Atlanta Hawks: Video: Hawks stay alive, head back to Boston
I joined Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe to review the Hawks’ 87-86 Game 5 victory over the Celtics.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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116 comments Add your comment
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
12:13 pm
“It was wishful thinking. Minn. drafted Derrick Williams, and he going to be a beast at small forward. They will trade Beasley in the off season.
I think Marvin can be a good SF in another system. He needs a change of scenery (ala JaVale McGhee going to Denver) We all know he was a lost cause in Washington. Again, I said good, not great.”
The problem is not Marvin, it’s his contract. Plus he has a player option in the last year of his deal. No one will take on his production for that contract, unless they are getting rid of a worse contract. Marvin will never have a better chance to be a good small forward than he has here. He will never get as many open looks as he gets with the Hawks. Javale Mcgee is a talented kid who just needs to be coached up, and taught how to play the right way, similar to Josh Smith. Marvin has totally different issues. He knows how to play the right way, he just does not have the talent to do so. He is simply a jump shooter at this point in his career, and an okay rebounder.. If his shot is not falling, he is useless.
glw
May 9th, 2012
12:14 pm
Hoosier Hawk,
Seems as though i remmber that, it seems like Horford totally ignored Teague, it was almost like he was trying to get it to Joe. Drew has to get Josh and Horford to give the rock up. Teague should demand it too. clap hands loud are whatever. Hopefully next season, that will be the next evolution in the development of Teague….truly take over the team
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
May 9th, 2012
12:18 pm
“I never new LD actually admited is ignorance and low bball IQ.”
enough said.
Section 303
May 9th, 2012
12:18 pm
jimh, if that’s the case, then you have not been to that many games at Philips. I’ve seen a lot worse than last night. In fact, I thought the fans were good last night.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 9th, 2012
12:21 pm
IF!
If you score enough points, you can take the refs out of the game.
LETS SCORE HAWKS!!! Outside peanut butter – Inside Jelly.
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
I will be the first to admit that I predicted Boston to win this series, but thats why they play the games. The bottom line is Boston is wounded, kind of like we were when the series started. Pierce and Allen are not themselves, and it’s obvious. Any coach worth a grain of salt should notice this and attack. Pierce can’t move laterally because of his knee, so we should be running plays to attack him defensively. Ray Allen can’t check Joe, and never could, so when he is on Joe attack him. The key to beating Boston is limiting Pierce. We should be playing him the same way they play Joe. Make the other guys beat you. Make KG, Bass, and Rondo beat you from the perimeter. Double Pierce evertime he catches and make him give the ball up. It’s really no that difficult.
jimh
May 9th, 2012
12:34 pm
Section 303 been to lots of chi, lakers, knicks,heat and other celts (reg season and playoffs) and the lower bowl was full of green, maybe not up there. Our section 212 had more green than red and were louder than home fans. Talk to some from KC, WV and others who came in for this game.
Jay-Bird
May 9th, 2012
12:40 pm
We will never, no, nada, not a chance win a championship with Josh Smith. And he wonders why his peers don’t select him to the All-Star team. CAN’T COUNT ON HIM.
Ray
May 9th, 2012
12:43 pm
@ Jlewis
All those players you mentioned >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Choke Johnson.
Everyone does do Iso plays, but not as bad as Joe does it. Actually don’t even put Carmelo in there he got the same problem only thing is when they do Iso Melo he can actually score.
vava74
May 9th, 2012
12:54 pm
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
12:32 pm
Co-sign.
BUT: we don’t have a coach, so…
Bostonfan
May 9th, 2012
12:59 pm
Wow. a couple of days ago you were all thinking off season and now with just a win (barely by the way) you think you actually might win the series???? common!!!!
Unless you haven’t noticed, This is the way the Celtics are. Up and Down but bottom line is they are a more talented, experienced and better coached team. you are not winning three games in a row.
Better luck next year Hawk fans…
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
1:03 pm
I’m pretty sure that Beasley is a UFA this summer, so any trade would have to be done as a S&T and Miny won’t likely go for that. Odom will be bought out so that Dallas will be able to sign Deron and an above average FA. Don’t expect them to use that cap space to absorb Marvin.
O'brien
May 9th, 2012
1:05 pm
From espn;
And it’s encouraging that the Hawks survived bad games from their two best players while sans Horford. Joe Johnson was 6-of-17 with four turnovers, including a brutal one on a mystifying play at the end of the third quarter that led to an easy Boston lay-up, capping a 10-0 run that rallied the Celtics within two to start the fourth.
Atlanta kept beating the iso-Joe horse in the fourth quarter to little effect and bizarrely played Willie Green instead of Kirk Hinrich in the second half; Green was -11 in seven minutes and only a defensive board saved him from Club Trillion..
Even John Hollinger can see what we all have been saying. But yet LD continues to do what he does SMH
vava74
May 9th, 2012
1:18 pm
OB,
LD continues to do what he does which is “NOTHING”, so it’s easy for him to continue at that.
In the rare occasion that he does “SOMETHING”, that “SOMETHING” cannot be called “COACHING” and is usually detrimental to the team’s success.
JuliusCesaer
May 9th, 2012
1:18 pm
WOW, WHAT A NIGHT LAST NIGHT AT THE HIGHLITE FACTORY. Marvin Williams shoots the ball like Pistol Pete Maravich; Al Horford blocks the paint like Wilt Chamberlain, and last but not least Josh Smith plays the game of his life and looks like Michael Jordan as the Hawks rock the Celtics and extend the series to six games. wow, what an effort!
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
1:21 pm
The iso plays are also designed to milk the clock. They are not entirely about scoring. It is hard to perfectly time getting a shot off if it requires passing and cutting and screens, etc. I dont think that LD is running them because they are super efficient and always result in points. I think he is doing it to ensure that the offense takes a good 20+ seconds off the clock before a shot goes up. IMO, the question isn’t should an iso play be run to protect a thin and late lead (I think the answer is clearly yes), but when do you start running them.
Ray
May 9th, 2012
1:27 pm
@ Astro Joe
If that’s the case you’re playing not to lose we want to play to win at least coming from you that’s what it sounds like.
I’d understand milking the clock if you’re up my 15 with like 5 mins left that’s another story, but the Iso Joe happens sometimes just whenever. Our future should be Teague, Horford(gain a lot of respect for him this playoffs), Josh, and Zaza.
Everyone else I won’t say expendable except Joe and Marvin they really are expendable. Those two leaving would hit us in the short term, but Josh or Al leaving effects us long term.
Ra'mon
May 9th, 2012
1:29 pm
Every one getting on Josh for a couple of plays is forgetting some vast details. First, the man is playing on one leg. Playing one of the best defensive teams on one leg. Not to mention, Josh didn’t get ANY plays off during the second half (Joe either). After Josh’s resurgence helped get the lead up to seven, Joe decided to play one on five for the next three-four times down the trip. I see Josh instructing players to get the ball to Joe in the post or on the wing, when Joe has it going. But I rarely see Joe instructing other players to clear out or get the ball to Josh (or Al) when he has it going. Instead he says ‘I’m still the Alpha dog, and I’m going to see if I can get my flow back.’
Now, I’m truly wondering if there is a way the Hawks could turn Joe into Nash and James Harden. A lineup of Nash-Harden-sf-Josh-Al would be very formidable for a few years.
By the way, have any of you guys noticed that when Kirk came here he was used to structured offenses (Kansas, Chicago, Flip Saunders). Now even he plays one on one basketball moreso than not, lol. The Woody/LD affect, lol.
If the I was Michael Gearon, I would do whatever I can, to at least, acquire Jerry Sloan and Steve Nash this off season, no matter the cost. LD is a decent head coach, as is Woody. But neither are a championship level head coach who could win a series in which they are the underdog. Jerry Sloan has done this, and could do it here. Look what Sloan did with Matt Harpring. And if you think about it, is Ivan Johnson’s skill set that much different than Milsap, who Sloan coached into making Boozer expendable?
northcyde
May 9th, 2012
1:35 pm
JessieHester
May 9th, 2012
12:04 pm
DID YOU SEE MARVIN (employee 24) LAST NIGHT! Marvin played his best game as a pro and hit 2 three-pointers in a row for the first time in his career!!! EMPLOYEE #24 WAS KICKING BUTT AND TAKING NAMES LAST NIGHT. Thanks for saving our season Marvin.
*********************
I know this is sarcasm ( I think ) . . . but Marvin has hit 4 threes in a row ( ironically vs Boston in the 2008 – 09 season ). And I think he’s made 5 – 6 threes in a game this year vs Detroit.
Cwebb
May 9th, 2012
1:37 pm
Michael Cunningham
Haven’t you noticed a lot of people are calling you out for your lack of professionnalism the last couple of days ? There even is a thread about you on Hawksquawks.com.
Are you even reading your own blog ? You don’t really seem passionate about your job. Can you answer that question: why are you trying to divide the fanbase ? Try to be a little more professionnal in your judgements.
KevinM
May 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
“Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
1:03 pm
I’m pretty sure that Beasley is a UFA this summer, so any trade would have to be done as a S&T and Miny won’t likely go for that. Odom will be bought out so that Dallas will be able to sign Deron and an above average FA. Don’t expect them to use that cap space to absorb Marvin.”
AJ, Cuban has been known to make some strange moves, like signing Haywood and Marion longterm, but letting Chandler go…scratching my head on those moves.
Honestly, I would be suprised to see anyone take on Marvin’s salary, but if Odom garners little interest based on his contract, could we get the local GM to make ‘A’ move in the offseason? So far, our offseasons are as eventful as the regular season, where Sund says he doesn’t like to make moves. He inherited the core, added Teague and just goes to a movie.
What was nice about last night’s win is that Pierce wasn’t able to get to the FT line for free points. He was not looking for contact last night and that in itself could sway this series in our favor.
Just saw DWade interview and he was asked if he knew about Mike Bibby….DWade said yes, and Mike made more shots (2) then he made all last season…ouch! Bibby gets the start for Woody tonight….ah, the good ole days from yesteryear.
Ra'mon
May 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
AJ, that strategy is playing not to lose. At the end of the day, when playing a team like Boston, points are a premium. So if you’re in a groove where you’re scoring, it is foolish to shift from that, to milking the clock, when Boston has shown you they can get 6-10 in less than a minute with no problem. That is when you have to know the make up of your team. True you want your defense to lead to offense. But on THIS team, scoring leads to more inspired defense. So if you start running iso with 4-5 minutes on the clock, you’re essentially restraining one of your hands behind your back and hoping you come survive, instead of win. Also wouldn’t it be better if you are going to start doing one on one, to go with the player(s) who has it going that quarter more so?
Fireld!
May 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
1:21 pm
The iso plays are also designed to milk the clock. They are not entirely about scoring. It is hard to perfectly time getting a shot off if it requires passing and cutting and screens, etc. I dont think that LD is running them because they are super efficient and always result in points. I think he is doing it to ensure that the offense takes a good 20+ seconds off the clock before a shot goes up. IMO, the question isn’t should an iso play be run to protect a thin and late lead (I think the answer is clearly yes), but when do you start running them.
__________________________________________________________
You do not run iso joe up four pts with over 2 minutes left(against the celts pierce,allan, rondo Kg?), mabye 26 seconds left. And if you do don’t dribble for 17 + seconds and then kick it to your center with 2 seconds left. Attack the rim and draw a foul. We don’t just run iso joe when we are up, but also when we are down.
corporate tv ball sux
May 9th, 2012
1:49 pm
al horford is a leader and a proven winner. just what the hawks need at this time. 9 to 5 off the bench. would still have kh starting and marvin off the bench.
gotta like this teams chances when we are healthy, play hard, and play like a team.
KevinM
May 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
Now, as of today, are we thinking that LD is definitely back next year?
He has ‘lifted’ this team to 2 straight #5 seeds for a team that should be a contender by now, but………
I can’t say I welcome the same team back next year, but we probably know what’s coming without even following the team this offseason.
TMACfan
May 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
can’t believe someone compared Al Horford and young TMAC….
There is NO comparison.
JessieHester
May 9th, 2012
1:51 pm
northcyde: I get your point about Marvin Williams. Maybe it wasnt his best game as a pro, but Marvins timely and rare shooting touch helped give the Hawks the momentum they needed to hold off the aging celtics. The Hawks should be running the ball against the celtics and if they do that when the game starts, the Hawks will have at least a 20-point lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. Go Hawks. All the way to the finals against the OKC Thunder.
Fireld!
May 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
And if you are wasting clock it is a way to do it and make the defense work(ball movement) instead of watching one guy pound the ball. Hey, you might even find someone cutting for an open basket and put you up six instead of a fadeaway over 2 people.
Ra'mon
May 9th, 2012
2:05 pm
Lol, T-Mac was the BEST scorer in the game before his back started acting up. At that time, Kobe couldn’t post up like T- Mac can.
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:08 pm
I don’t disagree that running it too early is a mistake. Like I said, there is a good time to run iso plays.
Kevin, the future is Teague and others? So are you saying that we should use this playoff to develop the next wave of closers and ignore guys who have been successful closing in the past?
And because it is hard to score against the Celtics, there is something to be said for protecting that lead and not assuming that they won;t adjust to the previous set of plays that were successful.
Bottom line, some of y’all make it sound like any guy with a keyboard could call the right play at the end of a tightly fought game against a team like the Celtics. IMO, it ain’t that easy.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:13 pm
From Buddy on Hoopinion:
“Whether my theory proves true or not, or whether the events are far-enough removed for Jeff to finally come clean, I believe it’s not too late for Marvin to reverse the Benjamin Button process. I believe he can resume his former 15 PPG glory. Imagine what would happen if Marvin showed the same professionalism this off-season as Josh Smith displayed when he showed up for camp last year. Imagine if Marvin Williams came back next season in the best shape of his life.”
Kind of hard to come into training camp in shape when you spend your summer sitting in classrooms.
It might also help if he watched basketball, which he admits he doesn’t like to do.
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
Sorry, tat “Kevin” should have been “Ray”… about using this playoff for developmental purposes.
Please read my original post regarding iso plays… I stated from jump street that the issue is WHEN you run them… and I agree that 4-5 minutes left in a agame is way too early.
I suspect that when you guys watch teams in similar situations tonight or Thursday, LD won’t be the lone head coach that asks a player to “hold the ball”. Many a “dagger” shot comes off of a iso situation.
mountain_jim
May 9th, 2012
2:15 pm
Another post to echo what Hollinger and we see but LD does not:
“Atlanta kept beating the iso-Joe horse in the fourth quarter to little effect and bizarrely played Willie Green instead of Kirk Hinrich in the second half; Green was -11 in seven minutes and only a defensive board saved him from Club Trillion.”
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:22 pm
FTPB
“Al with some swagger at 0:00 last night with a ‘MF’ acknowledgement…was that directed at motor mouth KG?”
If you watch the final scene of the game as the game clock expired, look closely at the reactions of Al, Josh, and Joe. There’s a really good angle at about 0:28 in this video.
Al: “F-CK YEAH WE’RE GOING BACK TO BOSTON MOTHERF-CKERS!!!!” (note: might not actually be what he said)
Josh: “PHEW I just played 46 minutes and nearly threw the game away just now but I’m so relieved that we won I just want to fall asleep on this scorer’s table”
Joe: “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:23 pm
And Ray, you do realize that LD’s contract isn’t guaranteed next year, right? I seriously doubt that he wants to go home in June and tell his wife, “dear, I don’t have a job anymore because instead of using one of my experienced captains to close out that close game against the Celtics, I decided to give one of our younger players the chance to experience the pressure of making a big shot in the postseason. But the owners do appreciate that I helped develop that player for their next head coach… but we do need to cancel our French Riviera vacation”.
northcyde
May 9th, 2012
2:26 pm
LOL @ people calling out MC for taking shots at JJ. He’s actually been doing it for a while now, but just not this obvious. I think he and most of the media ( including most of us fans ) believed that the Hawks would lose last night, so that “JJ Quotes” blog by him was the gasoline that would supposedly burn the Hawks house down completely, with JJ still in it.
And instead of citing that JJ’s 9 points in the 2nd quarter was key in the Hawks coming back iin that game in the 1st half ( along with Marvin’s 3s and good team defense ), he has to stay consistent with the anti-JJ theme, and cite how he only scored 4 points on 6 shots in the 2nd half.
My thing is, just be objective. JJ didn’t have an overall good game, but his 2nd quarter was one of the keys in us getting back in the game. If he can cite the overall effect of someone like Josh, who had some definite bad moments sprinkled in with some good, he can do the same for JJ.
Having said that . . while MC’s sarcasm was a little unprofessional by some standards, he’s right in that JJ was very indecisive last night. I know I was screaming the entire game for JJ to just rise up and shoot the dang ball. There were plenty of times in that game in which he had Pietrus or Pierce sized up, but went into And-1 Mixtape mode, and tried to dribble around them.
If he would simply do what Melo does, which is catch the ball at a standstill, face up his man, and shoot a standstill jumper from about 18 – 22 feet, he would probably be more efficient of a player. That’s why part of the reason with JJ not getting enough shots up is on him. Just catch the ball, and shoot the dang thing before the double team comes. If he misses, maybe the Hawks get an offensive rebound.
One thing Drew needs to be telling JJ and the rest of the team is, if JJ gets doubleed, someone GO TO THE BALL, Or at the very least, the player who had his guy leave him to double JJ, should be cut toward the basket. He’s left out there to die when the double comes.
@ O’Brien . . . if JJ does break loose for a big game, it’l probably be because he’s red hot from 3 point range. Like a 6 – 8 3FG type game from 3. Usually when a road team wins a game in the playoffs, it’s because someone on the squad has a huge game. JJ did it twice last year ( once vs Orlando and Chicago ). He partially did it in Game 3 this series, albeit on a lot of shots. If he has one more in him, it’ll probably be similar to Game 1 in Chicago last year.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:33 pm
“the question isn’t should an iso play be run to protect a thin and late lead (I think the answer is clearly yes), but when do you start running them.”
It’s also who should be running them. There is only one guy on this team who is quick enough to put pressure on the defense out of an isolation situation and conceivably get a good shot for a teammate. That guy is Jeff Teague. If the Hawks are going to run isos, Teague should be the guy with the ball in his hands.
For the record I don’t think milking the clock is that important, or that iso is so crucial to milking the clock. The Hawks play at such a slow pace in the half court anyway, that if they just ran their usual post up plays, they would end up getting a shot with 5 seconds or less on the clock that would almost certainly be a better shot than they get out of iso-Joe.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:35 pm
Iso-Joe is the equivalent of Michael Turner running the ball right into the middle of the line for no gain over and over again. Yeah, it keeps the clock moving, but if you’re not putting up points (or picking up first downs) the other team is still going to get the ball back with a chance to cut into the lead.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:37 pm
“Now, I’m truly wondering if there is a way the Hawks could turn Joe into Nash and James Harden. A lineup of Nash-Harden-sf-Josh-Al would be very formidable for a few years.”
Harden reminds me a lot of a younger Joe. I agree, if the Hawks could replace Joe with Harden, they would be in great shape for a long time. Unfortunately this isn’t NBA 2k though. I don’t see the Thunder letting him go that easily.
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
2:38 pm
From Buddy on Hoopinion:
“Whether my theory proves true or not, or whether the events are far-enough removed for Jeff to finally come clean, I believe it’s not too late for Marvin to reverse the Benjamin Button process. I believe he can resume his former 15 PPG glory. Imagine what would happen if Marvin showed the same professionalism this off-season as Josh Smith displayed when he showed up for camp last year. Imagine if Marvin Williams came back next season in the best shape of his life.”
Marvin being in shape has nothing to do with his game being what it is either. Marvin being scared, goofy and weak (needs to stay in the weight room) is what prevents him from being better. Marvin has never been out of shape, he has always been in basketball shape, but he does not have that inner dog in him.
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:40 pm
northcyde, I;m not disagreeing with you at all. But Joe is also often trying to draw the double team in hopes of getting the ball to the open man. So I think that is part of his indecisiveness. One of the last possessions, he drew in the extra defender and passed to an open Horford for a mid-range jumper. It missed, but he milked the shot clock dry and got a teammate a makeable shot. I don’t think Joe is interested in scoring like a Melo… and Melo isn’t interested in setting up his teammates like Joe. Clearly, there is a happy place in the middle. When Joe talks about more FGAs, he isn’t asking for 20, he’s saying that 8 isn’t enough.
Given the way MC has split time with Vivlamore this season, maybe MC is trying to burn a bridge behind him before he moves to some new gig at another spot.
northcyde
May 9th, 2012
2:42 pm
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
Sorry, tat “Kevin” should have been “Ray”… about using this playoff for developmental purposes.
Please read my original post regarding iso plays… I stated from jump street that the issue is WHEN you run them… and I agree that 4-5 minutes left in a agame is way too early.
I suspect that when you guys watch teams in similar situations tonight or Thursday, LD won’t be the lone head coach that asks a player to “hold the ball”. Many a “dagger” shot comes off of a iso situation.
***************
This is correct. Everybody runs ISO at the end of games, especially if they have the lead. It’ the NBA equivalent to just running the ball when a game is under 4 minutes left, to run as much clock out as you can.
I agree that you DON’T run ISO if you’re only up a small margin, or if it’s still 4 minutes in a game.
And I think it is about time that Teague have the ball at the end of games. If we’re still going to run offense through JJ, let Teague hold the ball for 10 seconds, then run a play for JJ with about 10 seconds to go in the clock. This will force JJ to make a quicker decision on what to do as far as shot wise, and it may prevent the defense from doubling him so easy.
If the play breaks down, and Teague can’t get the ball to JJ, then it’s up to Teague to use his speed to get into the paint.
There are ways to run clock, and still get a decent shot off. What we can’t have, is JJ holding the ball and turning it over after having it for 20 seconds. Just get him the ball with 10 seconds on the clock, and see if that gets him a chance at a better shot.
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
2:43 pm
“Iso-Joe is the equivalent of Michael Turner running the ball right into the middle of the line for no gain over and over again. Yeah, it keeps the clock moving, but if you’re not putting up points (or picking up first downs) the other team is still going to get the ball back with a chance to cut into the lead.”
Agreed, or UGA running that same stupid delayed draw play that never works.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:45 pm
I am pretty confident that Teague, Joe, Josh, and Al will play reasonably well in Game 6. Maybe they won’t all play their best, but they won’t embarrass themselves either. Even if that happens, though, the Hawks are not going to win unless some role player steps up and has a big game. In Game 5, that was Marvin. In Game 6, if it’s not him (and knowing his history it almost certainly won’t be), then it has to be Kirk or T-Mac or Ivan or maybe even Pargo.
That’s a big difference between a well-coached team like Boston, where every role player knows exactly where they need to be on the floor, and the Hawks. Players like Brandon Bass know exactly where they need to be to make the biggest possible impact. Players like Marvin — and I’m not making excuses for the litany of disappointing things he does, but this does factor into it — kind of aimlessly drift around on the floor sometimes without consistently being in a position to maximize their impact on the game.
Role players generally play worse on the road. Good coaching can mitigate that. The Hawks don’t have good coaching. The Celtics do.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2012
2:48 pm
“Everybody runs ISO at the end of games, especially if they have the lead.”
Boston doesn’t. San Antonio doesn’t.
“And I think it is about time that Teague have the ball at the end of games. If we’re still going to run offense through JJ, let Teague hold the ball for 10 seconds, then run a play for JJ with about 10 seconds to go in the clock. This will force JJ to make a quicker decision on what to do as far as shot wise, and it may prevent the defense from doubling him so easy.
If the play breaks down, and Teague can’t get the ball to JJ, then it’s up to Teague to use his speed to get into the paint.”
YES. EXACTLY.
I have no problem with Joe taking shots at the end of the game. I really don’t have a problem with Joe leading the team in shots. Just make sure he gets his shots within the flow of the offense in positions where he can catch and shoot instead of having to create his own shot. Run plays for him and let someone else set him up.
To those of y’all complaining about MC, he’s really complaining more about the usage of Joe, which is partly on him and partly on coaching.
Astro Joe
May 9th, 2012
2:55 pm
Najeh, if memory serves me correctly, Bass shot a long 20 footer late in last night’s game… it was an awful shot that I’m sure Boston fans were yelling about. It was one of those “just because you can make it doesn’t mean that you should shoot it” kind of shots.
northcyde, it depends on the match-up. Against Boston, it would be hard for Joe to shake Pietrus and Boston’s interior defense is very stout and may leave Teague with very few options. But with Horford back (and hopefully making his shot), having Teague try to penetrate will hopefully leave 1 of 3 very good perimeter shooters open for a jumper. Of course, in a perfect world, Boston would rotate Josh’s defender and leave him open for the 20 footer.
Again, I’m not sure that a head coach with another month of guaranteed money is going to do too much experimenting at this stage of the playoffs.
Buddy Grizzard
May 9th, 2012
2:59 pm
Rod from CP sure he’s in basketball shape, but more strength and less weight would help his balance and he wouldn’t get knocked around so much.
northcyde
May 9th, 2012
3:00 pm
Astro . . yeah I know that’s exactly what JJ is doing . . trying to draw the double team to him. But sometimes, you just have to catch and shoot the ball and look for your own offense.
That was what I was alluding to in the blogs leading up to last night. JJ is sometimes TOO unselfish of a player ( despite people thinking he is selfish ). The top scorers in this league will dang near shoot the ball from anywhere on the court at anytime. JJ doesn’t have that mentality, which is why he hasn’t put up many 30 point games in the playoffs.
His 6 – 17 FG game should’ve easily been a 9 – 22 FG game, if he just shot the dang ball.
PaulWinchester
May 9th, 2012
3:00 pm
No one wants to give JJ his due. There are 3 reasons why the Hawks will win this years NBA finals against the OKC Thunder. #1:Joe Johnson is the second best clutch player in the league behind Kobe Bryant. #2: Will Al Horford returning to his all-star form last night, the hawks now have the muscle inside to keep opposing players from roaming in the paint, and toward the baselines [Rondo found that out the hard way last night when he ran into a brick wall (horford) at the baseline; and #3: the hawks have just barely enough talent to win the title this year, with JJ, josh, Al, T-Mac, Stackhouse, Teague, Hinrich and the gang—I dont see anyone beating the Hawks, not even the Oklahoma City Thunder. Go all the way–beat the Thunder in 7 in the finals! WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER #1 TO GO UP TO THE RAFTERS AT PHILLIPS.
Rod from College Park
May 9th, 2012
3:02 pm
vava,
We have agreed today, but the facts still remain that the offense is what is doing us in. In this series, the first team to 85 wins, except for game 1. Boston actually looks like they are almost running some sort of box in 1 on Joe, and then sending a double team at him also. Someone on the Hawks has to be able to take advantage of that. Last night in the second half, it was Marvin, and Horford. Marvin simply knocking down those wide open 3’s was the difference. People should not get overly excited and think that Horford is a new guy now, it’s simply about the matchups. Whichever guy between Josh and Horford that KG is not guarding ,that guy has a mismatch offensively. Brandon Bass can’t check Horford, or Josh.
Rebounding has been great by the Hawks, but there is a reason for that. Yesterday it was pointed out that Josh is the leading rebounder in the playoffs. We all know that is strange, but it’s because Boston does not go after offensive rebounds. They think it’s more impertant to get back to prevent the fast break. Those rebounding numbers are inflated for our team. The rebounds that matter for us are offensive rebounds, which Horford helped with laat night.
The offensive is what is killing us, and it is not because of Boston’s great defense. It’s because we are turning the ball over at a very high rate, because of stupid passes, and PF’s trying to be Magic Johnson, and stupid predictable offensive sets like ISO JOE, when we were rolling with Teague and Horford running that high pick and roll.. Reggie Miller pointed that out many times yesterday. Having one of those other guys except Josh or Joe, step up offensively is what won the game for us.