Joe Johnson to Shoot H-O-R-S-E

In case you missed it, Atlanta's own Joe Johnson was named a participant in the first annual H-O-R-S-E competition at the NBA All-Star Game. His competitors are young guns O.J. Mayo (MEM) and Kevin Durant (OKC). If I was a betting man, I would put my money on Johnson. He looks like he has played a lot more H-O-R-S-E than the other two, but then again, it will be played outside and the elements may play a factor. It is going to be cold and windy in Arizona (yes, it does get cold in the desert), and this competition may well be an old-school throw back to school yard horse games. I really can't wait to see all the craziness that is sure to ensue.

On another note in a horrible decision by the NBA, the competition will not count up to H-O-R-S-E as we are all used to. Corporate sponsorship has prevailed, and instead the competition will count up to G-E-I-C-O. What bullcrap is that? Why can't it be, "The H-O-R-S-E Competition Sponsored by Geico?" Who are the ad-wizards that came up with that one? They should be fired.
Read Full Article!

Dirty South Pride

Its been quite a year for Atlanta fans... the Braves' demise, the Falcons' rise and the Hawks' surprise (and at least the Thrashers try). But another year come and gone without bringing home a major championship. Sure it'd be fun to live in Boston with the Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox, but we can't all enjoy that kind of well-rounded success. The rest of us have to find other reasons to have pride in our teams. Things like damn good hot dogs or kiss cams or Marta access. But seriously Atlanta fans, when some joker from Boston or Florida starts giving you the business about how irrelevant our teams are... here's six good reasons to laugh in their face:

• Michael Turner
• Roddy White
• Joe Johnson
• Ilya Kovalchuk
• Chipper Jones
• Brian McCann

These are your Atlanta All-Stars. These six players were named the best of the best this year. No Bostonian can come into the dirty south and claim we have no good players or we have no good teams. With two playoff teams and six all-stars, I'd say we're sitting pretty. There's 30+ teams in these leagues, and only one can win the championship each year. And its been a long time since that team was the Yankees, Cowboys, or Lakers. Sports isn't all about the championships. Sure it'd be nice to have a couple more World Series titles and a Super Bowl win, but its hard not to feel proud about our boys when you go into the stadium and see those banners hanging: division champions, conference champions, league champions... or when you turn on the All-Star game or Pro Bowl and see your boys taking the field alongside the game's best players... or when you read preseason discussions about which of your guys could win the Heisman, league MVP, or Rookie of the Year.

We may have down years, but our teams - our players - are never out of the discussion. Matt Ryan was the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, Michael Turner was the league MVP's runner-up, Jonathan Dwyer ACC Player of the Year, Matt Stafford could be the top pick in the draft, Chipper Jones won the NL batting title... times are good in the Dirty South boys and girls, even if we're not hoisting championship trophies like they are in the northeast, that doesn't mean we aren't proud of our players' accomplishments year in and year out. If you keep putting talent on the field, the titles will come.
Read Full Article!

Joe Johnson Named to All Star Team

Hawks F/G Joe Johnson ("JJ") was named to his third-straight All-Star team, again as a reserve. He'll back up little-known guys like LeBron James and Allen Iverson. This ain't like baseball or hockey where each team automatically gets an All-Star representative, so this is a big deal that the Hawks' best player has been given the honor three straight years. Be proud, Hawks fans! Now let's we can win a game before All-Star weekend.... eek.
Read Full Article!

Give The Hawks Credit

With two starters out again, the Hawks were able to pull off their third straight win last night and climb back to ten games over .500. F Marvin Williams and C Al Horford continue to ride the bench with injuries, wreaking havoc on the depth of this team. But Josh Smith has been on a tear the last two weeks, JJ is always solid, and Mike Bibby has taken over when they need him. This is the second stretch this season that Horford has missed multiple games, and clearly Zaza and Solo have filled in wonderfully. If we can keep this intensity up when Al and Marvin return - watch out East.

*Fun fact, let it be known that the Cleveland Cavaliers (fresh off a buzzer beater from LeBron at Golden State) continue to be unbeaten at home: 20-0. Incredible. The Hawks and their 17-4 home record are two games up on the Pistons for the 4th seed in the East.
Read Full Article!

Hawks Snap Skid, Clippers Still Awful

Before the season, the Los Angeles Clippers went out and signed Baron Davis and Marcus Camby, drafted Eric Gordon, and bring back first-year badass Al Thornton. But they're still awful. Luckily for Atlanta (without Al Horford), riding a three-game losing streak. Atlanta beat them up and down the floor and ran away with this one, maintaining a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half. Despite having trouble containing Camby (12pts, 18reb), Josh Smith and Joe Johnson went for over 20 and helped fend off the otherwise hapless Clippers. Well that is except Al Thornton. The second-year, 6'8" forward from FSU took over late in the game both inside and outside. I knew this guy was good, but watching him last night (even with modest stats) I could see this guy is going to be something special. But still, not a good basketball team. Hawks win, meanwhile Detroit lost, so guess who's got back the fourth seed? Can you say homecourt advantage?
Read Full Article!

Hawks Fall in the Valley of the Sun

Marvin Williams had a huge game. But so did Shaq. And that was the difference. When the Hawks traveled to Phoenix last night, they ran into a buzzsaw in the form of a red-hot Shaquille O'Neal. It definitely didn't help things that Al Horford was inactive with an injury. The Suns built a 19-point lead on the Hawks before they battled back, took the lead, and then let it slip after the Suns three-point barrage (from Nash, Barbosa and Richardson) finally put them away. Pachulia fouled out banging against Shaq. Josh Smith was getting hosed by the ref (that was totally a block on Amare, he didn't touch him). Bibby and JJ did their best to try and keep us in the game, but ultimately it wasn't enough. And we lost our fourth straight. Meanwhile Orlando blew out another team.. but at least the Bobcats took down the Pistons. Hawks travel to L.A. and take on the Clippers tonight, hoping to snap this losing streak without Horford. And they better.
Read Full Article!

Bad Weekend! Hawks Fall to Magic, Sixers

The Atlanta Hawks have not only lost three straight, fallen to 7 games behind the Orlando Magic in the Southeast, and slipped into fifth place in the Eastern Conference (half a game behind Detroit), but they've also lost Al Horford to a knee bruise - indefinitely. He will miss at least three games. Tuesday the Hawks will have to make due against Amare and Shaq as they head to Phoenix. Then its off to play the Clippers and Warriors, two teams the Hawks should beat.

Its been a rough week for Hawks fans as they dropped two to the division-leading Magic, in two very similar games. Wednesday night the Magic jumped up by as much as 21 until the Hawks courageously fought back to get within 4 - then time ran out. Friday night there was no comeback as the Magic jumped up by as many as 38, putting a very frustrated Hawks team away early. Orlando currently holds the #2 seed in the East, behind Cleveland.

Horford's absence was certainly felt when the 76ers pushed hard inside to overtake the Hawks on Sunday. High-flying Andre Iguodala and former Yellow Jacket Thaddeus Young pushed around the depleted Hawks front-court, while on their way to a fourth straight win. Philly improves to 17-20, good enough to be tied for the 8th seed (finaly playoff seed). Whether the Hawks can stem this losing streak will hinge on whether they can replace Horford's presence and production down low. That means Zaza, Solo and J-Smooth stepping up to crash the boards, block shots, and play physical basketball against superior big-men like Shaq, Amare, Marcus Camby, and Andris Biedrins. More to come from the Hawks road trip later this week.
Read Full Article!

Hawks Show Up in Fourth, Fall Short Against Magic

[photo from ajc.com]


Ah the Highlight Factory. The fire, the music, the Kiss Cam! Its a splendid experience. No better than when its your first time. This was the case tonight as I took in some hoops with my girlfriend, who'd never been to a Hawks game before. It was set to be a great matchup with Dwight Howard's Magic in town. Top of our division, four games ahead. This was big. Though you'd never know it judging by the number of fans - who weren't the only people not to show up.

The Hawks weren't there. Something wasn't clicking, they couldn't find a rhythm. We held close for the first couple of minutes before Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu took over. It felt like they didn't miss a shot for at least ten minutes. At the same time we were getting out-muscled. Understandable, given Howard's size (and let me tell you, he's absolutely enormous in person), but Josh Smith all too often wouldn't drive hard to the hoop. Even on JJ Redick, who had a great game off the bench. We couldn't drain threes, but they could. We couldn't make stops, but they could. We couldn't hit our free throws... well you get the idea. We're down 15 at halftime. Down as much as 21 in the third quarter. Solomon Jones was getting serious minutes battling Howard down low. Something just didn't feel right... then came the fourth.

Hawks fans let me tell you if we played as hard in the rest of the game as we did in the fourth, we may have won by 20 points. We battled back to get within 4 before the Magic even knew what hit them. Flip Murray played smothering defense, taking over whenever he was on the floor. Joe Johnson started to drain jumpers. Josh Smith was making monster dunks. Down 4 with under 2 minutes left, Bibby poked the ball loose and led a fast break all by himself to the basket, no Magic in sight, and easy bucket... but he misses the layup. And we don't get the rebound. Instantly the momentum shifted back to Orlando who were ultimately able to fend us off long enough to win by four, 106-102.

A valiant effort to come back, but it was ugly early and often for the Hawks, losing just their third game at home this season. Luckily for us we can make up that game when we travel to Orlando Friday night for a rematch.

Game Leaders
Dwight Howard: 23 points, 19 rebounds
Hedo Turkoglu: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists
Josh Smith: 21 points, 9 rebounds
Mike Bibby: 17 points, 9 assists (1-5 3PT)
Al Horford: 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
Read Full Article!

Boston Wins 16th Straight, Hawks Come Up Short Again

Again I'd like to not go into detail about this game, because GRR it makes me so angrrry! But once again the Celtics took our best shot and walked away winners, 88-85. Joe Johnson took over in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough after he missed a game-tying free throw with less than three seconds left. And as much as we all hate Kevin Garnett and his freakishly long arms and endless smack talk, boy can that guy play. Garnett came in midway through the fourth and led the charge as Boston was trailing going into the final period.

Also Josh Smith chipped in with a wacky ten second period of ball: he fouls Kendrick Perkins by giving him a little hug under the basket and allowing the easy lay up (3 point play), then on the other end of the court Josh gets the ball in the paint, loses control, gets it passed back to him, drives on Perkins, and does this...



Sometimes, Josh can be a badass. Of course he missed the ensuing free throw. We missed our first 11 shots of the game. And it was still close. We're just one rowdy emotional speech away from beating the Celtics every single time. Love this rivalry. Read Full Article!

Showdown at the Highlight Factory

[photo: Jim Davis, Boston Globe]


The Atlanta Hawks. 15-9.
4th in the Eastern Conference.
Won 3 in a row.

The Boston Celtics. 23-2.
1st in the Eastern Conference.
Won 15 in a row.

Tonight the Celtics bring their insane winning streak to Atlanta for a showdown with the Hawks. A rematch from last year's playoffs, the teams' first meeting ended in dramatic fashion. Marvin Williams hits a three from the corner to put the Hawks up by one with five seconds left. Celtics in-bounds to Pierce, who dribbles, shuffles, maneuvers, steps back and fires a jumper. Boston goes up by 1 point with half a second left to play. Boston escaped that night with a win, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season (after a 6-0 start).

Expect an incredible playoff atmosphere tonight at Philips Arena, as Garnett and company return for the first time since Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs (a game I attended). I think its clear that the amazing seven-game showdown with the eventual champs helped teach the Hawks how to play hard, to play all 48 minutes, and how to never back down no matter how great the opponent. Like Pierce said earlier this year, they "created a monster", and I fully expect our monster with a fully healthy roster (we didn't have Josh Smith for the last meeting) to beat the crap out of the Celtics and end one more double-digit winning streak.

Go out and support the Hawks tonight, game should be sold out and loud as hell. Game is on ESPN at 7pm. Shock the world!! Read Full Article!

Hawks End Cavs' Win Streak at 11

[photo: AP/John Amis]


Well now... Take that, LeBron. Today I heard Stephen A. Smith call the Cleveland Cavaliers a better team today than the Celtics are (who are 22-2 and on a 14-game winning streak). LeBron and Co. had piled up 11 straight wins, building a six game cushion in the Eastern Conference's Central Division. But then they made the trip down to the ATL. The Dirty South, where Mike Bibby and the boys would not be scared by the big bad King James. A back-and-forth affair, the Hawks were able to pull away midway through the fourth quarter- with Bibby leading the charge scoring 24 points. Marvin Williams stepped up too, with 19 points and 7 rebounds, including the final free throws that nailed the coffin shut. The Hawks defense limited a hapless Lebron to only 33 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, clearly not one of his best performances...........

The Hawks are holding onto the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, improving to 14-9 after tonight's victory. Head down to the Highlight Factory and cheer on our boys, who're kicking ass up and down this league on their way to a second straight playoff run.
Read Full Article!

Josh Smith: Our Most Important Player?

Before the season there was lot of grumbling in Hawks camp that there was no way we would bring back coach Mike Woodson AND forward Josh Smith. They just butted heads too much. They would get in each other's way. It wouldn't be good for the team. But after resigning them both, the upstart Hawks found themselves as the last undefeated team standing in the Eastern Conference. And then Josh Smith got hurt.


We went 6-6 without Josh Smith- and have gone 6-2 with him. He only averages 13 points per game and 8 rebounds. So why the big impact? Why are we such a different team without him? He's not the point guard, or the center, or the go-to scorer.. but he's the all-around talent. Our best defensive player, he's a quick-footed forward who can block shots, shoot threes and drive head-first into the big men. Sure he's maddeningly frustrating to watch at times, pulling up when he should be posting up, shooting when he should be passing, but when you see a prolific scorer face down J-Smooth in the paint... tossing up a surefire basket only to watch it slapped away into the bleachers... its beautiful. You see it just then, how good this kid can be. He may not be our best player, our flashiest player, or our most likable player.. but he just might be our most important player. And I look forward to seeing Josh block shots and take excessive jumpers in a Hawks uniform for years to come.

Read Full Article!