Game Thread: Hawks @ Magic -- 3/17

[graymule]

OK. Here's the plan. We send in our backup and see if he can needle the starter enough to get him tossed out.

[High 5]

Trae's the star of the team and a bad defender. People are always going try to attack him on the court. Plus professional athletes almost always have inflated egos and there's nothing more upsetting to them than an undersized rookie being better than they are. That's not to say Trae is "innocent" in all of it, but trash talk is present on every basketball court in the world. It's just part of competing.

Maybe it's a generational thing.

I grew up rooting for Mutombo, Steve Smith, Joe Dumars, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan. I came to appreciate AL Horford, Kyle Korver.

All quiet, classy dudes who rarely got into it with other players and rarely, if ever, got into opponents' faces.





But, I appreciated Reggie Miller and Kobe, too. Guys who relished playing the villain and getting into their opponents' heads. I hope Trae's trash talking never approaches those levels, though.

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

[Jamaaliver]

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

Pierce threw up gang signs because he's a POS.

Spoiler:

"The league is sending a message that we have the best athletes in the world: Play the game," NBA commissioner David Stern said during a stop in Atlanta. "If you get baited, don't take the bait."

After Horford hit a clinching basket with 22 seconds left in Atlanta's Game 3 victory, the rookie began jawing with Pierce before heading for the Hawks bench. Pierce followed Horford as far as midcourt, glaring in his direction before holding up his right hand, forming an "O" with his thumb and index finger and extending the other three fingers.

Pierce's gesture resembled a gang sign...

ESPN -- 2008

But that's a good point about Mutombo. (Though it wasn't a technical because it was aimed at the crowd.)

That's a really good point. I may have deified the man because of all the good work he's done through his playing days and beyond:

Spoiler:

Dikembe Mutombo receives humanitarian award from Harvard Medical School

The NBA All-Star was recognized for his international public health efforts

NBA Hall of Famer and humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo has been honored by the Harvard University Medical School for his ongoing humanitarian efforts and dedication to health care during the Global Health Catalyst (GHC) Cancer Summit in Boston.

The Undefeated

President Obama honored Mutombo as he was awarded the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award – 2010

dmf.org

[kg01]

Trae's the star of the team and a bad defender. People are always going try to attack him on the court. Plus professional athletes almost always have inflated egos and there's nothing more upsetting to them than an undersized rookie being better than they are. That's not to say Trae is "innocent" in all of it, but trash talk is present on every basketball court in the world. It's just part of competing.

Maybe it's a generational thing.

I grew up rooting for Mutombo, Steve Smith, Joe Dumars, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan. I came to appreciate AL Horford, Kyle Korver.

All quiet, classy dudes who rarely got into it with other players and rarely, if ever, got into opponents' faces.

But, I appreciated Reggie Miller and Kobe, too. Guys who relished playing the villain and getting into their opponents' heads. I hope Trae's trash talking never approaches those levels, though.

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

Excellent points. And IIUC Steve Smith talked some ca$h sh*t too.

It's not a "generational" thing, it's just preference. Nothing wrong with liking "quiet" types but we also have to understand how much we don't know actually goes on in games.

To me, where the generational stuff comes into play is guys' reactions to it. Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

[Jamaaliver]

Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

That's literally the concern.


It's cute and funny when Trae mocks these dudes until he takes an elbow to the jaw.

Then suddenly, it's less amusing.

Let's just avoid the extra-curriculars altogether.

Except the nutmegging. Them's be hi-larious.

[Hazer]

Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

That's literally the concern.


It's cute and funny when Trae mocks these dudes until he takes an elbow to the jaw.

Then suddenly, it's less amusing.

Let's just avoid the extra-curriculars altogether.

Except the nutmegging. Them's be hi-larious.

Actually, Trae getting inside these guys’ heads is always a “win” and he knows it. Larry Bird was the all-time king of it, it’s extremely effective. Let ‘em swat you in the back of the head or clap their hands in your face and get Ts, then continue making them look foolish on the court topped off with a wink. That’s what the BEST of the best do, and it’s a win. MCW actually started the entire incident with a swat to Trae on the rebound. And yes, may the nutmeggary continue

[Jamaaliver]

Actually, Trae getting inside these guys’ heads is always a “win” and he knows it.

I'm underwhelmed on the benefits of getting in Michael Carter-Williams' head.

That dude should be more concerned with where his next meal is coming from...

[jayu70]

Maybe it's a generational thing.

I grew up rooting for Mutombo, Steve Smith, Joe Dumars, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan. I came to appreciate AL Horford, Kyle Korver.

All quiet, classy dudes who rarely got into it with other players and rarely, if ever, got into opponents' faces.

But, I appreciated Reggie Miller and Kobe, too. Guys who relished playing the villain and getting into their opponents' heads. I hope Trae's trash talking never approaches those levels, though.

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

Excellent points. And IIUC Steve Smith talked some ca$h sh*t too.

It's not a "generational" thing, it's just preference. Nothing wrong with liking "quiet" types but we also have to understand how much we don't know actually goes on in games.

To me, where the generational stuff comes into play is guys' reactions to it. Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

Steve Smith was the king of the mean mug when he did his drop step hesitation move, and he also had a lil shimmy to go with it.

Agreed with bolded part to. They wanna step to him, he punks them, they get all up in they feels.
That ain his fault.

[kg01]

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

Excellent points. And IIUC Steve Smith talked some ca$h sh*t too.

It's not a "generational" thing, it's just preference. Nothing wrong with liking "quiet" types but we also have to understand how much we don't know actually goes on in games.

To me, where the generational stuff comes into play is guys' reactions to it. Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

Steve Smith was the king of the mean mug when he did his drop step hesitation move, and he also had a lil shimmy to go with it.

Agreed with bolded part to. They wanna step to him, he punks them, they get all up in they feels.
That ain his fault.

Yeah. It's a shame lil' old lady, @jamall clutches his pearls every time something happens. Just kidding, @jamall but we're tryna make omelets here. Some eggs are *gasp* gonna get broken in the process.

Or we can just stay safe like the last 10+ years of Hawks ball?

[Hazer]

Paul Pierce threw up gang signs at rookie Horford because Horford taunted him so hard. And Mutombo's signature move was the finger wag. That's a technical foul these days. As long as Trae doesn't let the trash talk affect his game and he doesn't start showboating every time he scores like John Wall then I'm cool with it.

Excellent points. And IIUC Steve Smith talked some ca$h sh*t too.

It's not a "generational" thing, it's just preference. Nothing wrong with liking "quiet" types but we also have to understand how much we don't know actually goes on in games.

To me, where the generational stuff comes into play is guys' reactions to it. Most of these dudes can't take being trash talked to. Get all emotional, can't/won't elevate their play to go back at a guy. End up doing stuff like Dunn did.

Steve Smith was the king of the mean mug when he did his drop step hesitation move, and he also had a lil shimmy to go with it.

Agreed with bolded part to. They wanna step to him, he punks them, they get all up in they feels.
That ain his fault.

Steve Smith, one of my all time favorite Hawks. Because of their nice personas now, people forget what vicious competitors they used to be. Trae is becoming very adept at the mental chess game, which is to his advantage. That will only sharpen going forward.

[IheartTHEhurt]

I'm all for trash talk as long as it is good taste.
They tell stories about how Larry Legend was relentless with his trash. No one ever says that he talked trash in bad taste or over stepped any boundaries.. I am sure he pushed those lines but I don't recall anyone ever taking a swing on Larry

[DirtybirdGA]

Except Julius one time..or laimbeer...lol