LIVE BLOG: Collins starts, but will Hawks show up?
If the Hawks lose tonight, it could be the last time you see this sign in Philips Arena.
First, a little perspective. Most folks didn’t believe the Hawks would defeat Orlando in the first round of the playoffs, but they took out the Magic in six games. Most certainly believed they had no chance in this series against Chicago, especially without point guard Kirk Hinrich.
But maybe the Hawks can start tonight with this: effort and intelligence. If they show those two things in Game 4 against the Bulls, they’ll be way ahead of what we saw in Game 3.
This team’s multiple personalities have been well-chronicled this season. Coach Larry Drew referred to it in an amusing way: “I will admit — I do have an interesting group.”
Joe Johnson needs to find ways to get open, coach Larry Drew said. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
This interesting group stunned Chicago in the series opener, tailed off in Game 2 and never really competed in Friday’s 99-82 loss at home. Derrick Rose scored 44 points. But the bigger reason for the Hawks’ loss was their collective team defense, lack of physical play and poor rebounding (the Bulls had a 47-34 advantage, including 18 offensive boards).
Drew will make one significant change, going with the “big” lineup: That means center Jason Collins comes in to guard Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Josh Smith each slide down a spot and Marvin Williams goes to the bench.
Collins, who was a key in the Orlando series against Dwight Howard, said: “I’ll just try to be physical and use my fouls. I won’t be so much in the low post – I’ll be more in pick-and-roll coverage.”
Drew said he just felt, “It’s time for a change. … Jason plays a physical game. He’s not looked at as a finesse player.”
Joe Johnson (34,16, 10) and Jamal Crawford (22, 11, 7) both have seen their point totals shrink in three games. That’s partly because of double teams. But Drew also referenced Johnson in particular, saying he needs to do more to get open. He told our hoops guy Michael Cunningham, “He is just going to have to combat that. There are a lot of key players on teams that other players play physical against and they just combat it. There are a lot of key players that get double teamed and they play out of double teams.”
Not sure, but I think Drew just said Johnson isn’t trying hard enough.
I also have to credit M.C. for handing me a few great stats on Smith: He is 0-for-17 from beyond 15 feet in this series, and 5-for-33 in the playoffs. Conversely, he is 38-of-63 (60 percent) from nine feet and in, where his strength is.
Win tonight and it’s an even series, 2-2. Lose and the Hawks may have played their final home game, with Game 5 in Chicago Tuesday.
And no, I’m not guessing. But you’re welcome to. I’ll be here blogging live at tip-off.
By Jeff Schultz
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359 comments Add your comment
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:37 pm
Good jump josh
G
May 8th, 2011
10:38 pm
Salvador is so bad. He should be suspended for idiocy.
Mtn Hawk
May 8th, 2011
10:38 pm
Hawks win..Or should
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:38 pm
Nice Josh,,, its your game baby
jlewis
May 8th, 2011
10:38 pm
The cutting is open, when they double joe go to the cutters, simple game.
MAD-DONNA
May 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
I’m serious, move Josh to the point!
Runnin With The Dawgs
May 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
Teagueeeeeeeee………..
joshsmithfan
May 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
Josh won this game by himself! I’m just saying!
Ty
May 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
Great move Jeff. So sorry we have idiots for coaches and owners who didn’t realize how good you are. Didn’t you learn under chris paul?
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
WHen Tibedou sees the film he’s going to flip about D. Rose’s foul/jump ball???? BUT also that he kept Korver in there to Try to guard J. Teague!!!
jlewis
May 8th, 2011
10:40 pm
Remember, good Josh, bad Josh, we dont know what we’re getting next game. lol
djthescorpian
May 8th, 2011
10:40 pm
Next year Teague will be the starter; Jamal will be gone. Unfortunately they won’t be able to unload J.J. LD-will he coach his last? Who knows-but Teague will deserve his start.
Ty
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
This is going 7 games. Gonna come down to the game in chicago. If they had only played this way Friday
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
They’ll be at least 6 games! Really hope, anyway.
Alex
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
If they would have called that a foul when Derrick Rose went up for a shot, that would have been a ridiculous call! He bumped into the Hawks player.
Ty
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
Come on. Turn that ankle again rose
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
look for chicago to take it to al just like that
jlewis
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
Name a replacement for JJ?
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:41 pm
Crawford from his sweet spot!!!!!
RB
May 8th, 2011
10:42 pm
I hope the Hawks realize the talent that Teague posses. Lets not waste anymore of that by sitting him on that bench. Rose, Jennings, Westbrook, Rondo prove what speedy PGs can do for a team. Teague is showing that he can hang. He definitely has some offensive skills.
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:42 pm
cmon showboat
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:42 pm
They play better with Al on the bench
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:43 pm
bulls did what they wanted regained home court
djthescorpian
May 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
Good Game Hawks. Please just celebrate for a few hours. Get some rest. And be prepared to take another win in Chicago.
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
When’s the next game?
Runnin With The Dawgs
May 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
Nice finish! “GO HAWKS!”
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
Teague can play but he is not a quarterback. He cant lead the team like a point guard should. Hes not wise enough to understand how to distribute. Great game Josh!!
Ted Turner
May 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
You are correct Corch
TLH
May 8th, 2011
10:45 pm
Jeff Teague is just as good as Derrick Rose… A round of applause for that guy. He’s stepping up…
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:45 pm
no way hawks win in chicago scorpian
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:45 pm
23 16 8 for josh!!
Hawksin7
May 8th, 2011
10:45 pm
When is Hinrich coming back? He needs to suck it up and play through the pain if he can.
hawksfan
May 8th, 2011
10:46 pm
What were the fans chanting in the final seconds ?
Coach D
May 8th, 2011
10:46 pm
Oh yeah!
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:47 pm
TLH what are you smoking son???
Hawks and Smith bounce back in a major way | Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
10:47 pm
[...] Earlier: Collins starts but will Hawks show up? [...]
Ted Turner
May 8th, 2011
10:48 pm
@djthescorpian Keep your sundress on, 3 more games sparky
JSS
May 8th, 2011
10:48 pm
For the person who cannot count, Josh only had 2 turnovers tonight… But those jumpers built a new facade for King Arthur’s new fraud palace
Hawksin7
May 8th, 2011
10:49 pm
I agree with TLH. Teague just has to believe in his own game. He shows flashes of pure brilliance. His penetration opens up new dimensions to the Hawks offense.
chas
May 8th, 2011
10:49 pm
Best played game of the year for the Hawks. They maximized their talent tonight. Very encouraging for next year if anything. Maybe we can give the Bulls a run.
HawksFanNorcross
May 8th, 2011
10:49 pm
ATL, hawksfan
yodaddy
May 8th, 2011
10:50 pm
Like I said….start knocking people around and the Bulls will show their true colors.
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2011
10:50 pm
Josh Smith…finally
Ty
May 8th, 2011
10:52 pm
Game 5 will be a blowout as jeckyll and hyde return. then a close atlanta win and a loss in game 7. at least it was exciting
wxwax
May 8th, 2011
10:52 pm
Man, was I ever wrong.
Great showing by the Hawks. Very ballsy.
Has Jeff Teague learned how to play in the NBA?
heartofdarkness
May 8th, 2011
10:52 pm
Dr. Jekyll Hawks in the arena tonight. Based on the success the Hawks are experiencing driving to the hoop and getting open under the basket tonight, I would predict the Hawks bring Hinrich back in the next game, even if he’s using a cane to get around the court, and the iso-offense is employed, so that the Hawks can show their ability to miss shots with a hand in their face. This was one of the better team efforts of the season. Atlanta would be crazy to do the same thing twice in a row. Josh had a great game tonight playing to his strengths. What could get him to have the same mind set two games in a row. The ball moved really well. Maybe there is even a reason why two coaching staffs couldn’t find enough positives in Teague’s game to get him a steady role in the rotation during the last two regular seasons. let
Bear
May 8th, 2011
10:53 pm
ATL! ATL!
KJ
May 8th, 2011
10:55 pm
Horford 9/11 20 points. Anyone bashing him is a idiot
Joshsmithfan2
May 8th, 2011
10:58 pm
and 2 blks
Corch Myer
May 8th, 2011
10:58 pm
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