Atlanta Hawks 130, New Jersey Nets 107 or blogging is hard when you don't get to complain
by hawksdawgs on Dec 13, 2009 10:58 PM EST
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PrintThe Hawks won. They were suppose to win. Number seven over 15 points. It is tough to be upset with anything about any player. Sure a few bad shots, some strong stretches of bad defense, and maybe some weird substitutions, but the Hawks did what they were suppose to. They dominated.
You see one blowout and you say there is nothing to learn. You watch two and you say they are starting to understand. But you witness three in a row and it is hard to understand the set as anything but something different, something new. Sure, the Hawks blew some people out in years past. They dominated here and there. But this consistence out classing is something new. You can name who they beat as an argument, but any team in the past seven or eight years would be overjoyed with these results no matter who occupied the other side of the box score. These Hawks are winning big when they are suppose to. And since they are one of the most talented teams in the league that is a hell of a dangerous combination.
A brief ode to Maurice Evans
He came in as the "defensive stopper." Well, he is not a defensive stopper. Average, yes, stopper, no. But what he does do is try. Try like there is no tomorrow. Against the Nets. The two win Nets. He went horizontal in the second half. Torso parallel to floor. Up 15 for an offensive rebound. And if you are going to have back to back games hitting about 70% of your shots then fans really can only stand up and applaud. Mo is playing with Mario West energy and shooting like hot Jamal Crawford. Will it last? Certainly not. Does it make you appreciate all the little things Evans will do every time he sees the floor whether he is hitting shots or not? You better believe it.
Jeff Teague Progressing my view of Mike Woodson
Maybe it is because the Hawks are winning. Maybe it is the recent up swell in minutes. Maybe it is Mike Bibby playing actual average defense. I don't know. But at some point, you have to say Mr. Coach Woodson, well done. I have disparaged Woody's player development for a while. Whether it was Josh Smith's three point shooting or Acie Law or Solomon Jones lack of improvement, I have just not see our coach push players toward productivity since his job has been on the line. Not looking toward the future one bit, all I can say is Jeff Teague is improving, the Hawks are winning, and everyone on the team seems happy with the speed of both. So Coach, well done sir.
Victory Bullets
- Jamal Crawford flops a lot. He also gets no calls. Bad combination.
- Name someone that helps a team's defense more than Josh Smith.
- I love point guards that can dunk.
- Brook Lopez is going to be so, so good.
- Pretty sure Mo Evans made two jump shots off the dribble all year last year. This year he has like eight.
- The Jeff Teague one man press is the best thing ever.
- Congrats to Othello Hunter for entering the world of 09-10 NBA stats.
- Watching starters routinely turn into towel waivers is the most surreal thing ever.
- Teague is so upset about every missed shot. You know why? Because he can easily make them.
- Bob Rathbun called the NBA "big boy basketball."
- If Devin Harris ever gets on a good team, he is going to be annoying with the way he seeks fouls more than baskets.
- It is kind of hard to put together, without any 30 point outbursts, but Al Horford is so much better at offense.
- Loving the Eno by Zaza
- Up 25, diving into the stands, Randolph Morris you have earned whatever nickname you get.
- Nique on Collins made basket, "The BIG GUY, STRETCHING THE DEFENSE!"
- This was the Nets. Take everything but effort and Teague with a grain of salt.
Go Hawks!
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just stuff
We are not this good but clearly we are much better. If we beat every body else and then lose to the top 6 teams do we get critical? What if we win a few of them and still lose a game 7 in the second round. Will we cry for change?
\
Who knows – I think we take each game and appauld or cry. If Josh gets hurt and we lose 7 in a row do we hang it up? No I don’t think so. The NBA is like life, enjoy the good times and expect the bad. At the end of the day our future is bright.
by RivBoatGambler on Dec 13, 2009 11:21 PM EST reply actions
"we are not this good but clearly we are much better"
that is a much better and shorter way of saying what I meant in the first 2 paragraphs.
and yes better only matters
if it improves against others, so I think you have to win against the top six teams. not over .500. but close to.
I like how we match up...
with everyone in the East except Cleveland and Orlando. For some reason, Orlando has our number. Maybe it’s just Dwight Howard, but we really struggle with them. Cleveland has the matchup problem of Lebron, but I thought Smoove in last year’s playoffs proved he can go toe to toe with him, and while not as powerful he rises just as high and can float there as long, which Lebron doesn’t deal with well since there are so few people who can actually match him in the air. Horford is infinitely quicker than their bigs, and I like our Gs better than theirs, so unless Lebron takes over, we even matchup well with Cleveland. Boston we’ve seen before, and I’ve got no problem with them, especially at the end of the year when their vets are likely breaking down. The Heat are about the only other legit team in the East, and we beat them last year, and are a much better team than we were then.
I’d wait to see how everyone is playing them before saying so with confidence, but as of right now, I think we beat any team but Orlando in a 7 game set. Now if we can just avoid Orlando in round 2.
by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 14, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
We've got a back to back with Cleveland at the end of the month
So I’d be interested in seeing how those play out with a healthy Marvin. Not that he’s the single missing piece, but we were definitely at a disadvantage in last year’s playoffs without him. He’s probably the best chance for having a guy who can really close LeBron, and having him to check LeBron should keep JJ from wearing himself out by helping. It falls in from there, defensively-Josh can cheat off Varejao (or Hickson) to help on LeBron. Then we can “hide” Bibby on Parker while JJ guards Mo Williams. Of course, this would work better if we didn’t switch on every screen.
I think the way the Hawks are running more offense through the frontcourt could be a big help as well. If Shaq stays in the paint, we can just let Horford shoot that 18 footer on the baseline at will, the way he’s knocking them down. Eventually the defense will adjust to cover him up, and that’s when we start looking for Josh. The real key is not to be a jump shooting team because Cleveland’s perimeter defense is really tough. Settling for jumpshots and ISOs will result in a loss.
"For some reason, Orlando has our number."
Here’s why: 1. Dwight Howard. The interior post presence is very difficult for pretty much anyone to defend, and the Hawks are no exception. But the real issues might be the combination of 2. they are just as long and athletic as the Hawks at every position and more so at C; and 3. they are more physical at the guard positions especially and can wear the Hawks down. There is no matchup advantage for the Hawks anywhere on the floor.
But the Hawks can take solace in the fact that almost no one else matches up with Orlando either, and the Hawks, at least match up very well with the Celtics.
The East
Orlando is going to be tough, but I like our chances against this team rather than last years’ team. Hedo made them more dangerous than Vince Carter. If thay had gone and gotten Iverson and he is 80% of the player he was. They win the East. But if we can avoid them until the ECF then I say throw every big body we have at DH and get him in early foul trouble. Then can Joe, Marvin, Josh outplay Rashard, Pietrus, and Carter???? we got a shot…i think I’m gonna look into the odds of the Hawks winning the ECF
Huh? Iverson?
Iverson at any time of his career wouldn’t have fit with this team—the offense runs through Howard and Lewis. They would’ve never seen the ball again with Iverson.
BTW, I don’t Orlando is worse with Vince at all. Slightly different, but VC brings similar size and more physicality if less 3-pt shooting. Hedo’s actual skills without anyone to play off are on full display in Toronto—nice call, Mrs. Turkoglu. You could have gone to Portland and made a run, but now you’re and your hubby’s career is back in the tank, stuck with the Craptors.
Depends on Iverson...
if he was willing to come in and be a drive and kick type passing PG, he’d have been excellent. He’s a scorer, but if he was willing to take on a PG style role, he’d be a good fit in my mind, especially with Jameer Nelson’s injuries.
I felt the same on Iverson, especially with Nelson down again...
if healthy, I think Orlando just has us. Dwight Howard is big time, but it’s more than just him. We just do not play well against the Magic, or at least haven’t this year.
Now, with Nelson down, Carter’s injury history, Piertrus’ injuries, and possible others, I think we might be able to take advantage there if they begin to have multiple guys go down. But don’t forget Marcin Gortat. They signed Bass and don’t really need the backup C at the contract he’s paid. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Gortat moved in a big mid season swap.
a W is a W
There’s definitely something different about this team. This is exactly the game we lost last year or the year before. The opposing team comes out a little hot and the Hawks would just sulk and dog it the rest of the game. But now they fight. I think Josh getting thrown out of the Knicks game is the best thing that could have happened to him. Tonight he got 2 quick fouls and you know he wanted to mouth off but he kept it shut. Then when he got back into the game in the 2nd quarter, he made that great steal on Devin Harris and got the alley oop dunk from Bibby. That play ignited our run. I hope they keep this attitude up for the whole season cause when they move the ball and play defense they can play with anyone. It’s just a matter of effort. Loved Teague and Evans tonight!! Big game Wednesday versus the Grizz, they blew the Heat out in Miami tonight.
Go Hawks!
I can't believe I'm saying this, but
if this team keeps up this pace and wins 60 games, Woodson should be kept no matter what happens in the playoffs. He will have proven his ability to develop players to the point of excellence. And if it still isn’t quite good enough, then go get a legit can-win-a-title guy instead of Joe.
I am extremely impressed with and excited about Jeff Teague. I think the Hawks got it damn right on this, and last year’s draft that was supposed to be so weak is turning out to have been a very good one (and no one’s even seen Blake Griffin).
Next year Teague may very well be the starter and Bibby the backup. And it will be a great thing, because dude is super-fast fast. Yay Hawks.
Great game by JJ
Arguably his best all season. Only 12 total FGAs to come up with his 21 points, 10 assists, 0 turnovers, and he added four steals. Sure, it’s the Nets, but it’s really nice to see the all-star version of Joe after seeing runs of like 5 games where he’s been sub all-star.
He’s played at a high level for 4 out of the past 5 games, now, and he’s done it while sharing the ball quite a bit. If this team is going to climb into, and remain, in that top tier of teams, we need this JJ.
Hawks are better
There is no doubt that the Hawks are a better team than last year team. Addition of Jamal and little rookie, and improvements in Zaza and Evans have neutralized the regression by Marvin. Josh is better at choosing shots, and Horford is a star in making. As for Bibby consistency is his pattern, and JJ still does his thing, though he is kidding himself looking for more money that what Hawks offered him He should remain a Hawk, city likes him, his teammates like him, and it is very difficult to have a good thing in NBA like this. He may get couple million more somewhere else, but I guarantee he won’t have a better situation.
Hawks lack big guy presence. Even Lopez can score on them. That is why they struggle with Orlando. That is why they will struggle with a mediocre Shaq. Hawks have good guards now, time to help Hordord and Josh. You saw what happened when Josh was injured last year, Hawks went downhill fast, and it took him a while to get better. Need a big man to help those two. And no, Zaza is not what I am talking about.
So we have a very good team, with a coach, that is beginning to believe in himself. That is amazing. But Woody has improved so much, because for once, he does have a bench, and does not have to ride starters 40-44 minutes a game. I say give him a 2-3 year extension now, or you risk jeopardizing the chemistry this team has.
By the way, loved Nique’s comment about air ball by Josh that went to Zaza as saying great pass. Make sure Josh does not start shooting jumpers
These games are very fun, but come on. The Bulls, Raptors, and Nets suck on an epic fail level. Let’s put the champagne on ice until after the Utah and Cleveland games at least.
Utah should be fun and it will be a test
The grizzly is gonna be a workout but we should win nonetheless. as for Orlando and dwight, I have a feeling they will be our new rivalry. the hawks will have to prove that they can hang the next time we play with. but the hawks are playing great bball. for some reason I don’t fear them playing Cleveland, its just excitement. We have beat every team except san Antonio in a while so I have heard, that’s who I’m looking forward to right there.
by Hawksgirl on Dec 14, 2009 12:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Got some interesting games coming up, indeed
Memphis might be interesting, because they’ve been playing extremely well after getting off to a slow start. They’re a lot better right now than most people probably realize, and if the Hawks come out not taking them seriously, they could really dig themselves a hole early. Of late, Memphis has beaten Dallas, Cleveland, lost narrowly to OKC (another team that’s better than most probably realize) and fairly dominated Miami last night.
After that, a match-up against Utah, and those games are always interesting. If Andrei Kirilenko is healthy, this game bothers me, because I don’t we don’t match-up well against them. Okur creates match-up problems for a lot of teams, but Horford is at a distinct size disadvantage, and Okur’s ability to use that size on the perimeter makes him a tough cover. Ronnie Brewer is an excellent defensive guard who can bother JJ. Josh may have a tough time with Boozer and Millsap, and Deron Williams could have a field day against Bibby.
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