bumpyphish1

4 minutes ago, Lurker said:

Miami losing at Boston was more likely from the start as it's a SEGABABA road game and they've dropped their last 4 games that has been on a back to back, but either way it's Atlanta's own fault their in this situation if they don't get the third seed due to three noteworthy games (Brooklyn, Phoenix, and Miami itself in that last game where Wade sat).

For once, I totally agree with you.  No one to blame but ourselves.  We should be challenging Toronto for the 2 and not in this "Mid East" pack.

Game tied 50-50 at the half.

If Detroit wins, we control our own destiny for the 3.  If not, we would need Heat to lose @Boston and a win @Washington tomorrow to get the 3.

Bosh is still out for Heat--anyone know his status for playoffs, btw?

Reggie Jackson out for Pistons.

LET'S GO DETROIT!!

Thanks @AHF

5 hours ago, Lurker said:

You aren't if what has been rumored from Philly is true.  It's rumored that Philly was offering the OKC/Heat pick, Ish Smith, and Nik Stauskas for him and that was close to the best offer, if not the best.

A rumor, huh?  That's what you're going on?  GOTCHA.  Dennis is a 22 year-old foreign-born player (ie. late bloomer) who is a starting-caliber PG today but will unequivocally develop further.   He would bring in a huge haul...he's arguably our most valuable asset with his youth, upside, and contract (including the right to match any offer after next season).   

I don't know where you get your "rumors" but I'd start looking elsewhere.  

2 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

This is interesting, we know he refs were not pleased with Bud's punishment.  So they are sticking it to Bud.

I've seen a couple of people reference this or the refs "retaliating" against Bud for "calling them out".  Anyone care to provide backstory?

1 hour ago, Atlantaholic said:

The Cleveland series last year was a debacle also, and that was pre Bud incident. A fallacy that often gets cited when a team that gets blown out complains about calls is that "hey, what are you complaining about? the game wasn't even close, what difference would those calls make". Truth is when a team comes out and gets all the calls early it can change the fate of the basketball game completely. Close games can become blowouts, and it happens all the time.  The Hawks have always been on the short end of calls since I've been watching the league and last year's playoffs featured some of the most ridiculously poor, lobsided reffing I've ever witnessed. Washington series shouldn't have even been close if Wizards weren't getting away with insane moving screens on virtually every posession. (the nerve this year when Washington commentators were complaining about Horford and saying that no one gets away with more moving screens than him was beyond embarassing.)

Anyway, I expect nothing different his year. 

What was the Bud incident?   Someone help me on this, plz.

You are right on about close games becoming blowouts due to EARLY reffing, too.

On 4/9/2016 at 4:51 PM, Spud2Nique said:

Teague abuses Thomas on a regular basis then rubs his head as to console the lil shorty like a big brother to a little brother.

I think the contrast was pretty clear Saturday.  I wish we had a whole playoff series with them.  Thomas puts up the stats he does because of who he plays with.  He's pesky and creative and a nice player for sure.  But, Boston has no go to scorer.  There isn't a team in the league that if he played for them, he'd get more shots up.  And, I'm not even Teague's biggest fan.  Isaiah is a better shooter/scorer than Teague....and that's where it stops.

5 hours ago, AHF said:

I think most of them are role players.  They are a collection of good role players led by a good coach.  They are not contenders because they just don't have the talent.  Every one of their best players has only moderate strengths.  The coach does a great job maximizing their strengths and minimizing their defense and they play well together.  If they don't land a star, they will never contend.

Totally.   There roster is soooooooooo underwhelming on paper.  It's amazing they have the record they do.  Stevens should challenge for COY but you gotta give it to Kerr, I think.

Back to TOPIC....How do we feel with two to play, boys and girls?  Are we gonna hold onto the 3?  

CAN ANYONE CONFIRM THAT TORONTO ACTUALLY HOLDS TIE BREAKER OVER CLEVELAND SHOULD THE RAPS WIN THEIR LAST TWO AND CAVS LOSE THEIRS?  Cleveland may not be resting players tomorrow.  It appears the Raps hold the tie breaker.  Cavs have us Monday and Detroit Weds...both at home (but both playoff teams).  Raps have Philly at home on Tues and @Nets Weds.  Could be close for the 1.

5 minutes ago, Hotlanta1981 said:

They can start by not maxing out past his prime Al Horford.

Silly.  Awful. Laughable.

I really don't know the right adjective for this.  Al will be maxed.  As he should.

14 hours ago, Trout7 said:

I think everyone should probably start giving the Hawks a lot of respect and leadway for having to put up with the prejudice on them by NBA refs.  We have to outwork other teams because of it.  The refs are what will ultimately be our final downfall in the playoffs.  That is okay with me because i know in my heart we could compete with anyone in a fairly called game.  They are retaliating against Bud because he makes them look bad by calling them out so much.  It is worth it to have a coach that actually exposes how pathetic the refs really are.  Bob said it best last night when he said he did not know of another star player of the magnitude of Paul Millsap in the NBA that gets a total lack of respect from the refs like he does. Paul really stuck it to their sorry asses last night.  I have said my peace now.

Yes.

14 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

38 minutes played and ZERO freethrows battling in the paint all night long. This is how the refs treat our 3x Allstar.  This is the 2nd time in as many games where Paul gets beat up and not one freethrow. 

They ignored IT grabbing Paul's leg preventing him from getting a lose ball, smh. (Same thing Dennis got tagged with)

Has a player ever played 38 minutes, scored 31 points WITHOUT the help of a ref with ZERO free throw ATTEMPT?  That's just appalling.

 

 

YES!  Was gonna be my response.  'Sap scored 31 points and grabbed 16 boards with 5 blocks against the Celts....without a single free throw!!!  I'd like to know the last time a player on any NBA team managed to score 30+ w/o a free throw.  To do that with the statline he put beside it is ridiculous.  

And. the refs are bailing out lil Isaiah now when he initiates contact in the paint...?  On the road?  When the F did he become a superstar?  

I  am one of the least conspiratorial people you will meet, but I swear that game versus the Celts nay have been fixed...and despite the atrocious reffing, we overcame them and beat them down late.  Loved it.

On 4/9/2016 at 0:37 PM, Lurker said:

If you're in the keep Jeff Teague and extend him to another contract camp, then give me a specific way to try to improve the team, while KNOWING that you are not going to get much in a trade for Dennis Schröder and knowing that you want to keep Al Horford and Paul Millsap.

I got nothin' to be honest with you unless it involves stuff that has NEVER happened with this team. SF can be improved by signing just any old 6'8" player that can defend and learn how to shoot threes at a solid clip, but we've already seen the script of the story with that (if we go back to THAT, this team would be a 55-56 win team, but still have a ceiling of ECF then out).

Probably a better offseason topic, but still would like to see some opinions.

Why would you throw in the stipulation "KNOWING that you are not going to get much in a trade for Dennis Schröder" ???   That's just silly.  Dennis is easily worth a top ten pick...maybe top 5 depending on the draft class.  I am, however, in favor of keeping Dennis and trying to trade Teague this offseason, perhaps on draft night.  We can't afford to keep both and if we could, it's not efficient allocation of resources unless both could play 30+mpg--they can't.

On 4/9/2016 at 1:19 PM, Diesel said:

This is the offseason.

I believe that we have several good pieces right now.  Let's wait to see how the playoffs turn out but...

Keep Horf... Keep Teague... Keep Baze (reasonably).

There are a couple of Free Agents that we should look at this year Harrison Barnes, Nicolas Batum, and Chandler Parsons.  While I don't really think that Parsons fit what we do, I do love the other two.    I also love... Tim Hardaway Jr.   I think that he's making his way and Thabo is a great bench player.

To our vet team, I say that we build like we been building...  I would look to get a big in the draft.  Either Damian Jones or Henry Ellenson (if he falls). I would also like to see how Edy is progressing.   Edy will never be a C like Horf but i don't think that's all bad.

People think the fight is between Teague and  Schro.  I don't see that as a fight.  We really go with Teague playing.  I think Schro is a great backup and we don't loose tempo when he comes in.

The real fight will be between Baze and THJr.  I think THJr is going to be offensively better.   Baze is something different though.   Maybe Baze can facilitate the SNT for Harrison Barnes.   If we get Barnes or Batum, KK will be coming off the bench.

There's one other player that gets my attention in free agency is Teletovic.   I think that his shooting will pair well with our team.. So if we struck out with HB and NB, then Teletovic is a guy who I could see the analytics guys favoring.  I would also take a cheap look at Mozgov.   Just a cheap look.  Guys like him and Hibbert don't fit too much into this NBA but with our rebounding problems, it would be nice to bring in a defensive rebounder.

 

"People think the fight is between Teague and  Schro.  I don't see that as a fight."

Gee, maybe that's because Vivlamore and several others MUCH CLOSER TO THIS TEAM THAN YOU have reported as much.  Hell, Dennis has said as much.  He wants to be a starter NOW.  He's good enough to be one NOW.  He may not be better than Teague is now but he may be almost as good.  After a full season as the starter, he may be better.  He certainly will be better at age 27 than Teague is....and it won't be close.

Why are the most frequent posters usually the least insightful?

1 minute ago, NBASupes said:

He is #1 at PF in those categories 

Not what OP said.  Didn't specify PF.  He's posted multiple things that just aren't true.  'Sap has been a beast...no need to twist things to try to make him seem even better.

No, he won't be defensive POY, nor should he get it, nor should anyone care.  He's been great and should be considered for first team All-DEF

On 7/1/2015 at 4:09 PM, BackForThe2ndTime said:

From 2017-2020.  Did we ever hear what happens T'Wolves miss the playoffs every one of those years? 

On 7/1/2015 at 4:10 PM, Sothron said:

 At some point I think it becomes a second rounder or nothing.

If we don't get a first round pick by 2020, we get their 2020 and 2021 2nd round picks.  #Truth  

23 minutes ago, Lurker said:

If Atlanta wins tomorrow (later today really for me), I bet the Miami stealth tank that I've talked about as a possibility begins actually. As I bet they really feel that Atlanta is their best first round matchup (and unfortunately I feel like that feeling is true).

Due to that negative note, I'll throw in some other, more positive notes. Boston fans said that possibly facing Atlanta in the playoffs will be tough due to the Horford/Millsap frontcourt and there's been Charlotte fans that have said an Atlanta first round is a quick ticket to a first round exit for them.

I started to think about this, and then I saw who posted it.

We aren't anyone's best matchup.  Miami would be NUTS not to wanna play one of the younger and less experienced teams (Celts/Hornets)...especially Charlotte.  

SILLY SILLY SILLY.  Regular season means squat.  We would handle any of these 3 teams in Rd. 1.  I do agree Miami would be the toughest matchup.  I don't believe for a second they "prefer" to play us though.  That's absurd.  

I don't know the tie breakers for the other teams, but I love our chances of getting the 3 assuming we win tomorrow as we should.  After that, Boston plays both Charlotte and Miami to finish the year, so those games will likely determine much of the season.  Best case we get the 3 and Charlotte sticks at 6.  I suspect 6 will either be Miami or Charlotte.  But if Miami does get the six, it ain't because they "want" to play us.  Believe that. 

Good god, people.  We are coached by Bud.  He benched Hardaway for 30 games this season and he's now playing 20+ mins a night.  Bud decides to rest Humphries a bit before the playoffs and you're freaking out.

Some of you don't understand our coach at all.  NEVER read too much into something so flippin' insignificant.  I was starting to question the Hardaway trade--learned my lesson there...never again.  But, that was something that lasted for over half the season.

To question or even dwell on Humphries's minutes is a wicked waste of your time.  He will pay off in the playoffs.  There is a method to all Bud madness.

Heat with 3 games in 4 days.  They could realistically lose 2.  Need at least one.   And we gotta win tonight.

Imo, they should run a pick and roll with Dennis and Al.  Al pick and pop for the mid-range.   Or Dennis drive and dish to ______.

To answer OP....

We don't really have one...and it's a problem.

If anyone, it's 'Sap, but he chokes in clutch situations...misses chippies to win/tie games late.

12 hours ago, Sothron said:

Everyone has bad games. The key is how he bounces back from it.

Korver sucked for a huge stretch earlier.  It's one bad game of like the last six.

12 hours ago, AHF said:

A few great games or a few terrible games shouldn't determine anything for him.  Big picture, he is now sitting at 41.9% FG% and 32.2% 3pt% this season.  The first is very unexciting the second is below the mendoza line.  

Hopefully he rebounds from this and goes back to shooting a consistent 44% / 38% sort of line.  Speaking of line - that is the other thing he can do that Korver actually can't.  Hardaway only had 1 FTA in the last two games.  Getting to the line more often will help soften the games where his shooting is off the mark.  Looking for more of that from THJr.

What are his stats from returning from sabbatical/being part of the rotation.  Post-All-star break his percentages are 46% and 37%.  These are good and happened in games where he was playing close to 20 mins/per when before he saw 6-11 mpg.

7 hours ago, TheNorthCydeRises said:

Since All Star break ( 20 games )

46% FG

37.7% 3FG

82.8% FT

59.8% TS

 

His numbers were even better before those last 2 bad games.

 

THIS.  Tim is ready.  Bud trained and humbled him.  He's contributing just in time.

7 hours ago, AHF said:

If that is what he puts up for a full 82 games it will be the best season of his career.  I'd be very happy to see that.

He is a career

41.0% FG%  (41.9% this year)

34.8% 3FG% (32.2% this year)

82.2% FT% (87.5% this year)

.534% TS% (.547% this year)

Pick 20 games of the 195 he has played so far and decide those are the only important ones if you want.  I will look at larger sample sizes.

 

Of course his numbers were better before he shot 4-21 the last three games.  They were much worse before he shot 24-41 the prior 4 games.  That is why you don't focus on a hot streak or a cold streak.

 

If you only look at a competent player's best month they will always look  better.  If you focus only on their worst month of course they will look worse.  

If you only look at Teague's 11 games in February he looks like a superstar.  Look at his December or January numbers and he looks much worse.  Look at his total season and you start getting a much more realistic perspective on his contribution this season.

 

I am most interested to see where THJr ends the season than what he does for '20 games if you ignore the last 2 games' sorts of slicing scenarios.  Getting to the line more is a great place to start for when he is cold.  He is a better shooter than he was the last few games and not as good as his hot streak would suggest if you only focus on that in isolation.

Throw out New York.  Losing franchise.  Players get better in winning cultures.  Bud has obviously fundamentally instill discipline in him.  Judge him as a Hawk--he was all rookie 1st team though, right?  The talent is there--development has not...til now.

VERY high on Timmy at the moment.

I think we can afford one more loss this season and retain the likelihood of retaining the 3 seed.  Maybe two losses.  Need to win 3-4 of remaining with Toronto and Cleveland.  The rest are all should-win though.  @Washington could be a trap--they give us problems

Brutal, BRUTAL schedule though.

2x Toronto.  2x Cleveland.  Phoenix at home (yay!), Boston at home (should win it if we need it), and at Washington (trouble...last game of season though, we needeth and we shall taketh).

Still, any possible way we finish a game ahead of Miami (b/c they own the tie break)?  Their toughest remaining games are @ Portland, v. Bulls, @ Orlando, @ Detroit, @ Boston.  

Gonna be really tough to hold onto this three seed.  Really REALLY would like to avoid Clev til the ECF.  Hard to see Miami losing more than 2 and us losing 1 or less.  Maybe we could get away with 2 more losses.  I see Miami losing @ Boston.  @ Portland and @ Detroit could be dogfights.

Will depend on matchups and how guys are playing but I see all of Teeague, Korver, Baze, Sap, Horford, Schröder, Hardaway, Thabo, Humphries, and Scott all getting minutes.  

Starting to wonder why we traded for Hinrich.

He was awesome last night.  When he got jobbed on a few calls at the end of the half, but proceeded to score the last six points of the half then walk over to the ref he was mad at and just grin at him...that was great stuff.  'Sap was a beast last night.

15 hours ago, rd79 said:

Are you afraid of playing the Bulls or Detroit in 2nd round? 

Huh?

Wan to avoid CLE til ECF.  With 4 or 5 seed, we play em Rd. 2

Care less about the record than our seed,  We need to be the 3 or 6.  4/5 would suck.

37 minutes ago, BigDog90 said:

He's a PF for the Hornets.

Cool.

35 minutes ago, AHF said:

You will never hear me singing Marvin's praises.  Man is dead to me.  He has, however, put up higher PER and WS/48 numbers than every single shooting guard or small forward on our team this season.

(That is not singing his praises - it is damning him with faint praise).

I agree.  He has been a serviceable low end Sf this season for the Hornets.  But, he is not the SF on a championship-caliber team.