Preview and Game Thread #4: Atlanta Hawks @ Portland Trail Blazers
by hawksdawgs on Nov 3, 2009 4:14 PM EST
490 comments
Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers, Nov 3, 2009 10:00 PM EST
| Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #4 | ||
|---|---|---|
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@ | 
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| 2-1 | 2-2 |
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| Rose Garden |
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| Nov. 3rd, 2009, 10:00 PM | ||
| Fox Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Steve Blake |
PG | Mike Bibby |
| Brandon Roy |
SG | Joe Johnson |
| Martell Webster |
SF | Marvin Williams |
| LaMarcus Aldridge |
PF | Josh Smith |
| Greg Oden |
C | Al Horford |
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||
Hawks Injury Report: None.
Blazers Injury Report: LaMarcus Aldridge has been upgraded to probable. Nicolas Batum, Patty Mills, and Jeff Pendergraph are out.
Blogging With the Enemy: Blazers Edge
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Greg Oden
Game Preview:
First, welcome all Blazers fans. I do love me some Hawks blogosphere, but there is nothing like Blazers on the web. They are a force among forces. They are there own little city of people. Basically, they make me jealous, and they travel interwebs in droves. So welcome, all outsider insights on our team are welcome. Especially if they are put nicely.
Two years ago, this game was at least top 3 most crushing losses of the season. Last year, it was just another loss. The Rose Garden is a tough place to play, but at minimum, we should expect a decent response after Joe's vague tongue lashing and the mirad of turnovers in the Lakers game. The last few years these have been good games, and most both sides have had a chance to win. So Hawks fans can demand a split in the season series and hope for a sweep.The fact remains though at some point the Hawks have to start winning games on the road that fans hope they win or else they will continue to be a mediocre road team. This early in the season though, I am good with hoping.
And along those lines, four keys to the game. Two of hope. Two of strategy.
1. Jamal Crawford goes off. Hometown (or the best he will do) game. Has been quiet so maybe a breakout is looming, and no Blazer particular matches up well to defend him unless Rudy Fernandez is a much better defender than I am giving him credit for.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge's jumper is off....
3. ....Because the Hawks cannot use the size disadvantage as an excuse. They must attack the glass as a team and not allow second chance opportunities. The Blazers are far too effective in the half court for that. And if Josh Smith has to move way outside to guard Aldridge, rebounding could be a serious issue.
4. Quick pace. And I will say this on working to get the Blazers bigs in foul trouble. I have read where that has been an issue for them, and I believe Horford's quickness is an advantage. I just think the best strategy is use that quickness in the pass more than set up a slower half court and hope that quickness causes fouls. Because if there are not fouls, the Hawks are kind out of options.
And in case you wondering, from here on out, good Josh Smith showing up is always a key to the game.
See you in the comments.
Go Hawks!
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We are pretty bad as a team getting rebounds...
I think it is an interesting matchup.
I’m not sure why Steve Blake starts over Andre Miller, but I’m fine with it defensively since Bibby can hopefully stay in front of Blake.
Joe Jo vs. Roy pairs the two teams supposed best players and stars.
Martell Webster, like Marvin Williams has all the talent you could ask for, and at times you wonder how he’s not one of the 5 best players in the NBA. Then at times you wonder if he’s even on the floor.
Oden/Aldridge is taller pair of talented young bigs compared to our talented young bigs in Smoove and Horfina.
Crawford can explode off the bench, and I’m a HUGE Rudy Fernandez fan. Think he’s gonna be a future All Star. Both have talented back up PGs, Miller and Teague. Both have big, physical, sometimes dirty backup Cs with Pryzbilla and Zaza, although Joel (who we got for about a dozen games along with Michael Doleac in exchange for Nazr Mohammed) is taller and a MUCH better shot blocker.
It’s a solid 1-5 lineup with a strong bench vs. a solid 1-5 lineup with a strong bench. We’re mirror images of each other across leagues, although 4th in the West is a helluva lot better than 4th in the East, as we’re probably about to find out.
Don't remind me of that Pryz trade...
I will never forget that. In an attempt to tank the season, the Hawks traded everyone and accidentally put together a team-first group of guys who went out and competed. They accidentally screwed the team out of the #1 pick.
Blake starts over Miller for two reasons.
First, McMillan likes having good players on his bench. (this is still a mystery to most of us Blazer fans) and, probably more likely, that Blake is the best fit with Roy. Miller and Roy haven’t worked well together (which was widely predicted), but Blazer fans are hoping that time overcomes this.
I agree that Joe Johnson and Roy are an amazing matchup, but I’d be surprised if Roy guards Johnson unless Roy and Fernandez are playing the wings together.
Webster has been opening Blazer fans eyes this season. He’s pretty good this year. Not #6 pick good. Not anywhere close to trading down and passing on Deron Williams and Chris Paul good (d’oh!), but at least a starter in the NBA, which is more than we hoped coming into this season.
Oden and Przybilla can rebound (and block shots) like you wouldn’t believe. Just don’t ask for much offense from them. I like Al Horford. Period. You guys got a good player there.
Portland hasn’t meshed well yet this season. I have no idea if this is going to be a break-out game, or a break-up game. Or for that matter, just a close contest. Hoping at least for the latter, but then again, that’s the side I’m on.
Fun to watch you guys, sorry I have to root against you tonight.
πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.
Blake starts over Miller because right now he “meshes” better with Roy and he hits the 3 ball when teams rotate to help out with Brandon. Roy and Miller both like to have the ball at the top of the key and make things happen.
Blazers are not clicking yet like they were at the end of last season. Oden starting, Miller and Blake fighting for time, and Webster coming back to our offense have the Blazers still finding out where and what they should be doing at all times.
If the Blazers play some good defense tonight and Oden stays out of foul trouble and gobbles up some defensive and offensive boards I think it should be a victory. The Hawks have a chance though as they are deep and talented and this Blazer team let a mediocre Rockets team beat them and haven’t looked especially crisp yet this season.
was the plan always going to be for miller to backup the pg position?
seems odd to hope he would stop being a guy who likes the ball in his hands this late in his career.
Miller never thought so.
Not as sure about McMillan.
πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.
Blake over Miller
I think, mostly, Portland’s offense is about spreading the court with shooters, most especially when you have the ball in Roy’s hands. Miller is not a jumpshooter, so he’s not much of a threat without the ball in his hands on the perimeter. And when Aldridge wants to take the ball on the perimeter and isolate, it’s especially important to have shooters to space the floor since they don’t have anyone else who can create a shot in the post.
But, eventually, I think they’ll figure out that actually letting Andre Miller run the offense turns out for the better, and creates more looks for Aldridge and Roy than simple isolations do. That’s a prediction.
On your four keys:
Crawford could be a handful. Bench play has been very unpredictable for Portland, and Crawford has that unpredictability as well. Could be a giant night for him. Could hear nothing out of him. But if Crawford does go off, that puts Portland in some hurt. We tend to use our bench to go ahread, and that would negate that advantage.
Aldridge was ice cold the first couple of games this season. In Houston it came back, and for the first six minutes against the Thunder it was going pretty well, but then he banged knees. Still, if Aldridge is missing his jumper, then it will be a long night for us. It will be an even longer night if he falls in love with the jumper….
Rebounding is going to be very difficult for you guys unless you can get the centers in foul trouble. Oden and Przybilla are two of the five top rebounders in the league so far this short season. But their fouls rates have both been high. They tend to pick them up in bunches. They’re not going to pick them up against Horford or Pachulia, but more likely against Bibby and Johnson. If you attack with your guards, it will be a long night.
Pace might be fools gold. There’s a lot of athletes on the Blazers. And a lot of players that play well quickly. The slow pace is almost exclusively the fault of Brandon Roy and Steve Blake. Since the offense starts with those two, the rest of the team just has to wait. But if the pace gets pushed, I don’t think it will be that big of a factor. That, and you guys aren’t exactly used to the pace you’ve been up to running lately.
All in all, I think it should be a good game. I look forward to watching it.
And thanks for letting us come over. Most of us Blazer fans are well mannered, hopefully there wont be too many trolls tonight. :)
πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.
i agree. you have the athletes who can run
but horford should be able to beat those centers down the court and/or pick up cheap fouls with them out of position.
i am just always of the thinking, if you are normally slow, you must like slow, so lets get you into something you like less (even if you can adapt).
Blazer fans? Trolls? Saaaayyyyyy whaaaaa????
Should be an exciting game tonight. I’m praying we have LMA ready to go for the game.
"I don't always read blogs regarding the Trail Blazers
...but when I do... I read Blazers Edge."
- resurrect_ha28
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Nov 3, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
but like i said.
even if the Hawks run, it would still take good defense and limiting offensive rebounding.
Fools Gold
Would love the faster pace. I also realize the Blazers play at a high level at high speed. The Hawks seem to play the best when all the players are getting touches and getting opportunities to finish.
by RivBoatGambler on Nov 3, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
High speed?
the PTB were the slowest and most efficient offense in the league last year.
"I don't always read blogs regarding the Trail Blazers
...but when I do... I read Blazers Edge."
- resurrect_ha28
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Nov 3, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
We've got the players to do it.
Maybe not the star or the coach….
πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.
Coach seems to be the main issue.
Brandon doesn’t help.
"I don't always read blogs regarding the Trail Blazers
...but when I do... I read Blazers Edge."
- resurrect_ha28
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Nov 4, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
Keys
1. Jamal Crawford goes off.
I hope he goes off with two fist fulls of assists and fewer turnovers..
Keys
2. LaMarcus Aldridge’s jumper is off….
If he plays, we can only hope the Jumper is off but we need to box out better when he misses.
Keys
3. ….Because the Hawks cannot use the size disadvantage as an excuse. They must attack the glass as a team and not allow second chance opportunities.
Lets play some man to man. Our switching defense leaves our big’s out of position to rebound all the time.
by RivBoatGambler on Nov 3, 2009 6:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Keys
4. Quick pace. And I will say this on working to get the Blazers bigs in foul trouble.
We can only dream of a quick pace. This has to come from the Pacers because we can’t seem to push the ball. Not only that but it seems like we can’t play offense unless there are 8 sec left on the clock.
Remember When?
Balance, Balance, Balance
In the Laker game we lost it. Why I don’t know. Maybe Odem and Bynim are just intimidating or maybe without a home town crowd pushing them we just turn soft.
Here are the numbers.
Marvin/Hunter Evans – 11 shots. This number should be closer to 15.
Josh/Al/ Smith/Collins/Morris – 24 shots. This number should be closer to 32.
JJ/Bibby/Crawford/JT – 47 shots. This number way to high.
Shot Selection, Shot Selection, Shot Selection
Even when the ball did move past the back court we still shot to many jumpers. JT was the only player that seemed to mix his game and was the main reason we made a push when it was to late. Part of the responsibility of the back court is to get the big’s the ball in a position for easy scores. What did they do instead? shoot 7-23 from the 3 pt line. What happened to driving and kicking. What happened to attacking the rim.
If we do not play with balance and attack the rim – look for another loss. Remember the preseason wins? And the 2 wins in the regular season. We had the balance and attacked the rim.
by RivBoatGambler on Nov 3, 2009 6:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
although convicing joe and crawford to give up shots
will be about as easy as something that is not easy at all.
Omg
7:30, and still 2 and a half hours to tip.
Partly to blame: daylight savings-it feels an hour later than it is. But the other part is that I’m actually running out of ways to kill time until the game starts.
Well, it looks like they finally found someone smarter than a 5th grader
I would seriously clean up on that show.
Although... The Simpsons is a Oregon thing
Therefore, Blazers win by 7.
"Goals are good. Plans are better." -Ben.
Thanks for the invite PTHs
and best of luck tonight. I’m quite nervous about this game. The Trail Blazers have not really been playing well defensively, and Atlanta has a few guys who can light it up. I’m concerned about another lackadaisical effort on Portland’s part.
I’m interested in seeing how Oden matches up with Horford. I suspect Atlanta is going to attack Greg early and often inside, which typically gets Oden into quick foul trouble. Once again Portland’s saving grace may be it’s depth and ability to run a lot of different combinations. They can match up will against most any unit and can force more mismatches then most teams. Again, I see this coming down to Portland’s willingness to defend, especially by putting pressure on Bibby and making him work all night.
Looking forward to a good game and thanks for the compliments to Blazers Edge.
I wish people would stop saying "don't worry about it" as if I'm losing sleep over it
I'm more interested in the match-up at the 4
I have yet to see Josh Smith play one of his better games against the Blazers. If we get the Josh Smith who played two great home games for us, we might actually see an advantage there. But if we get the Josh from the Lakers game, this could very well get ugly. Of course, that depends on just how good Aldridge coming off that knee, but it seems like he’s feeling quite well.
bob and his haird just said there is a good/funny interview
with teague on in the pregame. if you are counting down the minutes until game time like me, this is probably going to be the most excited you will be for pretaped, pregame interview all year.
I'm reading "The Book of Basketball"
To kill the time. Simmons really makes some fantastic points. The “team over everything” mentality can’t be overstated. I feel like trading Josh Smith for Shane Battier now.
i am kind of on an anti simmons kick recently
because he is so sensitive on twitter.
but i am beyond excited to read that book.
I'm telling you, you'll LOVE it.
The Isaiah chapter (the secretto winning) and the Russell vs Wilt chapter are insanely great. And that’s all the further I am. After reading about Wilt and his selfish stat-first play, there may be a good deal of Josh Smith hate from me tonight.
i think everyone that would watch a 930 pregame show
are in this game thread, will be in this game thread, or will know someone in this game thread.
translation: not many people would watch it.
comment of the game thread
and blazer fans. we have a comment of the game thread. so feel free to rec any comments you find particularly satisfying.
Heat game
Sun Sports viewers voted 78% in favor of the Wilkins being the best brothers to play in the NBA.
woody looks like he has lost a lot fo weight
not sure why i noticed that now or why i noticed that at all.
don't you cringe
everytime you see Woody’s overall record…….every game!!!!
by marvin's ladies of the night on Nov 3, 2009 10:11 PM EST reply actions
Take Joe out. He's cold
by marvin's ladies of the night on Nov 3, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I kind of want Josh Smith to get some eyeglasses
And see if that helps his free throws. Maybe then we’ll call him Rick Vaughn, and play “Wild Thing” before every game.
Patrick Ewing just needs to go ahead and adopt this kid
and pre-empt the next 5 years’ worth of jokes.
by Bronn on Nov 3, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
So
We can’t make dunks, and we can’t make jumpshots, and we can’t make free throws so far.
Final score: 80-9
by Bronn on Nov 3, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
joe knows the double team is coming
passes out of it. demands it back instead of taking advantage of double team. shoots long two.
Thank God
Zaza Pachulia finally comes in to provide some offense.
by Bronn on Nov 3, 2009 10:28 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
seriously joe needs to check himself
i am getting angry.
clearly, i can’t believe i just said “check himself”
I don't even know what you mean by that???
by marvin's ladies of the night on Nov 3, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions
Damn you Violet!!
always trying to prove her manhood!
by dstdeelite on Nov 3, 2009 10:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Hmm, would have kept Zaza in for that
I mean, he’s been involved in some of our best offensive possessions, and he’s got a size advantage on anyone the Blazers have in.
I spent 80 bucks on his jersey
can I get a refund? at least until he shoots 50% from the floor? Or has a FTA/FGA above 10%?
I'm going to use the mental image of that last possession
to improve my sexual performance. That’s how ugly it was.
by Duff_Man on Nov 3, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i am blaming two people for that quarter
joe and violet.
end of story. the defense has actually been pretty good. got the big guys in foul trouble.
is this like one of those times
when the hawks go into a stretch were they suck and then they go back to playing good basketball
Josh on defense.
Totally lost and lacking effort. He looks like a player on one of those old vibrating football games.
if they called that on josh and not miller
josh would have freaked. and i mean seriously freaked. it woudl have been great tv. probably worth the loss.
Best possession of the game was just a minute ago
Hawks recognized the mismatch, and Josh Smith posted up Brandon Roy for the easy lay-in.
horribly foul by Bibby
Trust me, Mike, if you’re guarding Brandon Roy 10 feet from the basket, we’ve already lost. Just let him have it.
Do the referees hate us?
Joe was straight up molested!
by dstdeelite on Nov 3, 2009 11:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions
from lang whiticker on twitter
Maybe Joe Johnson will get respect from the refs after he makes the All-Star team. For the fourth consecutive season.
yea i mean i like Acie
but wasn’t wat we needed and Speedy just sat on the bench hurt couldn’t get mins and wasted money
blazers bigs in foul trouble
horrible offense in the first
joe johnson pressing
jamal and zaza leading the come back
mostly good josh smith.
You missed the first quarter fiasco
2 missed dunks, a missed lay-up, a couple of missed free throws, and a collage of missed jumpers. I was afraid we wouldn’t reach double figures-took a Zaza lay-up with 5 minutes left to break a scoring drought.
Jamal Crawford IS Hot Flip
Zaza also has been good.
Joe has been very, very bad. Like, rookie Marvin bad.
by Bronn on Nov 3, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
our bench is better than our starters - jjis trying to lose the game - Josh needs to do a Crawford and put this team on his back
by RivBoatGambler on Nov 3, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions
Josh actually hasn't been so bad
He did miss that dunk, and he’s not getting any rebounds, but he grabbed a steal, and came up with another loose ball or two, and he’s not taking jump shots.
The Frogurt contains Potassium Benzoate.
That’s bad.
by Duff_Man on Nov 3, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
seriously
where is teague. i am fine with his 6 minutes in each half. but i want those 6 minutes.
that said hawks were turning it around when he normally comes in.
He could have had Bibby's last 6 minutes
but there was no getting JC off the court.
I’m afraid that’s the pecking order, though-if JC is playing well, Teague’s playing time is forfeit.
Aldridge is way overpaid.
All he does is shoot jumpers. No inside at all. He’s worth more than Rondo?
Josh Smith moving his feet to stay in front of Roy
That’s the most impressive thing I’ve seen all night.
I'm not sure if I've ever seen that, actually
You see the ball occasionally get trapped between the board and rim, but to just rest on the back iron on a shot attempt-that’s crazy.
For a while, the Atlanta Braves
were doing that, only they had a deluxe package that included alcohol sales. Trust me, I can down 60+ dollars worth of beer and hotdogs at normal prices, much less stadium prices.
When Bob said "Here's Webster"
I giggled. I’m not mature enough for NBA players to be named Webster.
nice outlet pass
josh is a good passer when he wants to be
Crawford for pg - you notice how much faster we play when he is in there and Bibby is out?
did I mention better?
And ther can't be any type of drop off w/ his D compared to Bibby
But I would like to see a line up of Crawford JJ Josh Al and Zaza in crunch time
You know
I just didn’t see enough of Crawford before he became a Hawk. Dude has some crazy handles, and he’s slick as a passer.
I wasn't sure if Jamal Crawford was capable of this kind of game
his jumpshot hasn’t really been on target, but he’s still scored a ton and been extremely valuable.
Now wait. Josh just took an ill advised jumper
and JJ is going to pass it back to him? Not WTF Josh. WTF JJ
Theory:
If Greg Oden shaved, his own mother wouldn’t recognize him. He’s had that beard since he was 13.
if it is, would it be fast?
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
One thing i'd like to see from Josh...
Learning to block the ball to himself to create fast break opportunities.
If I was a betting woman
I’d bet that our blog has got to be the most comical blog out there. The Greg Oden jokes are priceless.
by dstdeelite on Nov 4, 2009 12:11 AM EST via mobile reply actions
JJ playing 40 some odd minutes this year
will be alot different than last year if JC can contribute offensively.
By the way. 2 plays in a row.
Aldridge was scared to death to take it inside strong. Just cost them the game.
NOTHING EASY!!!
thats how Zaza feels anyways
by eyy on Nov 4, 2009 12:20 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Somebody tell Nique' the 09-10 Hawks don't steal road games...
We expecting W’s for the rest of the season.
Yeah that is a tough place to play.
I think I read they only lost 7 at home last year. Very big win for the Hawks. Kinda heals some of the doubts.
Tomorrow is HUGE. 2-1 out west is a great trip.
Post game interview
“Jamal, what’s it like to be a bad-ass mofo?”
“Well, you know, I just wanted to come out like a badass mofo tonight, and I was a bit of a bad-ass mofo, and the team really came around to my badass-ness”
“Did you leave any badass on the court?”
“Well, Brandon Roy was going through my pockets looking for it, but I think I managed to take all of it with me. We’ll see if I’ve still got it in Sacramento.”
Know what rhymes with "Sacramento"?
Bad-ass mofo. That’s what.
by Duff_Man on Nov 4, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Blazer fan here y'all. Great win. I hate to see my Blazers lose ( especially at home!!!!! ) but don't mind it agaisnt the Hawks. You guys are my second favorite team by far.
Great win. We didn’t play very well, but I think it’s because you guys smelled blood, and took advantage of a team with low confidence. You scrapped for loose balls, crashed the boards and made the extra pass. We just couldn’t keep up.
I noticed tonight that the Hawks do something VERY few teams can do. You guys crash the boards hard, and manage to get back on defense in transition. That’s what a team full of pure athletes gets you I guess. It was pretty impressive. I predict Eastern Conference Finals for you guys this year, and a Finals appearance before you know it. Great win. Congrats!!!
Thanks for the nice post. All games between the Blazers and the Hawks are great contests. Good luck to your team
by RivBoatGambler on Nov 4, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions
They are great games. I look forward to them every year.
We’re not really playing very well right now. The addition of new players has the vets a little confused at times, so I’m kind of disappointed both our games against you guys are early in the year.
by dario argento on Nov 4, 2009 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
thank you for the post. the hawks are in for a pretty nice year, but the blazers are tough (we are in the same boat…no one in the national media thinks we have a chance against the “big 5”) they may be right, but i suspect any of those teams would put the blazers and the hawks on the top list of teams they don’t want any part of when the playoffs come around.
Great win Hawks.
Hope my Blazers can pull their heads out soon.
Joe Johnson is a stud!
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
Zaza's Tweet
@zaza27 My man Jamal Crowford was baaaaaaaaaaalliiiiiiiiiiin tonight:))so much fun to play with him. Heading to Sac. Let’s go get that one too Hawks
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