Atlanta Hawks: Notes, quotes and links

ChicagoChecking in from the Chi, where it is chilly and windy in frickin May . . .

  • D-Rose practiced today. David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com reported Rose had an MRI that revealed a Grade 2 ankle sprain but says Rose is “expected to start” Game 2.
  • Rose also is the MVP.
  • Teague knows the playoffs will have some bearing on his future with the Hawks.
  • Teague on if he had any pregame shookness: “At the jump ball, you are a little nervous. I get nervous before every game. After the jump ball went off, I just started playing basketball and forget about everything else.”
  • J.J. on Teague: “He knows that we need him. I think he’s going to be focused from here on out. You could see it the previous days leading up to the game. It doesn’t surprise me that he came out and played the way he did. I just look forward to him getting better.”
  • Al on Teague: “I think everyone has always seen the potential with Jeff. I think time and time again he’s been given the opportunity and he’s delivering. I’m proud of him to come out and handle things the way he did.”
  • L.D. on if he ever struggled to find a balance between letting Teague play and develop and the team’s overall goals:” I’ve never struggled with that. I’ve always said with Jeff, the main thing is to try to find the consistence with him. I’ve always believed in him.”
  • J.J. on if Teague ever got down about not playing much: “That’s understandable when you are in your first and second year. You want to play so bad. You go stretches where you may not play games. Then you go stretches where you do play, and you play good and you feel like you should be playing. I understand his frustration. He had to wait his turn and he’s done that. He’s just got to seize the moment right now.”
  • J.J. on if the Hawks are motivated by a lack of respect:  “Last night was a perfect example of this young Atlanta Hawks team [that is] very hungry and very underrated, and not appreciated. We just come out and try to have fun.”
  • L.D. on if he’s used the perceived slights to motivate his team: “To be perfectly honest, I haven’t used it all. I haven’t mentioned one thing about rallying behind that. I know some coaches would do it but I don’t see a need.”
  • SI.com’s Zach Lowe breaks down Atlanta’s screen-roll coverages against D-Rose.
  • Al on those coverages: “We were showing a lot of different looks. Rose is so fast and explosive. You can’t show [on screens] too much.”
  • A lot of the burden for guarding pick-and-rolls fell on the guards vs. Orlando. Now it’s on the bigs. “This time with a guy like Derrick Rose that is so good with the ball, we have to give more help,” Al said.
  • Teague on Smoove and Al’s help on Rose: “They were huge. Josh did a really good job of meeting him at the rim. Al did a great job of corralling him in transition and things like that. That is what it is going to take to stop him, a total team effort.”
  • Sebastian Pruiti of nbaplaybook.com breaks down the play that got Al that wide-open dunk.
  • SB Nation’s Mike Prada, who was among those to dismiss the Hawks as lucky jump-shooters in Round 1, might be reconsidering.
  • Smoove on helping limit Noah to one offensive rebound in Game 1: “I just tried to match his physicality. Anticipating the shot going up and trying to get a body on him early. As long as I face guard him and do my part and he doesn’t even touch the ball, I’ve done my part. You have to be real disciplined. What is so hard, the reason they get a lot of offensive rebounds, guys tend to ball-watch Derrick Rose because he is so aggressive and draws so much attention. That’s probably how [Noah] and Boozer probably gets a lot of tip-ins.
  • J.J. on his no excuses pledge during the All-Star break: “There is no pressure on this team, man. In every series we are going to be the underdog, regardless, so all we have to do is come out and play our game.”
  • L.D. on being up 1-0: “Looking back at the Orlando series, being in a similar situation, I thought we let our guard down a little bit. I thought we were a little complacent and a little soft. That’s something I can’t allow to happen at this time. We are in familiar waters again. We can’t come out passive with our guard down. We can’t be satisfied.”
  • J.J. on taking home-court advantage from the Bulls: “We are not satisfied. We know the series isn’t over. But yet still we know we are in the drivers’ seat. It wouldn’t hurt to get another one.”
  • L.D. on snapping the second-round losing streak: “A lot of people had written us off in the series before it even began. And we’ve been here before. Now that we have been in these situations a few times, we respond differently. We don’t listen to what’s being said. We listen and pay attention to detail a little bit more than we have in the past. And I do believe this team is a little more hungry.”
  • L.D. on what he didn’t like from Game 1: “Offensively we didn’t do as good of a job particularly when the game got physical. That’s something I’ve been preaching since the Orlando series. Playoff basketball means energy, it means intensity, it means physicality. We have to be prepared for it, we have to expect it and we have to respond.”
  • L.D. on the adjustments he anticipates from Bulls: “I am sure their aggression will be more. It is a game where their backs will be against the wall and they feel it’s a must-win for them. It’s hard to say what they will do differently [strategically]. We have to look at things more in a general [way]. With Rose we know we will see a high volume of pick-and-rolls. We could see Boozer posting more, more touches for Deng, more touches for Korver. It’s hard to say.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

144 comments Add your comment

KCG

May 4th, 2011
10:33 am

You know the one thing that I don’t understand about Josh and our offence is how he is always on the perimeter for a jump shot. In the Chicago game the Hawks had him playing the 5 for the first time that I can remember but he was still on the perimeter offensively. It does not matter if he is playing the 3, the 4, or the 5, the guy is always out on the perimeter. Can anyone explain that?

Rufus1

May 4th, 2011
11:08 am

Josh shooting jumpers…

Josh shooting jumpers is a Jpsh problem, not an LD problem. Josh wants to be a jumpshooter, but he needs to ba a slasher.

Sleepy

May 4th, 2011
11:14 am

drmaryb (*_-) 0 you are in denial these are not preemptive changes . they are changes based on how the Bulls attacked on numerous factors .

you seemed to suggest that because we got the end result we wanted that everything went perfect and it didnt . You also have to take into account changes they will make .

In your opinion because we won the game should we ignore Deng destroying Marvin without ever really shooting a jumpshot ?

All the but one of the Bull made fgs in the first quarter came within 5 ft of the basket and Rose was very tentative .

You dont think that the Bulls noticed that they had a ton of success in the paint and that Rose was very tentative the entire first half ? He shot ZERO ft attempts for the first time in 61 games and you dont think we should anticipate them doing more of these things and trying to disrupt them early by maintaining the same strategy but giving them a different look for the first few minutes when the crowd will be at a frenzy after his MVP trophy presentation ?

A nice matchup zone that forces them to have to take those jumpshots that we know tonight they will try and avoid .

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
11:21 am

Word on the Street – Wednesday!
_________________________________

Originally Published: May 4, 2011

Can Bulls, Lakers even the score?

Five writers forecast big Game 2s between the Hawks and Bulls, Lakers and Mavericks

ESPN.com

⁠Email

⁠Print

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

The Lakers’ frontcourt has long been a source of strength. Now would be a good time to use it.

For the Bulls, what a week. Tom Thibodeau receives the coach of the year award, and the same night, the Hawks shock the Bulls while Derrick Rose turns his ankle on the final play. Then Rose has his expected MVP award confirmed. He will receive it Wednesday night, then has to lead the Bulls with a sore ankle, a target on him and his team on his back. Bottom line: The Bulls are down 1-0 and have to win Game 2.

Meanwhile, the goings-on in Laker Land, where people are still stunned by the Mavericks’ huge comeback win Monday, are no less momentous. Kobe and Phil are being questioned, Dirk and J-Kidd are being lauded, and scripts are being rewritten.

To help us get a handle on the surprises of Monday and what to expect Wednesday, we have multiple voices for these multiple choices:

1. Which five words best sum up Hawks-Bulls Game 1?

A. Hawks were better team Monday
B. Hawks made some unlikely shots
C. Bulls weren’t ready to rock
D. Maybe we overrated the Bulls
E. [Write your own headline here]



Patrick Hayes, PistonPowered: E. Maybe we underrated the Hawks. Derrick Rose is the best player in the series, but the Hawks have more tools offensively. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are streaky, but they can carry an offense. Al Horford is the best low-post player in the series. And Josh Smith can swing things for or against Atlanta. The Hawks are capable of repeating what happened in Game 1.

Devin Kharpertian, Nets Are Scorching: E. Hawks tough matchup for Bulls. Chicago doesn’t have a wing stopper it can throw at Joe Johnson. When Johnson is on, like he was in Game 1 (12-for-18, 34 points), Atlanta is a difficult team to beat. That said, JJ can’t shoot 5-for-5 from 3 every game, nor can he sustain that kind of production without attacking the basket.

Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak: E. Derrick Rose is not well. Jeff Fogle over at Hoopdata has detailed the precipitous decline in Rose’s free throw attempts since he sprained his ankle in Game 1 against the Pacers. The Bulls rely so heavily on his offensive production, which was fine when Rose was superhuman. A bum wheel has slowed him down, and that uncertainty has the Bulls (aside from Kyle Korver) looking skittish on both ends of the court.

Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: A. Hawks were better team Monday. Joe Johnson played like a superstar, the Hawks’ role players stepped up and they benefited from a big, confidence-building first quarter. But it’s hard to imagine that they’ll repeat that effort three more times against Chicago’s usually air-tight defense.

Michael Wallace, Heat Index: E. Time to give Hawks credit. What more do these Hawks have to do in the playoffs to get any sort of nod from the naysayers? When they’re on their game, their combination of athletes, jump shooters and length make them matchup nightmares. The problem is, the Hawks will soon have to deal with expectations, which is not their strength.

2. Which five words best forecast Hawks-Bulls Game 2?

A. Bulls begin faster, finish job
B. If Rose hobbled, Bulls lose
C. Joe, Jeff, Jamal still ballin’
D. Hawks can’t do that again
E. [Write your own headline here]



Patrick Hayes, PistonPowered: A. Bulls begin faster, finish job. The Bulls have led at halftime in just one of their six playoff games this season. That worked OK against Indiana. But even though the Hawks certainly aren’t an elite team, they’re much more comfortable closing out games than the Pacers. If the Bulls continue to start slow, they’ll pay for it.

Devin Kharpertian, Nets Are Scorching: D. Hawks can’t do that again. If anyone knows how to stop an opponent, it’s Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau. Atlanta probably will still make things interesting, but expect Johnson and the Hawks to fall back to earth. Chicago shouldn’t lose two straight at home.

Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak: A. Bulls begin faster, finish job. Chicago played about eight minutes of its signature, iso-inducing defense in Game 1. Expect the Bulls to put together far more than that Wednesday. Most defenses react to their opponent’s offense, but the Bulls have the ability to dictate the terms on that end. In general, they need to have more of an attacking mindset, and that’s a good place to start.

Jeff Skibiski, Forum Blue & Gold: D. Hawks can’t do that again. Atlanta’s shooters are always dangerous, but to shoot more than 50 percent from the field and behind the arc against a Tom Thibodeau-coached defense? The Hawks might win another game in Atlanta, but they’ll now get the Bulls’ best in Game 2.

Michael Wallace, Heat Index: A. Bulls begin faster, finish job. If only because it’s impossible to start any slower than they did in Game 1, when the Hawks scored the game’s first nine points before Chicago got going. Atlanta is great at playing with the lead, because it milks the shot clock with all that isolation. Expect Rose and Boozer to find their rhythm early and even the series.
________________________

You Heard?

Calling 'em out

May 4th, 2011
11:30 am

JEJE, Slim jr and others,
I hate fair weather fans. When you say ish like hawks sux and they will lose in 1st round, then when they surpass that y’all jump backvon their Dix. Stay down during the good bad and ugly. That’s why Oakland, jets, saints, lions fans are the best. Their team sux they know it but they still rep their teams.

doc

May 4th, 2011
11:33 am

superior that is what ghandi and martin luther king lived on.

i went to the mlk center two weeos ago and was deeply moved almost to tears in one of the rooms. it was the time i grew up or should ibsayvthe caldron in which i was fired. it broght back some huge emotions of greatness does not always come easily nor does change of societies or within. go if you are close and can get there.

gd ill check it out. always looking for inspiration in my work.

doc

May 4th, 2011
11:36 am

false flag like some consider 9/11 slim?

Rufus1

May 4th, 2011
11:38 am

I don’t care if DRose shots 50ft as long as no one else does…

The Bulls scored 95pts on their home floor and lost, they are not that good an offensive team in the playoffs….That was their BEST OFFENSIVE GAME.

Tonight 90pts wins.

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
11:54 am

Steaks & Potatoes -vs- Strained Peas & Carrots!

For Sleepy: compare my analysis of strategy between games to Beckley (NBA Analyst that I copied here from an ESPN article of our game 2).

See the entire posted article above:

____________________

Buckley said:

“Most defenses react to their opponent’s offense, but the Bulls have the ability to dictate the terms on that end. In general, they need to have more of an attacking mindset, and that’s a good place to start.”
______________

drmaryb said:

Defense is a reaction a response to being offended. Offense is an aggression an attack. So, since we whupped the Bulls azz convincingly?

There is nothing that requires a change on defense, except to play our defensive strategy that has already worked and is already in place – BETTER! If we began game 1 in a zone and started on a 9 – 0 run?
____________________

Conclusion: so when the Bulls come out and attack, like they did in game 1, the Hawks will deploy the exact same defense that stopped them and buried them in a 9-0 hole to start the game. The Bulls called time out, made an adjustment and that didn’t work either. They ended the first quarter down 28 – 19.

So, why should the Hawks start game 2 with a drastic change on defense?

Answer: They shouldn’t! We are not the team with a match up problem, they are! If they figure us out? (and they should), fine! We call a time out and make an adjustment.

Anything else would be ASININE!
____________________________

I reiterate once more, a zone defense is what is played in High School. This is the NBA man. These guys don’t need practice for zone offenses – you just pass the ball from side to side and move w/o the ball.

They teach that on Rosetþa Stone DVD’s, it’s called:

YOUR BABY CAN READ
______________________

Bye sleepy, I hope I’ve made my point clearly to you now. If not, oh well – I tried. LOL! Enjoy the game tonight, I have got to go pay some bills.

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
12:06 pm

You Can’t Get Blood from a Rock!

“drmaryb (*_-) 0 you are in denial these are not preemptive changes . they are changes based on how the Bulls attacked on numerous factors.”
_______________

Ok, I give up. Sleepy you have no idea re: what I am saying.
Your responses are indicative that YOU, Sir, have ZERO reading comprehension skills whatsoever. I am not saying anything remotely close to what you are responding to and I’m done explaining my simple point 10 different ways.

Like my Father always said, “I have NO tolerance for ignorance.”

Good Luck with all that. Perhaps you can hire an interpreter to explain top you what I said, apparently you haven’t a clue and are more interested in hearing yourself type stuff. Communication is an exchange of ideas and I have debunked you with 7 types of smoke to say the same thing repeatedly, even with three outside, expert quotes.

Good Bye! -smile-

cp

May 4th, 2011
12:12 pm

A lot of these experts seem to or just want to forget just how bad the Bulls looked against the Pacers. They’re acting like they wont play as bad as they did in game one when they were bad in probably every game against the Pacers except for maybe one. I guess they have been clowning the Hawks for so long that they just refuse to admit that this team looks different than they have in the past.

J from the A

May 4th, 2011
12:13 pm

“[The Hawks] pick and roll coverages were very effective.” – Tom Thibodeau

The Hawks pick and roll coverages were effective?! That’s not something anyone thought anyone would honestly say about this Hawks team. Pick and roll was supposed to be the Hawks’ weakness.

But Tom is right. The Hawks pick and roll coverages were great in game 1.

As much as I give Teague a hard time, hats off to him, and, of course, hats off to our bigs with their strong, quick shows and great help D. Good pick and roll coverages really take a full team effort, and the Hawks showed that great team effort and great team execution on Monday. Let’s see ‘em do it again.

GO HAWKS!

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
12:27 pm

drmaryb,

I’m sure it was in the bench area or 2nd row seats somewhere.

IF ANY HAWKS STAFF/PLAYERS ARE READING THIS, PLEASE DO NOT COME OUT TONIGHT UNPREPARED. WE ALL HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO THAT. STAY RELAXED BUT ALSO DIVE FOR LOOSE BALLS AND PLAY WITH SOME TENACITY.

LET’S WIN TONIGHT AND NOT COME BACK TIL CHICAGO TIL NEXT SEASON

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
12:30 pm

WE CANNOT let Chicago get off to a 15-6 or 8-0 start. We CANNOT GET DOWN BIG ON THE ROAD

Callin’ Em Out, lick my nutsack. I have been as enthusiastic a Hawks fan as anyone else on this blog for years. I come here with my negativity because it’s the only way to unleash my anger about losing games (much better than being belligerent in person)

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
12:31 pm

One and Done!

“You seemed to suggest that because we got the end result we wanted that everything went perfect and it didnt . You also have to take into account changes they will make . ”
- asleep -
_______________________

You again are missing the point. The discussion is simple:

Here is the original Thesis:

Whether or not you make preemptive changes specifically on defense to start a game 2 of 7 after a game 1 convincing win?

I have argued this topic successfully. When the loser is debunked?

They change the topic entirely and build a Straw-Man!
E.G. “You seemed to suggest that because we got the end result we wanted that everything went perfect and it didnt . You also have to take into account changes they will make . ”
____________

I never said this! What does Deng have to do with the topic? Please feel free to copy and post my “DENG” comment to support this lie you are putting out on here.

When you do that? I will respond to it.

This conversation has been officially terminated.

The End!_

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
12:31 pm

*about should be *after

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
12:47 pm

Intelligence is a Learned behavior!

“We are all born ignorant – We learn to become intelligent”
- drmaryb -

Just like I was not born a doctor, I learned to become one born out of ignorance. When, I went to medical school – I was clueless and on many levels I still am when it comes to health knowledge. I will die clueless.
_________________

J from the A posted an excellent comment here:

“[The Hawks] pick and roll coverages were very effective.” – Tom Thibodeau

The Hawks pick and roll coverages were effective?! That’s not something anyone thought anyone would honestly say about this Hawks team. Pick and roll was supposed to be the Hawks’ weakness.

But Tom is right. The Hawks pick and roll coverages were great in game 1.”
______________

Aye J! If you listen to sleepy? We should change our defense to a zone to start game 2 based on Lord knows what?

Go Figure that Illogic!

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
12:55 pm

JeJe on Fiyah!

Go JeJe Go! Great points re: playing relaxed. That is the ticket to win the game tonight. Great keys to a WIN!

Ignore your hater … You don’t have to explain yourself on here, that is an exercise in futility. Do You! We get You!

I Love You! You stole my heart 2 months ago! Mmmwah!

Slimjr

May 4th, 2011
12:58 pm

Yes Doc…..The rabbit hole goes real deep..

I was listening to Former professor of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, Dr. Judy Wood being interviewed on the radio broadcast coast to coast am with George Noory late last night who just wrote a book called ” Where did the Towers Go?”..Mind blowing stuff!! I fell a sleep on her! Shoot!!! She has a website that I am looking at today. It links from coast to coast am….interesting….

The math does not add up??

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
1:06 pm

Did anyone else catch the Jeff Teague interview on 790 this morning? Sounded half-asleep, tired, disinterested, didn’t want to be on air. LOL

drmaryb (*_-)

May 4th, 2011
1:07 pm

* @ 12:31PM. I posted the wrong sleepy – quote:
I should have posted this Straw-Man quote:

“In your opinion because we won the game should we ignore Deng destroying Marvin without ever really shooting a jumpshot ? “

Rod from College Park

May 4th, 2011
1:08 pm

SteveW,

“Rod – Don’t mean to drive this in the ground, but here’s what you said:”

You do mean to drive it in the ground, that why you keep replying.

“How is a guy averaging a double double not having a good playoffs?”

Never said he was not having a good playoffs, I said he was not playing like an All Star. Don’t put words in my mouth.

How is a guy leading his team in assists not having a good playoffs?

If you understand basketball, and notice that once the ball is brought across half court. In the playoffs, the Hawks have continually put Horford at the top of the key, and the point guard either hands the ball to him or passes to him. He has been the guy making the entry pass to Joe on the block, or Jamal coming off the curl. His assist are up based on the fact that Joe and Jamal are playing at a high level, and a funtion of the offense, not because he has turned into Magic Johnson in the playoffs.

“How is a guy who almost never turns the ball over not having a good playoffs?”

If you never dribble or attack the rim, it kind of hard to turn the ball over.

“All Stars are more than Points and FG%. Alot more to basketball than that.”

I guess its a coincidence that 98% of all the other All Stars have higher FG%, and points. If you want to crown him, crown him.

True Hawk Fan

May 4th, 2011
1:13 pm

I told you so. Go Hawks! Let’s do it again! Good job Jeff. Great game Joe. Way to shoot the ball Jamal. Excellent effort from the whole team. The Hawks are the no. 1 team in the city because they are the only team reaching the second round. But I expect more from the Falcons if they get to play. The Braves have a harder task. Not as good as they need to be. See you in the arena!

Daniel

May 4th, 2011
1:22 pm

I can’t believe I am doing this but….
Calling ‘em out: as much as I don’t care for JeJe’s posts (ALL CAPS GETS OLD) and to a lesser extent SlimJr., both of them are NOT fair weather fans. They have consistently been on here during good and bad times. This team has given us fans a lot of reason to doubt them. They have been a very difficult team to figure out, even the coach and players often don’t seem to know what to make of themselves.
JEJE and Slimjr. consider your back covered on this one.

Slimjr

May 4th, 2011
1:23 pm

“If you never dribble or attack the rim, it kind of hard to turn the ball over.”

@rod, good one Sir! LOL

Slimjr

May 4th, 2011
1:26 pm

Thanks @Daniel the “prophet”… LOL

I am having a great day and I hope you are too??

Westurd

May 4th, 2011
1:36 pm

Can it be 8:00 already!

Please please please let Teague and JJ have another big night. Please please please make us force Chicago to sweat it out for 48 mins and not let them bust it open in the first 5 minutes. Rise Up Hawks!

vava74

May 4th, 2011
1:47 pm

What’s the infatuation with Nene?

Yeah, he’s big and a decent player, but his per 36min career averages in rebounds and blocks are:

8.4 and 1.1 respectively.

Daniel

May 4th, 2011
1:59 pm

Slimjr.- word.
I have actually coined the term “the highlight syndrome” to define the state of mind of true Hawks fans. We are always optimistic that our team can win but only if “everything” changes… Look, we have a superstar[sic] in Joe Johnson who bashes the fans after embarrassing us and himself in the playoffs last year, but then actually takes ownership a whole year later. We have an unkown at PG, which means that he is always the next Chris Paul or a complete dud. We have the most erratic player in the league, Josh Smith. We have a PF/Center who has a sweet mid range game, but is out of position. We have a bench that can shoot you in and out of a game. We have a team of All Stars or potential All Stars who still get blown out by 20+ points. Yet, we still love ‘em. So no one can be held accountable on this blog in my opinion. We all sound crazy when discussing this team, because of “the highlight syndrome.”

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
2:01 pm

6 hours til gametime.

Can this night please be different? Before games 2 and 5 of Orlando series, I was begging for this team to shock us. They already shocked most people by beating Orlando and winning game 1 vs. Chicago.

LET THIS NIGHT BE DIFFERENT. LET’S NOT GO BY THE SCRIPT AND LOSE TONIGHT AND EXPECT TO SWEEP AT HOME.

WIN TONIGHT DAMNIT

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
2:01 pm

THANKS DANIEL

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
2:05 pm

I am sensing this is one of those games where Rose WOULD go off for like 37 and 12 assists and show why he is MVP. This is what would happen 99.99% of the other time.

But that won’t happen tonight…

IF we don’t get off to a slow !@#$%y start

Grandad

May 4th, 2011
2:36 pm

vava74 – @ 1:47 pm

“What’s the infatuation with Nene” ?

He doesn’t shoot jump shots [perhaps] ?

Rod from College Park

May 4th, 2011
2:46 pm

Grandad,

Good answer. LOL

SteveW

May 4th, 2011
2:50 pm

Rod – I know you played college BB in South Carolina. I head coached BB on a small college level, and played for many years. So I understand a little basketball.

That’s called running the offense thru Al which most basketball observers have been saying we should have been doing all season.

And if you want to ignore rebounding totals of 12, 14, 12, and 13 the last 4 games, which is the Hawks (maybe) biggest weakness, go ahead.

And getting at least 1 block a night, go ahead.

And playing good D, go ahead.

And playing 41.2 mpg the last 5 games, go ahead.

Just focus on his FG%, scoring and FT’s, go ahead.

And don’t worry, I’ll call Al out also when he’s not playing well.

Your the one that repeatedly kept asking “Where is All Star Al?”

So when I showed where he was besides scoring, I guess you didn’t like it to well, I dunno.

But as you said, you’ve got your opinion, I’ve got mine.

But I guess we’re both Hawks fans and want to see us win!

I hope All Star Al shows up tonight!! I have a feeling he’s a key to this game.

Daniel

May 4th, 2011
2:53 pm

What is the over/under on “bad” Josh Smith jumpshots?
I place it at 5.
If less than 5, then Josh is having a good game or in foul trouble.
If greater than 5, well, we are probably losing.

SteveW

May 4th, 2011
2:55 pm

My prediction for tonite:

Chicago comes out fired up. Rose flies around the court. Teague makes a few mistakes, helped by Chicago focusing on him.

Then Rose and Boozer start feeling their injuries by late in the 2nd quarter. The Hawks may be down by 10 or more.

Rose tries to fly after halftime, but after 5 or 6 minutes, slows way down.

And if the Hawks play smart and patient, they catch up and maybe win the game at the end.

We’ll see.

We’ll probably get blown out by 50.

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
2:58 pm

LOL @ people who want Nene. Of course the guy can play, but he is opting out of making 12 MILLION this coming year. That’s a ton of money. He is definitely looking to get $50/4 or something in that ballpark.

Some people don’t realize we have A LOT OF MONEY on our payroll for next year and will be over the cap. The only way to get him would be to trade Horford (no way) or Smoove (why would they want him when they already have Al Harrington and Danilo?) in a S&T.

Love Nene though (no homo)

SteveW

May 4th, 2011
2:59 pm

And I gotta disagree with LD on Teague’s consistency. The guy has been uber constistent the last 30 games of the season:

1) Not committing turnovers

2) Playing very good, almost elite D at times.

His offense has been inconsistent, but that’s no reason to bench the guy.

I’m thinking LD has seen flashes of brilliance, and wants Teague to be brilliant all of the time. Watching he and Rose side by side shows Teague is nowhere near the player Rose is.

LD should say he wants Teague solid, and the more he plays, the brilliance will come more and more.

I think LD is wanting brilliance all of the time, and Teague is just not there yet.

SteveW

May 4th, 2011
3:00 pm

Rod – But let me also say this, and I will repeat – Al is not an All Star PF. Maybe one day, but not now. He’s only an All Star C, in a League with a dearth of C’s.

Daniel

May 4th, 2011
3:09 pm

Steve W. your prediction is hilarious and extremely accurate.
the highlight syndrome strikes again.

Sleepy

May 4th, 2011
3:19 pm

drmaryb (*_-)
May 4th, 2011
12:47 pm

Aye J! If you listen to sleepy? We should change our defense to a zone to start game 2 based on Lord knows what?

Go Figure that Illogic!

Actually little internet man who likes to talk out of his arse

Im sure J understands exactly what Im talking about

disrupting the bulls aggressiveness by throwing a little bit of a zone at them to start of the 1st quarter

Under Woody we used that zone to corral Rose and help us win three of four games vs the Bulls in 2009

We havent seen the zone since LD’s been here so no they wont be expecting it and contrary to your belief they dont practice it in there sleep and they DONT WANT TO SHOOT FROM THE OUTSIDE.

This takes the air right out of the building to start ,it limits foul shot opportunities and forces them to do exactly the opposite of what they want to do.

This simply would be another weapon added to the different looks we have already given the Bulls defensively. Not for 48 minutes but to squash that energy at the start of the game and to say hey Derrick Rose league MVP we will not allow you to get 3-4 straight ticky tack fouls calls against Teague or Al/Josh to start the game youre going to have to make some jumpshots

If you think that somehow playing a zone against this team is somehow illogical or radical then obviously you dont know as much as you would like us to think you do .

joe white

May 4th, 2011
3:53 pm

hawks in six baby

JeJe

May 4th, 2011
5:34 pm

I think 3 years ago, Woody was more concerned about winning our home games and making it a 7 game series than actually winning