GAME 2: Hawks @ Grizzlies

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:06 pm

Let's keep up the enthusiasm!!

Hawks, Grizzlies look to bounce back from poor openers

Two teams whose opening-night performances already have stamped them as among the worst teams in the NBA again this season will get a chance to redeem themselves when the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies vie Friday night in Memphis.
The season could not have started off much worse for these teams, which earned top-five draft picks in April. The Hawks were drubbed 126-107 at New York, while the Grizzlies were routed 111-83 at Indiana.

Neither of the teams' new marquee rookies performed well individually, either. Hawks guard Trae Young, acquired in a trade after having been the No. 5 pick in the draft, shot just 5 for 14 overall and 1 for 5 on 3-pointers against the Knicks. He totaled 14 points, but had a minus-20 plus/minus in his 33 minutes on the court. Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce, who made his Hawks debut in New York, cautioned not to put too much scrutiny on Young.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr., the No. 4 overall selection, shot 2 for 6 on a 10-point night off the bench. He was even less efficient than Young, accumulating a minus-21 plus/minus in 25 minutes.

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graymule · Post #2 » by **graymule** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:26 pm

Time to turn this ship in the right direction.
Go Hawks!!

jayu70 · Post #3 » by **jayu70** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 12:49 pm

Our big man rotation just took another hit with Spellman doubtful, sigh. Was hoping for less Plumlee.

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kg01 · Post #4 » by **kg01** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 1:01 pm

jayu70 wrote:Our big man rotation just took another hit with Spellman doubtful, sigh. Was hoping for less Plumlee.

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"Plum-less"?

jayu70 · Post #5 » by **jayu70** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 1:11 pm

kg01 wrote:
jayu70 wrote:Our big man rotation just took another hit with Spellman doubtful, sigh. Was hoping for less Plumlee.

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"Plum-less"?

Plumass??

Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 1:36 pm

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Post #7 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 1:47 pm

Five Questions with Peachtree Hoops

Talking Hawks with Brad Rowland of Peachtree Hoops

Q: What can we expect from Lloyd Pierce as a first time head coach?

A: Pierce enters with the reputation of a player development-focused coach and also one with strong defensive credentials. At the moment, Pierce will have a tall task in getting this particular collection of talent to defend but the development aspect is key, especially when it comes to helping a trio of rookie first round picks to improve alongside more established young veterans like John Collins and Taurean Prince.

Q: What are your expectations for Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, and Omari Spellman this year and beyond?

A: Young is the biggest part of Atlanta’s rebuild to this point and he’ll be given every opportunity to succeed with the ball in his hands this season. At the moment, his best asset is his passing and his ability to facilitate the offense, even with the obvious appeal of his long-range shooting and scoring upside. Young point guards take time to develop but Young should show flashes of brilliance as a rookie along with some ugly moments.

As for Spellman and Huerter, there is likely to be less involvement right away.

Q: Are John Collins and Taurean Prince significant pieces of the Hawks’ future, and how can each take the next step in their development?

A: Collins and Prince don’t have superstar upside in my view but both have a clear path to relevance in the future. Collins outpaced any rational expectation as a rookie, stuffing the stat sheet with high-end efficiency and better than advertised defensive tools.

As for Prince, his defense took a major step back in year two but, in the same breath, he flashed much more in the way of offensive upside (particularly in creating for himself) than anticipated. He has the tools to be a two-way player at the 3 and, at the moment, that is a very valuable commodity in the NBA.

Grizzlies SB Nation

Robo_Claw · Post #8 » by **Robo_Claw** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 2:21 pm

jayu70 wrote:
kg01 wrote:
jayu70 wrote:Our big man rotation just took another hit with Spellman doubtful, sigh. Was hoping for less Plumlee.

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"Plum-less"?

Plumass??

more like Bumass

steady · Post #9 » by **steady** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 2:42 pm

Damn. The one silver lining I was seeing with al big man injuries was Spellman seeing some minutes but no longer even that ..,,

Post #10 » by **ATL Boy** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:22 pm

Not expecting a win. Just wanna see Trae Young have an efficient game.

Post #11 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:36 pm

ATL Boy wrote:Not expecting a win. Just wanna see Trae Young have an efficient game.

Agreed.

I'd be more than satisfied with a solid 12 point/5 assists on 50% shooting and 1 turnover.

I don't need huge numbers, just...a modicum of efficiency

Post #12 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 4:42 pm

I voted Taurean for all three.

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steady · Post #13 » by **steady** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 5:27 pm

Rookie coaches typically struggle with substitutions and rotations. LPs challenge is particularly difficult with all the injuries. Still I hope to see some adjustments/inprovements by him as well —

Poythress is not a good sub for Collins imo. I’d rather see them try Bembry or go with Carter. Dorsey and Carter cannot play together if they hope to defend wings effectively. They have to adjust schemes if Alex Len is hurting. They should try to minimize Plumlees minutes. Having Trae play for 33 minutes is probably not good idea given the Hawks pace and how much energy Trae is being forced to expend on defense. With all injuries to front court they may need to try more small ball. Huerter and Spellman if healthy may need to be thrown in fire.

jayu70 · Post #14 » by **jayu70** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 5:51 pm

steady wrote:Rookie coaches typically struggle with substitutions and rotations. LPs challenge is particularly difficult with all the injuries. Still I hope to see some adjustments/inprovements by him as well —

Poythress is not a good sub for Collins imo. I’d rather see them try Bembry or go with Carter. Dorsey and Carter cannot play together if they hope to defend wings effectively. They have to adjust schemes if Alex Len is hurting. They should try to minimize Plumlees minutes. Having Trae play for 33 minutes is probably not good idea given the Hawks pace and how much energy Trae is being forced to expend on defense. With all injuries to front court they may need to try more small ball. Huerter and Spellman if healthy may need to be thrown in fire.

Poythress is bound for the GL when guys are healthy.
Spellman is doubtful for tonight's game with ankle injury, making a thin front court even thinner.
Len should be back healthy tonight.

jayu70 · Post #15 » by **jayu70** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:36 pm

No Spellman tonight.

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We may see more small ball if no Gadol or Green, more JJJ.

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Quite possibly more Prince at PF. Huerter may see more minutes or Bembry more minutes at SF with Dorsey getting more minutes.

Post #16 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:00 pm

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jayu70 · Post #17 » by **jayu70** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:11 pm

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ChokeFasncists · Post #18 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:46 pm

There is a chance if Gasol is out, their bench seems pretty weak. Otherwise very little chance for a win. The Grizz just lost and it's their home opener.

No Spellman, hope Len is playing. Otherwise super small ball?

Can Chandler Parsons be healthy?

ducler · Post #19 » by **ducler** » Fri Oct 19, 2018 11:27 pm

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ChokeFasncists · Post #20 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Sat Oct 20, 2018 12:16 am

Dang Gasol is playing