Magic at Atlanta Hawks Game 3: Final(ly) Movement?
The strange thing with listening to the Hawks talk about their problems with stagnating offense is they all seem to agree on the problem:
“Ball movement, like there was in the first three quarters [in Game 2],” J.J. said. “In that fourth quarter, we did a lot of ‘iso’ instead of moving the ball and getting good shots.”
“It all starts with our guards,” Al said. “We have to create movement, we have to have guys moving around. When our guards are doing that, it opens up for us and opens up for them, as well. [The Magic] can’t just sit there and pinpoint.”
“We’ve just got to have more movement and guys have got to make shots,” Woody said. “It’ ain’t scientific or no big secret.”
The Hawks say these things and then they go out and fall back into iso at critical times of the game. When things go bad and the pressure is on, it gets even worse. It’s not always about just missing shots they normally make, it’s about getting better shots, particularly in the playoffs. And the Hawks (and every team) is much better at that when players and the ball are moving.
The Hawks missed some open shots in the first three quarters of Game 2, but didn’t they also get better looks until they faded late?
“Yes but we made shots, though, too,” Woody said. “Joe made a 3, Jamal made a 3. We had some good looks in Game 1 and we didn’t make shots. You can’t have starters and guy coming off bench go 11 for 54 not going to beat nobody in the league.”
According to Hoopdata, in Game 1 the Hawks were 6 of 26 on long jump shots, the bane of basketball number-crunchers, 15 of 25 from closer than 10 feet and 2 of 13 on 3-point shots. In Game 2 they were 7-for-22 on long jumpers, 9 of 20 closer than 10 feet and 6 of 11 on 3-pointers.
If the Hawks stay away from iso, maybe some of those long jump shots become open, spot-up 3-pointers or shots closer to the basket. None of that would solve their considerable problems with defending the Magic, of course. But because of their abilities, talent and temperament the Hawks’ best hope to at least make this a competitive series might be moving the ball and scoring enough points to overcome their defensive deficiencies.
They seem to know iso isn’t the way to do that even if they don’t always show it.
MC
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621 comments Add your comment
Clyde
May 8th, 2010
7:08 pm
“THE ONLY PLAYERS ON THIS TEAM WHO EVER GET CALLED OUT ARE TEAGUE, CRAWFORD, ZAZA, AND SMOOVE.
WHEN JOE AND MARVIN AND BIBBY SUCK, THERE’S NOTHING TO BE SAID”
FIRE WOODY
Wabe
May 8th, 2010
7:09 pm
I would seriously try to get into one of the lower-level sections at this point, and try to get close enough to Woody to make sure he hears what I’d have to say….
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 8th, 2010
7:09 pm
Roy Williams had a “man I’m tired of watching underachieving teams this year” look on his face.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
“THE ONLY PLAYERS ON THIS TEAM WHO EVER GET CALLED OUT ARE TEAGUE, CRAWFORD, ZAZA, AND SMOOVE.
WHEN JOE AND MARVIN AND BIBBY SUCK, THERE’S NOTHING TO BE SAID”
Well, Rod pretty much exists to hate on Marvin, but otherwise I agree.
Clyde
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
I STAYED IN ATLANTA TO WATCH THE GAME INSTEAD OF GOING TO RIO. SMH
FIRE WOODY
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
Who has more emotion Joe or a dead guy?
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
lol DUCK
TNScott
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
I don’t know if going after any Portland big man is a good idea especially with the Curse of Sam Bowie infecting that franchise the way it has.
sleepy
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
hahahalo,lolol @ Marvin
J.J.M.
May 8th, 2010
7:10 pm
lol yea it would be hard trading marvin but the nets new owner may clean out house so lepez could be on the trade block
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Just horrible
northcyde
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
I checked the Yahoo box score. Hawks had 7 assists. Damn . . even JJ Redick is killing us.
steven
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
we are going to get blown out twice by 30+
James
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Lets at least not lose by as much as Boston did last night.
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Zaza is one of the 15 worst players in the league
steven
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
BOOOOOO!!!!!
MissSection120
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Everyone is exiting the building
TigerWoods
May 8th, 2010
7:11 pm
Marvin lol – he jumps backwards trying for the foul, instead of attacking the basket. IQ of a duck
J.J.M.
May 8th, 2010
7:12 pm
smh why coach got josh out there getting embarrass put joe back out there so he can get embarrassed with him
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:14 pm
I hate to say this, actually I don’t:
To all the people who wanted me to shutup. I WAS RIGHT ABOUT THIS TEAM. This team has no offense. A horrendous defensive scheme. No PG or SF production. Josh is a hothead with a low IQ. Woody should have been fired last year.
I have been right about everything.
cp
May 8th, 2010
7:14 pm
Gerald Green couldn’t have been a worse option than Duck. At least we would be entertained by some thundering dunks. Duck can barely get to the rim without falling.
steven
May 8th, 2010
7:14 pm
you’d think a player who screamed to get out of PHX because he wanted to be a #1/get paid would show an inkling of emotion once every 20 years
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 8th, 2010
7:15 pm
It’s evident the Hawks really bought into Mike Woodson’s halftime speech. The only people that were even CLOSE to matching the delivery and messages we’ve been blessed to hear from Mike Woodson are Dr. MLK Jr. and Malcolm X.
MissSection120
May 8th, 2010
7:15 pm
And to think I had to buy tickets all the way thru the championship round. Ready for my credit.
By the way I have 2 seats in section 120 for Mondays game LMAO
O yea FIRE SOMEBODY
northcyde
May 8th, 2010
7:16 pm
Woody experimenting with a lineup right now. This game is over, but he put Jj and Horford back in the game, with Zaza and Craw.
TNScott
May 8th, 2010
7:16 pm
I’ve not seen that many people exiting an arena since the time when I was at a concert as a youth and the announcer said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.”
Ramon
May 8th, 2010
7:17 pm
Clyde do you remember 8 months ago AJC running like 8 stories about the recruitment of Joe Smith and then the signing of Joe Smith? He’s played just about 8 minutes in the playoffs. I guess he gets a minute for each story lol.
JJM, no owner would trade Lopez because he’s the best young center at his age in the league.
I wish there was a way to get Chris Paul actually. I would trade Al Horford for Chris Paul if I could (I know many of you are saying Josh, but Hornets wouldn’t take Josh in that deal for Paul). I’d trade Horford/Williams for Paul/Posey in a second. I know they say don’t trade big for small. But you do trade for leaders/superstars if you have the chance. And Chris Paul may be the easiest superstar to get this year.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 8th, 2010
7:17 pm
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2009/10/hawks-cut-aaron-miles-frank-robinson.html
Could Frank Robinson have been any more USELESS than Bibby???
Wabe
May 8th, 2010
7:17 pm
I HEARD IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
“FIRE MIKE WOODSON”!
sleepy
May 8th, 2010
7:18 pm
Joe makes shot and yells show me the money ………WTF
Clyde
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
WHAT’S THE EXCUSE THIS TIME WOODY? AT THE END OF LAST YEAR YOU SAID IT WAS YOUR BENCH. WE GOT YOU A BENCH THIS YEAR AND YOU RARELY USED IT. WHAT’S THE EXCUSE THIS YEAR?
FIRE WOODY
Jody
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
We shouldn’t have to trade for Chris Paul. He should be here now especially after the guy begged to play here. But, you know that story.
James
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
Give the ball to Al Horford!!! He’s the best player on the floor for the Hawks and he’s open moreso than any of the guards, why doesn’t the team recognize that?
sam'l
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
Thank God Woodson made those adjustments or we’d really be in trouble!
lewis
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
i think i heard it too
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 8th, 2010
7:19 pm
lmao@Ewing
…better be glad he’s rich and famous
James
May 8th, 2010
7:20 pm
That should have been a goaltend on the the Roidfather.
Wabe
May 8th, 2010
7:20 pm
“Fire Mike Woodson”
Damn, you guys got it going!
Ramon
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
Lol @ Mac. Ewing looks like Willie B in a tie. lol
Wabe
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
Props.
northcyde
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
Also interesting that Van Gundy still has his starters in the game. He’s trying to take all of our life, even going into Game 4.
Craw got his 20. Good game for him.
Clyde
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
“And to think I had to buy tickets all the way thru the championship round. Ready for my credit.
By the way I have 2 seats in section 120 for Mondays game LMAO”
#EPIC FAIL
FIRE WOODY
steven
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
louder! I wanna hear the chant on TV
Gordon
May 8th, 2010
7:21 pm
What is it about the city of Atlanta and basketball coaches? Who is worse, Paul Hewitt or Mike Woodson?
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:22 pm
Woody wouldn’t of played CP3 anyway. HE would start T. Lue over him.
I can’t wait till woody’s azz is outta here.
steven
May 8th, 2010
7:23 pm
“Woody wouldn’t of played CP3 anyway. HE would start T. Lue over him.
I can’t wait till woody’s azz is outta here.”
_____________________________________________________
bahaha that’s so true
duker64
May 8th, 2010
7:24 pm
man this is ugly …..will we win one so we are not swept
sleepy
May 8th, 2010
7:24 pm
roflmao @ Mo yeah go ahead and opt out lol
VenomSpitter
May 8th, 2010
7:25 pm
Where u at samuel?
Isn’t Woody the coach of the year u chump.
Jody
May 8th, 2010
7:25 pm
Even if that were true, I’d rather have CP3’s superstar talent on the team rather than the alternative. Just like Al Horford, CP3 is so good, he would have forced Woodson to play him.