tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post7077744181459482840..comments2023-06-09T11:52:06.321-04:00Comments on Hoopinion: Heat 108 Hawks 93Bret LaGreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12000566742639583055noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-18375374023700421012009-04-23T22:03:00.000-04:002009-04-23T22:03:00.000-04:00Good point on Josh Smith's recovery block, Bret-an...Good point on Josh Smith's recovery block, Bret-and you already mentioned the fact that Josh Smith simply isn't playing (or can't play) good defense against Beasley 18 feet from the basket. Looking back, I remember thinking just how horribly Josh Smith had been beaten on that play, when he came back to get the block-I never though to give credit to Zaza.<br /><br />Though, at the time I was extremely pleased because the Hawks needed an energy boost. I was hoping it would shift the momentum.Bronnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706422637764110117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-68747884013393222152009-04-23T17:02:00.000-04:002009-04-23T17:02:00.000-04:00I agree with Larry on this---and I don't believe w...I agree with Larry on this---and I don't believe we are overreacting by saying that there was something definitely missing from the team's effort last night.<br /><br />Yes, the Heat took jump shots and certainly we can count on them making fewer just by the sheer volume of evidence throughout the year that will support it. <br /><br />But it was the amount of open looks, players out of position, lack of cohesive covering for each other,etc---and offensively it wasn't even close--<br /><br />Of course, I could just be bitter that they didn't make me look gorgeous by sweeping.Jason Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05622741233643856856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-40283585224397065312009-04-23T14:19:00.000-04:002009-04-23T14:19:00.000-04:00It seems to me this series is going to come down t...It seems to me this series is going to come down to who is the most inconsistent last. They will battle each other the length of this series until there's a clear cut winner. Both teams are streaky and there's not one sure thing on either team. (not even Wade)<br />On the other hand I am strangely more convinced now than I was previously that the Hawks will win this series. I'm not telling you why, but if anyone guesses correctly that would be awesome.CoCohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03580418511916359036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-59845424639275575512009-04-23T14:10:00.000-04:002009-04-23T14:10:00.000-04:00Pre-emptively acknowledging my own stubborn conser...Pre-emptively acknowledging my own stubborn conservatism, I would not change <I>anything</I> that results in Dwyane Wade, a career 28.5% three-point shooter (though he id set a career high by making 31.7% this year), attempting 10 three-pointers. If he makes a representative percentage of those attempts (and I don't think his attempts last night were appreciably easier than normal) and the Hawks make 2 or 3 more free throws, we're almost back to even last night without even bringing up Daequan Cook or Jermaine O'Neal or Udonis Haslem all making shots on the same night. Or ignoring Al Horford in the half-court offense.<br /><br />The gambling for steals was a problem beyond Joe Johnson picking up his fourth foul. And it's weird as Miami aren't especially susceptible to turnovers and forcing turnovers wasn't a key part of the Hawks' defensive success this year.<br /><br />Tangentially, I got a bit irritated with Bob and 'Nique for slobbering over Smith's recovery block on Beasley's layup which wouldn't have been possible had 1) Smith not been damn near two steps late trying to get in the passing lane and 2) Zaza not played some really good positional defense to re-route Beasley around the front of the rim.<br /><br />One of the reasons I liked the matchup with the Heat is that the sagging defense that works best against them doesn't really take that much effort which also suits the inconsistent nature of the Hawks' energy level. But if they can't even concentrate on a purposely sort-of passive defensive assignment I may have to re-evaluate.Bret LaGreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000566742639583055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-46053114893577539062009-04-23T14:00:00.000-04:002009-04-23T14:00:00.000-04:00Maybe a TO would have made you rethink putting Mar...Maybe a TO would have made you rethink putting Mario West in the game during an OFFENSIVE series. Maybe a TO would have made you think about putting Marvin back in the game.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm just ranting here b/c I said I wasn't going to bash Coach Woodson on my blog, so your comment section will suffice as a tax shelter from my blog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16838862137960043254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-87564003406844943132009-04-23T13:58:00.000-04:002009-04-23T13:58:00.000-04:00well, here's my question, Bret? I don't have an is...well, here's my question, Bret? I don't have an issue with your reliance on numbers and the belief that we had a sound defensive strategy. Here's the rub: When do you look to CHANGE your strategy at the point at which you see any of the following:<br /><br />1. Too much bitching at the refs<br />2. Too little energy on the defensive end<br />3. Too much reaching and steal attempts vs. solid, sound defensive (Josh being the biggest culprit)<br /><br />Yes, I think we both agree that Mike Woodson wouldn't have made a change in a timeout (he foolishly admits as much in the post-game press conference), but maybe a player says something, an asst. coach, or maybe the momentum and rhythm shifts. <br /><br />I said in the first 5 minutes that this was a VERY different crowd AND team, so if I can sense that - why can't the team OR the coach? I know at the 2nd 3pter - I'm calling time and cussing cats out, then I'm getting the ball out of Wade's hand at the half court line and daring the rest of the team to beat me. I can live with either D-Wade going for 40 or a few bums getting 15-20 pts on open looks, but not both. What's sound about letting BOTH happen?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16838862137960043254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-60847450535168150352009-04-23T13:21:00.000-04:002009-04-23T13:21:00.000-04:00Jerry--
I didn't see that as a real problem as th...Jerry--<br /><br />I didn't see that as a real problem as the Hawks were executing their game plan, Miami was just making a huge percentage of the shots Atlanta wanted them to attempt, and I can't think of a single instance of Mike Woodson calling a timeout and making an important tactical adjustment.<br /><br />Had the Hawks been on the road and the timeouts used to quell a rabid crowd it would be a different story.Bret LaGreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000566742639583055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-33518176062850077032009-04-23T13:10:00.000-04:002009-04-23T13:10:00.000-04:00No mention of how Woodson sat on his timeouts as M...No mention of how Woodson sat on his timeouts as Miami took the lead to 10 ... 12 ...15 ... 17?Jerry Hinnenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15097537044668238939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-38548186243503985882009-04-23T11:36:00.000-04:002009-04-23T11:36:00.000-04:00Regarding Joe's fourth foul, that bullet point pro...Regarding Joe's fourth foul, that bullet point probably delayed the publication of the recap by a good 15 minutes this morning. I settled on "unnecessary" as it encompassed both the call and Joe's attempt to strip Wade 25 feet from the basket. <br /><br />It wasn't the finest moment in refereeing, though as you say, it's understandable why the call was made, but it wouldn't be a real smart play by Joe were he carrying no fouls at the time and an unworthy risk when he had three fouls to his name.<br /><br />The over/under on 20 point games from Daequan Cook the rest of the series is 0.5. That's probably also the over/under on 12 point games from Daequan Cook the rest of the series.Bret LaGreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12000566742639583055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-81655540541363024402009-04-23T11:34:00.000-04:002009-04-23T11:34:00.000-04:00the fourth foul was horrible.
luckily the heat 8...the fourth foul was horrible. <br /><br />luckily the heat 82 three pointers to keep me from complaining about the refs.Drew Ditzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07054635962501499706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8912756.post-46414154132750052692009-04-23T11:31:00.000-04:002009-04-23T11:31:00.000-04:00Thanks, Bret, fur giving me reasons for optimism. ...Thanks, Bret, fur giving me reasons for optimism. I was waiting for your recap, and was afraid it would drive me to drink (more).<br /><br />Joe Johnson's fourth foul is actually the one gripe I have against the refs last night-since you mentioned it. He was reaching in for a steal and missed the ball, but didn't connect with Wade either. Wade backed up slightly, then slipped to the floor without any body contact from JJ at all. Wade gets an Oscar for that one-it looked really convincing in real time, but the replay showed true.<br /><br />What are the odds of DaeQuan Cook having another 20 point game in this seeries?Bronnthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11706422637764110117noreply@blogger.com