Backsliding into old ways

Michael Lee of the AJC writes that so much appeared to be changing in the short regime of coach Terry Stotts. The Hawks took good care of the ball, their defensive intensity was high and so was the morale.

But in Stotts' third game, they looked like the same old Hawks. They reverted to old form Monday night, leaving the Miami Heat with easy lanes to the basket, wide open perimeter jumpers and a tasty assortment of turnovers. It all amounted to a 93-84 loss, the Hawks' 10th in a row on the road.

Via Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat

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Riley warns against optimism

Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports that Heat coach Pat Riley is warning against being too optimistic after a 3-1 road trip. He wonders if his young roster will produce another "go to" guy to help push the 9-19 Heat into the playoffs.

They have Eddie Jones who has taken the leadership role on the club. They have Brian Grant averaging almost a double-double and playing tough interior defense. Occasionally a third player steps up and produces. "In order for us to win, it's got to be done together. Otherwise, we're not going to get there," Riley said after Thursday’s practice.

The lack of dominant teams in the East give the Heat a hope of possibly making the playoffs, but games like Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers make Riley doubt his team. "This whole thing in trying to do the best that I could, that's good for your children to say. `Daddy, I'm trying to do the best that I could do,'" Riley said. "In the pros, that isn't it. I don't want to hear that.

"`Daddy, I am doing what is necessary to succeed.' That's what I want, and sometimes that takes more than just doing your best.''

Via

Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers

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Lebron James at the top of everyone's wishlist

Drew Litton of the Rocky Mountain News has a cartoon for the holiday season.

Via The Rocky Mountain News

Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls

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