Atlanta Hawks: Video: Wrapping up Hawks-Magic
I joined Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel after Game 6 to talk Hawks-Magic.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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85 comments Add your comment
MistaGamer
April 29th, 2011
10:34 am
First??
MannyT
April 29th, 2011
11:01 am
It’s newspaper television. The internet is a wonderful thing.
What’s next for AJC TV?
In reference to prior blog, you can add subtitles to the video for the slow to read sarcasm set. Don’t confuse them with things like “pulling your leg”, just flash “sarcasm” at bottom of screen.
All that said, I hear Jameer picks Bulls in 3 for 2nd round contest
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
11:10 am
3rd again?????
bye Josh….
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
11:11 am
Hawks in 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geemack
April 29th, 2011
11:16 am
This round is the moment of truth. Can we get past the 2nd rd?
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
11:16 am
@Worldwide Clyde (from the previous blog):
For the record, on this blog, I publicly predicted the Hawks in 6 while just about everyone else was predicting the Magic in 5/6/7. But if it helps your ego to claim that you were THE ONE that made this prediction, then so be it.
(I think there were maybe two or three bloggers in addition to myself that made this prediction before the playoffs began.)
@Najeh (from previous blog)
Really good analysis and summary of the game. Though I know I have disagreed with you on some of less important points throughout the year, you tend to really be head on the vast majority of the time. Keep up the good blogging!
@HAWKS:
GREAT GAME! GREAT SERIES! GO HAWKS!!!
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
11:21 am
I don’t like this nice little factoid John Hollinger pointed out. It will give the ASG another way to rationalize staying put with the Hawks as currently constructed.
“… the Hawks stunned the Magic in six games to advance to the second round for a third straight season — becoming one of only three teams, along with the Lakers and Celtics, to make that claim.”
Geemack
April 29th, 2011
11:38 am
J from the A
I agree.
Even if the Hawks get past Chicago. The Hawks still should make some changes.
The goal is to compete for a championship and the Hawks are not constructed to do that right now.
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
11:48 am
“A SHOUT OUT HAS TO GO TO THE GREAT MARVIN WILLIAMS. I tell you that guy allways surprises when he is at the end of his rope. Did you see those TOWERING THREE-POINTERS HE MADE LAST NIGHT THAT SWISHED THROUGH THE NETS! AWESOME. THAT WAS THE BEST GAME THAT MARVIN EVER HAD AND HE SAVED IT FOR THE JUST THE RIGHT MOMENT. Kudos to Marvin Williams. All Hail to the King. Not King LaBron James. King Marvin Williams. What a spectacular peformance by Marvin Williams–a professional in every sense of the word. No wonder Marvin started for all those years. Marvin played basketball the old-fashioned way. HE EARNED HIS SALARY LAST NIGHT. WOW. MARVIN WAS CLEARLY THE BEST PLAYER IN THE FLOOR LAST NIGHT.”
@Crumb Snatcher or as i put it, Jock sniffer…Where have you been all season??????
“it was not a bad pick” is that you???
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
12:01 pm
“The playoffs are about matchups, and for any team in the eastern conference that has to play the Hawks, the hawks are a bad matchup for Boston, Chicago,and Miami. but miami would be the team that would give them the most problems because of Wade and James who both like to get to the basket.
The Hawks have mismatche advantages all over the floor against the bulls, starting with Horford over Noah, If josh plays in the post boozer will have a hard time. Keith bogans only averages 4 points as the bulls starting 2 guard, he will not be able to guard joe nor jamaal. Look for joe to post up derek rose in the post a lot and probably get him into some foul trouble. This series will be easier for the Hawks than it was against the magic. The magic would have beaten any of the other teams in the east in this years playoffs, but the hawks was the worst matchup they could draw.”
Interesting observations!
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
12:03 pm
All Hail King Marvin. lol @ JeJe
But in all seriousness. Marvin showed up big last night, hitting four key shots in the 2nd half. Those shots were big enough that we can forgive him for getting stripped. (Sorry, just had to get that jab in there.) And let us not forget, he also played decent defense, too. Might Marvin be able to transition into a Bruce Bowen+* type player.
*The ‘+’ is because Marvin can guard the 2, 3, and 4. I don’t think Bruce could ever guard the 4.
hawks_4_life
April 29th, 2011
12:05 pm
Much props to the hawks for beating a team that destroyed them a year ago. Before the naysayers start blogging before the ball is even tipped off about how we are going to lose, the team deserve some credit for that. As for the bulls, forget the media, I like our chances. I know we played an ugly series but the bulls look very shaky themselves against lesser competition. FORGET THE HYPE……LETS GO HAWKS
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
12:06 pm
I think we forget that Keith Bogans is a very solid defensive player. He will give Joe and Jamal some fits, but if they stay aggressive, they should be able to take advantage. And when Korver comes into the game … well, Joe and Jamal need to punish him.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 29th, 2011
12:11 pm
http://youtu.be/NuJK4FnW-hI
Jameer see ya next year buddy. He was a hot mess in round1 so there will be no round 2.
ag
April 29th, 2011
12:13 pm
I would say most proudly that I give MW more heck than anyone on this blog. Yet, when I tear into him, he does this! Great game Marvin. You showed up tonight.
Also, myself with a lot of others on this blog have said play JT, if an injury happens in the post season……. well it did and LD did not play him. I will say I have wanted JT to start. I will not blame Woody-Lite if he plays poorly. JT has to seize this opportunity for his career. If he plays well in this series, he will be Atlanta’s point guard for the future. I think more pressure is on him than on Josh. Josh did have a bad scoring game, but I would not trade him.
Booo!
April 29th, 2011
12:17 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-5Y21tQnqA&feature=youtu.be
LOL! Josh earns major cool points for this! Awesomeness!
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
12:17 pm
JeJe
April 29th, 2011
9:29 am
northcyde,
Is there a way you can compile stats of Horford’s Head-To-Head vs. Noah?
**********************
This is from nba.com’s Stats Cube
Horford vs Noah on the court ( on a per-36 minute basis )
17.8 ppg
9.1 rebs
3.3 asst
67% FG ( 18 – 27 )
So going head to head vs Noah isn’t a problem for Horford. But Noah on a per-36 minute basis is a +16 in +/- rating when he’s on the court vs Al. And that’s because we haven’t been able to stop Rose or Deng, combined with either JJ or Jamal not being able to get it going in the same game.
In those 2 Chicago blowout losses, Deng and Rose have absolutely destroyed us. And their bench has outplayed our bench. With LD significantly shortening his rotation, I wonder if that will have any effect on how the Hawks play the Bulls.
I honestly think you’re going to see a lot of JJ on Derrick Rose in this series. That may reduce the effectiveness of JJ on the offensive end if he has to do that. So a guy like Horford may have to have a pretty big series, along with Smith, in order to overcome them. And if Jamal is going to be guarding Rose, he needs to offset what he gives up, by providing offense of his own.
rodney o
April 29th, 2011
12:19 pm
OK we put da magic back in the hat, now we need something or someone to motivate the hawks to put the bulls back in the pen. Bulls strugled with the pacers, if the Hawks play the way they played against the magic we will be in the Eastern Finals. CAN JAMEER NELSON SAY SOMETHING STUPID TO PUMP UP THE HAWKS
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
12:21 pm
Deng will crush Marvin as he always does unfortunately head to head. Marvin will probably put on his invisible cloak again….
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
12:24 pm
We have seen and “The Truth” has been told.
Congratulation to “our” Hawks on a victorious series against Orlando
From a larger prospective though exactly what does this moment really mean for the Hawks in general and for Hawksville in particular?
For the Hawks:
1. The 1st rd expectation of a previously 53 win Hawks team has been met
2. The past demons from humiliating losses from Orlando have now been exercise
3. The Kirk Hinrich trade has turned out to be better than expected
4. Jamal’s future with the Hawks is clear, he must be re-sign
5. The Hawks 6 straight losses going into playoff has been proven to be irrelevant
6. As ugly as a loss can be with this team, it is just a loss; means little for next game
For Hawksville:
1. The perception of the Hawks front office should improve (for now)
2. Previous biases, strong-hole positions, and negative perceptions will be loosen
3. The trolls will have to find another home
4. The pressure is now of the fans to fully support their team
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
12:26 pm
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT ALLSTAR AL IS GOING TO HAVE TO STEP UP BIG TIME IN THIS SERIES, BECAUSE OUR GUARDS WILL HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL!!!
HE NEEDS TO FREAKING PLAY LIKE A FREAKIN ALLSTAR AND CARRY THE TEAM ON HIS BACK FOR A CHANGE………..
tb#3
April 29th, 2011
12:27 pm
I Love the atlanta hawks. I knew the hawks could beat the Majics. They murder us last year and I knew the hawks would get revenge on orlando. Go ATL!!!
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
12:29 pm
With the series starting on Monday night, I don’t know if that will be enough time for Hinrich to recover from a strained Hamstring. I just don’t see any way possible he could be ready to go in 3 days, if he strained his hamstring. In most cases, you’re at least talking about a week.
Honestly, I would at least hold him out for Game 1, regardless if he says he can go or not. Not saying that we can throw away Game 1, but it’s better to be without Hinrich for Game 1, than for him to play in Game 1 and re-aggravate the injury and possibly lose him for the rest of the series.
Then the question will be . . . will LD start Teague? And if he does, talking about throwing the dude into a raging inferno . . wow. He goes from very used benchwarmer, to guarding the MVP of the league.
But like I said, I think JJ is going to have to guard Rose. And honestly, that favors the Bulls if he has to do it for most of the game. Damien Wilkins defense is vastly overrated, but he may have to take a shot at guarding Rose as well.
Booo!
April 29th, 2011
12:30 pm
Smoove absolutely MUST D-up Leoul Deng. I think a lot of people are underestimating the impact that Josh had on Hedo Turkoglu.
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
12:38 pm
Jamal, in my opinion, won’t be re-signed.
We’re at 64 million in committed salary between 7 players even with Jamal gone. So unless the ASG all of a sudden wants to pay the luxury tax, there’s no way they can get Jamal to sign for a small enough amount to get him to re-sign. The Hawks would literally have to trade a player like Hinrich or Marvin for draft picks, to make room for Jamal to be re-signed. And honestly, that would weaken us, not make us better. We really can’t afford to subtract from the talent here, and not replace that with an upgrade in talent.
The better Jamal plays throughout the playoffs, the more his stock rises. I can easily see a team like New Jersey overpaying for this dude. At that point, it will come down to what Jamal wants to do.
Does he want to play on a winning team and have a shot at winning a title?
Or does he want to secure one last big money contract?
With no Jordan Crawford here to possibly take his place, the Hawks will go the free agent route and see if they can secure a guy for less than the MLE to replace Jamal. You’re probably talking about adding low salary guys like a Kelenna Azubuike ( who played decently for a while at Golden St ), or maybe giving a guy like J.R. Smith close to the MLE, to be that super-sub off the bench.
Next year, it will be all about Marvin Williams as the 6th man, more than likely. And Teague will have no choice but to step up, with LD maybe having no choice but to play the kid.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
12:43 pm
Booo!: “I think a lot of people are underestimating the impact that Josh had on Hedo Turkoglu.”
Agreed
A case can be made that if Josh was in the game when Orlando answered every basket that the Hawks made (including “big-shot” Marvin), the game would have been won easier with Josh better help defense from those pick-on-roll plays.
Take it to the bank, the Bulls is watching the Hawks replays and will explicit their weaknesses
hawkville
April 29th, 2011
12:46 pm
Please do not start Marvin Williams. Replace Collins with Za Za in the starting lineup. Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford, and Marvin Williams
Daniel
April 29th, 2011
12:50 pm
The Truth- every team watches tape on the other to find ways to exploit their weaknesses. This is not a revealing observation.
Daniel
April 29th, 2011
12:55 pm
I would like to submit the idea that we should continue with Collins/Horford front line to start with. Let Collins bang Boozer (who looks tough but is very susceptible to physical pounding) and we all know Al has Noah’s number. You then keep Josh on the wing to defend Deng. This plan only works if the Hawks control tempo, if Bulls get out running we would have to change the game plan.
If Hinrich can’t go, you still don’t start Jamaal. You go Teague, but switch Joe to Rose on defense.
Daniel
April 29th, 2011
12:58 pm
maintaining a bench of Za/JC/MW gives us an advantage there.
Wilkins will need to play this series in spots. Let him chase Rose around and bang him some to wear him down.
KevinM
April 29th, 2011
1:04 pm
North use, I too say JC is gone but for a reason other than just cash. That nasty lawsuit with a landlord sure doesn’t help matters, and I think he goes and gets a more worthy contract than what Sund will offer. But thats for another day.
Now, onto Chicago…..a big chance to make yourself creditable in the league. LD now has to create a game plan to stop a top PG and a sharpshooter in Deng. Those 2 are assassins. Marvin will get his shot, but I don’t see him matching skillsets with Deng. He will be back starting again though.
Then LD must punish the SGs of the Bulls and use our strengths to get points at the line.
I really think we have strengths the Bulls don’t and they have Rose….this will be an interesting series, especially since CHI hasn’t been in this position before.
Again, the Hawks have to steal a game early to have a shot, else it’s a quick exit.
O'Brien
April 29th, 2011
1:04 pm
northcyde,
I think Jamal is gone as well. I just cant imagine spending big money (more than the MLE) for a 31 yr old SG after spending big money on a 29 yr old SG.
So you think Marvin will be our 6th man next year. If that is the case, who starts at Center? ZaZa? Personally, I don’t like Josh starting at SF. Al needs to bulk up, change his mindset, and he committed to starting 70 games at Center next season.
O'Brien
April 29th, 2011
1:13 pm
For the Hawks to have a chance, LD needs to reduce the amount of time Jamal spends guarding Rose. According to NBA.com statscube;
Jamal’s stats per 36 minutes with Rose on the court?
12 pts, 40% shooting (29% from 3), 1 FTA, 4 assists, -8 rating.
Rose’s stats per 36 minute with Jamal on the court?
26 pts, 32% FG, 9 FTA, 10 assists, +8 rating.
I know Jamal does not spend the entire time guarding Rose, but LD has given him that job before. And Jamal sucked at it.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
1:17 pm
northcyde: “So unless the ASG all of a sudden wants to pay the luxury tax,”
A strong-hole position that should loosen
Hawks owner Michael Gearon is already on record saying he would, given the right set of circumstances. They have shown willingness to staying true to their word when supporting their players, JJ, Al, Josh and Marvin are examples. Publicly they have stated they will pursue Jamal in the off-season. Jamal has proven to be too vital to the team success for not giving him strong consideration for his return. However, much will depend on the NBA negotiations with the PA. His salary demand might not be impossible to fit into the salary structure since their current total payroll is nearly 72M vs. next (without Jamal) is 64.2M. That 8M difference can be Jamal’s money assuming they stay at the current levels.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
April 29th, 2011
1:20 pm
@ booo. LOL thanks for posting – its great to be an Atlanta Birdbrain right about now, lol
Sure beats searching for halibut and mackerel.
MistaGamer
April 29th, 2011
1:25 pm
Although Josh had a forgettable offensive performance this series well below his season average, his defense was outstanding. He absolutely locked Hedo down and made him vanish.
We will need that same effort on D next series agaisnt Deng.
Free Jeff Teague…
JOEY1
April 29th, 2011
1:29 pm
if the hawks play with the heart and effort they played with against orlando in game 6 they will beat the bull in 6. but the question is which hawks team will so up??? the hungry team that plays with some much heart and effort like in orlando series game 6 or the team that often gives up when things dont go their way like in orlando game 5????
Slimjr
April 29th, 2011
1:34 pm
Game 1 is a must win for the Hawks.80% of the time whoever wins game 1 wins a 7 game series since this format began…
Adil
April 29th, 2011
1:38 pm
If you want beat the Bulls stay big…keep Jesen in the starting line up!
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
1:41 pm
Daniel: “The Truth- every team watches tape on the other to find ways to exploit their weaknesses. This is not a revealing observation”
Daniel your comment is amusing since you rarely post anymore. It’s nice to see your sudden interest in the Hawks has reemerged. But your “grand-stand comment” is not needed to forge relevance. Apparently you missed my point. I won’t bother to explain. You might miss it again.
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
@ The Truth
If they wouldn’t go over the tax for a box office attraction and serviceable center like Shaq, I don’t think they’ll do it for Jamal . . unless we go deep into the playoffs. Like Game 6 or 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals deep . . with Jamal playing extremely well.
I don’t trust 90% of the things the ASG say. I think Gearon said that he’d go over the tax for a superstar. So unless people start going to Philips specifically to go see Jamal, I don’t think they’ll do it.
Attendance dropped by 35,000 this year ( roughly 430 people per game ). If the average ticket price to Hawk games runs somwhere around $55, then the ASG lost $23,650 a game. Over the season, that translates in a 1.94 million dollar loss this year . . just at the gate. No telling how much money they lost in other areas.
Section 303
April 29th, 2011
2:11 pm
I really think Marvin is going to play a key role in this series with the Bulls. We all know Joe, Jamall, and Al have to perform. We need one more player to rise up. I think it can be Marvin.
He was good in games 3 and 4 against the Magic. Last night, in Game 6, he was HUGE! He’s been playing good defense and hitting most of his open looks ( I still do not know how the 3 he shot, with the Hawks up 5 late, did not go in). Marvin can do it. He’s always had all the tools. Maybe this is the playoff run where he really earns his keep.
superiorblogman
April 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
LD will lose the Bulls series when he goes back to starting the regular lineup which is just horrible.
PG Hinrich-Not what the Hawks need longterm and does not get others involved but plays good D most of the time.
SG Joe-Good all around player and best closer on team.
SF- Marvin-Maybe the worse starter in the league. Can not create his own shot, overrated defensively, and can not even make open shots consistently. Does nothing well consistently.
PF-Josh-Totally inconsistent at doing anything positive, consistently struggles to take good shots. Athletic ability looks to be fading this year.
C- Al- Not a C, does not defend the rim or play rough enough to be a C in the NBA.
That starting lineup is just overly flawed. Joe and Al are the only 2 guys that I would want starting on my team and Al would be at PF.
Hollywould
April 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
I am eating crow today and happy to do it. I never thought the Hawks could win this series. One thing Northcyde is JJ will not be on Rose. That would be the mismatch of the year. Not quick enuf(though who is?)
superiorblogman
April 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
As I posted before the playoffs started we can make it all the way to the finals and I would not be impressed. The facts are as follows:
The Magic have messed there team up worse than we have.
The Bulls have not proven to be a playoff success.
The Celtics are old and unathletic.
If we get those 3 teams we can go to the Finals.
cp
April 29th, 2011
2:29 pm
I dont like how LD handled Teague this season but if he has to play big minutes then he has to step up. This is his chance so he has to make the most of it. I wonder if he struggles early what will LD do. I hope the kid steps up. Marvin had trouble defending Deng in the regular season so putting Josh on him might be the move….@northcyde it might be a good idea to let Joe defend Rose late so he has more energy. I dont want Joe defending Rose the whole game.
ant banks
April 29th, 2011
2:30 pm
AMAZING!!! 2 days ago, most of yall were rippin’ the hawks, leavin’ them for dead…now the same ones are sayin’ how they previously predicted the hawks would win the series. lol.
hawks will win the chicago series in 6 games. we will win all 3 here and steal the first game.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
2:34 pm
@northcyde: in addition to Kelenna and J.R. as potential MLE-or-under 2 guards, if I am not mistaken DeShawn Stevenson will also be a free agent. Also what do you think about the prospects for a potential trade for OJ Mayo? The Hawks could offer Marvin or Zaza for Mayo. I don’t know if Memphis would go for that, and to be honest, I am not sure the Hawks should go for that either. It’s probably not smart to give up Zaza without an even better big man, and while I wouldn’t mind giving up Marvin for Mayo, depending on the other moves the Hawks are able to make, it might not make the Hawks better because it may end up leaving the Hawks with another even large hole.
Perhaps if the ASG really thinks the Hawks are (near) elite, they will be willing to go a little over the salary cap to get the Hawks that fabled “missing piece.” I know — wishful thinking.
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
Hollywould . . we may not have a choice. JJ guarding Rose would mean that JJ prevents him from getting into the lane and forcing him to shoot jumpers. Defense isn’t just about how quick you are, it’s about how smart you are. Whomever is guarding Rose needs to watch a lot of tape on that dude, and see what his tendencies are.
And with no Hinrich ( or at least a slowed down version of Hinrich ), that’s one less player that we can throw out to guard Rose. JJ, just like he had to do in the past with guys like Jameer Nelson, Deron Williams, and Steph Curry, will have to take his turn guarding Rose. Overall, he’s our best perimeter defender, even if he doesn’t have the foot speed to guard Rose. Hopefully the fact that he’s much bigger than Rose can disrupt him a little bit, especially toward the end of games, when JJ will probably definitely be guarding him.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
2:40 pm
northcyde: “If they wouldn’t go over the tax for a box office attraction and serviceable center like Shaq”
Actually, in retrospect, I’m glad they didn’t given Shaq evolving injuries. I’m not able to assess the financial losses of the Hawks with respect to this season since ticket sells are only one part of the equation.
“I don’t trust 90% of the things the ASG say”
I can relate to this position, but after Sund unexpected addition of 1M in new salary when they acquired Hinrich, I gave up predicted what this organization will or won’t when it comes to players acquisition. Given the upcoming uncertainty of the contract talks between the NBA and players, any theory (at this point) is likely a good one.
KevinM
April 29th, 2011
2:43 pm
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
“Over the season, that translates in a 1.94 million dollar loss this year . . just at the gate. No telling how much money they lost in other areas.”
So are you telling us that those Kobe jerseys selling in the arena stores aren’t making up the difference?
Stupid ownership gives you negative results, simple. If they were so worried about $$, then why did Joe get that much money? I have zero concerns with the way they decide to spend $$.
If they think Jamal isn’t important enough, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. They better hope for a long playoff run this time around then. Marvin isn’t giving you 6MOY numbers in this league…maybe the NBDL.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
2:44 pm
@Section 303: Re: Marvin: Agreed. If Marvin can have a big series — and by big, I just mean shutting down Deng, hitting key shots, crashing the boards, and limiting his turnovers — the Hawks will stand a really good chance of pulling the upset. And I think he will have a good series.
Of course, we really need everyone else to show up, too. This is a very, very good Bulls team — much better than I thought they would be when I was making predictions pre-season. They are going to be tough, but the Hawks just might be able to pull the upset. Marvin may very well play a huge role in the outcome of the series.
northcyde
April 29th, 2011
2:45 pm
J . . Memphis would never do that.
OJ, like Jamal, is proving his worth during these playoffs. And he becomes a restricted free agent after the 2012 season, which means that they can make the decision to re-sign him, or do a better sign and trade for a better player involving him.
Memphis’ payroll going into next year was a mere 36 million before they re-signed Zach Randolph last week to the 4yr – 71 mill contract. That’ll still put them a little over 50 million, with a lot of room to work with. Of course they’ll have to re-sign Marc Gasol, who will probably get a nice little contract from them ( probably 10 mill a year at least ). After that, they only have to decide on whether to bring Battier back at a reduced price.
Plus arguably their best player, Rudy Gay, isn’t even playing in these playoffs.
Memphis is in a real good position as a franchise, if they can get more people to come out to see them to increase revenue. Tonight’s game is easily the biggest game in franchise history, not only because they can get to the 2nd round, but also because it could be a revenue game changer for that franchise. They’re almost exactly like we were in 08 – 09. So there’s no reason to trade an asset like OJ Mayo for a limited backup center like Zaza or an up and down forward like Marvin.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 29th, 2011
2:55 pm
SlimJr add game 3 to your formula. Games 1 and 3 is a winner in 7.
Section 303
April 29th, 2011
2:59 pm
J from the A, I was the same way on the Bulls at the start of the season. I was not buying that they were an elite team. I just thought it was the typical lovefest showered on any team from a big market city like Chicago.
I still don’t think they are unbeatable. Rose is the only glaring matchup problem, but he’s a matchup problem for every team in the league. Everywhere else on the floor, the Hawks have an edge or are even.
Kyle Korver, besides Rose, really concerns me, too. He won’t miss shots like Turkalo did in the Magic series. Korver will hit his open looks almost always.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
@northcyde: Very good points per usual. I just remember reports earlier in the season that OJ might have been becoming a bit problematic for team chemistry, but I guess all that was either overblown (and probably false) or put behind them.
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
An Open Letter to Mr Cunningham,
Don’t worry ’bout that there “Zinsser” fella,
’cause if an uncultivated jake like myself gets it,
[your writing]
then it’s likely to have passed the scrutiny of:
the “Dept. of Unintended Irony”,
and that’s all that really matters.
“A perfect judge will read each work of wit
With the same spirit that its author writ”
Sautee
April 29th, 2011
3:21 pm
JeJe,
From the last blog, where you said this:
“IF IT WASN’T FOR LARRY DREW’S IDIOTIC DECISION TO SIT HORFORD IN GAME 2 (HE FINISHED WITH 2 FOULS) WITH FOUL TROUBLE, WE WOULD’VE SWEPT ORLANDO AND HINRICH WOULDN’T BE HURT”
So Hinrich couldn’t have gotten hurt in practice?
That logic fails.
And BTW for all of the LD haters, he’ll still be here next year. The Hawks have just made sure of that. There are only 3 teams in the entire league who have been to the second round the last 3 years in a row:
Lakers
Celtics
and yes….. The Atlanta Hawks. Don’t think for a minute that Sund and the ASKG won’t be pulling THAT fact out to justify keeping LD and his oh-so affordable contract. Not to mention slaying the dragon that ate us last year.
FYI – I’m still bitterly disappointed in Drew for failing to hold players accountable, so don’t put me in with the Drew defenders. It just is what it is. He WILL be here for at least another year.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
The Bulls strengths concern me more because they are the Hawks biggest weaknesses. Their only ISO players are really Rose and Boozer. Everybody else run screens, hustle plays and spot-up J’s. So game planning against them should be less complex. But Rose ability to get in the paint is something we don’t defend well. Also our defenders don’t fight through screens very well either. So the Bulls will repeatedly give the Hawks heavy doses of hard screens using Kyle Korver and Deng. Believe of not, our greatest strength in this series will be Josh Smith if he plays to his potential. His help defense can be problematic for the Bulls. For that reason, he should return to his PF position and not away from the basket as a SF.
hawkville
April 29th, 2011
3:23 pm
Daniel, it’s a different series/team. I hope they stay big as well, but I think they should start Za Za. Chicago post players do not present the same challenge as D. Howard, it’s D. Rose that you worry about. So a backcourt of Al, Josh, Za Za along with Marvin should be fine and you play guards/forwards against Rose to guard/foul/bang against him. Same game plan as the last series, just a different position to focus on
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
3:33 pm
Defense will decide this series not offense
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
3:33 pm
Section 303
“I was the same way on the Bulls
at the start of the season.
I was not buying that they were an elite team”
– Me neither –
The Reason Chicago has been so Improved:
Tom Thibodeau !
The Difference in the upcoming series:
Tom Thibodeau !
It’s really not so much about adjustments and game-planning
but like KS said last eve;
it’s the *habits the Bulls have developed this year.
[under Thibs]
Hustle plays add up. (deflections, loose balls, etc)
*plus [hockey assts] assisting the assister.
KS said that will be the dif in the series.
I concur.
*Habits:
Think about what our Hawks habitually do.
KevinM
April 29th, 2011
3:40 pm
I gotta say the Hawks have a favorable record all-time in the playoffs vs. Chicago….5-8 in Atlanta, 8-8 overall. Small sample, yes.
And here is a link to the games from this year….we beat them when Rose goes 5-21 from the field and lose 83-80 after the Bulls blow a 19 pt lead.
If the regular season is any indication…..it was for the Magic matchups.
And 2 words that define the Hawks team….IF MARVIN….no truer words spoken. J from the A..you’re asking alot of Marvin going forward in this series.
ant banks
April 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
hordford>noah
smooth>boozer
marvinbogans
hinrich=bogans
HAWKS WIN IN 7
KevinM
April 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8389999
It would help if the link was there…..duh
Nate ArchiBALL
April 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
Need to see the regular season All Star Al – FG% 55 per cent rather than the playoff All Star Al – FG% – 40 per cent.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
April 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
“Take it to the bank, the Bulls is watching the Hawks replays and will explicit their weaknesses”
Yes they is. And I believe this implicitly: We will exploit their explicitness.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
@KevinM: I think the Hawks are going to be asking (and needing!) a lot out of Marvin. It doesn’t necessarily have to be great stat lines, but just like Collins and Zaza really stepped up against the Magic (and did so without it really showing up in the stats), I think Marvin is going to have to be the key role player to step up against the Bulls if the Hawks hope to pull off the upset.
I think if Marvin can neutralize Deng (and effectively help on D Rose when needed), make key shots, crash the boards, and limit his turnovers, then he has played his role as well as he can. A 10-7-2 stat line would be fine if he is playing great D and not turning the ball over. This is a role he is capable of playing.
The Real Mandingo
April 29th, 2011
4:05 pm
All this discussion about Jamal not being resigned is crazy nonsense. Jamal would immediately sign a 3yr contract paying him between $33mil. and $40mil. pending some new collective bargaining agreement. Hawks’ management just needs to find a way to get it done. Jamal wants to be and finish his career in Atlanta. He is an overall “nice guy” and conducts himself with a certain amount of class. Jamal was the MVP of this past playoff series against the Magic. So goes Jamal, Joe and Al, so goes the Hawks; believe me.
Anyone heard of the following cliche, phrase or adage: “Wannabe big when small gotcha ya.” Well, I’m about to remix this phrase. Check it out; “Wannabe hero when goat gotcha ya.” That applies Josh Smith aka J-Smurf. This guy, Josh Smith, needs to play within his ability and skill set like Al Horford does. I hope he gets it eventually before it’s too late.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
4:07 pm
Dept. of Unintended Irony
April 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
““Take it to the bank, the Bulls is watching the Hawks replays and will explicit their weaknesses”
Yes they is. And I believe this implicitly: We will exploit their explicitness.”
Collective Nouns subject-verb agreement: If the Bulls is acting as a single unit, then it is actually acceptable (in fact, right!) to use the singular verb ‘is’. If the Bulls are not acting as a single unit, then the plural verb ‘are’ would be correct.
The Bulls [team] is viewing tape in preparation for their play-off series against the Hawks.
The Bulls [team] are fighting amongst themselves because they cannot agree on the proper strategy.
The parenthetical ‘team’ is not necessary in either case, but I added it so the first sentence would sound more natural (though it is grammatically correct even if it doesn’t sound so natural).
Could catch on the mistaken word use ‘explicit’ though.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
4:08 pm
*good catch … not ‘could catch’. Whoops!
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
4:12 pm
Darn it! Nevermind. Sports teams are the exception to the standard collective noun subject-verb agreement rules! They are always supposed to be treated as plurals. I thought I had the Dept. of Unintended Irony. As it turns out, I only had myself! [Go ahead, Dept., get me for that one!]
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2011
4:13 pm
“make key shots, crash the boards, and limit his turnovers, then he has played his role as well as he can. A 10-7-2 stat line would be fine if he is playing great D and not turning the ball over. This is a role he is capable of playing.”
Real talk. I’ve been saying that about Marvin for several years now. The Hawks don’t need Marvin to be a great scorer. They just need him to consistently hit open shots and lock down his man on D. If he does for the Hawks what Bruce Bowen did for the Spurs or Shane Battier did for the Grizzlies and Rockets, he’s a major asset.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2011
4:18 pm
If Kirk is healthy, I would actually like to see the Teague/Kirk starting back court against Chicago. Teague is going to have to play meaningful minutes one way or another in this series — might as well start him seeing as how he has consistently been more productive playing with the starters. Let Joe check Deng (who is going to guard Joe regardless of who the Hawks start), let Teague and Kirk switch off on Rose, and keep Kirk on the floor to chase Korver around screens when he comes into the game. And with Marvin coming off the bench, the Hawks can counter what the Bulls get bringing Ronnie Brewer into the game in a similar role.
I don’t think the big lineup is necessary against Chicago. Al will be fired up to take on Noah and Smoove has the advantage athletically over Boozer and is capable of exploiting him one on one in the post. The main thing is that both of them are going to have to crash the boards. Zaza can come in and be the instigator off the bench. Between Noah and Asik, the Bulls have instigators of their own inside that Zaza can battle.
J from the A
April 29th, 2011
4:19 pm
Wow, Bulls fans/bloggers/”writers” are already predicting such a lopsided series, that they may prefer to watch the Celtics-Heat games over the Hawks-Bulls game.
http://blogs.bulls.com/2011/04/bulls-get-atlanta-in-second-round/
The key quote:
“Frankly, I don’t see how the Hawks can get a game. Maybe they get one because you can miss shots. I may record the series and watch it after it’s over and watch the Celtics and Heat, instead.”
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
Thoughts about next year:
[I am not an actuary so I'll stay away from sal. & nimbers]
* We will re-sign Jamal (if he still wants to stay)
* We will keep Joe (much to my displeasure)
* We will trade Josh (sadly but necessary)
* We will trade Marv (it will be in his best interest & ours)
* We will finally trade for a Big
* We will *NOT get a pg unless we draft Isaiah Thomas (2nd rd)
* We will sign a pretty good vet FA
* LD does not return / new HC again
** In a perfect world we hire Doc
** In a more perfect world…..
D.Howard demands a trade to the Hawks…
so he can play for Doc !
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
4:22 pm
Dept. of Unintended Irony
“Yes they is. And I believe this implicitly: We will exploit their explicitness”
This would be funny if you had a clue
Bulls (like Team) = Collective Noun (in this case) – a word used to define a group of objects
You should know this or maybe you don’t
Also, explicit (exploit) was a “typo” not a misspell
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
Regarding next year and whether or not Jamal will stay, all our speculation means jack sh-t because there will be a new CBA in place after the lockout, and free agents won’t sign until after the new CBA is in effect. The DASG has no idea right now how much cap space they will have and whether they can even exceed the cap under the new CBA. Without the knowledge of what the new system will hold, we have no basis for speculating on what the Hawks might do.
Dept. of Unintended Irony
April 29th, 2011
4:47 pm
“Bulls (like Team) = Collective Noun (in this case) – a word used to define a group of objects”
See J from the A at 4:12
“Also, explicit (exploit) was a “typo” not a misspell”
Typo: a typographical error
Typographical Error: A mistake in printing, typesetting or typing, especially caused by striking an incorrect key on a keyboard.
Which key did you strike incorrectly to change explicit to exploit?
That’s not a typo, it’s brain fart. We’ve ALL done it, so don’t be so offended. And I don’t call anyone out for spelling unless the misspelling makes for irony.
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
4:50 pm
Najeh;
You sir are absotively correct.
However, speculation is more fun than reconsidering the core.
Plus, from what I’ve read, the threat of a lockout is fading,
due to the NFL stategy of decertifying.
* All wishful thinking, of course.
Bill Cosby said: (concerning optimism -vs- pessimism)
“The container being half full or half empty
depends on if your drinking or pouring”
I [-had to / still have to-] think about that one.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
5:03 pm
Dept. of Unintended Irony
(LOL) Assumption of being offended is incorrect
Let’s try this logic
“Typographical Error: A mistake in printing, typesetting or typing, especially caused by striking an incorrect key on a keyboard”
Yes, a mistake in typing. That also sounds like a brain fart to me. Since we’re not talking basketball anymore, what’s the difference?
Leffty
April 29th, 2011
5:04 pm
I wish they talked more about how well the Hawks did on the boards, especially with Noah and Boozer coming up in Chi-town. All night long in Game Six, the Atlanta was dominant on the boards. The Hawks had seven more offensive rebounds than Orlando, and they got five more second-chance points as a result. Those five points are the difference in such a close game. Joe Johnson was particularly huge with has O-board that got Crawford two big free throws. That play on the boards will be particularly important against the Bulls in the next round. Check it out:
http://bit.ly/l2wTeQ
Grandad
April 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Mr. Dept. of U.I.
How do you know he was trying to type exploit?
What if he were trying to type;
explicate or expugn or even expunge or maybe exfoliate.
The Truth
April 29th, 2011
5:20 pm
Dept. of Unintended Irony
Bulls (like Team) = Collective Noun (in this case) – a word used to define a group of objects”
See J from the A at 4:12
“Related collective nouns
Sports team names like those discussed above—as well as more grammatically ordinary names such as Reds, Knicks, and Canadiens, and straightforward compound names such as Blue Jays—form a particular set of collective nouns. Closely related to the class of essentially plural headless nouns typified by Red Sox are the growing number of orthographically singular sports team names that may be classified as examples of a special type of collective noun—one that (a) has identical terms for both the collective and an individual thereof (as with the essentially plural headless noun) but (b) is not used as a counting noun beyond the singular. Two examples include the name of the Miami NBA team—Heat—and the name of the Colorado NHL team—Avalanche. While heat is a mass noun, whereas avalanche is a normal counting noun, in the context of a team name, both words operate as this special type of collective noun”
Go figure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_plural
Booo!
April 29th, 2011
7:44 pm
LOL @ Gearon getting on Mark Bradley, Ha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9lP9zBI0HU&feature=channel_video_title
For, me this next series against the Cows rests on Jeff Teague. If he has a coming out party, I see positive things for our future. Hopefully someone will give LD the memo.