Atlanta Hawks: 2nd half swoon leads to home loss against Denver Nuggets, Kristaps Porzingis return
Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) hosts Episode 2118 of the Locked on Hawks podcast, breaking down Friday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets. Topics include an outstanding first half, an ugly second half on the defensive end, history from Jalen Johnson, another standout Nickeil Alexander-Walker game, a near-comeback in crunch time, and much more.
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24 Comments
As an injured Hawks fan, I couldn't help but think "how are they going to fuck this one up" for most of the 1st half. Then at half time, I consciously reminded myself that losing this game with a 19 point lead would be diabolical. That happens so rarely, even to the worst, most pathetic, downtrodden teams. I will never again doubt their ability to rip my heart out. It kinda sucks that there won't be a big lead that feels safe for the rest of the season now, I don't like the fact that every game will have to be a stressful watch.
"The Lineup" seemed to work well for the first time all season and then I realized it was because Denver was in a zone defense.
Kennard is so much worse than advertised it's not funny. I legitimately have no clue how he managed to look like a real 3 level scorer and offensive initiator with Memphis when we played against them last year. It's like something happened to him in the offseason like he got in a motorcycle accident or something because he used to play at NBA pace and now he places like he's Kyle Anderson. I have no clue how he can look this washed and unathletic at 29.
I"m on FREAK watch BIG time! Let's go and get the Freak…the BEST player in the EAST and…..WIN the EAST! We really do have all the leverage in that trade if the BUCKS want to go into TANK mode…because we own the ONLY path for them to TANK…and that really is what the BucKS should want to do! It's all about REBOUNDING..in today's NBA! We want more possessions by limiting our opponents on the defensive glass and gaining posssessions on the offensive glass. Giannis is a MONSTER on the boards!
How can QUIN start Zacch at the SF position…when it should be JJ CLEARLY….especially when it's EVIDENT that Quin has no confidence in Zacch closing games! He's only 20…he has upside…but he doesn't have the shot variety yet of an NBA starting SF on a hopeful East contender…which is what we should be this year in a WIDE OPEN EAST…the Gettable EAST!
Hey Brad…what's MORE IMPORTANT for a coach then his rotations and minute distributions and closing liune-ups? We all know the answer…NOTHING is more important than that!!!!
UP by 23…down by 11!!!!!!! That can't happen at HOME!!!!!!!!!!! A 34 point swing?????????????
Coaching boils down to PUSHING the right buttons…in terms of rotations and minute distributions! PERIOD….especially when starting and closing games!
The lineup talk is lazy analysis, of course Quin won’t entertain that. Whats he supposed to do play every starter the entire game? Nobody is surprised the bench players are worse but you have to rest the starters obviously
Quin should've called timeout before the first run 🏃♂️ got to 11🤔
Sometimes, it seems like Quin coaches by a script rather than assessing the flow of the game 🤔
The Hawks 🦅 need to develop some confidence that they can still hold their own without Jalen and KP🤔
I say that because it's obvious that KP that KP's playing time can't be counted on 🤨
Hey Brad…the fact that we own the Bucks "ONLY PATH" to really tanking if they choose that path…we really have the LEVERAGE! Not sure what's going to happen to Trae…but…already thinking about getting both the FREAK and Ryan Rollins if we move on from Trae in that trade. The Bucks have no path moving forward…unless they tear it down/TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BIG time FREAK WATCH…can't wait to hear your package or feelings about it…because you know…that the odds of getting a top 3 pick are UNDER 60+%…FACT! We're talking about the BEST player in the EAST…we're talking about winning the EAST/GETTING to the FINALS! in the year of the GETTABLE EAST! I strongly believe that we would then become the FAVORITES! Can't wait for you to address this at length! Thanks!
As a Nuggets fan I have to say that if a bunch of calls didn't go our way we wouldn't have won this game. Biased reffing unfortunately
Hawks fans may not want to hear this but…the PELS will try to win..the rest of the year…that will get easier for them when they play against tanking teams and soon another group of teams that want to join the TANK mix! That's going to happen! Mil…will not tank..unless they choose that path and trade the FREAK! Everyone has to understand that there will be mandates on some coaches to TANK as the season goes along. That's just the reality. The WIZ/NETS/JAZZ/HORNETS/KINGS will firmly have their fingers on the TANK button…That's 5 already! That group will be joined probably by the Mavs when they move AD..to find a running mate for Cooper. The Pacers could easily choose that path soon as well! I'm just saying that we may only end up with the 6th or 7th pre-lottery slot when it's all said and done….and if you don't win a ping pong ball…you could drop another 2 or 3 slots. Picking 8/9 unfortunately is more realistic than winning a top 4 selection! That Pels/Bucks swap right pick has POTENTIAL value…pre lottery! That may not be the case POST-LOTTERY! To get a player like Giannisthe BESTB PLAYER IN THE EAST)…you would be out of your mind not at least thinking about trading it for him! This years' East really is a RARE opportunity to get to the Finals. A frontcourt of JJ/OO/Giannis…would be WOW!! While still keeping LOTS of other talented players as well! ONSI had a GREAT off-season! He just may want to cap that off with a BANG!..when the Feb deadline approaches!
This was a bad loss, Okongwu is just Nas Reid of the east. He is so bad defensively and Jokic dominated him in the 2nd half. Risacher’s shot is broken, and the front office needs to ban him from playing euro ball so he can spend the offseason getting better
Take the JOKER off of the Nuggets…what do you think would happen? Put the Freak on the Hawks…what do you think will happen? 1 REAL NBA STUD…and there are only a few of those…makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE! We all just saw a VERY VERY GOOD Western team..minus a couple of starters(Gordon and Braun) take a 23 point deficit and turn it into an 11 point lead..on OUR HOMECOURT!
Can you imagine The Freak out there with JJ and NAW!!!! WOW!!!!! comes to mind……GOOD luck containing those 3!
I can’t even believe you tried to put a context tone on this game, I know you do it all the time but WE DONT WANT TO HEAR THAT, this team has been destroying our minds and making us believe in them less and less, we don’t feel positive about this team right now
this team is pretty dangerous without trae young, last couple of years as a nuggets fan i felt like hawks are way too small to compete against our team, but this lineup can go blow for blow against the best teams, just unlucky they went 0-20 during clutch but i don't really see any big issues with the team
Quin's insistence on playing triple K is outrageous. The Atlanta press and the GM need to call him out on it. This coach will be dismissed by the end of the year.
Frankly the last several minutes in the 4th quarter were our demise. The late pass to KP on the right side of the basket by the end line. As usual by the time they made the pass, KP had 3 defenders on him and Murray swatted the ball away. The other bone head play was the final one. They take the ball out and make a desperate throw to KP on the top of the key. He makes a pass to a cutter who gets trapped and the ball eventually ends up in the hands of Alexander Walker, By then KP was open to take the 3 ball, instead Alexander Walker decides to drive to the basket with blinders on for 2 points. Why didn't he kick it out to an open KP? That was a bone head selfish play by a shooting guard that's impersonating a TRUE POIUNT GUARD. We need a 3 pointer to tie the game, and our point guard impersonator drives down an open lane for a lay up with 1 or 2 seconds left on the clock. Two major deductions: What was Snyder's first strategy during the time off and back up strategy? I am sure it was not a 2 pointer to pad Alexander Walker's stats. Second, we need to admit that you can't use shooting guards to play the starting Point Guard position against a well coached and talented roster like Denver. Alexander Walker is a talented shooting guard who can score in many ways, BUT he is not a Point Guard. Get Trae back in the line up or some other starting caliber True Point Guard. No need to get into the lack of shot creators by the Hawks wings wings and backcourt. A pass is not shot creation! This game was winnable!
Hey Brad, I'm back, back again, hoping you have an update on my friend… What's up with Niko????
KEATON FOR CP3