Paul Millsap Trade Breakdown Breakdown

Well, wha' happened?

Paul Millsap was supposed to be dealt, but now it looks like he is not going anywhere, no sir. Out is the notion that the Hawks have detonated this team and in is the notion that Millsap is too valuable to let get away.

What changed? Let's break it down just a smidgy.

What was said: "Paul Millsap is too valuable to trade"

Translation: We shopped him, but teams took a look at his contract, his opt out and what the Hawks wanted in return for the All-Star and said, "Ummm, not at this juncture, no."

Result: No Millsap trade, yet.


What was said: "Hawks are determined to compete in the Eastern Conference"

Translation: "Holy crap, this conference is so flat we've won six in a row and are in 4th place!"

Result: It's hard to take anything less than the best possible deal for Millsap when you are reasonably well placed in the playoff hunt.


WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!?!?!!

What it means is that the Hawks would have traded Millsap if someone like the Raptors had come across with Jonas Valanciunas, Norman Powell and a pick, but since no trade like that emerged, and the Hawks are suddenly three games and two spots behind those same Raptors, why take a lesser deal than you want when you can kick the can two months down the road and see where you are?

The trade market for Millsap will not go away unless he is injured, a possible scenario of course, but the Hawks can hold for a little while as they see where all of this goes and open the market back up if things change.

Will it matter?

The Hawks have figured out their defense and are back to being the second best defense over the past 10 games and first over the last five games. The offense still needs help, as it is middle of the pack over the last five games, but their net rating is back up to third best.

Perhaps improvement in Dennis Schröder is part of that -- over the last five games he has played slower in pace, but raised his efficiency and lowered his personal defensive rating.

Also, part of the recent spike for the team may have addition by subtraction because (hold on, I'm getting emotional) the departure of Kyle Korver took the lowest net rated player this season and the 28 minutes per game he was getting, replacing it with more minutes for the much higher rated Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thabo Sefolosha.

Does it mean the Hawks secretly infected the Cavs with Korver and have now turned the tables on the defending champs? Maybe! And that's a better outlook than the Hawks had 10 games ago when all of this began to take shape.

Always love comments in the comments area -- reply SLAs are posted in THHB offices under lock and key.

Official HHB Hawks Season Recap

47 wins, most since 1997-98.

Second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

A 6-0 start to the season, with wins on the road against New Orleans and Orlando that would serve notice that the Hawks competitiveness in the previous season's playoffs was more proof than fluke.

At first pass, one would say that the 2008-2009 season was a successful one for the Hawks and their young core.

Still, the HHB has spent a week on the sports psychiatrist's coach asking this question:

Why, given the simple data that shows improvement, does it feel like such a letdown?


What follows are the (formerly) confidential notes from those sessions:


When (10) Wins Doesn't Feel Like Improvement

As the Hawks were being ushered out of the previous year's post season festivities by the eventual champs, while celebrating the areas that the Hawks had been good at by making the playoff experience the longest it could have been for a first round exit, it was clear there were some areas that the Hawks needed to focus on to improve and build on the playoff berth.

Then the new season started and the Hawks came out with all guns blazing, bursting a 6-0 start that only the heralded Los Angeles Lakers could match. Included in these games were a rousing opening night win in Orlando and a surprising road win against New Orleans. In these games, the Hawks played strong as a unit and seemed intent on making the case that they were serious about taking a step forward from the season before.

Then, Josh Smith got hurt, the streak ended, and the Hawks played six games above .500 the rest of the way. The rest of the way we saw a team that was strong at home, inconsistent at best on the road, and mired in their ways.

Read any blog about the Hawks for this past season and you will see what the HHB is referring to here. Their ways. This would include:

Josh Smith and His Many Ways to Confound, Frustrate, and Entertain (and produce).

Constant slow starts at the beginning of games as the Hawks would try to take the other team's basketball temperature to see how hard they would have to play for that night. This would be commonly referred to by the team themselves as "coming out flat".

Offensive game plans that amounted to little more than dribble down, make a pass, and then stand around and watch that chosen player break his man down one-on-one and see what happens. At the end of games, this would be referred to as "Watching Joe Johnson".

Poor defensive efforts that would start with Mike Bibby struggling to maintain his man or, worse still, constant switching that would create whatever matchup the other team wanted to see. It's no Rubik's Cube when everybody knows how to solve that little mystery.

The Atlanta Hawks feature a talented young roster that on some nights can out-athleticize and out-shoot most teams in the NBA. This works against less talented teams in the league, but it doesn't scale to good teams, or on the road, and certainly not when both those factors are in play.

Second Round and Bust

To advance past the Miami Heat (w/Dwyane Wade!) and move into the second round seems like good progress, but nothing about the first round victory seemed impressive, especially given that all the points above reared their ugly heads continuously through that seven game series.

The Hawks had way more talent ready to win than Miami did, yet allowed all their bad habits to stretch the series to the limit.

Then came the series against Cleveland, or as Cavs fans call it "Did We Play A Second Round?". Whereas the Hawks surprised the Celtics the season before and were able to jump the better team at home, this sound team was ready and took all the Hawks best shots before tossing them aside. The Hawks had used home court and the energy Philips Arena provided as a crutch and a way to hide the glaring issues that lingered throughout the season. The Cavs came along and pulled back the curtain on the Hawks and showed just how far mentally and strategically the team had to go to really be anything more than a participant in the NBA's glory season.

When Do You Know That It's Love?

That's how you can go from a quick look at the simple data and see success to feeling underwhelmed by the whole finish.

When a team seems like they peaked in the sixth game of the year, the rest of the season will have that anti-climactic feeling to it. Add in the annoying, obvious, and continuous problems that were never addressed for the remainder of the season, and one might see how Frequent Bird Watchers can carry this opinion about a 47 win, second round playoff team--even given the recent history.

Looking at the statistics, most everything improved about the team, especially compared with the rest of the league---their offensive rating (per 100 possessions) improved from 16th to 10th, and their defensive rating made a similar improvement (18th to 11th).

Marvin Williams and Al Horford both made strides towards being more efficient in the PER model (The HHB will address players individually in greater detail throughout the offseason), Mike Bibby greatly improved the play from the point guard position from the season before, and even Joe Johnson proved to be slightly more productive than in the previous season.

And by the way, you know, when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea - have a POINT. It makes it SO much more interesting for the listener!

Our bottom line is this---there is no disputing the productive improvement over the course of the season, 10 games more won, moving forward in the playoffs, home court advantage---all of these definitely point to an improvement and a step forward for a franchise that had no forward movement at all for this decade.

However, when feeling positive about this team, it's hard not to be concerned about the areas which plagued the team all season long, without correction. It's those problems that caused a disaster of a second round series and prolonged a first round series against an inferior team, in which home court was, at one point, lost.

This offseason will be dotted with drafts, free agency, and a probable "Where in the World is Josh Childress" story arc at some point.

But, in our opinion, the most important and influential area that the Hawks can address are the ways in which they lost the season before. We can always use more talent---and that was made clear as well throughout the year, especially in the case of many injuries---but all the talent in the world can't mask some of the systemic problems we've noted here often and above, and if the goal is to move beyond the benchmark of this season, then these have got to be corrected.

Or so says our therapist.

The HHB will be offering player reviews throughout the offseason, but also has a 5th child on the way, creating a devastating Starting Five in about (20) years. Thoughts and Diapers can be left in the Comments Area.

HHB Playoff Review/Hawks Review on the Bill Shanks Show

The HHB was on the Bill Shanks Show on Fox Sports 1670 in Macon on Tuesday. We reviewed the Hawks series against the Cavs, what might be coming in the offseason, and who and what's to blame for it all.

You can listen to it right here!

Caution: Listening to the HHB on Radio can cause serious drowsiness--Mountain Dews or Jolt Cola are recommended as well as a serious psychiatric exam after listening. Complaints can be registered in the Comments Area.

Get The Picture

While others may be making their final summations of the Atlanta Hawks 2008-2009 season, we still feel like making the argument.

When looking for where to improve the team, examples have been abundant in this "series" with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who wrapped up the Hawks' bouquet of second round futility by tossing them aside 84-74 to sweep in (4) games, none of which even creased single digits in margin of defeat.

We ask you, the people of the NBA court, to look at the facts that surround the Game Four loss and hear our argument one more time, points that have been made all season long, in this space and in others (better, even) like it.

As if needing another fish-in-the-face reminder, the Hawks offense was again woeful, scoring (74) points on a night when they were way above average from the free throw line (26-30). Brick after brick, contested and uncontested, the Hawks literally shot themselves dead Monday night. Mike Bibby (1-6), Flip Murray (4-15), Marvin Williams (1-7), and Joe Johnson (7-18) contributed to the miserable (31) percent shooting night.

As the Hawks launched their defensive effort to limit the visitors, they found that there were no amount of stops that could overcome their pitiful offense. During the two main stretches of the second half, when the Cavs were unable to get things going offensively, the Hawks failed to gain any ground.

When CLE made (2) shots in the first four minutes of the third quarter, the Hawks countered by hitting none. And then when CLE scored a measly (11) points in the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter, including the gift of five turnovers (w/THREE shot clock violations), the Hawks could only muster a push of the same: (11) points.

As we continue to build the case against the offense for the season, Game Four once again showed that a team can not live by jump shots and one-on-one moves. Inside presence is needed, in the post, on the drive/penetration, and then back out. Breaking down your opponents on the majority of possession works when you face lesser competition---but playing that way in the playoffs makes you the inferior team.

We will hear about the injuries, but as we have shown, even when healthy this pattern has held true, resonating in both the road record and the record against the top teams in the league.

Losing Al Horford hurts on the defensive glass, but that argument doesn't hold even a drop of water on the offensive end, where the Hawks routinely chose to avoid Horford in favor of the isolation game--and as such have relegated the former #3 pick in the draft to towel boy status on that end in most games. There wasn't even a consistent effort this season to zip the ball up the court to the often sprinting Horford when healthy, so we're not optimistic the spinner would have landed on The Godfather's number at all even if he had been (100) percent for Game Four.

With so many errant shots by the Birds, it's no wonder that the Cavs smushed the Hawks against the glass again, outrebounding the gracious hosts 48-33. CLE had no game in this run against ATL in which they didn't outpace the Hawks by at least (8) boards.

It was fitting that, as the Hawks were trying desperately with (2) minutes left to make a final stand and cut the then-five point lead down, they got beat to the defensive rebound three straight times and then got buried underneath a Mo Williams three. That one possession ate up half the remaining time on the season, all hope of obtaining even a single win, and showed how far the Hawks have to go to understand the fundamental value of positioning oneself to protect the defensive glass.

Finally, the HHB honors the work that Mike Bibby has done in a season and a half with the Hawks. To a franchise that has been saddled with less-than-stellar (feeling generous!) players logging major minutes at the game's pivotal position, having Bibby's offensive and playmaking acumen has been a big reason why the Hawks realized a (10) game improvement this season.

However---

The major flaw in Bibby's game has been his man defense---and CLE (as most bonafide teams will do) exploited it to the hilt. Bibby's "team high" (-16) in only (30) minutes of floor time is a good indicator of what we all have observed and commented on for the same season and a half Mike has been here. It's not a matter of desire with Bibby--at this point, it's ability. Such a strain on a defense will expose it if the team isn't particularly adroit at rotation, which the Hawks are not.

We can appreciate that a team like Cleveland is very good and they have made many teams look as feeble as the Hawks did over the last (4) games. However, to bow to excellence does not vindicate or validate a flawed approach to the fundamental tenets of good team basketball. The Hawks have borderline flaunted these almost to a man (that's coaches, too) in the organ-i-zation throughout the season and should see that in order to really "improve", a change in approach is needed in these key areas.

If we are to believe, and by the sheer volume of time it was referenced--they really want us to, that the team learned many great things from their (7) game loss in last year's Boston series, then we must hope that lessons will be taken from this experience as well. To continue to stick the franchise's collective head in the sand will only bring these issues out again next year, as we're not particularly good at ignoring the obvious and no matter how much older this young core will get, the results, if unchecked, will remain the same.

Rest In Peace, Playoff Memory

It was as expected as the Atlanta Hawks returned home to play Game Three:

The crowd was loud, the team was pumped, and the Hawks took the lead late into the third quarter. They moved without the ball, explored the theory of offensive ball movement, and got after loose balls and rebounds. Heck, they even got the stingy Cavs to turn the ball over.

It played out exactly as we're sure the Hawks believed it would once they got back to their more comfortable surroundings, where they magically snap together to win the game and defy their doubters.

Nope, guess again.

After a bizarre farewell from the game from Zaza Pachulia, the Cleveland Cavaliers went on a game-finishing 31-17 run to take Game Three and likely the series.

With a minute and a half left in the third quarter, with the Hawks only trailing by a point, Pachulia attempted to take a charge in the lane, but was clearly in the restricted area, and a block was called. Pachulia, obviously feeling wronged, berated the officials from afar, but obviously said some magic words, as they quickly showed him where the bathrooms were.

Whereas in last year's Boston series Pachulia's fire brought the Hawks and the crowd to life, it backfired this time for the Hawks, who had just completed a 13-2 run to really energize the team and get control of their playoff lives. When it happened, the rest of the team looked baffled as to Zaza's tantrum and stunned by his sudden exit. After Pachulia's exit, Al Horford--who had asked to be limited due to his sore ankle in order to be somewhat effective for the team, was forced to check right back into the game.

With the crowd wondering how they should feel and becoming silent during the (4) free throws which followed, LeBron James took it upon himself to make sure the crowd's silence was permanent.

James scored (18) of his (47) points in his last (13) minutes after the ejection, scoring from long range, short range, free range---even tossing in an oh-give-me-a-break bank shot from (22) feet while looking like my uncle, who jumps in the air is if an amphibian.

A player like James is like a very bright light---they expose every one of the flaws on the face of your team. He takes advantage of not being able to keep him outside by driving to the hoop. Once he beats you off the dribble, he makes you pay by over-committing to him by making great passes. Don't want to over-commit? Then he finishes strong or gets to the line. Make him shoot the "3"? He made 5-10 on the Hawks in Game Three---how many of those would you like him to take?

In this series James has has exposed the Hawks lack of defensive rotation, their lack of strong perimeter D, and Mike Woodson's stubborn reluctance to force someone else to shoot the last shots of quarters for the Cavs.

He and his teammates came into the ATL and took everyone's best shot----and still won by (15).

Checkmate, Atlanta.


Franks and Beans Make Great Leftovers

Not to put a stinky lining on the game, but the HHB hopes (and we know we are not alone) that this will FINALLY put to rest the Boston Celtics series from last year. Yes, it was nice to fight back and show we had improved last season. However---It was not a blueprint for future playoff victories nor should it be counted on for any future performance.

We don't believe that anyone in Atlanta can go back to that well now, unless you are going to also reference how crappy you can be at home and away in a series by looking at this particular stinkfest of a second round showing.

A tip of the ol' Jason Terry hat to Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, and Al. There is no doubt that all three of these guys were well below (100) percent, but they gave what they had. Horford has to be surprised to finish at (35) minutes, while Joe almost pitched the complete game, took on LeBron defensively at times---and led the team in scoring.

We have long noted that the goal the Hawks typically shoot on in the first half always seems especially tight. Even the Official Dad of the HHB noted it in watching games throughout the season--not that you would know it by the Cavs' shooting in the fourth quarter in Game Three. In the first quarter, the Hawks were attacking the rim and getting great shots with the ball movement---yet couldn't get the ball to fall, even on layups.

Josh Smith Giveth, and Josh Smith Taketh Away. Not a title---it's the roller coaster this talent puts everyone through. And as much as the people love him, he drove them to booing him when he selfishly launched shot after shot instead of going to the basket in the second half. His freelancing and sagging defensively overwhelms the times he makes a terrific play. If he is part of this core players that the team wants to improve with---the team needs to find a veteran or somebody to keep Josh in the right frame of mind at all times. We're looking forward to the offseason where we don't feel like we have to point out the same old, same old about Smith's game---it was so obvious tonight that he forced our fingers---not that it forced the coaching staff to do anything about it.

After the Break, Wacky Willie Wallace with the Weather

We're not saying we're preparing a post mortem on the 2008-2009 season yet (What's that? Go ahead?), but we were pretty sure that ESPN/ABC was going to put a poker-like percentage on the Hawks chances to win the series beside the final score. The Cavs have a royal flush and the Hawks have a six high right now. Not sure what card could save them unless LeBron decides he wants to play baseball full time starting tomorrow.

You just can't count on circumstances to win ball games for you, it takes talent, execution, and mental strength to make it happen. Sure you can get by with first one when you play lesser teams, but to win against the caliber of teams that are left, you gotta have all three and you need 'em better than the other guys' got them.

That's not this team at this time---so it's best that those past playoff "glories" are left back there and they can look to how they can get themselves in better position to beat these types of teams.

And by they, we mean everyone in the organ-i-zation---top to bottom.

The HHB was proud of the crowd booing LeBron, which probably incited snobbery among the national talking heads---Screw 'ems and other thoughts can be left tastefully in the Comments Area.

There Is No Candy From Strangers

Boo-hoo, Atlanta Hawks.

Playoff time is a time to make your own results, not wait for them to be offered to you and, if you are willing, accept.

Too often in these games in Cleve-land the Hawks have postured and pouted, wanting someone else to bail them out; Officials, coaches, their opposition, and too often somebody else on their own team.

It's a mark of not only a young team, but an immature one as well. There is everyone to look at for the source of this problem, but everyone is more than willing to look at the speck in somebody else's eyes than to attempt to remove the plank from their own.

In Games One and now Two, the Hawks have looked defeated before they have taken the court. They have begun these games knowingly below full strength, and this has seemed to serve as a crutch that would allow a less-than-stellar effort to play team basketball. You can't blame a single person for this issue, because while change begins with each individual, it takes everyone to buy in for the change to take hold.

These are just the mental aspects of the issues. The basketball side of things is weak as well.

After promising a more ball-movement friendly after Game One, the Hawks employed the same offense we have seen for the majority of the season--and by majority, we mean landslide. This is a flawed offensive approach that preaches individualism and lends itself suspect to teams that play good halfcourt defense (see Celtics, Boston). We have said and the Hawks have shown that they will only travel as far through the playoffs as this style will allow, and we are seeing the signs of the end of the road.

The defensive end is just as exposed by good teams and is less defendable--as this is based on trust and effort. Too often opponents execute anything they want. Sure, part of the problem is a point guard that can't be hidden unless benched, but there are other issues as well. Josh Smith freelancing, rebounds not being procured, defense late in rotating, and loose balls going to the other team as their 7'3 center with creaky everythings outhustles the team for possession.

It's the individualism inherent on both ends of the court that feeds this isolationism and causes the inefficiency on this team.

As Game Two took shape, and it wasn't long before that happened, the Hawks wore the expression of someone sitting on a long, international flight, and the person in front of them has bad gas.

There was little excitement, little camaraderie, and thus little emotion from the Hawks, as they took their whipping as if they expected to get it.

As for the coaches, we saw the following adjustments:

1. Protect Josh Smith from fouling out by benching him with foul trouble in the first half, and then watching him be irrelevant and petulant when he returned; the outcome already decided by the Hawks.
2. Put the second team in late in the fourth quarter to narrow the margin to (20).
3. Pick up a technical foul.

It was not surprising that, after Coach Woodson got his technical foul, that Smith went ahead and got one for himself as well. When the coach allows himself to express his focus through frustration about the officiating, on what do you expect the team to focus?

If the coach says one thing about the offense, yet offers no changes, why is it surprising that none of the players change as well?

Nobody expects a team that is short 60 percent of their starting rotation to win, but folks should expect a team to look desperate to win, eager to execute---and some of those folks should be the ones on the court. The Cavaliers dove, ran, and hustled all over the court--and loved every minute of it. The Hawks looked at these tasks as exciting as changing a dirty diaper.

Sure, we expect we'll see a different level of enthusiasm Saturday back home in Atlanta, again, there is a strong track record of this---but what does it say about a team when they only want to execute when the circumstances are perfect, when adversity has no avenue to intervene?

It likely says that this is a group that still isn't ready to do anything other than get by on their individual talents---and this will always leave them short as a team.

Under No Illusions

For what seemed like all season long the Atlanta Hawks sat in the fourth place position in the East, giving them access to the Home Court Club, but only technically belonging to that group.

Against the top teams in the East (Magic, Celtics, and Tuesday Night's hosts, Cleveland), the Hawks routinely looked over matched (2-10, 1-5 on the road) and wilted in the glare of better basketball. In Game One against the Cavs, the Hawks again looked the part of the hitter who can smash bad pitching, but strikes out against the good.

The Hawks actually got off to a good start, taking an 11-4 lead early on with an offense based on ball movement and a defense that would control the glass. But as the Hawks are want to do, the ball stopped offensively, the Cavs defense tightened, and the Birds eventually wore out, posting a feeble 99-72 effort to lose Game One.

To win against the best home team in basketball at their place, the margin for error is slight. Perhaps being pioneers, the Hawks seemed to try a looser approach to the upset, turning the ball over (17) times to the Cavs (7)--some of which would make even the riskiest of passers blush.

Atlanta also failed to take care of the glass on the defensive end, allowing (15) offensive boards to the Cavs and, unlike their first round opponents (the Heat if you forget frightfully quick), Cleveland's second ranked shooting will make you pay for those extra possessions. Giving such a formidable opponent (15) more shots than you take is not the formula for stealing a game on the road, nor is the thinking that free throws are an optional part of the game (9-18, that's 50 percent for those that attended Florida).

Still, the Hawks kept it close by the end of the first half and trailed only (5) behind excellent inside scoring from Josh Smith (22 total points) and more hot outside shooting from Mike Bibby (7-10, 5-7). When the bell sounded for the second half, however, the Birds came stumbling out of the gate and the Cavs jumped them and never let it get too close again, outscoring their guests 50-28 to close the game.


So Who Won Mr. Congeniality?

LeBron got the MVP trophy before the game and struggled in the first half, having (0) assists by halftime. (Take THAT, Cleveland!) OK, he had (22) points as well and ended with (34) for the game while making it clear the Hawks had no option to guard him soundly. He drove, he shot, he got to the free throw line. He was such a threat on the runouts after a missed hoop that the Hawks pulled nearly everybody as soon as a shot went up, limiting the Hawks potential offensive rebounding opportunities (They had six for the game).

LeBron's effectiveness allowed Mo Williams to continue to beat down ATL by scoring (21) points on 7-12 shooting, and gave Delonte West the freedom to create (9) assists.

Marvin Williams would normally do yeoman's work on LeBron defensively, but Williams is clearly a couple steps behind after missing so many games with his back injury and then all the recent ones with the injured wrist. Even his first free throw was ugly and his infamous moustache lacked presence. It was like watching someone who won a "Look Like Marvin, Play For Marvin" contest before the game.

Actually, it didn't seem like Cleveland had a super game offensively, with Zydrunas Ilgauskus only going 2-9 and Anderson Varejao took (8) shots. Also, when you look at the Hawks starting five, they shot 24-45 (53%). This may have been the Hawks best shot at getting a win at Cleveland, but extra shots for them + Wasted possessions for the Hawks + wasted points from the free throw line = Loss.

It's an equation that seems logical and has been proven all year long by the Hawks. If they want greater success, it'll start on the boards, move to better ball control/movement, and finish with focus from the line.

If not, theyll be down 2-0 and slumping back to the ATL.


Our Prediction? Pain.

The HHB did not offer up a prediction for this series because the Hawks have already shown a solid track record (as stated above) for these type of matchups and we didn't want to be such a wet blanket on the eve of this second round series. Aren't we fan friendly!

See, we would hate to be pessimistic by saying that the Hawks probably only have a good shot at winning a single game this series (Game Three, if forced to pick) and then go down the list of reasons why (immaturity, inconsistency, lack of depth, etc.).

We're the type that picks the alma mater every season to win it all in the March Madness pools, regardless of whether we really think they are going to win. We never wanted to see the good guys win it all---and then have to admit we picked someone else. This way, when they ride to glory, we were riding right along with them.

Which brings us back to the Hawks and the delicate balance between picking with your soul and wanting to maintain integrity.

We picked sweep last round against the Heat because the matchup heavily favored the Hawks and they should have won four in a row. This series against Cleveland is not a good matchup---they can and will attack the basket and can hit the outside shot if the Birds overplay. They have a solid bench with all the roles covered. There is a reason they had the top record in the league, the MVP, top coach, and (2) losses at home.

That reason is that they are good. Better than the Hawks more than the Hawks were better than the Heat. The best outcome we believe the Hawks can do is to have another Boston type series with Cleveland and push them to the brink (that would be to a Game Seven).

To do that would mean that the Hawks played hard and smart for all (48) minutes every game and were willing to exhibit patience, hustle, and maturity on the court.

The HHB congratulates LeBron James for his MVP and hopes that those hideous T-Shirts that accompanied the celebration were the self-dissolving type. Designs for a Mike Woodson T-8 COY shirts can be submitted in the Comments Area.

Onward and---Well---Onward!

The old saying goes it is better to have advanced, then lost, than to not advance at all.

The Atlanta Hawks will put that to the test as they won Game Seven at home against the Miami Heat, 91-78, and move on to the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.

Once again the Hawks came out motivated, energized, and exercised great energy against the visitors defensively. The HHB has stated that, within (5) minutes of the game, we can determine if the Hawks will be engaged and doing the things necessary to win, or if they are emotionally detached and don't stand a chance.

At that mark in Game Seven, despite trailing, the effort was obvious that it would be the full of life Hawks that the Heat would be contending with versus the dead-on-arrival brand that stunk up the joint three times in six games.

Al Horford started, Josh Smith was focused, and the Hawks got after the Heat on both ends.

A good indicator in this series statistically we believe has been the assist to turnover ratio of Joe Johnson, who had really struggled in finding his place in the offense when the Heat seemed bound and determined to keep him from providing anything at that end with a stream of double teaming action.

It seems the Heat didn't strategize on extending that double team out to (30) feet from the basket.

Johnson started slow (0-5), but--umm--got hot the rest of the way, nailing (10) of (14) over the last three quarters or so, including some bombs that can only be called Screw You shots from very long range. Johnson also contributed (4) assists to a lone turnover. This effort, combined with an underrated effort from Mike Bibby, gave The Backcourt (10) assists to a mere (2) turnovers, which helped overcome losing the rebounding battle (39-30).

Well, that and 11-23 shooting from three point range.

This steaming hot shooting mostly came from the boiling hands of Johnson (6-8), who clearly got un-frustrated by stretching his range out to where arenas typically paint logos.

As for the Heat, Dwyane Wade shot and shot (10-25, 2-9), but he couldn't blow the Hawks house down.

When Wade is not hot, there is not much else the rest of the team can do to overcome that. We believe that role players play better at home than on the road, and James Jones (1-5, 0-3) and Mario Chalmers (1-6, 0-2) combined for about (74) minutes to help prove that theory out.

While the first quarter, which featured excellent play from Wade and Udonis Haslem in combining for (16) of the Heat's (18) first quarter points, was back and forth, the Hawks rode Joe's hot second quarter to take a (13) point halftime lead and never looked back, winning their first series since dispatching the Pistons in Joe Dumars last game in 1999, their first seven game series in forever, and winning their first Game Seven since coming to Atlanta.


See You in Cleveland

Al Horford started, but was obviously limited, though he continually got credit for whatever mental, intangible, or spiritual difference the Hawks experienced Sunday afternoon. Horford clearly could not use his sore ankle to maximum performance, and couldn't get elevation on even the closest of shots.

Lost in the Joe Johnson Shoot-a-Thon was that Josh Smith put a very solid effort forward and delivered in this critical game. Smith somewhat resisted the temptation to stay outside and attacked to great success, unveiling a killer up and under and also, and more importantly, hitting (7-8) on his free throw attempts. Smith also participated in the Hawks offensive strategy (caution: cutting edge!) of making the extra pass, especially early on when Joe was cold and Smith was getting inside. If Horford had been healthier and could finish, Smith might have even done better than his (3) assists on the day.

RFM and Zaza Pachulia provided solid minutes off the bench, with Pachulia getting dirty on the floor (in a basketball way, we assure you) and RFM a couple of key three to keep the lead at a hefty margin. In fact, had Murray not had to slum with the scrubs for a good part of the fourth quarter (the lead had gotten up to 26), his +/- would have been way higher than his (+19) for the game.


Ode to a Seven Game First Round

When the NBA extended these first round series out to seven games a few years ago, we're sure they envisioned great matchups and high drama, especially in the theoretically close Fourth and Fifth seeds.

Hey, maybe next year.

This particular series was marked by inconsistency of effort from both sides in different games. Instead of eager anticipation because "anybody could win this game" closeness in talent, it was more of a guessing game between both fan bases to see which team would show up that game.

The Hawks had more talent that the Heat, but frittered away any chance of a shorter series due to their own malaise in competing every game. The Heat had the best player (Dwyane Wade if you hadn't see or heard) but wasted his efforts by providing little strategic initiative to get the other players more involved and efficient (took them how long to attack Mike Bibby?).

We'll miss the noble efforts of ABC/ESPN to completely forget the Hawks (John Anderson---hey, we're still here!!), and of course the TNT kissing booth for Wade, but chin up Hawks fans---

--NBA Coverage of LEBRON JAMES is on the way!

The HHB congratulates the Atlanta Hawks for their first round accomplishments---trophies and participation ribbons are available for pickup in the Comments Area.

What's Old is New Again

If there was some way to communicate us shaking our collective heads, we'd love to do it.

Oh sure, there can be the old (shaking head), but it couldn't begin to display the level of disappointment in the Hawks dismal 98-72 Game Six humiliation at the hands and home of the Miami Heat.

We offered that, if the Hawks played strong defense, efficient offense, and maintained their composure, they would have a chance to end their series with the Heat in (6) games and not risk an anything-can-happen Game Seven in Atlanta.

We now offer that the Hawks struck out on (3) pitches Friday Night.

As we have explained before, the proof of the Hawks intentions can often be found in the first (5) minutes of a game. If they are geared to challenge, they play aggressive defense, take care of the boards, and show energy offensively. If they are about to lay a rotten egg of a game, they are passive on all fronts and lose poise quickly.

As it so happens, the Hawks were the latter, settling for jump shots, getting beat to spots and shots defensively, and got caught up in the expectation of getting screwed by the officials. Yes, the film will show the Hawks cut a near (17) point lead down to (9), but the Hawks took the halftime break to regroup and afford the Heat a 16-2 run to cement the Hawks fate by using all of the same traits they have shown all year.

Yeah, Well They--What About When--But Don't Forget th--Nevermind

In Games Two and Three one could point to the Heat having statistically anomalous good shooting nights, but Game Six was less about fortune and more about aggression. The Heat were more patient and tenacious than the Hawks, who seemed to already be thinking about what dinnerware to get out for the hosting of Game Seven back home.

The Heat's collective tenacity showed in their pounding the Hawks on the glass, 47-36. The Heat simply moved their bodies more, pouncing on the rebounds, and got more deflections. The Hawks had to work hard to just complete a pass--while the Heat were rarely challenged to any spot on the floor. Dwyane Wade led by example (41 points, 5 rebounds), as did Joel Anthony (8 rebounds, 5 were very offensive), and then Michael Beasley came off the bench and kept the drum beating (22 points, 15 rebounds).

The Hawks played passive on both ends, settled consistently for jump shots, and out-turnovered the Heat. When the going got tough, the Birds looked like they wanted to get going---back to the ATL---They looked like they didn't want to be in Miami, and it was the Heat's energy and execution that made them look that way.


Way to Prove Them Right, Joe

We say that Joe Johnson, when right, is the heartbeat of the Hawks offense. Not so much in the many impressive ways that he can score but rather, when he is going right, there is a rhythm to how he can move the ball and that includes to his teammates. After enjoying a (9) assist, (3) turnover Game Five, The Backcourt went back to their negative ways, posting a 5:7 ratio in this loss.

That said---even though we play this song more than "YMCA" at a ballgame, Mike Woodson pulled Joe Johnson after getting his second foul early in the first quarter (2 minutes into the game). In what could be a deciding game, on the road, against an aggressive team, with your team already without (2) starters, you may want to roll the dice on your guard not fouling out despite picking up those early fouls. Johnson would end with a whopping (3) fouls for the game and he, nor the offense, would ever pick up the flow that existed in Game Five.


Friday Night Is Leftover Night

The Hawks wasted at least two things in this game; a (20) point first half from Mike Bibby and (4) minutes from an obviously injured Marvin Williams, whose only shot attempt badly missed.

Solomon Jones made the start for the Birds in place of the injured, but not naked, Al Horford and there was much rejoicing (yay). Jones, a known fouler, actually stayed out of foul trouble (only one in 21 minutes) and was fairly effective in his role (6 points, 5 rebounds). That Jones' rebounding total was more than double that of Zaza Pachulia (2 boards, no offensive rebounds) while playing fewer minutes than Zaza (29) says less about how well Jones played than it does in telling how the Hawks got completely outworked on the glass.

Mo Evans tried to be a leader in Game Five, but in this one he got caught up in the Hawks Flu--whose symptoms are complaining about the officiating and bad shooting. Get well, Mo---and you as well Josh Smith.

When Home Court Advantage Goes Wrong

So it will come to a Sunday Game Seven---the Heat have all sorts of momentum, but we have seen how little that has mattered in this series. But the problem with a single game is that now the Hawks are vulnerable to another abnormal game---fluke injuries, foul trouble, bad luck--these can all contribute to an adverse game for the Birds---and as we have seen adversity is not a situation the Hawks face with remarkable aplomb.

In a One Game Series the HHB usually goes with the best player to win---we saw who that was in Game Six. And it's not always about just points. Let's just say that there was more than scoring that separated each teams' lead characters on the court on Friday night.

The Hawks had their chance to end it--and now they are even---and anything can happen.

Atlanta has one more chance---The season--and all their work in it---is riding on it.

The HHB is worried for their job if the Hawks can't advance--Any ideas of anyone else that should feel the same can be suggested in the Comments Area.

Drama! Mystery! Intrigue!

What a day The Day After Game Five turned out to be, huh?

All across the media, we saw amazing conversation about what had been--prior to the evening's festivities---a bit of a dull series outside the regular watchers for both teams.

There was emotion, intense "disagreements", and a water cooler event that occurred near the end of the game that sent everybody who watched, and too many who didn't, into full opinion mode.

Don't know what it was? Hang on--I think it might have been posted somewhere:



This attempt at a roof-raising finish has drawn the ire of naysayers and the competition alike.

Coach Spoelstra called it "an attempt to embarrass" and the Heat players felt insulted. Others called it "classless" and "selfish".

The HHB thinks it was an attempt to serve the fans and Josh Smith, in which order is another debate.


Also, during the broadcast of the Game Five, Hawks announcer extraordinaire, Steve Holman, openly mocked what he must have thought was a prima donna display from Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Didn't hear about that either? Oh, let's check the tape:



Between the Smith non-dunk, the Holman manifesto, and the all out physical game that was featured in Game Five, suddenly a lot of drama has emerged for Game Six. Some of the things to watch is:

Just how much can the Heat milk from the "did us wrong" angle stemming from Game Five? Will this be an unable-to-overcome advantage for the Heat emotionally?

Will there be a measure of payback from the Heat that goes beyond the scoreboard (i.e. Josh Smith, meet the floor)?

If there is a wave of hostility from the Heat and their fans in Game Six in Miami, will the Hawks wilt as they did in the glare of Game Three down there?

Will Steve Holman be the first play by play man to ever get continuously booed throughout his broadcast?

These are the questions people----internally, we here at the HHB believe that ANY road game for the Hawks is a cause for concern. We will know within the first five minutes worth of possessions whether the Hawks are serious about digging their heels in and taking everything that Miami has and trying to close this series out in Game Six.

Going into this game, the Hawks better believe they are going to get the best the Heat and the people of Miami have to offer. If the Hawks dig in, play terrific defense and take care of the ball---all the emotion in the world won't help the Heat---unless they shoot over 50 percent again from 3 point range and take a ton of those shots.

It will be a test of their mettle and poise--an opportunity to show growth and that they can close a series. Going into the game thinking that, no matter what, there is a Game Seven in the ATL only allows the chance for another Game Two, where the Heat were making everything. If that would be the case in Game Seven, they will be done.

That the Hawks will have to do that without Al Horford and Marvin Williams makes it harder, but the Hawks played the whole second half without those two in Game Five and not only did they withstand a hot second half from Wade, but they scored very efficiently as well--taking advantage of their talent edge in every way.

Strong defense, efficient offense, and maintaining composure. If the Hawks can do this, it will be another lopsided victory for the Birds, their first seven game series victory in forever, and a chance to show that they have learned some lessons and are indeed a growing team.

And I Guess That's Why They Call It the Black and Blues

The crowd booed Dwyane Wade lustily.

Technical fouls were exchanged.

Fouls were flagrant.

Josh Smith tried to go between his legs on a break and slam.

Wednesday night the Hawks got their mojo back, zipped out to a double digit lead and never looked back in a 106-91 Game Five win over the Miami Heat.

Good times in the ATL.

Despite TNT's best efforts to excuse everything he did and didn't do and paint Dwyane Wade as a modern day Hercules, trying lift the Heat above all odds, the Hawks withstood this unstoppable power by using smart defense, good rebounding, and solid offense to move one more win from advancing to the second round.

The game marked a return to form for Joe Johnson, who had almost as many free throw attempts in Game Five (15) than in the previous (4) games combined. He passed well out of the automatic double team, was aggressive to the hoop, and posted a 25/6/6 effort, establishing his solid game as the pulse for the Hawks rhythmic beating of the visitors.

RFM also had his hot game going, putting up a 23/5/3 night without a single turnover---and for those who thought that his first month with the Hawks would be his best and that we would one day this season want to swap him for a bag of Fritos, the HHB has to say that those would have to be some tasty Fritos at this point.

The Hawks posted a stunning 23/5 assist to turnover ratio, led by The Backcourt (9:3) which featured (17) solid points from Mike Bibby.

While the Hawks were placing (3) players above (20) points the Heat struggled to have anyone outside of Wade make a positive impact, which is precisely what the lack of double team on Wade has wrought---Wade getting his points while his teammates can't get the open looks they need to make a difference.

We Had the Over on Bruises (+/- 100)

The story of the game won't likely be the fact that the Hawks are up 3-2 heading back for a Friday night game in Miami (nice!), nor the efficiency the Hawks used to gain such an edge.

No, the likely focus of discussion from this game will be its physical nature, as there weren't many players that escaped being fouled hard inside at some point in this game.

The HHB doesn't have a problem with this---actually, it was refreshing to see some of the efforts both teams went through to ensure that no easy baskets were scored in the filming of the evening's game. As many say at this time of year--it's playoff basketball!

Solomon Jones on Dwyane Wade, Wade on Mo Evans (TNT actually called bull on the flagrant foul called on Wade--we concur--, but missed where Wade interfered with Evans' dunk attempt by grabbing the rim), Udonis Haslem on Zaza Pachulia---there was nothing malicious about them---just the savory emotion of postseason hoops.


This Game Paid For By the Committee to Laud Dwyane Wade

Our own focus during the game was on the Hawks dominating every aspect of the game including rebounding, assists, turnovers, and (gasp!) even free throw shooting.

We couldn't help, however, being distracted by the inordinate gushfest TNT's Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello offered on behalf of Wade.

You would have thought that Wade left (6) sick grandmothers behind to participate in the game on a back held together by toothpicks and that he was saddled with a team that wouldn't be allowed to participate in NBA games if not for his gracious presence.

Yes, it was that bad.

Look, we get it, the NBA has long, long been about superstars--and Wade has every right to be included in that group---but his game (29 points in a hardly restful 39 minutes) speaks loud enough without having to create circumstances designed to make him seem even better.

But Will He Still Be Able to Play the Guitar?

The game wasn't without loss for the Birds---even though it was pictures of the aftermath of Wade's dramatic collision with Josh Smith in the first quarter that dotted the Internet landscape (he would return right away), it was the Hawks' Al Horford who drove to the hoop, got clobbered by Wade, and then landed awkwardly, spraining his ankle. His participation in Game Six was questionable at the end of the game.

The HHB is clearly jealous that Wade gets so much attention for his participation despite injury and Speedy Claxton doesn't. Other examinations into our psyche can be presented to us in the Comments Area.

Regression To Be Mean

It had to come to an end, right?

Before the game even began, we were treated to the TNT statistic of Dwyane Wade's unbelievable 3-pt shooting success in this series so far and was told that he was "simply being Wade". Well, great or not, he couldn't and the Heat couldn't possibly keep their torrid shooting numbers at the ridiculous levels they shot in Games Two and Three, right?

We mentioned in our last 'cap that the (83) games prior to Games Two and Three should surely be the true statistical indicator of the Heat's outside shooting acumen and that the Hawks should stay the course defensively and not panic--and the Heat should shoot their way back to their averages and that would give the Hawks the chance to take the home court back to the ATL.

The Hawks did just that in Game Four--and the result, save for a mind-boggling stretch that ended the first half, was a more typical shooting night for the Heat and an 81-71 road win for the Birds.

We were skeptical before the game, as things had gotten to the point of the Hawks having a players-only meeting (called by Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson as reported by TNT's Cheryl Miller) before Game Four---The playoffs are not the time and place to be sorting things out--you should be peaking as a team at this point if you want to advance. Even after the meeting, it had mixed reviews as Mo Evans didn't like the "calm" tone to the team's exclusive gathering.

Starting early though, it was clear that the ultra-aim that Wade had in the previous games had worn off. Call it fatigue, as Mike Fratello did, or whatever, but Wade launched a strangely pleasurable (4) airballs in the first half, allowing the Hawks to get out to a (21) point lead at one point.

But just as fast as you could say "lapse", the Hawks gave (17) of the points back in a bizarre three minute span at the end of the first half--a stretch that included an offensive foul eighty-plus feet from the basket on Bibby and not one, but two four point plays for James Jones.

The Hawks wobbled into halftime with that four point lead and came out for the second half determined to take back the momentum lost from their just-before-halftime gaffes.

It wasn't pretty---laws, no---it wasn't pretty, but in the end timely shooting, good defense, and Zaza Pachulia won the game for the Hawks.

Pachulia pulled down an incredible (18) rebounds, had (12) points on his usual half dozen or so offensive rebounds, and was basically the type of presence that we called out Al Horford to be before the game.

Horford sat for most of the game due to foul trouble and general lack of production when in the game. He might have been too geeked up for the game because he had as many fouls as points (4) and was once again rushing his shots inside, shooting the ball before the apex of his jump as he tends to do when overly excited. He has to step forward for the team to have long term success--this does not mean he should step up into the opposing team and draw quick fouls, however.

The offense was -eh- as The Backcourt shot OK (10-22, 3-4, 6-8), but was barely above 1:1 in assist/turnover ratio with (8) assists and (7) turnovers. At least it was on the good side in Game Four and that would be enough to allow the better defense and rebounding to take advantage of the Heat returning to a more normal shooting night.


Marvin Williams May Have Solved the Rubik's Cube in Two Minutes, But Let's See Him Solve Josh Smith

Smith was---the best word is obvious---in his efforts in Game Four. He overtly gave us everything we typically see from the young man--all in one game:

Dazzling athleticism as he goes to the hoop: Check

Game changing shot blocking on the defensive end: Check

Ability to clean the glass and keep possessions alive with his jumping abilities: Check

Early in the shot clock jump shots with three steps to the next defender who is practically begging Smith to shoot: Check

Taking unnecessary risks in the passing lane: Check

Scowling and stalking the officials after every single play, complaining over and over again: Check

Smith makes a difference for the Hawks every night--and sadly he has the power to lift up or drag the team down with him. Fortunately tonight, between his blocks, rebounding, and hustle--it was enough on the plus side to get the Hawks back to 2-2 in the series.

Caution---Items Shift When Rotating

Mike Woodson was already ready before the game to "go deeper" into his rotation, and the early foul trouble of Horford and Maurice Evans only hastened the appearances of Mario West and Solomon Jones. Can you guess in which part of the game they participated together?

Woodson was wise to once again shrink the rotation come the second half, even going so far as to playing RFM and Zaza for the final 17 1/2 minutes of the game. In the end, they played starters minutes and it was well earned.

Meanwhile, over in Miami---we have always believed that role players play best at home vs. road due to the home surroundings, etc. How odd to see the Heat bench almost contribute nothing to the team despite playing (48) of the teams (240) minutes. Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley, Yakhouba Diawara, Jamal Magloire, and Joel Anthony offered (2) points, (8) rebounds, (1) assist, and (1) steal. They did commit (9) fouls though--which was nice.


Home, Sweet Home?

The Hawks have now earned home court again and this time we hope it is treated better than it was in Game Two.

We would say it's a Best of Three series now--with two games in Atlanta, but we're afraid if we say "three" that Josh Smith will shoot again.

All the weeping and gnashing of teeth after Game Three seems considerably more peaceful now that the series has been set right, but it's going to take the same effort defensively and a much more efficient offensive night to get another game from Miami in Game Five.

We wonder if the Hawks will ever realize they have to play that way every night to win, home or away, especially in the playoffs. Until they do, their seasons will end earlier than what they should be setting as their ultimate goal for such a talented team.

The HHB called a Players-Only meeting in the Substitute Non-HD Viewing Center to get things straight---Fines and Other Penalties can be paid in the Comments Area.

Mind Games

It's important that, despite another bashing to the collective head of the Hawks by the Heat, this time in a 107-78 Game Three loss in Miami, that neither the Birds nor their watchers lose sight of the fact that it is still a long series.

The HHB has sifted through every painful High Definition frame of this game and believe the Hawks lost the game due to (2) reasons:

1. The Heat, once again, shot (272) percent from 3 point range and altogether made a metric ton of jump shots. Their less than average performance in the regular season in these areas has not been a true indicator in the series so far.

2. The Hawks were given another lesson in mental strength to start a game. Sadly, it's a class they have attended many times this season, yet they keep failing the test.The Hawks came out passive on both ends--and allowed the Heat to gain an emotional edge that they would not lose grip of despite the Hawks best efforts.

Defensively, you have to believe that keeping the Heat outside will eventually work out as sound strategy---but offensively, the Hawks have to come out stronger earlier and not hope that they will be the ones shooting the lights out from long range.

All can be changed with a single game, a single quarter even--as long as that quarter is the first quarter of Game Four. Should the Hawks come out with a purpose to be tough, be aggressive, and clean the glass, they can begin to enjoy what should be the inevitable benefits of the Heat coming back down to Earth with their jump shooting.

Of course, the Hawks could panic and begin to frisk every jump shooter with a double team as soon as they touch it, but that will only lead to higher percentage shots for the Heat and thus negate the opportunity to watch the Heat continue to jack shots from the outside and (in theory) watch them play back down to their level they demonstrated for (83) games prior to these last two.

No, we believe that staying the course defensively is the right play, but to adopt a much more aggressive mode offensively and taking care of the defensive glass are the keys to success in Game Four.

All the Hawks need is to take a single game in Miami to gain the home court back---and no amount of beating (and it was another acid rain shower of made jays) should de-focus the Hawks from that fact.


Otherwise, It Was A Great Game!

The Hawks miss Marvin Williams---The playoffs are no place to try and win these games short-handed (ask the Spurs)---and the Hawks sorely miss all the offensive weapons that Marvin can provide. Mo Evans is a nice guy and a solid player, but enough with the record when he starts--he is inferior to Marvin and we hope Marvin returns to steal one of these games away from the Heat. Evans looks like a huge upgrade to the emptiness that was the ghost of the eighth player in the Hawks rotation in Game Three.

Joe Johnson looks like he isn't sure what he should do offensively---he tries to go inside and gets swallowed--he tries outside and it hasn't been there either---The Backcourt had (6) assists and (7) turnovers, which indicts the ball movement of the Hawks completely. When the Heat double team Joe he has to move the ball faster---I know that Dwyane Wade would.

Josh Smith was terrible in the first half and the beginning of the third quarter, but seemed to wake up when he hit his first jump shot. From that point on, he got (7) of his suddenly team high (8) rebounds and was way more active defensively. Don't know what to make of it, except this team is better when he is that engaged on the glass and on defense.

The stats will show that Al Horford had a decent game, but he played small too often and let Jermaine O'Neal get the best of him. The Hawks seem afraid to get fouls, but they can't be---A more physical presence from Al is needed to help take the mojo back from the Heat.

In addition to their maddening good fortune in making jump shots (including a top of the backboard whopper of a backspin three from James Jones), the Heat were also perfect from the free throw line and we believe that the niece of Heat coach Eric Spoelstra canned a halftime half-court toss to win a free taco or something. Alright, we made that up--but it wouldn't surprise us. We wish we were making the Heat's offensive success up--but we aren't.

It seemed a bit odd to see the entire starting Heat squad out there until 3:37 left to play---especially after the Hawks had already thrown in the towel before that---pretty big risk to take and hopefully the bad karma needed to knock them off their good shooting graces that currently bless them.

Jamario Moon left the game for the Heat with an abdominal strain, which figured because he was the only Heat player with that scored a minus in the +/- category (-8).

The Heat also outrebounded the Hawks (48-35), which isn't surprising when they are hitting their shots and we aren't making ours, but there was one possession early in the fourth quarter when the Heat pulled down (5) offensive rebounds which really sealed the deal for Miami.

The HHB is at peace with the theory of the long series---even though we had predicted a much shorter series---Reasons why we shouldn't gamble can be left thoughtfully in the Comments Area.

Made You Look!

Game Two was a performance that we had seen many times before, and it's safe to say that we were disappointed to see it given the stakes. Well--disappointed and a little angry----OK---very angry.

Throughout the season you get to know when a team has it and when they don't. For the Hawks, these games are painfully obvious from the outset. It may have been a bit petulant on our part, but with 4:57 left in the first quarter when Josh Smith did a pirouette and lost the basketball, we knew. By the time that Jermaine O'Neal came swooping through the lane and the Hawks watched Dwyane Wade casually offer the ball to the suddenly vibrant center and watch him slam it home over the gawking hosts several seconds later, we were sure.

On those nights, on offense, the Hawks pretend to play motion offense, meaning whoever ends up with the hot potato on the third pass now will halt the flow of the basketball completely and attempt to break his man down one-on-one. When the Hawks best offense early in the game was Miami's Defensive 3-Second Violations, that was a bad sign.

Defensively, whereas when they win they look like they have a plan; when they are shuffling around, doubling the wrong players and leaving shooters open, they are on their way to losing.

In these games they treat the game and each possession as if all they have to do is announce their talent and that will do the work for them--or that they can flip some switch to get serious if they need to.

We found ourselves launching words like "unbelievable", "geez", and "wake up"---alas, our expert advise and sage words never made an impact. They often never do.

True, it is fair to say that, being one of the bottom ten three point shooting teams in the league means that Miami won't be hitting 15-26 from there every night, but hey, we are assuming the Hawks will stay at home better than they did in Game Two and actually work together to ensure such an occurrence has a slim chance of ever recurring.

The Hawks obviously believed everything they read in the HHB about sweeps, dominance, and talent--because they floated onto the court on our good vibes and little else. That their biggest lead of the night was a lousy single point and that occurred even before we declared it one of "those" games highlights the level of stink the team filled their arena with.

Hey, How 'Bout that Local Sports Franchise?

The Hawks had a good gameplan around "building a wall" for Wade to shoot over in Game One, but who knew that in Game Two the wall needed to be 24 feet from the rim?

That Daequan Cook fellow shoots awfully nice---seems like he could win one of those 3-pt shooting contes---wha-what? He did? Might need to cover that one, eh?

The abacus may be broken, but we're pretty sure nights that Joe Johnson has (0) assists and (4) turnovers are nights that end in recaps like this one.

We always like to say, all things good start on defense---in Game Two it all ended with the Hawks effort on that end.

We could make the obvious observation (and then the obvious observation about declaring it the obvious observation--and so on like mirrors) about Spirit the Hawk blowing it and delaying the game for while until The Falconer could get it back into the cage by cleverly tricking it with the phony "treat". What we thought was real funny was the ref giving the handler the business about why it took so long and then his sheepish reply. Hey, these are the highlights, folks.


When Others Reach for the Stars, We Cover Our Wallets

The Hawks tried moving the ball offensively and playing good man-up defense Sunday night, and they succeeded---They tried "Showtime" tonight---and failed.

We are betting for a more workmanlike effort in Game Three and getting this one back--We still believe that they are capable every night of playing as they did in Game One, whereas we aren't convinced that the Heat can duplicate the amazing shooting every night as they did in Game Two.


The HHB has had their beliefs crushed before---like when it was told that the XFL was no more---sniff---it still hurts---Flowers and Kleenex can be left in the Comments Area.

You Can't Spell Victory Without Team

In Game One, with a 90-64 shellacking of the visiting Miami Heat, the Hawks made the HHB look gooood. Don’t believe us? Then read our Preview and listen to us on the Bill Shanks Show and see what we mean.

Hey, it’s just one game---Game 1 in a (7) game series, but it was one really good game, a game where they did everything that they needed to do, and made as strong a statement as they could have made.

We predicted sweep because we feel strongly that ---when the Hawks play together on both sides of the floor, the Heat can’t beat them. The Heat cannot execute as a team as good as the Hawks—therefore the favorable matchup.

We have long contended that the Birds are better when they trust each other on both ends of the court. The Hawks value is when they are playing together, not as a bunch of individuals, but together as a team. One could make the argument that this has been the case with any successful team.

In Game 1, the Hawks did that over and over again, and while there were times when the offense stalled because the ball did, there were more than enough times when they moved the ball and got a good shot and basket.

We were especially impressed when, at the end of the third quarter, Joe Johnson looked as if he was going to break down the defense to wind out the clock—but this time he slung the ball to a moving RFM, who got inside the defense, drew a gaggle of Heat, and then dumped it off to Al Horford, who calmly made the baseline jumper with almost no time left to go.

It's no mistake that the Hawks had (6) players in double figures while playing this trusting, efficient game.

Defensively, the Hawks had a game plan which didn't involve sending the house at Dwyane Wade, and for at least this game, it worked. Wade never made the impact most expected, instead with twice as many turnovers (8) than FTA (4), Wade was relegated to trying to win the game by himself or watch his teammates fail trying to help Wade win the game.

That the result was a (26) point pounding by the home team, the teammate scenario seems a little thin.

The Hawks made Wade try to shoot over the Hawks inside; the so-called "building a wall" defense. Wade seemed so confused at times and conditioned to meet resistance that he, at one point, passed up a sure layup or contact and tried to throw the ball across his body to the outside to James Jones.

We'll say that again---he passed up the layup attempt to toss it outside to James Jones. This was not a good idea.

Without committing double teams to Wade and creating easy shots for Miami's undercards, the Hawks energetic defense tempted the Heat to fall into exactly what their current habits are; to stand outside and shoot quick jump shots. That the team was in the 20's in 3 point rankings would seem to dissuade the Heat from this approach---but like most young teams (takes one to know one!) with any defensive resistance, their true colors will emerge. For the Heat, it's a nasty mix of quick jumpers, no rebounding, and turnovers.

This defense allowed the Hawks to run and run and run---giving Josh Smith the forum to make the case why Philips Arena is called the Highlight Factory. With Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson providing the role of the straight men---they kept setting it up and Smoove came rim rocking it down.

The only complaint we had was that the Hawks, who were enjoying a 20+ point lead even at the half, seemed to start their usual "killing them softly", (5) minutes to go offensive sets about a quarter and a half earlier than usual. This eliminated the chance to stretch the lead out to 30+ and gave the Heat a little bit of life as the third quarter wound down.

But then a funny thing happened. Just as we were in agreement in the Official HHB HD Viewing Center that if the lead should fall below 20 that a timeout should be called, Mike Woodson did just that. Then, as if hacking into our collective mindshare, Woodson proceeded to call consecutive post plays to stop the Heat momentum and to get good shots for the Hawks. Surprise! It works!

The Heat played the role of the team playing a bunch of youngsters (Mario Chalmers, Michael Beasley, Daequan Cook) significant minutes and getting their first taste of playoff basketball. Think Josh Smith doesn't care and you can take advantage--maybe in Game (52), but not in the playoffs, and not in Game (1). Lesson learned.

It's possible that the Heat will adjust in Game (2) Wednesday night. Wade could come out and try to win the game on his own. We say, great, go ahead and try, because while Wade going for 50+ may get headlines, we don't think they'll get the win. Because it takes more than one player to make it happen in the playoffs---it take a good team---and the Hawks have one that, when playing together, is much better.


Arena Cleanup

Peachtree Hoops and Hoopinion called it: One thing that last throw away game against the Heat showed was that RFM had significantly more trouble against Cook than against Chris Quinn. Sure enough, as soon as RFM checked in, there was Cook---and the 1-6 game from Murray was a good indication that Eric Spoelstra got that one right.

We were told from the time the trade was made, and the point was made again often on the TNT telecast, that Jermaine O'Neal was acquired to beef up the playoff push for MIA. We noted after the Heat benched JO for the fourth quarter earlier in the season against the Hawks that it would be a disappointment if that's all they could expect out of O'Neal. (21) minutes, (5) shots, and (5) points has to be less than even the most pessimistic could have expected.

The Hawks forward-centers (Smith, Horford, and Zaza Pachulia) nearly outrebounded the Heat 29 to 35. The Heat had (5) offensive rebounds---that trio of Hawks had (8) on their own.

The Heat played about as dismal of a fourth quarter as one can remember----They had (7) in the entire quarter--a quarter in which they would have wanted to make a push as PHL did in ORL to wash away a (16) point deficit. That (5) of the points came with less than (3) minutes left and from the shooting touch of Jamario Moon has to be even more disconcerting.

And Now For Something Completely Obvious

In short, it all came together for the Birds in front of a rocking ATL:

Mike Bibby orchestrated the team like a maestro with his (9) assists.

Joe Johnson provided some great drives to the hoop early on and then played the role of decoy as he drew the Heat and then moved the ball to get better shots.

Al Horford challenged shots inside, sent a Wade shot the other way, and ran Jermaine O'Neal to the bench---all while adding some nice jumpers, a post presence (shocking!), and a perfect night from the line---(We bet he thinks Ziggy's gotten too preachy, too!).

Marvin Williams got his feet wet and then had to come out of the pool--missing (3) free throws indicates that he needs some Rusteeze on his stroke from the line, but blowing out the Heat without him or RFM getting into rhythm is a good sign.

Josh Smith put on his usual Philips Arena playoff display---but he also added (10) rebounds and challenged shots inside, though he had no blocks. (23) and (10) with a 5-6 night from the free throw line is a very good way to start.

One hopes that the Hawks can take the picture and recreate the energy and efficiency on display Sunday night when they go to play this team again in Game (2)---Their only foe may be complacency, something that has manifested itself in this team during prosperous times.

But we're standing by the sweep--Game (1) was a good indication why--the Hawks are talented and loaded---and the Heat, even with the great Dwyane Wade, are not yet there.

The HHB is giddy--and not just about the great taste of yogurt---Streamers and confetti for the Game (1) win can be launched in the Comments Area.

Nostrodamus Was Just Kidding

We here at the HHB are not going to pretend to tell you what we know will happen; only what we believe ought to happen.

See, that way, if things go awry, it wasn’t the way it should have happened, so obviously somebody screwed up---and that’s where our team of experts, physicians, and undercover angels collaborate to present our usual insightful comments after the film has been viewed.

That’s right, aren’t we the clever little elves, eh?


The Way Things Ought To Be, First Round Edition

The Hawks have beaten the Heat twice under full strength, once even with Major Acquisition Jermaine O’Neal patrolling the paint for the Heat. One of the big reasons is that the Heat do not go after Mike Bibby on their offensive end, thereby ignoring the biggest Achilles heel of the Hawks defense. Mario Chalmers has been content to sit outside and take jump shots, which is just what the Hawks would hope the player that Mike Bibby is covering would do.

Another reason is that the Hawks have massively outrebounded the Heat, led by Al Horford, who had (32) rebounds in those two wins. And in the matchup with Jermaine O’Neal, the Heat threw in the towel by benching the Major Acquisition for the home stretch.

So, with the Hawks showing their strength at home and away in Miami, what’s with all this talk around the league about a Heat victory or at least a tight series?

In our ill-advised and highly questionable opinion, the Hawks ought to win this series relatively easily.


Do You Expect the M-V-P to be M-I-A in---MIA?

Dwyane Wade cannot be stopped, so it would be foolish to gameplan to overplay him and in doing so get all of the Heat role players to get easier shots, more confidence, etc—and even more foolish to think he won’t be successful.

But Wade being successful isn’t the key to the Heat winning---it’s the success of his teammates that is critical to pulling off the upset. So far, the Hawks have done a nice job in playing the Heat straight, and the results have been that the Heat have shown they do not have enough to beat the Hawks with just Wade.

Case in point, as the Hawks beat the Heat with Jermaine, Horford was everywhere O’Neal was---every juke, step through, fadeaway---there was Al, and the Heat center struggled to a 3-10 shooting night and the aforementioned trip to the bench for the fourth as they leveraged Michael Beasley at center as a conciliatory measure against Al’s work against the veteran big man.

With the Heat content to stay outside and not challenge Bibby, it helps the Hawks that much more play good man defense against the Heat.

As evidence to the case, as Hoopinion has pointed out statistically, the Heat beyond Wade don’t shoot many free throws---in large part because they would rather take their shots from a point more distant than the free throw line.

As long as the Hawks continue to execute as they have throughout the season against the Heat by playing strong, man-up defense, the Heat don’t have enough to take the Hawks in any given game.


Everybody Must Jack Threes

Actually, we mean this in jest, as the Hawks have had success going towards the hoop and getting fouls from the Heat and converting inside to boot.

Even with O’Neal, the Heat don’t have a serious threat inside defensively—and if they go small with Beasley in the middle, it makes it even softer for the Hawks to attack.

It’s important that the Hawks don’t thrust the entirety of the offensive production on Joe Johnson’s shoulders as that has been a formula for inefficiency for Joe and ignorant exclusion of what has made the Hawks a formidable team this season.

For example, having Mike Bibby available for this series and not a liability that would need to be removed defensively enables the array of superb inside passes designed to take advantage of Smith and Horford’s athleticism and finishing acumen.

If the Heat decide that Michael Beasley’s offense is too good to keep on the bench for vet (and former Gator) Udonis Haslem, then he might be shown to be a weakness for the Heat as Smoove can get by the rookie at any time.

Horford’s ability to run the floor will stretch the stamina of O’Neal---and the Hawks have just figured out how to reward the second year frontman for his court sprints.

Add in Marvin Williams and RFM’s ability to use and/or abuse the smaller Heat guards (that’s right Chris Quinn) and there are plenty of reasons to believe that the Hawks have too much firepower for the Heat.


Are You Series-us?

The point has been made that the Hawks are a good team and that the Heat have the best player. Since when has the better team not been favored in a seven game series?

The Hawks are extremely talented, represented in the fact that, despite not doing much to improve the areas that we believed needed to be addressed before the season, they improved (10) games anyway. Their strength has been when they have played together as a team, their weakness has been when they have been individually wrapped up in themselves and the team concept has been broken.

The Hawks, even with a bench that’s comprised of Mo Evans, Zaza Pachulia, and RFM, are a strong eight man unit, and they are hard to be stopped when they are together.

As long as Coach Woodson doesn’t try to make a Flubber West statement at key points of the series, the excellence that has been this (47) win season will make itself known against the Heat.

So we’re standing by the assertion that the Hawks should win—add in the flavor of the NBA sort of underestimating the Hawks in this series and there could be some major “nobody believed in us except us” vibe that could add a smidgen of tangible to the mix.

With all we’ve noted, we’re putting our ought’s where they ought to be by picking the Hawks to sweep.

That’s right Four to Oh in favor of the Birds. We just don’t see where the Heat can conjure enough to beat a fully healthy Hawks rotation even once.

Of course, that’s the way we believe it ought to be---if it doesn’t happen, we’ll be here to tell you whose fault it was.

See you in the second round.


The HHB is dizzy from the lofty prediction for the series---Dramamine and other medication can be left for them in the Comments Area.

Playoff Preview Coming Tonight

Some weekend reading coming later---hold your breath!

Some Things Are Better Left Said

The HHB has to say it---yes, we know that teams are contractually required to send streamers flying from the rafters after any victory, but shouldn't the Grizzlies Wednesday night 98-90 win over the "Hawks" resound with a clunk instead of a gong?

The Grizzlies played OJ Mayo (42) minutes, Rudy Gay (38) minutes, and Mike Conley (45) minutes. I suppose when you have only won (23) games all season, you empty all barrels in making sure you get one you should get.

And they should have gotten this one by a lot more, because the Hawks countered with (42) minutes of RFM and (39) of Mo Evans and that's about it. Zaza played, but was more interested in getting his timing back and testing the resiliency of his injured back--both of which looked pretty good to us.

The Grizz went so hard after this game that they even began to double team Murray late in the game, especially after RFM seemed to start to finally hit empty on his internal combustion engine--Back to back (40) minutes games can do that to a guy.

Even still, the game was in doubt until the last couple of minutes, a testament to the fantastic effort that the Bottom Eight did against a talented young team that played their best players and played them a lot to have to put away the Hawks deep reserves.

So, in order to give the effort it's full due, we will indeed testify.

Make it Plain, Brother!

The #1 thing that the HHB took from this game, fair or not, is that Mayo, while being obviously talented, showed his back side in dealing with Flubber West.

Look, we all know that Flubber can get on your nerves---he really doesn't serve any other useful purpose than that---but the HHB, who has been highly critical of Flubber's minutes of late, was thrilled that he was our nuisance out there, especially when he very clearly got under the skin of the talented rookie.

But look, a hard foul was one thing--debatable whether it deserved a Flagrant--but to continue to burn about it, pick up another technical yapping about it, and then to take the game away from everyone else so you can deal with it your own way is when you pull down your character trousers and show everyone your rear end.


We failed to say anything notable about Othello Hunter's game against Miami Tuesday night, but we did remember one thing---something that was on display again in the game against MEM. Hunter has a nice way of not lowering the ball below his shoulders around the basket, making him play taller than he is. This is something that Horford can definitely learn from---make yourself as tall as possible around the hoop and don't let those little guys have a chance to make a play.

Our newest bestest buddy, Speedy Claxton looked better against MEM, though he did have one out of control shot---once again we believe that he showed enough to at least get him on the playoff roster.

Thomas Gardner started slow again but found his way later in the game, and we had to laugh when he was shaking his head after his second made basket because it had a "I knew I can play this game" look of relief on it. We're intrigued and would like to see more of him next summer to see if he can develop into a Kareem Rush type specialist off the bench.

Marvin Williams was consistently up and cheering on the bench guys, making him clearly the early leader for Class President on the team.

Mo and Evans were troopers out there---used to being in much more meaningful situations this season, but gave it everything---We appreciated their hard work and making this game a lot harder to win than the young men in MEM might have thought before the game.

Lunar Shuttle Tickets, Lunar Shuttle Tickets

The NBA schedule for the playoffs is out, and while you may find this elsewhere, here is everything we have on the matter---and now, it's yours---enjoy and see you on Sunday!

ATLANTA HAWKS vs. MIAMI HEAT
2009 FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF SERIES

Game 1 - Sun April 19 Miami at Atlanta 8:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 22 Miami at Atlanta 8:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 25 Atlanta at Miami 6:30PM 6:30PM TNT
Game 4 - Mon April 27 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 29 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD TBD

In addition, Hawks games will be broadcast on 790 the Zone (790 AM) and the Hawks TV Network (Fox Sports South and Sportsouth). Playoff tickets are currently on sale at www.hawks.com/playoffs and by calling 1-(800)-4NBA TIX, or at the Philips Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

National
Local EDT
Broadcast
Western Conference

L.A. Lakers vs. Utah

Game 1 - Sun April 19 Utah at L.A. Lakers 12:00PM 3:00PM ABC/R
Game 2 - Tue April 21 Utah at L.A. Lakers 7:30PM 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 23 L.A. Lakers at Utah 8:30PM 10:30PM TNT
Game 4 - Sat April 25 L.A. Lakers at Utah 7:00PM 9:00PM ESPN/R
Game 5 * Mon April 27 Utah at L.A. Lakers TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 L.A. Lakers at Utah TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Utah at L.A. Lakers TBD TBD TNT

Denver vs. New Orleans

Game 1 - Sun April 19 New Orleans at Denver 8:30PM 10:30PM TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 22 New Orleans at Denver 8:30PM 10:30PM TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 25 Denver at New Orleans 12:00PM 1:00PM ESPN
Game 4 - Mon April 27 Denver at New Orleans TBD TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 29 New Orleans at Denver TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Denver at New Orleans TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 New Orleans at Denver TBD TBD TBD

San Antonio vs. Dallas

Game 1 - Sat April 18 Dallas at San Antonio 7:00PM 8:00PM ESPN/R
Game 2 - Mon April 20 Dallas at San Antonio 8:30PM 9:30PM TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 23 San Antonio at Dallas 7:30PM 8:30PM NBATV
Game 4 - Sat April 25 San Antonio at Dallas 3:00PM 4:00PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 San Antonio at Dallas TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Dallas at San Antonio TBD TBD TBD

Portland vs. Houston

Game 1 - Sat April 18 Houston at Portland 7:30PM 10:30PM ESPN
Game 2 - Tue April 21 Houston at Portland 7:00PM 10:00PM NBATV
Game 3 - Fri April 24 Portland at Houston 8:30PM 9:30PM ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 26 Portland at Houston 8:00PM 9:00PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Houston at Portland TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Portland at Houston TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Houston at Portland TBD TBD TNT

NBA Playoffs 2009 - First Round Schedule
page 2 of 2


National
Local EDT
Broadcast
Eastern Conference

Cleveland vs. Detroit

Game 1 - Sat April 18 Detroit at Cleveland 3:00PM 3:00PM ABC
Game 2 - Tue April 21 Detroit at Cleveland 8:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 - Fri April 24 Cleveland at Detroit 7:00PM 7:00PM ESPN
Game 4 - Sun April 26 Cleveland at Detroit 3:30PM 3:30PM ABC/R
Game 5 * Wed April 29 Detroit at Cleveland TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Cleveland at Detroit TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Detroit at Cleveland TBD TBD TBD

Boston vs. Chicago

Game 1 - Sat April 18 Chicago at Boston 12:30PM 12:30PM ESPN
Game 2 - Mon April 20 Chicago at Boston 7:00PM 7:00PM TNT
Game 3 - Thu April 23 Boston at Chicago 7:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 4 - Sun April 26 Boston at Chicago 12:00PM 1:00PM ABC
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Chicago at Boston TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Boston at Chicago TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Chicago at Boston TBD TBD TNT

Orlando vs. Philadelphia

Game 1 - Sun April 19 Philadelphia at Orlando 5:30PM 5:30PM TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 22 Philadelphia at Orlando 7:00PM 7:00PM NBATV
Game 3 - Fri April 24 Orlando at Philadelphia 8:00PM 8:00PM ESPN2
Game 4 - Sun April 26 Orlando at Philadelphia 6:30PM 6:30PM TNT
Game 5 * Tue April 28 Philadelphia at Orlando TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Thu April 30 Orlando at Philadelphia TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sat May 2 Philadelphia at Orlando TBD TBD TNT

Atlanta vs. Miami

Game 1 - Sun April 19 Miami at Atlanta 8:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 22 Miami at Atlanta 8:00PM 8:00PM TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 25 Atlanta at Miami 6:30PM 6:30PM TNT
Game 4 - Mon April 27 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD TBD
Game 5 * Wed April 29 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD TBD
Game 6 * Fri May 1 Atlanta at Miami TBD TBD TBD
Game 7 * Sun May 3 Miami at Atlanta TBD TBD TBD

Additional scheduling information will be furnished as soon as possible
consistent with the need to fulfill league obligations.

If First Round series are completed in six (6) games or less, the
Conference Semifinals may move up to begin on either Saturday, May 2 or
Sunday, May 3.

*If necessary

All games, except those televised by ABC Sports, are available to be
televised locally.

TBD - To Be Determined R - ESPN Radio
SUBJECT TO CHANGE