Hawks Vs. Blazers

[ATLSmith]

Looking for the Hawks to come out with a chip on their shoulder and dominate early. Clearly this team can score, now they need to buckle down and play some defense. They must hold the Blazers to 48 or less in the first half.

Can't wait to watch this one.

[Diesel]

Looking for the Hawks to come out with a chip on their shoulder and dominate early. Clearly this team can score, now they need to buckle down and play some defense. They must hold the Blazers to 48 or less in the first half.

Can't wait to watch this one.

The blazers will offer the same thing we saw with the Lakers. Bigs who can defend the paint. Our bigs cannot match their bigs in terms of size. Also, Outlaw is a problem matchup. We do have one thing. Aldridge is not playing so we can certainly not worry about a continuous attack on the high post. I suspect Outlaw and Pryz will get more playing time... and if Outlaw is out there, we have to play good perimeter defense which may be hard for Smoove. Marvin's best asset tonight may be matching up with Outlaw at PF.

[coachx]

Got to play up tempo. Horford has to run Oden and Pryz out of the gym..............we can't play a half court game, unless we are hot from 3, vs. big frontcourts like the Blazers and Lakers.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Damn . . I wanted Aldridge to be able to go tonight. If we win, we'll have to add this game to the Hawks opponent injury list thread. A lot of interesting battles and focus points tonight.

JJ vs Roy . . which has for the past 2 years been a very interesting battle. These guys have gone right at each other. They both pretty much play the same role for their team.

Marvin vs Webster . . to me, this is the deciding matchup of the night. Webster looked good at times in the opener vs Denver. And although Carmelo ended up torching him, he was very aggressive on defense guarding Melo. Marvin can't let Webster outplay him tonight. Even if Marvin struggles scoring the ball, he has to prevent Martell from chipping in 12 - 15 points. It'll be nice to get a 15 point - 7 rebound from Marvin tonight.

Horford vs Oden . . Al definitely won't back down from Old Man Oden, but Oden does pose a problem with his shotblocking. Al must be aggressive and make Oden work on both ends of the floor.

Crawford vs Andre Miller . . these are the types of matchups that Crawford must win. Miller can take Crawford to the hole anytime he wants, while Crawford shouldn't have any problem shooting over Miller. Crawford has to at least slow Miller down, and not let him take over the game when playing with the 2nd unit. The problem is going to come when Crawford is at the 2, JJ isn't in the game, but Roy is. This forces Crawford to guard Roy . . . not good . . unless Woody instructs Evans or Marvin ( if he's in ) to guard Brandon, and Crawford to guard the SF ( which still may not be good )

Smoove vs Outlaw? . . usually, Lamarcus gives him major problems, because he simply wears Smoove out with the midrange jumper. But Smoove is able to get his too, because Lamarcus doesn't play defense. He'll have his hands full with Outlaw, if they start him at the 4. Travis will make Smoove guard him out on the perimeter, which could expose Smoove defensively and take him out of rebounding position sometimes. Smoove is going to have to make a point to either drive the basketball, or go down on the blocks and make plays from there. If he has trouble scoring, expect another high assist game from him ( 5 or more ). He needs to grab 8+ rebounds tonight as well.

Bibby vs Blake . . they play alike, so this is a secondary matchup. Blake plays off of Roy well on offense, so Steve will get some wide open looks from 3. Mainly, Bibby just can't let Blake get 2 or 3 uncontested looks at threes, because Blake will knock the shot down. Bibby just needs to be Bibby. Run the squad, don't turn the ball over, and knock down open shots.

I've always looked at Portland as a team that most mirrors the Hawks. They're like our twin brother that lives out West:

- they had to gut their old team around the same time we did, and start from scratch with a bunch of young talent

- they don't really have a guy that can consistently score down on the blocks . . or is willing to do it.

- they tend to fold against powerful frontlines, especially Aldridge

- they are great at home, but struggle mightily on the road.

- they have a young talented PG that isn't ready for primetime yet ( Bayless )

- they have an All-Star 2 guard that pretty much dictates the flow of the game and has the entire offense ran through him . . and asks him to do way too much on both ends of the floor.

- they have their version of Marvin . . in Martell Webster, a young guy who was taken too high based on his "potential", but has yet to breakout as a player. Like Marvin though, he's solid enough to be a starter and contribute on most nights.

- they have a well known PG that they acquired from another team who has talent, but is widely criticized for his inconsistent shooting.

- they have a talented PF that many think can be a star, but doesn't rebound as well as he should, and doesn't give Portland an inside scoring presence.

- they can easily go 10 deep, because of the plethora of talent on the squad.

- and like us, they have aspirations of getting to that next level, but have MAJOR OBSTACLES standing iin the way of that.

Edited November 3, 2009 by northcyde

[MaceCase]

You can add that both team's fanbases complain that their coach forces a team that should be running to play a very slow and deliberate pace. Main difference I'd say in our franchises (besides fan support) is ownership where Allen has the pockets to outright buy draft picks which could very much be the difference in our success down the road.

And so far reports say Aldridge will play.

Edited November 3, 2009 by CrawfulToCrawesome

[TheInfamousBayne]

Can't wait for the game. I smell a win.

[DjGrizz]

I wanted to get tickets to this game, oh well, maybe next year!

[ATLNY7]

This is pitiful. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams missing dunks.

[ATLNY7]

The hawks need to start making shots. They are shooting very poorly from the field.

[ATLNY7]

I get so mad when the hawks throw up horrible shots and miss them. They only scored seven points with about three minutes left in the first quarter.

[DrReality]

ZaZa looks good against Oden. One of the few guys he is quicker than.

Craw is looking good too.

[ATLNY7]

It seems like Crawford is the only one that is playing aggressively on offense, and everybody else seems like they can't score. Thank you Jamal Crawford.

[exodus]

It seems like Crawford is the only one that is playing aggressively on offense, and everybody else seems like they can't score. Thank you Jamal Crawford.

he really bailed the Hawks out. This is a perfect example of why he should be coming off the bench. If he is playing with the starters he wouldn't get anywhere near the touches that he does coming off the bench.

[ATLNY7]

Joe Johnson is shooting horrible from the field. He's taking very difficult, contested shots.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

he really bailed the Hawks out. This is a perfect example of why he should be coming off the bench. If he is playing with the starters he wouldn't get anywhere near the touches that he does coming off the bench.

Yep.

This is reminiscent of what he did in the Washington game. He came in and did a great job in scoring the basketball in a variety of ways. LOL @ how this dude always manages to draw fouls on his jumpers. Good job JC.

( just don't also do like you did in the Wizards game, in which you missed all of your 2nd half shots, and scored only 1 point )

1st half notes:

- JJ . . . ICE COLD . . . and not the good ice cold either. But he has to play D on Roy to at least slow him down a little ( that isn't working either ). Just keep playing. If the shot ain't falling, keep dishing and rebounding.

- Zaza . . . I kind of had a feeling that Zaza may could do some damage tonight, but I wasn't sure. Good energy by him.

- Crawford . . . fabulous performance in that 2nd quarter. That's why you're on the squad. When JJ is cold, we need you to pick up the slack.

- Marvin . . . hit the boards early in that 1st quarter . . leads us with 6 boards and has 5 points ( Webster . . . 0 points - 1 rebound )

- Horford and Smoove . . . we need you guys a little more active in that 2nd half. If the scoring isn't there ( Horford ), just do the little things. Smoove, please continue to stay in the paint and get your points.

- Bibby . . it'll be nice if you heated up a little to start the 3rd quarter.

[NowYouKnow]

Where's Teague? Is he hurt?

[exodus]

Where's Teague? Is he hurt?

Bibby is having such a huge game (yes i am joking) i guess Woody decided to keep Teague on the bench.

[exodus]

Marvin is guarding Andre Miller.

[exodus]

Crawford is a career 84% foul shooter. That is a big plus when one of your primary ball handlers shoots them that well, 9 for 9 tonight.

[High5]

If the Hawks can play with this resiliency on the road all year we'll be in great shape. Nice way to bounce back after the Lakers game. Hopefully no let down in Sacramento.