Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #31
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12-20		21-10
Philips Arena
January 1, 2009, 7:30 PM EST
Fox Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Chris Duhon	PG	Mike Bibby
Wilson Chandler	SG	Joe Johnson
Danilo Gallinaro	SF	Marvin Williams
Jared Jeffries	PF	Josh Smith
David Lee	C	Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: None

Knicks Injury Report: Darko Milicic

Blogging With the Enemy: Posting and Toasting

Predicted bane of the Hawks' existence: Al Harrington

Game Preview:

The Knicks won the last meeting between these two teams, as Al Harrington continued to torment his former team.  He's averaging 25 points against us this year, and hasn't struggled very much to get his shots.  An early Josh Smith ejection in that game left Atlanta short-handed in the frontcourt, but the Knicks' ability to rain threes from the backcourt was really the deciding factor.

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Atlanta Hawks 08-09 2nd Round Playoff Game  #4
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3-0		0-3
Phillips Arena
May 11th, 2009, 7:00 PM
TNT, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mo Williams	PG	Mike Bibby
Delonte West	SG	Joe Johnson
LeBron James	SF	Mo Evans
Anderson Varejao	PF	Josh Smith
Zydrunas Ilgauskas	C	Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: Most of the Hawks are either physical or mental game time decisions.

Cavs Injury Report: Same scrubs are still hurt. Same awesome people are still awesome.

Blogging With the Enemy: Fear the Sword

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: LBJ

Game Preview:

I apologize for never getting past the "loser dots" last game. I could not help but feel a game recap would simply make a game four post redundant. The last thing I would want is for my Mike Woodson rants to become boring and repetitive. And for those who would say I am far beyond too late in avoiding that trap, well, just be glad they will now not occur in back to back games.

But amidst all this Mike Woodson hate and blowout losses, do you want to know a secret?

I think the Hawks are going to win tonight.

Don't take it as a rallying cry or anything. If I am correct, I can confidently predict the Cavs will win game five as well. But as I reflect on tonight's game, I am struggling to find where the Cavs will be motivated for tonight's game. They are looking at another extended layoff if they win. They could have the pleasure of closing out at home if they lose. They have little reason to take the Hawks seriously at this point. It all adds up.

Ok fine, it is no slam dunk. If the Hawks have shown anything this series, it is that I am risking a bit of embarrassment even joking about them winning, but I think it will happen. I think the team has a little pride left in them. Shoot, as a fan, I have a little pride left at least.

So I am heading down to the arena to watch it live. I look forward to coming back to find the comment section full of ridicule at my belief in the team or full of disdain that I jinxed this team into winning and thus saving Woodson's job.

Either way, I am going to yell a lot tonight for our team. You should do the same. It is what good fans do.

Go Hawks!

Atlanta Hawks 08-09 2nd Round Playoff Game  #3
	@
2-0		0-2
Phillips Arena
May 9th, 2009, 8:00 PM
ABC, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mo Williams	PG	Mike Bibby
Delonte West	SG	Joe Johnson?
LeBron James	SF	Mo Evans
Anderson Varejao	PF	Josh Smith
Zydrunas Ilgauskas	C	Al Horford?

Hawks Injury Report: Most of the Hawks are either physical or mental game time decisions.

Cavs Injury Report: Delonte West's eye is fine in case you were worried.

Blogging With the Enemy: Fear the Sword

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: LBJ

Game Preview:

The Hawks are at a low point. Going against a better team, injury riddled, and down 0-2, but I am not just Hawks fan when the good times role. You cannot be a Hawks fan and a front runner. So lets quit the moaning, stop the complaining, get loud, and root for Josh Smith to rip the rim down.There is no reason to be embarrassed when getting fighting mad is such a more effective emotion. The Hawks and the fans need to step it up.

Keys to the game:

1. Don't go down 30.
   
2. Bring the highlights to the Highlight factory. 
3. Hot Flip.
4. Run, run, run. The Hawks are not going to be beat the Cavs in the half court. That has been established. We are at home, lets dictate the pace. 

Enjoy the commet thread liberally, who knows how many more we have left.

Go Hawks!

Atlanta Hawks 2nd round playoffs Game #2
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0-1		1-0
Quicken Loans Arena
May, 6th 2009, 8:05 PM
ESPN, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Mo Williams
Joe Johnson	SG	Delonte West
Marvin Williams?	SF	LeBron James
Josh Smith	PF	Anderson Varejao
Al Horford?	C	Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Hawks Injury Report: Al Horford and Marvin Williams are game time decisions. I put them in the starting lineup more to hold out hope than to hold up reality.

Cavs Injury Report: JJ Hickson and Lorenzen Wright are out. 

Blogging With the Enemy: Fear the Sword

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: LBJ

Game Preview:

You always want to feel like your team has a chance. Even if it is just based out of the "nothing to lose" mantra. But Cleveland being Cleveland and Atlanta being injured, I am feeling pretty low. Struggling for the positives. Not feeling the kool aid. I am probably most upset that the Hawks may not be able to show what they are capable of on the national stage. Last year's great show lasting three games only got the Hawks two nationally televised games. This year has been worse. Due to immaturity, bad coaching, and injuries, the Hawks have not really endeared themselves to anyone. And that is a shame. So if we are taking baby steps toward hope, I will simply ask the team to come out playing with the passion, excitement, and athleticism, I have seen them possess, that they play with a "nothing to lose" attitude. And if we want to take big steps of hope, a win tonight by the Hawks and Atlanta has home court advantage.

Keys to the game:

1. Play your freaking guts out.

I do not really care if the Hawks lose by 20. I just want them to go bananas in the process. I want fire. I want over the backs and hard screens. I want "don't try that again" fouls and run down blocks. I want it to be 48 minutes of pure passion. The Cavs are better. I don't care. Go win.

Lets go Hawks!

Atlanta Hawks 2nd round playoffs Game #1
	@
0-0		0-0
Quicken Loans Arena
May, 5th 2009, 8:00 PM
TNT, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Mo Williams
Joe Johnson	SG	Delonte West
Marvin Williams?	SF	LeBron James
Josh Smith	PF	Anderson Varejao
Al Horford	C	Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Hawks Injury Report: Marvin Williams should play, but I do not know whether he will start.

Cavs Injury Report: JJ Hickson and Lorenzen Wright are out. 

Blogging With the Enemy: Fear the Sword

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: LBJ

Game Preview:

Did you know the Cavs and the Hawks have one the exact same amount of games in this year's playoffs? What about the fact that the Hawks played the better team last round? Were you aware that the series is currently 0-0?

I believe there is a saying that goes something like "and that is why they play the game." Yea, well that expression has been thrown out for this series. And those questions, yea no one cares how you answer them. The Cavs already won. Just an FYI before you waste your time watching this game.

Really, the build up is a bit ridiculous. LeBron is a world beater. At this point, a five game series would be an indictment on the Cavs. In every sense of the phrase, the Hawks have nothing to lose. You would think they won 25 games during the season.

Do I think the Hawks will win this series? No way, no how. Do I think they can win this series? Yes sir. And that right there is apparently enough evidence to put me in the loony bin. And I would not have it any other way. I didn't start a Hawks blog to look more sane. The hope may be drying up but the kool aid is still pouring fresh.

Five keys to the game:

1. Anderson Varejao may average four charges a game this series. Josh Smith may have 1.5 technicals. But if Josh can control his game and emotions, he has the athleticism to eat up Mr. Anderson. And he needs to for a Hawks victory.
   
2. A very close to healthy Marvin Williams and Al Horford.
   
3. No triple double for LeBron. Yes, I actually think this is a key.
   
4. All-star Joe.
   
5. Rebounds. The Cavs are much bigger so it is going to take hustle, determination, and focus. Something the Hawks do not like doing unless they are being loudly cheered for it.
   

So much to comment on so little time. It is the second round of the playoffs against the best team in the league. Lets get to it. Go Hawks!

No need to preview, just win.

LETS GO HAWKS!

Atlanta Hawks 08-09 Playoff Game #6
	@
3-2		2-3
American Airlines Arena
May 1st, 2009, 8:00 PM
ESPN, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Bibby	PG	Mario Chalmers
Joe Johnson	SG	Dwyane Wade
Mo Evans	SF	James Jones
Josh Smith	PF	Udonis Haslem
Solomon "oh my  lord" Jones	C	Jermaine O'Neal

Hawks Injury Report: Marvin Williams and pass the tissues, Al Hoford are out with real injuries.

Heat Injury Report: Jamario Moon and Luther Head are out with real injuries.

Blogging With the Enemy: Peninsula is Mightier

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: I have decided it is stupid to pick anyone but Dwyane Wade. In some way or another, it will always be him.

Predicted hero of the Hawks existence: Joe "freaking" Johnson

Game Preview:

The Hawks are in the Heat's head.

Scan the internet. The Heat have gone out of their way to make sure everyone that the Hawks are bad people from Mario West, to the 24 year veteran play play radio announcer, to Josh Smith and his dunk that enraged the Heat so much when it happened they let Joe Johnson dunk 12 seconds later.This is not about winning. This is about what things being right in the world.

When you have to play the respect card regarding Mario West, you know you are not feeling good about a series. That being said it is not like this complaining is some sort of mind game death blow. The Heat are going to come out with intensity. I am assuming they are going to knock Josh Smith on his butt early and possibly often. The Hawks have to be ready, patient, and focused.

But if they survive, if the Hawks hit back, those Hawk voices inside the Heat's head will quickly go from motivational to back breaking.

Still, this reality should be real scary for us Hawks fans. Mostly because the energy, disdain, and retribution the Heat want to respond with are not emotions Josh Smith or Solomon Jones have shown they can handle maturely. Technicals are going to be issued tonight. The question is can the Hawks keep their focus and decide they would rather win it tonight than risk a game seven I think it is there for the taking....it's just not going to be easy.

Keys to the game:

1. Flip Murray leads all bench scorers in points and takes no more than four extra shots to do so. 
2. No Hawk is ejected.
3. Solo and Zaza stay out of foul trouble and pull down at least 17 combined rebounds.
   
4. Joe, Josh, or Mike steps up in a hostile environment.
   

Turn your tv down and radio up and join the place where homerism reigns supreme in the comments.

Go Hawks!

Atlanta Hawks 08-09 Playoff Game #5
	@
2-2		2-2
Phillips Arena
April 29th, 2009, 8:00 PM
TNT, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mario Chalmer	PG	Mike Bibby
Dwyane Wade	SG	Joe Johnson
James Jones	SF	Marvin Williams
Udonis Haslem	PF	Josh Smith
Jermaine O'Neil	C	Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: I honestly cannot tell if Acie Law is active or not. I also have no idea if Marvin will play. (oh, now i do thanks to twitter, Marvin is out. Sigh.) On the injury front, the Hawks are like the New England Patriots of the NBA. I just don't know if it is on purpose.

Heat Injury Report: Luther Head and Jamario Moon are out for the series.

Blogging With the Enemy: Peninsula is Mightier

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Dwyane Wade

Predicted hero of the Hawks existence: One time Joe Johnson. 

Game Preview:

In this series, neither team has shown the ability to keep their composure (outside of scoring 8 points in 11 seconds) after going down big early in the game. Both teams forced shots, started playing one on one basketball, and failed to do the little things to get back in the game. All the more reason for the Hawks and the crowd to jump on the Heat early tonight.

For that to happen, the Hawks need to stay aggressive on defense. The odds of the combination of Solo idiocy, made shots, and bad calls happening simultaneously so that the Heat score double digit points in barely double digit seconds is pretty low, but what that defense did was force an all league like effort for the Heat to come anywhere close to hitting over fifty percent of their shots. And if the Heat get the picture and start driving the ball, the Hawks need to remember that running into "walls" should not only be ineffective, it should hurt.

Keys to the game.

1.  I love Zaza the fact that he was player of the game for one game is exactly one more than the Hawks should have expected. Joe, Bibby, and Horford need to step up. No need to press, no excuses. Be patient, get your shots, hit your shots. This is the playoffs.
2. As the AJC pointed out, rebounding has been key in this series. As Josh Smith skied for rebound showed it the fourth quarter of game 4, no reason the Hawks should lose this battle.
3. Selectively run the Heat out of the gym. You don't want to get so hyperactive you play sloppy, but the Highlight Factory should be ready to explode. And the Highlight Factory loves dunks.
   

Is it possible for the next playoff game to not be the most important playoff game? Feel free to discuss in the comment thread this or how if you have ever had a back spasm, it is an injury one normally toughs out, inspires contorted flopping, or flares up only on missed shots. None of those get your fancy? Zaza could probably use some more praise and adulation.

Go Hawks!