NBA Playoffs 2011: Derrick Rose and 10 Players Standing Between Hawks and Finals
When I first started this article, I was thinking to myself that I might as well just list the entire Chicago Bulls roster. Despite being a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, I didn't think that there was any way the Hawks could take down the No. 1 seed in the East more than the one time they already had.Ā
But then, Atlanta pulled away in game 4 to tie the series 2-2, inspiring hope that the Hawks could still make a surprising run to the NBA Finals. However, a bunch of very good basketball players still stand in Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford and the rest of the Hawks' way.Ā
Obviously, Derrick Rose is one of those players. But who are the others?
Josh Smith
1 of 10
Of all the players on the Atlanta Hawks roster, Josh Smith is the most important. No player on the team has the ability to take the game over in as many ways as Smith does.Ā
It was No. 5 that carried the Hawks to a surprising game four victory against the Chicago Bulls, posting 23 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and two blocks for his team. Sure, he inspired Charles Barkley to put on the "dumbie" hat at halftime, but there's no way Chuck kept it on during the second half.Ā
But as good as he can be, Smith also has the potential to single-handedly doom Atlanta. The lefty is a very mentally fragile player and a bad start could easily trigger a meltdown on both ends of the court. Smith is also prone to taking outside jump shots that prompt groans from the Atlanta crowd as soon as they go up.Ā
If he plays to his strengths and dominates the paint, Smith can carry the Hawks, but if he decides he's actually a guard, the Hawks have no shot at making it to the next round.Ā
Derrick Rose
2 of 10
It goes without saying that the league's MVP, currently playing in a series against the Hawks, could keep Atlanta from advancing to even the conference finals. Derrick Rose is the best player on the Chicago Bulls and it's not even close.Ā
Rose is fully capable of taking over the game at any point, especially when he's hitting shots from outside. No matter what defense you throw at the former No. 1 overall draft pick, he possesses the ability to blow by an entire team and find a way to finish at the rim.Ā
Additionally, his running floater is everpresent in the nightmares of Atlanta fans worried silly about the point guard's ability to beat their team.Ā
The MVP has stepped up his game even more during the postseason and could easily push the Bulls into the next round while eliminating the Hawks.Ā
Carlos Boozer
3 of 10
The injury imp has been plaguing Carlos Boozer a bit throughout both the regular season and the postseason, but he finally appeared to be fully healthy during the Atlanta Hawks' 100-88 victory in game four of this current series.Ā
Boozer managed to post 18 points and six rebounds on an extremely efficient seven-for-10 shooting from the field. His mid-range shooting was finally there and if it sticks, the Bulls have found their second scoring option.Ā
That's a scary prospect for the Hawks, who have had enough trouble limiting just Derrick Rose. If Boozer starts throwing up double-doubles for the rest of the series, the Hawks will finally see their playoff run come to a close.Ā
Joakim Noah
4 of 10
Because Al Horford is better suited at power forward than center and Jason Collins and Zaza Pachulia are the other options in the front court, big men can occasionally beat up on the Hawks.Ā
That means that Joakim Noah is a bigger threat than normal. The human manifestation of the energy bunny, Noah is always a threat on the glass and on defense but he doesn't make huge contributions on offense.Ā
Going up against his close friend and former teammate from Florida, Al Horford, Noah has been able to make a couple of unexpected contributions on the offense side of the court, mostly in the form of left handed jump hooks like you see in the picture to the left.Ā
Rajon Rondo
5 of 10
Before we go on, it's time to make a couple big assumptions. First of all, let's assume that the Atlanta Hawks somehow manage to win two of the next three contests with the Chicago Bulls and eliminate Derrick Rose and company. Secondly, let's assume that the Boston Celtics win three-striaght hard fought games and advance to meet the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.Ā
If those two things happen, Rajon Rondo is going to be the most important player for the Boston Celtics. Rondo represents everything that the Hawks are not.Ā
Atlanta has developed a reputation for being mentally fragile. If the Hawks don't get it going early, they may never get going at all. Rondo on the other hand just dislocated his elbow and came back in the same game!
The point guard isn't a threat to score too many points, but he makes the offense of Boston hum and he's a great defender, as shown by his recent inclusion on the All-Defensive Team.Ā
Paul Pierce
6 of 10
No player on the Boston Celtics has the ability to take over a game like Paul Pierce.Ā
Even though he's not the most athletic looking player on the team, Pierce simply knows how to score, especially when it really matters. Although he's just considered one of the Celtics' "big three," I would argue that he's the best.Ā
Pierce has a very good all-around game and gets on some ridiculous rolls. If there's a player that's going to score a lot on the Hawks, this would be him.Ā
Ray Allen
7 of 10
Look carefully at that picture. I'd be willing to bet that Ray Allen just made a big three-pointer.Ā
You can tell because of the look on his face and the way he's gesturing with his right hand. But look closer. See the dejected look on the faces of Mike Bibby and the rest of the Miami Heat bench? How about the exuberant yells of the Celtics' faithful?Ā
If the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics end up meeting and playing for the right to advance to the Finals, just replace the Heat bench with the Hawks bench and I bet the same exact picture will be able to be taken.Ā
Allen, the all-time leader in three-pointers made, is as deadly as they come and has a knack for making outside shots during the closing minutes of games. He's good for at least one every series.Ā
LeBron James
8 of 10
So remember those two original assumptions that the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics both manage to advance? Well, for the purpose of the next three slides, let's change the latter assumption and now have the Miami Heat close out the series against the Celtics by winning just one of the next three games.Ā
If those two things come true, then there should be no doubt in your mind that LeBron James is talented enough to take over the series and eliminate the Hawks from the playoffs.Ā
James can simply do everything on the basketball court and the Hawks won't be able to slow him down too much. This one really doesn't need any more explanation than that.Ā
Dwyane Wade
9 of 10
If LeBron James is included on this list, then Dwyane Wade also has to be.Ā
To be perfectly honest, Wade scares me more than LeBron does. He can do almost everything James can, but he's a bit more consistent and makes more foul shots.Ā
Wade can beat you from deep just as easily as he can blast by you on his way to the hole. And if that's not enough, he plays good defense. LeBron and DWade are both better than any player on the Hawks roster and that's a scary thought indeed.Ā
Chris Bosh
10 of 10
The weakest link of the Miami Heat's big three, Chris Bosh is still a great basketball player.Ā
Miami has won a whole lot of games this season with Bosh looking like he's lost out on the court. But whenever he has a big game, there's no real hope of beating the Heat.Ā
Bosh just managed to post a double-double against Kevin Garnett, which is no easy feat. The highlight of his game was a clutch tip-in during overtime that virtually sealed the victory for Miami and gave the Heat a 3-1 edge in the series against Boston.Ā
If the power forward becomes the third star and doesn't make the big three seem like the big two, Miami's chances of eliminating the Hawks dramatically rise.Ā
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