Official Playoffs Topic

[azuresou1]

Didn't see a thread with the season almost over, so I'll start one up.

With 2 games left, standings are now pretty much locked in. Our first round opponent will be either Indiana or Brooklyn. We are 2-2 against both teams. I'm personally hoping that we face Brooklyn, since they seem to be a much less dangerous team on both ends of the floor.

I am very concerned by our big man depth with Zaza out and only Ivan as a legitimate bench big. We should look to sign a FA C. At this point, I don't even care if they can really play. We need bodies.

[HMFFL]

Indiana is a big concern. I believe they have enough talent to possibly give Miami trouble, but I could be reaching, because I would like to hope the playoffs will be interesting all around. Brooklyn would be a better matchup for us.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Indiana is honestly a better matchup for us than Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a mucher deeper team, and have a center they can dump the ball to downlow. Deron has looked great the 2nd half of the season, and JJ is prone to have a big game whenever, now that he doesn't have such a heavy workload. Indiana definitely matches up with Miami, but only because they are a physical team like Chicago with size. Even we can match up

[Jamaaliver]

I am very concerned by our big man depth with Zaza out and only Ivan as a legitimate bench big. We should look to sign a FA C. At this point, I don't even care if they can really play. We need bodies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can't sign any additional players for the playoffs, can we?

[Geaux_Hawks]

I am very concerned by our big man depth with Zaza out and only Ivan as a legitimate bench big. We should look to sign a FA C. At this point, I don't even care if they can really play. We need bodies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can't sign any additional players for the playoffs, can we?

We can't pick up guys who were waived and add them to the playoff roster. That's why TMac was signed by the Spurs.

[Jamaaliver]

I am very concerned by our big man depth with Zaza out and only Ivan as a legitimate bench big. We should look to sign a FA C. At this point, I don't even care if they can really play. We need bodies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we can't sign any additional players for the playoffs, can we?

We can't pick up guys who were waived and add them to the playoff roster. That's why TMac was signed by the Spurs.

Aha. Gracias.

[Jamaaliver]

Gotta love the Hawks. No team disappoints on national TV as consistently as the hometown basketball team.

We get a chance to bet up on an inferior team, keep up momentum, help provide a distraction in a time of national mourning...and we fail.

And Reggie and Harlan takes us to task for it. Seriously, TNT must cringe every time they see us on the docket.

Thank God for the Bravos!

[azuresou1]

I... actually don't mind this game. At all. Rest for Josh and Al, some time for Korver to get some practice running some additional designed plays, and a chance for the bench guys, many of whom are young and have never been in the playoffs some time to get ready.

And some of the guys are proving they're really ready to PLAY. Ivan really showed that he can impact many plays. Some guys are hitting shots. Plus I haven't seen the Raptors play this well in a while. what with them draining all these jumpshots from everywhere.

All in all, this game actually makes me more optimistic about how we'll fare in the playoffs.

[Jamaaliver]

I understand resting Josh & Al, but losing by 20 to the Raptors on National TV when no other NBA game is being played...is not good.

Not the first time we've been blown out on national TV his year. Or the second. Or the third.

It's games like this that make recruiting free agents difficult. It's games like this that allow refs, pundits, basketball fans to completely ignore us year after year.

We at least put up a fight against SAS last week. Tonight...we got embarrassed. At home. On national TV. To the Raptors. We have a bad reputation in league circles. This performance just perpetuates the line of thinking that ATL is not a place top NBA players want to play.

[ATL Boy]

I don't mind this either We're resting players and playing the young guys, Larry Drew (just like me) doesn't seem to care about who we play in the first round, it might even be better to face Indiana because we'd avoid Miami in the 2nd round if we get there. So what if we're losing on National TV, let them criticize all they want, I'd rather we rest our team than for us to go all out and become fatigued trying to entertain America.

[NeZoRiL]

Yo, I'm predicting Smoove goes off vs. Indiana. Don't know why. I just feel he's out for big $$$ and will play like a man. I think we can take it to 7.

[MaceCase]

Meh, the Raptors don't own their pick so it's in their best interest to ensure that it's as low as possible by playing hard down the stretch while most other teams are resting for the playoffs or tanking for picks.

Either way the Hawks are on the road come Sat/Sun so it makes no difference who they go against. 2-2 against both opponents but Pacers core has more experience together in the playoffs whereas the Nets have Joe and Deron as their only consistent playoff contributors and participants to rely on.

Both teams prefer the halfcourt but Indiana can't score out of it whereas Brooklyn can. Indiana can defend up-tempo but Brooklyn can't. Curious case, the Hawks may struggle to score on Indiana but can count that they can also hold them to low point totals. Brooklyn can be methodical and pound the Hawks in iso but if Devin and Jeffrey continuously push the pace then their backcourt will be severely overtaxed getting back in transition.

All in all, Brooklyn is the more fun matchup. Good storylines out of it (inaugural season, franchise back in playoffs after 6 years, Joe going against his old team, big market) to ensure a few nationally televised primetime games on the big networks (TNT, ESPN, ABC) whereas ATL/IND is guaranteed to be banished to NBATV most likely airing while other games are also going on on those other networks.

[frizzledizzle]

Indiana is honestly a better matchup for us than Brooklyn. Brooklyn is a mucher deeper team, and have a center they can dump the ball to downlow. Deron has looked great the 2nd half of the season, and JJ is prone to have a big game whenever, now that he doesn't have such a heavy workload. Indiana definitely matches up with Miami, but only because they are a physical team like Chicago with size. Even we can match up

Pacers have a center you can dump it off down low to as well. Also have a power forward to dump it off to down low. Roy Hibbert started off the season slow shooting 40% most of the season but he's really picked it up and his field goal percentage is up to 44.8% and since March(22 games, 1/4 of the season) he's averaged 16.7pts 8.8rebs 1.2asts 2.5blks 50.3%fg. He has a hook shot that he makes often. And David West bangs down low and puts in tear drops regularly. Also, for players around 400 and over 400 mid range attempts, David West has the highest shooting percentage of anyone. So he can hit it all over the floor inside the arc. The 3 shooters are Paul George and George Hill. Paul George and Lance Stephenson are the slashers. Their size and athleticism make them a pest on defense and they close the gaps on three balls quickly. Pacers for the majority of the season were #1 in every relevant defensive statistic. Number one in points allowed, field goal percentage, three point percentage and rebounding. If the Pacers can up the intensity in the playoffs and the refs let them play physical, the defense could be filthy.

So, it's looking like the Pacers and Hawks barring a Hawks win and a Bulls loss tonight.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Hibbert isn't as impressive on offense as Lopez though. West, George, and Hill aren't going to light the scoreboard up consistently either. Indy is a great defensive team, but the Hawks can win some grind it out games.

[azuresou1]

Looks like our FO is aiming to face Indy

[ATL Boy]

Looks like our FO is aiming to face Indy

Looks like it, LD is resting all 5 starters

[MaceCase]

NBATV here we come!

[Jamaaliver]

Yo, I'm predicting Smoove goes off vs. Indiana. Don't know why. I just feel he's out for big $$$ and will play like a man. I think we can take it to 7.

Man I really wish we'd traded Smoove for Pau last summer.

Pau is playing insane right now. And at 7 feet, 250 pounds, he could bang in the post against Roy Hibbert while serving as our #1 option.

Horford + Gasol = best frontcourt in NBA.

Here's hoping Smoove doesn't get smothered by Indy's overwhelming defense.

Or fall in love with Long two's when things get tough.

[ATLHawksfan21]

I will definitely be at game 6 on Friday May 3rd. Phillips better be rocking that night. One good thing about playing Indy, is we won't have to worry about the other's teams fans swarming Philips.

Jamaal, I imagine that you spend every game cussing at the tv bc you seem to hate this team.

[Jamaaliver]

Jamaal, I imagine that you spend every game cussing at the tv bc you seem to hate this team.

Nah.
Just Josh.

Though I do cuss at every long two he takes and every fast break he leads.

Each of those things usually end in disaster.