Official Game Thread: Hawks at Warriors

[lethalweapon3]

“I’m just here with Beastmode and F.A.B. so I won’t get fined.”

 

Welcome back to San Francisco, Atlanta Hawks! It’s the happy home of the first-place Golden State Warriors (10 PM Eastern, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, NBC Sports Bay Area) and their world-famous Big 3.

You know them well, right? Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole! Sorry, you were probably thinking of Andrew Wiggins, or James Wiseman, weren’t you?

Much has been made out of the lack of reliable star power, after Ja Morant, emanating from the 2019 NBA Draft. But after dwelling near the basement of the draft order for much of the preceding half-decade, Warriors exec Bob Myers seems to have hit it out of the park, and into McCovey Cove, with their splash of a selection that year at #29. While he’s still, as of today, a career 39.2-percent shooter, the 6-foot-4 Poole is doing his letter-best lately to imitate the production anticipated from a still-rehabbing Klay Thompson.

What was merely a suspicion has become glaringly evident over the previous three games of G-State’s cozy eight-game homestand at Chase Center. An everyday starter, Poole has lofted 10.7 three-point shots per game in blowout wins over the Hornets, Pelicans and Rockets, swishing 46.9 percent of them, while averaging 27.3 PPG and 1.7 SPG. Going 9-for-9 on free throws last night in the 125-107 win over Houston to pad his 25-point outing, Poole missed his first freebie in the season-opener against the Lakers, and he hasn’t missed one since.

Jordan can be streaky – 2-for-7 from downtown against Houston, he’s had 1-for-6, 2-for-6 and 0-for-7 evenings baked into his 35 percent perimeter shooting average – but he cannot be accused of being gun-shy. He’s getting buckets inside, too, with an early career-best 59.1 2FG% boosting his breakout numbers (18.4 PPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG). A surefire benefit of playing heavy minutes alongside Green, Bball-Ref has Poole in the Top-20 league rankings for both Defensive Win Shares and Defensive Rating.

The youngest active veteran, by far, on the Dubs’ roster until Wiseman (knee surgery recovery) can reutrn, the 22-year-old Poole started 21 of 108 games in his first two seasons, largely out of necessity. Now, his place in the rotation, if not the everyday starting five, is becoming the mother of invention, too.

“I got nothin’ for you.” Poole responded with a smile in craftily evading a query from a pool reporter last night, as to why he continues being called out to postgame media by head coach Steve Kerr and returning vet Andre Iguodala. “If they’re saying it in public, they’re probably telling me in private.” That’s to say nothing of what Coach Dray is offering him behind the scenes.

Kerr is playing more of the role of a head coaxer, as he sees on-ball defense and ball-handling (3.2 TOs per 36, a touch high) among the last elements for making Poole a set-it-and-forget-it member if the starting unit. How potent could this team – already atop the NBA West and 1.5 games in front of tomorrow’s Hawks opponent, Utah – become if Klay can slide into a full-time small forward role, and we get the Splash Triplets as a result?

Reverting Poole to a reserve spot beside Steph’s sweet-shooting in-law, Damion Lee (44.4 3FG%, despite 1-for-6 over last two games, the first of the season scoring in single-digits off the bench), feels a bit redundant at this point. Further, if Thompson, scheduled to return to practice in a week or so, is slow in getting back up to playing speed, Poole Play will be vital in keeping Golden State’s aura shining, and not merely on the court.

I’m not suggesting Myers is hanging up on Daryl Morey’s calls, nor that he is initiating the calls himself. But how convenient is having another 15-plus-point scorer – 32-million-dollar man Wiggins -- as a tradable trinket at the negotiating tables? There’s a reason Poole is being publicly chided on a near-nightly basis, and Wiggins (last 4 games: 15.0 PPG, 1.5 APG, 0.3 SPG, 38.8 FG%) is not. No, Andrew (team-high 29 points and 7 boards, team-low minus-23 vs. ATL on March 26 w/o Curry), it’s not because you are scoring so well.

The only team with a Defensive Rating (NBA recipe) in the double digits at 97.0, Golden State is also the only squad collecting dimes on anywhere near 70 percent of their baskets (72.1 team assist%) – Atlanta’s last opponent, Phoenix, checks in at second-place at 65.3. No one is doing 3-and-D better than the Dubs right now, and the NBA-75-adjacent Thompson has yet to lace up his shoes.

While awaiting his marksmanship to return to legendary levels (37.4 3FG%, which would be a career-low for a full season), Curry has acquitted himself well as a willing defender (1.4 SPG) in the early going, too. But there’s no need for Kerr to waste his time chasing Trae Young around, not with Poole and Iguodala (rested last night, hip injury management), Gary Payton II, Lee, Wiggins, and Green to throw at him.

If Warrior defenders put the screws to Trae too much, they may risk getting hammered once more by his partner-in-grime. John Collins had the Steph-less Warriors looking like tools last March, before a national audience, to the tune of a career-best 38 victorious points, drilling 4-of-5 shots for three as he made himself at home like a depot in Chase Center. If Collins (probable, strained foot) isn’t getting rested ahead of tomorrow’s game, Green (no points, no steals, 2 rebounds, 9 assists but 4 TOs in 27 minutes vs. ATL last March) will want to shift-shape back into a wrenching interior defender today.

While Poole self-assuredly ascends from training wheel to third-wheel in the Bay Area, Atlanta (4-6) is left to wonder who is going to propel their trike forward, on behalf of back wheels Young and Collins, as they trek through this juggernaut of a packed schedule with limited time to do much besides shootaround.

Opposing coaches are figuring out the luxury of being able to shelve critical contributors, for rest and recovery purposes, and still finding the wherewithal, via stars and role players alike, to overwhelm Atlanta by games’ end. The Hawks are 99 and 94/100^th percent healthy, but they’ve been lathering away games late in the second halves.

Outscored 76-40 in the last two final-frames, versus Utah and in Phoenix, coach Nate McMillan’s club swings by San Fran to face the league’s most efficient fourth-quarter collective (+17.0 4^th-qyarter Net, 1^st in NBA). In no small part thanks to Atlanta, tomorrow’s opponent in Salt Lake City (+15.5) ranks second.

Composure is key, and McMillan was expressive of that in all but calling out his ace scorer, the league’s leader in technical fouls drawn, by name. “We continue to allow that to be a distraction,” McMillan said to the AJC and Saturday’s postgame media, “that” being questionable calls and especially non-calls by the boys and girls in gray, “where we stop playing, or we foul purposely, or we get technicals.”

“And we’ve got to grow up,” he continued, “we’ve got to mature on that.” Proper pronoun placement keeps a truism from becoming a Trae-ism. McMillan is right in desiring that his team, and certainly its most visible performer, avoid summoning The Spirit of Josh Smith, at critical junctures when whistles aren’t blowing in their favor.

Note, though, at nearly every step of the way, since Curry rose into championship-level prominence, he had a Draymond on the court, or a Kerr on the sideline who, for better or worse, took up for their star teammate’s umbrage. They do the berating, the haranguing, the tongue-lashing, so Steph (down to 4.2 FTAs/game, but NBA-high 97.4 FT%) doesn’t always feel he has to.

The mannerly Nate Mac, as best I can tell from the Goggle machine, was last tossed from an NBA venue in 2017, with Paul George’s Pacers, and in 2012 with Joel Przybilla’s Blazers in 2005. He doesn’t need to be ejected, he just needs to seem audibly incensed with referee nonsense, drawing the occasional Ts that let Trae get refocused on FGs.

Kerr can be counted on to F5 a clipboard and earn the heave-ho at least once per season, making his stand while leaving winning time to his trusted assistants. To the benefit of the Atlanta head coach’s “3C” philosophy, Young will feel much calmer, and his Hawks clearer and better connected, on the court if McMillan at least pretends to lose his cool, for justifiable reasons, every once in a while.

Granted, there’s nobody remotely resembling a Draymond on 29 NBA rosters. But if Bogi Bogdanovic isn’t going to be that release-valve of a third-wheel that the Hawks need to be competitive at closing time, perhaps he could at least dig into his trusty bag of Serbian slurs and become the braying backstop his backcourt buddy sorely needs.

He’s coming in hotter during games, and with his season-high 18 points against the team that draft-and-traded him (4-for-11 3FGs, also season-high 7 rebounds), Bogi joins Collins, De’Andre Hunter and Danilo Gallinari as Hawks hitting at least 40 percent on threes. It’s an encouraging sign for a Basketball Club that could use some.

Unfortunately, over the course of Atlanta’s unelectric 1-5 slide, Bogdan has taken a combined nine fourth-quarter shots, made two (1-for-6 FGs in past three games), and has as many assists as you and me put together. Bogi, whoa-gi, woe-gi! His team-worst minus-13 in seven minutes of Saturday’s fourth-quarter flop in Phoenix was a mild improvement over his minus-15 stretched out across seven minutes against the Jazz. But at least he sees the floor.

McMillan cannot afford to have crucial veterans, specifically Delon Wright (three minutes in last three games, all garbage time vs. UTA) and Gorgui Dieng (10 minutes or less in six of last seven contests), getting their roles deep-sixed on a purportedly deep roster. Coach Nate being alligator-armed about G-League-assigned rookie Jalen Johnson’s participation is one thing. But the key offseason pickups will not build a comfort level, with what ought to be essential two-way roles, if they’re sliding below The Solomon Hill Line for per-game floor time.

It will be fantastic if Cam Reddish, featured in all twelve minutes (1-for-5 4^th-quarter FGs vs. PHX) as Atlanta failed to endure the onslaught of Devin Booker, emerges to become that steady third-wheel starter in his third pro season. And/or, Hunter. In the meantime, Golden State appears to have the proper vets, playing confidently in their individual roles, guiding youngsters on and off the court, that allow for a 2019 draftee like Jordan Poole to eventually thrive without wasting too much time in Santa Cruz.

For Atlanta to be able to boast, one day, of its Big 3, they’ll need current vets that aren’t playing and acting like they belong there.

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Awesome as usual lw3! I didn’t think Poole was another pick they would hit a homer with but he’s proven me wrong thus far.

This is my Super Bowl game. 

We need to just play Hawks basketball and swing it like you always suggest sir! 
 

Let’s get it!

Go Hawks!

ps The return of the Mac (not Nate) but colonel Schlenk to the bay! I’ll possibly run into him in the restroom . 

[lethalweapon3]

Today's Special Guest Star on We Don't Need Him to Beat the Hawks is:

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

Have I told you guys how much I truly hate the Warriors? 
 

[kg01]

Been gone all day but it's go-time.  The dude @Spud2nique needs us.

Why?  'Cause we got the Warriors tonite, that's why.

Team's been off to a bad start.  I kinda feel like we fans have been goin' through the motions.  Been reel cookie-cutter 'round these parts.  Well gall-dangit, it's time to go off the rails, folks.

Time to re-set and start the march to the Finals.  Why not start tonight?

Let's get it, Hawks fans.

@NBASupes, @bleachkit, and @Peoriabird got kind of a weird, Thriller, Bad vibe going, but they ready ...

@JayBirdHawk might've took 'sharpshooter' a lil' too far but she red-e ..

@macdaddy might untuck his cotton dockers finally ..

@LucastheThird finna snap.  ohhhhh .....

@lethalweapon3, aim that thang t'wards the Bay ...

Ah, my eyebrows!

Meanwhile, @MaceCase just might awake from his coma .. hopefully, he remembers which side he's on ..

And you know the guy @shakes is down like 4-flat ....

@bird_dirt ain't playin with dees foo's ..

ok, let's get that mojo back and show the league what they're in for, Hawks!

[Sothron]

This is going to be either  a game where we "shock" the NBA by beating GSW at their crib or we get blown out in an ugly loss. I can't see it going any other way. We should be hungry like a wolf after that last game we literally handed away in the fourth.

[terrell]

3 minutes ago, Sothron said:

This is going to be either  a game where we "shock" the NBA by beating GSW at their crib or we get blown out in an ugly loss. I can't see it going any other way. We should be hungry like a wolf after that last game we literally handed away in the fourth.

This team has showed me anything to make me believe they beat GS tonight.. Hope they prove me wrong.. But I wouldn't put $ on it..............

Edited November 9, 2021 by terrell

[JayBirdHawk]

 Let's Gooooo 

[Spud2nique]

18 minutes ago, kg01 said:

Been gone all day but it's go-time.  The dude @Spud2nique needs us.

Why?  'Cause we got the Warriors tonite, that's why.

Team's been off to a bad start.  I kinda feel like we fans have been goin' through the motions.  Been reel cookie-cutter 'round these parts.  Well gall-dangit, it's time to go off the rails, folks.

Time to re-set and start the march to the Finals.  Why not start tonight?

Let's get it, Hawks fans.

@NBASupes, @bleachkit, and @Peoriabird got kind of a weird, Thriller, Bad vibe going, but they ready ...

@JayBirdHawk might've took 'sharpshooter' a lil' too far but she red-e ..

@macdaddy might untuck his cotton dockers finally ..

@LucastheThird finna snap.  ohhhhh .....

@lethalweapon3, aim that thang t'wards the Bay ...

Ah, my eyebrows!

Meanwhile, @MaceCase just might awake from his coma .. hopefully, he remembers which side he's on ..

And you know the guy @shakes is down like 4-flat ....

@bird_dirt ain't playin with dees foo's ..

ok, let's get that mojo back and show the league what they're in for, Hawks!

YEEESSSSS!!!!! That’s what I’m talkin bout!! It’s worth 3 to me tonight!

[SalvorMallow]

Wearing my TY1s to the chase center tonight! Let's go Hawks!! 

[Spud2nique]

24 minutes ago, SalvorMallow said:

Wearing my TY1s to the chase center tonight! Let's go Hawks!! 

Niiiice! 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Spud2nique]

I usually don’t do this (I used to) but it’s my super bowl game like it’s Stassy’s birthday  (if u know u know). But here are the results! Hawks by 4!

Trae doin superstar $hit!

ps Computer makes hitting a three hard.

Hawks 104

Warriors 100

Let’s see how accurate tonight.

[JayBirdHawk]

Yeeeees!!! 

 

 

[SalvorMallow]

[Sothron]

Does anyone have  a link to watch tonight's game? I have Direct TV stream and it says "Video unavailable" and NBA league pass won't let me watch it because it is blackout. 

[hawkman]

Man that arena got quiet quick.

[RedDawg#8]

I don't make fun of injuries, but all of that shimmying and gyrating to start the game came back to haunt real quick.

[hawkman]

That scissor kick after the shot was outlawed a few seasons ago. Sigh.

[terrell]

Damn Curry gonna score all of their points..lol