Hawks-Heat
What’s up, folks?
Another big one coming this evening with the two teams with the best record in the East taking the floor. Some gleanings to share
Worth noting:
1. This is just Miami’s third road game of the season, having played nine of their first 11 in Miami. The Heat has won both games on the road, at Indiana and Washington.
2. I’m always leery of “Player X does Y when Team Z wins” and not just because I don’t like algebra. It stands to reason when the team wins, a player’s numbers will be better. I guess causation is the issue. At any rate, one player to watch is Heat forward Michael Beasley. He’s actually scored more when they’ve lost, but been otherwise more productive when they’ve won.
In seven Heat wins: 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.3 assists 1.0 blocks.
In three Heat losses: 3.3 rebounds, 0 steals, 0.7 assists, .7 blocks.
3. Joe Johnson has had a nice two-game run distributing. It looked to me like he was trying to get other guys going early against Portland. He had seven assists against the Hornets and nine against Portland.
Said Johnson, “I’m just trying to make plays. Whenever I’m drawing two, three guys, I’m just making the easy pass, whether it’s a dunk or somebody shooting a wide-open jump shot. That’s just easy basketball.”
He sounded eager to face up against Dwyane Wade two days after getting the better of Brandon Roy. Johnson’s strategy for defending him – “Just try and make his catches tough and any shot he takes, make sure you have a hand in his face.”
4. Zaza Pachulia has had a pretty good run, and should see considerable time with 6-foot-8 Udonis Haslem and 6-foot-9 Joel Anthony getting significant minutes off the bench for Miami.
5. On being ranked No. 1 in the nba.com and espn.com power polls, Mike Woodson said what you might expect him to say.
“I don’t even know anything about those polls. The only thing I look at is our division. I look at the divisions around us. I could care less about who’s ranking what. It doesn’t mean a [darn] thing to me, it really doesn’t. What’s important to me is where we stand in our division and how we’re playing as a basketball team.”
This may be old hat to you, but he said something this morning that I found interesting about how he views offensive production.
“I don’t get on a lot of guys about offense that much, unless they’re being selfish. My job is to make sure that they defend and rebound.”
5. How Jamal Crawford does after his first single-digit scoring game (2-10, six points) bears watching. I suspect he’ll be fine, but will he be more eager to assert himself?
6. A couple links. Shaun Powell’s nba.com column on Crawford.
espn.com story on Al Horford.
7. Woodson would like to see you. Monday, Philips was pretty sparse for the Blazers game. Attendance was around 12,000, I think, but looked far smaller.
“All I can say to our fans is we need the support. These guys are playing for something this year. It’s fun watching us play and I know the fans are out there and we just ask you to come out and support us. They need it. I think amazing things can happen when the house is filled.”
What do ya think about tonight?
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190 comments Add your comment
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:12 pm
Looks like Heat have already given up on this game. Game ain’t over yet, but where are all those Heat fans on our blog now?
How many players in the league are getting more And 1’s than Josh Smith this season? Do they keep those stats?
Anybody not happy to be a Hawks fan right now?
I think Hawks are only starting to scratch the surface.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:13 pm
So let me ask y’all something, and I know it’s probably way too early to be talking about this…. We all know that Josh Smith’s goal is to make the All Star team this year, but if he keeps playing this well would you say he’s deserving of a starting spot?
LeBron James is going to get one starting forward spot in the East, but I think Josh compares pretty favorably right now to Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Chris Bosh, who would presumably be his main competition for that second starting forward spot. There’s obviously a ton of basketball still to be played until we get to that point, but to me it’s not out of the question that Josh might be deserving of a starting spot if he keeps this up.
And even looking at the backcourt, you could make a solid argument for Joe Johnson to start alongside Wade for the East at this stage of the game, especially with players like Michael Redd and Devin Harris injured. I realize fan voting determines all this, which means Vince Carter probably wins out over Joe and a Celtic probably wins out over Josh, but still… to think that two Hawks may be deserving of a starting All-Star spot makes me feel great to be a Hawks fan.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:14 pm
“I can’t stand the way that people refer to the Heat in the singular (”The Heat has had a bad game”).”
You know the Hawks have come a long way when all we have left to complain about is grammar…
I MUS WRITE
November 18th, 2009
8:15 pm
Dominique??……..What are the qualifications for broadcasting,I swear being articulate and speaking well must not be on the list
nvnvnv
November 18th, 2009
8:18 pm
At this point Josh should definitely start the All-Star Game this year and if Joe keeps this up he should too. I mean, who’s playing better??
vava74
November 18th, 2009
8:19 pm
I think we have a legitimate 1-2 punch!
nvnvnv
November 18th, 2009
8:19 pm
Also, enough hating on Nique. He is who he is, and if you’re a Hawks fan you love him. Dude gave us amazing game after amazing game when he was playing. He’s a legend and can do as he pleases.
cp
November 18th, 2009
8:20 pm
lol I MUS.. That is why I’m watching the Heat’s feed right now. The reception is a lot clearer and the Heat’s play by play guys are pretty good. I tried to watch the Hawks feed but Nique was killing my ears…
Great game so far. They are playing great defense and sharing the ball. Nothing to complain about. Lets just hope they keep this energy up for the second half.
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
8:21 pm
All the Hawks have to do is share the ball, and they usually end up with good shots.
Najeh – I like the way Josh is playing, although I still cringle a little bit when he leads the fast break (which he has done more effectively this season). Bosh is averaging 26 and 12, but the Raptors are only 5-6. I still dont think Josh starts over Bosh though.
Marvin had 2 buckets, but he is still only 2-7. He needs to improve his shooting %.
terrell barron
November 18th, 2009
8:22 pm
Now lets see if we can come out in the 3rd and finish em off early. We’ve been known to lose some big leads after Woody’s infamous halftime speech. If we’re truly “the new Hawks”, this game should’nt even be close when the 4th qtr begins. This should be time Teague, Randolph, and Collins.
Melvin
November 18th, 2009
8:23 pm
Najeh,
If the Hawks finished in the top 4 at the All Star break, I think they could have two All-Stars to represent them in Dallas. Considering, Josh avgs doesnt drop off…
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:26 pm
Yeah, I’d imagine Bosh’s scoring numbers would probably sway votes in his favor, although Josh outclasses Bosh defensively by a much wider margin than Bosh outclasses Josh offensively (in my opinion). Still, it’s worth mentioning that he is one of the top two or three options after LeBron among the Eastern Conference’s forwards. Of course, with fan voting determining these things, both of them probably end up as reserves.
Ken Strickland
November 18th, 2009
8:26 pm
NIREMETAL-Athough it takes multiple parts to comprise a team, the term team or Heat is a single intentity and it’s use in the singular is correct.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:28 pm
Did I see a Joe Johnson dunk on a follow?
What’s next, an alley-oop to Mike Bibby?
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:28 pm
Good points, Najeh. Btw Garnett, Bosh and Pierce, I think Josh gets the nod if he continues to play this way. Josh stuffs the stat sheets, and he influences the game better when he is playing well than the other three. If the NBA fans vote fairly, he should get the nod. Josh has finally figured it out, something we’ve all been harping about for years.
On Joe. Fans would most likely vote Vince in to start simply because Vince has been showcased more by the league than Joe. But if they be fair, Joe is playing at a high level I haven’t seen for years. They have a better record at this time than Orlando. Joe should get the nod, but fans don’t know crap, because they haven’t followed the Hawks as we have been.
That been said: Kind of crazy going from talking about Josh MAKING the ALL Star game to STARTING for the East!!!!
roan st
November 18th, 2009
8:29 pm
I love how Josh Smith and Horford have responded this season. For what they lack in size in the paint they make up for with athleticism and drive to get the job done. Love how those two cats are playing so far. On the flip side what the hell is up with Marvin? Can this dude ever elevate his game and play with some consistency? He is certainly not worth the contract they gave him this offseason. Is it just me or is he actually getting worse? Could we not get the same level of play out of some cheaper journeyman? He’s basically worthless if you consider the 8 million per year the Hawks are paying him.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:32 pm
Marvin just got his shot blocked by a 6′4″ shooting guard…
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
8:34 pm
What does Woody tell these guys at half time? We have 4 points in the 3rd quarter!
Marvin is now 2-9, and he went 2-10 in the Hornets game.
niremetal
November 18th, 2009
8:36 pm
Refs are letting a lot of contact happen on both ends. This is an old-school East type of game.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:36 pm
Following up on that point, the Heat have six blocked shots in this game, and four have been on Marvin.
I don’t think everyone at the freaking 2005 draft combine was wrong about this guy having elite-level athleticism. For that, he should at least be able to jump high enough to keep from getting blocked.
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:39 pm
Josh need to emulate Horford’s form when shooting free throws.
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
8:41 pm
Najeh,
Exactly. I dont expect Marvin to average 15 ppg. But coming in to this game, Marvin is shooting .235% from 3, and .385% overall. And his 2-9 tonight will bring his % further down. 4-17 from 3? Thats unacceptable.
At the very least, he needs to improve his FG%.
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:42 pm
Joe with 27 in the 3rd!
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:43 pm
Whoa, slow your roll there Josh Smith, you ain’t Steve Nash.
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:43 pm
Josh got a bit too fancy on that fastbreak play.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:46 pm
That joke where they show one of the Philips Arena ushers on the Jumbotron while Ryan Cameron yells out “Usher!”, after showing a bunch of celebrities during the timeout, is never going to get old to Ryan Cameron.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
8:50 pm
D-Wade looks like he’s starting to wake up… be careful…
bigdave
November 18th, 2009
8:53 pm
time to clamp down…
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
8:55 pm
How do we score 26 in the first, 34 in the second, but only 19 in the third? What goes on at half time?
We were horrible in the third quarter against the Lakers too. I wonder why that is…
Blast
November 18th, 2009
8:58 pm
Marvin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Been a long time I heard that chant in Philips!
Blast
November 18th, 2009
9:01 pm
In the next breath, Marvin gets called for an offensive foul!
niremetal
November 18th, 2009
9:02 pm
Refs really loving that charging call right now, aren’t they?
niremetal
November 18th, 2009
9:03 pm
They called 3 in 4 possessions.
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
9:07 pm
Is it too soon to put Teague in?
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
9:07 pm
At least two of those were blatant though… whether or not there was flopping, if you throw your arm or shoulder out you can’t expect to get the benefit of the doubt on those calls. Crawford and Beasley both were guilty of this on their charges.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 18th, 2009
9:11 pm
Big shot by Marvin… you could see the Heat trying to make a little run before that.
Melvin
November 18th, 2009
9:11 pm
Nice to see Marvin hit some shots and play with a smile on his face…
O'Brien
November 18th, 2009
9:12 pm
Marvin! Finally. These are the shots we need him to knock down.
niremetal
November 18th, 2009
9:23 pm
Dwyane who?
Melvin
November 18th, 2009
9:28 pm
Yes sir, I like the way we beat up on the Heat. Send them a message that they are not on our level…..
bigdave
November 18th, 2009
9:33 pm
Aye man… Al Horford keeps putting up double doubles and we will be very very tough…
cp
November 18th, 2009
9:34 pm
Great win. They have found their defense and they shared the ball tonight. Nice to see Marvin have a nice game. Chalk up the win and get ready for the next opponent. And the Heat guys showed the Hawks a lot of love. Sometimes its interesting to see how the opponents feel about the team and they think the Hawks are legit.
vava74
November 18th, 2009
9:38 pm
My internet connection died On me by the mid-3rd quarter so my review is limited:
we came out too relaxed on the 3rd quarter, a sign of immaturity. Josh loss his condentrstion and went cold and got a tech.
Crawford had his second cold game in a row.
We stopped boxing out as well as we did on the first half.
Wade woke up.
AND EVEN SO WE WON BY DOUBLE DIGITS! And Marvin is finally starting to wake up!!
Melvin
November 18th, 2009
9:45 pm
Another DNP-CD for Javale McGee in the Wiz win tonight. Hmmm, I wouldnt mine seeing that young big in a Hawks uni if the Wiz is going to let him rot on their bench…
Ken Strickland
November 18th, 2009
10:02 pm
Has anyone else noticed how we’ve held every team we’ve played under 100pts since backing off the switching DEF? Everyone keeps saying it’s too early to consider the Hawks an elite team, or to consider them in the same category with Boston, Cleveland and Orlando. Well, it wasn’t too early this off season, when people were saying the Hawks would have trouble beating out Chicago and Washington for the 4th seed. In fact, we had some dilusional fans state emphatically that the Hawks weren’t even in the same league with these teams.
This was another well played, well coached gm, and our UNDERSIZED frontline dominated again. Exactly what is one trying to say when they use the term undersized. Obviously it doesn’t prevent a player or players from succeeding or being dominant at their position. DRodman(6′8″ PF), CBarkley(6′4″ PF, SMarion(6′7″ PF) and WUnseld(6′7″ center) were among the best rebounders in NBA history at their respective positions. So when someone keeps crying about JSmith and AHorford being undersized, or playing out of position, exactly what has that prevented them from doing, and how has it prevented them from being dominant at their respective positions? SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME SOME CLARIFICATION.
kwooden1
November 18th, 2009
10:08 pm
I didn’t get a chance to watch this game, but looking at the stats this is an incredible game for the HAWKS. They shot a lower field-goal percentage and only won the rebound game by 1, but we WON BY 15!! Crawford 3-10, Bibby 3-10, Smoove 6-16 and Marvin 5-12, BUT you still win by double-digits!!! The guys are really fighting on the offensive glass to get more shots. If they start really shooting well they’re going to start having those 20 point blow-out games regularly, like Orlando and Cleveland was doing last year.
GO HAWKS!!!
ILL-logical
November 18th, 2009
10:29 pm
SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME SOME CLARIFICATION.
Well let’s try this on for size: when the playoff type games occur and the empasis becomes heft and strength not length and leaping, our guys are at a disadvantage when it comes to controlling the glass.
Espaecially when you are in a 7 game serise where repetition and excecution are featured. Athletic ability still comes in to play but less so compared to the one and done games of the regular season.
DHunt
November 18th, 2009
10:51 pm
I was too busy watching to blog during the game, but I’ve got to say this may be the best looking Hawks team I have ever seen, and I’ve been watching since the 70’s. They are literally 10 deep, and could be even deeper (there are several players I haven’t seen enough of to be sure what they could contribute). Even ZaZa has stepped up his game and his energy is productive, rather than the plumb mess it was in past years. Marvin will be fine if he stays healthy and keeps shooting, and our second team isn’t going to lose out to many other reserves in the league. I’m still a little concerned about Woodson, but I don’t think even he can screw up this team. They are darn near unstoppable when they are clicking and as evidenced in the Portland game two nights ago, not too bad when they aren’t.
All the liabilities I thought they had, Bibby on defense against the younger and quicker point guards, Marvin and JJ with streaky shooting, Josh with immaturity, Woodson’s lack of offensive coaching skills, have all been answered rather definitively in these first 12 games. They can compensate on any given night if any of those things come up. It’s scary how good these guys could be. I’d like to say I saw this coming, but they are really showing me something I didn’t expect.
And if Horford is undersized, he has the bigest heart of any center in the league. He may struggle a bit against a beast like Dwight Howard, but so does everyone else. I guarantee he will out hustle Dwight Howard any night of the week and that will make up for the physical disadvantage. The hawks will paly better team defense (thanks to Woodson) than most teams in the league. Until I see some PF push Josh around, I don’t think his size matters. In fact, from what I’ve seen, most big men don’t want to bring it to him because he has shown time and time again that he will throw your shot into the seats. And so will Horford. Name another big man tandem that has the chance to average a double double on the season.
These guys are scary good. Unless we get bit really hard by the injury bug at a crucial time this season, I predict this team will make some firsts happen in Hawks history. First to 60 wins? Could happen easily. First to the finals? Could happen. First to win it all? Dare I dream…
kwooden1
November 18th, 2009
11:08 pm
ILL-logical I think that was true a few years ago, when Shaq could do whatever he wanted to do. Now, you can’t bang as much in the post and there is more of a premium on bigs that face-up and shoot. (Dirk,Gasol, Garnett, etc) The key to the HAWKS is to continue to cleaning-up the defensive boards, secure the basketball and then push the ball. What I’ve seen is teams are so pre-occupied with JJ, Crawford and Bibby on the perimeter that Smoove and Horford get a lot of easy looks. Teams just don’t have a good way to play the HAWKS defensively right now. Before it was double-team JJ, stay with Bibby and let Smoove shoot. Now they double JJ, the ball goes into Smoove and drives one-on-one. If Crawford’s in the game, they simply can’t double. With Zaza and Smith on the bench, Horford and Smoove get enough rest to be fresh during the game. The Playoffs are a long way off and we all know that’s a different season all together. The HAWKS just need to keep improving every game and minimizing their weaknesses.
GO HAWKS!!!
Ken Sugiura
November 18th, 2009
11:13 pm
hey, folks-
i thought tonight might be the night the streak ended. i figured the heat would want to redeem itself/themselves (got that, najeh?) for last night, but the hawks laid the same whammy on them that they’ve been doing. Horford and Smith getting out and running on the fast break is a thing to watch. it sort of reminds me of a tight end/linebacker mismatch.
Sorry I can’t hyperlink it, but here are the game story and Mark Bradley’s column.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/johnson-smith-lead-way-204169.html
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/11/18/the-soaring-hawks-from-worst-to-first-in-4-12-years/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog