Atlanta Hawks: On the offense
Indianapolis–The Hawks rank seventh in the league in offensive efficiency. They have, for the most part, feasted on some below-average-to-bad defensive teams: New Jersey, Charlotte, and Washington. (And they didn’t feast on one bad defensive team, Houston.)
There are two important exceptions: the W at Miami and the W vs. Chicago. In those games, the Hawks feasted on elite defensive units, and a look at the Hoopdata advanced box scores from the Miami and Chicago of those games shows some common offensive threads for the Hawks:
- Their combined attempts from 9 feet and closer and 3-point range were more than twice their attempts from 16 to 23 feet.
- They made a high percentage of those 3-point attempts.
- Their turnover rates were low.
Shooting well is the most important ingredient for good offense (obviously). But a look at the Synergy Sports Technology numbers in the Miami and Chicago victories shows the Hawks were able to play to their strengths while generating good shots against good defenses.
Atlanta’s four most-used Synergy play types this season have been spot-up, transition, isolation and cut:
Spot-up: 26.2 percent of plays, 1.07 points per possession (2nd in league)
Transition: 13.8 percent of plays, 1.08 ppp (17)
Isolation: 10.8 percent of plays, .73 ppp (18)
Cut: 8.9 percent of plays, 1.31 ppp (fourth)
The breakdown on those play types in the victory against Miami:
Spot-up: 27.7 percent of plays, 1.29 points per possession
Transition: 11.9 percent of plays, .75 ppp
Isolation: 8.9 percent of plays, .67 ppp
Cut: 12.9 percent of plays, 1.31 ppp
And in the W against Chicago:
Spot-up: 20 percent of plays, 1.32 points per possession
Transition: 23.2 percent of plays, 1.41 ppp
Isolation: 11.6 percent of plays, .91 ppp
Cut: 10.5 percent of plays, 1.5 ppp
You can see that against Miami, the Hawks didn’t run as much but still were able to use their usual rate of spot-up possessions and increased the percentage of cut plays. Against Chicago, they didn’t use their usual amount of spot-up possessions but it didn’t matter because they ran more often and more efficiently than usual.
As I mentioned after the W at New Jersey on Monday, the Hawks can present a lot of offensive threats when they play to their strengths. They can hurt opponents with lots of different guys in lots of different ways.
Jeff Teague can score off the dribble (and now maybe also spotting up for 3-pointers, too). Joe Johnson can bully his man in the post if help doesn’t come, make tough Js, or score on those runners. Vladimir Radmanovic can hit 3s on the weakside and Marvin Williams can make spot-ups or drive to the basket and draw fouls (his free-throw rate ranks 10th among small forwards playing 20-plus minutes).
Josh Smith is tough to stop when he gets to the basket. You figure Al Horford eventually will be strong on the pick-and-pop again (meanwhile, he’s No. 1 in the league with 1.35 points per possession on post-ups, according to Synergy). Tracy McGrady can make plays, make shots and might eventually start getting calls when he drives (his free-throw is high anyway).
Now, I know we’ve seen this script before. The Hawks started off playing a better brand of basketball last season, only to regress once they ran into some better defenses and the overall intensity level of games increased. But this team does have the potential to be a good offensive club even when facing the better defensive opponents (which they will do again tonight vs. the Pacers).
Larry Drew:
When we move the basketball and execute what we are doing, we don’t become stagnant, predictable. We have a lot of guys that can score and bring a lot to the table offensively. The last thing I want to do it be a predictable club, especially on the offensive end. I want to get out of the total isolation stuff. The last couple games we have done that. We’ve moved the ball very unselfishly, our assist totals are up. No one can really lock in to one guy.
Now, everyone knows that Joe is our main guy and the game is on the line we are going to put the ball in his hands, but he’s been making real intelligent plays out of the double team. The other guys have been doing what they do best. Jeff has been getting to the basket. Al has been picking and popping and he’s made himself felt down in the block. Josh is using his athleticism and energy, he’s made some shots [but] he’s gotten to the basket, he’s not just settling. Then the bench guys come in and give what they give. When we play together, when that ball jumps around, we become a lot tougher to defend.”
Notes from shootaround
- Drew will use the same starting lineup tonight as he did at New Jersey: Teague, Johnson, Radmanovic, Smith, Horford. Drew said he anticipates using the bench guys normally tonight after riding the starters at New Jersey.
- T-Mac said he feels fine physically: “I’m ready to roll, man. I’ve worked too hard [to sit].”
- Drew said he’s managing McGrady’s minutes for the long term: “We don’t want to wear him down. We are going to look at different situations with him: matchups, back-to-backs and how he’s feeling physically. We will weigh all those [factors]. Minutes-wise, he’s going to be a guy who comes off our bench and rely on him to play consistent minutes.”
- Drew said he’s encouraging Teague to keep letting the 3-pointers fly: “That’s a great shot for him because he’s capable of making them. Teams, used to defend where they sagged off of him and let him just take the perimeter shot. Now that he’s shown he can knock the three down, it forces them to close out on him and that’s when he can use his speed and quickness to get to the basket.”
- Actually, Teague thinks opponents still haven’t adjusted: “I think that’s why I’m hitting them. They are playing me the same way as last year, so I just step up and make them.”
- Drew on Marvin’s status: “I heard Marvin was doing muchr better. Right now he’s feeling discomfort [when] coming up on his toes. But in my last conversation [with trainers] he’s doing much better.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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89 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
4:17 pm
Ivan is a situational player. Kind of like Mario West. I did expect to see him get 8-10 minutes with Marvin hurt, but he likely won’t get consistent minutes each and every game (he’s a 3rd stringer, like Teague last year). It would be fun to watch a tag-team of Jeff Foster-Psycho T vs. Zaza and Ivan the Terrible. Kind of like the Road Warriors vs. the Steiner Brothers.
Grandad
January 11th, 2012
4:22 pm
We score on cuts 9% of our plays.
We could raise that % if the players (Joe in particular)
would catch the ball “ready”.
By that I mean & for example:
Joe will make a nice flex cut and receive the pass
at the basket, but, instead of [jump stopping]
Joe catches the ball in motion which carries himself out of the play.
Joe’s play-making skill allow him to find spot up shooters
who often make open jumpers.
However, he has just allowed himself to pass up
an open high % [inside] shot.
Joe not the only one.
If our guys were a bit less casual;
we would be even -more- effective.
____________________________________________
I would like to see Josh take more of his jumpers in rhythm,
coming off screens (curls) which would get his momentum
going back toward the basket.
He shoots so much better in rhythm than that “set shot”.
_____________________________________________
I’m not picking on Joe & Josh / only using those two example.
Others on the team fail to use all the tools within this offense also.
Fundamentals
January 11th, 2012
4:26 pm
Grandad,
That would mean said player was expecting the ball at that moment from a designed play. We’re not catching it “ready” because it’s a surprise we got the ball. If they’ll buy in, in time they’ll know those touches are coming as team-mates learn who’s coming when. That’s the gelling we’ve been missing over the years by playing individual first, in a crap offense type of game. It can go either way. I hope you’re observation is right and they learn to improve…time hasn’t proven that though. Could this be the year the Hawks put it together and play team ball under the direction of their point guard?
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
DC
OB, I like Wade Phillips as a candidate for the birds. All Blank has to do increase his current going rate. Is he under contract somewhere? He is a hella coach and, could push Smitty as a possible replacement if that should come up.
kwooden
January 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
KevinM, Horford has typically done well against Hibbert and I quickly checked the PER stats before I wrote this. +20 and -6 as stated on hoopsstats.com. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Collins on Hibbert and Horford against West, but I’m not the coach. Either way I’m more worried about the size and shooting of Paul George and Granger. Smith is definitely the X-Factor in this game, because Indiana has no one that can match him in the post. Smith usually has problems with West in the post as I remember, but West can’t handle him in the open floor or the post.
GO HAWKS!!
Grandad
January 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Fundamentals
” That would mean said player was expecting the ball
at that moment from a designed play.
We’re not catching it “ready”
because it’s a surprise we got the ball ”
Your statement has merit.
However;
(1) “motion” offense is not always a set play but it should not matter.
Any player should play with ready hands,
provided he wises to be successful.
(2) your statement only provided each player with an excuse …
to -not- be professional.
Grandad
January 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
*wishes not wises
Sautee
January 11th, 2012
4:41 pm
dmb,
Wade Phillips coaches the 3-4. We have 4-3 personnel. He’s a good coach, but TD’s not gonna retool for the 3-4 unless we bottom out.
Sorry about the non Hawks chatter.
Grandad
January 11th, 2012
4:46 pm
What really gets me is that I demanded more from my
HS and Div III players than NBA coaches seem to expect.
I realize the ability level is much higher;
I also realize they get paid Big $ to perform at a high level.
Were I a professional coach or more specifically an owner;
you can bet that my expectations would be that details …
yes fundamentals, all the little things … would be adhered to.
ILL-Logical
January 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
Joe Johnson for D-Will = Floor leader +point guard + crunch time scoring threat who is 3 years younger and ,under the current CBA, cheaper. Plus ,dude can draw at the gate and might entice another guy whose first name begins with a D to consider the Hawks despite well earned misgivings about the team’s management.
Ra'mon
January 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
G’dad, how are you? I’m sure, like me, you’ve seen stretches where the Hawks don’t even attempt to run motion (motion was the first offense I ever was a PG for in high school). But I think we’re seeing less motion possibly because of the lack of rest in the schedule. I would just love to see 5 more minutes of motion in the fourth quarter, until the 7 minute mark or so.
jasper
January 11th, 2012
4:58 pm
Drew obviously sees tmac a valueable piece that can be the X factor in the playoffs and his managing his minutes accordingly.
Sautee
January 11th, 2012
4:58 pm
“Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.””
A far cry from Gearon, eh? 2-12 in the second round, and Gearon’s satisfied, and even bragging.
Falcons 0-3 and Blank is angry and not satisfied with just making the playoffs.
Are you listening, Mikey?
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
Seems Bogut is beginning to return to form which will up his value, while Leuer still seems slow to truly be the powerhouse you proclaimed. What’s your projection on his stats by year end? How much do you think his stats are inflated because he’s playing for the Bucks?
—-
Its funny because Leuer has not been given the perimeter role like Vlad has. He’s been playing inside. Screen and roll instead of screen and pop.
He hasn’t really shot 3s this season. His job is to defend, crash boards and PnR.
Surprised that he can actually play some center.
His shots and perimeter spot belong to Carlos Delfino and I don’t see Skiles going 4 out and only sending Bogut to the boards.
Ironically Leuer’s stats are better than Bogut’s on several fronts.
PER
Bogut – 17.0
Leuer – 16.3
But I’ll be damned, Leuer is averaging 13.3% rebounds. Rasheed’s career high is 14% for 37mpg and 8rpg.
Still stand by my assessment that Leuer can be better than Marvin Williams. If 6′10 Vlad can complement the core better than Marvin without defense or rebounding then why can’t 7′0 Leuer?
Defend, rebound, knock down open 3s. Post up smaller 4s.
If anything Leuer playing center gained him value.
I will also stand by my assessment that by seasons end Bogut + Leuer > Horford. Heck right now I’m pretty sure we’d have to throw in a pick because that team would fall apart Larry Sanders is terrible, Ilyasova malcontent, Jennings, S-Jax.
Bogut is their emotional leader as well.
jasper
January 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
Bogut is hands down a better center then Horford allready. Bogut is the 2nd best center in the league. He is probaly the best interior shot blocker in the league and on offense he has a variety of post move not to mention his interior passing especially off double teams. the bucks would laugh at an Horford for bogut deal.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 11th, 2012
5:07 pm
Joe Johnson is big and slow for a shooting guard.
You generally need speed to be effective on Cuts. I don’t see Joe Johnson at his size, height backdooring any smaller, quicker NBA guards.
He is more of a bully guard accustomed to use size to get off shots. Cuts aren’t his game…
Who else can cut? Marvin the Duck? nope. 6′10 31yo Vlad. Nope not with the younger guys d’ing him up.
Maybe Smith in smallball. Do LD’s backdoor Lobs to Smith and Horford count as cuts?
Fundamentals
January 11th, 2012
5:08 pm
Grandad,
You’re hitting my point, players these days lack “the fundamentals” that you speak of. We don’t expect it from them, we hope we’ll see it. Gone are the days of mastering the fundamentals before you’re allowed to play. Now we play kids that can hit highlights instead of basic plays. Seems the skills that win, often get overlooked for those that log stats.
I didn’t offer them an excuse….I just pointed out they’ll never do what you’re saying until they refine those little things…what some call, getting the team to gel on offense. We’ve never been there, we probably won’t get there. It’s just not in the DNA of today’s athelete.
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
5:09 pm
Sautee, of course the other way to spin that is one team is able to consistently defeat the first playoff opponent they face while the other one is not. Being angry is one thing, being able to get out at least one round is another.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 11th, 2012
5:17 pm
Bogut is a better classical center but he is not a superstar offensively. He misses on some of his post moves. He can be a winner off of offensive boards and a guy like JJ Josh and Teague creating for him but I don’t think Milwaukee is going anywhere with that team and should just tank the season. And give us Leuer for a pick.
But as of right now, both teams coming off wins no need for either team to make that trade. Unless you’re really that scared about size and protecting the rim. Lets see if Horf can handle Hibbert, then Bogut and then Chandler and then I hear PHI is doing good.
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 11th, 2012
5:19 pm
Pacers Injury Report: Danny Granger (food poisoning/ankle) and George Hill (back) are questionable
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Grandad
January 11th, 2012
5:25 pm
Fundamentals
I didn’t mean that you made an excuse,
only that embedded within your staement was an excuse.
We are on the same page my friend.
It’s amazing how much more productve certain players could be
if only they paid attn to detail.
Example:
T-Mac realizing Zaza needs a soft or a bounce pass
due to Zaza’s below avg hands.
Kudos to T-Mac for the realization.
*[basketball IQ or attn to detail] ?
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
5:30 pm
Bum Phillps Boy!
Sautee, talk to me baby! Imma’ do me on dis’ blog. Topic be dayumed. LOL
OK, wade coaches the 3-4. Is he under contract? So, what happens to the bookends in a 3-4, do they just drop back in coverage and blitz when dialed up?
Sautee, what’s the up/down side to 3-4 vs 4-3? Because @ age 35 I think Abraham is done from a future & cost perspective.
I will drive Dunta to – Hartsfield Maynard Jackson Martin Luther King Andrew Young Airport, unless he restructure his deal and move to safety. Dude sux hard at corner, but he does bring the wood on tackles.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
5:37 pm
Sick Bay!
They dropping like flies in the NBA. Go head Hawks and finish ‘em off – kill ‘em dead. I don’t feel sorry for nobody but women and children. LOL!
Them power rankings don’t give a rats tail about illness and injury – none. Who’s is West? Is David West from NO in Indy now? Didn’t West blow up his knee two years ago? Did he play last season?
I feel so dumb today, IDK ish.
Grandad
January 11th, 2012
5:45 pm
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
” You generally need speed to be effective on Cuts ”
-I disagree vehemently-
Anyone can come off a cut (if you know how).
(1) most cuts are off screens;
utilize the screen correctly [assuming a proper screen is set]
and any player will be open.
The screener can also slip [make the 2nd cut] he will be open.
Either way one or the other will be open / inside or out.
*[defense cannot cover both screener & cutter/ both inside & out]
(2) back cuts;
If you teach your players to use leverage [r e, Jiu Jitsu] slower players
can use opponent’s speed against their defender.
Alot of the “Princeton offense principles” are based on this premise.
_____________________________________________
I do like Bogut !
What’s wrong with him ?
Milwaukee is not saying; only personal problems.
*concerning his -leave of absence-
____________________________________________
Grandmaster JeJe
January 11th, 2012
5:52 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND
Runner-
January 11th, 2012
5:56 pm
Astro Joe
January 11th, 2012
2:51 pm
It seems like LD is treating TMac like you would a sick child, “eat some soup, drink water and get some rest”. Meanwhile TMac wants to go and play ball with his friends. Take the bubble wrap off of him, there are 56 games left. Manage his minutes in the last 10-15 games of the season, but if he is healthy now, then let the guy play.
And that’s why you are not a coach in this league
Grandmaster JeJe
January 11th, 2012
5:59 pm
We will win or lose tonight because of Josh Smith. If he has a bad shooting night, we will lose big.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 11th, 2012
6:00 pm
There is no point playing T-Mac vs teams like Charlotte and New Jersey. Let him play big minutes tonight, and give him 12 minutes tomorrow (if needed).
MattP
January 11th, 2012
6:07 pm
I like how LD is managing TMac’s minutes because he knows we will need TMac in the playoffs. No point in giving him heavy minutes early on and have the chance of him getting injured.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
6:26 pm
Tracy McGrady (G/F) – Atlanta Hawks
(Wed, Jan 11 – 6:06pm ET)
Tracy McGrady won’t play in Wednesday’s game due to back spasms.
This comes on the same day as McGrady telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he’s “ready to roll,” and that “I’ve worked too hard (to sit)”, but missed games shouldn’t be a shock given McGrady’s extensive injury history. With Marvin Williams (ankle) also out, look for Vladimir Radmanovic to push for 40 minutes against the Pacers.
Source: Arthur Triche on Twitter
Sautee
January 11th, 2012
6:29 pm
AJ,
“Being angry is one thing, being able to get out at least one round is another.”
So I guess you think those two second round wins feel SO GOOD that the 12 losses, many of them historic, are to be overlooked?
I’d LOVE for the Hawks ownership to get angry, instead of cheerleading an empty stat (2nd rd – 3 yrs).
Sautee
January 11th, 2012
6:33 pm
“Sautee, what’s the up/down side to 3-4 vs 4-3?”
In my view, they can both be effective, but only as effective as talent allows. The Falcons need a talent infusion on D. Spoon and Moore are a good start, but we need 9 more like ‘em.
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
Sautee? Lofton? You like?
Just Joe
January 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
Joe goes off for 30 tonight. Hawks win 98 to 89. Cleveland calls offering expiring contracts for Joe. Well, scratch that third prediction. That one’s just wishful thinking.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
6:56 pm
Pacers are a good team. Hopefully the Hawks play better tonight than they did on Monday. I’d like to see the winning streak continue for a couple of weeks.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
6:57 pm
According to the SportSouth pregame show, Paul George is starting for the Pacers at both SG and PF. I hope this makes him eligible at both those positions for my fantasy team…
Michael Cunningham
January 11th, 2012
7:00 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.
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