Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks: Win And They Are In (Again)
Well, it turns out the Hawks haven’t clinched a spot in the playoffs after all. Elias Sports Bureau called the league to tell them that the Hawks would lose a tiebreaker if they lost all of their remaining games and finished in four-way tie for the final playoffs spot. Well, OK, then. The Hawks will clinch tonight if they win or Chicago loses to Houston. Really.
Anyway, at the moment the playoffs bracket looks like this. Assuming the Celtics are going to win the Atlantic, which is a safe assumption, they would win a tiebreaker with the Hawks. From NBA.com:
TIEBREAKER BASIS:
(-) Tie breaker not needed (better overall winning percentage)
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(2) Head-to-head won-lost percentage
(3) Division won-lost percentage
(4) Conference won-lost percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games
Suddenly solid vet John Salmons, not super rook Brandon Jennings, is the story for the Bucks.
The Bucks loom as a potential playoff opponent. Normally the Hawks might not have too much concern about a team that hasn’t been anywhere near them in the standings and can’t match their talent. But these are not normal circumstances. The Bucks are just 38-30 but they are 14-3 since the All-Star break. More to the point, they are 14-2 since adding John Salmons in a trade.
You might remember how Salmons lit up the Hawks for 32 points during Milwaukee’s overtime loss at Philips Arena and did a respectable job checking J.J. until he got Iso-Joed at the end. What you may not remember is how Salmons joined the Bulls in a trade last season along with Brad Miller and helped catapult them to the playoffs. Now my man Charlie G at the Journal Sentinel notes Salmons is having a similar effect on the Bucks since the Bulls unloaded him to clear space for the summer free agent bonanza.
“When we were talking about making a move, we looked at him, and still do, as just a good, all-around pro guard,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “He can post up a little bit. He shoots the ball well enough. He can put it on the floor and get to the rim. He can dish it if necessary. He’s a solid defender. He’s a professional and has a real calm demeanor out there, and that has helped our guys.”
Since the Bucks and Hawks strangely didn’t meet for the first time until the late date of Feb. 28, the Hawks can measure themselves against the new-look Bucks and not the team that was sputtering along at 24-28 before Salmons arrived. Looking at the game-by-game efficiency numbers, the Bucks seem to be a better team offensively with Salmons –they’ve topped 100 points in offensive efficiency in 13 of 16 of games with him after doing so in just 31 of 68 previously. Their rugged defense also hasn’t appeared to skip a beat on defense–they’ve held 11 of 16 opponents below 100 points in defensive efficiency with Salmons after doing so in 21 of 68 games before his arrival.
It should be noted that the Salmons Bucks didn’t go a good job stopping the Hawks in their first meeting and have had similar problems with the better offensive teams. But the Bucks also have more offensive punch with Salmons. This is all along way of saying the Bucks would be a dangerous opponent for the Hawks to face in the playoffs.
That’s assuming the Hawks really, truly clinch a postseason berth at some point.
MC
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371 comments Add your comment
Sleepy
March 22nd, 2010
10:20 pm
Apparently the only ones who can shutdown Crawford is his own team
Hawks Fan In Jax
March 22nd, 2010
10:20 pm
Would like to remind people that if we let Joe walk, there are no garuantees that we will get a big name player to come here, not hearing Lebron, Wade, Bosh or Stoudamire wanting to come here, if we let him walk and get nothing in return we are sub .500
Gwinnett Fred
March 22nd, 2010
10:21 pm
Disappointing for sure, and instead of the basic FIRE WOODY statements, I would just like to ask Woody one simple tactical question.
Why in the hell did you call your LAST time out with 21 seconds left down 2 points? It took a time out to call a “iso-Joe” play??? WTF??
Then we have a chance with a missed free throw, but instead of having the ball in the front court with 5 seconds left, we have to bring it all the way up court because baldy blew our last time out to draw up “Iso-Joe”. What BS – it’s easy to just say fire the coach, but I would really like someone in the media have the stones to ask him just this question I posed.
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:22 pm
Man u guys need to stop making predictions like “we’ll be fine the bucks will lose to us in 5″ Obviously u guys don’t know the meaning of the word JINX. Watch the Bucks or whoever plays the Hawks bend them over there knee. The Hawks aren’t underdogs anymore so other teams are gunning for them.
Taylor
March 22nd, 2010
10:22 pm
I’m not even made right now, just confused
buick59
March 22nd, 2010
10:22 pm
welcome to your future Hawks…. A First Round Loss to the Bucks
Wabe
March 22nd, 2010
10:23 pm
What’s funny is that everybody in the league talks about the Hawks bad habits (the lack of ball movement, the one-on-one basketball, the lapses on defense) and how they often resort back to them. We’ve seen how well we play when we’re moving the ball and getting everybody involved, yet we seem to tighten up on a daily basis. It makes no sense.
By the way, 0 minutes from JT0 since his limitted action yesterday. This also boggles my mind.
The Bucks are fielding a rookie PG whose struggled as of late, yet they’re the #5 seed in the East. So, to those who find it impossible to play a rookie meaningful minutes while racking up W’s, LOOK AROUND.
Rod from College Park
March 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
I like Joe a lot, but the ball has to be in Crawford’s hands at the end of the game. The threat of the penetration and pass will still be there. This game is a prelude to the Orlando game. If we can’t stay on the shooters, we will lose.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
I think its safe now to end the “I’d rather play X team in the 1st rd.” talks
TOR, MIL, MIA, CHA and even CHI have all shown they can give us all we want.
Sadly, I think we can expect another 7 game 1st rd. series….
Dan
March 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
John Salmons! Are u kidding me? John Salmons couldn’t be stopped tonight? A reject from the lowly Bulls.
After a nice win last night, they loseto this sh#*^# team. In the meantime Orlando keeps on winning.
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:24 pm
why does Joe always have to shoot the last shot. Especially since he chokes all the damn time. I would like to see what Al would do or Jamal. But no Joe had to be a Glory hog.
Ree Roe
March 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
Tough loss on the back end of a back to back.
-REEady for Roe!
terrell
March 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
Im still trying to figure out why the Bulls got rid of Salmons.
Taylor
March 22nd, 2010
10:26 pm
buick59
March 22nd, 2010
10:22 pm
welcome to your future Hawks…. A First Round Loss to the Bucks
lol dork
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
If anybody wonders why I’m so damn pessimistic when watchin this team just watch this game. THE HAWKS HAVE NO KILLER INSTINCT WHAT SO EVER.
Blast
March 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
Why did Joe wrap up Salmon like that in the 4th, close game knowing he would be called for the shooting foul?
Why did Joe hold the ball for almost 15 seconds, last play in the game with Hawks down by two only to end up with a poor shot?
Why was Jamal shut out in the 4th?
Somehow, I feel if we can answer these three questions, we would be able to figure out how Hawks can get better.
Night, folks.
N-Trigue
March 22nd, 2010
10:28 pm
Overall good gm can’t win them all! But what was Month evans doing in 4th qtr everytime he touched the ball he shot it?? And why Joe constantly hold the ball for long periods of time before making his move to the basket?
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:28 pm
I seriously think the Kentucky Wildcats can compete with the Hawks. Seriously
Najeh Davenpoop
March 22nd, 2010
10:28 pm
Boston is beating the Jazz, one of the best home teams in the league, at Utah.
Damn this is annoying.
buick59
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Taylor learn to spell… LOSER
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
I can answer those 3 questions blast.
JOE LOST HIS DAMN MIND
terrell
March 22nd, 2010
10:30 pm
Teams know they can come back on the Hawks, so they never panic.
bigdave
March 22nd, 2010
10:30 pm
its Joe’s fault… just waive him… f- it … kill him..
Taylor
March 22nd, 2010
10:31 pm
buick59
March 22nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Taylor learn to spell… LOSER
spell what?
Sleepy
March 22nd, 2010
10:31 pm
Joe 16 second half shots and only 3 assists(13 last night) on an night in which
Bibby was making his shots
Crawford had his average in the first half and we had a lead coming out of halftime
At what point did he decide Im just not going to pass it anymore unless I absolutely have too.
Joe got caught up into a shooting match with salmons instead of trying to win the game. Instead of deciding to lock salmons down he decides to try and outscore him . …..(.sigh)
terrell
March 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Dogging Joe after that performance is crazy. He was basically unstoppable tonight. Horrible foul on Salmons though.
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:32 pm
I hope you’re not being sarcastic bigdave becuz u are right. It was Joe’s fault at the end of the game. He made terrible decisions.
VenomSpitter
March 22nd, 2010
10:34 pm
Joe forgets that his team was playing well. He has to trust them.
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
10:35 pm
We won’t lose to the Bucks in the playoffs. I’d much rather play them than Miami or Charlotte.
The frustrating thing is we keep having these huge 2nd half leads and lose. Someone is to blame for sure.
Josh Smith refuses to quit shooting jump shots, then we can just expect a missed opportunity on offense on his shot.
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
10:36 pm
Joe played well, but what a stupid foul!
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
10:40 pm
How is it Marvin goes for 26 last night and only gets 2 shots tonight??
That is Woody’s fault!! Give this guy the ball sometimes instead of letting Josh throw up bricks from the outside. I do like Woody, but come on man this is something you have to see.
JustChillFans
March 22nd, 2010
10:42 pm
Its sickning for you idiot fans to sit here and blame the game on joe. The coach calls the plays and he picked joe for the last shot why are you blaming joe? Because he listened to his coach? For the 1000000th time, why do you idiots think the hawks are going to win every single game. Damn everybody gone lose. @Venomspitter, seriously, u need to check ur brain, i think you might have lost it becuase kentucky will not beat NO team in the Nba. You people say some of the darnest things i swear. This dude said kentucky will beat the hawks lolololol at u clowns. And plus joe is the one who kept us in the game. Did you not see him score like 8 points str8 and 16 or something like that in the 4th alone. Why cant you all just say the HAWKS lost and stop blaming one person. Freaking idiots.
Eman
March 22nd, 2010
10:42 pm
Man, this team will never turn the coner!! We lose to the Bucks, da bucks, da bucks!!!!! Lets be real folks the hawks has under perform thus year!! This team has the talent to be the best team in the east, but they have the mentally of the New York Knicks!!!
This team will never win a championship unless we make some changes. I hate to say it but maybe its trading Josh Smith. He could bring us the players we need to compete with the best of the east.
Rod from College Park
March 22nd, 2010
10:43 pm
Dan,
“John Salmons! Are u kidding me? John Salmons couldn’t be stopped tonight? A reject from the lowly Bulls.”
He couldn’t be stopped by one of the best defensive teams in the league in the playoffs either. He is a very good offensive player.
Blast
March 22nd, 2010
10:44 pm
Joe played well in this game, but he made some horrible decisions down the stretch, and that’s why I’m mad at him. This is not the first time he’s done that. Untill Joe starts to trust his team completely and play unselfish, he’s not going to have my full support.
BirdDawg
March 22nd, 2010
10:46 pm
This team won’t get any better with this coach so why expect them too. They are making the same mistakes they made when they won only 13 games, they just have more talent now than they did then. BK, for all his faults, was Woody’s friend AND the one who brought him here and even he wanted to fire him. That’s telling.
JeJe
March 22nd, 2010
10:46 pm
IF WE LET JOE WALK WE CANNOT SIGN A FREE AGENT BECAUSE WE’D BE OVER THE CAP. THINK ABOUT IT. UNLESS WE S&T HALF OUR TEAM FOR WADE, THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO. MUST RESIGN JOE
Rod from College Park
March 22nd, 2010
10:46 pm
UGA,
“How is it Marvin goes for 26 last night and only gets 2 shots tonight??
That is Woody’s fault!! Give this guy the ball sometimes instead of letting Josh throw up bricks from the outside. I do like Woody, but come on man this is something you have to see.”
Marvin has to be aggressive and take the shots, like every other player on the team does. That is not Woody’s fault. Marvin need to grow some balls, and step up.
jon contract
March 22nd, 2010
10:53 pm
i’ve gotta say, Woody needs an assistant coach to step up at the end of the game and say “hey coach, can we actually run a play this time, you know, maybe with a pick here or there, instead of just giving the ball to Joe and everyone else just stand around and watch him try to get open”…
same ole story….sure i’ve seen it work once or twice, but that is just awful….
N-Trigue
March 22nd, 2010
10:53 pm
Oh and Joe what was he thinking with that dumb foul at the end? That sealed the game right there!
N-Trigue
March 22nd, 2010
10:53 pm
Oh and Joe what was he thinking with that dumb foul at the end? That sealed the game right there!
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
10:57 pm
Rod, Wrong. He never touches the ball in the half court. Plays are never called for him. He creates a mismatch every night on the block, but………
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
10:58 pm
It’s hard to be aggressive when you don’t get passed the ball and then when iso plays are called all night long.
cp
March 22nd, 2010
10:59 pm
Tonight’s game is the reason why I just don’t get excited when Marvin has a few good games. He is known to do that every year then completely disappears again…As Ray said, Josh needs to work on that jumper in the summer and not during the season lol. And I don’t see why people think we can just breeze through the first round. The way the Hawks have been lately I wouldn’t be shocked if they got put out the first round. They need to get it together in these 4th quarters.
BirdDawg
March 22nd, 2010
11:01 pm
Man, all of this endless optimism is baffling. Anyone that doubts this team has the talent to go deep into the playoffs is an idiot. But anyone that thinks they will playing the way they have lately is an even bigger idiot. When was the last time the Hawks beat a team of substance that was at full strength? Can’t remember? Neither can I. And even the games they won were close games that could have gone either way. Many of them shouldn’t have been that close to begin with. And to give Woodson a pass and blame the players for the team’s shortcomings is utter lunacy. Most coaches in the league would kill for the opportunity to have 5-6 legit players that they could actually run plays for and have a well above average chance of success. Woodson has that and in all the time he’s been here, this team still doesn’t have an offensive philosophy or identity other than give it to Joe and let him work. As good as JJ is, he is NOT Lebron or Kobe or Wade. It’s been proven time and again that he cannot carry this team on his own so with all the talent around him, why does Woody keep letting him try? Run plays for other guys, use Joe as a decoy to set someone else up for a shot. A missed good shot off of a well executed play is something most fans, coaches, gm’s, etc. can live with. A bad shot off of a predictable isolation play that everyone knows is coming is not.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 22nd, 2010
11:11 pm
Y’all are way overreacting.
I hate iso-Joe as much as anyone. But he did keep the Hawks in the game in the 4th with plenty of tough jumpers, and he had a very good look at the end of the game that he just didn’t convert.
I think he deserves a lot more blame for the dumb foul he committed than his jump shots. But either way, he played an overall very good game. Team defense, rebounding, and free throw shooting lost this game, not iso-Joe.
The only thing to really take away from this game about the Hawks is that once again they slacked off on defense and let the other team back into the game. This has been a recurring theme recently, and it’s something they need to get fixed before the playoffs. They have had many games in the last month and a half where they had a double digit lead in the 2nd half, but while Orlando turns those games into 20-point blowouts, the Hawks have a tendency to let the other team back in and have to grind out a close win.
I give them a bit of a pass because they were playing their 4th game in 5 nights, but this recurring problem is one they have to find a way to fix before playoff time.
J.J.M.
March 22nd, 2010
11:12 pm
all im saying is share the ball or teammates will get mad and not like you
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
11:13 pm
Really and truly, it was probably good to lose.
IF we finish 3 seed, we play Miami, who beat us 3 times.
IF we finish 4 seed, we play the Bucks, who we can beat (this was a back to back night- “optimism”)
Who do we have a better chance against, the Cavs or Magic in round 2?? Next game will show it’s not Orlando.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 22nd, 2010
11:14 pm
At least Utah got it together and is now beating Boston. Hawks will still be tied with them after today.
UGA
March 22nd, 2010
11:15 pm
Earlier in the year we could close games. Now………