Preview and Game Thread #1: Indiana Pacer @ Atlanta Hawks
by hawksdawgs on Oct 28, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
229 comments
Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks, Oct 28, 2009 7:00 PM EDT
| Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #1 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
@ |  |
| 0-0 | 0-0 |
|
| Philips Arena |
||
| October 28th, 2009, 7:00 PM | ||
| Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| T.J. Ford |
PG | Mike Bibby |
| Dahntay Jones | SG | Joe Johnson |
| Danny Granger |
SF | Mo Evans |
| Troy Murphy |
PF | Josh Smith |
| Roy Hibbert | C | Al Horford |
|
|
||
Hawks Injury Report: Al Horford, Jason Collins, and Mo Evans tweaked ankles should be untweaked by game time.
Pacers Injury Report: Mike Dunleavy, Travis Diener, and Tyler Hansbrough are out. Jeff Foster is questionable. Danny Granger is a game time decision.
Blogging With the Enemy: Indy Cornrows, Eight Points, Nine Seconds (who has an excellent interview with Sekou Smith that I am moderately jealous of).
Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Troy Murphy. The Hawks hate big men who can shoot threes. And by hate I mean are totally fine getting owned by them.
Game Preview:
The NBA season is upon us. Welcome.
First up, our friends from Indiana. The Pacers are a team that should be respected. One that can beat you on any given night. Few people deny Danny Granger's excellence but check out Troy Murphy's numbers from last year. They are not underrated good. They are just good. Rumors of an emerging Roy Hibbert and the addition of dirty aggressive Dahntay Jones add to team overall. The Pacers can beat the Hawks. Easily. They just shouldn't.
Not opening night, not at home, not without a healthy Granger or Dunleavy. Not ever. And the Hawks need to play like that is the case. Statement games start now. So time for the Hawks to start making a few. Considering the last one the team made was concerning the fact that they did not deserve to be on the floor with the Cleveland Cavaliers, I think starting early with a few new ones would be fine by everyone.
The Hawks should win this game. Will this be the season that "shoulds" become foregone conclusions or are we in for another year where "shoulds" are simply catalyst for frustration? Tonight we begin to find. Tonight the teams starts undoing previews and destroying projections. Tonight the story begins, and it is in the players hands. From my seat in section 208, I am excited to help start reading along.
Keys to the Game
- Get the Pacers frontcourt in foul trouble. Solomon Jones and Roy Hibbert are usually happy to oblige. And with a shallow bench, this becomes the easiest weakness to hit. But yes, Woody, that means Al Horford needs offensive plays run through him. Or we need to start Joe Smith and have him take three first half charges.
- Help defense on TJ Ford. Mike Bibby runs like a one year old when you put him next to Ford. Bibby is going to have a hard time watching Ford let alone guarding him.
- Josh Smith going off. Put your pessimistic view of Josh Smith's post game forward, now still name someone on the Pacers who can guard him?
Remember comment of the game thread contest (see rules and prize in link) officially starts tonight. Comment early, recommend other posts often, and let this be a spot where we celebrate the return of NBA basketball, try and figure any nickname that could replace "Hot Flip," cry over Woodson's first two foul first half substitution, and rejoice at what should be the best team the Hawks have put forward in years.
Go Hawks!
0 recs |
229 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Wow. Game freakin' day!!
I can’t believe it is finally here. Got the rum ready, the TVs set to watch the Hawks and the World Series.
It’s going to be a great night.
Now…can I make it through the night without hearing that god awful Black Eyed Peas song? I really hope so.
highly unlikely
actually it won’t happen. plain and simple. steve holman will probably even sing it on radio.
Is there a reason Mo Evans is listed as the starter?
Don’t know of any injury to Marvin Williams. Did he get a one game suspension in the playoffs again or something?
Hawksdawg, you're gonna get me fired!!
I literally screamed when I read the # 2 Key to the Game!!! That is hilarious!!!!
screamed
LOL, on the potential of scream.
Will Bibby’s minutes be cut? And can JT (Teague) defend any better? Do you think Crawford can keep up with Ford? Tonight’s game will show us some early trends. We need that one guy to step up and defend quick PG’s.
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Already wearing my Al Horford jersey.
What to do for 2 hours? Start drinking? Beatles Rock Band? Mario Kart?
Via Twitter
Danny Granger a game-time decision.
Hawks might roll in this one. Brandon Rush would fill in for him if he can’t go.
TJ Ford
Dahntay Jones
Brandon Rush
Troy Murphy
Roy Hibbert
vs.
Bibby
Johnson
Williams
Smith
Horford
Makes me feel very confident.
I am really thinking this is a blowout.
After our horrid preseason finale, it was apparent the team just wanted to get the week off and come home to get ready. All those Pacer injuries are only going to help. We’re going to blow their doors off.
And heeeeeeeeere we go,
once upon a time not long ago, when people wore adidas and lived like slow…..
my first Hawks
Was against the Pacers and we won…so fitting my first game thread comment is here! Another win coming up!
man time sure does go by slow
when i have to watch everyone say the lakers are the greatest team ever ugh
I suggest some old school action
Such as Altered Beast on PS3 via the Sega Classics
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
Important First Game
We need to chase that 30 assist type of basketball. JJ and Crawford will be the keys. If that happens we will see big nights from Al and Josh. Drive, drive and kick, drive and shoot floaters. Get the theme?
I have been starved for that swat from Josh and slam on the other end.
Just hope we don't get overconfident
I could definitely see Indy limping out of the gate while the Hawks start strong, but I’d hate to see us start out really strong like last season, only for the effort to wane.
I like a confident team.
In the NBA I think it’s a good thing.
I hate to jinx it, but I think we may lose no more than 5 home games. Assuming no injuries, etc.
"pedal to the metal"
Pacers love to run with little defense. Our type of game
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
overconfident
After Orlando, I dought it. If we get off to a big lead and lose it because of bench – different story. My biggest fear. We need bench to play this year.
here we go here we go
Baseball is a game where a curve is an optical illusion, a screwball can be a pitch or a person, stealing is legal and you can spit anywhere you like except in the umpire's eye or on the ball.
James Patrick Murray
I almost freaked out.
They have TWO HD feeds. The Indy one is not in HD. I need my Rathbun in true 720p.
Watching warmups...
I never saw Josh Smith’s shot from the front. It’s FAR worse form than I could have imagined. My goodness.
From the Atlanta Hawks Twitter:
@atlanta_hawks The Highlight Factory is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Crowd is filling in nicely.
Duff_Mann
Nice to have an on the scene reporter.
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
This is all on TV. I may be there next weekend though.
For the Hawks and the Falcons. Hopefully i’ll be living there by Thanksgiving.
ARGH
my channel feed is showing a replay of the Tennessee/Alabama football game.
The listing shows it should be the Hawks/Pacers game. FML!
Nope, it's not
Frustrating. Channel guide has the Hawks/Pacers game, but for some reason feed paused right when the game was supposed to start, and it switched over to this.
The one ref's hair...
Can only be described as “Rathbun-esque”
Oh and kudos on the Super Mario Bros music by Philips!
Game Thread Comment
Yo Duff Man, there officially can be no du-el between us because I keep forgetting that living in Jacksonville keeps me from seeing every game. So, no witty live ball remarks from me this season unless its a national game or they are playing down here in Floridia.
This officially sucks.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
Found it
Now just waiting for it to load. Good thing it’s half time
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
Check that
*end of the first. Goodness, and I’m not even drinking yet.
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
wth?
I’m following GameCast one ESPN, and I see Solo just got a “non-unsportsmanlike technical”. So, it was a sportsmanlike technical? Exactly how does one get a technical and yet be sportsmanlike?
"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick
40 secons left? mario west is back!
oh wait, it’s teague
THANK GOD
Called AT&T, raised some Cain, and they fixed my problem. Apparently that feed was supposed be on one of the alternate sportsouth channels (for a different local area) and they got me back to the Hawks game.
God is merciful.
RivBoatGambler
Team is warming up. Makeing up for lack of defensive rebounding with great turnover rate.
Going back to that Marvin Three
What you may not have seen was Josh Smith think about an 18 footer, pass it up, and pass out to Marvin. LOVE seeing that.
Pacers last year were a very up-tempo team
If the Hawks don’t try to force their own pace, and just go with it, it plays to their advantage. Having a tug-of-war over game tempo is sure to self destruct.
56-53 Hawks.
If the Pacers even shoot 50% we’re up 20. My goodness.
We are playing very well though.
1 half into the season
and you can tell we’re better. offense doesn’t make me want to scratch my eyes out
It would be nice if the Pacers would miss a few shots.
But, yes, it is a fun game. Hawks will take it. They’re playing very well.
Good 1rst half
Loved the way Josh played, Teague looked good, Old Smith looked good. But the real question so far…
HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS AL’S MUSTACHE AND PEACH FUZZ BEARD?!?!?!?!
OK. First half.
Josh Smith is killing the Pacers. 16 pts, 6 ast 3 stl.
Horford is playing out of his mind as well.
The D could be better, but it’s tough when they just hit every shot.
Teague can play. He showed a great deal in his minutes. He has no ceiling.
Ok the Pacers are shooting 63% and 66% from three
If I was a betting man, I’d say they will shoot worse than that in the second half.
Alrighty then, fan jitters are over
Alright smoove is actually playin his role and teague obviously has no jitters joe smith is beingjoe smith jj is being jj and bibby, well bibby is bibby in the first half. Great ball movement defense needs to step up.
Good to see solo in a promising role too
Nothin Less Than Real
Assists
Crawford had his 9 – JJ had his 8 – Josh says – watch out boys – you got nothing on me. Turnovers for Josh – 0 – yep 0
Someone, in his game preview
Mentioned it might be important for Horford to score. I bet he’s feeling pretty smart right now. Especially following THAT jam.
Hawks bench
Zaza -6
Mo Evans -5
Jeff Teage -7
Joe Smith – 9
Crawford at +1 is the only good thing on the Hawks’ bench in this game.
No, but tonight...
they can’t miss. It’s a win tonight, but hopefully we won’t see a team this hot shooting all season.
That was one of the more fun games to watch.
I really enjoyed that one. The Hawks looked great. Say what you want about the defense, but the Pacers just didn’t miss. Luckily, they were creamy soft inside.
Al Horford, I will have your babies.
Josh Smith, you seem to be learning the ins and outs of TEAM basketball. GREAT job!
by Duff_Man on Oct 28, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Toronto is about to send Cleveland to 0-2
So we’re about to be 1.5 games ahead of Cleveland in the standings. Best news of the night.
And San Antonio is KILLING New Orleans...
let the Chris Paul free agency count down begin. Only a matter of team before he leaves the NBAs worst run franchise.
They have their owner...
why did they leave Charlotte; was there any reason to think New Orleans could sustain a franchise? At least the Bobcats aren’t the future Seattle Supersonics.
"They have their owner"...
meaning New Orleans has Charlotte’s original craptastic owner in Shinn. Unfortunately they got his replacement in whoever’s run the Bobcats since.
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 28, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
He plays for the Knicks?
NYK is actually the worst run franchise. Which is why it is not even on Lebron’s radar. Why become the next Gretzky?
I gotta give Donnie Walsh credit..
he found a taker for Jerome James. It takes time to undo the damage of the CBA killer.
If I wanted to watch "Charles Barkley, in my own words,"
I’d just tune into the TNT pregame show, pretty much any night.
Definitely
Horford’s 24/16 overshadowed him, not to mention the 18 points and 8 assists from Josh Smith. Plus there’s the 31 put up by Danny Granger.
Quiet 25 is JJ’s specialty.
JJ hit some shots...
I’m not as big on Smoove’s game tonight as others. 3 rebounds, and way too much time spending standing around the 3 pt line on both ends of the floor.
Yeah, but you're focusing on the wrong stats.
Horford took a lot of those boards. Smith had a TON of great passes. I take that as better than rebounds because it shows he may finally get what a team is supposed to be. Tonight his game came to him…it just didn’t involve rebounds.
No problem with his line tonight, especially considering the lack of defensive rebounds to be had.
But only 2 jumpshots from Josh
Everything else inside, where he went 7-8. I saw him several times think about taking the jumper, then pass out and get an assist. That goes a really long way with me.
Aside from the one obvious airball, I didn’t see a ton of bad decisions with him, and he wasn’t doing any of the stupid stuff that’s usually detrimental to the team.
And let's face it...
Stupid decisions are what has held the team back. If their heads are on right, their ceiling goes up a lot.
They showed me a lot tonight. They stared a home loss in the face and just blasted through it. That’s a core coming together and playing like pros.
Horford!
What a game…unbelievable. Guy is going to average a double double this year!
Bronn - prob asking to much - I would love 14/14 - key stat being rebounds
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
If that jumper is consistent
He’s going to get 16/11 easy. He showed a LOT tonight. He’s growing up big time.
Agreed this is as good as I have seen him. Nothing but upside for the young man
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Footnote: except that tech. Gotta be smarter than that.
Although it did remind me of Kevin Willis a little.
Game Time Thread
Enjoyed the evening, First game thread. Usually hang out at the AJC. Fun to meet new Hawks fans.
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions
Another thought
I would prefer to see a 98-92 win with better defense. But with good ball movement like tonight – maybe we can out score some better teams. Only thing I really care about is good defense and attack the basket. We have the potential to do this every night. Great start to the season.
by RivBoatGambler on Oct 28, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions
back from the game
great thread. good game. bad recing. looks like i am on my own finding the comment of the game thread.
Yeah, we need to get the "recs" moving.
But it was game 1. It’ll get there.
You did miss a great game thread, but being at the game trumps it. Hope MARTA treated you right.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Peachtree Hoops
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
