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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
632 comments Add your comment
chas
December 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Jeje, you see things the way I do..amen brother.
Saying that we were “off” last night is missing the point. We were “off” because our shots were challenged and we don’t have enough pure scorers.
I’ll be watching tonight and rooting for the boys, but I see another rout with perhaps some elbows being thrown and a few flagrants. Could be interesting.
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
We are going to get destroyed on the glass again tonight. We can’t just “find a way” to rebound better against a team with 2 7 footers and a very underrated player in Varejao, UNLESS we use ZaZa and Collins more or at all.
Thomas
December 30th, 2009
5:15 pm
Okay Guys…One or two ways this can go down tonight. The Cavs will start to blownout the Hawks by 2nd quarter or 4th. To beat the Cavs, you’re going to have to play defense for over 48 minutes. An the Hawks can’t do that. Also…LeBron x-factor—LeBron rarely have 2 bad games in a row. Also, the Q-Factor…the Cavs are starting to get they groove on again. “Mojo” That means they are starting to blownout opposing team coming in playing at the Q. In addition, the Cavs can match up with the Hawks. The Hawks can’t match up with the Cavs.
This team was build to play with any team and any style that means the Lakers, Boston and Orlando. On the other hand the Hawks is build to play one different style. RUN!!!! As far as being old…Shaq,Z and Parker are the only players over 30.
chem
December 30th, 2009
5:15 pm
Everyone has ignored Crawford’s horrible defense because he led the hawks in scoring. Bibby played better D last night than he has in the past, but Crawford let the Cavaliers guards take over. Marvin was awesome on Lebron. LBJ attempted more than a handful of forced fadeaways.
Jeff
December 30th, 2009
5:19 pm
Not sure if anyone said this because I haven’t read all the posts but one common denominator in recent Hawks losses is Josh Smith foul trouble. When he is playing full minutes, without foul trouble he is disruptive on defense and hard to guard on offense. When he is in foul trouble, he gets moody and makes poor decisions when in the game and when he sits, the team is not as good. Keep Josh in the game and active on both ends and Hawks win most of the time.
A ray of hope!
December 30th, 2009
5:24 pm
Thomas, Thanks man. Its nice to see that someone has an understanding of the game. Where did all these goons come from?
dis funny azse shyt
December 30th, 2009
5:27 pm
Trade JeJe for Thomas so when can have some educated people on the site.
A ray of hope!
December 30th, 2009
5:31 pm
chas, yes sir. We were off because our shots were off. Our shot were off because we have no choice but to shoot long range bombs, we cant control the paint. Long range bombs are lower percentage than in the paint shots. When we shoot out side we give them the game.
O'Brien
December 30th, 2009
5:36 pm
What I will be looking for is adjustments from the Hawks. Will Collins or Morris get some burn? If Bibby is stinking it up, will Teague get some PT? Do we run some plays to get JJ easy looks?
And how does Marvin do tonight?
dis funny azse shyt
December 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
I cant see where putting in the world’s biggest hamburger (collins), and an inexperienced rookie, is an adjustment.
dis funny azse shyt
December 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
The real question is “what quarter does the blow out begin”?
A ray of hope!
December 30th, 2009
5:55 pm
Ramon Good posts!
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
6:07 pm
Adjustments?
LOL
Anyone remember game 2 of the Miami series? We destroyed them game 1, had 2 days off (not 1), and Woodson talked about adjustments. What did we see? We got destroyed
LOL
There will be no adjustments tonight
I will be shocked if we win
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
6:10 pm
We’ll be up 14-7, just like we always are on the Cavs, then it’ll be 29-24 Cavs, then LeBron will sit first 4 minutes of 2nd and Mo will hit 3 3’s for Cleveland, making it a 42-29 lead. We’ll be down 48-39 at halftime. Then 3rd quarter we’ll get down even more and lose 91-79
Ken Strickland
December 30th, 2009
6:24 pm
WABE-the best starting lineup for tonight’s gm would be
SF-Marvin,
C-Horford,
PF-Smoove,
SG-JJ and
PG-Teague.
The Cavaliers are certain Bibby will start and their pregame stategy will be based on that assumption. Starting Teague would throw that pregame strategy completely out of whack. Having both Bibby and Crawford coming off the bench to provide OFF would go a long way toward eliminating last nights OFF shortfall.
This would be a good gm to give RMorris a chance to be a factor. Since Ilgoukas is primarily a jumpshooter, he wouldn’t pose much of an inside threat for Morris. However, Morris is definitely an inside scoring threat and would definitely pose problems for Ilgoukas. That’s how we can establish an inside out OFF. Woodson said that very thing last night. However, he has got to start doing more than just talk about it after the fact. He has to get off his butt and make the necessary adjustments and decisions, along with utilizing the proper talent available to him, that will allow it to happen.
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
Cmon Ken Strickland
Mike Woodson sticks with the same starting lineup no matter what.
That’s one of the main reasons Childress left– he felt he had no chance to be named a starter and that it was Marvin’s permanently
JeJe
December 30th, 2009
6:29 pm
This is one of those games where Woodson will see it’s close in the beginning and think that the SAME FIVE STARTERS JCraw + ZAZA will be our only hope of winning. He will therefore wear all their legs out, Cavs will pull away, and our best 6 players will all be exhausted for Friday’s tricky game vs. NYK
Ken Strickland
December 30th, 2009
6:52 pm
JEJE-I didn’t say he would start this gm, but he should. We all know it won’t happen. After all, when Bibby injuried his ankle, instead of starting or even playing Teague, Woodson insisted on running an obviously tender ankled Bibby out with the starters, and he limped around doing very little.
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
6:59 pm
lets get it…
Ramon
December 30th, 2009
7:07 pm
Chas, the 87 Hawks may would beat this Hawks team, but its not because its a better offensive team. That is unless you think the statistic lie. This is the most efficient the Hawks have ever been on offense.
Wabe
December 30th, 2009
7:12 pm
Trash them. Seriously, beat them down, please.
Boy
December 30th, 2009
7:13 pm
Go Hawks. If you guys can’t beat the Cavs tonight at least beat them up!
Boy
December 30th, 2009
7:15 pm
hate it but Bibby is a defensive liability.
Boy
December 30th, 2009
7:16 pm
Collins needs some PT against Shaq
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:17 pm
where was the foul…???
terrell barron
December 30th, 2009
7:17 pm
Joe with the turnover.
Barry
December 30th, 2009
7:17 pm
Hey Y’all:
The Hawks lost because they did not run nor slah to the basket on plys. They were afraid to get fouled by Clev elands big guys in the paint. The Hawks also did not pass the ball. They resorted too one on one ball many times througout the game. For them to win in all their games, thye have to pass that ball around to an open man for a shot and/or catch a man slashing to the basket. All in all, they have to move that ball around continuously on the offensive end. They must move the ball like “POETRY IN MOTION”. This must be done every game. On the defensive end, they are playing great. But on offense, we have to move that ball around.
GO HAWKS!!! MOVE THAT BALL AROUND.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!
……………………………..”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!!!!”……………….
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:18 pm
Cavs act like everyone fouls them and they foul nobody…
O'Brien
December 30th, 2009
7:21 pm
Good steal and finish by Marvin. And I’m glad to see Bibby making some shots.
I look forward to see if Cleveland makes any adjustments
JOSH WAKE UP
December 30th, 2009
7:22 pm
HEY JOSH WHY THE HELL DID YOU NOT EVEN TRY TO GET A REBOUND OVER MO F*CKING WILLIAMS YOU DIDNT TRY TO BOX HIM OUT OR EVEN JUMP AND YOU LET A GUY YOU CAN OUTJUMP BY 3 FEET GRAB THE BOARD RIGHT NEXTT TO YOU,. WAKE THE F*CK UP.
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:26 pm
didnt see enough of that man at the line last night.. dont give him anything easy…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:27 pm
use the pump fake and go by… good to see that.. would have like to see Marvin pump and blow by Lebron…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:28 pm
Cavs charge hard at shooters and want to block everything… up fake they ass and go by em or get a cheap foul on them…
welikebaseball2
December 30th, 2009
7:29 pm
So uh, think we’ll finally double Shaq or just let him bang away & get our few bigs into foul trouble? Guess Woodson won’t be satisfied until he has to sit Josh or Al for the majority of the 1st half. And you know the only other bigs he’ll play will be ZaZa & maybe, just maybe, a few minutes for Joe Smith. Yep, once Shaq wears us down on the inside & gets us into that foul trouble, then LeBron will take over and it’s all dunks & free throws from there. I hope I’m wrong!
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:31 pm
Lebron is the biggest ho in basketball… sick of his over the top antics…
Paul
December 30th, 2009
7:33 pm
Couldn’t understand the BOO Birds everytime Lebron touched the ball last night! They (CAVS) still WON! Not a big Lebron Fan however he still provides us with entertainment. Boo’ing Lebron is useless. Let’s see what the Hawks do tonight( Starting off the smae way)!
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:33 pm
good sub…
Melvin
December 30th, 2009
7:34 pm
Paul,
Are you suggesting the Hawks Fans should cheer for Lebron… geesh…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:37 pm
Melvin…
like he couldnt understand the booing…
i dont understand his comment…
pff…
Melvin
December 30th, 2009
7:37 pm
Can we get a foul call. Bibby clearly got foul…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:37 pm
fouls… fouls… fouls…
but they getting touch calls early..
welikebaseball2
December 30th, 2009
7:38 pm
What?! Stop the presses. Woodson plays Collins! Woodson plays Collins! Lord knows we can use another big body & his allowed 6 fouls! I say, give the Cleveland bigs free throws not layups.
Melvin
December 30th, 2009
7:38 pm
bigdave,
i guess the nonCavs fans should just crown his ass…lol
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
lol @ Bob..
Melvin
December 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
Why did Woody call timeout with 5.6 secs left in the 1st qtr???? My goodness he is uptight…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
Melvin…
right…
welikebaseball2
December 30th, 2009
7:40 pm
Anybody want to guess what Woodson is actually drawing on that board? I’m guessing it’s just scribble & jibberish…literally. LOL!
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:41 pm
great subs…
good defense…
scrappy, getting to loose balls…
Bibby… Joe… Marvin… l
looks good… keep it up…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:43 pm
see Teague needs to be in the back court right now.. put in a PG… dont like this back court…
bigdave
December 30th, 2009
7:44 pm
i need a PG.. please Woodson get a PG in there to run the club…