Few things beat beating the Lakers
by The Human Highlight Blog on Mar 31, 2010 8:51 AM EDT
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March 19, 2001: The Atlanta Hawks, well on their way to another lottery season, hosted the mighty Lakers with both Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant firing on all cylinders. In Philips Arena stood many wearing the Lakers colors and as the game began, few could hear the strangled cries of happy Hawks fans (such as myself) over the din of the displaced Laker faithful.
As the game wore on, the overmatched Hawks held on and gained confidence they could win and the Hawks fans got louder and louder. The Lakers outrebounded the Hawks by a whopping 48-27 and Shaq and Kobe had (27) points apiece, but the Hawks continued to hang on.
In the end the Hawks' 9-19 shooting from three point range, 19-8 turnover margin, and Jason Terry's (36) points secured a 108-106 win over the Lakers, and as the final seconds finally ticked off, you could barely know that there had been any Laker fans in the crowd, as the ATL rang out in delirium over the upset.
I remember Griff from V-103 sticking a microphone in my face after the game and I babbled something about sending those chumps and their fans home unhappy and listen how loud and proud the ATL could be.
Good times.
Despite being tethered to the bottom of the standings over the years and the Lakers continuing to fly high behind Kobe, the Hawks have still managed to beat them (5) times in the past decade at home, including the last two years. In last year's tilt, the Hawks overcame some pretty awful shooting to win--and featured the last double double seen from Zaza Pachulia (11 and 13 in 22 minutes).
The Hawks have beat a lot of team in Philips, especially since 2007, but beating the Lakers and the groupies that troll in from all corners of the ATL always feels that little extra special. It always takes me back to that night in 2001 where Shaq, Kobe, and all those purple and gold wearing trespassers had to hang their heads in shame.
Get loud ATL, and don't sit down tonight.
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What amuses me most
is how fans of the opposing team quickly become Hawks fans late in the game. I love seeing someone convert in the 4th qtr.
@cocoqt81
That's called the turning point
by The Human Highlight Blog on Mar 31, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Well most of those Laker fans are Atlantans
And they probably have never been to LA – lol.
But let’s get serious, fans all over follow Lakers or Celtics because they have a history of winning, and they are also winning now. In the case of Lakers, it does not hurt that they have the most charismatic and clutch player in the game today, a superb number 2 in Gasol, and a Hall of fame coach.
I remember years back, when Jordan was king, and you could see the same thing with fans wearing Chicago jerseys and number 23 whenever that team visited. Hey I think we may have the most people ever showing up to a game because of number 23. The point is fans mostly like winning teams. No different when you go to Falcons games when you see Steelers jerseys all over. Nowadays you can hardly see a Chicago jersey when the cows visit.
Now certainly there are some that have roots in other cities and bring allegiances over, but most are wearing Laker jerseys because of how great they have been and are. The way to stop that nonsense is for Hawks to continue to win, make believers of fans, and things will change. We are getting closer, but one can not deny the attraction that Lakers tradition has on fan support all over, or the pull of a superstar such as Kobe.
With that, here is hoping our home is buzzing tonight, and we win a good tough game.
Haha yeah...
its sad. I hate bandwagon fans.
The Laker "mystique" and Kobe mania certainly account for the draw when they are in town.
That only answers half the question, however. The remainder of the problem is the Hawks lack of support. It has been debated and analized on this blog before, so I’m not going to rehash all of the arguments.
I do know that the average NBA fan, in passing, tends to be very “super-star-centric”. (I think I may have just coined a new phrase) That is why the Kobe’s and Lebron’s of this league draw. Most of the fans that are active here are not the average fan in passing, and so it bewilders us as to why the Hawks still struggle with image problems. I know that if I ask most of the people that I interact with day in and day out, that most are not big hoops fans. Of the few that are, more than half only care about the post-season, be it pro and/or college. Of the fewer still that follow the regular season, mostly they are college fans. I can count the remaining friends I know, that follow the NBA regularly, on one hand, and only one of them (a Suns fan, who was in ATL for J Craw’s game winner) thinks that the Hawks are a good team.
Perhaps some of it is Woody’s fault, for not articulating better, or Joe’s fault, for not being charismatic enough, or Ownership/Management, for a host of reasons. What I can say, with a fair amount of confidence is, the perception of the Hawks is worse than the reality, in most cases.
by RamblininAlb on Mar 31, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
It's really sad we have to drum up a rallying cry for Atlantans to support their own team
I get that the Hawks were sorry for sooooooo many years, but they’re not now (even though some people still think so). Like ATLpaul said, most probably have not even visited LA. For some reason, it doesn’t bother me as much when people cheer for the Lakers as much as it bothers me when people cheer for Cleveland. That burns me up. This will be a tough battle as the Lakers do not expect to lose 3 in a row. Anywho! Go Hawks!!
Bet it hit the rim!
But as RamblininAlb says
part of that perception is founded on failing to produce in several big games/TV games, and perhaps most importantly the lack of a central star to sell. Smooth has his problems being the face of the franchise, as does Joe. Without a D Wade, Lebron, Kobe, Howard, or other dynamic single player to draw fans, it’s kind of hard to sell tickets as selling “we’re a great team” isn’t easy without playoff wins and championship runs to back it up.
So called "superstars" are a matter of opinion
Unless the game is on TNT, ABC, or ESPN nobody searches for a Hawks game. You go to bars and restaurants and they always have the games on those channels. They show the Hawks if they’re on those channels.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
See playoff wins and titles
and a town that isn’t as prone to poor support (see the Braves since the 90s, the Falcons pre-Vick, Hawks the last 20 years, and Thrashers in general).
Did the Falcons sell out during the ...
Glanville/June Jones days or before that? I’m thinking maybe, but selling 1 football game on a Sunday is different from 2-3 in a week with some, if not all, being on a weekday. Also, football in the south sells a lot more than hoops.
They STILL don't have a problem filling the arena
Detroit comes to support their team. That had nothing to do with the product the team produced.
Hawks are getting very popular with the public in and out of ATL
Our style of play is one that is in general very appealing. With Lion and Smoove and when Marvin is on, this team can rock with the best of them. I think it is going to be more and more appealing to public.
We have enough name recognition also with JJ and Bibby and Jamal. If we compare how many games on national TV this year compared to last, it is all trending upwards. Can not ask for more. Phillips attendance is higher. This is the first year Hawks have really started to show they are one of the legit teams in the league, it will catch up. Assuming we don’t lose the core and our repectability.
Jus talked to a long time
Hawks season ticket holder and she said she wasn’t going to the game tonight because she was able to sell her tix which are in the 100 level for a RIDICULOUS sum of money. She is one of the diehard Hawks fans. I don’t know if she sold them to a Hawks or Lakers fan, but it’s kind of in line with what I wrote about.
@cocoqt81
As I just told Bill Shanks on his show
Are you going to subsidize folks for the money they would turn away from if they didn’t sell their tkts to overpaying visitors?
I think no.
by The Human Highlight Blog on Mar 31, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember that game in 2001 or 2002
It was when it was told that Shaq had a birthday party at 112 that Sunday night. And when they lost to the hawks he said that they were tired.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
He's taunting you with his broke finger
Man that’ll fire me up!
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
I knew we beat the lakers 2 straight years at phillips
and that 02 game was so crazy. I remember it like it was yesterday. So many fans started rooting for the hawks late in the game. It was quite a site. But one thing i can say from experience being a hawksfan for so long is that lots of Atliens arent forgiving for the hawks past though they should be. I mean Miami won 13 games not too long ago but they are still a fan favorite…..i know wade is there and all but it sucks some cant get past it still to this day
IF YOU CANT ACCEPT LOSING, YOU CANT WIN.
I don't know about Miami....
They like Wade and all but their arena can be just as bear as Philips on any given night.
Bet it hit the rim!
so should kobe be booed at phillips tonight?
I hear he has the tendency to go off when provoked……..and the games against la at phillips the last few years have been similar. For instance around the middle of the third jj and kobe trade buckets for a while. Yal think jamal will get in on the act of taking on kobe? That would be something entertaining to watch
IF YOU CANT ACCEPT LOSING, YOU CANT WIN.
Some players like it when the crowd taunts them
But other players respond to our benefit. Kobe….hmmm it wouldn’t matter either way. I would want the hawks to limit him and stop the role players.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
He has a tendency to shoot when provoked
It only counts as “going off” on a team if he can make those shots. I say boo. Hopefully it does anger Kobe. Anything to keep it outta Gasol/Odom’s (Godom’s?) hands.
Im glad you mentioned the 02 game
Cause just like the game in 02, tonight the lakers are gettin lit up by another guard from the 97 Arizona team.
23 for Bibby! I’m callin it!
LOCK UP THAT 3 SEED HAWKS
Good win Tonight!!!
"Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can't keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons shitty diaper n it"~Matt Barnes
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