NBA Playoffs 2009: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 2nd Round Preview
Perhaps this is just a bump in the road. Maybe the challenge isn’t really much of a challenge at all. It seems as if ever sports outlet is proclaiming how badly the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to smash the Atlanta Hawks in their playoff match up.
Not so fast.
I’m not ready to call the upset but I can confidently give 3 reasons why the Hawks will compete.
Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, and Flip Murray can score against the Cleveland back court.
Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Delonte West will never be mistaken for Gary Payton or Mookie Blaylock as perimeter defenders. They’ll score points but they’ll also give up points.
Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Zaza Pachulia have the size and athleticism to challenge LeBron at the rim.
If this front court triumvirate can successfully defend the rim and keep LeBron from scoring at the basket at will then half of the defensive battle is won. It’s way too much to ask of Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, or Mo Evans to defend James one on one so the help has to be consistent.
Atlanta’s home court advantage is as formidable as Cleveland’s.
Atlanta will give Cleveland everything they want at Phillips Arena. I expect games the caliber of last year’s Boston series in terms of quality of play and excitement. Atlanta is an elite team at home and has played like it this year.
There you have it. Cleveland looked like the best team in the league for stretches this year. Remember though, a less talented, less experienced Hawks team pushed a more complete and equally dominate Boston squad to seven last year.
Sure Cleveland has the MVP. Sure Mo Williams gave Atlanta fits this season. Yes Cleveland plays more consistent defense. That being said the Hawks aren’t afraid and they’ll bring the fight.
Sometimes not being afraid only hastens the knockout blow. Other times it makes for a epic battle.
Cavs in 7.
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May 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Compete? Yes. Win in Cleveland? Well, it takes a better effort from our star player Joe Johnson, and it’s a really good sign when Marvin Williams decides to play. Neither bothered to show up in Cleveland, and the Lebron coronation for Game 1 was complete and ESPN/TNT were happy.
Bron was a little worried at halftime with Josh Smith driving to the basket and the score 49-44. However, things reverted back to form. The Hawks’ young(est) players (i.e. Marvin, Horford, Law ) played like scared, tentative rookies instead of players who learned something from the much-talked about Boston series from a year ago.
Bibby, a defensive liability, and when cleveland catches Bibs in switches, it is mismatch city and the Cavs cash in– big time.
Bibby had a nice half and hits some three-pointers, but ‘Bad’ Bibby reared its head with his propensity to throw the ball to the other team on consecutive possessions and give away precious momentum on the road. (Memo to self: Need to draft another young PG in 2009 draft: Lawson, Flynn, or maybe Curry…)
Mo Williams is Lebron’s second lieutenant out there, but he wasn’t much of a factor in the first half, but in the second half, Maurice lit up the scoreboard and finished with 21 points thus hitting his usual average versus the Hawks this year.
Some say its not a series until the road team wins a game. So I am still hopeful and wait till Game 3.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
“Denial” is not just a river in Egypt.
The Hawks are mediocre at best. As long as there are road games in this world, their success will be short-lived. The Hawks don’t have any credibility as a “playoff team.” They’ve been SMOKED in their road games by almost 20 points each game. That’s a problem between the ears and of the heart.
They may be fun to watch at home with all the hotties and the atmosphere — but that’s all there is. Nothing to see here. This series should be over in 4 or 5 games — if Cleveland keeps their focus. This is just a tune up.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
39-2 is equal to 31-10?
How about 2-10? ATL’s record vs. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando.
They’re the weak sister and they’re almost done. They should’ve drafted Deron Williams or CP3 (just like EVERYONE said on draft day). Maybe they can get a true point with some skilz next year.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Cavs in 5…..
The Hawks don’t have enough arsenal to compete with Cleveland. While they have talent and athleticism, those two elements will only take a team so far (2nd Rd of the playoffs).
The Hawks play too much one-on-one basketball and shoot too many 3s. They also don’t make proper adjustments during the game and at half-time. Coach Woodson will be out of a job in 2 years because he doesn’t utilizes what he has in Joe Johnson. When JJ face double or triple teams, you would think that the Hawks’ coaching staff would try something else to get JJ going, like running him off of screens, have him cut to the basket, put him in the post and run a high-low pick and roll w/ J-Smoove. Delonte West cannot guard JJ in the post because he’s too small and too light in the @ss. But, you would think coach Woody would know that.
I used to defend Woody because I thought he wasn’t given a fair shake of developing this team (in some cases he still isn’t). But watching this team all year and looking at them doing the same things that are hindering their growth, they should look at getting Avery Johnson in 2 years.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Avery Johnson needs to come hurr bruh.