Pre-season games thread

[Jamaaliver]

It's not a complete overhaul of the offensive philosophy and system.
Just like when switched from Pero to Tiago off the bench with Dennis. Same system different tweaks. We are are not reinventing the wheel.
Yes, there will be growing pains that's a far stretch to being 'terrified'.

I, respectfully, vehemently, disagree.

I have great concern regarding Dennis's adjustment to the starting lineup. This concern is directly tied to the new offensive principles and the new face of the franchise meshing with our erratic, first time starter.

The fact Millsap, Dennis and Dwight haven't played together this pre-season, only exacerbates the issue.

Time will tell, and I absolutely could be worried over nothing.



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[Jamaaliver]

Thabo looked really impressive tonight, as he also did when inserted into the starting lineup during the last playoff run.

It'll be very interesting to see how the rotation at SG/SF goes. At this point, I'd almost prefer to start Thabo over Korver...

But Korver's three point shooting is necessary to maintain spacing for Dwight. I hope Taurean at least gets consistent minutes at the 3-spot.


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[jayu70]

It's not a complete overhaul of the offensive philosophy and system.
Just like when switched from Pero to Tiago off the bench with Dennis. Same system different tweaks. We are are not reinventing the wheel.
Yes, there will be growing pains that's a far stretch to being 'terrified'.

I, respectfully, vehemently, disagree.

I have great concern regarding Dennis's adjustment to the starting lineup. This concern is directly tied to the new offensive principles and the new face of the franchise meshing with our erratic, first time starter.

The fact Millsap, Dennis and Dwight haven't played together this pre-season, only exacerbates the issue.

Time will tell, and I absolutely could be worried over nothing.



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It's preseason but i would say the chemistry between Dwight and Dennis appeared Ok along with Moose filling in for Millsap.
Our offense is still predicated on ball and player movement, that won't change even with Dwight.
Dwight has to do his part to modify his game to also fit what the Hawks do.

[ATL Boy]

Dwight looked fantastic in the first half last night, he really looks in shape. Now I'd like to see him play like that against actual starters and not 3rd stringers.


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[MaceCase]

I think it's a good sign that he absolutely ate up that level of competition, certainly haven't had a player that so easily did that before.

[Jamaaliver]

Dwight looked fantastic in the first half last night, he really looks in shape. Now I'd like to see him play like that against actual starters and not 3rd stringers.

Indeed. We've needed a true inside presence on this team for years. All that three point shooting works more effective in tandem WITH inside play. Not in lieu of it.

I do wonder how many 3-second violations Howard will get this season...cause he was camping out in the lane quite a bit last night.

Highlights below:

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[Jamaaliver]

Dwight indicates there is still some work to be done in the pick and roll game with Dennis:

As far as the pick-and-roll game with Schroder, that’s a work in progress.

“It’s getting better,” Howard said. “There are a lot of things we have to work on – the pick-and-roll, making sure I get a chance to hit his man on a lot of the screens, things we can fix. That comes with time.”

Here


And for some reason, Bud labelled it "a strange game" with "some good moments"...whatever THAT means. Here


Tim Hardaway Jr is struggling. 2-20 from the field this pre-season. For all the positive comments we've heard about him this fall, I think his play this week eliminates any outside he chance at starting. Thabo and Taurean are clearly ahead of him in the rotation thus far.


Tavares is an old school Center playing in the wrong era. His size/strength will always make him a valuable tool off the bench. But his lack of foot speed limits what matchups he can exploit.


I really hope Bembry and Taurean become best friends and emerge together as a serious tandem on the wings...sooner than later.

[jayu70]

Dwight looked good (though inferior competition) - what I was focusing on was the type of plays and shots he got and how the system works. I like what I saw. That 12' bank shot had me like - he can do that? Dwight still struggling with team defense and rotations, moving his feet - hence the fouls.
Our ball movement is still there. That play where Kyle had the open 3, passed to Moose in the corner who passed to Dwight for an EASY 2 - nice.
I'm loving what I'm seeing from the rookies - Prince and Bembry. I just hope they see the floor and contribute this season.
THJr......mmmmmmmmmmm.

[Jamaaliver]

I do officially want a stretch-4 to play beside Dwight. Dario Saric would be a nice addition. but I'd settle for Motiejunas.



It might help to alleviate this issue:

3-point shooting woes: The Hawks continue to shoot poorly from 3-point range this preseason. In three games, they are a combined 15 of 58 (.259). In the win over the Cavaliers, the Hawks missed their first 13 long-range shots before Korver hit a 30-footer in the third quarter. For the game, they were 2 of 19 from 3-point range. Here

[Jamaaliver]

AJC's Observations from the Hawks’ 99-94 exhibition loss to the Pistons Thursday night at Philips Arena:

• Still without Paul Millsap, the Hawks’ starting unit showed longer stretches of solid play. The unit played well early with some sustained ball movement. Dennis Schroder had 17 points and nine assists and Dwight Howard had 15 points and nine rebounds. The point guard-center combined for several baskets out of the pick-and-roll.
  
  
• Malcolm Delaney had a solid offensive game off the bench. He will serve as the primary backup to Schroder, at least while Jarrett Jack rehabilitates his right knee. He finished with 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. Delaney was not happy with his offensive game after going 0 of 7 against the Cavaliers. Near the end of the first quarter against the Pistons, Delaney scored eight straight Hawks points.
  
  
• Taurean Prince...had another solid all-around game with seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. In four exhibition games, Prince has 34 points (8.5 per game), 18 rebounds, a team-high eight steals and three blocks. “Taurean plays so hard defensively,” Budenholzer said. “He’s going to fight through screens. He’s going to fight to deny. He’s going to fight to get into passing lanes. I think he has a real desire to be good defensively and be disruptive defensively.”
  
  
  
• Tim Hardaway Jr. had another rough shooting night as he went 1 of 10 from the floor including 0 of 3 from 3-point range. Through his three exhibition games, Hardaway is 3 of 30 from the field and 0 of 11 from 3-point range.

Here



Jamaal's thoughts:

I know he likely won't begin the season in the starting lineup, but I'm more than comfortable making Taurean a heavy part of the rotation at SF (and backup PF).

I really like Delaney and think he might have made a solid option at starter for the PG position.

THJ is pressing right now. Even his harshest critic knows he isn't this terrible.

Millsap is gonna have some serious adjustments to make when he gets back.

[ATL Boy]

Notes from last night:

Delaney looked impressive, his jumper was falling and he showed why we brought him over from Europe. Could be a gem off bench.

Hardaway is struggling out there. 1/10 last night. It was also another bad evening from 3, for both him and the team, excluding Korver (THJ went 0/3 from distance). He looks to be in danger of falling down in the rotational hierarchy.

Dwight had another night where he showed us what we were missing without a true C for the past decade and a half. 15-9 isn't the most impressive stat line but he did shoot 7/11 from the field while providing some nice rim protection and help defense.

He had a hard time guarding Aaron Baynes (Center with range), but this was just a night where everything fell for Baynes.

Dwight also fouled out, had 5 fouls midway through the 3rd and picked up a stupid 6th trying to reach in for the steal. He punched his seat in frustration afterward.

Prince looked good, and while Bembry didn't make a field goal (doesn't look good from 3) I can really see why we drafted him. He's making the passes, and every time he has the ball his eyes are down court analyzing the reads to make.


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[DirtybirdGA]

Starters fouling out in preseason is hard to do, my goodness.

[jayu70]

Paul was back tonight, 19 mins, 19pts, 9 rebounds, 7 assists.

[MaceCase]

Junior also rose from the grave tonight too with 19 points (6-15!) 4 assist and 3 rebounds.

[Jamaaliver]

Hawks starters to play together for first time this preseason


The Hawks have the new band together – for the first time.

The Hawks will finally debut their projected starting lineup in tonight’s exhibition game against the Pelicans. Dennis Schroder, Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard will start the game for the first time this preseason.

Budenholzer said to expect the starters to play a few more minutes than they have this preseason but not quite regular-season minutes.

“It matters,” Korver said of playing together. “It does matter. We need time together. You can’t just throw pieces together and expect it to click right away. It’s going to take a little bit of time. It’s good we have two (more) games to do this.”

Here

[Jamaaliver]

WTF is going on with the Hawks today?

Hawks' Budenholzer leveled in collision near team bench



Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was escorted to the locker room late in the first half of Tuesday night's game against New Orleans after being bowled over by Pelicans guard Langston Galloway who was chasing a loose ball.

Budenholzer was helped to his feet and sat on the bench for a few minutes, grimacing in obvious pain, before being escorted to the locker room. The Hawks said Budenholzer was ''OK'' but would not return to the preseason game. Assistant coach Darvin Ham took over for the second half.

Here

[xccelerate]

^^ not gunna lie...that picture is hilarious

[DirtybirdGA]

Another angle shown on sportscenter had the guy in the black shirt & blue jeans about to help Bud up with the injured hand!