Official Game Thread: Pacers at Hawks

[lethalweapon3]

“That fart was OFFENSIVE… RYAN CAMERON!”

 

The Atlanta Hawks hope their play makes no one nauseous tonight at Philips Arena, as they aim for their first two-game winning streak of the season at the expense of the Indiana Pacers (7:30 PM Eastern, Fox Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, Fox Sports Indiana) on Ryan Cameron Foundation Night. There is no outcome for tonight’s contest that can be placed outside of the context of what happened to Indiana in their last game.

While one of the Hawks’ fans, and one of their opponents, were working the Highlight Factory janitorial crew into overdrive, the Pacers spent virtually all of Monday night getting outfoxed by yet another lucky-ducky team from New England. The East’s top-seeded Celtics pounced on Indy with a 12-0 lead and ten consecutive made baskets to open the match, building up as much as a 19-point lead. But in the final frame, Victor Oladipo Happened, the Fieldhouse became a madhouse, and the Pacers found themselves about to upend Boston, up by one with ten seconds to go.

Sadly, Bojan Bogdanovic lobbed a fatally errant cross-court inbounds pass, plucked from the air by Boston’s Terry Rozier, who outraced the Pacers for what would be the game-winning, heart-breaking jam. Now, instead of sauntering into the ATL with an abundance of confidence, Indiana (17-15) arrives at Philips having dropped three of their last four, eager to get that queasy feeling out of the pits of their stomachs.

Who’s the leader in the clubhouse for the Most Improved Player Award? What’s round at the ends, and LADIP in the middle? And, oh… Paul Who? Oladipo has been the answer to those questions, and many more. NBA fans who asked aloud, “Is That ALL They Got?” when the Pacers took Oladipo and second-year forward Domantas Sabonis off OKC’s hands, in exchange for former franchise savior Paul George, are now scrambling to scrub their social media comments before GM Kevin Pritchard can re-tweet them.

Pritchard might not have been caught “liking” any commentary praising him for bringing back the steady (on-the-court) Darren Collison (6.0 APG, 1.5 TOs/game) on a two-year deal, and for acquiring Cory Joseph (career-best 42.9 3FG%) for peanuts from Toronto, in-lieu of re-upping with hometown hero Jeff Teague. But few would blame him for those clicks, either. The point-guard pair joins Oladipo and Bogdanovic as four of six leaders in minutes-played for Indiana (38.9 team 3FG%, 2^nd in NBA) with better than 40-percent three-point accuracy.

Entrusted with the ball by coach Nate McMillan after enhancing his conditioning and game in the offseason, Oladipo (24.9 PPG, 51.0 2FG%, 42.8 3FG%, 1.8 SPG, 5.5 RPG) is blowing away middling career numbers from his time with the Magic and Thunder, and now serves as a lock for an All-Star reserve spot, if not more.

Seeing the 25-year old guard blossom after being reduced to a literal cast-off by two NBA clubs should be instructive for anyone impulsively giving up on young talents. That includes a few Pacer fans inclined to see center Myles Turner (NBA-high 2.3 BPG) dealt away, fearing the 21-year-old has already plateaued, somehow, and might over-ripen without ever rounding out his game (phenomena also known as “Hibbert Paranoia”). Despite his defensive activity around the rim, Turner leads a Pacer defense that takes a Scroogish approach to free throws for their foes (NBA-lows of 13.1 opponent FTs and 71.9 opponent FT%).

During the 2016 Draft, Oladipo and Sabonis were shipped, along with Ersan Ilyasova, for Orlando’s half-season rental of Serge Ibaka.  Like many on the Thunder, Oladipo and Sabonis were not expected to do much, unless reigning MVP Russell Westbrook called for them. But with the Pacers, Domantas has thrived as a rim-running, screen-setting, paint-passing, glass-cleaning sixth-man (team-high 8.3 RPG, mostly as a reserve).  While he essentially squares the BBIQ of a bench crew that features Lance Stephenson, it shouldn’t be long before Sabonis permanently supplants Thaddeus “Mr. 50^th Pecentile” Young in the starting unit.

That’s enough about the Pacers for now. And instead of the players that we all know well, let’s focus on one of the best things going for the Hawks (7-23) right now.

How does a kid with a speech impediment grow to become a senior class president (at Smyrna’s Campbell High), a frat-house president, a stand-up comedian, and, eventually, the “King of Atlanta Airwaves”, a drive-time don and a morning-show mogul, a two-time Emmy Award winner, a perennial Marconi Award nominee, and a Georgia Radio Hall of Fame inductee?

Few people gave up on Ryan Cameron. And more importantly, Cameron never allowed them to, because he never gave up on himself. Ryan put in the work as a pro bono intern at local powerhouse V-103, building his way up the ranks in a budding, competitive media market. His “Edu-tainment” approach to sharing information quickly captured the ears of not only a dedicated audience, but ATL’s many movers-and-shakers in entertainment, media, politics, and beyond.

When he’s not shouting, “GOT HEEM!” at Dennis Schröder’s overmatched defenders, Cameron spends much of his days as the preeminent voice of Atlanta FM radio. With his life story and his kids serving as touchstones, Ryan and his ex-wife Kysha formed the Ryan Cameron Foundation as an umbrella for “True To Atlanta”-style community outreach efforts that have now spanned over 25 years.

Honored today by the Hawks, this non-profit organization (at ryancameron.org) holds bowling events and golf clinics, health fairs and youth “anti-violence” initiatives. It also hosts a “leadership academy” assisting Atlanta’s young citizens in a wide range of areas, from college prep and etiquette, to public speaking and financial literacy. Cameron hopes to someday expand his foundation nationwide, particularly through the rural areas of the South. Tonight’s honorary festivities will only help to advance that goal.

With breakout performers and steady play, the Pacers’ story represents the optimal situation anyone could have hoped for the Hawks to this point of the season. Victory tonight could vault them back into 4^th place, in a conference that’s pretty muddled after the Top 3. But this game could become either the palate-cleanser coming off a disappointing defeat, or the confirmation of a possible downturn in their fortunes. Will Indiana’s hopes to climb up the standings get “Inspected… Rejected!” tonight?

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

 

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[lethalweapon3]

"If Only In My Dreams..."

~m00se

[nathan2331]

That was great hearing Nique and Gerald talk about the game. Wish Nique would share more stories. If you weren't a Hawks fan, you'd never know how great he was for the franchise.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Pretty clean played game so far.  Indiana is much better than I thought they'd be.  Olidipo definitely looking like a legit All-Star this year. 

Side note:  Now that Stinger gets a few minutes a game as a 2nd color commentator, he doesn't offer much more insight than Dominique does.  And he's definitely not as charismatic as Nique.  

Stinger is good, and so is Nique.

[nathan2331]

Good performance from us, but Collins needs to get more touches. He's been open around the basket on multiple drives, but guys aren't realizing it.

 

Nice to see Bembry hit a three, if he's going to be a factor in the NBA he's got to figure it out. I'd like to see us run more double screens like the Jazz do for Mitchell, he's probably the best cutter on the team even if we can't really take advantage of it.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Great pass by Bembry.  Collins feasting.  If only the rest of the team would feed him, we might be OK tonight.

[StephenHawking]

What's up with Dennis' shot throughout those last couple of games??

His J looks @ss 

[nathan2331]

If the Pacer's fans don't want Myles Turner, I'd gladly take him off their hands. He and Young have basically turned us into a jump shooting team. His offensive decision making could use some work, but he's really impressed me switching on pick & rolls. This should be should be where Collins shines, but he's not getting as involved as he should.

[StephenHawking]

Sad thing Collins is the Hawks best player by a mile.

[Lurker]

Dennis decides to run the offense and now all of a sudden he can't make an open jumper.

It's just too easy to guard that, and Indiana adjusted accordingly. 

[nathan2331]

Sad thing Collins is the Hawks best player by a mile.

I wouldn't call him our best player, considering he hasn't shown an ability to create his own offense at all. He probably could if we let him but it is what it is.

 

Don't know why we went small though to end the 3rd quarter. Should've put Plumlee back in the game and tried punish them on switches.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

LOL Lance.   Nice behind the back pass.

And then he comes right back down and nails a 15 foot jumper.

And an assist.

 

Typical Lance . . . the good and the bad.

Edited December 21, 2017 by TheNorthCydeRises

[TheNorthCydeRises]

17 minutes ago, StephenHawking said:

What's up with Dennis' shot throughout those last couple of games??

His J looks @ss 

He hasn't been right since Bud pulled him in that Knicks game in which he was balling.

 

Last 4 games

16 ppg - 8 asst - 4 rebs

41% FG - 31% 3FG - 75% FT

 

Previous 24 games

20 ppg - 6 asst - 3 rebs

45% FG - 31% 3FG - 87% FT

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Olidipo with the quietest 23 pts ever.  Consistent scoring.

[StephenHawking]

vor 1 Minute, TheNorthCydeRises sagte:

He hasn't been right since Bud pulled him in that Knicks game in which he was balling.

 

Last 4 games

16 ppg - 8 asst - 4 rebs

41% FG - 31% 3FG - 75% FT

 

Previous 24 games

20 ppg - 6 asst - 3 rebs

45% FG - 31% 3FG - 87% FT

Still his jumper all season looked alarming. Especially his 3pt percentage dropping off like that is a horrible development. 

This game displays how easy Dennis is to defend if he can't open the game for his self via 3's and midrange

[nathan2331]

He hasn't been right since Bud pulled him in that Knicks game in which he was balling.

 

Last 4 games

16 ppg - 8 asst - 4 rebs

41% FG - 31% 3FG - 75% FT

 

Previous 24 games

20 ppg - 6 asst - 3 rebs

45% FG - 31% 3FG - 87% FT

Probably not feeling particularly motivated. Can't really blame him given the conditions, but he should be careful. Current management won't hesitate to move him for the right price.

[Lurker]

So apparently a switching defense just turns the Hawks offense from okay into a disaster. As that was the adjustment.

Edited December 21, 2017 by Lurker

[StephenHawking]

vor 2 Minuten, nathan2331 sagte:

vor 5 Minuten, TheNorthCydeRises sagte:

He hasn't been right since Bud pulled him in that Knicks game in which he was balling.

 

Last 4 games

16 ppg - 8 asst - 4 rebs

41% FG - 31% 3FG - 75% FT

 

Previous 24 games

20 ppg - 6 asst - 3 rebs

45% FG - 31% 3FG - 87% FT

 

Probably not feeling particularly motivated. Can't really blame him given the conditions, but he should be careful. Current management won't hesitate to move him for the right price.

And rightfully so if he doesn't display more consistency. Going forward you need to see him develop his game, not regressing. 

His game is only as good as his deep midrange/3 ball shooting percentage. 

Right now when he's missing literally every shot outside of 4ft he's way too easy to defend. 

Also really alarming is how he's not been any clutch this year at all. He regressed mightily in that area.

[nathan2331]

So apparently a switching defense just turns the Hawks offense from okay into a disaster. As that was the adjustment.

Usually Dennis kills big men when they switch on him. If he's not gonna get to the rim, we don't have any other tricks up our sleeve. I don't know if Dennis is sending a message or just sucks right now, but Bud needs to figure some other things out.

[StephenHawking]

Honestly is there an area where Dennis upped his game this season? 

Just curious