The crowd booed Dwyane Wade lustily.
Technical fouls were exchanged.
Fouls were flagrant.
Josh Smith tried to go between his legs on a break and slam.
Wednesday night the Hawks got their mojo back, zipped out to a double digit lead and never looked back in a 106-91 Game Five win over the Miami Heat.
Good times in the ATL.
Despite TNT's best efforts to excuse everything he did and didn't do and paint Dwyane Wade as a modern day Hercules, trying lift the Heat above all odds, the Hawks withstood this unstoppable power by using smart defense, good rebounding, and solid offense to move one more win from advancing to the second round.
The game marked a return to form for Joe Johnson, who had almost as many free throw attempts in Game Five (15) than in the previous (4) games combined. He passed well out of the automatic double team, was aggressive to the hoop, and posted a 25/6/6 effort, establishing his solid game as the pulse for the Hawks rhythmic beating of the visitors.
RFM also had his hot game going, putting up a 23/5/3 night without a single turnover---and for those who thought that his first month with the Hawks would be his best and that we would one day this season want to swap him for a bag of Fritos, the HHB has to say that those would have to be some tasty Fritos at this point.
The Hawks posted a stunning 23/5 assist to turnover ratio, led by The Backcourt (9:3) which featured (17) solid points from Mike Bibby.
While the Hawks were placing (3) players above (20) points the Heat struggled to have anyone outside of Wade make a positive impact, which is precisely what the lack of double team on Wade has wrought---Wade getting his points while his teammates can't get the open looks they need to make a difference.
We Had the Over on Bruises (+/- 100)
The story of the game won't likely be the fact that the Hawks are up 3-2 heading back for a Friday night game in Miami (nice!), nor the efficiency the Hawks used to gain such an edge.
No, the likely focus of discussion from this game will be its physical nature, as there weren't many players that escaped being fouled hard inside at some point in this game.
The HHB doesn't have a problem with this---actually, it was refreshing to see some of the efforts both teams went through to ensure that no easy baskets were scored in the filming of the evening's game. As many say at this time of year--it's playoff basketball!
Solomon Jones on Dwyane Wade, Wade on Mo Evans (TNT actually called bull on the flagrant foul called on Wade--we concur--, but missed where Wade interfered with Evans' dunk attempt by grabbing the rim), Udonis Haslem on Zaza Pachulia---there was nothing malicious about them---just the savory emotion of postseason hoops.
This Game Paid For By the Committee to Laud Dwyane Wade
Our own focus during the game was on the Hawks dominating every aspect of the game including rebounding, assists, turnovers, and (gasp!) even free throw shooting.
We couldn't help, however, being distracted by the inordinate gushfest TNT's Dick Stockton and Mike Fratello offered on behalf of Wade.
You would have thought that Wade left (6) sick grandmothers behind to participate in the game on a back held together by toothpicks and that he was saddled with a team that wouldn't be allowed to participate in NBA games if not for his gracious presence.
Yes, it was that bad.
Look, we get it, the NBA has long, long been about superstars--and Wade has every right to be included in that group---but his game (29 points in a hardly restful 39 minutes) speaks loud enough without having to create circumstances designed to make him seem even better.
But Will He Still Be Able to Play the Guitar?
The game wasn't without loss for the Birds---even though it was pictures of the aftermath of Wade's dramatic collision with Josh Smith in the first quarter that dotted the Internet landscape (he would return right away), it was the Hawks' Al Horford who drove to the hoop, got clobbered by Wade, and then landed awkwardly, spraining his ankle. His participation in Game Six was questionable at the end of the game.
The HHB is clearly jealous that Wade gets so much attention for his participation despite injury and Speedy Claxton doesn't. Other examinations into our psyche can be presented to us in the Comments Area.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Regression To Be Mean
It had to come to an end, right?
Before the game even began, we were treated to the TNT statistic of Dwyane Wade's unbelievable 3-pt shooting success in this series so far and was told that he was "simply being Wade". Well, great or not, he couldn't and the Heat couldn't possibly keep their torrid shooting numbers at the ridiculous levels they shot in Games Two and Three, right?
We mentioned in our last 'cap that the (83) games prior to Games Two and Three should surely be the true statistical indicator of the Heat's outside shooting acumen and that the Hawks should stay the course defensively and not panic--and the Heat should shoot their way back to their averages and that would give the Hawks the chance to take the home court back to the ATL.
The Hawks did just that in Game Four--and the result, save for a mind-boggling stretch that ended the first half, was a more typical shooting night for the Heat and an 81-71 road win for the Birds.
We were skeptical before the game, as things had gotten to the point of the Hawks having a players-only meeting (called by Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson as reported by TNT's Cheryl Miller) before Game Four---The playoffs are not the time and place to be sorting things out--you should be peaking as a team at this point if you want to advance. Even after the meeting, it had mixed reviews as Mo Evans didn't like the "calm" tone to the team's exclusive gathering.
Starting early though, it was clear that the ultra-aim that Wade had in the previous games had worn off. Call it fatigue, as Mike Fratello did, or whatever, but Wade launched a strangely pleasurable (4) airballs in the first half, allowing the Hawks to get out to a (21) point lead at one point.
But just as fast as you could say "lapse", the Hawks gave (17) of the points back in a bizarre three minute span at the end of the first half--a stretch that included an offensive foul eighty-plus feet from the basket on Bibby and not one, but two four point plays for James Jones.
The Hawks wobbled into halftime with that four point lead and came out for the second half determined to take back the momentum lost from their just-before-halftime gaffes.
It wasn't pretty---laws, no---it wasn't pretty, but in the end timely shooting, good defense, and Zaza Pachulia won the game for the Hawks.
Pachulia pulled down an incredible (18) rebounds, had (12) points on his usual half dozen or so offensive rebounds, and was basically the type of presence that we called out Al Horford to be before the game.
Horford sat for most of the game due to foul trouble and general lack of production when in the game. He might have been too geeked up for the game because he had as many fouls as points (4) and was once again rushing his shots inside, shooting the ball before the apex of his jump as he tends to do when overly excited. He has to step forward for the team to have long term success--this does not mean he should step up into the opposing team and draw quick fouls, however.
The offense was -eh- as The Backcourt shot OK (10-22, 3-4, 6-8), but was barely above 1:1 in assist/turnover ratio with (8) assists and (7) turnovers. At least it was on the good side in Game Four and that would be enough to allow the better defense and rebounding to take advantage of the Heat returning to a more normal shooting night.
Marvin Williams May Have Solved the Rubik's Cube in Two Minutes, But Let's See Him Solve Josh Smith
Smith was---the best word is obvious---in his efforts in Game Four. He overtly gave us everything we typically see from the young man--all in one game:
Dazzling athleticism as he goes to the hoop: Check
Game changing shot blocking on the defensive end: Check
Ability to clean the glass and keep possessions alive with his jumping abilities: Check
Early in the shot clock jump shots with three steps to the next defender who is practically begging Smith to shoot: Check
Taking unnecessary risks in the passing lane: Check
Scowling and stalking the officials after every single play, complaining over and over again: Check
Smith makes a difference for the Hawks every night--and sadly he has the power to lift up or drag the team down with him. Fortunately tonight, between his blocks, rebounding, and hustle--it was enough on the plus side to get the Hawks back to 2-2 in the series.
Caution---Items Shift When Rotating
Mike Woodson was already ready before the game to "go deeper" into his rotation, and the early foul trouble of Horford and Maurice Evans only hastened the appearances of Mario West and Solomon Jones. Can you guess in which part of the game they participated together?
Woodson was wise to once again shrink the rotation come the second half, even going so far as to playing RFM and Zaza for the final 17 1/2 minutes of the game. In the end, they played starters minutes and it was well earned.
Meanwhile, over in Miami---we have always believed that role players play best at home vs. road due to the home surroundings, etc. How odd to see the Heat bench almost contribute nothing to the team despite playing (48) of the teams (240) minutes. Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley, Yakhouba Diawara, Jamal Magloire, and Joel Anthony offered (2) points, (8) rebounds, (1) assist, and (1) steal. They did commit (9) fouls though--which was nice.
Home, Sweet Home?
The Hawks have now earned home court again and this time we hope it is treated better than it was in Game Two.
We would say it's a Best of Three series now--with two games in Atlanta, but we're afraid if we say "three" that Josh Smith will shoot again.
All the weeping and gnashing of teeth after Game Three seems considerably more peaceful now that the series has been set right, but it's going to take the same effort defensively and a much more efficient offensive night to get another game from Miami in Game Five.
We wonder if the Hawks will ever realize they have to play that way every night to win, home or away, especially in the playoffs. Until they do, their seasons will end earlier than what they should be setting as their ultimate goal for such a talented team.
The HHB called a Players-Only meeting in the Substitute Non-HD Viewing Center to get things straight---Fines and Other Penalties can be paid in the Comments Area.
Before the game even began, we were treated to the TNT statistic of Dwyane Wade's unbelievable 3-pt shooting success in this series so far and was told that he was "simply being Wade". Well, great or not, he couldn't and the Heat couldn't possibly keep their torrid shooting numbers at the ridiculous levels they shot in Games Two and Three, right?
We mentioned in our last 'cap that the (83) games prior to Games Two and Three should surely be the true statistical indicator of the Heat's outside shooting acumen and that the Hawks should stay the course defensively and not panic--and the Heat should shoot their way back to their averages and that would give the Hawks the chance to take the home court back to the ATL.
The Hawks did just that in Game Four--and the result, save for a mind-boggling stretch that ended the first half, was a more typical shooting night for the Heat and an 81-71 road win for the Birds.
We were skeptical before the game, as things had gotten to the point of the Hawks having a players-only meeting (called by Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson as reported by TNT's Cheryl Miller) before Game Four---The playoffs are not the time and place to be sorting things out--you should be peaking as a team at this point if you want to advance. Even after the meeting, it had mixed reviews as Mo Evans didn't like the "calm" tone to the team's exclusive gathering.
Starting early though, it was clear that the ultra-aim that Wade had in the previous games had worn off. Call it fatigue, as Mike Fratello did, or whatever, but Wade launched a strangely pleasurable (4) airballs in the first half, allowing the Hawks to get out to a (21) point lead at one point.
But just as fast as you could say "lapse", the Hawks gave (17) of the points back in a bizarre three minute span at the end of the first half--a stretch that included an offensive foul eighty-plus feet from the basket on Bibby and not one, but two four point plays for James Jones.
The Hawks wobbled into halftime with that four point lead and came out for the second half determined to take back the momentum lost from their just-before-halftime gaffes.
It wasn't pretty---laws, no---it wasn't pretty, but in the end timely shooting, good defense, and Zaza Pachulia won the game for the Hawks.
Pachulia pulled down an incredible (18) rebounds, had (12) points on his usual half dozen or so offensive rebounds, and was basically the type of presence that we called out Al Horford to be before the game.
Horford sat for most of the game due to foul trouble and general lack of production when in the game. He might have been too geeked up for the game because he had as many fouls as points (4) and was once again rushing his shots inside, shooting the ball before the apex of his jump as he tends to do when overly excited. He has to step forward for the team to have long term success--this does not mean he should step up into the opposing team and draw quick fouls, however.
The offense was -eh- as The Backcourt shot OK (10-22, 3-4, 6-8), but was barely above 1:1 in assist/turnover ratio with (8) assists and (7) turnovers. At least it was on the good side in Game Four and that would be enough to allow the better defense and rebounding to take advantage of the Heat returning to a more normal shooting night.
Marvin Williams May Have Solved the Rubik's Cube in Two Minutes, But Let's See Him Solve Josh Smith
Smith was---the best word is obvious---in his efforts in Game Four. He overtly gave us everything we typically see from the young man--all in one game:
Dazzling athleticism as he goes to the hoop: Check
Game changing shot blocking on the defensive end: Check
Ability to clean the glass and keep possessions alive with his jumping abilities: Check
Early in the shot clock jump shots with three steps to the next defender who is practically begging Smith to shoot: Check
Taking unnecessary risks in the passing lane: Check
Scowling and stalking the officials after every single play, complaining over and over again: Check
Smith makes a difference for the Hawks every night--and sadly he has the power to lift up or drag the team down with him. Fortunately tonight, between his blocks, rebounding, and hustle--it was enough on the plus side to get the Hawks back to 2-2 in the series.
Caution---Items Shift When Rotating
Mike Woodson was already ready before the game to "go deeper" into his rotation, and the early foul trouble of Horford and Maurice Evans only hastened the appearances of Mario West and Solomon Jones. Can you guess in which part of the game they participated together?
Woodson was wise to once again shrink the rotation come the second half, even going so far as to playing RFM and Zaza for the final 17 1/2 minutes of the game. In the end, they played starters minutes and it was well earned.
Meanwhile, over in Miami---we have always believed that role players play best at home vs. road due to the home surroundings, etc. How odd to see the Heat bench almost contribute nothing to the team despite playing (48) of the teams (240) minutes. Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley, Yakhouba Diawara, Jamal Magloire, and Joel Anthony offered (2) points, (8) rebounds, (1) assist, and (1) steal. They did commit (9) fouls though--which was nice.
Home, Sweet Home?
The Hawks have now earned home court again and this time we hope it is treated better than it was in Game Two.
We would say it's a Best of Three series now--with two games in Atlanta, but we're afraid if we say "three" that Josh Smith will shoot again.
All the weeping and gnashing of teeth after Game Three seems considerably more peaceful now that the series has been set right, but it's going to take the same effort defensively and a much more efficient offensive night to get another game from Miami in Game Five.
We wonder if the Hawks will ever realize they have to play that way every night to win, home or away, especially in the playoffs. Until they do, their seasons will end earlier than what they should be setting as their ultimate goal for such a talented team.
The HHB called a Players-Only meeting in the Substitute Non-HD Viewing Center to get things straight---Fines and Other Penalties can be paid in the Comments Area.
Time For Horford To Step Forward
Surely by now you have read the article from Sekou Smith regarding the need for a leader to step forth (an HHB interpretation).
We believe that the leader lay already within the nest of this young team, ready to lead, ready to speak, but possibly unable to do so at this time.
This leader, as the title already informs, is Al Horford.
Horford is the player with championship experience, albeit at the collegiate level. Horford is the player with the energy, ability, and apparent desire to lead this team to higher heights.
We all remember that it was Horford who famously told Paul Pierce, the Paul Pierce, to stay down (Rated: PG) when the Hawks were taking another game from the eventual champs. Everybody around the club were raving about the rookie's obvious leadership abilities and his winning attitude.
Our question begin with where have those moments been in this series? Where has that been all season? What could have distracted Horford from taking his place as the mouthpiece for the team---to lead his teammates by example?
There have no been no articles about Horford taking the lead on this team since last season and we had to start asking---why?
In no particular order:
1. His Coaches
It has been made completely clear that the team does not value Horford as a leader on the floor, or the game would be moved in his direction considerably more than it currently does. Time after time Horford is made to "get his" by cleaning up after the mishaps of others. That we saw numerous bench players from our opponents get more plays called for them in the post than Al this season speaks to the importance the coaching staff places on such options (specifically Al's) on offense.
This is a guy that the Gators rode to back-to-back championships---he can be well trusted with the ball in the low or high posts. It's possible that Woodson is so unaccustomed to trusting a second year player with such a role that isn't named LeBron or Kobe that the idea is "he isn't ready".
2. His Teammates
And it's not like his teammates are screaming for him to get the ball--or to expand his role beyond the "good boy" submissive role he is currently asked to employ. The game can be run through him, but perhaps others aren't comfortable in such an arrangement. Maybe a similar fate befell Josh Childress when he wanted to be more than the "energy" and "sixth man" labels he wore with the Hawks.
3. Himself
Submission is a heck of a thing, and Al could be the type that is allowing the players that have been here longer (Joe Johnson, Josh Smith) to be the leaders of the team and that it's not "his place". Those players themselves might even contribute to that by the fact that they don't follow Al's lead when he begins to get vocal.
Also, he may be affected by the coaches lack of interest in giving him more of the responsibility of the game plan. Young players are prone to following a coaches opinion of a player--even one as talented as Al.
All of that needs to be rectified, because the Hawks need a leader---and Al is the only personality and talent that fit the bill. The Hawks need this to happen immediately---read: Game Four---for them to be able to get control back of this series from Miami.
Joe Johnson is a better player, Josh Smith is more talented, Marvin Williams drafted higher, and Mike Bibby is older and more experienced, but Al is the ticket---and he and his team need to bring his abilities forward so that the Hawks can take the series and fill a role that is currently vacant.
We believe that the leader lay already within the nest of this young team, ready to lead, ready to speak, but possibly unable to do so at this time.
This leader, as the title already informs, is Al Horford.
Horford is the player with championship experience, albeit at the collegiate level. Horford is the player with the energy, ability, and apparent desire to lead this team to higher heights.
We all remember that it was Horford who famously told Paul Pierce, the Paul Pierce, to stay down (Rated: PG) when the Hawks were taking another game from the eventual champs. Everybody around the club were raving about the rookie's obvious leadership abilities and his winning attitude.
Our question begin with where have those moments been in this series? Where has that been all season? What could have distracted Horford from taking his place as the mouthpiece for the team---to lead his teammates by example?
There have no been no articles about Horford taking the lead on this team since last season and we had to start asking---why?
In no particular order:
1. His Coaches
It has been made completely clear that the team does not value Horford as a leader on the floor, or the game would be moved in his direction considerably more than it currently does. Time after time Horford is made to "get his" by cleaning up after the mishaps of others. That we saw numerous bench players from our opponents get more plays called for them in the post than Al this season speaks to the importance the coaching staff places on such options (specifically Al's) on offense.
This is a guy that the Gators rode to back-to-back championships---he can be well trusted with the ball in the low or high posts. It's possible that Woodson is so unaccustomed to trusting a second year player with such a role that isn't named LeBron or Kobe that the idea is "he isn't ready".
2. His Teammates
And it's not like his teammates are screaming for him to get the ball--or to expand his role beyond the "good boy" submissive role he is currently asked to employ. The game can be run through him, but perhaps others aren't comfortable in such an arrangement. Maybe a similar fate befell Josh Childress when he wanted to be more than the "energy" and "sixth man" labels he wore with the Hawks.
3. Himself
Submission is a heck of a thing, and Al could be the type that is allowing the players that have been here longer (Joe Johnson, Josh Smith) to be the leaders of the team and that it's not "his place". Those players themselves might even contribute to that by the fact that they don't follow Al's lead when he begins to get vocal.
Also, he may be affected by the coaches lack of interest in giving him more of the responsibility of the game plan. Young players are prone to following a coaches opinion of a player--even one as talented as Al.
All of that needs to be rectified, because the Hawks need a leader---and Al is the only personality and talent that fit the bill. The Hawks need this to happen immediately---read: Game Four---for them to be able to get control back of this series from Miami.
Joe Johnson is a better player, Josh Smith is more talented, Marvin Williams drafted higher, and Mike Bibby is older and more experienced, but Al is the ticket---and he and his team need to bring his abilities forward so that the Hawks can take the series and fill a role that is currently vacant.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
