Atlanta Prepares To Open Preseason Slate With Charlotte

by Kris Willis on Dec 19, 2011 8:01 AM EST

Atlanta headed to Charlotte on Sunday in preparation for Monday night's preseason opener against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Hawks are expected to open the game with the familiar foursome of Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford. Jeff Teague will get the start at point guard.

Atlanta will be without Kirk Hinrich who is still out due to a shoulder injury he had in the off season. That combined with the departure of Jamal Crawford has left the Hawks a little thin in the backcourt. New addition Tracy McGrady will help but the Larry Drew and the coaching staff are expected to spend a portion of the preseason game and the remainder of camp evaluating Pape Sy, Brad Wanamaker and Donald Sloan who are all trying to make the Hawks final roster.

Sy seems to have the inside track but his contract is non-guaranteed. It is possible that Atlanta will elect to keep either Sloan or Wanamaker in addition to Sy at least until Hinrich was ready to rejoin the club.

Training Camp Roster Update via MC

The Hawks released Charles Garcia and Zach Graham. The roster is now down to 16 before the first exhibition game at Charlotte on Monday.

No word yet if Garcia and Graham plan to return to their respective D-League teams or seek opportunities elsewhere. Garcia was with Sioux Falls before joining Atlanta's training camp. Graham was a part of Hawks' affiliate Reno before also getting the call.

For more on the Atlanta Hawks be sure to follow Peachtree Hoops on Twitter. Also check out the Peachtree Hoops Facebook Page for daily updates and comments from around the league.

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Point Guard and backup big man

Here is my perspective on point guard situation and big man backup situation,

Papa Sy – 6-7, has good athletic abilities, but no reason to think he is point guard material. Taking him, or T-Mac as backup point plan, with a condensed schedule is a huge risk. But ASG must be seeing something in him to keep him around for this long, so I am sure they will keep Sy to do some backup, hopefully more like 2 guard. Therefore, I hope it comes down to Wannamaker vs, Sloan, Wannamker, a solid body point with ok speed, but nice shot, a good complement to Teague because of a change of pace style. Wannamaker is much more of a natural point than Sloan or even Teague, he sees the court. If you want to add another Teague like player, the Sloan route seems like a good one. I think either Sloan or Wannamker are ok to keep.

As for backup big, unfortunately we lack the big to let Lion play PF, and Smoove SF, so we are stuck with Bensen, Collins, Magnum. We know what Collins is, a good bump and grind big man, who will take defensive charge, plays Howard well, but can’t rebound, and can’t really block shots. I like to see Bensen out of here. Dude is too thin. I want to see Magnum get some minutes, I have a good feeling about him. Seems to have enough moves, athletic ability, and even a little bigger, to remind one of lesser JaVale McGee. I think after tonight, ASG will either go after a big, or will keep Magnum as one of the big backups. I like him to get 5-10 minutes a night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGWGO5OnobM

by ATLpaul on Dec 19, 2011 9:33 AM EST reply actions

It’s worth pointing out that for years Joe Johnson was the Hawks’ main ball handler. There’s no reason when Teague is resting on the bench that the Hawks couldn’t revert to the old backup PG brings the ball up the court then dumps it off on Joe routine. Hopefully that wouldn’t be followed by Joe holding it for 16 seconds before throwing up a long jumper though.

by redwards95 on Dec 19, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

Putting JJ at point is a mistake

Yes JJ did play point guard before, but that was 4 or 5 years ago, he is now 4-5 years older.
Also, JJ is your most potent offensive weapon. And this is a condensed season with back to back to back and multiple sets of back to backs in a short time.

To expect JJ to bring the ball up, distribute, and defend other speedy point guards, and score over 20 points a game, and not get exhausted, is an unreasonable proposition.

One of the exciting parts of Hawks this year, is at last, other teams can not attack us at point of entry. With no Jamal and no Bibby, at last Smoove and Lion can defend their own men. At last we have a point guard in Teague that can defend. We just need to pair him with someone that can back him up for a few minutes a game when he needs rest or in case of injury, until Captain Kirk is back.

I am hopeful about Wannamaker or Sloan, but if not, I am beginning to think Nate Robinson should be talked to

by ATLpaul on Dec 19, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I think Sy is a natural 2 guard

Maybe even a 2-3. I don’t think he really belongs at the point. Of the guys we have, I think I prefer Donald Sloan. Brad Wanamaker isn’t really a great shooter, and doesn’t have great quickness, but does have great passing skills. I just don’t think he has the supplementary skills to take advantage of his passing ability at the NBA level. Pape Sy deserves to be on this roster as a back-up at multiple positions, but the back-up PG I want is Sloan, right now.

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Dec 19, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

I'll believe it when I see it.

via Michael Cunningham’s Twitter

#Hawks F Josh Smith worked on mid-range J but plans to shoot less 3s: “You’re going to see less of that from me.”

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Dec 19, 2011 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Yup

"A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."
Mohandas Gandhi

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
Jesus

"We were real solid on both ends of the floor today and had positive energy coming from the bench tonight."
Jeff Teague

by Throw on Dec 19, 2011 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

Here we go again.

Threes and jumpers? Josh…work on your FT shooting, dude. Please. I beg you. 73% was good last year, but you have to get some consistency from the line. 60% in the playoffs ain’t going to cut it.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Dec 19, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

It’s too early in the season to bash Josh’s shot selection. I’ll wait until the recap of game 1.

by redwards95 on Dec 19, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

He shoots too many mid-range jumpers too

So, ya know, it’s a problem either way.

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Dec 19, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't say that

one step inside the arc isn’t “mid-range” to me. If he adds that consistent 15-18 footer, combined with his quickness and ability to take one dribble and explode on to the rim, he could become an offensive force.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 19, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

He's always been bad from 15-18 feet

And it’s still not the kind of shot he should be taken, when he’s skilled inside. But then, he’s lost enough weight, and perhaps some strength, so it’s going to force him a bit more outside, I think.

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Dec 19, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

I just think of Amare

start at the elbow. If they give you space, you knock down the two with ease. if they crowd you, one dribble to the right or left and you’re flying for the dunk. It’s a pick your poison offensive set that works wonders for Stoudemire, and Josh has similar explosiveness to do the same, if he had that consistent shot to force you to pick whichever you wanna die from.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 19, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

But Stoudemire is a skilled offensive shooter, and he’s always worked in an offense that spread the floor well. The Hawks have never done a particularly effective job of spreading the floor. So there’s two reasons that it can work for Amare and not for Josh. Be a threat to actually hit that jumper, or else they’ll just collapse on you to keep you from driving.

My buddy and I just decided that the braves would be set if we could get Matt Kemp, Jose Reyes, and Albert Pujols.

by willlinn on May 17, 2011 2:13 PM EDT

by Bronn on Dec 19, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

Amare

He wasn’t much of a threat to hit a jumper until recently. He was basically a pick and roll dunker in most of his time with Phoenix. The thing about Amare has always been his aggressiveness. He attacks the friggin rim.
He also is Horford Kryptonite

by frootbooty on Dec 19, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

Its been so long, im getting nervous

"A ‘No’ uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble."
Mohandas Gandhi

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
Jesus

"We were real solid on both ends of the floor today and had positive energy coming from the bench tonight."
Jeff Teague

by Throw on Dec 19, 2011 11:14 AM EST reply actions

Guess I won't be able to see the game here in PA.

But it will be a good game thread warmup for the season!

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Dec 19, 2011 11:49 AM EST reply actions

It's gonna be on NBA TV

I know where the bodies are buried.....I buried some of them myself. - David Stern

by a hooter's baby on Dec 19, 2011 1:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Huzzah!

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Dec 19, 2011 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Never been amped for a preseason game

But I am tonight fue to Teague vs. Kemba. Me and the family will be at the game tonight. And I will take Josh at his word. He has show he can reduce the the number of 3 point attempts because he has done it before. My question is with his “slimmer and sleeker” frame will he drive more to the basket if he catches the ball on the perimeter

by xavip on Dec 19, 2011 3:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Enjoy the game tonight

Slimmer Smoove = more hops. That would mean we should see him doing more dunks as that is easier on his legs.

He has ok handles, not great handles, so I would rather him get the ball close to basket, not too far away.

As you say, so interesting to see how Teague performs. Will he be a good field general? Will he get in foul trouble? Will he at long last fulfill the promise of athletic Hawks by unleashing their fury freed from the shackles of Bibby and let them do what God intended them to do? Run you flying predators, Run Hawks… Run…..

by ATLpaul on Dec 19, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions