Atlanta Hawks Squawks Game 4: Bucks 111, Hawks 104
– So which one of these teams is the experienced playoff group? Which one has a rookie running point? Which squad has guys who don’t seem to know it’s going to be more physical in the playoffs, especially on the road?
– “It is frustrating, man,” J.J. said. “It just seems like we don’t have the toughness. They were coming up with all the loose balls, and all the big rebounds. We couldn’t get stops when we needed to. It’s killing us.”
– The Hawks competed better in Game 4 than in Game 3 but it’s not like they could be much worse in that regard. They couldn’t overtake the Bucks because rookie Brandon Jennings had his way with them.
– Jennings has figured out the Hawks’ switching defense. If he wasn’t making jumpers, he was slithering to the rim to score. If he wasn’t doing that, he was dropping it off in the paint for teammates. And if that wasn’t there, the Bucks worked the ball around the perimeter, where Delfino inevitably was standing wide open to catch a pass for a 3.
– The Bucks worked over the Hawks. “Jennings has such quickness that when we get out on him he opens up stuff for his shooters,” Jamal said. “He gets around one person, he keeps his dribble, Delfino was getting shots Salmons was getting shots, Stackhouse was getting shots Ilyasova was getting shots. I think the penetration is hurting us a little bit.”
– More than a little bit. “It’s been tough because we switch a lot and they just get pretty much any penetration they wanted,” J.J. said. “They got us helter skelter, to where we are scrambling trying to find guys, and now we are at a disadvantage.”
– Is it time for the Hawks to adjust their defensive approach of switching all the time? “I don’t know,” Joe said. “I am sure we will come up with something. We have just got to get back playing with energy. They are getting layup after layup, you can’t have that in playoff basketball.”
– But this wasn’t about a lack of energy by the Hawks. They played hard, for the most part. It was about Jennings, Ridnour, Salmons and Delfino doing a much better job finding holes against the switches than they did in Games 1 and 2 and the Hawks sticking with the strategy.
– It’s not working. “I haven’t got my shot blocked as much,” Jennings said with a smile, referring to how he recklessly and ineffectively attacked the rim in Game 2. “I think just making smart decisions and learning as the series goes on and just moving the ball. We are a better team when everyone is moving the ball and touching the ball.”
– I didn’t get a chance to ask Woody if he’s considering adjusting the defensive strategy. If he doesn’t, I don’t see how Jennings, Ridnour, Salmons and Delfino don’t continue to take advantage.
– After it looked like Woody had the advantage in the first two games, Scott Skiles has taken it back. In this game, he went deep in his bench, got the Bucks sharing the ball and got something from everyone. “That’s pretty much our formula,” he said. “We need everybody to play as well that we can get. We’re not afraid to leave them out there during critical minutes.”
– The Bucks were better than the Hawks, and they were tougher, too. Yes the Bucks, especially Kurt Thomas , were getting away with holding, moving screens, and pushes. It took too long for the Hawks to respond in kind.
– “We know what to expect,” J.J. said. “We have got to stop complaining so much. We worry about them holding and scratching and clawing. We have just got to do the same thing. Stop worrying about what the refs are calling, and just play. We complain way too much.”
– The Hawks should have been mad about the way the Bucks got to the rim at will. Milwaukee shot 55 percent and scored 44 points in the paint, for crying out loud. In the playoffs. “We had too many breakdowns on the perimeter,” Smoove said. “Guys had to help and they knocked down jump shots. We had poor rotations and kept leaving Delfino at the 3-point line.”
– All of that is true but Josh isn’t blameless. I saw him watching guys score at the rim instead of challenging shots. He was back to being weak on closeouts. When J.J. was talking about guys complaining too much about calls, Smoove has to be at or near the top of the list.
– “We can’t let that get the best of us,” Jamal said. “A call is a call, it can’t be changed. You just have to go out there and compete.”
– Josh insisted he wasn’t frustrated about the physical play. “I was straight,” Smoove said. “People were not helping each other out and not communicating. That’s really why I was frustrated.”
– While the Bucks were getting easy shots, the Hawks were jacking up jumpers. They occasionally worked the inside-out game but there wasn’t much flow for long stretches of the game. “We are not being aggressive,” Joe said. “We are just sitting back on our heels. They are attacking, and we are just kind of sitting back watching.”
– The Hawks are 1-10 in postseason road games in the last three years. Haven’t these long, hard series gotten old? “I would have thought so a long time ago,” Joe said. “Obviously it hasn’t. I guess we just like going seven games. It kills us, man. We get banged up and we just get no rest.”
– The Magic swept Charlotte, by the way.
– The Hawks have won 15 straight at Philips but the Bucks have the confidence and momentum in the series. “I can’t wait until Friday to come back home and finish up the series, hopefully,” Jennings said. What does it mean for the Hawks that it sounds less like boasting, and more like a plan?
– “I still feel like there is no pressure on us,” Jennings said. “At the end of the day, everyone still expects us to lose the series. The best thing we can do is keep fighting and keep competing with them.”
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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238 comments Add your comment
Jody
April 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
It’ll be interesting to see what happens tomorrow night. One thing I’ll say for sure is that it should be clear to anybody, who wouldn’t admit it before, that the Hawks are an extremely flawed team and need some more changes before they can reach the next level. Here again, I see many people heavily blaming Josh Smith for this teams failure. I don’t think that’s fair or accurate. There are other guys on this team who have been mailing it in all year and I think their non contribution is hurting this team FAR more.
Steam
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
The only series that should have been a sweep was a sweep already (Charlotte vs. Orlando). The Bulls are not out-manned or out-husted enough on any given night to be swept and the Cavs are not invincible or great enough to just walk through anyone. The bottom line is that Orlando > Cleveland and far better than Charlotte. Look at them on paper, look at them in action, look at their style of play, the proof is all over the place. Orlando is an incredibly dangerous team, , I don’t think anyone has an advantage over them right now….
Najeh Davenpoop
April 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
You gotta admit, this is kinda funny.
Jody
April 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
LOL! I hate to admit it, but it was funny.
Jody
April 27th, 2010
10:17 pm
The officials are jobbing the Bulls right now. What joke NBA officials are.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 27th, 2010
10:36 pm
Although I don’t agree with everything in it, particularly the last paragraph, there’s a lot of good stuff in this blog post.
Mz.Wants Some Payback Hawkdafied
April 27th, 2010
10:43 pm
Whateva, the Hawks best put an end to all this “fear the deer” crap. Restore some order. Now that’s real. Screw the bucks. No more Twilight Zone.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 27th, 2010
11:31 pm
Don’t know how many of you are watching the Lakers-Thunder game, but Doug Collins just elaborated on why the minutes young players get at the end of games, even blowout games, go a long way towards boosting their confidence and making them better players. He said this in relation to Eric Maynor, the Thunder’s rookie point guard who had a solid run at the end of the previous game, a blowout that the Thunder won. Maynor was traded mid-season to the Thunder, who gave him a consistent 15 minutes per game and watched his stats steadily increase towards the end of the season.
Jeff Teague put up 25 points and 15 dimes in the final game of the season.
Nobody on the Hawks can guard Brandon Jennings — at least, nobody who has played so far.
Just saying…
rusty
April 27th, 2010
11:32 pm
northcyde i might be 15,but you are an idiot
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
12:12 am
MC, has anyone asked Woody why he hasn’t used Mario or Teague? We need to ask Woody questions on his rotation because it sucks.
And this switching on P&R is BS too
sleepy
April 28th, 2010
1:02 am
Anyone who handles the ball as much as Brandon Jennings with as much free reign and who only has to play one end of the court is gonna get there points .
We really need to stop talking about shutting someone who has the ball that much down defensively its simply not gonna happen .
Players rarely wear down when they are only playing one end of the court.
So we put teague on him and then what ? Teague never gets the rock so Brandon is resting on defense and then getting the ball and waiting on us to switch and then going to work. There is no reason to put Teague int the game to have him switch and guard Kurt Thomas
Right now I would go at both Ridnour and Jennings with Crawford at the point guard when he comes into the game . Just tell him not to switch and to just go over the top of course he will get beat a couple of times but then later in the game you can switch late in the clock and catch them off guard or better yet how about just doubling them on those screens at certain times of the game and forcing those bigmen to make a few shots on consecutive possessions .
Joe 41 mpg – 18 total fta
Josh 36 mpg 17 total fta
Jamal 28 mpg 16 total fta
Disrupt what those point guards are trying to do and they will crumble .
Steam
April 28th, 2010
1:18 am
In response to to the Youtube video with Bango trashing Hawks fans, I’d like to see “Harry the Hawk” beat the hell out of Jennings…
JS1606
April 28th, 2010
1:46 am
Too many comments on here don’t give the Bucks enough credit. After making the trade for Salmons, Milwaukee has been one of, if not the, hottest team in the NBA. They’re still winning games without Bogut. Don’t sell the Bucks short just because they’ve been sitting at the bottom of the standings the past couple of seasons. Am I a Bucks fan? Of course…Milwaukee born and raised. However I will say this: as many of you agree, the winner of game 5 will win the series. If Milwaukee can squeeze out a W in Atlanta, they should be able to win the series at home in game 6. If Atlanta wins game 5, the series will go to 7, and the Hawks will win it at home. Atlanta is leaps and bounds stronger, faster and more athletic than Milwaukee, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win the series.
Chucktown38
April 28th, 2010
1:49 am
This is the type of basketball you get with undisciplined players. Not passing the ball, NOT being smart on the court and I don’t think its any better on the sideline either. Just think of all the great teams from the past I mean 80’s and early 90’s making the extra pass. It’s hard to defend great ball movement.These player look like they play street ball. They need to pass the ball 5 times before anyone shoots the ball, just like a little leauge team would? This is why the NBA has lost fans for years, no one knows how to play the games of basketball anymore.Esp the Hawks
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:52 am
THE BUCKS MASCOT DID A BACKWARD FLIP DUNK 10 FEET ABOVE THE RIM
FIRE WOODY
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2010
2:02 am
“Too many comments on here don’t give the Bucks enough credit.”
“Atlanta is leaps and bounds stronger, faster and more athletic than Milwaukee, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win the series.”
The comments on here don’t give the Bucks credit because as hot as they may have been, like you admit yourself, they don’t hold a candle to the Hawks talent-wise. A player can’t change his talent, but he can change his mentality for the better. A team may not be able to change their talent within a season, but they can change their schemes for the better. If the Hawks were losing because they were inferior in talent — like they will be in Round 2 — we may be disappointed, but we would accept it. The Hawks are losing despite having far superior talent, and that is unacceptable.
The Bucks have a ton of heart and play smart basketball, but a 53-win team with 2 All-Stars, the 6th man of the year, and a DPOY candidate should be able to put that team away regardless — just like the Cavs did to the scrappy Bulls. The single thing that annoys every single sports fan is when a player or team doesn’t get the most out of their talent. Right now that’s the Hawks’ problem.
Coach D
April 28th, 2010
5:47 am
Boy oh Boy, would it be nice to see the Hawks move the ball AND move without the ball as much as Milwaukee does! I think Skiles is showing “Woody the Wood——” how to coach.
thomas22
April 28th, 2010
6:57 am
I hope someone from the Hawks reads this blog…..
Coach W- Marvin comes across as a good kid, but Please, Please limit his minutes/remove him from the starting lineup – he just can’t shake off this bad season and now is crunch time we are literally playing 4 or 5.
(1) when an opponent drives the lane for a layup (especially during the playoffs)- make them pay! I’m not advocating flagrants either.
(2) Jeff Teague or Mario West can at least slow down Jennings because Mike B. just isnt quick enough.
(3) Tell Josh this is the playoffs and to immediately stop the whining-get back on D man!
(4) The switching D doesn’t work on the Bucks-how about straight man to man or zone?
(5) Doesn’t Joe Smith have playoff experience?
Last but not least, Joe Johnson is playing playoff basketball but his teammates seem to think this is game 32 of the regular season because there is no killer instinct or drive to win the Championship-seems they are measuring there success to get past Orlando only…….
drmaryb
April 28th, 2010
7:13 am
Its a New Day! -Will I Am-
Change You Can Believe In! -Obama-
I’ve Got To Figure it Out! -Mr. Woodson-
Just a Few Qoutes From the Greatest Minds of 2009.
terrell
April 28th, 2010
7:24 am
Idk who’s the bigger idiot? Woody for starting Marvin, or Sund for giving him an extension? I’d have to say BOTH.
terrell
April 28th, 2010
7:28 am
What does it say about Woody, when Sund is willing to extend Duck, but not him? And this fool still starts his ass. lol!
doc
April 28th, 2010
8:34 am
big dave, yes i caught it the run ricky run show you mentioned on ricky williams. i have really liked ricky so i watched to see what he has gone through. it was very enlightening. does seem schizoid personality to me, alone with very profound deep thoughts. boy, did his coach abuse him before he left the game the first time and i lost any respect for mike wallace which i didnt have much for. he didnt come close to empathy or compassion in that segment but a complete azz. good show, great quality.
now, maybe we will do to the bucks what the lakers did last night to the thunder.
terrell
April 28th, 2010
9:25 am
No way Doc. It aint happening. The Lakers blew out the Thunder. When was the last time the Hawks blew out anybody? They always let you back in the game. No matter how big the lead. The Lakers also have Phil Jackson, who knows how to make adjustments.
terrell
April 28th, 2010
9:27 am
The Hawks will probably win this game, being that it’s at home and all. But I guarantee you, they’ll make it interesting.
Lacsho
April 28th, 2010
9:28 am
Whatz good Doc? I agree with your assesment on Mike Wallace, he was a total azz, with not a ounce of compassion. This guy was sexually abused by his father, and Mike Wallace down played the situation.
Can we say JERK!!!!!
bigdave
April 28th, 2010
9:38 am
agreed Doc..
O'Brien
April 28th, 2010
9:40 am
I think Hawks win by 10+ tonight. The crowd will be hyped, and players will feed off the energy. Most importantly, the Bucks wont shoot such a high percentage like they did in game 3 and 4.
Cavs, Magic and Celtics are all through to the next round. Since the Magic are resting, Hawks need to win the next 2 games, because we dont have as many off days in the second round…
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
10:34 am
FIRE WOODY
Ken Strickland
April 28th, 2010
11:02 am
WHAT’S UP DOC-It appeared to me that Mike Wallace thought he was dealing strickly with a hardnosed, feel no pain football player than a troubled human being that’s overcome so much pain and adversity while still managing to cope with personal issues. Kind of makes you wonder if he was trying to take the shock jock approach. It would have been far more revealing and rewarding if Barbara Walters or Oprah had done that interview.
They are the best at doing those kinds of indepth, probing interviews that deal with personal tragedy.
Clyde
April 28th, 2010
11:25 am
I wonder if Woody has made up a game plan for tonight’s game other than give the ball to Joe.
FIRE WOODY
Wabe
April 28th, 2010
11:31 am
Najeh,
Thanks for the link.
That’s a good read.
Ken Strickland
April 28th, 2010
12:19 pm
If we win this series, what exactly will we have accomplished if we get embarrassed in the 2nd rd, like we did last yr? If we win this series and advance to the 2nd rd, and Woodson gets resigned, everyone loses in the longrun but him. If we lose this series and Woodson is let go, he’s the only one that actually loses in the long run. Therefore, if his fate is based how us advancing past the 1st rd, I hope we lose this series to the Bucks. Lets face it, even if we win this series, we’re only going to get embarrassed by whoever we play in the 2nd rd.
Think about it, with Woodson as our HC we certainly can’t expect to improve through the draft. Marvin is the last draft pick Woodson has given an opportunity to develop, and he’s regressed after 5yrs. We certainly can’t expect to improve much by adding more talent through free agency, since Woody can’t bring himself to extend his bench use beyond 7 primary players.
Our starting 5, plus Zaza, have been together for 3yrs, and except for Bibby, 4 of our starters, plus Zaza, have been together for 5yrs. Yet, we still hear the same stupid excuses from Woodson, WE’RE STILL LEARNING TO WIN or WE’RE STILL A YOUNG INEXPERIENCED TEAM. Does he really think everyone else is as stupid and deep in denial as he and his supporters obviously are?
Can anyone name another HC that would be stupid enough to start MBibby, let alone play him 27.5MPG, with this yrs poor OFF output and nonexistent DEF output, especially with an option like JTeague on the bench? Let’s double Woodson’s level of stupidity by asking if there’s another HC stupid enough to start 2 veteran players that have been as inconsistent and nonproductive as MBibby and MWilliams have been this season?
You’d think this fool would have experimented with benching each player at least once during the season to see if it would benefit the player and/or the team. Instead, his philosophy has been to refuse making any changes or adjustments, even if it’s temporary. He just believes in maintaining the status quo and letting the chips fall where the may, even if it’s hurting the team.
It seems to be easier for him to make excuses, even if it’s the same lame, unacceptable, repetitive excuses, than to actually be a responsible HC that makes changes and/or adjustments. What kind sick mentality holds his rookies accoutable for everything they do DURING the gm, yet refuses to hold a single veteran player accountable for what they do DURING the gm, then blames the players for everything that went wrong AFTER the gm? STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. FIRE WOODY, FIRE WOODY, FIRE WOODY!!!
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
12:23 pm
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE 2 LOSSES TO MILWAUKEE. THEY DID WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO! THEY DEFENDED THEIR HOME COURT!
Clyde
April 28th, 2010
12:36 pm
Good Post Ken
FIRE WOODY
Clyde
April 28th, 2010
12:39 pm
THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HIDING AFTER THE TWO LOSSES IN MILWAUKEE.
FIRE WOODY
Westurd
April 28th, 2010
12:45 pm
SOMEONE PLEASE KICK BRANDON JENNINGS IN HIS DANCING ROOKING FACE!!
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:11 pm
THIS TEAM HAS NO ONE WHO WILL TAKE A FINE, COMMIT A HARD FOUL, OR GET A TECH.
THEREFORE, THE REFS WILL CONTINUE TO TREAT US LIKE A BUNCH OF BABIES
FIRE WOODY. THIS IS A SOFT TEAM
FIRE WOODY
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:12 pm
MILWAUKEE IS A DUMP CITY, BUT SMOOVE CALLED IT OUT AND THEREFORE WE LOST BOTH GAMES THERE. MILWAUKEE HAS BETTER FANS THAN ATL
FIRE SUND
FIRE WOODY
FIRE ASG