Lurker

People aren't going to like hearing this (especially at AJC), but this game stays a massive blowout if Howard continues to play. I don't know that it'd really matter come playoff time, but the only defensive method that the Hawks have really consistently had success against the Cavs with is to switch everything, and it really does not work well with Howard in. The reason why I don't know that it'd really matter is Bud does not reveal this until the games are almost out of reach. He revealed this after halftime yesterday, and it failed with Howard in and really started to begin to work right when he exited the game, just with the Hawks failing to get baskets on offense. The Hawks are better off encouraging Cavs post ups then letting them get quality looks at the 3 point line, and after Howard exited the game, they were 2-12 from 3 to end the game, with one make being a sadness heave. The November game wasn't really the reality of how the Hawks would do with Dwight against the Cavs. This game and March was. Even if the guards did a better job of fighting over screens, they will hemorrhage quality three point looks with Dwight in the game, especially with Tristan not in the game. I would still pick the Cavs to sweep the Hawks or win 4-1 if a series happened, and the story would likely be very similar to the March game and yesterday. Hawks starters vs Frye+Cavs starters would hemorrhage quality three point looks, the Hawks would get behind by 15-20 at least, then Dwight, maybe even Dennis would leave the game, Bud would reveal the switching defensive idea, and the Hawks would start getting stops and make it respectable. Wash, rinse, and repeat.

I kinda don't want any more wins after this one in the regular season. Use the next two as tune up games. If not, Washington it is and I really don't want that.

Bud wants his PGs to be aggressive both as a scorer and passer.

Here are two references. Dwight didn't start either of the games: No Dwight, and look at how much better the offense looks. Geez I wonder why? Yes, they made jumpers when they haven't been, but this is actually how Bud wants them to play. He wants the PG to be aggressive both as a scorer and passer.

He'd look a lot better if he had a modern PNR big to play with. He does not know how to feed the post, so he should not play with Dwight. Period. None of the younger players really do.

Howard either physically can't run the offense consistently or doesn't care to. It's not that hard to run Bud's offense, and it's looked better with Howard not playing the majority of the time, even when Dennis is in. There are occasions where it doesn't, but a lot of the time, it does. OKC/Denver are the references. And I don't care about him posting up or even him getting better at passing. That's not the Hawks offense. He at the very least needs to consistently dive hard to the hole on PNR. Or he needs to be a bench player. No post ups at all, unless it's a mismatch. The way Dennis has played lately outside of a couple games is really bugging me. But in an offense that isn't about 1 on 1, it's not just on one player. The center needs to set screens and dive hard.

He was not out until almost too late, I don't care about how good he was on post ups, he gave up what he gave today.

A reminder, Dwight/Dennis were on the bench every minute of this comeback. Things that make you go "HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM". That was simply incredible.

The story is real simple, if a team has 5 shooters on the floor, Dwight can't be on the floor. If Tristan Thompson is out, Dwight is useless against the Cavs.

This comeback all came with Dwight Howard on the bench ***coughing***.

Dwight Howard has never had chemistry this season with Dennis Schröder. Trade his butt immediately after this season.

eh who cares if this is a loss, what was needed in these two games was already done.

You really can't be serious if you think that lineup will translate when the lights come on.

Let's not act like "oh everyone has a chance to make the finals in the East". We're going to find out that this is 100% false. If you're the 5-8 (really even 4-8), especially in the EAST, you're just playing to be a spoiler and not a serious finals threat.

insertoldladywat.gif This has not been Bud's best season, but let's not act like "personnel decisions" has cost the Hawks multiple games. This team is as it looks. The C and PG might have the worst chemistry in the NBA. Young guards probably won't lead you to wins alone unless they are super hot, or face an unmotivated team. I guess I'm leading the train on Washington in the first round is the worst case scenario, yes, over Cleveland for the Hawks. They are still very angry about 2015 and it now fuels them in a good way, Morris has helped equalize what was their biggest problem on the Hawks (Paul Millsap), and while they don't have good defense, their best two defenders are enough to lock the Hawks biggest perimeter threats. It'd be worse than Washington-Toronto from 2015. The worst case scenario playoff wise is to stay in the 4/5. It's not due to Cleveland probably waiting in the second half, its because an angry and motivated Washington will stomp on you.

If the Hawks are going for the 3/4 year player, their draft is totally predictable but they shouldn't this year.

TJ Leaf is a freshman. Weird Nick Collison comp but he probably isn't totally ready to play in the NBA (and I don't mean by his skills). NBA Draft Room has a better "comp" and as we see if he were to be that, it'd be a good not great career.

I don't want any part of a Washington first round series. They have cooled but combining their anger about the 2015 playoff series with Wall being hurt (in a way that fuels them now, not in a bad way) where they feel they should have won the series with the fact that the Morris twin has really helped complete their team, and you have a prime, prime recipe for an even uglier series than the Toronto series in 2015.

Meh even if Kyrie was injured as they say, who cares, they should've sleptwalked to a win.

We don't actually have the 48th pick. It was traded in the deal to get Ersan.

Since we're at this point with Sefolosha still not here, I think it's safe to say he's going to start the playoffs on the bench or unavailable. Maybe he's back by the last game of the year, but no way he goes from that to starting. I hope Bud takes notes from that stint where Bazemore/Hardaway Jr were playing together a lot as starters and realizes that this isn't a good idea. I think Millsap is almost ready to return to the starting lineup though. Maybe one more game off the bench, then back as a starter.

I'd need to check on it, but I think the Cavs defense was better last season, although still not great. I suspect they still make the finals but LeBron has a date with a worse beating than the 2014 finals. Like I said elsewhere, but softer here: The Cavaliers are not the early 2000's Lakers. They can and likely will play better, but that is not going to significantly change their defensive ability. I checked...wow their defense has actually really regressed. Top 10 in defensive efficiency is good enough to be a legitimate finals contender. They've gone from top 10 to 22 or 23.

The Hawks probably need one more win to be safe but they're virtually in. I'd try to let Milwaukee have the #5.

Honestly, I'd shoot for winning one more game and otherwise let the chips fall where they will. If it means attempting to pull this again, sure. Honestly if this team beats Charlotte, I'd consider sitting people against Indiana again and attempting to pull this.

It was amazing lmao.