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The Hawks have had trouble with big teams without Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Pero Antic or Gustavo Ayon available, and the Blazers’ frontcourt combo of Aldridge and emerging center Robin Lopez certainly qualify as big. Atlanta is going to have to clean up the boards well to have a chance.

The Blazers lead the league in scoring, so they’re dangerous, but not nearly as dangerous when the bench comes in. The starters are averaging more than 85 of their 107 points per game, so the Hawks are going to have to win the bench points battle to stay close.

Portland is the only team the Hawks haven’t faced this season. The Blazers will be in Atlanta for a rematch on March 27.

Please. Please don't let us get embarrassed again on national TV.

Aldridge continues to build on what is becoming a very solid NBA career, averaging a career-high in points (23.7) and rebounds (11.2), leading the team in both categories. He’s tough on both ends of the floor, offensively because his size allows him to post up smaller power forwards as well as step out for a nice mid-range jumper, and defensively because he’s able to alter shots with his length.

Another reason’s for the boost in Aldridge’s offensive numbers could be the play of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. Last year’s Rookie of the Year is building upon an impressive first season with an even better one.

Jeff Teague and Mike Scott will have their hands full with these guys. I maintain that POR got the steal of the decade by trading Gerald Wallace's expiring contract for New Jersey's lottery pick. I watched Lillard all that Summer (pre- and post-draft) and knew the kid had star potential.

Man I wish it'd been us to swindle the Nets. They've gone from irrelevant to one of the top teams in the league. Lillard and Aldridge are a couple of nice building blocks indeed. I can't remember the last time we had two players as highly rated as those two...

Well if they do get whooped, I can just go to sleep...lol

A fun look back on Hawks fans' opinions of Lamarcus Aldridge when he was just a young pup:

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=747963

And another look back on our fans opnions of him just last summer:

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1267058

Jamaaliver wrote:Please. Please don't let us get embarrassed again on national TV.

And at the half we are 18 points down, on pace for 76 points total, shooting 25% from the field and have 0 players in double digits.

We are the only NBA game on in the 10:30 PM time slot. We have the entire NBA audience all to ourselves, and we're embarrassing ourselves in front of a national audience.

this...is awful. On the bright side: Moose & Dennis have at least gotten some playing time. mack is leading the team with 4 assists and 0 turnovers. Aldridge has been held to 0-6 shooting from the field.

so...we've got those things going for us.

one quarter to go. Not much has gone right all game long.

Making matters worse...Kyle Korver is 0-5 from 3-pt range tonight. The streak is officially in danger. Of course all of this ineptitude comes on National TV when we're the only NBA game

Thoughts:

I'm glad Antic is back.

I'm actually glad KK's streak is over. And I'm relieved he let it end on his own terms as he didn't play at all in the 4th quarter.

Mike Scott is not yet a starting caliber PF, yet.

Cartier, Dennis and Mack were playing hard up until the final buzzer. Dennis has a ways to go, but is showing signs that he will be able to play effectively given the opportunity.

We need a SG. Badly.

I didn't see all the game, have to watch on DVR, but Muscala looks special to me. There is alot of barking and pointing from the guards when he is in the floor as he clearly doesn't know the offense yet, but his hustle and instincts for rebounding are great

We played Dennis, Mack, Lou, Korver and Muscala at one point....yeah...that happened.

Jamaaliver wrote:Thoughts:

I'm glad Antic is back.

Looked Rusty but im glad hes back too. 10 pts IIRC?

I'm actually glad KK's streak is over. And I'm relieved he let it end on his own terms as he didn't play at all in the 4th quarter.

Cosigned. Thank god its over, and glad he ended it on his own terms. Shows to me that TEAM was more personal than ME. I think thats a teachable moment that gets respect.

Mike Scott is not yet a starting caliber PF, yet.

He got manhandled by guys much better and bigger than him. The 1st half he was matching up against LMA, LMA shot 0-10 so theres that. But Scott just was over powered.

Cartier, Dennis and Mack were playing hard up until the final buzzer. Dennis has a ways to go, but is showing signs that he will be able to play effectively given the opportunity.

Agreed. ALthough we will only be able to keep maybe 1/2 of those guys. Not sure who. Dennis looked slightly more polished, there was a moment where he fdrove baseline and dished it to the middle where Muscala fumbled it and Dennis got VISIBLY upset, yelled and clapped his hand. He seems very tempermental.

We need a SG. Badly.

I hate to say it, but Lou Williams just looks SO SLOW. he looks like the game is moving twice the speed he is. He still doesnt fully trust himself or that knee. he was our SG, but hes just not good , hes been terrible this year.

POTG- Teague, COT DAMN he was amazing in the first half. So quick, was hustling, going HAM crossing people up, hitting jumpers, driving to the rack, etc/

I shut the game off at Half , how did he do the rest of the way?