Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Game 1: Hawks 83, Celtics 74
- The Hawks were brilliant early, shaky in the middle and bad down the stretch. That also kind of describes the Jason Collins Game Flow after Larry Drew decided to start Collins and then play him 32 minutes in the playoff opener after not playing him more than 25 minutes all season.
- It all worked out in the end for the Hawks. Or at least it did after Rajon Rondo decided it was a good idea to get two technical fouls and then bump official Marc Davis with his team down four points and 41 seconds to go.
- It’s an automatic one-game suspension if league officials determine that Rondo intentionally bumped Davis. They can also add games to the penalty.
- “I was upset about the call, and I said something to [Davis],” Rondo said. “As I was walking I thought he stopped and my momentum carried me into him. I even think I tripped on his foot. I didn’t intentionally chest-bump him.”
- The sequence led to three Hawks free throws and killed Boston’s momentum. The Celtics are in trouble if Rondo sits because he was the only thing they had going for long stretches tonight. It’s hard to understate the stupidity of his actions.
- “[Doc Rivers] just told me to keep my composure, which I know,” Rondo said. “I was just out there competing. I wanted to win.”
- Rondo was arguing the call even though it was clear Brandon Bass harangued Josh Smith. “It was definitely a foul, so that was the right call,” Josh said.
- Joe Johnson had another poor performance in the playoffs. It’s not as if he doesn’t know he’s going to get pressured. He handled it pretty well early (it helped that the Hawks played faster) but then Joe came out after halftime and seemed to want to go one-on-one.
- “I missed a lot of wide open shots I normally make. I’m sure Game 2 will be a lot different,” Joe said. “I’m just glad guys like Jeff [Teague] and Josh was able to pretty much carry us down the stretch.”
- You can’t fault Joe for missing open shots. Well, I guess you can, but that happens. More problematic were all the possessions that came to a halt because Joe was dribbling aimlessly (or, worse, getting stripped by Paul Pierce) while his teammates stood and watched.
- “I look at the stat sheet and he didn’t have a typical Joe Johnson game shooting-wise,” Drew said. “Yet we still won the game. With this team, I always try to focus on the positive with things like that. He’ll watch the tape and, like everyone else, he will make adjustments. We will continue to run plays through him, put the ball in his hands and put him in position to score the ball.”
- Iso-Joe was a big reason the Celtics got back in the game early in the third quarter. Joe not touching the ball much was a big reason why the offense got going again soon after that stretch.
- If Joe is going to have an off night offensively he has to play better than one quarter of solid defense against Pierce. Pierce is always moving and looking to attack and then moves the ball when he can’t find an opening.
- Teague was Atlanta’s best offensive player tonight. He had two key baskets in the clutch to atone for that memorable airball in the loss here to the Celtics.
- The first was a 3-pointer on a drive-and-kick from Josh. “I knew they were going to stunt off of me, because Kirk [Hinrich] had been making shots from the corner. So I knew [Mickael] Pietrus was probably going to stunt off of me. So I just tried to set my feet and knock it down.”
- Soon after that big shot, Teague slithered to the basket to make a floater. It was a gutsy play both because of the circumstances and because he hadn’t been finishing very well. “I just tried to make plays when the opportunity presented itself,” he said. “I think the guys believe in me, and I believe in the guys. I just try to go out there and play my game. Playing with Josh and Joe and those guys makes my job a lot easier.”
- Teague generally forced Rondo to take jumpers. He made them at a pretty good clip but better than than Rondo operating around the basket area.
- Let’s start with the good for Collins: He made Kevin Garnett pay for his insistence taking him to the post, got five rebounds in spite of a marked disadvantage in athleticism against Boston’s frontline and scored six points on five shots. Collins even showed some nice feet when KG finally decided to try to go past him.
- But Drew pushed his luck with Collins and the Celtics started getting him in pick-and-roll actions with Pierce and KG in the final period. That didn’t work out so well, especially with Joe constantly trailing the ball-handler.
- Josh was making enough jumpers that KG eventually had to come out and challenge. But after a stretch where he took advantage by driving to the basket, Josh launched three jumpers over the final eight minutes and missed two.
- Still, Josh beasted for 18 rebounds, often fighting through traffic to snag them, and played solid straight-up D against KG. Garnett was right to try to post Josh but struggled to get clean looks on his turnaround Js.
- Kirk Hinrich had his best games in months. The good ball movement often ended with Hinrich open in the corner and he made the Celtics pay by making 4 of 6 3-point attempts. Maybe Kirk has been sandbagging, or perhaps he punished me for giving Avery Bradley the edge in my matchup box.
- Ivan Johnson showed no fear in his first playoff game while collecting five rebounds and two steals with no turnovers in 15 minutes. It’s hard to argue with the outcome of Drew’s Collins fixation tonight but Ivan should get more than 15 minutes in a series where the opposition doesn’t have much size.
- There was a stretch when Pierce and Garnett took turns going at Marvin Williams, who didn’t handle it well. Marvin played 14 low-impact minutes. I guess it’s a good sign that the Hawks had a 50-41 rebounding edge with Marvin getting just one.
- My Tracy McGrady prediction already looks shaky. The best I can offer in my defense are the five rebounds, including two offensive, in 14 minutes. He’s got to stop looking for calls on those drives.
- In 10 minutes Jannero Pargo scored five points on six shots, had no bad entry passes for turnovers and recorded an assist. That was good enough and he was solid defensively.
- Willie Green managed to post a team-worst -15 in just 10 minutes. Defense was the issue, as it sometimes can be.
- When Drew let his bench guys run over the final two weeks of the season, I thought it was because he was trying to get his starters some rest. Now I’m not so sure after he opened the fourth quarter with that Pargo-Green-McGrady-Marvin-Ivan alignment–and then subbed Ivan for Collins when it became clear that wasn’t a good look. That’s just one example of some odd sub patterns tonight.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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145 comments Add your comment
vava74
April 30th, 2012
7:21 am
Terrell,
The main issue is that we had a pretty poor second half and it was clear that one team was going up and another down.
A worrying tendency which we absolutely need to stop right here and again start Game 2 as we did this time.
The fact is that Doc made a mistake – IMO – resting his players down stretch and they came in rusty.
From the first to the second half, BOS cranked up their D and our offense was completely discombobulated.
And on offense, as the game progressed, BOS started to bring Garnett and Bass to the perimeter making Collins presence on the floor for such long stretches a mistake:
Both Garnett and Bass had important jumpers going in from the elbow precisely because our defense lagged inside (Collins did seem faster than last year coming out but even so, it’s not that he covers too much ground and airspace).
Doc will not make his bigs play again into Collins’ bear hug so I fully expect that BOS comes out blazing in game 2 with a barrage of pick n pop plays which will also draw Smoove away from the defensive glass where he was a monster yesterday.
KevinA
April 30th, 2012
7:41 am
Vara, Collins is not quick enough to stop Garnet anywhere on the floor. He is only good for clogging up the middle a bit and getting a few bounces that go his way.
Section 303
April 30th, 2012
7:44 am
Sweet win! Great crowd last night. 1 down, 3 to go.
I thought Joe Johnson played OK last night. It seemed like he had more points than he ended up with. He had at least 2 3-point shots go in only to rim out. Had those gone in, I think the impressions many have about his performance would be different.
I hated the possession late, where Joe brought the ball up, instead of Teague. He dribbled for a while and then threw an awful pass for a turnover. That was right in the middle of Boston’s run and led to another Celtic basket. The coaches say they want Teague to be aggressive. Fine, then don’t take the ball out of his hands in crucial situations.
Coaches have to get off this iso-Joe bullsh#t. The play does not work when they try to force it. Iso-Joe seems to be way more productive when Joe takes the ball in the flow of the offense, not right from the beginning of the possession. Anyways….I think Joe will shoot better Tuesday.
Everyone says Rondo will be suspended. I’ll believe it when I see it. Have a bad feeling he wil get off totally free.
Also, how about all the b-ball writers saying that Rondo play should have been a jump ball. Bullsh#t. Bass put Josh in a choke hold and yanked him to the ground. Very tired of the Celtics apologists in the media. Substitute Rondo for Teague in that situation and no one is b#tching about the call. The media double standard is really p#ssing me off.
Admirable SnAckBar
April 30th, 2012
7:45 am
how much you bet the league will find a way to not suspend Rondo?
just sayin…
Dawg
April 30th, 2012
7:47 am
Joe don’t need to handle the ball. He is simply not good enough to handle the pressure. He can’t dribble good enough, he is not fast enough.
But he is a great player, just take the ball out of his hands and let him play within an offense.
The NBA will have no credibility is they don’t suspend Rondo. He punked out and he deserves to sit out.
ESPN seems to think that only the Heat, Bulls and Boston are left in the east.
Kerry
April 30th, 2012
7:50 am
Congratulations to my atlanta hawks, what can you say, the hawks did it up last night, Everybody played really well, Let’s do a repeat on tuesday! GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
April 30th, 2012
7:53 am
remember in atl when teague came down and just yelled and allen happened to be in the way and the refs called a very important game changing t o on the kid. i dont see how the league cannot give rondo at least a night off for his display since especially, as i mentioned on the last blog, he was a repeat offender on a ref. that said, i would not be surprised if stern doesnt get in all of our collective heads and not do anything and let him play. that will be sending a strong signal to all of us here we are still not worthy.
overall it was the type win we need every tie to get a big lead and hold on and keep it from being a close enough game where they can come up with the plays to win in a close game as we have not shown the ability to do it nor will the refs allow it. like watching pro wrestling.
KevinA
April 30th, 2012
8:06 am
Getting emotional and causing a scene is just what Boston does and always have. No big deal. I hope the players dont get entangled in the hype. We can and need to with with or without rondo playing. Getting JJ a cpl of easy shots early to get him off is more important and something smarter to focus on.
Drew was smart to think uptempo in game #1. We need the same mindset in game #2.
Fireld!
April 30th, 2012
8:09 am
This is not a series pargo will flourish, great shooter, but boston will not leave him open, and he forces terrible shots. Josh and Joe already fill that position. No way Hinrich AND Pargo should be running point while Teague sits. Doc adjusted by leaving bass in paint to help on Josh’s drives and he shoots fadeaway j’s. He also had a help defender waiting for Joe to go iso and it lead to a turnover. High pick and roll with Teague and use jj and kirk as floor spacers. No help, teague to rim. Boston helps hit a shooter or rolling J smith. Make boston react to us instead of us reacting to their D. GREAT PLAYERS WIN DURNING REG SEASON. GREAT COACHING WINS PLAYOFF GAMES. I just don’t trust ld.
PureATL
April 30th, 2012
8:20 am
I love the way were playing except when we turn into the Atlanta ISO’s at the end of every game. Glad we got the win, but I wish we could’ve flexed our muscle a little bit by stomping on their throats earlier in the 4th when we had the chance!!
KevinA
April 30th, 2012
8:31 am
doc
April 30th, 2012
7:53 am
overall it was the type win we need every tie to get a big lead and hold on and keep it from being a close enough game where they can come up with the plays to win in a close game as we have not shown the ability to do it nor will the refs allow it. like watching pro wrestling.
doc, lol Yea, get a lead and hang onto it and never lose. Your hired, what job do you need to mk this happen.
kwooden
April 30th, 2012
8:52 am
I’m very proud of the HAWKS for coming out and taking it to the Celtics from the start and then keeping their composure when the game got tight. Rondo should clearly get at least a game because even if he didn’t want to bump the ref in his mind, he did! Joe shot the ball terribly which can not happen again! Collins played great defense on KG, which was the coaching move of the game. It took Doc almost 3 quarters to find any really working adjustment. I don’t think our bench got going at all and if they play well we should continue to score at a good rate.
GO HAWKS!!
Big Daddy
April 30th, 2012
9:18 am
First, great win for the HAWKS!!!! We jumped out early, played exceptional defense and kept the Celts down. We all knew they would make a run and they did. We did a much better job than the Grizzlies did in holding off the Clippers. But, I digress. We made shots when we had to, played good defense for virtually the whole game but, got somewhat sloppy on the offense in the second half. It was great that we were able to hold on for the win.
I too, did not understand LD’s substitution pattern, particularly in the second half. I thought he left the second unit out too long at the beginning of the 4th quarter. If he was trying to rest the starters so that the Celtics would wear themselves down making a comeback and the starters could then come back in and take charge, it almost backfired on him. When you give a team like that the opportunity to change their momentum you have to take a chance the starters may not be able to turn back their momentum. It might have even been a different story if Rondo had not gone ballistic.
Pierce will not shoot llke that in game 2. He is probably in the gym right now taking jump shots and practicing his moves to the basket. Our guys have to remember that these guys (Pierce and Garnett) are probably going to be first round hall of famers. Rondo is making his case to be at that level and if Ray Allen gets back in, the whole complexion of the series will change dramactically. These guys are crafty and they will adjust. Doc Rivers has been coach of the year and won a championship. He also will be in the Hall of Fame. When I look at our roster and coaching staff, I can’t, right now, say that about anyone. Time for a change. Let’s go HAWKS!!!!
Heisenberg
April 30th, 2012
9:22 am
What was up with the ticker tape parade when the game ended? They just won game 1 in the first playoff round, not the championship. The only thing I have ever seen more tacky than that was when the Wizards hhad printed up tee shirts to celabrate making it to the second round (back in the day when Agent 0 could play). Was that the goal for the season? Win game 1 of the playoffs?
Having said that, great win and Hawks should be up 2-0 heading up to Beantown with Rondo sitting out at least 1 game.
doc
April 30th, 2012
9:29 am
i know some admired the minutes collins played; he was gassed at the end and the celts knew it going right at him with five fouls.
doc
April 30th, 2012
9:34 am
kevin a not saying that from a coaching perspective but a psychological one. i dont think this team can win the other way, yet, is my point.
still fuming at the ticky tack suspensions stern handed out to the suns a few years ago to give the spurs the series. based on that there is no way but didnt we see kg flaunt the line and not get tossed a few years back.
that is going to be an interesting story today as the decision is made and brought public.
kuhndog
April 30th, 2012
9:40 am
we will take it,the hawks didn’t handle pressure well.Rondo should be suspended the rules are the rules.Don’t give up on the hawks yet guys there’s a lot of basketball to be played I know they did not look good late but this game is about adjustments for better or worse
MsDee
April 30th, 2012
9:52 am
northcyde
April 30th, 2012
1:19 am
I need to clear time at work to go to Game 5 next Tuesday night. I don’t wan to “jinx” the Hawks by buying my tickets now, but I guess I would get a refund though, if there were no Game 5.;
U just did!
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 30th, 2012
9:55 am
“Having said that, great win and Hawks should be up 2-0 heading up to Beantown with Rondo sitting out at least 1 game.”
________
The Hawks beat tne C’s with Rondo, so, why do we need Rondo gone to beat them again?
KevinA
April 30th, 2012
9:59 am
I would hazard a guess at a 60% chance of suspension. Will not be suprised either way. If Hawks click on all cylinders we can win reguardless. I hope the players have the same attitude and ignore the hype.
KevinM
April 30th, 2012
10:00 am
Survive and advance….with the way Joe played, we were fortunate and I’ll take it every day if this is the result.
No way Colllins can be depended on fro 32 min the next game….hurry back Zaza.
LD was on the radio this am and he was very talkative and also very appreciative of the support his guys got. Class move by LD and he tells you that without that early jump on the Celtics, we wouldnt be up 1-0.
That stat last night about us having the 2nd most playoff games played……how is that possible? I guess all the 2nd round appearances add up?
KevinA
April 30th, 2012
10:05 am
doc
April 30th, 2012
9:34 am
kevin a not saying that from a coaching perspective but a psychological one. i dont think this team can win the other way, yet, is my point.
I’m with ya on that point but all teams are capable of big runs including the Hawks. I think we are in better shape mentally than we were 2 years ago for this kind of thing. It is what experience is all about.
Heisenberg
April 30th, 2012
10:07 am
drmaryb.(*_*), I worry because I have flashbacks to the game against Miami earlier when James & Wade were both out and Hawks laid an egg. Considering it is not the first time this seaon Rondo had an incident with a ref I could see cause for multiple games. As someone else pointed out, Hawks did not step on their throats when the chance was there. So there is some concern about a letup in game 2.
Sautee
April 30th, 2012
10:09 am
“Oh yeah, allow me to say once again that the Hawks should have signed Reggie Evans instead of Vlad.” – Najeh
Najeh, I like Reggie a lot, and you have seen me lobby for bringing him here for 3 years now.
However, you must realize that if we had signed Reggie, then Ivan surely gets cut. As much as I like Reggie, I’m fine with Ivan in that role.
MsDee
April 30th, 2012
10:25 am
Here are a few comments I have received here on the blog concerning Boston’s comeback and how we had an ‘ugly’ win down the stretch:
” Rondo’s inexcusable actions cost the Celtics a real chance to win this game. I don’t care how much the Hawks led by… if they didn’t foul Josh on that play but instead tied him up, very strong possibility the Hawks lose this game. That’s what we call a squeaker.”
i_am_soulstar
April 29th, 2012
11:54 pm
“I didn’t even think we played well besides that hot start in the 1st. Way to not give the game back though. JJ played was Ray Charles out there tonight. Hopefully, he knows the Celtics won’t play that horribly every game in the series, and he steps his game up.”
Rusty
April 30th, 2012
12:28 am
“This team gets bad press as we always get big leads & tend to blow them which often happens because JJ wants to play iso so he can get his points & LD s poor. Substitutions &bad coaching.”
Najeh Davenpoop
April 30th, 2012
12:38 am
“One thing about tonight’s game: it is a little bit of fool’s gold. Pierce isn’t going to throw up that many bricks every game. Allen will be back. Kirk isn’t going to play this well the whole series. Teague, and to a lesser extent Josh, are not going to make outside shots at the rate they did.
The one aberration going the other way is Joe’s terrible shooting night; Joe will get better. But if the Celtics make half of those jumpers in Game 2, the Hawks are not going to win again playing the way they did, even if Rondo doesn’t play.
During those dry spells, the Hawks have to find a way to get better shots. Can’t rely on bailout 3s from Kirk to save bad possessions. I am glad they won and they played great defense, but they have to find a way to get good shots more consistently against Boston’s D. A lot of that is on LD to read the Celtics D and design plays that will get players open more often.”
From our OWN fans, we get negative comments about how we gave up a good lead, how Boston had the chance and probably would have won had not Rondo got ejected, and how Joe Johnson ugly shooting night and his turn-overs cost us to lose the lead..blah BLah BLAH!! If I’m not mistaken, did NOT the Hawks come back (just like Boston did last night) from a 12 or 14 pts deficit against Boston the 1st game we played them here in Atlanta by Ray Allen’s flying 3’s to ONLY LOSE BY 3? (Boston losing by 9 last night) Did NOT Joe Johnson score 25 BIG points to ALMOST win it for the Hawks that night?( Rondo/KG ALMOST won it for Boston last night), Did not Teague make a bad/stupid decision to jack up the airball 3 when the ball should have CLEARLY been in the HOT HANDS of Joe Johnson’s that night which may have tied the game? (Rondo’s stupid/bad decision cost them the game on last night)..a whole lot of similarites there, right?? Boston did the same crap at losing a big lead in the 4th to us after a great comeback by Joe but our poor poor Hawks ALWAYS seem to get punished as if we just stumbled up again into the playoffs as if this isnt our 5th CONSECUTIVE season making it, WITH LIMITED PLAYERS AT THAT..all im lefted with is, WOW, WHAT A SHAME, NO LOVE FROM THE FANS!!
MsDee
April 30th, 2012
10:29 am
“if they didn’t foul Josh on that play but instead tied him up, very strong possibility the Hawks lose this game.”
Heck, for that matter, had not the time ran out on the Hawks in that 1st game, very strong possibility the Celtics lose that game..
MsDee
April 30th, 2012
10:36 am
drmaryb.(*_*).
April 30th, 2012
9:55 am
“Having said that, great win and Hawks should be up 2-0 heading up to Beantown with Rondo sitting out at least 1 game.”
________
The Hawks beat tne C’s with Rondo, so, why do we need Rondo gone to beat them again?”
I totally agree..I feel the same about Ray Allen..He played that 1st game but we only lost by 3..Im not afraid of a full crew of the Celtics. But who I am afraid of are the ref’s. If a full healthy Hawks and a full healthy Boston plays w/o the ref’s giving it to either team, I say HAWKS win series!! I’m not getting all caught up in Boston PAST champ rings..The Celtics can play just as dumb and stupid just like our Hawks.
KevinM
April 30th, 2012
10:48 am
Off topic for Slimjr….did you see your girl Steph Reddy inteviewing JRich on NBA-TV? Your girl isn’t wasting any time stepping away from Charlotte. I know you are smitten with that girl and had to give you an update.
I’m guessing you will be paying a bit more attention to the Pacer/Magic series now huh?
Phil F
April 30th, 2012
12:19 pm
Welcome to the highlight factory. Come see the amazing Joe Johnson and his stupendous NBA Playoff disappearing act. He’s the Houdini of the BBall court.
jlewis
April 30th, 2012
1:53 pm
A couple of things, Pargo did have a turnover when he drove in the 3rd quarter and made a bad pass underneath. Also, Joe shot the ball poorly, as anyone recalls Pierce shut down Kobe and got his own when Boston played the Lakers in the finals. MC, Joe only played Pierce for 1 quarter? As I recall Pierce shot 5-19, I guess that was the team that stopped him. Ive noticed that MC puts everything on JJ, where you openly cheering for that cancer Tracy McGrady to do well, if anything you should be writing a story about the McGrady curse, you know, having not gotten out of the first round in a playoff series. Or, how about doing a story about the Hawks being sunk when Horford went out, I come on this blog to read some others opinions, who seem to know more ball that MC, where is Chris?
This team begins and ends with Teague, he has to know when to pass and when to score, he hasnt figured out how to run a game yet. You mark my words, Boston will now make Teague a scorer and shut off Josh and JJ, because he hasnt figured it out yet. Also, didnt the Hawks win, the media is kissing the Celtics butt, and they lost.
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
2:07 pm
Big Lou
April 29th, 2012
10:59 pm
JJ missed a lot of open jumpers. That won’t continue. I expect him to have a monster game two.
________________________
Hope you’re right. JJ was kind of offset by Pierce, who was almost as bad. Just hope he doesn’t wake up.
jlewis
April 30th, 2012
2:10 pm
Thats all i’m saying Dawg, Pierce is a beast, he is the Celtics heart. JJ shut him down too, if you’re not scoring, you can do something to make a difference. I just think MC has wallet envy, anyone that has league pass can see most of the so called “superstars” have bad games. He was loving Melo when they played the Hawks, Melo was horrible in the opener.
northcyde
April 30th, 2012
2:36 pm
Agree with MsDee’s 10:25 post.
I mean, it WAS an ugly win, for the way we played in the 2nd half. But in a lot of ways, it was a good win as well. The Hawks of old would’ve rolled over and died in that 4th quarter and completely lost the lead. But they didn’t. In fact, the Hawks NEVER trailed in that game.
Everybody in the NBA makes a run, and we pretty much held off every Celtics run last night. Even on that play when Rondo was tossed, we were going to get the ball with 3.3 seconds left. At that point
- the Celtics had to defend the shot
- secure the rebound
- try to score before the game clock got under 24 seconds. If they couldn’t score before 24 seconds on the game clock, they would have to intentionally foul the Hawks and put us on the line.
- If they were able to score, they had to play solid defense in a situation in which the Hawks would’ve tried to run the clock all the way down to around 15 seconds before making a move to score
- get ANOTHER defensive rebound
- and come back and either hit a game-tying or game-winning shot with less than 10 seconds on the clock.
** And remember, that team hadn’t made a single 3 point shot all night **
*********************
Game 2 will be interesting. Very seriously doubt that we jump out to a 19 point lead in the 1st half, but the game will be the same type of bump and grind defensive battle.
For all of you worried about Paul Pierce . . he’s 15 – 52 FG ( 29% FG ) . . and a WHOPPING 1 – 17 3FG ( 6% FG ) in 3 games vs the Hawks this year. Only 9 TOTAL FT attempts as well
Yeah, he has the ability to break out of that slump and have a big game against us. But the Hawks are OBVIOUSLY doing something right against him this season. Maybe it’s the people guarding him? Maybe is the team rotation defense?
Hmmmmm.
northcyde
April 30th, 2012
2:46 pm
David Stern on the Rondo ref bump:
“I don’t want to pre-judge on what the recommendation is going to be,” Stern said on ESPN Radio’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” “But as a fan, he obviously bumped him. And you know what happens with respect to that.”
********************
OMG . . so Stern is going to give his “blessing” on the suspension? Now it’s up to Stu Jackson to make it official.
****************
And for you Joe Johnson critics, I’ll be fair:
JJ is 17 – 49 FG ( 35% FG ) and 4 – 19 3FG ( 21% FG ) vs Boston when they play their main guys. ( I won’t count the game vs Boston’s scrubs ).
So essentially, JJ and Pierce are cancelling each other out. Whichever guy figures out how to score against the other defense, may be the key to the series. The Hawks have Pierce locked up so far though, and he’s not making open looks when he IS open.
Scoop
April 30th, 2012
3:01 pm
My thoughts on the game:
Josh did not “beast” 18 rebounds. The Celtics forfeited any opportunity for offensive rebounds in order to get back in transition. Ivan Johnson “beasted” some offensive rebounds that were key donw the stretch. Now, having said that, Josh did make an effort to box out early AND was very aggressive on both ends of the floor. But I still say Josh needs help in his pick and roll defense. Maybe its just fundamental and not effort.
Joe was forced into a lot of threes and had three defenders in front of him at all times last night. He missed the three’s tonight but I promise that percentage will be at 40% by the end of the series. The Celtics are pulling Josh’s defender and clogging the paint against Joe and basically baiting Josh to take the jumper. JOSH NEEDS TO ATTACK THE BASELINE AND QUIT SETTLING!!!!!!!!!! Make them pay for that hedge against Joe. Josh had a GREAT game and you couldn’t fault him for much last night but this seems to be a constant for him. He needs to use the baseline and get some easy dunks and layups. They are giving him space and he needs to attack.
The stars are aligning for the Hawks. Sadly, but fortunately for the Hawks, D Rose is out for the playoffs so the Hawks get by the Celtics ( which we will) then we have a much easier time with the Bulls, and then we get the Heat-a team I think we match up very well against. We can beat the Heat.
So while the mainstream in the media look for a team to challenge the mighty Heat, they need look no further than the Hawks in the Highlight Factory………
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
3:03 pm
Matt
April 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
I love it when the Hawks win playoff games so that we can listen to the national media talk about the other team for the rest of the night. You know, as opposed to when the Hawks lose playoff games and we can listen to the national media talk about the other team for the rest of the night.
________________
LOL
DawgNole
April 30th, 2012
3:06 pm
Mr.E
April 30th, 2012
12:23 am
Memphis just took choking to a new level, even the Hawks wouldn’t have been able to pull that one off…
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The Hawks actually did lose a 27-point lead (in the 4Q, no less) to the Bucks (I think) probably 30 years ago.
jlewis
April 30th, 2012
3:29 pm
Thank you Scoop and North, you guys know more basketball than the writer covering the Hawks.
@Only1MrGreen
April 30th, 2012
3:45 pm
Did anyone notice how the TNT crew (Kenny, Shaq & Barkley) refuse to give the Hawks credit for the W? Even tried to say the 6th foul on Bass was a bad call.. Kodak dont lie, he dove all over Josh’s head/back which is why Josh’s headband came off..
Scoop
April 30th, 2012
3:50 pm
@ @Only1MrGreen
The reason why they won’t give Hawks credit is bc those mindless “analysts” UNANIMOUSLY picked the Celtics to win and now they look bad and don’t want to admit that they’re wrong…….
EmirS.
April 30th, 2012
5:01 pm
“Everyone says Rondo will be suspended.” Section 303
No sir not I.
EmirS.
April 30th, 2012
5:04 pm
@DawgNole
In the regular season or the playoffs?
Hugo
April 30th, 2012
5:23 pm
Will somebody tell them morons that when u beat your man and drive to the basket lay it up. Kicking it out just defeats the purpose. They finally showed what i have been saying the whole year about Josh. If he would leave the 3 ball to the ones that can make it he would benefit the Hawks much more.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 30th, 2012
5:55 pm
If we want this to be a quick series, we will win tomorrow night. Let Celtics win tomorrow night and the series will go at least 6 games, either way.
Need Joe and others to step up tomorrow and put this damn team way. Also, I believe Ray is doubtful for tomorrow.
Tear these guy’s heads off tomorrow. Don’t let those dirty !@#%^bags breathe for one second
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
April 30th, 2012
5:57 pm
It’s doubtful we can beat the Bulls, even without Rose. They owned us by 21 in our own arena without him.
Until Teague consistently attacks, we will be a good/decent team. He should be laying it up every single time, not getting timid when he gets to the hoop (as Hugo just said)