nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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10-06-14 10:29 PM - Post#173585
Mike's night in the Hawk's exhibition game, a 93-87 win over New Orleans. 4-7 fgm, 0-1 3pt, 2-4 ftm-a, 10 reb, 2 asst, 1 st, and 2 blks, 10 pts, in 22.50 minutes. A very nice game for the first of the season, let's hope this is the start of a great year for our favorite NBA player.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-06-14 11:30 PM - Post#173590
In response to nitlion
Thanks. Mike's first NBA double-double? Other than the 2-4 from the line (and we know that's not a long-term issue), that's a very nice stat line. Two other good things: zero turnovers and a team-leading +8 in the +/- category. Mike's 10 boards also led the Hawks.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-07-14 08:40 AM - Post#173595
In response to Bison137
Game article: http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/10/6/6926635/ha...
Some of the viewer comments about Mike below the article are interesting. One example:
Moose was one of the best players on the court. High energy, used his body well down low. Contested shots at the rim, made shots from outside and inside. Moose is a keeper. Excellent fit for our system. He’s put on weight and was throwing it around tonight, add to that the Bucknell pedigree of being able to make jumpers and you’ve got an interesting and valuable player as a reserve center who can play some 4 as well.
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atlantabison
PhD Student
Posts: 1835
Loc: Atlanta, GA
Reg: 01-25-06
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10-10-14 10:47 AM - Post#173731
In response to Bison137
AJC Profile on Mike's progress.
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketbal l/hawks-hi...
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-11-14 07:53 AM - Post#173750
In response to atlantabison
Thanks AB!
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nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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10-11-14 07:53 PM - Post#173769
In response to bison63
Jaryd Wilson @JarydWilson
Follow
In #ATLHawks news, Mike Muscala was running in Al Horford's place with the starters today at shootaround. He's a candidate to start tonight.
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nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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10-11-14 08:23 PM - Post#173770
In response to nitlion
Mike got his first NBA start, early 2 points and 4 rebounds.
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Paulie777
PhD Student
Posts: 1767
Reg: 11-11-07
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10-11-14 10:46 PM - Post#173773
In response to nitlion
I didn't see or hear the game but number 31's stat line looks pretty good, and I'm sure he got some great experience tonight. He's definitely heading in the right direction and the future looks bright. It would have been nice if he could have put up a few three's but not tonight I guess.
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nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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10-11-14 10:47 PM - Post#173774
In response to nitlion
Hawks lost 93-88, and Mike played the most minutes of all their players, just under 31. His stat line not what I would hope for, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block a couple of turnovers and 5 fouls. It was good to see him get the start.
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Raymond Bucknell
Sophomore
Posts: 179
Reg: 11-14-11
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Mike Muscala
10-11-14 11:26 PM - Post#173776
In response to nitlion
The box score is misleading. He looked very, very good and much improved defensively. His stat line is missing one of his blocks, and his +/- in a losing effort, particularly considering the minutes he played, shouldn't be overlooked. First time I can honestly say he wasn't completely outmuscled by players like Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol on the defensive end. The Grizzlies started and used their A-team throughout and I still came away very impressed by his output in spite of the box score.
Edited by buck-u on 10-11-14 11:28 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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10-14-14 06:47 PM - Post#173861
In response to Raymond Bucknell
Mike is listed as the starter again for tonight's game against Miami.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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10-14-14 07:22 PM - Post#173862
In response to jkrun80
Now I'm seeing Horford may start. Mike is sure to get plenty of minutes regardless.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-14-14 10:31 PM - Post#173866
In response to jkrun80
Mike 5 rebounds, 2 points (1-1 on FG's), and 2 assists in 12 minutes. Hawks beat the Heat.
The Hawks have seven legitimate players at PF/C - starters Horford and Millsap, plus reserves Elton Brand, Mike Scott, Adreian Payne, Pero Antic, and MM. Probably only four will see significant time on a given night - although injuries obviously will affect things. Also Mike's ability to hit the three could earn him time in certain games when the Hawks are behind.
Payne was the Hawks' 1st round draft pick, but it is questionable whether he is ready. Antic is old and saw semi-regular playing time for Atlanta last year, following 12+ years playing in Europe. Scott, like Antic, was a regular off the Hawks' bench last year. Also Brand, who is about 35 years-old, was a rotation regular last year. He has managed to stay fairly healthy in recent years. Putting it all together, it will be a real fight to get backup minutes at the four and five.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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10-15-14 09:06 AM - Post#173871
In response to Bison137
Evaluation of Mike's game from Peachtree hoops:
"Muscala returned to the bench Tuesday night and didn't get into the game until the second half but finished the night with five rebounds in just over 11 minutes. He has done excellent work on the boards this preseason averaging just under seven per game. Mike Budenholzer is going to have some decisions to make in regards to his rotation once the regular season gets here but Muscala hasn't hurt his chances for playing time."
It seems he has also stepped up his defense, which will help his playing time as well. He had, according to the Atlanta announcers, a nice block on Chris Bosch that was called a foul instead. Given the age of Antic and Brand, along with Horford's injury history, the prospects seem good for significant playing time despite their depth at the 4/5.
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SteelCity
Junior
Posts: 261
Reg: 02-04-06
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10-15-14 02:08 PM - Post#173875
In response to jkrun80
With his age and favorable contract, I can't imagine MM not being in the mix this season. He seems to have put on some good weight and is getting more comfortable with the NBA game.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-15-14 07:50 PM - Post#173880
In response to SteelCity
Radio interview with Mike:
http://www.dudesonsports.com/the-g-unit/2014/10/15 ...
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-20-14 11:19 PM - Post#174059
In response to Bison137
Mike had a "DNP - Coaches Decision" tonight. Not sure how meaningful this is, but it seems like he may be running 5th in a race for 4 spots. The two bigs off the bench tonight were Elton Brand and Mike Scott.
As pointed out by jkrun, age and injuries will open up some playing time - even if it is not opening night.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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10-21-14 01:26 PM - Post#174096
In response to Bison137
I wouldn't read too much into Mike sitting this one out. This was their 5th game in 9 days and Mike has played quite a few minutes. Brand did not play in the Saturday game, so was due to get more minutes.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-21-14 03:14 PM - Post#174109
In response to jkrun80
I agree to some extent, but Mike only played 9 minutes in their previous game on Saturday and 14 on Thursday. He shouldn't have been tired. Hopefully it's about the Hawks trying different combinations. If nothing else, he should see some PT when the Hawks need to stretch the floor.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-21-14 03:36 PM - Post#174111
In response to Bison137
A couple of blurbs from Hawks' sites:
- Both Mike Muscala and Adreian Payne received the "DNP - Coach's Decision" distinction in this game, and Budenholzer was quick to point out in the pregame that everyone on the roster was "available" in this match-up. This isn't cause for panic in terms of future playing time, especially in the case of Muscala, but it is worth noting that Elton Brand received extended minutes in a game that did not feature a dominant post scorer on the opposing roster.
- Budenholzer said before the game that he would use the final two exhibition games to work his way into a regular-season rotation. The coach has said he may go as many as 10 deep. John Jenkins, Mike Muscala and rookie Adreian Payne did not play and Pero Antic played just three minutes. Budenholzer did use three point guards Monday. There is certain to be variation from night to night based on matchup and circumstances but you can see the way Budenholzer is leaning.
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