Kenyon Martin Reportedly Agrees To Deal With The Clippers

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Per the Los Angeles Times, free agent big man Kenyon Martin has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers and free-agent forward Kenyon Martin have agreed on a mini-midlevel deal that will be finalized as soon as Martin passes a physical, according to an NBA individual familiar with the negotiations.

Martin's representatives were reported to have met with the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday who could have offered him a significant role with the club. Martin will likely see regular playing time with the Clippers who were able to use their mini

Kenyon Martin Rumors: China Fighting FIBA Decision

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Just one day after gaining FIBA clearance, Kenyon Martin's status could be just a little cloudier as Chinese Basketball Association is fighting FIBA's decision to grant Martin the ability to return to the NBA right away.

China has forwarded an affidavit to FIBA and the NBA - signed by Martin upon his departure in late December - that stipulates he wouldn't play in the NBA until his Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers' season had ended. China is demanding the contract be honored and Martin have to wait until the Flying Tigers

Our East All-Star reserves, determined by entertainment value (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando were announced Thursday night (West here, East here), with the usual group of superstars and even more super superstars. Now, we must decide the reserves for both the East and … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Ticket Special Presented By TiqIQ

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

The Sixers come to Atlanta on Saturday in a key Eastern Conference matchup looking to continue their upstart ways against the Hawks. Can our boys hold then off? Through our ticket partner TiqIQ's "make an offer" feature, you can essentially pick your price to get in to the game, and get close to the action: For a "1 star seat" that usually sells for over $37 (after all the fees), you can score substantial savings for an offer of around $17, with no additional fees for shipping or handling. But you have to make a fast break for the hoop fast on this, as this deal EXPIRES on Friday night. To "lob" up your offer for a slam dunk, click here:

Atlanta Falls Flat In Home Return, Loses 96-77 To Memphis

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

After a triumphant road trip the Atlanta Hawks finally fell flat losing at home to the Memphis Grizzlies 96-77 Thursday night at Philips Arena. From the sound of things before the game, Larry Drew tried to warn his team that a letdown was possible following a long road trip.

"When you come off a road trip like that the tendency is to have a letdown," Drew said. "I was afraid today would happen. We weren't sharp tonight. I'm not going to blame it on the road trip. Everybody else has to do it. They go off on long road trips and come back and play. We can't use

ESPN.com: Hollinger: Claw Power

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

It's encouraging to read that I'm not the only one who found last night's game less than enlightening. John Hollinger, from Philips Arena, on the Hawks' blowout loss:

Call Memphis' 96-77 rout over the Hawks an eye-of-the-beholder game.

Some will take it as a sign of the West's superiority to the East. Others will write it off as one of those nights that has been unusually frequent in the post-lockout, schedule-compressed NBA.

A few will take it as proof that the Grizzlies, despite a modest 12-10 mark, are more than capable of making the West playoffs even without Zach Randolph.

And still others will see a signal that Atlanta -- which is 13-0 against sub-.500 teams and 3-7 against those above -- doesn't belong in the rarefied air its 16-6 start suggested.

On one thing we can all agree: Memphis beat the living tar out of Atlanta on Thursday, going up by 24 through three quarters and leading by as much as 30 in the fourth before a burst of cosmetic scoring by Jannero Pargo -- much of it at the expense of his younger brother, Jeremy -- made the final margin a bit more respectable.

China fighting decision to let Martin return to NBA (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Chinese Basketball Association wants the NBA to forbid Kenyon Martin from playing until his team's season ends.

NBA Capsules: Duncan, Parker lead Spurs to win (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN ANTONIO - Tim Duncan scored 19 points, Tony Parker had 18 and the San Antonio Spurs won their third in a row, beating the New Orleans Hornets 93-81 Thursday night.

Atlanta Hawks: Grizzlies 96, Hawks 77

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Chris Vivlamore

Here is the new game story on the Hawks’ loss to the Grizzlies Thursday night with post-game quotes:

Larry Drew was afraid it would happen.

The Hawks coach issued a warning to his team. It didn’t help

Drew feared a letdown against the Grizzlies after his team’s recently completed 4-1 road trip had them tied for first in the Southeast Division and second in the Eastern Conference.

The letdown came in a big way Thursday night in a 96-77 loss to the Grizzlies at Philips Arena.

“When you come off a road trip like that the tendency is to have a letdown,” Drew said. “I was afraid today would happen. We weren’t sharp tonight. I’m not going to blame it on the road trip. Everybody else has to do it. They go off on long road trips and come back and play. We can’t use that as an excuse. The start of the first quarter that team just manhandled us. They played with physicality and we were a step slow in everything we did.”

The Hawks held a seven-point lead early in the

Initial Feedback: Some Thoughts

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

Initial feedback: A completely subjective and immediate response to the events of tonight's game, featuring a comment and rating, the latter on a scale of 1 to 10, on every player who saw the floor and the head coach, along with ephemera and miscellany as the author deems necessary.

Your ratings and commentary, dear reader, are welcomed in the comments to this post.

Boxscore

Players
Josh Smith: If Josh Smith is results-oriented, he'll shoot at least six jump shots on Saturday. 5/10

Jeff Teague: Lionel Hollins must have been in the 1979-80 Topps NBA set I collected back in Westmoreland, KS which put me on this path. 4/10

Joe Johnson: I don't remember his card at all. 4/10

Marvin Williams: Larry Drew was still at Missouri, then. I have no first hand memory of his collegiate playing days (still miss you, Kansas City Kings, though) and consider myself lucky not to have lived consciously through a time when Kansas had the lesser college basketball program on the border. 3/10

Zaza Pachulia: Lionel Hollins was on the 1976-77 NBA Champion Portland Trail Blazers. That team had a outsized impact on my childhood for three reasons 1) Older folks thought it really important for me to understand that Bill Walton was not always a gimp with fused ankles but perhaps the greatest post-Wilt center when healthy, 2) Maurice Lucas was awesome, in both senses of the word, 3) Twardzik is not a name easily forgotten. 3/10

Kirk Hinrich: It's best not overreact to the events of any one game. 3/10

Tracy McGrady: It's especially good not to overreact to the events of any one game in an atypically compressed season. 3/10

Vladimir Radmanovic: I wonder what Kenyon Martin thought about tonight's game? Does this result leave him cold, in need of a more likely contender? Does it make him anticipate potentially available minutes in Atlanta? 3/10

Jason Collins: Is this the worst of what happens when you play Jason Collins for no good reason? Be well, impediment, be well. No rating

Jannero Pargo: A nice night for the Pargo family. I'm not made of stone. 3/10

Willie Green: With each passing day, I become less convinced that the regular season will define this team. 3/10

Ivan Johnson: This hunch brings me no comfort. 3/10

Jerry Stackhouse: It's inherently unfair to judge this team on the playoffs. The players, at least. This team isn't built for the playoffs. Or anything particular, really. Blowout losses at home are the worst and, regardless of good intentions, overreaction is, in the end, inevitable. 1/10

The head coach
The flip side of handling your business. 2/10

A thought regarding the opposition
I don't know how talented Josh Selby is, but there is no doubt in my mind that the existence of NCAA basketball, in its current form, was terrible for his development.

Gay scores 21, Grizzlies blow out Hawks 96-77 (AP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead five Memphis players in double figures and the Grizzlies blew out the listless Atlanta Hawks 96-77 Thursday night. Memphis pulled away late in the first half, closing on an 18-7 run that gave the Grizzlies a 10-point lead at the break. They totally blew it open in the third quarter after Atlanta missed its first seven shots and turned it over three times.

Report: Kenyon Martin cleared to rejoin NBA (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Report: Kenyon Martin cleared to rejoin NBA FIBA, the governing body of international basketball, gave its letter of clearance to free agent Kenyon Martin, allowing him to return to the NBA immediately, Yahoo.com reported Thursday, citing sources.

Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks Game Thread

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Chris Vivlamore

C-Viv reporting from Philips Arena.

Here is a quick blog from this morning’s shoot-around to keep you busy before game time. In case you missed it, read my earlier posting on the Hawks meeting with representative of Kenyon Martin earlier today.

Coach Larry Drew is very aware of the potential for a letdown against the Grizzlies coming off a 4-1 road trip. He called for the Hawks to play tonight’s game like it was a playoff game.

“You have to guard against mental letdown,” Drew said. “I told the guys, history says this is one of those games where you come out very methodical, very lethargic, given the road trip, given gone 10 days, the travel. That first game back after a road trip like that, we have to defy history tonight. We have to come out and play very inspired basketball right out of the gate. We can’t come out and be satisfied with what we just accomplished on the road.”

Another interesting note, the Hawks have three players in the top-10 in the NBA in 3-point

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview And Game Thread #23

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Atlanta Hawks 2011-2012 Regular Season Game #23

@

11-1016-6 Phillips Arena February 2, 2012, 7:30 p.m. ET SportsSouth, 680 The Fan, 93.7 FM, NBA Audio League Pass Probable starters: Mike Conley PG Jeff Teague Tony Allen SG

Hawks meet with rep for Kenyon Martin

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Chris Vivlamore

The Hawks met Thursday with a representative for center Kenyon Martin, the AJC has learned.

Martin, 34, averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 games for the Nuggets last season. The 11-year veteran signed a one-year deal to play in China with Xinjiang during the NBA lockout last summer. He is eligible to return to the NBA following the Chinese season in several weeks.

Martin has reportedly been offered a contract by the Heat. ESPN recently reported that he is also interested in signing with the Clippers,  Spurs and Knicks, along with the Hawks and Heat.

Martin could make a decision by the end of the week.

The Hawks have used a combination of Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and Ivan Johnson at center since the loss of Al Horford last month to a torn pectoral muscle. While the Hawks are 9-2 in the 11 games without Horford, teams with dominant big men can present problems. Martin (6-foot-9, 240) could help in that regard.

The Hawks could probably only offer Martin the veteran

Toronto still boos Tracy McGrady for some reason (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In the summer of 2000, after three successful seasons with the Toronto Raptors, free agent forward Tracy McGrady signed a max-level contract. It was an unfortunate turn of events for the Raptors, but also a reasonable one. While McGrady was … Continue reading →

Kenyon Martin Could Choose New Team Over The Weekend, According To A Report

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Former Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin will reportedly make his choice over the weekend of what will be his next stop in the NBA. There are as many as six teams expressing interest in Martin who is currently playing with Xinjiang Gyang Hui of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Among those teams with rumored interest in Martin are the Los Angeles Lakers,

2012 Atlanta Hawks Schedule: Four Game Home Stretch Begins Against Memphis

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

After returning from an exhausting road-trip, the Atlanta Hawks prepare to open a four-game home stretch that begins Thursday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Here is a look at the next five games and as you can see the Hawks will host rematches with Philadelphia and Indiana over the next week.

Hawks Schedule Next 5 Games Memphis Thu 02/02 7:30 PM EST Philadelphia Sat 02/04 7:00 PM EST Phoenix Mon 02/06

AJC.com: Cunningham: Joe Johnson’s D has been strong, too

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

Michael Cunningham crunches the numbers on Joe Johnson's defense so far this season:

According to Synergy, Johnson has allowed just .71 points per possession, ranked No. 42 among all players. (Synergy had him allowing .93 points per possession in 2010-11 and .89 in 2009-10). This season Joe has been very good when defending in isolation (.56 ppp allowed, ranked 13th), against screen-roll ball-handlers (.69 ppp, ranked 33rd) and chasing his man off screens (.69 ppp, ranked seventh). Joe’s only defensive weakness this season, according to Synergy, has been defending spot-ups: .94 ppp, ranked 113th.

Opponent PER tells the same story. According to 82games.com, Johnson’s foes at shooting guard have posted a paltry 8.6 PER and small forwards have managed just a 12.6 PER. (The opponent PER is ugly when Joe has been at point guard but that has only been a couple minutes, according to 82games.) Last season Joe’s opponent PER was 11.6 at shooting guard and 12.9 at small forward; in 2009-10, those numbers were 15.3 and 14.4, respectively.

Joe’s on-court, off-court numbers at basketballvalue.com also are positive. The Hawks have allowed 6.24 fewer points per 100 possessions with Joe on the court. And it doesn’t appear as if his strong numbers here depend on having Al and Josh Smith behind him: Joe has been part of strong defensive units that featured Zaza Pachulia or Jason Collins at center and even one lineup with Vladimir Radmanovic at power forward.

A healthy elbow has returned normal Joe Johnson service to the offensive end. Reasonable defensive assignments for Johnson, after years of being asked to chase around far quicker players, have also helped the Hawks survive the absence of Al Horford, thus far. Obviously, Johnson deserves his share of credit for his generally effective defensive play but this provides us another moment to be thankful for Jeff Teague receiving regular playing time.

Grantland: Ivan Johnson on Ivan Johnson

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

At Grantland, Rembert Browne shows off (with every good reason) a 2008 public radio interview with Ivan Johnson. An excerpt from the transcript:

Dick: You said that the reason your mother didn't come to your games was because of your attitude.

IVAN: Yeah, she didn't like me cursing a lot. And that's what I used to do on the court.

Dick: Who were you cursing?

IVAN: Just getting mad at myself. Getting mad at my players. Getting mad at the coach for taking me out. Referees. Everybody. People in the stands. [Ivan and Dick both laugh.]

Dick: Was there any one particular incident that you can think of, Ivan, you look back on it now and you think, Oh man, what was I doing?

IVAN: [Sighs] Let me see ... When I spit in the crowd. And I punched a hole through the wall in the gym. [Laughs.]

Shalee Lehning Announces Retirement From The Atlanta Dream, WNBA

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Atlanta Dream guard Shalee Lehning announced her retirement from the Atlanta Dream and the WNBA on Tuesday due to complications in her recovery from a torn ACL that ended her 2011 season according to a release by the Dream. Lehning was a 2009 second round pick of the Dream and helped guide the club to three consecutive playoff appearances.

"Shalee has been an important part of our franchise for the last three seasons," said Dream Head Coach and General Manager Marynell Meadors. "She brought tremendous work ethic and leadership to our team that will be hard to replace. We wish Shalee the best of luck and I know she has a bright future in the game as a coach."

During post game sessions, Dream head

How Many Wins Do the Hawks Need For a Top 4 Seed?

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

By James Goeders

Now officially one-third through with the season, the Atlanta Hawks are sitting at 16-6, and on pace for their best single-season win percentage in franchise history. Coming off of a five-game road trip (the first of three road trips lasting five or more games in this shortened season) where the Hawks went 4-1, there is a much better outlook to the season than when Al Horford went down two-and-a-half weeks ago. When news of the injury was first released, many outlets completely wrote off the Hawks. At best, they said, the Hawks were looking at an 8 seed in the playoffs. Going back to the 2001-02 season, the average win percentage of the 7 and 8 seeds are .505 and .483 respectively (meaning 33 or 32 wins would be necessary this season to secure one of the two lowest seeds). With the turmoil in Orlando, and no one outside of Chicago or Miami looking that dominant in the Eastern Conference, I do not think it would be unreasonable to still strive for a top 4 seed. The jump to a 4 seed has required a winning percentage of 0.572 (38 wins) over the past decade. Taking into account two standard deviations gives 43 wins to "guarantee" a top 4 seed this season, which will require the Hawks go 27-17 the rest of the way.

Now where do those 27 wins come from? The Hawks have 24 home games and 20 road games left. Of those 24 home games, 12 are against teams who currently have losing records (including 2 against Detroit, as well as games against Washington, New Jersey, and Charlotte). The Hawks are 8-1 at home this season, so hopefully against the weaker teams they can win 10 of 12. Of the other 12 home games, we'll be less ambitious and hope to win 8 of 12. This leaves 9 more wins to go to hit our mark. The road schedule is similar in difficulty, with 10 of 20 teams currently having losing records. Winning on the road is tough in the NBA, though the Hawks do have the 5th best road record in the league so far, but we'll hope for 6 of 10 against the lesser teams on the road. That means that the Hawks just need to steal 3 of the other 10 road games (2 against Orlando, then games against the Lakers, Portland, Chicago, Indiana, Miami, Denver, the Clippers, and Philadelphia). Of course we can only use the past decade as a guide, it obviously cannot guarantee anything, but if the Hawks finish the year 43-23 I can't foresee them being any lower than the 4 seed, meaning a first round playoff series with probably Boston, Philadelphia, or Indiana and putting off Chicago or Miami to the second round.

Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson’s D has been strong, too

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Michael Cunningham

Much of the discussion about Joe Johnson’s season has focused on his offensive surge since Al Horford went down. And rightly so: In 11 games without Horford, Johnson has averaged 21.2 points per 36 minutes with a 55.9 true shooting percentage (by the way, his 54 percent TS mark for the season ranks fifth among shooting guards playing 30-plus minutes).

With Al sidelined, Joe has made 87 percent of his free throws and 40 percent of his 3-pointers and has eight games of 20-plus points and two with 30 or more. Like all things Hawks lately, those numbers come with the caveat of competition: Since Al went down, the Hawks have faced just three opponents ranked in the top half of the league in defensive efficiency: Minnesota, Portland, and Philadelphia. Still, Joe is balling.

But Johnson’s defense has been overlooked even thought the best available objective evidence suggest he’s also having a very good year on that end of the court.

According to Synergy, Johnson has allowed just .71

Dominique Wilkins, Jerry Stackhouse Named To Greatest McDonald's All-American List

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

On Tuesday, McDonald's All American Games unveiled its list of the 35 greatest McDonald's All Americans as part of its celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the McDonlald's All American Game for the top high-school players in the country. Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins and current Hawks shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse were both named as part of the list.

"This list of great McDonald's All Americans recognizes 35 years of basketball excellence," said Douglas Freeland, director of the McDonald's All American Games. "These players are a veritable ‘who's who' of basketball's modern era."

Dominique Wilkins is the

Hawks Roll Over Raptors 100-77 To End 4-1 Road Trip

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Many will dismiss the Hawks first 4-1 road trip in almost 40 years by looking at the collective winning percentage of the teams played. That is ok because this team seems completely comfortable flying under the radar. You have to think at some point in the last 40 years the quality or lack of quality of opponents lined up in similar fashion and the club had never been able to get it done prior to now.

What does it mean? The lack of quality opponents means that the schedule will eventually turn difficult but by taking care of business early on, Atlanta is building itself a buffer for when the inevitable tough times hit. It is important to remember that the 66 game schedule isn't weighted differently. The Hawks are winning the

WXIA Invites Big Time Hawks Fans To Be On TV Super Bowl Sunday

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Jason Walker

WXIA Invites Big Time Hawks Fans To Be On TV Super Bowl Sunday

WXIA 11Alive has reached out to the #1 Atlanta Hawks Fan Joint, Peachtree Hoops, to help them with a project to refute the image that Atlanta isn't short of fanatical fans.

From 11Alive: We want to bring together AVID Hawks, Braves and Falcons fans in our studio---dressed in the appropriate outfits (each for each team) and during the telecast we’ll chat with the folks and also offer viewers some ticket deals to show their love of the teams.

When: Super Bowl Sunday, no later than 930 p.m through their 11 p.m. telecast, which might run late depending on the Super

NBA Capsules: Pierce leads Celtics over Cavs (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Paul Pierce scored 20 points, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics avenged a disappointing loss to Cleveland two days earlier by barely holding off the Cavaliers 93-90 on Tuesday night.

Kenyon Martin deciding which contender to join (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The veteran forward is debating among a group of teams that include the Lakers, Clippers and Heat.

Initial Feedback: In Toronto, Al Horford Is Not a True Centre

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

Initial feedback: A completely subjective and immediate response to the events of tonight's game, featuring a comment and rating, the latter on a scale of 1 to 10, on every player who saw the floor and the head coach, along with ephemera and miscellany as the author deems necessary.

Your ratings and commentary, dear reader, are welcomed in the comments to this post.

Boxscore

Players
Jeff Teague: Sidekick No. 1. 6/10

Joe Johnson: If you wanted to be picky, he didn't do much defensively or on the glass. If you are picky, remember his age, the schedule, and the 13 shots he made. 10/10

Marvin Williams: Per minute, he remains excellent. Like the team itself, the playoffs figure to be the test. 5/10

Josh Smith: The Hawks can survive him going through the motions on a night like this. Things might be dicier if he can't contribute in all facets of the game against Memphis or Philadelphia. 5/10

Zaza Pachulia: It's almost as fair to complain on a game-by-game basis that Zaza didn't get regular minutes the past two seasons as it is to lodge the same compliant about Teague. 6/10

Tracy McGrady: Somewhat of the inverse of Smith, one doesn't want McGrady to use too much of himself against such an overmatched opponent. At the same time, one understands why he wanted to exert himself on this night. 6/10

Kirk Hinrich: Only marginally more important to this regular season than to the last, he could again have a significant impact in the playoffs. 4/10

Ivan Johnson: His D-League experience held him in good stead against that front line. 4/10

Vladimir Radmanovic: Good to see him getting the meaningless minutes. He'll have a few meaningful minutes ahead of him. 3/10

Willie Green: In and in the jump shots go, when it stops nobody knows. 4/10

Jannero Pargo: Three shots in the final five minutes. I felt he was holding back. Be yourself. 2/10

Jerry Stackhouse: The highest paid assistant coach in the game? At least the only one collecting money from his team and the league. 1/10

The head coach
Given the history of this franchise and the history of this particular team composition, taking care of business can never be dismissed. If greater tests await, let not that distract us from the level of accomplishment inherent. 7/10

A thought regarding the opposition
I think getting a quarter-and-a-half of good defense out of this group is a decent performance from Dwane Casey. If it never happens, part of me will always wonder what would have happened had he coached Josh Smith.

Hawks vs. Raptors Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 100, Toronto Raptors 77

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Jason Walker

Quick Thought: The Hawks are a better team and they played like it for 48 minutes.

More to come later....

Joe Johnson scores 30 as Hawks beat Raptors (AP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Joe Johnson needed just three quarters to match his season high with 30 points, Tracy McGrady scored 15 against his former team and the Atlanta Hawks recorded their sixth consecutive victory over the Raptors, beating Toronto 100-77 on Tuesday night. Atlanta's leading scorer, Johnson has averaged 30 points in his past four games against Toronto.

Johnson scores 30 as Hawks pummel Raptors (The Canadian Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

TORONTO - Joe Johnson equalled his season best with 30 points as the Atlanta Hawks lead nearly all the way in defeating the Toronto Raptors 100-77 on Tuesday.

Arena Apothecary: Never Trust the Hawks...But Maybe Sometimes?

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

Counterpoint, Mr. Harper:

If you appreciate Zach Harper's work or you're a regular on the Daily Dime Live chats he moderates during NBA games, then you already know one of Harper's primary basketball axioms: "Never Trust The Hawks." There are no conditions or subsections to that rule, folks. Never means never. Doesn't matter how good they look on a given night; the other shoe is always a few possessions away from falling.

...

And yet ... I just can't write 'em off. After watching the Hawks give New Orleans the business last night, despite it being the second-to-last game of a grueling road trip, I have to think that maybe, just maybe, I can trust my team a little bit this season. Yeah, yeah, the Hornets are a terrible excuse for a professional basketball team right now, and anybody worth their salt ought to crush them, so it wasn't exactly a touchstone victory. I'll admit that ... however...

To me, "never trust the Hawks" means that the Hawks aren't very good when the jump shots don't go in the basket. In its clarity and popularity, the phrase "never trust the Hawks" also explains why Zach has a full-time gig with ESPN.com and I do not.

Atlanta Hawks Vs. Toronto Raptors Preview And Game Thread #22

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Atlanta Hawks 2011-2012 Regular Season Game #22

@

15-67-14 Air Canada Center January 31, 2012 7:00 pm SportSouth, 680 The Fan, 93.7 FM, NBA Audio League Pass Probable starters: Jeff Teague PG Jose Calderon

NBA Power Rankings: Atlanta Moves Up To No. 7 In Latest SB Nation Rankings

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

The national media doesn't really know what to make of the Atlanta Hawks and their 15-6 start to the season. It's one thing that the team is 15-6 but it is another when you factor in how the team has performed since the injury to Al Horford. Perhaps SB Nation's Tom Ziller sums it up best while moving the Hawks to No. 7 in this week's power rankings.

7. Atlanta Hawks 15-6 W: MIL, DET, NO; L: SA Peachtree Hoops They

Honestly Corner's 5 Truths: Vol. 14

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Hawk Str8Talk

In previous episodes of HS8T, we spread such truths as Horford's injury won't have any 'getting to the playoff impact'; Ivan Johnson's job saving ability; why Jason Collins shouldn't start; and why Larry Drew needs a technical...so, it's time for mo' TRUTHS!!! Read the disclaimer and then...let's go Disclaimer: As always, all criticisms come after blaming the Atlanta Spirit Group first, management second, and then coaches and players last. Those criticisms come through the prism of winning championships (or the things

NBA Trade Rumors: Chris Kaman And The Atlanta Hawks

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Jason Walker

Had intended to cover off on why the benefits of acquiring Chris Kaman were not worth the cost of his acquisition, but why would I do that when there have been no less than three folks (so far) willing to show up first on this topic?

First, over the weekend, there was Bret at Hoopinion, who laid out a Top Seven Reasons Why The Hawks Won't Trade For Chris Kaman, which includes a punchline at the end that nobody wants to hear anymore, but isn't any less true today than the first time it was mentioned:

3) Chris Kaman has been good and healthy

Jeff Teague Leads Atlanta Over New Orleans 94-72

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

The Atlanta Hawks started fast and cruised home late improving to 3-1 on their current five-game road trip with a 94-72 win over the New Orleans Hornets. Atlanta jumped led by 21 points midway through the first quarter and then saw that lead get whittled down to just five points before ended the third quarter with a 24-3 run to seal the deal and get the starters some much needed rest in the fourth quarter.

Coming into this game, Larry Drew had expressed concern over the slow starts that the Hawks had gotten off to in recent games. There was no such start this time around with Atlanta leading

Video highlights from Sunday's Hawks victory over the New Orleans Hornets

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Video highlights from Sunday's Hawks victory over the New Orleans Hornets

Hawks vs. Hornets Final Score: Hawks 94, Hornets 72

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Jason Walker

Quick Thought: Jeff Teague: NBA's Most Improved Player

More later....

Teague scores 24 to lead Hawks past Hornets 94-72 (AP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Jeff Teague tied a career high with 24 points despite playing on a sore left ankle and the Atlanta Hawks beat the New Orleans Hornets 94-72 on Sunday night. Willie Green added 16 points and Marvin Williams 14 for Atlanta, which won for the fourth time in five games and handed the struggling Hornets their most lopsided loss of the season.

Initial Feedback: The City That Offensive Talent Forgot

Source: Hoopinion by Bret LaGree

Initial feedback: A completely subjective and immediate response to the events of tonight's game, featuring a comment and rating, the latter on a scale of 1 to 10, on every player who saw the floor and the head coach, along with ephemera and miscellany as the author deems necessary.

Your ratings and commentary, dear reader, are welcomed in the comments to this post.

Boxscore

Players
Jeff Teague: Carried the Hawks offensively and was the number one non-Hornets reason for the win. 24 points on 11 shots, 4 turnovers, and nary an assist. Not sure you can play better than that. 9/10

Joe Johnson: A terrible shooting night but another entry in the ledger of wonder: How was Al Horford's presence preventing Joe Johnson from rebounding? 5/10

Marvin Williams: From one perspective, a very able sidekick to Teague. From another, the best possible game one can have while blowing the finish on an alley-oop in embarrassing fashion. 6/10

Josh Smith: Not a great night, but if you're going to phone one in, the Hornets are as good a team as any to do so against. The most impressive thing about Smith's night were the blocks he got while playing help defense against his own man after getting beat. 4/10

Zaza Pachulia: A workmanlike effort. Nothing more was needed. 4/10

Willie Green: There was worry about the Hawks replacing Jamal Crawford but between Jeff Teague's non-rebounding and Willie Green making 30-footers at the end of quarters, the Hawks haven't missed a beat. Willie Green is having a career season. Maybe Larry Drew is to whatever Willie Green is as Mike Woodson was to Crawford and Flip Murray. 6/10

Tracy McGrady: I don't envy the fine line Larry Drew needs to walk between keeping McGrady sharp and not taxing his body. I'll admit to flinching as McGrady landed following his fourth quarter alley-oop from Hinrich. 5/10

Kirk Hinrich: He's nowhere near sharp but, without exaggerating matters, the value he can provide this team is still apparent. 4/10

Ivan Johnson: In a laugher against a terrible team, Ivan Johnson's presence provides pure, uncomplicated enjoyment. 4/10

Jason Collins: I don't know why you play Jason Collins instead of Vladimir Radmanovic against the Hornets, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't affect the result. The Hawks were +23 in the 25 minutes Collins didn't play. Effectively padded his rebound total in garbage time. 2/10

Vladimir Radmanovic: Can't blame a man his age for going through the motions and running out the clock. 1/10

Jannero Pargo: If anything, he should shoot more once the game's decided. 2/10

Jerry Stackhouse: This space left intentionally blank. 1/10

The head coach
The Hawks are, in Al Horford's absence, essentially a defensive team. They aren't going to score efficiently or consistently enough to keep pace when their opponent scores on a regular basis. This isn't to say that the Hawks are an excellent defensive team but they can certainly handle a team that uses Jarrett Jack and Jason Smith as options one and two and plays Trevor Ariza and Al-Farouq Aminu together on the wing. Even on a sub-par night, the Hawks could thoroughly overwhelm what was left of the Hornets. 6/10

A thought regarding the opposition
Poor Monty Williams. At least he didn't have to suffer the indignity of Dominique Wilkins insisting that the Hornets' offensive problems were down to scheme rather than the "talent" available.

Atlanta Hawks at Hornets: Game thread

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Chris Vivlamore

Jeff Teague will start at point guard for the Hawks tonight against the Hornets. Teague said he felt “fine” despite the sprained ankle that limited him during Friday’s win against Pistons.

“Jeff is a go,” coach Larry Drew said before the game. “He was moving around on it pretty good yesterday. He hasn’t mentioned that it is bothering him to the point that we have to limit him. We’ll keep an eye on him. Right now, he is a full go.”

Drew said he would split reserve minutes between Kirk Hinrich and Jannero Pargo.

“He has been playing really well for us,” Drew said of Pargo. “That’s why we got him.”

Hinrich, who played 31 minutes against the Pistons after Teague left late in the third quarter, said he is working to regain form as quickly as possible.

“I want to get my game back,” Hinrich said. “I feel rusty and I just want to help any way I can right now and get my rhythm back.”

Atlanta Hawks Vs. New Orleans Hornets Preview And Game Thread #21

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Atlanta Hawks 2011-2012 Regular Season Game #21

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14-64-15 New Orleans Arena January 29, 2012 7:00 pm SportSouth, 680 The Fan, 93.7 FM, NBA Audio League Pass Probable starters: Kirk Hinrich PG Jarrett Jack

Jeff Teague Injury: Hawks Guard Practices, Is Day-To-Day With Ankle Injury

Source: Peachtree Hoops by Kris Willis

Jeff Teague took part in Hawks practice on Saturday in preparation for Sunday's game in New Orleans. The AJC's Chris Vivlamore reports that Teague is considered day-to-day with his injury.

Coach Larry Drew said starting point guard Jeff Teague is day-to-day with an ankle sprain suffered in Friday's OT win in Detroit. Teague participated in practice Saturday. "He was out here getting some shots up," Drew said. "He's moving around on it pretty good. They are still treating it. It will be a day-to-day

Atlanta Hawks' Top 10 Worst Draft Picks of All Time

Source: Bleacher Report

After losing starting center Al Horford, the Atlanta Hawks have been struggling to win games over sub .500 teams.  They've been getting demolished by teams with winning records and are still paying Joe Johnson's contract.

We figured it was an appropriate time, then, to examine some of the team's greatest blunders though the years in the NBA draft (of which there are many).

You've got to find some humor through the pain, right?

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Drew: Teague a ‘day-to-day decision’

Source: AJC Hawks Blog by Chris Vivlamore

NEW ORLEANS – C-Viv in the Big Easy filling in for MC.

Here are a couple of notes from today’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Hornets:

* Coach Larry Drew said starting point guard Jeff Teague is day-to-day with an ankle sprain suffered in Friday’s OT win in Detroit. Teague participated in practice Saturday. “He was out here getting some shots up,” Drew said. “He’s moving around on it pretty good. They are still treating it. It will be a day-to-day decision.”

*Drew played Kirk Hinrich, in his second game since returning from shoulder surgery, with 3:48 left in the third until the end of the game. Hinrich told MC that he was “gassed” following the effort. Drew said he was ready to play Jannero Pargo but that he decided to utilize his timeouts to rest Hinrich.  “I was prepared to play Pargo after Jeff gave me the nod that he couldn’t go again,” Drew said. “He came back after they taped him and said that it started to stiffen up a little bit. I threw