The unsung hero(es) of tonight's game

[niremetal]

First off, the game ball goes to Al for tonight. No question.

I just don't want much-due props to our perimeter defenders - Kirk, JJ, Marvin, Damien, and Teague - to go unspoken. Hell, even Jamal did less-bad than usual tonight, and has for the past few games. He clearly was giving it his all on the defensive end. We stayed in that game because Rose, Deng, Bogans, Korver, and Brewer had zero room to operate all day long. Our post defense was solid as well, but that's not surprising since they didn't have to worry about covering for the perimeter's failings so much.

Our defense allowed us to creep back in this game because even during the long, torturous parts of the game where no one but Al could hit the broad side of a barn on offense (the rest of the team shot .323 from the floor) we held our ground defensively. The Bulls were never able to pull away because our defense wouldn't let them. So give Al twenty game balls - he earned them. But give his teammates props as well.

Edited March 3, 2011 by niremetal

[NineOhTheRino]

not Zaza...he got abused

[EazyRoc]

not Zaza...he got abused

Zaza played ok in the minutes he got.

[Supporter]

Good post, Al Horford was the MVP of the game but everyone else contributed to getting this win.

[AHawks89]

Nice thread. Glad to see a thread that is focusing on all the players, and not just one. Our team is completely different now with Bibster gone. I'm sure this thread will die slowly with all the "Al is the GOAT" threads. It seems like everyone is playing their role much better now. Hmm wonder why? Hope Bibby likes handling the ball over at Miami (yeah, right).

+1

[APE]

Zaza played ok in the minutes he got.

In the first half. Then Asik really owned him.

[benhillboy]

Messy Marv visited the Wizard and got a heart in his chest tonight. Let's see if it remains against OKC.

[EazyRoc]

In the first half. Then Asik really owned him.

I can go for that.

[APE]

Also Armstrong got the Hawks the ball when Teague had that jump ball against Noah. Hustling is contagious.

[AUhawksfan]

I'm loving this. Defense can be really contagious when you have the right players.

[MaceCase]

This team was nearly devoid of perimeter defense for the past 3 years due to scheme or personnel, It truly is a shocker watching that no longer be the case over the last few games. We turned one of the best penetrators in the game into a jumpshooter and when he did find the courage to venture into the paint he was quickly shown the door back out. :newrussian:

[hawkshomer]

Zaza didn't have the best game, but when he came in he did some of the gritty things that get the team back into the game. Pushing Boozer on that terrible foul got us fired up for sure.

[IHeartAtlanta]

Joe Denying Ball in The Clutch from Rose was very key in the win as well...

[hawkshomer]

i'm usually the first person complaining about the hawks mailing it in and taking the easy way to play the game (jumpers), but I have to give it to them for playing hard with defense and making some real effort plays. Do the work and get the dividends from that work in the form of a win I hope they keep it up. They still take too many jumpers, but you can't change everything at once.