Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 103, Bulls 95
Chicago–It’s not hard to figure out why lots of people don’t like the Hawks.
- The numbers guys disdain them because they don’t compute on some things they hold sacred, like victory margins and inefficient shot selection. Old school fans don’t like the Hawks because of the way they’ve dogged it at times. Those who like their offense fluid scoff at Iso-Joe.
- I’ve been as hard on the Hawks as anyone. They deserved the scrutiny with so many home beatdowns. They don’t play to their strengths often enough. Some of L.D.’s ’s tics are hard to figure, like the two-foul rule and the banishment of Teague and Zaza to the end of the bench.
- But, at some point, don’t the Hawks deserve some credit? If one of the knocks against them was that they too often lie down, then why don’t they seem to be getting any Ps now that they keep rising up?
- “People talk about Boston, Miami, Orlando and Chicago in the East and nobody talks about the Hawks,” Jamal said. ” We kind of like it that way. We don’t get the glory. We just come out and try to win.”
- Truth is, the Hawks didn’t give anyone much good to talk about until they flipped that switch in Game 1 at Orlando. They’ve won 5 of 7 playoff games since then, though, and yet it seems people still don’t know what to make of the Hawks.
- “If you looked at us in the regular season, we are a roller coaster,” Al said. “We come out and play great, the other game we get blown out by 50, and so people are saying, ‘Same Hawks again.’ And I can understand that. But I think the guys have come to realize we have an opportunity to do something special. We are just embracing our chance to still be in the playoffs.”
- After the game, the questions for the Hawks from Chicago media types were along the lines of: “Now that you’ve got the Bulls’ attention, how do you expect them to react?”
- I would have thought the Hawks beating the Magic in six would get Chicago’s attention even with Hinrich out. And if it didn’t what does that say about the Bulls, who had an excellent regular season but have proven even less than the Hawks in the playoffs?
- The Hawks scored 103 points on 89 possessions against the best defensive team in the league. That’s with Al scoring just seven points on seven shots and Josh skewing the numbers with an assortment of poor shots (but making a key jumper and getting a key block late).
- The Hawks shot just below their average on long 2-point jump shots but got more baskets from 15 feet and closer.
- “We did a much better job in our shot selections,” L.D. said. “We had some moments where we started playing too much isolation basketball and it gets us in a bit of trouble but we played out of it.”
- Teague was thrust into what looked like an impossible situation and flourished. He’s almost as quick as D-Rose, might be even more athletic and showed no fear.
- “Jeff was absolutely phenomenal,” L.D. said. “He played like a seasoned vet. His aggression, his attack state, his ability get into the paint–he played like a kid who has been playing a lot of minutes for me. He really stepped up big with the assignment he had and having to deal with the pressure of being in the playoffs.”
- Teague’s speed makes Atlanta’s half-court sets more dynamic. He turns the corner so fast he demands a hedge from the big and tonight he was good at threading the traps with his passes.
- Teague also looked for his own shot and was much more assertive with the floaters and runners. “I think that’s how I play,” he said. “L.D. came to me and told me to play my game and don’t just focus on guarding him. Make him guard, too.”
- “On the offensive end, not being shy, not being timid and just playing the way I know he is capable of playing,” L.D. said. “I told him, ‘I want you to play like Jeff Teague.’ I don’t want you to bow down to anyone you are playing with, I don’t want you to bow down to your teammates. You are just as important.”
- D-Rose was strangely passive at times. Perhaps he was trying to get his teammates involved but have you seen some of those teammates try to score?
- Rose was 4 for 9 at the basket, 7 for 18 from 3 feet and out and didn’t attempt a free throw.
- “The game plan was to just try to contain him,” Drew said. “We didn’t want to trap him off the bat to open things up. I think my big guys did a really good job at showing out on the screens. Our guards were good as well at corralling.”
- Al and Josh were strong on the boards and with protecting the rim and combined for eight assists against just one turnover. That’s a testament to Atlanta’s sharp ball movement through its big men.
- Zaza, Damien and Twin didn’t play much but made their minutes count.
- Damien was energetic and had a couple steals and baskets. Twin helped the Hawks get through foul trouble with five rebounds and two made jumpers.
- Zaza had some garbage buckets around the basket to keep the Hawks afloat in the second half and finished with five rebounds.
- “We were kind of dead in the water,” L.D. said. “He got his hands on a couple balls around the basket. They were a couple busted plays but the ball was in his hands and he laid them in. Zaza is my energy guy. I need his physicality. He’s a banger and when he plays like that it just makes us a better ball club.”
- I know what you are thinking: The Hawks tried to trade Zaza and Teague was buried on the bench behind Bibby. Better late then never, I guess.
- The same thing can be said for all of the Hawks.
- “We came together before the Charlotte game,” Smoove said. “We had a team dinner and we was talking amongst ourselves about how talented this ball club is and what we are capable of doing. We understood and knew the focus that we had to have to go into the postseason. Guys are playing all out for each other. We are playing with nothing to lose.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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317 comments Add your comment
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
10:35 am
Paging All Star Al, Paging All Star Al……. Please report to the playoffs ASAP. We really need you.
“Marvin has no discernible basketball skills that should allow him to start for a NBA team . Even the 5′5 300lb center sweaty center at the park knows that while I cant block shots I can at least be the best screen setter and try and hep my time.”
If Drew would only realize this and start Damien Wilkins, these games won’t be close. He is a much better defender than Marvin, and if they have to switch, he has the ability to guard Rose, Marvin can’t. Plus he will attack the rim, and finish, Marvin can’t.
Teague provides this offense exactly what it needs, A guy who can penetrate and keep the defense honest. If he had been playing minutes all year, this team would be much better. Props to Drew for giving the guy a shot to start Yesterday.
BobStevens
May 3rd, 2011
10:36 am
THIS IS THE BLOG OF THE DAY! Josh Smith is such a KLUTZ I couldnt believe how many TURNOVERS that guy committed last night. I was listening to the play-by-play broadcast between Mike Fratello and Marv Albert and I heard Mike say that he knows how Josh can be more effective. I would take that advice coming from a Hall-of-Fame calibre coach that Mike Fratello is. Fratello was fed up with the stupid plays of Josh Smith and I’m sure it hurts Mike too because Mike was a big part of this Hawks franchise in the ’80s. Fratello won a ton of games with the Hawks and he hates to stand by and watch Josh Smith continually MAKE A FOOL OF HIMSELF. Basically, Mike said on the air last night on the broadcast that JOSH SMITH NEEDS TO STOP SHOOTING SENSELESS JUMPSHOTS OUT BY THE 3-PT LINE WHERE HE CANT MAKE THEM AND PUT THE BALL ON THE FLOOR (CLOSE TO THE BASKET) AND FIND THE SEAMS AND LANES TO THE RIM AND SIMPLY DRIVE THE BALL TO THE BASKET AND STUFF IT THROUGH IT NETS. All the greats do this. Jamieer Nelson, Derrick Rose, D-Wade, LaBron James and now Josh Smith needs to learn to do this in order to MAXIMIZE HIS ATHLETIC ABILITY.
hawksfancents95
May 3rd, 2011
10:38 am
mc- neway u could pull my ajc account to see all my comments made? i predicted hawks in 6 vs orl before game one as well as jamal would avg 20ppg that series and guess what? he did, ive only made mayb 15 comments on this site
besides my physcic abilities id like to congrad the hawks esp jj, wow, jj was amazing hittin his shots and playn great d, jt played great/drose type fast, jamal gettin 20 again, great team effort, 1 downer tho, jsmooth, man ive never been upset at josh before ive let him do him but last night i did not want to see him on the floor takin 20 footers, does he not see teams will give him those all day? he needs to stay 15ft<
larry drew=htc, quietly brilliant
joey
May 3rd, 2011
10:40 am
hawksin 6
ant banks
May 3rd, 2011
10:43 am
teague stat line: 46% from the field, 5-to-1 assist/turnover 10pts, in 45 min. THIS BOY IS READY FOR PRIME TIME.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
10:46 am
“Teague was thrust into what looked like an impossible situation and flourished. He’s almost as quick as D-Rose, might be even more athletic and showed no fear.
“Jeff was absolutely phenomenal,” L.D. said. “He played like a seasoned vet. His aggression, his attack state, his ability get into the paint–he played like a kid who has been playing a lot of minutes for me. He really stepped up big with the assignment he had and having to deal with the pressure of being in the playoffs.”
Teague’s speed makes Atlanta’s half-court sets more dynamic. He turns the corner so fast he demands a hedge from the big and tonight he was good at threading the traps with his passes.
Teague also looked for his own shot and was much more assertive with the floaters and runners. “I think that’s how I play,” he said. “L.D. came to me and told me to play my game and don’t just focus on guarding him. Make him guard, too.”
“On the offensive end, not being shy, not being timid and just playing the way I know he is capable of playing,” L.D. said. “I told him, ‘I want you to play like Jeff Teague.’ I don’t want you to bow down to anyone you are playing with, I don’t want you to bow down to your teammates. You are just as important.”
Translation for those of you who don’t speak LD’ese – “Your still a punk, your still not in the rotation when Hinrich is back, and you’ll be lucky to see the court again when that happens except in hopelessly lost games”
ant banks
May 3rd, 2011
10:47 am
ant banks
May 1st, 2011
11:10 pm
teague GOTTA have one of those games when he goes into THAT zone. do y’all remember when d’antoni was HATIN’ nate robinson? he put nate in the game against the hawks and nate SCORCHED us for 40pts!!! teague gotta go the eff off!!!
GILBERT RENFRO, JASON GARRETT to name a few, are some guys who star shined brightly, when called upon and they became legends.
this ish is all on teague. the bloggosphere already loves and supports teague. all he needs to do is have one of those games and become endeared in all our hearts.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 3rd, 2011
10:48 am
Contenders and Pretenders!
They are all being exposed in the best play offs we have had in 10 years.
The guards are changing now and like in the middle east?
The rebels are uprising, taking it to the streets and over throwing the old storied regimes!
Out with the old and in with the new. Rose is nice, but his MVP talent is not enough to win a 7 game series against better and more talented teams. We found our PG of the future on our very own bench.
Even if Jordan Crawford was here? He would not be seeing the court besides from the bench. Joe and Jamal are not sitting to watch Jordan take 30 shots per game. That was never gonna happen if we are to win.
We already have enough problems with veterans taking poor shots, even if they go in, there are better shots available to score and get And – 1’s.
Sund made all the right moves, we just couldn’t see it then.
We are almost built to win it now. If we see the Lakers, we just might be able to win it in 7 if the bball gods are smiling and we stay humble and follow Teague to the end. Kirk would be great off the bench, IF he comes back this season. The Lakers can be beat … Ok, I’m high.
joey
May 3rd, 2011
10:49 am
2
ant banks
May 3rd, 2011
10:50 am
STEVEW,
hinrich will not play the rest of THIS series, so teague is safe. i have had pulled hamstring and you don’t come back, ESPECIALLY, at a pro level.
GO HAWKS!! GO TEAGUE!!
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
10:51 am
Guys we are 5-2 in the playoffs.
11 more wins for an NBA Title!!!!
That’s not much
ant banks
May 3rd, 2011
10:53 am
DRMARYB(lige),
got your tix yet? the hawks will rep the east in the ‘11 finals!!!
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE HAWKS VS THE GRIZZLIES IN THE FINALS? LMAO!!!
would it be the lowest rated series in history? would stern allow those two teams to make it? lol. IM HIGH!!!
It was not a bad pick
May 3rd, 2011
10:54 am
did anyone hear the Bulls coach call Marvin one of the most underated players in the NBA?..Why is Josh getting more burn than Marvin?..the countdown has started..later on this year the Hawks will make the franchise’s second worst move ever..Trading Marvin..the sheldon williams pick is the worst..hawks in 5..
DinasaurFenton
May 3rd, 2011
10:55 am
The key to this Hawks season was far has been the Hinrich trade. Basically whether they admit it or not, Hinrich has taught (by his own example) how to play steller defense that many of the lazy Hawks were not playing before Hinrich arrived on the scene. Since Hinrich has been here the Hawks have played much better defense and we are up 1-0 on Chicago (the team with the leagues best record). Thats pretty good for a traditionally pitiful Hawks franchise that normally gets their butts handed to them on a silver platter. Go Hawks. Take down Bulls in 6.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
10:56 am
We’ve all been commenting on how weak the East has seemed – Boston with no Perkins, the Heat looked vunerable versus the Sixers, the Bulls really struggled with the Pacers.
This really could be our year.
And the 9 man rotation LD played last night was stellar.
Could you imagine if Bibby and Mo’ were still here? This would have been ugly
I made the statement after the Hinrich trade – I didn’t care what other teams did, if we could just get a roster that LD couldn’t mess up with his hilarious rotations, we’d be fine.
We may have that team.
I’m concerned when Hinrich’s healthy LD will have no clue on how to play he and Teague together on the same roster. One of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen in basketball really.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
10:57 am
“Don’t know where my boy slimjr is hiding, but he will tell you, the Lord High Gangsta David Stern wants no part of the Hawks in the ECF. Vegas will need a presidential pardon if he lets that happen. Watch for a key Hawks player to get benched without foul trouble in the second quarter of Game 2.”
LOL!!! HeHe…..Yea Chief Gangsta will have to go into hiding……..
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
10:59 am
We can beat the Lakers if it came to that, because Collins and ZaZa can handle Bynum just like Dwight.
Al and Josh match up with Odom and Gasol
Marvin and Wilkens match up with Artest and Barnes
JJ and Jamal can hang a little with Kobe
And Teague and Hinrich are better than DFish and Blake.
But let’s beat the Bulls first
Westurd
May 3rd, 2011
11:00 am
slow your roll Hawks fans……I’m having a lot of fun with it too, but these are our Hawks and this is only game 1. GO HAWKS
Fire Larry Drew II
May 3rd, 2011
11:00 am
Free Jeff Teague!!! I hate to cry over spilled milk but we are much better than a 44 win team..and the hawks playoff performance shows how poor a job Larry Drew did in the regular season..and thanks Joe because Drew was about to let Josh shoot us out exactly how he did in the 3rd quarter in that regular season game in Chicago…
It was not a bad pick
May 3rd, 2011
11:00 am
LOL @ rod.he said this
“If Drew would only realize this and start Damien Wilkins, these games won’t be close. He is a much better defender than Marvin, and if they have to switch, he has the ability to guard Rose, Marvin can’t”
Marvin is 20x better than damien and josh..if we start ZaZa and Marvin over josh this will be a sweep..Without Marvin in game 6th, orlando is playing the bulls this round!
Derrick Roth
May 3rd, 2011
11:01 am
The Hawks are my 2nd favorite team behind West Virginia. Go Hawks!!!!
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:02 am
11 W’s away from a title.
Jamal – Please understand that most players never get in the position to be this close to a Championship. This is your year! Seize the Moment!
Get your teammates revved about winning a Championship Now!
Dan Marino never got a second chance.
Malone, Barkley, Dominique never got there.
You guys can – don’t worry about next year – Win Now! You’ll be a hero in this city for ages!!!
Muzzammil Khan
May 3rd, 2011
11:02 am
Hawks are my favorite team!!!!!!
Rev in Tampa
May 3rd, 2011
11:03 am
If Section 303 can join the MVP chant for JJ, then maybe I should consider giving LD some credit for last night’s win. I’m considering it, but not there yet.
I don’t buy Ken Strickland’s take on the 6 losses at the end of the season. LD looked lost during those losses. It was like he wanted to rest the starters, but knew they needed to get in rhythm so they should play. He also knew that the games were meaningless, but he played the starters too long because he wanted to win. In other words, LD sent unclear messages to the team so the team (the core) made the decisions during those games. They chose not to play. That’s why it looked like the team had tuned him out.
But when the playoffs started the team (the core) was not going to be embarrassed again. LD provided the right offense and defense – for that I give him credit. For the most part his rotations seemed good in the Orlando series. He maximized Jamal’s offense while limiting his poor defense. He also maximized Collins and Zaza by putting them in the game in the right spots. But he lost us game two by enforcing the 2 foul rule. It looks like he finally learned his lesson. (By the way, after picking up his 3rd foul early in the 3rd quarter, Horford finished with 3 fouls for the game).
Here’s my gut feeling about LD. I believe he has learned A LOT about coaching this past three weeks. That game 2 loss to the Magic seemed to break him of his stubbornness on the 2 foul rule. Last night surely broke him of his lack of trust in Teague. I don’t think LD will end this season being nearly as bad a coach as he was when he entered the playoffs.
LD is a flawed coach coaching a flawed team. They are from the Island of Misfit Toys who seem to be made for each other – http://www.misfittoys.net/tvtime/rudolph/misfittoys/misfittoys.html
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:04 am
We have more playoff experience than all the main Bulls except Boozer.
3 straight trips to the 2nd round. When was the last Hawks team to do that? “Nique? Mutombo?
RudyT
May 3rd, 2011
11:05 am
If we had kept Jordan Crawford we would easily win the championship with his 28.9 points that he has scored per game since the trade. We have away in Jordan Crawford a certain future HALL-OF-FAMER.
SteveWilson
May 3rd, 2011
11:06 am
Did ya’ll see Carlos Boozer last night? That is the clumsiest big man Ive ever seen in basketball. BOOZER LOOKS LIKE A CAVEMAN PLAYING BASKETBALL.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:07 am
Those last 6 games of the regular season – If you read the quotes and interviews it was basically LD saying let’s play hard, get in rhythm, and get momentum for the playoffs.
And the players said Nah, we’re going to rest our weary bodies and get ready for the playoffs.
Remember LD saying he didn’t think we could flip the switch? We did
This is all about the players as Rick Sund said.
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
11:11 am
It was not a bad pick,
“did anyone hear the Bulls coach call Marvin one of the most underated players in the NBA?..Why is Josh getting more burn than Marvin?”
“Marvin is 20x better than damien and josh..if we start ZaZa and Marvin over josh this will be a sweep..Without Marvin in game 6th, orlando is playing the bulls this round!”
Yeah i guess those game saving blocks last night and shutting down Turk in the first round while being the 3rd leading scorer and second leading rebounder had nothing to do with it.
Josh gets more burn than Marvin becaause he ain’t scared. Bottom line. Also along with the fact that he can run without falling, he can post up Jameer Nelson and not get stripped, he can actually guard someone his size, and good or bad, he makes plays every night. Marvin makes a play once every 10 to 15 games. If the Bulls coach did say that, he was playing mind games with LD to try to get LD to play Marvin more because he knows that Deng will take his lunch all game.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:11 am
You know, that did have to be one of the stupidest moments in sports when DRose tweaked his ankle.
Why guard someone down by 8 with a few seconds left. Just stupid. Nothing good is going to happen then.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 3rd, 2011
11:11 am
Reposted from last blog: Rotoworld Fantasy Website
>> All NBA Fantasy Player News
Johnson scores 34 points; Hawks take 1-0 lead
Joe Johnson (G/F) – Atlanta Hawks
(Mon, May 2 – 11:33pm ET)
Joe Johnson hit 12-of-18 shots (and all five 3-point attempts) for 34 points in the Hawks’ Game 1 win over the Bulls, and also added four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
He played like a ‘max contract’ player on Monday, and while he fell into the Hawks’ pattern of jacking up bad shots at times, some of them fell and as you can see he was amazingly efficient tonight. Josh Smith stood outside and played the pick-and-pop game to his peril, hitting just 3-of-11 shots for eight points, but enough was working for Atlanta tonight to wake the nation up — Atlanta is for real (we think).
Teague’s defense the difference in Game 1 win
Jeff Teague (G) – Atlanta Hawks
(Mon, May 2 – 11:22pm ET)
Jeff Teague started at PG and checked the presumed NBA MVP Derrick Rose in Monday’s Game 1 win, neutralizing him in one-on-one defensive situations, and also added 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting with two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and just one turnover.
Rose hit just 11-of-27 shots and many of his makes came without Teague on him, as Teague’s quickness and athleticism kept Rose from demanding entrance into the paint. Teague still made a handful of mental mistakes, but he got the game ball from Larry Drew and was the difference in the win. Look for the Bulls to employ a more creative game plan in Game 2 to free up Rose, and also play on Teague’s mental lapses.
______________________
That’s worth repeating. I am so confident right now. I just had a sneaky feeling Teague would play brilliant. I have seen the flashes before. What I loved about Jeff is, he didn’t try to do too much and didn’t play Hero Ball. Solid all the way around, IDK if we win with Kirk and no Teague. Drew was forced to play this kid. I don’t follow college ball, so I had never heard of Teague when he was drafted.
I trusted Drew’s decision on this guy and I was WRONG! What is Drew’s problem with this guy? I am still waiting for an explanation.
Rev in Tampa
May 3rd, 2011
11:15 am
“Atlanta is for real (we think).”
Co-sign (I think).
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
It’s obvoius to me that Joe and Jamal were playing possum the last part of the season. In the playoffs they are two totally different players. I can’t say that I am mad at them. Keep it up guys.
Josh please DRIVE the ball to the hole. Teams are leaving you open for a reason. Instead of shooting that jumper, PLEASE drive and try to finish, or kick to an open shooter. When LD was talking about not taking bad shots, he was talking to you. Your defense at the rim last night was tremendous. If you would just stop trying to prove to the world that you can hit jumpers, we might be able to sweep Chicago. Thanks!!! CP for life.
DS
May 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
It was not a bad pick…are u Marvin? Nobody other than Marvin himself would defend him as hard as u do..
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
“Paging All Star Al, Paging All Star Al……. Please report to the playoffs ASAP. We really need you.”
Elvis has left the building……LOL
Deng destroyed Marvin AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else is new?..Marvina is too SOFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Park Marvin on the bench and bring him out once in a while till we waive his azz in the off season or do a package deal and ship him outta here for good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Buster…………………sigh……
joey
May 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
go hawks
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
11:20 am
“obvious”
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
11:22 am
Earth to All Star Al. Earth to All Star Al. Please answer. We need to know if your still alive.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
11:23 am
“It was not a bad pick…are u Marvin? Nobody other than Marvin himself would defend him as hard as u do..”
naw, they’re probably BF’s??????
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
11:23 am
That game 5 @ Orlando blowout was huge for us.
We now know what happens if we don’t show up with tenacity for 48 minutes, or for one half.
If Josh ever grows up, PLAYS TO HIS STRENGTHS, AND DRIVES TO THE BASKET RATHER THAN TAKING JUMPSHOTS, we will be playing basketball in June
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
11:25 am
Allstar Al’s game is going to need a ton of work and I mean a ton of work in the off season….The ALLSTARS game has left the building….WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
11:26 am
WE CANNOT HAVE THIS MENTALITY THAT WE STOLE 1 GAME AND SHOULD BE PLEASED.
STEAL GAME 2
JOSH, PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS
MARVIN, KEEP ATTACKING
TEAGUE, STAY ANGRY
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:26 am
From ESPN:
“Standing shirtless in front of his locker before taking on the biggest assignment of his two-year NBA career, Teague recalled the last time he faced the daunting task of matching up with Rose.
It was the summer between his high school junior and senior seasons, in a final four game of a high-profile AAU tournament in Las Vegas. Rose shared the backcourt with Eric Gordon.
Teague was playing alongside, uh, well …
“No one nearly as good as them,” Teague remembered Monday as he took over the starting job in place of injured veteran Kirk Hinrich.
Before that tournament, Teague had solid scholarship offers from Indiana, Dayton, Southern Illinois and a few other lower-level to mid-major Division I basketball programs. After that tournament, he was ACC material and would end up attending Wake Forest.
“That game, that tournament, really is what put me on the map,” Teague said, admitting that Rose probably wouldn’t even remember facing him that day in Vegas. “I guess I made a name for myself.”
Six years later, another matchup with Rose provided an opportunity for Teague to do the same thing.
“First thing I told him out there was to be Jeff Teague,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Don’t bow down to anybody. He stepped up big, this being the playoffs, playing defense against the MVP of the league and running the offense. When he came into the locker room, I gave him the game ball.”
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
11:27 am
Northcyde,
What are your thoughts on our rebounding last night?
Collins had 3 in 7 minutes.
Man I wish we saw more Damien in the 2nd half. one of my fave players
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:29 am
ESPN:
“With 10 points, five assists, just one turnover and a near wire-to-wire defensive effort against Rose, Teague got it started for the Hawks. And then Johnson took over from there and put the finishing touches on what should qualify as one of the most impressive victories of these playoffs.
As hard as it might be for some, it’s about time for the critics to start giving the Hawks some credit. What happened here Monday was no fluke. It was a flurry. And if the Bulls aren’t careful, they could end up facing the same fate as the Orlando Magic.”
Finally getting some respect.
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
11:31 am
I said before the series that Joe should destroy whoever is guarding him. We need this effort every night.
Chicago is overrated. We all know this. I’ve been saying it for months now. They are not a 60 win team. WIN TOMORROW
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
11:31 am
Josh should just watch ZBo film for half the day, then go practice ZBo the other half of the day.
Joakim is taller than Josh, but Josh is bigger than Noah. He can punk him.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
11:32 am
“First thing I told him out there was to be Jeff Teague,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Don’t bow down to anybody. He stepped up big, this being the playoffs, playing defense against the MVP of the league and running the offense. When he came into the locker room, I gave him the game ball.”
Hey Larry he could have ran your offense back in November! Duh?????????????
Nate ArchiBALL
May 3rd, 2011
11:33 am
@ BobStevens – FYI….Josh Smith committed one turnover last night.
RalphWatson
May 3rd, 2011
11:33 am
For those fans who keep attacking Marvin Williams, in my opinion, Marvin Williams was the Hawks game 6 (MVP) in the Orlando series because his energy, aggressiveness and 10 points in that clinching game was key..Also when Marvin made the points that he got were at critical times in the games when no one else would step up to the plate. Marvin Williams was the main reason why the Hawks advanced past the Orlando Magic. Marvin Williams should have been given the game ball in game 6 of the orlando series. Marvin was clutch all night and looked like pistol pete maravich with the passion, poise and professionalism, and marksmanship that marvin played with. Marvin shot the basket like the rifleman that night. Marvin played that game like a true #2 pick in the entire draft. Marvin was the best player on the floor that night and was the main reason why we advanced past Orlando.