If you don’t think superstars and their narratives dominate this league to the exclusion of everything else, consider the Hawks-Wizards series and what it has been reduced to. Before the series started, there was legitimate and intelligent discussion about the match-ups. How would seven foot Marcin Gortat do against the aggressive but undersized Atlanta Hawks front line? Would Paul Pierce wreck havoc in Atlanta? Could Kyle Korver’s defense on Bradley Beal hurt his offense? What about John Wall? How would his battle with Jeff Teague go?
But since the second game ended, and because the three day layoff means stories about something other than the game, it’s been John Wall 24-7. No one is talking about how the Hawks front court has been dominating the series. Or, how the Hawks are finding ways to rack up assists. Or, the Kent Bazemore sighting, brief as it was. Or, what the hell has happened to Nene?
It’s the John Wall soap opera.
In game one, John Wall was a brilliant playmaker. He was a scratch in game two and then the drama started. First it was the damage to his wrist. Wall called it a “badly sprained wrist” and had a grim expression as if he had just swallowed dirt before he met with reporters to talk about it. Then it was revealed the sprained wrist was more complicated, it was broken bones in his wrist and hand.
Today it was Randy Wittman in a furious rant against Washington Post writer, Michael Lee, who in his column yesterday said that “Wall clashed with team medical staffers before sitting out Tuesday because he felt something more serious had caused his hand to explode.”
"“That is a flat out lie. That is unfair to this kid. That is so far from the truth. Your inside source obviously is not on the inside. That is not fair to this kid. Our doctors are busting their ass- to have something like that said- that’s not right.” (Randy Wittman)"
And so the circle turns. The fact of it is, nothing about the Wizards drama concerns the Hawks, nor should it. Either Wall plays or Ramon Sessions plays. Both are quick and can get to the rim. Wall is a more complete player, more dangerous, with a variety of skills, but Sessions is a good perimeter shooter who you can’t leave open and he can finish.
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May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) is fouled by Washington Wizards guard Ramon Sessions (7) during the second half in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Hawks have to worry about the Hawks. Their problems have not narrowed any, nor have they disappeared. Their issues are just not talked about because what is going on with John Wall is mythological, a hero being slayed by his own body.
Before this series started, the national media picked the Wizards to win because of the John Wall factor. To listen to them now, you’d think the sky had a hole in it and lead was dripping from the clouds.
Pat Riley used to call distractions “the peripheral opponent.” He knew how easy it was to be sidetracked. This is the Hawks great challenge, to ignore the media hysteria. Don’t overplay the John Wall circumstance even though the media can’t get enough of the hand wringing.
The Hawks have things to work out like Jeff Teague being re-introduced to his jump shot. And Kyle Korver making open threes. The Hawks ball movement was sharp in game two but on the road of late they have been stagnant. The Hawks also have to find a way to get more out of their bench.
Game 3 is anyone’s game. It is anyone’s fight. The Hawks need to block out the John Wall noise and concentrate on moving the ball, rebounding and guarding the three point line. Those are the keys to victory. And it doesn’t really matter, at the end of the day, who is talking about whom.
The Hawks have been disregarded all year long so this is nothing new. The prize are the wins. The Hawks need 11 more.