Hawks Analysis and Random Thoughts- Three Weeks In

[Lascar78]

Just my 2 cents on this team through 3 weeks. That's right, it's only been 3 weeks. I don't have time to post that often any more, so here are some random thoughts I've been thinking about recently.

1-The first and most obvious observation is that we are much better than last year. Duh. Most people here would have been very happy to know that we would start 4-4 three short weeks ago. Don't forget that. Sure we could be 5-1, but that's what happens when you're in every game, you win some and you lose some. Which brings me to my next point...

2- Addition by subtraction with Al Harrington has worked . There is no question that his departure has solidified our defense. We no longer have a staring lineup with three weak defenders. Al is gone. Zaza has stepped his defensive effort up a good bit, particularly in the post. Shelden, Lo, and Speedy have helped bolster the D. Smith is doing better and being more patient. He is becoming a better defender, even as his blocks have decreased. More importantly, the lazy attitude seems to be gone, and our defensive rotations have improved SIGNIFICANTLY. Sure there are still occasional breakdowns, but overall it's like night and day.

3-The only area in which I still see us as very weak is on high pick-and-roll defense. I don't know why, but we are BAD in this area. Especially when Zaza is involved. Typically the player who is defending the screener (i.e. zaza) tries to show on the screen, and ends up showing too much (going too far away from the paint). In the meantime the defender on the ball (let's say JJ for instance) tries to hover between both offensive players. By the time the man with the ball makes an easy move around zaza, Joe (or whoever) moves in on him, and he makes the easy pass to the screener who has rolled to the hoop. I've seen this happen time and time again. If Zaza is going to show hard, he needs to learn to get in the way more and pressure the ballhandler so he can't comfortably sprint around him. If not, he should not be showing and instead be going behind the screen, and let Joe try to make his way around the top of the screen. Of course this gives good shooters the split second they need to get a shot off, but it's better than seeing us get burnt on this time and time again. Maybe it's just me obsessing on something stupid, but it frustrates me to no end to see our D improve so much as a whole and yet see us be so bad at defending one of the most basic plays of the game.

4-Now on to the offense. We were told to fear Al's departure. Yet even with Al gone, even with Marvin injured, even with Speedy injured, and even with minutes going to defensive specialists like Shelden and Lo, our offense has gone up since last year. This all confirms what most of us knew, that Al was not particularly efficient, and his departure does not hurt our offense but DEFINITELY helps our D.

5-The biggest positive that I see is improved ball movement. It's quite clear that this was an area of focus. We're making better passes, being unselfish, often skipping the obvious pass (to the screener) to hit the next man who can benefit from a collapsed D to take his man 1-on-1 with more space.

6-Additionally our fastbreak game is taking off. Speedy of course has pushed the ball somewhat. I think he's also inspired Lue to some extent who is pushing a lot more often than he did last year. I don't know if this directions from Woody, or Speedy influencing Lue, but it's a good thing. The younger, more athletic team needs to run as much as possible.

7- The biggest problem is generally uninspired playcalling / offense. I don't think I've once seen a halfcourt play that made me think that it was a crisp play that was run exactly how it must have been drawn up. Typically, we might run a screen, we might pass it around the perimeter looking for an open man, or post someone up, but that's about it. Too much 1-on-1. Not enough creativity.

8- In contrast, our movement without the ball is not good . Josh Smith should be getting easy backdoor alley oops in the back court if someone would teach him how to move without the ball and/or run the right plays. Just watch a Nuggets game. Which of course brings me to my biggest pet peeve...

9- Josh Smith should not be shooting threes. I know I've harped on this once or twice. I really feel that this is crucial for his development. It is a big deal for our team as it's nearly 5 posessions a game that end with him launching a 3. Don't tell me that he couldn't get more than 0.891 points per posession AND LEARN IN THE PROCESS by driving to the hole. This is not the biggest problem with this team, but it is the biggest issue that seemingly could be immediately stopped if Woody wanted it to. Of course I'm not at practice, so I am not sure who is to blame. Well actually I know both Woody and Smoove are to blame, but I don't know who gets how much blame. I think the most impressive part of Woody's tenure has been keeping the team focused and competing through all the losing, and you don't do that by being a total hard ass like a Larry Brown type. I would rather he kept the team motivated rather than lose them and make him stop shooting threes. But let's be honest, he should be able to do both. I think Smith is getting the message, but it will take him a little while to change his ways. I just hopes he realizes sooner than later that it is in his best interest and that of the team.

10 - And speaking of Joshes, Josh Childress has been the heart of this team. Well, he and Ty Lue actually. Joe is the foundation, but these guys have provided the extra sparks. Neither one starts, and neither one gets much coverage, but they both have been standouts. Chill is averaging nearly 13/6 off the bench. More importantly, both of these guys have made big plays when we needed them. I don't know when Lue perfected the hesitation step before penetrating, but it's working for him.

11 - Shelden has been exactly what I expected. The defense in general carried over from college even though the shot blocking did not. He has shown a half decent stroke but no plays are ever run for him. I'd like to see him and Josh Smith get isolation plays in the post to see if either one can handle it.

12 - Last but not least our play calling still seems to get worse down the stretch. It's like Woody tightens up and suddenly doesn't trust anyone but Joe going 1 on 1. I'm ok with running it a lot, but not all the time. More importantly, when the game is winding down, it's time to attack the rim. While we seem to go in and out of this habit, we still don't go to the hole nearly enough. We are the youngest, most athletic team out there. Despite the recent slump, we will be a good free throw team in the long run. We need to attack the rim, get to the stripe and get our opponents in foul trouble. This problem is not nearly as bad as last year, but still a problem.

I'm sure I'm forgetting other thoughts, but there you have it for now. Feel free to debate and criticize at will.

[terrynoonan]

Nice post. I agree with you on almost everything. I think Speedy's presence is pushing T-lue. The pick and roll thing is obvious. You shouldn't have to feel bad for noticing it, you should feel bad for having to watch it over and over. I'm not as optimistic. Woody could change things. He's the coach. Does anyone think Jerry Sloan would let Smoove kill himself and the team by shooting so many 3's? I've said it as well, we only have on play for Joe. Joe runs baseline and comes up through a screen on the left at the high post. Regardless of talent, if you are aggressive as a coach, and attack every moment, you can win. Woody is not demanding enough for this team to ever learn how to win. I don't consider 34 wins or so, winning by the way. How about he blast the refs after the Bucks game? The ghost foul on Redd was worthy of that. Nothing. there is just not enough emotion, or actual x and o implementation to sustain any form of winning.

[DrReality]

Good post. Positive, objective. It is really clear how Al prevented this team from growing. When Marvin gets back we can hopefully kick it up a notch.

I think we go through spurts where our ball movement is lacking. '

I also think they need to give some attention to how they start games. That has been a habit that has cost us greatly over the past few games. Time to see if Woody can coach/adjust.

[Jdawgflow]

Very insightful and well thought out. I too agree with most of what you said. About #12, I think getting Marvin back will do wonders for our FT attempts, FT%, and attacking the basket at the ends of games. I just have a feeling that he is going to have a big year.

PS -- nobody start with the Smoove vs. Marvin or Paul vs. Marvin debate; Lascar's post was too good of a start for this thread to get trashed by more of the same old stuff; if you feel you still need to talk about all this, find one of the MANY threads already talking about it...or start your own...

*rant off*

[Popeye]

Post of the year!!

[Plastic Man]

i like your analysis--well said. during games i find myself yelling at the tv ALOT regarding your #8. there's not enough motion off the ball. seems like we haven't even attempted an alley-oop in the halfcourt this season.

[Popeye]

Quote:

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i like your analysis--well said. during games i find myself yelling at the tv ALOT regarding your #8. there's not enough motion off the ball. seems like we haven't even attempted an alley-oop in the halfcourt this season.

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Yeah, Chill is the only guy that moves well without the ball. He allways finds a way for easy basket in the paint and he is only 6-8 210. If Smoove can do this with his 6-9 245 frame, than his FG% would jump to at least 50%. He would't shoot threes as much and he would be more efficent.

[Buzzard]

Great post; well said. I work nights so my keeping up with the Hawks is via NBA.COM and the Squawk. Appreciate the info.

Seems like our ball movement is same as last year but everything else has improved. I was going through our team stats and it just amazes me that we are 5th in boards per game, 9th in steals per game, 14th in blocks per game, 15th in points scored per game, and 9th in points allowed per game!

The only two negatives that stood out is 21st in 3pt% and our assist per game is at a dismal 28th. Both of these can be tied to our penchant (as you pointed out) for lack of ball movement and sometimes just standing around shooting threes.

I wish Al all the luck in the world, except when he plays us, but I do not think our team is missing him. I cannot wait till MWill gets back.

And yes, if you would have promised me 4 and 4 after 8 games, I would have been all over it! Again great post and thanks from a long distance fan. Go Hawks!

[HAWKEYE]

Lascar, we do miss your more frequent and insightful analysis from the past but the realities of life do keep us away from the Squawk sometimes.

I , of course, will be happy to get Marvin back but I think we ought to give him a few games to get back in the flow. There are some on this board who will be pouncing on Marvin if he doesn't from day one make "significant" contributions but I think once he gets settled back the real "addition by subtraction" will be realized. Give him time he has got the skills to put it together and help this team at both ends.

[TheDude]

good post..

actually Woody HAS gotten on Josh Smith about the threes(i don't have the link now buti read an article almost entirely devoted to Woody telling Josh to stop shooting threes). so i wouldnt put this on the coach.

the pick and roll thing is good point. it's been fairly obvious they suck against it. thing is, i'd rather give up another halfsecond to shoot a three than an open shot going towards the basket.