SB Nation Atlanta - Atlanta Hawks Vs. Orlando Magic: Hawks Predictably Crushed 102-73https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-10-18T22:57:57-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15234952010-10-18T22:57:57-04:002010-10-18T22:57:57-04:00Hawks Can't Find The Ignition Vs. Magic
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<p>Really, it comes down to a mental block. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a>’ offense was definitely not at its best during their meeting with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a>, and it essentially fell back into playoff mode, with lots of poking around and taking jump shots. Those shots didn’t fall any better than they did back in May as the Hawks shot just 3-16 from three while the Magic were 9-19 from beyond the arc. As a whole, the Hawks shot just 30.8% while the Magic were 52.9%-extremely reminiscent of the playoffs.</p>
<p>I said earlier that the Hawks were looking for something to feel good about against their division rivals and they certainly didn’t find it tonight. Looking for a bright spot, I might be able to say that <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> had a halfway decent night, with 6 points and 4 boards in 12 minutes. <span>Jason Collins</span> even ended up with 7 points, but if the point is to get someone to help defend <span>Dwight Howard</span>, he’s not that body. Dwight only played 23 minutes, but he still had an easy double-double, 14 points with 13 rebounds. The bodies the Hawks have added really are just bodies-going deeper with the post rotation only means playing <span class="caps">MORE</span> guys who cannot guard Dwight Howard. Dwight’s 13 rebounds are more than every Hawk combined who played center tonight; 3 for Horford, 4 for Zaza, 2 for Collins, 1 for <span>Josh Powell</span>, and 0 for <span>Etan Thomas</span>.</p>
<p>The good news is that it’s still preseason. Marvin in particular looked really rusty, and we can still blame that on his lack of playing time while he’s been down with injuries. Hopefully the Hawks can just put this one behind them. They’ll be taking on Miami in preseason action Thursday.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2010/10/18/1760474/hawks-cant-find-the-ignition-vs-magicBronn2010-10-18T17:49:46-04:002010-10-18T17:49:46-04:00Atlanta Hawks Game Thread On Peachtree Hoops
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<p>If by chance you are watching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> tonight, be sure to visit the game thread at <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/10/18/1758652/game-thread-orlando-magic-vs-atlanta-hawks-pre-season-game-5" target="new">Peachtree Hoops</a> to share in the commentary.</p>
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<p>The Hawks come into the game having just defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a> and are slowly getting healthy as the regular season approaches. The nagging injuries that have took place have cost the Hawks some valuable development time and they are trying to play catch up now. Tonight’s game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> will give coach Drew the opportunity to perhaps deploy his bigger lineup at Magic center <span>Dwight Howard</span>. Also worth watching will be how the Hawks try and defend Howard.</p>
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<p>Despite an underwhelming offseason, a terrible end to last season, and the fact that it’s only preseason, I find myself looking forward to this game. Here’s hoping the Hawks come out and show us something.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2010/10/18/1759930/atlanta-hawks-game-thread-on-peachtree-hoopsBronn2010-10-18T15:41:29-04:002010-10-18T15:41:29-04:00Hawks Vs. Magic: What To Watch For
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<p>For those of you with NBATV, this will be your first opportunity to catch the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a> on TV this year. Think of this as the preseason viewer's guide for Hawks' basketball. Here's the quick and dirty:</p>
<p><b>What To Watch For:</b></p>
<p><b>A Flex Offense</b>-The new Hawks offense looks much less like my wasted youth playing NBA Jam and much more like Hoosiers passing four times before they shoot. Instead of Iso-Joe, look for movement and more ball screens. For more on this, check out the great work done at <a target="_blank" href="http://nbaplaybook.com/2010/10/18/looking-at-the-new-atlanta-hawks-offense/">NBA Playbook </a>in breaking down what we're seeing early from the Hawks this year (ht <a target="_blank" href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/10/18/1759170/nba-playbook-a-look-at-the-new-atlanta-hawks-offense#comments">Peachtree Hoops</a>). </p>
<p><b>Turnovers-</b>The Hawks had the fewest turnovers in the NBA last year. It reflects heavily on their lack of ball movement-guys who dominate the ball the way <span>Joe Johnson</span> does generally average more turnovers, but the lack of passing allows fewer opportunities for things to go wrong. A big part of the growing pains for the Hawks will be to get used to making crisp passes and still managing to control the ball, and that includes JJ. You can expect the difficulties in this area to spill over into the early parts of the season as this team has five years' worth of bad habits to overcome.</p>
<p><b><span>Jordan Crawford</span></b>-JC2 can score. He's exactly as advertised. Given his placement on the depth chart, we won't see very much of him in the season, but he's been entirely as advertised in the preseason, as he's been among the top ten scorers in preseason action. That includes a huge 30 point effort against Washington when many of the Hawks' regulars are out. Be sure to keep an eye on number 55 when he's on the floor-he'll have to do some work to become an NBA defender, but scoring comes very naturally to him.</p>
<p><b>Transition Defense-</b>It's been <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/john_schuhmann/10/14/numbers.game.questions/index.html">pointed </a>out that the Hawks need to work harder on <a target="_blank" href="http://nbaplaybook.com/2010/10/05/2010-2011-season-preview-atlanta-hawks/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NBAPlaybook+%28NBA+Playbook%29">getting back</a> in transition. Being a team that barely turned the ball over and still gave up too many points in transition doesn't portend well now that the Hawks are becoming more vulnerable to turnovers. What's really disappointing is that it has been the guards who have really not held up their end of bargain (and <span>Josh Smith</span>, if he's feeling particularly pouty). Horford always plays hard and runs the floor well, so keep an eye on the other four in transition opportunities. Better and more consistent effort will go a long way in determining where the Hawks stand this year.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-hawks/2010/10/18/1759519/hawks-vs-magic-what-to-watch-forBronn2010-10-18T14:52:04-04:002010-10-18T14:52:04-04:00Atlanta Hawks Vs. Orlando Magic: Hawks' Preseason Television Debut
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> will be making their 2010-11 TV debut tonight at 7 on NBATV. Unless you have already had the opportunity to get down to Phillips, this will be your first chance to see the Hawks in action. Thus far, they've gone 1-3 in preseason as the focus has been less on winning-which was important to Woodson-and more on implementing the new offense. They've also been struck with a rash of injuries, but for the most part, they should be healthy tonight. <span>Jeff Teague</span> is the only member of the rotation who is not likely to play.</p>
<p>Even though this is a meaningless contest, the Hawks' players will be looking for something to feel good about after getting completely trounced by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Magic</a> in the second round of the playoffs last season. The final score may not be important, but finding something to feel good about will be worth a shot in the arm for a team hoping to continue building.</p>
<p>The Hawks only have three games left in the preseason, with the regular season kicking off in Memphis next Wednesday.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/10/18/2322786/atlanta-hawks-vs-orlando-magic-hawks-preseason-television-debutBronn