The Hawks allow the unassuming Bucks to make this a series
Somebody guard that guy! Brandon Jennings exults after another trey. (AP photo)
Milwaukee — They had a chance to show us they’d matured. They had a chance to make quick work of a team that, without Andrew Bogut, is the weakest entity in the playoff grid. Instead the Hawks gave the Milwaukee Bucks reason to believe. If you’re the better team, that’s the last thing you want.
The Hawks trailed by 17 points after 12 minutes of Game 3. They didn’t look like the better team. They didn’t look like much of a team at all. They were outflanked tactically and overwhelmed emotionally.
“Unacceptable,” said Joe Johnson, who scored 16 of the Hawks’ 40 first-half points.
“I was disappointed,” said Al Horford, who had two points the first half. “I didn’t think we were there mentally.”
“We didn’t bring our own energy,” said Josh Smith, who managed only seven points in 36 minutes after stirring up a mini-tempest by suggesting Milwaukee is Nowheresville. (Smith afterward: “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”)
Their play in the first quarter suggested the Hawks believed they’d already won the series, which technically they haven’t. (NBA rules stipulate four victories, not two.) They were a step slow from the start, and that’s a bad thing to be when the other team is smaller and quicker.
The Bucks spread the court and ran their guards off screens. The Hawks, as is their wont, switched on everything, which spawned little-on-big mismatches. As good a defenders as Smith and Al Horford are, they can’t keep up with Brandon Jennings and John Salmons 25 feet from the hoop.
Jennings made three treys in the first 7 1/2 minutes. He and Salmons made nine of 10 shots between them in the first 9 1/2 minutes, at which point the Bucks led 31-13. So much for coming on the road and taking the crowd out of the game. So much for matching an overmatched opponent’s fire with fire.
The Bucks know they cannot hope to beat the Hawks by playing conventional basketball. Milwaukee’s only hope is to dazzle its opponent with footwork, and that’s precisely what occurred in Game 3. The Bucks didn’t try to feed the post because they don’t have a post player. They made their last stand on the perimeter, and they wound up standing pretty darn tall.
Let’s be honest: This was the key game in the series. Not regarding its outcome — the Hawks should and will prevail — but its duration. The Hawks came to the frigid Midwest with a chance to put the Bucks to bed, and instead they were wrong-footed. With Orlando leading Charlotte 3-0, that’s a major consideration. You don’t want to be the team coming into Round 2 on short rest.
It’s not that good teams never lose a game in the postseason. They do. Cleveland fell way behind at Chicago but wound up nearly winning. The Lakers lost in Oklahoma City. The difference is, both those Game 3 losers gave themselves a chance. The Hawks fell behind and stayed there. They never put any game pressure, to use a Krzyzewski phrase, on the home team. They made it too easy.
And that’s the reason the Hawks still aren’t considered a first-tier NBA team. Yeah, they won 53 games this season, but they had a losing record on the road. Given a chance to make a bold statement in this essential road game, they looked up halfway through the fourth quarter and saw themselves 28 points in arrears.
They’re better than that, or they should be. They’re seasoned enough to know what’s coming in a Game 3 on the road. They’re gifted enough to take an inspired opponent’s best shot and hit back harder. But on this sobering night they seemed content to rely on Philips Arena to win the series for them.
Which it can. The Bucks aren’t apt to break through in Atlanta. But the Hawks can’t reach the Eastern Conference finals unless they win away from home against an opponent far better than Milwaukee.
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170 comments Add your comment
Resign or Resign?
April 24th, 2010
10:18 pm
Excuse me! TRUTHSPITTER!
jcwfalcon
April 24th, 2010
10:19 pm
j- if you can figure out a way we will “pull it out tomorrow” that would be AWESOME.
Chipper Jones
April 24th, 2010
10:20 pm
Do the hawks have room on their bench? I’ve got some time on my hands.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
10:21 pm
i am on the fire woody bandwagon and lettin’ jj walk. these two are the heart and brains of our team and we get blown out by double digit in road playoff games? we only win 1 road playoff game in 3 yrs? we don’t stay focus through 48minutes. all of this while woodson and jj are at the wheel? how will bringin’ them back put us at an advantage?
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:21 pm
Resign Paul does not fit the switch everything philosophy, Deron Williams who is 6-3 and big for a PG, close to Jason Kidd in strength and size was the PG pick if we had chose that route as far as your statement about Bogut and Redd, I disagree, If u want to make that statement then I guess we would have beat Cleveland if healthy last year.
Mr. Green Jeans
April 24th, 2010
10:21 pm
You know, if we had come out, played solid defense, rebounded, shot the ball well, and still lost by 4, 6, or even 10 points – OK, no big deal. But to watch this no-account team tonight was sad, and a terrific indictment of the coach and his philosophies. How can you watch your team come out in the first half, play no offense, get down by 15 points and not call a timeout?
Why is it that Joe Johnson doesn’t have to play defense? How many times did Jennings go right by him tonight and score at will? sure he can shoot the eyes out of the ball, but this is a TEAM sport and everyone seemed to forget that tonight.
I’ve watched this team all my life and tonight was disgusting. Sorry, but the coach has to bear that responsibility – its his job to manage the team, its his job to prep the team, its his job to motivate the team. What he can’t do is play the game, and when your starters are in and aren’t playing team ball, put the kids in and give the starters the night off because they were clearly taking it. How many offensive rebounds did we get in the first half? where was the leadership in managing the ball tonight? You call that playing point Mike Bibby? Horford, you looked lost at times tonight.
I’m sorry, I can’t support this team and more importantly, this Coach. Mike you’ve done a fine job but you are clearly not the Coach of the future for this franchise. Take your money, go home, find another team to spend 10 years rebuilding and get on with your life. You’re done..
jazzyk
April 24th, 2010
10:22 pm
Mark,
You kind of suggested this would be easier than it is.
This is the NBA. More importantly, It’s the NBA playoffs. Anything can happen. It’s a reset.
Regular season record doesn’t matter. Remember the Hawks vs Celtics a couple of years ago?
All that matters is who is playing best right now and you can’t underestimate anybody, not even the Bucks.
Section 303
April 24th, 2010
10:23 pm
Mark, blast away. The Hawks should be ripped for this game. I actually think you are being too nice. Sorry performance. No excuse for it. This team whines about not getting support and then they go and don’t even show up for a playoff game.
Lose on Monday, and I hope I am sitting alone in Philips Arena on Wednesday night. I am stupid enough to go to this team’s games, doesn’t mean everyone else has to be.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:23 pm
Ant banks I dont follow you on that. JJ was the only one that showed up from the beginning of the game until he was taken out in the 4th. The guy had to feel like D-Wade tonite, if I were JJ I would go play with D-Wade and leave the Hawks to go back to the lottery for the next 2 or 3 years and see if they can get it right this time
Mark Bradley
April 24th, 2010
10:24 pm
The above post has been updated to include postgame reaction from the Hawks. Who were not pleased.
Mark Bradley
April 24th, 2010
10:25 pm
That was a poor effort, no question. I thought the Hawks were further along than this.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:29 pm
Mark, you should not have posted Josh’s comments after game, he does not count until he contributes. The only thing I can respect him saying is I sucked, meaning he should be critical of himself rather than the team because he was the one All-star caliber player that did not bring it at any point tonight
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:31 pm
Mark, you should not have posted Josh’s post game comments because unless he is gonna say I sucked, be critical of himself he needs to shut up. He is the one of our Big 3 they did not show at any point tonite
Mark Bradley
April 24th, 2010
10:31 pm
I think Josh has contributed quite a lot to this team. But he wasn’t very good tonight.
Section 303
April 24th, 2010
10:33 pm
Mark, me, too. This is the hard slap in the face of reality. I don’t care what they do on Monday. Win, lose, or draw tonight should not be forgotten. The Hawks should be slammed for this game for a long time.
Mark, you and the other writers should just rip them apart.
pacco
April 24th, 2010
10:33 pm
Oh well deep down we all seen this coming. Didn’t we?
Mr. Green Jeans
April 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
Its a little late for the mea-culpas Mark. What difference will hindsight make on a game played this poorly? None. the ONLY possible positive outcome of a game like this is that its used to motivate the entire team through the rest of the playoffs. Having watched this same sort of debacle over the last 3 years, nothing short of playing for the Championship will convince me that we’ve moved ahead in terms of team.
This is a second round playoff elimination waiting to happen and I’m sorry, WHEN we play Orlando, not IF, its this same type of play that will cause us to implode. We do not play team ball on the road, and that just can’t continue. Mike Woodson wont be coaching here for the same reason Ray Goff was ostensibly let go at UGA – he has taken us as far as he is capable of taking us.
How many times did we clear the side out for Joe or Al or anyone else for that matter and not crash the boards for missed shots? How many times did Mike’s “go to the ball” double down defense cause us to leave Milwaukee players wide open for 3’s? Where is the game management? Who the heck is minding this stinky store??
Just a bump in the road
April 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
Just a bump in the road to the destination that has been destined for this team since the beginning of training camp. 2nd round exit.
Keith B
April 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
Mr. Bradley’s assessment of his Hawks left me bewildered. Even after the Hawks performance, he is still taking the Bucks as lightly as the rest of the Hawks seem to. If you aren’t aware, upsets are allowed, are perfectly legal, and happen more often than it appears you are aware of Mr. Bradley.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel brought up a playoff series from the 89-90 season between these two teams in which a heavily favored ATL Hawk team was upset by the Bucks.
Maybe Mark Bradley didn’t do his research.
Mr. Green Jeans
April 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
Agreed just a bump – either a sweep or lose in 5.
Chipper Jones
April 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
Hawks played liked they didn’t feel good. I know what that is like. I might miss a few more games. I’ve got an ingrown toenail.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:38 pm
We need 2 bigs that contribute consistently off the bench, a wing that is better than Marvin because he is trash or ass whichever you prefer and for Teague to act like he knows what the hell is going on. Seriously, we are like 2 or 3 years away, they have to market this half of a team to us, but seriously we are not even close and its more than just desire and focus.
pacco
April 24th, 2010
10:38 pm
Expect the same performance Monday night. Thank God it’s on NBA TV and will be blacked out here in north Georgia
81Dawg
April 24th, 2010
10:40 pm
I think it was the typical 3rd game in the series that is happening all over the NBA. Home team makes their last stand but the best team wins the next two. Hopefully, the Hawks decide to show up and close out the Bucks the next 2.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:42 pm
Keith B: I agree with Mark the Bucks are a big fraud. I will go as far as to say that the people that keep talking that if Bogut mess are just living in a fantasy world. Bogut was considered a bust at one point and now that he has one really good year he is such a great player in everyone’s minds, please dont fool yourself. The guy averages 13 pts and 9 reb over his career for a #1 overall pick. That’s not quite superstar level, he has proven to be solid at best over the long haul
MitchC
April 24th, 2010
10:43 pm
Mark, I didn’t see the game, as I don’t live in the Atlanta area, but, tonight’s loss doesn’t surprise me. No one predicted a sweep in this series. The Bucks were down two games to none on their home floor, and simply won Game Three. The Hawks still hold the series lead, and home court advantage.
Chances are, the Hawks will win the series. It may just not be easy.
Mr. Green Jeans
April 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Yeah there’s a matchup for you – Zsa Zsa and Bogut. Please…..
tee
April 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Man I am so damn mad right now, why can’t this Woodson guy motivate this team, why can’t he. I have never seen a coach not use his bench AT ALL IN COMPETITION. This ass only goes there when the writing is on the wall. We have such a talented bench man, but the coach discourages the millionaire reserves like he has a serious chip on his shoulder. If Teague or Joe Smith come in and does a great job score some quick points and blocks a few shots this jerk will pull them after 4 minutes and never to return, watch him, its true. He has a problem with rookies and reserve players. IF YOUR STARTERS ARE NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE PUT THEM ON THE BENCH FOR THE NIGHT. ITS OK TO PLAY RESERVES THAT HAVE A HOTTER HAND ON THE NIGHT. YOUR TOP 5 ARE NOT GONNA BE IN SYNC ALL THE TIME…. LEARN HOW TO RESPECT ALL YOUR PLAYERS AND WATCH HOW THEY RESPOND TO YOU. YOU ( WOODSON) ARE TOO ARROGANT AND IT SHOWS AND I AM NOT EVEN IN THE LOCKER ROOM .. COACH THE PROFESSIONALS, THIS ISN’T HIGH SCHOOL FOOL….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO HAWKS OR BRING CHARLES BARKLEY OR STEVE SMITH HERE AND WIN SOME AWAY GAMES…..7 GAME SERIES NOW MAN GOOD LUCK…
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:50 pm
Who would be so stupid as to match Zaza against Bogut? Seriously you guys can border ignorance
Keith B
April 24th, 2010
10:52 pm
truthspitter: I’m a Milwaukee native so I watch a lot of Bucks games. We weren’t very impressed with Bogut until this season. He was one of the most improved in the league this season. Jennings and Bogut hit it off right away and the supporting cast around them; Ilyasova, Delfino, Salmons, Stackhouse, and Ridnour play as a team. When Redd got healthy for a those 3 weeks, he messed up the chemistry with his dribble with head down, take off balance shot strategy. Scott Skiles teams usually play solid defense.
I understand you think the Bucks are frauds but to say that this Hawks team can’t be upset by this Bucks team I think is incredibly naive.
Hopefully Josh Smith finds something to do tomorrow…
todd grantham
April 24th, 2010
10:52 pm
A game like this is telling on the coach. he obviously doesnt demand much from his team.
todd grantham
April 24th, 2010
10:53 pm
and dont give me the tired line on spoiled overpaid atheletes. you either perform, or i kick you off the team.
George Bailey
April 24th, 2010
10:54 pm
Zasu’s petals!!!
Pete
April 24th, 2010
10:55 pm
Does ANYONE really think the Hawks can actually win on the road………………ANYWHERE ???
Get real Atlanta.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
10:58 pm
Keith B: I respect your opinion but you Bucks fans and the media all sound like fence straddlers to me. You wanna say with Bogut this would have happened, as to insinuate that the Hawks have a easy road since Bogut is not here then you want to say that this current team can still win though, but when they lose like games 1 and 2 you want to go back to Bogut. I respect your opinion but I think you are reaching for something to be in your corner.
Crazy Diamond
April 24th, 2010
11:00 pm
This is the year that Woody prooves he has taken the Hawks as far as he can. I would like to thank Woody for doing all that he has done to get the team to the playoffs.
Now is the time for ownership to get a coach that can kick this group in the pants and go deep into the post-season.
Real Talk
April 24th, 2010
11:01 pm
I have some Game 5 tickets on sale for 99 cent if they lose on Monday I just might give them away for FREE
tee
April 24th, 2010
11:02 pm
WHEN THE COACH IS GOTTA GO, FOR REAL THOUGH. THIS IS GETTING OLD, BRING IN CHARLES BARKELEY OR STEVE SMITH. SOMEONE THAT WILL THIS TEAM EXCITING TO WATCH AND UTILIZE ALL THE PLAYERS, NOT JUST WEAR OUT YOU STARTERS. WOODSON PLAYS THE STARTERS SO MUCH COME PLAYOFF TIME THEY LOOK SLUGGISH AND WORE DOWN. USE YOU BENCH IN CRUNCH TIME TOO SO THESE YOUNG TROOPS CAN FEEL A PART OF WHATS GOING ON, YOUR JOB IS TO BRINGTHE TEAM TOGETHER AND STAY TOGETHER. IF I WAS ON THE BENCH I WILL NOT WANNA PLAY FOR YOU EITHER MAN, YOU CAN SEE THE HATE ON THESE GUYS FACES, YOU ONLY USE THEM WHEN WE GET BLOWN OUT, THATS NOT GOOD.GIVE THE RESERVES MORE PLAYING TIME DURING THE SEASON AND WATCH HOW MUCH HAREDER THEY LOVE PLAYING FOR YOU AND BUST THEIR BEHINDS FOR YOU, YOU HAVE TOO MUCH ANIMOSITY TOWARDS ROOKIES LIKE YOU FEEL THEY SHOULDN’T BE THERE, WELL YOU SHOULDN’T EITHER MAN BECAUSE I SEEN YOU TOO MUCH. YOU DON’T EVEN GET EJECTED COACH, HOW YOU GONNA FIRE YOUR TROOPS AND YOU NEVER EVER GET EJECTED…OH I KNOW WHY, YOU DON’T WANT THE ASSISTANT COACH TO SHOW HE CAN DO A BETTER JOB WITHOUT YOU, MAYBE YOU CAN TRY THE BOBBY COX SYMPTOMS SOMETIMES AND GET THROWN OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO BORING TO WATCH AND THEREFORE I KNOW YOU MUST BE A VERY BORING COACH, WE NEED YOU GONE THIS NEXT SERIES, NOT NEXT YEAR, NEXT SERIES, YOUR GONNA RUIN THE YOUNGER PLAYERS, LIKE PREVIOUS ONE, AND BY THE WAY TAKE MARVIN WILLY YAMS WITH YOU. HATER… GO TEAGUE, GO JOE SMITH, GO ALL RESERVES AND YOUR TIME WILL COME, MAYBE WHEN WOODY IS GONE BUT IT WILL COME…. GO HAWKS….
P
April 24th, 2010
11:04 pm
Too many games in between games !!!
Storm
April 24th, 2010
11:05 pm
Just like to thank josh smith for antagonizing and galvanizing the Milwaukee Players, Fans and City in general with his total lack of respect, trying to kick sand in their faces for no reason except he felt like it. Best thing is he still doesn’t get it even after the loss.
Tdawg
April 24th, 2010
11:07 pm
You really do have to hand it to the Hawks. When they suck, they really suck. With a miracle they might pull out this series. They’re not man enough to win the next series though.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
11:07 pm
guys quit posting long post and not saying anything
Keith B
April 24th, 2010
11:07 pm
truthspitter: I never mentioned Bogut’s name until you did. And to be frank I am having a hard time following what you are trying to say. My point was that Mark Bradley obviously doesn’t have any respect for this Bucks team, with or without Bogut it sounds like. If the Hawks are capable of playing as bad as they did tonight, they are vulnerable in this series. Would I be surprised if the Bucks won this series? No. Would I be surprised if they lost the next 2 games? No. We are led by a kid who is 20 years old. But one thing that kid has after tonight’s game, playoff confidence. Thanks to your Atlanta Hawks.
ant banks
April 24th, 2010
11:10 pm
MARK,
can you pleasee tell me why in the hell the hawks run that SWITCHIN’ defense? horford checkin’ jennings won’t turn out good in our favor. the switchin’ defense creates a mix-match for the other teams advantage, NOT US. so why do we use that
Quick
April 24th, 2010
11:15 pm
Maybe we didn’t have enough time to rest. That grueling post-season schedule can take it’s toll.
Adam
April 24th, 2010
11:22 pm
At least Josh Smith knows what it’s like to play in front of a sellout crowd.
truthspitter
April 24th, 2010
11:23 pm
Adam, you were not running around talking when your biatch ass bucks were getting there asses beat and you will be sucking deer dick when you get your asses beat Monday
Quick
April 24th, 2010
11:23 pm
I like what Tee said. We could do without the ‘all caps’ emphasis though. Woody got us to 50 wins, congrats, but man, when are we gonna lace up our boots and go to battle. For real. We can’t even play consistent enuff to sweep scrubs like the freakin Bucks!! We gotta take ‘em in 5 if we’re gonna be half way respected as a legit contender. Woody is a soft, rookie and bench hatin chump too. I’m still pissed we got rid of Solo. He’s gonna be a solid backup for someone who knows how to use bench players. He’s not the only one either. We just don’t have a championship caliber coach yall. Bottom line. Let’s just enjoy the regular season and settle for mediocrity. Go hawks, blah, blah, blah..
Adam
April 24th, 2010
11:27 pm
truthspitter, bucks down 0-2 and they still get more people to the games. Fear the Deer baby!! biggest blowout of the eastern conference so far!!
Adam
April 24th, 2010
11:33 pm
“your biatch ass bucks were getting there asses beat”
10 points on the road is getting there asses beat?