Initial Feedback: First Test Passed

Initial feedback: A completely subjective and immediate response to the events of tonight's game, featuring a comment and rating, the latter on a scale of 1 to 10, on every player who saw the floor and the head coach, along with ephemera and miscellany as the author deems necessary.

Your ratings and commentary, dear reader, are welcomed in the comments to this post.

Boxscore

Players
Jeff Teague: It's curious how regular playing time has completely eradicated, at least for the time being, Teague's ability to get to the free throw line. I don't think that he'll ever be a good enough finisher in traffic to get away with not getting to the line. 7/10

Joe Johnson: Took full advantage of Paul Silas's curious decision to have Tyrus Thomas chase Joe Johnson around screens. For the second night in a row, Johnson was far better before halftime. Tonight, it didn't matter. Nice work on the glass in the absence of Horford, Williams, and McGrady. 9/10

Josh Smith: The only question is whether Josh Smith can (should?) earn full marks for a game in which he attempts nine jump shots. His contract year began months ahead of schedule and got off to a wonderful start. 9/10

Zaza Pachulia: He probably won't average a double-double now that he's the starting center but I suspect his performances and production will regularly pose the question of why he didn't get regular minutes all along. 6/10

Vladimir Radmanovic: He was there spreading the floor. Not his fault that Charlotte couldn't defend the first pass very often so he wasn't needed. Good work on the glass. 5/10

Willie Green: A fine performance against an opponent on his level. 4/10

Ivan Johnson: The one bright spot in the darkness of Horford's injury is regular minutes for Ivan Johnson, both for how he plays and the resultant stat lines: 21 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 fouls. 4/10

Jannero Pargo: I guess there's a chance that he goes and Stackhouse stays once Hinrich returns. 2/10

Jason Collins: Possibly the worst garbage time player in the league. The Hawks don't play the Magic for another month. Until then, his ratings will be entirely arbitrary. 1/10

Jerry Stackhouse: Will he be willing to make the transition from locker room presence to assistant coach so that the Hawks can sign another post player? 1/10

Donald Sloan: Every day in the NBA, every second on the court is an opportunity. 1/10

The head coach
One should not take for granted the ability to put lesser teams in their place. Were it not for the Wizards and Pistons, the Bobcats would get much more (and deserved) attention for how bad they are. The Hawks let Charlotte hang around for a half. That'll happen with three of the top eight missing from the rotation. If he can get Josh Smith to stop shooting jump shots (it's comfortably over six a game at this point), Coach of the Year consideration is not out of the question. 8/10

A thought regarding the opposition
Tyrus Thomas chasing Joe Johnson around screens? I know Thomas is an enigmatic talent but, surely, that's not the answer.

My kitchen plumbing
Please send towels. 0/10