Raptors vs. Hawks Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 93, Toronto Raptors 84
by Jason Walker on Jan 17, 2012 1:33 AM EST
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Quick Thought: Josh Smith has his eye on Al Horford's 2-time All-Star seat -- and the Hawks keep winning.
(Deep)er Thoughts:
There aren't many deep thoughts here -- the Hawks, even without Horford are still a higher caliber team than the Raptors without Andres Bargnani. The Hawks used their superior athleticism and talent to get to the line more and force the Raptors into a low shooting percentage.
The guys got started slow very early on, but recovered to take a commanding lead before even the first quarter was over and the Hawks never relinquished the lead.
Josh Smith led the way early on with 12 first quarter points and Joe Johnson had eight -- a sign of things to come in the game for the Hawks, who relied heavily on their two remaining all-star caliber players to get the win.
Afterthoughts:
Joe Johnson had three blocks for the first time in a game since he had four on 2/22/2006 against Seattle It was the.fifth time in his career and second as a Hawk.
Joe also helped keep down DeMar DeRozen, holding him to a 5-17 shooting night in a game that Toronto needed desperately for someone like DeRozen to step up in the absence of Andres Bargnani, who did not play with his calf injury.
We've noted it before, but this is the first time this year. Marvin Williams is the king --- of having rebounds glance off his hands or just simply not able to secure the board when it gets into his hands. He had at least two of those tonight -- always comical how it happens. There needs to be a hot key at the arena that can sounds off when this occurs.
Game Balls:
Josh Smith has been fantastic lately, and it speaks to all the times when we lament when he doesn't add any flavor to his jump shot variety pack. Since Horford's absence, Josh has clearly stepped up and it only partially relates to making more of those infamous jumpers. 15 rebounds, 12 of them defensive, is exactly what the team needs with Horford out.
When Josh wasn't hot, it was Joe Johnson picking up the slack. Johnson's 27/5/6 line, coupled with Josh's line, is what made the win happen for the Hawks. Between the two of them, they made 22 of the Hawks 32 field goals.
Final Thought:
The Hawks are proving that they can still beat the lower tier teams in the East, even without Horford. And I would bet on seeing Josh Smith playing All-Star basketball in Orlando if his production keeps up and the Hawks keep winning without Big Al.
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Wednesday will be the test
Barkely’s favorite team in the West: The Portland Trailbrazers against a Horford-less Hawks team.
Aldridge is going to be tough to stop without Al
Hopefully Ivan can scare him from coming out of the locker room.
Ivan Johnson - the new Xavier McDaniel
I fear that ivan will foul out by halftime
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
I think it's going to have to be the 12 foul monster known as ZazVan that'll have to try do the job on him
Ivan Johnson - the new Xavier McDaniel
Dont know if you noticed or not but the Blazers are even more thin in the front court than are the Hawks.
They really lack depth overall (they only really play 8 guys), but they lost Camby for a few games with an ankle injury. That leaves them with LA, Craig Smith, Kurt Thomas, and Gerald Wallace can play some 4. Other than that Greg Oden is on his 3rd or 4th year on IR and a second year center named Chris Johnson that doesn’t get much burn at all.
I went to Portlands SBNation blog sight to see what the bloggers were saying about the team and judging from the comments, they have a much worse frontcourt situation than do the Hawks. They’ve been dealing with injuries for a long time, like since Bill Walton, and its always their center from what I understood.
What are Blazers fans whinging about?
Duckworth and Sabonis never had long term injuries when playing for the Blazers.
Ivan Johnson - the new Xavier McDaniel
Stat of the Night (Day)
Joe Johnson with his first 3 block game since he had 4 on 2/22/2006. 5th time all-time and 2nd as a Hawk.
That's putting it very lightly.
He is in God Mode or has admin status or something.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on Jan 16, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
so what exactly did Willie green do?
To play over Marvin in the fourth quarter? I mean hawks needed rebounding, Willie green somehow grabs none in 18 minutes…
by Jonesy24 on Jan 16, 2012 7:05 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Straight to you from Bret Lagree's recap!
Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.
by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT
also its my obligatory complain about Marvin Williams minutes post
after every win for Atlanta lol
I was ready to bash his shooting today
But the same thought entered my head. I believe LD is being cautious with Marvin and TMac until they get to full health (hopefully even then with TMac). The other thought is to have more ballhandlers in the game at that time.
he was 2 for 7... and the majority were long two jumpshots
Marvin was 5/6 from the Free throw line in only 22 minutes
Mookie Blaylock made $32,000,000 in his career?
Holy crap!
MOOKIE MOOKIE! LEND ME YOUR COMB!
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on Jan 16, 2012 7:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Not a bad return for some great defense and some poor shot selection
Ivan Johnson - the new Xavier McDaniel
All this winning...
Post the end of the season must stop. Seriously. Didn’t the Hawks get the memo to quit and play for 2013?
GATA!
someone didnt get the memo on league parity
My obligatory memo to Look at the opposing frontcourt
- 6’10 skinny inexperienced Ed Davis
- 6’9 skinny PF/center Amir Johnson
- 6’8 European SF Linas Kleiza playing PF
thats Washington Generals talent there. Did they have any Center at all?
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
Don't be bitter guy.
This is a good team, with or without Al. And they will win while Al is out. They are beating the teams they are supposed to beat. Bottom line. That was before Al was hurt and that is after Al is out with injury.
And I have pointed out before that the center position is the WEAKEST position in the league by far. There won’t be many nights that the opposing center will be an overwhelming disadvantage for the Hawks. After Dwight the five best centers in the East are Bogut, Hibbert, Noah, Bargnani, and Chandler. Of those, only Bogut and Hibbert are threats on both ends of the court. But even still, the Bucks are bad and player for player the Hawks are better than Indy.
not bitter. If the league sucks as a whole, it has regressed then it makes us better by default.
But as much as I support the Smith + shooters at SG and PF and a center, its hard for me to accept that every team will be as bad as the ones we’ve seen so far.
many Western teams could stomp us, but more relevant to this postseason is which other Eastern teams did not regress or did get better (unlike Toronto or teams we’ve faced recently).
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Actually the league is much stronger overall.
With Philly and Indy improving the East is much tougher and would get a lot tougher if New York and Boston are able to turn things around. But that’s besides the point. I was referring to the Center position as being weak across the league. That’s the position that Al has left vacant.
By far the most talented and impactful position is the PG position. And we have Jeff Teague to hold down that spot and Hinrich is in waiting. That’s the difference, our point guard. Most teams now employ credible defensive minded centers. Most games that position won’t determine whether the Hawks win or lose without Al.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions
ok rec'd
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
I love this thinking.
“We aren’t a good team…everyone else is worse.”
More Atlanta self loathing.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
I'm not from Atlanta though. Everyone we've beaten in this 3 game stretch is worse. Raptors without any big men? Its true. :D
Credit to management for keeping Smith and Joe together.
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 17, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
he's not from atlanta
look at his sig……he’s a clear troll
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Yet my sig and trade included is the same as before Horford went down... so quit the name calling.
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 18, 2012 1:07 AM EST up reply actions
I mean I see the media should make the observation of the competition regularly being terrible when Smith dominates.
Having these machinations of “All Star” in the headings when we know Smith is undersized but had perfect matchup today.
It rubs me the wrong way that Smith’s 1st All Star Appearance depends on how many teams outright stink.
Smith is literally pushed around and forced into bad offense by star big man Kevin Love. Smith is stupid blah blah blah.
Next day…Amir Johnson Linas Kleiza and stringbean Ed Davis at center and PF = SMith is All Star,book it.
Have people already scouted the league and said Josh Smith will have X amount of favorable matchups like this? Idk if the whole league is that undersized as today…but this fluctuating support without giving credit to high caliber defenders on Smith is doing Smith a disservice imo.
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
ie if Philly's bigs are better post defenders than Raptors Kleiza-Davis-Amir combo will people start tripping on Smith having a bad performance?
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe this is one of those "things happen for a reason" situations for the Hawks.
Just like when Hinrich went down in the playoffs, the Hawks were said to have no chance against the league’s MVP and the league’s best team by record. But what many failed to take notice of was a hungry Jeff Teague coming in to prove that he is a starting point guard in this league and that he should be the Hawks starting guard.
Well maybe, just maybe, this is the opportunity for someone else to make their mark. The early candidate is JSmoove. Smoove has been great in the last 10 games and even better in the last 4 or 5.
Smoove is definitely take advantage of the opportunity to prove that he is the “other” star on this team.
Don't know if it's a sign of changes for Josh Smith or not
He did take 10 jumpshots tonight from 16-21 feet. He did make 7 of them, which is a rate he’s not been historically capable of sustaining, but perhaps they’re slightly better shots than he had taken in the past. I’m going to wait before I declare that we’ve really seen a new Josh Smith emerge, but I do like that his first 4 shots were all basically lay-ups. Maybe it takes a few of those to get his shot going.
Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.
by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT
Yeah, I think I said after the Charlotte game that had Josh missed some those jumpers, they would be typical bad shots by Josh.
The same can be said in this game. But he was making them and we won. So all is well in Hawkland when Josh is making shots. But I would agree that he is taking better shots in general. Most are from the high elbow, which is great if he can consistently make that shot. It good for spacing, it allows him room to make a move to the basket if need be, and most importantly he’s not roaming around the 3pt line.
And you know what, if he can consistently make that shot, Josh will be able to average 20 points a game. His high scoring games usually come when his jump shot is falling.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
So I was at the game tonight
was anybody else shocked with josh making his jumpers? I seriously had to pinch myself to make sure I wasnt dreaming.
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
Dare I say
Jesus Smith?
Any and all new Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer factoids must be approved by Ivan Johnson
by a hooter's baby on Jan 16, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
haha
it was after the 4th that I stopped visibly cringing. Though I had to bite my tongue just because he has been making them.
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
power rankings..
marc stein & whoever does the power rankings on nba.com dropped the hawks quite a bit because al is out.. apparently if youre not considered a "marquee" team or the sixers (who hasnt played a real team yet) then you get no respect. i guess winning means nothing
I saw that too.
I recently had a rant about the Hawks status in the Power Rankings because of the loss to Indy. And as I know that power rankings are essentially trivial, they do represent the status of respect of a team. And its obvious that it hurt the national media so much to have to reward the Hawks for their good start to the season that for the first sign of adversity they were ready to show the lack of respect for this team and franchise. The national media writes more on subjectivity and less on objectivity. The Hawks didn’t even get a chance to lose a meaningful amount of games before they were dropped to the middle of the pack.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
the hawks didnt lose any games
they go 3-0 during the horford injury but yet they drop 6 spots. Meanwhile Miami drops 3 games and chicago continues to lose random games but yet they are both still in the top 5. I hope you now see why I think the Power rankings are trivial.
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
Well some people are including the Indy game.
So just to be not overlook the minor discrepancies, I didn’t want to exclude the one game we lost this week.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
okay again for example we lose 1 this week and Miami lost 3
but in the end who dropped further?
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
Hey, I totally agree with you.
But as we all know, the Hawks get no respect and the Heat get too much in my opinion.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
Now this I agree with
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
they potentially got 3 HoFers. Lets say 2.5.
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Bronn wade and spoelstra?
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
Wow. Good one :D
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
And also...
Had the Hawks lost to the Heat like they did without Al, it would have been the apocalypse for the Hawks season.
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
we havent played several "real" deal Eastern teams without Horford yet either. Sixers come to mind, Milwaukee has size and could scare if they make playoffs? idk NYK? lol just saying its not in the bag yet
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 10:10 PM EST reply actions
i agree
but at the same time espn had us go from 6 to 12 just based on the fact that horford is injured, nevermind that we still havent lost a game without him yet. im waiting on wednesdays game though. miami has lost 3(?) in a row & they dropped to from 1 to 5.
You see I thought it was the weekly power rankings
so it would make sense and rank the teams of how they do that week. Miami and Chicago continue to lose random games and stay in the same place where as Atl wins 3 straight without their all-star center and drop 6 spots. Thats why I dont take the power rankings all the serious
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
In the statistal Stein ranking at ESPN the Hawks are ranked #4.
In all other subjective rankings the Hawks are out of the top ten!
by jdewayneatl on Jan 16, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
Well these "experts" on espn are not always right and often say stupid things just to sell to the audience
example that bibby article that this site picked apart so bad.
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
they got a center playing well. That helps. i gues...
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
"Turf Toe"
Why are ppl over looking the "turf toe" injury of DRose. That injury has ended careers and at least he(DRose) won’t be as explosive.
The injury problem is going to hit more team and our bench may be the difference for the Hawks this year.
yikes, like whom? though Boozer has the same thing. Is it the Bulls playing floor?
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 16, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
the wheels are beginning to turn
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 17, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
I agree witht he statement about the bench
although I think this is the deepest bench we have had in forever
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
Hawks did what they have to do
While I agree Toronto is not a good team, a sign of a mature team, which the Hawks are, is beating weaker opposition. Job well done, with Smoove again playing a fine, under control game, hitting the in rhythm jumpers. Clearly, he is playing at ALL STAR level, and let’s hope that continues, and he gets into the game this year.
Much better starting lineup. As limited as Collins is, I would start him, and bring in Zaza as the energy guy to play against the other team’s backups.
The next two games will reveal what the Hawks are about without Lion
by ATLpaul on Jan 17, 2012 5:46 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
true very mature. Job well done.
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 17, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
The next two games will reveal the difference between 7'0 lethargic Jason Collins and 6'10 energy center Al Horford?
* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}
* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *
by PointGuardSlim on Jan 17, 2012 11:13 AM EST reply actions
so your saying that Marvin is the new Josh Powell
I swear Josh did this all the time last year
Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.
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