jaywalker72

Hawks Ease the Pain

Well, what’s the problem here?

After a long night of wringing hands over the Tuesday night flop in Chicago at the hands of the Big Bull(y)s, the Hawks stormed back at home against a mildly successful Milwaukee Bucks team and authored a emphatic 96-80 victory Wednesday night.

After getting thoroughly pantsed by the Bulls in the paint the night before, the Hawks big men, led by Al Horford and ZaZa Pachulia, outrebounded and outhustled the visiting Bucks, helping to control the paint and get the Hawks the victory it needed to rebound.

Horford got the Hawks off to a great start early, getting four field goals in the first quarter, on his way to a career (so far) high of 6 for the game (12 points). Horford scored in a variety of ways on the offensive end---post up, face up, spin move, and layup. He even led a fast break which ended with him feeding surprise starter Mario West for a jam.

“It depends on what kind of team we are playing,” explained Horford about the team’s success in the paint (42 points). “A team like the Bulls weren’t letting us play in the post, standing there in the middle forcing the game to the outside, but this team didn’t bring the double team and it let the bigs just go play.”

Pachulia added 14 points and 8 rebounds, leading a stout effort from the bench crew that helped give the Hawks some breathing room in the 2nd quarter, a quarter the Hawks won 24-14.

The Hawks outrebounded the Bucks 38-34, including a 13-9 advantage on the offensive glass, where the Hawks were drubbed 24-11 the night before in Chicago.

“It’s really important,” said Anthony Johnson, who started the game at the point with rookie Acie Law out again. “With us being a young team—we want to get out and run and to do that we have to win in the paint. As long as they (the bigs) give us the energy and the effort, that’s all you can really ask.”

Added Josh Smith, who balanced his game nicely with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks, “As opposed to last night, we were able to rebound the basketball, limit them to one shot and get out and start fast breaks. When we are doing that, we are at our best.”

Defensively, the Hawks played large as well, giving up 14 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving the Hawks control of the game.

“The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters our defense really settled in,” stated Coach Mike Woodson. “(They) stayed solid, and enabled us to bring home the win. I thought we were as good defensively in those 3 quarters as we have been all year.”

“I thought in the second quarter we really wanted to clamp down and help each other,” added Joe Johnson. “In the 4th quarter we focus more than we do in the 1st and 3rd. We need to bring that in every quarter, but we have come up with big plays in the 4th.”

The Hawks surprised many by starting Mario West at the small forward position, a move designed to bring some energy early in the game on the defensive end.

“I thought Mario West was a big key for us to be able to get out and be able to bring that energy right from the beginning,” said Horford, echoing a sentiment that flowed from the Hawks locker room about the affable guard.

West was part of a concerted effort to make Michael Redd uncomfortable and while the Team USA guard still shot 9-21 for 24 points, Redd was unable to take over the game to pull the Bucks even with the Hawks after the first quarter.

“We tried to disrupt his comfort zone,” said Joe Johnson, who had a Hawks-high 21 points of his own. “Whenever he came off of a pick, as long as he saw two guys; that was the effort we wanted to bring.”

That effort, which seemed to be consistent throughout the game, was the key in allowing the Hawks to control tempo and impose their game on the Bucks, who looked extremely thin talent-wise compared to the home team.

Unconscious Thoughts

The Hawks really need a full time PG to make this team go on a consistent basis. Anthony Johnson did a nice job with 6 assists and only 1 turnover, and Tyronn Lue had 11 points, including a 3-pointer which extended the Hawks lead for good in the 4th.

However---

As Lue explained after the game, the Hawks have 4 point guards, so by numbers one of them will step up and have a good game, thereby covering the Hawks.

Hmmmm.

If the Hawks are going to move forward, there has to be consistency at the point. Much like the QB position in football, you are not going to be very effective alternating the signal caller on a regular basis.

So who then?

For those who are clinging to hope that Speedy Claxton will provide that answer, my advice to those would be to go ahead and cancel those plans to hold your breath until he comes back. The gut feeling is that it could be a long time before Speedy feels right, if at all this season.

The good news is that Acie Law should be ready in a couple of games and the buzz is that his instincts at the point should be what the Hawks need from that position.

To temper expectations, however, one should remember the aforementioned comparison of the PG to the NFL QB---and while there are examples of rookie QBs who dominate early, it’s usually a learning process, as it will be for Law. Remember, not even Deron Williams started immediately for the Jazz.

Where’s Marvin?

Marvin Williams was a late scratch from the game as his hip was too sore to play against the Bucks. After the game, it was not known how much action Williams would miss. “He’s a tough customer,” said Woodson about his young forward, but the coach could not estimate a return.

While one Williams was missing time, another was happy to be getting more. Because of the injury to Marvin, Shelden Williams got a chance to pop back into the double digits in the minutes column, something that had happened only twice in the previous ten games. Shelden had some key plays in a second quarter that saw the bench beat down the Bucks bench, including a slam that came from the assist of J-Smoove.

...and I am dusting off the recorder to get a game recap, feature, and a Hawks Health Check for HawkSquawk----

Is Chill Really a Starter?

Interesting history----

Which Joe Johnson? Do we have more than one? Maybe he thinks Smoove is also "Joe Johnson".

Now we know how much this stuff means, but here is the current state of heart of Dwight Howard:

Howard and Mickey, Sitting in a Tree--S-I-G-N-I-N-G

Howard got his big payday Thursday, agreeing to a five-year contract extension that should guarantee him more than $80 million. The official worth of the deal won't be finalized until next July when the salary cap is set for the 2008-09 season.

Howard's agent, Aaron Goodwin, wisely negotiated an opt-out clause after the fourth season, allowing him to become a free agent in 2012 and almost assuredly collect another $100 million-plus. But Howard vowed he's not likely to leave Orlando anytime soon.

"Me and Mickey Mouse will be here forever," Howard joked. "I want to be here until I retire. There is no other place I want to be besides Orlando."

..if they only sent a second round pick to complete this deal (which doesn't make sense considering taking on the extra year is a great cost for no apparent gain) then they are out of space and no Darko.

We'll have to wait and see...hard to swallow that they couldn't pass off some contracts to make that extra year more palatable.

You know, I think that Magic fans are always happy when it appears the team is moving forward, which this signing certainly indicates.

They got the biggest name on the free agent market to add to an extension on their most popular player (Howard) and they have a playoff experienced head coach and a team coming off a playoff berth.

Yes, they overpaid, but that's what you do for someone else's free agents if they are not damaged goods, which Lewis is not. I think the Magic fans are pretty satisfied that Otis Smith is doing everything necessary to make the Magic better. If that means being able to now extend Darko, I think that would complete a pretty strong summer, save for the Billy Donovan fiasco which ended up with them getting the better pro coach (Van Gundy) anyway.

I can't remember what I thought about the Hawks taking Shelden other than, "Really? We Promised him?"

I didn't know what to think. I was bummed at all the attention he received throughout the college year, the Landlord and all of that, but I was hopeful that they knew what they were doing when they forsook all for him.

When I saw him here in Orlando, things did not look good. Maybe it was his shoulder, but he did not look anything like a Landlord.

It is interesting to see what people saw in Shelden last season....

I'm feeling old, D.....What's next, Ralph Sampson with a kid about to play college ball?

Ralph Sampson's Kids

I agree, Trace....Charlotte is looking good because of the draft investment that was made in the frontcourt (Okafor, May) and at the point (Felton). It's amazing what having quality youth in the pivot and at the point can make your team look like. Now they have burned a pick for Richardson to try and round out the team.

It's like the Hawks are doing what the Bobcats are doing, except in reverse, getting the established player (JoJo) before trying to acquire the frontcourt pieces (Shelden, Horford) and the point (Law). The Hawks paid more for Johnson (an extra pick and Diaw), but Joe was a RFA and you have to pay more for those than a guy who is under contract already (Richardson).

We'll see if the Hawks investments look as good after this year. Should be interesting.

Weaseldom, but lost it in the great name loss of Aught-Three.

So Weez it has been since 2003, under same management.

I am sorry...I can't say any more.

We're putting the BAND back together!!!

LOL...Thanks guys...good times...good times...

I have to say that Sothron, Sekou, and BK are all great guys....

I believe that Sekou probably only shares part of what he knows, just like Sothron, I am sure. Guys are only as good as the sources that feed them and you can't cross the line of "off the record" info getting on the record, no matter the temptation.

I appreciate any real info we can get about the Hawks, especially at this time of the year, when guys like Ford, etc are actually focusing on the team and not the low hanging, bash the Hawks fruit that is out there year round.

I really didn't have any problem with a restriction at all....Heck, it would be what I would do.

I wish they had laid out the ground rules before hand and simply told me to keep what I see "off the record" and let me monitor the workouts to be able to ably comment on things after the draft, etc.

But, there were no such things, and the Hawks reacted as they felt they needed to in order to protect the team, which I was/am in total favor of.

Hey, I was/am in the same boat they were in....I never felt anything I wrote would go beyond the boundaries of the Hawks world, small, proud, and determined as it is.

Still, I am sure it was a shock to Billy and Chris (who always treated me kind, as did the entire organization...first class) to hear that something I did caused even a ripple to their cause.

BTW, since I was notified within two days of the article and long before the draft of my banishment, it speaks to the timing of an agent balking at my presence than any draft impact, though that certainly might have come into play after the fact, hence the hoarding of information regarding workouts today--"The Jason Walker Rule".

At any rate, it's a fun story to tell and I hold the Hawks Front Office in very, very high regard. (Did I cover that already?)

Huge Insider Blog today found at:

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index...ht&lid=tab1pos2

Here is a portion:

The Hawks brought in Al Horford and Mike Conley on Monday. From what I can gather, they are still leaning strongly toward Horford at No. 3.

There is still a lot of talk about the Hawks trading No. 11 if Conley isn't on the board. While we've heard Jarrett Jack in the past, it appears the Hawks have their eye on Seattle's Luke Ridnour.

In my mind, the guard they should go after is Jose Calderon. The Raptors want into the draft badly and Calderon would be a great fit in Atlanta -- and they could absorb his entire salary because they are under the cap.

But, again, we have to take all Hawks trade talk with a grain of salt. Billy Knight is notoriously slow on pulling the trigger in deals.

"He spends more time thinking and re-thinking about deals than any GM in the league -- to say he's deliberative is putting it kindly," one NBA agent said.

The Hawks are also tied in a legal battle for ownership which means that any major spending has to be approved by all parties -- a difficult task to say the least.

But some sources say the Hawks can make a deal, despite the complications. That's why you're hearing talk of a Hawks mega-swap for Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal, Marion or Randolph. The Hawks could package Zaza Pachulia, Lue, Lorenzen Wright, the No. 3 pick and, depending on who they get back, one of their young prospects like Josh Childress or Marvin Williams to make a deal work financially.

Seems like the smart thing to do in Atlanta. Put Joe Johnson on the floor with Josh Smith, a guy like KG or O'Neal and then get a point guard at No. 11 like Calderon or Ridnour and the Hawks could be immediate contenders in the East.

It would be a nice story if it happens. But right now that's a big if.

Thoughts?

To be clear also....nobody told me when I was covering these things not to do it in the manner in which I did. I was simply doing what I always did: Provide an honest, open look at the Hawks to the people that care about them, something that was/is in small supply around the country re: the Hawks. I did three other reports before the seminal report on Luke Jackson, Kirk Snyder, JR Smith, and Ricky Minard got me tossed forever from workout viewings with the Hawks.

I don't think that anyone in the organization, especially Billy Knight and Chris Grant, ever thought that anything I wrote would have any kind of impact in any way.

I think they might have thought that I was far from being savvy in the ways of basketball...

They're probably right.

It would be very interesting to see Marvin with a PG who could set the table and a post player that can open up the floor.

It is hard to be aggressive offensively when everything is standing still before you.

I think that this year the Hawks will address both the post and PG in the draft, having an impact on Marvin...if he is up to it.

No. It's the Pacers and Celtics.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=ford_chad

• There is a battle brewing: Yi Jianlian's camp vs. the Bucks and the Timberwolves.

Yi's agent, Dan Fegan, has repeatedly refused to let Milwaukee or Minnesota come to Los Angeles to work Yi out. Neither team is in a big market, and neither city has a big Asian-American population. Furthermore, Yi isn't regarded as a great fit for either club.

But if the Celtics pass on Yi at No. 5, I've been told by multiple sources that the Bucks and Wolves would consider drafting him anyway. The Bucks have Yi ranked just below Al Horford and Mike Conley. If they're gone, the Bucks have been working behind the scenes to get Yi, according to what I'm told. The same holds true for the Wolves.

What would Yi do if the Bucks or Wolves drafted him? The word from his camp is that he'd likely demand a trade. Yi's contract is still owned by the Guangdong Tigers, so he has some leverage. The team owner, who supports how Fegan is handling the process, could refuse to release Yi if the Bucks or Timberwolves were to draft him.

That could be a disaster for Milwaukee or Minnesota -- and a disaster for the NBA, which is courting China.

Sources close to the Bucks and Wolves tell me they believe that it's all a smoke screen -- that Yi will happily come to any team that drafts him. I'm not so sure. I think the risk may be higher than the reward here.

Trading for Camby doesn't really solve everything as he is not a post presence on the offensive side. Without a post player to free up the outside, it will be tougher waters for a PG, especially a rookie.

I do like Camby though, injury record aside. I have always had a particular liking for shot blockers, and Camby definitely qualifies.

Saying Williams is fundamentally sound is like being asked how a girl looks and you say, "She has a great personality!" You are obviously covering something up.

But there are some girls who are both good looking AND have great personalities. In that case, there is nothing wrong with noting that girl's fine personality.

Horford is fundamentally sound AND good looking...wait, I mean, he has the skill set to excel on both ends of the floor, inside and out. He isn't just fundamentally sound, if that makes sense. This is why he is far more regarded coming into this draft by the scouts and watchers than Sheldon was going into last year's draft.

They didn't focus on Sheldon's great college career when they were, and rightfully so, indicating that our obsession with Williams at #5 last year was a reach. They looked at his translation to the next level and figured him to be a late lotto pick.

I don't mind Sheldon, in fact, I think he could be a Danny Fortson-ish player for the Hawks, and that would be needed. But Horford can do much more, and the drum pounding of the scouts and watchers are saying the same things, again, unlike last year with Sheldon.