Are the Hawks playing better, or is this the right opponent?
This can serve as a textbook example of wrong-footing the opposition. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
At issue is whether the Hawks lead 3-1 because they’re playing better or because they’re playing the Magic. Asked that question before Sunday’s Game 4, Hawks coach Larry Drew said: “I’d say it’s a combination of both.”
The Hawks were 6-18 in the regular season against teams that won 50-plus games. Half of those six victories came against Orlando, which became the only team that mattered once the playoffs commenced. Even if almost nobody else felt good about the 82 games they’d played, the Hawks felt good about their chances against Orlando.
The Hawks accomplished little from October through mid-April, but they did manage this: They learned to play the team that humiliated them. “Whatever we were trying to do against them hadn’t worked,” Drew said, and here we come to a key point: If it had worked, Drew wouldn’t be the head coach.
Mike Woodson presided over a team that went from 13-69 in 2004-2005 to one capable of gaining the East’s No. 3 seed last season. He oversaw an ever-improving record and two Round 1 series victories. But his insistence on double-teaming Dwight Howard in Round 2 last spring led to a loss of such historic dimensions that it overrode most everything the coach had accomplished.
Game 4 of the 2010 Hawks-Magic series was played on a Monday, two nights after the visitors had won Game 3 at Philips Arena by 30 points. Hawks ownership learned after the morning shootaround that Woodson planned to do again as he’d done — doubled Howard — in Game 4. The decision to fire him was essentially made that afternoon.
Sure enough, the Magic would make 16 3-point shots in Game 4. Howard scored only 13 points, but his team won by 14. The Hawks players knew their method was doomed, which is why they quit on Woodson that series.
NBA teams don’t usually quit in the playoffs because there’s pride involved, but those Hawks did. They felt as if they’d been given no chance. By double-teaming Howard, they freed the Orlando shooters. Drew’s evocative description: “We opened up two cans of worms.”
Drew’s plan has been to make Howard score 40. Sure enough, he scored 46 in Game 1 — and his team lost by 10. There came a time in Game 4 where he was working with disdain against Hilton Armstrong, and the Hawks’ measured response was to run a guard at him but not to deploy a full-blown double-team. It takes guts to keep guarding a man one-on-one when he’s so obviously better than his defender, but against Orlando that’s the only way that works.
Drew again on his Magic scheme: “We’ve stayed away from so many rotations.” Meaning: The other Hawks can stick with their assigned men, as opposed to sagging off and chasing back.
Another Woodson staple was to switch every screen, leading some opponents to create quick-on-slow mismatches. Drew’s Hawks will make “only same-size switches,” he said. Meaning: No Al Horford trying to shadow the 6-foot-1 Brandon Jennings, an actual pairing that led to the key Milwaukee basket in a Game 4 victory last April.
Remember those 16 treys Orlando made in the close-out game a year ago? The Magic have made 21 3-pointers this entire series. They were 2-for-23 in Game 4. Even after two December trades diluted the level of shooting, Orlando still led the NBA in 3-pointers. By staying home against those shooters, the Hawks have taken that away. That’s coaching.
What we’re seeing from the Hawks is both departure and continuation. They don’t play this well against anybody else of comparable worth, but they came in knowing they could hang with Orlando. As Jamal Crawford said after Game 3: “Even after we lost the first game [of the regular season] to them, Coach Drew said, ‘We’re going to beat this team.’ ” (Fact check: The Hawks are 6-1 against Orlando since.)
After his team threw back a 16-point lead Sunday, Drew said: “We made some plays that weren’t very characteristic of us and took some ill-advised shots.” Actually, such plays are entirely in keeping with the Hawks, but in this series they’ve been stout enough to overcome their excesses. (They do have talent, you know.)
To answer the question: Yes, they’re playing a bit better — Crawford didn’t have a run like this during the regular season — but the reason they’re leading 3-1 is that they’re facing the one good team they know they can beat. And yes, it’s the same team, give or take, that beat them by 101 points a year ago. Go figure.
By Mark Bradley
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96 comments Add your comment
SWAT Native
April 25th, 2011
1:05 pm
One thing I’ve noticed about the Hawks is that they feed off more than most teams of the energy of the crowd. When they get a loud, energetic crowd like they have had for the past two games, they play with more intensity. When the play popular teams and half the fans are cheering for the visitors, or when they play an unpopular team and they get 8,000 fans, or when half the crowd doesn’t show up until halftime, they tend to play flat or at least start flat.
It think part of the reason the team quit last year was that they had like 8,000 fans who started to boo almost as soon as they got down. If they can continue to sell out and have crowd support, I think they will be a tough out for the Bulls.
whats the best way to lose weight after having a baby?
April 25th, 2011
1:05 pm
[...] Are the Hawks playing better, or is this the right opponent … [...]
TXDawg
April 25th, 2011
1:14 pm
GCS – I beg to differ. The Hawks actually do match up well with Chicago and if they could steal a game in Chi-Town, might possibly be able to advance to their first conference finals. As for Boston or Miami in the Conference Finals, personally I think the Hawks stand a better chance against Boston because they’re less intimidated by the Celtics.
Gwalk
April 25th, 2011
1:38 pm
TRADE JOSH SMITH! He will never play to his full potential as a Hawk! He has the talent to be a superman in the NBA but his half a$$ play is part of the reason teams are allowed to get themselves back into these games. Trade him now while he’s still worth something!
tom
April 25th, 2011
1:41 pm
a hawks vs bulls series should be competitive. the bulls are not blowing away a scrappy pacers team. that series could easily be 2-2.
VernFlemming
April 25th, 2011
1:51 pm
The Magic are not the same team they were two years ago when they played the Lakers in the finals. That Magic team was dominant and had an advantage and beat ALL of the top condenders in the NBA that year. This year the Magic couldnt beat the Cleveland Caviliers if they faced them in the playoffs. The Magic shot collectively 1-22 from the 3-point line against the Hawks yesterday. That is not good enough to beat ANYONE in the NBA. If the Hawks can win one out of their next 3 games against the Magic, the Hawks will have gotten sweet revenge for the Hawks embarrassment against the Magic last season, which still hurts many fans who watched the debacle.
AlpharettaGuy
April 25th, 2011
1:57 pm
Magic are going nowhere as a team. Could Dwight be frustrated being on a non-winner enough to jump ship to a team that is close to being great? He would turn the Hawks from a round 2 exit team into competing for the finals. If Miami figured out how to get LeBron maybe we could figure out how to get him with still keeping as many core players as possible. The Hawks are lacking in the paint & we would change that big time. Just daydreaming, I know but still…
Westurd
April 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
Its seems with the coaching change, the trades, and the retention of JCollins it really feels like the Hawks made moves this year it order to hopefully face Orlando in the playoffs. It is crazy to believe a Hawks plan has actually come to fruition, but I think this one has. Go Hawks. Nice work.
Westurd
April 25th, 2011
2:03 pm
oh, and Dwight is heading to LA after 2012. He said it and it makes sense. Sorry, but players in the NBA don’t care too much about playing for the home team when $’s and championships are on the line.
Glenn
April 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
The Hawks are better & Orlando is worse is your answer . Orlando just has to many new pieces and the Hawks are better with Heinrich . I don’t think you are right when you say the Hawks ” skated ” the past few months . The schedule just ended much harder than it started . That could benefit the Hawks as well . The Hawks have been battle tested the last month . They are If we make it to the Bulls I look forward to seeing Heinrich on Rose . See if he can slow him down at all . The fact that Heinrich was jettisoned for Rose I think plays to our advantage as well .
doc
April 25th, 2011
2:16 pm
honest and no matt barns to throw in there for toughness for good measure.
woody? stubborn? like playing players in rotations based on the clock not the match ups or situation mark? dead men knew what to expect out of woody.
Mark in ATL
April 25th, 2011
2:17 pm
There is no doubt Orlando came back this year vs the Hawks going forward. This Hawks team is just down right awful in their decision making…..it’s painful to watch them play…..isolation plays for a guy worth no where near $120M…..it’s awful.
Harry Hawk
April 25th, 2011
2:18 pm
We’ll be exposed in the second round. The Magic have been exposed in the first. That’s the way the postseason goes.
Glenn
April 25th, 2011
2:26 pm
@ westurd
I bet it doesn’t happen (Dwight to the Lakers ) . There is going to be a lockout & Carmelo dictating to leave a small market ( Denver ) to go to a big market ( New York ) didn’t sit well with league . The new labor agreement will make it more beneficial for small markets to retain or attract talent (superstars) .
Section 212
April 25th, 2011
2:27 pm
Good points Harry Hawk – those are the reasons adjustments are so important in the playoffs. Will be interesting to see what adjustments the Hawks will make against the Bulls.
Section 212
April 25th, 2011
2:28 pm
of course I am assuming Hawks can close-out the Magic….
Westurd
April 25th, 2011
2:37 pm
Glenn,
I actually hope he stays in the East as its been fun to see us get a little redemption from last year…..but it is too early to talk Hawks victory……shhhh
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
2:40 pm
We have all been saying the Hawks need a center to play with the good teams. This goes to show to a certain degree. The 3 center we are using cant hold Dwight but it allows them to play guys at their natural postion and also with the magic worry about the otehr guys.. Howard at this point can now score and put up 25 vs anybody. This team i have been saying has been playing with a small front line and now we add beef to it which puts otehr teams now at a disadvantage!!! Now we need to start letting Josh post up the otehr teams small fowards to creat open shots when our offense slows down!!! have always said this team is not bad but was one trade away or putting guys into their natural postion or just truning into a fast break team away from being a good team!!!!!!!!!
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
2:44 pm
Also that switch on everything was a bad idea i agree it was starting to catch up with us vs certain teams. Woody like Drew are decent coaches but what makes them differnt from the good ones is they refuse sometimes to make adjusments. You cant play a small front line and switch on everything with all the teams in the L a few teams are differnt!!!!! Glad at least drew is sticking with these centers taht got no burn all year for dwight now he needs to make an adjustment if we play the bulls and see if it does not work to go back to Big Al and josh at the 4 and 5 vs them since thye have a smaller front line and Horford can hold Noah!!!! Adjusments is the name of the game in the NBA!!!!!!!
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
2:48 pm
Last thing the magic dont have anybody that can beat someone off the dribble and that forces them to have to shoot 3’s!!! Gilbert last game did it and was the 1st in 4 games to do it but if they cant do that for 3 more games then we will be playing the bulls!!!!
DawginLex
April 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
Josh Smith needs to get his tail down on the block and stay there. No more 3’s early in the shot clock. Everything must go thru Hinrich or Crawford. No JJ dribble fests either.
Do this and let DH get his 30, Hawks close it out in 5.
O'Brien
April 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
I think if the Hawks were playing any of the other top 4 teams in the East, more than likely we would be down 3-1. The Hawks are better than the Magic at almost every position except Center.
And becuase Dwight requires someone to feed him the ball in the right spot, and he is not a ball handler, his advantage is kept in check somewhat. Combine that with the fact that Orlando lives and dies by the 3 (where is the backup plan SVG?), they were the perfect matchup for the Hawks.
willie
April 25th, 2011
3:13 pm
I have been anti-Drew all year but gotta give it up to him. The decision to not double Howard has won this series. These other guys can’t throw it in the ocean with people in their faces.
Whoa!
April 25th, 2011
3:18 pm
They have to win the 4th game. I think you are way ahead of yourself acting like this series is a done deal.
Whoa!
April 25th, 2011
3:21 pm
Oh and btw, I really like the fact that they had all season to get Jeff Teague to the point that he could at least play in the playoffs. Good job, Drew. This team is going to break your heart. It is a matter of when not if.
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
3:23 pm
Im glad teague aint playing he is not right now someone we can count on like i said a while ago we should have kept crawford over him b/c one he out played him in summer l and two crawford was not lacking in the confidence section and Teague right now is big time!!!(Even though Woddy killed it)!!!!
StungByAYellowJacket
April 25th, 2011
3:25 pm
The Hawks are better because they have a DEFENSIVE point guard who can disrupt shooters!!! Call me crazy (some of you probably will..lol)…. but I think the East is wide open right now… Forget the Bulls next series… I believe that the Hawks could compete with both the Celtics (of course) and the Heat (if they can mentally believe that they can defend Lebron)….
Born2Buzz
April 25th, 2011
3:36 pm
Sorry about not being completely up on the subject, but is Dwight Howard a free agent after this season? I know the prevailing thought is that he wants to go to LA, but is there any chance with the cap that the Hawks could go after him? Can we dump Josh Smith and Marvin to make room?
joey1
April 25th, 2011
3:44 pm
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LKUDGAF
April 25th, 2011
3:46 pm
smith is the weak link in this series
Born2Buzz
April 25th, 2011
3:50 pm
Funny thing, Smith is the weak link. And Marvin is simply a bench warmer. Ah, that great draft by Billy Knightmare.
QUE
April 25th, 2011
3:57 pm
Dwight needs to go to LA- don’t even think about ATL!!! And yes after the trade Orlando is really that bad! Otis Smith needs to be fired! Big Dummy!!!
QUE
April 25th, 2011
4:00 pm
ATL market is not big enough for Dwight! Besides he already said he hates losing to the hawks so why join them when you can go to LA and crush all the people booing you!
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
4:06 pm
He a free agent next year and the Hawks could trade Josh and im sure someone else to put Dwight and Al and Joe together but thats me just dreaming yeah he going to LA yall know he live his life like Shaq aint no way he wold not sign his ext this year if he not leaving and going to a big market like LA or New York!!!!!!
Mark Bradley
April 25th, 2011
4:09 pm
Dwight was asked about being booed in his home town. He said he understood it. Didn’t mean he likes it.
Whoa!
April 25th, 2011
4:20 pm
K-Dogg: That is the point of what I was saying. MW and LD did not do anything to help him reach his potential and be a factor. His lack of confidence coincides with his lack of playing time and lack of coaching. I’m not saying he should be playing, just that they never gave him a chance and yeah I wish we still had Jordan Crawford.
jo
April 25th, 2011
4:21 pm
finish off orlando and go 6 against chicago and it will have been a successful season all things considered. The Hawks are still one man from becoming a contender.
K-Dogg
April 25th, 2011
4:37 pm
Yeah (whoa) i agree with that and with that being said now aint the time to see if he can get it back ever possions counts we cant have him screw anything up all b/c he dont have no self confidence!! Jordan rode the pine all year got sent to the D.L. a everything and 1st chance he got to play for the Wiz he threw up 15 shots!!! lollll teague to grown for that but some players are like that so i agree with what you saying!!!!
MitchC
April 25th, 2011
5:28 pm
Mark, isn’t what’s happening in this series the old cliche about teams with elite scorers.? Say.. for example.. a team has.. a Howard. a Kobe.. a Jordan.. Isn’t it always.. “It doesnt matter if.. Jordan scores 50.. as long as Pippen isnt hitting also”.
The Hawks are the most Jekyll-Hyde team I’ve ever seen. They do things like get blown out by lesser teams at home, and then win on the road against the higher seed Magic in the playoffs.
Obviously, it would be nice to finish this tomorrow night. My gut says.. though.. that Orlando will come out with a more sustained effort at home, and this series will go to six games.. at which point the Hawks will probably finish them. (I hope I’m not the jinx with that prediction though).,
As for what will happen against the Bulls if we get to the semis.. again.. I’ve given up predicting. Maybe we can use the same formula we are trying to in this series. (Unless of course we beat the Magic tomorrow, and surprise everyone). We might be able to win all three games at home, and steal one from the Bulls on the road.. but.. again.., we are getting ahead of ourselves.
My gut says the Hawks will win this series. Hopefully.. they didnt tease us by getting up three games to one.. just to blow it.
Born2Buzz
April 25th, 2011
5:42 pm
Why would ATL not be a big enough market for Dwight? It’s not LA or NY but it’s got as much media as any other city in the US. He can be just as big a star in the ATL (Hell, Lebron was a mega star in Cleveland). Just gotta have a winning team that is making it to the Finals, and with Dwight, Al, JJ and JC the Hawks could do it.
Oh never mind, the ownership group would never think that large.
Karl
April 25th, 2011
6:49 pm
Josh Smith is really lazy……….
DHunt
April 25th, 2011
6:51 pm
This Hawks team is far better than most people give them credit. Joe Johnson may not be worth his max contract, but a healthy Joe in the right offense is still a 20+ppg stud 2 guard. Josh Smith is always out of position, and by that I mean always around the 3pt line instead of near the paint. But In big part, that’s Larry Drew’s idea to try to give Joe more room to work. Otherwise LD would call plays that call for Josh to be down low. But Josh is also usually the top athlete on the floor, and his athleticism, properly harnessed, can win games. We’ve seen just as much of that as the bad Josh. Al Horford is Al Horford. Solid inside and out. Jamal is the best off the bench in the business. Period. When these guys are on, they should be a tough out for anyone.
But we don’t have a point guard. I find that absolutely inconceivable. I find it even more inconceivable that this situation could have persisted for so long and somehow get relegated to something we no longer even talk about. Like your crazy uncle that lives in the attic. We have a first round draft pick PG sitting on the bench, who has gotten zero minutes in the last two games. Maybe a minute or two in the others. Inexplicable.
When we have a bunch of guys standing around on the perimeter, against a team with good interior defenders (aka Dwight Howard), pounding the ball, and taking fall away jumpers at the end of the shot clock, do any of the brilliant basketball minds in Atlanta say to themselves, “wow, i really wish we had somebody on this team who could create a shot off the dribble, get to the basket, at least break down the defense. i wonder why we don’t have anybody like that on an NBA basketball team., oh yeah, we do. guy named Teague”
Maybe LD is being crafty. We only have one player with the quickness to stay in front of Rose. Maybe LD is going to unleash JT in the second round. Maybe somebody will finally figure out what is going on if/when he doesn’t.
Atl teams = Playoff chokers
April 26th, 2011
8:31 am
This series aint over yet. Given the playoff history of Atl teams, Im thinking of ways that the Hawks can screw this up.
tremaine
April 26th, 2011
8:43 am
Are the Hawks playing better, or is this the right opponent?
Now, this is a reasonable question, unlike that bs Jeff Schultz is asking. Clearly Orlando is the right opponent for the Hawks. They beat them 3 out 4 during the regular season and matchup well against them. Orlando is shooting the ball like crap but the Hawks are barely winning these games. Same ole Hawks! They will get exposed soon.
UFR Sports
April 26th, 2011
10:22 am
coaching is making a huge difference in this series to me. Drew has made sure to create the mismatches he needs. SVG on the other hand has simply just had his team take shots, hoping someone gets hot. We’ll see what happens tonight in Orlando.
kojak
April 26th, 2011
10:40 am
Finally Coach Drew is sitting JSmoove down when he plays like the dumb butt he is. I don’t think he sees the court the last few minutes if Twin doesn’t foul out. He has to be traded at the end of the season. We should be able to get a lot for him–Start the movement TRADE JOSH–although someone will have to be as stupid on the court as he is to take him.
Might be a nice guy but the dumbest bball player ever!