Peachtree Hoops: Atlanta Hawks Game Day News and Notes

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More photos » Gregory Smith - AP

about 21 hours ago: Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) drives against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Philips Arena, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

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First from Sunday's loss to the Suns:

From MC's pre-game post on the topic of switching against Nash and the Suns:

L.D. said the Suns run so many pick-and-rolls the

Hawks

will get caught in switches whether they want to our not. If it turns out the bigs can’t handle them then he said he would go smaller.

During his pregame press session coach Drew still wasn't decided on the plan of attack against the Suns. He was very concerned thus I think that is why you saw the Hawks try a variety of tactics. He pretty much said that the switch had been successful in the past against Nash and we weren't surprised to see it down the stretch. 

From MC's post game blog entry, Joe Johnson talks about the Hawks defense:

Facing a high-powered offense for the first time, the Hawks appeared slow-footed on their rotations and unsure about their assignments in transition. Marvin and Mo would have helped check all those perimeter guys, but J.J. said: "It’s tough but no excuses. We are a better defensive team than that. Give them credit. They exploited what they thought were mismatches. They made a lot of tough shots down the stretch."

Bright Side of the Sun blogger Wil Cantrell talks about the performance of Steve Nash:

Nash had 2 TO's against 15 assists. If he had 

tired legs

, he found a way to get them energized. Tonight he wasn't forcing things the way he was in the first 4-5 games. Further, if you dish 15 assists out, there's a good chance you and your teammates are on the same page. 

It was a treat for me to get to see Nash in person for the first time. I wish that it would have come with the Hawks winning but still it is unbelievable how this guy never stops moving. He sees the game so clearly and makes plays before they happen.

Hoopinion's Bret LaGree talks about the Horford Nash matchup:

Horford consistently stayed in front of Nash and forced him away from the paint. That Nash can hit the step-back jumper and find teammates on the move from any angle is to his eternal credit. That Horford forced Nash to display the full array of his gifts in order to remain effective is amazing. Despite Nash's second-half efficiency, despite the loss, Horford's defensive performance was spectacular.

I have to agree with Bret. I thought Horford did a pretty good job. Nash knocked down some really tough step back fall away jumpers.

Micah Hart of NBA.com's All Ball Blog talks about the return of Josh Childress to Atlanta:

So really, it worked out for Childress (his game got better/stayed the same and he made more money), and it worked out for the NBA (no one really followed his lead). I guess the only party it didn’t work out for was Atlanta, which became the last Eastern Conference team to lose a game.  Which come to think of it, makes them a winner too.

I for one was really surprised with the reception Childress got. Given all of the bring Chills back talk that has frequented most Hawks blogs and message boards the past two seasons I was expecting a warmer reception. 

More Trade Chatter

Sekou Smith talks a potential Hawks Pistons trade not involving Josh Smith:

I explained to my scout friend that I’d heard a great trade rumor about the Hawks and

Pistons

discussing a package to swap Prince (and another piece like 

Will Bynum

, who cannot be moved until after Dec. 15)  for 

Jamal Crawford

 and 

Jeff Teague

 (which would be an interesting swap for the Hawks since they don’t really have great depth in the backcourt)

Ok Peachtree Hoops, what do you think of this trade proposal? 

Tonight against the Magic

Great post by Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post on the refinements to Dwight Howard's offensive game:

The bad news for everyone else is that Howard has shown some growth in his game this season, although it is indeed quite early. Too early to draw many meaningful conclusions, in fact. But so far, he's showing more refinement at the offensive end, which certainly bears watching going forward.

View the full article