Magic at Atlanta Hawks Game 6: Larry Drew’s move in ‘chess match’
Hawks players have said more than once that a playoff series is like a “chess match.”
Your move, L.D.
The Hawks have had success defending Orlando’s pick-and-rolls by frequently using a funky scheme, as detailed by Brett Koremenos at hoopspeak.com. (H/T Hoopinion) The alignment didn’t work so well in Game 5, though.
It’s a strategy that has been effective in large part because Hinrich, J.J., Smoove and (sometimes) Jamal all can cover enough ground to make the switch and run out to corner shooters. Those guys also are tall enough that they can bother the shooter even if they don’t make it all the way out. It also helps that the corner defenders who pinch in to help against the ball handler are big guys.
Watching the Magic’s Game 5 pick-and-rolls on Synergy Sports Technology, I noticed that Redick and Jameer changed up. Instead of going all the way to the rim and either looking for the corner 3 (which the Hawks have covered well) or try to get to the basket (where help awaits), Redick and Jameer put on the brakes and shot step-back Js.
Twin and Zaza weren’t mobile enough to challenge those shots while also protecting against Dwight’s roll to the basket. The corner help man couldn’t get over to contest. And the ball handler’s man was trailing the play (and also had to be in position to switch and run to the corner on a kick-out).
It was a subtle change. The Magic got their offense rolling because their guards made better decisions.
“That was clear,” Stan Van Gundy said. “I did not think we forced plays and I didn’t think we got going too fast. We had very few turnovers and, for the most part, we were making simple, solid basketball plays.
“When you get into this mentality with your back to the wall, we didn’t want ‘hero plays’ where a guy is like, ‘I will just take on two guys and score over them.’ That doesn’t end up working. You want to play your game, make simple plays, take open shots and live with the result.”
So how do the Hawks counter that chess move from the Magic?
“You adjust,” L.D. said today, smiling.
Van Gundy noted there are a finite number of (realistic) ways to defend the most common play in basketball.
“There is only so many ways you can guard a pick-and-roll,” Van Gundy said. “We all will make adjustments and try to do what’s best. But it’s not like I have a way to play the pick-and-roll that Larry and his players have never seen and we are going to shock them with it tonight. And it’s not like Larry has got a way to play the pick-and-roll that is going to shock our guys, where Jameer is going to say, ‘Oh, my God I’ve never seen this before.’
“You have got to make plays.”
Notes
- Smoove wasn’t happy about Mike Bianchi’s “Atlanta Birdbrains” column in the Orlando Sentinel. Bianchi was in the locker room today and Josh gave him some typically-candid and colorful feedback.
- “I’m not sure how you’ve got reporters calling people idiots and dummies,” Josh said in an interview. “I don’t understand how people can challenge somebody’s intelligence when you are talking about a basketball game. Some people take it too far.”
- L.D. on his team’s focus: “I think everybody is ready. I’ve seen this group in this situation before. In the playoffs this is the type of position you want to be in. We have an opportunity to close on our home floor. It’s not easy to close out anybody but I’d rather do it in these circumstances.”
- Jamal: “It’s us against the world. It’s funny how before the series everybody was all about Orlando. Then we went up 3-1 and it went back to us, and now it’s back the other way. They are fighting a hungry team.”
- The Magic sent more doubles at Jamal in Game 5. “I watched a lot of tape and I will adjust,” he said. “I’m excited. I see how I can take advantage of different things and get myself going and get my teammates involved and come out with a victory.”
- L.D. though the Hawks played too fast in Game 5. He’s OK with them pushing the pace at home: “We definitely want to get the crowd involved with the pace. We want to get up-and-down and use our athleticism. But we’ve got to be smart about it and not get caught up in a jump-shooting fest with that team.”
- Al on his sagging shooting (19 of 49) since Game 1: “They’ve done a great job defending. This is a game that I’m coming in with the same approach. I’m just going to make sure I get myself going.”
- J-Rich is expected to play after cutting his foot in some glass on Tuesday afternoon. “It’s OK,” Van Gundy said. “We didn’t have him go through the walk-through [today] because we didn’t want to risk him opening up the stitches.”
- Van Gundy on the Magic’s shooting in Game 5: “I was only half-joking when I said a lot of this game comes down to making shots or missing shots.”
- Magic CEO Bob Vander Weider told the Orlando Sentinel that he and team owner Rich DeVos are happy with Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith.
- “I can laughingly say that votes of confidence are the kiss of death,” Van Gundy said today. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. But knowing Bob and taking him at face value after working in the organization, you are always happy when your bosses are happy with you. But that’s not where my head is at. I just want to win the series.”
- The Magic won’t necessarily go back to a Dwight-centric offense after they had success scoring other ways. “We found an offensive attack that was working,” Van Gundy said. “It’s not about who scores. We had our best offensive game of the year.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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793 comments Add your comment
Rev in Tampa
April 28th, 2011
11:06 pm
Have you guys seen Dwight’s post-game interview? Did you see his bow-tie?
It was not Laker gold or Knicks orange. IT WAS HAWKS RED.
vava74
April 28th, 2011
11:07 pm
Man, I am so freaking relieved that I was wrong.
Fortunately the Magic sucked big time and went completely off track from the plan that gave them the win in game 5.
I think Bianchi’s column had a double effect, motivating the Hawks and relaxing the Magic.
It seemed like ORL were simply waiting for us to lose the game (we nearly did it).
In the end, it was them that did a wonderful Hawks’ impersonation: loads of bad shots after little to no ball and player movement, followed by no one crashing the boards to get the misses (praises to our bigs too), and also horrible defensive rebounding (particularly in the first half and then in the last possession – clutch rebound tapped by JJ).
Jamal was his usual self, an igniter for both sides, missing badly his defensive assignment on Redick several times, including the next to last possession, but overall in these series I have to hand it to him, he was great.
JJ had ups and downs but even on the games in which his offense was not particularly impressive he was a work horse on D and people rarely realize that.
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
11:10 pm
how’s got the hammy?? Kirk?
JeJe
April 28th, 2011
11:12 pm
LOL Steve Smith wants us to start Collins vs. Noah
SMDH
We had an article a month ago about how Horford loves playing against Chicago. Show us. Not liked he showed up in the later 2 games vs. them
JeJe
April 28th, 2011
11:13 pm
Horford had 6 and 7 in the game @Chicago
Jae Evolution
April 28th, 2011
11:13 pm
We definitely take some notes from Pacers coach Frank Vogel, put a bigger Marvin Williams on Derrick Rose, Teague on Bogans, and Joe on Luol. Whenever they come to set him a screen trap HARD to get the ball out of his hands, and recover at the rim.
We can be a little more lenient on the three pointers this series, the Bulls aren’t really designed like that, they cut hard and get to the rim. We will need much more perimeter defense now. Boozer looked pretty bad in the Pacers series, no where near what I expected tough defense from their bigs bothered him.
Force Rose to shoot rather than drive at will, and I think we have a good chance.
Buddy Grizzard
April 28th, 2011
11:14 pm
add that to Kirk or Bibby not being the type of PG really needed you have a disaster in the making any night – superior
Superior, you couldn’t let one chance go to kick Captain Kirk while he’s down? Time to see if Teague is ready because not even Las Vegas Larry has the stomach to run JC1 out for 40 minutes head to head with Rose if Kirk is out for significant time.
You think Kirk would get dusted by Rose, but I think Kirk’s desire to beat the point guard who supplanted him in CHI and ASA’s desire to win head to head with Noah actually would give the Hawks and edge. Now with the injury to KH, we can only hope Teague gets his shot and plays like he did against Portland.
But hey superior, go ahead and give Captain Kirk his props, aight? He had a good series for the white people
“If this team do overachieve against Chicago, you’ll have to ask yourself if they did it BECAUSE of LD or INSPITE of LD.” – Lukas
I picked Hawks in 7 for this series… don’t know why I ever thought Hawks would win a game 7 on the road. So, Hawks over Bulls in 6… same scenario we finish it off at Phillips. And hey, I copyrighted the phrase “win in spite of LD.” I expect royalties from your post.
But for real though, I said they would beat ORL in spite of Las Vegas Larry and they did. Now Vegas has a series under his belt, he’s undefeated as a coach in postseason series’, and he’s got a great chance to show us all what he has learned. The Bulls and Celtics have the top two defenses in the NBA. Thibs is responsible for BOTH of those defensive implementations.
So now Las Vegas Larry gets to set up the checker board with the best coach, not in the NBA, but in the sport of basketball.
SteveW
April 28th, 2011
11:14 pm
Rev all of the interviews i’ve seen with Dwight on the subject led me to believe he’s coming home to ATL
In one a few days ago they asked about big markets, and he basically said you can make the same money in a small market because of some reason he gave (I can’t remember why he said now).
It sure sounded to me he’s gearing up to coming home!
JeJe
April 28th, 2011
11:15 pm
It took us 7 games to knock off far inferior teams (Miami and Milwaukee) in Round 1 the last 2 years, but we beat Orlando, a higher seed, in 6
SMDH
Harpie
April 28th, 2011
11:15 pm
Just because the Hawks won this series doesn’t mean that Drew isn’t the Worst Coach in the World!!!
northcyde
April 28th, 2011
11:15 pm
5 – 19 on threes for the Illusion.
That makes 9 out of 10 games in which the Hawks held that fraud of a 3 point shooting team under 40%.
We won 6 of those games.
Bye Bye Illusion.
SteveW
April 28th, 2011
11:16 pm
I think Rose would beat Hinrich bad, but I think a smart rotation of Kirk and Teague can handle Rose almost as well as say a Rondo can.
northcyde
April 28th, 2011
11:17 pm
And once again . . the captain came up big tonight. A horrible start, coupled with a damn good finish. Good job JJ. Nice to see the fans appreciating you again.
Well . . at least some of them. Others won’t give you props no matter what you do.
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
11:17 pm
i’ll celebrate…but i ain’t drinkin’ the koolaid!!!
SteveW
April 28th, 2011
11:19 pm
Kirk will go out there in a wheel chair if his history is any indication.
One of the knocks on him is he tries to play thru injuries he should be resting.
Booo!
April 28th, 2011
11:20 pm
NBA gametime crew Steve smith, Dennis Scott, and Rick Kamala all agree that Atlanta should atay big with Jason Collins. Noah is no Dwight but he is still a good reboundr on the offensive glass. Collins leaning and putting a body on him will go a long way. With collins starting, this is the most consistant i’ve seen our team in a long time as far a gameplay is concerned.
Make the correct move Drew!
Kirk with a strained Hammy. Free The Teague!
Go Hawks!
SteveW
April 28th, 2011
11:20 pm
I remember in the regular season LD sat Teague against DRose, and Rose lit us up, especially Jamal, but he smoked Kirk also.
Hope LD’s not that stubborn….
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
11:21 pm
say what you will about Kirk but the cat is a gamer..PERIOD!!!
Rev in Tampa
April 28th, 2011
11:21 pm
SteveW,
I didn’t listen to Dwight’s interview. I just saw the red bowtie and went over to the Orlando Sentinel Magic Blog and posted that about the red bowtie because I was trying to stir rumors of him house shopping in Atlanta while he was there for the playoffs. I just decided to post the same thing on our blog to be funny. But the more I think about the more the more it makes sense.
SteveW
April 28th, 2011
11:22 pm
I kinda like Horford starting at C.
Rest Collins for the Celts when you’ll really need him.
I love trash talking – who’d have thought an ATL fan could?
Booo!
April 28th, 2011
11:22 pm
We essentially got blown out all thre times we played the Cows this season with the small lineup….even with the win that one time. Regardless of individual (Kirk/Al) motivation, we should stay big.
Rev in Tampa
April 28th, 2011
11:26 pm
On a serious note, I’ve been concerned about Ken Strickland all day. I was hoping to see him posting on the blog. I think he lives in Alabama. I hope he is ok.
A friend of our friends died yesterday along with his newborn. He died covering his other children with his body.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 28th, 2011
11:41 pm
Checkmate congrats to Lame Duck on his first playoff series win. Teague has to be placed strategically in the rotation for The Hawks to have a chance.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
FIRE WOODY
Buddy Grizzard
April 28th, 2011
11:46 pm
Wow Rev that’s sad… my prayers go out to all the people who lost everything.
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
@Rev
That was so sad what happened in these 6 southern States!! Almost 300 dead! And Alabama took the worst hit!!! We got hammered in Ga too…We living in some incredible times….
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
11:49 pm
That was fun. To be honest I feel more relieved than excited. It did not have to be that hard.
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
11:52 pm
last I heard Northern Alabama was without power……about 400k people so sad…
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
11:53 pm
Stay big LARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not let ALLSTAR AL PLAY THE MIDDLE ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
11:54 pm
Trap Rose and get the ball out of his hands or he will kill you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
11:55 pm
Doug Collins would have won 60 games with these Hawks…..
Lukas
April 28th, 2011
11:58 pm
@Buddy Grizzard,
Kudos on this series prediction and your assertion of LD. Glad to know that, if this team beats Chicago, you and other bloggers will still think that it happened because this is an unpredictable team and not because of LD “Pop-nificent” coaching style.
Grandad
April 28th, 2011
11:59 pm
On a lighter note;
someone may have already posted,
nique’s racist comment:
“wow, I didn’t think Redick dould dunk”
WMCJ
No ammo, S-blogman, I’m just kiddin’ around.
Section 303
April 29th, 2011
12:03 am
Najeh, I agree. I think I am more relieved, too. However, I don’t know if that was fun. Was way too stressful. Agree, it did not have to be that hard.
I really thought Marvin’s 3 pt shot late in the game was going in. It looked perfect, right on target. Still can’t believe that did not fall for him. I am betting he thought for sure he made that shot. Would have put the game away and saved all the tension at the end.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2011
12:04 am
LOL Grandad.
Lukas, speaking of no kidding around, I said it before this series started that ATL would beat ORL on superior talent and in spite of LD’s horrible coaching. I think in games 2 and 5 his inexperience showed through and this could have been a much shorter series.
HAVING SAID THAT, and even though I don’t care much for LD’s personality or the way he carries himself, I still think Las Vegas Larry isn’t too old to learn new tricks. He’s got a chance to learn from his mistakes. Especially game 5 when DH went to the bench… I think LVL thought the Magic were just going to lay down and die without their star. I think he was completely unprepared for the sudden change in style of play.
Maybe he will be better prepared in round 2. He better be, cause this is the top seed and the top D, with the MVP at our weakest position.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
12:05 am
Joe on Lou is a good idea..Marvin too slow and awkward to keep up…Hawks must control the glass to compete.Stay big……Game one is a must win to advance……Get’er done. Al in the middle will not.lost 2 games by combine total of 51 points,Unacceptable!!…
Jamal’s defense on the perimeter is down right frightful…..But at least he makes up for it on the offensive end..He never got the memo, play some defense you’d be a starter…..Oh well, just keep scoring…
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
12:14 am
* could dunk
Big Al
April 29th, 2011
12:17 am
Yeah, Hawks. They had never won a 7 games series in less than 7 games before tongiht. Cannot really say they dominated but they did just enough to make a case for them being one of the top 4 teams in the Eastern Conference. It will be interesting to see what adjustments they make against Chicago.
How bad is the injury to Hinrich?
And if he is out, what is the chance LD places enough trust in Teague to give him serious minutes in the Chicago series?
These Hawks – collectively – are pretty good. But we need to see some of them become great. Their potential keeps me hanging on. Winning tonight almost makes up for last years embarrassment. But not quite. Not yet. We need to see if they are for real. Grab the Bulls by the horns. Free the Teague!
Rev in Tampa
April 29th, 2011
12:17 am
Grandad,
In your experience can Kirk play effectively next week with a strained hamstring?
mykhalc
April 29th, 2011
12:21 am
@Slimjr…agree with you about Collins. man, look who has been coachin’ these cats since they came into the league…Woodson and LD!!! Josh…str8 outta HS and that’s who he’s learned from. same with Marvin with just 1 yr of college ball. i really wonder where these 2 cats in particular would be had they had a Collins, Sloan, or Adelman etc etc etc to coach ‘em…
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2011
12:24 am
“How bad is the injury to Hinrich?
And if he is out, what is the chance LD places enough trust in Teague to give him serious minutes in the Chicago series?” – Big Al
Big Al, what options does Vegas have? JC1 at point 40 minutes per game? Pape Sy??
Teague will get some run. If he embarrasses himself, we all know Vegas didn’t even try to develop him or instill confidence during the regular season. But this is basketball. Either you can play or you can’t. I think we’re going to find out alot about our favorite forgotten Hawk this series.
Rev in Tampa
April 29th, 2011
12:41 am
new blog up
Gamer
April 30th, 2011
8:25 am
MY NBA REQUEST, IS FOR HAWKS’ BRASS TO WOO DWIGHT HOWARD WITH A BIG MONEY DEAL TO FINISH HIS CAREER WITH THE ATLANTA HAWKS!!!!!!!!
IMAGINE, SUPERMAN PLAYING IN HAWK-NEST ALONG WITH J.J., JAMAL, AL, J-SMOOVE, HINRICH AND JEFF TEAGUE…. THE HAWKS WILL BE A JUGGERNAUT TEAM…..