Highpozt2

Yes they the Heat are very aware Za Za had 18 rebounds and they will be aggressive on the boards --- the Hawks will need to "turn it up" another level, but they definitely have the talent to win the battle of the glass. The rebounding winner seems to be an important factor particularly when both teams are shooting like they were in game 4.

Indeed I hope he can replicate that play for game 5 particularly the rebounding and playing like what he is, the biggest player on the floor.

The Hawks finally played playoff basketball --- high flying highlight factory basketball is much more pleasing to the casual basketball fan. But yesterday was more typical of playoff basketball. What that means is out-rebound, out-block, shoot a better percentage free throws, field goals and three pointers and out-assist your opponent and you win the game. As much as I like the first game uncontested dunk-fest is more atypical than typical in the playoffs. Eventually you will get the grind out games that represent NBA playoff ball. With the exception of the two 4 point plays the game was played strategically intelligent. The Hawks will need to play this way again, and if they avoid the turnovers they should win with a significant margin

I think if Joe gives us 22 -25 at about 45% shooting this series is a lock --- particularly if we play defense like game 1 and 4

I agree tonight Za Za 18 rebounds and 12 points made the difference. Za Za is big so if he plays big he can be an asset. With that said I hope Za Za keeps playing well but our starters have got to play better. We survived tonight Hawks have new life

I agree, The most important for JJ and for Woody and this coaching staff --- I think Woody would have to show well into the second round to hold on to his position. With the offense stagnant it would take a super dynamic 1 game adjustment to save this series and his job.

Unless Acie Law has a miraculous surge buy next year Bibby would be a keeper. The good news is that there are some game changing point guards in the draft. The bad news is I don't think the Hawks are high enough in the draft to get the real game changers. Rubio, Johnny Flynn and Ty Lawson. I say keep Bibby, Flip and Law and get a shot blocking rebounding seven footer.

I think the next game is critical if the Hawks win they get renewed confidence and probably make a series of it --- and of course if the lose then the already waning confidence will be gone completely not only for the series but with Woodys ability to get much more from this roster. That means a new coaching staff for next year good or bad??

The first consideration when getting a new coach would be is it an upgrade. Not just this series but overall. The team won 47 games but they look miserable the last 2 games. At this point it does not look like it would take much to upgrade Woody. I to am disgusted with this offense and for that fact this defense. I think in order that the Hawks could consider Avery, Van Gundy, Fratello and Eddie Jordan.

Before last game I was confident we have more talent and I still know the Hawks have more talent 1-12 --- were my confidence waivers is coaching and the Hawks inconsistencies regarding playing with fervor. The Hawks coaching staff has not made game to game adjustments and the Hawks look lost on both offense and defense. Maybe because this is a must win they will wake-up.

If they do Woody is gone --- and there are a lot of coaches floating including Avery, Van Gundy etc.

It is natural to start doubting particularly with 2 bad losses --- this team has had good and bad runs all year ---- will the Hawks rally or fold???

Lets face it --- it does not look good for the Hawk --- again I will state there is no intensity and the coaching adjustments have been atrocious --- the Hawks don't look like they no what to do and it is hard to play aggressive when i.e. every time you rotate hard a man dives in for a dunk. OK enough everyone knows we have looked atrocious ---- now a quick quick fix is what the Hawks need. 1. They have to be mentally tough enough to forget and look ahead otherwise they are already defeated 2. Joe absolutely needs to score more than 10 points, that is not going to get the Hawks there from their allstar in the playoffs 3. The whole team cannot focus on Wade because the 4 other players are killing us. (that means Joe the superstar needs to take it upon himself to say I am not going to be outplayed in every aspect of the game by Wade --- in fact like most superstars when their team is spiraling downward Joe should D Up Wade. I know this sounds strange, but if you double and triple team Wade his court vision is so good you are going to get killed by the other players. Magic, Wade, Kobe, Jordan would always say give me their best player on defense and I will take care of the rest. I hope Joe has that in him. 4. Here is the question is there a quick fix for the Hawks stagnant offense??? If there is it will be Bibby and Joe breaking down defenders and finding the open player. It will require fast breaking and the Hawks absolutely must forced the pace. Everything above #1 thru #4 Wade did after game 1 --- mentally tough, scoring, shut down D, outplaying the other teams superstar, controlling tempo, breaking down defenders and finding the open players - I hope Joe can take it to another level.

Saying blah to intensity and concentration and then stating there ability to hit shots is the bottom line implies to get to the bottom line there are many lines before --- that is what I am talking about There is no doubt that intensity and concentration are a component of every game and if the Hawks say "blah blah" to that they will not do well -- again I will state that FT (concentration) are important and 63% will have a negative impact if that does not improve. Yes intensity, concentration, focus and tenacity may not be as tangible as the hitting the shot, however game 2 the Heat approached the game with a higher energy than the Hawks. IMO the Hawks started flat and. Intensity, energy are a integral part of playing smart aggressive defense. When a coach tells his players to "dig in" "turn it up" on defense he means just that increase the intensity, energy and concentration. I agree the Hawks must hit shots but they also must "turn it up" so the heat don't have a chance of shooting 53% fg and 57% 3pt fg. If the Hawks play better defense there will be more defensive rebounds and when that happens the Hawks need to win the rebounding battle.

Yes I know what you mean --- one game and homecourt is gone in the playoffs. Joe Johnson said in an interview that this team will have to win on the road to advance in the playoffs. The thing was the way the Hawks looked in game 1 vs game 2. I am pretty certain we do not want to see another game 2 in the playoffs.

Intensity is overrated by itself and that is why I emphasized high energy and concentration. These terms can almost be synonymous. In fact the definition of the term has all those words included energy, concentration and vehemence as in the vehemence of his attack. How that translates to the Hawks is concentration particularly at the free throw line --- the Hawks should and will not shoot 63% on FT. The Hawks also should not lose the rebounding battle to this team --- high energy helps with that --- the game I watched they were getting beat to the boards. Lastly the Heat shot 50% + on FG and 3 point attempts, while I will state some of that is defensive scheme however a lot of that is quicker rotations and challenging shots. Our shots not falling is part of it but not all of it. IMO game 2 had an array of problems that the Hawks I believe will eliminate for game 3.

Considered --- With confidence in the Hawks you are very aware of what is good about the Hawks and what is bad. At this point with the current Hawks roster I am confident that we have enough talent to beat Miami and to compete with Cleveland. I am also confident that that when the Hawks are high energy, concentration and intensity they can beat any team in the NBA. Where I have concern is where I think a lot of fans waiver and that is what Hawks team will show up on a given day. I expect any team to have up and downs. The Hawks have proven this year they are more up which equaled 47 wins.

I agree that we are a better team --- but I do think the Hawks at times lose focus, intensity(heat shooting 50% or better FG and 3pt Fg), concentration(63% from the FT line) and tenacity (outrebounded 40 to 33). The good news is that is just 1 game. The Hawks can end this quickly or let the heat hang around, which in the playoffs is not good. Hawks in 6

Yes, I do not expect that the Hawks will shoot 63% from the FT line nor do I expect Miami to hit well over 50% of their three point attempts. Lastly the one thing I think we must control is hustle points, we should not be out-rebounded 40 to 33 by Miami. With that said, I know every game has a different dynamic --- The Hawks are very inconsistent with effort and concentration, but they are a better team when those things are in check.

How Much Confidence Does a Hawks Fan Have??? How much confidence should we have??? after the lost to Miami Wednesday I see a lot of post that look like, not only the team but also the fans have lost some confidence. Right or wrong I hope the players are not shaken as much as the fans. Of course the fans have been with the Hawks longer than the current roster including coaches, so that may be why there is a sense of "here we go again" Buuuut the players have to shake that lost, it is a seven game series and the last game should not dictate the next. This is a talented bunch that won 47 games. They are not the best, but on top of their game they are good. Major adjustments I see is 1 Start the game with emotions and intensity it feeds the players and the crowd. 2 Establish a low post presence with Al Horford 3 Set the offense quickly because our half-court offense sucks 4. Push the ball/tempo no walking it up the court 5. Rebound like a maniac (we must win the hustle points) 6. Play 48 minutes 7. Use at least 8 players in rotation but stay with the hot player this is the playoffs 8. Joe Johnson must be a superstar matching Wade in all aspects of the game.

I agree partially with Josh quote A good part of that lost was lack of intensity, lack of concentration and confidence. When a team (Heat) shoots 56 percent and a even higher % from the three point line --- and also gets out-rebounded hustle and intensity are in question -- I saw a significant lack in effort and intensity from game 1 to game 2. Shooting 63% from the free throw line is concentration and confidence. The Hawks are not a half court team so they must play high energy and intensity or they are stagnant and not creative. The Hawks energy is inconsistent lets hope it is up for game 3.

If the Hawks are not high intensity, then the better team (Hawks) will lose --- These are the best ball players in the world there is no sleeping --- If you sleep then the you will get the Heat shooting the lights out and a significant amount of those shots were not contested --- you get a lack of concentration manifested in 63% from the free throw line and you get out rebounded 40 to 33. The positive of this is it is a seven game series and the Hawks know they did not play playoff basketball. Joe must be a superstar as wade did tonight. The Hawks must now find that intensity on the road --- I think they will

I won't over-analyze this game, it is a seven game series. There is one thing that was apparent tonight vs Sunday night and that was intensity and energy --- the Hawks on Sunday night had enormous intensity and confidence to start the game --- tonight it was totally absent at the start --- I hope they can find the intensity on the road.

Exactly, I have seen several post that state the negative comments were accurate. I have no problem with accurate negative statements. What I stated was that they did not say one positive thing (Kenny, Charles, Chris or Ernie) about a team playing tremendous basketball that night. Hawks have to remain intense and get past round one --- If they play like they did Sunday they will be tough even against the better teams, ask the Celtics

It is not that I did not expect some criticism but every comment was negative--- but the way the Hawks were playing tonight there had to be one positive comment ---- maybe for the hawks holding the Heat to 64 points --- maybe for Josh Smith scoring ---- maybe for Bibby's assist ---- maybe for balanced scoring - maybe for the big lead etc. etc. etc. ----- and this was all well established by halftime. In fact on the late night Inside the NBA they showed the highlights, interviews and then just skipped any comments at all. Regardless of the criticism the Hawks had a good formula tonight --- I hope they remain intense.