January 2nd - New Orleans Pelicans vs Brooklyn Nets - 19-14

[hornetsrebirth]

This is the type of thinking that gets a coach fired. You play the player when the situation calls for it. You do not play a player based on some rigid philosophy or seniority. Hawkins brings a different skillset than all of those players including Trey.

The kind of thinking that gets a coach fired is taking away minutes from players who are shooting significantly better from 3 (and from 2) and playing much better defense and bringing an intense mentality to the team, in favor of playing a rookie who is still on a learning curve for how to effectively utilize that skillset you mention.

[JJackisangry]

The kind of thinking that gets a coach fired is taking away minutes from players who are shooting significantly better from 3 (and from 2) and playing much better defense and bringing an intense mentality to the team, in favor of playing a rookie who is still on a learning curve for how to effectively utilize that skillset you mention.

Hawkins was playing very well before he was inexplicably dropped. He will obviously need to build up confidence again. And that stats you mention are very misleading when Hawk tends to take a higher volume from 3 and is willing to take more difficult looks and create them with his movement. I’m not going to tell you that you are completely wrong and that he should steal everyone’s minutes, but he should definitely see minutes as should Matt Ryan when he comes back. This team needs shooters to maximize its players.

[As I See It]

If we cared exclusively about putting the best product on the court, we wouldn't start one of the worst rated starting 5s in the league so obstinately. We sacrifice the present moment regularly for much less than development.

In any case, that's acting like development and winning are mutually exclusive; to this day, some of the best lineups we've played this season have featured Hawkins.

Defensively. That's why I always stress...

DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE!!!

Especially when two of our 'so-called' Big Three are in the game. You can cover, to some extent for one weak link defensively; but two?

[Fedupfan]

Defensively. That's why I always stress...

DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE!!!

Especially when two of our 'so-called' Big Three are in the game. You can cover, to some extent for one weak link defensively; but two?

And it’s not like it’s just a liability. They are drill cones, literally. Just blown by on most occasions.

[AussieHornet]

Don’t want to be Debbie downer but we all know what happens as soon as we get our hopes up. I really hope the team show up in Minnesota and do us proud.

[hornetsrebirth]

Hawkins was playing very well before he was inexplicably dropped. He will obviously need to build up confidence again. And that stats you mention are very misleading when Hawk tends to take a higher volume from 3 and is willing to take more difficult looks and create them with his movement. I?m not going to tell you that you are completely wrong and that he should steal everyone?s minutes, but he should definitely see minutes as should Matt Ryan when he comes back. This team needs shooters to maximize its players.

It wasn't inexplicable at all. He was playing minutes because guys like Trey we're out injured. And there is no match up that exists we're Hawkins should be getting minutes instead of Trey. Literally.

[NOEngineer]

Hawkins was 3 of 13 last night, 2 of 8 from deep. He has hit the rookie wall and deserves the opportunity to break through it in Birmingham. Willie is pushing the right buttons and making the right decisions. Unfortunately we have shooters that thrive when things are going well but often wilt under pressure. Let's hope we grow that competitive killer instinct during this upcoming stretch against quality teams.

[6warddude]

willie is doing the same thing with hawkins that he did as trey was a rookie who couldnt play defense....as we see, trey worked on his defense but still has alot of work to do for his game as a whole.....hawkins just have to keep grinding and work on his defense and be ready for when he's called on.....

willie is going to play his defensive guys, so the rookie has to get onboard on the defensive end and get the scheme down...