Quotes, Notes, and Links From the Interval Between Games 1 and 2

Michael Cunningham reports that Joe Johnson's right thumb still bothers him. Johnson:

"It takes a little while for [the feeling] to come back. Other than that, I’ve been good. I am just trying to pick my spots out there and get guys involved. I am just going to rest it after the season. That is the only way it is going to get better. I’ve just got to keep icing it and treating it."

Joe Johnson is still getting credit for forcing two Brandon Jennings turnovers in the third quarter. The other 29 possessions, most of those at least beginning with Johnson defending Jennings, that Jennings used to create 40 points continue to go unmentioned.

More convincingly, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is credited with doing a "respectable" job against Johnson in Game 1.

Today's story from Cunningham in the AJC details the lip service the Atlanta Hawks pay to playing good defense with passages both amusing:

Playing defense for the Hawks can be just as taxing mentally as it is physically.

Their schemes can vary drastically depending on the combination of players they have on the floor. Players must quickly gauge things such as which opponent has the ball in which area of the floor before deciding how to react.

One thing stays the same. It’s what Hawks coach Mike Woodson calls the "individual challenge" of defense, and it doesn’t depend on systems or strategy.

"Just guard your man," Hawks guard Jamal Crawford said.

and revealing:

"My mentality is to not give up a layup or a three," Horford said of defending guards. "When I played in college for [Florida’s Billy] Donovan, I was put in a position of guarding a lot of smaller perimeter guys. I remember he used to tell us, 'No threes and no layups.' If they want to hit those long [two-point baskets], you can live with those as long as you are challenging them. That’s what I try to do."

Scott Skiles sets realistic defensive goals for the Milwaukee Bucks:

"In the third quarter they shot 39%. I don't expect us to go out and hold the Atlanta Hawks to 39% shooting in a full game; they're a very talented team. But it can't be 62%, either. When we see our guys not playing as well as they have, as hard as they have, we have to address it."

At Brew Hoop, Frank Madden would like to see Carlos Delfino get a chance to defend Joe Johnson.

Michael Cunnigham also interviewed Michael Gearon, Jr. I agree that turning Shelden Williams into Mike Bibby isn't bad work but it doesn't make up for turning the chance to draft Brandon Roy into drafting Shelden Williams in the first place.

Peachtree Hoops is not scared of Brandon Jennings.

Bucksketball questions whether or not to worry about Mike Bibby. From a different perspective than Hawks fans have wondered that at times this season.