View From the Other Side
Bucks at Hawks, November 28, 2007
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Micah Hart, Website Manager for the Atlanta Hawks, wanted to get to know the Bucks a little better before tonight's match-up between the Bucks and Hawks. Bucks.com directed Micah to our number 1 knowledge bank, Jim Paschke. Jim in turn had a few questions for Micah to help fans get a view from the other side. Tip off is at 6 pm on FSN Wisconsin and 620 WTMJ radio.

Jim Asks The Questions:

JP: I read a column in the AJC recently which questioned Mike Woodson's ability to coach this young, talented team as opposed to the team's he has had recently in Atlanta. What's up with this?

Micah: Well, first of all, you have to take anything most of the AJC's columnists have to say with a large grain of salt. On opening night we beat Dallas, which was a huge win for the team, and in the next day's paper there was a column blasting us for taking Marvin Williams over Chris Paul. The wonderful Sekou Smith aside, the AJC doesn't exactly have it's finger on the pulse of the average Hawks fan.

That being said, this is definitely a big year for Mike Woodson. He has suffered through several years of painful growth, but the current roster is ready to compete. He is in the final year of his contract, and he knows he has to get this team to perform or he will have to start updating his resume. He'll tell you the same thing.

JP: Marvin Williams seems to be growing quickly into the player the league thought he could be when he was drafted number 2 in 2005. What is the inside scoop on his development?

Micah: Marvin has looked awesome the first month of the season, and is providing the team with a dangerous second perimeter option to Joe Johnson. His confidence is through the roof, and though he is hitting jumpers like there is no tomorrow, he has also gotten much more aggressive going to the basket. He is on pace right now to shoot almost 150 more FTs than he did a year ago. If he can keep it up, the Hawks stand a very good chance to stay in the thick of things in the East.

JP: Bucks fans did not see Acie Law in the first meeting. Is his ankle healed and if so, what can we expect tonight?

Micah: I don't believe we'll see Acie tonight as he continues to heal from the fluke ankle injury he suffered when the Bobcats' Ryan Hollins landed on him a couple weeks ago. He is itching to get back on the court as soon as possible, but the coaching staff is being cautious with him so as not to exacerbate the injury. Trust me - we want him back as soon as possible too - we need his toughness and leadership. The latest word around here is perhaps this weekend.

JP: Josh Childress ("the other Josh") appears to be a great talent. What are his lusses and minusses
at this point?

Micah: Josh Childress is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. People see his jumpshot and figure he can't be that good, but he sticks it often enough to put up one of the better shooting percentages in the league every year. Chills is a valued commodity in the NBA for many reasons, but in particular for his ability to score without needing the ball. He seems to tip in two or three baskets a game, and if the league ever held a lay-up contest during All-Star Weekend, he might take home the hardware. He may never make the All-Star team, but he is exactly the kind of player every winning team needs on hand (think the Tayshaun Princes and Shane Battiers of the world).

JP: The Hawks are the youngest team in the league. Which players represent the team's core moving forward?

Micah: Well, it obviously begins and ends with Joe Johnson. Much like Michael Redd, JJ puts up big numbers without drawing a ton of attention to himself. He is the cornerstone of the franchise. Frankly though, almost every player on the roster at present could be considered part of the team's core. In an ideal world, the Hawks will find a way to hold onto all of Joe, the Joshes, Marvin, Zaza Pachulia, Acie, and Al Horford going forward and in the process become mainstays in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Micah Asks The Questions:

Micah: The Bucks have put together a pretty impressive winning streak of late. Is there anything in particular you attribute it to?

JP: The Bucks seem to have taken on the personality of coach larry Krystkowiak. They play a solid, grind it out type of game, using fundmanetal play. lately, they haven't been taking or giving up big leads. Just solid team basketball. the Bucks are passing the ball and playing selflessly. They are also balancing their offense with drives and outside shots. they have been getting to the free throw line more.

Micah: Obviously, the big story of your offseason was acquiring Royal Ivey. I kid of course (I'll be here all week! Tip your waitress!) But seriously, what do you make of the performance of your big acquisition, Yi Jianlian?

JP: Yi is a very impressive rookie. he has a very high basketball IQ. The coaches only have to tell him something once and he has it. He is a very crafty player. Yi has a nice inside-out mix to his offense, and his length makes him a very solid individual defender. He has very often appeared to be among the most talented players on the court most nights.

Micah: Mo Williams went to my high school, so I am incredibly biased towards his performance. As someone who sees him every game, what is your biased opinion of his ascendency to becoming one of the league's better point guards?

JP: Mo has always battled the criticsm of being a shoot-first point guard. While he has done that on occasion, lately Mo has beautifully facilitated the Bucks offense. His assists are up, and he is working everyone into the offense very well. By the way, it is a great weapon to have a point guard who can score when it is needed. Mo probably would tell you he needs to get to the free throw line a little more, but other than that, he is playing extrememly well.

Micah: This is Larry Krystkowiak's first full season as head coach of the Bucks. What if any are the biggest differences between him and Terry Stotts, the man he replaced during the last part of the 2006-07 season?

JP: I hesitate to compare coaches. Everyone has their own style. Larry coaches the way he played. he is a no-nonsense, common-sense coach who has the trust of the players. He doesn't tolerate foolishness, and has a great grasp of this profession and the attitude it takes to be successful.
Terry Stotts is a very cerebral coach and one of the nicest people in the game.

Micah: We were sad to see Royal Ivey go - he was a fan favorite here in Atlanta for his hustle and work ethic. How has he fit into the Bucks plans so far? Any chance his minutes will increase as the season goes forward?

JP: Royal has done a fine job so far. He gives the Bucks defense, and recently scored 15 points in a victory over Cleveland. He has fit into the team very well. A solid acquisition by General Manager Larry harris.