Abu Dhabi bound Hawks (preseason games)

[kg01]

And, before Johhny no-Homer aka @shakes chimes in, yes this was just preseason so no need to go gaga.

Still, it's better to look decent in a W than to be tryna pick silver linings in a L. 

[Cwell]

15 minutes ago, LucastheThird said:

It's Giannis though. Who stops Giannis? 

OO17

[benhillboy]

Only caught mid-third quarter on but some impressive stuff no question.

Hawks have 3 triple doubles in the last 5 years (all Trae). It’s possible DJM could reach 13 in consecutive seasons if the staff staggers his and Traes minutes well.  The two very confident midrange makes from the top of the key  (well contested to boot) was a big surprise and obviously the stats show  he’s a fearless rebounder but watching him it’s like he drops out of the sky sometimes.  If Dre maintains this improvement me and @TheNorthCydeRises won’t have to bitch about guards and wings helping out on the glass no mo.

Trae does what he normally does when eyes are fixed on his defense at the start of a season or playoffs: show much improved effort.  Never seen him jump so high on a shot contest, he forced some guys off the ball, and fought hard through a screen.  Head was swiveling, visible pointing and communication. It remains to be seen if it’s a lasting maturity to his game.

Saw him get off the ball and reposition for a wide open corner three but Holiday had tunnel vision and didn’t see him.  That can’t happen with a career .493 corner shooter.  That said the Hollidaze (who came up with that?) offer some great chemistry and floor game off the pine.  I will simply combine their production into one man (+9 today).  All I ask is that they keep different hairstyles so I can tell them apart.

But back to Trae (It’s about time for some Rogaine lil bruh), another give and go for a baseline bank floater(!).  Good defensive teams knew Trae would centralize in the middle of the floor, I’m really hoping he can utilize more of the hardwood this season, minutes alongside DJM should do just that.

Martin was glued to his man once.  Like Tony Allen glued.

Didn’t see much of OO but he had a play where he played an excellent in-between style guarding two players (the Bucks still scored on a weakside breakdown but still). Had another well-timed slow-roll alley oop and a nice spin move conversion on Ibaka (while another one got pinned to the glass lol).  And with the way he was set up at the three point line as a swing passer (good eye by the staff his passes are very accurate) a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio isn’t outside the realm of possibility.  I don’t mind him being out there at all because he can crash the offensive boards hard and also builds the foundation for him to DHO.

Didn’t see much of John or Clint at all but I did see Kaminsky, unfortunately.  Y’all be patient though, there’s some good matchup minutes in him to be had if he can maintain his career three point and assist to turnover ratio.  That 2 point percentage is uglier than Anne Coulter tho.

I’ve never cared for the Bucks’ roster and Middleton is a considerably bigger absence than Bogi, still this was a great first impression by the New Look Hawks. 

Edited October 6, 2022 by benhillboy

[FL_BRYANT]

31 minutes ago, kg01 said:

I get the importance of shooting and floor spacing and all that but folks seem to forget how much teams scored in the 80's without 3's.  It's possible.  And, if we're being honest, most teams would struggle to stop it these days.

I try to make this point all the time.Teams put up numbers before the three.

I would love to see JC used more in the post but he needs to play stronger down low. We have a real strong base but may need to tweak some down the line. (Size,  rebounding)

Really excited by what we can be!

[JayBirdHawk]

36 minutes ago, benhillboy said:

That said the Hollidaze (who came up with that?)

@Diesel was the first I saw today.

[Spud2nique]

1 hour ago, kg01 said:

I get the importance of shooting and floor spacing and all that but folks seem to forget how much teams scored in the 80's without 3's.  It's possible.  And, if we're being honest, most teams would struggle to stop it these days.

Ya there was a point in the game where we were moving it super efficient and I think Hunter was the guy with the shot. Ya I’m been clamoring to bury team in deep, we have better more versatile bigs than other clubs.

[Carmine]

Couldn't catch the game while @ work but i've already booked my finals tickets.

[Spud2nique]

1 hour ago, kg01 said:

Uh, I love you too, bro.

Oh, you weren't talking to me were you?

hAwkwaaard..... 

I think ink we went over this but isn’t Maryland a lady?  

[Spud2nique]

@kg01 I had the giggles the way we moved it for preseason..I mean regular season game 1.. can we count that one! Sure felt like a mid February atmosphere. 
 

 

[kg01]

33 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

I think ink we went over this but isn’t Maryland a lady?  

Dunno

[GameTime]

This Murray fit looks really good so far. That PnR with him, JC, and OO was nasty.

We got at least two all-stars this year, no doubt. Maybe 3 if JC looks like he did today.

[Diesel]

2 hours ago, kg01 said:

We scored like 70-something points with like 3-4 3's made or something, right?

Mayhaps we'll be aight but will play a different way.

I expect defenses to tighten up.  It's the first game.   However, I was enthused seeing us running the ball back up.. even when Trae was at the point.   I was also excited to see the ball handlers galore that we have.  AND Murray was right at home.   I do expect defenses to tighten up on our FGs.. but we still have Bogi and AJ and Collins and Trae and Holiday.. we have shooters.   Maybe not the uber shooter like Gallo but shooters non the less and I think they fit with our new style of play.   So that when the defenses do get tight, we have an answer. 

[kg01]

1 minute ago, Diesel said:

I expect defenses to tighten up.  It's the first game.   However, I was enthused seeing us running the ball back up.. even when Trae was at the point.   I was also excited to see the ball handlers galore that we have.  AND Murray was right at home.   I do expect defenses to tighten up on our FGs.. but we still have Bogi and AJ and Collins and Trae and Holiday.. we have shooters.   Maybe not the uber shooter like Gallo but shooters non the less and I think they fit with our new style of play.   So that when the defenses do get tight, we have an answer. 

Having Murray, and to a lesser degree AHoliday, mutes the need for Gallo.  He was our offense because the 2nd unit couldn't create poop in the toilet.  If all goes well, we have a secondary creator to spell Trae

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[marco102]

This is preseason.

With that being said, it was great to see how well the team played.  Still plenty of things to work on, but I was very encouraged. 

A few notes which many have already stated. 

1. 3 pointers should not be a concern with the way this team was scoring the ball at the rim and midrange. Teams generally give up mid range shots in the playoffs and little known fact, Golden State kills teams in the playoffs with their mid-range.

2. Second unit was a pleasant surprise with how it extended the lead with Trae on the bench.

3. I'm not concerned about rebounding considering it is the preseason and Clint was only on the floor for 24 minutes AND Milwaukee is one of the best rebounding teams with their size and offensive rebounding efforts.

4. Frank Kaminsky is coming off an injury. Maybe give him more than one preseason game before calling him washed up?

5. The entire starting unit looked fantastic. Dejounte looked like a bona-fide allstar out there.

6. Dre Hunter - if he is healthy he is going to make a lot of people eat crow. I hope he earns a max this season!

7. JC - so happy to see the finger didn't hinder his performance.

8- Trae was just out there having a good time and still put up 22 points.

I'm excited about this season and this team!

Edited October 7, 2022 by marco102

[sturt]

4 hours ago, sturt said:

Just got off the road, and playing catch-up.

Well, then again, maybe I won't bother...

Nate, if you're reading this... this is unacceptable from where I sit. Didn't have to be 15 minutes. But it certainly had to be more than 1. Unless, of course, AJ tweaked his ankle or something... and I'm not sure which would be worse, really... that he hurt himself again or that you're that disinterested in getting a player widely considered a top 10 rookie on the floor.

Ouch. As if 1 minute for AJ isn't enough.... *heavy sigh*... who got the most minutes???...

Weakest link of the anticipated rotation.

Nate, Nate, Nate.... *heavy sigh*.... please tell me that Schleilds wanted you to showcase him for a pending trade partner... please.

 

 

[Diesel]

All I can say is 1-5 PNR Trae/Clint

1/4 PNR  DMJ/JC

1/5PNR  DMJ/OO

Watch out world...

Seriously.. Saturday...

We want VItt!!!

 

[bleachkit]

Trae playing off the ball is going to take time. The most important thing is that he is committed to it. 

[sturt]

41 minutes ago, marco102 said:

4. Frank Kaminsky is coming off an injury. Maybe give him more than one preseason game before calling him washed up?

3 game superstar. Doubt he's washed up. The other 6 games he played last season are likely more reflective of what we should expect, since those were more similar to his typical performance... and then there are the rest of the games, in which he didn't play at all, which are arguably the most reflective of his likely contribution here for 22-23.

Look, I like the pick-up. I just don't like the pick-up without having any apparent plan for how you deal with things when he goes down for the 5th year in a row.

Nope, no one's called me to offer a GM job recently, as amazing at that sounds, but it doesn't take a person qualified to be a GM to recognize the thin ice that Schleilds is choosing to skate on here... we are not a team that has been able to enjoy durable bigs to begin with, and now you propose that we go the entire season with Kaminsky as our only 3rd unit big???

Best stat of the day... Capela 4 PFs... Okongwu 5 PFs... was one of two wishes I had for this game that there would be some foul trouble for our frontcourt guys.

[gHost83]

Man max Murray today!  I've seen enough lol.