Tuesday: Game One Atlanta at Orlando 8PM

[parson]

Postgame interview with Woodson, "I thought our gameplan was pretty good." Just as I said earlier.

[Hawkeyes]

Postgame interview with Woodson, "I thought our gameplan was pretty good." Just as I said earlier.

He seriously said that? I could respond to that quote with a rude remark, but one can only laugh at such stupidity at this point.

[djjob23]

Pick and Roll. Pick and Roll. Pick and Roll.
As long as Woodson is our coach, we will live and die by the Pick and Roll.
Defensive plan is weak, Offensive plan is weak. No player development skills. No in-game changes (or change PERIOD).

Woodson needs to be resigned quick before others see his unlimited talents and offer him a better deal.

Don't worry Atlanta Spirit! If you lose your precious Woodson and would like to hire someone on the cheap (as usual), you can contact me. Cause ANYBODY would be better than this clown!

[OMagic1989]

Sorry.... I do not get any pleasure from beating you guys. Now if it was Boston or Cleveland I would be jumping up and down. We just seem to be your kryptonite like the pistons used to be for us.

You guys are my second favorite team. You have a very athletic team that is still missing a couple of pieces to be a championship contender. IMO you need a better point guard and a true center.

[NEM]

no disrespect guys, and im being serious when i say this. you guys are classy as a fanbase and i enjoy watching you guys play, but you guys REALLY need a new coach and a true player to build around. JJ doesnt cut it. to me he is a great second option, but will never lead a team to the promise land, he just doesnt have that in him. you guys also need a coach who can adjust. woody has the same plan whenever you play us. he doubles dwight when AL is in the game and our shooters demolish you. then he sends in collins or zaza and they dont double but then either one gets abused.

anyways, see ya next time. stay classy ATL

[evildallas]

1 Positive: Still only counts as 1 loss.

Advice: We can't survive on talent. We are the weaker team. In order to win a game we need to have the right plan and execute that plan consistently and thoroughly. I'm not sure if Woodson can even come up with the right plan because it requires both an offensive and defensive strategy. If he did stumble upon the right plan I'm not sure our players could execute it completely and consistently. Our near patented offensive funks are no longer something we can overcome because the competition at this stage of the playoffs and beyond are too good. Our sloppy defensive execution want work either. They've too many good shooters and too big a big man. We also can't get into a snit when things don't go our way. This just isn't about Josh because he's wears his emotions on his sleeve, but it applies to everyone. Josh whines, Marvin retreats into his shell, Joe gets angry (like game 5 last series when he committed so many uncharacteristic fouls), Jamal starts playing sloppy, and so on. To win we need to have a plan, have everyone buy into that plan, and execute that plan. It won't work on every play, but you have to maintain focus, control and belief that over the course of the game it will.

I don't have a perfect plan, but I have some pieces.

#1 You have to get Dwight Howard in foul trouble because he can't be matched physically on the court. To accomplish this you have to drive the ball and move the ball side-to-side. You have to get Howard to move because when he's on the move he's more likely to pick up fouls just for not being able to control his huge frame. You must remain dedicated to the strategy. Shooting jumpers accomplishes little because it doesn't put pressure on their defense and if you aren't on fire then it gives them opportunities for runs.
#2 Run the floor. We've got 2 of the most athletic bigs in the game. Push it when you can to make Howard run as well. He's in great shape and won't wear down much but any little bit of fatigue might make him more sloppy and help get those fouls that get him off the floor.
#3 While he's in the game you have to live with him doing damage. Foul him more judiciously. Don't get sloppy and 1 fouls like Josh did because he didn't pull back all the way. If beaten that badly think of the war not the one battle and get out of the way. Furthermore on this point is that while you are living with Howard's offense you don't let the rest of the team get into the flow. Stick with them and shut them out. History has shown that they occasionally get tired of feeding the big man.
#4 Have a strategy for when he's out of the game. They have more than one weapon so getting Howard out in foul trouble doesn't guarantee a win (ask Charlotte), it just makes it more possible. They can still play you away with a barrage of 3 pointers in a heartbeat. You have to know the personnel on the court and don't play in a way that invites someone to get hot. Offensively, you can't settle for jump shots even when the big is out. You have to keep moving the ball and use this opportunity to penetrate even more since the shot blocking threat will be on the bench.

That's all I got. It ain't complete, nor it is easy. Come on Hawks show me you can do this and I'll believe we reached the next level. Don't change how you're doing things and repeat the past again.

[ATL DirtyBird]

I love the plan Evil, but lets be honest Woody doesnt change. Our players dont have the wherewithal or the basketball IQ to do this and consistently do anything. This is our team, it will not change, and we must live with it. A 40 point loss should never happen in the playoffs, ever, but it did. How do our players respond? How does WOody respond? If we lie down again on the road, no one should go to the Hawks home game. No matter the talent disparity, the severity of match up issues, etc, a blowout this large should never, ever happen.

[NEM]

1 Positive: Still only counts as 1 loss.

Advice: We can't survive on talent. We are the weaker team. In order to win a game we need to have the right plan and execute that plan consistently and thoroughly. I'm not sure if Woodson can even come up with the right plan because it requires both an offensive and defensive strategy. If he did stumble upon the right plan I'm not sure our players could execute it completely and consistently. Our near patented offensive funks are no longer something we can overcome because the competition at this stage of the playoffs and beyond are too good. Our sloppy defensive execution want work either. They've too many good shooters and too big a big man. We also can't get into a snit when things don't go our way. This just isn't about Josh because he's wears his emotions on his sleeve, but it applies to everyone. Josh whines, Marvin retreats into his shell, Joe gets angry (like game 5 last series when he committed so many uncharacteristic fouls), Jamal starts playing sloppy, and so on. To win we need to have a plan, have everyone buy into that plan, and execute that plan. It won't work on every play, but you have to maintain focus, control and belief that over the course of the game it will.

I don't have a perfect plan, but I have some pieces.

#1 You have to get Dwight Howard in foul trouble because he can't be matched physically on the court. To accomplish this you have to drive the ball and move the ball side-to-side. You have to get Howard to move because when he's on the move he's more likely to pick up fouls just for not being able to control his huge frame. You must remain dedicated to the strategy. Shooting jumpers accomplishes little because it doesn't put pressure on their defense and if you aren't on fire then it gives them opportunities for runs.
#2 Run the floor. We've got 2 of the most athletic bigs in the game. Push it when you can to make Howard run as well. He's in great shape and won't wear down much but any little bit of fatigue might make him more sloppy and help get those fouls that get him off the floor.
#3 While he's in the game you have to live with him doing damage. Foul him more judiciously. Don't get sloppy and 1 fouls like Josh did because he didn't pull back all the way. If beaten that badly think of the war not the one battle and get out of the way. Furthermore on this point is that while you are living with Howard's offense you don't let the rest of the team get into the flow. Stick with them and shut them out. History has shown that they occasionally get tired of feeding the big man.
#4 Have a strategy for when he's out of the game. They have more than one weapon so getting Howard out in foul trouble doesn't guarantee a win (ask Charlotte), it just makes it more possible. They can still play you away with a barrage of 3 pointers in a heartbeat. You have to know the personnel on the court and don't play in a way that invites someone to get hot. Offensively, you can't settle for jump shots even when the big is out. You have to keep moving the ball and use this opportunity to penetrate even more since the shot blocking threat will be on the bench.

That's all I got. It ain't complete, nor it is easy. Come on Hawks show me you can do this and I'll believe we reached the next level. Don't change how you're doing things and repeat the past again.

bro, that might be more than woodson has. the only problem is it is way easier said than done against a team that is as stacked as ours. if you do get dwight into foul trouble, we have arguably the best back up in the league. he is obviously no dwight howard but he can rebound and defend. our drive and kick game kills teams as well. jameer is great at it because he is so low to the ground and so quick. when he gets to the rim he is a great finisher for his size and is making great decisions with the ball. that is just one of our options on offense, we have plenty more which is why we are as tough as we are. your game plan is a good idea, it's just very hard to carry out, but i guess thats why they get paid millions for it

[BLKMAMBA1]

Think before posting

[NEM]

Think before posting

i know im not a hawks fan, but why troll?? seriously? im not so sure you would appreciate it if someone came on the LA (im assuming youre a lakers fan judging by your name) board after the game 4 thrashing the thunder put on you... and they dont suck. theyre a very talented team with a great nucleus, but they lack bench productivity (jamal crawford by himself doesnt cut it in the playoffs), a great coach, and discipline IMO because when they get down it seems to me that they just fold. an elite team has a resolve about them, they hold each other accountable. all i saw from the hawks tonight was a bunch of heads down (including their coach). the only guy who seemed to care was zaza. to me a win is a win, whether it be by 40 or by 4. it counts for 1 victory. we (orlando) have to be ready for you guys come game 2. no series has ever been decided in 1 game and i dont expect that to change.

however, had we beaten boston or cleveland by 40+ i would be jumping for joy because i cant stand either team. i just dont dislike the hawks

[Diggr14]

Well, first things first. I've adopted ATL as my team im rooting for this round since my Bucks are eliminated.

Orlando looks locked in and ready for the Finals. I dont think Cleveland or Boston can beat them either. Frankly, the Finals favorite is Orlando.

I wish I could say you guys have a chance against Orlando, but it seems that you are missing that one guy that you can depend on night in and night out. Johnson has disappeared at moments in the Bucks series, and especially last night. Crawford was the reason you wont the Bucks series.. however, he is really damn streaky, you can't depend on him at all. Bibby.. yuck, Marvin, double yuck (Chris Paul or Deron Williams anyone?), and Horford just isnt a bigtime enough scorer yet.

If I were Woodson, I would take this approach to game 2. I would use this starting lineup to create matchup problems for Orlando.

PG - Crawford
SG - Johnson
SF - Smith
PF - Horford
C - Zaza

I would have Zaza guard Howard. On the offensive end, I would go into the post and attack Howard every possession until he gets in foul trouble status for each quarter. This is how I would do it. I would run a 1-4 set... pick to the wing for Johnson.. run a baseline pick for whomever Howard is guarding.. whether Horford or Zaza. Get either player on the box with the ball.. strong move up and in every time.

2 reasons why.
1. Howard is very succeptible to the foul
2. Howard is a much better help defender than he is an on-ball defender (he isn't as coordinated as say.. Andrew Bogut. He doesnt draw charges, and he can be counted on to draw silly fouls)


If you play Iso-ball against Orlando you are playing right into their strengths and away from your strengths. You guys are a team that needs to get to the rim. The only way to effectively do it against Orlando is to get Howard in foul trouble, or at least thinking about foul trouble. Iso- is ok at the end of a quarter, but really do you have an iso-matchup in this series you can exploit with Howard roaming the lane for blocks and picking up the boards on the eventual missed shots?

If Woodson wants to save his job - he should employ this strategy. Then mail me a nice fat check.

[Diggr14]

Dont get discouraged - Also... on defense. I say make Howard beat you. I would overplay the wings, and NOT double team the post. Make him beat you at the line and forcing shots.

I would play Joe Smith this series (probably more than Marvin Williams)

Another weird wrinkle. I'd put Zaza/Smith/Jason Collins/even Mario West on Howard - use all your fouls nightly put his 40% shooting ass (hard fouls all the time right when he touches the ball) on the line every possession he touches the ball deep dont even let him shoot. Plus, his childish mentality would be hurt.. and likely be more succeptible to committ stupid Howardesque fouls on the defensive end as retaliation. Horford on Lewis. Johnson on Nelson. Smith on VC and challenge Smith to shut him down (who cares about your O.. shut VC down). Bibby/Crawford on Redick, Pietrus, Barnes (whomever is in).

Seriously, i think you guys could take this deep or maybe shock the NBA if your coach had half a brain.

[tontoz]

. Crawford was the reason you wont the Bucks series..

LOL Crawford is the reason the Hawks didn't finish the Bucks sooner. He was crap until the last two games.

[orlandomike]

2 propane tanks and a ton of fertilizer on the magic team bus? That might be the only way. Orlando will have off shooting nights but pretty much only Carter will kep shooting when he knows he is off. Most of them will just pass it off to someone who is hot.

[HMFFL]

Here’s the clueless Atlanta side…

Coach Mike Woodson was asked what happened.

“I wish I knew,” he said. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

That’s the kind of response that drives an owner to push a coach over the ledge.

[evildallas]

bro, that might be more than woodson has. the only problem is it is way easier said than done against a team that is as stacked as ours. if you do get dwight into foul trouble, we have arguably the best back up in the league. he is obviously no dwight howard but he can rebound and defend. our drive and kick game kills teams as well. jameer is great at it because he is so low to the ground and so quick. when he gets to the rim he is a great finisher for his size and is making great decisions with the ball. that is just one of our options on offense, we have plenty more which is why we are as tough as we are. your game plan is a good idea, it's just very hard to carry out, but i guess thats why they get paid millions for it

I admit it wouldn't be easy. I admit that we don't have the coach or the discipline to pull if off, but it was the best plan I could come up with.

[evildallas]

Here’s the clueless Atlanta side…

Coach Mike Woodson was asked what happened.

“I wish I knew,” he said. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

That’s the kind of response that drives an owner to push a coach over the ledge.

It's responses like that make me question his worthiness for a head coaching job. It's also a general lack of accountability that permeates the entire squad. If you don't want to talk about it say something about how we were beaten, but that you want to focus on what you're going to do in game 2.

I could rant against his statement for another 10 paragraphs, but I'm just going to step away.