This is the first installment of the “Match Up” series where I will be looking at how the Raptors match up with every team in the league. The series will run like two-a-days and each post will have a segment from a blogger of the team I am breaking down. Today’s preview of the Hawks has been done by Jason from The Human Highlight Blog.
The Human Highlight Blog is seen in the 50 states and around the world and can be found on Twitter @THHB and http://www.humanhighlightblog.com
The Hawks made a lot of headlines in the off season by fully accomplishing their own “To Do” list.
They acquired Jamal Crawford from GS for two reasons; Insurance in case Mike Bibby didn’t resign and to ensure they would get at least some productivity from the first bench guard position that Ronald “Flip” Murray provided on last season’s (47) win team. They drafted Jeff Teague with the #19 pick, a player they highly regarded for his ability to handle the ball and create for himself. They then went about resigning Bibby and backup center Zaza Pachulia, both for either at or below market value. Marvin Williams was the last of the Hawks own free agents to sign and, despite his restricted free agent status, both sides agreed to a fair market deal.
Last season the Hawks grabbed home court advantage by beating the lesser teams in the conference, but stalled significantly when it came to the better teams in the East (read: better defenses, too), mustering only a 2-10 record against the Celtics, Magic, and Cavaliers. Part of the problem was a dependence on isolation and 1 on 1 offensive basketball, often leaving them too late in the shot clock to get good shots. It worked out against teams that struggled defensively, but was a prominent issue against the good teams who don’t have a problem holding down half court D for 24 seconds. Another regular issue for the Hawks is defensive rebounding, where the Hawks again finished in the second half in the league in the category.
Bringing in Crawford and Teague highlighted that the team is alright with the strategy offensively, as both players fit that dribble and shoot motif. But, the additions of Joe Smith and Jason Collins, do little to address the rebounding needs. Essentially, the Hawks have decided to double down on last year’s strategy and success, leaving THHB to believe it will be more of the same in 2009-2010: A talented team that will achieve similar win column success, but will do little to raise itself to the next level.
Last Season Record: 1-3 (Hawks won both their home games)
Last season was a disaster for the Raptors and the Hawks were one of many teams who took advantage of the defensively defunct team. Against the Hawks, most of the Raptor problems came from the guard positions. Time and time again, Bibby and Joe Johnson lit them up from long range while the athletic prowess of Josh Smith often left his defenders in the dust. Chris Bosh has always managed to fill up the stat sheet against Atlanta, but with so many weapons he needed some help to take them down.
Stacking Up
The Bigs: The Raptors franchise player may not have much of a “back to the basket” game but the team’s success goes hand in hand with the performance of Chris Bosh. He is one of the best PF’s in the game today and using Bargnani at Center, helps stretch out the defense. Bosh gets more room to work inside while creating open looks for Bargnani as he pulls in the D. On the flip side, Al Horford and Za Za Pachulia play a more secondary role on offense for the Hawks. Both players are relied on more for their presence on the defensive end, taking care of the glass and blocking shots. This means the Raptor bigs don’t have to extend as much energy on D against the front court of the Hawks as they may have to with some of the other teams in the league. Similar to last season, the Raptors big men should carry most of the load against this team.
Edge: Raptors
The Wings Josh Smith usually runs circles around this team with his high flying act. In the past the Raptors had no answer to keep him at bay, but the additions of Antoine Wright, Amir Johnson and Demar DeRozan should help bolster a position that has long been the weakness of the team on defense. Marvin Williams needs to develop more in order to form a 1-2 punch with Smith and until that happens teams have the luxury to focus in one place. Offensively, adding Hedo Turkoglu should keep Josh Smith working more on the defensive end and when the Raptors manage to put out a lineup of Bosh, Bargnani and Hedo, the Hawks will struggle to have an answer as they remain a guard heavy team.
Edge: Raptors
The Guards The Raptors may have Calderon and Jarret Jack, but Atlanta’s strength lies at this position. Adding Jamal Crawford to an already solid combination of Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby gives the team another offensive weapon to drop 30+ on any given night. While neither teams guards would be featured on an all-defensive team roster, the size of the Hawks players is not to be ignored. Bibby may be aging, but he is still a threat from long range and Johnson remains one of the most underrated all-stars int he game. Add in a streaky but dangerous shooter in Jamal Crawford and no matter what combination Toronto puts on the floor, it will be a tough task to contain this back court.
Edge: Hawks
Predicted Record: 3-1 (Expecting the Raptors to grab one on the road)
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I don't know if Toronto has the edge up front. For me, Smith/Horford have the edge over Bosh/Bargnani. Depth wise, the Raptors have the edge. This is more of a push or Hawks with an edge for me personally.
On the defensive end, the Raptors big will be expending energy as Smith and Horford are very active on the glass, and Horford drops 11.5 a game already, I am looking for that total to increase to 15 or so this season. Bargnani can't cover Horford…
I hear ya, I did keep Smith and Marvin as the Hawks main wings. Looking at games the teams have played in the past the bigs on the Raps have outplayed the Hawks every time. No way is Horford covering Bargs at the 3 point line and I just don't see him as an offensive threat yet. The added Joe Smith which will help slightly but I still give the edge here.
I think Josh Smith will be less effective since he will have to spend more energy playing Hedo (who plays more on the outside) unless they put Marvin on him.
I guess time will tell and this is just a version of my predictions
Your analysis isn't a stretch at all. Covering Bargs on the 3 point line is going to be a challenge, but I expect 11-15pts from Horford, and he will badly out-rebound Bargs (worst rebounding center in the league), to me that's a beat.
They have nothing on Bosh.
Stretching the defense is fine and dandy, but I'm really hoping to see less of Bargnani beyond the arc and more driving to the basket and working the post this season. Knowing that Bosh likes to settle for those mid-range shots, we're not doing ourselves any favours on the offensive boards if both our bigs are nowhere to be found in the key. That's where our depth in the front court will come in handy especially when they mix things up with guys like Amir and Reggie being paired up with Bosh and AB. They'll be doing all the dirty work under the glass.
Great breakdown Nat.
Marvin is the best on ball defender on the Hawks team so I would expect him to be on Hedo. Al won't pick up his average to 11-15 points per game because the Hawks have absolutely no interest in having a post game and now they've added another shooter. Al's points will come strictly off put backs. For whatever reason Woody is content treating him like a dirty work player. This doesn't make sense. Word on the street is that Al has been working on his face up jumper all off season. I guess we'll see how that works out.
When these teams play this season the individual player match-ups from the Hawks defensive perspective should be as follows:
Bibby vs Calderon
Johnson vs DeRozan
Williams vs Bargnani
Horford vs Bosh
Smith vs Turkoglu
If Atlanta chooses to match-up like that on Defense, then, they will beat the Raptors.
No, Marvin will go on Turk. Bargnani is your worst starter except for maybe Derozan, 3 point shot or not. Smith almost always guard the worst big so he can play help defense.
Hedo is the guy we would have to contain to beat you, so that's who Marvin is going to guard.
Very tough call.
If Raptors gel fast and are as good as they could be, they'll have the edge.
But it's hard to tell this early.
Hawks slightly better than last year. The Raptors significantly better than last year. Equals ?
Are the Raps a 50 win team or a 41 win team?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Natasha and RaptorsForum.com. RaptorsForum.com said: RT @Nat77 Ready for 2-a-days? I wanna thank @thhb for contributing the analysis of the Atlanta Hawks – http://tinyurl.com/pjmlae [...]
I want to say – thank you for this!
all good things