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benhillboy

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Everything posted by benhillboy

  1. benhillboy
    The reigning champs have their 29th pick in the rotation holding a better effective field goal percentage than the Hawks’ max player. Meanwhile the Hawks drafted an average sized guard while they had three ball/ shot dominant guards already, knowing he wouldn’t play even if healthy. Check Jamie Jaquez’ stats, he’s arguably better than Dre now (the tape would make an even better case). Signing Trae to a max pretty much ensured non-contention for a long time but the blunder of this past draft sets the on-court product back even more. This imminent rebuild is gonna yield pennies on the dollar.
  2. benhillboy
    I fully expect a fall back to Earth for the Rockets and Magic. It may just be my Steph and Taylor Jenkins fandom talking but I won’t believe the Warriors and Grizzlies are bottom feeders until a 70 game sample lol.
  3. benhillboy
    Quarterly reports have always been a pretty reliable predictive sample size for me in reference to teams that are of league average age (where the Hawks have been the past few seasons) or older, regardless of a significant injury here or there. And as much as fans like major trade shake-ups during the season that may significantly affect record, they rarely happen unless it’s a clear shift to tanking. Before the season I was thinking 1-2 games over, but now the Hawks are destined to finish well under .500. Their strength of schedule so far has been 4th hardest (15th last season going .500) and their schedule from January through February is brutal. I only see about 4 schedule wins in that span. As far as December the Hawks need to win all of the games they’re favored by 3.5 points or more versus the Raptors (I’m anticipating a split from that B2B), Pistons, Grizz, Wizards, and Bulls.
  4. benhillboy
    Reefers and Jack Daniel’s cola while nestled in Pima cotton bed sheets will do it to ya.
  5. benhillboy
    Zion is levitated off his feet and uncontrollably led by Cajun food aromas. It would’ve been so much better with a Scooby and Shaggy gif that I couldn’t find.
  6. benhillboy
    Shows how much I know I thought he looked great last game by his standards.
  7. benhillboy
    He has the tools to no question. His footwork, angles, and scouting are just too shaky for me. He never tries to get away with subtle bumps and hand fighting. Like mix it up some bro. If offensive players aren’t complaining to the refs about you on the perimeter you ain’t a dog.
  8. benhillboy
    I enjoyed the run to take the 6 point lead at the half but I fell asleep on the second half, surprised they had a lead that late. Unfortunately it seems Embiid is now immune to having a bad game. That stretch above was brutal. I’m assuming Sadiq didn’t wrestle away any offensive boards in that span.
  9. benhillboy
    Bogi is the f&@kin man. He’s one of two Hawks in the Real Plus Minus Top 40 (Bogi 30th, Trae 37th). I won’t defend Sadiq against criticism but I just don’t do it myself. Despite his defensive woes his grit and shooting on offense is a helluva combo. Trent made a couple very nice passes, forced a trip to the line, and got away with a shot to Patrick Beverly as he brought the ball up lol. The difference in the game is turnover margin, Hawks +4. If they can continue to protect the glass and crash it they can pull this major upset.
  10. benhillboy
    Indeed many of them do. Hawks were sold bad goods thinking DJ would be a standout on that end. His career best defensive rating is 101 (super elite for a small guard) and defensive box 2.2 (damn near elite). That man at 119 and -0.4 this season, respectively. No back court pressing, shying away from contact, getting blown by, not very vocal. Trae is baiting players into bad passes, doing his best to get over screens and chase, stripping, and taking timely charges.
  11. benhillboy
    Your defensive leaders have to have strong voices. Has anyone ever seen Clint or Dre animated and demonstrative when discussing obvious defensive events and strategies with teammates? You have to be loud and pestering when breakdowns happen. On the flip you have to be his personal cheerleader when your teammate makes a great effort or read. GS puts up with Draymond’s foolishness because it’s helped yield 4 titles and obvious drop offs on both ends when he isn’t suited up. The edict to defend hard has to come from the GM, who has first fully convinced the owner that poor defense won’t be accepted. That way it trickles down to the 12th man. The Hawks simply won’t survive year to year in the same division with the heat being satisfied with defensive ineptitude. Now all of a sudden Orlando showing some defensive juice, the Hawks definitely have to right the ship and change this culture sooner than later. Obviously this “Hawks DNA” Landry has spoken of the past few seasons ain’t about nothing.
  12. benhillboy
    He’s phenomenal obviously. If he’s playing team defense and rebounding like he has of late there’s nothing stopping him. His near 5:1 assist to turnover ratio alongside his scoring volume is arguably something we’ve never seen. But adding Bruce Brown has changed their culture. He’s shown them how and when to force crucial stops even with Buddy Hield on the floor. I wasn’t sure how Obi Toppin would fit because frankly he just isn’t that good. Alongside Haliburton he’s a damn good starter. Not sure if they can sustain, they’re so young but fun as hell to watch. Their young role players (Nesmith, Nembhard, Mathurin) all have warts but they all have motors. Myles Turner being able to space the floor allows Haliburton a luxury that I wish Trae had.
  13. benhillboy
    The Magic City Malaise affecting the home team now? I wouldn’t read too much into the disparity though. Fact is this is a poor defensive team, coaching staff, and scouting department, home or road. I usually like to evaluate after 20 games but honestly the metrics profile of the Hawks’ isn’t ever worth it.
  14. benhillboy
    I don’t follow painfully adjusted metrics but this season is the first in Trae’s career where the opponent’s 100 possession offensive rating is lower with him on the floor as opposed to off. I assume Defensive EPM is trying to capture that. It’s decreased consistently: 18-19: opponents rating +8.6 with him on 19-20: +6.8 20-21: +5.4 21-22: +4.9 22-23: +1.9 (huge jump) 23-24: -3 (another huge jump) Wouldn’t you know, the year Trae actually pays dividends defensively everyone else is falling. Conversely the Hawk’s offensive rating is only half a point worse with him off in 4 fewer possessions, by far the lowest difference in his career.
  15. benhillboy
    This franchise has had its head up its arse for most of its existence. Clippers East. Gotta love ‘em tho.
  16. benhillboy
    They especially loathe when he cries for a call before they even have a chance to blow the whistle. No one in the organization has impressed upon him how important body language and facial expressions are. He has gotten better from where he was (for example he hasn’t referred to a female ref by yelling “that b&@th trash!”) but still a long ways to go.
  17. benhillboy
    Aaron Holiday getting increased minutes with the Rockets and balling out while helping show their young players how to win for a cool $2 mill. Hawks are hopeless.
  18. benhillboy
    That doesn’t include Prunty’s record, which was only 2 games (2-0).
  19. benhillboy
    Luka with 40/11/10 in a 50 point blowout over Johnny Collins and them. Marvin over CP3. Trae over Luka. Spelman over Brunson. OO over Haliburton. Bustkin over Jaquez Jr. When does the nightmare end?
  20. benhillboy
    Hawks now 28-32 under Quin. He’s a good little coach but will never be great and doesn’t seem to be getting better, more creative, or a swift problem solver.
  21. benhillboy
    It’s crazy how much these teams mirror each other statistically when they meet, three point efficiency was the difference tonight. All the starters were in the plus, ”Meth Bogi” -10 in 7 minutes. Trent Forrest tries to defends hard, protects the ball, and forces his way to the line but I’ve given up on Quin giving him spot minutes.
  22. benhillboy
    Claxton leading the break when that happen?! I think I’ve seen Clint do that once in his career.
  23. benhillboy
    I think talent gets them out the first round (currently versus Phoenix) but youth is their nemesis in the semis (probably versus Denver) And Sports Reference actually got back to me in a timely fashion lol:
  24. benhillboy
    Final play of the half was nice. Great bounce pass out the weak double team by Trae and nice flash to the paint by Dre to make himself available for the floater.
  25. benhillboy
    He had a sixth sense for basketball even as a rookie. It’s fascinating he can maximize his teammates while pressing his own shot so much, not really being great off the ball, and having mediocre three point shooting with well below average volume but he’s so confident and comfortable with the quirky style he’s developed. His metrics benefit from another great young team build by Presti.
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