Hawks at pistons

[Jamaaliver]

Al has to be that go-to player. He's statistically one of the clutchest players in the league, he just needs to DEMAND the rock.

Horford hasn't never been the go to guy simply because he doesn't have that in him. He's as good as we have seen but lacks both the physicality and the mentality to demand the ball.

You're both right. As the leader of this team and the soon to be highest paid player in franchise history...AL needs to be able (and willing) to take the biggest shots in the biggest moments.

Sadly, however, his inability to create his own shot leaves him only somewhat capable of doing so.

Dennis has a bright future.

I'm not so sure about Bazemore's.

Agreed on both counts. The only thing holding Dennis back is his ego. It's his greatest asset...and his biggest flaw.

Bazemore has fallen back to Earth of late. He looks like a role player that plays hard but lacks that extra level to play effectively on both sides of the ball. His energy is great. His defense is above average. But when his 3-pt shot isn't falling, he's largely ineffective in half court offensive sets.

[Ball4life32]

Playing great lately. Need to take down the Nuggets tonight...really hope we can grab the #3 spot.

[Jamaaliver]

Things of Note

Not very good coaching, not very good execution the last 1:20, to be up by nine and have it go down to two. I think a lot of mental mistakes, all of us, myself included.

I love the analysis and self awareness. His team got the win, but the Head Coach still sees room for improvement. LOVE it!!!

[Jamaaliver]

Al has to be that go-to player. He's statistically one of the clutchest players in the league, he just needs to DEMAND the rock.

Horford hasn't never been the go to guy simply because he doesn't have that in him. He's as good as we have seen but lacks both the physicality and the mentality to demand the ball.

CBS Sports just ran an article listing the least and most clutch players on each team:

The Hawks aren't shooting all that well in the clutch and they don't get to the free throw line much, and yet they're finding ways to be an efficient offense in the top half of the league. The majority of their crunch time offense runs through the two big men and they don't turn the ball over. Paul Millsap (21-of-59) and Al Horford (28-of-52) have taken almost an equal number of attempts. Millsap is just missing a lot of shots inside, converting 48.6 percent of his shots around the basket in the clutch. Millsap's also shooting an awful 4-of-24 outside the restricted area.

While Millsap hurts the Hawks more in the clutch than he's helping, Horford finds a way to be a great safety valve for them. Pick-and-pops, kickouts to spot up on drives, and just knowing where to be where the defense can't get to him helps give Horford room to shoot 68.4 percent on midrange jumpers in the clutch. But he's also effective inside, making 69.2 percent around the basket. The 3-point shot has struggled for him in the clutch, but you'll live with that. Here

[Hawk Eye]

I'm actually suprised that Millsap's numbers aren't worse. His clutchness this season has been Thabeet-like. In other words, completely non-existent.