Bulls at Atlanta Hawks Game 6: All-NBA Al
Al was named third-team All-NBA. It’s the 24th time a Hawks player made one of the three teams. J.J. didn’t get a single vote from media after making the third team last season.
“I wasn’t really wasn’t expecting it,” Al said. “It’s really a great feeling. I’m very honored, I really am.”
Al had a great year and got plenty of pub for it, so why wouldn’t he think he had a shot?
“When you are so focused on the playoffs don’t really keep up with things like that,” he said. “And when you think about [All-NBA], it’s an elite group. I’m just really honored to be part of it. It just kind of shows the hard work I put in has been paying off.”
As we’ve seen in the playoffs, there’s more work for Al to do. Based on his history there’s little reason to doubt he will put in the hourse and, given that he’s not yet 25, there’s also reason to believe he will improve.
L.D. said Al’s development has been “truly remarkable” but both he and Al agreed he hasn’t reached his ceiling.
“A guy of his size and his ability, one area of improvement he really needs to make is his footwork,” Drew said. “On the block, he can score. He has skills down there but there is improvement to be made in that box area. He has certainly shown his ability, mid-range, to shoot the basketball. Prior to this year people didn’t see as a real pick-and-pop guy. He has turned into one of the deadliest shooters in the mid range.”
Al said he wants he wants to extend his range this summer.
“I haven’t thought about it that thoroughly, but some of the things I want is to be a better shooter, especially branch out a little more,” he said. “To be able to put the ball on the floor a little more–one dribble, two dribble and take it all the way. Those are things this summer I am really going to put a lot of emphasis on.”
Notes
- Same lineup tonight.
- The message on the Hawks’ locker room board at shootaround today: “Plane leaves for MIA 2:30 on Tues.”
- Teague on running the team: “We’ve got a lot of good shooters on this team. I’ve got to give them the ball where they can continue to play hard.”
- Josh on Teague’s feel for when to attack and when to facilitate: “That takes time, with minutes. He’s learning as we speak. We’ve got to be patient.”
- Smoove on being the catalyst: “I understand. It’s not pressure for me. I’ve dealt with it for a while. That’s just the DNA. I have to get off to a good start and be aggressive, especially on the defensive end. “
- L.D. on fourth-quarter offense: “We just have to move the ball. That’s just the bottom line. We can’t start isolating; we can’t start holding the ball. If you just hold the ball and try to play one-on-one you play right into their hands.”
- L.D. on Josh not retaliating against Boozer: “I don’t think there will be a carryover effect at all. Josh is professional enough to know he has to do that. All that does is plays right into their hands. It takes him out of his game, which I am sure they want. He has to be professional. It’s in the past.”
- Chicago media types were asking the Bulls if they are looking ahead to the Heat. D-Rose: “Definitely we want to get it over with but it’s not over with. We still have a game. We are anxious. We can’t look ahead.”
- It’s worth remembering that the Hawks have already exceeded expectations in the playoffs while the Bulls have underachieved relative to their regular season. That’s why L.D. thinks the Bulls are feeling pressure despite leading the series. “Going into the series, no one thought there would be a Game 6,” he said. “I give credit to my players. I think they have stepped up to the challenge. We have nothing to lose. We are going to lay it our on the line.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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772 comments Add your comment
Luke Cage
May 12th, 2011
9:15 pm
Hey man if I’m above average and a team says hey we’ll pay you 126mil, i would sign it, Hawks offense needs to let Jeff run it, that way Joe can get the shots that will go in
mykhalc
May 12th, 2011
9:16 pm
how can LD continue to give Marvin minutes??? i just don’t get it…
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:16 pm
Fans are cheering for Joe and the team. They’re not doing anything or playing in the fashion that deserves to be cheered. Real talk.
L
May 12th, 2011
9:17 pm
i can’t believe the dunk by jsmoove didn’t excite, engergize, or put a smile on joe’s face! dude kills the hawks energy. he kills my energy. i just don’t get it.
Brandon
May 12th, 2011
9:17 pm
I really would like to see Zaza start the third quarter in place of Collins, but I know that is not going to happen.
Melvin
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
Do the Hawks ever play good on ESPN?
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
It’s an elimination game. Get grimey, get physical, play like your seasons on the line. It’s difficult watching our bigs down low. They can’t even establish their spots down low. Hustle plays, the boards, physical-ness, it should all be going the Hawks way.
But it’s not. That’s why I’m disappointed.
truthspitter
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
No way the Hawks come back. Rose is going to dominate the ball in the 2nd half. On another note, Jon Barry is worthless as a commentator he just said that Boozer is taller than Zaza
L
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
i agree with jalen rose…where is Al???
vava74
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
what a frackking idiot, what a frackking idiot.
As soon as the Bulls show some momentum, the match ups should be Josh on Booz, Al on Noah and then bring Zaza to mix it up.
Collins was not working. He had to make a move earlier.
And to sub Teague for Jamal being just 6 points down and us clearly having problems on D in the front court he gave the game away.
And WTF was this last play? We have an opportunity to go to the half under 10 points and the best he can do is have JJ bring the ball up and pass to Josh at the 3 point line?
hawks_4_life
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
BARRY FUNK YOU
Rod from College Park
May 12th, 2011
9:18 pm
I agree Jalen, where is All Star, All NBA Al. Glad somebody else see’s it.
T-Mike
May 12th, 2011
9:20 pm
I’m in no mood for the truth.
Luke Cage
May 12th, 2011
9:21 pm
My “SPIDEY SENSE” is tingling Joe will have a Reggie Miller moment in 4th LOL
Ole Hawks Fan
May 12th, 2011
9:21 pm
Braves about to get swept by the Nats!
Sautee
May 12th, 2011
9:21 pm
“We are struggling on the boards and need another big to compete with Noah on the glass.”
WTF? We’re -2 against the best rebounding team in the league. That’s hardly struggling.
That said, Al needs to step up if we are to win. LOL @ espn calling him out.
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
9:22 pm
Brandon
May 12th, 2011
9:17 pm
“I really would like to see Zaza start the third quarter in place of Collins, but I know that is not going to happen.”
Write it down blog people.
JeJe
May 12th, 2011
9:22 pm
All these players ever talk about is that the pressure is on the other team
STFU already
Brandon
May 12th, 2011
9:22 pm
“Hawks offense needs to let Jeff run it, that way Joe can get the shots that will go in”
That problem boils down to coaching. That’s on Drew more than the players. He wants the ball in Joe’s hands the majority of the time. That’s the way it seems, anyway. That’s another reason why I want L.D. replaced as head coach. That’s just one of the many reason, but L.D. too often tries to beat a dead horse when it clearly isn’t working. Force feeding Joe and Jamal never works. I can’t remember the last time we won a game by force feeding them when they didn’t have it going offensively. I don’t know why that’s so difficult for the staff to realize.
Rod from College Park
May 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
End of the half, and Joe dribbles the clock out and passes to Josh for 3, but Josh is the one with low basketball IQ.
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
Jalen Rose: “Where’s Al Horford?”
Co-sign.
No free passes. Where you at dude?
drmaryb (*_-)
May 12th, 2011
9:23 pm
Sautee!
Yesssir! LOL! Korver is gonna’ make me have nightmares.
hawks_4_life
May 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
10 points still feeling good, time to execute…no excuses
bigdave
May 12th, 2011
9:24 pm
LETS GO!!!!!
Ole Hawks Fan
May 12th, 2011
9:26 pm
Grand Slam Prado……………….5 -5 game now. Come Back Hawks and let’s go back to Cbicago!
MistaGamer
May 12th, 2011
9:26 pm
$126M… IS THIS REALLY WHAT $126M BUYS YOU???
I wish there was a word vile enough to describe what I’m seeing from that guy right now! Forget the fact that his stinking up the court, his body language is detestable!!
hawks_4_life
May 12th, 2011
9:26 pm
Josh athleticism gone? Who said that bull, we all know its his mind thats on the fritz.
explorer155
May 12th, 2011
9:26 pm
As bad as they came out in this game they are only down 10, which is doable if they put some effort into it.
As much as I am disappointed in how they are playing this game I refuse to bash them tonight. Do you realize that they have won more second round games than the Lakers and Celtics, COMBINED???
Yes, yes I know the goal is to win the championship however this team has exceeded expectations in the playoffs and FINALLY found their point guard in the process. Now hopefully they can find some b-ball smarts in the second half.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Luke Cage
May 12th, 2011
9:27 pm
Must start out on a big run in the 3rd
bigdave
May 12th, 2011
9:27 pm
we come out punching..
but prepare to go shot for shot, w/ Rose..
we get it to about 5-6 Rose is going to put the game in the hands of the officials..
JeJe
May 12th, 2011
9:27 pm
FIRE LD
WE DID NOT EXCEED EXPECTATIONS THIS YEAR
WE DIDN’T EVEN GET PAST THE 2ND ROUND
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND
FIRE ASG
T-Mike
May 12th, 2011
9:28 pm
HiLton time. Go Hawks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NQIPVqLMUg
Ole Hawks Fan
May 12th, 2011
9:29 pm
Your PG is in the GAME but JJ and JC brings the ball up…………….WTF! LD get ur head out of YOUR ARSE.
bigdave
May 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
he isnt driving.. contest that jumper
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
Collins in, Zaza out.
Rafa
May 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
I swear Jamal isn’t even playing, although he had been fouled shooting a three in each bulls game and is still yet to receive a call
bigdave
May 12th, 2011
9:30 pm
they have no offense.. lets go!!
Ole Hawks Fan
May 12th, 2011
9:31 pm
Get NASTY on DEFENSE Hawks!
Rev in Tampa
May 12th, 2011
9:31 pm
drmary,
I was thinking the same thing. Korver and Aisk are ugly dudes. They don’t look like basketball players.
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:31 pm
I’m sure everybody’s happy with them somewhat exceeding our expectations.
That doesn’t mean you lay down when your season’s on the line. You don’t get outhustled. You show more effort. You play smarter. Your All-Stars + 6th man show up. Not give you the bullstuff they’ve given you in every game we’ve lost this series.
They’ve shown they’re capable of beating this team. They’ve done it twice. So, when you’re at home and everythings on the line, come to play.
As I mentioned earlier, a hard fought loss would hurt, but it beats getting blown out.
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
How we start his half will dictate how this game goes…
If we can make that first run, we have a shot. If they make the first run, this thing could get out of reach.
Melvin
May 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
Horford has no post moves….
bigdave
May 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
take my game perimeter..
lol.
cp
May 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
anyone going to defend Boozer?
Slimjr
May 12th, 2011
9:32 pm
“Al is garbage. He never rolls on the pick and roll, just a soft popper.
My prediction by 8:30 you will all realize the truth and that is the season is over for our beloved Hawks.”
@truthspitter it dont look good??
Valet Parking AL,”he’ll escort you right to the rim!”
Al=Alice, no more invites coming his way at the “PF” thats for sure…no post up game as PF??Are you kidding me????
Ole Hawks Fan
May 12th, 2011
9:33 pm
See that is how u push the ball up the floor but LG got the hawks walking it up. FIRE LD!
Wabe
May 12th, 2011
9:33 pm
Really Horford?
That’s Luol Deng…
hawks_4_life
May 12th, 2011
9:34 pm
AL UR COSTING US…U CANT POST UP DENG….SMH…WHEN YOU SHOW UP THIS POST SEASON WAKE ME UP.
Buddy Grizzard
May 12th, 2011
9:34 pm
Horrible defense by JJ. Didn’t call out the pick to Teague, didn’t step up and try to draw a charge, lets Rose score and gives him an and 1.
hawks_4_life
May 12th, 2011
9:34 pm
WELL MOMENTUM GONE