- May 23, 2012
- 15,529
- 14,268
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
- Other Teams
- Tottenham Hotspur, New Orleans Pels
All discussion on the Eastern Conference first round match-ups can be found here.
Below is the first of four previews covering each series.
1. Atlanta Hawks vs 8. Brooklyn Nets
The Hawks high five as they squeeze another hapless victim
Head to head: Atlanta leads Brooklyn 4-0
5/12/14 Atlanta 98 @ Brooklyn 75
28/1/15 Brooklyn 102 @ Atlanta 113
4/4/15 Brooklyn 99 @ Atlanta 131
8/4/15 Atlanta 114 @ Brooklyn 111
Record: 60-22 (2nd in NBA)
O Rating: 6th
D Rating: 6th
Leading scorer: Paul Millsap 16.7ppg
Leading rebounder: Paul Millsap 7.8rpg
Leading assists: Jeff Teague 7.0apg
Starting line-up: Jeff Teague Kyle Korver DeMarre Carroll Paul Millsap Al Horford
Key bench contributors: Dennis Schroeder Mike Scott Kent Bazemore
Injury list: Thabo Sefolosha
Season recap: The Hawks had a brilliant season, breaking their franchise record for wins in a season (57), putting together a brilliant mid-season stretch where they won 33 of 35 games and in the process leaving the rest of the East in their wake, and culminating in four of their formerly unheralded starters participating in the All-Star game.
Mike Budenholzer and Danny Ferry have seemingly succeeded in establishing the Hawks as the 'Spurs of the East', mirroring their former organisation with their emphasis on ball movement and floor spacing, as well as a commitment to high-character players and sensible spending. That their first round opponent 'boast' THREE players who get paid more than the Hawks' top earner (Horford) will be an irony not lost on many. In fact Atlanta's much-lauded starting five collectively earn less (approx $38 mil) than former Hawk Joe Johnson and Deron Williams do combined ($43 mil).
Strengths: Shooting (4th in FG%, 2nd in 3Pt%, 5th in 3Pt makes, 5th in FT%), Passing (2nd in assists), Perimeter defense (7th in 3pt% allowed, 5th in steals)
Weaknesses: Rebounding (28th in rpg, 30th in ORB%, 22nd in DRB%)
Record: 38-44 (t.18th in NBA)
O Rating: 20th
D Rating: 23rd
Leading scorer: Brook Lopez 17.2ppg
Leading rebounder: Brook Lopez 7.4rpg
Leading assists: Deron Williams 6.6apg
Starting line-up: Deron Williams Markel Brown Joe Johnson Thad Young Brook Lopez
Key bench contributors: Jarrett Jack Bojan Bogdanovic Mason Plumlee
Injury list: Alan Anderson
Season recap: The Nets started 4-2, before Joe Johnson publicly lashed his team-mates before a West coast road trip. Brooklyn promptly dropped 10 of their next 14 and limped to the All-star break with a paltry 21-31 record, an embarrassing performance for such an expensively assembled team.
A deadline trade for Thad Young provided the Nets with a badly needed infusion of athleticism however, and behind the belated improved play of Lopez and (to a lesser extent) Williams they won 13 of their final 19 games to pip Indiana to the final playoff spot in the East. This late flourish shouldn't overshadow how bad Brooklyn was for the majority of the season - they were mediocre offensively, worse defensively and had an expected win/loss record of 33-49. This is a playoff team in name only.
Strengths: Interior scoring (12th in 2pt%), Don't foul (5th fewest FT/FGA conceded)
Weaknesses: Outside shooting (26th in 3pt%, 24th in 3pt made), Rebounding (23rd in ORB%, 20th in DRB%), Interior Defense (25th in blocks, 22nd in 2pt% conceded).
What we can expect: A lot of Joe Johnson jibes.
Frankly it would be surprising if anything other than a convincing Atlanta series victory eventuates.
They dominated the Nets during the season, and importantly won both late-season encounters. The Hawks boast an efficient offense and a staunch defense, neither of which can be said about their opponent.
Key for Brooklyn: Thad Young
The Hawks are famous for their ball movement and spacing on offence. Combating this effectively necessitates the employment of a mobile presence in the frontcourt, as both Horford and Millsap shoot and pass very well - enter late-season addition Young. Unless the Nets plan on experimenting with Joe Johnson at the 'four' again, Young can expect to see heavy, heavy minutes in this series.
Key for Atlanta: Al Horford
While it will be up to Jeff Teague to expose Deron Williams's lack of athleticism at the guard position, Horford will play a key role for Atlanta at both ends of the floor. Offensively he will be relied upon to keep Brook Lopez out of the paint, opening up lanes for Teague and Scroeder to drive. Defensively however Horford's job will be even more important - to both stifle Brooklyn's most potent weapon in Lopez while simultaneously keeping both Lopez and Plumlee off the offensive glass.
Prediction: Atlanta will prepare to meet the winner of the Raps/Wizards series with the benefit of a few days rest. Brooklyn will prepare to hand over their #15 draft pick to the Hawks - ouch.
Below is the first of four previews covering each series.
1. Atlanta Hawks vs 8. Brooklyn Nets
The Hawks high five as they squeeze another hapless victim
Head to head: Atlanta leads Brooklyn 4-0
5/12/14 Atlanta 98 @ Brooklyn 75
28/1/15 Brooklyn 102 @ Atlanta 113
4/4/15 Brooklyn 99 @ Atlanta 131
8/4/15 Atlanta 114 @ Brooklyn 111
Record: 60-22 (2nd in NBA)
O Rating: 6th
D Rating: 6th
Leading scorer: Paul Millsap 16.7ppg
Leading rebounder: Paul Millsap 7.8rpg
Leading assists: Jeff Teague 7.0apg
Starting line-up: Jeff Teague Kyle Korver DeMarre Carroll Paul Millsap Al Horford
Key bench contributors: Dennis Schroeder Mike Scott Kent Bazemore
Injury list: Thabo Sefolosha
Season recap: The Hawks had a brilliant season, breaking their franchise record for wins in a season (57), putting together a brilliant mid-season stretch where they won 33 of 35 games and in the process leaving the rest of the East in their wake, and culminating in four of their formerly unheralded starters participating in the All-Star game.
Mike Budenholzer and Danny Ferry have seemingly succeeded in establishing the Hawks as the 'Spurs of the East', mirroring their former organisation with their emphasis on ball movement and floor spacing, as well as a commitment to high-character players and sensible spending. That their first round opponent 'boast' THREE players who get paid more than the Hawks' top earner (Horford) will be an irony not lost on many. In fact Atlanta's much-lauded starting five collectively earn less (approx $38 mil) than former Hawk Joe Johnson and Deron Williams do combined ($43 mil).
Strengths: Shooting (4th in FG%, 2nd in 3Pt%, 5th in 3Pt makes, 5th in FT%), Passing (2nd in assists), Perimeter defense (7th in 3pt% allowed, 5th in steals)
Weaknesses: Rebounding (28th in rpg, 30th in ORB%, 22nd in DRB%)
Record: 38-44 (t.18th in NBA)
O Rating: 20th
D Rating: 23rd
Leading scorer: Brook Lopez 17.2ppg
Leading rebounder: Brook Lopez 7.4rpg
Leading assists: Deron Williams 6.6apg
Starting line-up: Deron Williams Markel Brown Joe Johnson Thad Young Brook Lopez
Key bench contributors: Jarrett Jack Bojan Bogdanovic Mason Plumlee
Injury list: Alan Anderson
Season recap: The Nets started 4-2, before Joe Johnson publicly lashed his team-mates before a West coast road trip. Brooklyn promptly dropped 10 of their next 14 and limped to the All-star break with a paltry 21-31 record, an embarrassing performance for such an expensively assembled team.
A deadline trade for Thad Young provided the Nets with a badly needed infusion of athleticism however, and behind the belated improved play of Lopez and (to a lesser extent) Williams they won 13 of their final 19 games to pip Indiana to the final playoff spot in the East. This late flourish shouldn't overshadow how bad Brooklyn was for the majority of the season - they were mediocre offensively, worse defensively and had an expected win/loss record of 33-49. This is a playoff team in name only.
Strengths: Interior scoring (12th in 2pt%), Don't foul (5th fewest FT/FGA conceded)
Weaknesses: Outside shooting (26th in 3pt%, 24th in 3pt made), Rebounding (23rd in ORB%, 20th in DRB%), Interior Defense (25th in blocks, 22nd in 2pt% conceded).
What we can expect: A lot of Joe Johnson jibes.
Frankly it would be surprising if anything other than a convincing Atlanta series victory eventuates.
They dominated the Nets during the season, and importantly won both late-season encounters. The Hawks boast an efficient offense and a staunch defense, neither of which can be said about their opponent.
Key for Brooklyn: Thad Young
The Hawks are famous for their ball movement and spacing on offence. Combating this effectively necessitates the employment of a mobile presence in the frontcourt, as both Horford and Millsap shoot and pass very well - enter late-season addition Young. Unless the Nets plan on experimenting with Joe Johnson at the 'four' again, Young can expect to see heavy, heavy minutes in this series.
Key for Atlanta: Al Horford
While it will be up to Jeff Teague to expose Deron Williams's lack of athleticism at the guard position, Horford will play a key role for Atlanta at both ends of the floor. Offensively he will be relied upon to keep Brook Lopez out of the paint, opening up lanes for Teague and Scroeder to drive. Defensively however Horford's job will be even more important - to both stifle Brooklyn's most potent weapon in Lopez while simultaneously keeping both Lopez and Plumlee off the offensive glass.
Prediction: Atlanta will prepare to meet the winner of the Raps/Wizards series with the benefit of a few days rest. Brooklyn will prepare to hand over their #15 draft pick to the Hawks - ouch.
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