NBA Playoffs: 10 Key Questions for Game 4 of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks
It's time for Game 4, a crucial game in this series, it will dictate if this will be a competitive series or not. Losing Game 4 would be disastrous for Atlanta Hawks , while the Chicago Bulls firmly expect to win, they could absorb a loss and still win the series.
Here are 10 key questions that'll be answered for Game 4.
1. What Defensive Adjustments Will Atlanta Make to Contain Derrick Rose?
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When Derrick Rose was showing more effects from the bum ankle, he was unable to put pressure on the Hawks defense with his penetration. In Game 3, he seemed to be closer to the Rose that was a near unanimous MVP selection. With no reports of a re-aggravation of the injury, he should be at the same level physically for Game 4.
The Hawks do have the one element to their defense that can present and issue for a penetrator like Rose, an athletic shot blocker in Josh Smith. In Game 1, Teague was able to usher Rose into the larger defenders, creating a lot of tough shot opportunities.
The Hawks don't have a larger guard who can guard Rose, giving him a larger obstacle to shoot the mid-range and three point shot over. Without this element and with Rose knocking down jump shots the way he did in Game 3, he has too many options. If a Bulls teammate is nailing his shot, or if Boozer could find a big game, this gives the Bulls attack too many weapons for Atlanta to handle.
Larry Drew must engineer a gameplan to force Derrick Rose into shooting jump shots, using double teams and traps to stop penetration. Hoping he either isn't making the jump shot or his teammates are not executing.
Prognosis:
Not likely, Rose may not shoot as well in Game 4, but barring another ankle setback, expect another good to great performance.
2. What Can Joe Johnson & Jamal Crawford Do to Regain Their Game 1 Form?
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Star level production from this duo is Atlanta's only chance at winning. I stated before, 45 points combined is where their productivity needs to be. Now, how can they get that done? It'll be tough, Thibodeau is a master defensive strategist and he is the best in the league at recognition and adjustment.
He is fortunate to have a selfless player like Luol Deng who totally buys into his system and is blessed with the length, athleticism and energy to execute. Deng is truly the glue to the Bulls defense.
Joe didn't have a horrible Game 3, but he must be great for his team to win. His game is predicated on one on one moves and long jump shots. The same goes for Jamal Crawford. This style plays into the hands of great team defenses like the Bulls. In order for the offensive team to succeed in this equation, they must get lights out shooting from the ball dominators. They got that in Game 1, not so much in Games 2 or 3.
The Hawks may need a change in philosophy to be effective. They could possibly put Johnson in the post, running a two-man game with Crawford. Another option is gong to a more conventional offense where Teague is truly facilitating. If not, they will need another shooting performance like Game 1 to win another game in this series.
Prognosis:
It's a little late in the campaign to change too much. Atlanta is not very disciplined. Chances are, they will live and likely die with jump-shots from Johnson and Crawford and whatever Josh Smith decides to do.
3. Will Taj Gibson Permanently Supplant Carlos Boozer at Power Forward?
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From a long term perspective, the Bulls fans better hope not. It is important to recognize that even though the Bulls were 62-20 this year, they were not supposed to seriously contend for a title. Furthermore, if they do contend for one, they will need Boozer or some back to the basket presence to beat the really good teams consistently. Keep in mind, neither Indiana or Atlanta qualify as a really good team.
Assuming they get there, the Bulls will have had the easiest road thus far of any team to the Conference finals. When really good defenses with versatility and length on the perimeter hone in on the MVP, he will need assistance from a low post threat to give him room to operate. The only person on the Bulls roster with the skill set to give him this spacing is "The Big Outburst."
Gibson gives maximum effort and is a better defensive player than Boozer is, but he is very limited offensively. Protecting the hoop is key to any defense and this is one of the areas where Boozer's deficiencies show most. Since this is the calling card of the head coach, Boozer's offensive game and rhythm has been effected. Most times when he is called to sit before fatigue mandates it, its because of a defensive lapse. Thibodeau has been consistent with this and I understand his approach, but I ask, was Boozer ever considered a good defender? Hasn't he always been 6'8", 270 lbs. with limited lift, which ensures he'll get his shot blocked more than most scoring power forwards?
Knowing all of these facts about him, the Bulls organization still signed him to a mega free agent deal. So is it right to bench him for playing true to his resume?
Prognosis:
4. Will Josh Smith Continue to Play Well?
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Late in Game 2 and throughout most of Game 3, Josh Smith seemed to realize what he has to do to be effective in this series. His quick moves in the post and cuts to the basket put him in the best situation to capitalize on his athletic advantage.
If he throws caution to the wind and throws up that awful looking jump-shot, it will create constant transition opportunities for the Bulls. It will also take him out of his game mentally, which usually leads to foul trouble. This will take Atlanta's best shot blocker off the floor, which will lead to easier chances at the basket for Rose, Deng and Boozer.
Prognosis:
I think he gets it, I doubt he'll fire up jump-shots with the same regularity that he did in Game 1 and most of Game 2. The Bulls will not double him in the post. I believe the Bulls will sacrifice his production to take the three-pointer away from Atlanta. That is the shot that really killed them in Game 1. The Bulls can win, even with 20 and 10 from Smith, as long as the other Hawks are held in check.
5. Will Marvin Williams Ever Show Up in This Series?
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The former No. 2 pick overall in the NBA draft has been absent all three games. If the Hawks got something from him, it could change the series. He is one of the biggest enigmas in the league, he has skill and athleticism, but has never put anything substantial together for an extended period of time.
Prognosis:
Not likely he'll be heard from in this series, but if I were Larry Drew, I'd be in his face right now trying to light a fire under him.
6. Will Joakim Noah Continue to Outplay His Former Gators Teammate Al Horford.
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This has been one of the biggest keys to the Bulls two-to-one series advantage. Noah's energy has been the one constant so far. He has outworked Horford and the rest of the Hawks front line. His offensive rebounding total in Games 2 and 3 are staggering.
Horford generally fades in and out of games when he isn't getting the ball early. This is the case for many big men, ask Pau Gasol. The advantage Noah has is that his team doesn't require offense from him. Whatever points he scores from slashes and put backs is a plus. This is the type of game the Hawks need from Horford, but his skill set doesn't quite match with his place in the offense.
Prognosis:
Noah will be Noah, energy never goes into a slump. Horford will need a couple jumpers to fall or a couple and ones to get going. My guess is Noah will have another strong game on the boards.
7. Who Will Win the Coaching Matchup, Larry Drew or Tom Thibodeau?
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So far the Coach Of The Year has had the edge over Larry Drew. To Drew's defense, he hasn't had this group all year and this may not even be the group of his choice.
Thibs has a group that almost to a man, completely buys into his system. This is one reason his adjustments work so well. His team executes his strategies and trust his assessments. I'm not sure Drew has the group to play the balanced scoring system he'd like to run.
Prognosis:
Thibodeau's gameplan will likely best the execution of the Hawks players. This speaks to coaching effectiveness.
8. Is Crawford's Enough off the Bench, or Does Someone Else Have to Step Up?
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The Hawks bench's scoring output usually beats the output of their opponents. This statistic can be deceiving. In games that Crawford doesn't go off, the rest of the Hawks bench is incapable or not use to getting the opportunities to pick up the slack. The likes of Damien Wilkins, Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and company don't strike fear across the league and definitely not in this series.
The Hawks need something from someone else in a reserve roll or Crawford must be huge.
Prognosis:
As you can see from the players the Hawks have on their bench, more production is highly unlikely. This is where the injury to Kirk Hinrich has an effect. Jeff Teague would've been another player off the bench, he has proven he can be a threat.
9. Will This Series Get Physical Now That Atlanta's Back Is Against the Wall?
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The Bulls and The Hawks are not a chippy bunch. Pachulia, Kurt Thomas and Keith Bogans are the only players that generally have that attitude.
Funny things happen though when a team's back is against the wall. Noah can definitely be the type of player that can be the agitator to drive a team to that point of frustration.
Prognosis:
Not likely, I think they'll play nice as long as no one takes a shot at the MVP.
10. If the Hawks Lose Game 4, What Will the Future Hold for Both Teams?
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For the Bulls, the next series will be tough and entertaining, no matter who the opponent is. They will need Boozer to get going in some shape or form to win that series and advance to the NBA Finals.
For the Hawks, I think Larry Drew deserves a real two- to three-year shot at implementing everything about his philosophy. That could and should mean letting Crawford walk, making Horford a bigger part of the offense and adding some depth to his bench.
Prognosis:
That was it
