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Much like last week's loss in New Jersey with Vince Carter's buzzer-beater, I
know there are those who want to pin last night's defeat on Mike Bibby's missed
lay-up in the final minute (well, maybe not the whole loss, as anything could
have happened down 2 with 50 seconds remaining). Still I maintain that it is
awfully hard to win in the NBA when you shoot close to 50% from the foul stripe,
and if the Hawks shoot their average last night it's likely that Bibby's miss
doesn't factor into the decision.
It's a long, long season, and the team is
going to win some games because of freak statistical hiccups like that and they
will lose some. If anything, I'm almost glad it's happening now, because it just
shows how important it is for the team to work to rectify the problem before it
really matters (like in the playoffs). In the team's last three losses, missed
free throws have played a crucial role, so you can expect this to be a point of
emphasis for the Hawks going forward.
By the way, in the midst of all the talk about the Hawks getting the 4-seed
in the East and setting up a potential second-round match-up with the Boston
Celtics, it never occurred to me that the Celtics might not end up with the top
seed. As of this morning, Cleveland has ascended to the top spot in the East,
and Orlando is now tied in the loss column with Boston as well.
I realize this is WAY, way in advance, but just for the sake of argument - if
the Hawks go on to earn the 4 spot and get past the first round, who would you
rather face next - Cleveland, Boston, or Orlando?
