Game 2 of the best of 7 series between Atlanta and Miami quickly turned into the Dwyane Wade show and a Hawks loss. Atlanta will look to bounce back for game 3 in Miami.
The most difficult aspect of success lies in the attempts to replicate it. Once I’ve succeeded, I have to do it again. The mental toughness needed to beat a team twice in 4 days is not innate. It is learned. It is developed. The young Atlanta Hawks stubbed their collective toe on this night and there is a great lesson to be learned from it.
The atmosphere at Phillips Arena was more jubilant than that of the first game. Casual fans shed their “fashionably late” routines and filled thier seats in anticipation of another Hawks victory. Every early basket elicited roars and every early Heat possession the requisite boos. That friskiness soon turned to concern as the Hawks fell behind by as much as 18 points. The team that dominated on Sunday did not take the court and neither did the team that they so completely manhandled. This would turn out to be a whole different ball game.
The types of things that Atlanta thrives on: energy from the home crowd, emotional highs from alley oop dunks or power slams, backbreaking three point bombs, were far too few on this night. The visitors from Miami were able to take the air out of the ball, dictate a slower, more methodical tempo and thus stymie the high flying offense of Joe Johnson (16 points on 5-13 shooting with 4 turnovers), Mike Bibby (18 points and 4 assists) and Josh Smith (17 points and 10 rebounds).
I asked Miami Heat Head Coach Eric Spoelstra to comment on the differences in approach from Game 1 to Game 2.
Jerold Wells Jr., TSF: “The turnaround from Game 1 was immediate. How did you slow the Hawks down?”
Coach Spoelstra: “Our spacing, execution, and shooting all improved this game. Jermaine O’Neal also played a big part in what we did tonight as well. He was patient, made good decisions with the ball and trusted his teammates. We were able to control tempo and pace by playing through him and making some shots.” “We played our normal pace. I think in Game 1 we may have been too juiced and got out rhythm, even on defense. And, again, we made shots tonight and that helps our fast break defense.”
I also asked Coach Spoelstra about the job his defense did against Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
JW: “The defense on Joe and Josh was much better. How did you approach them differently?”
ES: “We have a guy on our roster (Dwyane Wade) that was 3rd in the DPOY voting. I think he’s a good choice to guard any perimeter player in this league. We made a decision to spend the majority of the minutes with our best player on thier best player and I think he rose to the challenge. Some late foul trouble interrupted that but Jamario (Moon) filled in very nicely after that.”
The referees (Dan Crawford, Jason Phillips and Ken Mauer) were very much involved in the game, blowing their whistles early and often. As a result both Joe Johnson and Dwyane Wade found themselves in foul trouble but only the Hawks would feel the bite of playing without thier best player. Wade would score enough points while he was one the floor to offset any potential Hawks advantage while he sat. The foul situation also helped keep the game at what seemed to be a snail’s pace. Whenever Atlanta did find a spark, Miami would answer right back; more times than not those sparks were doused by Dwyane Wade.
I also asked Dwyane to talk about the turnaround from Game 1 to Game 2.
DW: “We got into the fight early. We were physical. Udonis and Jermaine did a good job getting rebounds and playing tough. At one point I think someone even dove on the floor.” “Also, our offense helped our defense. We limited turnovers and made some shots tonight. I personnally focused on making the shots that they gave me in the first game.”
The Miami Heat took a step in the right direction. Falling is nothing. Getting back up is difficult. Game 2 presented an opportunity for the Heat to correct wrongs, start new, and revisit the strengths that carried them to the postseason. They met that challenge and passed with flying colors.
Coach Eric Spoelstra spoke a great deal after Game One about the ways his team needed to improve before the nest contest. He talked about patient offense, more support from shooters and posts, and better team defense. After Game 2 those words seemed almost prophetic.
It also helps when you have a player capable of raising his game and leading his teammates. Dwyane Wade’s supreme confidence and permeates this entire team. Jermaine O’Neal played well, Deaquan Cook made six three pointers, and Udonis Haslem made his presence felt in this contest. Coach Spoelstra gives instruction, Wade translates, and this team follows. As he goes, they go.
If this contest shows anything it shows us that nothing is guarenteed. Each game of this series is going to be a battle of wills. Both teams have players capable of erupting for large scoring, rebounding or assist totals. Both teams have the ability to lock in defensively and completely befuddle the other. Entertainment is certain for the duration of the series. I asked Wade to give me one thing that they would take home to build off of after this win.
JW: “Give me one thing you would like to carry over into the next two games in Miami.”
DW: “Our start. We do well as a team when we start well, play smart and play with energy. We have to have passion and fight also. There are no guarentees (because of home court). We have to play hard and earn those wins.”
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hawks/Heat, Game 1
I had the privelege of covering Game 1 of the Atlanta Hawks/ Miami Heat first round playoff series. Here's the recap.
One extremely impressive win does not define this season. One win does not guarantee this series. In the grand scheme of things this wins means very little. It is a means to an end. Advancing to the next round is the goal. This victory is merely a stepping stone.
The leaders of this Atlanta Hawks team are cautious. They understand that while the victory is huge, Game Two presents a different set of challenges. The mood following Atlanta’s 90 – 64 thrashing of the Miami Heat was a reserved one. It is clear to this bunch that there is still plenty of work to be done.
I asked Coach Mike Woodson to talk about the Game 1 performance.
Jerold Wells, TSF: “You couldn’t have had a better start to this series. Talk about your performance offensively and defensively. What did you see in practice and on film that made you and your team so confident?”
Head Coach Mike Woodson: “We expected to play well but I didn’t know it would turn out this well. Our focus was there tonight. Our defense was there. We shared the ball and made shots.” (In reference to preparation and team confidence) “We have guys that are hungry. They are playing for something. The Boston series last year taught us how to play playoff basketball. I told the guys that if we give consistent defensive effort and don’t take possessions off that we’d give ourselves a chance to win.”
Atlanta executed their offensive and defensive plans to perfection in the first half. Offensively, the Hawks practically lived in the paint and scored on a variety of lay ups, dunks, short jumpers and put backs. Joe Johnson (15 points) and Mike Bibby (10 points, 9 assists) facilitated the offensive sets effectively and the Hawks transition game was nothing short of spectacular. Josh Smith (23 points, 10 rebounds) was especially effective in transition, scoring on a variety of alley-oop dunks, put back dunks and fastbreak jams.
I posed the same question to Josh Smith as I did to Coach Woodson but I added a 2nd part about the team’s hot start, the contributions of Marvin Williams specifically, and their aggressiveness offensively to start the game.
Josh Smith: “Marvin means alot to this team. Having him makes us better and you could see that tonight. He was aggressive and it definately spread through the whole team.” (In reference to gameplan and focus for this game.) “We were definately focused tonight. We still feel as though nobody is giving us a shot to win. We just focused on leaving all the distractions behind and ignoring the critics. We feel that if we play together we can beat anybody.”
Neither team looked terribly interested in playing any defense in the early going. The 7:30 mark of the 2nd quarter proved to be a key moment for the Hawks defensive momentum. Marvin Williams forced a Daequan Cook turnover off of an attempted inbounds pass and the proverbial flood gates were opened. Atlanta used the spark from that play to stifle the Heat and essentially put the game out of reach in the first half.
The home team was also successful when it came to slowing down Dwyane Wade. The MVP candidate finished with 19 points on 8-21 shooting. He also contributed 5 rebounds and 5 assists but his 8 turnovers were the most telling sign of the Hawks defensive effectiveness. Wade never really found a groove in this game and without his normal input the Heat lacked the firepower to compete.
I also asked Coach Woodson about that impressive accomplishment.
JW: “Talk a little about the defensive job you did on Dwyane Wade.”
MW: “Our gameplan was to keep bodies in front of him at all times. We focused on getting back in transition and keeping a wall of bodies in front of him at all times. Our personnel also allows us to switch when he’s in pick and roll situations. I told the guys to take pride in defending when you’re on the ball. I think they did that tonight.”
Game 2 of this series should be much more competitive. Atlanta will look to carry over their positives and defend home court. Miami will look to bounce back from a disappointing showing.
I asked Miami Head Coach Eric Spoelstra what went wrong and how they would improve for the next contest.
JW: “How was Atlanta able to bottle up your offense tonight?”
ES: “Atlanta’s athleticism and size bothered us tonight. Also, we didn’t show the patience to get the results we wanted offensively. Our energy wasn’t there and our spacing on offense wasn’t consistently where it needed to be.”
JW: “Wade didn’t have a good game but I think we’re all pretty sure he’ll bounce back. Where will you look for scoring outside of Wade going forward?”
ES: “We’ll look the same places we did all year. Our 3 point shooting will have to improve (the Heat shot 4-23 for the game) and we’ll need some inside scoring as well from Jermaine (5 points), Udonis (6 points) and Michael (10 points). Also, a faster pace and more energy will help us a lot as well.”
Whatever the case, we should anticipate two teams with something to prove. We should be certain tha neither squad will be thinking about this contest. The next game is simply the opportunity to move closer to the ultimate goal.
One extremely impressive win does not define this season. One win does not guarantee this series. In the grand scheme of things this wins means very little. It is a means to an end. Advancing to the next round is the goal. This victory is merely a stepping stone.
The leaders of this Atlanta Hawks team are cautious. They understand that while the victory is huge, Game Two presents a different set of challenges. The mood following Atlanta’s 90 – 64 thrashing of the Miami Heat was a reserved one. It is clear to this bunch that there is still plenty of work to be done.
I asked Coach Mike Woodson to talk about the Game 1 performance.
Jerold Wells, TSF: “You couldn’t have had a better start to this series. Talk about your performance offensively and defensively. What did you see in practice and on film that made you and your team so confident?”
Head Coach Mike Woodson: “We expected to play well but I didn’t know it would turn out this well. Our focus was there tonight. Our defense was there. We shared the ball and made shots.” (In reference to preparation and team confidence) “We have guys that are hungry. They are playing for something. The Boston series last year taught us how to play playoff basketball. I told the guys that if we give consistent defensive effort and don’t take possessions off that we’d give ourselves a chance to win.”
Atlanta executed their offensive and defensive plans to perfection in the first half. Offensively, the Hawks practically lived in the paint and scored on a variety of lay ups, dunks, short jumpers and put backs. Joe Johnson (15 points) and Mike Bibby (10 points, 9 assists) facilitated the offensive sets effectively and the Hawks transition game was nothing short of spectacular. Josh Smith (23 points, 10 rebounds) was especially effective in transition, scoring on a variety of alley-oop dunks, put back dunks and fastbreak jams.
I posed the same question to Josh Smith as I did to Coach Woodson but I added a 2nd part about the team’s hot start, the contributions of Marvin Williams specifically, and their aggressiveness offensively to start the game.
Josh Smith: “Marvin means alot to this team. Having him makes us better and you could see that tonight. He was aggressive and it definately spread through the whole team.” (In reference to gameplan and focus for this game.) “We were definately focused tonight. We still feel as though nobody is giving us a shot to win. We just focused on leaving all the distractions behind and ignoring the critics. We feel that if we play together we can beat anybody.”
Neither team looked terribly interested in playing any defense in the early going. The 7:30 mark of the 2nd quarter proved to be a key moment for the Hawks defensive momentum. Marvin Williams forced a Daequan Cook turnover off of an attempted inbounds pass and the proverbial flood gates were opened. Atlanta used the spark from that play to stifle the Heat and essentially put the game out of reach in the first half.
The home team was also successful when it came to slowing down Dwyane Wade. The MVP candidate finished with 19 points on 8-21 shooting. He also contributed 5 rebounds and 5 assists but his 8 turnovers were the most telling sign of the Hawks defensive effectiveness. Wade never really found a groove in this game and without his normal input the Heat lacked the firepower to compete.
I also asked Coach Woodson about that impressive accomplishment.
JW: “Talk a little about the defensive job you did on Dwyane Wade.”
MW: “Our gameplan was to keep bodies in front of him at all times. We focused on getting back in transition and keeping a wall of bodies in front of him at all times. Our personnel also allows us to switch when he’s in pick and roll situations. I told the guys to take pride in defending when you’re on the ball. I think they did that tonight.”
Game 2 of this series should be much more competitive. Atlanta will look to carry over their positives and defend home court. Miami will look to bounce back from a disappointing showing.
I asked Miami Head Coach Eric Spoelstra what went wrong and how they would improve for the next contest.
JW: “How was Atlanta able to bottle up your offense tonight?”
ES: “Atlanta’s athleticism and size bothered us tonight. Also, we didn’t show the patience to get the results we wanted offensively. Our energy wasn’t there and our spacing on offense wasn’t consistently where it needed to be.”
JW: “Wade didn’t have a good game but I think we’re all pretty sure he’ll bounce back. Where will you look for scoring outside of Wade going forward?”
ES: “We’ll look the same places we did all year. Our 3 point shooting will have to improve (the Heat shot 4-23 for the game) and we’ll need some inside scoring as well from Jermaine (5 points), Udonis (6 points) and Michael (10 points). Also, a faster pace and more energy will help us a lot as well.”
Whatever the case, we should anticipate two teams with something to prove. We should be certain tha neither squad will be thinking about this contest. The next game is simply the opportunity to move closer to the ultimate goal.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Post Season Awards
Here are my choices for the NBA Postseason Awards.
Enjoy.
MVP: Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
To me this is an easy choice. It's Kobe Bryant. (26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg) The (much deserved) clamour seems to be about Lebron James and Dwyane Wade. Both have put forth excellent seasons and neither would be a bad choice. Both are top tier talents and the trio comprises the cream of the NBA crop. My argument would be that as James and Wade stake their claim to be king of the mountain, they should follow the tracks that Kobe walked to get there.
Dwyane Wade (30.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.5 apg) did an awesome job taking his team from oblivion to 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. His on court improvements (increased 3 pt accuracy, more assists, fewer turnovers, team leading block total) mirror his overall return to prominence. The road from injury riddled former Finals MVP to league MVP candidate (by way of an Olympic Gold Medal) is an amazing one. Some called Wade a has been, a quick flame out, a product of Shaq’s last hurrah in Miami. He’s proven that the Heat are his team and that with him they are a contender. That’s an admirable performance. Trouble is we’ve watched that film before.
Kobe was the star of that film.
Lebron James (28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg) did yeoman’s work in supplanting the Boston Celtics as the #1 seed in the East. His Cavaliers are a vicious bunch at home and took the battle for the top overall seed in the league into the final moments of the regular season. Thier rise into the league's elite is a testament to the will and drive of Lebron James, as well as, how he transfers that energy to his teammates. This is nothing short of incredible; but again this script is familiar.
Kobe did that too.
What we're seeing are various renditions of the brilliance that is Kobe Bryant. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade both bring unique qualities to the court in the way that they play the game. They are both stars in their own right. They will probably win MVP awards in the future. This year though, I say Kobe.
ROY: Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
One of the most difficult things in sports is to play in your hometown. Very few can handle the burden of being as great as people think you are. Derrick Rose (16.8 ppg, 6.3 apg, 3.9 rpg) has handled it and shown flashes of brilliance. He also led his team to the playoffs. Give the young man this award already.
COY: Rick Adelman, Head Coach, Houston Rockets
A combination of injuries (Carl Landry, Yao, Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest) could have eliminated this team from contention in the West. Instead they've played unbelievably consistent basketball and finished as the #5 seed in their Conference. He keeps that team steady and he's the reason they are a playoff team.
Sixth Man: Flip Murray, SG, Atlanta Hawks
Flip Murray (12.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 apg) is instant offense and a stabilizing force off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks. He's the solitary reason that the Hawks have any scoring punch off the bench. The biggest difference between last year's team and this years version is the ability of the second unit to keep them in games. Flip is a major par of that. He may not be a glamour pick like some other favorites for the award but he's a major contributor for a playoff team. I think that makes him more than worthy.
DPOY: Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
I think the most impressive thing about Dwight Howard's (13.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg) game is his commitment to rebounding and blocking shots. There are plenty of players in the league that have comparable physical tools (quickness, jumping ability, etc) and they do much less with them. Rebounding is the forgotten element of defense. Howard ends countless possession by blocking shots but he ends so many more by rebounding missed shots. He's a game changer in this regard.
Most Improved: Danny Granger, SF, Indiana Pacers
Danny Granger (25.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7apg) took the leap from good player to All-Star this season. He's become the type of player you have to game-plan for. He also guards his position which, often times, matches up with some of the league's elite perimeter players. Granger was pretty much the lone bright spot for the Pacers this season and gives them a rock to build on in the future.
Enjoy.
MVP: Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
To me this is an easy choice. It's Kobe Bryant. (26.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.9 apg) The (much deserved) clamour seems to be about Lebron James and Dwyane Wade. Both have put forth excellent seasons and neither would be a bad choice. Both are top tier talents and the trio comprises the cream of the NBA crop. My argument would be that as James and Wade stake their claim to be king of the mountain, they should follow the tracks that Kobe walked to get there.
Dwyane Wade (30.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.5 apg) did an awesome job taking his team from oblivion to 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. His on court improvements (increased 3 pt accuracy, more assists, fewer turnovers, team leading block total) mirror his overall return to prominence. The road from injury riddled former Finals MVP to league MVP candidate (by way of an Olympic Gold Medal) is an amazing one. Some called Wade a has been, a quick flame out, a product of Shaq’s last hurrah in Miami. He’s proven that the Heat are his team and that with him they are a contender. That’s an admirable performance. Trouble is we’ve watched that film before.
Kobe was the star of that film.
Lebron James (28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg) did yeoman’s work in supplanting the Boston Celtics as the #1 seed in the East. His Cavaliers are a vicious bunch at home and took the battle for the top overall seed in the league into the final moments of the regular season. Thier rise into the league's elite is a testament to the will and drive of Lebron James, as well as, how he transfers that energy to his teammates. This is nothing short of incredible; but again this script is familiar.
Kobe did that too.
What we're seeing are various renditions of the brilliance that is Kobe Bryant. Lebron James and Dwyane Wade both bring unique qualities to the court in the way that they play the game. They are both stars in their own right. They will probably win MVP awards in the future. This year though, I say Kobe.
ROY: Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
One of the most difficult things in sports is to play in your hometown. Very few can handle the burden of being as great as people think you are. Derrick Rose (16.8 ppg, 6.3 apg, 3.9 rpg) has handled it and shown flashes of brilliance. He also led his team to the playoffs. Give the young man this award already.
COY: Rick Adelman, Head Coach, Houston Rockets
A combination of injuries (Carl Landry, Yao, Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest) could have eliminated this team from contention in the West. Instead they've played unbelievably consistent basketball and finished as the #5 seed in their Conference. He keeps that team steady and he's the reason they are a playoff team.
Sixth Man: Flip Murray, SG, Atlanta Hawks
Flip Murray (12.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 apg) is instant offense and a stabilizing force off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks. He's the solitary reason that the Hawks have any scoring punch off the bench. The biggest difference between last year's team and this years version is the ability of the second unit to keep them in games. Flip is a major par of that. He may not be a glamour pick like some other favorites for the award but he's a major contributor for a playoff team. I think that makes him more than worthy.
DPOY: Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
I think the most impressive thing about Dwight Howard's (13.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg) game is his commitment to rebounding and blocking shots. There are plenty of players in the league that have comparable physical tools (quickness, jumping ability, etc) and they do much less with them. Rebounding is the forgotten element of defense. Howard ends countless possession by blocking shots but he ends so many more by rebounding missed shots. He's a game changer in this regard.
Most Improved: Danny Granger, SF, Indiana Pacers
Danny Granger (25.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7apg) took the leap from good player to All-Star this season. He's become the type of player you have to game-plan for. He also guards his position which, often times, matches up with some of the league's elite perimeter players. Granger was pretty much the lone bright spot for the Pacers this season and gives them a rock to build on in the future.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Hawks/Pacers Game Story
I had the privelege of seeing the Atlanta Hawks clinch the fourth seed and home court advantage for the first round of this years playoffs. The following is my game story. Enjoy.
Like it's 1999....
Growth is measured in many ways. Kitchen walls accross the country are tick marked by youngsters who cannot wait to increase another inch or two. Maturity in spirit and mind enable people to withstand the trails and tribulations life presents. Pronouncing and praising a person’s inward expansion, saying that they did better, is an outstanding compliment. On Friday night, the Atlanta Hawks (46-34) secured homecourt advantage for the first round of the ’09 playoffs with a thrilling 122-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers (34-45). The night’s performance showed the results of growth and development. Last year’s cinderella slippers no longer fit this team. These are no longer the city of Atlanta’s ugly stepchildren. Call them kin to T.I.
They’re Kings.
The territory these Hawks are flying through is foreign and uncertain. They remain a youthful team and while the taste of last year’s playoff run is still fresh, the second round lies beyond the realm of thier collective imaginations. As a franchise, the Hawks have not advanced to the Conference semi-finals since the strike shortened ’98-’99 season. This is ten years in the making.
Some pundits wrote last year’s success off as an accident. They said that abnormalities may occur when the five (5) through eight (8) seeds in the east tend to be average at best. Sometimes a team can emerge and play well for a two month stretch after being average for the first part of the season. Last year’s Hawks were described as a glitch in the matrix. Experts predicted a return to futility, dispair and disapointment. Yet, instead of folding and falling back into the crowd, this group separated themselves from the conference cellar dwellars and proved to be a contender in the East. The road from bottom feeder to contender was completed. The win loss record shows this much.
As the end of the regular season approaches, Atlanta is habitually showing why they are a top tier team in the Eastern Conference. They possess a dependable All Star performer in Joe Johnson and backcourt mate Mike Bibby has been brilliant all season. They have a nucleus of young talent in Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Al Horford. The bench is strong with Flip Murray, Mo Evans and Zaza Pachulia. They can certainly score the basketball, but they also rebound and defend well enough to compete with any team on any given night.
This game is microcosm of what has to happen for Atlanta to win a playoff series and make good on the promise that homecourt advantage provides. Joe Johnson (24 points) is the heart and soul of this team. He is the defacto leader, and has shown a propensity to show up big in big games. A number of his shots over the course of this game came in response to an Indiana basket, or stopped a Pacer hot streak. Whether attacking via dribble drive, shooting the 3 point shot or backing opponents down on the block, Johnson is as dangerous as any other guard in the league within the confines of Phillips Arena. I asked Joe to compare his previous playoff experiences with what he sees in this team.
JW: “You’ve been on playoff teams.” “What do you like about this team that gives your confidence for advancing into the second round.”
JJ: “We’re a young team but at the same time we’re experienced.” “The guys know what to expect because of what we did last year against Boston.” “We understand how to win playoff games and we know that we have to protect this house.”
Flip Murray (15 points) continued his season long habit of bringing offense off the bench. Murray gives the aggressiveness and proven shot making ability as a sixth man that was absent last year. He is a tremendous boost for this team. I posed the same question to Murray.
FM: “The record speaks for itself, we got the 4th seed tonight.” “We have home court.” “That’s big for us because as a team (at home) we’re very confident.”
Mike Bibby (15 points, 9 assists) and Josh Smith (30 points, 10 rebounds) showed an incredible feel for each other over the course of this game. I counted five passes from Bibby to Smith that led directly to baskets, either by means of alley oop or nifty bounce passes after screens. Understand folks: these were easy, pure point guard type passes that almost invite the player recieving the pass to score. Mike Bibby is still cold blooded people. He ended the first half with a pull up jumper that almost seemed too easy.
This connection is definately worth watching because there are not many players as physically gifted as Josh Smith. When points are being spoon fed to him the way they were in this game, combined with his offensive rebounding ability, he can be a game changer. Head Coach Mike Woodson spoke about the duo in glowing terms when I asked him about thier effectiveness.
JW: “Mike Bibby and Josh Smith were huge tonight.” “Talk about that connection.”
MW: “Smooth’s (Josh Smith) been consistent for us down the stretch. I’m happy with his progress.”
“Bibby runs this ship for me.” “He gets guys in position on the court and finds guys when they’re open.” “The impact of those two shows directly in the wins and losses.”
Al Horford (22 points, 15 rebounds) showed why he is one of the premier young power forwards in the game. His offensive skill set has progressed nicely from last year and he showcased nice touch facing up from 10 feet as well as a nifty jump hook. Even more, he runs the floor like a man possessed. Al routinely beat the Pacer’s bigs downcourt and finished when he touched the ball in the paint. Horford also connected on 6 of 7 free throws. Such accuracy bodes well for any big man in the NBA. Al also spoke about Bibby in glowing terms.
AH: “It’s great to have a point guard that can score and distribute.” “It really helps this team and makes our jobs easier.”
Homecourt advantage does not guarentee anything. Until the game ball goes up and wins are earned, this accomplishment is nothing. Right now, all of the delight and bliss are carefully reserved. This is for the longsuffering fans of a once proud franchise. I asked hometown products Randolph Morris and Josh Smith about what it means to them personally having a home series in Atlanta.
JW: “With you being from this area, what does homecourt advantage mean to you personally?”
RM: “It means alot.” “Family and friends will be a nice boost against whoever we play in the first round.” “I think we match up well against Philly and Miami (potential first round opponents), but being here at home will definately help.”
JS: “We know what we can do at home.” “The Boston series showed us how good we can be.” “Plus, it’s great for the city and the people who have supported us from day one.” “It gives the city something to brag about.”
Good times are back again.
Game Notes:
It’s uncanny how bad things happen to bad teams. Indiana’s point guard play was spotty in the playmaking department. TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack took turns looking pretty bad distributing the ball. Unforced errors, missed layups, and the inability to get good looks at the end of the shot clock pretty much cost Indiana this game.
On the bright side, Danny Granger is a monster. He scored 35 and should have had more. He’s the best player on the team and yet the Pacers went long stretched without him touching the ball. His free throw line jumper was a thing of beauty in the second half. One dribble pull ups, off screens, off the pick and roll, he was money.
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