Atlanta @ Oklahoma City Nov 9th Game 5

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 9:05 am

4-0 (Road: 2-0)

7:00 pm EST

@

1-4 (Home: 1-2)

Divisional Games:

Toronto @ Charlotte

Harry10 · Post #2 » by **Harry10** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 9:40 am

i think this game is the most important game for the Hawks thus far.

people are starting to talk about the Hawks being the real deal and the Hawks need this game alot more than the Magic, Sixer, Hornet, and Rap game

the sonic/thunder whatever is not a good team but they do have talent, and it doesn't matter how bad of a team you are or what record you have, Hawks need to respect every team they step on the floor with.

every game, i want to see Marvin step up, especially with Smoove offense now gone

i feel good about Horford and Soloman steping up on defense to fill in for Smoove's energy

Watson is an excellent defender, but he is no Ford, Paul, Iverson, or Rose, so i'm not really scared for Bibby. Watson will give him problems, but i still think Bibby can get his numbers. Westbrook reminds me alot of Thadius Young in his rookie year, alot of out of control athletism, so Westbrook might cancel himself out.

i'm not a Durant fan, but i am aware than he can get hot and have a good shooting night on any team. i'm just not sure which Durant we will see. Kevin is still a stick, i really hope Marvin sees that and puts a shoulder in his chest and bully Kevin around when ever he can.

Damien is a Hawk killer. Hawks can't look at these guys as scrubs, but 12 NBA players.

JoshB914 · Post #3 » by **JoshB914** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 3:13 pm

I'm very intrigued by this game. OKC is a very difficult place to play right now and we've seen this team come out with a lack of intensity too many times before.

Post #4 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 3:58 pm

Harry10 wrote:i think this game is the most important game for the Hawks thus far.

people are starting to talk about the Hawks being the real deal and the Hawks need this game alot more than the Magic, Sixer, Hornet, and Rap game

The only reason why I feel this game means anything is due to it being the beginning of the road trip. Otherwise, the biggest win the team has had thus far was against our divisional rival Orlando. Followed by the biggest upset against New Orleans. The next biggest game is against Boston because with a win it will fill our Hawks with confidence and especially without Josh Smith.

Just how I see it.

Post #5 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 4:00 pm

Atlanta favored to win by -4½ points. O/U is 182½.

evildallas · Post #6 » by **evildallas** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 4:30 pm

While not every game can really be argued as the most important, it is possible to come up with some item of importance for every game at the time. At least so far. It's a really long season. Rather than ramble about the important element of each game so far, let me just say that it is impressive that the Hawks have managed to rise to the occasion for each game rather than sleep walk through one. I'll be watching tonight in hopes that's still the case.

I'm curious whether the team will go large (Zaza, Solomon, Randolph) or small (Mo or Flip with Marvin at the 4) more often with Josh out? Offensively, I'd like to see both Marvin and Al being more aggressive in looking for shots. At the same time, I want to make sure Zaza doesn't try to do too much. Zaza's mentality is that he's willing to step up and try to shoulder the load, but that's often where the wheels come off.

BTW, it is good our next game after OKC isn't at Boston because then this would be even more of a trap game. With Boston not until Wednesday, it's a little too far to look ahead to it. At least that's what I tell myself.

tontoz · Post #7 » by **tontoz** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 5:31 pm

I don't think they will take OKC lightly because Smith is out. Plus being undefeated would naturally keep the intensity level high.

Skyhawk1 · Post #8 » by **Skyhawk1** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:00 pm

I just hope we want to win this game more than OK. We have the better team, so it's about effort and execution. Let's see how we adjust to Josh's absence. It's going to be interesting to see how Woodson uses these guys off the bench. LET'S GO HAWKS! :wink:

Post #9 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:25 pm

tontoz wrote:I don't think they will take OKC lightly because Smith is out. Plus being undefeated would naturally keep the intensity level high.

It helps having Solo and Morris who want to prove themselves to not only the team but the league. I still feel good about this game and the rest of the month without Josh Smith.

tontoz · Post #10 » by **tontoz** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:39 pm

HMFFL wrote:
tontoz wrote:I don't think they will take OKC lightly because Smith is out. Plus being undefeated would naturally keep the intensity level high.

It helps having Solo and Morris who want to prove themselves to not only the team but the league. I still feel good about this game and the rest of the month without Josh Smith.

Yeah, plus the matchups aren't too bad. There isn't any Dwight Howard in the near future. Collison and Wilcox have given us some problems in the past though.

I am hoping that the team keeps playing well so maybe (this could be wishful thinking) Smith will realize he should play more within himself offensively.

conleyorbust · Post #11 » by **conleyorbust** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 6:53 pm

Last season, the only game Smith Smith was against this team (sort of, Seattle) and we let them drop quite a few points on us.

Last game was awesome but I'm a bit concerned about the guys' energy level afterwards. We shot way better than usual from deep and the D wasn't as crisp as we've been seeing (Jose and Parker missed a lot of shots they usually make). Not to take anything away from the guys, because they were awesome.

I think we have more than enough talent to beat OKC. I just hope the guys keep playing tough D. I also want to see the 4 man rotation in the front court, keep rotating the guys, especially until Al gets into a groove. I generally don't like seeing Marv at the 4, he seems pretty ineffective there.

This is definitely a winnable game but it could be a let-down. As long as we keep the energy, we'll be fine unless the net just opens up for Wilkins/Durant again.

Post #12 » by **HMFFL** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 8:41 pm

Toronto came back during the fourth to beat Charlotte. Good to see we can separate ourselves even more from Charlotte who have won two games this year.

tontoz · Post #13 » by **tontoz** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 10:21 pm

Utah just lost to the Knicks. The Lakers are the only other team undefeated.

Retrovision · Post #14 » by **Retrovision** » Sun Nov 9, 2008 11:53 pm

Lets Go Atlanta, keep sending shockwaves throughout the nba

HoopsGuru25 · Post #15 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:44 am

1 thing I didn't like about the 1st quarter-There was one point when Wilcox got hurt and we were basically playing 5 on 4...Flip misses an open 3,they get the rebound and get a layup in transition...and then we pass it down court to a wide open Mo Evans(with Mason trailing) who misses a layup. That was the perfect time to break the game open.

HoopsGuru25 · Post #16 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:09 am

The 2nd quarter was a disaster. The offense looks extremely sloppy and we gave 6 offensive rebounds. I don't think we should play Marvin at the 4 in the 2nd half.

tontoz · Post #17 » by **tontoz** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:14 am

HoopsGuru25 wrote: we gave 6 offensive rebounds. I don't think we should play Marvin at the 4 in the 2nd half.

Yeah the interior defense and rebounding went downhill when Solo went out.

They just couldn't make anything in the 2nd, even layups.

Harry10 · Post #18 » by **Harry10** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:14 am

i told you guys to show some respect :noway:

Jordan never took a night off. the good team, who the Hawks want to be, come to play no matter who the opponent is.

tontoz · Post #19 » by **tontoz** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:17 am

Harry10 wrote:i told you guys to show some respect

Jordan never took a night off. the good team, who the Hawks want to be, come to play no matter who is the opponent.

Huh? The Hawks just can't make a basket. It has nothing to do with "coming to play".

fo_o_fo_404 · Post #20 » by **fo_o_fo_404** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 1:20 am

Offensive Rebounds killed us the first half.

Other than that, each team is statistically even.

We played sloppy.....hope we can play a better second half, take care of the basketball and knock down open shots and layups.

We can win this game.....let's see how our guys respond.

BIG UPS TO SOLO! Job well done....