Hawks

By EdoRiver

October 4, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

I just hope no one gets injured if they take these drills to the limit.

By Matt

October 4, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight said during the draft that the Hawks points-in-the-paint defense was second worst in the league last year, so that’s why we need Shelden Williams. As I said on my blog, we were actually around the league average in terms of points scored by opposing forwards and centers. If our points-in-the-paint stats were that bad, it stands to reason it is the fault of our guards allowing penetration. I seem to recall a certain immobile starting point guard being relentlessly crossed over, and a steady stream of career scoring highs being given up to opposing PGs.

-Matt from Hotlanta Hawks Blog

By jbrownjib

October 4, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

Defense wins championships! Everybody in the NBA is capable of scoring points. Its shuting the other team down that is difficult.

By The Flash

October 4, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

What’s with all this talk about defense? They say that defense might win games, but we all know what sells them, can we say “offense” boys and girls? Besides, defense, as separate and a part from offense, is a meaningless nothing, a false dichotomy, “a song without a tune, a year without a June” (name that tune, for 50 extra points in the fantasy league). A fluid offense, in which everyone gets to contribute and exercise dominion over his opponent, is the key to effective defense, at least in the new era.

Me thinks I’m hearing bobby-ball here; somebody tell Mike that that ship has sailed; heck, they ain’t even playing Bobby ball where Bobby is these days, not that anybody’s watching. Hello, Mike, outscore some people and make stops in spots when it counts; otherwise, set the tempo, make people play your style, and voilla, we’ll win our share, that is, if we have any stylin in our style, which we should given the personnel at hand. That is my story, and, as I have for a long time, I’m stickin to it. Ain’t that right, Thinkingman?

By jhan

October 4, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this

Gotta play solid D & rebound if you want to win. It doesn’t do any good to score 115 & give up 120. If you want to run up & down the court all night, it will have to start on the defensive end. Swarm the ball & the passing lanes. Tough bigs who will block out & rebound are also a necessity. Nobody scored more than Phx last year but who won the title? Not Phx. I seem to recall a very energetic Alonzo Mourning playing “D” like he was back at Georgetown. Can’t give up on the defensive intensity.

By bootsybug

October 4, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

a song without a tune, a year without a june = a boy without a girl, by the great frankie avalon(who infamously made a cameo in pee-wee’s playhouse christmas special, and that tidbit alone is worth 50 points in any fantasy league worth its salt!).

for the hawks to be successful this year, they will have to be the hardest working team and focus on balance. all great teams in any sport have great defense, but they also have at least a solid offense. the hawks have to outwork their opponents in every aspect of the game, then they will gain respect from the officials, etc.

looking forward to see what positive influences shelden and lorenzen have in how the game is played the right way.

By Richie Rich

October 4, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

Matt, I’m glad that i wasn’t the only one to notice that last year. I posted that awhile back. That is why i wanted Foye or Roy in the draft, both of them are excellent defender’s, along with JJ, would have been a nice backcourt. I can’t tell you how many of those night’s, where the opposing player set a season high for points, came while being gaurded by JCHILL. He got smoked last year like a pack of off brand cigarettes.

When the Hawks get off to a 4-14 record, i will be waiting to hear Rick Adelman’s name being mentioned as our new coach, and that Blly Knight is gone!!!

By ray

October 5, 2006 03:29 AM | Link to this

If these guys were putting up 102 last year, why is there a cry for offense? Defense helps win games because it generates offense. Come on guys…Just imagine this: we get a steal, block, defensive rebound, doesn’t matter as long as it’s a change of possession. Someone starts the break with the quick outlet pass. Look at how many guys can finish on the break. And it’s the fast break that brings so much excitement. Who gets excited by a fluid half-court offense? Not the average “I want excitement” type of fan, I’m sure. Unless of course, it’s a case where one guy has the ball and just destroys the other team with an explosion toward the basket that ends up in a thunderous dunk or an incredibly acrobatic shot. Which happens, but is less likely when you don’t have a Kobe, Garnett, McGrady, DWade, or somebody like that. And it’s plain to see that our guys are athletes just begging to be cut loose on the fast break. But they won’t get to do it much if they don’t rebound well and play good defense. Nobody wants the Hawks to turn into the Pistons. They win but don’t thrill you much. And even then, the Pistons found out that you have to SCORE. As has been said, so far that’s not a problem for us. We just have to balance it with good defense. And besides, defense isn’t really so much about “stopping” the other team as it is about limiting the other team. You aren’t going to stop anybody.

By Astro Joe

October 5, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

The point that it was guard play that killed the Hawks last year is right on target. But it wasn’t guards shooting jump shots, it was penetration. And yes, cutting off that penetration is important, which Speedy should be able to provide. but having guys who aren’t afraid of body contact to punish the little guys is a great asset also. Sheldon may not be the second coming of Karl Malone, but in his rookie year, I’ll gladly take a little Rick Mahorn/Charles Oakley action. Pound the glass and pound the heck out of any little man coming through the lane. Whether the shot gets blocked or not is not nearly as important as disseminating pain.

By honest_abe

October 5, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

aaaaamen!

go dawgs!

By Rip

October 5, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this

In order for the hawks to be a legimate contenter they need to have a more stable offense thats creates good shots since they really don’t have anyone to really break the defense down and domand a double or triple team. Low post presence was non- existent last year and they need someone to nitely put up at least 10-15 points from the post. Overall I thought the hawks played decent defense last year. If I recall they lost a lot of games by blowing leads and not having good shots and the end of some games. The hawks can be a solid team if they play smart by limiting the turnovers, moving the ball and taking good shots. I think they should play more of a up tempo game also to use the athelets they have a the forward position.

By ScoobySnacks

October 5, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

I read the report on the Turner South programming change. Does this mean we might see some Hawks games in HD, or will the presentation of the games remain in the dark ages. By the way our announcers and color commentary suck. Any real proffessionals available. Anywhere?

By The Flash

October 5, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

Samuel, give the man 50 points. Or not, considering that I ain’t playing because, no doubt, I’d come in last. My point, gentlemen, is that the offense must not be boring and must have MORE initiators, not just JJ, as good as he is. In DC, they hired a “Defensive” coach to emphasize defense too. In DC, if they ask me which they of course haven’t, unless they get rid of the “big three” concept on offense, they can hire 16 defensive coaches and the result will be the same.

Now, Le Bullez, as my man T likes to still call them, have greatly strengthened their roster. The white dude from Wake via Chicago is tough and should provide missing offense inside and tough defense. Only he won’t provide missing offense if they play the “Big Three Offense” and it is doubtful that they will be able to change that because, as I’ve pointed out before, Arenas cannot use his bigs and chew gum at the same time.

Now, here we have a cat of different feathers. We got no one with Arenas type limitations and plenty of people who can really flourish in a fluid offensive scheme that does not always run through JJ, who in my opinion was encouraged to hang onto the ball way too long in the past. I am sure JJ would have no problem with seeing that change, and share the initiation-of-offensive responsibilities with others. The question to me is, will the coach focus on that, or even see it as a priority; or will he just try to stiffen the defense.

“Beat your guy on offense, make a real contribution on offense that exhibits dominion over the opponent, and defensive plays follow.” The Flash’s Law. “Be appendage on offense, the other guy’s confidence grows, yours diminishes, and defensive plays become less prevalent.” Ditto. That has been true of the game since I was first exposed to it (and “that’s a long, long time” ago, like when “the roses, have lost their bloom,” another 50) and I believe it remains true today, on whatever level the game is played, unless you have bobbie boy climbing all over you and I don’t see no bobbie boy around here, thank goodness.

As for D, Sheldon should alone help immensely, escpecially down the stretch and especially against the NBA “boring”, down the stretch special, the OLD pick and roll.

By THL

October 5, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

I have to agree with Astro. Intimidating D from the 4 & 5 spots (Harrington & Pa-choo-lee) was the most glaring improvement the Hawks needed to make. Another thing was the help defense to cut off penetration when someone got beat at the top of the key. That falls on all 5 guys and not just the 4 & 5 though. I would love to see this team push tempo and create a running game but they will have to get borads, blocks, and steals to do so.

45 wins this year (I am sober…I think)

By Astro Joe

October 5, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

Sekou, what do the guys think of the new ball? Shaq has been ripping it. If a big guy like that is having problems with the grip of the ball, how are the wing players dealing with it?

Flash, I watched your ‘Zards going through drills last night on NBATV. The 20 minutes I watched was all about playing the pick & roll on defense. I’m not sure that I ever saw Gilbert touch the ball.

You’re right, offense sells. But when your scoring 102 points a game, and winning only 26 games, I don’t think the coaching staff should be working on offense in the first few days of camp. Plus, defense is about team play, effort and communication. Most good defensive teams win. Maybe they are winning because of the “side effects” associated with good team defense. All I know is that if Sekou had said that during the early days of camp, Josh Smith was challenging JJ to a 3-point shooting contest, I’d be selling t-shirts across the street from Clyde (2 for 1 specials).

By The Flash

October 5, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

As always, you make a very good, and potentially convincing case, Astroman. However, I never said it was about numbers, as in how many points a team scores. It is, to me, how a TEAM goes about using the ball on offense as a team. Separating that from defense does not work for me.

I got no beef in working to improve defensive concepts, understandings of them by the players involved, so they can function in a manner in half court sets the way the coach envisions, or better still, the way they all can expect. However, at the end of the day, as in the beginning, what makes the game a game is the ball, and how the team in possession of it, uses it and themselves to achieve dominion and hopefully victory in the game. I did not see the Hawks enough (maybe I’ll bite for the big money this year) but, from what I saw, their concepts were uninspiring, although somewhat understandable for where they were in their development. As I see it now, “Soups on,” it’s time to play ball.

By Astro Joe

October 5, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

Flash, no doubt our offense was far from inspired. But, hey, it worked very well for about 40 minutes of every game. While it certainly needs work, the defense seemed to only be effective for about 18 minutes a game. Would love to see more pick and pop plays with Marvin and the PG. Would love to see JJ in the post more often. And would love to see some isolation plays for Speedy, Salim and Lue, with either Shelden or Lo Wright ready to take the pass down low.

Good stuff from the camp. I don’t expect that anyone should be satisfied coming off the bench but let’s hope that no one will be a distraction when the decision gets made. I hope Woody finds a well-defined role for Salim, as he currently appears to be the forgotten man. I think dude is far too explosive, too clutch and too much of a competitor to have sit on the bench for most of the game/season. (Of course, that assumes that he shows a willingness and ability to play on the defensive side of the court).

By The Flash

October 5, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

we’re getting very close on this thing Astroman, but what I’d like to see, is an offense that flows more, in which guys make catches in spots that are good for them and can feel when they have caught it in their rhythm and in circumstances when it is theirs to initiate with. I ain’t no Xs and Os guy, too bad, but the examples that come to mind are the triangle teams (Phil’s or really Rex’s teams); the Princeton teams (the kings with Carrill in the pros really is the only true one); and whatever it is that Phoenix is doing.

I just would like to see lots of options just flow and people other than JJ having lots of opportunities to take responsibility to know when they are ready to initiate and contribute; that happens, and, when the clock is running down, it is an entirely different game; ditto at crunch time. Then JJ becomes all the more dangerous. Then who cares about no stinkin defense! NB Respect, my man, NBR

By Homer Simpson

October 5, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

The best offense is a good defense…or is it the best defense is a good offense? It’s both…or either. I think it depends on the sport.

In football, great O begets good D because of clock control. The inverse is true because great D leads to good field position and occasional defensive scores. In basketball, great D begets good O because it leads to high-percentage transition scoring. I’m not sure the inverse is true for basketball, although you might argue good offense puts pressure on the other team to score.

The ‘93-‘94 team was great because of transition scoring. The defensive backcourt was the best in Hawk history Blaylock and Augmon were good for 4 steals a game, and this usually led to lay-ups and took possessions away from opponents. The shot blocking wasn’t that good, but the rebounding was very solid, and the team fought for loose balls better than any I remember.

Basketball is a simple game. The key is in being more efficient than your opponent. Some talk of winning the turn-over battle, which is a similar idea. This is even more true when you conceive of a missed shot rebounded by the defense as a turnover.

All these ideas of “ball-movement”, “making the extra pass”, “improving post scoring”, “offensive rebounding”, “protecting the ball” are simply related to taking high percentage shots and failing to turn the ball over, maximizing efficiency.

Ideas of “blocking shots”, “defensive rebounding”, “getting a hand in his face”, “cutting off passing lanes”, are about generating turnovers and forcing more difficult shots, minimizing opposition efficiency.

I’m sure many of you think these ideas are overly simplistic, but you would be baffled if you could know how FEW NBA players understand these concepts. These men who are paid millions of dollars for “athleticism” and “explosiveness” would find these ideas foreign. That’s why players who shoot 40% continue to jack shots. They don’t realize what the game they’ve spent their lives playing is all about.

By udaman

October 6, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

The Hawks didn’t average 102 ppg last year, they averaged 97. It was their opponents who averaged 102.

A lot of that was due to the fact that Zaza and Al let guys shoot layups in their face all day. Getting rid of Al and replacing him with Shelden only solves half of their interior D problem.

Speedy should do a much better job defending the point but his lack of size and injury history are definitely a concern.

By ray

October 7, 2006 03:30 AM | Link to this

I think that good offense and defense constantly feed each other. But which do you count on when things are going rough? I say it’s the defense. Sometimes you just can’t seem to buy a basket. But if you play consistent, solid tough defense, it will often give you a break somewhere when you need it. Usually it’s a turnover that allows for an easy basket, especially if you’re guys are fast and good finishers on the break. The thing about good defense is that it frustrates the opponent into making mistakes and trying to force things to happen: and there’s your turnover. In turn, this makes things easier on you on offense.

Now for the flip side of the coin, so to speak. I can’t argue much with either Flash or Astro. In fact, I enjoyed their brief “tennis match”. So, I’ll say this. A good offense that feeds a defense definitely needs two simple things: ball movement and movement without the ball. Both of these do a very important thing, and that’s wear out the opponent. Rip Hamilton is a guy who’s good at that. He’ll run you off of screens and all over the half court space all day. This causes his opponent to be suckin’ wind when they’re trying to make something happen on offense. Good ball movement speaks for itself. The ball can be passed faster than a defender can move, and eventually that extra pass will find an open shooter or give someone an opportunity to penetrate. And there’s nothing like a misdirection to fool the opposition. So I guess either way you slice it, both offense and defense feed each other. But again, if the shots aren’t falling for whatever reason…yeah you gotta keep on shooting, but you also have to keep the other team from passing you in the scoring column.