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Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks: Bulls 95, Hawks 83

1:18 am May 11, 2011, by Michael Cunningham

Chicago–The energy and effort were there for the Hawks but their execution and poise (and maybe their legs) were lacking at the end.

  • The Hawks gradually clawed back from their early 15-point deficit. They survived foul trouble and poor shooting early. They held their own on the boards and limited the Bulls to 63 points over the final three quarters.
  • But the Hawks couldn’t finish. Now they have to win Thursday at Philips or the season’s over.
  • “We are not content with a loss but we can hang our hats on that we competed,” Josh said. “In Game 5 in Orlando you know what the outcome was with that.”
  • The Hawks scored 69 points through three quarters with 36 of those in the paint. They shot 53 percent, had 11 points on the break and just six turnovers. They worked for good shots Chicago’s relentless D.
  • In the fourth quarter the Hawks scored 15 points with six in the paint. They shot 31 percent, had two points on the break and four turnovers. They settled for shots against Chicago’s relentless D.
  • “For the first three quarters I thought we did a really good job,” L.D. said. “In the fourth quarter we lost our composure. I don’t know if it was their pressure or we did not have the juice.”
  • “We were confident,” Al said. “We weathered the storm after we were down early in the game. We stayed with it. I think they just made more plays than us and they were aggressive going to the basket. That might be something we need to do more of instead of settling for jump shots.”
  • Al had a couple bad turnovers in the fourth quarter. You could see a turnover coming when he put his head down and tried to post up Noah on the baseline. Throwing that outlet pass away was even worse.
  • Teague has been the most consistent player in the series for the Hawks. His line was impressive enough but watching the matter-of-fact way he makes difficult, important plays is truly remarkable.
  • “He is doing exactly what they want him to do,” D-Rose said. “He is not turning the ball over. He’s been very tough, especially in transition.”
  • Rose made his usual assaults on the basket and usually came away with a score or a foul. Smoove and Al challenged at the basket but it didn’t seem as if there was as much resistance on the perimeter.
  • “He made unbelievable plays,” Josh said. “He came off the pick-and-rolls and exploded, drew attention and was able to find guys on the perimeter. When he is doing that for that ball club and being aggressive they are hard to beat.”
  • The traps on Rose didn’t work as well, either, mostly because Deng made plays off the dribble when the ball came around to him.
  • Josh’s early foul trouble was costly. He was playing with zip when he went out. With him on the bench, Deng and Rose found easier passage to the basket.
  • The Bulls shot 28 free throws to 17 for the Hawks but they also had 43 field-goal attempts in the paint compared to Atlanta’s 32. By the end, Teague was the only guy going to the basket for the Hawks.
  • Teague thought Rose fouled him on a layup and again when Teague was headed down court with a steal.
  • “You cannot go on the road in the fourth quarter down by one point and feel like the officials made bad calls or even the calls that were made in the fourth quarter affect you,” L.D. said. “A call probably didn’t go our way but at that point you cannot allow that to take you out of the game. That is just not being mentally strong. We have to play through it.”
  • J.J. went into traffic late and also didn’t get a call. “I just try to play through it,” he said. “It is what it is. The refs are not going to change it so you might as well get back. I know one time when Jeff scored, I think he may have thought he got fouled, but we all should have got back on defense because Derrick Rose went right down and laid it up. Those are the plays you really can’t have in the fourth quarter.”
  • Smoove got heated when Boozer swiped at him after his dunk. “He cleared me with an elbow to the jaw,” Josh said. “Nobody is going to do that to me, I don’t care who you are. I’m a man first. It was intentional.”
  • Zaza kept the Hawks afloat in the second quarter. He was the only bench guy producing.
  • Jamal was just 1 for 9 and never could shake free. He also lost Bogans on those two 3-pointers in the first quarter.
  • Marvin managed one rebound in nine minutes. The rest of the bench guys didn’t get in until garbage time as L.D. shortened the rotation.
  • The Bulls closed with Taj Gibson, Asik and Brewer instead of Boozer, Noah and Bogans. The three bench guys combined for 13 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in the period.
  • “They had a good rhythm with their bench guys and they rode them as long as they could,” Drew said. “I was actually in that situation in the third quarter, we were in a really good rhythm so I left Jamal on the bench a little bit longer. Their bench guys did a good job. They played with a lot of energy and a lot of intensity.”
  • This game was testier and more physical than the others. Game 6 figures to be more of the same.
  • “It’s five straight games against the same opponent,” Tom Thibodeau said. “It’s a fight. You’ve got to be able to get through it. They’re a hard-playing team. We’d like to think we’re a hard-playing team. That’s just the way it is.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

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332 comments Add your comment

drmaryb (*_-)

May 11th, 2011
11:23 pm

* it …. Can
(multiple typos in that last post. DUI – keep scrollin’ bruh!)

Najeh Davenpoop

May 11th, 2011
11:23 pm

“I have never seen a team so dismissed by the talking heads as the Hawks. Not sure how there could be anyone who has been watching this series that would so easily count out the Hawks. Yet, that’s all I hear.”

As lackluster as the Hawks’ regular season was, it’s not too surprising.

I hope the Hawks do get a shot at the Heat though. I think the Hawks match up a lot better with the Heat than most people think. I would start the big lineup and switch every screen that didn’t involve the center. The Hawks have the swingmen to give LeBron and Wade plenty of different looks as well as the physical big men to give Bosh serious problems scoring, not to mention there is nobody on the Heat who can guard Teague.

Mantis

May 11th, 2011
11:24 pm

The Hawks outplayed the Bulls. The 4th quarter was clearly rigged. Some immediate examples come to mind…
1) The goaltending call on Josh Smith’s 2nd of 2 consecutive shotblocks was BS.
2) One of the blocked shots on Josh Smith was actually a goaltend.
3) There were several instances where D.Rose clearly should have been called for an offensive foul on Teague.

The Hawks realized it and gave up instead of continuing to fight. But they are going to have to keep their heads up and fight through with it. The San Antonio Spurs had to go through the same drama, as Stern and the NBA have never liked their ballclub and was never enamored with the idea of their winning championships. This is a league where corruption is rampant (let’s not forget that a referee was convicted of charges related to fixing games in 2008).

Derrek Rose is the best point guard in the league, but the rest of the Bulls team is grossly overrated. The Hawks are better than the Bulls, and they can win if they keep their head on straight.

SteveW

May 11th, 2011
11:24 pm

Boston – I think Ainge over thought his hand, and lost a championship because of it.

I think Ainge thought:

No way Kendrick comes back. Don’t need him anyhow, cause we got Shaq and O’Neal for the next two seasons for championship runs. He was wrong about Perkins and Shaq, and it cost him a championship.

Nate Robinson may have even helped the C’s against the Heat. Could you see Bibby guarding Nate?

And I think Ainge saw a way to begin building for the future with Green, while still competing for a Championship.

He missed on that.

But the Celtics are staying together for one more year.

And I tell you, if Shaq were 20 mpg healthy, and Rondo wasn’t playing with a broken arm or whatever, I’m not sure the Celtics don’t beat the Heat this season.

brigadierjerry

May 11th, 2011
11:26 pm

One thing that I would like to add as I have stated before going forward no matter what happens in the playoffs for the hawks:

I agreed with Najeh five points he stated earlier today. The Hawks need a superstar player to get to the next level. As I am watching the Memphis okc game superstars and teamwork make such as difference. The Hawks have teamwork but I dont think Joe Johnson is a superstar. He is a star player but his personality is one that wants to blend in. Too many times he wont take enough shots. He is better than Andre Igogudaka or Danny Granger but even if those two were on this team, it would be the same problem. You need a star to ride you during the rough times of the games when you need a basket. The bulls have a star in rose that can bail you out.because he will constantyl take it to the basket. Johnson doesnt do that and that hurts the Hawks down the stretch of games. Look at game 5 against the Bulls.Teague had more free throw attempts and Zaza than Joe Johnson. Something is wrong with that if that is your star player. Even northclyde said Jamal can take it to the basket but likes to take jumpshots. If Howard is available to be had or even Chris Paul or Deron Williams, Hawks have to go for it

Hawks Fan In New Orleans

May 11th, 2011
11:28 pm

The NBA – where biased officiating happens.
Cheaters always prosper here because CHEATING is big business – too much money to be made to be impartial and equitable. Is the NBA far away from any semblance of genuine parity?
Teague is the pg of the future – it is what it is Sund needs to look no further.

Welcome back Ken Strickland! May you have a speedy recovery.

Najeh Davenpoop

May 11th, 2011
11:29 pm

“One mock draft has us drafting that little G from Washington – he looked good

Another mock draft has us drafting some softy from Germany – 6-10 205, averages like 2 boards a game and can’t guard anybody. The scouting report said he was like a young Dirk with small shoulders.”

The Hawks’ only pick is going to be in the mid to late second round. The chances of finding a good college player at that spot who can make the roster are slim, especially considering that this draft is supposed to be a very weak one.

The Hawks may be better served by picking a foreign player and letting him develop overseas if they hold on to the pick. It may even be a good idea to trade the pick for a future second rounder, seeing as how a future second rounder is almost guaranteed to come in a deeper draft and is likely to be higher up in the second round than the one the Hawks currently have.

SteveW

May 11th, 2011
11:29 pm

If we get to the Heat, remember LD wouldn’t allow Teague to see the court against Bibby that game after the trade.

Teague had been beastin’ it, and many were saying Teague has earned his stripes. Then LD sits him, to not be embarrassed I’m quite sure by watching the guy he wouldn’t start over Bibby dismantle him.

LD was a massive loser during the regular season..

SteveW

May 11th, 2011
11:31 pm

I think our draft position is #48. I do think Pendegraft can draft. He’s gotten us Teague, Jordan, and Sy.

I also think he’s our next GM maybe if Sund doesn’t come back

Felix

May 11th, 2011
11:32 pm

No way Jerry Sloan goes from the frying pan to the fire and replaces Derron with Josh Smith! He’s (Sloan) been there, done that and walked away. It’s likely Smoove is a much tougher nut to crack than Derron was. Sloan don’t have the patience for that sh!t at this point in his life.

I seriously doubt any name-brand coach will come here as long as Josh Smith is here.

truthspitter

May 11th, 2011
11:32 pm

Hope you recover well and live a long life cancer free Ken Strickland.

P.S. Being a Hawks fan is bad for your health though.

Bulls in 6, let’s get on with the real business.

Fire LD

Let Sund Walk

ASG sale now

Buddy Grizzard

May 11th, 2011
11:33 pm

“They have seen DRose get every bump for an AND-1 and our end is not producing the same results.” – KevinM

Unintended consequence of hiring the cheapest coach available… do you think Las Vegas Larry wants to shell $35 grand out of his own pocket to call the refs out?

Mantis

May 11th, 2011
11:33 pm

Josh Smith could easily be the next Shawn Kemp if he would keep his head on straight and stop making such bad shot selections.

Larry Drew needs to be clear that if the Hawks move past round to and to the NBA finals, it will be because of Smith, Teague and Hortford. Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are second options.

Buddy Grizzard

May 11th, 2011
11:35 pm

Seriously, this is part of the gamesmanship of the NBA… Phil Jackson constantly complained to the media about the refs and never gave a damn how much they fined him. But you better believe the public scrutiny he thus created had an effect on the calls in the ensuing games. The calls in this series will continue to disproportionately favor the Bulls because Las Vegas Larry isn’t complaining about it. The refs are getting away with it and they know it.

Buddy Grizzard

May 11th, 2011
11:38 pm

“Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are second options.” – Mantis

Las Vegas Larry showed by his actions, keeping JC1 on the floor for 27 minutes despite his 1-for-9 shooting performance, that he still thinks JC1 is a primary option. At what point in the 4th quarter did Las Vegas Larry call a time out and take JC1 and JJ to task for going ISO and bricking 26-footers? Didn’t happen. He’d still be starting Bibby if he was given the option. His rotations are based on who he feels is entitled to minutes, not who is producing.

drmaryb (*_-)

May 11th, 2011
11:38 pm

Najeh!

Great view points!

The darned heat act like they just won something.
That Celtics team, much like the Magic – panicked when the Heat made that 13 game blitz run after struggling the first 25 games, and foolishly gutted their rosters in anticipation.

I was telling sleepy after game one in this Bulls series. A wunner should never launch a preemptive strike on defensive schemes after a convincing win. In other words, Boston and Orlando should have stood pat and stay the course for one more good run.

Back to the heat’s triumph. The celtics long teeth are the equivalent of a 20 year old saber tooth tiger. I won’t even mention Rondo’s elbow, because he was suited and booted – no excuses! But, the heat’s win really is not that impressive to me, they just matched up well for whatever reasons and that celtics team is not the same team they fell to in the recent past, not even close.

(Perkins, Tony Allen, Nate Rob., leon Powe, who was that quiet guy that was a load in the post for them that first year they came together? Uggh!)

I mean, really LeBron/Wade? Are you looking past:
OKC, Memphis, Hawks, Bulls, Dallas? I hope they do.

Anyway, Najeh, great comments up there.

Najeh Davenpoop

May 11th, 2011
11:38 pm

Seeing as how Teague has essentially saved LD’s job in this series, it would be highly stupid of him not to give him major minutes going forward. Kirk is a good player but it’s hard for me to envision a situation where the Hawks could have played this well in this series without Teague in the rotation (and we know he wouldn’t have played if not for Kirk’s injury).

Najeh Davenpoop

May 11th, 2011
11:45 pm

One other thing I will say about LD: I think the team has bought into his system a lot more in these playoffs than they ever did in the regular season. You can tell from some of their comments that the players’ confidence in LD seems to be higher. I don’t think LD did a very good job selling his system to his players before the season, and the ups and downs of the regular season were a result of players reverting to Woody ball (which is all many of them knew) and only half-heartedly executing what LD had in mind. They still haven’t fully bought in yet to the point where they execute consistently, and a lot of that is LD’s own doing with the way he rides Joe and Jamal and allows his players to play iso ball when the chips are down. But I think these playoffs have gone a long way towards increasing LD’s standing with the players on this current roster, even if we the fans still have legitimate questions about his ability to coach this team.

Just as the Hawks got rid of Bibby to save LD from himself, though, they may have to do the same thing with Jamal this offseason. And it’s too bad, really, because if Jamal was used properly he could be a real asset to this team without being the liability that he is when his shots are not falling.

Ms.C

May 11th, 2011
11:48 pm

Lmao do u know who shawn Kemp is? Lmao josh will never be close lmao

Mantis

May 11th, 2011
11:50 pm

“At what point in the 4th quarter did Las Vegas Larry call a time out and take JC1 and JJ to task for going ISO and bricking 26-footers? Didn’t happen. He’d still be starting Bibby if he was given the option. His rotations are based on who he feels is entitled to minutes, not who is producing.” – Buddy Grizzard

Exactly. Joe Johnson needs to get the same lesson that Marvin Williams got. He should have received it long ago. I always felt that drafting Jordan Crawford made it unnecessary to re-sign Joe Johnson, and I was livid when they traded him to the Wizards. Jordan is going to be another great player that we let go in order to keep a lackluster player.

truthspitter

May 11th, 2011
11:51 pm

Honestly, its sad how after every Bulls win someone claiming to be a Bulls fan shows up on this board. Where are these bytches when they lose?

Hawks Fan In New Orleans

May 11th, 2011
11:53 pm

Steve W, Buddy Grizzard and Najeh – I concur. That Miami game-Teague benching was shameless and utterly selfish. He put his rep over the chance to win and that’s the sign of a coward. The Hawks will be hard pressed not to take on the characteristics of LD in the future.

drmaryb (*_-)

May 11th, 2011
11:55 pm

* winner

Najeh Davenpoop

May 11th, 2011
11:58 pm

Royal Ivey sighting in this Grizzlies-Thunder game.

invus1169

May 12th, 2011
12:00 am

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS IF LD WOULD EVER THINK TO BRING A SERIOUS DOUBLE TEAM EFFORT FOR DERRICK ROSE. THIS SERIES WOULD ALREADY BE OVER. HE IS MAKING IT WAY TOO EASY FOR HIM TO SCORE. MAKE HIM (ROSE) GIVE THE BALL UP AND FORCE SOMEONE OTHER THAN ROSE TO SCORE ON A CONSISTANT BASIS. AFTER JJ, AND JAMAL WENT OFF IN GAME ONE, THE BULLS IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DOUBLING THEM BOTH EVERY TIME THEY TOUCHED THE BALL. I THINK LD IS AN IDIOT, AND DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE AT HOW TO MAKE GAME ADJUSTMENTS. HE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT JOSH SHOOTING THESE 3PT SHOTS, BUT HE HAS IMPLEMENTED AN OFFENSE THAT KEEPS HIM BEHIND THE 3 PT LINE. IMAGINE THAT.

Ken Strickland

May 12th, 2011
12:02 am

Thanks everyone for your well wishes, they are all well received. We need to create an OFF problem for the Bulls the way DRose has created for us. Teague has been very successful beating his man off the dribble and getting into the lane without the aid of any picks.

Just think how much of a problem he’d cause if we ran constant pick and rolls with him, like the Bulls do with Rose. With Teague as our OFF focus in pick and rolls, the Bulls will certainly have to stop dropping off Teague to double team JJ or Jamal.

Ms.C

May 12th, 2011
12:15 am

Truth stfu

Buddy Grizzard

May 12th, 2011
12:15 am

“But I think these playoffs have gone a long way towards increasing LD’s standing with the players on this current roster.” – Najeh

Agree with your comments. I think LD is an excellent X’s and O’s coach, I just think he’s a poor leader. But like I said before the series started, going up against Thibs was going to be the ultimate test of how far he has come. Right now I don’t see him putting his own money on the line to call out the refs and negate some of CHI’s obvious advantage there. And I don’t see him getting the team to run his offense in the 4th quarter of a close game when it really matters.

I hope we don’t re-sign JC1 and trade JJ in the offseason. Build this team around ASA, Smoove and Teague. LD can stay or go at that point, don’t care.

Sleepy

May 12th, 2011
12:15 am

Mantis – why would the coach be chewing out Jamal for going iso without the ball ? You do realize that the Bulls are doubling JJ and jamal. They dont believe that Josh,Al,or Teague can beat them …and they are right because so far they havent . Some of you need a reality check with this craziness

Najeh – We have no control over what happens with Jamal he can do whatever he wants so we dont have to worry about the liability as you put it . Although I disagree because even if jamal has missed a couple of shots the defense still respects him and will account for him the entire time hes on the floor . So while you and some other may think hes a liability because he hasnt made every shot Im quite sure the Bulls dont see him as a liability hence the double teaming and trying to get the ball out of his hands .

Buddy Grizzard

May 12th, 2011
12:18 am

Hawks Fan In New Orleans

May 11th, 2011
11:53 pm

Co-sign.

Najeh Davenpoop

May 12th, 2011
12:30 am

New blog up.

MikeFromIndiana

May 12th, 2011
11:45 pm

No. 5 on the Hawks can now pump out his chest and strut around (as he did after Game 3) in his neighborhood for awhile. No one else really thinks he is that great and merited any kind of celebration such as that. Maybe he has never won anything before . . . oh wait, he still hasn’t.

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