<div style="padding: 0px 5px;" class="font-sizer4" id="story_font"> from hoopsworld pretty good read.</p> Some guys can just play.</p> Forget the stat lines, assist-to-turnover ratios, and athletic measurements; some players just look, act and carry themselves like they belong on the floor in an NBA game.</p> Atlanta Hawks rookie point guard Acie Law is one of those players.</p> How do you know? With the guys who can play, you just do. You can tell by the calm demeanor and the way they move and react when they are on the court. When they have the ball in their hands, there is no panic – no excited sense of urgency that leads to mistakes.</p> Guys who can play are in control, never in a hurry. They have a confident patience about them – a calm vibe saying they know exactly what they are doing. They use their quickness only when they need it, not in a constant display of foot fire.</p> Acie Law had that look in his first pre-season game. It was especially noticeable after watching veterans Jameer Nelson and Carlos Arroyo dribble around frantically all night long like their pants were on fire. Of all the guards on the court, rookie Acie Law looked like the veteran.</p> Many young point guards just dribble themselves into trouble, trying to do too much. They try to go too fast, make decisions too quickly, and put themselves in tough spots. Even veteran guards can be guilty of this at times. Veterans Nelson and Arroyo dribbled and dribbled all over the floor, missed open shooters and took ill-advised shots. Rookie Law looked like he was in complete control.</p> Just my opinion? Absolutely, but not without ample supporting evidence. If it pleases the court:</p> Exhibit A: On one possession, Law caught the ball in the back court, turned and had Jameer Nelson right in his face ready to work him for 94 feet. It was the classic quick, strong veteran trying to rattle the rookie. Law took two slow dribbles, then…WHAM! – a quick behind the back dribble and up the floor into the front court to start the offense. It was almost as if he ignored Nelson - didn't even acknowledge his presence. Exhibit B: A number of times, the rookie settled at the top of the floor surveying the court, waiting for screens and cutters - keeping his dribble alive. As things began to break down he waited and waited, then …WHAM! – a quick left to right snap crossover putting him in the paint or at a better angle to deliver the pass. When it was time to go, a quick move and he was gone.</p> Two other key pieces of evidence really got my attention:</p> Exhibit C: Law was dribbling at the top of the key, reading Joe Johnson's cut off the double stagger. Johnson faded to the wing, and then…(no wham this time) – Law floated a perfect pass over the screener and defenders, hitting Johnson in perfect rhythm for the deep three. A touch pass right on the money – Jason Kidd couldn't do it any better.</p> Exhibit D: This play was maybe the most impressive. Law had the ball on the right wing and waited for the ballscreen from the post. He took a dribble toward the screen, hesitated, and then…WHAM! – a quick crossover back to the baseline, another dribble to the basket, and a little skip step to the rim with a right hand finish. That got a "WOW" out of me, and that's when I said out loud, "He's better than any guard Orlando has."</p> Just to put my case over the top, the rookie also made his presence felt on the defensive end.</p> Exhibit E (I guess this should be Exhibit "D"): J.J. Redick had cut to the basket, and caught the pass right in front of the rim. Law was on his inside shoulder, and gave him some body on the catch. J.J. tried a couple of panicky shot fakes, and Law just got more physical. Redick kicked it back out in frustration.</p> So, in his first pre-season game, what did rookie Acie Law accomplish? He let some veteran guards in his division know he can go anywhere he wants to with the ball and they can't bother him defensively. He also sent a message saying he's not afraid to be physical with them at the other end. Not a bad statement to make in your first game.</p> Maybe the best thing Law has going for him is the opportunity to learn from Tyronn Lue. Of the dozens of NBA players I have worked with over the years, no one understands flow and rhythm of team offense better than Ty Lue. Law can learn from Lue, the law of playing the point guard position. (I couldn't resist.)</p> There are other rookies getting more hype and another point guard was drafted ahead of him. However, on many nights during the upcoming NBA season, don't be surprised if Acie Law is the best guard on the floor and running the point on the All-Rookie Team at the end of the year.</p> </div> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> LOL I don't know about that, but he's been very sold for us.</p> </div></p> </p> You're selling Acie?</p> </p>
He is a very solid PG. I like what he does for our team, and he knows how to lead. It is weird, saying he is the best guard on the floor. I still think Johnson is better then him, but that is overall. Passing wise, Law wins. The big difference I see between Law and Johnson is how they space the floor while at the PG position. I think Law is a better drive and kick guy, and he can find guys in traffic. While Johnson is always being doubled because he is a threat from outside. It is a good combination at PG, that Woodson should use.</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Exhibit C: Law was dribbling at the top of the key, reading Joe Johnson's cut off the double stagger. Johnson faded to the wing, and then…(no wham this time) – Law floated a perfect pass over the screener and defenders, hitting Johnson in perfect rhythm for the deep three. A touch pass right on the money – Jason Kidd couldn't do it any better.</div> </p> Yea, Nets fans. Take that. </p>
