Atlanta Hawks at Magic Game 2: J.J. is All-NBA but is he fading away?
J.J. can't find his groove.
ORLANDO–A reminder that J.J. is considered to be among the best players in the league, at least by media types: He was named to the All-NBA Third Team, the league announced today. It’s the first time for J.J. and the first time the Hawks have had a player selected since Dikembe in 97-98.
The timing is interesting since J.J. is slumping in the playoffs. He’s not the only one, of course, but he’s the lead dog. Before the playoffs opened, J.J. said he knew that as the Hawks’ veteran star he would take the heat if they don’t meet expectations or get the glory if they make a breakthrough. He said he embraced that role. Now, though, both J.J. and Woody seem to want to avoid putting the onus on him to deliver a big game when the Hawks need it most.
Looking at the other guys on the All-NBA teams, all of them except maybe Bogut would be looked at to be The Man for their team in trying times. J.J. needs help–more from fellow All-Star Horford, second-team All-Defense Smoove, Sixth Man of the Year Jamal and Woody. But if the Hawks’ All-NBA star doesn’t come through it’s hard to see them making this a series. It also could end up costing him in free agency.
– You have to be an Insider to read it, but ESPN.com’s John Hollinger makes a case that Iso-heavy offenses like the Hawks and Blazers run are good for the regular season, not so good for the playoffs.
Atlanta, as the league’s third-best offense, should at least be able to battle these defenses [Milwaukee and Orlando] to a draw. But even before Tuesday’s Game 1 implosion against Orlando, they were struggling. The Hawks can’t make shots, ranking just 14th out of 16 teams in postseason TS percentage. While they’ve still been able to generate second shots (they lead all teams in playoff Offensive Rebound Rate) and have been somewhat successful at avoiding turnovers, the net result put the Hawks 11th among the 16 playoff teams in postseason Offensive Efficiency.
So what is it? Perhaps the Hawks and Blazers have just had some bad games against some pretty good defenses. But between the two, we’ve built up a 31-game sample showing that something more nefarious might be at work.
Obviously, this has important implications for Atlanta’s Game 2 in Orlando on Thursday. Iso-Joe has had its moments; Game 4 of the 2008 Boston series, for instance, when Johnson single-handedly tore apart one of the best defensive teams in history. But in the aggregate, its failures have been far greater than its successes, and it’s notable that the most similar offensive team has faced similar troubles.
Is there something about iso-heavy offenses that makes them vulnerable in the playoffs? We can’t say it with certainty yet, but the case is building rapidly. The Hawks have three games left to show that Iso-Joe can be as effective in May as it is between November and April.
– In Game 1, the Hawks ran two isolation plays in the first quarter, one for Bibby (miss) and one for J.J. (a make, but it came just after a steal and Orlando’s defense hadn’t yet set). They ran four isos in that awful second quarter: Marvin (miss), Zaza (miss), J.J. (miss) and Jamal (miss). Of those six plays, all but two were long, challenged jump shots: Marvin got his layup blocked by Dwight Howard and Jamal missed on a runner near the end of the half.
– I covered Stan Van Gundy so this doesn’t surprise me. The guy is fanatical about not letting his team slip. And the Magic are aware of what happened against ‘Nique’s Celtics in ‘95. Still, I keep wondering what lesson there is to learn from a series they ended up winning, anyway.
– Slam Online ranks the Euroleague players and puts Childress at No. 5.
MC
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815 comments Add your comment
missSection120
May 6th, 2010
8:42 pm
Refs you suck! Three blind Mice! Three blind mice!
Wait but did mike just say Woodson was suprised that SVG get Dwight in the game? This is why I say FIRE WOODY! You are a dummy and too stupid to not know when to not say dumbness
News flash Woody that’s what coaches do the adjust, they are not cookie cutters you stink,
Wacka Flacka
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:42 pm
Woody’s not asking Morris to be successful in defending Howard. He’s trying to save fouls. Believe me, Morris’ fouls don’t cost us a thing unless Dwight hits every free throw. We have to save Zaza, Al, and even The Big Cheeseburger for the duration of the game.
sleepy
May 6th, 2010
8:42 pm
I wouldve played Joe smith over Randmo especially if you are going to double anyway . I wouldve told Joe dont let him get a shot up the old vet wouldve known what to do
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
LOL @ WOODY
steven
May 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
2 fouls on Dwight!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
Horford takes it up strong and gets fouled to start the quarter. Nice move. 2 on Howard. That’s what I’m talking about — be fearless!
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
Time to make a run
NUNNA!!
May 6th, 2010
8:44 pm
BEST MOVE BY WOODY ALL SEASON..AS MUCH AS I GET ON HIM..HE HAS RANDMO AT CENTER AND HORFORD AT THE PF..WATCH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS..THIS WILL WORK!!
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:44 pm
Thing is, as much as we’re complaining about Dwight getting away with murder, this is probably why the score is as close as it is. If we concentrated on Dwight with early double teams, they would have shot us out of the gym by now. Dwight can’t and won’t do it all game, especially if we can draw fouls on him on the other end.
I’ll take the BS for now, even though it’s plain BS, as long as we can stay close and make a move at the right time.
steven
May 6th, 2010
8:44 pm
why morris in the game when dwight is out??
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:44 pm
Joe Smith doesn’t have the bulk to handle Howard. I think that’s probably Woody’s rationale. You are no better off guarding Dwight with Joe Smith than you are with Smoove.
Randolph, please save your fouls for Dwight.
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:44 pm
LOL @ Randmo, poor guy
sam'l
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Howard actually has four fouls to start the second quarter………
O'Brien
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
I wanted Woody to speak to the media before the series (like Phil Jackson does), to call attention to the fact that Howard gets away with calls.
I hope he mentions it in his post game. Who cares about the fine
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Big AL
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
“Thing is, as much as we’re complaining about Dwight getting away with murder, this is probably why the score is as close as it is. If we concentrated on Dwight with early double teams, they would have shot us out of the gym by now. Dwight can’t and won’t do it all game, especially if we can draw fouls on him on the other end. ”
Exactly.
Horford with the throw down! Keep going inside!
VenomSpitter
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Al with the strong finish
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Whoooeee! Grown man move by Big Al!
northcyde
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
At some point, the Hawks are going to have no choice but to double Howard. At this rate, all of our Bigs will have 4 fouls between them.
Offensively, the Hawks are doing what they have to do JJ has 8, but the rest of the team is active on the boards and are at least making offensive contributions. We could use Crawford to heat up a little.
Howard on the bench. Now let’s see what we can do.
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Al is leading by example
VenomSpitter
May 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
Dont back down Hawks. Punk Orl bench
Old Hawk Fan
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
When Kennedy was The NBA Commish……………………fouls were called on the person making the foul regardless whether they were supposedly stars or not. Davis Stern became Commish and the no foul call on the STARS became LAW in the worst officated pro sports in This COUNTRY.
bigdave
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
“watch this quick move left.. then right back right… whhhheeeew”
gotta love Hubie
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
Bad shot by Joe (TAKE IT INSIDE, THERE’S NO HOWARD ON THE FLOOR DAMMIT), but he gets bailed out by the late whistle. Nice to know the questionable calls go both ways.
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
Sup with the Braves
NUNNA!!
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
HORFORD WILL TAKE THIS CHUMP ALL DAY!!
Old Hawk Fan
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
Correction………………Davis Stern
Melvin
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
About time the Hawks get some calls..
bigdave
May 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
Joe is 3rd team NBA and getting the respect.
Old Hawk Fan
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
David Stern
VenomSpitter
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
This is the time the Hawks have to make a run with Howard out.
sleepy
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
thank you im loving the energy
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
Has a MLB team been No Hit twice in a month?
Melvin
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
Lets go Hawks….
steven
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
omg we are winning!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:47 pm
Without Howard on the floor, an executing Hawks team has a clear advantage. They have to make their run now, and they are doing it.
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:48 pm
Oh yeah! Make Stan Van Puff-a-Lot think! Make him take that timeout and then make him panic his way into going back to Dwight. Then start the cycle all over again.
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:48 pm
Damn Shame Braves LOL
Aaron
May 6th, 2010
8:48 pm
I’m a bit surprised to say this, but it looks like Randolph Morris is actually giving some quality minutes on defense.
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:48 pm
Najeh ,
Stan saw it coming, and he knows how these guys can be when they get on a good run. Heh!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:49 pm
Big 3 by Crawford after Joe dribbled into heavy traffic out of the isolation. Northcyde will look at that play and say iso works because the Hawks got a 3 after Joe was doubled; I say against a good defensive team like Orlando, that will result in a turnover or a contested shot a lot more often than it results in a made 3.
Luke Cage
May 6th, 2010
8:49 pm
LETS GO HAWKS
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
I think Morris can give quality minutes as long as he’s not in an obvious mismatch. Offensively, I’d let him have the ball on the block or at the top of the free throw line. Dude can score.
northcyde
May 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
Staying aggressive and doing what they have to do offensively. Crawford makes his first 2 shots. JJ getting foul calls for once.
This team is focused right now. That’s what they’ve doing all year.
steven
May 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
hopefully SVG will pull a woody and keep dwight out for the rest of the half with 2 fouls
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
Big 3 by Crawford after Joe dribbled into heavy traffic out of the isolation. Northcyde will look at that play and say iso works because the Hawks got a 3 after Joe was doubled; I say against a good defensive team like Orlando, that will result in a turnover or a contested shot a lot more often than it results in a made 3.
Hee, hee, hee….I’d put money on that one…
Big Ray
May 6th, 2010
8:51 pm
But does he have the sense of humor to see that one…
Najeh Davenpoop
May 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
It says a lot about your GM when a 20-year-old rookie is CLEARLY your best player.
But enough about baseball.
VenomSpitter
May 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
Build that lead Hawks
Aaron
May 6th, 2010
8:52 pm
Ron Jeremy must be nervous. He’s putting Dwight back in, already…