Atlanta Hawks: Tracy McGrady poised for big series
I think Tracy McGrady is going to have a big series for the Hawks. There are some empirical reasons I believe this but, really, it’s based on the subjective feeling I got from watching and talking to T-Mac these past couple weeks.
T-Mac is looking and acting more like T-Mac. By that obviously I don’t mean the guy who once posted a 30.3 PER for a season and averaged more than 30 points in four straight playoff appearances. But he’s reminding me of the guy from early in the season, the one who delivered those daggers in Miami and then beamed while facing a horde of reporters afterward and bragged about his “wet jumper.”
That’s the T-Mac the Hawks need, and I think they’ll get it. Yesterday a reporter prefaced a question by telling McGrady “you may not be the same player you were 10 years ago . . .” and T-Mac cut him off:
“It wasn’t that long ago!”
McGrady laughed and so did everyone else. His spirit is back and so are his legs. T-Mac is ready.
“Physically and mentally I feel better than I have all season long,” he said. “Feeling a lot more comfortable, getting consistent minutes, coach is putting the ball in my hands. Having confidence and feeling comfortable is the biggest thing.”
If T-Mac helps the Hawks in the playoffs, it will vindicate the manner in which Larry Drew has handled his sometimes-prickly former superstar.
McGrady’s minutes fluctuated and Drew’s public explanations didn’t always make sense. There were stretches when it looked as if McGrady wasn’t really into it. It was a chicken-egg thing with McGrady and Drew: Was T-Mac not engaged because he wasn’t getting consistent minutes, or was he not getting consistent minutes because he wasn’t engaged?
Drew has maintained that it was mostly about how McGrady felt, that he couldn’t give him consistent minutes because his body couldn’t handle it. To be sure, there were games where it was obvious it was true, and the fact that McGrady has more zip lately might be evidence that Drew was right to hold him back.
“He been playing well the last couple weeks,” Drew said. “It’s obvious he’s feeling good. For him, it’s always been about how he’s feeling physically. You can see he has more energy, more quickness, more speed. That’s big for us because he’s another guy who can do some things off the dribble. He came up to me the other day and told me he’s excited about the playoffs. Listing to him, you can tell he’s excited.”
There’s reason to think McGrady can help the Hawks. Even considering his fluctuating physical and mental condition, the final numbers show McGrady still is a good rebounder and passer who gets to the free-throw line can hold his own defensively even if his shooting stroke suffered.
Defensively, the Hawks have been nearly four points better per 100 possessions with T-Mac on the floor (with the caveat that all of the bench combinations have been good overall on defense). His Synergy defensive numbers are not good but his opposing PER are solid, especially at small forward. At the very least, McGrady hasn’t hurt the Hawks defensively.
The Hawks haven’t been as good offensively with McGrady on the floor: a bit more than four points worse per 100 possessions, according to BasketballValue. But look a bit closer and you’ll see most of that damage came with T-Mac on the floor alongside Vladimir Radmanovic and Zaza Pachulia.
Sub those two for Marvin Williams and Ivan Johnson, which figures to happen regularly in this series, and it’s a much better offensive lineup. Put T-Mac out there with Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and both the offensive and defensive numbers look good.
McGrady’s patient, probing offensive style figures to be valuable against Boston’s disciplined, relentless defense.
“I’m still able to facilitate, still able to be a scorer,” McGrady said. “We are so deep. My play-making, my ability to get the ball to the guys in the right spot and make the game a lot easier for them–I enjoy that.”
If T-Mac has it going it could cause problems for the Celtics. They have three quality wing defenders in Paul Pierce, Mickael Pietrus and Marquis Daniels but it’s likely only two of those players will be on the court at any one time.
When the Hawks move the ball it can be difficult for opponents to deal with both Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, who each can command a double. Add T-Mac to the worries and the Celtics could be scrambling.
It’s been four years since McGrady appeared in the playoffs. He’s always been knocked for not being able to get his teams past the first round in seven chances but now he’s not doing the heavy lifting. He doesn’t have to be T-Mac, just McGrady, and he’s cool with that.
“At some point, you just have to accept what comes your way,” he said. “That’s what I realized. I had a good run being that guy. It’s unfortunate I had to battle some injuries that hindered my ability to be who I am.”
It wasn’t always clear this season if McGrady could move past being T-Mac (both physically and mentally). I think what got overlooked a bit is this is the first time in 15 years that McGrady has never started a game (he came off the bench for 33 of 72 games in Detroit last season). That has to be a tough thing for a guy who was once so good and is still so prideful, especially when he thought his coach was implying that he had nothing left.
But now it’s the playoffs and McGrady sounds as if he knows what the Hawks need from him, he’s embraced it, and he’s having fun again:
I’m excited about being a valuable part of this ball club. Yeah, I’m not that guy averaged 28, 29 points in the playoffs. But I’m still a valuable piece that comes off this bench. Considering it’s my first year ever coming off the bench, it’s a very uncomfortable role that I just wasn’t familiar with and didn’t really know how to approach it mentally. When you are playing inconsistent minutes . . . I’m not just built that way. That’s why I think over the last couple weeks I’ve been more comfortable is because my minutes have been consistent. That’s what it was all about. All I wanted was to have consistent minutes is to get me comfortable on the basketball games.
I’m not—and this is not a diss by any means to nobody—I’m not a guy like a Jason Terry or a James Harden that can come off the bench and right away and get to scoring. I read the game. I feel the game. I get guys involved, then that’s how I get myself going. I think some people look at that as not being aggressive or not being valuable. But I see the game, I feel the game, and it’s far from the truth. Just being able to know the flow of the game, I play with guys that can score, and can pass to guys spread around the perimeter that can shoot the ball. It’s all about getting those guys going and then I pick my spots when it’s time for me to score. I’m not that guy who is taking 15 to 20 shots.
Then McGrady paused and flashed that familiar, cocky grin/smirk.
“But if I was doing that, if I had the opportunity, then, dammit, I still could score. No doubt about that. I ain’t never letting that go.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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128 comments Add your comment
CamiloAtlanta
April 29th, 2012
2:00 pm
Guy’s been coming on strong of late. I hope we win tonite! Go Hawks!
DD
April 29th, 2012
2:01 pm
Seriously I am not kidding or anything but T-mac is the key to this playoffs…
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:04 pm
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
1:28 pm
Spurs Reoccur!
“Allen needs postseason ankle surgery”
DawgyNole, this is what you and I were discussing earlier this week. Treating symptoms with surgery does not address the root causes. Therefore, the symptoms always reappear. From this article here, Ray Allen had this same surgery on both ankles in 2007 when, he joined the C’s.
_____________________
I had bone spurs surgically removed from the top of my left foot–where it joins the ankle–three years ago. No recurrence of spurs (yet)–although I did fracture the navicular bone in that foot 8 months later.
Had the same bone spur removal procedure performed on my right foot/ankle 6 weeks ago. Too early to tell if that one will be successful. Still experiencing pain and swelling–not uncommon after foot surgeries.
Thanks again for your perspectives.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:08 pm
TMac is back. Can he play center too? Is Pargo ready to go? Will Vlad show up and make threes? I hope Twin starts and plays well, we need him badly to take his charges and bother KG in the paint. Size matters, just ask Dwight?
Play offs is a whole ‘nother beast.
msc
April 29th, 2012
2:08 pm
Lets go! im ready and I know T-mac is gonna play huge this series. Joe gets double even Josh we will be alright everyone on this team can make baskets. I just hope marvin stays consistent in a good way.
LETS GO ATL! hope the crowd is in our favor tonight.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
2:10 pm
Congrats Ivan on eastern conference rookie of the month.
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
2:10 pm
I’m not sure that I’m with you on this one, Michael. I think T-Mac will play well, but he won’t be the deciding factor. You mention that he should be able to produce better numbers with Ivan and Marvin beside him. But, he had a great playing relationship with Zaza, especially early in the season. I think not having Zaza on the floor will hurt him, at least a little.
I like T-Mac, don’t get me wrong. It is fun watching him play. He is never in rush and normally makes the correct call with the ball. Just do not see him being the factor that puts the Hawks over the top. I actually think that will fall on Marvin, who has been playing well lately.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
“He’s always been knocked for not being able to get his teams past the first round in seven chances . . . .”
____________________
Then should feel right at home on this team, which has not been able to get past the second round. If he can help the Hawks put together a good playoff run, all the time he had to spend on the bench during the regular season will be forgotten.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
DawgyNole
In your case, just stop running on hard surfaces. When you take those brisk walks, just make sure you wear good technical running shoes like we listed a few days back.
Mizuno
Brooks
New Balance
Saucconay
Asics (preferrably for women)
You should be fine with these adjustments here. Don’t forget to try pool running, it’s addictive and will satify your running passion. I recommend you start out as a pool walkers, as you get stronger then you begin to pool jog, and eventually pool running with extreme power strides.
If you committ to at least four days w week to start out, you’ll be pool running, hard, in no time flat. About a month to reach that level of muscle memory and breathing levels.
Never stop living your dreams and passions. You just have to adjust how you do those things, as we get older and smarter.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
I actually think that will fall on Marvin, who has been playing well lately.
******
He had one good game.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats to Ivan for ROY!
Congrats to Drew for a fine regular season of coaching, we rode him hard, me especially, but he persevered and came through with HCA! Go ahead and pick up his team option especially, if Drew gets us to round 2 and do well there. Just give the guys a chance to win and, the fans will be pleased.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
In my piece on Hoopinion about lessons learned for Drew in his first two playoff series as a head coach, I wrote:
“Drew must stop giving significant minutes to scrubs and washed up veterans.”
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/04/larry-drew-lessons-learned-from-his.html
For the record, T-Mac is neither a scrub nor a washed up veteran. I’m glad to hear MC’s report that T-Mac sounds ready for the playoffs. He is absolutely one of the quality players that Drew should utilize.
Also, props to Northcyde, going back to his POST OF THE YEAR, for giving voice to what I’ve thought all along: Drew must shorten his rotation to his most productive players.
i_am_soulstar
April 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
Teague will be steady, Josh will be steady, Joe will be great some games and so-so others. Winning the series will hinge on the play of Marvin and Hinrich playing solid D and hitting all those open jumpers that they seem to get.
And if Marvin stays out of the post (where he is ineffective) on the offensive side, but hits the boards on defense, we’ll be fine.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
2:33 pm
drmaryb I’m still not a Drew fan, and if the Hawks can’t get by the hobbled, ancient Celtics, you can believe I will be calling for his head on a silver platter.
Conversely, if the Hawks put an end to the Big Three era, Drew will have earned my grudging respect.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
In case you missed it:
POST OF THE YEAR
northcyde
February 7th, 2012
7:14 pmLineup change? Easy.
Keep the starters as is.
Ivan will be 6th man and sub in for either Zaza or Marvin. T-Mac and Green are nex off the bench. Kirk or Pargo plays the point in spot minutes.
End of rotation.
8 guys should be getting the vast majority of the minutes. All starters should be playing 30+ minutes nightly. Ivan should be getting 26 – 32 minutes nightly. Teague should get no less than 35 minutes. Marvin should get more minutes at the 4 with the 2nd unit.
Drew simply has to shorten the rotation and keep his most talented 8 guys on the floor as much as possible. And if you have to play JJ or Smith 40+ minutes, so be it.
It’s time we stop losing games all because Drew is giving unproductive bench players waaaay too many minutes.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
DawgyNole
In your case, just stop running on hard surfaces. When you take those brisk walks, just make sure you wear good technical running shoes like we listed a few days back.
Mizuno
Brooks
New Balance
Saucconay
Asics (preferrably for women)
You should be fine with these adjustments here. Don’t forget to try pool running, it’s addictive and will satify your running passion. I recommend you start out as a pool walkers, as you get stronger then you begin to pool jog, and eventually pool running with extreme power strides.
If you committ to at least four days w week to start out, you’ll be pool running, hard, in no time flat. About a month to reach that level of muscle memory and breathing levels.
Never stop living your dreams and passions. You just have to adjust how you do those things, as we get older and smarter.
_______________________
Not a Nike fan? I’ve always worn high-end shoes, so shoe-comfort has not been a problem. I just have cheap feet. My brother does, too, so he took up offroad biking. I hate biking and all stationary exercises.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:34 pm
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
DawgyNole
In your case, just stop running on hard surfaces. When you take those brisk walks, just make sure you wear good technical running shoes like we listed a few days back.
Mizuno
Brooks
New Balance
Saucconay
Asics (preferrably for women)
You should be fine with these adjustments here. Don’t forget to try pool running, it’s addictive and will satify your running passion. I recommend you start out as a pool walkers, as you get stronger then you begin to pool jog, and eventually pool running with extreme power strides.
If you committ to at least four days w week to start out, you’ll be pool running, hard, in no time flat. About a month to reach that level of muscle memory and breathing levels.
Never stop living your dreams and passions. You just have to adjust how you do those things, as we get older and smarter.
_______________________
Not a Nike fan? I’ve always worn high-end shoes, so shoe-comfort has not been a problem. I just have cheap feet. My brother does, too, so he took up offroad biking. I hate biking and all stationary exercises.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:38 pm
drmaryb.(*_*).
I accidentally hit the send button prematurely.
I agree with you that water exercise is a great no-impact workout. I just don’t like the confinement aspect of it. I have a backyard pool and have spent summers swimming laps with previous injuries; may have to do so again this year. Awfully boring though, and my hair turned green.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:39 pm
Sorry for the double post and assorted boo-boos.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:44 pm
I have three titanium rods and four pedicle screws in my lower spine and Sacrum joints. Part of my PT Rehad was pool running and, I’ve been addicted to it since then. I would never run on hard surfaces again, nor roller skate. That’s a shame because I loved skating, but when you fall skating, it’s usually right on the butt. No roller coasters either for me, not that I like them anyways, but it causes spinal injuries.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:47 pm
DawgyNole
I like the gym I go to. It has 7even pools, (indoors and outside) no kids under twelve are allowed in the olympic sized lane pool. That helps a lot.
O'brien
April 29th, 2012
2:48 pm
FTPB,
Section 303,
You are a passionate Hawks fan. But what if you played football, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. And the Cavaliers were playing the Hawks in the playoffs. Who would you root for?
It would be nice if Roddy rooted for the Hawks, but I wont hold it against him.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
MC . . . I disagree.
T-Mac was on fire before the All-Star break, but he’s fallen off since then, shooting below 40% FG and has only made 32% of his threes since the All-Star break. Now, all of a sudden, he’s going to have a big series? I don’t know man.
If T-Mac was going to be an integral part of this playoff run, Drew should’ve been expanding his role so that he’d have it going once the playoffs arrived.
The Teague – JJ – T-Mac – Smith – Zaza lineup has been a good one ( very good defensively )
The Pargo – Green – T-Mac – Marvin – Ivan lineup has been a good one ( very good offensively )
But in my view, the only way you can get the most out of T-Mac, is if Drew plays him at 3 positions ( SF, SG, and PG ). Why Drew hasn’t let McGrady run the point ( or even play the 2 ) any this year, despite him being a main facilitator for the Pistons last year, is beyond me.
Or maybe that’s the look that Drew is saving for the playoffs.
But whose minutes do you cut?
- Hinrich is shooting 44% FG and 37% 3FG since becoming a starter
- Marvin is giving us 11 ppg – 5 rebs since the All-Star break on 45% FG
- Willie Green has been on FIRE since the All-Star break 47% FG and 47% 3FG
- Pargo has been very good in stretches, and is shooting 42% 3FG since the All-Star break
- And we don’t even have to talk about Ivan. He needs major minutes this series.
I love the array of skills that T-Mac brings to the table. I’d love to see his role expanded and he make an impact. But if he’s struggling out on the floor, we just can’t leave him out there and let him play through it. Not in the playoffs.
I like the option of T-Mac closing out games with Teague – JJ – and Smith. But only if he’s playing well up to that point.
If Drew were smart, he’d play T-Mac at PG for short stretches, alongside JJ at the 2 and Marvin at the 3, and let McGrady post up Rondo or Bradley ( whomever is guarding the PG at that time ). Make Doc adjust to that after T-Mac scored on them in the post a few times.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
This series will be Avery Bradley’s coming out party.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:47 pm
DawgyNole
I like the gym I go to. It has 7even pools, (indoors and outside) no kids under twelve are allowed in the olympic sized lane pool. That helps a lot.
__________________
Running (for 26 years) and later walking (for two years) spoiled me. I loved not having to depend on anyone else–or have to drive somewhere–to get my workouts. Just run out the door. It was especially enjoyable while on vacation or business travel because of the “new” surroundings. Haven’t given up on getting back to it, which probably means I’m not “older and smarter.” More like older and in denial.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
Perceptions Change!
“Keep the starters as is.
Ivan will be 6th man and sub in for either Zaza or Marvin. T-Mac and Green are nex off the bench. Kirk or Pargo plays the point in spot minutes.
End of rotation.”
________
Yeah my Buddy, that was a great post, I remember replying in kind to NortyCyde that day as well. However, my stance has changed since that time, mainly due to all the injuries Drew has had to play everyone.
The good thing is we all know what we got now and, who can do what. Doc Rivers beat the Lakers in game 6 on that second run, (as they were the reigning champions) by inserting the entire bench to close out that game, because the starters were doing the “stanky leg dance” on the court.
How demoralizing was that to Kobe’s team to be beat by their bench players, Shrek & Donkey. Of course, the Lakers won game 7 without Kendrick Perkins. Heres my point: Teams without a useful and deep bench never win championships. Doc said the previous year they won that, it tokk all 13 guys on the benches to win that title, every single one of the thirteen made it possible.
We are definitely 10 deep if, Zaza can roll. We have to find minutes for everyone to even have a shot without Horford and Zaza. Pargo had a sore back last time out. We are just not that deep to play 8-9 only and expect a positive outcome. I just don’t believe that anymore.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Lessons learned
Looking ahead to the series against the Celtics, the following are lessons that I hope Drew has learned from the 2011 playoffs. Firstly, Drew must stop giving significant minutes to scrubs and washed up veterans. This means that Collins, Erick Dampier, Jerry Stackhouse and Vladimir Radmanovic should only see spot or emergency minutes.
Second, Drew must trust Teague and let him be himself. He’s not going to morph into Steve Nash or Rajon Rondo any time soon, but the Hawks cannot succeed if Teague sacrifices his offense so Joe Johnson and Josh Smith can launch more jumpers.
And finally, Drew needs to realize that Ivan Johnson, not Collins, is the only hope at center. Johnson, the reigning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for April, has outplayed or held his own against Andrew Bogut, Marc Gasol and Roy Hibbert this season. Collins hasn’t come close to playing at that level, and if Drew thinks he’s the answer, then he hasn’t learned anything.
- Buddy Grizzard ( from his most recent Hoopinion article )
**********************************
Dead on the money man. The point about Teague being himself is great. The last thing we need in this series, is Teague being a “hood ornament”, while JJ and Josh jack up shot after shot. Teague has to stay engaged on offense. I’d love to see Teague score about 6 – 8 points a game in transition, simply by getting the ball and pushing it down the court. That would require whomever grabbed the defensive rebound to immediately find Teague and get him the ball
(( cough )) Josh Smith (( cough )).
Both JJ and Josh can have big series, but they also have to let the other guys get theirs in spots. Rondo is going to do a lot of grabbing the rebound and going. We need Teague to do the same thing.
O'brien
April 29th, 2012
3:07 pm
From espn.com;
After the game, Anthony said he wasn’t prepared for the Heat’s new defensive approach specifically tailored to stopping him.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” he said. “I think they made some major adjustments out there fronting me, sending me down to the bigs, showing me two or three guys at a time, so it was an adjustment that they made. Now, it’s time for us to make that adjustment.”
But why didn’t Anthony adjust on Saturday? This brings up a valid question: Is the Knicks’ offense too one dimensional centered around Melo and not creative enough? Mike Woodson has a lot on his plate to try and integrate Amare Stoudemire better into the offense, so they can get some more looks inside and have easier opportunities to kick it out to the team’s shooters: J.R. Smith and Steve Novak.
Overall, Woodson knows what he’s up against in James, arguably this season’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s on a mission,” Woodson said. “He’s played that way all year. Is it going to be an easy task for us to come in here and get a win? No, not at all.”
Want further proof of the work Woodson has cut out for him? Just hear what James had to say about the Knicks’ game plan today: “We were in tune with everything they were running.”.
Does Woody have it in him to help his team make an adjustment for game 2, instead of waiting until game 6 (which might be too late)? Because the old Woody had a plan A, and plan B was to try harder at plan A.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
drmaryb.(*_*), “You are right about the celtic’s fans looking ahead.”
—————————————————————————————————–
I wasn’t referring to Celtic trolls like me overlooking the Hawks, I was referring to professionals like Magic Johnson, John Barry, Mike Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith; you should check out the clips of them discussing the Celtic vs. the Bulls; they act like the Hawks didn’t even make the playoffs; they didn’t even mention the teams name.
Quite frankly I was offended on behalf of the Hawks; granted, I was laughing while I was offended, but I was offended none the less.
Big Lou
April 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
I’m interested what the starting lineup is.
GO Hawks!
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
this is the year the Hawks make the ECF
Michael Cunningham
April 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
@ Sec 303: “I’m not sure that I’m with you on this one, Michael. I think T-Mac will play well, but he won’t be the deciding factor.”
i always leave open the possibility that i’m wrong but i don’t think that’s what i wrote.
“You mention that he should be able to produce better numbers with Ivan and Marvin beside him. But, he had a great playing relationship with Zaza, especially early in the season. I think not having Zaza on the floor will hurt him, at least a little.”
that’s true. they were great on pick-and-rolls. but it seems to me T-Mac can play alongside pretty much anybody and be effective.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
drmaryb I mentioned 4 players in that article, Stack, Damp, Collins and Vlad. In my opinion, each of those players hurts the Hawks more than they are capable of helping. Vlad hasn’t been hitting threes at a good-enough clip to justify having him on the floor and hurting the team with his defense.
Collins hurts the Hawks defensively, and offensively he is non-existent. Damp is out of shape and hasn’t played. Stack has had some nice moments and I’m a big fan of his presence in the locker room, but I don’t think he has it at this point.
That leaves the Hawks with the following rotation:
Josh
Joe
Teague
Marvin
Kirk
Ivan
T-Mac
Willie
Pargo
That’s a 9-player rotation and enough to match up with the depleted Celtics. Should the Hawks make it to the second round and get Zaza and Horford back, that’s an 11-deep rotation of quality players. That will take the Hawks as far as they can go. Playing Collins and Vlad (I don’t expect to see Damp or Stack) will cause the Hawks to lose games.
Michael Cunningham
April 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
@ northcyde “MC . . . I disagree. T-Mac was on fire before the All-Star break, but he’s fallen off since then, shooting below 40% FG and has only made 32% of his threes since the All-Star break. Now, all of a sudden, he’s going to have a big series? I don’t know man.”
noted.
i did say his shooting is what’s fallen off the most this season. but he doesn’t have to make Js to be effective, the reasons for which i think McGrady broke down quite eloquently if you don’t think i did.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:23 pm
Favors had some nice minutes in this Utah-SA game but the Spurs are just too good… they read each other’s minds.
Michael Cunningham
April 29th, 2012
3:24 pm
@northcyde: “The point about Teague being himself is great.”
i’m not sure about this notion that Teague would be more aggressive if only Drew would allow it. Drew is always barking at Teague to go get the ball, which he shouldn’t have to do. he always says he’s OK with turnovers and Teague not finishing great as long as he’s aggressive. he wants Teague to do his thing.
i understand why Hawks fans have a strong affinity for Teague and thus some animosity for Woody/Drew because it took too long for Teague to get his chance. but at some point Teague has to take responsibility for his play. he’s a third-year pro. you say Drew shouldn’t leave T-Mac out there if he doesn’t have it. why should it be different for Teague if he’s going to defer offensively and/or let his man blow by?
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
3:25 pm
As long as Drew gives TMac most of Marvin’s minutes, we will have a chance. TMac or a guy like Pargo or Green should always be on the floor at the end of the game to take that scoring pressure off of Joe. Anyone expecting Josh Smith to have big games against KG is just not being realistic. Josh just needs to hold his own against KG. Same with Teague. I hope he is watching Tony Parker right now. He needs to be aggressive just like Parker is, but he is not going to outplay Rondo, over the series. The keys to the series will be Joe Johnson, and the bench. Joe should be able to dominate whoever is guarding him, and needs big games every night. If Marvin is not knocking down jumpshots, he is useless, get him out of the game immediately. T-Mac and Ivan could be the X-factors.
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
3:26 pm
I’d take TMac on the floor over Marvin any day, no matter what the numbers may say.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
April 29th, 2012
3:27 pm
Shamrock is on that Crackrock
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
3:29 pm
My Buddy!
There is not one center listed there in that nine. ‘Nam one. What are the Hawks gonna’ do without a center. And, everyone can stop mentioning a Horford comeback, is their wax in the ears on this board?
Zaza can not be counted on at this point. Apparently the sprain is worse than initially thought. Even the doctors over there don’t know what the hell they are doing. All of a sudden, Zaza is back in a walking boot? WTH is that about? Gamesmanship? I sure hope so. But, a sprain is actually worse than a fracture as I’ve said a million times over the past 5ive years on this blog. And, a fracture takes only 6 weeks to heal, Zaza may not be walking through that door any time soon, and if he does he may not play well. See Marvin’s falling azz for that one.
Again, we need Twin to start tonight and help us. We need Eric too. Why? See Sund for that one.
If Twin can bother Dwight maybe, just maybe, he can get in KG’s way and, bother him too.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
3:30 pm
* there wax … (a missing ? after that first question).
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
3:33 pm
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
drmaryb.(*_*), “You are right about the celtic’s fans looking ahead.”
—————————————————————————————————–
I wasn’t referring to Celtic trolls like me overlooking the Hawks, I was referring to professionals like Magic Johnson, John Barry, Mike Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith; you should check out the clips of them discussing the Celtic vs. the Bulls; they act like the Hawks didn’t even make the playoffs; they didn’t even mention the teams name.
Quite frankly I was offended on behalf of the Hawks; granted, I was laughing while I was offended, but I was offended none the less.
_____________________
At least you were offended.
I saw the same espn panel this morning and thought I must’ve missed something when I heard no mention of the Hawks whatsoever–only Boston’s chances in the second round and beyond.
As an ATL fan, I can only hope that someone gets that clip in front of the Hawks before tonight’s game. And while it burns my azz to see that kind of disrespect from what is supposed to be an OBJECTIVE analysis of the playoffs, I can certainly understand where it comes from–the Hawks history is dismal in such situations. Only the Hawks can put a stop to this, and it has to come ON THE COURT. And not just in Round 1–or in Round 2, for that matter.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:34 pm
“He always says he’s OK with turnovers and Teague not finishing great as long as he’s aggressive.”
He says that, but what he does is punitively yank Teague out of games when he makes a mistake or a bad decision. He doesn’t do this with other players. If Teague has to defer to Joe and Josh and try to play mistake-free basketball, he can’t do what he does.
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
3:35 pm
“In case you missed it:
POST OF THE YEAR
northcyde
February 7th, 2012
7:14 pmLineup change? Easy.
Keep the starters as is.
Ivan will be 6th man and sub in for either Zaza or Marvin. T-Mac and Green are nex off the bench. Kirk or Pargo plays the point in spot minutes.”
LOL. Why would that be the post of the year. It’s got Marvin starting. Marvin should never start unless someone is hurt. As bad as Kirk is, we have played much better when he starts. It’s common sense that you shorten your rotation in the playoffs. That is why that national broadcasters are dissing the Hawks. This team was built for the regular season, not for the playoffs. Unless we get big games from guys like TMac or Pargo, we will be in a lot of trouble.
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
Plus LD coaches better when he does not have many options.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
“What are the Hawks gonna’ do without a center.”
Mary read my article. Ivan Johnson has outplayed present and past All Stars Andrew Bogut (healthy at the time), Roy Hibbert and Marc Gasol this season. Collins hasn’t outplayed anybody in 7 years. There’s your center. Keep in mind Magic Johnson played out of position at center and won a championship his rookie year. He’s about the same size as Ivan, but was never as strong.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
3:41 pm
My Buddy?
On that list of nine, who is gonna’ be rebounding? Twin is the only one on the roster who boxes out for his mates to rebound and run. No one else even bothers to box out. Also, Twin plays solid position defense and, takes charges at every opportunity. Stats just don’t tell the whole story, with Twin, we never need to double KG and leave the three pont shooters open on the perimeter.
The Hawks are the #5 defense in the NBA. The reason for this, is we don’t double team super stars and leave thier bombers open for looks behind the arch. No one hardly shoots 16′ – 22′ anymore. It’s either a three, a drive And-1, or dunks. That mid range game is forever lost to the 80’s.
Josh does shoot from that range though. But, he is rare in doing that. Joe has a ton of shots to select from, but, that’s why he is so special.
Shot selection will be our doing or undoing, outside of rebounding and defending, FT’s.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
3:50 pm
“Collins, Erick Dampier, Jerry Stackhouse and Vladimir Radmanovic”
_______
But, when has these guys seen significant minutes this year? Eric has only played 5ive minutes total, before that last game -vs- Dallas. Stack, never plays. Twin has played a lot coming down the stretch at all. Vlad hasn’t played consistently, since before the all star break, but if Vlad never played at all, then how would we know he sux.
Vlad, to his credit, is a very good rebounder and, you have to guard him at the three, so yeah … he does space the floor, and he drives more than he needs to, but at least he’s not jacking up threes whenhis shot is off.
How could Drew have avoided not playing the bench with the most injured team in the entire NBA with minutes lost to injury. Last year, Drew didn’t play Jeff, this year he is playing too many guys?
Which is it? What would you have done?
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:50 pm
“With Twin, we never need to double KG and leave the three pont shooters open on the perimeter.”
Mary, write this down. If the Hawks try to guard KG 1-on-1 with Collins, KG will eat him alive. It will be just like Boozer in Game 6 pulling him away from the basket where he can’t hope to contest KG’s jumpers. And KG has some of the best footwork in the business. He’s not Dwight who used to have to try to bull his way through people (Dwight showed a better face up game this season). KG can score on Collins anywhere on the floor.
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
3:51 pm
GO TMAC! GO HAWKS!!
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:53 pm
Collins started games 4-6 of the Chicago series last year. I’m guessing we’re going to see him start against the Celtics as well. Doc Rivers will have game planned this and they will attack Collins just like the Bulls did in Game 6. Damp and Stack obviously don’t play and shouldn’t play unless it’s garbage time. Vlad is just purely an awful basketball player. He hits a three every now and then, he gets some rebounds. But when he tries to guard a player with average quickness it’s like his feet are in cement. He does not do enough on the offensive end to make up for how badly he hurts the team with his defense.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:55 pm
Haha TMACfan MC dedicated this blog to you.
hbcuclassics
April 29th, 2012
3:56 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Update:
Christian Thompson, S, SC State – Baltimore
Ryan Davis, DE/OLB, Bethune – Jacksonville
Mario Louis, WR, Grambling – Houston
Marquette King, P, FVSU – Oakland
James Dekle, G, Prairie View – Arizona
Kevin Elliott, WR, FAMU – Jacksonville
Demario Pippen, RB,Tuskegee – Denver
LaMont Bryant, TE, Morgan St – Baltimore
Bryan Tymes, TE, FAMU – San Francisco
Jared Green, WR, Southern – Carolina
Donovan Robinson, DE, Jackson St – New York Jets
Adrian Hamilton, DE, Prairie View – Dallas
Antonio Dennard, CB, Langston – Jaguars
Paul Cox, WR, Mississippi Valley St – Chargers
Nicolas Cooper, RB, Winston Salem St – Packers
Jean Fanor, S, Bethune – Chiefs
David Legree, QB, Hampton – Chiefs
Dominique Ellis, CB, SC State – Chiefs
Donovan Richard, S, SC State – Jags
Calvin Middleton, RB, Jackson St – Rams
http://www.hbuclassics.com
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
3:56 pm
Buddy, that Feb. 7th post was made after we lost to Phoenix. The Hawks were playing dead even with Phoenix, until Drew inserts Vlad into the game to play PF. In the 1st half, the Hawks were a whopping ( -11 ) in 6 minutes Vlad was on the floor.
In the 3rd quarter, the Hawks ( on the back of JJ and Josh ) had battled right back in the game right at the start of the quarter. Then Zaza picks up foul #4.
Instead of playing Ivan at center, or bringing in one of the guards or wing players to go small, and move Smith to the 5 and Marvin to the 4 . . he brings in Vlad. We lose another 9 points in 5 minutes with Vlad in the game.
It also didn’t help that Marvin and Teague went a combined 0 – 6 FG that quarter either, but Drew stays with them the entire quarter.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, we had seen the Hawks cut a 7 point Phoenix lead down to 2, only to see Phoenix outscore us 11 – 2 with Vlad in the game, and 22 – 4 after we had cut the lead down to 2.
*********************
But here’s what got me. I was at the Philly game in person 2 nights earlier, a game in which the Hawks lost. Josh Smith had a horrible 1st half ( 0 – 7 FG ), which put us in a deep hole. Vlad gave us nothing in the 6 minutes he played. Iggy locks up JJ in the 2nd quarter, limiting him to 2 shots in the quarter. And Zaza played like garbage. That leads us to be down 16 at halftime.
But Ivan had come right in that game and scored 6 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 8 minutes of 1st half play. Then Drew starts Ivan instead of Zaza, and he promply scores 8 points and grabs 3 more rebounds.
LOL . . then Drew plays Vlad the ENTIRE 4th quarter, all because the Hawks had a made a run vs the Sixer scrubs to cut it to 10, and Vlad was grabbing a few defensive rebounds. But the dude basically gave us nothing ( 3 points – 6 rebounds – in 18 minutes of play ).
Despite the big 1st and 3rd quarters that Ivan had in that game, he for some reason sat a whopping 8 minutes in the 2nd half of that game, despite Zaza and Vlad basically giving us nothing. Marvin had scored 8 points ( 3 – 6 FG ) in 20 minutes, but doesn’t play the final 17 minutes of that game.
But Vlad plays 18 minutes?
Drew was so gung-ho on trying to establish a solid 10 man rotation, that he was cutting minutes from guys who were actually producing. Once I saw that with my own eyes, then watched him sub in Vlad BEFORE Ivan in the Phoenix game, I started to be very critical of Drew.
It seems now that he’s finally come to his senses, and give Ivan the playing time that he deserved. It took way too long in my opinion though. I’m just glad that he finally gets it.
Ivan gives this team something that honestly they haven’t had since the late 80s . . a relentless and TOUGH energy guy off the bench to replace one of our starting frontcourt players. He’s like a combination of Antoine Carr and Cliff Levingston, but meaner. If he’s playing well, Drew must keep that dude in the game.
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
4:00 pm
Playing 10 or 11 guys in the playoffs is never good. One reason why Denver will never do anything in the playoffs now, and why I am not impressed with San Antonio this year. That style is not good for playoff basketball.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
4:02 pm
My Buddy!
Great points you make in that last post. So, if Ivan is our starting center, then we are in very deep doo-doo. Who will sub for Ivan, he can’t play 48 minutes without fouling out in the third quarter? We will be the smallest team on the planet. Even Euro teams are bigger than us.
We may as well just watch from home if we have no true center in this series. Pride alone will not allow Boston to lose. I’m sorry but basketball in the paint is for the tall people. i say start Twin then and just roll with that.
Michael Cunningham
April 29th, 2012
4:03 pm
@Buddy: “He says that, but what he does is punitively yank Teague out of games when he makes a mistake or a bad decision. He doesn’t do this with other players. If Teague has to defer to Joe and Josh and try to play mistake-free basketball, he can’t do what he does.”
this isn’t true. in fact, Drew has told other players (Josh in particular) to lay off Teague and let him play. in other words, Drew has tried to protect Teague from having guys in his ear because he tends to go in a shell when that happens. sometimes this chagrins Josh, who came up under Woody and did not get the same kind of (what he perceives to be) kid-glove treatment.
it sounds as if you are endorsing an egalitarian approach for Drew. i’m not sure that works for managers in the real world, much less for a coach in the hyper-competitive, ego-saturated, player-dominated culture of the NBA. but, in any event, Drew is more likely to yank Teague for being a pylon on defense or deferring too much on offense than for making aggressive mistakes.
to me, none of this translates to “Teague has to defer to Joe and Josh and try to play mistake-free basketball.”
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
4:04 pm
O’brien, after sleeping on it a night, I really don’t care who Roddy White is pulling for in this series.
But, to your scenerio, if I were drafted by the Browns and rooted for the Hawks over the Cavs, it would at least make sense. What ties does White have to Boston….none. And, over the years I have seen him at many games, taking advantage of the perks (free floor tixs) the Hawks have given him. So, the guy can go F himself or not being on board now.
2012 NBA Champions
April 29th, 2012
4:06 pm
I agree with you guys who mentioned how Larry is playing the bench way too many minutes. That cost us a couple of games during the regular season but I can let that slide for now considering how well we did with what we had. Im sure drew will make the correct modifications to the lineup for the playoffs. The media isn’t giving this team the credit where it is deserved. The guys on tv aren’t giving us a chance. We’re gonna get past the celtics then take care of the rose less bulls. This is the year we are gonna shock the world. And imagine how good we’re gonna be when horford gets back. We’re goin to ATLEAST the ECF this year. Oh and btw the braves are gonna win the world series and the falcons are gonna win the Super Bowl.
tyger
April 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
Hawks shock the world…
Magic said the playoffs were setup for Miami-Chicago…
Then eliminated the Hawks referring to the Celtics as next…
This is the challenge…the table is set for ATL…
Orlando’s motto: “We aint got nobody but us!”…
Then knocked off Pacers w/o Superboy…
It’s mental…Hawks will need everybody…
Celtics are tough, dangerous, skilled, smart….
Hollins, Bradley, Williams, Smeitsma…young, long, athletic…
Bench play will decide this one, starters will close is out…
Hawks up 1-0, take notice world…
P.S. Rose, Shumpert injuries mean diddly…smokescreen….
Someone always rises in playoffs, always have, always will….
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
Wait…some are getting on Larry Drew for playing the bench too many minutes? What?! I don’t get that at all. Did you not see the schedule this season? Why would you gas the starters and risk them being wiped out going into the playoffs?
I have some issues with Coach Drew (though, I need to get over them. He did lead an injury riddled team to 40 wins and home-court in the first round), but playing the bench this season was essential. And, I think it is up for debate if that really cost the Hawks this season. I think a strong arguement can be made that playing the bench a lot of minutes could have helped the Hawks win some games, too (Minnesota back in January, for instance).
coacht
April 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
Coach Mary
Any chance you can take a direct question? My daughter was diagnosed last summer with a large osteochondral defect in her ankle along with a stress fracture on the top of her foot (above the arch). MRI, bone scan, x-rays all used. Treatment was a boot for 2 1/2 months along with bone stimulator treatment at home with stimulus device. Custom orthodic arch supports for daily wear and cushioned arch supports for athletic activities were prescribed. Surgery was option but less invasive treatments tried first. Diagnosis was structural defect in low arches created stress on ankle and arches. Recommendation was to wear supports to lessen structural mechanic stress on arches…after stress fracture was healed…surgery later if recurring. So far, completed second 1/2 of basketball and full track seasons with limited activites compared to before injury and emerged mostly pain free except recently an irregular return of ankle pain…..like ankle needs to “pop” but does not want to. Very similar to pain before treatment but much less frequent. Daughter is only 12 years old…hoping some natural healing will and has helped…your thoughts on surgery for osteochondral defects in ankle at this age? She seems fully healed except for once or twice pain mentioned. MRI to confirm healing?
Pardon the question fans….Go Hawks!
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
4:16 pm
My Buddy!
“Mary, write this down. If the Hawks try to guard KG 1-on-1 with Collins, KG will eat him alive.”
____
BuddyG, write this down. So, be it. Let KG get all he wants, go ahead and crown his azz. Shut down the rest of his teammates. Don’t leave those three point shooters open. They are the ones who will win this game, not KG.
Put bodies on, Paul, Pietrus, Bradley on the perimeter. They are the ones who will win this game, not KG. Contest Bass at the right elbow. More importantly, rebound and give the ball to MVT.
Section 303
April 29th, 2012
4:19 pm
Heading down to Philips early. I can’t wait for this game. Be it T-Mac, Marvin, Joe, Josh, whoever the key player may be, the Hawks have to win this series. The lack of respect paid to this team is p#ssing me off. I hope others going to the game tonight have the same chip on their shoulder.
Will be at Max’s Pizza, assuming we can get a table. White Joe Johnson t-shirt and cargo shorts makes up my game outfit. Say hello, if you are hitting Max’s.
Go HAWKS!!!
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
4:21 pm
If I didn’t have Finals tomorrow I would be at the game… DANGIT
GO HAWKS!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:23 pm
FTPB
“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,”
Are you still convinced that playing the Heat in Round 2 is better than playing the Bulls in Round 2?
This worked out perfectly for the Hawks. They just have to take care of business. The Pacers without home court are not that much easier than the Celtics with home court. The Celtics are good but by no means unbeatable.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
4:30 pm
coacht
Sorry to hear about your daughter’s foot issues. I would like to know more about this osteochondral defect and, it’s location on the anjle joints. Is it the calcaneous (the hind foot), or, is it on the talus (talus sits inside the dome of the two outer knobby bones)?
Also, because she is a child, her growth plates are still open, because sheis still growing into her future size. I’m going to do some quick research and get back with you on this one.
coacht, do you live in Atlanta, GA.? Because, I specialize in extremity joint adjustments, sounds like her talus has moved anterior and, that is the easiest adjustment to make to the ankle. Sounds, like you have taken the correct approaches and, she is doing some better.
I’ll get back to you though about the osteochondral defect, I would like more specifics on exactly what her condition is though.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
I had the same feeling regarding T-Mac coming into these playoffs, without any of MC’s access or inside information. I just felt like after T-Mac’s playing time outburst, LD must have told him he was saving him for the playoffs, or else T-Mac wouldn’t have been a good soldier the rest of the season.
He is the key to the bench being productive. When the second unit runs the offense through him, everyone gets good shots and the bench can provide quality minutes. When they get away from him, the bench scoring suffers and leads disappear.
And with the big man situation being the way it is, T-Mac will probably see some minutes with the starters when the Hawks go small. All the better for getting Josh, Joe, Teague, etc. good shots against the Celtics D.
About to leave to Philips. Game starts at 7. Get there early, people. Let’s get it.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
3:50 pm
“With Twin, we never need to double KG and leave the three pont shooters open on the perimeter.”
Mary, write this down. If the Hawks try to guard KG 1-on-1 with Collins, KG will eat him alive. It will be just like Boozer in Game 6 pulling him away from the basket where he can’t hope to contest KG’s jumpers. And KG has some of the best footwork in the business. He’s not Dwight who used to have to try to bull his way through people (Dwight showed a better face up game this season). KG can score on Collins anywhere on the floor.
********************
Exactly. And what’s worse about Collins, is that he’s not quick enough to get rebounds period. Drmaryb says that Collins boxes out so that others can get the rebound. So essentially, Collins is the NBA’s version of a “blocking fullback”?
- He can’t score: 40% FG . . . 4.6 points per 36 minutes
- He cant shoot FTs: 47% FT
- He can’t rebound ( for a big man ): 5.6 rebs per 36 minutes
- He can’t block shots: 3 TOTAL blocks in 308 minutes of play
- He can set picks
- He can defend centers, but ONLY if they’re back to the basket type guys who try to score on the low block.
Maybe if we were playing the Lakers, and needed to have someone guard Bynum down on the block, Collins will be needed. And he’ll probably have to play ( by default ) in the Boston series, if Zaza isn’t 100%.
But if we don’t absolutely need that dude, he should always be in his warmups, playing cheerleader.
He did have what was essentially for him a triple-double vs Boston’s scrubs though ( 8 pts – 7 rebs – 4 asst ). He would become a god if he could do that on a nightly basis.
So he’s a blocking fullback.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
“It would be nice if Roddy rooted for the Hawks, but I wont hold it against him.”
I hold it against him because he went on Twitter and posted that sh-t unprovoked, knowing how fans were going to react. That, and he has absolutely no ties to Boston whatsoever.
Next time the Packers are in town and half the crowd says “Kuuuuuuuuuuhn” when their fullback scores a TD, I hope Roddy is happy.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
“But whose minutes do you cut?
- Hinrich is shooting 44% FG and 37% 3FG since becoming a starter
- Marvin is giving us 11 ppg – 5 rebs since the All-Star break on 45% FG
- Willie Green has been on FIRE since the All-Star break 47% FG and 47% 3FG
- Pargo has been very good in stretches, and is shooting 42% 3FG since the All-Star break
- And we don’t even have to talk about Ivan. He needs major minutes this series.”
This is easy. Cut minutes from Kirk, Green, and Pargo, in that order. The three streakiest players on the team, who contribute nothing when their shot is not going in.
By the way, none of those role players are going to shoot that well in the playoffs when the game slows down and defensive intensity tightens up. If they are going to contribute at all, someone is going to have to set them up with easy shots. T-Mac is the best passer on the team. Without him, none of them are going to have a good series.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
The main reason I wouldn’t cut Marvin’s minutes is because with the Hawks’ big man problems, he is going to have to play major minutes at PF, and he is quick enough to step out on Bass and contest his shots. Marvin is going to have to win his matchup with Bass for the Hawks to have a good chance to win.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
@ TMACfan
NBA Playoffs > College Final
Get your priorities right man . . lol.
I would’ve been the one calling myself “taking a break” from studyting, to go to this game. Then be cramming until 4 am trying to finish studying for an 8 am Final.
LOL . . I would be a zombie going into that Final.
Sautee
April 29th, 2012
4:41 pm
MC,
Thanks for the insight on Drew / Teague in your 4:03 post. That’s exactly the kind of info one would hope a beat writer could share.
Good job.
TMACfan
April 29th, 2012
4:41 pm
Dude I feel ya northcyde
eddie
April 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
I have all the major matchups for this game with in depth analysis also i tell u why because of this the hawks will lose in 6!1 so come check it out read and enjoy! http://nbawagers.com/2012/04/player-matchups-for-the-celtics-and-hawks-series/
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
“Wait…some are getting on Larry Drew for playing the bench too many minutes? What?! I don’t get that at all. Did you not see the schedule this season? Why would you gas the starters and risk them being wiped out going into the playoffs?”
Co-sign. LD did the right thing in giving extended run to the bench in the regular season. I agree that he didn’t always do a good job playing the right bench guys, but in this compressed schedule he had to play the bench and see what he had to work with.
In the playoffs, though, the rotations do need to shorten. Hopefully, 66 games is enough time for him to familiarize himself with who deserves playoff minutes and who doesn’t.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
What is an osteochondral defect?
An osteochondral defect (OCD) is an area of damaged cartilage found in a joint. The most common location for an OCD is the knee joint. However, in regards to the foot and ankle, this is usually seen in the ankle joint. This is where an area of normally healthy cartilage has been damaged and is either partially/completely detached, or has developed into an area with no cartilage present at all. The ankle joint is comprised of three bones: the tibia and fibula (longer bones), and the talus (connects to the heel bone). The talus bone is the most common location to find an osteochondral defect in the foot and ankle.
Other names for an osteochondral defect include osteochondral fracture, osteochondral lesion, osteochondritis dessicans, transchondral fracture, flake fracture, and intra-articular fracture.
Etiology:
An osteochondral defect is most often caused by trauma. One ankle injury per 10,000 people per day occurs. These injuries range from simple sprains to complex fractures and dislocations. With lateral ankle ligament ruptures, the incidence of lateral OCD is 5-9%. Medial OCD lesions are suspected to be close in frequency. An ankle sprain is generally the result of a twisting type of motion to the ankle joint, or a direct blow that forces the ankle out of its normal anatomic alignment. Ankle sprains can occur while doing virtually any activity although they are most common while playing sports or while wearing inappropriate shoes. The severity of an ankle sprain is dependent upon whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn, as well as the number and location of the ligaments that are affected. If ankle sprain symptoms do not resolve after 3-6 weeks, and OCD should be suspected.
OCD lesions can also develop following ankle fractures due to the significant force and trauma associated with these injuries.
Symptoms:
Generally an OCD will present with persistent symptoms of pain and a limited range of motion. Locking and catching are symptoms of a displaced fragment of cartilage. It is difficult to distinguish the pain of an acute situation from that of an OCD lesion which can persist after the initial injury (whether a sprain, rupture, or fracture) has healed. Lateral OCD lesions are typically more painful than medial lesions. A chronic lesion is usually a deep lateral or medial ankle pain that is associated with weight-bearing. Swelling and stiffness is seen much of the time. An OCD can still be present even without catching, locking, or swelling
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
4:47 pm
Najeh, I agree that if you do cut minutes to get T-Mac on the floor, it’ll probably have to be amongst those 3 guys. But this goes back to my statement that Drew should’ve already been experimenting with playing T-Mac at the point or at the 2, to see how different lineups mesh with each other.
Could/can the Hawks function with a Teague – T-Mac – Marvin – Ivan – Smith lineup, if JJ doesn’t have it going or is in foul trouble.
How about a T-Mac – JJ – Marvin – Ivan – Smith lineup?
It was just a wide array of combinations that Drew could’ve been using T-Mac in, instead of being overly concerned about his minutes. If he isn’t producing, we just can’t leave him out on the floor either.
I would love to see T-Mac average 10 ppg – 5 assists in this series though.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2012
4:50 pm
Until Zaza gets back, I would go Teague-Joe-Marvin-Josh-Ivan, with T-Mac playing the most minutes off the bench, Kirk coming in to chase Ray Allen off screens, Pargo spelling Teague, and Green only playing if the offense just can’t get anything going at all. No minutes for Collins, Vlad, Dampier, or Stackhouse unless something crazy happens.
I don’t like Marvin starting any more than Rod does, and I would play T-Mac more minutes than Marvin without a doubt, but T-Mac is so vital to the bench playing well that he’s better off coming off the bench in my opinion.
Can’t wait until Zaza gets back, though, so that the rotations can get back to normal. And more importantly, so that Zaza can start a fight with KG.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
eddie
April 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
I have all the major matchups for this game with in depth analysis also i tell u why because of this the hawks will lose in 6!1 so come check it out read and enjoy! http://nbawagers.com/2012/04/player-matchups-for-the-celtics-and-hawks-series/
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LOL . . . so Horford will be starting for us tonight? Do you know something that we don’t know?
And the Boston bench is better than the Atlanta bench? What have YOU been smoking?
(( throwing your analysis in the trash ))
Mike
April 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
Get ready for a ride boys. D-Rose out – get by round 1 and we’re in the clear.
City Of Atlanta Still Recovering From William Tecumseh Sherman
April 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
please LD dont play josh at center…Ivan will play great D on KG
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
5:04 pm
I wonder if the ASKG provided the fellas a pre-game meal. Or, if Marvin’s Grandma cooked some grrens and sweet potato pies?
Sure wish I could be a fly on the wall and, see wassup with the teams mood.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
5:05 pm
MC I hope you are right and my eyes have betrayed me. And I certainly agree that Teague must be held accountable when he fails to bring effort.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
5:05 pm
The teams that needed PFs last year in the draft, but passed on Kenneth Faried, are absolute idiots. That dude rebounds, defends, runs the floor FASTER than even Josh Smith, and can even handle the ball in the open court.
A team like Phoenix would be in the playoffs right now, if they had drafted Faried instead of Markeif Morris ( who isn’t a slouch, but is nowhere near what Faried is ).
Two of Denver’s main guys ( Lawson and Afflalo ) are completely selling them out today. Gallanari and Faried are doing their jobs. But Denver is built to run and score the ball. They’re not going to stop you, so they must outscore you.
Right now, the difference in that game are the three 3s that Steve Blake hit in the 1st quarter.
Lakers starting to pull away.
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 29th, 2012
5:06 pm
* greens
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
5:07 pm
Najeh that’s my ideal lineup as well. I didn’t want to say it because I didn’t want to sound like an Ivan fanboi.
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
5:13 pm
“Who will sub for Ivan, he can’t play 48 minutes without fouling out in the third quarter?”
Mary you know as well as I do that Josh will play some minutes at center. Celtics have no center so their pf is playing there.
rob
April 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
guys, I got a question, The Hawks are on ESPN and I am at work, is it possible to stream the game on ESPN?
rob
April 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
Nevermind they are on TNT
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
Don’t know if this has been posted or not, but SOMEBODY in the media finally picks the Hawks to win the series. And it’s actually a well thought out analysis.
http://www.nba.com/news/features/2012-series-preview-east4/index.html
LIVE: Can Hawks continue to overcome odds vs. Celtics? | Jeff Schultz
April 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
[...] seems pumped for the playoffs (he’s 0-7 in playoff series, 13-25 in playoff games in his career). Michael Cunningham has a blog posted on McGrady. One of McGrady’s comments: “Physically and mentally I feel better than I have all [...]
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
literally no one is giving the Hawks a chance. NO ONE. I’ve read many columns etc. on various sites and they all have the Hawks laying down in 5 or6 games. Probably 1% have the Hawks winning the series.
They are in for a rude awakening. I know I might sound confident but I’ve seen both teams play and the Hawks absolutely can beat the Celtics in a series, particularly this version of the Hawks. This version focuses on defense and is gritty and physical.
I see this situation similar to that of the Magic & Pacers where nobody was giving the Magic a chance. The only difference is that the Hawks are a much better team than the Magic and have home court advantage.
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
5:26 pm
Rod from College Park
April 29th, 2012
4:00 pm
Playing 10 or 11 guys in the playoffs is never good. One reason why Denver will never do anything in the playoffs now, and why I am not impressed with San Antonio this year. That style is not good for playoff basketball.
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Not impressed with San Antonio? They’ve won 11 straight–including their playoff opener today by 15. They’re healthy and rested. And they have something to prove. I wouldn’t look past them.
Carpio7
April 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
People don’t realize that when the hawks had everybody healthy at the beginning of the season they were unstoppable. We were making the bulls, heat, and other teams look like they were the ones who need to keep up with us. The injuries and other bumps on the road helped the hawks mature, help L.D. become a better coach by trying new things and go to the bench more but mainly keep the team’s spirits together and created depth in the team chemistry, and even made other players like Ivan, Teague, Zaza and especially Josh to step thier games to a whole new level. It also helped having Tmac and stackhouse on the team giving veteran leadership. I can’t wait for the game tonight. Make it to the second round and if we have everybody healthy by then Miami is f@(ked. If LeBron doesn’t choke before getting to the conference finals.
brigadierjerry
April 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Hawks have to use the line T-Money from New Jack City before he got popped by Wesley Snipes,
“We all we got”
Looking forward to this game. Hawks arent getting respect and is a forgone conclusiion to some but that is expected. When I hear Sam Mitchell yesterday before the Knicks played the Heat he predicts them to go to the ECF, sounds like he was in a cipher and did a puff puff pass
Hawks have to hold serve at home split on the road in Boston and then win it in 5 or at very worst a tight game and win in Game 6.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
5:38 pm
@ rob
firstrowsports . eu
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
5:39 pm
2012 NBA Champions
April 29th, 2012
4:06 pm
I agree with you guys who mentioned how Larry is playing the bench way too many minutes. That cost us a couple of games during the regular season but I can let that slide for now considering how well we did with what we had. Im sure drew will make the correct modifications to the lineup for the playoffs. The media isn’t giving this team the credit where it is deserved. The guys on tv aren’t giving us a chance. We’re gonna get past the celtics then take care of the rose less bulls. This is the year we are gonna shock the world. And imagine how good we’re gonna be when horford gets back. We’re goin to ATLEAST the ECF this year. Oh and btw the braves are gonna win the world series and the falcons are gonna win the Super Bowl.
___________________
I was starting to think you were serious until you mentioned the Braves and Falcons also winning championships.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
5:41 pm
Bynum AND Gasol are both threatening to get a triple-double this game
Bynum: 12 points – 10 rebounds – 9 blocks
Gasol: 13 points – 7 rebounds – 7 assists
The Lakers have enough to win a title, IF, Kobe let the bigs do their thing, and defer to them at times ( especially when Kobe is ice cold shooting ).
Carpio7
April 29th, 2012
5:41 pm
Braves have a chance, don’t know about the falcons
Carpio7
April 29th, 2012
5:42 pm
Braves have been losing at beginning of most thier games but the thing is they come back in the clutch and close out games with wins.
northcyde
April 29th, 2012
5:45 pm
Rod . . I’ll say it again. If Josh Smith wants people to take him serious as an All-Star talent, he CANNOT let KG outplay him in this series. They will rip that guy to shreads if old man KG dominates Josh.
So “keeping up” with KG means that Josh is going to have to play well. Either that, or Josh has to shut KG down . . . period.
Because of his no-shows vs Boston in the past, this series is as much about Josh Smith being a legit all-star talent, than it is about the Hawks beating a veteran team like Boston to advance.
If he’s “dat dude” on this team, he’s not going to let KG punk him or force him to look bad.
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
5:51 pm
Hate to say it but Jason Collins has to start and he has to play 10-15 minutes per game. During that time he must find ways to not embarass himself.
He’s been to the Finals before as a starter (SHOCKING I Know) so maybe he has some defensive savvy that will cause him not to get abused by KG. We don’t have many other options.
Dampier…but Drew refused to play that man even in garbage time even though he can rack up the rebounds in a hurry. Drew should let Collins paly for 2 or 3 minutes at the beginning of quarters.
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
5:56 pm
I agree Northcyde, Josh Smith has to prove that he’s an all star in this series. The real matchup is Josh Smith vs. The Jumpers. He needs a performance similar to the one he gave the Bulls last postseason.
He has to utterly dominate the paint and KG and Bass. He has the ability to do it. We will see if he is focused.
KevinA
April 29th, 2012
5:57 pm
The match up between Teague and Rondo is more telling than any others. Rondo is the better player but JT needs play well for the Hawks to have a chance. Anyone know the story with ZaZa and Al?
O'brien
April 29th, 2012
6:00 pm
The Hawks can be mentally weak at times, so I think it is important that they win game 1. If they lose game 1, they lose home court, Celtics fans will be louder for game 2, and Hawks players will start doubting…
Buddy Grizzard
April 29th, 2012
6:00 pm
“Why would you gas the starters and risk them being wiped out going into the playoffs?”
Section my man, nobody is suggesting that Drew should not have experimented with the lineup during the regular season.
But what we learned, as northcyde so thoroughly documented, is that Vlad is a complete scrub. This is the playoffs. Playing Vlad now would be like playing Josh Powell.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
6:05 pm
A Boston station just showed Garnett and Pierce walking into Philips Arena with Josh Smith and Joe Johnson; Smith and Johnson were carrying Garnett’s and Pierce’s gym bags for them.
KevinA
April 29th, 2012
6:08 pm
O’brien
The Hawks must win all 4 games at home. They cant win on the road.
KevinA
April 29th, 2012
6:13 pm
Yeppers, it;s time to take on the whiners of boston. Never seen so many grown men cry so much on a ball court.
KevinA
April 29th, 2012
6:14 pm
Not to mention the fact they are just plain ugly.
Big Lou
April 29th, 2012
6:17 pm
I’ll be at the game. Come show your support for the Hawks!!! Sell it out!
DawgNole
April 29th, 2012
6:29 pm
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
literally no one is giving the Hawks a chance. NO ONE. I’ve read many columns etc. on various sites and they all have the Hawks laying down in 5 or6 games. Probably 1% have the Hawks winning the series.
They are in for a rude awakening. I know I might sound confident but I’ve seen both teams play and the Hawks absolutely can beat the Celtics in a series, particularly this version of the Hawks. This version focuses on defense and is gritty and physical.
___________________________
I think most of us on the blog believe the Hawks CAN beat the Celtics. But WILL they? That’s the question.
Shamrock
April 29th, 2012
6:30 pm
I think Smith will have a good series, he has to if he wants the Celtics to sign him when he becomes a free agent.
coacht
April 29th, 2012
6:49 pm
Dr. Mary
thanks for the feedback. The defect was on the talus.
We live in South Ga. We’re hopeful the natural healing process will help.
Some residual pain is to be expected.
Longtime Hawks and Dream fans in our family and I my two girls are hoopsters. Highlight recently was playing in Philips for preseason game. Team was awestruck. Winning the game was gravy.
I wish Zaza was able to go. I agree that McGrady will be a factor. The guy simply makes good basketball plays…..and don’t forget our forgotten veteran sitting over there waiting to make a play too.
We have some good hoop knowledge on our bench this year…should be key.
yodaddybrother
April 29th, 2012
7:00 pm
“Ernie….let me tell you something….Kevin Garnett is not going to mess with that guy!!”
Melvin
April 29th, 2012
7:36 pm
Good 1st qtr by the Hawks…. Gotta add to the lead in the 2nd qtr…
Melvin
April 29th, 2012
7:44 pm
Bench unit not playing well to start the 2nd qtr
coacht
April 29th, 2012
7:44 pm
He may be right. Sir Charles is politically incorrect and I admire him for that.
Melvin
April 29th, 2012
7:47 pm
Why is Teague not in the game?
Melvin
April 29th, 2012
7:48 pm
OH well, Teague was going to sub into the game before that Pargo 3
Melvin
April 29th, 2012
7:53 pm
Collins is playing pretty well… He’s keeping the Celtics bigs off the board and being a presence in the paint.
coacht
April 29th, 2012
8:08 pm
foul on Joe before the half…cool.
We need to finish this thing…good start..no let down…hammer down.
coacht
April 29th, 2012
8:11 pm
14 point lead at half….enough? Should be if we play
THAD YOUNG & ALL US 76ERS
April 29th, 2012
9:06 pm
mkkkkkn
soullrenaissance
April 29th, 2012
9:26 pm
Rondo – GET OUTTA HERE!!!!!!
soullrenaissance
April 29th, 2012
9:27 pm
Rondo – you stupid.