Official Game Thread: Bucks at Hawks -- ECF GAME 6

[lethalweapon3]

B? Leave.

 

Ugh! Another PEG (Playoff Elimination Gamethread), already? We were just starting to have some fun around here! Anyways, some Tidbits.

The “Atlanta Sports” narrative is the Hawks let the head coach who sought his independence by abandoning this franchise, some four score and three years ago, walk out of town on Independence Eve with a glittery Eastern Conference trophy ball under his armpit. The competing, “Believe Atlanta” narrative ain’t tryin’ to hear none o’ that mess.

If the Milwaukee Bucks have learned anything from the 76ers, it’s that these Atlanta Hawks don’t fear The Reaper. With all respect due to the Blue Öyster Cult, and to the happy people of Starkville, Mississippi, do you know what the rest of the Eastern Conference Finals series could use? A little more Collins. We have Finals Fever, and the only prescription is, more Collins! Ring it up!

We’re going to insist that John Collins (0-for-5 FGs with neither a board nor an assist in Game 5’s troubling first quarter) really explore the studio space, this time. That goes for Game 6 (8:30 PM Eastern, TNT, 92.9 FM in ATL, Postgame coverage on Bally Sports Southeast), before a rambunctious, standing-room-only State Farm Arena crowd, and once more in a couple days back in Wisconsin. He’s got to make enough noise, with his two-way play, that it becomes downright uncomfortable for anyone who has to share the stage with him.

At the risk of summoning the FULPers, Collins’ prior head coach, seemingly as a point of pride, indicated on many occasions his gameplans run, paraphrasing, “literally not a single play” for an athletic, energetic fella, one who was supposed to go out and rack up 20-and-10s just off vibes. Since his rookie-year coach skipped town, John has thrived on offense by waiting to be served an array of lobs, layups and open threes, often courtesy of point guard Trae Young (questionable, bone bruise in foot), while feasting on stick-backs when his teammates’ jump-shooting offense stalls and clueless opponents get lax with boxing out.

Speaking of boxing out, Collins alone cannot be blamed for the lack of rebounding presence in Game 5. Even Khris Middleton (team-high 13 rebounds on Thursday) had a field day on the glass as all five Buck Starters collected at least two offensive rebounds in Antetokounmpo’s absence. Thanks in part to early second-chances, Milwaukee’s 66-36 paint-point advantages rendered Milwaukee’s subpar shooting day (31.0 team 3FG%) and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s breakthrough (team-high 28 Game 5 points, 7-for-16 3FGs) moot. A team effort to keep the Bucks one-and-done is essential going forward, but Collins can do more to lead the way in that regard.

It is true that this is just Collins’ first playoff foray, as it is for many an Atlanta Hawk. But the constrained development, to date, is why a guy about to receive ginormous contract offers in a few weeks can look so painfully pedestrian (2-for-8 FGs in Atlanta’s Game 5 win) in halfcourt sets, especially without Young to offer guidance. After going 10-for-11 on 2FGs in the Hawks’ successful series opener, Johnny Bap has hardly made a blip on the inside (15-for-27 combined 2FGs in past 4 games) while game outcomes are still up-for-grabs.

One should note that this is only Bobby Portis’ second playoff run, the punchy Bucks forward’s first since a brief trip in 2017 with the Bulls. Yet the first-time starter, filling in in a pinch for Giannis Antetokounmpo (out again for Game 6, hyperextended knee), looked like a completely comfortable veteran in getting what he wanted in Game 5. It’s an awkward time to start running plays with Collins as a focal point, but Atlanta Playoff Basketball on Independence Day Weekend is, by definition, an awkward time.

In these NBA Playoffs (Knicks and Sixers series included), JC has managed to shoot a sturdy 64.0 eFG% on post-up plays, his 1.13 points per possession placing him a smidge ahead of Philly’s center Joel Embiid and not far from The BK’s Kevin Durant. But it’s hard to recognize this, since he’s had the option to post-up on just 1.8 plays per game, according to Synergy stats on nba.com, roughly half of Antetokounmpo’s 3.4 and a far cry from Embiid’s 8.5, or even KD’s 4.4. Collins also hardly draws foul-worthy contact (6.7% FT frequency) on those few plays.

Efficiency-wise, the only postseason player still standing who has fared better is Danilo Gallinari (1.18 PPP, on just 2.2 post-ups per game), who has shot at a slightly lower eFG of 57.1% but gets to the foul line (21.1% FT frequency). With Giannis down for the twenty-count once more, Collins and Gallo ought to receive more post-ups, peeling Brook Lopez and Portis away from helping on guards while elevating the Bucks’ risk of early foul trouble.

Whether they emanate from Young, Lou Williams, Kevin Huerter or Bogdanovic, Collins in particular has to do a better job of getting in position to receive passes on the low block, and he needs to maintain his dribble until either a decent shot goes up or he gets the whistle. Of course, it would be nice if one of his prior coaches had the power forward honing his post-up game in real time, prior to and during the regular seasons, but that issue for a more well-heeled Collins can wait for 2021-22 to get here.

We all can wait for 2021-22 to get here, but I remain hopeful our Squawkers and the rest of Atlanta Hawks Nation can do what they can to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy and upright, in what will soon be a very brief interim period.

For those of you heading intown or to some friendly watering holes this evening, you’ll likely notice we have a wilder group of companions in the mix. 99 percent of us are up to some good, but there are a few jackboys, gun-runners, sliders, club-busters and raging drivers out to make “fun” for themselves on this busy weekend by spoiling somebody else’s. In what we can still hope will be a warm-up act for Game 3 of The Finals, have a great, boisterous time tonight, but be cognizant of your surroundings and avoid confrontations on your way to and from the arena and wherever you go to enjoy the proceedings.

If our Hawks still don’t fear The Reaper… we’ll be able to fly!

 

Happy Fourth! Believe Atlanta! Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Only players up-in-the-air ahead of Game 6 are on the Hawks' side. Bogi (sore knee) is probable, as per the 1:30 Boo-Boo Report, while Trae (bruised foot) is questionable.

As for the refs, ZZ Top's got the whistle, and he knows how to use it.

~lw3

[warcore]

C'Mon Hawks! Protect the Farm!

[JayBirdHawk]

 LET'S GO HAWKS!!!

 

 

 

Please, please please - don't let this be our last game day thread of the 2020-21 season.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

I need Nate to assess pretty early what is going on.  If we see any indication that the Bucks are going to use their bigs to fuel their half court offense, we must match their size.

Letting them dominate the offensive boards is not an option tonight.

Get stops and get the damn rebound.

[JayBirdHawk]

7 minutes ago, TheNorthCydeRises said:

Get stops and get the damn rebound.

[Spud2nique]

Great game thread as always Lw3.  Be safe squawkers, sounds like exciting and crazy times in the ATL. We need contributions from everyone today. No one particular let’s just get this done as we have all year as a unit that plays for one another. 
 

Go Hawks! 
 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

2 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Great game thread as always Lw3.  Be safe squawkers, sounds like exciting and crazy times in the ATL. We need contributions from everyone today. No one particular let’s just get this done as we have all year as a unit that plays for one another. 
 

Go Hawks! 
 

 

[kg01]

Well folks, it's come down to this.  Backs against the wall. Time to scratch, claw, nut-punch our way outta this thang ..

@lethalweapon3 and @capstone21 got their hair did but they ready ...

@Spud2nique put on his eyepatch to throw 'em off ... but he ready ..

@MaceCase's inner child got our back ..

Yeah, that's the idea, @LucastheThird

Yeah, get 'em @macdaddy, get 'em!

That's right @bleachkit , kitty kats ain't always kute ...

Yeah, now thas what a pillow fight needs to be @turnermx ..

Is that @TheNorthCydeRises or Teen Wolf ..

Enter the Dragon, @NBASupes

Leggo Hawks.  Bring that energy.  Get us back to 'Sconsin!!

[hawkman]

I'm not ready for this season to end with the Hawks only two wins away from the Finals. Hopefully, they play with that sense of urgency and desperation they had at the end of last game.

[Spud2nique]

2 minutes ago, kg01 said:

Enter the Dragon,

One of my favs! Kickem Supes! 

[Spud2nique]

Just now, hawkman said:

I'm not ready for this season to end

Me neither. I want more Hawks games, more lethal threads, more of kg making me look like a one eyed cat, whatever, bring it on this has been the most fun I’ve ever experienced as a Hawks fan. Thanks for making it a special journey folks.

[RandomFan]

[benhillboy]

Our Hawks have taken advantage of the edges I thought they had coming in of FT shooting (+.094) 3 point attempts/ variance (+7) and 3 point shooting (+.038, even shooting well below normal).  
 

The turnover margin has even been very impressive despite a few too many unforced ones at -2 per game.

Where I figured the series would be won or lost was on the glass.  I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the team getting out to a +6 edge after Game 1.  Props to Bud, I didn’t think he’d nip that in the butt but they aren’t the #1 rebounding team in the league for no reason, as we’re now -29 (fudge!).  
 

We could squeak by Philly being out rebounded by only 2 a game with those same shooting edges and superior bench.  NY was +2 as well but the talent gap was far too wide and they knew it.  Getting killed on the offensive glass one more time for a -6 total margin per game will surely send us home.  I just wanna see everyone box out like hell and let the chips fall.  Like the Great @lethalweapon3 detailed a few more un-rushed post ups for Johnny and 2K Gallo shouldn’t hurt.  

Win or lose, this season has been sensational.

Lets Gizzo!

Edited July 3, 2021 by benhillboy

[LongTimeFan]

37 minutes ago, kg01 said:

 

Leggo Hawks.  Bring that energy.  Get us back to 'Sconsin!!

Leggo Hawks!

[Sothron]

No time for excuses. No time for not coming out with tons of energy and passion.

We MUST WIN the next two games and then four more. It all starts tonight with his win at home. Don't give them easy offensive rebounds. Get a hand in their face. Hustle. Box out. Move the ball to get someone open for a better shot. We can do this. We WILL do this.

#Believe

[RedDawg#8]

I love this team, and this community. It's been a hell of a ride so far, so let's keep it going man. 

We can do all things in faith.

Believe ATL, Believe

[JTB]

1 minute ago, Sothron said:

No time for excuses. No time for not coming out with tons of energy and passion.

We MUST WIN the next two games and then four more. It all starts tonight with his win at home. Don't give them easy offensive rebounds. Get a hand in their face. Hustle. Box out. Move the ball to get someone open for a better shot. We can do this. We WILL do this.

#Believe

Exactly! They have to believe and play their hearts out! Got to be physical but not foul. Got to hit shots, make smart plays and defend for a full 48 minutes.

[NBASupes]

We gotta win, nothing more, nothing less

[JayBirdHawk]