Atlanta Hawks: Send-Da-Bucks (UPDATE: Playoff Schedule)
This didn't mean much in the big picture but it sure looks cool. (Reuters photo)
EDIT: The NBA released the schedule for Hawks-Bucks:
Game 1 – Sat April 17 Milwaukee at Atlanta 5:30 PM ESPN
Game 2 – Tue April 20 Milwaukee at Atlanta 7:00 PM NBATV
Game 3 – Sat April 24 Atlanta at Milwaukee 7:00 PM ESPN
Game 4 – Mon April 26 Atlanta at Milwaukee TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 28 Milwaukee at Atlanta TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri April 30 Atlanta at Milwaukee TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 2 Milwaukee at Atlanta TBD TBD
All games also to be televised by either Fox Sports South or SportSouth.
*If necessary
– Not much to say about the game. The Hawks won 99-83, Rook’ looked good and nobody got hurt. Cavs coach Mike Brown summed it up: “Glad to get this game over with. Now we can focus on the playoffs.”
– It was a weird night. I spent more time looking at the out-of-town scoreboards than the main one. You probably did the same. I vaguely recall seeing Jason Collins shoot a 3-pointer but that can’t be right, can it?
– And then Heat-Nets went into overtime as us hacks waited for Woody to come out for his postgame presser. That was no good for my deadline. Then it went to double overtime, and Woody came out. That was no good for my questions because, really, I had none.
– The Hawks won 53 games, their most since winning 56 in the 1996-97 season. “It’s been fantastic,” Woody said before the Heat game ended. “We look at things in three phases: exhibition, regular season, and now it’s time for the playoffs. We don’t know who we are going to play, but it don’t matter. (Thursday) we start that journey.”
– Long story short(er), I had to leave the locker room before the Heat game was final. So I don’t know how the Hawks feel about playing the Bucks. But judging by their reactions while watching Heat-Nets, I’d say they are ready to take on Milwaukee.
– Coincidentally, I’ve lived in Milwaukee and Miami. I will let you guess which city I was trying to visit for the playoffs.
– Jamal and J.J. didn’t dress. Bibby, Al and Josh didn’t play. Woody says the Hawks are in good health. “Everybody is fine. If they had to play tonight they all would have played.”
– The Hawks were 2-1 against the Bucks during the regular season. All of those games were played after the Bucks traded for John Salmons. One of those, the Hawks’ 104-96 victory on Monday, came after Bogut was lost for the season.
– That was, in my opinion, the best road game the Bucks had played since winning at Utah on Feb. 22. If the Hawks play with that kind of energy and focus in this series I don’t see how the Bucks can stay with them. Of course, we know that’s a giant “if” for the Hawks.
– My quickie analysis says the Hawks enjoy significant advantages at center (Al/Zaza over Kurt Thomas/Gadzuric/Ilyasova) and power forward (Josh over Mbah a Moute).
– Salmons is sneaky good but J.J. obviously is better all-around. Brandon Jennings is good but he’s an erratic rookie. Ridnour is solid. But give me Bibby/Crawford over those two.
– Delfino/Stackhouse probably has the edge over Marvin/Mo. Probably, right?
– The numbers say the Bucks are a much better defensive team than the Hawks, and that the Hawks are much better than the Bucks on offense.
– I’d say if the Hawks really are capable of turning it on for the postseason, they have more potential to be a better defensive team than the Bucks do of being a better offensive team. Sound about right?
– Anyway, back to Hawks-Cavs. Teague had 24 points, 15 assists and five turnovers. “The young Rook’, I can’t praise him enough,” Woody said. “It’s been tough on him not playing many minutes.”
– Before the game, Woody offered some personal perspective on his handling of Teague: “I know it’s tough on him because I know how it was when I came in to the league after playing a lot of minutes in college. I played for a coach who didn’t believe in playing rookies, (former Knicks coach) Red Holzman. He thought rookies should sit and learn. And I learned a lot in that first year.”
– So that how it’s gone for Teague. “I think I showed that I can play in this league,” he said. “I think (Woody) believes in me. He’s told me it was going to be a learning year like he told you guys. So I just soaked everything up and tried to learn as much as possible, and tried to learn from Bibby and Jamal as much as I could.”
– Woody’s rotation includes Jamal, Mo and Zaza off the bench. After that “it’s up in the air” with Joe Smith, Collins, Teague and Mario perhaps playing “in certain situations,” Woody said.
– The league releases the official schedule early Thursday morning. I’ll update this post when I get it.
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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179 comments Add your comment
rusty
April 15th, 2010
9:29 pm
woody is an idiot,disrespects teague by always calling him rook.teague brings something to this team that no other guard brings, the ability to penetrate & pass off for easy shots,is quick & plays great defense & the ability to make the team play uptempo ball which jj & bibby can not do or wouldnt do
Blast
April 15th, 2010
9:32 pm
Screw ESPN, Adande and all their writers. They’ve gotten it wrong about Hawks the last three years. Adande got it wrong now again, and ESPN will continue to get it wrong simply because they have a profound dislike for Hawks, so screw those guys, man! They do not know what they are talking about!
Those still talking and doubting Horford’s skills must live in wonderland. Playing out of position, AL is getting better every game. And for you to suggest he has peaked, that is just insane!
These fire Woody posts are getting tiresome.
Versus the Bucks, Joe seens to have the fire in his eye. If Hawks ball right, they should sweep the Bucks.
Blast
April 15th, 2010
9:37 pm
Sam’l
I knew I missed something. You were right. Hawks lost season series to the Thunders. Another reason I’m glad OKC plays in the West.
JeJe
April 15th, 2010
9:42 pm
What’s Joe trying to say? He’s gonna shoot a ton more since he is the “leader?”
Only now when he has a big contract coming up does he decide to be a “leader.” Where the HELL was this mentality the last 5 yrs?
rusty
April 15th, 2010
10:05 pm
please dont let him ball hog ,if he does anyone can
rusty
April 15th, 2010
10:06 pm
beat us
kwooden1
April 15th, 2010
10:08 pm
Looking at the Bucks game from last week, the HAWKS can really take it to them inside. The Bucks were scrabbling all night trying to find someone inside to guard Smoove. Our offensive should always start with Smoove inside, which will force the Bucks to double team. Also Salmons/Delfino are poor defenders, Marvin was driving to the lane at will against them. If we start our offensive by exploiting these match-ups we will give the Bucks a lot of problems. The Bucks are a tough team, with a very tough coach, so they’re going to give a lot fouls, these first two games. Smoove and Horford are going to have to keep their composure, because they are going to be hit frequently. Also the Bucks have no one on their team that can stay with Crawford. The key will be for Crawford not to fall in love with the jumpshot, but take his man off the dribble. Before I thought the Bucks would double team Crawford, but they can’t if Smoove is on the floor. To me the Bucks even had a problem covering Joe Smith, he just missed shots he can hit.
I think last years series with Miami was an excellent reminder of how hard its going to be to finish a Playoffs series. Bucks have a lot guys that can run and shoot, but no one inside to defend. We have to dominate the paint and get Thomas and Gadzuric in foul trouble.
GO HAWKS!!!
O'Brien
April 15th, 2010
10:25 pm
Kwooden
A big part of it too is JJ. Last time we played the bucks we were without Crawford. And they had no answer for Joe.
It will be interesting to see if woody forces the issue with jj and Jamal or if al and Josh get their chance to shine.
Grandad
April 15th, 2010
10:33 pm
Blast – You do realize there are those of us who lampoon Wdsn,
but do not call for his firing.
“These fire Woody posts are getting tiresome.” [Blast]
Just making sure there is a distinction.
The team may be better off / “opinion”. [Grandad]
But to express displeasure & frustration,
then proceed to point out obvious liabilities
as well as his willful, jaded convention,
does not mean I wish ill will toward the man.
Ramon
April 15th, 2010
11:13 pm
MC, I’m only saying this out of respect, but in your article on the Five players on the spot, you mentioned Lebron hasn’t been to the Finals. But he has though. Three years ago he was swept out of the finals by the Spurs.
richbrave
April 15th, 2010
11:19 pm
Play-offs, what play-offs. Lottery, lottery. Pay attention.
Clyde
April 16th, 2010
12:17 am
“Hell, instead of telling Teague he needs to have a productive summer, he should be telling that to Bibby. Teague will automatically get better with more mins, consistency, encouragement and confidence, while Bibby will only get worse no matter what you do, except for his DEF, which can’t get any worse.” – Ken Strickland
FIRE WOODY
JASon
April 16th, 2010
1:13 am
The backstory on the Heat/Bucks seeding and what happened Wednesday night is very intriguing. Even more intriguing when you think that it could have huge implications for this tournament. There is no way Boston gets by Miami.
Vick Supporter
April 16th, 2010
2:02 am
Dem Hawks baby!!!!!!!!
sam'l
April 16th, 2010
5:27 am
“There is no way Boston gets by Miami.”
I give Miami an edge but what’s your thinking on that. Rondo, Garnett, Rashid, Allen and Pierce are too old?
Tonight, I’m seeing very clearly where the lines are drawn. Some of us think the Hawks if properly managed are good enought to win. Others say the Hawks are being properly managed and aren’t good enough to win. The good news is…..they can win. The molecular structure of the benzene ring came to scientists in a dream. Maybe Woodson will dream up a way to stop Howard. We can only dream…..
sam'l
April 16th, 2010
5:29 am
This is total BS…..all Hawks have to do is stay focused and play killer defense for an entire game.
vava74
April 16th, 2010
6:06 am
Given the absence of Bogut, a legitimate playoff team (a team which legitimately aspires to reach the Conference Finals) would have to get a 4-0 or a 4-1 series win.
I doubt that we will do that, although I hope that they will prove me wrong.
On JJ:
I hope JJ knows by now that leadership does not mean a lot of “dribble dribble bad shot” but merely doing whatever is necessary to get us a SWEEP and that he realizes the easiest way to get this will be shut down Salmons, not to score 40.
Samuel
April 16th, 2010
6:45 am
This stuff is really funny. Dissecting every game of an 82 game season and saying Woody and the Hawks underachieved. Funny stuff. Keep it coming guys.
I really hope we keep Woody, however, I put nothing past Sund after signing Collins and Mario over Siler and Sims. There are at least 3 jobs open right now and more to come, so I don’t think a coach who just came off a 53 win season would have a hard time finding work. Hopefully, Sund won’t pull a NO, Toronto, Det or NJ and hire Ken Strickland or the Ball Boy.
Woody=COY
Big Ump
April 16th, 2010
7:14 am
Samuel
If Sund did that then It’s time for the World to come to the end. I can imagine who his coaches will be. Can’t you?
Wabe
April 16th, 2010
7:15 am
It’s easy for Mike Bibby not to rack up the turnovers. Both Bibby and Teague play different ways. Bibby walks the ball up the court and unless he turns it over handing it off to JJ or Jamal, he’s straight.
Teague on the other hand actually controls the ball and attempts to set others up off of penetration. He’s bound to have more turnovers if he’s got the rock in his hands more when on the court. Not to mention you’re comparing turnovers of two gaurds that are both on opposite ends of the AGE SPECTRUM. Go figure, the rookie averaged more turnovers than the seasoned-vet. What a shocker…
I’d also say that JT0 hasn’t really gotten the minutes in the pro’s to pick up the game at the level that some of you expect of him. I mean, let’s be real, he left Wake Forest after his sophmore season, so he’s still in need of some polish. But, that won’t happen unless he’s on the court.
Some choose to ONLY SEE THE BAD in a good performance.
He had double-digit assists that last game. When’s the last time you saw that from Bibby? Yet, you still have those that wish to criticize him for a turnover that he may have committed here or there, and they’re clearly missing the potential the kid offers. Guys like Tyreke Evans and Steph Curry play for teams that had nothing to play for, essentially they had no pressure on them. Well, Teague wasn’t in the same situation – he’s actually on a winning team, which changes the dynamics of the way he’s brought up. There’s no doubt in my mind that JT0 would’ve had better numbers had he been on a team that played him more and let him play as if they had nothing to lose.
Wabe
April 16th, 2010
7:22 am
As for the Hawks/Bucks series, I seriously do believe the Hawks could pull this one out in 5. I fully expect the Hawks to take care of business, but how many games it will take is up for debate. Much of that should be answered in the 1st two games at Phillips. If we leave Phillips up 2-0, then I think this series ends in 5.
kjfh
April 16th, 2010
7:38 am
if the asg promoted waddel for his performance, then they are sure to fire woody for his.
O'Brien
April 16th, 2010
7:40 am
Samuel,
“I really hope we keep Woody, however, I put nothing past Sund after signing Collins and Mario over Siler and Sims.”
I’m not sure keeping Siler and Sims would have made that much of a difference, but you can also add that Sund signed Othello and Mario over Stackhouse.
Brandon Roy will miss the first round of the playoffs for the Blazers. What’s going on with all those injuries up there? Is it the water? Either way, although the Blazers have less wins than the Hawks, Nate McMillan should get some votes for COY.
In MC’s article about 5 players on the spot, he mentioned that word around the league is that the Mavericks might not be able to win a championship with Dirk as the main guy.
I’m interested to know the opinions as to whether or not the Hawks can win a championship as Joe as the main guy.
JeJe
April 16th, 2010
7:59 am
FIRE MIKE KNAPP
O'Brien
April 16th, 2010
8:26 am
I’m reposting this because it was the last entry on the previous page.
Samuel,
“I really hope we keep Woody, however, I put nothing past Sund after signing Collins and Mario over Siler and Sims.”
I’m not sure keeping Siler and Sims would have made that much of a difference, but you can also add that Sund signed Othello and Mario over Stackhouse.
Brandon Roy will miss the first round of the playoffs for the Blazers. What’s going on with all those injuries up there? Is it the water? Either way, although the Blazers have less wins than the Hawks, Nate McMillan should get some votes for COY.
In MC’s article about 5 players on the spot, he mentioned that word around the league is that the Mavericks might not be able to win a championship with Dirk as the main guy.
I’m interested to know the opinions as to whether or not the Hawks can win a championship as Joe as the main guy.
JuniperChestnut
April 16th, 2010
9:51 am
All I know for sure is that if the Hawks play up to their potential, THEY WILL EASILY WIN THE NBA TITLE THIS JUNE, with literally no resistence whatsoever from the other clubs.
First Round Playoff Preview Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
April 16th, 2010
12:03 pm
[...] via Michael Cunningham at the AJC.com: [...]
li t
April 16th, 2010
1:31 pm
the atlanta hawk players want everbody to wear white shirts because they want to have a white out at philps
li t
April 16th, 2010
1:32 pm
so be sure to wear white shirts