Bucks 98, Hawks 90
Greetings, all-
Pretty brutal loss that’s a puzzler to explain. Some quotes from those involved.
Al Horford on losing leads late: “It’s a lessons still being learned, I feel like. I guess when it gets to a point where it hurts you and really bothers you, then you do something about it. I don’t know that we’re there as a team yet.”
Zaza Pachulia: “I believe we didn’t play smart the last couple minutes of the fourth quarter, I’d say the whole fourth quarter. We let them make a run and let them do what they wanted.”
Joe Johnson: “With everybody back, it seems that the flow is a little different. We just had no chemistry throughout the whole game.”
More Johnson: “It honestly wasn’t comfortable. We had a lead. After that, I don’t know what happened.”
Larry Drew: “It was not a good display of shot selection, which we talk about over and over, especially on the road. We settled.”
More Drew: “It was just a total collapse on the defensive end, I thought. We didn’t play with the energy, we didn’t play with the juice, we didn’t play with the intensity that, having been in that situation before, we’ve done in the past.”
- In the aftermath, this is unsettling. The Hawks had their full load of players and the Bucks didn’t have Brandon Jennings and John Salmons. The Hawks had three days’ rest and a six-game road winning streak.
To give a game away like that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
- The shot selection was particularly egregious. It seemed like they got trapped in a mindset that they had to chuck up jumpers to answer Milwaukee, and that obviously wasn’t the answer. Josh Smith was particularly trigger-happy, going 1 for 6 in the fourth, including 0-for-3 from 3-point range.
They were 5-for-22 in the fourth and 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
- The defense wasn’t much better. Earl Boykins and Carlos Delfino outscored the Hawks by themselves, 20-15. The Bucks were patient and worked for free looks at the basket, which they made. Boykins made 4 of 5 shots in the fourth, repeatedly attacking the basket. The Hawks’ 19-point deficit in the fourth was their second largest of the season. (20-point deficit in loss to Detroit Dec. 14)
- I’m not sure what this game means, ultimately. The Magic and Lakers lost to Milwaukee at the Bradley Center earlier this season. The Hawks had won six in a row on the road, so maybe this was bound to happen. Bear in mind this is a team that’s 29-17.
- Or, the Hawks weren’t able/willing to grind against a team that makes you do just that. For all the Bucks’ flaws, they can make teams work offensively. In their loss to Chicago Monday, the Bulls shot 39.5 percent but shot 25 free throws to Milwaukee’s 11 and won by nine points.
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293 comments Add your comment
STRETCH
January 27th, 2011
8:58 am
“The Hawks are who we thought they were!”
kwooden1
January 27th, 2011
9:00 am
I hope this games really shows LD that his Bibby/Crawford line-up shouldn’t be used at the end of games. Defensively it stinks!! If we have a lead in the 4th I would go with Crawford, JJ, Marvin/Evans/Wilkins, Smoove and Horford. If we’re losing then go with Bibby, JJ, Marvin/Evans/Wilkins, Smoove and Horford. Bibby is the still the best guard we have at getting us into a good offensive set, so I think you need that more when your losing. If your winning, you can afford to take some early shots and Crawford is great at taking and making early shots.
GO HAWKS!!
J from the A
January 27th, 2011
9:12 am
To take up for Josh: Out of all his shots he took last night, only two of them were (without argument) bad shots: that damn fadeaway jumper he tried in the first half and that wild shot around the basket late in the 4th.
Now to bash Josh for all he is worth: Late in the 4th after missing a shot, he ran down to the defensive end, but paid no attention to anyone except the damn ref. The result: Earl Boykins laid the ball in … right on Josh’s turned back. There is absolutely no excuse for that, especially in the final minutes of a game that you are fighting to get back into.
More (semi-)bashing on Josh: So, yes, I think Josh only took two *bad* shots all game. However, that doesn’t mean I think his other shots were good. But it is hard to know how much we should blame Josh for some of his not-so-bad but less-than-great shot selection, as many of these shots he was taking in the rhythm of the offense (and some of these shots it looks like were part of a designed play).
J from the A
January 27th, 2011
9:14 am
BTW, Teague got some burn.
I am a little confused, though. Isn’t he supposed to be a defensive upgrade over Bibby?
I don’t care how fast Teague is. He is often out of position on defense and gets blown by even more so than Bibby.
slimjr
January 27th, 2011
9:36 am
“Al Horford on losing leads late: “It’s a lessons still being learned, I feel like. I guess when it gets to a point where it hurts you and really bothers you, then you do something about it. I don’t know that we’re there as a team yet.”
lewis
January 27th, 2011
9:37 am
Bibby was particularly slow, more than usual tonight, making the first pass at around 15 seconds on average.
Our weakness at the PG position, both in terms of play and leadership, is glaring. Even Gearon can see that. Sign off on something already. Cavs are shopping Mo Williams, and they like Marvin.
KevinM
January 27th, 2011
9:40 am
Geemack, your argument is fine until you state the success of the Lakers and Magic in the playoffs. We don’t have any successful strings in the playoffs to mention. If that was the case, no one would be as concerned as they are. This team got waxed in Q4 last night and why?
Not one on that team could tell you. They aren’t admitting anything publicly. Are they blaming each other behind the scenes?
I can see Marvin saying, “not my fault”.
I can see Smoove saying, “I can’t explain it”.
Joe says “I don’t know what happened”.
Anyone else want to explain what happened. They quit executing on both ends. They start looking around. I sure don’t see LD doing anything that is making a difference. I have seen his adjustments work at times, but he still doesn’t make all the right moves with this team.
If anyone should know this team, it’s LD. He should have the answers, but he got run over in the last quarter.
Why can’t these guys develop any consistency at this point? Truthfully, I think they play as a unit better without Joe, not that they could win a playoff series, but they are less selfish.
I like Marvin’s numbers from last night: 12min/7pts/5reb…if he could grow those numbers with the minutes….
How does Al show a -13 on the efficiency rating? Did he just quit in the 4th? He has good numbers in his return.
Good to see Teague get some minutes…did he play in the 4th at all?
slimjr
January 27th, 2011
9:41 am
You guys got your a@@ handed to you in the playoffs 2 years running and you still haven’t figured it out?? Thanks Al for those honest comments…I’ll continue to save my hard earned money.Keep my remote ready. Enough all ready…………………….
Sund jettison the core..Make it so….
ken
January 27th, 2011
9:43 am
Here’s the thing. The Hawks have played 45 games this season plus the pre-season and have failed to figure out player roles. The fact that Josh took the most shots last night is indicative of the fact that this coach and this team are still searching this late in the season for clear role identities. Players function best when they know their roles and are confident in their abilities to fulfill them.
northcyde
January 27th, 2011
9:47 am
blog monster KILLING me this morning
KevinM
January 27th, 2011
9:47 am
lewis, as much as I would like it, you aren’t getting a starter for Marvin. Marvin doesn’t in the lowest tier of SFs in the league. How does he warrant bringing in a PG for us when other teams know we need one so bad.
I would even be surprised if we could get a TJ Ford for Marvin. Everyone here knows we can play the same level of basketball without him, so he really doesn’t bring much demand from another team.
KevinM
January 27th, 2011
9:49 am
Would anyone be surprised to see Sund pick up Jason Williams who was just waived by the Magic?
To me, it would be a decent move and there should be playing time for him out of the gate.
DC
January 27th, 2011
10:03 am
It is time for thsi team to be broken up. I am sick and tired of the product they are putting out there.
I have liked Josh Smith year after year, but it is time for him to go bye-bye.
Send Maurice Evans packign and olay Damien Wilkins more with out the handcuffs.
Jason Collins and Zaza should be out the door.
Teague and Powell should play a lot more.
Horford should play more in the paint
Joe…will be Joe and need some solid help on defense and offense
Jamal Crawford…PAY HIM!!!
Please please get rid of the coaching staff
Last but not least, ASG sell the team to a real owner.
Last year I did not miss a game, this year I coudl careless if I catch a game or not.
Laziness, poor shot selection and no teamwork is all I see when I watch the games.
DC
January 27th, 2011
10:05 am
I know plenty of typos, I was typing fast and angrily.
ag
January 27th, 2011
10:07 am
Najeh, great post lol!!! I am a very harsh critic of Bibby. Didn’t see the 4th, but looking at the play by play, the wheels came off when he subbed the starters back in @ 8:25 left in game, Hawks leading 78-71. …especially Bokins scoring 9 of his 11. Bibby’s stats were 0-2 fg 0-1 3pt 0 0 0 0 0 and 1 foul. Josh 1-4 fg 0-3 3pt 2 def rbs 3 fouls 2 to during that span. Josh has a good post game and he should stay down there, especially playing SF. Hortford and Collins each have a good mid range game.
DC
January 27th, 2011
10:07 am
This team is worst to watch then ISO Joe under Woody.
Teezo
January 27th, 2011
10:28 am
ATL gave MIL the game last night by taking bad shots and playing like they had the game won, plain and simple…Bad shots by Crawford and J. Smith is what stood out to me the most, that led to MIL getting easy points…But, leading by 11 going into the 4th and only putting up only 3 pts in the 4th qtr with 4 mins left in the tells it all b/c MIL defense wasn’t all that good for them to look that bad, lack of effort and not showing MIL any respect got ATL that lose!!!
Teezo
January 27th, 2011
10:32 am
I have been said this team needs to be broken up…I love my ATL Hawks, but they will get nowhere with what they have…Go out and get S. Nash and S. Dalembert, 2 vets that are needed for this team and fit in perfect…
Ken Sugiura
January 27th, 2011
10:39 am
Mac-Town – this answers a post from way back, but I didn’t talk to Josh Smith for timing reasons. I don’t know of a time when he hasn’t been willing to talk.
Unquestionably, the fourth quarter was abysmal. Smith’s shot selection is problematic. One thing that Drew talks about a lot is shot selection, and not just his.
At the risk of sounding like an apologist, though, I think one thing to remember is that the Hawks are 15-10 on the road. I think that’s sixth best in the league. Do you think this team is better than it was last year?
Rufus1
January 27th, 2011
10:51 am
What I see…
Josh(12 is being left WIDE-OPEN…he is self checked on the perimeter. Teams read scouting reports, they know his jump-shot % is decreasing.
Bibby… Boykins won the game for the Bucks when he came in. Earl was breaking down the defense and creating open shots for his teammates, even if he didn’t get the ast.
WITH THAT SAID…
I expect Josh to have a monster game against the Knick, because he will be very focused.
I expect Bibby to have a very good game against the Knick, because he will be very focused.
JOSH AND BIBBY ARE LIKE THE RUNNING BACK THAT RUNS FOR 125yrdS AND 2 TOUCHDOWNS, BUT FUMBLES THE BALL TWICE.
Some players deficiencies are so great, that it overshadows the thing they do well…we are their with Bibby. We don’t have the players to consistantly overcome his defensive liability against great PG’s(I am not referring to Boykins as great) This game looked just like the Spurs game, when Parker starting attacking him in the 4th Qt and created open shots for his team.
I am not saying Teague should start, but we need another option.
Rufus1
January 27th, 2011
10:52 am
Correction..Josh(12mil player) is being left WIDE-OPEN
JeJe
January 27th, 2011
10:53 am
LD is way too mild to ever call anyone out. The guy just is scared or something. Josh Smith was playing beautiful basketball til the 4th quarter. He blocked shots, ran the break etc.
WTF did he do in the 4th?
Where the heck was Joe last night? For about 35 minutes of the game, I didn’t even know he was on our team.
It’s pathetic when your 2nd best player last night is Marvin, who didn’t even play 20 min
JeJe
January 27th, 2011
10:55 am
Being 6th best in the league on the road is not that great if ASG thinks we’re title contenders (LOL).
Jeff Teague was garbage last night. I don’t even think he’s that good of a defender. He got a few fast break dunks off steals earlier this year.
LOL @ LD putting in Teague to guard Boykins when we could’ve had Jamal (WHO IS JUST AS FAST) on Boykins and we could’ve exploited that matchup the whole time
Luckily Horford is back. He had 2 early turnovers but I don’t think he missed a shot after the 1st qtr
JeJe
January 27th, 2011
10:56 am
Horford was 7-9 from the field last night. How is this guy only getting 9 shots? He was UNSTOPPABLE with his jumper.
LOL @ Joe saying he didn’t know what happened last night.
Yeah, what a leader
Josh took 20 shots LOL
Rufus1
January 27th, 2011
10:56 am
@James co-sign on your 2:02am post
JeJe
January 27th, 2011
10:58 am
And I’d trade Marvin + Smoove/Jamal + picks for Carmelo in a heartbeat. Who cares if it were to be a rental? It’s not like our “core” is going anywhere in the Playoffs
O'Brien
January 27th, 2011
11:17 am
Ken Suguira,
There is a lot to feel good about with these Hawks.
This year, they have dealt with more injuries, had more back to back games, beat Orlando twice, won more road games, better assist %, and are still on pace for 50 wins.
However, alot of the same issues are still there (lack of accountability (imo), bad shot selection, poor rebounding, bad defense, etc) which could easily lead to a first round exit this year.
Tremaine
January 27th, 2011
11:20 am
SAME OLD HAWKS! Iso-Joe, Josh Smith jacking up ugly looking three pointers and no defense by Mike Bibby. When are they going to break this team up? We already know how this movie is going to end.
Roundfield
January 27th, 2011
11:24 am
ATL needs an NBA team.
Hoops
January 27th, 2011
11:27 am
Josh Smith shooting 3’s is a turn over! Bibby is great shooting the ball, but costs us big on defense!
Time to trade these two. Melo anyone???
Rufus1
January 27th, 2011
11:27 am
Quote from a Buck blog
But when things fell apart in the fourth quarter, the team started relying on Josh Smith jump-shots to get them back into the game. Predictably, that failed miserably…Wow
http://www.bucksketball.com/2011/01/it-got-hot-in-there-bucks-98-hawks-90/
O'Brien
January 27th, 2011
11:30 am
Kevin Love had 31 points and 21 rebounds against OKC last night. Dude is averaging 22 and 16 on the year. Wow.
@ KevinM,
Teague played the first 3 mins, 35 seconds of the fourth. At the 8:25 mark, Bibby, Josh, Horford and Joe came in when the score was 78-71 Hawks.
So they were outscored by 15 from that point on, and Boykins had 9 more points in the fourth. Some of it was jumpers, but he had a layup, and got fouled twice.
Also, keep in mind Boykins is 5’5” (Bibby is 6’2”), and Bibby still couldn’t stop him. Earl shot over him, and Earl dribbled by him whenever he wanted to.
JeJe
January 27th, 2011
11:39 am
We just lost to a team without 2 of its 3 best players, and that’s not including Michael Redd, who has taken a huge hit on MIL’s payroll.
LOL @ Rathbun+Nique saying the game last night was payback for GB beating the Falcons. Great job!
Rod from College Park
January 27th, 2011
11:40 am
JeJe,
Some of your points are dead on. This Teague thing is funny. Boykins scored 9 points in the 4th with Bibby guarding him, the rest of his 11 points in the game were with TEAGUE on him. Bibby is a bad defender, but Teague aint that much better. Boykins destroyed both of them yesterday. Joe played like Marvin yesterday and was working on his Houdini act. The guy totally disappeared in the 4th quarter, except for one floater that I remember that he hit in the lane. This is all while being guarded by a 10 day D-League player most of the 4th quarter. If we really want to start blaming people, there is no way Garrett Temple should shut out a max (100 million) dollar player in the 4th quarter. What Would Kobe, Durant, Wade, Melo, Pierce…… have done with a 10 day D-Leaguer checking them in the 4th? They would have demanded the ball everytime down the floor, and scored or gone to the free throw line. Josh’s shot selection was not good in the 4th quarter, but Joe and Bibby were laying bricks also. Jamal and Horford were the only guys playing well in the 4th quarter. Bad coaching, bad decision making, and all jump shooting cost us that game. Be prepared to see more of this in the playoffs if our roster stays the same.
Rod from College Park
January 27th, 2011
11:45 am
O’Brien,
“Also, keep in mind Boykins is 5’5” (Bibby is 6’2”), and Bibby still couldn’t stop him. Earl shot over him, and Earl dribbled by him whenever he wanted to.”
He did the same thing to Teague also for 11 points.
bigdave
January 27th, 2011
11:47 am
“I don’t care how fast Teague is. He is often out of position on defense and gets blown by even more so than Bibby.”
i pointed out earlier this season that Teague gets his a$$ handed to him often, his man is looking to score.. where Bibby.. its like his man is looking to penetrate.. get the guaranteed help defense to come, then find open shooters.. smh.
Jason Williams was released..? hmmmmmmmmm
Tremaine
January 27th, 2011
11:53 am
@ Hoops, if we can get Melo to sign that extension and get Nene also. I’m for it. Throw in Marvin to.
DC
January 27th, 2011
11:54 am
Playoffs, playoffs, you want to talk about playoffs. I am huge Hawks fan, but based on the players of the team, the coaching staff and the owners, we will probably be a 5-8 seed (maybe) and sure to be eliminated in the 1st round.
Which proves the make-up of this team from coaches to players is worst than last years team.
DC
January 27th, 2011
11:56 am
The time is now to break this team up. Too many selfish players who will not accept a role and a coaching staff that does not have the brain to assign roles.
Tremaine
January 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
@DC, I was thinking the same thing. This team is worst than last year. We should get in on the Melo talks.
C-Nene
Pf-Horford
Sf-Carmelo
Sg-Joe Johnson
PG-Chauncey Billups
A MAN CAN DREAM RIGHT!!!
dukester
January 27th, 2011
12:03 pm
Its on LD to clear up those bad shots Josh is taking. He needs to have a one on one sit down with him and then a team meeting about all the perimeter shots this is sad.
Hawksgoingbackward
January 27th, 2011
12:08 pm
For all you people excited because Jason Williams was released you are dillusional. Key word in the statement, he was RELEASED. How sad you seem when you want to pick up another teams garbage to enhance your own “championship contending” team.
J-Will is only moderately faster than Bibby and less consistent of a shooter, plus it would take him who knows how long to catch on with the offensive scheme. He also has no real interests in playing defense, all he brings is more “experience” with this team has plenty of already.
Hawksgoingbackward
January 27th, 2011
12:13 pm
Im not an LD fan but he asked for and was given an extremely flawed hand. He signed and extremely “lucrative” 2 year deal, with the second year being a team option. LOL. And you wonder why he is afraid to take his best players off the floor and develope the younger talent and the rest of the bench.
The man is coaching for his life, if he doesnt maintain the winning percentage of last year and do moderately better in the playoffs he wont be back next season, he knows it so anybody who isnt a considerable producer will get no playing time.
Sorry Teague, you are fast, extremely quick, have a better defensive mindset than Bibby, and were drafted to have a real opportunity to run this team but…….. you have a lameduck for a coach, you have absolutely no leadership on your team besides Al Horford, and you play with an overpaid guard named Joke Johnson who requires the ball and alot of shots to be effective (iso-Joe). There is no career for you here.
Hawksgoingbackward
January 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
For all of you who are upset about Josh Smith taking all those bad shots, you need look no further than the head coach. Alot of professional players have bad shooting periods (slumps). Josh is playing a position that in this particular offense is required to take a shot when its presented. It in fact may be the only good shot available in the 24 sec. shot clock. Playing the 3 like he has been while Marvin is out puts Josh in position to take shots that Marvin should be taking (but usually doesnt because he finds a way to throw the ball back to Joe).
At the same time, if LD was bright enough to know that Josh was playing horribly and should have given Josh Powell (who has a much better jumper) in the game then the last nights loss could have been a win. But as stated before LD is so afraid to take “the core” out of the game that other people who were brought in as free agents just for nights like last night dont get the opportunity to contribute.
J.J.M
January 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
Josh is my favorite basketball player but its time to trade him. If he hasnt learned now what hes good at playing he will never learn.
Tremaine
January 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
@Hawksgoingbackward they should have hired Mark Jackson anyway.
shake&break
January 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
The Hawks really only have two problems. Everyone wants to post about stats, percentages and maturity. However, it is much simpler. The first problems is that AL and Josh play the same position. Al is too small to play center and does not have a established back to the basket game. Therefore, he is a power forward. Josh is almost too tall and unorthodox to play small forward and almost a tweener to play power forward, but he cannot shoot from the outside and is a better defensive player and dunker/put back guy from the power forward position. Thus they both need to play power forward if they play because neither feels comfortable with their back to the basket and this also hurts any resemblance of a half court offense. Especially when jumpshots are not falling.
You add this to the second problem which is a lack of a true point guard. Bibby is a jumpshooting too short shooting guard. He has trouble defending, very seldom sets up his teammates and never penetrates with the intent to get fouled. Teague is who he is. A second year player who was passed on by several teams for a PG position. He will likely get better with time, but is currently not ready for the big league.
Therefore, you have two power forwards that have no back to the basket game and love shooting jumpers and you have two point guards who cannot penetrate and dish with consistency or draw fouls. As much as people hate on JJ and Jamal, much of the reason they have to ISO and shot jumpers is because the defense can sink in and focus on them. To add more commentary, then you throw in a small forward (Mo Evan, Wilkins, Marvin) that are streaky on offense and you have a recipe for late game complete breakdowns.
The recipe for success is simple. Fix your power forward position issues and your point guard issues. That means consider a real trade for Josh or Horford, I would suggest Josh. Also, fix your point guard situation by considering a real trade for bibby and marvin. If not the results will be the same in the long run. If a team has no on the block threat and no one to set up and dish the ball then you will lose. However, if you have a point guard that can distribute and a shooting guard that can shoot then you will be okay with JJ at the two, a real shooting guard at the three and a power forward who hits over 55% of his shots.
jmarable
January 27th, 2011
12:22 pm
we need a point guard really really bad. bibby only hits 3’s. we miss penetration to the basket, he cant do it. hea cant defend anyone what so ever. every point he faces know they can take him. not a good passer. does not set up his players. only gives the ball up run to a spot behind the 3 line and waits and waits 4 some one to pass it 2 him. that sounds like a shooting guard not a point. bibby sucks should b comming off the bench if anything. until we get a true point. we go nowhere.we need a post up center to. but bibby with his one diminsional game [3's] gets us nowhere watch.
heartofdarkness
January 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
The Bucks’ Global Team adjusts its focus as the game progresses, and plays pretty much as Skiles directs them. They may make a mistake, but they don’t seem to make it again and again. The Hawks will go for long stretches when they appear to be executing five different offenses on one possession. In tight games, they cannot consistently generate shots in the paint. They do consistently lose momentum shooting 3s as they try to answer a team like the Bucks, when it gets hot late. Better teams insist on high percentage shots that allow them to hang around until the opponent cools off. The Hawks throw up more prayers at times like this than you will find at a riverside revival.
It’s a matter of professionalism, usually developed in the better college programs, or international leagues.
ntrigue
January 27th, 2011
12:25 pm
Josh played terrible in the fourth I agree he was the main culprit for our loss but everyone on the team was accountable for this loss. Joe Johnson playing lackadasical defense on Maggette, Mo Evans took a couple of dumb shots too. Bibby defense was awful as usual. And in the fourth qtr we kept shooting 3s like we were down by 20 we were only losing by 2pts and we kept firing 3’s. So I blame the coach for that he should have made it clear we dont need any 3s at all right now because we went completly cold out there beyond the arch in the 4th. Drew also shouldve switched from zone and went back to man in the 4th with doubling Bogut whenever he gets the ball down low! The Bucks were knocking down their 3s in the 4th so you have to switch and make adjustments to your defense. The zone worked the other qtrs but in the 4th it wasnt. Eventhough Josh had a bad 4th qtr its not like he needs to be traded or benched you all are crazy! And its not like we just loss 10 gms in a row or something everybody losses to good and bad teams. I hate when we lose a game we shouldve won yall act like its the end of the whole!