Atlanta Hawks: Pick your lineup
L.D. says he hasn’t decided on a lineup. Knowing what we know about his ever-shifting rotations, I believe him.
I also believe that if Jamal starts ahead of Teague my blog people will crash the AJC.com servers registering their outrage.
My guess is Drew will go with Teague, J.J., Marvin, Smoove and Al. I figure the only reason he’s still contemplating starting Jamal because of his fondness for shotmakers, which seemed to trump defensive concerns for much of the season. But then L.D saw that the best way to beat the Magic was the Dwight Defense. Now that D-Rose is the big problem, I think L.D. again chooses D over points and sends in Teague.
Loading ...Yesterday I was going back and forth on whether it’s in the Hawks’ best interest to focus on scoring or grinding. They have more offensive talent than the Bulls, after all. The problem is the Hawks still haven’t figured to play a style that takes advantage of all that talent while the Bulls have mastered Thibodeau’s defensive system.
So eventually I settled on grinding as Atlanta’s best hope for an upset that finally gets them to the East finals. The clincher came today when us media types kept asking Josh questions about scoring and he kept talking about D.
“Defense wins championships. Bottom line,” he said. “You can put the ball in the hole but that part is not [consistent]. It’s a game of imperfections. Sometimes there are going to be nights where you can’t throw it in the ocean.
“It’s how stingy you make your defense and how ugly you make the game. That’s what we’ve got to get. I think we’ve really got that identity and we are OK with it.”
I’m OK with it, too. That’s why I think is the best lineup for Game 1: Teague, J.J., Smoove, Al and . . . Zaza!
The Bulls dominated the Hawks on the boards in all three games and now my lineup has three rebounders. Teague, Zaza and Al are a pretty good pick-and-roll group, too. You get Zaza’s energy and toughness against Noah from the start. After watching Josh work against Turkoglu, I think he has the desire and focus to check Deng as part of another spirited team effort on D.
The bench still has Jamal. He, Damien and Marvin can sub first for Teague, Smoove and Zaza. That’s still a workable defensive alignment, with Damien, Marvin and Al covering for Jamal and Joe. When Zaza, Smoove and Teague return, Al, Joe and Damien come out.
There are weaknesses to my lineup, of course. Basically it includes just three scorers–unless you think Zaza has a chance to get to the rim and finish against Noah or Teague can shake free and convert floaters against an elite D.
Jamal and Joe will do their thing, for better and worse. My lineup probably means Boozer has to spend a lot of time guarding Al and that’s a plus for the Hawks. The hope would be that Smoove takes Deng in the post instead of hanging out at the 3-point line. Better odds on that than Jamal staying engaged on D, right?
But that’s neither here nor there. My lineup is about defense. The Hawks may struggle to score but they need to put pressure on Chicago’s mediocre offense, too.
“It really doesn’t matter about what’s going on at the offensive end,” Josh said. “I think we are doing so good defensively. Offense is going to come. We are making it stingy for the other team to score. As long as we keep that attitude and that mentality I think we will be OK.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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176 comments Add your comment
luck
May 2nd, 2011
12:11 am
why not pape sy ,,he has hight and speed
tom
May 2nd, 2011
12:21 am
has a rookie head coach who won coach of the year gone on to lead their team to an NBA Finals Victory?
Basketball Jones
May 2nd, 2011
12:26 am
Roll with Teague, Headband Joe, Josh, Al and Twin. Give Joakim and Boozer the same beat down Dwight got.
Really Clyde
May 2nd, 2011
12:27 am
RIP Bin Laden? Really? I was kind of hoping Beezlebub had some more interesting and fitting way for OBL to spend eternity.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2011
12:37 am
Starting Line-up:
*Joe [1] – guards Chicago’s [2]
*Pape Sy [2] – guards Rose
*Josh [3] – guards Deng
*Al [4] – guards Noah
*Zaza [5] – guards Boozer
That oughta’ do it.
LD’s been itchin’ for a chance to show off his personal discovery.
The Real Mandingo
May 2nd, 2011
1:17 am
Trust me; I love the Hawks. With that being said, to me, a successful playoff run for the Hawks would be to lose to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in six or seven games. Anything beyond that is like icing on the cake or extra gravy fo’ dat smothered chicken and mash potatoes.
My starting lineup against the Bulls is as follows: JT, JJ, Marvin, “Smoove,” and “Boss” Horford. I really want to start Jamal but you diehards ain’t tryin’ to hear me doe (though).
superiorblogman
May 2nd, 2011
1:39 am
I agree with your lineup MC.
You really watch the games. I think Zaza and Teague play good pick and roll with each other. I think Teague plays best when Zaza is on the floor offensively actually. I would not be surprised if he made Zaza look like a starting C on offense.
Finally, I can not celebrate someones death because I don’t know if Bin Laden really did that 911 stuff.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 2nd, 2011
2:03 am
Zaza Al Smith JJ Teague – let’s make em bleed Zaza!!! Ugly wins due to scrappy defense all day baby!!!
Mac-Town #maconchevyrider
May 2nd, 2011
3:26 am
I cant wait for the tipoff, this is about to be very interesting. I hope LD gives Teague a chance. Playing some emotional and inspired ball in the playoffs, I believe he can be a big boost. I know some of yall have caught those ultra athletic Smoove/Lebron-ish run down blocks Teague has done a couple times.
He should at least be able to bother Rose a little.
Grandad
May 2nd, 2011
3:41 am
S-Blogman;
” I can not celebrate someones death ”
I agree, we’re the US of A, were better than that.
Death, to anyone, is somber.
It’s just wrong to cheer death, to anyone.
I’m glad this ugly chapter in American history can finally end.
I appreciate Our President’s words:
“Justice has been done”
simple…apropos.
My God is a God of mercy and love,
I shall pray for his soul.
Now let’s bring our boys home !
There is something we can cheer for;
the return of all U.S. service-men.
My prayers continue.
God bless America.
Slim
May 2nd, 2011
4:45 am
Thank God, thank Jesus, and thank all the saints for you, Michael Cunningham!
Our first game with the Triple Towers (Joe at SG, Marvin/Josh at SF, Al at PF) gives us rebounding. Did you know the that Dwight Howard grabs 21% of rebounds and Bass/Anderson grabs 10% or less. Boozer and Noah grabs 18% each. Bulls have better rebounding bigs than the Magic! Check out when we went small and never played Twin Towers. They get tip outs to Rose and Deng and we are scrambling into position.
Slim
May 2nd, 2011
5:11 am
also Michael, Deng guards Joe 2 well and give Marvin and Teague Hinrich’s minutes. Keep the Collins, Zaza rotation.
Rose: “With Perkins Gone, We Know We Can Beat Celtics”
“He was tough,” Rose said. “He was really tough to go around. They’re different.
“We know we can beat them,” Rose flatly said.
:::
Collins has to be our Perkins. Noah is almost just as good a rebounder/tipper outer as Howard except he can’t score those extra possessions go to Rose and Deng who slash on our guys out of position. Offensive Rebounds are key.
Good for Josh stepping up and saying defense wins championships!
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
5:47 am
I GOT JUST TWO WORDS!
“It really doesn’t matter about what’s going on at the offensive end,” Josh said. “I think we are doing so good defensively. Offense is going to come.”. – Josh –
_____________________
DE FENSE. I don’t give a rat’s tail about offense. That’s my third rant re: this. All the blah! Blah! Talk about this and that? Just stop it.
Rebound the damned ball and stop some body.
JeJe
May 2nd, 2011
5:58 am
It is 5:58 AM.
FIRE LD
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
6:01 am
I guess it takes an Obama to kill an Osama?
terrell
May 2nd, 2011
6:21 am
LD is a dumba..!Not the time to be getting cute with your lineups. Insert Teauge where Kirk would be and move on.
Teague/Joe/Josh/Al/Collins.
Not to hard to figure out.
vava74
May 2nd, 2011
6:25 am
Clyde,
On the gas, you better sit and wait. Prices are high because it’s a good business and a worldwide cartel – including USA companies – controls the price.
Grandad,
Exactly, the death of someone cannot be the motive of joy. However, it is fair to feel a sense of deliverance. Bin Laden was a murderer.
However, the problem is also that Bin Laden, like many other terrorists and goons, was a byproduct of a flawed US foreign policy.
Incredible but true: Twitter and Facebook made/are making a better job at “freeing the world” than guns.
Plant the seeds of liberty, much better things will come.
War and violence is necessary in some cases but the military industry is a good business and good businesses lobby for more and more, even when it is not necessary nor adequate.
terrell
May 2nd, 2011
6:28 am
Starting Marvin or Jamal is a mistake. Bring em off the bench where they’re comfortable. With that said, he’ll probably start both of em.
The Real Mandingo
May 2nd, 2011
6:30 am
ant banks,
In response to your question concerning a player’s readiness/injury status from a previous blog, please refer to the following scale/list with one (1) being least ready/available to six (6) being most ready/available:
1. Out
2. Doubtful/Unlikely
3. Questionable/Possible
4. Probable
5. Likely
6. Available/Ready/Will start or play
The above list is unofficial as I used common sense and took the liberty of inserting extra grades/categories of player readiness. You can probably research how the NFL grades a football player’s injury status on the official NFL website (NFL.com). I suggested the official NFL website because NFL players, I would assume, incur injuries more often than NBA players.
terrell
May 2nd, 2011
6:43 am
Slimjr, Zbo used to be more of a headcase than Josh has ever thought about being. And now he’s a Benz ,and Josh is a chevy? Wow! Took Zack 10 years to get it together, and he played a year of college ball(for Izzo). Josh came str8 out of highschool and is just in his 7th year. Shouldnt he get 10 years of maturation like Zbo did? Just curious??
vava74
May 2nd, 2011
6:50 am
Teague:
“”I just need to play. Don’t try to think too much,” he said. “When you start thinking out there, that’s when things go wrong. I need to just go out there and play, play as hard as I can and do what I can to help the team.”
These are clearly the words of someone who simply never got enough minutes to settle his game.
It’s clear to me and it has been so since last year.
Teague has the “it” factor in him but his confidence has been shattered by Woody and LD made little to no effort to change that.
terrell
May 2nd, 2011
7:11 am
Great way to install confidence in your young pg LD. Clown! Dont know who’s startin yet my azz.
O'Brien
May 2nd, 2011
7:57 am
I think LD has already decided on a starting lineup, and is trying to keep Bulls off balance. And I think Teague is in his starting lineup.
If he starts Jamal, then who off the bench can he rely on for points? Marvin? Maybe, but he cannot create his own shot. Definitely not Teague, if he is playing with the second unit, and definitely not Damien.
Regardless of what LD is saying to the media, I hope he has already made it known to his players (especially Teague) what his role would be. One thing Teague has lacked is confidence (and Woody and LD probably made it worse). So it is important for LD to build him up going into the game, and to let him know to just go out and give effort…and not worry about messing up.
Mike is back
May 2nd, 2011
8:00 am
MC, in game six of the Orlando series…Marvin had that look of an assassin…did LD bottle some of that up…whatever it was…we could use some more…has LD gave any indication on whether he would increase Marvin touches…to keep him in a rhythm…he had a nice flow to his game…in game six.
They will be physical with JJ…no way they are going to let him…get off…someone else with step if JJ is double teamed…Marvin could be that guy…I just want to see…THE HAWKS CONTINUE TO FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As long as we do that…we got a chance.
GO HAWKS
O'Brien
May 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
And northcyde has suggested the Teague_ZaZa starting lineup for a while now. Al does not hang out in the post on offense (ZaZa will), and Jamal is not a PG. We don’t want Rose to get going early (we at least want to make him work).
Plus if LD starts Jamal and his shot is off, then what? If Jamal is trying to shoot his way out, and play PG, and defend Rose…that is a recipe for disaster (imo).
As for Boozer, I don’t think he is 100%, so that should make our job a little easier.
Get Real
May 2nd, 2011
8:05 am
The question isn’t whether or not Teague will start, it’s whether he will actually play starters minutes at any point in the series.
The whole Bin Laden thing is beyond silly and has been for nearly 10 years. First, they made you believe in his relevance and continued existence. Now that have you believing in his death. And none of you have any first hand knowlege to support your beliefs. The US government’s word seems to have attained the status as popular religious doctrines. This is how governments get out of control.
sam'l
May 2nd, 2011
8:06 am
Rotate Teague, Joe, Marvin, Wilkins, 2 on 1 zone, Teague, Joe, Marvin, Wilkens, etc, etc….til Rose wilts.
Always push Rose to one side for double teams……
Use large rotation and press at all points.
Go Hawks. NO ONE THINKS YOU CAN DO IT…EXCEPT US…..
forwardmo
May 2nd, 2011
8:49 am
article much more POSITIVE. hawks definately have a CHANCE. one game at a time. FOCUS IS KEY.
joe white
May 2nd, 2011
8:56 am
I like the big line up this seris take the advantage of our bigs and play d on rose,get the ball out of his hands and our bigs should kill. Deng on jj well jj is going to win that matchup, crawford is out ace in the hole and the reason we win this seris, we going to miss kirk but teague should do a good job just play slow and not to fast his game will come.Go Hawks
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
8:57 am
Pound for Pound!
“LOL, much can be read into this but one translation to Josh’s comment: JJ is pounding the ball way too long and by the time Josh receives the outlet pass, he has to rush a jump shot. Perhaps Josh is trying to rationalize his latest low FG% from the perimeter.
__________________
Or, maybe simply put, it is TRUE.
Why over think the obvious answer.
“
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
9:13 am
Kool Aid Taste like Water!
“Teague has the “it” factor in him but his confidence has been shattered by Woody and LD made little to no effort to change that.”
_____________________
When you try to stretch the Kool – Aid and add to much water? The flavor is diluted and weak.
First if all: IF you have IT? No one can take that away.
Stop with all the hand wringing and coddling of these millionaires.
No one promised Teague or any one else playing time.
The NBDL, College and Over Seas is where you go to develope your fundamental basketball skills, not the NBA.
All Teague can do since he was not drafted by The Clippers is watch, learn and wait his turn. Stay ready for the time his “nimber” is called.
Like Joe said, “No more excuses! It’s time to put up or shut the hell up.”
Stop with the pre-cursors and lame excuses about confidence.
You learn confidence in grade school.
AM
May 2nd, 2011
9:22 am
I like our chances with Teague. I think his defensive abilities are under rated and he will add some speed to the offense. Rose will get his, but he needs to work for it. Remember, the Bulls didn’t exactly blowout the Pacers and Rose was the sole reason they won each game.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
9:29 am
* too much water
Geemack
May 2nd, 2011
9:34 am
Rose vs Teague advantage Bulls
JJ vs. Bogans advantage Hawks
Josh vs. Deng advantage Hawks
Horford vs. Boozer advantage Hawks
Zaza vs. Noah advantage Bulls
Bench Even
Coaching: advantage Bulls
Hawks in 6
drmaryb (*_-)
May 2nd, 2011
10:14 am
Pick up Game!
As a fan, we can pick a lot of things:
We can pick our nose
We can pick our friends
We can pick our drawers (either from a clean pile or our arse)
We can pick our food
We can pick our arena seats
We can pick our teams (in the pros or on the play ground)
But, there is a limit to what we can pick!
__________________
We can NOT pick our line ups. (If so, Teague would start every game)
Sleepy
May 2nd, 2011
10:16 am
At the end of the day some of you haters are gonna have to realize that jamal is the only player we have that can offset Rose .
NO ONE ON OUR TEAM WILL STOP ROSE INDIVIDUALLY AND IT STUPID TO SUGGEST IT.
Whats a recipe for disaster is to allow ourselves to get behind against the best defensive team in the league and then think jamal is gonna come in and save us ?
Its far more important in this series for us to start well
I find the entire argument about whether Crawford should start to be stupid because hes has to play 30+ minutes a game anyway if we are gonna win . He is gonna have to face Rose especially at the end of the game and he is gonna have to deliver . This would be the case even with Kirk I dont know why some of you are in denial about this .
I would much rather have Teague get his feet wet against CJ Watson when his job wont solely be to play spot up shooter to JJ and AL .
Jamal has answered the bell for pretty much everything weve asked why everyone chooses to let him off the hook in this situation is beyond me .
We should be asking him as the veteran player to raise his level of play at both ends not trying to circumvent him .
I really think people have forgotten that weve been pretty successful the past two years against the Bulls. Whats changed is not that OMG Rose started scoring like crazy on us its that the play of josh and AL have been extremely inconsistent against the Bulls and Jamal this year was not nearly as aggressive .
In 09 our only loss against them was the OT game other than that EVEN WITH Bibby we would take them not only because Josh and AL gave them fits around the basket but jamal and JJ put a ton of pressure on Kirk and Rose.
Al and Josh this year for the most part have stayed perimeter and Jamal our last game with them took 4 shots .
Im not even going to get into that jamal has proven to be one of our most reliable players on the road .
Just like last series people are running from who we are when they need to be embracing it and riding it out
Sleepy
May 2nd, 2011
10:18 am
and drmaryb (*_-) your @ss is crazy …
The Kool-Aid taste like water …ROFLMAO
BirdDirty
May 2nd, 2011
10:21 am
Start Teague at PG. After that, let Joe play some point at times (2nd half/crunch-time). Use a big lineup of Joe, Jamal, Marvin/Damien, Josh and Al.
vava74
May 2nd, 2011
10:33 am
Sleepy,
09-10 games are worthless since there was no Thibs.
This year is what matters and what matters is that Jamal got burned to crisp trying (was he?) to defend Rose.
Jamal is a SG and there should be NO MINUTES at the PG unless if opposite to CJ Watson but with clear orders not to leave CJ operate freely since he can score fast too.
I would only “trust” Jamal to defend Bogans.
NagoyaHawk
May 2nd, 2011
10:38 am
Reality check. Check this out: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/news/story?page=5-on-5-110502-Hawks-Bulls
cp
May 2nd, 2011
10:38 am
MC I like your lineup. northcyde has been talking about using that lineup for a while now. I hope Teague plays well tonight.
Double Zero Eight
May 2nd, 2011
10:39 am
This is Teague’s chance to shine. His speed will
be needed against the Bulls.
Rusty
May 2nd, 2011
10:47 am
Does anyone expect dumb idiot to do the right thing? Even if Teague doesn’t score he will be the best defensive player against rose.
Sleepy
May 2nd, 2011
10:49 am
Vava again your wrong if we go away from Jamal we will be blown out .
Rose does what he does against everyone the only person on our squad that can offset that offensively is jamal .
We dont run offensive plays off the ball for jamal so basically what you are doing is turning him into Bibby a spotup three point shooter in the corner .
Its the same thing some of you wanted to do last series . Jamal should only play sg and go stand on the wings waiting on three point shots to be created for him it didnt work then and it wont work now.
Thibs is running Bostons defense strategy what did jamal do against the Celtics defense ?
I seem to recall against the Celtics that at a certain point we were switching like crazy so that Bibby and jamal wouldnt be matched up against Rondo and then Woody said screw it and stopped the switching and challenged jamal to stay with Rondo .
I say its nice that we are talking up Teague but behind the scenes I would be preparing for Jamal to give me a solid defensive effort against Rose .
If he wants that new paycheck here is where he can get it .
Eddie
May 2nd, 2011
10:52 am
Why isnt Damien Wilkens in on this discussion he is an excellent defender I think they should give him a shot
phil
May 2nd, 2011
10:56 am
Anyone who thinks we can beat the Bulls is snorting something. I didn’t think we would win a game against Orlando either, but I see a 4 game Bulls sweep. We have nothing for Rose and will just roll over and get killed this series because Smith, JJ, marvin and Crawford have no intention of playing much defense….just watch tonight when we lose by 20 plus….Rose will torch us….only hope is an injured Boozer….
Fire Larry Drew II
May 2nd, 2011
10:58 am
It’s sad how this idiot coach is handling Jeff Teague when teams like Memphis are allowing less talented players like Grevious Vasquez get minutes and grow..Drew speaks of Teague being inconsistent but what player on the hawks hasn’t..he us ruining a talented prospect with his poor inconsistent coaching…
JeJe
May 2nd, 2011
10:59 am
Why am I the only person here asking Horford to step up? I keep referencing the article about how he loves playing Chicago, but then choked the next game vs. them. This whole series is on him
Sleepy
May 2nd, 2011
11:00 am
” Phil – I didn’t think we would win a game against Orlando either ”
explains and lot and reinforces the reasons why no one should pay attention to you
phil
May 2nd, 2011
11:01 am
Horford is the only hawk who stepped up all year….he ain’t the problem…