Atlanta @ New Orleans Nov 5th Game 3

[Harry10]

This is a brutal matchup for the Hawks. Bibby has no chance against Paul. West is the kind of player that gives Smith trouble. Chandler has length that Horford doesn't. With a different personality the matchup that favors the Hawks is Marvin against Peja- but who knows if Marvin will actually be able to exploit that. The Hawks need Joe to take advantage of Mo pete as well- Ive always thought he was overrated on defense.

i never said anything about Smith and West in my initial post, because i know Smoove generally does very well against small PFs, like Randolph, Boozer, West, etc.

Josh actually doesn't do well against guys like Rasheed, Jamison, or Odom, long guys who have alot of skills and savy

i didn't think Chandler was a big deal, because just like Barkely and Malone, i know Horford is strong enough to push around Tyson which could even out Tyson's length.

[HoopsGuru25]

This is a brutal matchup for the Hawks. Bibby has no chance against Paul. West is the kind of player that gives Smith trouble. Chandler has length that Horford doesn't. With a different personality the matchup that favors the Hawks is Marvin against Peja- but who knows if Marvin will actually be able to exploit that. The Hawks need Joe to take advantage of Mo pete as well- Ive always thought he was overrated on defense.

i never said anything about Smith and West in my initial post, because i know Smoove generally does very well against small PFs, like Randolph, Boozer, West, etc.

i didn't think Chandler was a big deal, because just like Barkely and Malone, i know Horford is strong enough to push around Tyson which could even out Tyson's length.

I don't think Chandler is a threat to score 1 on 1 but he usually grabs a ton of offensive boards vs us. I believe he had 10 of them in the game we played in NO last year. That was the problem with the Hawks...they would let big men with no offensive game like Stephen Hunter and Dalembert destroy them in the past(mostly off 2nd chance points). It's nice to see Smith helping out on the boards...He has had at least 10 rebounds in all three games so far. These guys are definitely playing with playoff like intensity on defense. You have to love the effort but I can't imagine them playing THIS well on defense once we start playing more back to backs.

[reazun]

If we stay healthy this could be a fun year. I'm about to order tickets to their game in Chicago right now after seeing that.

see you at the United Center man, at least i hope so..im still trying to get the $$ up.

[Hawks]

Good to see the Hawks committed to defense early on in the season. Offense isn't where I would like for it to be. I'll take the defense effort.

[evildallas]

Oh my, I didn't expect that. Hawks win on the road against a playoff team without playing a perfect game. 2nd straight game of dominating the 4th quarter. I love that it's been 3 straight games of good defensive effort.

Time for some props.
1) Mike Woodson for sticking with a hot Flip Murray in the 4th after initially sending Bibby to the scorer's table. This is the first year I can remember Woodson showing a feel for the game rather than substituting by rule rather than reason.
2) 5 guys with double figure and 2 more with 8. That's nice balance.
3) 40% from three point range. Looked like they were falling in love with the shot too much, but you can't hate 40%.
4) 45-35 on the boards.
5) The whole team defensively, but special props to Josh Smith. For most of the game he frustrated David West and then for a stint in the 4th he was actually on Chris Paul with Joe Johnson taking David West. If nothing else it befuddled the Hornets offense.
6) After losing the early lead and falling down by 4 at the end of the 3rd, the team didn't lose its poise. That's not the same old Hawks.
7) Good game by Marvin hitting some big shots. He disappeared in the middle, but overall a solid game compared to that horrible outing against Philly.

One big negative - Free throw shooting. The Hawks won't be able to get away with many victories while shooting 54% from the line.

Lot of big performances in the league tonight so I expect the Hawks performance to stay under the radar. Big matchup at Philips on Friday against Toronto before a 4 game road trip.

[Skyhawk1]

That's a great win. I love the way we're sticking to our plans even when our shots are not falling and our offense is struggling. We still got to drive to the basket more. Too many jump shots, even though I do not mind when they take them just because the ball was moving and someone was open. We finally have some reliable guys on the bench. Now, you got to love Horford's block on C. Paul. Not in our house young man, not here !

[AU hawksfan]

Anybody that doesn't think Josh Smith should play D in the post only needs to watch his domination of David West. He frustrated the hell out of him.

[conleyorbust]

Anybody that doesn't think Josh Smith should play D in the post only needs to watch his domination of David West. He frustrated the hell out of him.

He can be a real dud on offense but he has been off the charts on D this season. He had the highest +/- on the team even with the stupid shots and TOs. Hopefully his touch comes to him this season sooner than it did last season.

I thought everyone played well last night.

[swaff126]

I was very impressed last night, especially on the defensive end. The whole team was playing hard and I think they have finally started to listen to woody. no one freelancing, just good team d. I contribute the good finishes to fresher legs. The bench is really helping (joe especially ) to not have to expend all of their energy. I still wish we had another PF that could give us something other than blocks, but I love the hustle.

Marvin's outside shot does wonders for Al and Josh inside, it keeps the rebounders out guarding and not packing into the lane. He and Mo give us the shooting we needed from the 3.

I can not say enough about flip. He looks like the old flip from seattle a few years ago. A perfect fit, and I am sure Sund targeted him early since he was very familiar with him. He continues to play like this and not only doe sthe bibby resigning seem not that needed, acie has a better mentor to learn from as his game and flips game are very similar. IF acie can get more aggressive and not be so timid the two of them would be a great combo. Even Bibby's d is better, he just isnt able to keep up against speedy guards any more.

[Hawks]

Hopefully Smoove find his shot. Throughout his career he always start off the season slow.