Phoenix Suns Vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview

by Kris Willis on Feb 6, 2012 12:00 PM EST

Atlanta looks to get back on track Monday night when Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns come into Philips Arena for their only trip this season. The Hawks have dropped four straight games to the Suns in the series including a 118-114 loss last season at home when Nash finished with 19 points and 15 assists.

Jeff Teague will draw the assignment on Nash this time around and how he handles the Suns pick and roll will be crucial for the Hawks. According to mySynergySports.com Atlanta's offense has been slightly better than the Suns this season averaging .92 points per possession. Atlanta ranks eighth in the NBA in points per possession and Phoenix checks in at No. 12. The story is similar on defense where the Hawks are No. 7 according to mySynergySports.com while the Suns check in at No. 15.

Even though the Hawks have struggled in their last two games, Ivan Johnson has been a bright spot scoring 24 points and grabbing 22 rebounds in the last two contests. Larry Drew talked about Johnson's contributions of late.

"I started Ivan because he brings the energy. If he keeps providing that, he's going to play more minutes."

Phoenix has won two of its past three games most recently dispatching the Charlotte Bobcats 95-89 on Saturday and got an unexpected contribution from backup center Robin Lopez who scored nine straight points down the stretch to lead the Suns on a 12-2 run. Lopez had combined to score 16 points in his previous seven games.

Phoenix has the size inside with Lopez and Marcin Gortat to cause the Hawks some problems so it will be important for Atlanta to close down dribble penetration where Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith can concentrate on blocking out the Suns big men. That will be a very difficult task if they are constantly forced to rotate over to close off Steve Nash drives.

This game also marks the second return of former Hawks swingman Josh Childress who has appeared in 11 games for the Suns and is averaging 3.5 points per game.

For more on the Atlanta Hawks check out SB Nation Atlanta, follow Jason Walker and Kris Willis, along with Peachtree Hoops on Twitter and check out the Peachtree Hoops Facebook Fan Page.

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Comments

I wonder if J Chill is regretting his decision to go over seas. He has pretty much fallen off the map. He was just becoming relevant in the NBA and getting 6th man of the year consideration when he decided to dip out. Now people forget who he plays for and he is hardly getting time. I’m sure he doesnt regret the money made but his name has gotten lost in the crowd of mediocre players in this league

by BravesFanScout on Feb 6, 2012 1:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions

They have 3 seven footers and a Hall of Fame Point Guard

We have no seven footers.

But we got Ivan The Great, with a heart that has no measure. He says just let me play. Don’t matter where. Small Forward, Big Forward, Center. He’ll fight to death. He’ll fight the three headed monsters. How can a team have three seven footers? Is there no law against that?

We have a chance if Teague is allowed to play as opposed to being pulled half-way through first quarter. I seen nothing from Kirk that lets me think he should get more that 4 minutes a half. Play Teague darn it, he is a stud, young and can go 40 minutes. Play Teague and kill the old Hall of Famer

by ATLpaul on Feb 6, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, they have three 7'0"-er's

…But they also have a record of 9-14. Height doesn’t matter if they can’t play well. Although Gortat is doing great things.

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

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Feb 6, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Well you are right technically

But one minor point, they do play in a tougher conference. I think we win, but I don’t think it will be easy

by ATLpaul on Feb 6, 2012 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

if ivan johnson keeps playing like this he might get morw minutes

Larry drew is unbelievable

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Feb 6, 2012 3:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The way the rules are called these days there is no way to totally shut down Nash on the offensive end. He’s too shifty and quick to keep out of the lane all game. Teague has to stay in front of him and reduce the number of times he gets into the lane and I think more importantly abuse Nash on the offensive end. He’s a horrible defender and Teague needs to exploit that and hopefully wear him down so while he’s on defense.

As for the 7 footers, we’re going to be shorter than almost any team we face. The players are going to have to work even harder on the boards to make up for it. We can’t just match the other team’s intensity anymore, we have to exceed it. Josh has to have his head straight each game and Larry Drew needs to show some emotion and actually try to inspire and motivate the players for a change.

by Evildallas on Feb 6, 2012 3:30 PM EST reply actions

+2

"I'm on 1"

by I am usually right except when... on Feb 6, 2012 4:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Hakim Warrick lost all his athleticism and plays small forward now. Over Josh Childress.

Gentry said Warrick has changed the coaches’ minds & has to play. He spent time at SF, where Childress had 7 pts, 1 reb, 6 fouls in 38 mins.

Our future looks similar… we finally get big men to move Smith to SF but he loses all his athleticism. Over Marvin.

Like to see how Warrick performs. A few clips I’ve seen he’s been really unathletic settling for jumpers. He’s long but he’s been much slower in transition and rebounding on both ends.
He’s not even 30 yo yet.

* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Josh Smith * Troy Murphy * Al Horford *
* Kirk Hinrich * Tracy McGrady * Marvin Williams * Ivan/Vlad * Zaza Pachulia *
----
* {#40 Pick Perimeter F Jon Leuer is better than Marvin Williams and Hinrich cost us the pick}

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 6, 2012 6:00 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't say Josh has lost his athleticism

I’m sure he still has it. He just prefers to stand in one place and shoot jumpers instead of using it

by frootbooty on Feb 6, 2012 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

To compare Josh Smith to Hakeem Warrick in terms of athleticsm

might be the craziest thing you’ve ever written on this message board. Josh is considered the best defensive PF in the game for a reason, and its not because of his height.

by Jonesy24 on Feb 6, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions

Reread

Our future looks similar… we finally get big men to move Smith to SF Over Marvin. but he loses all his athleticism.

But even so he’s losing athleticism and we’re wasting his prime. Running a weird offense and making him the PF/C and he never gets to run the wing on fastbreaks.

Marvin is the wing. I missed the game but Its just sad. Make Josh a SF and make him crash boards for shooters. Get him on the wing when we run. He can finish. Popovich and Alvin Gentry or Del Negro arent going to come in here and tell you how to cover his flaws.

I missed the game but the fact that Smith had 18 points means Coach Drew will just make cliches about heart rather than changing anything.

But to your point Smiths window is closing, in his own words.

by PointGuardSlim on Feb 6, 2012 10:29 PM EST reply actions