Atlanta Hawks at Bulls Game 2: What about Al?
Chicago–So let’s say J.J. doesn’t shoot 10 of 13 from beyond 15 feet again, Jamal doesn’t shoot 3 for 3 at the rim and 4 for 4 from the line and Teague can’t stick the floater.
Then what for Atlanta’s offense? Maybe they should try to run more of what probably was their most underutilized play in the regular season and still is during the playoffs: Al on pick-and-rolls.
According to Synergy Sports Technology, Al had 226 of those plays during the regular season (2.94 per game) and scored 1.1 points per possession (eighth-best in the league). In the postseason he’s been involved in 21 screen-rolls (3 per game) and scored 1.14 points per possession.
On those 21 plays, Al made 12 of 20 shots and had one turnover. Seven of the screen-roll passes came from Hinrich, seven from Jamal, and two each from Teague, J.J. and Josh. He went to the basket six times and popped out for jump shots for the other 14, with six makes (one of the misses was the rushed 3-pointer in Game 2 at Orlando).
So Al is shooting 6 of 14 on pick-and-pops in the playoffs. But he’s shooting only 39 percent overall (16 for 41) on attempts from 16 to 23 feet after shooting 53 percent from that distance during the season. That was the best mark in the league among guys who had at least 70 attempts.
Looking at the video of the postseason screen-roll plays with Al, he’s not getting the same time and space to shoot as he did during the regular season. Three times he’s responded to hard challenges by faking the J and driving.
“I think it’s really different because teams really tune in on coverages and make an effort to challenge and contest, like we are doing to them,” Al said. “I think the shot is still there. I just think different areas of our offense are still working so we are sticking with that. Joe is scoring the ball; Jamal is doing his thing. I don’t think its called for me to run high pick-and-roll.”
Maybe not yet, but it’s a strong option if what worked in Game 1 isn’t working tonight. Smoove in the post works, too, but it’s tough to count on that after he took five shots from beyond 15 in Game 1 and missed them all.
Al’s defense and rebounding were key to Game 1 and it figures to be the same in Game 2. The Hawks might also need his scoring.
“I got in foul trouble and was kind of taken out [of Game 1],” Al said. “At this point of the year I am doing whatever it takes for my team. I didn’t have to worry about scoring much last game. Tonight I just have to stay ready.”
Notes
- Same starters tonight as for Game 1. Same inactives: Rolle and Etan.
- L.D. on the expectation that D-Rose will get to the line more: “[Game 1] was officiated very fairly. I thought there were some times we should have got to the line but we didn’t. It was both ways. That is a big point for us to try to keep them off the line as much as we can. We have to anticipate that he is going to get to the free-throw line and we have got to play through it irregardless of what the situation is.”
- Jeff Fogle at Hoopdata.com notes that maybe it’s not such a good assumption that D-Rose will get more free throws since he really hasn’t done it since hurting his ankle.
- L.D. on the goal vs. D-Rose: “Making sure we don’t give him the seams, the gaps to dribble penetrate. We try to make a conscious effort to take that away. You can’t stop him but overall if we can be consistent at that it gives us a chance.”
- L.D. on Rose in Game 1: “He probably didn’t have the game he’s accustomed to but I would like to credit the way we defended him with that.”
- L.D. on if he thinks guys are content with winning one in Chicago: “I would not allow that to happen. I thought that was the case against Orlando. We did not come out with a sense of urgency for Game 2. We had a lot of slippage. I take full responsibility for that. Here we have another opportunity staring us right in the eye. It’s up to me to get my team ready. Its’ up to me to make sure we come out with a whole different focus. We are going to see their best shot. It’s important that whatever happens, we are able to weather it and move on.”
- Al on what he expects from the Bulls tonight: “All-out effort. They are here at home, in front of their fans. I thought that came out hard in Game 1 but I am sure they will be all-out tonight.”
- L.D.: “That team will come out and play hard and play with energy and effort. We have to match that. We have to be smart. We cannot lose our composure under any circumstance. We have to play through any situation and stick with what our gameplan is. That’s a very talented Chicago ballclub, It’s no fluke that they won 62 games. So to come out here and not expect them to give us our best effort is totally ridiculous.”
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune’s says the Bulls are trying to “master the learning curve of being the favorites.”
- J.J. on Atlanta’s balance causing problems for Chicago’s D: “We got a few guys who can really put up big numbers. We do tend to keep a team off balance. I am sure they will come up with different schemes and tactics to slow us down. We have just got to stay poised and we will be all right.”
- Josh on the knee: “It feels all right. Each and every day it gets better, it gets a little stronger. I have just got to stay on top of it. What’s helping me out is I am not thinking about it. I am just playing basketball. It’s something I just have to worry about after the season.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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926 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2011
5:28 pm
“someone asked L.D. during the Orlando series if he calls post-ups for Smoove. he smiled and said: “yeah, but somehow he ends up floating out to the 3-point line anyway.”
Haha, well there goes that theory. Unless of course this is more LD-speak where what happens is exactly the opposite of what he says.
James on Pharr Rd
May 4th, 2011
5:30 pm
MC
Do you know if LD or Woodson for that matter has any unique motivational ideas for the team? You hear Phil Jackson giving players books to read, certain teams watching motivational movies( besides sports) to build whatever emotion the team needs for a specific game.
It would be great for our video guys to play clips of how we have sometimes responded questionably and in what ways after winning a game in the playoffs. Sometimes, it appears all we get are long LD speeches…I am just saying..
Nunna!!
May 4th, 2011
5:32 pm
ag i agree..Game 1 was in no way Jeffs best game.
I think it would be either of the 2 games he started and played after the trade for Hinrich..Especially the portland game.
I think the hawks come out a lil bit flat tonite but,as long as LD leaves Teague alone,we’ll be ok and should take games 2,3 and 5…
Look for a 4-1 hawks series win
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
5:40 pm
Allstar Al here is your problem and fix..KISS=Keep It Simple Sir….
When your at the elbow with your back to basket or facing the basket before you finish saying one Mississippi, you must make a commitment, take that lightning 1st step. Your 1st step is huge towards the rim make the refs call a foul!!! You could also pull up and hit the 8 tf bank shot..You could easily put up 25 a night with your 6′10″ frame…Don’t be afraid to make a mistake!! Go quick you will receive good results and help your team get to the next level..Be Strong, Play strong,Play fearless Sir..Its only a game not life and death..And most of all have fun!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
5:43 pm
Josh you just have spurts of ADD.So If I was your coach when you get out line, I yank your azz and sit you down next to me..I will tell you in practice this is how its gonna be.I am the boss not you player…
Nate ArchiBALL
May 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
@Kevim – Zach Randolph was 2 for 13 in game two……….for 15 points (11 pts from the free throw line)
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
I really believe Josh is not listening to LD. So I am putting the blame on Larry..Larry is abusing his job description by not sending Josh a stern message or waring…
Maybe hes intimidated with Josh size?? I played with a dude that is almost as big as ZaZa… I got a baseball bat that will equalize the size difference in seconds…..HeHeHe
tidog
May 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
It’s Josh’s handle or correctly stated his lack of handle is why he launches from the perimeter. His handle won’t allow him to confidently drive past his opponent from a face up position on the perimeter. So he settles for the less complicated action, a jump shot, ohh in his case the set shot.
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
5:49 pm
Warning^^^^^^^^^^
BrittishAnger
May 4th, 2011
5:55 pm
Josh could be as good as those two players only if the Hawks were controlled by a player with knowledge of the NBA2K series…..
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2011
5:55 pm
“Typically, the ones who think that you can simply tell an adult employee what to do and they will always do it (because they are so very quick to learn and adapt) are the ones who have NEVER been in a position to manage adults.”
No, but good leaders find a way to convince the subordinates they are leading that what they want is in their subordinates’ best interest. In the NBA as in real life, some leaders find a way to do this more effectively than others do. The truth lies somewhere in between “people will do whatever they want regardless of what you try to tell them” and “people will do whatever you tell them”.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2011
5:57 pm
“It’s Josh’s handle or correctly stated his lack of handle is why he launches from the perimeter. His handle won’t allow him to confidently drive past his opponent from a face up position on the perimeter. So he settles for the less complicated action, a jump shot, ohh in his case the set shot.”
Exactly.
Smoove should be held accountable for putting himself in a position where he has to choose between shooting and driving in the first place. But in many of the situations where he shoots jumpers, the alternative of driving the basketball is actually a worse proposition because his handles are horrible.
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
6:08 pm
astute observation @tidog!^^^^^
Yes Josh has no right hand and no “jumpshot”. He’s is not comfortable in driving and slashing past his opponent. so he settles for his set shot thats flawed from middle school..
1st major problem with the shot is this: Josh places the ball by his left ear..WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
His subconscious mind needs to see the rock at all times in relationship to the rim..The mind is constantly taking snap shots in relationship to the rim and body. These millionth of seconds calculations are processed and store for instant recall when the conscious mind is committed to taking the jumpshot.
2nd problem your always taught from childhood that the middle finger on the shooting hand must always face the rim as you release the shot and follow through…That would be the 12 o’clock position..Time and again Josh left shooting hand middle finger is pointing toward the 10 o’clock position…Wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!! So his set shot is like rolling dice…You get lucky sometimes…Most times..NOT!!!
JeJe
May 4th, 2011
6:09 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 the series
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
6:12 pm
im not giving Josh the “handles” argument.. if Josh was so insecure about his ball handling ability we wouldnt see him bring the ball up the floor, or leading the break like he’s Pippen. ive said if Josh would just go hard left and make a strong move to the basket something positive would happen. we’ve seen him make these decisions, as recently as last round when he soundly drove, planted his pivot, spun, and finished over Dwight.. that was an impressive drive and finish. he’s handles are no worse, id say better, than Blake Griffin. Josh doesnt have to settle due to handles.
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
6:12 pm
And you will never see a real jump shooter, and I mean never see them put an arm wrap on their shooting arm…It restricts motion and screw up your shot….Josh used to wear one on his left arm but he took it off earlier in the season….
JeJe
May 4th, 2011
6:13 pm
If Josh Smith played to his strengths and drove the ball in the lane, we’d probably sweep this series.
Too bad he won’t, and Marvin will continue to drop 5 points and play Okay defense.
#2 overall
shizz
May 4th, 2011
6:32 pm
Yo, I be saying the same things about josh. I’m a huge hawks fan, i commented on here a couple of seasons ago but mainly I just read. But its time to get involved. I feel a connection to you all that you don’t feel cause you dont know I’m here but thats all my fault. But im going to fix it. But nevertheless, yea, josh be killn us. He could easily be one of the most dominant players in the NBA if he played to his strengths. Only God himself knows why he continues to shoot 18 ft jump shots.
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
6:34 pm
Legs just said on sports center that this series “has 7 games written all on it..”
J.J.M.
May 4th, 2011
6:37 pm
we didnt believe in magic and we dont take no bull! lets go hawkssssss
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
6:41 pm
The Guards will have to play light outs to win this series..Guess they will..
Teague will get 10-18 pts tonight!!!! 5-10 assist..
He’s good. Real good!!!! Come Larry????????????????????????????????/
GO Hawks…………………………………………
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
6:47 pm
Marvin is going to show up tonight on TNT.He is going to make his family PROUD!!!!! HeHe
J.J.M.
May 4th, 2011
6:49 pm
why on ESPN bottom line does it say “DRose and Bulls try to even series vs. Hawks” then says “Mavs look to go up 2-0 on Lakers”
O'Brien
May 4th, 2011
7:09 pm
I dont think Josh takes the jumpers because his handles are not so good. I think he takes the jumper because he wants to prove his doubters (who say he sucks at jumpers) wrong.
I think LD takes part of the blame for Josh taking as many jumpers though. Last season (under Woody), Josh took 7 three pointers, and he was commended for it by media and fans alike.
but this season, he has taken 154 three pointers. So what is LD telling him different from Woody? Or is Josh taking them because he worked on them some more this offseason?
MathMan
May 4th, 2011
7:21 pm
This has to be JJ’s first post season where Woody wasn’t able to play him a Gazillion minutes during the regular season. Could be the reason behind his effectiveness!!!
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
7:32 pm
“I dont think Josh takes the jumpers because his handles are not so good. I think he takes the jumper because he wants to prove his doubters (who say he sucks at jumpers) wrong.”
my thoughts as well.. players do things they feel they excel at, and tend to avoid weaknesses. guys that cant shoot the 3 ball wont settle for 3 because the defense is giving them the shot. Josh handles the ball too much for me to say he isnt a confident ball handler. thing is, he feels that jumper is a strength of his game. i dont mind it as much as others, but if he’s able to get the ball to the rim id prefer it. we’ve seen him go to the hole w/ success. i guess its a matter of us fans wanting him to make that jumper his 2nd option..
superiorblogman
May 4th, 2011
7:50 pm
Not worried about Al. Not worried about the team. I feel like we will have a good showing. Just think we should not be starting all these question marks in Marvin, Josh, and Jeff.
The starting lineup should be
Teague
Joe
Josh
Al
Zaza
On the other hand, we have gotten away with not doing the right thing in principle thus far. Kirk trade not good in principle, Josh does not play correct in principle, and the way Teague got virtually no seasoning and just thrown into the fire not good in principle but maybe someone is looking over us and having good will on us and correcting the things we do wrong in some ways we wish did not have to happen.
Go Hawks!!!!!!!
Double Zero Eight
May 4th, 2011
7:52 pm
Marvin is due for his once in a “blue moon” good game.
Let’s hope it is tonight.
We will know within the first 5 minutes if the Hawks stand a
chance of winning tonight.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2011
7:56 pm
Game time. Let’s get it.
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
8:00 pm
LETS GET IT!!!!!
BE SPECIAL…
Bertie
May 4th, 2011
8:01 pm
Go Hawks! I hope JJ left ISO JOE back at the hotel. I know ISO JOE is in Chicago because he showed his ugly head in the 3rd quarter of game 1. Move the ball around.
steven
May 4th, 2011
8:02 pm
let’s knock this MVP out!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2011
8:03 pm
Aggressive Joe, J-Smash, and Allstar Al, we need you. Passive Joe, J-Smoove, and Timid Al please fall back.
cp
May 4th, 2011
8:05 pm
i hope the Hawks shut the critics up again
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 4th, 2011
8:07 pm
Hitler is performing the national anthem with the facist attachment on the American flag? wtf.
Congrats to Rose – now let’s get the game 2 upset Hawks.Win the East my brother. Win the East my brother. Win the East my brother, win the East!
Go Hawks
O'Brien
May 4th, 2011
8:10 pm
Barkley: “at some point, jumpers are not going to continue falling. we need to get something going inside”
Kenny: “When JJ holds the ball 3 seconds or less, he is great”
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
8:11 pm
come in here and lay them down.. they owe u money.. EFFORT EFFORT EFFORT
O'Brien
May 4th, 2011
8:12 pm
I think Bulls limit JJ and jamal tonight, leading to some bad shots by jamal. i think Al has a good game.
Marvin nursing a rib injury? maybe thay will help him play better.
cp
May 4th, 2011
8:13 pm
there u go Al
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
8:14 pm
damn good d..
Melvin
May 4th, 2011
8:14 pm
Josh didnt even jump for the jump ball…LOL and SMH…
northcyde
May 4th, 2011
8:15 pm
How about telling Mr. Horford to play like a BIG.
The pick and pop game is nice, but if he’s going to hesitate taking the shot, it renders that play null and void. And people were making a good point on previous blogs, saying that Horford made a living off of that play, playing against centers . . not PFs.
You see how Noah is playing him? Noah isn’t going to give him all of that room. So as you saw on the 1st possession, Al simply has to pick and choose his spots when he is open. He made a good fake there, and knocked down the shot.
But the going isn’t going to be easy for him at all. As long as he’s hitting the boards, he’ll be an asset to us. But if he wants to put up a nice scoring number, it may have to come via offensive rebounds and putbacks, not off of the pick and pop.
drmaryb (*_-)
May 4th, 2011
8:16 pm
Dribble Flu!
Kenny Smith said, ” if Joe has the dribble flu, he would get sick just watching it.”. LOL!
______________
TNT Commentator said, “Who would have thought that Chicago has to make the first adjustment after game 1?”
________________
Not sleepy! He was all night with that foolishness about the Hawks needed to make the first adjustment and with a High School zone defense? LMAO – ROF KTC (kicking the couch).
O'Brien
May 4th, 2011
8:16 pm
What kind of shot did Josh just take?
Slimjr
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
Uh Oh, Chief Gangsta is in the house tonight!! Watch out for those Thug refs!!! Larry look out tell your men to look out!!!!
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
WAKE!
cp
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
there u go Teague
Calling 'em out
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
if the hawks lose this game, especially blowout style, watch all the SUCKAS who jump off the bandwagon. lol.
bigdave
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
young scrap!
tremaine
May 4th, 2011
8:17 pm
TEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!