hawks774

After witnessing the Cavs out-physical and out-rebound the Hawks at times with Tristian Thompson or Timofy Mogloz along with the dirty play of Dellanova, the Hawks should consider some roster tweaks.

Thabo will be back, but bringing in someone in such as Ivan Johnson would give the team added toughness and an option off the bench against certain teams.

I expect the Hawks to be competing for the Eastern Conference next year and LeBron and the Cavs will be standing in our way in the regular season or the playoffs.

Ivan Johnson is someone who can still help the Hawks even at 31 years old as a role player. He is 6'8 and can defend and hit a mid-range shot and occasionally a three-point shot. And if he needs to send messages on behalf of his teammates, he can do that as well.

The Hawks had a great season and went further than any other Atlanta Hawks team. I just hate seeing the Hawks lose badly to LeBron... again.

Milsap and Teague have been way too passive. I hate to see the Hawks embarrass themselves at home like this.

Shelvin Mack had one of his best games of his career against Cleveland --on the road-- and if Dennis continues to struggle, Coach Bud has to give Mack an opportunity to play.

Atlanta has gotten closer to winning a championship with an emphasis on 'team' basketball, but it could trigger the retirement of Paul Pierce and if the Hawks are able to beat LeBron he could opt out of Cleveland and go somewhere else. This is a storyline that has been under-reported, but if the Hawks soundly defeat LeBron our team would be responsible in causing the NBA's best player move to another team.

Hawks in 7 ....

No.

Someone had mentioned that Korver may be tired and this has contributed to his lack of offensive production. However, Korver, at 34 years old, has logged more minutes than any other Hawk. More than DeMarre. More than Teague. More than Big Al and Milsap. The Washington Wizards' backcourt has been able to keep their team in the game because the Hawks haven't been able to consistently defend them from the perimeter.

Kyle may function as a decoy on the court, but Korver's lack of offensive production over the past five games has helped to keep the Wiz within striking distance of upsetting the Hawks. Nearly 38 minutes a game is TOO MUCH. Bud has advocated resting players this season, but over-using Korver and limiting Bazemore against an athletic Wiz team has extended this playoff series longer.

Bazemore in 14 minutes was a (+9) and Korver was in negative figures most of the game, but ended up with a (+3). The Wiz made their move in the second quarter when Baze was on the bench and the Hawks got back in it when Baze was a part of the rotation in the third quarter.

We need to see Baze and DeMarre on the court together --defending on the road in Washington in Game 6. Otto Porter had a bad shooting night, but he is likely to play a bigger offensive role in Game 6.

Bazemore is not Thabo, but in Game 5 when he was on the floor his foot speed and defense helped to defend the likes of Beal, Wall and Otto Porter. There was one play in which Bazemore caused a jumpball and tied Wall up. Bazemore block a Wiz player at the rim. We need these types of plays. Horford had five blocks. 

The Hawks dominated the Wiz during the regular season by double digits, but Coach Bud's resistance to give Bazemore more courtime and TRUSTING Bazemore has allowed the Wiz to keep the game close and to steal some of these games on last second shots.

Everyone loves Korver and he has done some good things but the Wiz want Kyle playing extended minutes while Baze sits.The Wiz play with more confidence with Korver on the floor.

Korver is 0-3 at halftime and played 19 minutes here in Game 5. Bazemore played just 7 minutes. Wiz made second quarter run when Baze sits.

Korver has been quiet offensively against the Wiz and only took 4 shots while logging 36 minutes. At this point, defending Beal,Pierce and even Otto Porter has to become a bigger priority. Bazemore is not Thabo but the Hawks need his defensive presence on the floor at least 25 to 28 minutes. Plus Bazemore has the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket.

Even before the injury, Teague has had a tendency to struggle with his outside shot and confidence. Plus he isnt a consistent finisher. Teague misses too many layups for whatever reason.

Teague has been in the league for six years but at some point the organization has to make the determination if his development as a player has hit the ceiling. This is a fair question. Some players become productive 'sixth man' just like Jason Terry when he was pushed out and ended up in Dallas.

Let's see...Teague's numbers have improved each and every year he has been in the starting line up but yet you think that he has peak???

This is Jeff Teague's sixth season in the NBA and has been the starting guard the past four seasons, but it has become clear he is not on the same level as a Stephen Curry or James Harden or Russell Westbrook. Teague is very athletic and  has been durable and very good free throw shooter, but he shrinks to much during playoff runs--especially on the road. Teague should be dominating the Wizards, but he remains too passive.

Doc Rivers was a solid guard known for his defense, but was a so-so shooter and solid free throw shooter, but he wasn't on the same level as a Isiah Thomas or Joe Dumars or Boston's Dennis Johnson. Rivers didn't make big shots and didn't rise to occasion to push the Hawks further.

If the Hawks end up losing to the Wiz with Teague not stepping up, then the organization need to consider what to do with their point guard situation moving forward. Can the Hawks win a championsjip with Jeff Teague as the STARTING point guard?

Elton Brand is on the downside of his career, but over the course of this season, he had helped to provide a spark from time to time. Brand doesn't attempt threes like Pero, but Brand can hit the mid range jumper and rebound. Brand is older, but we see the Wiz playing older players such as Drew Gooden and Pierce.

What happened? Did Brand say something?

Paul Pierce is shameless and is willing to do anything to gain an advantage. Did Wall and Beal injuries cause Coach Bud to use his bench more instead of sticking with starters after halftime and beginning of fourth quarter.

The Hawks may have gotten distracted by John Wall and Bradley Beal being hurt and our team lost their killer instinct after scoring 63 by halftime. Wall was injured but did he try to fake out the Hawks? He came back. Same thing for Beal... Could they have taken a page from Paul Pierce who has a history of faking a serious injury.. Remember the wheelchair game in 2008. Pierce did that to change momentum and motivate his team. The Hawks lost their rhythm because partly they thought Washington was going to fade away and this team didnt take the Wizards seriously.