Atlanta Hawks: On Doc Rivers punting home-court advantage
“Whether they play in Boston, Atlanta or Tokyo, the Celtics are going to beat the Hawks.”
That’s what Charles Barkley said the other night. It’s also what Doc Rivers implied over the final two weeks of the season.
Wasn’t that the message when Rivers started resting his players with home-court advantage against the Hawks still at stake? Didn’t Doc send out his “C” team against the Hawks at Philips Arena–and nearly win the game anyway? Certainly Doc earned the psyops W at that moment when Joe Johnson trudged back into the game because Atlanta’s reserves couldn’t finish off the likes of JaJuan Johnson.
“That’s mental,” Josh Smith said. “He’s a great mental coach. He plays mental games with his players and the other team. He’s a great coach. He knows what his team can do.”
The Celtics didn’t have to go all-out to get home-court advantage, either. The Hawks opened the door with that ugly home loss to the Raptors. Doc just shrugged.
“I’m taking rest and rhythm over home court,” he said over and over.
The unstated implication, of course, is that the Celtics don’t think they need home-court advantage beat the Hawks.
“I’m not going to be politically correct: Yes, I am a bit offended by that,” Jannero Pargo said. “I think it also shows the confidence they have in themselves, which is a good thing for them. But, yeah, I feel some type of way about that. They feel like they are going to win the first round whether it’s here or there.”
I suppose Boston’s nonchalance about home court is understandable for a group with championship rings and three players headed to Hall of Fame. The Celtics are 13-22 in playoff road games since 2008 so it’s not as if they don’t know they can do it (though it’s worth noting is they didn’t win at Philips in 2008 when they were much better and the Hawks not as good).
I’m sure supreme confidence is the default disposition for a franchise that has nearly as many playoff victories in the last four years as the Hawks have managed since 1988.
“They’ve won a championship,” Jeff Teague said. “They’ve won on the road in the playoffs. They are confident. We are confident, too. We don’t take offense to it. They feel like they can win on the road.”
Larry Drew: “They won a championship with a team a few years ago and they have a core of guys that are used to playing on the road in big-time situations. I’m sure that doesn’t faze them at all. Being a veteran ballclub, I can see where health is probably a little bit more important than home court. For us, it’s totally different.”
I’m not one to throw shade on Doc’s approach with his team. Not many coaches are more in tune with what their players need. Perhaps it’s less about Doc taking the Hawks lightly and more that he felt he had no choice but to ease his guys into the postseason.
Still, Doc’s strategy is not without risk.
It starts with the math: According to the NBA’s postseason media guide, teams with home-court advantage have won 76.3 percent of series since 1984. The Celtics were a mediocre road team this season–even their surge to end the season included a loss at Toronto when they were actually trying to win. And if the Celtics expect they’ll get their usual robust support from fans at Philips Arena, they may be out of luck: word is the Hawks expect the ratio will be much more in the home team’s favor for Game 1.
Also, it’s not as if the Celtics have overwhelmed the Hawks this season. Boston is a poor offensive team and an even worse rebounding team.
In other words, the Celtics have plenty of warts for a team that seems so unconcerned about home-court advantage. But I’m all for playing this series in Tokyo.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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244 comments Add your comment
Section 303
April 28th, 2012
10:59 pm
I am so glad Barkley made that comment about the Celtics beating the Hawks no matter where the game is played. Can’t wait for that drunken a$$clown to have to eat his words.
If the Hawks can’t say they are offended by the complete dimissing of the team by everyone, then allow me. I’m offended for them. No way anyone who saw these two teams play this season can draw the conclusion that the Celtics are so, so, so much better than the Hawks. The d-bags on the ESPN/ABC Halftime Show have put the Celtics in the 2nd round, in stone.
Hope, for the first time since ‘08 Playoffs, we have an angry, p#ssed off crowd tomorrow night. The lack of respect shown to the Hawks is just crap. If this same team played in NYC, Chicago, or LA there would be talk of a possible title.
O'brien
April 28th, 2012
11:03 pm
With Dwight not playing, I am rooting for SVG. I would love to see the Magic beat the Pacers, just to see what the organization would do, in terms of whether or not they bring SVG back. .
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
11:07 pm
BJ – ATL will get no calls in any series, except possibly Indy or Orlando. Philly would be a media darling – we know about the knicks – Chicago of course – bigger market than the Hawks.
But the Big 3 is the NBA’s ticket to another level and they know it.
But we are different this year, at least to this point. I don’t think it would affect us as bad mentally.
LeBron -yeh, he got calls. He also played incredible. If LeBron plays like that, and the Heat get calls, Miami is extremely difficult to beat.
As it is, DWade (Or LeBron, maybe Bosh) almost has to go out with an injury for them to get beat in a series before the Finals.
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
11:09 pm
LeBron’s already the best player in the game (no offense Kevin), he doesn’t need the help he gets or the flopping he does.
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
11:09 pm
OB – Me too
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
11:10 pm
Don’t look now, but Dallas is beating OKC…
Slimjr
April 28th, 2012
11:34 pm
Shoot.
MsDee
April 28th, 2012
11:49 pm
section 303,
Actually im not sure how Barkely, or anyone could automatically pencil in Boston to winning this series by 1) like KG mention earlier, Josh is playing his best season as a pro so far, esp since the ALL STAR, 2) we finished the season in 4th place (record wise) with all our KEY injuries, 3) in all the 3 games we played against Boston during the regular season, we lost both games a margin of 4 (lost by 3 in the 1st game and by 1 in the 2nd), 4) did i mention Josh is playing his best season of his career which will cause Boston to NOW double Josh, something they NEVER HAD TO DO IN THE PAST which will then leave Joe AND Teague open for jumpers/drives to the lane, 5) Boston KEY players are still banged up (Allen, Rondo, Peitrus, & KG ((old)), 6) Hawks play better when games are played close w/o much rest in between while Boston have been resting their guys alot lately, & last but not least, WE HAVE HOME COURT ADVANTAGE!! So whether we win or lose, I STILL cant see how BOSTON AUTOMATICALLY WINS SERIES..Im confused!
DawgNole
April 28th, 2012
11:57 pm
MsDee
April 28th, 2012
11:49 pm
section 303,
Actually im not sure how Barkely, or anyone could automatically pencil in Boston to winning this series by 1) like KG mention earlier, Josh is playing his best season as a pro so far, esp since the ALL STAR, 2) we finished the season in 4th place (record wise) with all our KEY injuries, 3) in all the 3 games we played against Boston during the regular season, we lost both games a margin of 4 (lost by 3 in the 1st game and by 1 in the 2nd), 4) did i mention Josh is playing his best season of his career which will cause Boston to NOW double Josh, something they NEVER HAD TO DO IN THE PAST which will then leave Joe AND Teague open for jumpers/drives to the lane, 5) Boston KEY players are still banged up (Allen, Rondo, Peitrus, & KG ((old)), 6) Hawks play better when games are played close w/o much rest in between while Boston have been resting their guys alot lately, & last but not least, WE HAVE HOME COURT ADVANTAGE!! So whether we win or lose, I STILL cant see how BOSTON AUTOMATICALLY WINS SERIES..Im confused!
__________________________
Don’t be confused. It’s all about history. Until the Hawks prove they CAN do it in the playoffs, they’ll get no respect. They have a golden opportunity now to prove that they CAN. Let’s see if they take advantage of it.
Julius
April 29th, 2012
12:04 am
Celtics vs Heat Conference Finals book it.
Celtics beat hawks in 5 book it.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:06 am
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
10:29 pm
One thing this Hawks team has: Moxy
They got some guys with attitude in a good way. Teague jammin’ on folks. Ivan. ZaZa. Even Kirk can get an edge to him. Pargo is a gunner, so is Green. TMac has attitude.
I’m starting to feel this Hawks team. They may win this series. Maybe the next one also. JJ and Horford are just too nice to be all you got, along with Josh. And Jamal was skinny – he wasn’t scaring anybody. They may have needed this edge to kick some rear end if you know what I mean.
This team may give Miami a run for it’s money, you never know.
Maybe even Collins and Dampier can sumo wrestle Sean Williams, Stiemsa, and Hollins – get some attitude with them. They may even lay some hard fouls on Garnett.
Now if Marvin could get some attitude with Paul Pierce…
__________________________
Cool your jets, SteveW. You’re letting your heart get in the way of your brain. What you’re saying makes perfect sense, but you’re talking about a team that has a long and painful history of playoff failure. I agree, the Hawks SHOULD win this series with Boston, but . . . .
Slimjr
April 29th, 2012
12:08 am
Miami in 4
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:12 am
Section 303
April 28th, 2012
10:59 pm
I am so glad Barkley made that comment about the Celtics beating the Hawks no matter where the game is played. Can’t wait for that drunken a$$clown to have to eat his words.
If the Hawks can’t say they are offended by the complete dimissing of the team by everyone, then allow me. I’m offended for them. No way anyone who saw these two teams play this season can draw the conclusion that the Celtics are so, so, so much better than the Hawks. The d-bags on the ESPN/ABC Halftime Show have put the Celtics in the 2nd round, in stone.
Hope, for the first time since ‘08 Playoffs, we have an angry, p#ssed off crowd tomorrow night. The lack of respect shown to the Hawks is just crap. If this same team played in NYC, Chicago, or LA there would be talk of a possible title.
_____________________
I’m with you all the way, buddy, but you can’t objectively question why the “experts” pick against the Hawks. Just look at what they’ve done for the past XX years in the playoffs. Hopefully this is finally the year we prove those “experts” wrong.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:15 am
SteveW
April 28th, 2012
11:10 pm
Don’t look now, but Dallas is beating OKC…
____________________
Don’t look now, because it’s anybody’s game.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:18 am
Julius
April 29th, 2012
12:04 am
Celtics vs Heat Conference Finals book it.
Celtics beat hawks in 5 book it.
___________________
No respect. No respect at all.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:20 am
Thunder.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
12:25 am
Roddy White @roddywhiteTV Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
I play for the Atlanta falcons not the hawks they are my second team but Boston is my team
Julius
April 29th, 2012
12:25 am
No respect for the hawks.We almost beat them with are bench players lol.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
12:25 am
Kevin Durant is cold blooded. Crazy shot.
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
12:29 am
Najeh, I saw that Roddy White tweet. In fact, came on here to share it with the group. You beat me to it. Anyways….F*** him.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
12:32 am
Julius
April 29th, 2012
12:25 am
No respect for the hawks.We almost beat them with are bench players lol.
______________________
Just hang around awhile, Julius.
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
12:34 am
GUYS GET ON TWITTER
Fake Rick Sund trolling sooo hard on Rody White
https://twitter.com/#!/fakericksund
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
12:41 am
TMACfan, that’s great stuff! Go, FakeRickSund, go! I like the line about “you dropped the ball on that pick, but you’re used to that”.
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
12:44 am
If Roddy White played in Detroit and made that tweet against the Pistons on the eve of a playoff series….good luck to him. Too bad we do not live in a more passionate sports town.
I hope Roddy White has a bad day tomorrow.
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
12:53 am
FakeRickSund linked this video to Roddy White
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wME3JcIbQOk
Big Daddy
April 29th, 2012
1:49 am
The Hawks have a chance here. If Josh has a problem inside and can hit a few jumpers, it is going to pull Garnett out to guard him. It is then going to be on either Marvin to drive to the basket and get Pierce in foul trouble or Jeff to drive on Rondo. Garnett has proven to get into foul trouble when challenge and that is why Josh needs a touch almost every time down the stretch. He has been 2nd or 3rd in assists in the last several games and he can make the difference.
The real issue here is going to be between Doc and LD. The Hawks are going to depend on LD coming up with plays that will give isolation without a whole lot of dribbling. That will just waste time. Doc has the edge here but if LD wants to really put his stamp on this team, this is his opportunity. He better be ready.
Let's get the 6th Seed
April 29th, 2012
1:53 am
Magic beat pacers without dwight. So Najeh still convinced that playing the pacers is worse than playing the celtics. Come on man, It was clear we should have tanked and played them. Wont say I told you so until we get our ass kicked tonight,
Julius
April 29th, 2012
1:54 am
The hawks have no chance at all. Its ok though I’m sure the falcons will the playoffs again this year.Lose in the first round of course cause of matty choke.
soullrenaissance
April 29th, 2012
2:06 am
Julius – Crystal Meth is a helluva drug. Come on get off it. The Celtics should be real shook right about now.
paul
April 29th, 2012
2:24 am
Big deal. Doc rested the starters, so what. Clearly he was still trying to get homecourt advantage. He wanted both advantages, but only got rest. The Mavs blew it big time for him. Who cares? We celts fans think we can win on the road. They CAN win on the road. These teams are pretty evenly matched. Homecourt doesn’t really matter. May the best team win
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
5:50 am
My series prediction is posted here:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/04/3-on-3-wherein-gang-previews-series.html
Celtics in 6.
Ole Hawk's Fan
April 29th, 2012
7:39 am
Where was the guy who give play by play on this blog about the 76ers? Woody never changes I see. I hope Knicks bring him back for next season. WHERE IS THAT 76ers PLAY BY PLAY BLOGGER?
KevinM
April 29th, 2012
8:07 am
DawgNote, how about the ‘07-08 team in the ‘08 playoffs?
Is that better?
Looks like the road for Miami is getting easier every day. There shouldn’t be any Bulls/Hawks series chatter on here until the Hawks prove they can handle a team that is heading downhill.
And Al will be needed going forward, but Zaza will be the missing piece for this series. I don’t expect him back though.
So I guess if Allen is hurt, then its a wash and we have ourselves an even series…..expect ugly 1/2 court games because we seem to have to match up to the Boston’s talent as opposed to them matching us.
I can’t wait to see the hidden strategies that LD has been hiding from Boston. I bet they are good!
Can I guess Marvin is the secret weapon?
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
8:09 am
Dropping like Flies!
“[Rose: 'I heard something pop' | Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau reacts]”
Pop goes the weasel! Yeah man, that thing sounds like a olive green Pinto hatchback – back firing. KaPOW! Everybody in the hood would duck.
____________
Then Iman Schumpert tears his ACL and lateral meniscus. That’s just nasty.
_____________
Who’s next? Maybe someone on the Celtics goes down.
KevinM
April 29th, 2012
8:10 am
Is this a 2-3-2 series or is this 2-2-1-1-1?
Sounds like the latter, but i dont expect the Hawks to win any games in Boston?
SteveW
April 29th, 2012
8:15 am
Knees – Weird thing is on both plays, it didn’t look like anybody made any contact with Rose or Shump. Is it the crazy schedule, lack of stretching, or what?
Doc’s plan probably:
Besides the Pietrus on JJ and Garnett/Bass giving Josh Jumpers look, his other top priority will/should be:
Hammering Teague when he gets into the lane. I’m sure Doc has given instructions to maul Teague when he drives.
SteveW
April 29th, 2012
8:19 am
How we beat them:
Gotta have Marvin/JJ Step up massive D on PP
Lay off Rondo a little bit – He can’t beat you with his J or with his FT’s. But he control’s the tempo of the game about as well as anybody. And I like his moxy.
We gotta have somebody that can keep Bass/Garnett from controlling the paint on both ends of the floor.
And we gotta play smart. Josh in the low post – ball movement – just smart, tough bb.
And we have a real chance to win.
SteveW
April 29th, 2012
8:20 am
Fouling Garnett out like we did that one game is a good idea….
SteveW
April 29th, 2012
8:20 am
Steimsa may not hit 3 J’s like he did that last game…
KevinM
April 29th, 2012
8:25 am
Buddy, read your predictions and can’t see the Hawks closng out in Boston.
I’ll go with G-Dad’s Russell curse reminder because history shows we have nothing on our side. This team has been together for how long and now they’re in their prime? As much as i want to offer that we have the capability. that capability somehow seems to go away when:
1) we play teams over .500
2) when we are on national TV
There’s a reason there is so much skepticism by the media; its because the Hawks always back it up.
And Buddy, when someone says a key to the game is Marvin’s rebounding? Well, all credibility dries up right there.
Marvin is a key to this series? The only key Marvin has is the one that stores all that cash he’s stolen over the years. If you get 10/5 in 25 min, then consider the fact that you saw Marvin on one of his better nights.
Spud Webb
April 29th, 2012
8:34 am
I know this is a little late, but Barkley was never a great player. He was a hot head and a good player but he is way over opinionated and trash talking that he should be based on his actual performance and value on the court during his playing days. Smith at 26 is better than Barkley was at 26.
justahawkfan
April 29th, 2012
8:51 am
Charles Barkley must have suffered one of his many arrest in the city of Atlanta. Is where all the hate come from?
KevinM
April 29th, 2012
8:58 am
Spud, Barkley at 26 was way beyond Josh. He was on the Dream Team! Come on, now.
Barkley averaged 25/11 at age 26….Josh is good, Barkley was great in comparison.
Now, if its because of the people around him, you have a valid point there. Barkley had greatness around him, and Josh had Woody and Billy Knight. Josh still has medicrity around him and that could be a reason he isn’t reaching that pinnacle of greatness. That would have valid points for Josh.
If Josh is smart, he gets to a team that has greatness. If he stays here, he will always be no better than 2nd best to Dominique in Atlanta. Josh would have to get us to the ECF and be an annual all-star participant going forward.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
9:00 am
“When someone says a key to the game is Marvin’s rebounding? Well, all credibility dries up right there.”
Why? Marvin is 9th in the NBA among small forwards in rebound rate.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
9:03 am
Among small forwards playing in the playoffs right now, only Shawn Marion, Matt Barnes, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant posted higher rebound rates than Marvin this year.
cdog
April 29th, 2012
9:06 am
atlanta fans are a disgrace to atlanta and the NBA,.atlanta doesn’t need a pro team. they are stupid and don’t know how to have an NBA team. ALL THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IS GRIN, ACT STUPID AND CHEER FOR THE OPPOSING TEAM. MOST ARE WANNABES WHO HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING IN SPORTS
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
9:17 am
The last three times the Hawks beat the Celtics in the playoffs, these were Marvin’s numbers:
April 26th, 2008:
24 minutes, 4-for-8 shooting (5-for-5 on free throws) for 13 points with 6 rebounds.
April 28th, 2008:
22 minutes, 2-for-4 shooting for 8 points (4-for-4 on free throws) with 2 rebounds. He did have 4 turnovers in that game.
May 2nd, 2008:
28 minutes, 6-for-9 for 18 points (6-for6 on free throws), 4 rebounds
brigadierjerry
April 29th, 2012
9:31 am
drmaryb,
dont say that you wish an injury to the Celtics team. I hope that was in jest. What is your prediction for this Hawks Celtics series if Allen doesnt play?Sounds like he may not be playing tonights game
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 29th, 2012
9:35 am
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
9:03 am
Among small forwards playing in the playoffs right now, only Shawn Marion, Matt Barnes, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant posted higher rebound rates than Marvin this year.
LinkReport this comment
*****
Marvin’s rebounds come against 2nd units
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 29th, 2012
9:37 am
Who’s next? Maybe someone on the Celtics goes down.
***
this is just wrong