(1) Chicago @ (5) Atlanta Game 3/4 Thread

[parson]

Smoove has sooooo much talent and so little idea of how to use it. I supported his attempts from 3 earlier in the season when he was trying to expand his game but it aint workin' and this is the playoffs.

He needs to shoot 20 times from inside 5 feet next game. I'm serious - 20 shots. He'll foul somebody out if he will. And, if he shoots 20, he'll have 10 assists when they finally double down on him.

He just doesn't get who he is. He's a stronger, better passing Dominique Wilkins. But he thinks he's Peja Stojakovic.

Called it. He shot 22 times, had 9 FTs (shoulda had a lot more) and 8 assists. Is he beginning to see who he is?

[HoopsGuru25]

Smith when he has the mentality of the last 2 games is easily the Hawks best player. He's the only one on the team(other than Zaza maybe)who can actually get to the free throw line which makes a huge difference when going against a defense like Orlando or Chicago.

[azuresou1]

I think Josh is consciously aware he's best inside, but shoots outside because it's easier - doesn't have to get banged around, jostle for position, etc. There's no way he's played this long and isn't aware of his strengths.

[Geaux_Hawks]

I think Josh is consciously aware he's best inside, but shoots outside because it's easier - doesn't have to get banged around, jostle for position, etc. There's no way he's played this long and isn't aware of his strengths.

Woody already showed him what he can do. Drew gave him to much freedom to play along the perimeter.

[parson]

I only saw the 2nd half, but did anyone hear Barkley? He said Smoove should always play "with paint under his feet." Great way to say it.

Just looked at the #s. Smoove shot 5 from farther than he should have. That means he only shot 17 "real" shots . If'n he'd shot all 20 from inside, no doubt my predictions would have been amazing accurate (sorry, I'm drunk on my powers of prescience).

[johnny878]

Smith when he has the mentality of the last 2 games is easily the Hawks best player. He's the only one on the team(other than Zaza maybe)who can actually get to the free throw line which makes a huge difference when going against a defense like Orlando or Chicago.

marvin can be pretty good at getting to the line too. before jamal came he was gettin to the line around 5 times per game which is respectable on 10 shots from a small forward. he just doesnt shoot much anymore except as a last second jump shot or fast break jump shot option.

[evildallas]

Just got home. OMG, nights like this are why I keep renewing my season ticket. Pure joy.

[betta1]

Just got home. OMG, nights like this are why I keep renewing my season ticket. Pure joy.

So wish I still lived in ATL so I could be at the games!

[Years80HAWKS]

Yes, the officiating was just owful for our interests. Noah got rid of his 4th and 5th foul in the 3rd quarter and then Deng got rid on another one in that Josh Smith put back slam.
Then he were called for some much lighter actions.

Regarding Rose's defense, I do not know why our players (Teague, Crawford, JJ, JSmoove) try to drive to his right, when he excels at that. He dribbles, he takes a quick step forward and to his right, he steps with both feet, jumps and gets another one off the glass or as a high arched shot. And none of our bigs is never there contesting his shot.
Why not forcing him to his left, where he should have more difficulties. I believe he has not done a single reverse in 4 games. It should be easier to force him to commit traveling, give a bad pass, commit an offensive foul...
I think that is really bad scouting by our staff.

[HMFFL]

Ref Bennett Salvatore Admits Gaffe on Inadvertent Whistle

Salvatore acknowledged that he blew it (pun intended) in Atlanta last night, by failing to call a foul when he should have. From the AP: “With 2 1/2 minutes remaining and the Hawks leading 90-84, Bulls star Derrick Rose went up for a shot beyond the 3-point stripe and appeared to be fouled by Jamal Crawford. Salvatore blew his whistle, but ruled he had done it inadvertently. That led to a jump ball, which Atlanta’s Josh Smith tapped away from Joakim Noah. The Hawks scored on that possession to essentially finish off the Bulls. ‘An inadvertent whistle is when a referee blows a whistle and didn’t mean to,’ Salvatore said. ‘That’s exactly what happened. I blew my whistle and didn’t mean to. I didn’t think it was a foul.’ Bennett changed his opinion after watching a replay. ‘It was a foul and I should have called it,’ he said. ‘I made a mistake.’” http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... t-whistle/

[parson]

Isn't that amazing? We get beat up - CHI definitely is being allowed to push, hand check with 2 hands and hack at the ball with impunity. All the while we are being called for those same fouls if we do them.

Then, ONE foul on us gets close attention.

How about the touch fouls called on us every time Rose went to the basket but swallowed whistles whenever Teague got knocked to the ground when he went inside? How about when Noah threw Smoove to the floor after a made basket? How about how Korver couldn't stay on the court if the refs called the hacking he does? How about how Noah is being allowed to push Horford with both hands?

CHI is playing by a different set of rules yet Salvatore apologizes for an uncalled touch on us. I think - in the heat of the moment - Salvatore didn't call that one foul because he'd already recently called a bunch of questionable fouls in favor of Rose. That was in a time when Rose was going to the basket on every possession and getting the "and one" whether we touched him or not.

[betta1]

Isn't that amazing? We get beat up - CHI definitely is being allowed to push, hand check with 2 hands and hack at the ball with impunity. All the while we are being called for those same fouls if we do them.

Then, ONE foul on us gets close attention.

How about the touch fouls called on us every time Rose went to the basket but swallowed whistles whenever Teague got knocked to the ground when he went inside? How about when Noah threw Smoove to the floor after a made basket? How about how Korver couldn't stay on the court if the refs called the hacking he does? How about how Noah is being allowed to push Horford with both hands?

CHI is playing by a different set of rules yet Salvatore apologizes for an uncalled touch on us. I think - in the heat of the moment - Salvatore didn't call that one foul because he'd already recently called a bunch of questionable fouls in favor of Rose. That was in a time when Rose was going to the basket on every possession and getting the "and one" whether we touched him or not.

Pretty much this.

[MaceCase]

Chicago should just take their medicine, they were in that game in the first place thanks to the calls and play they were allowed to get away with so they can't really complain about the one that went against them. Can't possibly hope to have EVERY CALL in a game so damn, take better advantage next time that way you won't have to rely on the zebras to close it out for you.

[geeman]

You know, I just had a moment.... I have to give our guys credit, were in the second round playing the so called best team (record wise) and we're battling. We may lose the next two games by 50 points, but right now I'm proud to be a hawks fan! FYI, before ever game Coach should set Josh down and make him watch the second half of game 4..... now go get the big felli