Cleveland, Cleveland
Greetings, all-
What to make of Tuesday night?
Jamal Crawford’s take: “We had a rough stretch scoring the ball and that hasn’t been the case all year. We look at it as a fluke, laying an egg, and hopefully come out tomorrow and get a win.”
I don’t know if I entirely agree with him, but I don’t think he’s so far off. I don’t know what happened in the fourth quarter. Crawford said that pressure built with each failed possession. Al Horford said that Cleveland defended the transition differently and caught the Hawks by surprise. After a sizzling start, Joe Johnson might have been as ineffective as I’ve seen him. Obviously, Cleveland had something to do with it. The Cavs are one of the best defensive teams in the league – first in points in the paint allowed, second in defensive field goal percentage and fourth in points allowed per game. Earlier this season, they held Milwaukee scoreless for more than 11 minutes.
Mike Brown, before Tuesday’s game: “Guys are doing a nice job limiting teams to one shot. There were stretches (in the season) where we were getting hurt on the offensive glass, there were stretches where we got hurt in transition. There was a stretch where we were turning the ball over and our floor balance wasn’t great and we were getting hurt real bad with some easy baskets. We’ve kind of done a decent job of trying to clean that up. Our guys have been focusing on those areas and done a better job of not letting those easy buckets happen to us.”
But, it did seem fluky. I (and you, I imagine) have grown accustomed to the Hawks making good decisions with the ball – or at least not turning it over – and they were just haphazard, particularly in the fourth quarter. I guess the tougher part is teasing out how much pressure and defense had to do with it, and how much was the Hawks just imploding.
Some links:
Jeff Schultz’s column from the game.
“I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to go win a game instead of just playing the way we know how to play,” Josh Smith said. “We definitely thought about this game too hard.”
Hawks pre-game?
Cleveland Plain-Dealer’s game story.
(The Cavaliers) have never done what they enforced on the Hawks in this one, stuffing them for nearly nine minutes in the fourth quarter.
espn.com’s Daily Dime.
qualitatively it was shocking how little had changed from the playoff series nearly eight months ago.
Anyway, going forward.
Why the Hawks will win
1. Few gave them much of a chance in Boston and Dallas, and they won there. (The Dallas game, you’ll remember, followed the New York loss, one of the worst of the season. Josh Smith got tossed, the starters played extended minutes and it looked for all the world like Dallas would run the Hawks out of the gym. Interestingly, Crawford said pretty much the same thing following that New York game that he did Tuesday. This is a pretty confident group, and I didn’t sense any self-doubt in the locker room after the game.)
2. I think the Hawks think or know they can play with Cleveland, and I don’t think they’re scared. As poorly as the Hawks played offensively at times, they did a pretty solid job on Cleveland defensively, particularly in the second half. Marvin Williams defended admirably against LeBron James (and had a solid night overall), although I’m not sure where to draw the Marvin played well/LeBron played poorly line.
I think LeBron's the one on the left
3. I don’t think the Hawks will have a stretch like they did Tuesday night, at least not of their own doing.
4. The Hawks were a little miffed with the chirping that some of the Cavaliers were doing, which may make them all the more eager for payback (if they need any more reasons). Without naming him, they were particularly unimpressed with the woofing that Jamario Moon was doing.
5. Despite their many incompetence issues, the Hawks had 23 fast-break points against Cleveland, 10 more than the Cavs’ average. There’s no reason the Hawks can’t do better if they handle the ball better in transition than Tuesday.
Why they won’t
1. Again with James – even if Williams had a lot to do with his 6-for-20, there’s no way he plays like that two nights in a row.
2. When the Hawks won in Boston, they were helped by Boston shooting 1 for 15 from 3-point range. In Dallas, Josh Howard was out.
3. Besides James, I don’t think Cleveland played all that well. There were a number of turnovers that were just bad, bad plays that I wouldn’t expect that team to make. The Hawks will likely face a better team Wednesday.
4. One of the Hawks’ pillars is rebounding. Cleveland neutralized the Hawks Tuesday, outrebounding the Hawks 43-30 and holding them to five offensive boards, and there’s no reason to think the Cavaliers can’t do it again.
5. Bottom line, it’s hard not to say that the Cavaliers are a better team. The Hawks’ chance to take one was Tuesday.
Why do you think the Hawks will win/lose tonight? Feel free to use my reasons, as each of them rates a 10 for insight.*
This one goes to 11.
Also, I’m planning on figuring out who won the prediction contest in my hotel in Cleveland this afternoon. Looking forward to it.
* Sarcasm.
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632 comments Add your comment
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
Eric,
LeBron was 0-4 on his birthday until today.
Good job though
Time
December 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
Mac Town – The Hawks do try to take it to the hoop. But it takes a defender pulling out a 9 iron and whacking our guys before we get a foul call. So they start settling for jumpers because they KNOW the refs aren’t going to give them the calls.
With legit officiating, the Hawks can and do take it to the hoop. But if they’re playing against one of the NBA’s golden boys (Lakers, Cavs, Heat etc) teams they can take it to the hoop all night, get clubbed and get nothing. So their only shot to score is to shoot perimeter jumpers all night.
Brett
December 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
time for broke a– ASG to step up and get and pay some fines. raise all kinds of he–. michael gearon time to speak up. woody go off now instead of getting late game tech.
FRESH
December 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
SMH…IM DONE WITH THE NBA FOR A WHILE…THIS IS STARTING TO GET STUPID…THE REFS DID WHAT THEY CAME TO DO AND THAT DID IT BEFORE ALL OF OUR EYES SMH…LEBRON SHOT MORE FREE THROWS THAN THE HAWKS WHOLE TEAM?!?!…LIKE MY GRANDMA USED TO SAY “UM UM UM…NOW THAT JUST AINT RIGHT”…
IM OUT…MAYBE I’LL CATCH ANOTHER GAME IN A WEEK OR SO…
JM
December 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
This is why I struggle to really get into the NBA. The winners are essentially predetermined.
Chuck
December 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
So I guess the refs and clock operater are going out with LeBron for his birthday tonight. The refs from the game tonight should be fined. No team should ever have 23 more free throw attempts then the other team. Also, if I am not mistaken the refs are suppose to check to make sure the shot clock resets on every possession. Makes me wonder if these refs were friends with Tim Donaghy.
master
December 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
this game reminds me of the kings v.s lakers 2002 game 6 playoff series. very bad officiating. really bad…fixed!!!
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
Calm down, people.
The officials sucked. They always suck. They have helped us out a lot too.
We stayed under the pick when LeBron had the ball like 4 times which led to 4 3’s by him.
We ran that BS Joe ISO garbage in the 4th. It’s not like we didn’t make mistakes. Cleveland is a better team than us. I would not want to play this team in the 2nd roudn under any case.
So the officials helped us lose but it’s also on us
Brett
December 30th, 2009
9:48 pm
nba.com is drooling over LBJ as expected
MAD-DONNA
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
This win for Cleveland is a b-day present to LJ from the NBA!
keno
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
That was some BS but I don’t understand why the shot clock wasn’t called to the refs attention until after the turnover and score by the Cavs. Isn’t there suppose to be someone watching for things like that? I’m sure the Hawks front office will file grievance with the league. I wonder if Stern will make them replay the last minutes of the game.
Alien in ATL
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
Send the Stinger to Siberia to never return!!! He just selected LBJ “Star of the Game”!!!???
Another birthday present???
Art Vandelay
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
Woodson just said the Hawks will file a protest. Good start.
Brett
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
woody on shot clock says “I am not going to comment on that at this time. we will file protest.”
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
9:49 pm
The officials weren’t the reason Varejao hit that shot, idiots. We missed defensive assignments all game. Putting ZaZa on LBJ, LOL.
Hawks scorekeepers robbed 2 or 3 teams of wins over the last few years. You want me to point them out?
JAT
December 30th, 2009
9:50 pm
Woody says he will protests. Go Woody!!
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
9:50 pm
damn right WOODY
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
9:50 pm
GUYS MARVIN IS A GREAT DEFENDER! HE ONLY GAVE UP 46 TONIGHT TO LEBRON!
Alien in ATL
December 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Yahooo!!! Woodson is going to file an official complaint! IN YOUR FACE LBJ!!!
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
WTF is filing a protest gonna do?
“We recognize we made a mistake. There is nothing we can do.”
blah blah blah
jerrywest
December 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
woody said we will protest.
Billy Knight
December 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Suckers
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
Alien i damn near spit out my subway
Twinbbest
December 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
FT Clev Atl
38 15
Lebron
16
I’ve seen a lot over the years and the NBA definately has a “star sytem” no question.
But tonight might be the worst i’ve ever seen. it reminded me of the Jordan rules of the late 80’s.
Delonte Herpe West
December 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
I have a herpe on my lower left lip.
Anthony Parker
December 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
I am ALBINOOOOOo
Alien in ATL
December 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
JeJe – STFU!!! wHAT CAN YOU DO AGAINST 4 GUYS? (LBJ + the 3 “officials”)
Tim Donaghy
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
I told everyone. Stern and the officials are as crooked as the day is long. I was made the fall guy for what every fan in the league can see. The league is fixed.
Timbo
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Ken, what a ragged headline on the main page for tonight’s screwjob in Cleveland. I bet you don’t even watch basketball . . . someone will have to inform you of what happened.
Mac-Town'z Finest 478
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Hey guys, the refs did suck…..but if you think the “refs” are the only thing separating the Hawks from being an “elite contender” then you are smoking some of the finest stuff this side of the Mississippi.
We live and die by the jump shot……….just like the past few seasons…the increase in yearly wins the last 2 years is simply because of acquiring better players……but still the same offensive philosophy that probably will get us no where when it matters (playoffs against teams like the cavs)
even before the 4th Quarter….the Cavs were still in the game…even though we were shooting lights out.
Too 1 dimensional ….nobody to dump the ball down low to and expect consistent results……..nobody willing to drive the ball strong to the rack and finish or get to the line.
Brett
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
outscored by 13 points in 4th quarter
RA
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Firsrt off, goodbye Cheshire, and good riddance. Anybody else want off? There’s the door. Folks, the Cavs threw EVERYTHING they had at Atlanta, and got a lot of help. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the best games that they played this season. Listen, when Lebron James can run through TWO players with NOTHING being called and land on a players back with NOTHING being called. When Verejo or however the crap you spell his name (I don’t care) can push Al Horford while he’s trying to shoot and NOTHING gets called, you’re going to have a hard night, even when you play as hard as the Hawks do. Kobe and the Lakers wouldn’t have done any better tonight. Now, I say this as a basketball fan, what happened tonight what a travesty. When you look at the no-calls and that debacle with the time clock at the end. Now, even if all that doesn’t happen, Lebron may score 55 and they MAY win anyway, but it’s going to take a while to wipe the smell of skunk off this loss, and if I was Woody, I’d have a formal protest on Commissioner Sterns desk in the morning.
Chuck
December 30th, 2009
9:53 pm
Mike Woodson is a punk. Instead of not having a comment, he should have stepped stood up for his team and called each one of those refs out. Don’t worry about the damn fine. You are making over a million dollars. Maybe then, your team will have some respect for you.
welikebaseball2
December 30th, 2009
9:54 pm
Really ticked on 2 notes…
1) The refs should be ashamed of themselves. If ever there was a time to believe games are fixed or players are favored. Whatever.
2) Hawks are solely to blame for blowing a 17-point lead. Don’t know who to slap first, Woodson for call back-to-back-to-back Iso plays or Joe & Jamal for trying to do too much at the end of the game. It’s a recurring nightmare. Hawks share the ball the whole game & get selfish when the game tightens.
Big Ray
December 30th, 2009
9:54 pm
Clyde ,
Excellent post. I could not agree more. I’m disappointed and disgusted.
Bigdave also makes a very good point.
The refs catch the fact that after calling basket intereference, Cleveland has a half of a second left to inbound the ball and shoot. So they let them have it. Then, when Atlanta is rushed into a shot because the shotclock doesn’t reset, and they only have 11 seconds to shoot, the refs say “Oh really? Well we can’t do anything about that. Go get boned.”
This is beyond shameful. Beyond it. David Stern should be embarrassed. But he’s not. Because one of his cash cows is happy. There’s no thuggery like high class white collar thuggery.
Hawk n the Ham
December 30th, 2009
9:55 pm
I will be starting the “Woody Please Curse Out The Refs In Public” foundation. All proceeds will go to pay the fines occured by Woody openly expressing his feelings constantly to NBA officials and NBA heads.
northcyde
December 30th, 2009
9:56 pm
The AJC should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES for that headline on the front page of the Sports section.
ANOTHER 4TH QUARTER FLOP?
Did you idiot sportswriters watch the damn game? Did you see the plethora of no-calls? Did you see the Cavs timekeeper DELIBERATELY NOT RESET THE SHOT CLOCK, forcing us into a quick shot and turnover?
WHY IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK WOODY IS FILING A (( BLEEPIN )) PROTEST?
It’s time for you AJC sportswrites to grow a pair, and act like the big city sportswriters. Do you know that if this had happen to the Knicks or the Sixers when they were good, that those sportswriters would be ALL OVER THE NBA AND CLEVELAND FROM FLAT OUT STEALING THE GAME FROM US.
It’s ish like this that proves that Atlanta isn’t a real sports town. When the writers and main Hawk blogger can’t even see that the Hawks had this game virtually stolen from them, and not say a (( bleepin )) word about it, it proves how sorry you writers are
RA
December 30th, 2009
9:56 pm
And Brett, if you can throw guys all over the place with nothing getting called, but the other team can’t even breath on you without sending you to the free throw line, chances are you’d outscore a team by 13 too.
Tim Donaghy
December 30th, 2009
9:56 pm
Woodson can’t rip the officials. Anyone remember what that crook Stern did to Jeff Van Gundy when he dared to question the officials. Threatened him and basically told him to shut up or Stern himself would show him the door out of the league.
Stern is the problem. I keep saying it, maybe one day people will start to listen to me.
Big Ray
December 30th, 2009
9:57 pm
Mac-Town ,
Josh and Al can score against Lebron and Varejao. How are they going to stop them without fouling? Tell it like it is, if you’re going to say that Hawks aren’t good enough: Woody calls ISO with his two favorite guards, and ignores his low post guys when things get tight.
Talent doesn’t separate us. Strategy does.
Big Ray
December 30th, 2009
9:59 pm
“We live and die by the jump shot……….just like the past few seasons…the increase in yearly wins the last 2 years is simply because of acquiring better players……but still the same offensive philosophy that probably will get us no where when it matters (playoffs against teams like the cavs)”
So true. Now where does this offensive philosophy come from? Exactly.
northcyde
December 30th, 2009
10:00 pm
Ken S. You wanna make a name for yourself? Then RAISE HELL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT. Act like you work in a Philly newspaper, and is pissed off at what happened.
- Cavs FTA: 38 . . . Hawks FTA: 15
- Lebron FTA: 16
Yes folks . . Lebron had more FTAs than the ENTIRE HAWKS TEAM. Ish . . Jemario Moon had 6 FTA in 13 minutes. No Hawk had more than 4, even though we got hit almost every time we went to the basket.
Then you add the clock controversy, and it makes it all the more worse.
GROW A SACK @ THE ATLANTA SPORTSWRITERS.
Defend this team . . even if it seems like you’re whining.
Josh Smith can’t get a call. Joe Johnson, who played like a SUPERSTAR, can’t get a call. But Lebron and Jamario Moon gets calls?
RAISE HELL ATLANTA !!
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 30th, 2009
10:00 pm
This game was a league embarrasment.
Brett
December 30th, 2009
10:00 pm
Ken’s game story mentions nothing of free throw difference or shot clock problem!!!! Hello, earth calling Ken. come in Ken.
Anthony Parker
December 30th, 2009
10:01 pm
Who’s to say we were going to score on that play anyway? All we were going to run was a Joe isolation. It doesn’t take 24 seconds for Joe to get the shot off in an ISO.
Hawk n the Ham
December 30th, 2009
10:01 pm
I’m with northcyde.
Hey AJC, you WON’T be fined by the NBA if you actually call them out on the headline. Don’t use titles that makes it look like the Hawks can’t play. FIX IT…..please
RA
December 30th, 2009
10:01 pm
welikebaseball2, I like baseball too, but let’s be clear, if you give a team as talented as Cleveland, any advantages over what they already have, they are entirely capable of coming back. I thought that under the circumstance (the considerably lopsided circumstances), the Hawks did a good job of fighting off the runs. How hard can it be to come back when all you need for a three point play is to send your linebacker plowing through the middle. Must be nice.
JD
December 30th, 2009
10:02 pm
JeJe,
I’m calling you out!
Name one game the Hawks scorekeepers stole from another team. You feckless piece of crap, a scrofulous poltroon if one ever existed JeJe.
Old skool
December 30th, 2009
10:02 pm
To Ignition and Eric I feel your pain. Something must be done about the officiating. I wish we could go on strike or something. This is ridiculas. I see why someone said they are not watching anymore games. I cant do that I have been following this team before they got good again. To my favorite team go to the hole strong; damn a foul you know they are not going to call nothing for you. On defense the next time the refs call a game on you like that be like the old badboys of Detroit and just knock the h..ll out of them. If you are going to be charged a foul give them a good reason. Make them fear coming int the paint because they know you will knock the crap out of them.
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
10:03 pm
I told you all Ken Sugiura was a joke since the day he took over.
The guy doesn’t travel with the team, game blogs are anemic pieces of !#@$ that take 30 seconds to write. He shows no emotion, doesn’t blog during the games, and sucks.
God Damnit