Atlanta Hawks at Bucks Game 3: By The Numbers
Oh, how I wish this was around back when I started my Iso-Joe count.
As I stated at the time my goal was to try to create some good data to better illuminate the debate on isos so arguments could be based on statistics rather than perceptions. Not to say stats can tell the whole story of Isos or anything else–I’ve already said I initially underestimated the impact the isos can have on the Hawks’ psychology and chemistry–but the numbers obviously would be a tremendous analytical tool.
You might have noticed that I never did offer my final Iso-Joe count. That’s because there were three games or so where I wasn’t confident about my count and I couldn’t go back and check it due to problems with my garbage Comcast DVR. I heard Synergy Sports was going to offer a public version of the software it provides for teams soon. So I decided to wait until it was online so I could get an accurate count of J.J. isos, and not just for the games I counted but the entire season. Plus I also wanted to see data on the Hawks’ other play types so comparisons can be made, which makes the exercise infinitely more useful. Well, Synergy is up now and I signed up for it the other day but (of course) the computer problems I mentioned yesterday so far have prevented me from getting it up and running. But, once I do, I plan to examine Iso-Joes and more.
I see that super commenter Najeh and crew already have cited a Raptors blog that used some of the Synergy stuff. Just like that they have managed to to impeach the persistent complaints from Truth and others that Al is a weak post defender. According to Synergy’s numbers, he is one of the best despite being posted up more than almost any other center. That’s the beauty of this Synergy program–statements like “Al is a poor post defender” can be evaluated statistically instead of argued endlessly using isolated examples, hunches and perceptions.
Anyway, Synergy has some sample reports available for the first-round playoff series. The first thing that jumped out at me from the Eastern Conference playoffs summary is that the Hawks rank last among East teams in defensive points per play. They’ve been the worst East playoff team against pick-and-rolls (and ranked just 25th during the season) and third-best against isolations. On offense the Hawks not surprisingly have run the most isolation plays among East playoff teams but ranked just 12th during the regular season (”all they run are isos”). The Hawks have run the third-most post-ups after ranking 19th during the regular season (”Woody never adjusts”).
Those numbers have to be placed in context since, unlike with regular season stats, teams haven’t played common opponents. But they are cool to look at for some insight. Here are Synergy’s Hawks-Bucks series numbers and definitions for the stats. I’m looking forward to digging in once I figure out my technical issues.
– hawksdawgs at Peachtree Hoops breaks down tonight’s “ball game ball game”. I think he hit on something here about what has become known as the Skiles Dilemma in this series:
One bright spot for the Hawks is our role players have sucked something awful this series. Maybe the road will provide just the reverse psychology they need to get things going. If Mo Evans, Jamal Crawford, and Zaza Pachulia can give average minutes, the front court dominance should continue in some form or fashion for the Hawks to win their third in a row. I have no doubt Skiles will throw something new at the Josh and Al, but I can’t help but think it will be at the expense of guarding Joe Johnson or Jamal Crawford. So that is fine by me.
– Have fun, Hawks fans.
MC
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248 comments Add your comment
Blast
April 24th, 2010
6:11 pm
Go Hawks! Do like Orlando, win a playoff road game!
Lion
April 24th, 2010
6:15 pm
I think another healthy dose of ball-movement and inside-out play will serve the Hawks well in game 3. As the last quote in this post suggests, Skiles and the Bucks have go give up something on defense, with all of the mismatches the Hawks have. The Hawks frontcourt has pretty much had its way thus far, so I’m assuming there will likely be more attention on Al and Josh in this game. However, that attention goes hand-in-hand with inside-out play. More attention on Al and Josh in the post leads to more open shooters on the perimeter, along with less attention on cutters. That bodes well for the Hawks, since guys like Bibby (who tends to get little defensive attention these days) are deadly from the perimeter if given enough room. The Hawks just need to play smart tonight, make any adjustments early, and maintain their energy and focus
JeJe
April 24th, 2010
6:22 pm
What is wrong with these blogs? No one wants to read 3 paragraphs about Joe Isos
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
6:40 pm
Hawks Game 3 is on the LAM!
I’ve got my popcorn & beer. So, I’m ready! Let’s Go!
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
6:44 pm
JeJe
Then don’t read it! Better yet – stop blogging like a BIATCH in heat!
Do us all a favor. And, Get Your “Scroll – On!”
niremetal
April 24th, 2010
6:52 pm
Cosign drmaryb
Ree Roe
April 24th, 2010
6:52 pm
Hawks wearing red tonight & it’s a red out in MIL. The guys will feel at home in the Bradley Center tonight. Let’s get a win guys!
-REEgistered as Roe!!!
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
6:53 pm
Horford needs a Nick-Name:
I was thinking – “FUNDAMETALS”. But, that’s boring – like Tim Duncan (another PF who plays Center).
Besides, Horford is such an exciting player.
Big-Al is so boring. Anyone…Anyone?
What about this? “COLT-45″ (a malt-liqour). Then we just call Al who he is: a 45. (I.e. A 4 who plays A 5.)
Lion
April 24th, 2010
6:56 pm
Isn’t Al Horford’s nickname “the Boss”? Back in college, he used to “the Godfather”.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:00 pm
Horford’s Nick Name:
Or if malt-liqour seems ghetto?
How about, “45 Caliber”. (Still a 4 playing the 5), but isn’t that 15 foot shot deadly? So, “.45 Caliber?”
Anyone…Anyone?
Colt .45 might also be a gun & not necc. (Malt-liqour), A Colt .45 is a deadly shot – though.
Just havin fun waiting for the game. Been waiting all day & week! I’m ready for some Basketball!
Lion
April 24th, 2010
7:05 pm
On the topic of nicknames. I think I once read about him being called “the Dominican Stallion”. I thought that one was kind of funny.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:06 pm
Lion
I Like it…I like it! LOL! The Boss & Godfather is Kewl! I never heard those names before for Horford.
Al is surely becoming a BEAST in the NBA. He kind of reminds me of Karl Malone with that sweet new jumper. Al has a nasty streak too – remember the TJ Ford lynching in Toronto his Rookie year? I don’t think he wants that “dirty-player” label though. ( That’s Zsa Zsa’s role). LOL!
Thanks for the feedback – CP! I love your posts – All of them!
BTW what’s up with Dallas? Great in the regular – Not so much in the Post-Season.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:10 pm
I meant LION in that last post & not CP. Even though I love CP’s posts too. (Beer-Fart.)
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:12 pm
Marvin has to make that base-line jumper or give it to “45 Caliber”
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
7:16 pm
Not surprised at the start. You knew the Bucks would come out ready to play. Hawks just need to survive the run and regroup.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:16 pm
I knew Mil was gonna blow their load early
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:18 pm
Bucks doing what the home team has got to do! Hawks need to impose their WILL on the opponent now.
Let them get their fast start & then settle down and make that run.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:21 pm
Marvin is garbage
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:22 pm
bout time…
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:23 pm
Man why are they missing so many easy shots DAMN
Cannon
April 24th, 2010
7:23 pm
Hawks have a 4 on 1 and Marvin is too stupid to dump it off. Thank god we still scored on that possession.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:24 pm
can i get a better decision Mike.. that was a horrible.. laaaazy pass.. you saw the defender.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:24 pm
Man seriously the hawks wanna be called elite YEA RIGHT
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:24 pm
EMBARRASSING
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:25 pm
Hawks look tentative.
1st Game: Adrenaline
2nd Game: Measured
3rd Game: Tentative
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:26 pm
Man the Hawks have no intensity.Pathetic.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:27 pm
Like I expected the Hawks would be horrible on the road. Thankfully we have home court or we would be bounced in the 1st round
Blast
April 24th, 2010
7:27 pm
Bad start, Hawks. Wake up!
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
7:27 pm
LOL @ Bucks shooting 12 – 16 FG. They’ll come back to earth. We just need to be within striking distance when they do.
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
7:28 pm
Why don’t we go inside? We dominated the first two games on the inside and now we’re settling for jumpers?
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
7:28 pm
LOL @ the Raiders getting Jason Campbell . . . ., really?
Steven
April 24th, 2010
7:28 pm
It’d help if the Hawks would stop being lazy on D
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:30 pm
Do the Hawks expect to LOSE – or WIN?
Just because Cleveland & Lakers (Division Winners), lost game 3? Does not make it OK for the Hawks to lay TURDS!
We are not the Division Leader from the East!
Jody
April 24th, 2010
7:31 pm
Giving up this many points in a quarter is unacceptable.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:32 pm
somebody needs to put a body on Jennings.. knock him down.. be more physical.. send a message.. he’s fouling everyone..
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:32 pm
as i send he recklessly fouls Josh.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:33 pm
Swing the ball & play INSIDE-INSIDE-INSIDE damn it!
Jody
April 24th, 2010
7:33 pm
The Hawks need to be taking the ball inside first on every play.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
7:34 pm
Seriously do the Hawks wanna play defense.
I’ll tune in after halftime this is pitiful basketball
Steven
April 24th, 2010
7:36 pm
no fire…where have I seen this before?
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
7:36 pm
OMG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought Woody was subbing to take the foul we had to give and then they dont WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
7:36 pm
I know who can spark the Hawks
JEFF TEAGUE
Put him in Woody . . . haha
Jody
April 24th, 2010
7:37 pm
This type run was bound to happen, although I didn’t think it would be this extreme. Now, the Hawks have to show some discipline and patience and work the ball inside.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:41 pm
Joe telling Mo, “lets go Mo” to forget about the blown lay up..
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:42 pm
let him have it Jamal.. sheesh.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:43 pm
seriously cant defend the pick and roll..
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:43 pm
Jamal had Joe in the post and forced 1…
Steven
April 24th, 2010
7:43 pm
The bench play has been disgusting so far
Jody
April 24th, 2010
7:44 pm
Jamal needs to settle down.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:44 pm
Hawks!!!!!!!! Uugghh!!!!! Let’s Go!
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:44 pm
Enter your comments here
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
7:46 pm
northcyde,
LOL, like we’d be WORSE off with Teague playing?
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:48 pm
We need to play like its 1999 and its the 4th Qrtr! (Or NOT)? LOL! But, all jokes aside – we need to play as though the game is on the line & we are inside the two minute warning.
Play like that! Play like you WANT it! Hustle, play defense, rebound, share the ball! & Just WIN damn-it!
Rod from College Park
April 24th, 2010
7:49 pm
Woodson says Jennings is so open because of doubling the post. Why would you double anybody on this team except maybe Salmons?
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
7:49 pm
And some of you believe that Crawford is better than JJ? Wow Crawford . . . don’t sell us out like Flip did last year.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:50 pm
good move Z..
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:51 pm
Kurt Thomas is getting beat up! Yeah!
Come on Hawks….did yall find something TO DO in Milwaukee?
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:52 pm
Al need you to show up tonight..
Steven
April 24th, 2010
7:53 pm
offensive rebounding is killing us
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:54 pm
doubling what post?
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
7:56 pm
Hawks need to get it going, NOW! There’s no time to waste, they cannot let this deficit get any larger. Got to make this manageable before the hole becomes so deep that they can’t dig out of it.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
7:57 pm
lmao great coaching and strategy by woodson
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:57 pm
good job Al passing out of a high % shot in the lane to give to Josh for a long jumper..
u playing like crap.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:58 pm
shut up Nique.. please no jinx tonight..
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
7:59 pm
Its real hard to beat anybody 3 times in a row!
Ala: Lakers & Cavaliers.
Unless you are truly a BULLY? You begin to feel sorry for the victim. And, you show them pity – in your play.
-sub conciously- (without physical awareness)
These Hawks NEED to fight through those feelings & fight like a “mike-vick” Pitt-Bull. (or just like the BUlls played the Cavaliers). Regardless, we got to come to play every single possession “as though their lives depended on it”, from here to the END.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
7:59 pm
good hustle Marvin..
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
8:00 pm
Marvin just watched that happen
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:00 pm
Al stinking it up.. why is he even entertaining Gadzuric?
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:00 pm
naw.. that was Al’s rotation… he’s out guarding Dan Gadz… at the free throw line..
Jody
April 24th, 2010
8:01 pm
Where was the help on that play?
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
8:03 pm
Horford is playing awful. Hope he wakes up.
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:03 pm
WHERE IS THE HELP!?!?
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:05 pm
that’s like 6 missed layups as well
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:05 pm
yea bytch.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:06 pm
Marvin slapping hands.. they are not our friends.. Marvin.. Al.. all you nice guys.. sheesh..
90’s basketball i miss u!!!
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:07 pm
Al go quick please.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:07 pm
This game is making me sick. It’s like everything is going wrong, and all I hear is trash talking from Jon Barry.
Kiki
April 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
ESPN’s commentators: Atlanta has brought NOTHING to this game!!.
Sad but true
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:08 pm
Man I’m glad I’m not one of those guys who said the hawks were gonna sweep the bucks.
Seriously what were u guys expecting. The Hawks have been an awful road team all season. U guys actually thought that would change in the playoffs LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO Be realistic
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:09 pm
good job Marvin.. Joe..
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:09 pm
Jon Barry isn’t trash talking. He’s telling the truth
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:09 pm
Josh.. good job..
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:13 pm
Well, at least the Hawks managed to win that quarter (20-16). That at least shows that the momentum has shifted a bit. They dug themselves a big whole in the first quarter though, so they’ve got to play excellent for the remainder of the game. On a positive note, most of that first half was the worst the Hawks have played in a long time, so there’s a good chance that we see some serious improvement by the Hawks in the second half.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
8:14 pm
come on we just have to stop John Salmonella and Tevin Campbell and we’re good.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:15 pm
By the way, Marvin’s final shot was ruled a three. So, the Hawks are down by 12 now. That’s not an insurmountable lead, the Hawks just need to play like themselves in the second half.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:17 pm
We R Missing – “The Difference!”. They’re doubling Joe & he’s still going-off! That man need some help!
We are Joe’s teammates tonight?
terrell
April 24th, 2010
8:18 pm
Now lets see if we can make a comeback like teams usually do against us. No halftime speech Woody. Please!
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:18 pm
The Hawks need to make a serious effort to attack the paint. Run more plays for Josh and Al!
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:21 pm
GI-JOE!
If not for ISO-JOE? We wouldn’t even be in this game! Just because GI-JOE doesn’t – HOOT & HOLLER? Does NOT mean JOE – IS.- not a SUPER-STAR!
Go Joe – Go Hawks!
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:21 pm
Stinger.. says, “no easy one’s in the lane.. this is playoff basketball”
im not sure if our guys no this..
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:21 pm
Cmon everyone shouldve expected this . You know those inside baskets we were getting from the post was a result of homecourt energy. This is the exact same play we got from the starters pretty much all season on the road the only difference is that we are missing a Crawford 6-7 pt run.
The energy level needs to get better and we need to push and go to the rim and finish
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
8:22 pm
Too lazy to check if anyone said this already, but shouldn’t this blog be called “By the Nimbers”?
Blast
April 24th, 2010
8:24 pm
Game ain’t over yet, folks. Why are people having a heart attack? We still have 2 quarters to play!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
8:25 pm
As terrible as the Hawks were that half, it’s actually pretty good that the deficit is only 12. The Hawks need to come out with a hell of a lot more energy and get their heads in the game defensively, but they are only one run away from being right back in this.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:26 pm
sleepy, that is not necessarily true. Take a look back at when the final game of the regular season between the Hawks and Bucks in Milwaukee. The Hawks didn’t even have Jamal Crawford available for that game and they played strong and were able to get a convincing victory over the Bucks. The problem tonight is just that the Hawks seem to have taken the Bucks lightly after how they were able to beat them by double digits in the previous two meetings. However, the Bucks came out and punched the Hawks in the mouth, now it is time for the Hawks to respond. I think the Hawks have realized that the Bucks mean business now. Expect to see a different Hawks team in the second half.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:27 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
LOL!
I can ALWAyS count on you to keep it lite & in perspective around here!
Great Post! LOL! (NIMBERS!)
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:30 pm
Just got off the phone with my dad and hes ticked he says this is the game that even though Crawford has two fouls Woody shouldve put him back in and try to get him involved as he knows he was struggling .
he also says that Woody has done a coaching no no . he had guys sitting out and then when the games resume he changes the minutes in the rotation . He says Woody shouldve been doing that the last 5 games .
He was saying that Woody has been leaving in Joe at the end of 1st and 3rd quarters and to start the 2nd and 4th but usually in that we get Crawford involved in the offense and hes the #1 with Joe in for those extra minutes we have Crawford trying to defer too much and its disrupting his game.
I havent checked that but ill take a look after the game
Blast
April 24th, 2010
8:33 pm
Joe is finally making his playoff name.
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
8:34 pm
rotation
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:35 pm
more second chance points for Milwaukee…
HAWKSFAN11
April 24th, 2010
8:36 pm
I Promise Josh Smith doesnt give it his all on the court. It seems as if he needs motivation from somebody. He takes too many plays off man.
Kiki
April 24th, 2010
8:36 pm
Marvin’s shot was blocked twice in the same sequence.
HAWKSFAN11
April 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
Lets go crawford. Bring us back.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
As I tune back in the Hawks are still getting whooped. Not surprising.
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
Marvin’s missed layup for a chance to get it down to 7..then the Bucks go on a 7-0 run to push it back to 16…
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:39 pm
Joe is the only guy who bothered to show up 2day.
JOE IS LEAVING AFTER THIS SEASON FOLKS. IT’S ALL OVER HIS FACE.
Blast
April 24th, 2010
8:40 pm
Other Hawks players have to step up other than Joe. This game is getting out of hand!
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:40 pm
making your shots = showing up ?
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:40 pm
And Osh SMith should be ashamed of himself. He talked that sh.it about Mil and now the Bucks are basically saying “What now b.itch” I don’t mind trash talk but when u can’t back it up shut your mouth.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:41 pm
Where IS J-Quick Mr. Woodson? Marvin on defense – I Got That! However, we NEED some offense!
Dance with the one who got you her! Play YOUR Game! NOT the Bucks Game!!!!!!
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
8:41 pm
We need Crawford big time. Step it up, Jamal.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:41 pm
Yea Joe is the only player who has done anything. And he’s leaving after the Hawks sputter out this season.Unless the Hawks shell out 75 milli
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:43 pm
That’s it, Al. Get it going…
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:43 pm
there u go Al..
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
8:44 pm
“This is a simple game, when you keep it simple.”
-Nique
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:45 pm
Josh don’t even look like he cares
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Oh Jamal where are you …
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
No hand up or anything.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Wow, Jamal Crawford has been almost nonexistent in this game.
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:47 pm
That’s about 10 wide open shots the Bucks have had
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:48 pm
On a night where the Hawks are struggling offensively, the Bucks can’t miss.
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
8:49 pm
We can still win this thing.
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
We cant fault Jamal for that salmons three the guy was 7-9 and had not taken a 3 all day while bobbing and weaving his way to the basket . You want to force him to take that shot but man oh man do we need to string to together a positive sequence of plays or what .
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
Jamal Crawford has been nonexistent all series…
what happened to all his fanfare? or comments preferring him than Joe…?
definitely needs to step it up going forward..
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
Got to get this to single digits quick because the Bucks tend to really step it up in the fourth…
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
8:51 pm
kill him Skiles.. kill him.. out of that same f-in corner…
Woodson is a stubborn fool.. who will get hit in the same spot before he counters..
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:52 pm
we have not been able to string together any positive plays
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
8:52 pm
You can’t win a game, regular season or playoffs, if you are this disinterested in defense.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:52 pm
LOL this game is OVER
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:53 pm
this game is ova
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:53 pm
Put in Maurice & Mario!
The Bucks – (simply put) – WANT it more!
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:53 pm
Just play Zone Defense and the Hawks lose. Pitiful
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
8:54 pm
The Hawks are not disinterested in defense, they are playing scattered because they are frustrated. You can see the effort right now, but right now the Hawks can’t buy a basket, and Milwaukee can’t miss.
Steven
April 24th, 2010
8:54 pm
I don’t know why I thought things would be different this year on the road. That obviously isn’t the case. We aren’t going far unless we grow a new attitude tomorrow
Blast
April 24th, 2010
8:54 pm
Hawks are not winning this game. The classical signs are all there. Can’t stop folks, can’t make shots…
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
8:55 pm
Pretty painful to watch.
sleepy
April 24th, 2010
8:55 pm
and here comes one of the greatest comebacks in nba history
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
8:55 pm
As usual I’m right. The Hawks are still one of the worst Road teams I have ever seen. And like I predicted the Hawks will not sweep the Bucks even without Bogut.
If Bogut was playing the Hawks might be in serious trouble.
Sautee
April 24th, 2010
8:56 pm
Najeh,
Big co-sign
MAD-DONNA
April 24th, 2010
8:56 pm
GO HAWKS! PLEASE GO(AWAY)!!!!!
O'Brien
April 24th, 2010
8:58 pm
I expected the Hawks to lose this game. But I did not expect us to be down by 21 going into the fourth.
northcyde,
Jason Campbell is the best QB on Oakland’s roster now. And he is a HUGE upgrade over Jamarcus Russell.
JSS
April 24th, 2010
8:58 pm
So, Michael Cunningham, welcome to Atlanta! Let this be a lesson, NEVER talk about a possible next series match up before the clock reads 0:00 and 4 victories for the Hawks!
Blast
April 24th, 2010
8:59 pm
Hawks are good, but just not that good.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
8:59 pm
Maurice is in. Too Late – Marvin Stinks like a TURD!
The HAWKlS did NOT come to play nor party in Milwaukee!
Start Maurice & PLAY J-Quick! Where is Zsa? Mr. Woodson! Dance with the guys that got you here – or – Go Home!
TNScott
April 24th, 2010
9:00 pm
Real championship teams show up and compete on the road and don’t lose by an average of 24 points away from home. I’ve never seen the like of open shooters all night long. If we make it out of this series, it’ll be the same old same old in the next round against the Magic.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:00 pm
57 pts.
RaJaH
April 24th, 2010
9:00 pm
Well look on the bright side… ASG can get some game 5 revenue!
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
I won’t be as hard on the Hawks for this one. Even though it’s concerning to see us get beat down so bad.
I don’t know if the Hawks went into Milwaukee thinking they were gonna take both. They certainly didn’t show up tonight, and I can only hope that we’ll see a different team game 4.
The way they’ve played this one, no sense of urgency, I’d say they’re here to try and split. I’d bet on a much more focused team come game 4.
Steven
April 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
uhh Mo and Zaza have been horrible as well
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
9:01 pm
Might as well put JT0 in there now, huh?
Would it hurt?
kwooden1
April 24th, 2010
9:02 pm
I just missed the 3rd quarter and I’m glad I did. I’m embarrassed for how we played defensive!
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:02 pm
At least there is a bright spot. Woody is being exposed as the terrible coach he really is. If Woody didn’t say he was a defensive coach I would have no problem but he says he is.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:02 pm
I can’t say the same for the team, but Josh Smith is not playing with effort right now. If you are not going to contribute, you shouldn’t be in the game.
Pfshaw
April 24th, 2010
9:02 pm
Josh let Mbah BOute (?) torch his azz twice, Delfino once Illya sova once. Embarrassing
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:03 pm
And all u clowns who insulted Jon Barry for his Jekyll and Hyde comment are fools. I don’t like him either but he is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THis team has a split personality.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:03 pm
there is no bright side to this.. game 4 now becomes a must win.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:05 pm
Did Josh even run back.
Man Josh u look like a fool. Talkin trash then playing like garbage. Sit ur no jumper having azz down.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
I don’t know what woodson is thinking right now. It’s obvious that Josh doesn’t have his head in the game right now. He should be playing Al instead, at least Al was starting to get it going there in the third before he was taken out of the game.
Blast
April 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
Why are the starters still in the game? This game is over! Apart from Joe, and Al late, though they stopped going to Horford, the starters have sucked it up! From the bench, Jamal has been the worst offender.
Put in the bench! This game is over!
Steven
April 24th, 2010
9:08 pm
We’ve played 8 road games in the playoffs the past 3 years. 7 we have lost and I think we’ve lost them all by 20+ points. That is pathetic.
lewis
April 24th, 2010
9:08 pm
Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic i don’t even know why i looked forward to this for 3 days. give me 10 mill a year ill throw more effort. woodson has no ability to motivate his team on the road pathetic. no leaders. pathetic.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
Woody has taken this team as far as he can. Anybody can coach a team to win on the ROAD. Can him and get somebody else.
O'Brien
April 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
As for the game tonight, Hawks defense has been terrible. Hawks offense has been terrible too.
19 pts in the first quarter, 17 points in the third quarter. But our defense sucks.
Nobody has showed up besides GI Joe.
Wabe,
I think we should give Teague some burn, just to get him some more experience. Because I just dont see the Hawks coming back to win anyways.
If I’m Woody, I think about sitting my starters for the rest of the game, letting them know that their play is horrible.
And we have to hear Jon Barry talk about our road struggles, and our horrible production for the 3 spot.
Put in Teague Woody.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:10 pm
My bad I meant to say anybody can coach a team to win at HOME
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:10 pm
I’m guessing the starters are still in because Woodson probably has some mini-goals left for this game, like winning the 4th quarter. Skiles still thinks he has something to prove by inserting Salmons into the game when he is up 27.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
Man can we trade coaches please
Kiki
April 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
Woody needs to kick some player’s ass in the locker room. This one lays on the them, not on the coach, and he needs to send a clear message of what is at stake.
kwooden1
April 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
Looking at this 4th quarter, I see the same thing. I guys not getting in peoples faces. Guys not playing with extreme intensity.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:14 pm
Hawks=Garbage
LOL at people thinking we can make it to the ECF. We would lose to the Magic or Bobcats.
Mel
April 24th, 2010
9:15 pm
someone tell jon barry to STFU .. you have made your point..
O'Brien
April 24th, 2010
9:15 pm
Woody needs to give RandMo some burn too. Why is Josh still in the game?
JJ is -25 for the game. Wow. Sometimes I just dont understand these +/- ratings.
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
9:15 pm
JSS
April 24th, 2010
8:58 pm
So, Michael Cunningham, welcome to Atlanta! Let this be a lesson, NEVER talk about a possible next series match up before the clock reads 0:00 and 4 victories for the Hawks!
****************
LOL . . . true.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
9:16 pm
typical
keno
April 24th, 2010
9:16 pm
Josh shouldn’t worry about having nothing to do tomorrow. I’m pretty sure the coaching staff will have plenty to keep him occupied.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
9:17 pm
Crucial playoff minutes for Mario West……….he’s probably gonna be the starting SG next year.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:17 pm
The worst repercussion of this is that now we have to hear all of the people who know nothing about the team trash the Hawks to no end until the Hawks win again. Then they’ll jump back on the bandwagon again…as usual.
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
9:17 pm
Nothing like a 30 point loss to suck the euphoria out of a fan base.
At least Teague hit a jumper. People will now say . . . “see . . . if Woody would’ve only played Teague . . “
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
is Marvin Williams really athletic..?
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
This “I’ll – Witch”. Just put her BROOM away! Hehehehe.
VenomSpitter
April 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
Josh should be banned from the media for his comments. Don’t talk $hit if u can’t back it up.
Josh gets the Clown of the Game Award.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:20 pm
Thank goodness the next game is not on ESPN. I won’t have to hear Jon Barry and his garbage anymore.
Elliot_C
April 24th, 2010
9:22 pm
All of a sudden Zaza decided he wanted to play. Maybe this will get him going in the next game.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 24th, 2010
9:22 pm
lmfao…royal ivey
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:23 pm
“JSS
April 24th, 2010
8:58 pm
So, Michael Cunningham, welcome to Atlanta! Let this be a lesson, NEVER talk about a possible next series match up before the clock reads 0:00 and 4 victories for the Hawks!
****************
LOL . . . true.”
im sorry… what exactly does discussing Orlando (a potential 2nd round opponent) on this blog have anything to do with this poor performance, game 1/2 wins, or any other game? is Michael Cunningham head coach/player?
Mel
April 24th, 2010
9:24 pm
@Elliot_C
ESPN in general are horrible. I think they only have two things on paper about this team.
1. The gradual improvement under Woodson
2. They’re road record in the playoffs.
Instructions to announcers.
Repeat that if you’re not talking about Kobe/LeBron
Joey
April 24th, 2010
9:24 pm
What happened to Joe Smith tonight? Was he that bad that he couldn’t even get minutes during garbage time?
Mel
April 24th, 2010
9:25 pm
I hate these damn red uniforms.. knew the game was over when i heard they were wearing those
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
9:25 pm
LOL . . I can’t wait to see MC’s write-up later on tonight. I might be a little tipsy when I read it though.
Joey
April 24th, 2010
9:27 pm
I hope the Hawks at least get this under 20 to make this a bit more respectable on paper…
Scoop
April 24th, 2010
9:27 pm
Great job by the Bucks. You’ve got to hand it to Scott Skiles and his staff. It appears that the extra time in between games allowed them to make the necessary adjustments to be competitive. That is what good coaches do.
First, they adjusted by putting mbah ah moute on Smoove instead of delfino. Their logic was probably that they would let Joe get his numbers and try to contain everybody else. This obviously worked. With Smoove having little impact on the offensive end (let alone of the defensive end), the Hawks were clueless offensively and resorted to “iso Joe”. No production from Bibby, Marvin, Smoove, or our entire bench.
Second, our defensive execution was worse then our offense. The Bucks weren’t doing anything so abstract that could have caught us off guard, just simple screens and good ball movement. Our defensive rotations were god awful-especially to the open shooters on the wings and the help in the lane from dribble penetration. Something has to be done about our perimeter defense. Joe Johnson is a great defender but he cant guard Jennings on the perimeter and we all know Bibby cant guard anybody on the perimeter. In the first half alone, three times a screen was set on Joe at the top of the key and as usual Joe was late getting around it which resulted in Jennings with a wide open three and he made all three. No adjustment was made.
It seems the only adjustment Woody ever makes is increasing Joe’s minutes when the situation gets bad. I was lol’ing when Woody had Mo in the game with Joe and yet Joe was still guarding Jennings and Mo was guarding Salmons. Mo’s value lies in defense, particularly on the perimeter. It would seem obvious that Mo would be better able to guard Jennings and Joe to guard Salmons, who likes to play in the paint. Getting absolutely nothing from Marvin the whole year, inserting Mo into the starting lineup and moving Joe to the 3 would solve a lot of our problems-mainly defense on the perimeter, and Mo would probably give us more production on offense as well.
Its one game but man that was a beating.
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
9:27 pm
bigdave . . . it’s the fact that people were acting like the Hawks were almost a lock to sweep the Bucks, even though they KNOW we’re a bad road team.
We’re a clone of the Denver Nuggets. This is how they play.
Mel
April 24th, 2010
9:28 pm
OMG Barry STFU
Joey
April 24th, 2010
9:28 pm
Someone needs to smack that anorexic boy on the Bucks bench.
O'Brien
April 24th, 2010
9:29 pm
northcyde,
I am a fan of Jeff Teague, and I think he deserved more minutes earlier in the season. But,Hawks have bigger problems that has nothing to do with Teague.
I hope fans realize that our defense and our offense were terrible tonight. And there is nothing Teague could have done. This loss is going to be shared by all the players and coaches.
I look forward to Woody’s post game conference. He is going to say “We couldn’t score, and we couldn’t get stops, and thats a bad combination”.
Man, what is Marvin doing? He stumbles more than any other player in the NBA lol
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:30 pm
good foul Mario..
Joey
April 24th, 2010
9:31 pm
Correction…Someone needs to smack Jon Barry with that anorexic boy on the Bucks bench.
TNScott
April 24th, 2010
9:33 pm
This team seemingly couldn’t be any more schizophrenic if Norman Bates started at the point, but it sure would explain things.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
9:36 pm
can’t wait to hear the lame azz excuses from the coach and the team:
“we weren’t focused.” “they wanted it more than we did.” “we got out hustled.” “we thought that we could sit back and relax.”
FIRE WOODYS AND LET JJ WALK. they are the heart of a heartless team. keepin’ these two WON’T make us better next year.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
9:41 pm
SCOOP – IT – UP!
That man is on point! And, he nailed it to the roof!
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
9:41 pm
Being a bad road team shouldn’t mean a 20+ point blowout.
We beat the Bucks minus Jamal Crawford in Milwaukee towards the end of the season. I’ll admit, the chances of a sweep were slim. But, it’s concerning to see us come out completely lack-a-daisical. No focus, no energy, no intent to step up and put our foot down on them.
Wabe
April 24th, 2010
9:42 pm
I usually don’t make too much of one game. I’ll be more concerned if we came out and saw a repeat performance in Game 4.
But, it still sucks that we played with absolutely no intensity.
Joey
April 24th, 2010
9:43 pm
Woody Harrelson looks content at the podium for his post-game interview.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
9:43 pm
that SWITCHIN’ sh!t on defense is workin’ my nerves. it doesn’t work. why do you think that no other effin’ team in the league uses it? horford on jennings? omg!!
and if you are goin’ to SWITCH don’t do it every single effin’ play. switch it up to keep team of guard. the hawks are so predictable. psychologically there are not into road game, bibby won’t drive, jj dribbles up 22 seconds of the 24clock, smoove wants to be a 2 guard and the hawks will give you a mix match every time you bring it down the court.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
9:44 pm
Skiles!
(to the fumbling reporter), ” You’ve Got to be Smarter than the Microphone.”. LMAO! That was Great – Coach!
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:47 pm
northcyde..
is that how you interpreted that? im not sure a series sweep implied. Hawks winning the series, sure.. however, i got more of scheme, strength/weaknesses analysis of 2 probable next rd combatants.
as far as a sweep is concerned. i was one who thought that it was more than obtainable. see given this team knows that they can play with anyone in this league, i thought that they would approach this tournament with a championship level of focus and play. the Bucks should not have one a game. period. the head coach should instill that kill in his unit. assure his ball club that their opponent is inferior. if he did attempt that message. only 1 player got the memo.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:49 pm
* “was implied”
lewis
April 24th, 2010
9:52 pm
fire mike woodson and fire mike bibby. bibby’s regressed too much this year we can’t beat teams 4-5 on a switching defense. mike woodson fails. 0 adjustments in 48 minutes. 0 motivation. 0.
O'Brien
April 24th, 2010
9:53 pm
07-08 Playoffs against Boston:
Game 1 in Boston, Lost by 23,
Game 2 in Boston, Lost by 19,
Game 5 in Boston, Lost by 25
Game 7 in Boston, Lost by 34
08-09 Playoffs against Miami:
Game 3 in Miami, Lost by 29,
Game 4 in Miami, Won by 10,
Game 6 in Miami, Lost by 26.
Game 1 in Cleveland, lost by 27,
Game 2 in Cleveland, lost by 20
09-10 Playoffs:
Game 3 in Milwaukee, Lost by 18.
Very disturbing trend for the Hawks. Except for game 4 against Miami, we have been blown out on the road in the playoffs 3 years in a row (so far). How often can we blame it on being young? Or lack of focus? I don’t know what the problem is…
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
9:59 pm
“we didnt match any of there physcialness”
what kind of personnel adjustments did you make and stick with to match there physicality or as you call it “physcialness”? Za Za still in the dog house? what happened to that Jamal, Joe, Mo, Al, Za Za lineup that worked well for us late in the year on the road?
Mike Woodson
“its my job as a coach to get them playing at a high level”
k, so why dont we ever come out with intensity on the road coach, since you say this every time, are you failing at your job?
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
10:01 pm
i wonder what our playoff goals are? where is the bar excactly? what is expected and unacceptable..?
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
10:07 pm
STEVE SMITH, predicted a swee. what hawks team has he been watchin on the road? lol.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
10:08 pm
please get rid of woody and let jj walk. these two guys are the heart and brains of the team, but we can’t win on the road and we have these mental lapses. what advantage will we have by bringin’ them back?
nunna!!
April 24th, 2010
10:09 pm
Inconsistently inconsistent..
I know you all were not suprised that we lost,right??
Joe showed up,jamaal was in da room,and woody and the rest of da boys were downstairs in the lobby…
FIRE WOODY!!
Grandad
April 24th, 2010
10:13 pm
I haven’t read the entire thread so I may be repeating something or an
original thought from someone else, if so I apologize.
POST GAME INTERVIEWS:
Wdsn:
‘We didn’t play defense, we didn’t get into our rotations, I don’t know what the problem was’.
‘As for offense I don’t worry about that, it takes care of itself’.
Joe: ‘I don’t know, we just wern’t ready’.
Al: ‘We have to come out with more energy’.
Josh: ‘We just didn’t have our focus tonight’.
Bibby: ‘No comment’.
Jamal: ‘We came out without our focus’.
Mo: ‘Man, we just didn’t have any focus.’
Marvin: ‘As usual, it’s all my fault. Oh yeah, and [I] didn’t have any focus’.
Lion
April 24th, 2010
10:14 pm
Well, that game was disappointing. You can’t take any opponent lightly. As Charles Barkley always says “Everyone in the league can play”. The Hawks know that they have an advantage over this team in terms of talent, but they can’t buy too much into that and allow it to effect their play. The Hawks definitely didn’t give it their all tonight, you could see the difference in their body language. I think the team felt like they could win on 50% effort since they are just plain better than their opponents. You have to give Milwaukee credit though, they played a great game. Honestly, this may have been their best performance of the year. While I doubt they are capable of this on a nightly basis (especially the 10-23 shooting from deep), it is something for the Hawks to think about.
On a positive note, the Hawks typically respond well to losses, especially embarrassing ones. This may be a good thing for them as it should help spark the team make them realize what is at stake and how they desperately need to get these road woes under control. Hopefully this will get the Hawks fired up and make them play with something to prove on Monday.
Section 303
April 24th, 2010
10:18 pm
Lion, I agree, the Hawks do usually play well after losses. However, at some point, we have to stop seeing games like this. I can take losing a playoff game, but not like this. No energy, no effort, no anything, really. Sorry performance. The team should be ripped up and down for this.
Almost makes the whole season meaningless. This team is no different than they were last year or the year before.
I would love to see Ric Sund go into the locker room, ask Joe to leave, and then just blast the guys (players and coaches) that were left behind. No excuse for such a sad outting.
sam'l
April 24th, 2010
10:21 pm
1. The Hawks will win next game but only because they’re scared to find out what will happen if they lose. This formula has worked throughout the season.
2. Ain’t gonna jump on no one because it’s already been done.
3. Bad idea to let Orlando rest up while we play on. .
4. The playoff bar is getting into the conference finals…..from management’s perspective.
5. Joe’s bar is to get out of this round and compete intelligently and with desire for the rest of the playoffs.
6. Given the unpredictability of this team, this simply means you can’t trust the Hawks on any given night. Never bet the mortgage on the Hawks.
7. Scoffers…..I will attempt to communicate with you in a manner you can understand..The Bucks will score 16 points (give or take two) in the first quarter of next game………
Go Hawks…….
Maavelous
April 24th, 2010
10:23 pm
Ah wuz maaavelous — as useyouall. But the other doodes suckt.
Disappointing but . . .
April 24th, 2010
10:24 pm
not tragic. Lose the next game & then I’d say why are we even wasting our time.
But the Hawks bigs just need to dominate in Game 4 and this series will be done in 5.
Lion
April 24th, 2010
10:24 pm
Nicely put, sam’l. The majority of those points were right on.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
Grand-Daddy
(Pure – Perspective!)
Great Post @ 1013pm.
Co-Sign That!
JSS
April 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
@Big Dave…
It is the proverbial “putting the cart before the horse” aspect of doing such a thing. This franchise has shown NO SEMBLANCE of being able to put anyone with ease since 1969! That is 41 years, and I had the good fortune to see a game when they dispatched the Bulls that year. I’m as loyal and proud of this team as the next person, but taking a series in progress (but not completed in victory) for granted is not a part of its playoff DNA!
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
WHAT IS IT WITH THE ROAD GAMES? boston, clev, orlando, lakers, dallas don’t have the road woes that we have. they are all professional basketball players. if you can make a shot, set a screen, and play defense why does it matter if you do it at HOME or the road?
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
IMMATURE – HAWKS!
We’re NOT full-grown yet! We NEED more Veterans on this team. No more youngi’ns!
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
10:43 pm
SHOW-WELL!
In Round #1 & #2.
Make adjustments Mr. Sund! Help your Coach & Don’t use him as an “Azz – Cover” for YOUR mistakes!
Why couldn’t you bring in – Caron Butler, Jamison or Heyward? They went to contenders in excahange for salary & Scrubs! We NEED a bench damn-it!
I am very concerned @ our road play off record & the way we LOSE in blowouts! Someone has to fall on the sword for that!
Maybe Mr. Woodson or the GM? I’m NOT there, so I don’t know?
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
10:44 pm
In retrospect though . . . the Hawks did exactly what this fan base did . . . take the Bucks for a patsy that would just lay down and die for them.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are getting their ish handed to them by the Thunder . . . down 16 with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter.
But I guess this night was set up for failure.
- JJ came to play . . . no problem out of him
- Smoove got all kinds of love the entire week . . and looked as if he started to believe he was the offensive star that people were hyping him up to be. Just play your game Smoove, and don’t try to be the offensive star of the team.
- Horford only grabbed 3 rebounds. Three. That can’t happen under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Focus or not, you have to rebound on a nightly basis.
- Crawford . . . wow . . . so I guess he’s Flip Murray all of a sudden.
I keep saying that this team has been mentally though all year. So we’ll see how they’ll respond in Game 4. If they don’t win Game 4, I seriously doubt they’ll win a Game 6. So if they lose Monday night, this series may go 7 games.
bonquesha
April 24th, 2010
10:44 pm
It is indicative of our Hawks to have double digit losses on the road in the playoffs. It is what we do and who we are. Don’t ask surprise. And why is Joe Johnson the blame for everything? I’m getting so tired of this leadership bull. If you’re a professional, then act like one. Someone has to motivate you and give you pep talks to play hard? That’s so high school. These are grown men making millions of dollars and someone has to stroke them to get them going for a game? Maybe Joe should read them bedtime stories. I hear the “The Little Engine That Could” is a classic. He can tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. Then maybe they’ll be good little boys for the next game. And if they’re really good, Joe will bring them milk and cookies.
Grandad
April 24th, 2010
10:50 pm
drmaryb:
Thank you, my dear.
I’m gonna’ check back later & see how many I had correct.
[for those that didn't know...those quotes were 'ahem' speculative.]
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
11:03 pm
JSS …
absolutely, but since when did Michael Cunningham, or any of us that i know of play or coach the Hawks? what we discuss here has nothing to do with the outcome of these games. thats why they play.. no matter how sensible our theories, coaching philosophies, trade/free agent talk, etc seem they matter none its still Woodson/Sund/ASG. therefore its tough for me to understand how some can feel that we fans discussing Orlando matters this Bucks series? it really is a good read b/t game played 3 days apart. i for one have no problem with rapport as it relates to the Magic and there command over us.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
11:05 pm
BONQUESHA,
they are blamin’ jj ’cause he wants to have the fattest knot. he wants all of the money and that comes wit’ bein’ the big fish. kobe, lebron, d wade, who jj is oft compared to, all want the money, but they welcome the pressure. jj wants the money, but he shrivels up when it gets hot.
yeah someone else needs to step up, but if jj was a real jigga, he wouldn’t let guys take plays off. do you think jordan woulda let pippen or rodman do some bs? hell to the naw. jj ain’t no killa, that why the team don’t show up durin’ road games. they don’t have a real jigga to answer to
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
11:19 pm
Ant Banks
Very interesting point made. But, who do we get to replace Joe? I mean right now, who is bettet & availabe?
I’m all for it! But, we have already built TEAM @ Joe, so, what now? How about his teammates step up for starters. Or, I can’t believe I am gonna say it – “make a coaching change!”
But, letting Joe walk? Means starting all over again! & “I can’t go for that! No Can Do!”
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
11:24 pm
OKC is embarrassing the LAKERS? Two games in a row? & May even the series?
WOW! Who would have thunk it?
That’s still no excuse for the Hawks to play like this. We are NOT the LAKERS! Just look in the RAFTERS!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
11:25 pm
Co-sign every word of Scoop’s post.
There are no positives to take from this game. Other high seeds have lost road games, but none got thoroughly embarrassed by a team missing its two best players. And regardless, the struggles of other teams don’t make the Hawks’ debacle any better. Plain and simple, the Hawks played like sh-t. You can blame whoever you want, but as far as I’m concerned every coach and every player is guilty of not showing up. Can’t blame the schemes alone, since the effort was nonexistent; can’t blame the effort alone, since the schemes were nonexistent.
This team needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are really interested in showing any progress in these playoffs. If they are, they better realize that real contenders put away teams decimated by injury, and that they gotta do a lot better if they want to give the Magic a competitive series in Round 2. So far, to be real, the Hawks have played six really good quarters this series and have been mediocre the rest of the time. That ain’t progress.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
11:32 pm
Oh yeah, and J-Smoove needs to issue a public apology for his travesty of a game today. Talking sh-t and backing it up makes you a G, and earns my respect. Talking sh-t and following it up with one of your worst games of the season makes you a f-cking clown. Smoove is my personal favorite Hawks player, but considering the magnitude of this game and what he said before it, this was probably one of the worst games he has played in a couple of years.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
11:34 pm
Najeh Davenpoop!
Co-Sign that Sh-iat.
bonquesha
April 24th, 2010
11:35 pm
@ant banks – Maybe I should bring you some milk and cookies for Kobe, D Wade and Lebron. Let’s see. Kobe is leading his Lakers to a blowout loss in OKC and D Wade is leading his team to an 0-3 start against the Celtics (my bad, he had cramps). So, I guess you want Joe to be a true “jigga” and shuck and jive like the classless and narcissistic LeBron (who unleashed a new monster that loss in CHI). Maybe he could gather the team together for a rendition of the electric slide.
bigdave
April 24th, 2010
11:39 pm
OKC Basketball transition game at its finest..
rusty
April 24th, 2010
11:40 pm
lebron played a monster game,joe did not
Najeh Davenpoop
April 24th, 2010
11:41 pm
There was a spot in the 3rd quarter when the Hawks, after slowly chipping away throughout the 2nd quarter, were able to cut it down to a 9 point game.
If this year’s Hawks were better than last year’s Hawks, they would have continued that run, gotten back into the game, and at least made the Bucks have to pull out a close victory. Instead, just like they would have done last year, they decided that was all the fight they had in them, and allowed the Bucks to go on a run of their own which effectively iced the game. That is the antithesis of mental toughness.
Game 4 is going to be huge. A loss in that game means this series likely goes 7 games and the next one likely goes 5 or less.
Oh yeah, and if you want to bring up the Thunder’s in-progress azz-kicking of the defending champion Lakers in OKC, well, this is why the Lakers won’t be defending that title. Other teams’ inadequacies are no excuse for a healthy Hawks team getting blown out by a team missing its two best players.
rusty
April 24th, 2010
11:41 pm
woody is pure garbage,how could this team learn from him
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
11:48 pm
Bonquesha!
You are crackin’ me up gurl! Or – Clyde? Either way that shiat is funny! Lmao!
northcyde
April 24th, 2010
11:50 pm
Here’s a question:
If people say that Josh Smith is the heart and soul of this team when it wins . . is this the result when his “heart and soul” isn’t in a game, when they lose?
bonquesha
April 24th, 2010
11:51 pm
@rusty – I’m not saying that LeBron didn’t have a monster game, but it was all a waste when you don’t get the victory. Sometimes he gets so caught up in his own ego, he doesn’t make the best basketball decision for his team. Instead, he makes the best basketball decision for LeBron and no one on the Cleveland staff criticizes him for it the same way it seems Joe never gets criticized by Woody for some of the ill-advised shots he takes out on the court. A true leader makes his teammates perform better as well as themselves.
drmaryb
April 24th, 2010
11:57 pm
The Hawks imposed their WLL to LOSE against the Bucks today!
bonquesha
April 25th, 2010
12:11 am
@drmaryb – Thanks, but I’m not Clyde.
Blake
April 25th, 2010
12:15 am
Lets get something straight, this talk about the Hawks not being better than they were a year ago is pure foolishness, and comments stating this simply take away from the credibility of the commenter.
In a basketball sense, the Hawks, collectively, are undeniably superior to their team from a year ago. That is so blatantly obvious that even ESPN analysts have noticed. The statistical numbers, the addition of actual offensive sets and plays rather than impromptu isolation plays for Joe (yes, those still exsits, but they are run far less often), the improved post-offense, and improved individual play. Anyone who has truly followed the Hawks can see the difference.
I think the problem that some of you are eluding to is the mental preparation and mental aspects of the game where the Hawks have not shown significant progress, but they have progressed in that aspect as well. The Hawks pulled off some very impressive road wins this year. Think back to when they defeated the blazers in OT, the Utah Jazz who had been nearly undefeated at home up to that point in the season, the celtics (twice) at the Garden. This team has shown dramatic progress over the year. 53 wins is no easy feat, and there is a big difference between 47 and 53 wins, especially when you consider how much more competitive the East has been this year. The defending NBA champions (who are currently being blown out, by the way) have only 4 more wins on the season than this team.
At any rate, this team deserves credit for what it has done already and it continues to improve more and more. One fluke loss on the road in the playoffs does not take away from that. I understand this has been a problem in the past, but we are not in the past, we are in the present, and right now, the Hawks lead their first round series 2-1. Obviously, they are disappointed with the loss today, but they will not be the first team to have a letdown in one of their playoff games. That does not justify their accomplishments being overlooked.
Let the team handle their business and right the ship for Game 4. No contender has ever gone all the way without taking some bumps along the way, and it’s games like this that make you stronger as a team and teach you what you need to go all of the way. So although this loss was disappointing and disgusting to many, don’t make too much of it. It is only one game and it should provide a much-needed eye-opener for the Hawks to correct their road troubles.
Look for the Hawks to bounce back in game 4 just as great teams do.
kwooden1
April 25th, 2010
12:27 am
I’m sure this loss will wake the team up and they will come out with better defensive next game, but even so they need to be embarrassed. The Bucks were dancing and laughing because we didn’t stop them! But in the end a loss is a loss, whether its by 1 or 30. The Bucks will also come back to earth, because that is what they do. They really can’t shoot and Salmons/Delfino can’t defend their men. My only really problem with this game is, the guys can’t understand that you have to just play hard and forget talking about energy/effort. Close out on shooters, put a body on your man and get over screens. If the HAWKS do these things they will be in every game they play. I don’t like the post-game comments about the lack of focus and effort. I didn’t hear all of the comments, but I’m going to assume that no one said they did a poor job of getting around screens, or that they stood around and watched Joe shoot. I’m sure no one said, “I played good defensive but my guy just played better offensive”. I know they didn’t say that because that didn’t happen (accept for JJ)
GO HAWKS!!!
JSS
April 25th, 2010
6:46 am
@Big Dave…
It is an “apples” or “oranges,” games are run or played on the field, track, ice or court. My old college track coach told me something when I was a frosh and lacked confidence in my talents since I came from Georgia where my PR’s were nearly a minute slower than all of the Midwestern, European and Africans on our XC and middle distance teams. “You would not be here if you did not belong. I guarantee that you’ll beat one of our star runners if they are not at their best.” I ran badly my first 3 races, then just before the NCAA regionals, we went to Notre Dame. They disrespected our team from the time we reached their campus. A newspaper article said we were below top flight talent. They taunted us when walked on the race course. We cleaned their clocks that day. It was no “fluke,” we placed 5 guys into NCAA XC Championships 2 weeks later. I didn’t make the nationals that season, but I ran PR’s and 4 of the fastest times by native born American the next two seasons in the Steeplechase.
So the moral is, that is a PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM on the other side of the court. We are only 2 years removed from being them. If the mighty Celtics team that we defeated 3 times on our home floor could be defeated, then who in the hell (beat writer or fan) to think that we are: 1. predestined to walk over any opponent, or 2. to look ahead of the task at hand, Win the the series first, they’ll be plenty of time to opine about the next opponent if you are fortunate enough to advance. I said Game 3 was going to be huge, and boy was it!