What took so long?

[ATL DirtyBird]

Hopefully this thread doesnt mean anything cuz with this Hawks team we could lose the next 5 you never know with us. Im just assuming that this is the team that couldve been the whole year. Also this is the team that I expect to finish the season. Did Marvin leaving make us better? Are we just riding a wave of intensity and luck? Are we really capable of being good or even better? So why did it take this long to look this good?

Its obvious that we could be this good all along but it took defense intensity and smart offense, and obviously Joe Johnson playing at a high level. I dont think were riding a wave, but I do think well cool off, but I dont think well hit rock bottom like we have a few times this year. Its obvious that were a superior home team.
What are yalls thoughts?

[HoopsGuru25]

I have no clue how the Hawks have managed to play so well defensively at home. They have held all 7 opponents to at least 10 points below their season average in the home games post allstar break. That's saying something since 6 of those 7 teams are above 500. That means there is either a lack of effort on the road or that there is something about Phillips(could be the shooting background or even the strip clubs the night before) that throws the other team off.

I also doubt it has anything to do with Marvin(maybe other than Mario getting to play). I think it's a coincidence that Smith has decided to give a crap and that Joe got out of his slump the same time that Marvin got hurt. It's not like Mo has been great either. He was a non-factor on offense outside of the Indy game and he gave up a good number of points to Rasual Butler and Brandon Roy.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Also during the 5 game win streak weve been really good teams, and snapped long streaks in New Orleans, Utah, and Detroit. Im confused on this team, but im lovin it at the same time.

[tontoz]

I have no clue how the Hawks have managed to play so well defensively at home.

I'll tell you exactly what it is. For much of this season the Hawks were committing too many dumb turnovers and weren't taking care of the defensive glass. When you turn it over it frequently leads to easy fast break baskets for the other team. When you don't take care of the defensive glass the other team gets a lot of easy putbacks.

Over the last 4 games the Hawks are averaging only 8.5 turnovers and they doing a much better job on the boards. That means a lot fewer easy baskets for the opponents.

[Skyhawk1]

It's probably a combination of a lot of things.

1. I'm stunned these teams are not throwing double/triple team on JJ early. With him scoring we have enough time to get back quick on D.

2. Marvin isn't a difference maker. It's very common to watch Hawks games and even when he plays like 30 min and scores around 15pts, you can't remember if/when he was on the floor.

3. Our rebounding got a little bit better.

4. Woodson is using hi bench and they have done a good job lately.

5. Home, sweet home. Our team is very young yet and lacks the consistency to play the same way on the road.

6. Tontoz is right. We have taken great care of the ball.

[conleyorbust]

Smith and Johnson decided to get their acts together and have been killin it lately. Smith is a very important peice for our D and when Johnson is playing poorly on offense, it brings the whole team down because things get stale and dudes get unmotivated.

[NDaATL]

Nothing has changed other than JJ finally heating up. This is the same team that has dominated at home all year (even with Marvin). We're going to have to get some road wins before I contend that this team has changed.

[ATL DirtyBird]

If we cAn somehow pull off the win in Cleveland, I'm a believer but that's a longshot

[JoshB914]

I have no clue how the Hawks have managed to play so well defensively at home.

I'll tell you exactly what it is. For much of this season the Hawks were committing too many dumb turnovers and weren't taking care of the defensive glass. When you turn it over it frequently leads to easy fast break baskets for the other team. When you don't take care of the defensive glass the other team gets a lot of easy putbacks.

Over the last 4 games the Hawks are averaging only 8.5 turnovers and they doing a much better job on the boards. That means a lot fewer easy baskets for the opponents.

This pretty much sums it up. We have the pieces to be a good defensive team. But you can't do that if you can't get on the boards and are constantly yielding fast breaks via giveaways in the offense. Everything has come together as of late and we've looked pretty damn good.

[LL Cool Scott]

It's all about defending and rebounding with intensity. When we fly around and create havoc, we're very good. When we don't, we're very mediocre. We played the C's like wild banshees in our home playoff games last year. We played the beginning of the season like wild banshees, we've played like wild banshees since Woody benched Josh Smith. If we keep playing like wild banshees and we'll make it to the second round and give the Cavs a battle.

Say what you want about turnovers and Joe getting hot, but when we play with intensity on the boards and on D, and move the ball on offense, we win.