We’re LIVE from Hawks-Bucks (and is this the end?)
Any thoughts on what the scoreboard will look like when it's over?
MILWAUKEE — There are people with painted faces and antlers on their heads outside the Bradley Center. Inside, all of the seats are draped with souvenir red “Fear The Dear” towels. Just a hunch: It’s a going to be loud tonight.
“That would be something to break 20,000 hearts, wouldn’t it?” Jamal Crawford said, smiling.
That would be a change of pace for the Hawks: breaking the hearts of a road crowd.
Facing elimination and with the backdrop of a 1-10 road playoff record in the last three years, the Hawks play game six against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight. Oddsmakers actually have the Hawks as two-point favorites. But after following a 2-0 series lead with three straight losses — including a meltdown in the final four minutes of game five at Philips Arena Wednesday — they don’t quite project as a safe investment.
“We know what we have to do, so we just need to relax and do it,” said Crawford, who has shot a miserable 6-for-21 in the last two games. “We’ve been pressing a little bit. Just relax and have fun. They’re playing loose. Why can’t we? Now nobody expects us to do it. So maybe the pressure changes a little bit.”
If nothing else, it’s a nice rationalization to get yourself up for a game. Here’s what I see happening tonight: The Hawks will come out strong and try to pound the ball inside. At the outset, they’ll play like they know it’s win-or-go-home. But if the Bucks can get out to a comfortable lead, it’ll be over. It’s difficult for a team that’s down 3-2 in a series and coming off such a difficult loss to bounce back. Resolve is key tonight. But we’ll see how it plays out.
It would help if the Hawks change their defensive strategy because all of the switching doesn’t seem to be working. Exhibit A: Brandon Jennings shot 37.1 percent from the field and averaged 15.5 points during the season. In the playoffs, he is shooting 44.8 percent (39 of 87) and averaging 20.8. Any chance we see a zone tonight?
How do you see things going tonight?
♦
Earlier posts
♦ Hawks down 3-2 but Skiles hardly looks satisfied
♦ Poll time: Where would Hawks’ collapse rank in history?
♦ Gearon is mum on Woodson but expects Hawks ‘to go far’
♦ Frank Wren’s problem: He hasn’t earned benefit of the doubt
♦
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436 comments Add your comment
JJ
April 30th, 2010
8:17 pm
Joe’s good as gone. Use the ATL to get a big payday then walk to the next payday in NY. Just wish he would have played out the year first. He’s mailed it in since Feb.
Peter
April 30th, 2010
8:18 pm
Folks don’t sweat it…..if and maybe when the hawks loose…….both JJ and Woody are History……
Neither has a contract, and neither will.
MenVsBoys
April 30th, 2010
8:18 pm
Feels like we’re watching an Olympic qualifying game between Thailand and the Phillipines. Do they even know how to play Basketball there? Do the Hawks?
Peter
April 30th, 2010
8:19 pm
We need the white center from NY Knicks……. did he sign long term with them, or is he a free agent ?
He would be great with Al, and Josh…….he is a load !
Drewcat
April 30th, 2010
8:19 pm
I can only imagine what ineffective words Woody is giving his team at the half. Instead of strategizing, he’s probably pointing out everything the team did wrong, like that’s not common sense stuff! I really don’t know if i can watch 2nd half
MrHughes
April 30th, 2010
8:19 pm
JM,
It just seems that Joe is getting frustrated because he wants this game bad, and he feels like he is the only one who wants it( besides Horford) at least to me.
The team is taking it the wrong way because Joe has never been vocal and now he’s trying to be.
At least it’s what I think?
PlusSizeModel
April 30th, 2010
8:20 pm
“Josh smith is getting so frustrated to the point where he isn’t making good gameplays. He should’ve passed the ball to Joe on the left at the end so he could get a jumpshot. Know your game Josh Smith.”
Are you being sarcastic? In case you haven’t noticed, Josh Smith is an idiot.
Oedipuss
April 30th, 2010
8:20 pm
I call on the spirits of John Drew and Charlie Criss to blow wind beneath the wings of these intrepid Hawks
JohhnyWalking
April 30th, 2010
8:22 pm
Stackhouse sounded like dookie. What the HELL has happened to the Hawks???? 31 points???? Jamal got benched. Zsa Zsa and Joe screaming at each other. These guys act like they just met. This is no way to conduct buisness. Its like some jr high school bullshiet. But I guess its whats wanted by the owners and the manager.
william cranman
April 30th, 2010
8:22 pm
We look like we’re scared. No fire. No passion. Very unorganized on offense. We look like we belong on a playground.
soldierman
April 30th, 2010
8:23 pm
What’s the foul situation looking like. I know horford has 2. Anyone else in foul trouble on our side. I think zaza may have two as well
Drewcat
April 30th, 2010
8:23 pm
Mike Wilbon said earlier on PTI that this Hawks team makes him sick. He expected big things from them, just as ATL fans have, but we are actually FINDING ways to lose this game. WOW WE SUCK! Let’s just mail it in and go home, it’s obvious we’ve been outcoached
Oedipuss
April 30th, 2010
8:24 pm
Pardon my Dan Roundfield, I meant insipid Hawks….
Jeff D.
April 30th, 2010
8:25 pm
The defense would rip their pants off and moon each other if Joe set up someone else for the final shot.
MenVsBoys
April 30th, 2010
8:25 pm
I can’t get over the glassey eyed look in the eyes of our players. These guys are just not aware of what’s going on around them. Seen it before many, many times. I can’t believe that they’re that nervous or that apthetic. I don’t want to get flamed for this, but man, these guys looked stoned!
Oedipuss
April 30th, 2010
8:26 pm
Wilbon is so lame he makes Kornheiser look like a black guy…..
Barkin'Dog
April 30th, 2010
8:26 pm
I saw the score on the blog (34-31) at the half and was 3.5 minutes behind on TiVo. The Hawks score 4 free throw points in the last 3.5 minutes and the Bucks got nothing. What a wild(ly sloppy) game. Hope the Hawks can take advantage of the Bucks poor shooting percentage in the 2nd. Go Birds!! I’m still pulling for your to pull it off.
driver8
April 30th, 2010
8:26 pm
Maybe a bump or two from John Drew’s magic powder might get these guys geeked up more.
Oedipuss
April 30th, 2010
8:28 pm
“glassey eyed look”, beers not the only reason Milwaukee is famous they got some sweet,stinky green….
DawgBoi
April 30th, 2010
8:29 pm
MrHughes – If Joe wanted this game so much, then why does he iso and control the ball with no movement and no rotation. Lebron is the only gu in the NBA that could be consistant going 1 on 4 and he is smart enough to know that playing that way in playing losing basketball.
MenVsBoys
April 30th, 2010
8:29 pm
driver8. Anything that works, I’m game! Cattle prods! Anything to wake ‘em up!
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:31 pm
Everyone’s always asking for Joe to be more vocal. Be careful what you wish for…
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
if they share the ball, i know we can win
MenVsBoys
April 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
Milwaukee looks like they’re playing their worse game of the season, but they’re still going to beat the Hawks. What an embrassment!
truthspitter
April 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
I’m not watching this game, but can someone tell me rather or not they are switching everything as usual on defense?
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:32 pm
Thank you, Mike Bibby
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:33 pm
Bibby and Jamal need to be in there together
DawgBoi
April 30th, 2010
8:35 pm
truthspitter – in the 3rd qtr Bucks have 39 points and Jennings has zero. whats your guess?
DawgBoi
April 30th, 2010
8:36 pm
only took them 6 games in a 7 games series to figure that one out
jlewis
April 30th, 2010
8:36 pm
So its all Joe’s fault? You people are ridiculous.
soldierman
April 30th, 2010
8:36 pm
they came out firing hopefully they can sustain it for a whole freaking half!
MrHughes
April 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
DawgBoi ,
Because Joe thinks he is lebron, sometimes.
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
yeah dawgboi, but leave it to Woody to wait til an elimination game to fix what’s broken.. silly coach
Cedric
April 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
The Bball God’s are shinin if Josh is playin this well in 3rd qt.
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
Braves take the lead, Hawks on a run….
Dare to dream, ATL
truthspitter
April 30th, 2010
8:38 pm
DawgBoi: So they finally quit doing that dumb shi…?
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:38 pm
Get Jamal in there and let’s build a lead
soldierman
April 30th, 2010
8:39 pm
dont jinx us jm
MenVsBoys
April 30th, 2010
8:39 pm
Is this the NBA Playoffs? I wouldn’t call this a Hawks comeback, more like an ease-back. Bucks look less alive than the Hawks.
Sigh. Just wait till the 4th, 5 minutes to go, Hawks lead by 9, Bucks go on a 15-2 run to close the game to win by 4.
DawgBoi
April 30th, 2010
8:39 pm
truthspitter – yea, they havent really switched anything
DawgBoi
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
and correction, bucks only have 36
dawgfan13
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
Why wont Woody sit Joe Johnson?
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
wow Joe.. air ball.. really??
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
Great possession.
Joe dribbles for 15 seconds, air ball’s a fade away
truthspitter
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
Well I dont think we will and my heart cant take watching it so I would just be checking in with you guys from time to time
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:40 pm
jamal in for joe please
jlewis
April 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
jm:
jamal and bibby play no defense, no way should they be in together.
i_am_soulstar
April 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
i take it back Joe lol
JM
April 30th, 2010
8:41 pm
Imma say this again… The Bucks SUCK!!
Build a damn lead, let’s go!!
and right on cue, there’s Joe w/ a trey!!
and J-Smoov, and1 !!!!!!!!!!
soldierman
April 30th, 2010
8:42 pm
HERE WE GO!!!!! FINALLY SOME FREAKING INTENSITY!