Can I get a sweep?

Woody's got 'em, you got 'em, so use 'em

Game two was much of the same for Bucks fans. As for the Hawks, they did their business but struggled in two key areas. Lemme get that for you:

1 – Bench play

The Hawks’ bench shot 20% last night on 3 of 15 shooting (Jamal took 10). Other than the playoff atmosphere, watching the second unit last night eerily reminded me of the 05-06 Atlanta Hawks. These guys have to come in with roles and run plays that allow them to cling to whatever momentum we might have. Mo generally does well at this, never demanding the ball for a quick 3 and hustling for every second. The most ideal situation is to ask Crawford to become the facilitator, but it’s almost pointless debating this because I’m fairly sure his role is set in stone. Woodson views him as a starter and in no way expects him to stop taking shots, especially when he is the best scorer on the floor. Now, all I’m saying is doesn’t it seem a little counter-progressive to use your bench only to encourage Jamal to jack up more shots? He’ll get minutes with the starters, he always does, but when he’s on the floor with the likes of Zaza, Mo, Teague, Joe Smith, and very often Marvin, I’d like to see a different, more intentional offense with Crawford directing the floor space. A lot to ask from him, I know. The hawks racked up 22 fast break points last night. I’m not sure of the exact numbers, but very few were scored by the bench; that’s not their style and it’s not too far fetched to believe that they do indeed have a style at all. I like Marvin getting time with the second unit especially when he has games like last night – 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. Someone other than Jamal has to get involved. It’s their floor too, dammit. Atlanta’s going to get behind fast against the Magic or Cavs if these bench woes continue. At the start of the second quarter yesterday it was 28-20. Four Minutes later with the bench on the floor it was 32-30 Bucks lead. I shouldn’t have to tell you what Mike Woodson did next (hint: it involves a time out and substitutions). If it means slowing down the pace for a few minutes I think we’ll be alright. Bench production with the Hawks is still going to come from the guards, but it doesn’t mean the other guys can’t be used more effectively.

2 – Protecting the glass

18 offensive rebounds and 29 second chance points. These are what kept the Bucks in the game for the first half even though it was mostly due to Ersan Ilyasova (7 offensive boards). Yes, you know him. Josh Smith’s wandering defense aided Ilyasova in getting right underneath the rim for every long jumper the Buck’s attempted, and there were a lot of contested jumpers being thrown up (the Bucks were 4 of 24 from behind the arc). Even with the switching defense, Josh has to learn when to stay put with his man on particular possessions. I’m not trying to take anything away from Josh, because he worked his ass off and had a monster game offensively and defensively, but allowing his man to literally get any position underneath the basket he wanted was wrong and stubborn. Instead of getting to the spot first he chose to sky for rebounds against the 6-10 Ilyasova (ambitious, but Lebron couldn’t do that). Don’t expect the Magic to be any easier, but I shouldn’t even have to say that. Still, Josh played a hell of a game and definitively he proved that it’s more often his intensity and focus which translates into team success for the Hawks. Soon he’ll be a bona fide leader. On second thought, watch out Lebron.

Shine blocka

The rest of the game was exactly what I want to see out of the Hawks. Unlike last years Heat series, I haven’t been concerned with our concentration. In fact, I don’t think the Hawks have played more than six minutes of uninspired basketball this series. The intensity is there; this is the most focused I’ve ever seen a Hawks team. Scary, I know because the raw talent is obviously there too.

Game three isn’t until Saturday, so expect a few posts concentrating on news apart from the actual games until then.

Go Bobcats!