NBA Playoffs 2011: Grading Each Atlanta Hawks Player's Postseason Performance
Now that we've had time to sit back and reflect on the Atlanta Hawks' postseason run, let's take a look at how each and every player on the 2010-2011 roster performed during the playoffs.
Some players emerged while others were up and down throughout the two rounds during which Atlanta was alive. Then there were others still who underperformed throughout the series against the Orlando Magic and the ensuing loss at the hands of the Chicago Bulls.
The playoffs are when it really matters, so let's see who really stepped up their game during the most magical part of the year.
Hilton Armstrong
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Hilton Armstrong wasn't even on the court enough for the Atlanta Hawks for Getty Images to generate a single picture of him in his newest uniform.
The big man who was acquired along with Kirk Hinrich from the Washington Wizards played just six minutes per game against the Orlando Magic, averaging 0.3 points and 0.8 rebounds per contest. His biggest contribution was his ability to provide another body on the court and the process of slowing Dwight Howard.
Against the Bulls, Armstrong and his 2.8 minutes per game was actually more of a factor. In that short time, the center managed to contribute 1.0 points and 1.8 rebounds per game while only turning the ball over once.
Grade: C+
Jason Collins
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Jason Collins is another big man that the Atlanta Hawks used in the Orlando Magic series simply to slow down Dwight Howard.
Howard exploded for a few monster games, but that's because Atlanta was content to shut down the outside shooters on the Magic's roster and let Howard get his with his one-on-one game. Collins hacked him enough to limit the damage while averaging 1.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.
Then against Chicago, Collins received far less playing time but was a solid physical presence when he was on the court. The center was nothing special but didn't really mess much up either.
Grade: C+
Jamal Crawford
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One of the biggest decisions that the Atlanta Hawks have to make during the 2011 offseason is whether or not to keep Jamal Crawford.
If the playoffs are any indication, the answer is no.
Crawford started off hot against the Orlando Magic, putting up 23, 25, 23 and 25 points in the first four games. But then, the pressure got to him, and the shots started hitting the rim. Crawford didn't stop shooting though.
The scorer rebounded after two poor performances against the Magic with a 22-point opening game against the Bulls in the second round of the playoffs. But then, he went ice cold once more. A 2-for-10 performance was followed up by a four-game stretch where Crawford scored a combined 29 points.
Grade: C-
Kirk Hinrich
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The newly-acquired point guard gave the Atlanta Hawks a lot of quality minutes during the victorious series against the Orlando Magic. Hinrich played 29 minutes per contest and averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists while only turning the ball over 0.7 times a game.
But then he injured his right hamstring in the final game and was forced to watch the entire series against the Chicago Bulls in street clothes while his backup won the hearts of Atlanta fans everywhere.
It would have been interesting to see what Hinrich could have done against Derrick Rose, but that's something that we'll have to merely speculate about for the time being.
Grade: Incomplete
Al Horford
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There is no doubt that Al Horford was good during the playoffs, but the Atlanta Hawks don't need the former Gator to simply be good. They need him to be great, and Horford wasn't.
Probably the best player on the Hawks right now, Horford averaged 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during an All-Star caliber regular season. But then against the Magic, Horford slipped to just 12 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. That's nothing to be ashamed of when going against the likes of Dwight Howard.
However, Horford got even worse against the Chicago Bulls. With the exception of a 9-for-11 Game 4, which the Hawks happened to win (surprise surprise), Horford never took over the game and couldn't find a flow. He finished the series averaging 10.7 points and nine rebounds per game.
Grade: B
Joe Johnson
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It would be nice if Joe Johnson actually played well enough to live up to his ridiculous contract, but I seriously doubt that will ever happen, especially in the playoffs.
The Atlanta Hawks highest-paid player still played quite well during the postseason, just not well enough to justify his "superstar" status.
Johnson averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the victorious series with the Orlando Magic, but it was slightly marred by a despicable 2-for-12 performance in the fifth game.
When the Chicago Bulls were the opponent, the Hawks seemed to go as Joe went. In the two wins, Johnson scored 34 points and 24 points, but he averaged only 15 per game in the four losses.
Grade: A-
Zaza Pachulia
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The caveman look alike known as Zaza Pachulia came off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks during the postseason and provided some valuable numbers and emotional boosts during the team's two playoff series.
Pachulia, while not suspended for headbutting Jason Richardson, averaged 2.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic before "exploding" for 4.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game against the Chicago Bulls.
But that said, Pachulia's main contributions to the team never really could be quantified. He exuded the tough guy persona at times, even if some think it was just an act and provided many emotional lifts.
Grade: B+
Josh Powell
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Josh Powell rarely set foot on the hardwood during the playoffs and didn't exactly post big numbers when he did.
The center from North Carolina State played a total of 48 minutes during the 12 games that comprised the Atlanta Hawks' two playoff series and scored a combined 10 points while pulling down nine rebounds throughout the postseason. In addition to his one assist, Powell did manage to commit eight personal fouls and turn the ball over twice.
All in all, Powell's contributions to the Hawks' cause were not exactly positive.
Grade: C-
Magnum Rolle
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Magnum Rolle is technically on the Atlanta Hawks' roster, but we're going to move on past him quickly because he was signed for next season and never played in the postseason.
Grade: Irrelevant
Josh Smith
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One of the most enigmatic players in the NBA, much less just on the Atlanta Hawks' roster, Josh Smith can take over a game in positive or negative ways at seemingly any point.
There are times when the forward goes on a ridiculous offensive and defensive run by himself, and then, there are times when he inspires Charles Barkley to wear a "dumbie" hat because Smith won't stop taking ill-advised jump shots that make all of Phillips Arena groan with displeasure.
Smith averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game during the postseason, very impressive numbers indeed. But that said, he shot inefficiently, shooting just 39 percent during the series against the Chicago Bulls.
Grade: A-
Pape Sy
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Pape Sy managed to find his way off the bench for just 21 minutes total during the 2010-2011 regular season, scoring seven points, pulling down three rebounds and dishing out two assists.
He didn't enter a game during the postseason until the second game against the Chicago Bulls, but then Sy played 11 minutes during the remainder of the series. He made two of his three shots, all of which came during garbage time in the final game of the season.
Sy was essentially a non-factor, but then again, he didn't receive an opportunity to be anything else. So because of that, he performed as well as expected.
Grade: A
Jeff Teague
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Jeff Teague played very sparingly during the regular season and then logged only 10 minutes during the victorious series against the Orlando Magic, but then, Kirk Hinrich went down with a hamstring injury, and the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon was forced into action.
Teague won over the hearts of Atlanta fans and inspired hope to the oft-suffering fanbase. Now there is hope that he could be the final missing piece of the Hawks championship puzzle next season.
The point guard played 45 minutes during the first game against the Bull and scored an efficient 10 points while recording five dimes and just one turnover. Then he exploded for 21 points in three of the next four games, with a 12-spot mixed in there. His shooting percentages for those four games were a ridiculous 50, 62, 50 and 73 percent.
Teague's slashing and shooting ability was incredible and made Hawks fans very excited for next season. Not bad for a maybe former backup point guard.
Grade: A+
Etan Thomas
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Etan Thomas played seven minutes in the first game of the playoffs and missed both of his shots. He never stepped onto the court again.
Grade: Incomplete
Damien Wilkins
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Damien Wilkins, a rarely used small forward for the Atlanta Hawks, averaged 5.5 minutes per game during the two contests he entered against the Magic. He made one of the two shots he took and pulled down one rebound.
Then against the Chicago Bulls, Wilkins entered all six games and shot 55 percent on his 11-field goal attempts.
Once again, not much playing time led to not much production.
Grade: B+
Marvin Williams
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If only Marvin Williams had been Deron Williams or Chris Paul. If only.
But alas, Williams is not, and the Hawks are stuck with him. The small forward received even less playing time than normal, posting just 18 minutes per game during the 2011 playoffs.
He shot just 39 percent during the postseason, largely thanks to a ridiculously bad 28 percent from the field against the Chicago Bulls. Williams also turned the ball over 12 times, a very poor number compared to his six assists during the playoffs.
Grade: F
