Still not time to panic

[jambr380]

How about now?

Still not time to panic.

Positives from the Hawks game :

- They got only 7 offensive rebounds... and we did have 7 offensive boards too, so the problem on the boards can be solved.

- Our bench (and Sheed particularly) killed us but we had the edge with our starters. Josh Smith was pretty much a non factor against KG.

- KG looked good. A few dunks, no limping, he went to the free-throw line and hustled, diving on the floor.

- We didn't have Marquis. I really think it's a key in our matchups against them since Crawford is always killing us. Marquis could defend him well, and, more importantly, give some cohesion and effectiveness to our bench. With Marquis in the rotation, Eddie will play better and so will Sheed and Baby.

- Are you really scared by the Hawks? I mean they play one on one basketball on EVERY possession. They only live by individual success and fastbreak - we didn't give them a single (or close) fastbreak opportunity in the second half after getting burned in the first. Good sign.

I'm sorry but I just don't see how a team that plays one on one on every possession can beat us in the playoffs. And I frankly don't understand how the Hawks can be 2nd in the East while playing this ugly and uninspired kind of bastketball.

The loss hurts once again but... I feel good about Sunday's game against the Fakers.

Funny thing is, I agree with you in that I am really not scared of them in the playoffs, but it is kind of annoying to get swept by them in the season. As it looks now, I don't think we will be playing the Hawks in the playoffs, unless they can solidify the third spot (Celtics should get back to number 2), which means we will be playing Orlando, and if Vince Carter can ever figure things out, then they are a little more scary.

[Eja117]

How about now?

Still not time to panic.

Positives from the Hawks game :

- They got only 7 offensive rebounds... and we did have 7 offensive boards too, so the problem on the boards can be solved.

- Our bench (and Sheed particularly) killed us but we had the edge with our starters. Josh Smith was pretty much a non factor against KG.

- KG looked good. A few dunks, no limping, he went to the free-throw line and hustled, diving on the floor.

- We didn't have Marquis. I really think it's a key in our matchups against them since Crawford is always killing us. Marquis could defend him well, and, more importantly, give some cohesion and effectiveness to our bench. With Marquis in the rotation, Eddie will play better and so will Sheed and Baby.

- Are you really scared by the Hawks? I mean they play one on one basketball on EVERY possession. They only live by individual success and fastbreak - we didn't give them a single (or close) fastbreak opportunity in the second half after getting burned in the first. Good sign.

I'm sorry but I just don't see how a team that plays one on one on every possession can beat us in the playoffs. And I frankly don't understand how the Hawks can be 2nd in the East while playing this ugly and uninspired kind of bastketball.

The loss hurts once again but... I feel good about Sunday's game against the Fakers.

Phew. I do feel a little better now. TP for many good points.

But, uh....what about the part where they played like they wanted it and we didn't?

[Drucci]

Well, as ****ed and frustrated that I am right now after the loss to the Lakers, I thought it would be important to remind some positives :

- We got down by 13 points early and could have get blown out. Instead, we stormed back and Rondo showed why he owns the Lakers. The bench played great with Rondo and got us back in the game.

- KG looks good, slowly getting back to game shape.

- Pau Gasol went back to Pau Gasoft against us, good sign, he got bullied in the 2nd half and got so lost that Phil Jackson benched him for the last 5 minutes of the game (putting him back for their last offensive possession).

- We can clearly still contend with the best teams in the league.

- We won the rebounding battle 39 to 36 and 10 to 8 on offensive boards.

- Ray was cold once again but he played great D on Kobe for the entire game (even on the game winner). He can still defend elite guards one on one.

- Our defense was really good to great for, say, 46 minutes. Big improvement.

This loss sucks and I'm starting to get worried about our recurrent collapse in the 4th but we're clearly not done as contenders like people say we are. When Marquis gets back and we finally get some rest, I think we will start rolling again.

But I still wonder why the C's get away from all the things that make their success for 3 quarters in the 4th. Mind-boggling. No ball movement at all, running the clock down, turnovers, poor execution, missed free throws, too many threes (usually to start the 4th).