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
cp
May 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
Great win last night. Everyone who played contributed. Hopefully they bring that confidence into the next game. I honestly dont know whats up with Marvin. He should stop working out with Sean May in the summer and hire a real trainer. Maybe he will play better coming off the bench but you never know with Marvin.
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
12:39 pm
LOL after the Marvin interview on 790 (co-sign Rod – the guy speaks very well),
The show hosts (one of them is that guy with that horrendous voice who talks like he just threw up) were talking about how Marvin is a perfect basketball player, from watching him warm up.
Idiots
doc
May 3rd, 2011
12:42 pm
geez dev, we bring out the best in you dont we? heh heh
doc
May 3rd, 2011
12:44 pm
true najeh hollinger and his system are as flawed as our hawks. heh heh
again he was going for copy and self validation.
The Dreamer 3K
May 3rd, 2011
12:44 pm
Najeh,
I cannot agree with your 12:20 post more. I draw conclusions, rightly or wrongly, based on the novel concept of watching games. Some rely on statistical analysis, contrived and otherwise. Drawing conclusions that run afoul of ones statistical analysis, invalidates the legitimacy of what he holds near and dear—his “nimbers,” and himself too to some extent.
At some point the tail starts wagging the dog.
Rod from College Park
May 3rd, 2011
12:44 pm
SteveW,
“9 Pts, 13 boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks – Solid D, Those are All Star Center numbers right now. Not alot of good C;s in the League right now.”
“I’m not sure what else your wanting.”
While Horford has been very good on the glass in the playoffs, I’m wanting my All Star Center to provide some resistance at the rim, I’m looking for my All Star center to dominate smaller power forwards. Must I post the other All Star Center in the East numbers in the playoffs. Do All Star Al’s number match up? I’m wanting my All Star Center to shoot more than 41% from the field, when he shot 55% during the season. I’m wanting my All star center to get to the line more than 20 times in 7 games, all while being defended by the likes of Carlos Boozer, Brandon Bass, and Ryan Andersen. I’m wanting my All Star center who thinks that he is better at power forward to be aggressive, and stop passing up his shot, to pass the ball to Josh Smith standing behind the three point line. I’m wanting my All Star center to look like he has a chance playing post defense against Dwight Horward, and Carlos Boozer. I’m looking for my my All Star Star Center to be one of the best players on the floor every night. Is that asking too much?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
12:47 pm
“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.”
More importantly why is he even in the game at that point? I have seen Thibodeau this year criticized by some Bulls fans for a Woody-esque tendency to play his starters too many minutes. No reason Rose should have been out there after Jamal hit that 3 to put the Hawks up 101-90.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 3rd, 2011
12:50 pm
Who Dat?
Was that Gearon, Jr. Sitting next to Nique on the floor seat, or was that cameo from behind the bench. I thought I saw Gearon, Jr. Greet the team on the floor after the win.
Hawks on Playback right now on NBA TV.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
12:52 pm
“While Horford has been very good on the glass in the playoffs, I’m wanting my All Star Center to provide some resistance at the rim, I’m looking for my All Star center to dominate smaller power forwards. Must I post the other All Star Center in the East numbers in the playoffs. Do All Star Al’s number match up? I’m wanting my All Star Center to shoot more than 41% from the field, when he shot 55% during the season. I’m wanting my All star center to get to the line more than 20 times in 7 games, all while being defended by the likes of Carlos Boozer, Brandon Bass, and Ryan Andersen. I’m wanting my All Star center who thinks that he is better at power forward to be aggressive, and stop passing up his shot, to pass the ball to Josh Smith standing behind the three point line. I’m wanting my All Star center to look like he has a chance playing post defense against Dwight Horward, and Carlos Boozer. I’m looking for my my All Star Star Center to be one of the best players on the floor every night. Is that asking too much?”
Elvis has left da building!! LOL
It was not a bad pick
May 3rd, 2011
12:53 pm
@DS
no i am not Marvin..Josh Smith has been hurting the Hawks for years, but i guess since he won a “Slam dunk” contest he gets a pass.I have given up on Josh, he wants to shoot long jumpers, even though he can’t make them….Marvin, on the other hand,who was benched for the problem on the team, won game 6th for the Hawks and with limited shots, he plays solid…Look at these stats..keep in mind Al was the 3rd pick…
AL..Career — 306 302 33.8 0.536 0.273 0.762 2.7 6.9 9.6 2.4 0.8 1.1 1.57 2.86 12.8
Marvin…Career — 430 342 31.0 0.452 0.311 0.808 1.4 3.9 5.3 1.4 0.8 0.4 1.26 2.40 11.7
keep in mind that Joe Max, Jamal, and Josh “jump shot” Smith take most of the shots…
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
12:57 pm
AGAIN, HORFORD HAD 3 FOULS IN THE 1ST HALF AND FINISHED WITH 3
NO ONE HAD MORE THAN 4 FOULS (JOSH WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH 4)
GUYS RARELY FOUL OUT IN THIS LEAGUE. LET THEM PLAY.
WE HAD NO ONE COMMIT 5 FOULS AND I STILL THOUGHT THE REFS SUCKED TOO
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
1:01 pm
Rod – If your wanting Al to be Dwight, don’t be delusional. Notice, Al is an All Star Center, not an All Star PF. If he played PF, he probably wouldn’t ever be an All Star. This is in response to you said:
“Must I post the other All Star Center in the East numbers in the playoffs. Do All Star Al’s number match up?”
JJ was an All Star, but we don’t expect him to be LeBron, Kobe or Dwade. Paul Peirce was an All Star, and ditto to him.
There are different levels of All Stars.
You said, “I’m wanting my All Star Center to shoot more than 41% from the field, when he shot 55% during the season”
He was playing a different position for most of the regular season than he played against Orlando. Playoffs, better competition. Back at the C position, he shot 57% last night.
He’s still shooting better than Josh for the playoffs.
You said,
“I’m wanting my All star center to get to the line more than 20 times in 7 games,”
That’s not Al’s game. He didn’t do it in the regular season. Want me to point out all Josh’s deficiencies?
You said,”I’m wanting my All Star center who thinks that he is better at power forward to be aggressive, and stop passing up his shot,”
But then you complain about his shooting %.
He’s leading the club in assists in the playoffs.
He’s had 20 assists the last 4 games.
You said, “I’m wanting my All Star center to look like he has a chance playing post defense against Dwight Horward, and Carlos Boozer.”
No chance against Howard. As Josh said, “He’s too tall!”.
Did you read the article I posted about Al’s defense last night? They said it was one of the reasons we won the game.
Again, I think you want Al to be something he’s not, a superstar.
He’s a solid, All Star Center, in a League starved for Centers.
Josh takes more shots than he does. So the options on the court art JJ, Jamal, Josh, then Al or the PG.
He’s not perfect, but he’s def. shown up in the playoffs averaging a double double, really beasting on the boards.
Mo turnovers.
Want what you want, but it’s just a smokescreen so people won’t criticize Josh, and you know it.
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
1:03 pm
OOps – Mo’ turnovers should be “No Turnovers in the last post – sorry!
northcyde
May 3rd, 2011
1:05 pm
@ drmaryb . . . go to blogabull.com
It’s some good stuff on there. Make sure you click on the comments to last night’s blog. See what the Chicago fans are saying.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
1:05 pm
drmaryb, try the Chicago Sun-Times website. I think they do more Bulls coverage than the Tribune.
CajunStorm
May 3rd, 2011
1:06 pm
What is most noticeable to me is how well JJ & JC are playing together on the floor at the same time. Marvin is dine as a starter and so might Smoove. Teague and Hinrich’s defense allows JC & JJ to do their thing.
It was not a bad pick
May 3rd, 2011
1:07 pm
@Rod from College Park
so josh jacking up bad shots in crucial times is a sign of not being scared?..lol..i have known Josh since he played with my nephew with the Celtics…coach Mccray could not get the kid to play right now with the Hawks its the same thing..He has been keeping other teams in the game for 8 years now..Start Marvin over Josh and trade him for the best big man we can find…
SteveW
May 3rd, 2011
1:07 pm
Najeh – That was my point on Rose and TT. Should’ve been out of the game.
Hejan Poopnevad
May 3rd, 2011
1:07 pm
WARNING: THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE HAWKS WILL CONTINUE THE SAME LEADERSHIP THAT THE BLOGGOSPHERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ENTIRE SEASON.
Waiting until August to sign free agents off the scrap pile. Taking the CHEAPEAST route, rather than the most TALENTED route will continue.
Nothing can justify ASG firing Larry Drew or Rick Sund. EVERYTHING that they have done up to this point HAS WORKED!!.
Hejan Poopnevad
May 3rd, 2011
1:09 pm
Basically,
The Clippers, New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Caviliers, Sacremento Kings, and Golden State Warriors need to follow the blueprint of a winner….THE ATLANTA HAWKS!!!
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
1:13 pm
“Hejan Poopnevad ” spelled backwards!!! Wow………Huh?????????????????????????????
ant banks
May 3rd, 2011
1:13 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
12:47 pm
“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.”
More importantly why is he even in the game at that point? I have seen Thibodeau this year criticized by some Bulls fans for a Woody-esque tendency to play his starters too many minutes. No reason Rose should have been out there after Jamal hit that 3 to put the Hawks up 101-90.
DAMN GOOD POINT ‘POOP!!! THE COY MAY HAVE COST HIS TEAM BY HAVING ROSE OUT THERE.
O'Brien
May 3rd, 2011
1:14 pm
I am not surprised Marvin and Teague are friends off the court. I think they both could use a bigger inner dog.
Rod,
Al being named an All-Star-Center is also a reflection of the lack of good quality centers in the league.
Hejan Poopnevad
May 3rd, 2011
1:16 pm
Slim Jr. the name sounds real muslim. lol. rest in PEACES oh sucka bin laddin. lol
KevinM
May 3rd, 2011
1:19 pm
Najeh, let me tell you how LD will handle JT. I see LD giving the cold shoulder once KH returns.
This reminds me of VanGundy and how he handled Rafer Alston when Orlando went to the Finals. Alston gets them there while “2nd round Jameer” is hurt, and then VanGundy gives Jameer the keys to the offense and everything sputters from there. SVG lost that series with that one move.
JT has to be superb for LD to give him his due. IMO LD is tougher on him than anyone associated with this team. You think he ever questioned Bibby on anything?
I remember someone saying where are all the Bibby alley-oops he used to throw? Like I really want Bibby to come back and do that “ONE” thing he was good at?
How bout that performance from Marvin last night? He’s not due for another good game until next week. Everyone performed well in their minutes w/ the exception of Marvin/Josh. Josh is still a ticking time bomb. Anyone else despise when Josh dribbles the ball up to his hip in the open court?
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
1:19 pm
ASA= solid player, enough said……….
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
1:20 pm
Hejan Poopnevad backwards???????????? Yawn………….
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
1:23 pm
Rose is toast…..sprained ankles are a MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
1:25 pm
“Najeh, let me tell you how LD will handle JT. I see LD giving the cold shoulder once KH returns.”
Wouldn’t surprise me.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
1:26 pm
It’s May 3rd and the high temperature in Chicago is 47 degrees. That would be a great city if the weather wasn’t so awful.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2011
1:28 pm
I wonder if Hejan Poopnevad throws up in laundry hampers instead.
DS
May 3rd, 2011
1:30 pm
I can see Josh turning into a Randolph if he gets traded to another team. In fact, why not send him to play along Randolph for say…Rudy Gay?
Rusty
May 3rd, 2011
1:34 pm
If JJ plays consistenly good & refrains from over dribbling & holding the ball too long resulting in poor shots for himself & others I will look at him in a new light .
Rusty
May 3rd, 2011
1:36 pm
He has to make shots & be efficient most nights,paying him all that money he needs to do this.
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
1:43 pm
Seems like the guys started playing hard after Smoove had that dinner chat about how talented our team is
FIRE LD
JeJe
May 3rd, 2011
1:44 pm
NAJEH #2 BLOGGER OF THE YEAR
BEHIND WORLDWIDE CLYDE
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
2:00 pm
All Of youz BLOGGERS are #1 imho!!!!!!
Lil Craig
May 3rd, 2011
2:01 pm
Dey sayin dat da Hwaks be better den da Bulls ? J-Rose gonna be back an pimp dem Hawks. Yall a see. Dem Bulls jus playin wiff Hawks now but dey will ruff em up you a see.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
2:03 pm
Josh has no right hand, a major hindrance to advancing the basket ball to the rim!
Imagine if we had drafted CP3 back in 05..Josh not smooove would have become ALLSTAR JOSH years ago……..sigh…………………….
Zen-Balla )
May 3rd, 2011
2:04 pm
I am all knowing and all seeing. Hawks will win Bulls series in 6 then lose in a sweep to Miami.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
2:04 pm
Dem Rose left ankle is shot dude………………
DS
May 3rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Lil Craig…what??
Zen-Balla )
May 3rd, 2011
2:05 pm
(:>) {:>)
Lil Craig
May 3rd, 2011
2:07 pm
I says dat dese Hawk gunna loose two dem Bulls. Cans you reid ?
DS
May 3rd, 2011
2:08 pm
Again…what????
Lil Craig
May 3rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Da Bulls be b-balling scrate ups. We gots J-Rose,Booza,Wakeem Noahs,an Lil Dang.
Rev in Tampa
May 3rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Dey sayin dat da ankle be sprang but good? J-Rose gonna be hobblin an be pimped by dem Hawks. Yall a see.
Slimjr
May 3rd, 2011
2:10 pm
drmaryb somethin aint right in OZ? We went from 1 in 5000 children comin down with Autism ten years ago to today with an astonishing 1 in 110..That is not a coincidence????? Its a certifiable epidemic!!! WOW!!!!!!
Just heard a Curt Shilling ad on 790the zone with those chilling stats….Wow…..
Lil Craig
May 3rd, 2011
2:11 pm
Lil Dang be strokin dem jump shoots erry nite.
Lil Craig
May 3rd, 2011
2:12 pm
Revs In Tempa, so you be sayin dat dem Hawks be all dat ?