NBA Draft

As a Hawks fan, draft night usually means I should go to bed early. Although I have yet to be mistaken for an NBA expert, I rarely agree with their decisions. Even when they're not busy selecting busts like Priest Lauderdale, Cal Bowdler, and Marvin Williams, I'm consistently disappointed with their moves.

Al Horford has been an All-Star and Josh Smith has brought an exciting brand of basketball to Philips Arena. But, this team can not win a championship with both players at the core of their roster. Smith fills up the stat sheet, but also has a tendency to forget that his 3 point shot is both dismal and deficient. If healthy, Horford could be a very valuable asset to this team, but he's gotta be moved to power forward. For that to happen, Atlanta needs to acquire a quality center to take over the 5 spot. Then, the high flyin' J Smooth must be evicted from playing the 4.

In today's NBA, good ain't good enough. You've got to have an elite squad, if your goal is to win championships. Atlanta has plateaued and will continue to be another title-less team, if significant upgrades to the roster aren't made. A rebuilding project will be tough to overhaul with Joe Johnson's immovable contract on the books. But, an attempt at shaking things up, in order to pursue a greater collection of talent would be extremely refreshing.

First Place Hawks

Fifteen games into the regular season, the Atlanta Hawks are doing a great job of proving me wrong. I expected the loss of Jamal Crawford to set this franchise back quite a bit. But so far...I stand corrected.

Fueled by Joe Johnson's 18.9 points per game, Atlanta is currently in first place in the Southeast standings, following a 92-89 victory over Crawford and the Trailblazers on Wednesday night. Jeff Teague has played well at the point, averaging 5.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Starting center, Al Horford, has been lost for the season, which could catch up to this team at some point.

But, the Hawks will continue to succeed, if they stick to the formula that's gotten them off to an 11-4 start...great defense and rebounding (ATL is 6th in NBA by allowing just 90.8 ppg, 10th in rebounds with 43.5 per game), along with a balanced scoring attack. Joe Johnson is the team's leading scorer, but role players Vlad Radmanovic, Willie Green, and Janero Pargo have filled in nicely off the bench.

On Friday night, the team will be in Philadelphia, as they take on Lithonia, GA's Lou Williams and the 76ers. The 25 year old point guard leads his team with 15.7 points per game. Click on the title of this post to watch the multi-talented Williams in his music video titled Imma Boss.

Losing Crawford will cost Atlanta

As a fan of the Atlanta Hawks, I am greatly disappointed, discouraged, and disgusted by Rick Sund's inability to retain Jamal Crawford. Atlanta's GM was unwilling to pay the luxury tax in order to keep the purest scorer this city has seen since Dominique Wilkins put fear inside of NBA rims.

During his 2 year Hawks career, Jamal Crawford was the most prolific scorer on Atlanta's roster. And, he was consistently capable of hitting game altering shots, regardless of any deterrents in his path. In his role as 6th man, the former Wolverine routinely ignited an offense that stagnantly revolved around Joe Johnson.

The Hawks will miss Jamal Crawford more than I do. Without his efforts, they'll digress to such a level that the playoffs are merely an unfathomable dream. As for the dinero Atlanta would have ponied up toward the NBA's luxury tax? It would have been recouped at the gates preceding and during the playoffs. Instead, this team will resemble its ownership...

For video evidence of how much Atlanta will miss Jamal Crawford, click on the title of this post.

Hawks lead Magic 3 Games to 1

After watching this game, I've got no fingernails left. Barely had any after game three. But, that's ok. The Atlanta Hawks just took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead over the Orlando Magic in their best of seven series.

After going silent throughout the second and third quarters (2 pts during that stretch), Joe Johnson awoke with 10 desperately needed fourth quarter scores. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich seemed to carry Atlanta's offense, until Johnson made his presence known. With Orlando unwilling to accept defeat, Double J rose to the challenge and delivered it to their front door.

Dwight Howard actually looked like himself in the second half of this contest and was simply un-guardable, with Jason Collins benched because of foul trouble. But, his Magic squad lost another close one.

Could it be written, that the dynamic duo of Nelson and Superman just digested a little bit of cryptonite? I dare to say yes. This series ain't over. But, when Atlanta wins again...it will be.

Game 5 will be played at 7:30 Tuesday night in the Sunshine State.

Hawks vs Magic Game 4

Live from Philips Arena...would be an awesome way to start this post. But, truth be told, I ain't there. Oh well, who cares about that? Here's the breakdown on tonight's first half action...

Dwight Howard has been in foul trouble from the start and it reflects in his stats column. The Magic center has an uncharacteristically low 5 points, so far.
A silly foul with 1.1 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, brought his tally to 3 at halftime.

For Atlanta, Joe Johnson started well, but an early trip to the bench cooled him off, after #2 was whistled for his second foul. Jamal Crawford and Kirk Hinrich have played well for the Hawks. However, Atlanta became turnover prone and squandered several possessions, that could have been used to stake a commanding lead in tonight's game.

The third quarter is about to start, as Atlanta leads 46-37. Hawks need to play a little smarter and lock Orlando down, with some tenacity on defense.

Update: Hawks 50 Magic 37 with 10:01 in 3rd. Stan Van calls timeout.
Look for more updates in comments section of this post.

Hawks 1, Magic None

Dwight Howard posted 46 game 1 points in a best of 7 playoff series versus the Atlanta Hawks. And, Magic guard, Jameer Nelson, unleashed 27 scores of his own. But, all other Orlando basketballers combined to put just 20 more on the board.

For Atlanta, guards Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford accounted for 48 points. Meanwhile, the trio of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Kirk Hinrich added 44 more Hawks scores. Leading by as much as 17 points in the third quarter, Atlanta was able to fend off all Magic rallies, and claimed a 103-93 victory.

In the end, a valiant effort by central Florida's dynamic duo just wasn't enough. Atlanta leads the series 1 game to none. Game 2 ain't until Tuesday.

Hawks Swept by Orlando

Orlando just locked the door to Atlanta's "Highlight Factory." As a Hawks fan, that truly sucks. This was a season that witnessed the Hawks winning 53 games, including a 37-4 home record. Atlanta has made huge strides over the past few years. But, they still have no answer for elite teams such as the Magic and Cavaliers. And, once again, this was a season that ended too soon for my liking.

Hawks leading scorer, Joe (no show in the playoffs) Johnson appears to be on his way out of town. After a humiliating loss in game 3, a chorus of boos rained down on #2 and his team as they left the court. Johnson responded, "That doesn't bother me and I hope it doesn't bother anyone in this locker room. It's about us in this locker room. We could care less if fans showed up."

After that last statement, I could care less if Johnson ever shows up in a Hawks uniform again. #2 can kick rocks.

Atlanta Hawks Update

Tomorrow night, the Atlanta Hawks look to rebound from a deflating 3 point loss to Chicago in OT. Leading most of the way, Atlanta blew a 9 point advantage with more than 4 minutes left in regulation. Unable to contain Derrick Rose down the stretch, the Hawks were outscored 101-98 in the Windy City. Joe Johnson dropped 40 on the Bulls, but that wasn't enough to lead his squad to victory.

After a disappointing outcome in Chicago, Atlanta travels to Minnesota to take on the 5-23 Timberwolves. Al Jefferson(16.9 ppg), Kevin Love(12.3 Rebounds per game), and rookie guard Johnny Flynn(14.2 ppg, 4.2 apg) continue to play well for their floundering franchise.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 ET. Expect the Hawks to handle Minnesota quite easily in this one. The T'Wolves average a pitiful 94.4 ppg to Atlanta's 105.3. Defensively, Minnesota gives up 105 ppg, while Atlanta only surrenders 97. Just for kicks, I'll pick Atlanta to win 107-96.

Hawks Vs Grizzlies

The 17-6 Atlanta Hawks host Rudy Gay and the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at Philips Arena. Memphis is currently 10-14 on the season, averaging 101.6 PPG but allowing 104.6 to opponents. Atlanta is 10-2 at home and averages 105.8 PPG, while holding their opposition to 97.4.

The key match ups in tonight's game will be Joe Johnson (21 PPG) vs Rudy Gay (21.3 PPG). On the boards, Zach Randolph has been very productive for the Grizzlies, averaging 10 rebounds a game. Al Horford leads Atlanta in this category, averaging 9.3 boards per game.

Atlanta's depth should be too much for Memphis to handle. Jamal Crawford (16.5 PPG) excels in his 6th man role for a Hawks squad that continues to improve.

Opening tip is scheduled for 7:00 on Fox South. You can click on the title of this post to view some Hawks highlights from NBA.com.

Where's the Swagger?

To succeed as an athlete, one must have a certain attitude or swagger. Sounds like Hawks captain Joe Johnson has lost his. Following a game 3 loss to the Cavs, Johnson had this to say to the media:

"I don't know what we've got left. Hopefully, we'll play with a little fire, and not let them close it out on our home court. But I don't know."

Sounds like a man who is defeated and willing to concede the series to Cleveland. This is the leader of this current Hawks squad. After stating that the team "kind of quit," in the second half of game one, I thought Johnson learned something about letting such a pathetic statement loose. Clearly, he has not. This is not the mindset of a competitor. It's kind of the attitude of a "quitter."

Humor me for a moment. This team is in the playoff fight of their lives, and the team leader doesn't know what they have left? Are you kidding me, Joe Johnson?! He hopes his team will play with a little fire...and not let them close it out on our floor... What? How bout this, Joe Johnson? MAN UP, win game 4, and prepare to do battle in game 5?!!

There's no need to even mention the possibility of Cleveland closing out the series, unless you've given in and accepted that as your fate! Absoulutely unacceptable, number 2. Where's your mind at? You don't throw in the towel during the NBA playoffs!! Yes, Atlanta has it's back against the wall and their main nemesis is the MVP of the league. I get that. But, anything can happen, if you fight, believe in yourself, and continue to...FIGHT! This "woe is me" attitude is sickening, detrimental, and deflating to a team of young guys looking to Johnson for leadership.

Hopefully, they shut their ears to his words and listen to those of Mike Woodson. "Do we throw in the towel for Game 4? Hell no, we shouldn't do that. I'm going to push our guys to make sure they don't throw in the towel. Because if we force another game, anything can happen."

Good luck, Woodson. I just hope you can get Johnson to un-quit!