Four things we learned about the Wizards in their first round sweep
1. JOHN WALL IS A SUPERSTAR YOU HAVE TO TAKE AWAY
Wall didn't shoot well in the first round, but his 17.3 points and 12.5 assists were just too much for the Raptors' defense.
Wall created 117 points off of his assists in four games, which was up significantly from his 23.1 points off assists average in the regular season. In terms of his scoring, he was great at attacking the basket in the first round. He scored 12 of his 21 baskets at the rim, but his outside-the-paint shooting was abysmal.
2. PAUL PIERCE AT THE 4 IS THE TRUTH
The lineup of John Wall-Bradley Beal-Otto Porter-Paul Pierce-Marcin Gortat was something the Wizards simply didn't utilize in the regular season. After 31 minutes of it in four games against the Raptors in the first round: this lineup scored a ridiculous 131.8 points per 100 possessions and gave up just 95.8. That's a net rating of plus-36.0 points per 100 possessions. This lineup had an effective field goal percentage of 57.3 percent and an assist-to-turnover ratio of 7:1. Everything that could have gone correctly for this lineup happened and they decimated the Raptors with it.
Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Though we still have business to settle in Brooklyn, it's never to early to take a look at who we might face next should we progress.
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
3. MARCIN GORTAT CAN BE A FORCE IN THESE PLAYOFFS
The great part about Gortat's game within this Wizards' system is he doesn't try to do too much. During this series, Gortat averaged 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks while making 74.4 percent of his field goal attempts. He scored 20 of his 29 made baskets in the series in the restricted area and only took seven shots out of the paint (made five of them) in the entire series. If he plays like this in the next round, Al Horford will have his hands full.
4. THE WIZARDS ARE PLAYING A SMARTER BRAND OF PLAYOFF BASKETBALL
The Wizards'...defense was impeccable all season long but Randy Wittman's offensive schemes and rotations seemed to be completely ordinary at best. During the four games against Toronto, going to smaller lineups took away some of these problems and we saw a spread-out offensive floor for the Wizards result in much better, more modern shots.
If Washington continues playing offense like this and can keep their defense intact, there's no reason they can't have a real chance at advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
So, what do we think? WAS has vets, youth, elite athletes and are peaking at the right time. Do we have anything to fear from the Wiz? Will we need to adjust to matchup against their small ball lineup? Will Nene and Gortat be too much for our limited rotation of bigs? Can we possibly hope to slow down Wall, Beal AND Pierce in a single series? Can we even beat the Brooklyn Dodgers?
Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
While I am of the mindset that we should focus on Brooklyn before looking ahead to this, I will say that I have no idea how the wizards will look. They went out there and smacked the league's biggest pretenders around for four games, but we have a better team than Toronto, and we won't revert to isos on offense when something goes wrong.
I will say that I hope we see Paul Pearce at the four a lot in this series. Paul Millsap should eat him alive on offense, especially in the post. We've played Washington well this year, and are a team that excels in closing up driving lanes, which will bode well against John Wall as he's more effective when penetrating. I am a little worried about Gortat though, but hopefully we can effectively deny him the ball.
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I will say that I hope we see Paul Pearce at the four a lot in this series. Paul Millsap should eat him alive on offense, especially in the post. We've played Washington well this year, and are a team that excels in closing up driving lanes, which will bode well against John Wall as he's more effective when penetrating. I am a little worried about Gortat though, but hopefully we can effectively deny him the ball.
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
If we win tonight, Then ill feel better about looking ahead. Right now, Washington would take us to the WOODSHED if we play like the last 3 games.
Beal and Wall will have their way with DS and Teague. However, the Wizards front court is not as disruptive as the Nets front court. Im not afraid of Gortat/Nene.
But that would depend on AH and PM GOING TO THE BASKET. Be big men, dont fall in love with the Jumper
Beal and Wall will have their way with DS and Teague. However, the Wizards front court is not as disruptive as the Nets front court. Im not afraid of Gortat/Nene.
But that would depend on AH and PM GOING TO THE BASKET. Be big men, dont fall in love with the Jumper
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
You guys will win in 5... maybe 6 if our 3 point shooting stays hot.
Randy Wittless will be thoroughly outcoached by Bud... and the Hawks will pack the paint and make Wall shoot long twos.
Our offense was great vs. Toronto with Pierce at PF and Otto at SF... Gooden also made some 3s but the Hawks are much better defensively and move the ball much better.
Randy Wittless will be thoroughly outcoached by Bud... and the Hawks will pack the paint and make Wall shoot long twos.
Our offense was great vs. Toronto with Pierce at PF and Otto at SF... Gooden also made some 3s but the Hawks are much better defensively and move the ball much better.

Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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I think the primary focus should be Brooklyn and Brooklyn only right now. If we lose tonight and the nets even up the series 2-2 then I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities that BRK pulls the upset.
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Wizards over the Nets in 5.
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Can we please get this f*ing thread locked and deleted? There is ZERO reason to believe we will make it to the 2nd round right now.
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Premature
Where the offseason has more buzz happens.
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Is it though?
Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
PandaKidd wrote:Lol WOOOO SAAAAAAWWW GUYS
Have to ask. Is that from Bad Boyz?
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Jinx thread. Basketball gods are angry. Better lock this sh*t.
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
FAH1223 wrote:You guys will win in 5... maybe 6 if our 3 point shooting stays hot.
Randy Wittless will be thoroughly outcoached by Bud... and the Hawks will pack the paint and make Wall shoot long twos.
Our offense was great vs. Toronto with Pierce at PF and Otto at SF... Gooden also made some 3s but the Hawks are much better defensively and move the ball much better.
Wiz have no chance. Hawks may sweep, hopefully Wash would take a game
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
The Wizards new lineup takes away the advantage they had against us IMO: size all around.
We struggled with Toronto all year, so thanks to Wall/co for knocking them out.
Not there yet, but a quick turnaround probably favors the Wizards in Game 1. We will need to use our depth and they HAVE to provide a spark. They have been very quiet against the Nets.
We struggled with Toronto all year, so thanks to Wall/co for knocking them out.
Not there yet, but a quick turnaround probably favors the Wizards in Game 1. We will need to use our depth and they HAVE to provide a spark. They have been very quiet against the Nets.
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
td00 wrote:The Wizards new lineup takes away the advantage they had against us IMO: size all around.
We struggled with Toronto all year, so thanks to Wall/co for knocking them out.
Not there yet, but a quick turnaround probably favors the Wizards in Game 1. We will need to use our depth and they HAVE to provide a spark. They have been very quiet against the Nets.
Perhaps. I'm not sure they've switched to that new lineup as their FT starters. But when they do utilize it, I suspect it will open up the middle of the floor for John Wall pretty well. Flanked by 3 three point shooters and with Gortat as the screener, Wall could have a field day with an unclogged lane.
And though Millsap will have some advantage over Pierce in the paint, it will largely negate any advantage he will have as a stretch 4.
It'll be an interesting matchup. All comes down to how Beal and Wall perform on a game-to-game basis.
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
This whoe thread, the title and whats in it is just a douche bag thread 

Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Why? Jamaal was simply looking ahead to the next opponent. No one trashed the Wizards or anything.
I said if the Wiz play like they did vs TOR they would destroy us if we played like we did vs NETS. Its only been 1 game, tonight will be interesting.
I think Hawks win tonight , i think Bud plays his starters more. I think our shots fall.
I said if the Wiz play like they did vs TOR they would destroy us if we played like we did vs NETS. Its only been 1 game, tonight will be interesting.
I think Hawks win tonight , i think Bud plays his starters more. I think our shots fall.
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
Calling them the Generals before game one even starts and making bad predictions, then the Hawks end up losing game one at home. This is like that douche bag who heckles Paul Pierce in the game, calls him **** old, then Peirce puts up 20 and stares him down after the win ... nice
Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
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Re: Hawks 2nd Round Opponent: Washington Generals
atlantabbq99 wrote:Calling them the Generals before game one even starts and making bad predictions, then the Hawks end up losing game one at home. This is like that douche bag who heckles Paul Pierce in the game, calls him **** old, then Peirce puts up 20 and stares him down after the win ... nice
you realize the guys predicting sweeps were Wizard fans right>?
The Generals is always just a joke, Jamaal wasnt serious.
Loosen up man, losing game 1 at home isnt enough to have a heart attack. Have you ever had a team make the playoffs?
SPurs went up 2-0 vs OKC 3 years ago, then lost the next 4. Do you think OKC fans were doom and gloom after that?
