yardbird

Maybe it's because most rookie point guards struggle. Remember JT? Acie's struggles are not Woody's fault. Woody is trying to build Acie's confidence because he needs him to spell Bibby now and in the playoffs, but everytime Acie (and the other people on the bench other than Chill and sometimes ZaZa) gets in, things fall apart and the starters have to return. Woddy tried the same thing with Salim - - with the same result, things fell apart. If either of them was reliable, they'd play solid minutes (like AJ and, yes, TLue did when they were here) backing up the PG position. Under the circumstances, he plays them until he can't afford to anymore, then they come out. I see little in the way of alternatives on the current roster. I bet in the playoffs, unless Acie steadies himself, backup PG will be manned by Chill, Joe and perhaps even Marvin, with Acie as a last resort. 10 minutes a game now from Speedy would be priceless.

I posted this because we have to expect every one of our games to be competitive the rest of the season. No team is going to lay down for the Hawks, especially in their own building. We'll have to knock 'em down. And every one of the teams we'll face has some talent, and probably a personnel advantage at some spot against the Hawks. If we hold on to make the playoffs, which we should, I would not understate what an achievement that will be for this team.

Gay's 28 lead last-place Grizzlies past Kobe, Lakers Kobe Scores 53, but Lakers Fall to Grizzlies LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant provided a ton of offense. The Los Angeles Lakers' defense was another story. Rudy Gay led five players in double figures with 28 points and the Memphis Grizzlies won 114-111 despite 53 points by Bryant against the NBA's worst road team Friday night. 50 Sometimes Not Enough There have been 35 50-point games in the NBA since the start of the 2005-06 season. Teams with a 50-point scorer are 21-14 in that span. Kobe Bryant is 12-6. Career 50-point games Player Games Wilt Chamberlain 118 Michael Jordan 31 Kobe Bryant 23 Elgin Baylor 17 Rick Barry 14 Bryant described his pile of points as "pretty much" of a waste. "We didn't do a good job defensively at all," he said. "Staying in front of the ball has been a big problem for us. If we can't solve that problem, then we'll just have to continue to get penetrated on until we get the big guys back and then they can bail us out by blocking shots to the basket." The Lakers lost their second in a row to another of the NBA's lesser teams, having been beaten by Charlotte on Wednesday night. The latest loss kept them from joining New Orleans and San Antonio in a three-way tie for the Western Conference lead. They are a game back in third. "We lost to two teams that thankfully we won't be seeing in the playoffs," Bryant said. "I don't think it's dire straits by any stretch of the imagination, but still we got to buck up here." Bryant finished with four fouls. If he gets one more technical foul in the Lakers' final nine games, he will receive an automatic one-game suspension. "The guy must not watch soccer," he said, referring to the official who gave him his 15th technical Wednesday. "I just won't kick the ball somewhere where somebody can catch it." Bryant scored 50 or more points for the 23rd time in the regular season and the second this month. He had 52 against Dallas on March 2. The Lakers fell to 16-7 when he goes for that many. He was limited to six points in the fourth quarter, when the Lakers nearly erased all of a 10-point deficit. He had 10 rebounds and one assist while taking 37 of the Lakers' 104 shots. They attempted a franchise record 45 3-pointers, making 15. "I don't think it was bad shot selection," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Sasha is a good 3-point shooter, Kobe shot over 50 percent, but it's just too many opportunities to run. Even if you shoot 40 percent, which is a high percentage for 3-point shots, you end up giving them six out of 10 opportunities to run with long rebounds." Darko Milicic had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Hakim Warrick 16 points, Kyle Lowry 11 and Mike Miller 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who are 6-30 on the road and 2-20 away from home against Western Conference teams. "Road win, playoff team, Kobe going off," Gay said, ticking off reasons why it was a big win. "We played so well together. We just don't want to lose. We're not trying to give up on anything." The Grizzlies led by 10 early in the fourth, their largest lead of the game. Sasha Vujacic hit a 3-pointer to cut the Lakers' deficit to 109-106 with 3:03 remaining. Miller missed a 3-pointer, but the Lakers couldn't convert on their end despite four attempts on the same possession, including one by Bryant. Lowry scored for Memphis, then Vujacic hit another 3-pointer to draw the Lakers within 111-109 with 50 seconds left. Lamar Odom missed a 3-pointer after Bryant, tied up in the lane, fed him on the right baseline. Ronny Turiaf fouled Lowry, who made both for a 113-109 lead. "I got a pretty good look in that corner. It went in and out," said Odom, who wasn't feeling well because of a respiratory infection. Turiaf scored inside to get the Lakers back within two after Odom and Vujacic missed. Gay got fouled and made the second of two for a 114-111 lead. Luke Walton inbounded the ball on the Lakers' final play, but he turned it over and Milicic got the steal as time expired. "Maybe they're a little tired," Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni said. "They look a little worn down. They've had a rough stretch and I think Kobe has been shouldering a lot of that. It's hard to ask him to do that for both halves. He was incredible for that first half." Bryant notched 47 points through the first three quarters. He scored the Lakers' first seven points, including his seventh and eighth 3-pointers, for a 61-56 lead. The Grizzlies tied it at 63 before a basket by Derek Fisher, a Bryant dunk and his ninth 3-pointer, gave the Lakers their largest lead, 70-63. Memphis closed the third by outscoring Los Angeles 26-10, including seven by Miller and five each by Gay and Milicic that put the Grizzlies ahead 89-80. Bryant didn't score any of the Lakers' points and was on the bench for the final 2:47 of the spurt, watching his teammates miss a series of 3-pointers and D.J. Mbenga foul out. That brought Chris Mihm into the game, just more than a month since he had right heel surgery. Prior to that, he'd been sidelined with right ankle problems for several weeks. "I was going to be a cheerleader, but I'll take it," Mihm said. "I am confident my foot's going to hold up. My timing isn't where it needs to be, but I'll work on it." Bryant was the only Lakers' scorer in double figures at halftime, notching 34 points while taking 22 of their 52 shots and 7 of their 9 free throw attempts. He had nine points in a 13-2 spurt that gave the Lakers a 51-43 lead, but Memphis closed on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 53 going into the break. Game notes It was the third time Bryant has scored at least 50 against the Grizzlies. He had 60 on March 22, 2007, and 56 on Jan. 14, 2002, both victories. ... Pau Gasol missed the first meeting between the teams since he was traded from Memphis on Feb. 1. The Lakers' center could return Sunday from a sprained left ankle. ... Kwame Brown, sent to Memphis as part of the Gasol trade, did not play for the fifth consecutive game.

I repeat that Chill may be the most consistent Hawk. He's a basketball player. He may not be the best perimeter shooter, but he's clearly a superior offensive rebounder. He lifts the team's overall energy virtually everytime he enters a game. On the perimeter, he has hit some big three point shots during his career, including the last win over the Bucks. And he had a huge defensive rebound late in tonight's game over Chicago's center, which while he might not meet everyone's hope for defensive rebounding stats, show's that he has a knack for making timely plays. Sure he missed a couple of freebies, but that happens to most every player on occasion. I like Marvin, hope he continues to progress and think he can do so. But based on what each player consistently delivers today, I think Chill is better. I think Marvin's upside potential is higher, but he has yet to make a quantum leap towards his potential. Let's support both of them while they're on this team. If either or both of them leaves, I'll wish them success - - as long as they're not successful at the expense of the Hawks.

I find this thread ridiculous. Childress is one of the most productive and consistent players the hawks have, and is happy to do whatever is asked of him. He's not perfect or an all-star, but he's one of our best. Marvin is up and down, his game needs growth, but I'm okay with his effort. I want him and all the Hawks to do well. Why must every compliment to one Hawk require the put down of another?

northcyde, Mr. Honline, thanks. Sounds like the substitution strategy had some logic. Like all strategy, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There may need to be a coaching change, simply because these players may not be able to hear Woody well, even if he says the right thing. I don't think he's the league's best coach, but I don't think he's the worst either. I think he has the chance to look a lot better once Mike Bibby, his first competent veteran PG, gets healthy. Thanks for constructive commentary on the subject.

Honestly, I missed that part of the game due to family obligations. I've never seen Woody substitute 5 players before like that, so what made him do it then? Was it a combination of foul trouble, injuries and player exhaustion or did he just decide to try something new that didn't work? If he simply decided to sub in 5 players without extenuating circumstances, I'd agree that he exercised questionable judgment. Considering that we still were in the game at the end, I wouldn't say it was a total failure, but it would not be what I would have done in similar circumstances. Objectively speaking and laying aside any anti-Woody sentiment, why do you think he chose to substitute that way? Was there any reasonable explanation for it?

Two games ago, Woody was blamed for not playing Salim, Solo and others. Now he's blamed cause he did? The Hawks put up a valiant effort in one of the most difficult places to win in the league (a lot of Hawks coaches have been unsuccessful there since 1993). We've got a short roster, and we're playing through injuries on the second game of a back to back against a solid team. Most folks expected a blowout going in, and we had a chance to pull it out at the end, including some missed layups that would have made things really interesting had they gone in. Every loss can't be Woody's fault and every win shouldn't credit only the players. Let's try to be competitive against the world champions tomorrow, get heathier and try to turn things around at home.

A guy who could handle with Smoove's talent would be Lebron James . . .

I want to see all Hawks players excel, including Salim. But going 0 for 3 taking good shots within the offensive flow is not what has happened this season. In the games I've watched (which is virtually all of them), it's been more like 0 for 4 or 5 with shots taken early in the shot clock without even attempting to involve anyone else in the flow of the offense. If he had been hot, and making even those bad shots, I guess we could have lived with it, but when he's missing those bad shots, he has to come out - - quickly. It's pretty frustrating to be another teammate on the floor when the chucking is going on. Last night, Salim drove the ball to the hole, and waited to take shots in rythmn after he'd gotten into the game flow and warmed up. He even passed the ball to teammates, who later returned the favor. As a result, he was successful and was able to stay on the floor long enough to contribute positively. I'm sure that if he continues to do that, Salim will find aregular spot in the rotation, as Woody said in the post game interview. I hope that happens, because the team can use his contribution, even if Acie is healthy and available.

As Woody said in the post game conference, Salim earned an opportunity to remain in the rotation tonight. Until now, he had not earned that opportunity. He doesn't have to be perfect, but tonight he didn't hurt the team, probably for the first time this year. I hope he keeps it up. We need him to contribute on a consistent basis.

The Hawks lost countless games this year because they could not execute down the stretch, especially in the last two minutes. This happened many times after we led for the entire game, then caved or when we stayed close throughout the game, then couldn't hit the shot at the end to seal the deal, mostly because JJ hoisted up shots against a triple team since he didn't trust his teammates. Now, Bibby should improve our chances in those games, including knocking down the shot when JJ is doubled, or finding someone else wide open. The west coast trip will be tough due to timing, but look out for the Hawks after that.

And did anyone consider that Sacremento might have been holding out for more (like forcing one of their dead weight contracts on the team that got Bibby) until now, so this is the first time they were agreeable to the trade, with the deadline looming? Obviously, BK would have done this at least as early as the Seattle game (per Sekou) and probably much, much earlier. It takes two to tango, and BK held out for a deal that didn't gut the team or compromise the future too much. Well done.

Since AJ, Lo Wright, Shelden and Ty Lue can't play like Shawn Marion can't?

It's there, I've seen it. Also posted in another string here.

I don't see Woody slowing the team down. Anyone notice that we don't run when Joe brings the ball up or gets it early in the possession? He rarely participates in the break, it's more Chills, Acie, AJ, Horford and Marvin. Joe's style is half court, he often slows up to assess the D, allowing them to establish position. You can't run against a set defense. I love Joe for what he brings, but running isn't it. It looks to me like Woody wants defense and rebounds so we can start the fast break and run with an advantage. If you run into a set defense, you give a charge or otherwise turn the ball over. Off a defensive stop and rebound, we have the advantage against an unbalanced D. Seems sound in theory, but players must execute.

Late to the game, but I'll join you Dolfan. I think Woody has played anyone who has produced on a relatively consistent basis. When the team has a mandate to make the playoffs and the coach's job hangs in the balance, it's unlikely that he'll trust a rookie point guard who is playing inconsistently. If Acie takes care of the ball and gives the team a better chance of winning than AJ, which he has done lately but did not in the not too distant past, Woody will play him ahead of AJ (as shown earlier in the season before Acie's confidence-robbing injury and AJ's hissy fit followed by solid play). If Shelden looks like he has a clue (I don't think his play has been better than ZaZa, who is taller and occasionally mixes it up on the offensive boards, much needed on this team) and helps rather than hurts the team when he's on the floor, he'll earn minutes that Woody will give him. Mario? A great hustle guy, but I don't see anyone getting minutes that should be lowered for him. Everyone bashes Lue, but he's often the best offense we've got when Joe is off, as has been the case most of the season. He does pound the ball and render others useless, but he also hits big shots regularly, a skill sorely missing on this team. Salim? I'd love if he'd produce, but I watch every game and I've seen nothing this year (and little in previous years) to warrant anymore than the DNP-Coaches Decisions he's been getting. I had hoped that BK could convert some of these players, like Shelden (who I think will be solid, but nowhere near worth #5) into contributors through trades, but the fact is that the team is poorly constructed, and starter quality PGs and Cs won't be had for anyone we have in backup roles. That only happens for the Lakers, and I can't imagine that we didn't offer Memphis better current players than LA, we just couldn't give them expiring contracts they liked. I'm afraid we're stuck with the only players likely to bring back needed value in a trade being JJ, JSmoove, or Horford, and teams looking to steal JChill, Shelden, Acie or Marvin in unfavorable trades (including sign and trades for trash if we threaten to match offers to RFAs) or by testing our owners ability to match offers to RFAs when the players become RFAs. Scary, but more a GM/owner problem than coaching. Woody isn't the best, but for most of his 4 years, he's gotten good effort out of these players. I think he'd do better elsewhere at least as much as Shelden, Salim & Co. would. We may get a chance to see that.

I am from Buffalo, but have lived here over 20 years. When the Bills play the Falcons, I have the Bills at heart, but if the Falcons win, I'm happy my second team won. After Buffalo lost its NBA team in the 70's, I loved the Lakers. When I moved here Nique and the 80's Hawks won me over, and I've rooted for every Hawks team since. Even the bad ones. I am totally sideways when the home crowd boos our team. Last night's crowd was embarassing, I'm ecstatic the Hawks smacked that a55, and Joe's D on Kobe sealed it.

They also booed Joe, and it sounded like quite a number. Amazing.

To be fair, only players available to the teams at the time the last game was played should be allowed to play. Noone who sat out the original game injured, or who was listed as inactive in the original game, or was acquired since the original game should be eligible to play. The Heat decided to trade a player who was then available on their own. If Shaq had been unavailable for the replay due to his current injury, he could not have played, so if he's unavailable because he's been traded, he and anyone else not part of that game cannot play. If that's not the rule, Miami has to fly Shaq into Atlanta for a final 52 seconds on the Heat. Agree?

Last I remember, the restrictions expired unless Belkin filed some sort of appeal within 30 days of the ruling, which he didn't do. I can't prove it without research, but I think the restrictions are over now.

Correctemundo. While I can't say that the team might not respond better to a different voice after hearing from Woody all this time (not yet advocating that, but considering it now), I see little to suggest that they aren't being coached properly now. They either can't or don't execute. Good response, Northcyde.

Weren't all those guys productive under Woody? I think Lo is about as effective now under Woody as he ever was since rejoining the Hawks. Lue has struggled to regain his form after injuries, and I think ZaZa's confidence has suffered because he cannot start over Horford. That's not a Woody problem.

hope you're right, I'll be there cheering them on.

Acie's injury set back his development, especially in the confidence department. Because this team has a chance to make the playoffs, Woody (rightfully) holds him accountable for making the right decisions on the floor, since poor ones hurt the entire team. It's called tough love, and while it might look unfair in the short run, it is best for the player (or people in general) in the long run. I remember seeing Sloan use the same approach with Deron in his rookie year. That turned out okay. I also remember asking Lenny Wilkins whether he'd take a risk on giving JT the opportunity to play through his mistakes because I felt JT was a long-term upgrade over the guards we had on that team. Lenny looked down his nose at me, and essentially said JT had a long way to go before he'd be ready to run a team, and that he'd play when Lenny thought he was ready. If Lenny were coaching him now, JT'd probably have had 6th man status only a long time before now. I know most folks don't, but I trust Woody's judgment to balance Acie's developmental needs with the short-term needs of the team to the best interests of the team and the individual. Woody doesn't seem to do a lot of public coddling, which is fine with me.