Interesting comment in MC's Pacers game thread ... plus updates and Al and Joe

[Admin]

http://blogs.ajc.com...-game-thread-2/

Indianapolis–Larry Drew ruled out Al Horford returning before the end of the regular season: “What I’ve been told he’s definitely out for the regular season and there is a possibility [of return] for the playoffs.” Al has said he should know more about his timetable when he returns to see his doctor next week.

• Joe Johnson (knee) and Willie Green (back) are out. Tracy McGrady (knee) and Jerry Stackhouse (ill) are active. Jeff Foster (back) is out for the Pacers.
  
• Joe plans to play at some point during the trip. Drew: “Right now we don’t know [when]. We are just going off how he feels. He has his good days, he has some bad days. It was his decision and our decision to allow that thing to heal to at least get to the point where he can play with a little bit more consistency [and] where the knee feels good. Since we shut him down it feels better. Right now the focus is to get him stronger.”
  
• McGrady said he has to manage his surgically-repaired left knee: “It doesn’t do very well on the back-to-backs. I didn’t have my balance and planted it wrong [vs. the Thunder]. It was already sore before the game.” Drew: “I don’t think he’s 100 percent but he feels like he can go. We will see how he looks.”
  
• Stackhouse ended up traveling with the team Monday. “It was some kind of food poisoning or something,” he said. ” Yesterday was not a good day.”
  
• I’ve covered a lot of games in this building, both with the Heat and Hawks, and I can tell you what’s likely going to happen: The Pacers are going to beat up on the Hawks and there are not going to be many whistles. That’s just how it is.
  
• Drew: “This team, they play very physical at home. The last time we were here at this building, they physically took us out of what we wanted to do. Our last meeting at our place we kind of turned the tides. Anytime you play against an Indiana team, because they are so big and athletic, you have to match the physicality. That certainly will be the case tonight.”
  

First, I didn't realize that MC used to cover the Heat. Sure would be nice to have a beat writer for the Hawks who was a Hawks fan... maybe that's what's been missing since Sekou left.

Looks like we'll know next week whether or not Al really has a shot to be back by the playoffs, so fingers crossed for that.

From the sound of things I doubt that we'll see T-Mac play tonight.

Awesome job by the Hawks, Zaza, Smith, Damp and Ivan specifically, for getting physical with the Pacers and I believe winning the rebound battle. Speaking of Damp, what happened to him in the 2nd half? I thought he looked awesome during that 1st half run we had and then I don't remember him playing in the 2nd half. Was he just worn out or did LD forget about him or what?

[Brotha2ThaNite]

I think LD and coaching staff are holding off on putting Damp on the floor for large minutes until the playoff.

I think they have seen enough during practice to know what we haven't seen. :-)

He's their A's.

At least, that's what I believe. lol

Edited March 7, 2012 by Brotha2ThaNite

[Randy]

Looks like he missed that part where he said there wouldn't be many whistles. Not sure who got beat up or not. I saw at least one or two Pacer's on the floor after encountering ZaZa.

[lethalweapon3]

First, I didn't realize that MC used to cover the Heat. Sure would be nice to have a beat writer for the Hawks who was a Hawks fan... maybe that's what's been missing since Sekou left.

You didn't know he used to cover (and provide biting commentary) for your Phish for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale back in the day?

http://articles.sun-...t-team-playoffs

http://articles.sun-...ams-views-talks

That was before he shifted over full-time to the HEAT... looks like in 2008, although he's got writeups from 2005. I think he pulled a Vivlamore by switching to hoops writing and just stuck with it.

http://articles.sun-...-spoelstra-heat

Here's a good one featuring a baby-faced "Young MC" in SoFla... Hawks vs. Heat '09: Who will win?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-atlanta-hawks-041509,0,1182044.htmlstory

Michael Cunningham

Sports Columnist

Hawks in five

There is Dwyane Wade but what else? Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O'Neal could provide needed grit, but Haslem is coming off a hand injury, and O'Neal doesn't have much left in his legs. The rest of the supporting cast is either too green or too limited to help Wade overcome Atlanta's superior talent, athleticism and experience.

~lw3

Edited March 7, 2012 by lethalweapon3

[High5]

The Hawks have beaten 3 playoff teams and looked better against Chicago without Joe. No reason to play him until he's 100% ready to go.

[Brotha2ThaNite]

The Hawks have beaten 3 playoff teams and looked better against Chicago without Joe. No reason to play him until he's 100% ready to go.

Slow your roll... lets see what we do against MIA. lol

[Admin]

You didn't know he used to cover (and provide biting commentary) for your Phish for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale back in the day?

http://articles.sun-...t-team-playoffs

http://articles.sun-...ams-views-talks

That was before he shifted over full-time to the HEAT... looks like in 2008, although he's got writeups from 2005. I think he pulled a Vivlamore by switching to hoops writing and just stuck with it.

http://articles.sun-...-spoelstra-heat

Here's a good one featuring a baby-faced "Young MC" in SoFla... Hawks vs. Heat '09: Who will win?

http://www.sun-senti...82044.htmlstory

~lw3

Interesting! I had never heard of the guy but pretty much if you're a Dolphins beat writer that is well known then you're likely a turd so I guess that's not a bad thing.

[High5]

Slow your roll... lets see what we do against MIA. lol

I'm not saying we're a better team without Joe. I'm saying we're a better team without injured Joe. Bringing him back early will only hurt the team.