Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

[Checmate101]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Teams should be. They have the best spacing I've seen this year in the league.

My Wiz did a MUCH better job in the 2nd half at closing out on shooters. In the 1st half they closed out way too hard which allowed Atlanta to swing it to the open shooter and they knocked down shots. In the 2nd half they made them take contested jumpers.

Still got NOTHING out of Nene and little out of Gortat until late. Our small lineup with Gortat in the middle is going to have trouble rebounding, especially when you can't really leave Korver.

Gotta keep hurting then with P&R. Wall has to hit that elbow extended jumper off it to stop them from going under too much.

Get healthy QUICK Beal.

OH, we're getting nothing out of Nene this series, the matchups is not good for him..he can't cover Milsap or Antic or Horford..and just looks flat out lost out there on defense...I think we should see a little more of Hump...but with Gooden playing, the floor is spaced out more, and Milsap or Horford dont' want to come out there and guard him..so he's getting open threes...Seraphin did ok with his 4 minutes to

[redsrule]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I have given him a ton of crap, but Wittman did a great job with adjustments in the second half to help get the Wizards a W.

[alabamarob]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I do think our defense had something to do with that, we make it tough for them and made them take contested shots, especially Korver...Once we settled down in the 2nd half, and made them walk it up the court..we did ok...to to be honest, I think the hawks got over confident in this game.. going back to the the season series, we come close but then they push it back it back out...We rotated better and stayed with our man...Folks never wanted to give our defense credit..we're live top 10 in defense...

See you game 2

I dont believe in luck. You all have a top ten defense and their is a reason we had our worst shooting half of the season. That reason being you all. I always give credit to the opponent so if you thought i was slighting yall i was not. Again, the 100 points you all scored is what upsets me not the good defense you all always play.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I have given him a ton of crap.

You giving crap to a coach that has a Kentucky guy on his team? No way lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Teams can't make adjustments in the midst of a playoff series? Especially something as simple as the way you guard a pnr? Not saying they'll be able to shut them down but the idea that you can't change your pnr coverage is a joke.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did I say they cant change their coverage? No. I said what makes you think they will get better. Ive watched 20 plus Wizards games in person and probably 50 on TV. I watched all 4 Wiz/Hawks games.

In the two games that were close, they did the same poor job they did against the P&R that they did in this game. The reason ATL won those games is because Teague played well and the offense played lights out. What they do on the offensive end isnt rocket science. Especially when it comes to their P&R plays. So if they've struggled against the Wiz most of the season on those plays...what makes you think that they wont continue to struggle?

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Carroll had 21 in the first half today. He had 19 in another game vs. Bk, and i think 17 in a third. Its not the first time he scored big in the first half of a playoff game this year. But i do agree with you in that i dont expect alot of 63 point halfs against a good defensive team like the bullets.

We kept going over the pick and roll no matter how high on the court they set it. We will adjust and go under the screen and make wall and sessions hit pull up threes or long range jumpers. We cant fight over the screen and let wall, sessions and beal shoot 10 foot jumpers all game. Thats what killed us today. We did the same thing in the first 4 games vs. Brooklyn and we switched the coverage in game 5 and 6 and they stopped scoring 100 points. If we go under the screen wall and sessions cant beat us from long distance.

That is why i think the coverages will be better on that 1-5. We will adjust, covering a 1-5 pick and roll is something bud will figure out. The bullets are a below average offensive team that shouldnt be scoring 100 points vs. Us in the playoffs.

Most teams try that and Wall and Sessions dont settle for the long two or three anymore. They did earlier in the year but they changed that. The Raptors were constantly running under the screen and the Wiz adjusted. Wall will continue to take that elbow two (which is the one pull up jumper he can hit). Sessions will drive and try to draw fouls.

Plus you still have to deal with the Gortat roll and hope that Wall's midrange jumper isnt falling. Look we will see what happens in Game 2. I dont think the Wiz will sweep or anything but I was shocked that you thought that the Hawks would just walk through the Wiz. Especially if you watched the Wiz/Hawks games this year and saw how competitive they were except for one of them.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I still can't believe either the Atlanta Hawks or the Washington Wizards are going to be playing for the Eastern Conference Championship. Both of those seemed like surefire impossibilities back in the day when ISO Joe and Josh Smith were out boneheading the Hawks out of first and second round series and Nick Young, Javale, Blatche and Deshawn were stomping through the Verizon Center being a big pile of immature nonsense along with Gil and Eddie Jordan sitting around looking like a goof.

[DJ_Solis]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Did I say they cant change their coverage? No. I said what makes you think they will get better. Ive watched 20 plus Wizards games in person and probably 50 on TV. I watched all 4 Wiz/Hawks games.



In the two games that were close, they did the same poor job they did against the P&R that they did in this game. The reason ATL won those games is because Teague played well and the offense played lights out. What they do on the offensive end isnt rocket science. Especially when it comes to their P&R plays. So if they've struggled against the Wiz most of the season on those plays...what makes you think that they wont continue to struggle?

Oh ok, I misunderstood your post then. It came off to me as the Hawks have no chance whatsoever to stop the 1-5 pnr. My bad.
They could certainly do a better job, it's just up to their coaching staff to make it happen. Like you were saying though, they should've already adjusted by now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jeebs9]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Isn't it crazy how Washington was win these game ones on the road.

[Ufsports2]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Washington season steps:
1) struggle in regular season, frustrate fans about progress of young talent, cause everyone to want to fire Wittman
2) come into the postseason as a fifth seed against an opponent that is heavily favored
3) demolish favored opponent and outcoach the other team
4) face off against a slumping #1 seed
5) who knows?

[wwharton]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Carroll had 21 in the first half today. He had 19 in another game vs. Bk, and i think 17 in a third. Its not the first time he scored big in the first half of a playoff game this year. But i do agree with you in that i dont expect alot of 63 point halfs against a good defensive team like the bullets.

We kept going over the pick and roll no matter how high on the court they set it. We will adjust and go under the screen and make wall and sessions hit pull up threes or long range jumpers. We cant fight over the screen and let wall, sessions and beal shoot 10 foot jumpers all game. Thats what killed us today. We did the same thing in the first 4 games vs. Brooklyn and we switched the coverage in game 5 and 6 and they stopped scoring 100 points. If we go under the screen wall and sessions cant beat us from long distance.

That is why i think the coverages will be better on that 1-5. We will adjust, covering a 1-5 pick and roll is something bud will figure out. The bullets are a below average offensive team that shouldnt be scoring 100 points vs. Us in the playoffs.

I dont believe in luck. You all have a top ten defense and their is a reason we had our worst shooting half of the season. That reason being you all. I always give credit to the opponent so if you thought i was slighting yall i was not. Again, the 100 points you all scored is what upsets me not the good defense you all always play.

The Wizards are averaging 110ppg in the playoffs... averaged 99ppg during the regular season. I don't get what is so surprising to you about them scoring 100 points.

[Checmate101]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I still can't believe either the Atlanta Hawks or the Washington Wizards are going to be playing for the Eastern Conference Championship. Both of those seemed like surefire impossibilities back in the day when ISO Joe and Josh Smith were out boneheading the Hawks out of first and second round series and Nick Young, Javale, Blatche and Deshawn were stomping through the Verizon Center being a big pile of immature nonsense along with Gil and Eddie Jordan sitting around looking like a goof.

Hey, hey..yall was there to with the Eddy Curry and Eddie Robinsons, Marcus Fizer, Trenton Hassell

[alabamarob]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

The Wizards are averaging 110ppg in the playoffs... averaged 99ppg during the regular season. I don't get what is so surprising to you about them scoring 100 points.

We had a top ten defense. They were in the bottom half of the league in scoring. We gave up less than 100 per and they scored less then 100 per during the season. Scoring usually goes down in the playoffs as the defense tightens and the pace slows down. That is why i am upset they scored 100. They wont average over 100 this series and what they did against a poor raptors defense, who was a below average defense, doesnt make them a scoring juggernaut. In the three games we played our regular lineups vs. Them this year they averaged 96 per game against us. They shouldnt be scoring more than that and i expected the games to be in the mid to low 90s.

[wwharton]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

We had a top ten defense. They were in the bottom half of the league in scoring. We gave up less than 100 per and they scored less then 100 per during the season. Scoring usually goes down in the playoffs as the defense tightens and the pace slows down. That is why i am upset they scored 100. They wont average over 100 this series and what they did against a poor raptors defense, who was a below average defense, doesnt make them a scoring juggernaut. In the three games we played our regular lineups vs. Them this year they averaged 96 per game against us. They shouldnt be scoring more than that and i expected the games to be in the mid to low 90s.

You're focused way too much on stats, and unfortunately focused on them just to support your biased argument.

You say they averaged 96ppg during the season against the Hawks... 99ppg during the regular season period. Again, more reason not to be "shocked" that they scored 4 or 1 more point than those averages respectably.

But most importantly, numbers help form guesses but high end averages are often unreliable.

What players were available when the Wizards played the Hawks during the regular season?
How often did Paul Pierce play the 4? How often was Gooden used as more of a stretch 4 (started late in the regular season)?
How many minutes did Gortat play in the 4th qtr (he was often rested in the 4th in the regular season)?
How many minutes did Nene play period (didn't do much in Game 1 but was rested A LOT during the season so he could be healthy for the playoffs)?
Otto Porter's confidence skyrocketed after Pierce's statement... after all games against ATL?

You even mention the Hawks top 10 defense but don't consider that one of their best defensive players is out after the incident with police?

I don't think anyone is pounding their chest about the Wizards rolling through the Hawks but you are WAAAAAY too confident if this is all you have to back it, especially coming off a loss at home.

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

You're focused way too much on stats, and unfortunately focused on them just to support your biased argument.

You say they averaged 96ppg during the season against the Hawks... 99ppg during the regular season period. Again, more reason not to be "shocked" that they scored 4 or 1 more point than those averages respectably.

But most importantly, numbers help form guesses but high end averages are often unreliable.

What players were available when the Wizards played the Hawks during the regular season?
How often did Paul Pierce play the 4? How often was Gooden used as more of a stretch 4 (started late in the regular season)?
How many minutes did Gortat play in the 4th qtr (he was often rested in the 4th in the regular season)?
How many minutes did Nene play period (didn't do much in Game 1 but was rested A LOT during the season so he could be healthy for the playoffs)?
Otto Porter's confidence skyrocketed after Pierce's statement... after all games against ATL?

You even mention the Hawks top 10 defense but don't consider that one of their best defensive players is out after the incident with police?

I don't think anyone is pounding their chest about the Wizards rolling through the Hawks but you are WAAAAAY too confident if this is all you have to back it, especially coming off a loss at home.

Great post. You have to look deeper into the games and cant rely alone on stats.

Game 1: Nene didnt play and Beal was on a minutes restriction coming off an injury.

Game 2: Hawks dominated. Shot better. Korver was lights out. The Wiz turned over the ball 19 times.

Game 3: Comes down to one run in the fourth. That run coincided with Wall sitting for the early part of the 4th and bad coaching decisions by Wittman.

Game 4: Wiz beat the Hawks backups. Thats it.

I'm not sure any of those games give us any real insight in who will win this series. The Beal/Nene injuries were big in Game 1. We cant expect the Hawks to shoot like they did in Game 2 throughout the series (maybe for a game). Randy's substitution patterns have improved (Even though he played Seraphin way too long yesterday). So I dont see them having the effect in the series like they did in game 3. Game 4 doesnt count because the Hawks didnt play any of their starters.

Also, the Hawks O looks significantly different than I remember them during their winning streak. In that second half I saw less ball movement and more one on one play. Korver has been forcing 3s like crazy during this series and the Brooklyn one. Now he can hit those shots but some of the plays Bud called on Sunday looked as if they were determined to get Korver a contested 3 look. Also Otto is going to hound Korver throughout the series and make the shots tougher.

Like I said, its too early to say who's going to win this series but the Wiz arent going to be an easy out.