First things, first. The Atlanta Hawks, coming into Monday night's game, had not won in Houston since 1999, which includes (obviously to all but us Florida alumni) all six seasons in the Toyota Center.
After the Birds' 102-95 win you can cross another item off the stepping up the ladder checklist this season.
The Rockets can be hard to beat when Rick Adelman's offense moves the ball as well as Houston did in a (25) point first quarter.The Hawks seemed unready to keep up with their hosts and on the offensive end, while showing particular interest in moving the ball inside through the post, they were struggling to execute.
Despite Houston's energy and execution and the complete lack of Hawks' assists in the first quarter, ATL only trailed by (2), thanks to a good start shooting by Joe Johnson (8 first quarter points-20 for the game on 50% shooting). In the second quarter, the Hawks picked up the defense, holding the Rockets to (19) points in the quarter and a total of (6) in the last 8 1/2 minutes of the game.
This was due to a combination of the Hawks finally moving faster than the Rockets could try to get to a spot and the Rockets stopping their previously fantastic ball movement and taking---wait for the familiar sound---too many jump shots.
Oh they went inside some too--only to be deterred or altered somewhat by Josh Smith, who played with an abundance of energy throughout the night. Smith finished with (4) blocks on the night, but many Rockets shots within (10) feet missed the mark. They Rockets, for the season, is a top five worst team shooting at the rim @ 57 percent (despite shooting the sixth most per game from there). Against the Hawks they totaled a miserable 19-39 (48 percent).
While the Rockets slumped, their bench stayed on the floor until there was almost 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. They took back the lead briefly after bringing back most of the starters, but then went cold again, not scoring for the final (4) minutes of the first half and giving the Hawks a halftime advantage (11) they would not relinquish.Things were so bad that even when Houston received a gift foul at the end of the half, Luis Scola missed both free throws to ensure the Rockets' futility going into the locker room.
The Rockets played hard in the second half and never gave way until Adelman emptied the bench with (2) minutes left in the game, but the Hawks answered every spunky Houston rally with a big shot or slam after good ball movement. After having no assists for the game's first (14) minutes and having only (4) at the half, the Hawks finished with (13).
The Hawks held the Rockets below their seasonal averages on EFG% (43 against 49 for their season) and Offensive Rebound Rate. With Al Horford out with a cut thumb (courtesy of Chuck Hayes--no call), Joe Smith and Zaza Pachulia ably filled the rebounding void, with Joe pulling down a couple of tremendous offensive rebounds in the process. These, combined with Josh's 22 point/10 rebound/4 block/4 steal night, enabled the Hawks to keep the Rockets at arms length throughout the game and make the Rockets pay for their first half lapse, like all really good teams do.
Why Make Trillions When We Could Make---Billions?
At the start of the game everyone was focused on one thing----what in the world happened to Mike Woodson's eyebrows? Well, we were sure whatever happened including a waxing because the man was channeling his inner Charlie Villanueva out there.
We started a pool in the Official THHB High Definition Viewing Center and between the long timers and interns, we had the following Top 3 guesses:
3. They're making a new Austin Powers movie in Houston--Mike Woodson plays evil villain henchman Mr. Potato Head.
2. Mike Bibby ran out of shaving cream and warm water to prank the head coach---but the wax was nearby.
1. Josh Smith bet it hit rim---and it did.
Sixth Man Watch:
Jamal Crawford was not great in shooting, but did enough at the right times to give the Hawks pretty much what he's given them all year to date. Carl Landry, we have to believe, usually does better than he did against the Hawks, because the young forward was part of the problem inside offensively Monday night.
Landry had his shot blocked twice and shot 3-8 at the rim. He also was part of the second quarter unit that settled for quick long distance shots. Landry got his (16) points and (5) rebounds, but required a lot of possessions to log those digits (27 minutes, 34.6 Usage Rate-game high, 4-12 shooting).
Neither player was lights out, but Crawford had more positive impact in this game---for whatever that's worth.
Just When You Praise Your Kids--They Turn on You
Happens all the time--as soon as you brag about your kids' table manners, that's when they talk with food in their mouths. Or when you are lauding their excellent work in the classroom, they bring home that "F" on a math test.
We have been barnstorming Twitter and our own corners of the blog to campaign for Al Horford to get into the All-Star game. Horford though, even before Hayes cut his thumb, did not end up having his best game. Al picked up quick fouls, shot airballs, and turned the ball over twice against his only assist. After calling for Al to get the ball in the post, he fumbled it once, forced a shot another time, and generally didn't get on track until he returned from his thumb injury in the second quarter.
Al did have a (9) point, (10) rebound game and was very active defensively though he lacked steals and blocks, but the aforementioned foul trouble confined him to (27) minutes. His play and the play of his All-Star hopeful teammates (Smith and Johnson), if viewed by an evaluation committee, would be telling Josh and Joe (who had 6 rebounds and 4 assists to go with his 20 points/50 percent shooting) to have a good time in Dallas without him.
Great players can't be great every night, but we should have known when we started boasting in favor of Al that this scenario could play out.
Just like even our most favorite of children.
Senor Sniper
Mike Bibby is a wonderful luxury to have as a Hawks fan. Not only is he a calming influence on the game and gets the ball into the hands of our finishers so effectively, Bibby is a nice lethal three point sniper to lean on when Crawford and Johnson aren't open or the ball comes out of the lane and finds the vet teed up and waiting.
Bibby is having a four year high in Assist rate, assist-turnover ratio, and EFG% from 3-pt range. He is also right on his four year highs for EFG% and TS%. That Bibby, who just two and some odd seasons ago was the Hawks #2 option offensively, is now having the lowest Usage rate in his career means the Hawks have grown up on that end of the floor---and that Bibby's role as a long range sniper and master facilitator can be even more finely tuned and make for a very effective role player along with his role/responsibilities as team leader.
Showing posts with label slow starts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label slow starts. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
ATL-BOS Game Recap: Fighting Like Lions
No, we will not die like dogs! We will fight like lions!
--Dusty Bottoms, Three Amigos
We will admit, we thought we had a different recap coming as the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks headed into the locker rooms at halftime in Monday night's game in Boston.
The Celtics led 55-46---and the Hawks were fortunate to have the margin down to single digits when they left the floor after the second quarter.
Boston, without Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, was taking it to all the Hawks weak spots on defense. They used Rajon Rondo to obliterate Mike Bibby from the game by going around the veteran time and again on his way to (16) first half points. The times that ATL moved to help on Rondo, the young PG shifted the ball to an open man---usually under the basket, where they found little resistance from the Hawks frontcourt and capitalized to the tune of 17-21 around the rim. The Hawks simply couldn't keep Bibby on the floor as The Rondo Effect was making it impossible for the Hawks to keep the Celtics under (60) percent from the floor.
That Bibby had to be removed was unfortunate because it was clear early on that it was going to be one of the nights Jamal Crawford simply didn't have it. Prior to midway through the third quarter, Crawford was 0-6.
While the Hawks struggled defensively, they were grinding offensively. On a night where it seemed the Hawks were actually committed to getting into the paint, they found things awfully difficult there despite the absence of Garnett and Wallace. The Hawks were OK around the rim @ 72 percent on 13-18 shooting, but were an incredible 3-13 within 10 feet.
Symbolic of this frustration was the inability of Josh Smith to beat Brian Scalabrine off the dribble and get to the hoop, going 1-5 in the first half. Even Al Horford struggled to get anything to go into the hoop. Al went 2-6 inside 10 feet, including at the rim and was no better beyond that, shooting an unsettling 3-11 for the night.
Still, despite the defensive woes and the trouble the frontcourt had getting the ball to go down, the Hawks didn't start settling for bad shots (though the ball movement was weak early on)---they continued to try and get into the lane and to the free throw line.
Marvin Williams typified this approach by taking it to the basket and while he also faced the same issues as his forward brethren getting the ball to drop through the hoop, his aggressive approach led him to the free throw line for a team high (11) free throws. His (12) points and Joe Johnson's steady-as-she-goes (16) in the first half were keeping the Hawks in the water.
Then, in the third quarter, things changed.
It started harmless enough, with Scalabrine fouling Marvin and picking up his fourth foul. With his surprising nemesis out of the game, Josh Smith took a pass from a double teamed Joe Johnson and slammed it home, cutting the Celtic lead to (10).
On the next play, Ray Allen lost the ball to Marvin Williams. As Marvin broke away, Glen Davis collared him while Marvin was going up on the break. Davis clearly didn't play the ball and while he was not intending any harm to Williams, it was a careless play that will always be labeled a Flagrant Foul.
Much like longtime Celtic player/coach/broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn, Celtics coach Doc Rivers---ummmm---disagreed vociferously. His ensuing outburst cost his team (2) points and Rivers his courtside seat for the rest of the game. Toss in Armond Hill's "Me, too!" and the Hawks were suddenly back to within (6) points.
The (3) free throws that Jamal Crawford cashed in as a result of the Celtic coaches acting like Tommy on his telecasts were Jamal's first points of the game--and it may have re-aligned Crawford with the hoop as he cashed in two 3-pointers and two more free throws before the end of the third quarter. Suddenly Crawford had (11) points and the Hawks even managed to tie the game at 75 with less than a minute left in the quarter.
The Celtics, meanwhile, had gotten away from The Rondo Effect and lost their considerable offensive momentum, but they managed to start to pull away again early the fourth quarter when the Hawks starters took their last pit stops. With little less than (11) minutes left in the game, Davis knocked down a pair of jumpers to make it a seven point Boston lead again.
And then Joe Johnson happened.
Johnson got back in the game and immediately hit back to back shots, scoring (5) points in (30) seconds to get the game back to two points. Then, after Horford muffed a couple of chances to deadlock the game, Johnson took care of that by scoring his 30th and 31st points on a tough fadeaway jumper.
Atlanta's defense was now revitalized and energetic--and this combined with Boston's reticence to go back to what was working---attacking Jamal Crawford and getting Rondo into the lane---allowed the Hawks to clamp down on their hosts. The Celtics struggled (or just forgot) to get the ball to noted Hawk Hater Paul Pierce--leaving Glen Davis to get the ball in the critical minutes of the quarter.
Suddenly a game that just a quarter ago seemed like cash in hand for the Celtics was seeing the lead change hands on every possession.
Crawford drove the lane and then passed to an open man on the baseline for a jumper. Hawks fans could be heard collectively gasping as Josh Smith was the man shooting, but Smith's jumper landed in the hoop. On the next trip down, Ray Allen answered with a smooth three and the C's were up by (2) with (5) minutes to go.
Johnson answered with a second chance three pointer, giving him (34) points and the Hawks the lead again by one. Rondo then found himself switched off with Horford guarding him---Al had to goal tend to stop the speedy guard and Boston had the lead again with less than (4) minutes to play.
It's in these games that you expect the worst as Hawks fans---you expect that Pierce is going to hit big shots or that Ray Allen will slip off a pick and stick a three in your heart. So with the Celtics holding the lead, and the stretch run is on, you can only hope it's your team that hit the shots and the other team misses.
After a Josh Smith block on Rondo, the Hawks down one with almost three minutes left to play got the ball to Johnson, who took two Celtics to the right side and then shot an fadeaway that seemed to barely clear the outstretched hand of Pierce. They would be Johnson's 35th and 36th points of the night and the Hawks had the lead again.
Crawford then stole the ball from Pierce and got it to Smith and the Hawks were up three. Smith would hand the points right back to Boston when he would foul Davis on a made basket and tied the game with 2 1/2 minutes left to go.
On the next possession, with the shot clock winding down, Crawford got the ball and launched a three. Rondo jumped and hit Jamal on his shooting hand, granting Crawford three free throws, of which he hit two.
Suddenly, the Celtics went cold. Ray Allen missed a good look at a three. Then Crawford went around a Horford screen and got to the basket as neither Celtic big closed on him. Jamal's layup gently caressed the rim before softly dropping in and the Hawks were up (4).
The Official Viewing Center of THHB were allowing themselves to consider that the Hawks might pull this off--this game that had none of the markings of a typical Hawks win, but one that would clearly satisfy and pay off the hard work done in the game.
Allen got another good look---and missed again. Marvin fought for the rebound and got a timeout. Mike Woodson took the entirety of the timeout and then some, still sketching out the play for his closing backcourt of Johnson and Crawford as play was about to resume. As the two walked onto the court, you could almost hear them saying to each other that they didn't understand what Woodson was writing up and called an audible---whichever one of them got the ball would dribble out up top and take it in the paint for the shot--as always.
The ball ended up in Jamal's hands and he dribbled the shot clock down. Horford came to the top to set the screen and once again Jamal went around Al's pick and found himself wide open for the jumper. A second later the ball ripped through the net and the Hawks had a (6) point lead with a minute left to play.
The ending was anticlimactic---well, ok, not so much--but it lacked the drama we'd come to expect in Boston. Pierce, Allen, and Rondo all missed their shot in the last minute and failed to make Atlanta score any more to win and the Hawks walked off the court with the 102-96 victory.
The Hawks could have gotten down when the Celtics were dominating them on both ends, but they stayed aggressive, got to the free throw line and kept themselves in the game. This team will ultimately be judged on what they do in the playoffs---all the truly good teams are---so while this game wouldn't have meant much in the final opinion authored in April and May either way---it's encouraging to see them battle in this game where they didn't in Orlando.
Is This The End? No!
Horford struggled mightily in this game, but he kept working on defense, being a key reason Kendrick Perkins turned the ball over (6) times. Horford's fundamentally sound defense caused Perkins to show some poor footwork, though Horford can't take credit on one play where Perkins couldn't contain his excitement in having faked out the Hawks front line and having a clear look at the hoop. Unfortunately he was too excited and once again travelled.
Jamal Crawford hit 4 of his last 6 shots and had all (17) of his points and (5) of his (6) assists in the second half as the Hawks had to hide Mike Bibby on the bench. Crawford was getting abused too, but the lineup of Smith, Marvin, Al, Joe, and Jamal were very positive on the night, including a +24 for Al.
The Glen Davis Flagrant Foul and the fallout for the Celtics was a significant, if even statistically spurious, occurrence. Rondo, who had tormented the Hawks to that point, would score (6) more points and get (Zero) assists the rest of the way. Also from that point, Paul Pierce had (4) points in the last (18) minutes of game action.
For as much as he provided them in his (21) minutes of play, we were surprised that we didn't see Brian Scalabrine for any of the last (19) minutes of the game. It's probably a good play for the C's, as they already had received a season's high from Brian and didn't want to risk getting diminishing returns by bringing him back late in the game, but we thought he played tough defense on Smith and certainly provided energy and spark (along with three 3-pointers) that Boston might have been able to use in the fourth quarter in some way.
The discrepancy in free throw attempts will no doubt be noted (33 for the Hawks to 18 for the Celtics), but the difference was in the way that the Celtics defended compared to Atlanta that explains some of the gap. While the Celtics definitely attacked the paint, they usually found their shots uncontested by Horford or Smith in there. This was in large part due to The Rondo Effect that permeated much of the game, where Atlanta had to step over to cover the driving Rondo, leaving a Boston big open to score with relative ease. Contrast this with the wall of Celtics the Hawks had to contend with every time they were in the lane and you begin to see how the Celtics weren't fouled as much as Hawks were. They didn't allow the easy hoops the Hawks were and made their guests earn their points from the line whereas the Hawks simply chalked up two to their hosts, also explaining the 48-34 Boston advantage in points in the paint.
Finally, A Huge THHB 'Grats to Joe Johnson for having his biggest scoring night in Boston with his (36) points and for notching his 1000th three pointer of his career. We loved the (36) he scored tonight---as he rarely did it by forcing shots and trusted that his teammates would get him the ball in the right places, which they did. (8) of his (14) field goals made were assisted, a season high.
(all stats provided by Hoopdata.com)
--Dusty Bottoms, Three Amigos
We will admit, we thought we had a different recap coming as the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks headed into the locker rooms at halftime in Monday night's game in Boston.
The Celtics led 55-46---and the Hawks were fortunate to have the margin down to single digits when they left the floor after the second quarter.
Boston, without Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, was taking it to all the Hawks weak spots on defense. They used Rajon Rondo to obliterate Mike Bibby from the game by going around the veteran time and again on his way to (16) first half points. The times that ATL moved to help on Rondo, the young PG shifted the ball to an open man---usually under the basket, where they found little resistance from the Hawks frontcourt and capitalized to the tune of 17-21 around the rim. The Hawks simply couldn't keep Bibby on the floor as The Rondo Effect was making it impossible for the Hawks to keep the Celtics under (60) percent from the floor.
That Bibby had to be removed was unfortunate because it was clear early on that it was going to be one of the nights Jamal Crawford simply didn't have it. Prior to midway through the third quarter, Crawford was 0-6.
While the Hawks struggled defensively, they were grinding offensively. On a night where it seemed the Hawks were actually committed to getting into the paint, they found things awfully difficult there despite the absence of Garnett and Wallace. The Hawks were OK around the rim @ 72 percent on 13-18 shooting, but were an incredible 3-13 within 10 feet.
Symbolic of this frustration was the inability of Josh Smith to beat Brian Scalabrine off the dribble and get to the hoop, going 1-5 in the first half. Even Al Horford struggled to get anything to go into the hoop. Al went 2-6 inside 10 feet, including at the rim and was no better beyond that, shooting an unsettling 3-11 for the night.
Still, despite the defensive woes and the trouble the frontcourt had getting the ball to go down, the Hawks didn't start settling for bad shots (though the ball movement was weak early on)---they continued to try and get into the lane and to the free throw line.
Marvin Williams typified this approach by taking it to the basket and while he also faced the same issues as his forward brethren getting the ball to drop through the hoop, his aggressive approach led him to the free throw line for a team high (11) free throws. His (12) points and Joe Johnson's steady-as-she-goes (16) in the first half were keeping the Hawks in the water.
Then, in the third quarter, things changed.
It started harmless enough, with Scalabrine fouling Marvin and picking up his fourth foul. With his surprising nemesis out of the game, Josh Smith took a pass from a double teamed Joe Johnson and slammed it home, cutting the Celtic lead to (10).
On the next play, Ray Allen lost the ball to Marvin Williams. As Marvin broke away, Glen Davis collared him while Marvin was going up on the break. Davis clearly didn't play the ball and while he was not intending any harm to Williams, it was a careless play that will always be labeled a Flagrant Foul.
Much like longtime Celtic player/coach/broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn, Celtics coach Doc Rivers---ummmm---disagreed vociferously. His ensuing outburst cost his team (2) points and Rivers his courtside seat for the rest of the game. Toss in Armond Hill's "Me, too!" and the Hawks were suddenly back to within (6) points.
The (3) free throws that Jamal Crawford cashed in as a result of the Celtic coaches acting like Tommy on his telecasts were Jamal's first points of the game--and it may have re-aligned Crawford with the hoop as he cashed in two 3-pointers and two more free throws before the end of the third quarter. Suddenly Crawford had (11) points and the Hawks even managed to tie the game at 75 with less than a minute left in the quarter.
The Celtics, meanwhile, had gotten away from The Rondo Effect and lost their considerable offensive momentum, but they managed to start to pull away again early the fourth quarter when the Hawks starters took their last pit stops. With little less than (11) minutes left in the game, Davis knocked down a pair of jumpers to make it a seven point Boston lead again.
And then Joe Johnson happened.
Johnson got back in the game and immediately hit back to back shots, scoring (5) points in (30) seconds to get the game back to two points. Then, after Horford muffed a couple of chances to deadlock the game, Johnson took care of that by scoring his 30th and 31st points on a tough fadeaway jumper.
Atlanta's defense was now revitalized and energetic--and this combined with Boston's reticence to go back to what was working---attacking Jamal Crawford and getting Rondo into the lane---allowed the Hawks to clamp down on their hosts. The Celtics struggled (or just forgot) to get the ball to noted Hawk Hater Paul Pierce--leaving Glen Davis to get the ball in the critical minutes of the quarter.
Suddenly a game that just a quarter ago seemed like cash in hand for the Celtics was seeing the lead change hands on every possession.
Crawford drove the lane and then passed to an open man on the baseline for a jumper. Hawks fans could be heard collectively gasping as Josh Smith was the man shooting, but Smith's jumper landed in the hoop. On the next trip down, Ray Allen answered with a smooth three and the C's were up by (2) with (5) minutes to go.
Johnson answered with a second chance three pointer, giving him (34) points and the Hawks the lead again by one. Rondo then found himself switched off with Horford guarding him---Al had to goal tend to stop the speedy guard and Boston had the lead again with less than (4) minutes to play.
It's in these games that you expect the worst as Hawks fans---you expect that Pierce is going to hit big shots or that Ray Allen will slip off a pick and stick a three in your heart. So with the Celtics holding the lead, and the stretch run is on, you can only hope it's your team that hit the shots and the other team misses.
After a Josh Smith block on Rondo, the Hawks down one with almost three minutes left to play got the ball to Johnson, who took two Celtics to the right side and then shot an fadeaway that seemed to barely clear the outstretched hand of Pierce. They would be Johnson's 35th and 36th points of the night and the Hawks had the lead again.
Crawford then stole the ball from Pierce and got it to Smith and the Hawks were up three. Smith would hand the points right back to Boston when he would foul Davis on a made basket and tied the game with 2 1/2 minutes left to go.
On the next possession, with the shot clock winding down, Crawford got the ball and launched a three. Rondo jumped and hit Jamal on his shooting hand, granting Crawford three free throws, of which he hit two.
Suddenly, the Celtics went cold. Ray Allen missed a good look at a three. Then Crawford went around a Horford screen and got to the basket as neither Celtic big closed on him. Jamal's layup gently caressed the rim before softly dropping in and the Hawks were up (4).
The Official Viewing Center of THHB were allowing themselves to consider that the Hawks might pull this off--this game that had none of the markings of a typical Hawks win, but one that would clearly satisfy and pay off the hard work done in the game.
Allen got another good look---and missed again. Marvin fought for the rebound and got a timeout. Mike Woodson took the entirety of the timeout and then some, still sketching out the play for his closing backcourt of Johnson and Crawford as play was about to resume. As the two walked onto the court, you could almost hear them saying to each other that they didn't understand what Woodson was writing up and called an audible---whichever one of them got the ball would dribble out up top and take it in the paint for the shot--as always.
The ball ended up in Jamal's hands and he dribbled the shot clock down. Horford came to the top to set the screen and once again Jamal went around Al's pick and found himself wide open for the jumper. A second later the ball ripped through the net and the Hawks had a (6) point lead with a minute left to play.
The ending was anticlimactic---well, ok, not so much--but it lacked the drama we'd come to expect in Boston. Pierce, Allen, and Rondo all missed their shot in the last minute and failed to make Atlanta score any more to win and the Hawks walked off the court with the 102-96 victory.
The Hawks could have gotten down when the Celtics were dominating them on both ends, but they stayed aggressive, got to the free throw line and kept themselves in the game. This team will ultimately be judged on what they do in the playoffs---all the truly good teams are---so while this game wouldn't have meant much in the final opinion authored in April and May either way---it's encouraging to see them battle in this game where they didn't in Orlando.
Is This The End? No!
Horford struggled mightily in this game, but he kept working on defense, being a key reason Kendrick Perkins turned the ball over (6) times. Horford's fundamentally sound defense caused Perkins to show some poor footwork, though Horford can't take credit on one play where Perkins couldn't contain his excitement in having faked out the Hawks front line and having a clear look at the hoop. Unfortunately he was too excited and once again travelled.
Jamal Crawford hit 4 of his last 6 shots and had all (17) of his points and (5) of his (6) assists in the second half as the Hawks had to hide Mike Bibby on the bench. Crawford was getting abused too, but the lineup of Smith, Marvin, Al, Joe, and Jamal were very positive on the night, including a +24 for Al.
The Glen Davis Flagrant Foul and the fallout for the Celtics was a significant, if even statistically spurious, occurrence. Rondo, who had tormented the Hawks to that point, would score (6) more points and get (Zero) assists the rest of the way. Also from that point, Paul Pierce had (4) points in the last (18) minutes of game action.
For as much as he provided them in his (21) minutes of play, we were surprised that we didn't see Brian Scalabrine for any of the last (19) minutes of the game. It's probably a good play for the C's, as they already had received a season's high from Brian and didn't want to risk getting diminishing returns by bringing him back late in the game, but we thought he played tough defense on Smith and certainly provided energy and spark (along with three 3-pointers) that Boston might have been able to use in the fourth quarter in some way.
The discrepancy in free throw attempts will no doubt be noted (33 for the Hawks to 18 for the Celtics), but the difference was in the way that the Celtics defended compared to Atlanta that explains some of the gap. While the Celtics definitely attacked the paint, they usually found their shots uncontested by Horford or Smith in there. This was in large part due to The Rondo Effect that permeated much of the game, where Atlanta had to step over to cover the driving Rondo, leaving a Boston big open to score with relative ease. Contrast this with the wall of Celtics the Hawks had to contend with every time they were in the lane and you begin to see how the Celtics weren't fouled as much as Hawks were. They didn't allow the easy hoops the Hawks were and made their guests earn their points from the line whereas the Hawks simply chalked up two to their hosts, also explaining the 48-34 Boston advantage in points in the paint.
Finally, A Huge THHB 'Grats to Joe Johnson for having his biggest scoring night in Boston with his (36) points and for notching his 1000th three pointer of his career. We loved the (36) he scored tonight---as he rarely did it by forcing shots and trusted that his teammates would get him the ball in the right places, which they did. (8) of his (14) field goals made were assisted, a season high.
(all stats provided by Hoopdata.com)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Too (Insert Reason Here) to Win in Miami
Four in a row.
Six of the last eight.
The 92-75 pasting of the Hawks Monday night at the hands of the Miami Heat isn't an aberration, it's now a trend.
Bird Watchers have noted that the losses have all had a certain jump shot happy smell to them, usually in the hands of The Backcourt in the fourth quarter. The Hawks doubled down on the strategy by moving the fourth quarter offense into the first quarter against the Heat, to the predictable result of a 30-14 first quarter deficit--and they never recovered from there.
But it wasn't just the fact that the Hawks are in a Lindsey Lohan type relationship with the jump shot (35 percent vs. the Heat) that hurt them against Miami. They didn't rebound, losing that particular battle 52-30. They didn't share the ball, garnering only (11) assists. They managed (2) steals, (3) blocks, and (7) offensive rebounds--all indicators of the effort level put forth by the Hawks in this game.
Poor effort usually is from fatigue, laziness, injury, or all of the above. It takes maturity, patience, and ball movement to get good shots and movement and effort to defend. The Hawks looked like they had a collective "South Beach Diet" from the night before and like they would rather have slept it off versus trying to do what was necessary to beat Miami.
Even Al Horford and Josh Smith were launching bombs, though the offense left them little choice--as every play called seemed to be a high pick so that a guard could catch the ball and shoot. Nobody other than Jamal Crawford, who was the only Hawk to get the picture that the jump shot approach was failing (again) with (12) of his team high (23) point coming from the free throw line, and Joe Johnson (11 points on 15 shots) scratched double digits in scoring.
The Heat, meanwhile, were basket attacking maniacs, outscoring the usual prolific lane scoring Hawks 40-32 in the paint, getting offensive rebounds (13), and getting many open looks from the outside with penetration and ball movement.
This is a dog day part of the season--the month before the All-Star break---but the Hawks are in danger of slipping into some old, familiar habits permanently if they don't snap out of their "but jump shots are easier" approach to the offensive end--and that will not bode well for overall growth for the season.
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid--But Nobody Listens Anyway
It wasn't as if the Hawks added to their 2-6 record when launching (21) or more threes (they had 14 attempts), but they weren't getting into the lane either. The in-between nature of the shot selection is somehow symbolic, but we're just not clever enough to figure out what it symbolizes.
Joe Johnson is the king of taking a wide open shot and making it into a last second, impossible fallaway jumper. Big crown for that guy.
Jeff Teague made a mess on the couch one time too many apparently because even in a game that screamed for a playmaker who would get into the lane, the rookie only got to play in Jandolph time. Not a good sign for the young man or folks who might like to see their first round pick get the run he was seeing earlier in the season.
We're guessing Joe Smith wonders where the playoff team who signed him went off to. When he got injured the Hawks were a juggernaut charging through the league. Now, the Hawks look as lost as the New Orleans Saints, trying to figure out how to get the lovin' feeling back.
Shocking statistic of the night: Jamaal Magloire is only (31) years old. We were surprised because Magloire has played like a grandpa for the last few seasons and has become an end-of-the-bench entity so we assumed he was in his fifties. Seriously, the Heat announcers talked in amazement over his (10) rebounds--as if this was Satchel Paige of the basketball court. And then to find out he's only (31)--wow--we were stunned---seems like he was in the ABA.
Shameless Self-Promotion Dept., Third Floor
Hoopinion did Hawks fans (and the team if they wanted to look at it) a great service in breaking down the Hawks break downs in recent fourth quarters. THHB thinks that this game served as a prime exhibit of the team getting right to the closing argument. Case closed.
Many thanks to Peachtree Hoops for their kind words around our End of the Decade Special on the Hawks. For the record, they called it a "novel length post of awesomeness" and that's high praise indeed. We were beginning to think our intimidating presence/unassailable knowledge was scaring folks away from debating the order of the Top Hawks Happenings of the past decade. Now that reality has been restored---get over there and read and tell us where we were wrong (or right, you can do that, too)!
And big ups to Drew for getting in Ken Sugiura's Hawks coverage for the second time. Ken's doing good work there in the aftermath of Sekou Smith's departure to NBA.com---it's nice to have someone on the beat who is willing to write about what we are talking about---and giving the community a nod in the process.
Six of the last eight.
The 92-75 pasting of the Hawks Monday night at the hands of the Miami Heat isn't an aberration, it's now a trend.
Bird Watchers have noted that the losses have all had a certain jump shot happy smell to them, usually in the hands of The Backcourt in the fourth quarter. The Hawks doubled down on the strategy by moving the fourth quarter offense into the first quarter against the Heat, to the predictable result of a 30-14 first quarter deficit--and they never recovered from there.
But it wasn't just the fact that the Hawks are in a Lindsey Lohan type relationship with the jump shot (35 percent vs. the Heat) that hurt them against Miami. They didn't rebound, losing that particular battle 52-30. They didn't share the ball, garnering only (11) assists. They managed (2) steals, (3) blocks, and (7) offensive rebounds--all indicators of the effort level put forth by the Hawks in this game.
Poor effort usually is from fatigue, laziness, injury, or all of the above. It takes maturity, patience, and ball movement to get good shots and movement and effort to defend. The Hawks looked like they had a collective "South Beach Diet" from the night before and like they would rather have slept it off versus trying to do what was necessary to beat Miami.
Even Al Horford and Josh Smith were launching bombs, though the offense left them little choice--as every play called seemed to be a high pick so that a guard could catch the ball and shoot. Nobody other than Jamal Crawford, who was the only Hawk to get the picture that the jump shot approach was failing (again) with (12) of his team high (23) point coming from the free throw line, and Joe Johnson (11 points on 15 shots) scratched double digits in scoring.
The Heat, meanwhile, were basket attacking maniacs, outscoring the usual prolific lane scoring Hawks 40-32 in the paint, getting offensive rebounds (13), and getting many open looks from the outside with penetration and ball movement.
This is a dog day part of the season--the month before the All-Star break---but the Hawks are in danger of slipping into some old, familiar habits permanently if they don't snap out of their "but jump shots are easier" approach to the offensive end--and that will not bode well for overall growth for the season.
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid--But Nobody Listens Anyway
It wasn't as if the Hawks added to their 2-6 record when launching (21) or more threes (they had 14 attempts), but they weren't getting into the lane either. The in-between nature of the shot selection is somehow symbolic, but we're just not clever enough to figure out what it symbolizes.
Joe Johnson is the king of taking a wide open shot and making it into a last second, impossible fallaway jumper. Big crown for that guy.
Jeff Teague made a mess on the couch one time too many apparently because even in a game that screamed for a playmaker who would get into the lane, the rookie only got to play in Jandolph time. Not a good sign for the young man or folks who might like to see their first round pick get the run he was seeing earlier in the season.
We're guessing Joe Smith wonders where the playoff team who signed him went off to. When he got injured the Hawks were a juggernaut charging through the league. Now, the Hawks look as lost as the New Orleans Saints, trying to figure out how to get the lovin' feeling back.
Shocking statistic of the night: Jamaal Magloire is only (31) years old. We were surprised because Magloire has played like a grandpa for the last few seasons and has become an end-of-the-bench entity so we assumed he was in his fifties. Seriously, the Heat announcers talked in amazement over his (10) rebounds--as if this was Satchel Paige of the basketball court. And then to find out he's only (31)--wow--we were stunned---seems like he was in the ABA.
Shameless Self-Promotion Dept., Third Floor
Hoopinion did Hawks fans (and the team if they wanted to look at it) a great service in breaking down the Hawks break downs in recent fourth quarters. THHB thinks that this game served as a prime exhibit of the team getting right to the closing argument. Case closed.
Many thanks to Peachtree Hoops for their kind words around our End of the Decade Special on the Hawks. For the record, they called it a "novel length post of awesomeness" and that's high praise indeed. We were beginning to think our intimidating presence/unassailable knowledge was scaring folks away from debating the order of the Top Hawks Happenings of the past decade. Now that reality has been restored---get over there and read and tell us where we were wrong (or right, you can do that, too)!
And big ups to Drew for getting in Ken Sugiura's Hawks coverage for the second time. Ken's doing good work there in the aftermath of Sekou Smith's departure to NBA.com---it's nice to have someone on the beat who is willing to write about what we are talking about---and giving the community a nod in the process.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Horford Takes Game, Lee's Lunch Money
At the University of Florida in 2004-2005, David Lee went up in practice against the likes of freshmen and future national champions Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Al Horford. Lee and the other upperclassmen were known to have their hands full in such practices, but liked to have their way with the young bucks.
We hope he enjoyed those days, because they are no more.
Against the New York Knicks, in The Great Building, the Atlanta Hawks took control of a sloppy game with a (37) point third quarter and cruised to a 114-101 win.
In that third quarter, the Hawks rode the back of the aforementioned Horford, who scored (14) in the quarter, on his way to a game high (25) on the night. As the Hawks searched for control after falling behind by double digits at halftime, suddenly the team discovered the ever-active big man.
First was a running jump shot off a pick/roll with Mike Bibby (with bonus!). Then, as the Namesake was saying on the telecast that they should get the ball to Horford (a novel concept with no real big men present on the Knicks), the Hawks fed the ball to Al, who had Lee on his back.
Not for long.
Horford took the ball at Lee by backing down on the baseline. Then Horford sealed him on his left hip, swung right towards the baseline and found nothing between himself and the rim. The one-time backup to Lee completed the ownage by launching a two-hand slam and leaving Lee left to pick up the remains.
It was a play that brought the entire HHB Viewing Party to their feet, with multiple requests to honor the strong move by rewinding and making sure he would do it again. And he did.
The dunk brought the Hawks down to a (5) point deficit, but it established that the Knicks had nothing that could stop the Birds from nesting near the rim. Horford would get the ball again against Lee and this time drew the foul going hard to the middle.
Horford's prowess got the Knicks attention and the next time Horford got the ball in the lane, he drew the defense and dished to a baseline cutting Josh Smith, who dropped in a reverse layup. Next it was Smith's turn to return the favor and, when an Al Harrington three missed the mark, Smith got the ball ahead to a waiting Horford, who dunked first and asked questions later. When Al sank the bonus, the score was tied at 71 and the Hawks never trailed again.
As the Knicks started to lose their composure by launching quick shots instead of leaning on what got them their lead to begin with, a steady diet of ball movement and attacking the rim, the Hawks pulled away. Horford added four more points in the quarter and the Hawks began to lock down the win.
David Lee might be in line for a big payday next offseason, but Al Horford just owned him.
Seven Seconds is a Sham, but Toney Douglas is a Man
We know that courtside guest Lang Whitaker was happy about what he saw. Not just that the Favored Team won and that he got to call the game, but that he got to see the man he touted throughout the draft process play a great game.
Toney Douglas was not well thought of going into April of last year--that is until Lang called all those fools out in his April 1st Links column. (Hint to the experts: He wasn't fooling.)
Douglas shot and shot and shot his way to (22) points and was the only Knick that earned a "heat check" on the night. (Yes, we know that Harrington scored -22- also, but he scored inside--and who asked you, anyway?)
All Those Who Think They Deserve a Spot on the All-Star Ballot, Step Forward---Not So Fast, Marvin
So the All-Star Ballots came out Tuesday and the Starting Five are on the ballot in the East. Horford, Smith, Johnson, Bibby, and Jamal Crawford.
(record scratch)
Yup, no Marvin Williams on the ballot, and the newly contractually extended member of the Hawks family protested by having more fouls than points (5 to 4) and going quietly into the New York City nightlife. Williams struggled so mightily in this game that he spent the night defensively trying to prove Hoopinion's statistical analysis of his early season.In fact, we thought we saw the Hawks switching Horford onto first half Knicks star Harrington with great success. Then, when Lee scored inside on Williams, they switched back, and then back again, as if trying to hide Marvin. We love Williams, but the Mustache is not as obvious this season, and his game is much less comfortable right now---as if there isn't any room for him out there.
Just like the All-Star Ballot.
THHB would also like to honor Mike Bibby for his game (19 and 9, 6-8, 3-4, 4-4). Well done sir. Flowers and cards can be left for Mike in the Comments Area.
We hope he enjoyed those days, because they are no more.
Against the New York Knicks, in The Great Building, the Atlanta Hawks took control of a sloppy game with a (37) point third quarter and cruised to a 114-101 win.
In that third quarter, the Hawks rode the back of the aforementioned Horford, who scored (14) in the quarter, on his way to a game high (25) on the night. As the Hawks searched for control after falling behind by double digits at halftime, suddenly the team discovered the ever-active big man.
First was a running jump shot off a pick/roll with Mike Bibby (with bonus!). Then, as the Namesake was saying on the telecast that they should get the ball to Horford (a novel concept with no real big men present on the Knicks), the Hawks fed the ball to Al, who had Lee on his back.
Not for long.
Horford took the ball at Lee by backing down on the baseline. Then Horford sealed him on his left hip, swung right towards the baseline and found nothing between himself and the rim. The one-time backup to Lee completed the ownage by launching a two-hand slam and leaving Lee left to pick up the remains.
It was a play that brought the entire HHB Viewing Party to their feet, with multiple requests to honor the strong move by rewinding and making sure he would do it again. And he did.
The dunk brought the Hawks down to a (5) point deficit, but it established that the Knicks had nothing that could stop the Birds from nesting near the rim. Horford would get the ball again against Lee and this time drew the foul going hard to the middle.
Horford's prowess got the Knicks attention and the next time Horford got the ball in the lane, he drew the defense and dished to a baseline cutting Josh Smith, who dropped in a reverse layup. Next it was Smith's turn to return the favor and, when an Al Harrington three missed the mark, Smith got the ball ahead to a waiting Horford, who dunked first and asked questions later. When Al sank the bonus, the score was tied at 71 and the Hawks never trailed again.
As the Knicks started to lose their composure by launching quick shots instead of leaning on what got them their lead to begin with, a steady diet of ball movement and attacking the rim, the Hawks pulled away. Horford added four more points in the quarter and the Hawks began to lock down the win.
David Lee might be in line for a big payday next offseason, but Al Horford just owned him.
Seven Seconds is a Sham, but Toney Douglas is a Man
We know that courtside guest Lang Whitaker was happy about what he saw. Not just that the Favored Team won and that he got to call the game, but that he got to see the man he touted throughout the draft process play a great game.
Toney Douglas was not well thought of going into April of last year--that is until Lang called all those fools out in his April 1st Links column. (Hint to the experts: He wasn't fooling.)
Douglas shot and shot and shot his way to (22) points and was the only Knick that earned a "heat check" on the night. (Yes, we know that Harrington scored -22- also, but he scored inside--and who asked you, anyway?)
All Those Who Think They Deserve a Spot on the All-Star Ballot, Step Forward---Not So Fast, Marvin
So the All-Star Ballots came out Tuesday and the Starting Five are on the ballot in the East. Horford, Smith, Johnson, Bibby, and Jamal Crawford.
(record scratch)
Yup, no Marvin Williams on the ballot, and the newly contractually extended member of the Hawks family protested by having more fouls than points (5 to 4) and going quietly into the New York City nightlife. Williams struggled so mightily in this game that he spent the night defensively trying to prove Hoopinion's statistical analysis of his early season.In fact, we thought we saw the Hawks switching Horford onto first half Knicks star Harrington with great success. Then, when Lee scored inside on Williams, they switched back, and then back again, as if trying to hide Marvin. We love Williams, but the Mustache is not as obvious this season, and his game is much less comfortable right now---as if there isn't any room for him out there.
Just like the All-Star Ballot.
THHB would also like to honor Mike Bibby for his game (19 and 9, 6-8, 3-4, 4-4). Well done sir. Flowers and cards can be left for Mike in the Comments Area.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Grinding in the Hightlight Factory
For those of you hoping to see some "in action" looks or screen caps of folks dancing to the Sprite Jam Cam at Philips Arena or some Kiss Cam "After Dark" footage---we do apologize for our misleading title.
For those who watched the Hawks 100-89 win over the visiting Washington Wizards, you know exactly what we're talking about.
There are games when everything clicks, folks are on the same page, and every choice that's made is the right one. This was not one of those games for the Birds.
Sure, the Wizards never truly challenged after the Hawks spotted their guests a 15-5 lead, but with Antawn Jamison out, Caron Butler getting hurt and not playing the second half, Gilbert Arenas turning the ball over (7) times, and Flip Saunders deciding to play Nick Young and bury JaVale McGee until too late, the game was there for the Hawks to salt away long before all doubt was erased. It was reckless play by the home team that allowed the game to be even the margin that it was.
After the Hawks climbed out of that temporary hole behind Jamal Crawford's excellent (15) point first half off the bench, the team dropped their sharp play for something more out-of-sync. The result was a number of missed opportunities on the break, poor shot selection by just about everyone on the floor, and a precipitous drop in offensive shooting percentage due to a high percentage of standing around in the third quarter.
Joe Johnson couldn't get things to drop early, or middle, or late. And because the rest of the team was floundering as well (41 percent for the game after shooting around 47 percent for the first half), Joe began to force things and, as a result, sent the team further down the rathole in that third quarter, scoring only (17) points for the entirety. Even defensively the wheels began to come off as the Hawks' big men stopped moving their feet and began to slap at passing Wizards. Heck, Joe Smith even got whistled for fouling McGee---when he was shooting backwards.
The saving grace for the Birds was at the foul line, where the Wizards couldn't make 'em and the Hawks couldn't miss. Atlanta shot a whopping (91) percent from the foul line (31-34) while Washington shot managed on (64) percent (14-22). The Hawks even made a dead ball free throw (gasp!).
It wasn't as if they didn't want to or weren't trying, they struggled to get things in gear. In the fourth quarter, the guys would put together 30-40 seconds of good basketball every so often, just enough to keep the Wizards at arm's length. The grinding noise of the Hawks offense could be heard even with the Official HDTV of THHB muted.
The best of these moments came just under five minutes to play when Josh Smith drove the basketball and dished to Al Horford who slammed it home then (16) seconds later, after Josh's 900th career blocked shot (an Arenas 3-attempt and his first block of the game), Mike Bibby lobbed a ball towards the basket, a pass so high that only Josh could corral it and complete the flush, which he did.
More Josh Smith---More:
Regarding Smith's 900th block--in doing so he became the fastest to reach that milestone, breaking Shaq's old record. Take that, Cleve-land!
We've said it before, when Smith drives to the hoop we expect the ball to fall in--he has become one of the best in the league at finishing. Even with the Wizards tall, strong frontcourt and all the shot blockers, Smith found a way to finish. It's like a celestial compromise the basketball gods are making with the young man---just stop shooting jumpers and go to the hoop---and we promise we'll do all we can to guide it in---it's the score and one more!
Maybe it was just us (likely), but when Josh picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, he looked foul heading to the bench, but not in the sulking, brooding way we may have seen in years past, but in a "aw, heyazz no" way that we noted Smith seemed irritated and that the Wizards may have done something to wake him up. That Smith had (9) points, (2) boards, and his only two blocked shots in the final quarter may not qualify as dominant, but he definitely made his presence felt in a way he hadn't during the other (3) quarters of the game.
Tight Rims
While The Backcourt struggled to shoot straight (8-25), they kept things going in the other stat columns (10 boards, 13 assists, 3 turnovers)--but it's a reminder that the Hawks can't rely on the jump shot to win games. The Hawks pulled away when they went to the rim and made things happen that way--- a big reason why they went to the line as much as they did.
Al Horford drew back a little offensively tonight---as he tends to do against much larger defenders. He rushed a few shots around the basket and finished with a 4-11 night from the field. The one time he did take it strong in the first half was right at the end, when he got the ball in the block, turned toward the lane and put a hook in the hoop, sending the Hawks to a (14) point halftime lead.
BTW, we've got inside information that Zaza Pachulia even looks for contact on the pre-game layup line. Oh, there were opportunities for Zaza to make a bucket (he was 0-1 with 4 made free throws), but he didn't have the slightest interest in all that nonsense---it's all about the whistle with Zaza, baby.
Not Quite Yet, But Who Knows?
We previewed the game tonight by noting the abundance of prognosticators that see the Wizards at least as the Hawks equal .We also stated that, while this game was a good litmus test for both teams, it's shouldn't be a "told you so" game either way.
Afterwards we have to say it was a let down in that regard. With Jamison out, Butler getting hurt, and Flip Saunders obviously still getting to know his personnel, the Hawks could see a much different team the next time they host Washington on January 13th, rendering this game just another notch on the win or loss column, and little else.
We don't know why, but if JaVale McGee was healthy enough to play (10) minutes, he should have played more. THHB is not a fan of the token starter (cough--Royal Ivey--cough), so we have to question why Fabricio Oberto not only started, but played more minutes than McGee--who seems to always be a thorn in the flesh of the Hawks. Between McGee and Andray Blatche, they were menaces to the Hawks society.
And while we're at it, congrats to the Wizards to holding Mike Miller to (5) shots, in (32) minutes no less, while Nick Young saw fit to launch (8) in (12) minutes, which all missed.
THHB sees glory in a 2-0 start, and looks forward to the upcoming 3am recaps during their upcoming West Coast swing. All caffeinated beverages should be routed quickly through the concierge in the Comments Area.
For those who watched the Hawks 100-89 win over the visiting Washington Wizards, you know exactly what we're talking about.
There are games when everything clicks, folks are on the same page, and every choice that's made is the right one. This was not one of those games for the Birds.
Sure, the Wizards never truly challenged after the Hawks spotted their guests a 15-5 lead, but with Antawn Jamison out, Caron Butler getting hurt and not playing the second half, Gilbert Arenas turning the ball over (7) times, and Flip Saunders deciding to play Nick Young and bury JaVale McGee until too late, the game was there for the Hawks to salt away long before all doubt was erased. It was reckless play by the home team that allowed the game to be even the margin that it was.
After the Hawks climbed out of that temporary hole behind Jamal Crawford's excellent (15) point first half off the bench, the team dropped their sharp play for something more out-of-sync. The result was a number of missed opportunities on the break, poor shot selection by just about everyone on the floor, and a precipitous drop in offensive shooting percentage due to a high percentage of standing around in the third quarter.
Joe Johnson couldn't get things to drop early, or middle, or late. And because the rest of the team was floundering as well (41 percent for the game after shooting around 47 percent for the first half), Joe began to force things and, as a result, sent the team further down the rathole in that third quarter, scoring only (17) points for the entirety. Even defensively the wheels began to come off as the Hawks' big men stopped moving their feet and began to slap at passing Wizards. Heck, Joe Smith even got whistled for fouling McGee---when he was shooting backwards.
The saving grace for the Birds was at the foul line, where the Wizards couldn't make 'em and the Hawks couldn't miss. Atlanta shot a whopping (91) percent from the foul line (31-34) while Washington shot managed on (64) percent (14-22). The Hawks even made a dead ball free throw (gasp!).
It wasn't as if they didn't want to or weren't trying, they struggled to get things in gear. In the fourth quarter, the guys would put together 30-40 seconds of good basketball every so often, just enough to keep the Wizards at arm's length. The grinding noise of the Hawks offense could be heard even with the Official HDTV of THHB muted.
The best of these moments came just under five minutes to play when Josh Smith drove the basketball and dished to Al Horford who slammed it home then (16) seconds later, after Josh's 900th career blocked shot (an Arenas 3-attempt and his first block of the game), Mike Bibby lobbed a ball towards the basket, a pass so high that only Josh could corral it and complete the flush, which he did.
More Josh Smith---More:
Regarding Smith's 900th block--in doing so he became the fastest to reach that milestone, breaking Shaq's old record. Take that, Cleve-land!
We've said it before, when Smith drives to the hoop we expect the ball to fall in--he has become one of the best in the league at finishing. Even with the Wizards tall, strong frontcourt and all the shot blockers, Smith found a way to finish. It's like a celestial compromise the basketball gods are making with the young man---just stop shooting jumpers and go to the hoop---and we promise we'll do all we can to guide it in---it's the score and one more!
Maybe it was just us (likely), but when Josh picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter, he looked foul heading to the bench, but not in the sulking, brooding way we may have seen in years past, but in a "aw, heyazz no" way that we noted Smith seemed irritated and that the Wizards may have done something to wake him up. That Smith had (9) points, (2) boards, and his only two blocked shots in the final quarter may not qualify as dominant, but he definitely made his presence felt in a way he hadn't during the other (3) quarters of the game.
Tight Rims
While The Backcourt struggled to shoot straight (8-25), they kept things going in the other stat columns (10 boards, 13 assists, 3 turnovers)--but it's a reminder that the Hawks can't rely on the jump shot to win games. The Hawks pulled away when they went to the rim and made things happen that way--- a big reason why they went to the line as much as they did.
Al Horford drew back a little offensively tonight---as he tends to do against much larger defenders. He rushed a few shots around the basket and finished with a 4-11 night from the field. The one time he did take it strong in the first half was right at the end, when he got the ball in the block, turned toward the lane and put a hook in the hoop, sending the Hawks to a (14) point halftime lead.
BTW, we've got inside information that Zaza Pachulia even looks for contact on the pre-game layup line. Oh, there were opportunities for Zaza to make a bucket (he was 0-1 with 4 made free throws), but he didn't have the slightest interest in all that nonsense---it's all about the whistle with Zaza, baby.
Not Quite Yet, But Who Knows?
We previewed the game tonight by noting the abundance of prognosticators that see the Wizards at least as the Hawks equal .We also stated that, while this game was a good litmus test for both teams, it's shouldn't be a "told you so" game either way.
Afterwards we have to say it was a let down in that regard. With Jamison out, Butler getting hurt, and Flip Saunders obviously still getting to know his personnel, the Hawks could see a much different team the next time they host Washington on January 13th, rendering this game just another notch on the win or loss column, and little else.
We don't know why, but if JaVale McGee was healthy enough to play (10) minutes, he should have played more. THHB is not a fan of the token starter (cough--Royal Ivey--cough), so we have to question why Fabricio Oberto not only started, but played more minutes than McGee--who seems to always be a thorn in the flesh of the Hawks. Between McGee and Andray Blatche, they were menaces to the Hawks society.
And while we're at it, congrats to the Wizards to holding Mike Miller to (5) shots, in (32) minutes no less, while Nick Young saw fit to launch (8) in (12) minutes, which all missed.
THHB sees glory in a 2-0 start, and looks forward to the upcoming 3am recaps during their upcoming West Coast swing. All caffeinated beverages should be routed quickly through the concierge in the Comments Area.
Friday, May 22, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Status Quo And the People Who Watch Them
It's hard to imagine that the Atlanta Hawks and those who surround it aren't listening to the people who love and watch them regarding the ongoing struggles, coaching suggestions, and feedback surrounding their victories and defeats.
Everytime we hear their quotes, see their actions, or witness anything to do with the Birds we see and hear the same stale statements, the same irrational behavior, and the same predictable outcome.
All we want is some validation and action around our amazing insights----is that a lot to ask?
Hoopinion has been asking for relief on the two foul-first half policy and the foul out fraidy-catness for quite a few seasons now---and we're not sure, but we think that, while the case has been made, the changes that would accompany have not.
Peachtree Hoops has been asking for the head of Alfredo Garcia---or Mike Woodson---and yet we see every game, except for the games where Woody excuses himself from the proceedings with a couple of points for the other team, that their request remains "Pending" in the Atlanta Spirit queue.
The Vent wants something resembling improvement and an on-again/off-again basketball romance with Josh Smith and his amazing array of jump shots---This, apparently, has been granted, as Smith loves to make CoCo happy and launch the three. Ca-chow!
As for Str8talk, well, they want the whole enchilada---compliments of the house. And, of course, that hasn't happened since they moved to Atlanta (the Hawks, that is). All that Str8t wants is to continually move towards that target---is that so wrong???
We have been asking for more attention to the post offensive strategy this season, especially in the development of Al Horford----sadly, we must not be speaking the right language because, in spite of the coach's words to the contrary, the actions (or in this case--massive inaction) speak a lot louder than words.
Slow starts, The Evening of Astonishment that is Josh Smith, weird rotational fascinations from the Head Bald Coach, and so on--are addressed only in the service of lip and then, often just as quickly, dismissed.
So as we look back to the beginning of the season and where we stand today with the good guys---we see that nothing has progressed, little has improved, and with every passing (or in the Hawks case, dribbling and draw the defense) game the hope that something might fades a little more.
They are locked into what they are---and what they are is an extremely talented team with many areas of opportunity---but little desire to change what they do in order to get there. They will be content to advance as far as this approach can take them.
We think that it can only take them to the playoffs, but not far within that particular forest, much less to emerge from it victorious. Good teams have ways of dispatching with such flawed paradigms---no matter how good intentioned or talented they are.
Are we the only ones to see it? Are we missing something that is a (shhhh!) secret inside the organ-i-zation? Or maybe it's just us---the same people that have spoken--and it's only the people that are listening.
This episode of the HHB was shot in slow motion, black and white footage---classy---calls for a colorized version can be left along with a small donation in the Comments Area.
Everytime we hear their quotes, see their actions, or witness anything to do with the Birds we see and hear the same stale statements, the same irrational behavior, and the same predictable outcome.
All we want is some validation and action around our amazing insights----is that a lot to ask?
Hoopinion has been asking for relief on the two foul-first half policy and the foul out fraidy-catness for quite a few seasons now---and we're not sure, but we think that, while the case has been made, the changes that would accompany have not.
Peachtree Hoops has been asking for the head of Alfredo Garcia---or Mike Woodson---and yet we see every game, except for the games where Woody excuses himself from the proceedings with a couple of points for the other team, that their request remains "Pending" in the Atlanta Spirit queue.
The Vent wants something resembling improvement and an on-again/off-again basketball romance with Josh Smith and his amazing array of jump shots---This, apparently, has been granted, as Smith loves to make CoCo happy and launch the three. Ca-chow!
As for Str8talk, well, they want the whole enchilada---compliments of the house. And, of course, that hasn't happened since they moved to Atlanta (the Hawks, that is). All that Str8t wants is to continually move towards that target---is that so wrong???
We have been asking for more attention to the post offensive strategy this season, especially in the development of Al Horford----sadly, we must not be speaking the right language because, in spite of the coach's words to the contrary, the actions (or in this case--massive inaction) speak a lot louder than words.
Slow starts, The Evening of Astonishment that is Josh Smith, weird rotational fascinations from the Head Bald Coach, and so on--are addressed only in the service of lip and then, often just as quickly, dismissed.
So as we look back to the beginning of the season and where we stand today with the good guys---we see that nothing has progressed, little has improved, and with every passing (or in the Hawks case, dribbling and draw the defense) game the hope that something might fades a little more.
They are locked into what they are---and what they are is an extremely talented team with many areas of opportunity---but little desire to change what they do in order to get there. They will be content to advance as far as this approach can take them.
We think that it can only take them to the playoffs, but not far within that particular forest, much less to emerge from it victorious. Good teams have ways of dispatching with such flawed paradigms---no matter how good intentioned or talented they are.
Are we the only ones to see it? Are we missing something that is a (shhhh!) secret inside the organ-i-zation? Or maybe it's just us---the same people that have spoken--and it's only the people that are listening.
This episode of the HHB was shot in slow motion, black and white footage---classy---calls for a colorized version can be left along with a small donation in the Comments Area.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Somewhere TJ Ford is Scoring Again
Hey, if there is one thing we know about this Atlanta Hawks team, who by the way---and we don't know if you've heard---won their 38th game of the season, passing last year's total and their most wins since their last 50 win season in 1997-98, is that they can win some games at home.
In fact, they are too good at it, falling behind in their 101-87 win over the Indiana Pacers by as many as (13) before turning it around in the second half once again.
Now, we've written that the Hawks have been down this road before, pushing their slow starts so that they have to really turn it on to get back in front of the opposition. Earlier in the season, these shenanigans caught up to the team, culminating in the embarrassing 20+ point beatdown by the Clippers, at home no less.
Hawks announcer Dominique Wilkins (namesake alert!) kept sounding the alarm Friday night, constantly, that the Hawks can't keep doing this come playoff time. You fall behind big, you'll lose big, or something to that effect.
But lest we get too gooey on the team that is making us look prophetic a few posts ago (50 wins, y'all!), let's review what happened to the team Friday night:
For every TJ Ford layup, there must be a Marquis Daniels jump shot.
TJ Ford was a stone cold murderer--flying through the lane, taking advantage of the Hawks guards, and making seemingly everything he put up on his way to (29) points.
Conversely, Marquis Daniels was serving up a big plate of bricks, as was Troy Murphy and Jarrett Jack. Murphy, in fact, looked like he was well aware that his 11 game double-double streak was coming to an end--jacking up some late ill advised bombs but coming up---wait for it---(3) points short. Awww--too bad.
Ford did expose the Hawks as all quick guards do, but without Danny Granger, the Pacers didn't have enough people to actually make shots to outlast the home team.
Speaking of Granger, the report earlier in the day was that Granger would return for the Hawks, which would be of no surprise to the ATL, who has for years seen players suddenly better in time to play the Birds. But in what may be a significant turn for the franchise, Granger went naked (didn't dress) for the game against the Hawks. If he turns up for their next game Sunday in Toronto, we'll know the good guys have indeed moved up in the NBA pecking order.
Joe Johnson played a carbon copy game of his effort against Utah, to the tune of 30 points on 12-23 shooting and (6) assists. But the HHB thinks that everyone was so all over Wednesday's ho-humming of Joe's efforts that folks were more aware of Joe doing his thing Friday night. That and the fact that Peachtree Hoops called the Nation out (including themselves) after the collective "Meh" that his game engendered from fans after beating the Jazz.
We think it is now safe to say that Al Horford has officially taken a step forward in his career progression from his stellar rookie campaign. His 17 points/15 rebound affair fairly illustrates his omnipresence over the proceedings Friday night. He also decided that (4) assists and (3) blocks were fit for the evening as well. And he saw that it was good.
Horford has clearly improved the volume of his numbers, even if all agree that the effort is the same. His improvement in recent weeks has been equal parts increased health, increased maturity, and definitely increased opportunity.
Mo Evans hit a couple of big threes in this game, but his play of the night was the steal of an inbounds pass under the Hawks basket and then finishing strong to seal the deal. It was the kind of play folks expected from good guy Evans--but haven't seen enough of. Evans needs to be that thorn in the flesh of the opposition night in/night out and that steal is a proper indicator of the pain that should follow. Well done tonight, #1---
Acie Law looked right presidential out at the point at times. His defense was the only of the point guards that seemed to keep the bleeding down. He didn't shoot straight, but his (3) assists, zero turnover effort lends more hope, as does his near exclusive play at backup PG. The HHB loved the play of Mike Bibby tonight, but was pulling for Acie for defensive purposes.
The Hawks defense did indeed seem to be more energetic in the second half--and that combined with their athleticism causes real problems for other team's offenses. Slow pace (brought to you by Hoopinion--defensive rates, affordable prices!) and that energy limited the high scoring Pacers well below their defensive "average". The Hawks could not turn the Pacers over in the first half, only getting a single possession swapping mistake out of the visitors, but had (5) in the second half and a slew of poor shots from IND.
The Hawks were one Josh Smith missed free throw away from a perfect night from the line! OK---they took fewer free throws for the game than Dwyane Wade does in a half, but hey---10/11 is mathematically better than the usual 70 percent the Hawks offer, says the Official HHB statistician.
Solomon Jones had a great putback bucket, and nice jump shot, (3) rebounds, and no fouls in almost (6) minutes---no word on whether Jones tried to take home the game ball to commemorate the effort.
The HHB will turn the lights down on the Official High Definition Viewing Center to mourn the end of the Florida Gators basketball season Friday night---Cards and well wishes can be dropped off in the Comments Area.
In fact, they are too good at it, falling behind in their 101-87 win over the Indiana Pacers by as many as (13) before turning it around in the second half once again.
Now, we've written that the Hawks have been down this road before, pushing their slow starts so that they have to really turn it on to get back in front of the opposition. Earlier in the season, these shenanigans caught up to the team, culminating in the embarrassing 20+ point beatdown by the Clippers, at home no less.
Hawks announcer Dominique Wilkins (namesake alert!) kept sounding the alarm Friday night, constantly, that the Hawks can't keep doing this come playoff time. You fall behind big, you'll lose big, or something to that effect.
But lest we get too gooey on the team that is making us look prophetic a few posts ago (50 wins, y'all!), let's review what happened to the team Friday night:
For every TJ Ford layup, there must be a Marquis Daniels jump shot.
TJ Ford was a stone cold murderer--flying through the lane, taking advantage of the Hawks guards, and making seemingly everything he put up on his way to (29) points.
Conversely, Marquis Daniels was serving up a big plate of bricks, as was Troy Murphy and Jarrett Jack. Murphy, in fact, looked like he was well aware that his 11 game double-double streak was coming to an end--jacking up some late ill advised bombs but coming up---wait for it---(3) points short. Awww--too bad.
Ford did expose the Hawks as all quick guards do, but without Danny Granger, the Pacers didn't have enough people to actually make shots to outlast the home team.
Speaking of Granger, the report earlier in the day was that Granger would return for the Hawks, which would be of no surprise to the ATL, who has for years seen players suddenly better in time to play the Birds. But in what may be a significant turn for the franchise, Granger went naked (didn't dress) for the game against the Hawks. If he turns up for their next game Sunday in Toronto, we'll know the good guys have indeed moved up in the NBA pecking order.
Joe Johnson played a carbon copy game of his effort against Utah, to the tune of 30 points on 12-23 shooting and (6) assists. But the HHB thinks that everyone was so all over Wednesday's ho-humming of Joe's efforts that folks were more aware of Joe doing his thing Friday night. That and the fact that Peachtree Hoops called the Nation out (including themselves) after the collective "Meh" that his game engendered from fans after beating the Jazz.
We think it is now safe to say that Al Horford has officially taken a step forward in his career progression from his stellar rookie campaign. His 17 points/15 rebound affair fairly illustrates his omnipresence over the proceedings Friday night. He also decided that (4) assists and (3) blocks were fit for the evening as well. And he saw that it was good.
Horford has clearly improved the volume of his numbers, even if all agree that the effort is the same. His improvement in recent weeks has been equal parts increased health, increased maturity, and definitely increased opportunity.
Mo Evans hit a couple of big threes in this game, but his play of the night was the steal of an inbounds pass under the Hawks basket and then finishing strong to seal the deal. It was the kind of play folks expected from good guy Evans--but haven't seen enough of. Evans needs to be that thorn in the flesh of the opposition night in/night out and that steal is a proper indicator of the pain that should follow. Well done tonight, #1---
Acie Law looked right presidential out at the point at times. His defense was the only of the point guards that seemed to keep the bleeding down. He didn't shoot straight, but his (3) assists, zero turnover effort lends more hope, as does his near exclusive play at backup PG. The HHB loved the play of Mike Bibby tonight, but was pulling for Acie for defensive purposes.
The Hawks defense did indeed seem to be more energetic in the second half--and that combined with their athleticism causes real problems for other team's offenses. Slow pace (brought to you by Hoopinion--defensive rates, affordable prices!) and that energy limited the high scoring Pacers well below their defensive "average". The Hawks could not turn the Pacers over in the first half, only getting a single possession swapping mistake out of the visitors, but had (5) in the second half and a slew of poor shots from IND.
The Hawks were one Josh Smith missed free throw away from a perfect night from the line! OK---they took fewer free throws for the game than Dwyane Wade does in a half, but hey---10/11 is mathematically better than the usual 70 percent the Hawks offer, says the Official HHB statistician.
Solomon Jones had a great putback bucket, and nice jump shot, (3) rebounds, and no fouls in almost (6) minutes---no word on whether Jones tried to take home the game ball to commemorate the effort.
The HHB will turn the lights down on the Official High Definition Viewing Center to mourn the end of the Florida Gators basketball season Friday night---Cards and well wishes can be dropped off in the Comments Area.
Friday, March 6, 2009
An Interview With----Ourselves
Since we can't say anything nice after a pair of lousy road losses---so we decided to give ourselves an in-depth interview about the Hawks and their recent performances, conflict in the locker room, and what the final result is for ATL's Finest:
HHB: What are your opinions of these last two losses by the Hawks?
Well, We'll have to watch the films, see the coaches tape, and make our opinions or cop-outs from there. We guess you have to say we lost, but we'll see when we watch the tapes.
HHB: Why do you think the team's defense has been poor the last two games?
It has? Wow--Not sure what you all are expecting. We held the Bobcats to under 55 percent shooting tonight---that's saying something. You know defense isn't all about stats. It's about effort--and staying away from playing defensive together all of the time---save it for the end, don't peak too soon---that's our philosophy.
HHB: What's the situation with Josh Smith?
Well, you would think the team would have put all of this to bed before they brought the coach back or given Josh a huge contract---but really, where is the drama and entertainment in all of that? This team isn't championship caliber yet, they put some wins on the board, now in the days between establishing ourselves and the playoffs, we need some excitement---ergo, benching Josh Smith for quarters at a time. As Bernie Mullen said: It's not about winning, it's about entertainment--we want entertainment.
HHB: Is there something wrong with Josh and the coach?
There is nothing wrong--what do you mean? Just because Smith has shown uneven interest in doing the fundamentals, what does that prove? Oh, we're sure you are going to point out such "statistics" as his declining shot blocking, rebounding, and free throw percentage---phhhbt---We can make stats show anything----have you been tracking his glaring on a nightly basis? We didn't think so, and he has career highs in that and inappropriate laughter.
HHB: Yes, what about the decline in rebounds and blocks?
Simple. It's Al Horford's fault---that goody-goody is hustling all over the place and stealing all of Josh Smith's rebounds and blocks---really, when that guy is working that hard, why should Smoove?
HHB: Going to take back all that 50 win talk?
We could take it back---and then put it back in---do a Hokey Pokey with it, but what difference does it make? They aren't playing as a team to go further in the playoffs anyway---and it all sets up for a brilliant master plan.
HHB: Master Plan?
Ohhhhhh Yes, we're hoping that the Hawks can get into another inspirational seven game series where the team doesn't advance but can be inspired by their announcement to the league that they definitely belong in the first round of a playoff tournament that involves half the league. Saying to everyone---Hey, we're average, too! That's what got us off to a good start this year, so maybe a heated non-upset of some team could lift our spirits and bring us back together again---that's gold.
HHB: Sounds a little negative---
Is that a question? Because we're not being negative, but just tell us---who looks like the team that's six games over .500 the last two nights, the Hawks or the Knicks/Bobcats.
HHB: Can we answer none of the above?
Exactly.
HHB: What do you all think the Hawks can do to get out of this rut?
Play a lot of games at home (Check)
Begin to use Al Horford more in the offense (Check)
Take away Josh Smith's video game privileges so he can learn the rules and what's expected of him.
Do the same with Mike Woodson.
Don't forget to play Zaza Pachulia to help with rebounding. (Reminder: Big = Big)
Play a lot of games at home (did we say that already--it's that important to our success).
HHB: Final thoughts?
There is a lot of blah going on with this team right now---we'll see them fight through it if they can keep their heads on straight in the meantime---home is the best medicine for growing teams.
The HHB often talks amongst themselves for comfort and to ask for directions when on the road---All advise and maps can be given in the Comments Area.
HHB: What are your opinions of these last two losses by the Hawks?
Well, We'll have to watch the films, see the coaches tape, and make our opinions or cop-outs from there. We guess you have to say we lost, but we'll see when we watch the tapes.
HHB: Why do you think the team's defense has been poor the last two games?
It has? Wow--Not sure what you all are expecting. We held the Bobcats to under 55 percent shooting tonight---that's saying something. You know defense isn't all about stats. It's about effort--and staying away from playing defensive together all of the time---save it for the end, don't peak too soon---that's our philosophy.
HHB: What's the situation with Josh Smith?
Well, you would think the team would have put all of this to bed before they brought the coach back or given Josh a huge contract---but really, where is the drama and entertainment in all of that? This team isn't championship caliber yet, they put some wins on the board, now in the days between establishing ourselves and the playoffs, we need some excitement---ergo, benching Josh Smith for quarters at a time. As Bernie Mullen said: It's not about winning, it's about entertainment--we want entertainment.
HHB: Is there something wrong with Josh and the coach?
There is nothing wrong--what do you mean? Just because Smith has shown uneven interest in doing the fundamentals, what does that prove? Oh, we're sure you are going to point out such "statistics" as his declining shot blocking, rebounding, and free throw percentage---phhhbt---We can make stats show anything----have you been tracking his glaring on a nightly basis? We didn't think so, and he has career highs in that and inappropriate laughter.
HHB: Yes, what about the decline in rebounds and blocks?
Simple. It's Al Horford's fault---that goody-goody is hustling all over the place and stealing all of Josh Smith's rebounds and blocks---really, when that guy is working that hard, why should Smoove?
HHB: Going to take back all that 50 win talk?
We could take it back---and then put it back in---do a Hokey Pokey with it, but what difference does it make? They aren't playing as a team to go further in the playoffs anyway---and it all sets up for a brilliant master plan.
HHB: Master Plan?
Ohhhhhh Yes, we're hoping that the Hawks can get into another inspirational seven game series where the team doesn't advance but can be inspired by their announcement to the league that they definitely belong in the first round of a playoff tournament that involves half the league. Saying to everyone---Hey, we're average, too! That's what got us off to a good start this year, so maybe a heated non-upset of some team could lift our spirits and bring us back together again---that's gold.
HHB: Sounds a little negative---
Is that a question? Because we're not being negative, but just tell us---who looks like the team that's six games over .500 the last two nights, the Hawks or the Knicks/Bobcats.
HHB: Can we answer none of the above?
Exactly.
HHB: What do you all think the Hawks can do to get out of this rut?
Play a lot of games at home (Check)
Begin to use Al Horford more in the offense (Check)
Take away Josh Smith's video game privileges so he can learn the rules and what's expected of him.
Do the same with Mike Woodson.
Don't forget to play Zaza Pachulia to help with rebounding. (Reminder: Big = Big)
Play a lot of games at home (did we say that already--it's that important to our success).
HHB: Final thoughts?
There is a lot of blah going on with this team right now---we'll see them fight through it if they can keep their heads on straight in the meantime---home is the best medicine for growing teams.
The HHB often talks amongst themselves for comfort and to ask for directions when on the road---All advise and maps can be given in the Comments Area.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
No Matter How Thin You Slice It---It's Still Baloney
A popular take on the Hawks monumental 121-97 failure at home against the Clippers (now 12-39!) will be the following:
Sometimes you just have one of those nights---and will probably be followed by a sheepish shrug of the shoulders or some other "what are you gonna do" expression of defeat.
Sometimes maybe that would be true, but the HHB watched every disgusting frame of this film---once was all we could muster---and the verdict from our perch was not one of some arbitrary galactic inevitability, but something of a much more tangible reasoning for the Hawks collapse.
No defense + No effort = Big Loss
Complicated calculations to be sure--and we know that the mathematical titans over at Hoopinion probably have some similar reasoning to ours for the destruction of the Birds nest---and we doubt it will involve horoscope or 88 sided dice.
Now---we don't intend to go off on a rant here---we're sure that The Vent, Str8Talk or Peachtree Hoops can hold down the fort in this area---besides, we feel we got that out in the open when we scribed this prescient posting.
No, the HHB simply wants to call a fish a fish---and last night the Hawks looked like minnows.
We hope the home team enjoyed watching Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, and even Ricky Davis run all over their court---laughing and carrying on like they were taking all the Hawks lunch away and eating their loot right in the Hawks forlorn faces.
We hope that the effort that they didn't spend playing team defense was well worth the embarrassment of giving up a mind-boggling (38) assists and (57) percent shooting at the hands of a team that---let's just say isn't synonymous with offensive efficiency (last in NBA in FG%).
No, this wasn't a cosmic fluke that "happens" to teams every so often in an 82 games schedule---it's the natural outcome of what happens when you don't play as a team in any way shape or form at any part of the game.
They came out slow early, as is their way, gave the visitors confidence by not showing any defensive resistance---got down early---got down big early----and then let the game go without much of a whimper.
Against the Bobcats, we argued that we would take the win because the value of a win in the NBA is high---against the Clippers, the Hawks acted as if losing one game in the grand scheme of things didn't matter all that much. It shows, and really it continues to spotlight, the long way to go for the team mentally---and how they grow in this area will be directly correlated to how much further they advance through the postseason---and how few of these stinkers you'll see during the season.
The Hawks cannot show up and win, even at home--they must play together in a team offense/team defense configuration or more games like the one Saturday night will be the result--and those who want to use the "it was in the stars" defense of the team will be forced to look at the real symptoms of the team's downfall.
The HHB is busily checking the alignment of the planets to see what's for breakfast---All seers are welcome to prognosticate or comment in the Comments area.
Sometimes you just have one of those nights---and will probably be followed by a sheepish shrug of the shoulders or some other "what are you gonna do" expression of defeat.
Sometimes maybe that would be true, but the HHB watched every disgusting frame of this film---once was all we could muster---and the verdict from our perch was not one of some arbitrary galactic inevitability, but something of a much more tangible reasoning for the Hawks collapse.
No defense + No effort = Big Loss
Complicated calculations to be sure--and we know that the mathematical titans over at Hoopinion probably have some similar reasoning to ours for the destruction of the Birds nest---and we doubt it will involve horoscope or 88 sided dice.
Now---we don't intend to go off on a rant here---we're sure that The Vent, Str8Talk or Peachtree Hoops can hold down the fort in this area---besides, we feel we got that out in the open when we scribed this prescient posting.
No, the HHB simply wants to call a fish a fish---and last night the Hawks looked like minnows.
We hope the home team enjoyed watching Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, and even Ricky Davis run all over their court---laughing and carrying on like they were taking all the Hawks lunch away and eating their loot right in the Hawks forlorn faces.
We hope that the effort that they didn't spend playing team defense was well worth the embarrassment of giving up a mind-boggling (38) assists and (57) percent shooting at the hands of a team that---let's just say isn't synonymous with offensive efficiency (last in NBA in FG%).
No, this wasn't a cosmic fluke that "happens" to teams every so often in an 82 games schedule---it's the natural outcome of what happens when you don't play as a team in any way shape or form at any part of the game.
They came out slow early, as is their way, gave the visitors confidence by not showing any defensive resistance---got down early---got down big early----and then let the game go without much of a whimper.
Against the Bobcats, we argued that we would take the win because the value of a win in the NBA is high---against the Clippers, the Hawks acted as if losing one game in the grand scheme of things didn't matter all that much. It shows, and really it continues to spotlight, the long way to go for the team mentally---and how they grow in this area will be directly correlated to how much further they advance through the postseason---and how few of these stinkers you'll see during the season.
The Hawks cannot show up and win, even at home--they must play together in a team offense/team defense configuration or more games like the one Saturday night will be the result--and those who want to use the "it was in the stars" defense of the team will be forced to look at the real symptoms of the team's downfall.
The HHB is busily checking the alignment of the planets to see what's for breakfast---All seers are welcome to prognosticate or comment in the Comments area.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Same Play, Different Scorer
We're not going to pretend to know if playing a 19-30 Charlotte team without Gerald Wallace almost even for the most part is impressive, ordinary, or scary.
We do know this--the Hawks won anyway, by five points, on the road, and without Joe Johnson, who we can safely say is the Hawks best player. In a recent history that has seen this team struggle for a single win, we'll take it.
Throw in the fact that the Hawks did it after spotting the home team an (18) point first half lead and got a gutsy, determined performance from Marvin Williams to do it down the stretch and we can say that the 102-97 outcome removed from us the carrot face that had been present for that entire first half.
Mustache Marv had his finest 5-15 game yet by getting to the free throw line for a staggering (20) throws---and in a bell curve smashing performance for the rest of the team, Williams canned 18 of them---Marv being such a good teammate, he probably apologized for making the rest of the team (12-19, 63 percent) look bad.
Williams attacked, attacked, and attacked some more in the second half against the Bobcats, who had frontcourt players in serious foul trouble. Not to get all mushy here--but we were a little choked up that the Hawks seemed to understand (well, at least Marvin did) that and took advantage, even though the 'Cats had some serious height advantage.
Sure, Bobcat fans will howl that the Hawks got all the calls and that the (2) buzzer beaters from RFM and Mo Evans were pure luck--but the fact is that the Bobcats squandered their 18 point first half bonanza by doing what immature teams do---stop moving the ball on offense, start standing around on defense, and settling for jump shot after jump shot. Toss in the requisite poor decision making with the ball and the ensuing turnovers and (poof) your shiny lead is all gone.
Believe the HHB---it takes one to know one.
We have seen the Hawks do the exact same thing---in fact, all you have to do is watch the first half of this same game to get the vibe. It was the second half, however, that showed the Hawks get hot, get aggressive, and get the win.
Down the stretch it was the Hawks that made the plays--mostly by Williams, who assumed the vacated Mike Woodson Isolation Extravaganza position with Johnson out. Williams didn't make jumpers like Joe, but he did use every inch of his Billy Knight Long and Tall body to get to the rim and ultimately the free throw line on his way to his (29) point night. He staggered a bit after one particularly hard landing late in the game, but after a time out, Marvin was back on the court and at the line.
(Random bad draft pick note) For a minute we had visions of a cold Cal Bowdler (Editor's note: Cynics would ask if there was any other kind) being pulled off the bench by the Celtics late in a game to shoot free throws for an injured Hawk. Bowdler ambled out to the line as if going to get the morning paper on a cold, winter morning---he stretched a bit, and you could almost hear the popping in his knees as he took his throws----and made them both. (End Note)
Both teams traded gaffes late---the Hawks with an offensive foul from Williams on a screen---the Bobcats inexplicably nearly dribbling out the clock before Josh Smith pounded their last attempt into the glass--sealing the game.
Again, we won't get out the abacus to see how this game rates---it's a win, on the road, without Joe Johnson, and at a place where the Hawks were 1-7 in the last (8) tries---So we'll take it obviously---no strings attached. The HHB is, after all, very forgiving.
Junk Mail, Junk Mail, Bills, Junk Mail
It was said by the Bobcat broadcast team but it bears repeating---the Hawks don't finish well around the rim. Besides Josh Smith, who did not do so tonight, the remainder of the Hawks act as if they are 2 years old shooting at their Little Tykes rim for the first time---unsure and unproductive. There were guffaws mixed with groans as Zaza Pachulia attempted to score around the hoop---he looks as if he is solving a Rubik's Cube out there around the basket---at one point he missed a wide open layup so, we swear, he could tap it in---a more comfortable shot for him. In Orlando this is known as a Terry Catledge Maneuver.
The Hawks were 21 for 58 inside the three point line (36 percent) and 10-18 beyond it---not the recipe for consistent offensive production. But hey, Mike Woodson AND Terry Stotts can't be wrong!
We think he is dangerous when trying to create baskets for others, but RFM is the guy we want launching any wild, end of the quarter shot. He reminds us of our good friend we played with on the mean streets of the University of Florida---the guy would routinely throw wild layup attempts and half court shots when we were waiting to get enough guys to run---and then would take those same crazy layups in the game---nobody could call it trash---that was his shot. That guy was our RFM.
It's good to see Al Horford back, but his post game is rusty---We understand that Rick Sund thinks he is a center through and through---but posting him against seven footers clearly makes him rush, miss, and fadeaway---It is also good to have his passing back at the high and low post---He set up quite a few hoops tonight that stretched beyond his (4) assists, including tapping in a hoop for the Bobcats---hey, we're smiling, Al--Welcome back!
The HHB is thawing out after the usual (2) week winter that the HHB HQ endures every year---Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows are welcome anytime in the Comments area.
We do know this--the Hawks won anyway, by five points, on the road, and without Joe Johnson, who we can safely say is the Hawks best player. In a recent history that has seen this team struggle for a single win, we'll take it.
Throw in the fact that the Hawks did it after spotting the home team an (18) point first half lead and got a gutsy, determined performance from Marvin Williams to do it down the stretch and we can say that the 102-97 outcome removed from us the carrot face that had been present for that entire first half.
Mustache Marv had his finest 5-15 game yet by getting to the free throw line for a staggering (20) throws---and in a bell curve smashing performance for the rest of the team, Williams canned 18 of them---Marv being such a good teammate, he probably apologized for making the rest of the team (12-19, 63 percent) look bad.
Williams attacked, attacked, and attacked some more in the second half against the Bobcats, who had frontcourt players in serious foul trouble. Not to get all mushy here--but we were a little choked up that the Hawks seemed to understand (well, at least Marvin did) that and took advantage, even though the 'Cats had some serious height advantage.
Sure, Bobcat fans will howl that the Hawks got all the calls and that the (2) buzzer beaters from RFM and Mo Evans were pure luck--but the fact is that the Bobcats squandered their 18 point first half bonanza by doing what immature teams do---stop moving the ball on offense, start standing around on defense, and settling for jump shot after jump shot. Toss in the requisite poor decision making with the ball and the ensuing turnovers and (poof) your shiny lead is all gone.
Believe the HHB---it takes one to know one.
We have seen the Hawks do the exact same thing---in fact, all you have to do is watch the first half of this same game to get the vibe. It was the second half, however, that showed the Hawks get hot, get aggressive, and get the win.
Down the stretch it was the Hawks that made the plays--mostly by Williams, who assumed the vacated Mike Woodson Isolation Extravaganza position with Johnson out. Williams didn't make jumpers like Joe, but he did use every inch of his Billy Knight Long and Tall body to get to the rim and ultimately the free throw line on his way to his (29) point night. He staggered a bit after one particularly hard landing late in the game, but after a time out, Marvin was back on the court and at the line.
(Random bad draft pick note) For a minute we had visions of a cold Cal Bowdler (Editor's note: Cynics would ask if there was any other kind) being pulled off the bench by the Celtics late in a game to shoot free throws for an injured Hawk. Bowdler ambled out to the line as if going to get the morning paper on a cold, winter morning---he stretched a bit, and you could almost hear the popping in his knees as he took his throws----and made them both. (End Note)
Both teams traded gaffes late---the Hawks with an offensive foul from Williams on a screen---the Bobcats inexplicably nearly dribbling out the clock before Josh Smith pounded their last attempt into the glass--sealing the game.
Again, we won't get out the abacus to see how this game rates---it's a win, on the road, without Joe Johnson, and at a place where the Hawks were 1-7 in the last (8) tries---So we'll take it obviously---no strings attached. The HHB is, after all, very forgiving.
Junk Mail, Junk Mail, Bills, Junk Mail
It was said by the Bobcat broadcast team but it bears repeating---the Hawks don't finish well around the rim. Besides Josh Smith, who did not do so tonight, the remainder of the Hawks act as if they are 2 years old shooting at their Little Tykes rim for the first time---unsure and unproductive. There were guffaws mixed with groans as Zaza Pachulia attempted to score around the hoop---he looks as if he is solving a Rubik's Cube out there around the basket---at one point he missed a wide open layup so, we swear, he could tap it in---a more comfortable shot for him. In Orlando this is known as a Terry Catledge Maneuver.
The Hawks were 21 for 58 inside the three point line (36 percent) and 10-18 beyond it---not the recipe for consistent offensive production. But hey, Mike Woodson AND Terry Stotts can't be wrong!
We think he is dangerous when trying to create baskets for others, but RFM is the guy we want launching any wild, end of the quarter shot. He reminds us of our good friend we played with on the mean streets of the University of Florida---the guy would routinely throw wild layup attempts and half court shots when we were waiting to get enough guys to run---and then would take those same crazy layups in the game---nobody could call it trash---that was his shot. That guy was our RFM.
It's good to see Al Horford back, but his post game is rusty---We understand that Rick Sund thinks he is a center through and through---but posting him against seven footers clearly makes him rush, miss, and fadeaway---It is also good to have his passing back at the high and low post---He set up quite a few hoops tonight that stretched beyond his (4) assists, including tapping in a hoop for the Bobcats---hey, we're smiling, Al--Welcome back!
The HHB is thawing out after the usual (2) week winter that the HHB HQ endures every year---Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows are welcome anytime in the Comments area.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Why Not Forfeit?
Bill Russell had a famous approach to his attitude regarding playing games. He said that the game was on the schedule, you have to play it, you might as well win. That approach says a lot about how his Boston Celtic teams were not just merely great, but all time great.
Let's just say the Atlanta Hawks have not embraced that philosophy.
In fact, one might say that the team has adopted a different approach and to the untrained (read: HHB) eyes, it looks a little like this:
We are going to play the way that each individual feels like playing. We're going to seek to do the bare minimum and try to win. We're going to give effort in spurts and hope that's enough to beat this team. If more energy or execution is required to win the game, then we won't win the game.
This alleged approach has led the Hawks to look the part of a disinterested, disjointed squad---and the results have reflected as such.
Against the Bucks on Saturday night, the Hawks looked as if playing defense was a foreign language to them as Milwaukee and their roster of journeymen and neverwillbes paraded to the hoop like a charity game. Sometimes the lack of interest in defending the easiest of shots was so profound, the HHB thought the Hawks were paid promotional patsies for the home team.
The fact that the game appeared close only highlights the fact that, should the Hawks have showed ANY interest on the defensive end, this game would have been as much a laugher as the game in Atlanta was. That these Bucks shot 52 percent, scored 110 points and had a whopping 52 points in the paint tells a strong story about a team that appeared to try and show up with their talent and win.
It was wasted minutes by all Hawks involved.
We will say this---we try to find the light heartedness in the midst of a long season. The HHB tries not to take things too seriously in the context of one game out of 82.
But---
If the Hawks don't permanently break out of the habit of taking the other team's temperature to see how hard they may have to play to win, they will go nowhere this season.
If the Hawks don't approach defense, especially in the paint, with more attention and dedication, they will go nowhere this season.
The Hawks tried to show up and win---and failed. It's an approach that seems to have become their calling card since a successful December. There could be a number of excuses why: fatigue, malaise, injuries---but there is no excuse for not being ready to give yourself the best chance to win every night. It's an attitude---and the one the Hawks are currently displaying doesn't get the job done in the NBA.
And if they need to find one that does, they should refer to Mr. Russell.
End communique.
Let's just say the Atlanta Hawks have not embraced that philosophy.
In fact, one might say that the team has adopted a different approach and to the untrained (read: HHB) eyes, it looks a little like this:
We are going to play the way that each individual feels like playing. We're going to seek to do the bare minimum and try to win. We're going to give effort in spurts and hope that's enough to beat this team. If more energy or execution is required to win the game, then we won't win the game.
This alleged approach has led the Hawks to look the part of a disinterested, disjointed squad---and the results have reflected as such.
Against the Bucks on Saturday night, the Hawks looked as if playing defense was a foreign language to them as Milwaukee and their roster of journeymen and neverwillbes paraded to the hoop like a charity game. Sometimes the lack of interest in defending the easiest of shots was so profound, the HHB thought the Hawks were paid promotional patsies for the home team.
The fact that the game appeared close only highlights the fact that, should the Hawks have showed ANY interest on the defensive end, this game would have been as much a laugher as the game in Atlanta was. That these Bucks shot 52 percent, scored 110 points and had a whopping 52 points in the paint tells a strong story about a team that appeared to try and show up with their talent and win.
It was wasted minutes by all Hawks involved.
We will say this---we try to find the light heartedness in the midst of a long season. The HHB tries not to take things too seriously in the context of one game out of 82.
But---
If the Hawks don't permanently break out of the habit of taking the other team's temperature to see how hard they may have to play to win, they will go nowhere this season.
If the Hawks don't approach defense, especially in the paint, with more attention and dedication, they will go nowhere this season.
The Hawks tried to show up and win---and failed. It's an approach that seems to have become their calling card since a successful December. There could be a number of excuses why: fatigue, malaise, injuries---but there is no excuse for not being ready to give yourself the best chance to win every night. It's an attitude---and the one the Hawks are currently displaying doesn't get the job done in the NBA.
And if they need to find one that does, they should refer to Mr. Russell.
End communique.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
572 Ways to Describe Excruciating Stomach Pain
Gross. Icky. Awful.
Go ahead---toss in your own adjective to describe something so foul that you make a carrot face and ask someone to "smell this".
Maybe you didn't see the Hawks 95-79 "game" Monday night. We here at the HHB use the " " to indicate that things really didn't reflect the word that is inside of the " ".
A game is usually fun---it's a joy---and since the Hawks were 100 percent joyless--well except for when Josh Smith picked up a technical foul while sitting on the bench---he looked happy at that point---anyway, since the Hawks were without joy and gave the ol' more turnovers than field goals a real run for the money, we're not calling that a game.
The Hawks moved on both ends without purpose, the offense--which seemed inspired early on by going inside and getting Dwyane Wade two quick fouls (note to Coach Woodson---he finished with those same 2 fouls)---wilted under the weight of a ton of missed shots. The particularly deflating ones were the real close ones we call layups and dunks---not good.
In fact, we thought maybe at one point the basket was tilted in a certain angle, because the ball kept spinning out the same way, like a demented basketball water slide---round and out and please clear the path for the next shot---thank you.
Mike Bibby seems to be pleased with our Bibby, Bibby, and more Bibby piece from haughtier times (last Friday) because he has been stinky the last couple of games---with no appreciation for the Hawks inside game (maybe why it worked well early on) and the persistent lack of being able to finish around the basket Monday night, the Heat put constant pressure on The Backcourt, leading to lots of turnovers and missed field goals.
Combined with a defensive effort geared to make sure Wade wasn't going to miss out on highlights after skipping the first quarter (he would finish with 35 points), the Hawks woes led to a final that didn't seem to accurately depict how far away the Hawks were from WinningLand.
It was ugly, nasty, and thoroughly nauseating at times. The HHB tried it at many DVR speeds---X1, X2, X3, and X4---it was unwatchable at all levels.
The Hawks now go to New York (Offensive SlumpBuster Alert!) and then come back to face the team that has had the Hawks numerics this season, the New Jersey Nets.
It is the HHB's hope that the club can figure out where the joy went because soon we'll run out of adjectives to describe the effort---and they will simply be losing.
The HHB skipped the usual post game meal---Lost Appetite Syndrome---For cures and comments please refer to the Comments section.
Go ahead---toss in your own adjective to describe something so foul that you make a carrot face and ask someone to "smell this".
Maybe you didn't see the Hawks 95-79 "game" Monday night. We here at the HHB use the " " to indicate that things really didn't reflect the word that is inside of the " ".
A game is usually fun---it's a joy---and since the Hawks were 100 percent joyless--well except for when Josh Smith picked up a technical foul while sitting on the bench---he looked happy at that point---anyway, since the Hawks were without joy and gave the ol' more turnovers than field goals a real run for the money, we're not calling that a game.
The Hawks moved on both ends without purpose, the offense--which seemed inspired early on by going inside and getting Dwyane Wade two quick fouls (note to Coach Woodson---he finished with those same 2 fouls)---wilted under the weight of a ton of missed shots. The particularly deflating ones were the real close ones we call layups and dunks---not good.
In fact, we thought maybe at one point the basket was tilted in a certain angle, because the ball kept spinning out the same way, like a demented basketball water slide---round and out and please clear the path for the next shot---thank you.
Mike Bibby seems to be pleased with our Bibby, Bibby, and more Bibby piece from haughtier times (last Friday) because he has been stinky the last couple of games---with no appreciation for the Hawks inside game (maybe why it worked well early on) and the persistent lack of being able to finish around the basket Monday night, the Heat put constant pressure on The Backcourt, leading to lots of turnovers and missed field goals.
Combined with a defensive effort geared to make sure Wade wasn't going to miss out on highlights after skipping the first quarter (he would finish with 35 points), the Hawks woes led to a final that didn't seem to accurately depict how far away the Hawks were from WinningLand.
It was ugly, nasty, and thoroughly nauseating at times. The HHB tried it at many DVR speeds---X1, X2, X3, and X4---it was unwatchable at all levels.
The Hawks now go to New York (Offensive SlumpBuster Alert!) and then come back to face the team that has had the Hawks numerics this season, the New Jersey Nets.
It is the HHB's hope that the club can figure out where the joy went because soon we'll run out of adjectives to describe the effort---and they will simply be losing.
The HHB skipped the usual post game meal---Lost Appetite Syndrome---For cures and comments please refer to the Comments section.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bow Wow, Hawks Fans
They are calling these days in January the "dog days" of the NBA season.
Makes sense, since the Hawks are certainly playing like dogs these days.
Whether it's simply fatigue from winning too much prior to January or the fact that the team is simply unwilling to do the things it did in December when they won 21 games, the Birds are playing like dead fish right now and until someone shows up with the life paddles, the Hawks are currently DOA.
Some examples:
Josh Smith when winning: Takes the ball hard to the basket and finishes while making his presence felt on defense.
Josh Smith when losing: Takes the ball and stands outside to launch a jump shot and is nowhere to be seen defensively.
Any guesses as to what we have been seeing more of lately?
Did you realize?: Smith is shooting a career low from the free throw line (64 percent). Earn your right to shoot those bombs, Josh----still bricking from long range and then taking your free points to an all-time low is not a good way to start.
Al Horford when winning: Well, healthy for one. Al is out for the Phoenix, Clippers, and Oakland game for sure. When they are winning, his energy is obvious and he is contesting shots defensively.
Al Horford when losing: Invisible, watching opponents attack the basket. Rushing his offense and playing small around the basket.
We've been saying it---Zaza Pachulia (the non-sick version) has shown more energy in games lately.
Did you realize?: Al is up in all the good categories and down in the bad ones. They only good stat he is lower in is his rebounds per game, which is down one per game--identical to his offensive rebounds per game.
The play of these two inside guys are critical to opening up the lethal shooting of Bibby and Johnson from the outside. In recent games, the tandem has gone ice cold, which means it's time for the interior guys to increase the good things that they currently do to lift the team higher. Starting on the defensive end would help.
You get the picture---and it's up to Woodson to get these guys in gear and defend from the opening tip. Another 30+ point first quarter is a pretty good indication that the team is not coming out of the locker room to make a defensive statement.
Oh by the way, one final thought on the 109-94 loss at home to PHL----When Royal Ivey and Lou Williams are on the floor for the Sixers, it makes 0.00 sense to leave a hot Andre Iguodala wide open for consecutive threes.
Just some friendly advise during these very dog days.
The HHB is preparing the Official HHB High Definition Viewing Room for some late games as the Hawks migrate towards the Pacific. Comments and late night snack ideas are welcome in the Comments section.
Makes sense, since the Hawks are certainly playing like dogs these days.
Whether it's simply fatigue from winning too much prior to January or the fact that the team is simply unwilling to do the things it did in December when they won 21 games, the Birds are playing like dead fish right now and until someone shows up with the life paddles, the Hawks are currently DOA.
Some examples:
Josh Smith when winning: Takes the ball hard to the basket and finishes while making his presence felt on defense.
Josh Smith when losing: Takes the ball and stands outside to launch a jump shot and is nowhere to be seen defensively.
Any guesses as to what we have been seeing more of lately?
Did you realize?: Smith is shooting a career low from the free throw line (64 percent). Earn your right to shoot those bombs, Josh----still bricking from long range and then taking your free points to an all-time low is not a good way to start.
Al Horford when winning: Well, healthy for one. Al is out for the Phoenix, Clippers, and Oakland game for sure. When they are winning, his energy is obvious and he is contesting shots defensively.
Al Horford when losing: Invisible, watching opponents attack the basket. Rushing his offense and playing small around the basket.
We've been saying it---Zaza Pachulia (the non-sick version) has shown more energy in games lately.
Did you realize?: Al is up in all the good categories and down in the bad ones. They only good stat he is lower in is his rebounds per game, which is down one per game--identical to his offensive rebounds per game.
The play of these two inside guys are critical to opening up the lethal shooting of Bibby and Johnson from the outside. In recent games, the tandem has gone ice cold, which means it's time for the interior guys to increase the good things that they currently do to lift the team higher. Starting on the defensive end would help.
You get the picture---and it's up to Woodson to get these guys in gear and defend from the opening tip. Another 30+ point first quarter is a pretty good indication that the team is not coming out of the locker room to make a defensive statement.
Oh by the way, one final thought on the 109-94 loss at home to PHL----When Royal Ivey and Lou Williams are on the floor for the Sixers, it makes 0.00 sense to leave a hot Andre Iguodala wide open for consecutive threes.
Just some friendly advise during these very dog days.
The HHB is preparing the Official HHB High Definition Viewing Room for some late games as the Hawks migrate towards the Pacific. Comments and late night snack ideas are welcome in the Comments section.
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