Wizards Cant Defeat Playoff Bound ATL Hawks

Wizards/Hawks Random Thoughts and more... 

 

WASHINGTON WIZARDS VS. ATLANTA HAWKS

APRIL 10, 2010

ATLANTA 105, WASHINGTON 95

As I walked up the ramp way to my seat, I noticed ESPN NBA Insider Ric Bucher watching the game. Made me realize he kind of looks like Conan O`Brien. Anywho… In our game thread for this game, I put up the ‘WE’s to Watch’ and it was Nick Young, and man did I hit that right on the head. Nick Young was averaging 8.3 points per game for the season but the last 5 games, is averaging 19 points per game. Nick Young is showing more confidence in his shot and his head is never down after a turnover or a bad shot. Nick Young had 23 points. At the pre game with Flip Saunders, Flip praised the defense of Nick Young. Surprising to hear because Nick Young couldn’t stick a statue earlier in the year but he has worked hard on his game and is showing his potential. Just like the rest of the Wizards young bucks, they just needed consistency.

Nick Young was playing exactly how the Wizards envisioned him to play, playing defense, coming off screens and hitting jumpers. Andray Blatche continues to impress with his play, as he had a Wizard high 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assist. He was flirting yet, with another triple double. Blatche was aggressive at times and was doing what Blatche does best, shoot jumpers and make his reverse layups. You can see the on court chemistry between the starting 5 that the Wizards put on the floor with Nick Young, Frabicio Oberto, Andray Blatche, Mike Miller, and Shaun Livingston. This is probably the most chemistry the Wizards have seen in terms of offense in this crazy season. I observed more talking and high fives between the players, which says a lot. If anybody who plays basketball can tell you that communication is the key to a successful team. The more you see of those, it’s a sign that the whole team is on the same page. T

he Wizards bench only managed to score 15 points. Al Thornton played 18 minutes as he is getting used to getting more minutes after coming back from his hip injury. Javale McGee showed more reasons for him to be in the NBA Summer League this year to possibly get bigger and improve his game. My opinion is, he will be there this summer but I could be wrong. I asked Flip Saunders on what he expected out of McGee this summer and he stated that he would love to see McGee get bigger and improve in his basketball IQ. Wizards were in most of the game but couldn’t handle the barrage of points by the Atlanta Hawks in the 4th quarter. The Hawks poured in 27 points as the Wizards could only put up 17. Wizards were on pace to score 100 but managed to get 95.

WIZARDS HEAD COACH FLIP SAUNDERS On tonight’s game: “It was a catch-22 tonight, their guards are so big. When we had to give Shaun (Livingston) a rest we weren’t able to get anything going and we were overmatched. I felt like we had opportunities in the second and the third quarter that if we dug in defensively we could have got a lead and extended it which would have put pressure on them. I felt like we turned the ball over too much and defensively couldn’t stop them when we needed to.”

On Atlanta: “I told our team at halftime that the way Atlanta was playing was just like a typical veteran team that is basically going to play, play, play then turn things up in the fourth quarter. Atlanta played like a veteran team that is a 50-plus win team. They hang in games then turn it up in the fourth quarter by making adjustments.”

On Jamal Crawford: “We’ve had a difficult time guarding (Jamal) Crawford all season. He is averaging about 24 points against us and tonight he was phenomenal. He was 5-of-6 from three-point range and we couldn’t guard him. He is one of the reasons that Atlanta is having the successes that they are having. He’s a good player who plays like this against every team.”

On Nick Young: “Nick (Young) got things going early but he got a little tired. He was getting more attention tonight. He has the offensive skills so next he has to learn how to be more physical.”

On evaluating players: “You evaluate talent, attitudes, performances, how they react to different situations and how they react to coaching. Players in the league are constantly evaluated not just by our team but every team. It’s just an on-going process. We have to get our young guys to learn how to make other guys better. When you do that you become a much better balanced and good team.”

On Shaun Livingston: “I thought Shaun played pretty well tonight. He got things going. His key is to get the offense going. He had a couple of turnovers by forcing some things but he was coming off a 41-minute performance the night before.”

On the last three games against playoff teams: “We were in every game and had one great game against Boston. Teams that make the playoffs have guys that make plays in the fourth quarter. Teams that aren’t playoff type teams have guys who are inconsistent when it comes to those plays. We are in the process of guys learning how to make those plays.”

WIZARDS FORWARD ANDRAY BLATCHE On Jamal Crawford: “Crawford is a tremendous player with great range and Atlanta is a very good playoff team. They did the right things down the stretch that gave them the lead and they were able to keep the lead.”

On the game: “It doesn’t mean anything that we had the lead three quarters, it only matters if you get the win. No one wants to stick around the whole game and then lose; we all want to win in this locker room.”

On his play: “Josh Howard told me to keep working hard and that I’m an All-Star player. It helps build my confidence but I also have to remain humble and remember my goals.”

On the season: “There are only two games left and we have a lot of free agents on our team so who knows if this team will be the same. We have to look at things next week and see if our team is the same. We just have to finish out these last two games strong and competitive.”

On Nick Young: “He is playing great and I’m real proud of him. He is refocused, hungry and aggressive. That’s how I want him to play for the rest of his career because he’s an aggressive player that can score.”

WIZARDS GUARD NICK YOUNG On improving offensively: “I’ve been more aggressive and I go in knowing the coaches believe in me, then I play my game the whole way through.”

On if he’s been working on his defense: “Oh yes, definitely – that’s all I’ve been hearing since I’ve been in the NBA so I’ve been trying to step up my game on defense.”

On Jamal Crawford: “He’s a great player, he’s somebody I watched growing up and saw what he’s capable of and he comes out and does it in every game he plays in. He’s a great shooter, he can dribble, he can mostly do it all and he’s establishing himself even more being on a good team.”

On the first half: “I saw a couple shots go in and they kept feeding me. Shaun (Livingston) recognized it and told me they were going to keep coming to me, and having that confidence from my teammates got me to keep shooting.”

HAWKS HEAD COACH MIKE WOODSON On the fourth quarter: “I thought in the fourth quarter, when you’ve got to have it, we stepped it up. Defense really picked up, we rebounded, got stops, and was able to score the ball. They were in, most of the fourth quarter, the zone. We made some shots and once they came out with the zone I think we executed our halftime plan.”

On the game: “Our defense was lousy to start the game. They made shots; it was kind of back and forth. I think the quarter ended 30-30. The second quarter both the teams started to defend a little bit. I think it was a 22-20 quarter, which is where I kind of like to see it. The fourth quarter we held them to 17 points and gave us a chance to win.”

HAWKS CENTER AL HORFORD On tonight’s game: “We got stops when we needed to and we got a good lead. Washington played really well tonight.”

On the playoffs: “The last couple of years that we were in the playoffs we were just very content to be there but, this year is different. We have higher expectations for ourselves. We believe that we can beat good teams and we have to go prove that. We want to finish the season with the best possible scenario and that would be to finish as the third seed.”

On Jamal Crawford: “He’s been good for us all year. He should be the Sixth Man of the Year and I don’t think there’s any question about that.”

HAWKS GUARD JOE JOHNSON On tonight’s game: “It was good that we got the win tonight because it’s been rough for us on the road. Right now we are trying to position ourselves where we can make some moves in the playoffs. Being that we normally come into the playoffs as the underdog I’m worried how we are going to respond to the fact that we are not the underdogs this year. We have to bring our best game. I’m not worried about the seeding I’m just worried about the playoffs in general. It really doesn’t matter who we play. As long as we come in every night and bright our A game I don’t think that a team can beat us.”

HAWKS FORWARD JOSH SMITH On current play: “We’re still flying under the radar but we’re definitely a team that guys are looking out for so we’ve got to be able to bring it. It feels good to be able to have that sense of swagger knowing that we can play with anybody in the postseason.”

On if the team is “playoff ready”: “We’re as ready as we’re ever going to be. The last couple of years, especially the first year we were really inexperienced. The second year we knew what we were able to do. This year we have the extra depth that we need. Guys are playing well off the bench. Jamal has been there all season long. We definitely have a sense of confidence going into this post season as being one of the favorites in the East.”

On Jamal Crawford: “(He’s) definitely the sixth man of the year, to me. He’s been outstanding. He’s definitely been there for us whenever Joe’s not playing. He’s able to step in and be that scorer. When Joe’s playing he’s able to step in and help him with the pressure on the offensive end. When they’re both in the game it’s hard to concentrate on either or because they’re both outstanding scorers.”

HAWKS GUARD JAMAL CRAWFORD On getting a win on the road: “It feels good for sure. It feels good to know that you can close out games on the road because even the ones on the road we weren’t getting blown out. We were right there; we just weren’t finishing the games. We came out on top tonight. We tightened up when we needed to and it’s a good win for us. (The Wizards are a) team that just went in to Boston and had them down 20 at home.”

On what the team still needs to improve: “(We need to) continue to generate our own energy. Games like this when we’re not playing our best and it’s going back and forth, it can go either way. There’s always a moment of truth in a game where one team is going to step up and take control of the game. If we can do that a little bit earlier, I think that will help us.”

 

Wizards/Hawks Highlights Courtesy of Comcast Sportsnet:

Post Game with Flip Saunders Courtesy of Comcast Sportsnet

 

Andray Blatche courtesy of Comcast Sportsnet

 

- WizardsExtreme.com Correspondent, Asad