doing that. This makes Josh EVEN MORE EASIER TO DEFEND. When these guys are on the floor TOGETHER, it can be a perfect storm for disaster in regard to the Hawks offensively --especially when they try to excuete their half-court offense. The Hawks need a Amare Stoudamire-type of player who gives the Hawks more verstaility in the frontcourt.

Excellent point. Big Al is a limited player offensively, and it is not likely he will get better. Michael Beasley came into the NBA with an polished offensive skillset who is capable of hitting the three, so did LaMarcus Aldridge. Al is getting starter's minutes, but how long can the Hawks give Al these types of minutes and having spotty production. Players like Shaq or Greg Oden or Dwight Howard with their SIZE can overpower folks, but Al at 6'9 and 235 isn't capable of dominating like that. Al struggles against players such as Pau Gasol, Big Baby Davis or Big Z and I recall one of the Lopez twins who plays New Jersey gave him a difficult time last year.

Al Horford is an emotional leader and talks a good game, and I would prefer him over Marvin Williams any day. However, we are slowly learning that Horford has LIMITATIONS offensively and defensively. Dwight Howard's presence at 6'10/ 265 or against a Lakers' frontline of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gosol or Cleveland's Big Z or Boston's Kendrick Perkins/Glen Big Baby Davis is a big problem. Al Horford is no Carlos Boozer. Al Horford is no Amare Stoudamire. Al Horford is no Tim Duncan. Al Horford is no Lamarcus Aldridge. Horford, at times, is a liability at both the power forward and center position. Horford is a quick, athletic, emotional player, but rarely able to use it to his advantage offensively. Horford, at times, gets man-handled and needs HELP like he did against Orlando. Horford's TWO-POINT PERFORMANCE AT HOME against the Magic is embarrassing, but he has done this before against bigger, better competition. Unfortunately, Al will never be an ALL-STAR player. So what can the Hawks do about it? I am not advocating Big Al be benched, but we need to see what Jason Collins can do with 15 to 18 minutes a game. Al should be seen a situational player. TWO POINTS in one of the most important games of the year should give all Hawks' fans pause. Yes, he is young, but that shouldn't be an excuse. Dwight Howard is YOUNG. Amare is only 26. Aldridge is only 24.

It's definitely a coaching issue. Woody doesn't trust rookies and rookies don't trust Woody. However, if Woody can't develop rookies this year (i.e. Teague) and get younger draft choices such as Horford and Marvin to act more like franchise players especially against Cleveland, Lakers, Orlando, San Antonio and Boston then Woody is GONE. Big Al and Marv are Woody's players--even though they are offensively challenged for different reasons--they have had plenty of time to develop their skills as NBA players. This is Woody's last year of making excuses about youth, experience and chemistry. A new voice is needed for this relatively young Hawks team.

From AP article

Winning 45 games is nice, but losing badly in games like these at home vs. the top East teams is why Woodson is likely finished. Woodson has taken this team as far as it will go.

I am not saying Teague should have played the whole second half or replaced Bibby, but part of the reason he Hawks lost the aggressiveness is Teague wasn't in the game PUSHING THE BASKETBALL and getting into the lane. Teague is quicker than Jason Williams, Anthony Johnson and JJ Reddick and it may have kept the Hawks more balanced on the floor in regard to attacking the basket instead of shooting jumpers for the most part in the third quarter. Teague EARNED PLAYING TIME in the 2nd quarter by playing more in the second half.. Woodson was too slow or stubborn to act.

Big Al had 2 points vs. Magic Marvin had only 7 points.

Marvin has teased us with his 29 point explosion against a Yao-less and McGrady-less Rockets' team. However, how will Marvin respond in a BIG GAME vs. players such as Dwight Howard and Vince Carter, a perennial Hawks' destroyer. Vince could sprain his ankle tonight before the game starts, but that's not likely. VC will play a lot of minutes tonight and someone has to be able to neutralize this guy and also make VC play defense. Ryan Anderson can cause potential matchup problems with his propencity to shoot and make threes along with Rashard Lewis. The Hawks can't afford to let Ryan Anderson get continious open looks. This is a very important game for Al Horford from an individual standpoint and growth standpoint. The Hawks need him to help battle Dwight Howard, but he will be matched up occasionally against Ryan Anderson. Can Horford have a big game tonight himself and breached the 20 point plateau and stay relevant and don't dissapear? Will Marvin turn into Superman tonight or will he be Clark Kent? And it would be a very bad sign if Ryan Anderson outscores and out-rebounds Big Al.. not in Atlanta, please...

For the last six years under Woodson, this team has needed to import guards via free agency or trade because this team has a diffciult time in developing young guards. It is not an aberration due to a singular draft pick, but goes to the the flaws of Woodson as a talent evaluator and coach. GM Sund want results from the Hawks younger players and this assignment falls on Woodson. Why sign Woodson if he can't develop the future? Teague doesn't have to be a All-Star player, but he has to be a contributing member of this Hawks on a nightly basis. If Teague DNP-CD starts to rise, this will work as a negative against Woodson.

Byron Scott might not be the perfect option, but his coaching resume and resume as a championship player (with the Lakers) far exceeds Woodson... Scott's success with the Nets is undeniable, and he helped turn the Hornets around and helped develop Chris Paul.

There are many factors into why Rick Sund has not renewed Woodson's contract. However, I believe Sund wants to see how Woody develops young players especially with the prospect of Mike Bibby getting a year older and JJ not being here next year. Byron Scott is waiting in the weeds and if Coach Woodson fails to develop the young players and duplicate the flameout against the Eastern Conference, he will be gone. Doug Collins had some success in the 1980's, but Phil Jackson was able to push the Bulls to a higher level and get the most out of his players..ALL OF HIS PLAYERS... Woodson was a former guard, and has had a terrible time developing guards as a coach. If it were able about the wins and just making the playoffs, Woody would have been re-signed during the offseason. Jeff Teague has to show progress under Woodson THIS YEAR. Fair or not, I believe this is one of the silent directives from GM Sund. Woody can coach however he wants to coach and limit Teague's minutes or treat him like Acie, but Woody won't get a chance to ship away another first-round draft choice (i.e. Acie, Shelden, Diaw, etc.) Playoffs is a priority, but being able to develop young players is PART OF THE GRADE... Woody gets a proverbial red mark thus far. The Hornets got inspired play from LSU's Marcus Thornton and UCLA's Darren Collison who are ROOKIES. Woody won't be allowed to hide behind the veterans, as Mike Glenn said in his postgame comments, the Teague situation "will be re-visited". The Hawks drafted Jeff and he may some weakness, but he has some strengths as well. Drafting first round picks is a risk, but Woody isn't playing it safe by finding ways to keep him on the bench.

Marcus Thornton. Darren Collison. The Hornets might lose a few games, but these guys will get valuable experience with Chris Paul hurt.

Entering his fifth year and having starter's minutes for almost the same amount of time, I had hoped he had turned the proverbial corner. Marvin has to encourage himself and see himself as someone who is capable of carrying a team and making shots. IT'S MOSTLY MENTAL, NOT PHYSICAL. Teams have left Marvin open, daring him to shoot threes or leave the lane open and drive to the basket. Often he has missed jumpers or decide to pass it off or if he goes to the basket, he goes too timidly and gets his shot BLOCKED or lose control of the ball. Marvin has been non-existent against the better teams in the NBA. That's an undeniable fact. Hopefully, the explosion vs. the Rockets will be Marvin's awakening.

On the sideline, it seems Teague was in a bad mood. Josh Smith was on the bench with him due to foul trouble and was trying to joke around with him (hitting Teague on the back off the head, etc.), but it seems he was in a foul mood-especially seeing Aaron Brooks run circles around Bibby ans seeing Rockets' rookies like Anderson and Buddinger play, while he sits. Good teams with good coaches are able to find the time to help develop young talent-- whether its Tony Parker back in 2001 with the Spurs or Byron Scott with Chris Paul a few years back or Sloan in Utah with Deron Williams or Adelman with Aaron Brooks and we see this year with Sacramento's Tyeke Evans and Milwaukee's Brandon Jennings or what about the Clipper's Eric Gordon? Remember Dwayne Wade from 2003 and the impact he had in his rookie year and he was considered not a true point guard, but he made plays and made his teammates better. Woodson is trying to get that long-term contract, but his ability or inability to develop young talent is also a factor. Joe Johnson might not be here next year, so even though the Hawks are flying high in November, Coach Woodson still must show he can develop young talent at a position, point guard, that Woody has failed to do ever since he has been here. Bibby is in his early 30's and getting slower by the season, and it was exploited during the playoffs vs. Cleveland last year. The Hawks can have success with Jeff Teague playing 16-18 minutes a game.

Jeff is better than Acie and even though he isn't a polished PG, he is still a playmaker who can make positive contributions on the floor. JT-0 can make his teammates better by driving to the basket and drawing the defense and setting up his teammates or getting an AND-1. Denver is allowing Ty Lawson play. Jonny Flynn is getting playing time in Minnesota. Brandon Jennings is ballin in Milwaukee as a 19 year old rookie. Jeff's skillset for 16-18 minutes a game should be seen more a positive than a negative.

Marvin played great vs. Houston, and without his performance the Hawks would have lost. However, he scored 20+ points against an above .500 team for the first time since 2007. The Hawks are definitely a more feared team when Marvin puts on his Superman cape and exploit his potential against the better teams in the NBA. Houston has a bunch of young no-name guys like Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola and even Aaron Brooks, but this team extended the Lakers to seven guys without Tracy McGrady and Yao. Marvin's next big test is against Orlando. Will Marvin turn back to CLARK KENT at the sight of Vince Carter and/or Dwight Howard? Memo to Marvin: Don't wait another two years before having a BIG GAME vs. an above .500 team... especially at HOME..

Mike Bibby has trouble guarding quick guards and when Bibby's shot isn't falling, he is a real liability on the floor. I am not advocating Bibby be benched, but Jeff Teague has to get 16 to 18 minutes a night and it provides the Hawks a CHANGE OF PACE. Teague will make mistakes, just like Bibby. They both have liabilities. Bibby is clearly the more experienced playr, but second-year player Aaron Brooks and other younger quick guards generally have their way with Bibby. Teague is the future, but the future is also NOW. Bibby doesn't provide consistent mismatch problems, but Teague can. Teague drives to the basket and has the ability to challenge and break down defenses.

I don't forsee Marvin complaining about his playing time to the media and causing a ruckus. It seems Jamal doesn't mind not starting. So it works for both Jamal and Marvin....and the Hawks.... I wish Marvin would SHOW MORE FORTITUDE on the court but it is what it is. Woodson can't depend on Marvin in games like this one... and for Marvin he hasn't a 20 point night vs. an above .500 team since 2007.