How the Hawks just might make some magic of their own
Dwight Howard is really good. This guy ain't chopped liver. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
We here in Atlanta wonder how the Hawks can possibly guard Dwight Howard and his surrounding shooters, but it cuts both ways. No opponent relishes the thought of facing a team this gifted in a best-of-seven. (Ask Boston.)
Asked what he thought the Magic sees in the Hawks, Jamal Crawford said Monday: “I think they’d see a talented team, very athletic, that could pose problems.”
At peak capacity, the Hawks are good enough to fell a team as sound as Orlando, and Orlando stands as 1B to Cleveland’s 1A not just in the East but in the whole wide NBA. The Magic is favored in this series, but the favorite doesn’t always win. The Hawks were a bigger favorite in Round 1 and were 24 minutes from elimination.
“That can be fun,” Crawford said, speaking of being the underdog. “The pressure’s on them.”
The local consensus has long been that Orlando is the one team the Hawks cannot handle, and on the record that has been true. The Magic won six consecutive meetings over the past two seasons; indeed, the Hawks went more than a calendar year — from Oct. 28, 2008 to March 24, 2010 — without beating their Southeast Division cousin. But Orlando is tough on everybody (Cleveland most notably), and if you look hard you’ll see the Hawks have a puncher’s chance.
This is one of the rare teams that has the option of attempting to guard Howard straight up. Mike Woodson said Monday he hadn’t decided if the Hawks would enter Tuesday’s Game 1 allowing Al Horford, who was the MVP of great escape against Milwaukee, to tug on Superman’s cape by his lonesome. “I have to sleep on it,” the coach said.
But is such a strategy feasible? Woodson: “Without a doubt it is. But we doubled [Howard] in the game we won [in March], and we doubled him in the [Thanksgiving night] game where we had the lead.”
Not many Magic opponents have such a choice. Lacking even a semblance of a center, they have to surround Howard and leave themselves open to the Magic shooters, and that can be worse. Yes, Howard led the NBA in field-goal shooting, but Orlando was also fourth-best in 3-point shooting. “Pick your poison,” Woodson said.
Play Howard one-on-one and he might score two points. (Or, if you foul him, only one. He’s a terrible free-throw shooter, as we know.) Double him and his team might get three. The guess is that the Hawks will try it both ways, shotgunning their fouls with Horford and Zaza Pachulia and the seldom-seen Jason Collins, but the series figures to turn on how long Horford can stay on the floor and how much he can make Howard work at the other end.
Howard averaged only 26.5 minutes in Round 1 against Charlotte because he was called for 22 fouls. (Magic teammates dubbed him, “Foul On You.”) And that was against the tag team of Theo Ratliff, Tyson Chandler and Nazr Mohammed. Horford is better than all three of those put together.
Loading ...Everybody who does one of those matchup boxes will give the edge at center to the Magic, but it’s not as big an edge as you’d think. If Horford can, on a nightly basis, hold Howard to 20 points and 15 rebounds while getting 12 and 10 himself, the Hawks could steal this thing.
“If we can get Al through the first half,” Woodson said, meaning keep him out of early foul trouble, “I think we can play.”
My first inclination was to take Magic in six, but something about this matchup leads me to think it’ll go the distance. And where would the weight of expectation in such a Game 7 fall? Not on the Hawks.
The Milwaukee series was strange: The Hawks went from too loose to too tight to almost gone. But they made it through, and they see real opportunity in Round 2. So do I. Hawks in seven.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
126 comments Add your comment
Willy
May 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm
Consumers in the United States eat over one BILLION snacky cakes each year. It would take that kind of sugar high to think the Hawks will push this series past 5 games.
NoShamSam
May 3rd, 2010
6:02 pm
Sorry All I”m Saying Is, just a typo
Chris
May 3rd, 2010
6:47 pm
Hawks in 7……..you do realize 4 of these games are on the road right Mark. I admire you going out on the limb though
barida
May 3rd, 2010
7:12 pm
Hawks can beat magic they just try to get jamlal crawford and joe joshen and they will woop them u just have to belive……………..
Go saying negtive comments should me a shame
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2010
7:32 pm
Bradley, do you ever learn? Please for the love of God pick the Magic to sweep.
Mystikal
May 3rd, 2010
7:47 pm
Mark Bradley, I think it would be a shocker for the hawks to actually beat the magic in a series. That being said, what do you think it’d take for them to retain Woody as coach. Or do you think a decision has already been made and just waiting for the season to end?
Ryder
May 3rd, 2010
7:55 pm
Are all of you seriously high? There’s no way Atlanta can play Orlando straight up and win this series. For the past 2 years the Magic have destroyed the Hawks, and it took a tip in for Atlanta to finally get a win over them.
The only way Atlanta can even think of beating them is to win the perimeter battle, and that means no Joe Johnson scoring just 8 points. He, Crawford, and (God help us) Marvin Williams will have to stretch the Orlando defense. Bibby is going to get worked by Jameer Nelson, so Woodson is going to have to go against his own rule and let Jeff Teague get some minutes.
I will agree with one commenter that they need to switch up Josh Smith occasionally on Howard. Since Dwight has poor footwork and lacks a signature jumper, Atlanta would be wise to throw different people on “Superman” and attempt to get him off his game.
Jason Collins is 7 feet right? I don’t care if he never scores a point in the series, put him in there. At worst he will get six fouls and be a body that can wear down Howard, saving Al and Zaza from early foul trouble.
Championship teams must sometimes adjustments, and Woodson must do so in order to combat the one advantage Orlando has with their starting lineup.
Mystikal
May 3rd, 2010
8:03 pm
If the hawks bring their A-game and play the way we know they can, they will win. The problem is we have to beat them 4 times and I don’t think that has happened in 30 years. I believe the hawks can make it competitive, but no way this goes 7 games. Magic take it 4-2. Which I’m cool with long as they beat Cleveland and King I haven’t won anything.
cdog
May 3rd, 2010
8:40 pm
please atlanta hawks, don’t do like the hawks teams of the past.they would go into series believing they are suppose to lose and usually do.this is a golden opportunity for this years hawks to make a big statement to the NBA and all of their critics by beating and eliminating the orlando majic.the majic isn’t suppose to win.the hawks must play defense, push the ball up court, play team ball and don’t get into a slow down half court game with the majic.lets see the hawks take out the majic.also, we need to concentrate on the majic but a message to rick sund. you need to start preparing for acquiring dirk nowitzki.put him at center and let al hortford move to power forward and watch the hawks dominant the NBA for years to come.
decatur g (formerly known as Marcus)
May 3rd, 2010
8:44 pm
to throw a real loop in the mixx, I would like to see Woodson consult a college coach on various other zones to throw at ORL for short durations. I bet some of them haven’t seen a 1-3-1 or a box and 1 since high-top fades were still in style (LOL).
D Fence
May 3rd, 2010
8:55 pm
Bring back Koncak
Finchdawg
May 3rd, 2010
9:13 pm
Well, now that Bradley has made his prediction, we know that it will be the Magic in 4 or 5. If he had picked them, maybe the Hawks would have stood a chance. Not now.
Wild Deer
May 3rd, 2010
9:40 pm
Bucks fans: WHERE YOU AT???!!!
O'Brien
May 3rd, 2010
9:44 pm
Mark,
You know the Magic is the same team who beat ATL 3 times by an average of 22 ppg right?
That being said, I hope Jeff Schultz will be doing the live blogging tomorrow (and not you), because we need to get off to a good start, and the Hawks have a better playoff record when Jeff blogs.
JSS
May 3rd, 2010
10:01 pm
@O’Brien…
They are both the jinx!!! AJC columnists, STAY AWAY FROM THE HAWKS!!!
MitchC
May 3rd, 2010
10:22 pm
Mark, your prediction for the last series was completely off. You stated that the Hawks would make a happy meal out of Milwaukee in five games, and what happened? The Hawks were 24 minutes from losing the series, as you said, and had to extend to a seventh game to win.
Terrible free throw shooter doesn’t matter. Remember Shaq? The guy can’t shoot free throws, and he has four rings. So…
Several things stand out in this series. The Magic offense, Howard, and the fact that the Hawks are a terrible road team. Yes, they won Game Six of the Milwaukee series in a do or die situation, but, the only road to victory in this series with Orlando is for the Hawks to sweep all three at home, and try and win one on the road.
Yes, we know upsets happen in pro sports. If they didn’t, the Braves would have won about seven World Series from 1991 to 1999. (Yes, I know thats a different sport, but.. ).
My call, Magic in five. The Hawks didnt play well against Orlando this year, and got blown out by them twice in Orlando. I say the Magic sweep three games in Orlando, and steal one in Atlanta. (By the way, just so you know, for the last series, I picked Hawks in seven, if you remember, and I was dead on). Let’s see if I can be right two times in a row.
northcyde
May 3rd, 2010
10:34 pm
The Hawks HAVE to win this in 6 . . . because it’ll be too much to expect them to win a Game 7 in Orlando. It’ll be the same situation that Milwaukee was in. They knew that Game 6 was their one and only shot to win the series. When it didn’t happen, they pretty much folded in Game 7.
The people who are old enough to remember the 1987 – 88 Hawks, know that the big game for the Hawks in that BOS vs ATL series, wasn’t the classic Game 7 in Boston ( with the Bird vs Nique showdown ) . . it was actually Game 6 in ATL.
People forget that the Hawks had a 3 – 2 lead in that series after winning Game 5, and had a chance to close out the Celtics in the Omni in Game 6. But I think we lost by 2 or 3 points, and had to go back to Boston for Game 7. Nique and the Hawks gave it all they had, but Bird and the Celtics were too much to overcome in the end.
LOL . . . I go back to research that game, and we lost by 2 points. Our 1st round opponent that year . . .
MILWAUKEE . . . who it took the maximum 5 games to beat ( 1st round series back then were best of 5, while all other series were best of 7 ).
If the 2010 Hawks battle the Magic like the 1988 Hawks did the Celtics, no one should complain about this team and what they did in the playoffs this year.
**************
LOL . . as a sidenote, I’d bet that Bradley wouldn’t place a $25 wager on his prediction, even if it wasn’t his own $25 that he was betting. Haha @ Hawks in 7, after like Flip-Flop said, you’ve been swaying back and forth with this team all year.
Hawks vs. Magic
May 3rd, 2010
10:41 pm
I remember having that “good feeling” last year after the Miami series annnd that didn’t turn out well, so until I can see for myself how they’ll play against them I’m still going to say they’ll get swept.
but like I said, I’ll have to see how they play first … if they play them close on the road (or win) I’ll revise that sweep “prediction”
Willis
May 3rd, 2010
10:50 pm
@ James B – jamal comes off the bench averages 13 field goal attempts per game . where are all these shots you are talking about taking place ? He takes about 5 or 6 per half and we dont run any set plays for him really so what are you talking about here ?
but back to the Magic series . W have to stay aggressive far too many times we fail to answer a magic run with one of our own because we are holding our heads down and pouting because of a couple of threes or a Howard and1 dunk . We have to learn how to shake that stuff off just like we did with jennings and salmons and there good plays . Those things are gonna happen in the playoffs teams are gonna make runs we have to learn how to respond to the runs and that is what will decide this series .
Greg
May 3rd, 2010
11:50 pm
If your prediction is going to be even close to being correct(unlike your prediction of the Bucks series), the Hawks need to steal game 1. Set the tone right from the start. What have the Hawks done on the road to make you believe that can happen?
Since losing to the Hawks on Josh Smith’s buzzer beating dunk, the Magic have won 13 of 14 with the one loss being at San Antonio. Most of those 13 victories haven’t been particularly close. I’d love to see the Hawks step up, but the Magic look like a team that is peaking at the right time. They are a real threat to win it all.
ole smoky
May 3rd, 2010
11:52 pm
Get out the broom…
Knockahoma
May 4th, 2010
12:02 am
MB you have completely screwed the Hawks’ chances now. If you had remained negative on the team they would have won just like the Braves rattled off three in a row after your “Braves Aren’t Going to win Anything” article. You being negative equals a win for the team. C’mon man your totally putting the hex on them. Hurry and write something about how Joe isn’t the true star we need to compete for an NBA title.
Knockahoma
May 4th, 2010
12:02 am
your should be you’re
VinceVanGo
May 4th, 2010
12:16 am
I may be wrong on this but if the Hawks steal Game 1 or 2 in Orlando, then win 3 & 4 in Atlanta, wouldn’t they get home court for game 7 if necessary? I do also think that Teague & West ought to get more minutes to slow down the Orlando guards and that J. Collins should play enough minutes to slap Dwight Howard around for six fouls. Six more hard ones from Pachulia and Horford should be able to feast like a vulture.
stevie zero
May 4th, 2010
12:17 am
oh mark, your home team predictions are adorable, but who do you really think will win this series?
AG
May 4th, 2010
12:45 am
Wow, you guys are really something else. Now that most of you are back on the bandwagon…. Start Collins, and bring Marvin off the bench. Throw a wrinkle. Bring in Marvin soon, but start getting in Howard’s head early. The problem in this series will be Nelson. If he had a field day in Charlotte, man, he is licking his chops vs. Bibby.
northcyde
May 4th, 2010
1:07 am
It’s a reason why Jason Collins doesn’t play. He’s garbage. He simply represents a big body, not necessarily a defensive stopper. Zaza has been far more effective against Dwight throughout his career, than any of our big men on the roster.
Vince . . . no. If the Hawks stole Game 1 . . and then won Games 3 and 4 . . Game 6 would still be the only home game we’d have left. The reason why the road team always want to steal one of the first 2 games, is because if that team holds serve at home, they could possibly close out the series in Game 6.
When Milwaukee beat us in Game 5, that’s essentially what they had. A closeout home game in Milwaukee in Game 6.
Mike
May 4th, 2010
1:58 am
Mark?? The Hawks in 7? The Hawks will be lucky to win one.
That’s the problem when fans become writers, they show bias in favor of their team and lose all journalistic instincts.
Mark, mark my words (no pun intended). The HAWKS are going to lose badly to Orlando, they will be lucky to win one game.
If they win a game, it will be the 1st game because Orlando is rusty from 8 days off.
Whopper Dawg
May 4th, 2010
2:45 am
Mark, I agree that the Hawks can win this series, I think it is far from a given that Orlando will win. I would be disappointed if it doesn’t go six. BUT for the Hawks to win they will have to play and coach better and maybe more importantly, more consistently for a much longer stretch than they have all season. They have the talent, but I am afraid not the moxie.
JokeMan 4000
May 4th, 2010
2:58 am
I Think The Magic Are Going To Come Out Like The Hawks Did In Game 3 Against The Bucks With That Attitude Like O Yea This Is Going To Be A Easy Series.
If They Do That Then Maybe Hawks Can Catch Them Slipping In Game 1….
I Got A Good Feeling About Games 1 or 2 That Hawks Will Gave This Thing Tied 1-1 Going Back To The HighLight Factory…..
Joe
May 4th, 2010
3:59 am
We wont compete, until we get a coach who can coach our individuals. Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley said it best. Too bad we dont have Chicago ownership or Woody would have been gone a long time ago!
BirdDawg
May 4th, 2010
6:39 am
The Magic are not as far ahead of the Hawks as recent events might indicate. Circumstance played a big part in the Magic’s victories over the Hawks this season as well as the Hawks shooting themselves in the foot. The Hawks frequently have mental lapses and are undercoached and the Magic, being and outstanding team, just take full advantage of their shortcomings. If the Hawks, at least for this series, cease to continue beating themselves, their slightly superior talent could allow them to take this series. Their biggest obstacle to success is Woody so let’s hope that he’s learned enough about coaching to help his team along.
BirdDawg
May 4th, 2010
6:41 am
Bring Billy Back!!!! He wanted to can Woody a long time ago.
)
GK
May 4th, 2010
7:54 am
Are you people serious? The Hawks don’t have a snowball’s chance in heck at winning this series. I’d be surprised to see this go past Game 5. Magic may even sweep.
T Rock
May 4th, 2010
8:13 am
Mark – are you crazy???? The Hawks MIGHT win one game in this series. I still haven’t gotten over them taking Marvin Williams over one of the GREAT GREAT point guards that came out that year!!! If we only had C. Paul or D. Williams!!! Marvin is so so, but he will be forever tarnished as the point guard we should have had!!!
doc
May 4th, 2010
8:17 am
from what i hear mark from last series just dont show up and send jeff and hawks win.
woody better play howard straight up and tight then go after him on offense. he is not the second coming of either shaq or wilt.
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
8:37 am
Good analysis. The Hawks can’t win a series in 2010 because of a draft pick they made in 2005.
joe
May 4th, 2010
8:38 am
Unfortunately they will be outplayed and more importantly outcoached……
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
8:40 am
If they’re outplayed and outcoached, Joe, they won’t win the series.
pluckthehawks
May 4th, 2010
8:41 am
Fear the bird
*snort*
truthspitter
May 4th, 2010
8:52 am
Mark I don’t like when you do the blogging, God bless
truthspitter
May 4th, 2010
8:54 am
TRock: you are correct Marvin is a stain that has turned into a scar. No way we can get rid of this guy after the stupid mistake of re-signing him.
slick
May 4th, 2010
8:58 am
Only way hawks win this series is to steal game one.
aquig
May 4th, 2010
8:59 am
check it out even orlando agrees with mark…kinda
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/2010/05/dwight-howardmagic-hawks-nba-playoffs.html
fanfan
May 4th, 2010
9:02 am
Very naive crowd here. Orlando in four. After that same situation with Hawks as with Thrashers. (No good money to spend, going the “right ” direction, firing the coach, etc, etc). Even if Hawks win 60 games, they still will get eliminated in round two. Really no progress there. Orlando in four. Orlando in four!!
WISE
May 4th, 2010
9:03 am
hahaha i love the hate! this is sports ppl anything can happen! the hawks are very talented so they can play with magic its just if they can do it 4 times to win. See what happened last night…idc call me crazy if you want but hawks in 7 and we win game 1. if you dont agree get out of the ATL! this city has to believe. I know I do F.I.L.A.
pluckthehawks
May 4th, 2010
9:06 am
The hawks need to be Birds of Pray….
WISE
May 4th, 2010
9:09 am
HAWKS IN 7! I guess im crazy fan but you know what I really dont care…Josh Smith will have a big series so will jamal. we still game one tonight. and if you dont believe go back to wherever you came from. we dont need any negative comments F.I.L.A.
aquig
May 4th, 2010
9:45 am
if this doesnt intimidate you i dont know what will
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cQjjvFAf6Q&feature=related
pluckthehawks
May 4th, 2010
10:01 am
I have seen his sister Ava Gabor be more motivational…