Atlanta Hawks at Celtics: Game 6 thread
Boston–The Celtics said Paul Pierce has a sprained left MCL. Doc Rivers: “It’s not the best situation but he’s going to play. We have to find out what he can do on the floor. We have to find the most effective way he can score. He said he has more life energy-wise [than Game 5], but the knee is the same.”
- Same starting lineup for Hawks. Larry Drew on the lineup in Game 5: “It did pretty much what I expected. We’ve been waiting on Marvin [Williams] to make some shots. He’s had some good looks.”
- Drew on Hawks’ health: “They are holding their own. We have got some guys that are a little banged up. But looking around the league, other teams do as well. It’s playoff time. The play has been very physical. We have just got to push through it.”
- Drew on Josh Smith: “I think he’s getting better. He’s been battling a sore knee pretty much the whole season. He’s been quiet about it. He knows we need him and he has to play hurt, so that’s what he’s doing. I give him a lot of credit for that. I do think he’s showing signs of the knee improving.”
- Josh said he would spend extra time pregame getting warm: “I feel a little better. It takes a little bit of time for the knee to get warmed up.”
- Zaza Pachulia got up some shots at shootaround for the first time since he injured his foot. “It went well,” he said. “Honestly I wasn’t expecting to participate in the shootaround. Mindset leaving hotel was kind of watch it. Went up to doctor, he ran a couple tests and said, ‘Why don’t you try to shoot?’ Body was feeling great. I was able to finish.”
- Zaza said a return in the second round if the Hawks advance is “more realistic” than playing in Game 7 Saturday if they win tonight.
- Drew on minutes for Al Horford and the other starters: “These guys have been piling up a lot of minutes. It’s just a situation where we are trying to win a game. If the game is getting away from us, I have got to get my starters back in there. This is do or die for us.”
- Al said he feels like his defensive timing is off in help situations but “on the ball I feel strong.”
- More Al: “For sure I have fresher legs but I don’t know if that’s totally an advantage. These guys have been in a rhythm. I’m just trying to make it work for me.”
- Josh on Al: “He has fresher legs than everyone in the series. Why not play him?”
- Drew on Kirk Hinrich’s limited playing time after halftime in Game 5: “I anticipated playing Kirk more in the second half. But Jeff [Teague] has the speed and we needed that. As long as [Rajon] Rondo is in the game, Jeff will be in there defending him.”
- More Doc Rivers on Pierce’s knee: “He’s not going to get to the line as much. That’s just the way it is. We have to create other ways. We can get Kevin to the post more but they are doubling him so it makes it hard for him to get to the line, too. We have to create other ways.”
- Don in Mickael Pietrus’ shooting struggles: “When your shot doesn’t go in and you are not a great player, then it can cause your confidence to drop.” Doc said Marquis Daniels could take some of Pietrus’ minutes: “He can guard Joe [Johnson] almost as well. But the thing with ‘MP’ is they still guard him at the 3-point line. With Marquis, they would not. It would be another guy they could leave.”
- Drew on the keys to getting off to a better start here than in Game 4: “Shot selection and not turn the ball over. We were in a hurry last game. We made a lot of early, ill-advised passes. We didn’t explore our options. We were looking to one side, and Boston is too good for that.”
- Josh on the Celtics: “I see them trying to come out early and establish themselves and get the crowd into it and try to make it into a physical game.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,540 comments Add your comment
BIG DOG
May 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
Najeh – Co sign Teague, Joe, Josh is a keeper.
ISO JOE DAYS ARE NUMBER.
I believe the same that Josh want Joe to be traded or he is out.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
reality,
Yeah reality is you are a joke like the NBA. The Celtics needed referee help to beat a bipolar team. Good luck getting out of the next round. NBA IS A JOKE!
MistaGamer
May 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
This team albatross-ed the day they gave Joe way more money than everyone in locker room knew he was worth.
That was the day that the team sealed it’s own fate.
And for your generosity you barely got 17 pts on 37% shooting with no meaningful contribution in any other aspect of the game to go along with a guy that has no sense of ownership, leadership, or responsibility to give you more than you’ve gotten.
prison mike
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
I know for a fact there was not 7 seconds left on the shot clock. KG scored with 30 secs left and Josh shot it with 9 secs left in the game so simply math says 3 seconds.
Joe left us in a tough spot in that situation and Josh was going to shoot it regardless in every scenario.
DawgDad
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
The owners brought Joe in to the delight of their lawyers. Then they re-signed him to a max contract. You seriously want them swinging at the third strike?
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
Old Garnett is better than any of the Hawks…. there you go Darkness….live vicariously through another team because yours will never deliver
Robdawg
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
First thing is you fire the coach. The two biggest possessions of the year and we settle for jumpshots. Then you trade the Two idiots that settled for jumpshots. You trade them to the two worst teams in the league. How about Charlotte New Jersey or Washington. These two losers are going to be taking fadeaway jump shots five years from now. You think anything different you’re only fooling yourself. Get what you can in a trade and cut your losses. Keep Al & Teague and get some players with some brains. These two morons will never learn. They’re both lazy and unmotivated. Too lazy to drive to the hoop and draw a foul with the season on the line. If we do anything else we will have the same crap next year and does anybody want to have that. And get rid of the tattoo machine at the scorers table. Is Kobe said about the Lakers earlier today, this team has no sense of urgency.
Loserville USA
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
We have a front office that assesses Joe Johnson as a max contract player and we’re surprised this happened?
Angry fan
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
Marvin, Josh and Joe gotta go
BIG DOG
May 10th, 2012
11:29 pm
My bad i mean Teague, Josh, Horford is a keeper.
ISO JOE TRADED.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
Trading Joe will be tough, but I don’t think it is impossible. I think a team in win-now mode that needs a SG, or a team that needs a scorer in crunch time, will seriously consider it. I would try the Clippers, maybe the Rockets and Nuggets too, possibly the Timberwolves.
Eric C.
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
Sure enough, an article comes out about how Garnett is the “dirtiest player” and what happens, he is the game MVP. Dang, it never fails…good reporting. Ha, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
cp
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
No way Sloan comes here with these owners but he would be a good choice because he wouldnt let these guys get away with half the crap they do on a nightly basis.
Harry Hawk
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
I think Josh is gone. He’s the best player we have on this team (which either isn’t saying much or is saying all you need to know), but he’s a goner. Joe’s contract is too big. The Hawks cannot move him.
Anyone who whines about the C’s getting calls needs to realize something. The Hawks have never done a damn thing worth anything to get calls from refs. If they had, they’d get calls and we’d just sheepishly grin and smugly laugh about it.
Our ownership is pathetic. Gearon’s moronic *** goes out there and whines about KG. KG’s wannabe bully *** goes out and drops an old-school KG game on us. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence, but it just goes to show how bush league this operation is. We’re one-and-done this season. That’s a step back, right? We probably have one more year to get something right or the house will be cleaned. Hell, for all we know, these owners may sell this team to a Seattle ownership group. Wouldn’t that be something?
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
Cut downs are shallow when made from a team not in the playoffs anymore to a team that is….. BAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
hawks r boring
May 10th, 2012
11:30 pm
who wouldnt be surprised if celtics win championship…remember, championship runs go through ATL in all sports…NFL: Giants ‘12, Packers ‘11 MLB: Giants ‘11, Cards ‘12 …anyone? anyone?
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
11:31 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
“Gotta try to take Bass to the hole though and get to the line”
Joe drove to the rim and got mugged by Pierce two plays before that and there was no call. Josh is not going to get a call in that situation. No way.
LinkReport this comment
***
that was exact same play as Joe vs Battier in January vs Miami. We all knew what would happen.
Wtf was that JT0 play where he just dribbled for 23 seconds and didn’t pass?
HORFORD is far too athletic amd was ignored. Dude was driving by everyone…
yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:31 pm
I’m done with the NBA. They can have it. It’s like WWF Wrestling and I don’t like wrestling. They pay referees to dictate games and make sure certain teams win. I’m done with the NBA. Won’t get my money unless someone gives me a ticket. The giving superstar calls just because he’s a superstar. I’m done. Call the play how the play is to be called no matter who the player is. NBA IS A JOKE! I’D RATHER GO SEE ANNIE ON BROADWAY!
MistaGamer
May 10th, 2012
11:32 pm
This team was albatross-ed the day they gave Joe way more money than everyone in locker room knew he was worth.
That was the day that the team sealed it’s own fate.
And for your generosity you barely got 17 pts on 37% shooting with no meaningful contribution in any other aspect of the game to go along with a guy that has no sense of ownership, leadership, or responsibility to give you more than you’ve gotten.
Bstr
May 10th, 2012
11:32 pm
Najee- do you think joe is a scorer in crunch time?
cp
May 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
I think the Hawks could find a taker for Joe but they would probably have to take on a bad contract. I know the T Wolves were talking about adding a veteran and how they didnt want any more young guys. I dont know what their cap situation is like though. The thing is that it would take a creative GM to pull off such a move and right now the Hawks dont have that GM. Look how much he gave up for Hinrich.
BIG DOG
May 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
RobDawg – LD, Woody, Billy Knight family tree is over.
Time to sign Bill Lambeer or Sam Mitchell.
BIG DOGS IN THE HOUSE LOL!!!!!!!!!!
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
Plan for Hawks to win a Championship……………………… oh no, we’ve tried everything there is and nothing works. How about a uniform change and a new nickname for the arena.
Yeah, that’s the ticket
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
MC is about to go Marvin on us and disappear for 4 months. Dude doesn’t even care about his die-hard bloggers who spend hours on here discussing the team they love dearly.
Nice…
Mojo
May 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
Hawks are the worst. Poorly coached and uncoachable. Impossible situation. Point guard held ball for entire clock and then throws up a prayer. No one else touched it. Season on the line and we do not have a play that gets usvdecent shot and chance to rebound a miss. Cannot watch them. Idiots all the way through the org. From owners down. Please sell and let’s start over. Wow we have a club in our stadium but cannot get organized and run a play in final seconds. Weak and disorganized in clutch. Lame a– bulls—.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
I’d revisit the Dwight trade. Joe and Al or Josh for DH and a bad contract. They had Shard and Arenas. They will do it again
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
“do you think joe is a scorer in crunch time?”
I think he is good at making shots in crunch time. I don’t think he can create those shots for himself. On a team with other scoring options that actually runs plays, where he can run off screens all the time or camp out in the corner and wait for the PG to set him up, he can be an asset. His salary is way too high for that kind of role, but a team like the Clippers may be willing to overpay him to play that role if they think he’s the guy who will push them over the top.
And for the record, I do think Joe on the Clippers with that current team, combined with a coaching upgrade, would make them the favorites in the West.
yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:35 pm
Harry Hawk
Anyone who whines about the C’s getting calls needs to realize something. The Hawks have never done a damn thing worth anything to get calls from refs. If they had, they’d get calls and we’d just sheepishly grin and smugly laugh about it.
See that’s why I’m done with the NBA. Why do you have to do something to earn calls? It depends on the play, not who is in the play, right? I mean what is this, sympathy basketball? Oh, you are KG and you have been in the league 50 years so we will give you the call. THAT’S NOT BASKETBALL, CALL THE FCKN PLAY AS IT IS!! NBA IS A FCKN JOKE!!
BeCarefulWhatYouAskFor
May 10th, 2012
11:36 pm
There is no EASY fix. It’s not gonna happen. The owners are just a name. Nobody will pay 235 mil for a team with 200 mil debt. Mr Murrello or whatever sure couldnt. Magic was the only person able to that,but he went with the Dodgers. The ASG will not can not dismantle this Team for the future. There is NO future for them. They signed Joe to that deal knowing good and damn well they would never pay it out till the end. They did it to keep a decent team in place to find a sucker I mean a buyer for the Hawks.
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:36 pm
Celtics have what Hawks don’t and Hawks or their fans cannot even figure out what it is.
Bstr
May 10th, 2012
11:36 pm
Joe does not run plays
Ra'mon
May 10th, 2012
11:36 pm
Truth be told, I would never do a Josh for Melo deal. However, I would do a Joe and Teague for Melo and a draft pick in a heart beat. And I actually have a feeling that the Knicks would do that deal as well. They would truly have a very good defensive team with Teague-Shumpert-Joe and Chandler. If the Hawks could add Melo, and make a run at Nash, they’re looking at a very improved team.
yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
reality,
take your shoes and socks off and KICK ROCKS CLOWN!!
Eric C.
May 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
Anyway, it’s impressive the Hawks got this far with all of the injuries…but still no ECF. Remember that 93-94 team…I really thought that was the team that would break on through, darn those Pacers! No MJ that year…still bitter over that season.
prison mike
May 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
General NBA boards are saying we got jobbed from 2 free throws and the ball on the Marquis Daniels on Al foul clearly before the ball was inbound.
Bstr
May 10th, 2012
11:37 pm
He stands , dribbles, and shoots. He only moves when he has the ball
prison mike
May 10th, 2012
11:38 pm
Can’t believe the NBA is doing that with the availability of DVR to fans.
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
What’cha need a sock for …. to dry your “referees cheated us” tears
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 10th, 2012
11:39 pm
Hawks Scoring in Round 1
______________________
83 W
80 L
84 L
79 L
87 W
80 L
_____
82.16 AVG PTS (493 total pts)
Hawks need some scorers next season
_________________________________________
Boston Scoring in Round 1
______________________
74 L
87 W
90 W
101 W
86 L
83 L
_____
86.83 AVG PTS (521 total pts)
that’s the bottom line right there.
Eb
May 10th, 2012
11:40 pm
Hawks showed some resolve these last two games but they’ve gone as far as they can with the current crew. Celtics had an off night and Hawks couldn’t take advantage. Until they get a strong paint presence- Zaza isn’t it-and more consistent outside shooting- Josh is atrocious- you’ll see more of the same. Since we’re stuck with Joe, the goal should be to acquire a strong center to free up Joe to hang outside for kickout jumpers. This or having a quick pass happy PG is the only system Joe can thrive in. At a minimum, Marvin and Josh need to go. Marvin flat stinks and Josh needs a change of scenery. Fill in the pieces from there via free agency and the draft.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 10th, 2012
11:40 pm
Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixSI
Kevin Garnett: “Thank you to their owner, for giving me the extra gas. Next time he opens his mouth, know what [you're] is talking about.”
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Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixSI
Garnett: “Just because you got a bunch of money don’t mean you can open your mouth.”
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yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:40 pm
prison mike,
We also got jobbed on 2 free throws on the foul while we were in bounding the ball. That’s automatic 2 and the ball.
Bstr
May 10th, 2012
11:41 pm
Well put eb
reality
May 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
Ouch! I just kicked a rock….. oh no, that was thug Dampier laying in the lane.
gocelts734
May 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
reality,
its pretty simple what the Cs have that the Hawks dont. 60 minutes of effort, a solid defensive scheme and a killer instinct.
and to the fans crying and moaning about the refs, just stop it. You are making yourselves sound like a bunch of whiny preschoolers, you are better than that
MistaGamer
May 10th, 2012
11:42 pm
drmary,
you’re paying a guy $120M that is barely giving you 17pts a game. It’ sad that we are looking for scorers lol.
BIG DOG
May 10th, 2012
11:43 pm
Hawks are not trading Joe and Horford for DWIGHT and then he walk, Dum move by Hawks.
Hawks trade JOE, ZAZA, MARVIN, for DWIGHT and TURK is okay if DWIGHT leave, you still would have Josh, Horford, Teague, plus 19mill cap space.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
yoursporthousedotcom aka Sam from the Swats
May 10th, 2012
11:43 pm
I’m done..you all can have it. Not supporting the NBA anymore.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 10th, 2012
11:43 pm
Ouch Najeh
GOOD JOB GEARON
UGA
May 10th, 2012
11:43 pm
Daniels fouled Al before the pass on the inbound, should have been 2 shots then our ball