GT: BRK @ ATL || 12/4/19, 730PM EST
Posted: Wed Dec 4, 2019 9:03 pm
There’s nothing like a tomato can, to scrub the memory of a tough L from a team’s collective brain. Atlanta just experienced a 10-loss streak, only to snap it with a huge 25-point victory over Golden State. We’re licking our wounds after a deflating home loss to Miami, one that we *almost* had in the bag before they closed out the game on a 10-0 run. When Brooklyn plays, no lead is safe, for either team! Let’s get into it:
JARRETT ALLEN VS. DAMIAN JONES – In matchups such as this, I expect a burgeoning top-10 C like Allen to obliterate his fringe starter competition. Nothing against Damian, he is an athletic young project pivot. With all due respect, Jarrett, go make barbecue chicken outta this clown.
TAUREAN PRINCE VS. JABARI PARKER – Once seen as the savior in Milwaukee, now a journeyman sniper at the ripe old age of 24, Jabari is having a renaissance in John Collins’ absence. Taurean will want to show that ATL gave up on him too soon, but this is not a flattering matchup for him.
JOE HARRIS VS. DEANDRE HUNTER – Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room… wait, wrong preview. These two Cavalier products square off with a shared passion for the game, but their styles of play are very different. Hunter is more of a combo forward, and defensive versatility is his calling card. Joe is all O, so it will be interesting to see if he can “rook” the high-lotto prospect.
GARRETT TEMPLE VS. DEANDRE BEMBRY – Who? Don’t sleep, the other DeAndre is a skilled, position-less jack-of-all-trades. He reminds me of Temple, actually. If they play to a draw and cancel out each other, we’re fine.
SPENCER DINWIDDIE VS. TRAE YOUNG – Ice Trae has some dazzling moves, and can score and assist in bunches. He also is prone to turnovers, and has as little conscience on defense as he does on offense. Spencer’s key will be sticking to the efficient, assertive core to his game, not the flashy showboat stuff. The more he is persuaded to go Rucker ball and mimic Young’s wizardry, the less of an advantage we have here. Hopefully, Dinwiddie keeps it all business, so we can get back on a winning track.
Evan Turnover has been a great addition as backup PG, but pulling Parker into the starting unit weakens their bench frontcourt. Len is exactly the type of stretch 5 that can give DJ fits, so it might be good to give Nic a nice, long homecoming appearance. I would love for Dzanan and Theo to get out their wide-ruled pads, and take notes from the bench on how to operate an offense. They are over-exposed and don’t seem to be learning from the fire hydrant of game knowledge that is coming at them. I’m glad we got a good long look at these two when injuries hit us, but it’s time for the phalanx of our 8-man rotation to close ranks. They’re bad enough that in their small roles and short PT, they could still be more responsible for a Hawks win than anyone wearing an Atlanta jersey.
Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. You’re on a roll: making good in-game adjustments, correcting systemic issues, commanding the ear and respect of the team. But, you’re still Kenny, and that concerns me. I’ll make a deal: do you like the Mandalorian? I’ll ship a smart TV to the State Farm Arena visitors’ locker room. Come out for the tipoff, then sneak back there and catch up on your DVR. Send Jacque or someone to do the little in-game Q&A rounds, and just Let. Our. Team. Win. Trust me, they can handle this one; just don’t get in their way.
PREDICTION: NETS 118, HAWKS 107
JARRETT ALLEN VS. DAMIAN JONES – In matchups such as this, I expect a burgeoning top-10 C like Allen to obliterate his fringe starter competition. Nothing against Damian, he is an athletic young project pivot. With all due respect, Jarrett, go make barbecue chicken outta this clown.
TAUREAN PRINCE VS. JABARI PARKER – Once seen as the savior in Milwaukee, now a journeyman sniper at the ripe old age of 24, Jabari is having a renaissance in John Collins’ absence. Taurean will want to show that ATL gave up on him too soon, but this is not a flattering matchup for him.
JOE HARRIS VS. DEANDRE HUNTER – Two Virginians and an immigrant walk into a room… wait, wrong preview. These two Cavalier products square off with a shared passion for the game, but their styles of play are very different. Hunter is more of a combo forward, and defensive versatility is his calling card. Joe is all O, so it will be interesting to see if he can “rook” the high-lotto prospect.
GARRETT TEMPLE VS. DEANDRE BEMBRY – Who? Don’t sleep, the other DeAndre is a skilled, position-less jack-of-all-trades. He reminds me of Temple, actually. If they play to a draw and cancel out each other, we’re fine.
SPENCER DINWIDDIE VS. TRAE YOUNG – Ice Trae has some dazzling moves, and can score and assist in bunches. He also is prone to turnovers, and has as little conscience on defense as he does on offense. Spencer’s key will be sticking to the efficient, assertive core to his game, not the flashy showboat stuff. The more he is persuaded to go Rucker ball and mimic Young’s wizardry, the less of an advantage we have here. Hopefully, Dinwiddie keeps it all business, so we can get back on a winning track.
Evan Turnover has been a great addition as backup PG, but pulling Parker into the starting unit weakens their bench frontcourt. Len is exactly the type of stretch 5 that can give DJ fits, so it might be good to give Nic a nice, long homecoming appearance. I would love for Dzanan and Theo to get out their wide-ruled pads, and take notes from the bench on how to operate an offense. They are over-exposed and don’t seem to be learning from the fire hydrant of game knowledge that is coming at them. I’m glad we got a good long look at these two when injuries hit us, but it’s time for the phalanx of our 8-man rotation to close ranks. They’re bad enough that in their small roles and short PT, they could still be more responsible for a Hawks win than anyone wearing an Atlanta jersey.
Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. You’re on a roll: making good in-game adjustments, correcting systemic issues, commanding the ear and respect of the team. But, you’re still Kenny, and that concerns me. I’ll make a deal: do you like the Mandalorian? I’ll ship a smart TV to the State Farm Arena visitors’ locker room. Come out for the tipoff, then sneak back there and catch up on your DVR. Send Jacque or someone to do the little in-game Q&A rounds, and just Let. Our. Team. Win. Trust me, they can handle this one; just don’t get in their way.
PREDICTION: NETS 118, HAWKS 107