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
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
1:57 pm
ALLSTAR AL SEE HOW AMARE PLAYS, ALWAYS IN ATTACK MODE. HECK HE WEAR GOGGLES TO PROTECT HIS EYES FROM THOSE BIG STIFFS WHO ARE WHACKING HIM AS HE ATTACKS THE RIM….
NOW ITS YOUR TURN ON TNT BRO………………..TONIGHT…..UNDER THE.STAGE LIGHTS
TIME TO FIGHT MAN!!!! MAN THE F—K UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tremaine
May 2nd, 2011
2:01 pm
“GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
tremaine
May 2nd, 2011
2:02 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmfFjIZ4Gmo
superiorblogman
May 2nd, 2011
2:02 pm
I am hearing that its confirmed the lineup will be.
PG Teague
SG Joe
SF Marvin
PF Josh
C Al
That is a horrible starting lineup. Meaning you want that lineup to get you off to a good start. That’s just stupid, Teague is a big IF even though we wish him the best and he has done nothing to say he can’t do the job, Marvin is a big IF and he has proven time and time again that he can’t do the job, Josh is a big IF and he is on the verge of proven that he can not do it also. Too many IF’s this is the worse lineup in my IMO.
tremaine
May 2nd, 2011
2:13 pm
superiorblogman
May 2nd, 2011
2:02 pm
I am hearing that its confirmed the lineup will be.
PG Teague
SG Joe
SF Marvin
PF Josh
C Al
The only thing I don’t like about this lineup is Marvin.
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
2:20 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
LD you are asking for a 10pt deficit in the 1st 7 mins!!Marvin should never start against Deng!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deng will destroy him dude????????????????????? Are you kidding me?????????
Larry Larry what are you thing dude?????????????? or not????????….
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
2:21 pm
Marvin is too soft to hang with DENG LARRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
2:22 pm
thinking dude^^^^^^^^^^^^
JeJe
May 2nd, 2011
2:24 pm
I watched the (c)Heat/Celtics game yesterday and it looked impossible for players to get a good shot off.
Chicago is BETTER DEFENSIVELY THAN BOTH THOSE TEAMS. I hope we can execute LD’s “offense.” He says it is supposed to be unpredictable. LOL we’ll see
I still don’t get why people don’t call out LD more for this BS offense – how he said it’d excel in the playoffs because it’s unpredictable.
We won vs. Orlando solely on jumpshots and wild 3s. Won’t work vs. real teams
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
2:25 pm
Bench Marvin and pull Josh at the first sign hes not here…..The first 3 mins is critical!!! Larry you cant afford to fall behind…They will blow your azz off the court………………..
bigdave
May 2nd, 2011
2:25 pm
Joe.. and Josh have been vocal supporters of Jeff.. hopefully the other 4 starters come out and take their respective games to the next level allowing Jeff to play w/ confidence..
SteveW
May 2nd, 2011
2:31 pm
Chicago Tribune, May 2nd
““Right now, we’re looking at Jeff,” said Hawks coach Larry Drew prior to Monday morning’s shoot-around at the United Center. “You know, before we got Kirk in the trade right after the All-Star Break, we started Jeff four games and he did a magnificent job.
“These are just situations that do come up. And I have always had faith in this kid and I am not going to change now with us being in the playoffs. He brings a unique package to the table for us. And certainly he is in a position where he has to step in and play a lot of minutes. And I have all the faith in the world in him.”
“Drew said Teague, 6-2, 180 out of Wake Forest, also will start out against Rose defensively. Drew had seven starts during the season and averaged 5.2 points in 70 games.
“He has guarded (Rose) before, this isn’t anything out of the ordinary,” Drew said. “Jeff has guarded some tough guys. This is just the situation being in the playoffs. ”
Somebody call the police quick!! Larry Drew has been kidnapped and some imposter is now talking to the press as Larry Drew.
I do hope they find Larry, but I kinda like this new guy.
SteveW
May 2nd, 2011
2:34 pm
At the same time, this was usually Larry’s way during the season of saying that Jeff was going to be on the bench for a long time.
Larry has a weird way of expressing himself.
SteveW
May 2nd, 2011
2:37 pm
Northcyde – I do agree if the Hawks can win early, we got a much better shot at winning the series. The Bulls are one of the elite teams that we actually have more playoff experience with most of our core guys than they do with their core guys.
And if you’ll read my posts from last summer, I’ve been saying that if the Griz keep ZBo and Gasol, it’s gonna be them and OKC for a long time in the West. I still think the Lakers win this season and probably next, but then they’re done.
And if Shaq doesn’t play for the Celts, they may be done right now.
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
2:40 pm
Hawks and Miami in the EC Finals this year???I have to pinch myself for typing this…He He
JoJo the Godfather
May 2nd, 2011
2:54 pm
I’m not worried about Marvin guarding Deng, or anyone guarding Deng for that matter. I’m worried about Deng getting to guard Joe Johnson, because we all know Bogans will have no problem guarding the 6′9″ SF/PF that is Marvin Williams.
Freshfromatl
May 2nd, 2011
2:56 pm
I would rather have Marvin come off the bench but starting Zaza may just be too risky. This series, I only expect the Hawks to rotate three “bigs” (Al, Josh, ans Zaza), Sorta how we rotated only three guards against Orlando. All the other “bigs” won’t see any time unless someone gets hurt or is in foul trouble. Collins is useless in this series imo because the Bull don’t really have a scoring big that works in the post.
I expect to see more guards employed in this series with Damien and Teague playing much bigger roles.
Hawks in 6.
Freshfromatl
May 2nd, 2011
2:58 pm
Also, Boozer trying to play with that turf-toe injury may do more bad than good for Chicago.
Slimjr
May 2nd, 2011
3:27 pm
turf toes are very painful injury, and it is so easy to aggravate it!
Barry
May 2nd, 2011
3:53 pm
Hey Y’all:
I just come to realize that the opponent to all this basketball is the NBA trophy. We have to win all 3 ROUNDS to get to that NBA trophy. In ROUND 1: Our Hawks threw a lot of punches and knocked the Orlando Magic out cold. Now, it ROUND 2. Our Hawks are primed for this fight. With this opponent, the Bulls, the Hawks have to play defense and offense at a high level. With the barrage of shots they will pound on the Buuls, the bulls will ot be able to come back. Like Orlando, these Bulls are going to be confused because they do not know who to key on on the offense side of the ball for the HAWKS due to everybody on the HAWKS can SHOOT. DEFENSE is a natural for our HAWKS. We haave the “ATHLETES” to play it. In ROUND 1 , OUR HAWKS played “CENTER BY COMMITTEE” defense against Dwight Howard. It worked. In Round 2, against these Bulls, we should play “GUARD BY COMMITTEE” against Derek Rose. We must and will wear him DOWN throughout this series.
THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN. OUR HAWKS SWINGING WITH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE BULLS, WITH THE RING IN THEIR NOSE, CRYING OUT OF FRIGHT. OUR HAWKS STANING ON THEIR TOES BOBBING AND WEAVING TAPPING JABSS ON TH BULLS FACE, OH THOSE BULLS ARE TEATHING. THE REFEREE BRAEKS IT UP FO A MINUTE OR TWO. BUT OUR HAWKS ARE ANGRY AFTER THIS ROUND BULL YOU’RE THRU!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW, ARE YOU READY TO RUUUUUMMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBLEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO HAWKS!! LET’s “SHOCK THE WORLD” TO AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!! AND WE HAVEN”T EVEN DONE “THE SHUFFLE” YET!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………..”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!”…………….
Slim
May 2nd, 2011
4:26 pm
really Larry Drew, really. No rebounds needed. funnel everything to the 6′8 Smith. He will block everything, he jumps really really high.
Give me a break. Marvin and his 4 shots a game could be used on the bench. Josh at 3, Joe at 2, Horford at 4 are 3 post up threats to get fouled.
U know who else has 3 threats to get fouled in the post? the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Now instead of a bunch of mid-post and low post options we’ll have every1 standing around waiting for someone to drive and kick.
Not to mention stats show Bulls are even better offensive rebounders than Dwight Howard and 6′7 Brandon Bass. Bulls make their living off of rebounds and Rose tries to dunk on 6′8 power forwards (Smith in early foul trouble).
We bring in Marvin for shooting but before you can shoot common sense says u HAVE TO GET THE BALL. We have no rebounding and teams always blow us out on tip-ins deflections etc.
Bring in a center or suffer the repurcussions of not getting the rebound. It is not fair or realistic to rely on Josh Smith to do as much as a center on defense and then give him no size advantage on offense.
RalphWatson
May 2nd, 2011
5:16 pm
I tell you what, if Marvin Williams plays anything like he did in the Hawks close-out game again Orlando, the Hawks will SWEEP the Chicago Bulls. Marvin played that game as if he were the #2 player picked in the entire draft. Marvin was sensational and shot almost 100% as he made important bucket after important bucket. Although he only scored 10 points, they were crucial points that we had to have and wouldnt have won the series against Orlando without those points. MARVIN IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO and one of the most clutch performers in NBA History. All Hail to Marvin Williams, the King.
CameronFischer
May 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
Derrick Rose has been playing wreckless and erratic like the MECHANICAL BULL that he is and although he is the odds on favorite to win the MVP award this year, with a sprained ankle I’m not expecting much out of rose. In fact, Marvin and our enforcer Zsa Zsa Pachullia should try and purposely STEP ON ROSES ANKLE just to make it worse and render him helpless as we advance past the Bulls and into the Eastern Conference Finals. Go Hawks, win series with Bulls in 6.
Slim
May 3rd, 2011
12:27 am
Crow I eat it Larry Drew. Hawks have put the onus on the front office to improve the team #goHawks! lol
Slim
May 3rd, 2011
12:32 am
dont wish injury on players @CameronFischer
i’d like 2 believe can win the series without incurring harm to another human being :S
datdangdude
May 3rd, 2011
11:51 am
I need to know if anyone else has seen (or felt) that Josh Smith is either hurt, or crazy. Where is the high-flying athletism we have seen in years gone by. Is he trying to refine his game, because NOW is not the time(do that in the off-season at the RNS) ? Anyway, the MAIN point I am trying to make is his is jacking some HORRIBLE shots, and in several instances in last night’s game, he had an open lane to the basket – one that he could use and jump over the defender for a SC highlight. His jumper is not good-it might not even be average.
It looks like his knows that his days in ATL are over-I would not be at all surprised if he doesn’t get traded at the season’s end.
I think someone should open up a point-shaving inquiry to Mr. Jackson