Moderators lethalweapon3 Posted December 22, 2014 Moderators Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 “I never lose! Right before I do, I always yank the release lever at the bottom.”Everything’s bigger in Texas, even road victories, and midseason trades. Coming off a confidence-boosting victory in Houston, their second-straight road win without their leading scorer and passer, the Southeast Division-leading Atlanta Hawks hope to keep the good vibes rolling against the Dallas Mavericks (8:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, Fox Sports Southwest), a team that has enhanced its own championship prospects in a Rondo-bout way.Mark Cuban was in Manhattan on Friday evening to help sing “We’ll Meet Again” to Stephen Colbert, but he could just as well have been crooning to Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, and Jae Crowder. Those players were flipped, along with a pair of draft picks and a trade exception, in order to welcome uber-passer Rajon Rondo (10.7 APG, 1st in NBA), and 2014 second-rounder Dwight Powell, to the Big D. Cuban knows what Rondo, maybe by default the happiest Oak Hill Academy product in or around the NBA, is capable of accomplishing when he has legitimate tools around him, and isn’t left to hammer away on his own.Rajon’s shot (40.4 FG% last two seasons, 3-for-11 FGs in his Maverick debut) had not been falling in Boston since he went out with an ACL tear back in January 2013. But now that he’s amidst a starting lineup with super-scorer Monta Ellis (21.2 PPG; 47.4 FG%, highest in six seasons), hassle-HOF Dirk Nowitzki (6.6% turnover percentage, 6th-lowest in NBA), free agent pickup Chandler Parsons (2.2 3FGs/game, 14th in NBA), and the ever-efficient Tyson Chandler (67.6 FG%, 3rd in NBA; league-high 58.8 career FG%), Rondo may never have to leave his feet to shoot a basketball again.Previously, Dallas was blessed with a bevy of shoot-first, drive-second, pass-last small guards, guiding a Mavericks team that’s effective on pull-up shots (45.7 pull-up eFG%) but ranks just 20th in assisted field goals (56.9% assisted FGs; Atlanta’s 67.7% leads the league). That corps included J.J. Barea (117.5 offensive rating, 2nd in NBA) and ex-Hawk Devin Harris (career-high 40.4 3FG%), along with Nelson and Raymond Felton, who awaits activation after a four-game suspension for something in New York that would probably earn him a plaque in Georgia. Now with Rondo in tow, Dallas can keep pace on offense with the passing-oriented teams in the league. That includes the reigning catch-and-shoot kings, the Hawks.Atlanta’s 34.6 PPG and 43.5 FG% on catch-and-shoot attempts leads the NBA. While both Dallas and Atlanta have taken an equivalent number of three-pointers (20.8 attempts per game, tied-2nd in NBA) on catch-and-shoot possessions, the Hawks’ 39.4 3FG% ranks in the top-10 while the Mavs’ 35.2% ranks in the bottom-10. Rondo cannot help with the “shoot” part, but he’ll certainly create better catches.In one of the most Rondoesque games of his recent career, Rajon piled up a season-high 19 assists (a career-high 14 in the first half) and tacked on 12 rebounds in Atlanta on December 2, but accompanied that with a season-high seven turnovers while sinking just one of his eight shot attempts. The Hawks coolly evaporated Boston’s 23-point first-half lead and handed Rondo’s Celtics a fifth-straight loss, helping kick the trade wheel for the 2015 unrestricted free agent into high gear.Atlanta’s Jeff Teague (hamstring) remains doubtful for tonight’s game. But Dennis Schröder acquitted himself well in his last outing against his mentor. Schröder put in ten of his momentary-career-high 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Hawks surged ahead of Rondo and the Celts. It was perhaps the first time Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer felt comfortable allowing Schröder to close out a close basketball game as the lead guard, allowing Teague to rest.As for Dallas, the biggest mystery is the extent to which Rondo (1.7 steals per game, 13th in NBA) will alleviate a tenuous, at best, Mavericks defense. Dallas’ 104.8 opponent points per 100 possessions is the 10th worst defensive rating in the Association and the third-worst among probable playoff teams. The Mavericks do force a lot of turnovers (16.9 opponent TOs/game, 2nd-most in NBA; NBA-high 20.6 PPG off TOs), but if opposing teams manage to get a shot off, it’s pretty much over.Only the Knicks have a worse defensive rebounding percentage than the Mavs (71.5 D-Reb%, 12.2 opponent O-Rebs per game, 2nd-most in NBA), and only New York’s opponents hit three-pointers with better accuracy than Dallas’ (38.8 opponent 3FG%, 2nd-highest in NBA; league-high 9.4 opponent 3FGs per game). Plus, the Mavs don’t get back well, giving up a league-high 15.9 fastbreak PPG (Atlanta opponents’ 9.2 PPG is the lowest).Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle is not terribly interested in becoming the next Doug Moe, and he’s going to depend on Rondo to be dialed-in to slow some of the league’s premier point guards, particularly their fellow competitors in the wild West.At least for now, Dallas’ defensive aptitude as a team rests as heavily as ever on the spindly legs, and injury-prone feet, of the sneaker-swatting Tyson Chandler, especially with Wright (6.7 blocks per 100 possessions, 2nd in NBA) now sipping chowder with Crowder in Beantown. This season, opponents’ offensive rebounding went up from a mediocre 25.9% to a horrific 32.8% whenever Chandler has had to sit.Thabo Sefolosha (2.0 O-Rebs per-36, 1st among Hawks with 15+ minutes/game) and DeMarre Carroll (1.4 O-Rebs per game, 2nd on team) are each capable of helping Atlanta’s big men crash the boards while still getting swiftly back on defense to quell fast breaks, particularly against the Mavs. Dallas will lean heavily on Norcross High alum and ex-Teague teammate Al-Farouq Aminu to go from chasing Kyle Korver around to rushing inside to help regain possessions. Parsons played that role on Saturday, snaring a season-high 11 rebounds in a home win against the intentionally-shorthanded Spurs, who shot just 23.1% on threes.Parsons struggled out of the gate with back problems and perhaps a deferential attitude, but he’s come around in his past six games, shooting 57.3% on the floor while averaging 23.2 PPG to relieve Nowitzki and Ellis of the offensive load. Parsons is likely to switch up with Ellis to deal with Korver until Aminu subs in. Whichever of DeMarre Carroll or Korver draws Ellis (season-high 38 points vs. San Antonio on Saturday) on offense will want to receive passes around the blocks, drawing Maverick help for Monta and opening things up across the floor.The mid-range game, adroit screening, and high-post passing of the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Al Horford (18.7 PPG, 60.5 FG%, and 5.0 APG in his last 3 games), is creating quite the quandary lately for otherwise noteworthy defensive bigs, whether it’s Dwight Howard, Anderson Varejao, or Taj Gibson. Meanwhile, Al’s regaining confidence wearing out post “defenders” like Kevin Love and Pau Gasol. Situated among the former category, Chandler will be inclined to camp out at the rim until the first couple of Dirkminican mid-range shots drop, after which he’ll need someone to hold the fort while he comes out of the paint to defend Horford and break up pick-and-rolls.The 7-foot-1 Chandler gets to hang around the top of the True Shooting ranks (70.5 TS%, 3rd in NBA) by hanging around the opponent’s rim for dunks, layups and putbacks. Just 1.2 shots per game come from Chandler beyond 3 feet of the rim, where he shoots just 30.3 FG%. Meanwhile, 6-foot-7 Korver (74.4 TS%, 1st in NBA) gets to top the True Shooting charts by being not only the man @ATLHawks3 calls THREEZUS, but FREEZUS as well.Only Memphis’ Courtney Lee is hitting three-pointers with greater accuracy than Korver’s 53.9 3FG%, while only the Bucks’ Jerryd Bayless surpasses Kyle’s 96.3 FT%. Korver unseated the incumbent (former U.S. Rep. Tom McMillen) with his 49th consecutive free throw make to help seal the victory in Houston on Saturday. Leading the way with 22 points against the Rockets, Korver’s Hawks are 14-4 when he scores at least 11 points, and 17-4 when he connects on at least two 3-point shots.Let’s Go Hawks!~lw3View the full article 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lethalweapon3 Posted December 22, 2014 Author Moderators Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Tweet Added - Refresh Page to see it live!If you don't see the Tweet here AFTER REFRESHING PAGE, then it wasn't entered correctly. Please edit and try again.Important: If the Tweet doesn't load, please refresh the page before editing the Tweet as it may need to refresh to parse properly ~lw3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 Rondo vs baby Rondo and Korver vs baby Korver I can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 I love the momentary career high by Schröder lw...because that career best will more than likely get shattered tonight! :-) LETS GO HAWKS!!! Rondo vs baby Rondo and Korver vs baby Korver I can't wait! Is Parsons baby Korver? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 (edited) ~lw3 I think Carlisle is kissing butt so the Hawks don't kill the Mavs lol Ps Earl K Sneed has a cool caricature...I'm jealous Edited December 22, 2014 by Spud2Nique Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 22, 2014 Report Share Posted December 22, 2014 I love the momentary career high by Schröder lw...because that career best will more than likely get shattered tonight! :-) LETS GO HAWKS!!! Is Parsons baby Korver? Well it ain't the 60 something year old Dirk lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnice Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Can anyone go to bazemores instagram page? There's a nice group dinner pic on there, and i had trouble. posting it. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Can anyone go to bazemores instagram page? There's a nice group dinner pic on there, and i had trouble. posting it. thanks. It was posted in another thread already - http://hawksquawk.net/community/topic/401817-you-cant-win-without-chemistry/?hl=instagram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 But speaking of Baze's Instagram, he's doing alright in the lady department! I don't know if they're married or not but it appears they've been together for a long time. #stalker http://instagram.com/serpesam/ #TBT to warm nights in Puerto Vallarta with my Love #MyForeverAndAlways #TakeMeBack #ImOverTheCold A photo posted by serpesam (@serpesam) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:30am PST 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnice Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Ok thanks just the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrell Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Whos gonna guard Monta? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Whos gonna guard Monta? Monta is gonna get his but I think Korver and our team defense will hold him down. I'm just thankful that they don't have Calderon killing us from deep anymore. It will be interesting seeing a healthy Devin Harris again tonight and how he does vs Mack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLien_ Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Whos gonna guard Monta? I wouldn't be surprised if coach Bud put Schröder on Monta and Kyle on Rondo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 So is #puthemonskates definitely out tonight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd79 Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 if #puthemonskates is teague, yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 if #puthemonskates is teague, yes Oh man you haven't watched the #hashtag video have you? That's a shame that Teague is still out. Dirty ass Bulls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 The Mavs seem to play well vs the Spurs system so I expect this is going to be a fight. Of course the Mavs barely beat the Spurs without any of their stars playing so I like our odds. The Mavs don't rotate quickly on D and they seem to be lazy at defending the 3. I would love to see our passing just eat them up tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 Well it ain't the 60 something year old Dirk lol I thought JJ Barea...actually wait that's midget Korver not baby...:-/ my sincerest JJ..I love ya scrappy a$$....:-| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enrique Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 We really need to hit our free throws!!! Come on, Dennis. You earned the trip, make 'em pay!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathan2331 Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 This defense has been amazing to watch. Make no mistake, we've made life hell for the Mavs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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