2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
By Ian Levy
Jan 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The second round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs is here, and so we are here with some previews. These were done RTOE (roundtable over everything) style, and yes, those are Drake lyrics.
Atlanta Hawks (1) vs. Washington Wizards (5)
Oh my god, oh my god, if I die, I’m a legend: Who is the most important player in this series?
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): John Wall. The Hawks are the better team in the series but Wall is the best player. If Washington wants to pull a big upset he needs to be great and lead them there.
Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall): Going to agree with Matt here and say John Wall. He was fantastic against the Raptors and the Wizards are going to need him to keep it up. Washington is so much more dangerous with Wall playing at his peak.
Chris Barnewall (@ChrisBarnewall): Demarre Carroll? This might be weird to say since Carroll’s style of play is fairly replaceable in today’s NBA, but the Hawks were best in the first round when Carroll was on the court. Without him, they just weren’t the same team.
I’m not here to give out compliments, or boost nobody confidence, momma: Talk trash about a player or team in this series.
Matt: Pero Antic is the Macedonian Carlos Boozer. *drops mic*
Jack: The Atlanta Hawks lost two games to the Brooklyn Nets.
Chris: The Wizards coach can’t figure out up from down and thinks it’s still the 90’s.
These days, I’m letting God handle all things above me. The things I can’t change are the reasons you love me: Which player in this series do you love watching despite their flaws?
Apr 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dunks the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Matt: Wall. I know I already mentioned him before but Wall is one of my favorite players in the league to watch thanks to his speed, defense and passing. Who cares that he isn’t an elite shooter?
Jack: Oh, it has to be John Wall. His outside shot is sketchy, but when he’s getting out on the fastbreak and careening into the lane, you forget about that. He really is one of the most exciting players in the league.
Chris: John Wall’s jumpshot isn’t what everyone would like it to be, but does that really matter when he can jump out of the gym, and run faster than yesterday’s Kentucky Derby winner? The man is walking highlight reel.
Pray the real live forever man, pray the fakes get exposed: What’s the most important matchup in this series, and who will have the upper hand?
Matt: Paul Millsap vs. Washington’s power forwards. Washington used Paul Pierce at the four against the Raptors and will probably do it again. If he and Nene can both keep an injured Millsap in check on D and hurt him on O, the Wizards may steal this. I just don’t think they can.
Jack: Jeff Teague vs. John Wall. Point guard is the most important position on the court, and the winner of this matchup is going to go a long way in determining who wins this series. I see John Wall continuing his sharp play and gaining the upper hand on Teague.
Chris: Bradley Beal vs. Demarre Carroll. The Wizards need Beal to become the player that many think he can become in this series, and he’s going to have to do that with guys like Carroll all over him. If Beal can play like a star, then the Wizards have a shot at winning this thing.