Atlanta, GA
2 Key Adjustments Hawks Must Make After Ugly Game 1 Loss To Celtics
It has been an uneven 2022-23 season for the Atlanta Hawks, by no means missing for its share of ups-and-downs. When at their greatest, the Hawks can defeat anybody, however at their worst, they’ve the look of a crew able to give up and go house.
It received so dire for Atlanta at one level, the entrance workplace determined it was time to vary head coaches in the midst of the season, firing Nate McMillan and changing him with Quin Snyder. Even with the squad in flux, bringing Snyder in gave the impression to be a relaxing that was desperately wanted.
By all of it, the Hawks had been in a position to make it to the Jap Convention Play-In Event, and the Miami Warmth had been ready for them. It was a frightening job to return to Miami and win, however Atlanta got here up with their greatest sport of the season, and earned a playoff berth within the course of with an unbelievable victory.
Their reward for the win is a matchup with the Boston Celtics, the reigning convention champions, within the first spherical, and if Sport 1 is any indication, it’s a battle that may take a monumental effort to overcome.
The Celtics regarded dominant through the contest, constructing an enormous lead earlier than cruising to a 112-99 victory. The Hawks regarded torpid within the first half earlier than exhibiting a pulse within the second half. By that point, it was too late and too huge of a gap to climb out of.
With Sport 2 Tuesday evening in Boston, Atlanta has a bit of time to make changes in an try to have a greater efficiency earlier than the scene adjustments to Atlanta. Listed here are a few issues they will do to provide them the perfect likelihood to win.
1. Get off to a greater begin
As talked about earlier, the Hawks received off to a gradual begin in Sport 1, and the sport was basically over earlier than they had been in a position to actually get began. With that mentioned, that doesn’t imply there isn’t something Atlanta may take out of the competition to construct upon. They did compete within the second half, and so they reduce into the Celtics’ lead earlier than being held off.
With out getting too analytical with the suggestions, the Hawks need to get off to a greater begin. They will’t finish the primary quarter down by 10, then have it snowball to 30 at halftime. Come Sport 2, they need to at the very least be within the constructing.
So as to try this, the crew’s star participant must be the one to set the tone. Which means guard Trae Younger has to return out aggressively, whether or not that’s in search of his personal shot, or simply merely attacking to attract extra protection in direction of him to arrange his teammates. Both manner, Younger must have a giant sport if Atlanta desires to compete on this sport and the collection as a complete.
Merely put, they need to know what it feels wish to have a lead.
2. Meet drive with drive
From the opening faucet, it was clear Boston was the extra aggressive crew, with their stars, forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, getting downhill and seeking out their offense. On the defensive finish, the Celtics made positive Atlanta didn’t get something straightforward, with waves of defenders making issues uncomfortable for the visiting Hawks.
In the meantime, Atlanta regarded like a crew that has by no means been within the playoffs earlier than, forgetting what it’s wish to be in heated environments. Let’s bear in mind the crew is generally the identical from the one which made it to the convention finals simply two seasons in the past.
One factor we are able to rely on from the Celtics is physicality, and the Hawks need to match it (if not exceed it). Which means they will’t get pushed round, and shying away from contact can’t be an possibility. They’ve to grasp the hits are coming, and Boston gained’t quit their convention crown with no battle.
It’s understood that is an analytical and data-driven world we stay in nowadays, and the thirst to look go next-level in statistics is right here to remain. Generally, diving deep into numbers is just not wanted, and good, old school coronary heart and want is what’s going to win plenty of these contests, notably within the playoffs.
Finally, it’s the scoreboard that issues, however the path taken is what actually counts. Anybody who noticed Sport 1 of the Hawks-Celtics collection know Boston was the more durable and extra bodily crew. Atlanta has to have the mentality of 1 that claims they may meet them midway, or it is going to be time for offseason actions in brief order.
A boat rescue is underway for residents of a flooded Atlanta apartment complex.
The Peachtree Park Apartments on Peachtree Park Drive are feeling the impacts of Hurricane Helene as it comes through Georgia.
Heavy rain ahead of Helene’s full arrival in the metro area led to the apartment complex seeing lots of water, leading to the need for an evacuation.
A Channel 2 Action News photographer was at the scene, where first responders were using boats to help residents leave the apartment complex.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
RELATED STORIES:
Details on the exact number of people impacted were not immediately available.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Thursday evening and early Friday was downgraded to a Category 1 storm.
However, rain is still coming in and wind speeds are still reported at about 90 miles per hour, meaning the storm will still likely impact the area as it moves through.
Channel 2 Action News is working to get more details about the rescue underway.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS:
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 24: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates during the … [+]
Atlanta Braves right-handed starter Spencer Schwellenbach kept his team in the National League Wild Card race with a huge victory September 24.
Schwellenbach, 24, improved to 8-7, with a fine 3.47 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP in 20 starts for Atlanta.
Schwellenbach has thrown 116.2 innings in 20 appearances for the Braves.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 09: Injured Braves pitcher Spencer Strider watches the game from the dugout … [+]
Impactful Injuries:
The Braves have endured some very serious injuries this season, and they still have a chance to make the playoffs.
All Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. required surgery for a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament on his left knee. He has missed almost the entire season.
All star right-handed starter Spencer Strider, considered one of the best pitchers in baseball, has been sidelined since mid-April with elbow surgery that required an internal brace.
And to make matters worse for Atlanta, highly regarded third baseman Austin Riley’s season is over, due to a fractured hand.
Starter Reynaldo Lopez, who was having a very solid season on the mound, has been disabled with shoulder inflammation since September 10.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 27: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch … [+]
About Spencer Schwellenbach:
The Cleveland Indians selected Spencer Schwellenbach in the 34th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign with Cleveland.
Schwellenbach, who attended Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan, chose to attend the University of Nebraska, where he spent one season.
Schwellenbach, who also played soccer in high school, was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as Mr. Baseball in his senior year
Schwellenbach played three years of shortstop in high school, and was a two-way player at Nebraska.
At Nebraska, Schwellenbach appeared in 18 games on the mound, all in relief. He earned 10 saves.
Schwellenbach earned the John Olerud Award as the best two-way college player.
Schwellenbach was chosen in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft by the Braves.
Atlanta gave Schwellenbach a $1 million signing bonus.
After the draft, Schwellenbach underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him off the mound in both 2021, and 2022.
Schwellenbach missed a month of pitching in 2023, with shoulder inflammation.
His injury history dictates care in his use by the Braves staff.
This old scout was fortunate to see Schwellenbach in the 2023 All Star Futures Game in Seattle.
In that game, Schwellenbach threw one inning in relief; yielding one hit, while striking out two.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 07: Spencer Schwellenbach #56 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the … [+]
Scouting Spencer Schwellenbach:
Even though he was an award winning closer in college, the Braves have always used Schwellenbach as a starting pitcher.
Before his big league debut May 24, 2024, Schwellenbach made 24 minor league starts for Atlanta. He threw 110 minor league innings before he graduated to the Braves rotation.
Schwellenbach has a strong frame at 6-1, 200 pounds. He’s an excellent athlete.
A true power pitcher, Schwellenbach relies on both two-and four-seam fastballs as the foundation of a six-pitch mix.
According to brooksbaseball.net, Schwellenbach’s four-seamer sits at 96 miles per hour, but he can increase velocity when needed.
Schwellenbach’s sinker has a bit less velocity, sitting at 95 miles per hour.
Schwellenbach also throws a curve, a slider, a cutter, and a split.
One of the best aspects of Schwellenbach’s approach is his ability and desire to use any pitch at any time in the count. And his pitch distribution is very equal. Here are the percentages of Schwellenbach’s pitch use:
Fourseam fastball-37.24%
Sinking fastball=6.09%
Split (also a form of fastball)=10.77%
Cutter=14.52%
Slider=18.50%
Curve=12.88%
While he strikes out an average of 9.4 hitters per nine innings, Schwellenbach is only walking 1.8 hitters per nine, showing fine command and control of his arsenal.
Schwellenbach has yielded only 14 home runs in his 116.2 innings, which is outstanding.
Schwellenbach is the fifth starter in a solid Braves rotation that includes:
Chris Sale-LHP
Max Fried-LHP
Charlie Morton-RHP
Grant Holmes-RHP
Spencer Schwellenback-RHP
Scouting Grade: 55
For this old scout, Spencer Scwellenbach is a Grade 55 starter, which is a better than average performer.
Perhaps due to the Braves pitching injuries, Schwellenbach graduated to the big leagues quickly. However, he has earned the trust his team has placed in him.
If the Braves do make the playoffs, we may see Spencer Schwellenbach on the roster as pitching depth for a team on a mission.
Hawaii Deploying Drones to Kill Hated Frog
US-20 South Rexburg Exit to close starting Monday
University of Illinois Extension offers quick tips for homeowners to be climate stewards
How To Watch Indiana Football Against Maryland In Week 5
Iowa sues company accused of dumping disused wind-turbine blades at sites across state
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Video: What Threats Mean for Trump’s Campaign
North Carolina removes 747,000 from voter rolls
Is the EU's forest protection law becoming Brussels' next nightmare? | Radio Schuman
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky to meet as tensions rise
Video: Hurricane Helene Expected to Make Landfall Tonight
-
News1 week agoSecret Service Told Trump It Needs to Bolster Security if He Keeps Golfing
-
Business1 week agoU.S. Steel C.E.O. Says Nippon Deal Will Strengthen National Security
-
Politics1 week agoNew House Freedom Caucus chair reveals GOP rebel group's next 'big fight'
-
News1 week agoToplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
News1 week agoDisney trips meant for homeless NYC students went to school employees' families
-
Politics1 week agoBiden admin moves to reinstate Trump-era rule, delist gray wolves from endangered species list
-
Politics1 week agoDem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
World1 week agoWhat’s South Africa’s new school language law and why is it controversial?