Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Every weekday, Shoals recounts playoff action in terms of the seven categories that govern the universe.
Big: For five-hundred fourth quarter possessions in a row, the Hawks gave Joe Johnson the ball and waited. He delivered on every single one of these, netting 20 points in that fateful final period. Hopefully, now people get why he's a max player, even if I still don't see how this is the recipe for 8/1 upsets.
Small: Boston had the league's best defense. So maybe it makes sense that they couldn't keep up with the Hawks running at full-throttle. But endless isolations? That they lost on that betrays everything their season stood for.
True: A sweep for Kobe and friends, the only one of this first round. And against a team that some felt could put up a fight. Beware the Lakers/Spurs collision; that's where the real center of gravity is these days.
False: I watched the Hawks play a lot this year. This series is the most cohesive I've ever seen them, and the way they closed out this latest chapter was pretty much the antithesis of ATL basketball. I'm sorry, but teams just don't grow up overnight.
Wide: I've been hung up on Dwight Howard's 20/20 games, mostly because they seem to come so easily that he should do it all the time. Three in this series suggests that; it's the first time it's happened since Wilt, and reason to move Orlando up on your personal power rankings.
Narrow: Some wise words from Zaza Pachulia, on Kevin Garnett, who he tried to fight: ""We all know he's a great player. He's done a lot of good things for the league. He's a future Hall of Famer. But it doesn't matter when we're on the court." The Hawks show no deference, and it's working.
Obama/Hillary: I really, really thought I heard the Phillips Arena crowd chanting "yes we can" at one point.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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