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Atlanta Hawks 94, Washington Wizards 82 or the Hawks 75% effort is better than the Wizards 75% effort.

boxscore

recap

"Have fun with that first quarter." Those were my friend's last words as I started the DVR. That initial period was an odd mix of bad shots, good misses, and "end of the shot clock" jumpers. For the most part, it just seemed the Hawks had an open enough shot that they could not pass up or a shot clock they had to pay attention to. Neither situation is entirely excusable, but neither demonstrates a make or break issue. An issues? Yes. There are always issues with a 17 point quarter, but mostly, this was a "we missed shots we normally hit and there were 3,000 people in the building to start the game" first quarter. Plus, the Wizards were perfectly fine with quick shots and bad shots on their own. And those two characteristics were rarely mutually exclusive.

Honestly, this game was not fun. Jeff Teague and Mario West tried to make it fun, but they only had so long to work their redemption. At some points, I felt like the Hawks kept the Wizards around to feign excitement, but that failed too. Tough defense applied and tough shots made are not exciting when it appears no one is going full speed. I am just glad the Hawks never forgot they were better and tried hard enough to pull out an easy win, even if it forced some unnecessary fourth quarter concessions.

Heeeeeeeee's Back

Ahhh, Mario West. Know this good sir. You are hated by some because you are loved by our coach. And the reason you are loved by our coach is the reason we all love you. Even the ones that hate you. Our coach sometimes can't distinguish love verses strategy. But we have no control over strategy. So let us just show love by saying thanks for your effort. Thanks for passion. Welcome home. And when we get tired of seeing your one minute appearances or detrimental offensive presence or fake good defense. Know it is not anger at you. There is nothing wrong with you. We want to be you and are glad someone in this world has the dedication and belief to make the dream a reality.

Star-divide

Serious Victory Bullets

  • Springfield called, they do not want a tape of the first four minutes.
  • Joe Johnson sometimes becomes a over excited kid on passes. I can just see the church league coach pushing his hands down signaling 8 year old Joe to calm down.
  • Whereas the first quarter was a bit understandable and even defensible, the second quarter post 22 point lead was just lazy. Luckily, 22 points leads give some leeway.
  • Al Horford was 0 on the +/-? Zero? In a win? I demand to see the adjusted plus/minus numbers.
  • It is not that the Wizards are that bad. Or that they don't try. It is just that they literally have no backbone. Required toughness is salt to a slug.
  • Not exactly sure how Mario's first bucket of the season was not over the back, but it was fitting. Clearly the refs have a sense of Hollywood.
  • Jamal Crawford can bank the ball harder against the backboard than anyone and hit the shot.
  • We found our solution to Earl Boykins in Jeff Teague. For the record, Teague did not guard the Nate Robinson show on New Years day.
  • Marvin Williams did his best version of Josh Smith tonight. Including, four blocks! Not including, massive complaining.
  • Actually, Marvin deserves two bullets. Without shooting lights out, Marvin has willed himself out of his early season slump. Of course the mustache is credited fully.
  • Dear Mike Bibby, thanks for sucking against the Wizards, Sincerely, us who don't want you to suck the next two games.
  • For real, this game was boring as hell. I blame no Zaza.
  • The DeShawn Stevenson is actually bad at shooting three pointers conversation between Nique and Bob was one for the ages.
  • Am I going crazy or is Jamal Crawford trying harder on defense?
  • No JaVale McGee? Good for the Hawks in my book.
  • Still very few half court plays that feed the post.
  • I listened to most of the fourth quarter on the radio and I pictured the Wizards actually helping Jamal Crawford score.

Go Hawks!

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crawford IS actually playing harder on defense

it seemed like the effort had always been there, he was just flat out bad at d, i think all this defensive work from woody is actually paying off for him, cuz it seems hes actually getting better, which is strange for a 9-year veteran, even stranger for jamal

by CoxXx on Jan 13, 2010 11:21 PM EST reply actions  

And to be honest

Bibby isn’t as bad this year as people make it seem. Of course he can’t keep up with the quicker guards, but when he’s faced with a dribbler Bibby can cause discomfort.

by axhfan on Jan 14, 2010 12:32 AM EST up reply actions  

I am not worried about Bibby defense

I mean we know what we get from him in that regard :) I am more concerned about lack of his offensive productivity. In the last few games he is just not shooting well. Several times he was passed to good open jump shot opportunities, and he was just missing. I hope he gets out of that funk quick, or if we start like last night against better teams, same problems as Orlando and Miami can happen. Thank God JJ and Crawford are hitting.

by ATLpaul on Jan 14, 2010 5:44 AM EST up reply actions  

At this point Bibby is a role player in terms of offensive output

While we still need him to run the offense, he only needs to contribute about 10pts a game. So if he’s not hittin the threes it’s not the end of the world (or the game). But when he’s hot Bibby is an absolute weapon. So I’m not concerned that he’s going through a funk.

by axhfan on Jan 14, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Your picturing the Wizards actually helping Jamal score

is not totally baseless. The didn’t do a damn thing to stop him. It probably wouldn’t have mattered since he was on his And 1 game tonight.

by Co Co on Jan 13, 2010 11:36 PM EST reply actions  

Ahh Cleveland

That is a wound that needs healing. They know, and we know, we could have won both games. We lost it in the 4th, you are right Bronn, but i sure want to get that team in front of us again.

by ATLpaul on Jan 14, 2010 5:46 AM EST up reply actions  

I wish

we would have played Jeff Teague more. This would have been a perfect game to let him play 10+ mins of the 4th with the starters. It would have given him much needed pratice and he was playing great out there earlier in the game. Why Bibby was in even though he was struggling was beyond me. Plus he needs rest to guard Nash in 2 days!

by happyplayer23 on Jan 14, 2010 2:31 AM EST reply actions  

Teague should play more against PHX

Mainly because Nash is really bad on defense. We need to be able to penetrate against the Suns completely soft interior.

by Duff_Man on Jan 14, 2010 9:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I was shocked

Just over 9,000 in the seats to see Mario’s return to the Hawks. I bet he’ll fill them when the Suns come to town.

by Expos4 on Jan 14, 2010 5:09 AM EST reply actions  

Lol

That’s why the Hawks re-signed him. The box office appeal.

by axhfan on Jan 14, 2010 2:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Mavin, Josh, Teague, Mario

Rambling thoughts this morning,
Marvin is becoming better, fighting, rebounding, attacking the basket, shooting, in the last few games. He has a versatile offensive game. Yes he still is missing a lot of jumpers, but he is beginning to click, and man that makes it hard for other teams if he is more aggressive like he is beginning to be.
Josh’s assists and passing is so underrated. Yes his blocks (another one that was amazing last night) and dunks are amazing, but he is passing the ball as well as any one on the Hawks. We forget how young he and Marvin are some times.
Teague needs playing time. I actually loved his play last night (ok minus that outside jumper). He helped us and if he plays like that, he can get in more game situations. He needs seasoning, he is just a very young player in NBA, but our great group of guys know that and are supporting him. I am very hopeful Teague will be a player in 2 years.
Mario is the man :) next time someone like Richardson, or Riddick or White chocolate or some other dude you never heard from gets hot, get Mario in the game. He will drive them nuts. There is a place for him on this team.

by ATLpaul on Jan 14, 2010 5:55 AM EST reply actions  

that game was weird although jj ended up with 24

I really think he does bring 12 points with him before the game. and marv is just plain awesome. Mario and teague! I will just say OMG when they come in the game together. its like they shut everyone down. but it won’t last long(sniff). I love moo and zaza but Mario is what we need when the opposing teams worst player becomes a star all of a sudden

by Hawksgirl on Jan 14, 2010 11:02 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

We need more Teague

and if necessary to that end less Mario

by coachkcastellon on Jan 14, 2010 11:39 AM EST reply actions  

Unfortunately....

The game was a listed black out for Maryland, DC, and Virginia so I had no chance of catching the game.

How did Al hold up against Jamison?Or was Josh on Jamison?

by LA26 on Jan 14, 2010 12:10 PM EST reply actions  

The game was on CSN+ (not blacked out_

They don’t usually blackout away games for the Wizards here in DC (or VA).

Jamison did well in the second half but the Hawks always seemed to have an answer on the offensive end so his performance was overshadowed a bit.

by VAHawksFan on Jan 14, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions  

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