The Hawks are a very interesting team, in that they’re very talented yet it feels like there is something holding them back. They’re the most dangerous beatable team in the NBA. For the past couple years I’ve always felt a link between the Hawks and Blazers. Maybe it’s because of the comparisons between Joe Johnson and Brandon Roy might be. The combination of youth and athleticism. The stories of teams brushing off past failures to return to prominence. Either way, tonight is going to be interesting when Atlanta comes into the Rose Garden. The Hawks come into tonight’s game at 2-1 and on fire offensively. They’re averaging 110 points a game. I know, you’re going to tell me that two of those games came against Indiana and Washington. But, the Hawks did post a 110-point piece on the Lakers in the Staples Center on Sunday night. And they’re defense is certainly at a higher level right now than the Blazers. I’m a little concerned when you combine a team with so many offensive weapons against a developing defense, so that will be something to watch.

Sticking with the offense, one of Atlanta’s main strengths is their balance, something Portland fans would love to see the Blazers consistently provide. It’s only through three games, but the Hawks have six players averaging double figure points a game. Led by the always dangerous Joe Johnson (23.0 PPG, 43.4% from the field)…and I do mean always dangerous. He’s the type of guy who could drop a smooth 40 with ease. I mean did you see the 18 he dropped on the Lakers in the first quarter? That’s what I like to call video game talent. And the thing is though, you know that he’s going to get his shots so you just have to do your best against his talent. Josh Smith is averaging 15, Al Horford averaging 13 and 12 boards, Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams both putting up 10 a piece. Throw it Jamal Crawford averaging 12 off the bench and I’m hoping you can see the challenge the Blazers could face defensively tonight. This is the first time I think the Blazers are going to face a team that is this potently balanced offensively. The Rockets and Thunder both had offensive liabilities. No offense to the Nuggets but you’ll let Anthony Carter, Aaron Afflalo or Graham #4 shoot the ball. You don’t really want any of these Hawks shooting the ball too much.

(Sidenote: Just based on what Bibby has done to the Blazers in a Kings uni and Crawford in a Warriors uni, I’m always scared of them. Always)

Despite their offensive prowess, it’s not all good in the hood for the Hawks. There is one thing that Atlanta has struggled with this year: defense, clap clap. They gave up 109 to Indiana on opening night and 118 to the Lakers on Sunday. As good as they are offensively, they leave a lot to be desired defensively. Which is strange because of how much talent they have. Combine that with struggles they have had in the past, such as taking care of the ball and not looking completely clueless in the half-court and it will be an equal challenge for them in the Rose Garden.

On the other side of the ball is a Blazer team still trying to find itself. Through 4 games, it’s not time to hit the panic button at all but steps have to be made with every game to get better. Portland has yet to put it all together in any of the 4 games yet somehow has still found a way to in all of them to their credit. Tonight may be a bit tougher. As I write this the status of LaMarcus Aldridge is still in the air, but for all intended purposes it looks as if he’s going to be out. That’s going to put a big burden on guys to step up and carry the load offensively. After the Houston game I talked about how Portland needs someone to help Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Well now that becomes even more important. Greg Oden is going to be tested going against a physical front line in Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia and Joe Smith. (And PS if it’s ever Juwan Howard vs. Joe Smith out there tonight, my head will explode) I assume with LMA out he’s going to be more involved in the offense as far as looking to post him up. Interesting to see how he responds. At the 4, Travis Outlaw isn’t going to quite have the advantage he usually has possibly going up against Josh Smith. (Although if he settles for a fadeaway against Joe Smith and his 54 year old knees…you guessed it. Head explosion). Martell Webster will have to continue to show off that sweet stroke and renewed aggression offensively. Steve Blake’s going to have to make shots. For some reason though, I feel a breakout game coming from Andre Miller tonight. Don’t ask me why, I gotta feeling. That tonight’s gonna be a good night. Sorry, it’s a bad habit.

A last thought before I get to the keys. This is a game Portland can win just by playing solid defense and executing offensively. Atlanta has traditionally been a joke in the half-court. This has traditionally been an area where Portland has excelled. Where I’m concerned is if our defense isn’t solid and we give up open shots, or the second unit tries to run and we get sloppy and turn the ball over (playing into their hands).

Keys to the Game

• Battle defensively. Atlanta can score. Atlanta is physical. Portland needs to answer the challenge and take steps defensively tonight.

• Take care of the ball. This could be a key in every game but tonight it certainly applies. Atlanta is currently forcing  18 turnovers  a game. They feast on being able to get into the open court and get easy buckets. They turn into a completely different monster if they’re alllowed to run. When you consider how awful they can be in the half-court, you don’t want to give them any sort of buckets.

• Win the battle of the boards. More importantly, don’t give them second shots. They’re averaging 11 offensive rebounds a game. Portland’s got to finish stops with rebounds. Atlanta has the physicality (Horford, Zaza) and length (Smith, Williams, Johnson) to crash the boards hard.

• Win the three point battle. The Hawks are currently shooting 34.5% from behind the arc and allowing opponents to shoot 43.5% from three. If Portland can shoot those kind of numbers from behind the arc tonight I think we’ll be fine. This might be a game where our help defense can work out. Johnson, Bibby, Crawford and maybe Maurice Evans scare me from deep. Everyone else I’ll gladly allow them to jack up threes.

• Win the battle of the benches. Atlanta’s depth has improved but I still think our second unit is better. If we can’t outplay Crawford/Zaza/Smith/Teague/Evans than we’ve got some bigger issues.

• Help Brandon Roy out. Enough said. Offensively we’re much better in the half court than they are, but only if other guys step up. I’d imagine they’ll be concentrating a lot of effort towards stopping #7.

Another night, another game, and another chance to see where the Blazers are at. Improvement is the key early. That and winning is pretty nice.

• Los Angeles: Sasha Vujacic

Come on now this is just too easy. The hair. The uber girl hair net. The nickname. The fact that everytime there is a call he complains. Every. Single. Time. His reaction when he makes a shot or when he misses a shot. The fact that he looks exactly like Rafael Nadal minus any sort of coolness to him. Even Adam Morrison wanted to fight him and Adam Morrison is nearly in ‘Boy I sure am glad I’m still in the NBA’ mode. Sasha just bothers me with all of his unnecessary dramatic tendencies. Lamar Odom is close behind because…well…he’s Lamar Odom and if you don’t know why I would find Odom annoying…YouTube ‘lamar odom blazers’ and then get back at me. Not to mention his jumping for joy during Kobe’s black-and-white commerical. Drives me up the wall everytime.

• Houston: Von Wafer

This was a tough one seeing as how the Rockets just bounced Portland from the playoffs. They definitely aren’t my favorite team right now. It was really hard not to go with Luis Scola here, but I respect his game. Von Wafer on the other hand….no, no, no. You might ask yourself…Von Wafer? What’s so annoying about that guy? What annoys me about Von Wafer is his swag. He carries himself like he’s not Von f’n Wafer. Seriously, it’s like he wakes up in the morning and doesn’t remember that he’s Von f’n Wafer. Apparently he avoids mirrors which would remind him that he’s Von Wafer. He has no conscious on the court and I guess I should applaud it but sheesh louise I can’t. It was like Ryan Hollins trying to get the ‘pump-fake, get the defender to jump in the air, jump into him’ foul and the referees nearly openly laughing at him. Von Wafer should not have swag. No, no, no. Yet I’m sure if I brought in someone who had never seen basketball and showed them how Von Wafer carried himself they would think he was the best player on the Rockets. He absolutely bothers me in every single way.

• Denver: Chris Andersen

I actually respect the Birdman. Today watching the Nuggets/Mavericks game, I could see why Denver fans love him. He plays hard, leaves it all on the floor and swats nearly everything that comes his way. But, the careening and posing after every block is a bit much. The hair, the headband and the tattoos. Annoying. I still remember when he blocked Rudy in Denver this year and ran his hand through his hair….yikes. Definitely an easy target not to like. JR Smith’s swag can get up there and Kenyon Martin’s existence, but other than that the Nuggets aren’t too bad in the annoying department.

• Dallas: Jason Terry

He makes this list only because of how talented he is. What I’ve learned about the Jet is that he is going to go off on you at some point. Generally in the 4th quarter. Seriously, he’s annoying because of the fact that in the 4th quarter you know he is making big shots. Seriously. You know the type of guy that when you watch the ball get rotated to him you just start shaking your head…and he hasn’t even put the shot up yet. That’s Jason Terry. Maybe I’m saying this because he enjoys torturing the Blazers but when he gets going I just want to scream. I’m cool with Dirk as long as he stays away from the Hasslehoff love. Ditto with Jason Kidd, although I’m a bit worried because we haven’t seen his son (or that moustache) for years.

• Boston: Big Baby Davis

There is no need for words. 

• Orlando: Stan Van Gundy

Hands down it’s SVG. I know he’s not a player, but man his antics drive me up the wall. He bites his nails on the sideline during a game?!?! He looks like he’s having a panic attack all the time. Watch a Magic/Celtics game and tell me SVG doesn’t bug you. I defy you to tell me that. Come on now.

• Atlanta: Zaza Pachulia

I wanted to put in Josh Smith for his horrendous body language, but you can’t ignore Zaza. Ever since he decided to go mano y mano with KG last year I’ve just shaken my head when I see him. How can you not be irked by Zaza Pachulia? Seriously.

• Cleveland: Joe Smith

I will admit that this Cavs team is pretty likeable. Varejao is too easy of a target in this kind of list, and to be honest he doesn’t really bother me besides the flopping. Big Z has that weird Andre the Giant-type likeability about him. Delonte West is just flat out entertaining, even if at times he looks like a meth addict with herpes. So I’m going with Joe Smith, simply based on the fact he raps and his rap name is Joe Beast. Joe Smith, the most disappointing #1 pick that everyone forgets about calls himself Joe Beast. Un. Real.

And that’s my list. Thoughts? Any others I missed?